No Excuses

We are so lucky in Perth to have such perfect weather over the Christmas holidays. My husband and I decided that we were going to make the most of the beach this summer without any excuses!!! It's been so easy in the past to say it's too hard.

We did a little bit of research and found that there is a beach with a wheel chair ramp right down to the waters edge and a shaded area to park the chair in while we weren't using it. Perfect for us!!!

We packed the floating boat for Caitlin, snorkels and goggles for the rest of us and headed down.

It was the perfect way to escape the heat and have some lovely "normal" family time.

Caitlin loved the water and did not stop smiling - we got a lot of comments from strangers about how happy she was!!!

It took a bit of effort, but it was well worth it - so from now on - no more excuses !!!!!

Xmas Day

My two beautiful girls on Christmas day!!!

Both the girls got spoilt rotten and loved every minute of Christmas day. Caitlin got a portable DVD player which is fantastic for doing ABR with. She watches her movies quite happily while we watch our movies on the big TV. It's a great way to distract her and allows us to get more hours of ABR in!!!!

Grace was given an electric guitar by her Nan and Grumps. She has been having a few very basic lessons with her Dad. It's really cute to watch them both. She has decided she would like to do some lessons at school, but with all the sport she does, I'm not sure she is going to have the time to fit practising in!

The girls Aunty Kaz and Uncle Stu sent over a heart necklace for the girls that you snap in half and they each wear a half. One half says "big sis" and the other half says "lil sis". The girls were very impressed with this and they have hardly taken them off - way to go Aunty Kaz!!!

The Fairies came to Perth

For Caitlins birthday, her very clever Nanny Jo and Grumps got her a ticket to go and see the Fairies in concert. I really struggled to hold Caitlin throughout the show as she did not stop jumping around and dancing in excitement, my arms certainly got a workout that day!!!!
Nan had organised for Caitlin to be taken to the VIP lounge after the show and have a meet and greet with the fairies, Wizzy the Wizard and Barnaby the Bee. Caitlin was a bit over awed when meeting them but it was a memory I'm sure she treasures!!!!

Aqua with Tess

Caitlin had a ball at Aqua with her best friend from school, Tess and her little sister, Grace.

Her favourite part of the day was when she got to pat the sting rays in the touch pool !!!!

A great day was had by all. There was so much to see, and for the visually impaired, there was lots of contasting colours and bright lights. Caitlin loved the day and we loved watching her face as she giggled with delight at it all.

Santa Claus is coming, Santa Claus is coming, He's not very far away!

Yippee, it's Christmas Eve !!!!
After a week of gastro with Caitlin, she has finally kept her breakfast down and looks a much better colour today!
What a day we have today in preparation for the BIG day tomorrow and my two girls are very excited about it. We have to make our glitter bags to throw on the front lawn tonight so Santa can see our house shining from the sky, we have Christmas Mass at the girls school tonight and then we are off to look at the houses with Christmas lights with Nan and Grumps tonight and then set out the reindeer food and Santa beer and food, with a letter asking Santa to please NOT leave his muddy foot prints all through our house this year!!!. All while trying to stay on our best behaviour.
We all hope that everyone that reads this blog has a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year and we will let you know how we got on after Chrissy. Travel safely if you are travelling!
Love Caitlin and her family

xmas photo of the girls

Caitlin and Grace getting ready for Christmas. Two very excited girls with only 6 sleeps left. WE need every one of those sleeps to catch up before the big day arrives. Too many Christmas parties and work farewells for Dad!!!

School today

Caitlin came home from school today really excited, they had a special visit from Santa and he brought all of the Special Needs children a present. Tomorrow Caitlin's class is having a "Polar Express" day and they get to go to school in their PJ's!!!

School reports came home today and some of the comment were "she has a contagious sense of humour", "joins in group games with assistance from her peers", and "she has brightened up the class this year with her presence." How proud of her are we!!!