We're home...(warning-lots of photos ahead)

...from our little trip away and we had a fabulous time.

We flew to Brisbane on Saturday afternoon for Jack's first ever plane ride. I kitted him out in his Jay Jay the jetplane shirt and Grandma gave him an airplane sticker book for the flight down. Take off was a bit frightening for him the poor little bugger. He was gripping onto our arms and burying his head crying and started to get all hot a sweaty but after we were up in the air and the sticker book came out he was okay, although he didn't really want to look out the windows. Landing wasn't too bad though. As we were turning to come into the airport he was "Wooooo, woooo, woooo"ing as the airplane tipped but he was okay. We saw the big cranes at the docks as we were coming in which was very exciting apparently because Jack started calling out, "Look look everybody!! There's cranes over there!! Look!!" He gave our arms a bit of a squeeze on landing (which was a bit bumpy I might add) but so did Daddy.

Our wonderful friend Michael who we stayed with while we were there came and collected us from the airport which was great and we headed back to his place and grabbed some dinner, had a chat then bunked down for the night.

Sunday morning we were heading off to pick up the car that we went down to buy. We caught the train much to Jack's excitement. His first ever train ride! While we were standing at the station he was asking if it was going to be a deisel or a steamy which I thought was so cute. He enjoyed the ride although 3 stations before our stop he said he had to go to the toilet but luckily he held it until we got to our stop. We went and bought the car and then headed off for Dreamworld, my first time driving on the motorway!!

We didn't get to Dreamworld until after 12 but we still had enough time to see everything (except the chocolate shop that I wanted to see but that's probably a good thing). We started off at Wiggle World but the lines were a bit long so after having a photo with Captain Feathersword we went to check out the animals first. Jack got to pat a kangaroo and we saw the koalas and tassie devils and some birds and snakes and things. We went for a look at the log ride but decided not to go on it. Again the lines were really long and it's a pretty big drop at the start and you get a bit wet. We headed off to check out the Nickelodeon area and have a go on some of the rides there like the carosel and the plane ride. We went on the Dreamworld train ride and then headed back to Wiggle World and had a go on the teacup ride and the big red car which Jack absolutely loved!! To finish off our day we had an ice cream and then we headed back to Michael's. We forgot to go to Tiger Island (doh!!) which was a bummer.

Sunday night Jack woke up crying in the middle of the night (we were all sharing a bed, Michael's bed in fact which he kindly gave up for us). Owen and I both sat half upright asking Jack what was wrong (he had earlier said his tummy hurt, that should have given us a clue right) and then Jack vomited all over Owen and the bed. Poor little man, that's the first time he's ever been physically sick. We're not sure what was wrong, I think maybe a bit of dehydration coupled with rides that go round and round and round and round. We had a bit of a restless night but after some panadol the next day he was right as rain (unlike Michael's pillow, which of course we replaced with a new one).

Monday after a bit of a GPS detour (have no idea what setting we had it on, wild goose chase maybe?) we headed down to Seaworld. Again we didn't get there until lunchtime (we're not really known for our puctuality :P) but we still only missed out on seeing the dugongs, well we didn't see the polar bears either but that was because they weren't in their yard. We watched the Bert and Ernie stage show first which was fantastic, the costumes were just superb. Jack really enjoyed it and was dancing away up on Daddy's shoulders. Then we went and watched the sea lion show which was great as well. Jack was just awestruck and his eyes were just glued to the stage. After that we headed down to the dolphin show which was just spectacular. I had tears in my eyes at the wonder of the dolphins. They are just magical animals, so strong...just beautiful. After the dolphins we went and watched the 4D Planet SOS movie. Jack nearly pooed his pants. It's a bit scary for little kids but it's just incredible how good the effects are. After that we went and checked out the rock pool area and the underwater shark aqaurium, then the penguins, then tried to spot the polar bears and then we hit the rides. Daddy was the lucky one that got to go on all the rides. The props in the Sesame Beach area are phenomenal. It is the best display I've ever seen, so bright and colourful and genuine looking. The rides were great too although I'm not sure if Jack particularly enjoyed the Big Bird Bounce.The poor boy beside him didn't enjoy it at all and the ride had to be stopped because his eyes started rolling back in his head, poor kid. When it started back again Jack started to get a bit scared but luckily there were some older girls on the ride that held his hand which I was very thankful for since I was on the ground crying for my poor baby. When he came off the ride though and we asked if he wanted another turn he said yes. Cheeky kid. We finished off the day with and ice cream and then once again headed back to Michael's.

So that was our little weekend away. It was just great. It's nice to get away from home, it makes you feel like you've had a real break. We're planning on going next year again but staying longer obviously so we can check out the zoos and movie world as well, and maybe squeeze in a bit of shopping.

Our trip home went really well. We bought a power thing for the laptop to plug into the car so Jack could watch DVD's on the way home and he did really well considering the length of the trip, about 8 hours. The car went great too which is good. It's a 1993 Holden Rodeo, so it's a bit older but the engine and the cab look in great condition, the back is a bit dinted and had a bit of surface rust but Owen has plans apparently. I'm excited too because now that he has a car the Magna is now "my" car so it's about to get girlied up with some pretty pink accessories and eventually a respray with some new pink pinstriping.

Well I better go do some washing and clean the house...back to normality.