Our Melbourne Getaway

This was the view from my window as I lay on my spacious bed after checking into our 3 bedroom apartment I organised for us all for the weekend. 

The Kids were all so excited to check out the hotel and choose which rooms they wanted.

 Our first night there we walked around looking for fun. We went to Fed Square and I challenged the kids to take creative photos of named things. They ran around laughing and having fun as I caught Pokemon. After a while we went to Woolworths Express to buy Uno cards, fruit, snacks and noodles for dinner. After dinner we went back out to buy ice cream before heading back to the hotel to bed.

Saturday morning we had to Up and Go bright and early so it was only appropriate that I buy the kids an Up and Go breakfast drink. 

A bus picked us up from our hotel and took us on a guided tour around the city before taking us to the kids first big surprise. 

I had booked a massive day full of fun for them and they had no idea what the day would bring. 

The hype in the bus was so fun and the tour guide played along.

Our first stop was Grants on Sherbrooke where we had morning tea of scones and bush tea, checked out their gift shop and hand fed native australian birds.

 Jeanette made us all laugh as she walked in with her bowl of bird seed only to throw it onto the ground once the birds flew towards us. I am still smiling every time I think of it. We were all in stitches. 

But it was Jiedyn who surprised me out there. He showed no fear and as all the other kids held back Jie shone bright holding his own, visibly confident and having a lot of fun.

 I have to rate it as one of the best experiences in my life to date. 

Jumping back on the bus, the kids were even more excited to see where we were heading next. And with great reason as none of them had ever been to this place before. 

The kids tried asking me clues on the way but I gave nothing away.

 Hiram read the sign and announced that we were at Puffing Billy.

We were shown to our carriage and before we knew it we were travelling through the picturesque Dandenong Ranges on this beautiful old steam train.

 The kids were happy to sit out the window and even Justine and Nevaeh had a go.

The air was so fresh it was breathtaking.

 The kids were happy to pose for photos and I just love this beautiful shot of them all (below).

After leaving Puffing Billy we went on to Sky High Mt Dandenong but by that time it was raining and wet so we didn't see much. But the kids climbed the wishing tree for a quick photo and we checked out the wishing well before heading out for lunch.

We were recommended this little place in Olinda which had award winning pies. 

Pie in the Sky has been voted as being Victorias #1 and Australia's top 10 pies by the public in 2013 and 2014 and I can tell you from personal experience, they were damn good! 

It was a nice finish to the day and we all fell asleep on the way back to the hotel listening to the radio and talking about our favorite parts of the day.

 By Sunday I was ready to go home. But not without shopping! The kids received their pocket money and after hiring a locker and leaving our luggage behind, we went to the Crown Casino for lunch and a look around.

 The girls spent their money on Starbucks which was an absolute dream come true for them and after finding out about a very important cultural event happening (Standing By Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner Launch) I knew we just had to be there.

Life threw us some really emotional lows last week so this weekend was a great time to all come together for some family fun. I love doing life with all of these young people who look up to me and am glad I could bring some joy back into their lives..

If only for the weekend....