Blog 21-Winter 2013 Connors Visit to Oz

During the past few weeks,we have had the pleasure of family visiting from the UK in the form of Michelle,Tim,Isla and Niamh. It has been a very chaotic and fun few weeks where the kids,particularly Thomas and Isla,have had a whale of a time playing.
It was the first time we had met Niamh and she has proven to be very cute-just like Isla I may add. Due to us having minimal "girls toys" in the house, Isla is now trained in playing Skylanders,Ninjas,Ben 10,Bionicles,Hero Factories...the list goes on. All of which I'm sure will come in handy for when she goes back to school! Charlie has been trying his best to keep up with the other kids and is doing well. However,he pushes himself too much sometimes,then gets beyond tired. He is unable to walk distances whenever we go out and still rides in his buggy/pushchair for any outings which can be hard to watch when all the other children his age are happily running around and he's either flat out, or reserving his energy for the important stuff. For me and Paul there are clear differences in his inability to do things that the other children naturally do, but so long as Charlie is comfortable and happy,then that's fine with us and his time will come!

We ventured up the coast for a few days and stopped off in Noosa then went onto Rainbow Beach.We were met at both places with sunshine and beautiful accommodation. Tim and Michelle were amazed by the apartments we'd hired and they were in the outdoor pool in the blink of an eye (though it was chillier than they expected I think)! Charlie had to watch on from the balcony whilst the others frolicked in the water so we decided it was probably only fair to pop to the beach where Charlie could join in this time (less germs).
After hiring a boat,doing a spot of shopping at the markets and playing on the beach our time in Noosa was up and we headed up to Rainbow Beach. Isla held her 6th birthday at this gorgeous spot and we all got up early and went to feed some dolphins on her special day,which was amazing.

The day prior, the Barratts had booked in to do kayaking with the dolphins and whales whilst the Connors went exploring Fraser Island. Unfortunately we were unable to do the kayak tour as Charlie was too young.We didnt waste our day though and headed to the beach where Paul "fished" (I'm sure that Oceans empty) and the boys and I played on the beach. A few more adventures and a couple more BBQ's later and we headed back to Brisbane.

Charlie's treatment day loomed and the Connors headed off to Sydney for a week to do more sightseeing. They travelled by sleeper train and had a great time in Sydney once they arrived. That week gave us the opportunity to manage the side effects of Charlies treatment which were BAD! I never want to take steroids in my life after seeing what they do to his little body and mind. He was a crazy little monster that week and it was a very stressful time. Once its over with,we're on with the next stage,no time to dwell but it was another difficult week. Charlies next treatment day is Thursday the 5th September and instead of taking part in his school transition day where he would meet teachers,peers and learn a little about the school he's starting in January, he will instead be in theatre having a lumbar puncture,chemotherapy,steroids...

The Connors arrived back from Sydney and we all headed off to see Paul finish his second Ride to Conquer Cancer cycle. Knowing that all the money raised on the day goes directly to the research centre to help find a cure for Cancer, makes the ride so worthwhile. Thank you so much to each of you who supported the cause financially or otherwise. Paul and Kevin did a remarkable job and Paul now has the cycling competition bug,argh!!

This last weekend, we went to Sea World where the kids had the best time but seemed pretty shattered by the end of it.

Michelle and myself took ourselves off for a long overdue massage yesterday (seen as Paul bought me the voucher 5 months ago I thought I better use it)! We had a quick trip to the Lookout at Mt Coot tha then headed home for dinner.

Today is the final day of their visit and I hope that they have felt welcomed and enjoyed their stay with us as it has been jam packed with fun and mayhem! xxx