Camping at Fingal, NSW

Lisa and Dan invited us on a camping trip with some of their friends.  Fingal is an arm of land that is bordered by the Tweed River on the west side and the Pacific Ocean on the east side.  The actual holiday park wasn't much but the beach was gorgeous with an island just offshore.  We were located just north of a headland where I watched dolphins surf the waves and fisherman cast their lines despite the constant waves and sea spray washing over them (it looked a little precarious).

Max enjoying another boy's dump truck 

This occasion was the second time Max has taken great interest in another child's dump truck.  I bought him one today.  Very naughty--that is exactly why the house fills with excess toys!

Pip and Max playing at the campsite

Wouldn't you know that the toddlers decide that the best place to play during a camping trip is in the car?!  Max played in the car for at least two hours during the twenty-four that we were at the campground.  Since we don't usually have a car, I indulged him.

Tim and I realized that camping does not equate with relaxation when you bring along a toddler (although it may be Max in particular).  Pip generally seemed to stay near the group's campsites.  Max did not sit still unless we strapped him (in protest) into his stroller (for a meal) or until he collapsed at the end of the day (he slept from 7pm until 5:45am the next morning, despite the rain and the partying lads at neighboring campsites).  He spent much of his other time pushing his bus around the campground or playing in the car (in retrospect, I realize that it served as a playpen). We took him to the beach twice--he is such a fan of playing in the smaller waves.  We all came home exhausted...but I'm definitely keen to go again.

One difference between camping as I know it and camping in this part of Australia is the need for shade apparatuses.  Everyone has either shady extensions to their tents or reflective tarps rigged to create shade.  Also, many tents have reflective rain flies for sun protection too.  Queensland supposedly has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.  It has certainly brought skin protection to my attention.  Let's just say that we don't wear skimpy swimsuits in our family.

A little story

Once per week after his nap, Max watches a DVD while I cut his nails.  Last week, after I had clipped six of his nails, he decided that he didn't want anymore cut.  Rather than struggle, I thought I would wait until later in the day. Not long thereafter Max lost interest in the DVD so I turned it off.  He played with his toys for a bit then he asked to watch the Thomas the Tank Engine DVD again (he points at the TV and says, "toot toot").  I told him that he may watch Thomas if Mommy could cut his nails again.  He declined that proposition (a high pitched "no no" with a Max-esque shake of the head (more of a side to side motion without turning his head or using his neck)).  A few minutes later, while sitting on the sofa, he pointed at the TV again saying, "toot toot."  I laid out my proposition again.  He declined again.  He thought for a moment, then he said, "please" (which sounded like "peeeeeeeas").  I crumbled.  He had never used "please" to get what he wanted before, despite my consistent prompting.  Unfortunately for him and despite his adamant protest, I proceeded to clip his nails during the DVD.  

Late February

Tim and I had two childless nights out since my last posting.  We went to watch the Queensland Roar play a semi-final match against Sydney FC (soccer) one night.  The other was a surprise dinner for my birthday.  We spent 3+ hours at a restaurant!  What a treat.  Both nights Max must have sensed that we were leaving.  Normally he goes down easily at the end of his bedtime routine, but he cried soon after we left him on these occasions.  Kids are so perceptive!

Our friends, Lisa and Dan, came over for dinner.  At the end

of the night we got Max and Pip to kiss (Belle, shade your eyes).

Lisa has been kind enough to watch Max on a couple of 

occasions, including the night of the soccer game.