A Great Day Out

With the school holidays and a very very limited budget, I have been looking for places to take my boys that does not cost too much, but I prefer somewhere free. Then someone told me about the Zoo's in Melbourne.... kids get in free during the holidays.

Within Melbourne there are the three Zoo's: Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. So there is variety, depending on what you want.

The Melbourne Zoo is like the traditional zoo's, with varying animals.

Healesville Sanctuary has animals that are found within  Australia, so birds, wombats, reptiles, Kangaroos and plenty more.

Then there is Werribee Open Range Zoo, which is all about giving the feel of an African Safari, there is even a Slumber Safari where you can stay over night.

But today we went to Healesville Sanctuary. It was a surprise for my boys, and one they got if they put all their clothes away... and they put their clothes away and cleaned up their room yesterday. So today we did the hour drive and had a wonderful day.

Today we went to Healesville Zoo, where the animals are all ones you will find within Australia. The cost $25.20.... which included my entrance fee ($20.70) and 1 coffee. We took a packed lunch and plenty of water.

Lets just saw, we had such a great day out. The weather was perfect and the zoo was amazing

We got to see Kangaroos chilling out in the early morning sun. As well as learning that the reddish looking Roos are males and the greyish ones are the females, a fact that I did not know.

Throughout the Zoo there are a few bird aviaries where you can get close to the birds, as well as learning to duck as they fly around. In this particular one, my older two sons were able to feed a Galah.  

We were even able to get up close to two gorgeous baby Wombats in the Zoo's Animal Hospital. They were adorable, however my eldest was upset that we were not allowed to pat them. But after explaining to him why not, he understood why.

This is a Tasmania Devil. It was the first time I had ever seen one, and I must admit, I fell in love. They are such a gorgeous animals. But I must admit, I was having flashbacks to Taz the Tasmanian Devil from the Bugs Bunny shows...lol

This would have to be our favourite part of the day... The Spirits Of The Sky Show... all about birds. Some flew close enough to the crowd, they could have touched them. Once again, these birds are Australian Birds.

My Little 18 month old, Photobombing what would have been a great pic of a Wedgetail Eagle flying over the top.. However look at those amazing blue eyes. Love him to bits.

Now here is the Wedgetail Eagle... gorgeous, massive and one bird I would not want near my cat. It was such a magnificent and smart bird, like a few from this show. It was amazing, and then topped off by a man playing the didgeridoo.

Today was a day with my sons. Today was a day we made some wonderful memories. 

Today, we finished the day with an extra special treat....... 

A very sinful, but so delicious treat......

We stopped off at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.

My boys shared a Chocolate milkshake, and we shared this plate, with two brownies, ice cream and chocolate sauce.  Divine. It is here that I splurged a little and trust me, my boys deserved it.

This is all for now. Tomorrow I am planning on getting the boys to have some fun and doing some paper mache.... means mess, but lots of fun .

The Beginning and Cement Paint.

With school holidays and weekend, I am sure other mothers are thinking the same.... "WHAT CAN WE DO?".

I am a mother of three gorgeous boys, 18 month old, 6.5 year old and a 8 year old. So the activities I set out for the kids have to be suitable for all. If not then we wait till mr 18 month old is having his day sleep. But most off all they have to be FUN, FUN, FUN.

With this blog I am hoping to stick to kid only topics... activities, food, movies, and yes even toys. Please remember this... I am a mother of 3 BOYS, no girls. I don't have much money, so things I do with my children are done as cheap as I can get it and are generally home-made.

With all of that being said, while my little one has been sleeping, I have sent my older 2 outside with some home made cement paint. It is easy, it is cheap, the colours are bright and its made with ingredients every parent has.......

Corn Flour 

Food Dye 

Water

Yes that is all, and do you know what... the kids love it and it washes off the cement with ease.

As I make a lot of it in the one hit, I use plastic take away containers to store the paint in, of which you can buy a 6 pack for about $2.50. They can be washed out and reused and reused and reused.

So here we go:

CEMENT PAINT

For each colour you need:

1/2 cup Corn Flour

1/2 cup Water

Food dye- add as much or as little as you want to get your desired colour.

Mix all ingredients together, and send the children outside for some creative painting. Today I have sent my boys outside with 6 different coloured paints, 4 different types of sponges, 2 straws and 2 paint brushes..... let the creativity begin.

Remember to stir otherwise it starts to turn to gloop, but if you have a child like my Mr 6, then they will love it.