Big City Adventures with Kids! // Brisbane (Southbank) // Part One

We love 'the Sunshine State', (ok, we love our state too but must admit it does not have a beach, haha!)... so when Mark had some work training to do up in Brisbane, Queensland late last year, we eagerly tagged along to soak up some sunshine and swim time!

It was a 14 hour drive up there which we did in one hit, thanks to the kids being road trip warriors (sometime, I will put together a post on our road trip tips??). A biiiiiig drive but so worth it!

We spent the first week exploring Southbank. Southbank is this wonderful area of Brisbane just outside the CBD. It runs along the river and has a great mixture of restaurants, playgrounds, free public pools (that look like beaches) as well as a cultural precinct of galleries, museums and libraries... all within strolling distance. It's fantastic, with so much to explore for families and everyone!

So, we spent the first week trying out urban living... we stayed right near the buzzing Southbank area, in a serviced apartment situated between West End and Southbank. It was a great position with heaps of restaurants and interesting little shops around West End and all the fun stuff to do in Southbank just an easy 10 minute stroll away. The West End Central Apartments where we stayed were great for our family. We had two bedrooms so we could space out a bit, a good sized kitchen, a common area pool for the kids to enjoy, a huge balcony/patio area for the kids to play in and a fun view of the busy urban streets. Some of the fitout was a little outdated but that didn't bother us, especially compensated with its great location. They seemed to be in the midst of some renovations so if you are looking for serviced apartments around the Southbank area, I would recommend!

Nothing quite like starting your day with a sunshine-filled breakfast on the patio!

Morning giggles over muesli.

Everyday while Mark went off to his training (some of us have to work, huh!), the kids and I would pack up a bag of snacks and supplies and head out to enjoy a day at Southbank. Honestly, I didn't intend to hang out at Southbank for the whole week, I thought we would end up venturing into the city or elsewhere too, but there is just sooooo much to do around Southbank, we never felt the need to go anywhere else! It's such a great location, very central for meeting up with a few friends I was wanting to catch up with, too.

The other great thing is that without even really meaning to, we didn't spend a cent all week! Yup, everything we did was **free**!! So much free, fun, family-friendly stuff on offer around the Southbank strip, it makes it a pretty awesome place to hang out! Well, obviously we did have to eat but as we were in serviced apartment with a supermarket across the road, I just bought simple food supplies from there and would make up an easy lunch and snack bag every day rather than buying pricey food when we were out. Always nice to save the $$$ for when you really need it!

Southbank has a series of awesome public pools, one like a lagoon (this one), one like a beach (with sand and all!) and one huge splash park. Love being able to choose whatever type of swimming you feel like each day, and it's lovely to see everyone in the community able to enjoy a swim - any season, any time, yes even late at night! Here the kids are surveying the scene... first thing in the morning, ready to swim!

Hitting the 'beach'

Southbank has just opened this truly incredible new playground! It's huge, adventurous and shaded - a real winner. The kids wanted to play here EVERY day, at least once! 

Playing on new toys with new friends!

Clambering the nets.

This 'hamster wheel' was a huge hit, constantly filled with kids and often adults too.
I had a go and now I know why hamsters and mice run in these things all day long -
such a surreal sensation!! 

Miles went up and down and up and down the rock climbing walls...

Bed time books with big sister on the hotel bed... so precious!

This boy knows how to chill...

My sister came to meet us in town with my triplet nephews and niece! Love seeing the cousins reunited. Every time they are a little older and can play more and more... it's just wonderful :)

Three little duckies bobbing in the water.

Eli likes to just drift in the water like this, watching an underwater world with his goggles on. Needless to say, it freaks me out and makes my heart skip a beat every.single.time. I have to keep watching him just to check he really is floating happily!!

Brisbane blooms purple this time of year! Loved walking through this canopy every day!

Got a little bit obsessed with this luscious green wall across the road. So pretty!

They were so tuckered out each night after big days of play. They love adventuring and I love experiencing it all with them! We really hit our groove when we travel together, just love it :) #sleepingbeauties

When Eli saw these photos he exclaimed 'We look like best friends!'. He absolutely
loves them... and so do I. These two boys are just learning what it is to be best friends,
and a lot of the time are more like 'boys who drive each other and their Mama crazy'
but they are learning and so am I... to enjoy the bond of brotherhood that is forming!

Why don't I do the matching thing more often? It's so cute and my opportunities are
so fleeting, haha. Love my boys, mayhem and all xx

One day we did briefly journey out of Southbank - on the free CityHopper ferry! We met up with some lovely friends and cruised down the river to the beautiful botanical gardens. The ferry ride was a lovely way to see all along the river :)

Fantastic playground and lots of glorious shade on a very hot day at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. We only saw a sliver of the gardens, but they were gorgeous!

Lily was fascinated to recieve the hotel's questionaire and filled it out very seriously on my behalf :)

A little pre-bed colouring in with Daddy.

Bed time books read by big sister... is there anything better??

We met up with a lovely relative and visited the Queensland Museum (also free!). Love the cultural precinct in Southbank - Museum, Library and Gallery all together, free and such good quality! Sadly my favourite, GOMA, was in between exhibitions so we didn't get to visit this time. It's usually fantastic! 

Helloooo, gigantic squid.

The State Library of Queensland has an incredible children's space filled with wonderful play and art and learning opportunities. So rich and relaxing! Perfect for some chill out time after a big day in Southbank too - curl up with some books in the air conditioning! That's one of my tips for city adventures with kids - when everyone gets tired and needs a break, find the library and enjoy some chill time with books :)

E gets his craft on.

The perfect nook to curl up with a good book...

Just doing a little BBQing by the caravan... in the middle of the library. As you do! Haha, love this play set up!!

Two hot, tired kids after trekking the city all day. Still cute though! ;)

We didn't even discover the awesome huge splash park at the end of Southbank till the last day! It was awesome!

Southbank at night is just wonderful, especially with the warm weather! One night I whisked Lily down for a special 'one on one' night where we got Nitrogenie ice cream and had fun adventures together - the next night Mark did the same with Eli. Another evening, we all wandered down for a casual dinner as a family at the cool little restaurant strip near by called Little Stanley Street. We also had a night time play on the playground!

When you just want a nice photo of your three kids but the boys want to sword fight with leaves #sigh

Me and my gang. We did Southbank, we did it well, and we loved every minute. Without doubt, we will be back!!! 

Southbank, we kinda just LOVE YOU! Thanks for treating us so fine xx

Part Two coming soon(ish!).... the Redcliffe area, family time, beaches galore!

BEHR & CO. // a stylish giveaway for YOU (not the kids) this time!

I see you there, Mama, rushing around this December. Buying gifts for kids and partners and others, planning Christmas lunch, what to put in the Christmas stockings and all the rest....

Well, I feel like you deserve a little something, so I'm running a special giveaway just for YOU! Yep, a chance to win something truly gorgeous for your home. I am also thrilled to feature an amazing company run by a fabulously creative work-at-home-Mum - always nice to suport those, huh? She is offering an awesome giveaway to all my lovely readers and a discount code for anyone who can't wait to get shopping :)

Let's start at the beginning, shall we?? Do you have time for a little tale in the midst of Christmas present wrapping?? :)

Well, the lovely Breanne was one of the first non-family-and-friends person to start reading my little ol' blog, way back when I started back in 2012. Honestly, I couldn't believe anyone was reading it, haha. I'm not sure how she found me, but her comments were always so sweet and supportive :) Since then, it has been just fantastic to see Breanne begin her own journey of motherhood - she now has a sweet little boy! Aaaaand then just a year ago, in all her non-existent spare time, she put her incredible creativity to work and started up the homewares company BEHR&CO. It has thrilled me no end to see her products quickly gain popularity, as well they should because JUST LOOK. I've seen her wares featured everywhere from The Block to InStyle magazine... and now here, heehee! :) No surprise, because they are simply stunning products made from marble, brass and fabric, the kind of pieces you would display in your home foreveerrrrrrr, right? I love how everything is so contemporary yet classic in style. Breanne designs and sources the products from master artisans both here and in Italy....all while being a devoted mama. Just love that!

Breanne kindly sent me a stunning hexagon trivet cut from Italian Carrera marble (so lush, huh?) and a beautifully designed perfectly-slouchy little hexagon fabric pouch. I had fun pretending to be a stylist (ha!)... but really, with gorgeous homewares like these, you can't go too wrong, huh?? ;) But seriously... I will let these pieces speak for themselves, they don't need much dressing up!

What can't you put on a marble trivet?? Everything from a cheese spread to your favourite vase. Even mangoes look nice ;) Use the trivet in the kitchen or around the home for decor, it all works!

These pouches are so cute, sturdy and handy! Pop in a pot plant, or your scarves, or kid's toys - anything!

Three spunky little pouches, ready for the kids to store all kinds of treasures. LOVE all the fresh designs (by Breanne herself!!).... Lily is planning to use hers to store her many hair ties and head bands (easy to tote all over the house)!

I think I found a new home for our lovely treasures!

So, have a drool over some of the gorgeous products along with me and then, be sure to enter our giveaway to win a $100 voucher at BEHR & CO., so you can treat yourself to a special something this Christmas.... the hardest thing to do will be deciding what to get! The pouches? The marble coasters? The brass bookends!? So many lovely things, all made with the highest of standards and oodles of love.

Thanks Breanne for always so kindly supporting me, and I am just thrilled to be featuring YOU today! It makes me so happy to see you achieving such huge success, which will no doubt continue...

Ohhhhh, and if you want to do a little Christmas shopping for your loved ones (or yourself!), Breanne has generously offered a 15% discount code on ALL products, so take that up too! Just use the code LLL15OFF at checkout. Beautiful gifts that will be treasured (and last!) for always....

#hexagonsforever

Want to WIN a $100 gift voucher to spend on whatever you love at BEHR&CO?

You have two chances to win! Enter both here and on my Facebook page to double your chances!!

To enter, just answer this simple question....

'What would you love to find under the Christmas tree this year?'

Just comment below with your answer!

Then click over to my Facebook page to enter there too... two entries means twice as likely to win!! :)

xx Kate

Terms and Conditions:
Giveaway is for one $100 voucher to BEHR&CO online store.
Entries welcome worldwide! 
Must leave a name and email address if using "anonymous" or a profile not linked to a way to contact you if you've won.
Winners will be deemed most creative/interesting response as chosen by me. This is a game of skill, not chance.
Entries open 7.30pm Sunday 20th December 2015 and close Wednesday 23rd December 2015 at 9pm AEST. 
Judges decision is final. Winners must respond within 24 hours or prize will be awarded to the runner up. Good luck!

These items were gifted to me for review. All opinions are 100% my own.

sibling kindness: a simple activity to foster positive relationships!

While I'm sure all parents would like their children to co-exist in never ending peaceful harmony, the reality is that the home is the stomping ground of learning to negotiate ever-complex and often challenging human relationships. And with that comes.... yes, conflict! If even we as adults struggle to always peacefully exist alongside other people, it should be no surprise that our little humans may take time, encouragement, example and proactive teaching to learn to do the same. So yes, kids tend to squabble as they learn these skills and work out how to work things out. But I believe we can do more than simply leave them their own devices all throughout childhood, we can come alongside to encourage and 'skill them up' to find a better way to sort things out  - both with their siblings and other relationships now and in the future!

Lately, the sibling squabbles between my kiddos (in particular the two who are still at home!) had been slowly rising to the point where I decided we needed a circuit breaker. Something to remind the kids how precious their relationship is and how much nicer it is for everyone (including Mama's ears, haha) when we choose words of kindness instead of words (and attitudes) of entitlement! So, I sat the little guys down and we had a chat. About respect and the power of kindness. About the blessing it is to have siblings who can also be best friends - and how best friends should treat each other! We love each other but we don't always remember to show it, right?? But things can change if we change our focus.

I realised that as well as working through 'conflict resolution' techniques with the kids (once again... yeah, it is never a one time thing!), that it would help them to have a more visual reminder of the cumulative effect of their words and actions. It was pretty early one morning when it was looking like 'one of those days', so I decided to grab a bunch of pom poms from the craft cupboard and a glass and a vase... I just grabbed whatever was close at hand! I told the kids that whenever they chose to show love and kindness to each other, we would transfer a pom pom from the little glass to the big vase. They loved the idea of course! It's not a ground breakingly original technique (I've seen variations floating around the net!) but at that moment, it felt like just what we needed.

It worked so effectively! There was no reward or prize needed at the end when the vase was filled. It was more about creating a visual example and reminder of the effects of kindness, a way to acknowledge kindness in a simple but concrete way.  It highlighted the acts of sibling kindness between them and reminded them how good it feels to be kind and to think of others first. All of a sudden, they were looking for ways to be kind instead of looking for ways to drive their sibling crazy, haha. All of a sudden, they were remembering how much they loved each other and seeking ways to serve and bless. Woohoo!

It was really effective as a 'circuit breaker'! The boys were super keen to go OTT with acts of kindness and love to each other, haha!! I felt like this was really healing to their relationship, (as well as my ears and heart!). I have to be honest, it also felt refreshing and like a circuit breaker to me, to focus on the good, and be looking for all the moments of sweetness and kindness instead of just focusing on the negative and how the bickering was driving me rather batty. It changed the whole tone of our day! :) It helped us all as a family focus on seeking and acknowledging positive interactions!

And you know what? Kindness begets kindness, so since that little circuit breaker, there has been a lot more kindness (focusing on others) and a lot less squabbling (usually focusing on self!). Of course, issues still arise and we are still working on working through them (that's another post on how we approach that?!) but it's sure nice for all involved to be dealing with quite a few less. It's been helpful and refreshing to focus on spotting (and being!) the good rather than feeling so overwhelmed by the negative.

Since that day last week, we have left the containers out and while we don't always remember to transfer those pom poms for every single act of kindness, the kindness continues even when the pompoms are forgotten... though the kids remember more than me to gleefully exclaim that they spotted a kindness and so we transfer another pom pom!

You know what? Life isn't all pom poms, but when you focus on them a little more, it's amazing how many more there suddenly are :)