five stitches in my leg and three broken ribs... not the best way to end a day celebrating Gully's 9th birthday, but there it is.
i had the brilliant idea to take 7 kids to Luna Park for the day to celebrate - i hadn't been to Luna Park since my best friend Martina's 12th birthday in 1984!
leaving home at 8am, we picked up kids along the way, and headed down the North Shore line to Milson's Point. Heidi, the mother of River's new bestest friend, Felix came with us. From the word go, the mood was hyped, kids were loud and boisterous on the train, jumping between seats and generally being excited.
upon arrival at Luna Park (already desperate for a bex, a cuppa and a good lie down), we were very relieved to find the last day of the school holidays was not too hot, a little overcast and not at all crowded at Luna Park - already charged with lollies the kids headed straight into the rotor the kids rolled, into the dodgems, up onto the wild mouse, onto the tango train, into Coney Island, out to the Pirate's revenge, though the hall of mirrors to the spider, rock'n'tug & the carousel for a bout of quiet time before rolling back into the rotor for almost another hour, until we were virtually kicked out of the Park at closing time.
with their 'go wild' all rides and many times as you like wrist bands, the kids were hard to keep track of, queuing up for rides I had no choice, but to join them as there was no way to drag them from the barricades.
for Gully, Luna Park was not entirely his cup of tea. he spent a lot of time watching his friends, choosing no to ride. in retrospect I think he would have preferred a lego construction party at home in peace and quiet. his friends on the other hand took full advantage of parent free time to test the boundaries of their own bravery and enjoy the huge surges of adrenalin.
Gully chose to ride the dodgems and to visit Coney Island, but after that, his guests ruled the show..
Benj and Shelly met us at Luna Park with delicious birthday cake in tow - a great end to fish and chips and beautiful gift.
fantale wrapper reading was my chosen activity for the train ride home, the boys decided they preferred making caves between the train seats and shooting at each other with their imaginary guns and checking communications with their souvenir Luna Park pencils. Generally causing as much havoc as they could.
Alex's quote of the day:
"I would read all the fantale wrappers if I could read!"
he gave it a go, but the long names and small font proved too much of a challenge.
exhausted, Heidi and I returned the kids to their respective homes close to 9pm. After putting my boys straight to bed and downing some delicious dumplings Charlie had waiting, I went to investigate our carpenter's progress on our new extension - only to end the day with the wildest ride yet - a 1 metre fall into the floor joists and onto the ground... the rest is a painful and slowly fading memory.
enough to say I have amazing neighbours, who came to assist in the middle of the night and wonderful friends and family helping me still x
