Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Update!


Was it really July when I last posted on here?


Poor Isla.

I had an appointment a few weeks back with Isla's school regarding funding for aide hours next year. Good news is, she's guaranteed hours until 2013 when she'll be reviewed again and because of her age will more than likely get more hours. Bad news is, still at 3 hours per week, but it's better than nothing, and with only a few weeks of school left, 3 hours has done her quite well {but of course, like most things, it could be better}.

Isla's tone is starting to increase now, it's been 5 months since Botox, but her measurements remain quite good. It's hard to see her walking up on her toes again though, it's quite noticeable at the moment.

Isla took part in a muscle stimulation trial/study a few months back where we used a mini tens machine on her right calf muscle for 30 minutes per day for a week. Isla tolerated it really well and we look forward to hopefully being included in the group when it's up and running.

Last week Isla had her first {and hopefully last} ambulance trip. I picked her up from school and she was fine. We went to get her an icy pole from the shop and on the way she was talking about a spider being on her at school. Once we got to the shop she was boiling hot to touch and covered in goosebumps. When we got home the vomiting began and her torso was covered in a red blotchy rash. I freaked out and called 000, but by the time they arrived her temp had started going down, but was still so high at 39.1 so off she went to emergency for a while.

Turned out to be nothing to do with a spider, but an infected throat. Little poppet is aok now.

A few weeks back, I bought Isla her proper 'big girl' bed, upgrading from her toddler bed. We picked an awesome set of bunks with desks built in. So far just Isla is in there, I'm not ready to introduce Harper into the mix just yet!

At the end of September Isla lost her first tooth, and now has another wiggly one! So exciting! I thought she'd freak out by it, but she was so excited, she actually yanked it out!

I think that's everything I've neglected to update the blog-world with...

The above photo is from Isla's school's Halloween Disco last week. She had such a great time and loved dressing up so much!

Monday, July 19, 2010

It's been forever since I posted.


Isla had botox on the 7th of June and was so so brave. The anaesthetist was running late and Isla was the 5th kid on the list so didn't go under until 1pm, she was SO hungry, poor little mite. Hamstrings and calves injected {one day I'll actually learn the proper names of the muscles}. She was pretty nauseas when she woke up so had something put in the cannula to make her feel better, then proceeded to down a cup of hot chips in no time at all.

Isla continues to amaze me whenever she has to go to an appointment like this. She never complains, in fact she was actually excited to go and kept talking about her sleeping mask. I think that if she were to know what actually went on with the injections etc once she was asleep it might be a different story.

We were meant to go to Dr L for a post-botox review on the 6th of July, but Ian's Mother passed away suddenly that morning, so I haven't been able to organise another appointment for her as yet.

She had her serial casting on the 9th and had her measurements taken by her physio, Michael at the hospital - we've finally managed to get into the hospital for physio & OT which will save me almost $5,000 a year. Michael said her response to the botox was "really good" and that she'd only need 1-2 weeks of plasters, not the 3-4 we initially anticipated due to her high tone. So, after one week we went back and had them removed {she chose purple this time} and Michael was so thrilled with her response that she didn't need any more plasters!!!

The most exciting part of this is that Isla doesn't need to be in plasters when she goes back to school tomorrow. Awesome.

We have a long term wheelchair trial at the hospital on the 26th, which I am pretty apprehensive about. I have no idea how it all works, and the idea of her being in a wheelchair frightens me, but she's excited about it. The wheelchair rep is coming out to meet us at the hospital...I think...

What else?

Isla's school report came the last week of school and I am so proud of her. She was above average in everything ♥ She loves school so much, has made so many friends, I am so so proud of her. I sent the book "Nicholas Nigel Norris" to school with her when she went into her Orthotics, and the teachers have sent it all around the school, which has been really positive. Actually, it's still there, I'll have to chase it up!

Isla's still scared to be at school in the playground. There are almost 500 kids in such a small {concrete} area, she's terrified of being knocked over. Ian and I plan on speaking to the Principal about this asap. Poor little mite.

Dr L wrote a long letter for Isla in the hopes that she'll qualify for more aide funding at school. At the moment she's only receiving 3 hrs per week, but most of that goes to sport {!!} I'd rather her have standby support at recess and lunchtime. We'll see what happens there.


Tuesday, May 25, 2010


Isla had an appointment with Dr L today to review her kidney ultrasound and abdo xrays from 2 weeks ago. Background to these tests, Isla had incontinence following Botox last November - cause unknown, but suspected Botox spreading from injection site. Dr L hadn't had any reported cases of this and was quite perplexed and concerned, hence the tests.


So, we're about to head out the door when the phone rings. It's a lady from the Dept of ACDH. Sh was lovely, but did mention that Isla doesn't qualify for anything from them because she doesn't have an intellectual impairment....but hang on, what about her physical one?

Her advice? Try MDS {our local disability service providers}. I'm sure they'll be of great help {note sarcasm here}. I have emailed them, I can't wait to hear them say she's not eligible.

Why is this so difficult? Why aren't physical disabilities being taken into account for these types of Departments? Why are these kids {and adults for that matter} forgotten? Where's the equality?

We head off to see Dr L. His other appointments are running late so it's a perfect opportunity to discuss things with him. First and foremost, he goes over Isla's xray and ultrasounds. No problem with her kidneys and the way they drain {phew!} she does, though, have a compacted bowel which he believes is putting pressure on her bladder and causing the incontinence. Can see a tiny smile of relief on Dr L's face at this news! We need to see or Paed, Dr F for treatment.

Dr L mentions he's "heard through the grapevine" that Isla doesn't have access to any services. I have a total panic thinking he's been reading my blog, {I am going back in my mind thinking, hoping I have ben nice!} and he says that the wonderful Orthotist, Felicity, that made Isla's new "helpers" had spoken to him about it. Bless her {did I mention she has new helpers? They're "rainbow" and she loves them}.

Felicity is wonderful, really wonderful. She asked all the questions I'd wanted someone to ask me, she listened, and she acted on it. This never happens! She's amazing. I can't wait to see her in 2 weeks at Botox and thank her.

I digress.

Dr L asks about how she gets around school. I say fine I guess, I haven't been told otherwise, she generally has an aide with her when she's navigating the playground, but misses out on some of the sport/exercise etc. He asks how she goes on excursions - they haven't had any yet. He suggests the school provide her with a wheelchair. He then says I should look at getting one for her too for longer walking trips {longer than 500ish metres}.

I gasp.

I wasn't ready for it.

I suggest perhaps an "old lady walking frame", he nods. I suggest elbow crutches, he nods.

It hit me like a tonne of bricks. I knew it would happen at some point but I didn't think it'd be now.

We go on to talk about the Medicare safety net, and how I need to register for it, and should be able to claim Isla's physio expenses. He agrees with me about the crappy way TSC is set out. AND it turns out that while we lived with Dad we could have and should have been accessing TSC campus about 15 minutes from home, not the place about 45 minutes away, but that's a whole other rant in itself. He agrees that it'll be hard to qualify for anything given Isla has no Intellectual Impairment.

What to do now?????

Two weeks til Botox. Wish us luck.

PS Here's Isla in her new 'Helpers' ready for school - complete with flashing shoes to help her get that all important heel-strike ;)


Thursday, April 29, 2010

...why Isla has wobbly legs".


This is how my walk to school went this morning.

I think it's the first time that someone has ever asked me that question. Most of the time I think people wait for me to offer up an explanation.

"She has Cerebral Palsy" I replied.

The mother who asked is Isla's best school-friend's mother, and she is so lovely. I think she was worried about asking me, because she said, "I'm sorry, I mean if it's okay for me to ask?".

I don't know how much information to give. Do I leave it at CP or do I go on about how she got it, where she's affected, what the future holds for her? How much information do people actually want?

I was lucky in that she asked more questions like, "Was she born with it?" and "Do you know why?". All questions I could answer.

I offered up some info on her Orthotics {which we pick up in 2 weeks, yay!} so that they know what they are when Isla starts wearing them again.

I could feel my voice going funny when I was talking about it, you know that wavering feeling just before you burst into tears? But the thing is, I wasn't sad, I was happy. Really happy that she asked me, that she didn't just fob off the kids questions and actually asked and was interested in Isla and her CP.

Isla has started going to Before + After School Care on Fridays while I'm at TAFE, and her little friend goes with her. The mother said she loves Isla so much and always hears about her from her daughter. She said that when she picked her daughter up from ASC she asked the teachers how Isla settled in on her first day there ♥ only to be told that the children there were all falling over each other to be the person to help Isla out ♥

This has been the best thing about starting school for Isla, the way that the other kids want to help her and don't want her to miss out on doing anything. At school, her teacher said the kids race each other to get to Isla's bag to help get her fruit out for munch 'n' sip. They all want to take a turn at sitting on the cushions with her. Kids can be awesome ♥

Monday, April 26, 2010

Back in December 2009 I got fed up with the lack of services etc available to Isla.


I think it would have been around the time I was trying to sort out an aide for her schooling, and trying to be able to pay for the bulk of it myself.

I sent an email to Nicola Roxon, Minister for Health. It's down below if you want to read it {it's the same babble that I've been going on with here though}.

I mention that we can't access DADHC because we have to go through TSC who give us nothing. They've {Dept of Ageing, Disability and Home Care} told me repeatedly that they cannot help us.

So imagine my surprise when I receive an email from a DADHC Intake Officer who says she's been trying to contact me. Yes, an INTAKE officer.

The email I sent to Ms Roxon was forwarded to Jenny Macklin, who I didn't hear from until a week or two ago, and typically, I can't find the letter now *roll eyes*.

It came with a heap of Govt crap, like we're investing $$$ into blah blah blah, which is great, but I don't care. They gave me numbers for free Govt Carers Counselling {which I'm happy to pass on if any others out there want it} a service I never knew existed. They gave me contact details for Respite.

She {or her representative writing to me} forwarded my email and their response to another Minister who this "issue" falls under his portfolio for his "direct consideration and response". They told me to reapply for the Carer's Payment because the criteria have changed since July 2009.

I did initially wonder whether the reply was in response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme that they're working on, or maybe the Aust Govt's Productivity Commission 's inquiry into Disability Care and Support.

Who knows?

Either way, it'll be interesting to see what happens from here.
Dear Ms Roxon,

My name is Allison Farr, and I am the mother of Isla, who is 5 and has Cerebral Palsy. I am writing to your office for your help, in finding the answers to my questions which no one else seems to be able to provide. I am a single mother and a full time student. I have a one year old child as well as Isla.

I applied for funding for Isla from the Dept of Health and Ageing, who denied her, saying that we had to access The Spastic Centre, who would help us out.

The Spastic Centre classify Isla as mild (in comparison to the severe cases they deal with) therefore we don't qualify for their services, except for group therapy, which is of little help to Isla as she is more "advanced" than the others in her group and is often left out of the activities. It is not therapy as such, more like playgroup/social interaction.

We cannot access the local Paediatric Allied Health Unit of our local hospital for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for Isla because we're involved with The Spastic Centre (and we're on waiting lists, we're not actually accessing ANY services from them whatsoever). We're not involved with any form of Early Intervention. I wanted to apply for the DADHC Family Assistance Fund, to pay for Isla to do Riding for the Disabled, but again we don't qualify for it because we're not involved with Early Intervention. We were able to access the PAHU of our local hospital before we moved into a different region, but no one organised our files to be transferred to the new area, no one gave us names of who to see, where to go. Now we've moved back to our old area and are on the wait list to get back in to these services.

We have to pay to see a private physiotherapist, a private orthotist, private specialists (including rehabilitation specialists, neurologists, opthamologists, paediatricians). In addition to these people we see, Isla also has Botox Injections into her legs to help her walk, which is followed by weeks of serial casting, at $250 per week, and Ankle-Foot Orthotics which cost $1400 per year. It costs me $5000 in therapies etc per year. We don't have access to aides for her for things like toileting because her Occupational Therapist said the wait list is too long, and only the more severe cases get approved.

We don't qualify for the Carer's Payment, because Isla is not severe enough, yet she cannot walk further than 50 metres without falling over and being unable to walk further, also when she falls she's unable to help herself back up. Isla is unable to take herself to the toilet. She is unable to dress or undress herself. She has great difficulty brushing her hair and teeth. She is unable to sit on the carpet cross-legged. She is unable to walk in large groups of people as she has very little balance. She has difficulty climbing into her low toddler bed. She cannot cover herself over with a blanket. She cannot climb into the car. She struggles going up a single stair. She cannot stand in the shower, and cannot get herself into the bath. She has difficulty climbing onto our dining chairs to sit with us for dinner. She has toileting accidents almost daily when she has the Botox treatments. She is five years old.

All these things and we're told she's not disabled enough.

She tests well in cognitive skills, which is where we start to have problems - in that, she's not mentally disabled so we have all our attempts at funding denied. I have to lift her for all the above mentioned activities. I cannot take the children shopping, because Isla can't walk far enough, and is too big for a pram, and too big for a trolley. I haven't been offered any form of respite. No form of counselling. Isla's disability is impacting on almost every part of my life, not just hers.

I have to pay for all her therapies and treatments out of my own pocket. My (now separated) husband and I had to hold a private fundraiser to be even able to afford Isla's therapies. I contacted Centrelink about their Carer Adjustment Payment but was told we didn't qualify. We live in a rental property and cannot make adjustments to the house to accommodate Isla, such things as doors on the bath-tub, hand rails in the toilet, shower and to the front door. We cannot put in a ramp to the front door to help Isla get inside.

She will need an Aide at Primary School in 2010 but they aren't sure whether they'll be able to get enough funding for one, so it may well cost me to send her to the local public school by paying privately for an aide.

We're stuck. No one seems to want to help us. We've slipped through the cracks and no one seems to care.

Please help. Please point me in the direction of SOMEONE that can help me.

Allison Farr


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Hmmm.

So, the Spastic Centre called me today, and asked me if Isla was going to go to the Gym group.


Last year we had an "assessment" with TSC who thought Isla would like their group - which consisted of similarly able children who get together of an afternoon at 3.45pm and do dancing, stretching, games etc.

Sounds great, except that this group is about a 50 minute drive from here, and Isla doesn't finish school until 3pm. I can't imagine how long it would take to get home in peak hour...and I have TAFE too.

I tell them it's not practical for us to get there and we can't make it in time, and I have schooling commitments. She said, "Okay, well if you decide you want to access our service again, you'll need to contact Pathways and wait for the intake".

Seriously.

This is what really shits me about TSC. We're not a priority for them, and I get it, I understand, Isla is mild by their classifications. She is certainly more able than the majority of their patients, but she still has needs...more needs than just a play group.

We're not offered OT or Physio through them. We were offered a speech assessment which Isla "passed" with flying colours. She's never had speech issues {apart from a stuttering problem which went away on it's own accord}. What she needs is Physio and OT, but I can't see a private physio and access TSC. So what choice do I have? Sit around and wait for months for Isla to come up on their lists for review and assessment and not have her seen in the meantime?

I know their resources are stretched. I know they prioritise their services for those who need them most, but we've been dealing with them, and I use the term loosely, since Isla was one. And in that time she's had playgroup a handful of times, where she was either ignored or used as a model, "come on Bob, look at how Isla's knee walking, you do it too!". The therapists didn't spend any time with her...

Annoyed.

And I feel guilty for being annoyed with them. I guess they're doing the best they can, but I hate this feeling that my little girl is falling through the cracks in the system, because by their classifications she's mild, yet compared to a "normal" child, she has increased needs. What am I meant to do?

I have a 5 year old, who can't get in or out of a car on her own. Who can't get herself into a bath. Can't stand up in a shower, can't dress herself. Cant brush her hair. Struggles to brush her teeth. Can't cover herself with a blanket. Struggles to walk up the small step into our house. Can't sit with her legs crossed. Can't get up on to a dining chair. Can't walk more than 100ish metres without falling over. Can't stand still without losing balance and falling over. Who can't control her bladder and bowel {still not sure if this is botox or what's going on}. Who still has problems with dribble because she's tightening up around the jaw....Her last assessment showed her gross motor skills to be under a 2 year old level...

I just wish that she was a priority.



Wednesday, April 14, 2010

smile.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Isla


It's been so long since I've updated Isla's blog.


She's doing so well at school. I have a parent-teacher interview on Tuesday to get the low down on how her days go at school, but all reports thus far have been really positive. Thursday we have our first Easter Hat parade, she is super excited, although keeps on shooting down my ideas on hat designs *sigh*. She's able to sit on the floor with her legs crossed after I found her some pretty awesome cushions a few weeks back. She was terribly upset that people didn't want to play with her at school because she got to sit on a chair during group time. Now, the other kids are allowed to take it in turns of sitting on a cushion with her, and it's made a heap of difference.

She's had a few OT appointments lately, all going really well. Mel the OT seems to be quite happy with her progress, and hopefully she'll be picked up through the local hospital's OT intake sometime very soon. We've been given some finger stretching exercises for her to complete, as she's having a bit of trouble holding pencils, but otherwise, it's all hunky dory.

Physio's been going really well. Still not in Orthotics, and couldn't get an appointment until May to be casted {add another 6+ weeks to that to have the AFO's made}. We saw Dr L this week who wants her in AFO's right away, so we were going to have to have them made privately, which would have cost $1500 {ouch!}, but the Orthotics Gods were smiling on me, because 2 days later the Children's Hospital called with an appointment in 2 weeks time due to cancellations. Hooray!

Spoke to Dr L about the future surgeries Isla's looking at, he described them as multi-level surgeries {what that means I don't quite know and I'm too scared to ask Dr Google!} she'll require them to her feet, her knees and her hips. I asked when this will take place, he said when she's 11 :(

We need to organise a kidney ultrasound for her to make sure her kidneys are draining properly. This needs to be done before the next round of Botox in June, just to find out what caused the bladder & bowel issues that Isla's had since November's Botox treatment. So, we're going to see our Paediatrician, Dr F to get it all sorted and to get our yearly checkup.

I'm sure I have more to update on, but my mind is a bit of a blur right now!


Monday, February 8, 2010

School Update

Isla was so excited to have 2 "days off" school. Bless her little socks.


Even better though, she was excited to go back to school this morning. I thought it was going to be hard given the weekend, but she was busting to get back.

I can't believe that of the 4 days I've taken Isla to school and picked her up, it's been raining. Seriously. It's summer!!! {I know, I know, I complain about the heat constantly, now I'm complaining about the rain!}.

She's been put into her proper class as of today, called the Wallaroo's. How cute. I was secretly hoping she'd be a sea lion or a panda, but wallaroo it is. She's not in the same class as her little friend Emily, but has a friend from pre-school, Maddison, in the class with her, so she'll be happy {I hope!}.

I'm still adjusting to her not being here of a day time. It's such a different feeling to her being at pre-school, but she hadn't been since December, so I had grown accustomed to having her by my side all day, every day. I miss her!

Poor Harper was upset when Isla went into class. She's missing her too - although not so much right now, as she's playing with Isla's beloved Dora Schoolhouse. Isla would be mortified if she knew!

I'm trying desperately to learn how to braid, Isla has requested braids and I have no idea how to do them, so I've spent hours trawling the internet for tutorials! The things we do!

I go back to Tafe tonight. I don't particularly want to go. I told Ian last night that I'd post-pone it for 6 months while Isla settles in to school. I feel like I'm going to miss out on seeing her all day. I only get an hour or so in the morning before school, then the same after school. Tafe starts at 5pm and by the time I get home at 9 she'll be asleep. Sigh. Shall try it for a week and see how we go.

Friday, February 5, 2010

A whole new world.


Isla started school on Wednesday.


She'd been up since 6am...made me put her hair in long plaits last night so it's ready for the big day.

It was pouring! Absolutely bucketing down with rain. We had grand plans of walking to school and cutting through the park, but it was far too wet!

She was super excited, mainly at the prospect of TWO lunches {recess and lunch!} and playing in the playground was top of her list of priorities, but with the heavens opening the way they did, they were relegated to the benches under cover. To think how damn hot it has been in Sydney these past few weeks, and since Isla started school it's done nothing but rain, rain, rain.

Uniforms were hemmed and ironed with love, I slipped $2 in her pocket for a treat from the canteen. Her lunch box was full of goodies, we'd been practicing opening and eating from it for a few days before. Everything is labelled with her name.
She's was so excited.

When it came time for her to leave me and Harper and join her class she didn't cry at all.

We were sitting in the hall and she was saying "I'm so excited!". I told her about the money in her pocket and she almost wet her pants with glee! She's in group "Green" this week for the testing and we find out who her teacher is and what class she goes into on Monday morning.

They asked all the children to line up to walk to class and she ran off without saying goodbye and forgot her school bag, she was in so much of a hurry. I walked her to the end of the line and then she was gone!

A school girl.

I met up with her outside the classroom where the Kindy teacher said we could give them a final kiss and cuddle. She was standing in line waiting to go into class, she had already forgotten about us and was ready for school. She gave me a big kiss and cuddle then walked in proudly to her classroom.

My MIL and I watched through the window until the Principal told us to leave {the nerve!} but Isla didn't look back once. When we they were sitting on the floor reading a story, Isla was sitting on a chair, just smiling.

I'm so proud of her. I miss her so much during the day. The house seems so empty. Harper searches for her constantly.

I think this is my favourite photo so far. You can see her in the doorway. She's just spotted us. Look at that beautiful expression, mouth wide open with excitement. Bless.


Thursday was a bit of a crapper of a day though. I called the Principal to see whether Isla qualified for funding {which we were told she would} and I was told she'd receive 3 hours a week. That's it. 3 crummy hours a week.

When I picked her up that afternoon she said nobody wanted to play with her at recess and lunch. She said that she ate her lunch by herself. She said that the other kids didn't want to play with her because she got to sit on a chair during group time.

My poor little girl.

So, I spent the remainder of Thursday in tears. So did Ian.

We took her to school this morning and she was a bit clingy. She was a bit upset, but I couldn't really blame her. I told her to go sit on the floor with the other kids instead of the chair. She smiled a smile like a cheshire cat, and ran off to sit with the kids. I watched her try desperately to sit cross-legged, but couldn't.quite.get.there.

Ian called the Principal and told her we didn't care if she W sits on the carpet, we're more interested in her being included. She agreed that was a good idea. He told her we're unhappy with the funding. She agreed that they'd try to push for more and will sort out the paperwork for us. We asked if her new little friend would be in her class as of Monday, she's going to see what she can do.

When we picked her up today, she was brought out by her aide {who's name I've already forgotten, but I want to say it's Gail, so that's what I'm going to call her}. We had a quick chat with her. She said Isla played on her own for a while at lunch while Gail observed, then Gail went over and talked to her and children followed. There were several kids playing with her by the end of lunch. Same thing for recess {recess comes after lunch at this school!}. We talked about inclusion, we talked about extra funding. She listened, she offered advice, she understands. She said she's already fallen in love with Isla and that she's a wonderful little girl.

I couldn't agree more

.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Botox follow up.

My little possum went for her Botox follow up appointment with Dr L today.


I was very glad that this appointment was coming up because Isla has started to have issues with her bladder and bowel, which have been becoming a bit of a problem.

He seems to think it *could* be the result of the botox, given that she was injected higher than last time {this time in the hamstrings rather than the calves} so it's entirely possible that it could be the effect of the botox on her bladder/bowel.

So, we have to go to a GP and organise a urine sample for Isla, to rule out a UTI {which, Dr L said doesn't account for the loss of sensation with the bowel}. Apparently children commonly don't have any of the associated discomfort of a UTI that an adult would experience, and sometimes the only symptom can be incontinence. So, should a urine test rule that out, then we need to wait and see whether it continues once the botox wears off {in a few weeks time}.

If it doesn't, she'll need an MRI on her spine, as apparently there's some research that shows that some children with Cerebral Palsy develop cysts on the spinal column which can lead to lack of sensation in the bowel/bladder.

I hope it's just the botox.

Dr L has NEVER had a patient with this problem following botox, despite it being listed as a side effect from the injections on the information sheet given out before deciding to undertake treatment with the Botox. He said we should feel privileged {TIC!}.

He's keen to avoid the GRAFO's {I cant remember what the GR stands for} as he thinks they'll be too cumbersome for Isla. So, in the meantime we need to have wedges fitted to the orthotics and see how they go, before having a new set made up by the wonderful Rob. I was hoping to organise AFO's before she starts school, but it doesn't look like that will happen until at least March.


Friday, January 8, 2010

Five.

Happy 5th Birthday Isla.


I cannot believe you're five. I just can't. It only seems like yesterday I bought you home from the hospital, yet here you are, already hitting me up for a $1 raise in your pocket money because "I'm FIVE now Mum".

I am so proud of the little girl you've grown into, so polite and thoughtful. So smart and beautiful. I love you so.

5 years ago...

Now...

Sunday is your much longed for McDonalds party. You have been counting down for this for weeks.

The world is yours for the taking, my little duck. I know you're destined for great things. You amaze me every single day.

We took Isla to the Botanic Gardens and met up with Bron from Big Brother & Little Sister, and Di from N0thing but Everything. Two beautiful ladies, with their gorgeous children. Such a great way for Isla to celebrate the big 5.

She was spoilt rotten, with more spoiling to come on Sunday.

Five years goes by in the blink of an eye.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Oh how they grow...


This is Isla modelling her new school uniform.

She starts school in a month...today.

She'll be 5 in 3 sleeps.

Where has the time gone. My sweet little girl is all.grown.up.

;;