Ahhh…the School Holidays are here! What to do with the kids to keep them occupied?  Whether your child is sporty, a nature lover, would like to be a pampered princess, a dancer, a coder, a painter or if you would like to enjoy time together as a family, we have activities for everyone!

Abbey Medieval Festival

The Abbey Medieval Festival celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this year. A pilgrimage of visitors converge to Abbeystowe, allowing visitors to become immersed in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of life during the era of 600AD-1600AD.
Date: 13-14 July, opening 8.30am
Location: 1-63 The Abbey Place, Caboolture
Cost: Varies, please visit website
Age: All ages
More information: www.abbeymedievalfestival.com

IKEA School Holiday Activities

Get ready for school holiday fun! Visit IKEA North Lakes these school holidays to take part in the FREE kids’ activities in the IKEA Restaurant. Kids Eat Free at IKEA North Lakes from 29 June – 14 July.
Date: 29 June-14 July, times vary
Location: IKEA North Lakes
Cost: FREE
Age: All ages
More information: www.ikea.com/au/en/store/north_lakes/ or www.ikea.com.au/family

School Holiday Bonanza in Moreton Bay!

Get off the couch and give boredom the flick with Moreton Bay Regional Council’s award winning Active Holidays program these school holidays.
Bookings are required for the Active Holidays program, which runs from Monday 1 July to Saturday 12 July.
Launch into junior boxing, abseiling, self-defence, skateboard and scooter clinics, softball, gridiron, beach volleyball and fishing.
Council Spokesperson for Parks, Recreation and Sport, Councillor Koliana Winchester, said the Active Holiday program was a great win for parents with most sessions being free or only $5 per child.
“Healthy Active Moreton program, which offers an exciting range of fitness, recreation and sporting activities and workshops took out the State’s Parks and Leisure Australia Community Based Initiative of the Year award for the Healthy & Active Moreton Club Support Initiative just last month,” she said.
“The program, which delivers Active Holidays offers more than 80 activities for children aged between 3 and 17”.
For more information and to book Active Holidays visit Council’s website go to: www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/healthy-active
Please note: Registration is essential.

Inflatable Factory

Australia’s biggest inflatable theme park, The Inflatable Factory returns to Sandstone Point Hotel for the school holidays! The kids will have fun on the zorb balls, mechanical wipe out ride, bubble soccer, giant 12m high Superman slide, Wild West obstacle course plus new rides!
Date: 29 June – 14 July, 9am – 4pm daily
Location: Sandstone Point Hotel
Cost: $19.00 – Adult
$19.00 – 5 years and over
$9.00 – 4 years and under
$70.00 – Family pass (4 family members over 5 years)
Age: All ages
More information: https://theinflatablefactory.com.au/events

Samford Show

Two days of non-stop, jam-packed family entertainment, check out the very best of country living at the Samford Show.
Date: 13-14 July, Saturday 8am – late, Sunday 8am – 4pm
Location: Showgrounds Dr, Highvale
Cost: $20.00 – Adult
$10.00 – Concession/Pensioners
$8.00 – Students 14-17
$5.00 – Children under 14
Free – Children under 5
$40.00 – Family (2 Adults + 3 children)
Age: All ages
More information: www.samfordshowsociety.com.au

Private Kids Art Workshops

Older children who are serious about art can express themselves and achieve more professional looking outcomes in a one on one Private Art Workshop not achievable at school or group art classes. This workshop has been developed to be a very special experience that your child will never forget. They’ll always be proudly showing their artwork and hand print or signature off to anyone who visits!
Date: 29 June – 14 July
Location: 1 Cascade Court, Murrumba Downs
Cost: Call 07 3491 6400 for prices
Age: 18 months+
More information: www.tailoredartworks.com.au/private-childrens-workshop/
Please note: Sharron can come to you for a consultation prior to the workshop.

Dayboro Show

Celebrating its 64th year, the Dayboro Show is a jam-packed weekend of all things country, with boot scootin’, farm-tastic fun.
Date: 6-7 July, Saturday 9am – late, Sunday 9am – 4pm
Location: 3512 Mount Mee Rd, Dayboro
Cost: $12.00 – Adult
$10.00 – Concession
$10.00 – High School
$5.00- Primary School
Free – Children under 5
$35.00 – Family (2 Adults & 3 or more children)
Age: All ages
More information: www.dayboroshowsociety.com/dayboro-show

School Holiday Fun at the Library!

There is so much to do at the library during school holidays! Book in for the Kids’ Holiday Fun or the Teen Holiday Workshops.
Council Spokesperson for Lifestyle and Amenity, Councillor Denise Sims, said Council’s Galleries and Museums would also be holding school holiday workshops, and activities.
“Our library school holiday program is crammed full of fun free activities from testing your ingenuity with engineering challenges, to writing your own graphic novel, learning the art of film making or screen-printing, embarking on a star wars adventure, or dancing up a storm,” she said.
“Also why not visit our galleries and let your creative juices flow upcycling op shop treasures, crafting your own unique tote bag, making 3-D paper sculptures or even sneak in at night to hear spooky stories by torchlight!
“Come play, dance and create at museums this school holidays with belly dancing lessons, retro 80s style aerobics classes, ‘Bribie Rocks’ creation stations, sculpting using plastic recyclables, a giant felt board and so much more to see, learn and do.
For more information on Galleries and Museums activities head to: www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Galleries-Museums/Events/School-Holidays
Please note: Registration is essential.

PLEASE NOTE: If the Healthy and Active Moreton activity or the School Holiday Fun at the Library activity your child would like to participate in is booked out, make sure you get on the waiting list!

School Holiday Workshop

Learn the foundations of coding to build awesome digital creations such as video games, websites and more! Fun, interactive, engaging and age-appropriate challenges delivered each day, over the three day workshop.
Date: 10 – 12 July, 8.30am – 4.30pm
Location: The Lakes College
Cost: $300
Age: Grades 2-8
More information: https://jnrengineers.com.au/

The Space Jam

Join the team at The Space for a day of basketball, free food, music and more. Westfield North Lakes have generously donated 3 x $50 vouchers for the winner of the 3 on 3 comp. Don’t be bored on the holidays….Jam with us
Date: 3 July, 11am – 3pm
Location: 37 Lakefield Drive, North Lakes
Cost: FREE
Age: 13-19
More information: Call 329 36100 to register your team.

Bear Hugs For All

North Lakes Sports Club’s school holiday program will feature an Adopt-A-Bear Workshop! You are invited to come along to the Kids Club event and build a bear to take home!
Date: 12 July, from 10am
Location: North Lakes Sports Club
Cost: $20 per child non-members, $15 per child for members
Age: 3+
More information: www.northlakessports.com.au or call 1300 006 572

All the World’s a Stage

Sign the little ones up for free kids drama classes with drama school, Drama Works Academy! Kids are invited to come along and learn the basics of drama and acting.
Workshops: Super Heroes and More, Roald Dahls Improvised Stories, Musical Theatre
Date: 1- 7 July, start times vary
Location: Centre Court Westfield North Lakes
Cost: FREE
Age: 6 – 12 years
More information: www.westfield.com.au/northlakes

QSEC’s Rodeo Round Up

Don’t miss this non-stop, thrilling family night of fun! With an undercover, open air arena you will feel the full atmosphere of rodeo life.
Date: 6 July,
Location:
Cost: $20.00 – Adults
$15.00 – Student/Concession
$10.00 – Child (5-17yrs)
Free – Child (under 5)
Age: All ages
More information: www.qsec.com.au/Events/Rodeo-Round-Up-2019

Lake Eden Clean Up

Join in the monthly clean-up of Lake Eden. If you’re looking to get fit or just for a reason to get some good healthy exercise walking a circuit of the lake then why not come and join in. Bags and plastic gloves are provided and it’s fun for ALL ages !
Date: 6 July, 8am -9am
Location: Lake Eden, North Lakes
Cost: Free
Age: All ages
More information: https://bit.ly/2KZzJ49

Luvaberry Farm Open Day

Families are invited to pick their own fresh strawberries, as well as farm tour, colouring for the kids, hay stacks, picnics, dress-ups and bring their own toys to play on the grass at the Grand Opening of Luvaberry Farm.
Date: 7 July, 9am – 3pm
Location: 65 Ziviani Rd, Wamuran
Cost: FREE
Age: All ages
More information: https://bit.ly/2NmU5Hr

School Holiday Camps!

Kids Extreme 2019
Proudly hosted by Caboolture Baptist Church, this two day camp is for Kids in Prep to Grade 6.
Date: 4 July, 9am- 3pm. 5 July, 9am – 3pm followed by a carnival and free Sausage Sizzle for all the family! (Includes rides, games and sno-cones)
Cost for the 2 Days: $40 pp
Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea provided
To book: https://www.caboolturebaptist.org/

Matchpoint Tennis Clinic
Play. Learn. Make New Friends. Be Active. Have Fun! Get your children involved in tennis this school holidays at the Matchpoint Tennis School Holiday Fun Days at North Lakes State College. Each day is packed with heaps of fun activities.
Available to all children age 5-14years. Everyone is welcome – no previous tennis experience required.
Cost: Full Day $45 per child or Half Day $35 per child
(Discounts apply when enrolling in 3 or more days of program)
Morning Tea and Lunch provided.
To book: http://www.matchpoint.net.au/coaching#camps

Keep the cold at bay with these hearty, home cooked delights!

Split Pea and Bacon Hock Soup

Ingredients
1 bacon hock
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped finely
2 carrots, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 potatoes cubed & peeled
3 tablespoons oil
2 vegetable stock cubes
375g split peas
3 litres of water

Method
Cover bacon hock with water in deep saucepan and boil for 10 minutes. Remove hock, let rest in a bowl and discard water. Sauté onion, carrots, celery and garlic over medium heat in oil. Add the peas, potatoes, hock, stock cubes and 3 litres of water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more water if needed. Remove hock. Season to taste

Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients
1 kg beef mince
1 onion finely chopped large
1 carrot finely chopped
1/4 tsp thyme
1 tbs tomato paste
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp soy sauce
1 1/2 cups beef stock (liquid)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbs plain flour
1/4 cup water
Topping
750 g potatoes
60 g butter
1/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Method
Place mince in pan, cook over high heat, stirring until meat is well browned. Pour off excess fat and add onion and carrot. Cook until onion is transparent. Add thyme, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, stock and salt and pepper. Mix well. Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered for 25 minutes. Stir in blended flour and water until mixture boils and thickens. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Place mixture into oven proof dish. NOTE: Other vegetables of your choice can
be added.
Topping: Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and mash potato. Add butter and milk and beat until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Spread potato evenly over meat and bake at 180C for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients
60 g butter softened
3/4 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups dates chopped
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
1/8 tsp vanilla essence
Sauce
1/4 cup golden syrup
125 g butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup thick cream

Method
Mix the dates and bicarbonate soda in a bowl. Pour over the boiling water and leave to stand for 30 minutes. Cream the butter and the sugar. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well. Fold in sifted flour and stir in date mixture and vanilla. Pour into a greased, rectangular, oven proof dish. Cook for 30-40 minutes at 170C or until firm when touched in the centre.
Sauce: Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup. Stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream. Cut the pudding into squares and serve with the sauce, cream and/or icecream. NOTE: Maple syrup can be used as a substitute for golden syrup.

Dear Alice,
My name is Joyce and I am 53 years old. I have had a great life however it didn’t begin that way. My parents weren’t the best and I inherited a lot of baggage. I have managed to provide a wonderful upbringing for my children but I still long for the support I missed out on when I was a kid. I have always wished my parents had told me that they loved me, or been present at my life events. How can I let go and feel the same love for myself as I give my children?
Joyce

Hi Joyce,
Thank you for writing in! There is a therapeutic technique called Re-Parenting that may be useful to you. This is a healing process that allows you to meet your own emotional needs, to provide comfort and love yourself; the way that you have always longed for. A parent’s role is to provide love and security, to provide boundaries as well as emotional support. If you missed out on these things during your childhood you can heal your inner child through re-parenting yourself. This takes some imagination and practice. There are generally three parts of this process, your inner child, your adult self and your parental figure. Some people like to split the parental figure into Mother and Father, depending on what you need in any given situation. Create archetypes that provide you with love and boundaries. When you find yourself retreating into your inner child state you may need to step into a Mother role and provide yourself emotional safety. Tell yourself that ‘it’s okay’, that you will ‘get through this’ and listen to your inner Mother figure’s advice; such as running a hot bath or eating a nutritious meal. Your Father figure may provide you with encouragement, disciple and be your number one cheerleader. This may assist you to enforce your own rules and boundaries. Using your adult self, ask logically ‘If a child was hurting, or in need of guidance, what would a good parent do?’. You know what you need; you have been a parent to your own children. All that you seek lies within yourself. It is time for you to provide yourself with the love, support and security that your inner child deserves. Please be aware that this process can trigger childhood trauma and is best done with the support of a trained professional such as a psychologist. You got this!