Family Fun Day
@RawBill1 (8531)
Gold Coast, Australia
November 21, 2010 7:09pm CST
Over the last few months, life has been very hectic with lots of things going on simultaneously. This has been stressful at times and the whole family (me, my wife and our two children) have suffered. 
Now that we have achieved most of the things that we had to get done, we were able to take a breather last weekend after my daughter's and wife's birthdays, so we took a weekend out of our busy schedule to relax with each other as a family. 
We had an awesome weekend. On the Saturday we went to a water fun park which was great. It had been a few years since we had been there and the park had nearly doubled in size since the last time we were there. Also this time our kids were big enough to go on all the water rides apart from one. You can check out the park here. http://wetnwild.myfun.com.au/
Sunday was spent sleeping in, (which is rare for me), reading and just hanging out at home doing lots of nothing. It was just what the sanity doctor ordered! 
Do you make sure you take time out to have fun and relax every now and then?
What do you think of our local water fun park?
Now that we have achieved most of the things that we had to get done, we were able to take a breather last weekend after my daughter's and wife's birthdays, so we took a weekend out of our busy schedule to relax with each other as a family.
We had an awesome weekend. On the Saturday we went to a water fun park which was great. It had been a few years since we had been there and the park had nearly doubled in size since the last time we were there. Also this time our kids were big enough to go on all the water rides apart from one. You can check out the park here. http://wetnwild.myfun.com.au/
Sunday was spent sleeping in, (which is rare for me), reading and just hanging out at home doing lots of nothing. It was just what the sanity doctor ordered!
Do you make sure you take time out to have fun and relax every now and then?
What do you think of our local water fun park?4 people like this
14 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
22 Nov 10
I am truly happy and proud of your and your family for recognizing priorities in life. We only have one life and well once it is gone there is no going back.
My boyfriend and I have been through a really hectic year. I lost my job, my house and my life savings. He just landed a wonderful show, as he is an actor and they paid for the both of us to fly out to TN with all expenses paid, plus his salary. Being in a strange town we are spending quite a bit of time together and be grateful to have made it this far after so many losses. I did not think there would be light after so many dark months.
Although I am not out of the woods, I do feel that we have bonded much more now then ever. So cheers my friend to happy family times.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
Wow! That sounds like you have had a terrible year.
Were those losses due to the bad economy in the USA?
That is great that things are looking up for you again though. I would love to get into acting. I have registered for an agency to do work as an extra, but they have not given me any work yet. I auditioned for one part in a stage production, but did not get it. I did do some work as an extra some years ago though and I enjoyed it.
Good luck for your future there, I really hope you can get out of those 'dark woods'!
Were those losses due to the bad economy in the USA?
That is great that things are looking up for you again though. I would love to get into acting. I have registered for an agency to do work as an extra, but they have not given me any work yet. I auditioned for one part in a stage production, but did not get it. I did do some work as an extra some years ago though and I enjoyed it.
Good luck for your future there, I really hope you can get out of those 'dark woods'! @RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
Wow, your boyfriend must be good to get a major film with Brad Pitt!
I know that there are a lot of people doing this type of work and that I need to put myself out there more. I just need to get something to start me again. I have my own business which keeps us all fed pretty well, so I am not desperate for the extra work, it is more of a hobby that I would like to get into and make it profitable. 
If you feel blessed, then you are. 
I know that there are a lot of people doing this type of work and that I need to put myself out there more. I just need to get something to start me again. I have my own business which keeps us all fed pretty well, so I am not desperate for the extra work, it is more of a hobby that I would like to get into and make it profitable.
If you feel blessed, then you are. @hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
22 Nov 10
Well my losses were sort of part of bad economy but truly it was more like an embezzling owner, who messed up all the employees in the process.
As for the acting you need to really put yourself out there, there are so many like yourself so it is very competitive. If you are not exclusive with your agent you can sign up with more than one. My boyfriend does a great deal of commercials and leads in theater acting.
He was once someone but then moved out to England and well you cannot leave the lime light as then you become a no body. His last movie was with Brad Pitt in Spygame.
He is climbing slowly once again. So good luck to you as it is truly very competitive.
Me as for me I lost everything and well have a new found life, although I have nothing left, I truly feel blessed.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
23 Nov 10
Now that looks like a lot of fun! We have a similar place here, it’s called Adventure World and there is a heap to do there. We haven’t taken time out for relaxation and fun in ages and we are due for some! My husband has four weeks off in December and we are going to Victoria for a week in January to spend time on my father in law’s farm. I am looking forward to a break although it is a bit of a wait!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
25 Nov 10
We're going to Tatura which is near Shepparton, it's my husband's home town. We usually head to Melbourne for a day or two when we are there to see friends too...Should be good...Camping on a lake sounds fantastic!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Nov 10
If I am going to camp anywhere for a week or longer, then it has to be on the water. It is a lovely spot. We have water frontage. There are photos of the park here. http://www.jindabyneholidaypark.com.au/
I know Shepparton but have only heard of Tatura, not sure if I have been there or not. I grew up in Victoria, that's why I asked.
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Nov 10
Wow. Four weeks off will be fantastic! 
We are going to Jindabyne in the Snowy mountains at the base of Mount Kosciusko this summer. We will be camping on the lake which will be lots of fun and very relaxing. The last two years we have been to Victoria visiting all the relatives, but we are over them now! 
What part of Victoria will you be going to? I have a funny feeling you have told me about this before but my memory is no good!
We are going to Jindabyne in the Snowy mountains at the base of Mount Kosciusko this summer. We will be camping on the lake which will be lots of fun and very relaxing. The last two years we have been to Victoria visiting all the relatives, but we are over them now!
What part of Victoria will you be going to? I have a funny feeling you have told me about this before but my memory is no good! 1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
22 Nov 10
We try to do this often. It is not hard to do in the summer as we love to go camping at the state park and go horse back riding. We do not spend the entire time riding and so we have a lot of time to relax. I enjoy riding and that is the time that I relax the most. I enjoy being with my family and I am thankful that we are able to have the horses to enjoy as well.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
That sounds like a lot of fun.
There is a great place for camping up in the mountains near us. They have a waterfall and rock pools nearby as well as a horse riding place. It is not cheap to go on one of their trail rides, but I think it would be a fun thing to do if we ever go camping there. I have not been on a horse since I was a child, same for my wife. My kids have never been on horses, other than being led around on them by the owner. I think they would be able to ride a gentle one in a group trail ride.
There is a great place for camping up in the mountains near us. They have a waterfall and rock pools nearby as well as a horse riding place. It is not cheap to go on one of their trail rides, but I think it would be a fun thing to do if we ever go camping there. I have not been on a horse since I was a child, same for my wife. My kids have never been on horses, other than being led around on them by the owner. I think they would be able to ride a gentle one in a group trail ride. 
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Nov 10
I'm like you...I wait until sanity needs a way in before I take it easy..lol...I think it's great to have a family fun day and sleeping in is just what the doctor ordered. It's too cold here for a water park trip...maybe I need to bring the family there and visit that awesome waterpark of yours. There is this one indoor waterpark here in the mountains but it costs about $300 to stay the night at the resort. I guess if it were me and three it might be worth it. The stay includes waterpark tickets.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Nov 10
We are spoiled for choice with theme parks, playgrounds as well as natural attractions here. You will have to come here I think, but it might cost you your life savings to do it!
I do like to keep myself really busy until I wear myself out. I am good at that! 
I do like to keep myself really busy until I wear myself out. I am good at that! 
@hushi22 (4928)
•
22 Nov 10
wow! that is so nice! =)
hmmmm...i miss those family bonding moments. right now i only have one sibling left and my parents. it isnt really the same when my 3 other older brothers were here. it was more fun and interesting. my life wasnt boring, but now esp that my bf is also not here, sometimes i feel so bored. when my bro goes to school and i have nothing to do but to stay online or go out with friends.
we grew up really closed to each other and before we always manage to have time for each other. but now that we are grown up it's so difficult to be together again completely.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Nov 10
The beauty of Skype though is you can see when a family member comes online, then you can always make a quick 5 minute call. Better than nothing.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Nov 10
It is difficult to stay in close contact with family members once we all grow up and move away. I live 1800 kilometres from the rest of my family, but with the technology today, it is a lot easier to keep in contact than it was a few years back. Now my parents have broadband and my sister too, my Skype each other regularly through the computer. We are not actually in the same room, but being able to see and hear the person at the other end makes it almost the same.
Do you use Skype at all to keep in contact with your family?
Do you use Skype at all to keep in contact with your family?
@sanjay91422 (2725)
• India
24 Nov 10
You are the first person who said that he has done his all the work he had to do. I never completed my works with full satisfaction. You are having fun with your family that is really good. I think everyone should their work and then have a fun weekend. I am waiting for such days of my life. I want to do the same with my life. I wish a good luck to you.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Nov 10
Thanks Sanjay. Good luck to you too in your pursuits.
I still always have lots of things to do. This list is never finished, but the pressure was taken off after an event that I had been organising was completed and we got our house cleaned up enough that it was presentable for sale.
There is always something that has to be done, but now it is only lower priority jobs which allows a bit of a break.
I still always have lots of things to do. This list is never finished, but the pressure was taken off after an event that I had been organising was completed and we got our house cleaned up enough that it was presentable for sale.
There is always something that has to be done, but now it is only lower priority jobs which allows a bit of a break. 
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
Yes, we do that sometimes in the winter too, but not often as the weather is so good here in the winter. When we do have a bad day on the weekend, we tend to go on computers far too much, but every now and then we have a movie day or I build Lego cities with my kids.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 10
I think Australia has many parks that are great for family outings and Gold Coast is one place that has wonderful fun parks that are enticing tourists there. Unfortunately I did not manage to visit any of the parks in Gold Coast as I only stayed there for a night. The only place that we go during our free time is the family orientated clubs but parks are not a popular haunt place here. The parks here are usually deserted in preference for family clubs where they have many facilities to accommodate the adults and children under one roof. The climate here is too hot and many people do not want to risk getting sun burned lazing around in the parks.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Nov 10
Hi Zandi. What do you mean by family clubs? Are they big indoor play areas for children? We have places like that here, but they are very noisy. I prefer the outdoors any day.
The sun is very harsh here too, but if you limit the time in the direct sunlight so that you do not get burned, then the sun is very good for your health. Avoiding it completely as a lot of people do these days due to fear has caused a lot of health issues. 
I love the sun!
The sun is very harsh here too, but if you limit the time in the direct sunlight so that you do not get burned, then the sun is very good for your health. Avoiding it completely as a lot of people do these days due to fear has caused a lot of health issues.
I love the sun! 
@peedielyn (1207)
• United States
22 Nov 10
Unfortunatly stress reeks in our house. We have a very large blended family and there is constant drama, stress, boohoo's and other things going on. It would be nice to just take a break and go somewhere and do something that might work our brains a different way. Stress wears us out and we all need to go and do something to stimulate our minds. I think we should go hiking somewhere just to work the stresses of life away. Thanks for the idea!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Nov 10
Stress is so incredibly unhealthy that we need to avoid it at all costs. Most people underestimate how much damage stress does to our bodies.
Hiking in a natural area is a great idea and something that we love to do as a family. Sometimes my son protests about going, but once he is out in the wilderness, he just loves to explore and has a great time. Nature is probably the best stress reliever there is!
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
22 Nov 10
HI BILL, U should do that more often. Just make time for yourself & your family. Your kids will be grown & gone before u know it. Treasure every minute w/them.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
I know. They are growing up so fast already. Getting caught up with work trying to get ahead might seem like the right thing to do for our families, but hen our children grow up resenting us. That is how I felt about my own father. He worked six long days a week when I was young and then Sunday, he worked around the house or did his own sport later. I swore I would never be the same, which is why I chose to desperately find a way to work from home.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
22 Nov 10
Well, not really my "thing" but it looks like a lot of fun for kids and people who like water...(of course, the weather makes a difference) and you have some pretty good offers going on there by the look of it!
My relaxing tends to be taking myself off to the local country park alone and just sitting listening and enjoying nature, or just having a wander round window-shopping, maybe stopping off for a coffee somewhere. Our house is so rarely quiet and I feel a bit stifled there so I quite enjoy the drive to and from work (sad isnt it?
)
) and you have some pretty good offers going on there by the look of it!
My relaxing tends to be taking myself off to the local country park alone and just sitting listening and enjoying nature, or just having a wander round window-shopping, maybe stopping off for a coffee somewhere. Our house is so rarely quiet and I feel a bit stifled there so I quite enjoy the drive to and from work (sad isnt it?)@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Nov 10
It is a lot of fun for kids (and big kids like me...lol) but yes, you are right. It was built here and is hugely popular because of the warm climate that we enjoy almost year round in this part of Australia.
Our house is pretty quiet during the day without the kids, so I get a bit of peace during the day working from home. I really enjoy getting out in nature for some peace and quiet too. We mostly tend to take family time together by doing bush walks in the numerous National Park trails in our area. Every now and then I take off and do one of these alone, which I find incredibly relaxing.
I used to enjoy the drive to and from work too. I quite enjoy being in the car alone.
Our house is pretty quiet during the day without the kids, so I get a bit of peace during the day working from home. I really enjoy getting out in nature for some peace and quiet too. We mostly tend to take family time together by doing bush walks in the numerous National Park trails in our area. Every now and then I take off and do one of these alone, which I find incredibly relaxing.
I used to enjoy the drive to and from work too. I quite enjoy being in the car alone. 
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
22 Nov 10
hi,
that sounds really fun!
i wish we could do that too. its been a while now that we havent had a really fun bonding together. i guess we will do once i get my christmas bonus.
have a nice day.
ann
i wish we could do that too. its been a while now that we havent had a really fun bonding together. i guess we will do once i get my christmas bonus.
have a nice day.
ann@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
Hi Ann, it was really fun. It brought us together again after a bit of a busy time so it was important to do. I hope you will get to have a fun time together soon.
You have an amazing day too.
You have an amazing day too. 
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 10
Hi,
How I wish my husband's town has a theme park...too bad there is none.
So for our family day, we will just out for a walk at shopping mall or either
just stay at home and spent time together.
Nothing much to do as it is not a big town and I am kinda boring
with the life here.
A short holiday trip is the best choice for us,but at this moment, we have
tight budget and should avoid any holiday trip .
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
I grew up in a small boring town, but now I am a bit spoiled for choice here in my city as there are four very large theme parks that are within half an hour drive of me. The closest one takes me ten minutes to get to. We live in a very popular tourist destination, so there is always something to do, free or expensive.
@snowqueen200802 (1463)
• United States
22 Nov 10
Hi RawBill1
Our children are now all grown and so it's just my husband and off course me! Just last week we went out to McDonald and we were there two hrs just chatting about anything and everything. We only go out once in a blue moon. It was nice.
I must say, it looks like your family had a wonderful time and it was well deserved. In our little town, we don't have anything as lovely and big as your water-park.
That care
Snow
Our children are now all grown and so it's just my husband and off course me! Just last week we went out to McDonald and we were there two hrs just chatting about anything and everything. We only go out once in a blue moon. It was nice.
I must say, it looks like your family had a wonderful time and it was well deserved. In our little town, we don't have anything as lovely and big as your water-park.
That care
Snow