Sydney to Melbourne ride for Macular Degeneration

Do you bike ride?
We sometimes go as a family for a ride along the tracks near our house. It's enjoyable, a bit of hard work at times (esp. for me as I don't do it much!) and we always have a child sitting in front of us to talk to (thanks to the Weeride).
We once rode from Balwyn North to Melbourne CDB along the tracks. It took about 4 hours and the thought of riding back home again almost bought 3 of us to tears. (So we took the train home and rode from the station.)
Mat rides all the time and wants to ride to Frankston along the Eastlink track soon. I won't be his companion! Lucky our brother-in-law wants to do it too...

Okay, now, who has ridden the stretch along the coast from Sydney to Melbourne (or the other way around)? It's over 1200 km long.
Well the two guys pictured above have departed today (at 7am from the Sydney Opera House) to do just that. So what you say? Well one of them is legally blind!

Matt Formston has 5% vision. At the age of 5 he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration.
My awesome friend Scott Williamson is riding with Matt to act as his verbal guide to obstacles on the road that Matt may not see (pot holes, changes of road surface, up coming hills or sharp bends... that sort of thing).
The team aim to ride along the coast and end their amazing journey at Federation Square in Melbourne on 24th November.
They are raising funds for Macular Degeneration. Please consider giving a donation to this worthy cause, even if it's to just show these two guys your support.
Find out more about their journey (there's photos, a blog) or to learn about Macular Degeneration on the official site.
Become a fan on their Facebook page.

I know they can do it and wish them a safe and beautiful journey.

Theme Shopping: Fruit

1. Cherry denim swap pocket mirror by Lark $4.95 (lots of other designs too)
2. Felt Apple Pear Orange by Papoose $13.95 for the set
3. Knitted Watermelon Rattle by Lark $14.95
4. Fruity Orange Easy Wash Paint by Micador $6.95 (there are 5 other colours too)
5. Pink Apple Hoodie by Monstar Kids $38.00 (comes in grey with yellow apple too)
6. Alfred Berry Card by Poppies For Grace $6.50
7. Knitted Strawberry Rattle by Lark $14.95
8. Knitted Blue Cherry Cupcake Rattle by Lark $14.95 (comes in pink too)
9. Knitted Strawberry Ice Cream Rattle by Lark $14.95 (there are 3 other flavours too)
10. Green Cherry Tee by Monstar Kids $29.00 (comes in red tee with white cherries too)

Playing in Peekaboo magazine

A new FREE glossy magazine has hit the streets of Brisbane (QLD) and in letterboxes beyond!
It's Peekaboo and we're in it... in the play section. The breakfast set, pencil set and animal bell ring rattles make an appearance.
We are also giving away a Smoothies and Juices book, as just one of the tons of freebies you could win in this first issue.
The mag. is set to be released every quarter and is a brilliant addition to every Queensland parents coffee table or baby bag - with a map of local child hot spots (shops, parks, cafes...) plus a list of markets in the area too.
If you are not in the Brisbane area, you can subscribe to Peekaboo and have it delivered to your door anywhere in Australia. There's a cooking corner, on-line shopping goodies, lots of give-aways to enter plus articles on travel, fashion, food....
Download the first issue of Peekaboo magazine and tell me what you think.

Project18 video

This video was made as a response to the Australia Zoo competition.

They've won 2nd place, which shows how great their efforts are.

Please take the time to look into the Project18 cause and spread the word around. (website not launched at time of writing this)

beyond pink and blue will be an active participant in Project18 fundraising this coming year, as they will be our chosen charity for 2010.

There is a widget on the right hand side of this blog for you to make a donation to Project18 anytime you feel the urge to give and click on the 'info' symbol to read more.

I will be unveiling more of bpab efforts soon.

Eye Spy... shoes

These are my favourite shoes for Summer.... or when ever I can wear them! I got them a couple of Christmas' ago from my girls (they have great taste!).

These are my fancy shoes, for special outings and when I want to tower over Mat. So they don't get used very often.... well, not by me anyway! (The girls LOVE playing with all my shoes and have no problem strutting around in heels either.)

I was looking at my (small) collection of shoes for this eye spy and noticed I have a lot of red shoes and black shoes. The ones I wear the most are either pink or red!

If I could fit into any of my girls shoes, I'd be wearing these ones that Chai is wearing (all the time at the moment)! They are so fun and seem to go with anything.... my kinda shoe! You can buy them here at bpab.... by the way.... (hehehehe)

Thanks to Anastasia Drawing and Dreaming for the theme this week.
Head over to Bug and Pop for more shoes during this week.

Theme Shopping: Dogs

1. Dog trinket storybook keyrings by Lark $4.95 each
2. Squeezemeez doggie heads by Papoose $9.00 each
3. Sausage dog top by Monstar Kids $28.00
4. Hot dog by Papoose $13.00
5. Squeezmeez doggie by Papoose $12.00
6. Scotty dogs bib by Little Soursob $18.00

Trip to Healesville Sanctuary

La turned 3 recently and on her birthday we traveled to Healesville to spend the day at the animal Sanctuary there. It had been a while since we were there last.... I think when Chai was a baby (so at least 3 years!). Anyway, the place was marvelous and we enjoyed walking the curvy walking tracks to see all the Australian animals. The girls knew a lot of them already, thanks to Red Bunyip's ABC and 123 books!
We loved this giant eagle at the front entrance and just had to give him a pat.
We are Friends of the Zoos, which gives me and the girls free entry into the Melbourne Zoo for a whole year, as well as free entry into Healesville Sanctuary too! Bonus!