hi everyone

hello everyone

Our cottage opening is getting closer and closer...amazing really...less than 3 weeks to go! Our first family will hopefully be in by 13 March...

We have been so busy...now the cottage is basically taking care of itself (apart from some gardening)...its been down to fundraising...which has been AMAZING...check these out for our MELON'S COTTAGE MOTHERS DAY RAFFLE:

1st prize - Dinner Party for 10 (massive thanks to Nath and Tash from Duart Homestead)...there are a few conditions with this one...but its a RIPPER! (value $850)

2nd prize - Mothers Day Hamper from Terry White Chemist Bairnsdale (value $300)

3rd prize - gorgeous Rip Curl Watch from Sandbar Surf (value $250)....

We are just in the middle of getting tickets organised, but if you can help us sell some PLEASE LET ME KNOW...this is going to be one of our bigger fundraising efforts for the year and we need all hands on deck! Please let me know if you can sell a book by emailing me on eli-simpson@hotmail.com and we can get you one or two organised!

We also have a brochure which sets out the basics but most importantly, ways you can donate to Eli's Foundation. We have set up a direct deposit, or you can send through a cheque or cash donation...the best news is we can NOW OFFER A TAX RECEIPT for donations over $2. That is what we have been working towards for such a long time and we can finally say its come through! YAY. A massive thanks to MinterEllison for helping us through the tax world maze...its been a long time coming but gee we are just so proud...its such an onerous process, but one we are glad to have sorted...we are just so keen to be as transparent as we can and this is the one way we can do it...and help you guys willing to donate as well...

If you would like to donate, please let me know on the eli-simpson email and i will give you details...we are still getting our receipt book sorted, but hopefully it will be right to go next week! we are just so excited.

i better go, i only have had a few minutes to update...more exciting stuff to come!

We are just so proud to be doing this for melon...we are nearly there mate...nearly there.

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

Some stuff for sale to help the cottage

Hi gang

ive facebooked the goods we have which has melon's cottage on it...and then i clicked and thought we should probably do the same on the blog as well! So...here it all is...well, not a huge amount, just stuff that i thought you might like....some stuff may seem a bit pricey, but because we have not ordered huge amounts, it keeps the cost fairly high (like the pens)...but the otherstuff i reckon is pretty good value...

If you would like something, please contact me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com...please note, that where we can we will deliver it for you, but if we cant and have to post, there will be an extra cost!

Other news from the simpsons - bugs and i are off to brisbane to visit cousin casey for a few days next week which should be great fun...pete is staying home to hold the fort! I figured if we can look after a child in hospital, I can survive a plane trip for 2 hours YIKES! We also have a busy month ahead with a couple of exciting things happening - but i will blog those when it happens...

Lots of 1st birthday parties coming up for us which should be loads of fun for archie. He had his first day in childcare yesterday and survived much better than i did! I figured we should probably start the 'weaning' process now (him off me and me off him)...before i head back to work which is in around 6 weeks time...i cant believe how quickly that time has gone...archie is 9 months already...astounding. It will also give me a chance to be at home with archie if he picks up some cooties from care (massive probability). We very proudly managed to breastfeed until a couple of days ago when he said he had had enough...i must admit it was really hard for me given i had such a wonderful experience with melon...but archie was a different ball game and i had to convince him that he should stay breastfed lol...but he finally removed himself much to my sadness...but happy for him because he has his independance.

Anyways...again, if you would like some goods to help the cottage, pls email me and we will get it sorted for you.

much love and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

Melon's Cottage pens - $7

Melon's cottage key rings $6

Melons Cottage magnets (size of a postcard) - $4

Melon's cottage totebags - $12

melon's cottage mugs - $12