Hi everyone

Cant believe how quickly the month has flown by...
I would like to thank EVERYONE who supported the Melon's Cottage Mothers Day Raffle this year...we raised a whisker over $4,100 which is bloody AWESOME!...It has far exceeded our expectations...and it will go a massive way to supporting the cottage into next year...its WONDERFUL...so thanks!
We could not have done it without all those who helped sell the tickets, friends, family and local businesses, as well as all of you who brought a ticket or two! A massive thanks also goes to those who sponsored the prizes...nath, tash and their six gorgeous girls who donated the dinner party for 10 (worth around $850)...dave and tanya for helping with the mothers day hamper from terry white chemist in bairnsdale (worth $300) and to deb and gez who donated a really nice Rip Curl watch (worth $250)...we had so many wonderful comments about the great prizes...so i think thats what helped make it all happen which is TERRIFIC...

our first prize went to Mary Hamer from Lakes Entrance, 2nd prize, Peter MacDonald from Rowville and 3rd prize, tina o'donnell from Lakes...well done guys!

our next fundraiser (and the final one for the year) is coming up on 7th July...so keep the space free. We cant say too much, but hopefully it will be advertised in the paper over the next week or so...so keep an eye out. Lets say its your chance to watch a local game of footy and have a laugh at the same time...it should be a cracker. Will be more to come soon.

We are hoping that this will be the last fundraiser for us this year...but if you would like to donate to us...please get in contact with me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com OR if you would like to hold a fundraising event on behalf of Eli's Foundation, please let me know...more than happy to help!

Mothers Day was a really busy one..we were supposed to go for a walk/run, but the weather turned out to be really bad, and we had to go to hospital with Archie as he had a pretty tidy temperature that we couldnt get down...so we were sitting in hospital at around 6.30am...and home by 8.30am...and we were all EXTREMELY tired. Archie was ok...poor little thing is having heaps of issues with his ears and throat...hopefully he will get above it all soon and his immune system really starts kicking in...its bloody hard on everyone really...no sleep and grumpy child...hmmm....reminds me of melon at times.

So mothers day was very so so in our house...i was pretty sad that i didnt get a real opportunity to miss melon, but as always, we lit his candle...and i heard lots of his songs throughout the days leading up to mothers day and after it as well.

Miss you every day melon...every single day.

Anyways...best fly...got a fair bit to do as always...the cottage has gone a little quiet...but we are hoping it will pick up a bit through the holiday period.

Take care everyone
lots of love and sunshine

the simpsons
xoxo

Hi everyone...
we are so sorry (yet again!) for the long delay in posting...its been an amazing month or so with archie's first birthday, me back at work part time and pete being away a couple of days a week with a new job for the next 3 months...i guess the words adjusting and adapting come to mind!
After a wonderful cottage opening, we had our first family through...they were truly amazing...and we were so very lucky to have them as our first family...we couldnt have asked for anything more! Big kisses your way Zara...lol...hope you get better really soon!
I have done a few presentations over the last month to some local rotary groups and the lakes lions group which have had a terrific response. Its really nice to know that there is so many people out there that underpin our community spirit...its actually really humbling to be a part of now...lots of people out there to help and to make a difference...

Archies first birthday went really well...we decided to have a naming day at the same time (to save people travelling again)...it was a great turnout and we were stoked to be able to celebrate with family and friends. Of course Eli was never far from our minds but we know he looks after his little brother - in more ways than we probably realise...we all lit our candles for melon...(and had a bit of extra cake too!)

Our raffle for the cottage (which is drawn mothers day) has been a great success and fundraiser...its been sensational really and we cant wait until we touch base with the winners...not many sleeps now! So for all of you who have helped, thanks SOOOO much...there are still tickets available if you are keen...just get in contact with us at eli-simpson@hotmail.com

So thats really it for the simpsons at the moment...we are still waiting for more bookings to come through..but we are so happy in the knowledge that everything we have put into action has worked...and we look forward to welcoming more families into the future.

take care eveyone Once again, thanks for ALL your love and support...it really is appreciated!

luv and sunshine
the simpsons

xoxo