Crumpled Home

The Perth Royal Show is held every year and is similar to the state fairs that take place across the US. It’s generally focused on agriculture and regional Australia (with prizes awarded for the best livestock), but also includes a lot of rides, junk food and … showbags.

Showbags are generally themed and have 5-15 different toys, gadgets and other bits of plastic junk relating to that theme. We like to think we’re doing our very important part to support the Chinese economy. The kids spend a lot of time agonising over which bag to get; comparing the contents, considering the utility and evaluting the coolness factor. They’re fully aware, however, that the chocolate and candy bags are totally off limits.

We had another reason for visiting the show this year: LR had two of her photographs accepted into the photographic exhibition. It was a big accomplishment; only the best photos make it in, and she was competing with high school kids, too!

This year, we visited two times: once during the day, and a follow-up visit in the evening to see the excellent fireworks with Grammy, Poppa and the Melbourne cousins, PA and MS.

Well, we're here guys. What should we do first?

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LR had two photos included in the Perth Royal Show photo exhibition. All the entries are judged and scored, and a lot of images don’t make it in, so this is a pretty big deal! Unfortunately, she didn’t win any of the category prizes, and she was fairly disappointed… until she found out about the People’s Choice Award…

LR: Mom, can we take everyone back to the photo display to vote for my photo?

Mom: Sure. But remember that the People’s Choice award is across all categories. You have to get a lot of votes to win that one!

LR: They don’t get you to put your name on the voting slip. I’ll just vote lots of times.

Mom: That’s called stacking the ballot box, honey.

LR: Great. Let’s do that.

Mom: You’re not really supposed to do that. It makes it less fair.

LR: It’s already not fair. I’m only seven and they’re all grownups. How else am I going to win?

Mom: By taking a really good photo. Your age doesn’t matter.

LR: Yeah. Or we can just get everyone in the family to vote lots of times. I like that idea better.

(in the car)

RJ: I’ve got your drink, Dad, but I’ve closed the lid super tight.

Dad: That’s okay. I’m pretty strong. I’m sure I’ll get it open.

RJ: No. I don’t think so. It’s so tight that only the strongest man in the world can open it… and that’s not you.

Dad: So what can I do if I get thirsty?

RJ: Well… There is one way. I’ll tell you. You need the ‘Key to the Mists’.

Dad: Whoah. Where am I going to find that?

RJ: It’s protected at the end of a tunnel and the only way to get the key is to win a dance competition. You need to use your best moves…

RJ: Sorry Dad. You’ll never win.

The trip to Rotto with the school was full of all sorts of events, beyond the amazing LR learning to ride. A series of school competitions and activities took place on Saturday, despite the massive bursts of rain that showered down throughout the day!

RJ explores Longreach Bay on a final wander around the island.

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