Crumpled Home » icecream

RJ’s Birthday Party

Luke — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:07:53 +0000

RJ’s birthday was loads of fun. After school, we gathered up most of his classmates and walked them to the park near our house, where we enjoyed fruit, snacks and cupcakes! We had a nice dinner and more cake that night with Grammy and Poppa. The next day, RJ invited two of his friends to go see a movie with us in the city. Happy birthday RJ!

RJ's favorite present was this jaw from a 10ft lemon shark.

His other big present was a set of Lego PowerMiners, mostly because it comes with the largest rock monster available.

After school, it was time for RJ's "Not a party" Party in the park. Half the kids joined our train that snaked through the school toward our house.

A big part of your birthday is the birthday hat... RJ decided it was good enough to wear all day long.

LR is happy to hang out with some of RJ's friends... for a little while.

Kid pile-up at the swing!

RJ blows out the candles... Only one girlfriend this year!

Mum hands out the delicious cupcakes that Grammy made.

C and RJ peek over the edge of the slide before disappearing.

Apparently, a slide is the most fun if it has seven people on it.

Later that night, after dinner, we had another cake for RJ.

The next day, RJ invited two of his friends to go to the movies with us.

We always wave to the train drivers as they arrive at the station.

The three guys watch the world cruise by out of the window of the train.

We had fun spinning a huge stone sphere balanced on a fountain. We got it moving really fast!

One the way to the theatre, we stopped to watch a street performer do some amazing juggling tricks.

The kids enjoy the traditional 'Choc Bombs' -- chocolate covered ice cream cones. We used to get them at the movies as kids too!

LR turns six

Luke — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:07:36 +0000

LR’s birthday rolled around and, despite appearances, we managed to keep it fairly simple (no giant parties, sleepovers, movie nights, etc.) LR loved every minute of it and is already making plans for next year!

After searching nearly ten bike shops in the area we finally found a bike cool enough for LR.

Good timing. We've had a long-standing arrangement that we would get LR a new bike when LR learned to ride. Fortunately, it happened right around her birthday!

Great Grandma Dot and Great Grandpa Maurie met us for lunch at a cafe. This is where LR had birthday cake #1!

LR and RJ head to the cake cabinet to pick the best ones.

Grammie hands her present to a very appreciative LR.

iLR LOVES her new iThing.

RJ got a new dinosaur lenticular image. So far it's become a video game, a movie, his pets and a useful demonstration of evolution in action.

Poppa gets a spontaneous thank-you hug from LR.

LR gobbles down her cake, ice cream and a chocolate cake with chocolate sauce over the top... Over the top is right!

Instead of a birthday party, LR invited her class to come for a play at the park after school.

There were kids everywhere! LR had a great time!

Cake #2 consisted of cupcakes for each kid. Thanks Grammy for the hard work!

RJ eyes the mighty stack of cupcakes... We kept a careful count to make sure none disappeared ahead of time.

RJ attempts to negotiate for an early cupcake by trading a cup full of worms.

LR blows out the candles with just a little help from her friends.

LR hands out the privileged 'L' cupcakes to special people.

By carrying buckets of water to the top of the playground equipment and pouring them down, the kids created their own waterslide!

LR eyes light up for cake #3, an icecream cake that we had after our family dinner.

LR blows out the candles with mum holding her hair back -- she's trying to grow out her fringe.

Poppa and RJ help put new batteries into one of her presents.

A Trip Down South

Luke — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:07:12 +0000

We took a bit of a break last week and head off to the Southwest. It was very relaxing and the weather was just fantastic. The days were filled with horse riding, beach trips, exploring and even a couple of fishing trips.

Grammy and Poppa were there with the Melbourne cousins for the first couple of days, but couldn’t stay the whole time.

Grammy, LR, RJ and Daddy checked out Ngilgi cave. This huge room is called the amphitheatre and has great accoustics (especially for people who appreciate yelling children).

LR, RJ, PB, AB and Grammy get into a bit of trouble before the cousins head back to Melbourne.

Poppa and LR stand still for a rare quiet moment during a hot summer day.

RJ tries to pull a fast one while eating his lunch.

LR continued some horse riding lessons. This time she was off-lead and got to ride a big horse. LR says the horse was lazy and just didn't listen very well.

LR prepares to go over a jump.

LR also rode one of the ponies off-lead. They're much better at listening.

Despite all the pictures showing otherwise, we don't actually get icecream very often.

What to do with all the extra energy after icecream? How about leaping in and out from behind a tree?

We visited RJ's friend G at his grandma's house. He's got lots of great hiding places and fun places to go there. This is the Lost Boys' Tree.

Mum thought the kids' antics were pretty amusing.

Especially when they involved exploring a stream naked at G's place.

Streams lead into rivers. This was a great place to swim!

Mum shows G and RJ some of the different insects that also like to eat corn.

LR plans her next move through the Yallingup maze. There are four towers to discover, one or two secret doors, the elevated walkway running from one section to another and they change the paths every six weeks so you can't cheat using google maps!

Sometimes, but only very rarely, big sisters are wonderful. LR takes a moment to read RJ one of his favorite books -- ROBOT ZOT!!!!

LR and RJ prepare for a mighty scramble/climb across the rocks.

LR watches the channel where massive waves from the ocean come crashing through in a great flood.

Mum and RJ head over the rocks.

The view from the top of Canal Rocks is just incredible.

We've seen everything here, time to head home!

RJ in Concert

Luke — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:07:43 +0000

At the end of the year, the kids have a seemingly endless run of concerts and exhibitions. RJ has been working on his song for a while and finally had his big concert. He did a fantastic job and got a massive round of applause.

RJ takes a bow.

Make sure to click “Continue Reading” to get to more pictures and the video!

RJ and Mum do a greeting dance to start the concert.

RJ tells the other members of his class where he's going immediately after singing.

The entire class sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” together, which was followed by most of them singing it again individually afterwards. We were pretty much all-twinkled-out by the end of it.

RJ and the other members of his class sing "Twinkle twinkle."

Even in the midst of the concert, RJ just cannot resist the chance to cause some mischief. Here he is attempting to loosen the microphone stand and cause some extra drama while someone else sings.. “Twinkle twinkle”.

RJ attempting to discreetly cause chaos... onstage... in front of 60 people.

Eventually, it was his turn to make it up on stage. Unfluttered by the crowd, he sang the whole song perfectly to a very enthusiastic audience.

RJ singing for all he's worth. He did a fantastic job.

Please, please, may I have a bikkie.
One for me and another for Scarlet.
Because when I eat one of those,
Her tongue goes drip, drip drip.

She’s had her bone,
and she’d like dessert,
and I just don’t think one bikkie would hurt.

Please, please, may I have a bikkie,
One for me and another for Scarlet,
Because when I eat one of those,
Her tongue goes drip, drip, drip.

Afterwards, everyone went and got icecream and RJ picked mint chocolate chip (this had been planned days in advance).

Weekend Update

Luke — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:07:36 +0000

Mum was away working this weekend, so it was a bit crazy at home. LR had her big piano recital, so we spent the morning playing around to relax. Afterwards, we went to the ‘farm-zoo’ and got ice-cream!

Forced smiles? Maybe?

Checking out the empty frog pond at school.

What's up LR? Stuck??!

The playground was a great way to relax before the concert.

RJ gets attacked by the mulberry tree!

LR.. Please don't wipe your shoe on his head!

Rainbow icecream... tastes like bubblegum!!

This is delicious!

At the Farm-Zoo

Luke — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:04:10 +0000

On the weekend, we took a trip to a nearby farm school, known to the kids as “The Farm Zoo.”

LR and RJ check the laying boxes for eggs and chickens.

LR feeds the bossiest pony some carrot.

RJ decided to eat some of the carrots instead of feeding the animals.

RJ and Mum have a turn feeding the ponies.

Nanny goat loves broccoli!

RJ thought the goats were safer than the ponies.

LR and RJ wait for a ride on the 'tractor'.

Choc-milk and carrots for lunch? Does Mum know about this????

And icecream? Did Mum fall off the planet or something?

LR is willing to share with the cockatoos... Not!