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Happy Mother’s Day, 2012

Luke — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:07:16 +0000

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone! We hope all you Mom’s had a terrific day. Around here, the kids woke up early, putting together a great breakfast for Mom and tried to let her have a quiet, relaxing morning — before going on their normal weekend rampage.

Wow!!!! LR cooked up a huge batch of waffles and arranged this delicious breakfast for Mum! I'm really looking forward to Father's day.

After chopping strawberries and whipping the cream, RJ carefully arranged Mum's favorite chocolates on the platter.

Salted caramels and dark chocolate Belgian truffles... Mmmmmmm....

Happy Mother' Day!

RJ made a placemat for Mum with lots of reasons why he likes to have her around.

We were all surprised to discover her love of energy drinks and the movie, "Home Alone".

While the outside was decorated with a beautiful drawing of flowers, the inside of LR's card featured a friendly bear.

LR makes sure Mum notices how many X's and O's are across the bottom of the card -- probably enough to last the whole year.

Getting a big hug afterwards is always the best part.

Diving in with both feet

Luke — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:07:22 +0000

Last weekend, LR competed in a diving competition. She was a bit worried because last time around, she didn’t do as well as she wanted to… This time was different…

LR brings all her skills from gymnastics and trampolining to diving.

Precision, precision, precision...

And the result is... First place! WOW! Go LR!!!

LR's best friend I. won second place. Great job girls! What a great team!

Two wheels good, four wheels bad!

Luke — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:07:05 +0000

Over the weekend we took a trip to Rottnest Island and everyone knows that the only sensible way to get around Rottnest is on a bike. There was one problem: RJ was still on training wheels, and you can’t ride all the way across the island on training wheels.

The day before we left, as Dad spent some quality time with the bikes in the garage, RJ practiced balancing as he wheeled himself around and around on the smooth concrete. He wouldn’t accept any help at all.

RJ: Stop! Don’t touch me! You’ll just make me fall over!
Dad: Fair enough. Just a bit of advice, though. You should try to…
RJ: STOP! Stop saying anything! I’m trying to concentrate!

The next day we arrived on Rottnest and the rough, bumpy road surface lay ahead of him, waiting hungrily to scrape the skin off his knees. With only the slightest bit of trepidation he pushed off the ground, lifted his feet to the pedals and he was away!

It was the end of an era... The age of innocence was over... It was time to grow up... The training wheels were gone...

Don't touch me! I don't need help! I've got this!

A look of fierce concentration as he conquers the skill of bike riding without assistance, purely by exerting his fearsome iron will.

He's off and moving fast! He doesn't have braking sorted out yet, but that doesn't stop him... It's your job to keep out of the way.

The reward for all the hard work? Freedom to escape from Mom and Dad and cruise around with his sister.

You know you've finally made it as a bike rider on Rottnest when you cruise down the main street to the pub on your own

Well done RJ! You've got it totally figured out!

A moment later, he was performing his first bike trick: riding past while staring at you, grinning like a madman and yelling, "CHEEEEESE!".

How to save an orangutan

Luke — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:07:51 +0000

Towards the end of last year, LR decided she wanted to help some endangered species in whatever way she could. She remembered our local zoo has an orangutan conservation and breeding program with several large, well designed enclosures, and decided that donating money to their program would be a great way to make a difference.

Her idea was to hold an art show where kids at her school could donate two dollars to enter. In return, they would get a certificate and also a chance to win a huge jar of lollies. She hung several of these signs around the school and recruited a few of her friends to help collect money during their lunch breaks.

LR printed out these posters and hung them around the school.

After four weeks, she had a huge jar full of coins and only four pieces of art for the show. It turns out the kids wanted to win the jar of candy more than be in an art show. She called off the art show, but continued the lolly competition.

After weeks of work, she had collected over $250 dollars!

LR didn’t mind, though — every bit of money would help the orangutans. At the end of the school year, the winner’s name was drawn from a hat by the school principal. The winner of the lollies was a second grader and not even one of her friends.

We contacted the Perth Zoo who were really excited to have LR come in. They presented her with a certificate and showed her around.

During the school holidays, we contacted the zoo who were delighted to have LR come in and tell her story. They presented her with a certificate and gave her a tour. Unfortunately, the uncooperative giraffes wouldn’t come over to be fed, but she had a great time anyway.

Good job, LR! We’re amazed at what you accomplished. You definitely made a huge difference.

Well done LR! We can't believe you did this all yourself. We're so proud of you.

December 2011, Photo Wrap-Up

Luke — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:07:47 +0000

With a huge overseas vacation looming, the first half of December was filled with the last days of the school year, some early Christmas celebrations… and a lot of silly hats.

December means the Advent calendar gets brought out. We like to pretend the kids appreciate the tradition and fun puzzles and clues that we leave in there for them...

It's RJ's job to read the clues this year. LR was surprisingly patient.

Oh no! The end-of-year music "party" turns out to be an impromptu concert and no one will volunteer to go first. RJ steps up and breaks the ice with a few of his favorites.

Three songs later, RJ has the room in stitches, finishing his performance with a flourish in classic RJ style.

LR volunteers to play a few of her favorite songs too. Beethoven FTW!

LR won one of the three coveted prizes for the students who improved the most during the year. Well done, LR! You deserve it!

The last game of the year (but not the season). RJ's teeball skills (and patience with fielding) are improving with every game.

Everyone works together building the gingerbread house. For some reason, only about half the materials make it into the construction -- there must be some dodgy contractors on the worksite.

Nice work guys! The finished gingerbread house looks terrific!

Because we went away for Christmas, we had an early Christmas dinner at Grammy and Poppa's.

LR takes the time to read the cards before tearing into the presents.

Thanks Grammy!

Careful there Auntie Jess. It's not safe to get between RJ and his Hero Factory legos. Just carefully put it back on the table and you'll be okay.

Parental win: the kids actually remembered their manners without prompting this year! Now if only we could get them to stop picking their noses.

Christmas dinner. A time for family, a huge feast, and the opportunity to wear ridiculous things on your head...

RJ got first pick of the hats and picked out the crustacean for himself and a spicy little number for Grandma Dot.

LR picks out her favorite, complete with spring-loaded pom-pom action -- essential for tormenting younger brothers.

Everyone helps out during the final rush to the kitchen, delivering the food to the table.

Crumbly destruction and delicious, sugary mahem ensue as the gingerbread house is attacked!

An important lesson learned... Never, EVER let the kids pick the hat for you or you will end up looking silly.

The end of another school year!

Luke — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:07:59 +0000

Once again, LR’s and RJ’s school put on its huge biennial musical performance. All the kids at the school have a part, with each grade getting its own big musical piece to perform. This year’s performance was Jack and the Beat-stalk, another original written by the school principal, filled with only-slightly-mangled songs by the Beatles.

LR and the Go-Go Girls strut their stuff across the stage.

Shake it up baby, now! Twist and shooout!

RJ wasn't a fan of the costume, but graciously decided to play along and not ruin the entire show for everyone.

Here comes the sun! Doo doo doo doo!

And we can’t forget a super big thanks to our awesome teachers this year… We’ll miss you!

LR loved Alice and all the amazing creativity and imagination she brought into the classroom.

Claire and RJ got along amazingly well. We were lucky to have such a wonderful and understanding teacher.

School photos!

Luke — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:07:25 +0000

School photos are in!

RJ has a "super power smile" that he pulls out for photos. We have hundreds of photos just like this.

LR, on the other hand, is always calm and in control.

November 2011, Photo Wrap-Up

Luke — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:07:03 +0000

The good news is that November is over (and we’re exhausted). The bad news is that December is on the way, which is sure to be even busier!

This month we survived a bout of the plague, and went to the city to learn some new skills for Heritage Days. Dad got even older than he used to be and now he’s even older. We built our own shelter and enjoyed a terrific Thanksgiving dinner.

RJ suffered from a horrible bout of chicken pox for a day, but awoke the next morning completely spot free with no symptoms! Vaccine FTW!

Dad tied up a tennis ball to use for teeball practice. RJ pointed out that it's so much easier to whack a ball using a tennis racket.

LR loves to laugh. Dad loves to take photos. Sometimes they happen at the same time.

At the Naturescape area, LR carefully constructed a channel around someone else's dam, and drained the upper pond.

RJ: Zero days without injury!

At the train station, RJ enjoys a delicious spearmint milk.

Mum wonders why the most annoying people on the train always sit right next to her.

When we arrived at the demonstration archaeological camp, the kids were asked, “Do you want to learn how scientists really do this? or do you want to go straight to the fun stuff?” They stared blankly for a long time trying to make sense of what the woman was saying. It wasn’t until mum explained to the woman that for our kids, the way scientists really do it WAS the fun stuff that any progress was made, and off they went to grid and diagram a search area full of artifacts.

RJ discovers a small vase at the achaeological dig site.

LR carefully sorts the fragments, ultimately piecing together a cup and saucer!

Mom helps RJ assemble the pieces without skewering his hand on ceramic shards.

LR tries her hand at some stone carving. It's harder than it looks but gets easier once you get into a groove.

Dad explains some of the finer points of carving to RJ, who knows it all already.

LR also used a loom to weave a section of belt, or strap, or something... Probably a bookmark. When in doubt, you can always use something as a bookmark.

RJ poses next to the massive lego creation.

Mom took everyone out to breakfast on Dad's birthday! Grammy and Poppa showed up too!

RJ helped roll out the pizza crusts for Dad's birthday dinner.

... but Mom had to help on some of them.

LR puts the finishing touches on Dad's birthday cake.

Happy Birthday to you!!!!

We took a quick trip to Dwellingup before the worst heat of the summer arrived. By begging for edamame soy beans, Scarlet established once and for all that she is not a real dog.

RJ hunts carefully for tadpoles in the stream. He ended up catching four or five in about ten minutes.

Scarlet found herself a nice comfy spot to lay down in.

RJ and LR take shelter underneath the 'tent' that dad helped them build. Sorry Dad, only room for two in here!

Oh nevermind, we can move over for you.

A few days later, it was time for Thanksgiving dinner! Aunty Jess shows us just how much fun making corn bread can really be.

Grammy and Jess working together.

Even Uncle Troy and Aunty Bron from Melbourne were there! Hey guys!

Poppa did a great job carving the turkey.

Mom teaches LR the finer points of stealing the most delicious bits from the turkey before it's even served.

Here boy! Jump! Up! Up! Good RJ! ... (and you wonder why the boy has issues)

After a huge turkey feast and too much pie, Poppa and RJ go over the hand-traced turkeys that he made in class that day.

Art time!

Luke — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:07:18 +0000

Here are some random drawings and pictures that have shown up lately.

Mouse Avenger #12, by RJ

Mouse Avenger is an original series that RJ has been creating. Each has a detailed, full-colour front cover with a series of black and white drawings inside. Most episodes involve battling some kind of dragons and/or scorpions. Mouse Avenger is pretty ruthless with his sword and shield.

The inside of Dad’s birthday card, from LR:

Why yes... Yes it does...

Dad and the kids were doing some drawings on the weekend and they were particularly proud of what they came up with…

Horse and Tree, by LR

Haunted Mansion, by RJ

Haunted Mansion (colour), by RJ and Daddy

Haunted Mansion is a book in the school library that RJ hasn’t read, but seems to know an awful lot about. Those are ghosts chasing the people and I do believe those are severed heads hanging off the legs of the evil crab monster.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Luke — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:07:23 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks everyone for being part of our lives. We’re thinking of you all.

Mr. Snowman says, 'Thanks for all my extra eyes and my vicious teeth, RJ!'