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...
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!
In October, we drove south to Eagle Bay with some friends for a few days, and north to Gingin for a weekend with Grammy and Poppa. RJ had his first t-ball game and… his team won! In the middle of all of this (and the Royal Show AND Halloween) we somehow found the time to visit Scitech with some friends to see some of their new exhibits. Wow! We need a break!
We took a trip down to Eagle Bay and had a great time in the water. It's a lot easier to do now that the weather's warming up!
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?
Another crazy month went by! This time around, Mom and LR got a thousand and one things done before they left for the USA, leaving Dad and RJ behind to survive on a steady diet of buttered toast and cereal. The cousins came over from Melbourne, and Grammy’s house STILL isn’t finished! Finally, RJ entertained an entire school with his own special moves during his class concert.
RJ's friend C visited for a sleepover. The next morning, the two of them insisted on pancakes, the internationally recognised breakfast of bloodthirsty pirates and fierce centurions.
In August, as many of us suffered colds and ear infections, another birthday rolled around, RJ played his soccer final, and the kids dressed up for Book Day. We also spent a great weekend up at Gingin with some friends and discovered LR really can be an angel when she wants to.
Make a wish! Mom slices into her favorite cake, pinapple upside-down cake!
While we were away for half of July (pictures coming soon, promise!), we were just as busy through the rest of it. American Independence Day rolled around and we invited the family over for hamburgers and sparklers. Dad got to stand outside and grill the burgers in the cold, rainy winter weather and ponder how to get some ‘real’ fireworks into the country. There was a disco for the end of the term at school — apparently costumes were NOT optional. Finally, Dad and RJ rocked out at the AC-DC exhibition at the WA Museum.
Grammy gets some sparklers lit while RJ... Hang on a minute! HEY RJ! STOP TRYING TO SET THE LAWN ON FIRE!
Mom was feeling a little Wicked, dressed in all her verdant glory.
On Sunday, Grammy and Poppa took us to go and see the broadway show Wicked! We had been listening to the soundtrack during the week before and we even had a movie night on Saturday and watched the original Wizard of Oz. When the day finally came we were totally buzzing with excitement.
Because it was the three year anniversary of the show in Australia, they selected the best dressed audience members to come backstage and meet the cast and crew to celebrate and enjoy cake. We spent a little time getting into costumes before the show and crossed our fingers.
As the final curtain closed, we were whisked away by one of the stage managers and rushed through a series of dark twisty corridors, lined with an incredible array of wigs, costumes, props and set pieces. Eventually we made it to the stage, right behind the big curtain we had seen just moments ago from the other side. The applause was still fading away and we could hear the chatter of the crowd making their way out of the theatre. The entire cast was still lined up after their final bow and turned to meet us. There were lots of comments on our outfits and they were all really friendly. We stopped and had a chat with Elphaba and Galinda/Glinda, before a press photographer stopped by to get our photo. We hurried back to another room to enjoy cake and meet the rest of the cast. Again, everyone was really friendly and were pretty amused to see the lot of us mirroring their characters.
In May, Mom enjoyed a bit of a sleep in while RJ planned to conquer the world, with style. Poppa and Grammy took us to a great place to hide from Dad, and Joey soccer started up again, this time with RJ on board. Up at Gingin, we built version 1 of a flying fox (zip-line), which suffered from some serious design flaws, but was pretty fun regardless.
LR watches as Mom reads the Mother's Day card that she made.
Read on to find out about our exciting adventures with dangerous oversized animals at the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple at Lake Beratan. We get drenched by a massive tropical thunderstorm, and are amused/delighted/revolted by some hot beverages. Finally we end up having a meal at a great little place on the coast.
Mom leads the kids off to the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple!
Found it!
But it's guarded by lions... hungry lions... Careful M!
Look out, LR!
We'll ride the magic giant fish off to safety!
The sign said, "Beware of Giant Eagles", but did they listen? Oh nooooooo.... "No giant eagles around here," they said. Here's your freaken giant eagle, buddy.
"Spin us, Uncle Paul! As fast as you can!!!" ... The kids learned a valuable lesson that day.
Mom and P take M and RJ on a WILD ride on the swing.
On the way back down the mountain, we ran into our first tropical thunderstorm.
Rice paddies and farms on the side of the mountain.
On the way back to the villa, we stopped by this nice little coffee shack and tried their various coffees and teas, as well as the infamous, "Poo Coffee."
Poppa is awfully suspicious. In the background, you can see a big poster describing the process of feeding coffee berries to the lewaks, collecting their valuable coffee-bean-caffinated turds, and the washing that takes place before roasting and grinding the beans. They did mention washing the beans, didn't they? Lots and lots of washing?
No RJ! Don't eat that bit!!! Ha ha... Actually, the hot chocolate made from their own cocao beans was really fantastic.
Mom refused to try the crappy coffee, but did give the lemon tea a go... and it was actually great stuff. The kids loved it too.
After a long day, we went to the Potato Head Club to relax and have a great dinner. The place was extravagant, decadent and completely over the top... and we loved it. Aunty Bron, Uncle Troy and Poppa enjoy a drink while trying to get Shazam working on their phones.
Aunty Carrie, Grammy and Uncle Paul sit down for a cup of tea... Hang on a second, that's not tea in that pot!
Mom watched whle the kids had a brilliant time swimming and jumping around in the pool.
We even enjoyed a tiny, 2 minute sunset. There was so much cloud that the sky didn't really light up.
The kids kept swimming and playing into the night while our dinner was prepared.
Sophie checks out the menu... Yep, just about everything on there looks delicious.
Uncle Paul waits for Auntie Carrie at the bar... The place felt like a scene from a movie.
After dinner, LR and the other kids danced on the grass to the loud, thumping music, while Dad cheered them on.
PA. prepares to launch her sky-shooting glowie -- a tiny light on a pair of wings.
