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.
After a month of singing along to the soundtrack in the car, as well as learning about it in music class, Sunday afternoon finally arrived. Grammy and Poppa took us to see the full production of Cats (Australian cast).
We all loved it. Fantastic show!
Oh well I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistofelees!
Some bits and bobs to round out March: Poppa came to LR’s school and taught science class, LR and RJ played dress-ups, a new form of velociraptor was discovered, and LR and RJ went flying!
LR soars through the air!
Just four days before his actual birthday, RJ held his amazing pirate birthday party. He very specifically planned everything, from the location down to exactly what would be on the cake. Thanks to his meticulous plans (and a bit of assistance from his entourage), everything went according to plan. Major events were sword making, a treasure hunt, taking over a pirate ship, firing cannons and eating (an RJ favorite).
Toothpaste?! Bah! Real pirates use rum!
(during a family lunch with everyone sitting at the dinner table)
Poppa: So does anyone want to get up and fetch me a glass of water?
(no volunteers)
Poppa: (gets up and walks into the kitchen) I guess I’ll get it myself.
LR: (with mock dismay) How come Poppa has to do all of the work around here?
Despite the hot weather, we made it up to Gingin for the grape harvest, but Grammy, Poppa, Kath and Brad had already picked all the grapes and crushed them the day before we got there! We made the most of it anyway, picking a lot of figs and table grapes that were ready to eat. Mum cooked up some fig jam and we had a big sewing ‘sesh’ during the heat of the day, before going for an explore out in the paddock.
Our incredibly brave**, heroic** and good-looking** dad rescued us from this marauding beast** that had been ransacking the countryside and was intent on destroying the farm.
We found this guy having a drink from the dog's water bowl. He's a bobtail lizard which are pretty common around here.
**Hyperbole employed as official privilege of the author
January was a really busy month! With the kids on summer holidays, we had lots of activities during the week and on the weekends. While down south we also did a bit of fishing, life-size animatronic dinosaurs came to town, we caught up with some friends and grandparents, and lots of wildlife around our house stopped in to say ‘Hello!’
A total of 5 very small fish caught over two nights -- the kids rated it a massive success!
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).
It’s September and the wildflowers have gone crazy. We took a quick trip up to Gingin to wish Grammy a happy birthday and spent an afternoon with Poppa helping him with his electronics and designing our own robots.
RJ and LR work on a birthday present for Grammy.
LR admires a huge bunch of daisies.
The almond and other fruit trees in the garden are all flowering.
The field is filled with a carpet of yellow flowers.
LR performs her amazing disappearing stick trick.
Please put down the camera. We want to do something fun.
It's either from a dragon... or a cow.
LR solders a resistor for Poppa.
RJ clips some leads for Poppa.
LR shows off her latest masterpiece - now hanging prominently in her room.
Dad and RJ worked together on cutting, gluing and colouring his robot.
RJ made himself a pair of "mad scientist glasses" -- out of some plastic packaging.
LR and RJ keep each other company during the scary bits of a movie.
A few more pictures from our last trip to Gingin. Our friend E stopped by to visit and we had a great time playing in the shed and chasing the pinballs around the fields. The next day we had to prune the grape vines to get them ready for the next growing season. It should be a great crop this year!
RJ gives LR a lift on the block and tackle.
E, RJ and LR decided to bury a small finch, instead of feeding it to Mr. Bitey
Pinball wizards!
Playing fetch with the kids. Sticks don't work, but giant pinballs do!
Look out Poppa! Floating pinballs are dangerous!
Poppa had a bat take residence in his computer.
Mum gets to work on one of the more pathetic grape vines.
LR gets the low branches; Grammy gets the high ones.
RJ helps chop the weeds... unless it's one that he thinks is cute.
Scarlet helps by sniffing everything.
LR harvests the olives, lemons and rose hips.
These olives need to be pickled before we can eat them.
LR carried the bucket everywhere. Strong kid!
