The summer crop

Adam has been busy tending to his little farm over the weekend. After a visit from our neigbours bearing homegrown raspberries and lettuce, Adam was inspired again to plant a vegetable garden. He invited the neigbours for Sunday lunch and found time before their arrival to plant some seedlings (lettuce, two types of tomatoes, chillies and strawberries). We look forward to the fresh produce this summer.

Homework award

Prior to James' recent camp, he completed a presentation about the Red Kangaroo. His teacher awarded him a certificate for his interesting and creative work. Well done James!

James also returned from camp last week. He had a great time with his friends in the cabin and then camping for one night. Highlights were the giant 21 metre swing, the flying fox and the football games with teachers and students. By the second night, James was exhausted and  fell asleep during the movie 'Tangled' (not one of his favourites). He is a very deep sleeper!

Grace Note Concert

Patrick recently received a certificate for his performance at the school Grace Note Concert. On the night, Pat performed a guitar duet with Fletcher. They confidently played 'Paint it Black' and 'Wild Thing'. A fantastic effort for two boys who began guitar lessons at the beginning of the year.

Sophie ready for ballet again

 At the start of this year, Sophie began ballet with Adara at the National Theatre in St Kilda. However, she decided it wasn't for her, not to mention the long drive to St Kilda! Last week, Sophie did a trial ballet class closer to home and loved it. Today is her second class and she couldn't wait to get dressed in her "ballet outfit" this morning. She explained to Adam that she is wearing ballet "leggings" (tights) so it is not her "real skin". So cute!! I look forward to the end as the parents are permitted inside the dance studio for the final 5 minutes to watch a performance by the miniature ballerinas. It is adorable.

On the farm meets Reid family in Brighton! (by Adam)

Well here is my first blog entry. With a family full of bloggers I am more than a little intimidated, truth be told, Kate will be chief editor for this article, and all future submissions.

Here is Kate organising the trip, far too much attention to detail required for this task than is possessed by a mere male.

Flights are now booked and paid for to Hong Kong then off to London. Can't wait!!!

First school camp

Today, we were all woken up very early by a very excited James ready for his first school camp. We have spent the last week getting all the required items and meticulously labelling each item for the three day camp at Wandin. James was so excited last night that he had difficulty getting to sleep. It was great to see James display such enthusiasm and confidence about this new experience. He will spend three days and two nights at Wandin. One night will be spent in a cabin and the other in a tent. Although, James said he would prefer to spend both nights in a tent! He certainly doesn't take after me. James has always loved being outdoors.We look forward to hearing about our big boy's adventures on Friday night.

Aussie of the Week

Today at school assembly, Patrick received an 'Aussie of the Week' award from his teacher. The award was for "being a supportive friend and displaying empathy to others". We are very proud of Patrick as he is a very caring person with genuine empathy for others, which he is obviously demostrating at school with his peers. Well done Pat!

More time with the chicks

The chicks are proving to be the most popular pets at present...

Our Saturday night...

Last night we visited the Reddy family for dinner and a swim. We were also joined by Adam's friend. Lawrence (LP) and his partner Paola. Travis cooked a lovely BBQ dinner and Elina made a Russian salad. After dinner, the kids enjoyed some time in the indoor pool. Arriving home close to midnight, we have some tired people today. On top of that, Adam left home at 7.30am this morning to join friends for a 50km bike ride to Kallista! I wish I had that much energy on a Sunday morning. Now, we are preparing for dinner guests tonight. Adam will surely enjoy his roast lamb dinner tonight.

Sophie in the kitchen

Sophie received a chef's hat and apron for her 4th birthday and was keen to put it to use. She decided to bake smartie cookies for afternoon tea. Her favourite part was "putting the smarties on". They were great and disappeared from the container very quickly!

New members to our farm family...

Well, we have decided to join the Reid family of bloggers. Am hoping this will encourage us to take more photos and also keep in touch with the Reids in Brighton.

As you may have heard, our family has expanded recently. We are now the proud owners of two guinea pigs (Homer and Marg). However, it was recently discovered by a friend that Marg is not the female guinea pig that we thought we had purchased. Marg is very likely a male. Patrick accepted this news well and is happy to keep the two males. No baby guinea pigs after all, which may be blessing as we really have our hands full at the moment.

Last weekend, Adam and the kids visited Chesterfield farm. I returned home from lunch to find six (!) baby chicks in an old chest in our gargage. Adam bought six on the basis that it is unlikely that they will all survive. We still have six chicks at present! So that takes us to a total of 10 pets now, including Rosie and Snapper (the goldfish). I can assure you that our family will not be expanding again for a while.

After school today, we decided to let our six new baby chicks (Spot Beak, White Wings, Sped, Bess, Sally and Wedding Girl) explore the outside world within the confines of a wire enclosure originally set up for the guinea pigs (Homer and Marg). The chicks loved the freedom and the kids really enjoyed interacting with the new pets. The kids can't wait to do this again today after school.