Mum and Steve's Wedding

On New Year's Eve, we went to mum and Steve's wedding. Mum was a glowing and beautiful bride. Sophie was an angelic little flower girl and James and Patrick looked handsome as they walked down the 'aisle' ahead of nanny. It was a great night with perfect weather and enjoyed by all.



My little fairy in the rose garden



Camp

James left for a three day school camp to Phillip Island today. He was awake early and keen to get going. James loves the great outdoors. I'm sure he will have a great time with his friends.

Car packed and ready to go. Sophie was our photographer for the morning

Wilson's Prom

Our school holidays began with a few days at Wilson's Prom with Elina, Trav and kids. As Elina and I are not avid campers, we decided to rent a spacious beach house in Yanakie for two nights. The trip was enjoyed by all  and we hope to visit the Prom again - but no running down sand dunes! (see photos below...)

One of our walks above Tidal River

One of the biggest sand dunes we have ever seen (James standing at top)

The view from the top of the sand dune

James after his crash into rock hard compacted sand. None of my children (or husband) will EVER have a running race down a giant sand dune again! Thankfully, he is okay. It was just one of those horrible moments a parent will never forget.

Adam had the added bonus of carrying Sophie and burning some extra calories during some of our walks (she had an upset stomach).

School Production

Over the past two nights, James and Patrick performed in their Circus school production. It was very entertaining. James had the part of a 'mime' in a dance to 'Man in the Mirror'. Patrick had the part of a 'strong man' in a dance to 'Macho Man'. We attended both nights and thoroughly enjoyed seeing our boys on stage. Next year, all three children will be in the production!

Patrick on stage - Adam and I could not believe how much he looked like my brother Matthew

The boys at home before the show

Gardening

James and Patrick planted their favourite vegetables last Sunday in their own area of garden. They weeded the garden the previous weekend and after Adam added the 'dynamic lifter', it was finally ready! James is growing, celery, lettuce, capsicum and broccoli. Patrick is growing carrots, cucumber, strawberries and tomatoes. Not to be left out, they planted seedlings for Sophie while she attended a friend's birthday party. So far, the boys have been taking very good care of their plants. Unfortunately, the local rabbit has already discovered our new plants, so we will need to replace the damaged ones this weekend.

Patrick's team wins!

On Saturday, Patrick's basketball team played in the grand final with Marcellin. It was a compelling game with the scores even with three minutes to go. In the last three minutes, Patrick's team scored three goals and won against Marcellin by six points! Patrick's medal now has pride of place beside his bed and he will take it for 'show and tell' this week.

Football colours day

Sophie wore her team's colours for the football team colours parade last Friday. She chose to wear James' first Bombers jumper and loved being part of another parade at the ELC.

Book Week Parade

On Friday, Sophie dressed up as 'Rosetta' (one of the tinkerbell fairies) for the Book Week Parade at the ELC. Each child stood up in front of the audience and announced their name and the book character they were dressed as.

Rosie visited the vet on Friday for some grooming and returned looking very different. Now that her thick coat has been cut short, she needs to wear her little woollen jumper at night. She does not complain.

Chess set

The boys have been putting the new chess set to good use...9pm is approaching and the game is still in progress!

Adam's Birthday

We celebrated Adam's birthday this weekend. We started on Saturday night with dinner and a movie.
On Sunday morning, he was greeted by the children with an array of presents and cards followed by pancakes, berries and cream for breakfast.

We visited a local Chinese restaurant for the early 11am Yum Cha (we had to pace ourselves for the big day of eating ahead!). James and Adam devoured the crispy pork belly whilst Patrick and Sophie favoured the prawn wontons.



We then decided to visit the nearby Athletics track for some exercise between courses. Sophie loved racing against Adam and has already scheduled another visit there on Tuesday. 

We then visited mum's for a lovely spread of afternoon tea to celebrate Adam's and Matthew's birthdays.

We ended the birthday celebrations with a family dinner where Adam had requested his long time favourite meal of roast lamb, red wine, apple roly poly, cream, ice cream, tea cake and various other yummy treats to follow. A great birthday weekend and I noticed that he left for work today with a packed lunch of two apples, tuna and rice cakes. The birthday indulgence is now over until the big one next year!

Thursday...

Today was another busy day in our family. James participated in the school athletics, competing in every event on offer for his age group. He was awarded second place in the 100m and 200m race. Adam and I enjoyed watching him compete. He loves a competition!

Sophie attended kinder followed by her first transition session for prep. She came home in good spirits. Meanwhile, Patrick travelled around with me in 'mum's taxi' due to a sore finger. We ended the day with a visit to the GP and he is now on antibiotics to treat the infection. We never have to wonder what to do around here. With three children, there is always something on!

Our weekend...

We have come to the end of a busy weekend. Saturday morning started with Patrick's 8.30am basketball game where he shot his first goal for the season! He was very proud of himself. Maybe those three boiled eggs on toast for breakfast before the game gave him extra energy.

Afterwards, we drove to Mornington for lunch and a walk near the beach. It was our first visit to Mornington and we now understand the appeal of the area. It is one of mum's favourite places to visit. We plan to visit again soon and explore the area some more.

Once back at home, we prepared for our dinner guests. It was a relaxing night where the children (and adults!) had some fun.

Sophie decided to dress up as "half barbie half fairy" to Scarlett's party on Sunday.

It was mum and dad's birthday on Friday and we had an afternoon tea for them on Sunday afternoon. All in all, a great weekend where we managed to see both families and eat too much food!

In between all this, Patrick and James also found time to work on their Warhammer models. You have inspired them Mitchell! They will update soon.

A letter for Sophie

Whenever we check our mail box, Sophie asks whether there is any mail for her. Much to her disappointment, it is usually filled with bills! After kinder today, she checked the mail box and was pleased to receive a birthday invitation from her friend, Scarlett. She is very excited about next weekend and is already planning her outfit.

A snapshot of our holiday...

My favourite photos from our recent Hong Kong and England holiday

Dinner in Hong Kong

Sophie with her new Minnie Mouse at Hong Kong Disneyland



Patrick trying on a guard helmet at the Tower of London



A walk through Hyde Park






The doll house collection at Harrods

The excitement building as we approach Brighton!

An afternoon at Devil's Dyke

Horse riding in the New Forest



Blue sky in England!!



James in the New Forest with wild ponies

Watching a movie together at the Tower of London

Legoland, Windsor

The girls playing dress ups

James and Mitchell at Devil's Dyke

The tourists at Stonehenge

The New Forest