Some random photos

Henry loves Auntie Nikki's dog Cino.

Washing the cars.

Milly doing her Kurt Cobain impression.

Jumping for joy

A few months ago Michael and I talked about getting the kids a trampoline for Christmas. We checked out the toy, department store and sporting catalogues and found all the good ones to be out of our budget. I then decided to do what all the modern people of today do - a google search on the information highway, followed by my first look at ebay. I did my research and then did nothing.

A couple of weeks ago I started thinking about Christmas and remembered the idea of a trampoline then logged onto ebay to check out some current trampoline auctions. There was a 10ft trampoline that met our requirements with a low bid, and with only 10 minutes to go I thought I'd place a practice bid to see how ebay works. Surely it must all be a scam, a brand new trampoline couldn't be that cheap (we are talking one third the price of retail outlets). I expected a flurry of bids towards the end that would see the price soar, so I ignored the auction and checked my emails. Not long later a received an email from ebay telling me I had won the auction. Completely surprised and not sure it was for real I called Michael at work and said "I think I've just bought a trampoline on ebay but I'm not sure". More emails followed with payment details and within four days a trampoline had been delivered in boxes awaiting to be assembled.

With baby no.3 almost here we decided to give the kids the trampoline for Christmas early, mainly so it would keep them occupied when I'm busy with the new baby. So far it has been getting a daily workout and it's not just the kids who are enjoying it.

Michael begins the job of putting together the trampoline.

Michael doing some user testing.

Almost ready.

Supervisor in place and the kids give the tramp their seal of approval.

Our trampoline came with an instruction manual that covered the manufacturers for all eventualities. Here are just some of our favourite "important advice for usage":

* Users should have a respectively short jumping time. Longer jumping periods reduce the interest of other users, as they have to wait for their turn to jump.

* Clothing worn must consist of a t-shirt, short trousers, gymnastic shoes and thick socks. Beginners should wear long arm shirts and training trousers.

* In times when supervision is not possible, the trampoline should be dismantled.

* It is not recommended this trampoline be used for children under six years of age.

All completely ridiculous, but I can't wait to get this baby out so I can start jumping for joy too.

Visitors

We have had a succession of visitors over the past few weeks. Since the big move from Sydney I'm not sure who gets more excited about catching up with friends, me and Michael or Henry and Milly. Needless to say it is always fun and we miss our friends greatly.

Catching up the Logan's and meeting their second born Bill - or BLog as we nicknamed him.

Allegra and Henry vamping it up.


Allegra, Milly, Henry and Joe.

Milly, Ivy and Henry.

Ivy, Luka, Milly, Henry and Darcy.

Ivy and Milly making sand cakes.