Beach babes

Hooray for school holidays!  Hooray for weekends!  Hooray for Michael who happily likes cold water and taking the kids for a swim at the beach, whilst I try and stay warm, dry and avoid the sand as much as possible!
 

Timber

You may or may not recall a few years ago on Christmas Day we needed to call the SES out to deal with a large broken gum tree branch that was threatening both our house and our neighbours.  At the time they told us we should get the tree looked at by an arborist.  Given the cost of such an exercise we put it on the long "to do one day" list.

So as we approach Christmas again the gum tree dropped a big branch (see picture below).  Fortunately the kids were not playing in the courtyard at the time but  it served as a reminder that the tree was dangerous.  It was time to bite the bullet, so the tree was moved to the "we'd better get on that now" list.

Several heart stopping quotes later and we were lucky enough to get a contractor who could remove the tree (plus another overhanging the driveway and neighbouring preschool) before Christmas.

On the day of removal it was stinking hot.  The team of tree boys arrived early with their breakfast of Red Bull and cigarettes.  They set to work and did a really great job.   What they predicted would take only half a day took a full one.  Plus they cleaned up afterwards.

Milly's bucket

With the kids now finished school for the year I've been sorting through all their books, craft and other things they have brought home.  I found this cup in Milly's bag and it's her "bucket" that was filled with positive notes from her classmates.  It's purpose is to teach kids how to express kindness and appreciation for others by "filling their bucket".

Only a ginger can call another ginger ginger

There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked gingerbread biscuits.  Except maybe the taste of a freshly baked gingerbread biscuit.

One of our advent calendar activities was to do some Christmas baking.  I made the dough and the kids helped roll and cut out the shapes.  They had lots of fun icing their own biscuits and they even let me ice some too.

Christmas cheer

It's that time of year again.  That time of year we like to call the "silly season".  That time of year where kids start bringing home their Christmas craft and everything else they have done at school that needs to be cleared out in preparation for the new year.

The tree went up without any issues.  I even surprised myself by letting the kids do it all themselves.  Milly and Buster did the bulk of the decorating and for once I just went with the flow and didn't fuss about it.  Turned out to be one of the most relaxing Christmas tree decorating sessions we have ever had.

Kudos to the kids for a sterling job.

Matilda the musical

Over the weekend we had a special girl's day out.  It involved a train trip to Sydney and seeing the musical Matilda.  The character Matilda is a favourite of our book loving girl and in many ways she is a little Matilda herself.

Little girl in the big city, next to a big Christmas tree and a big clock.  She did well dealing with the bustling crowds and overcrowded trains.

A quick lunch and then it was off to the theatre.

It truly was a magical production with lots of laughs, terrific performances, amazing set design and wonderful songs.

To finish off her big day and long trip home our little Matilda nourished herself with some macarons from the famous Adriano Zumbo (flavours were Finger Bun and Malted Milkshake).

Milly doesn't give much away but I know she enjoyed it because I've heard her singing the songs and she is constantly reading the programme and looking at the pictures.

Wildlife warriors

We had an eventful afternoon post-school on Friday.  We hadn't been home long when a thud was heard and Milly announced that a bird had flown into our front windows.

Henry went outside and found it on our front path.  It was still alive and lying on it's back.  We flipped it over but it couldn't stand on it's legs nor open it's wings.  It was a bit tragic.  The poor bird was pulling itself along the ground with it's beak.

We called WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) who suggested we call the Native Animal Trust Fund who had a local branch, who then in turn told us to take it to a vet. They also advised us to put a towel over it to pick it up and put it in a box.  

So off we went in search of a vet.  The boys took turns in nursing the bird on their laps while we drove and carrying the box to the vet.  On our way to the vet we even came up with some names for the bird.  I named it Charlie, Buster called it Max, and Henry named it Blobson.  Milly was not impressed that she was missing out on having a hot chocolate because of the bird.  This lesson in compassion was lost on her.

Once at the vet's they took our address details so when the bird recovers it can be released back to it's own neighbourhood.  They said a wildlife carer would collect it and look after it.

The sad news is the bird passed away that night before the wildlife carer arrived.

RIP Charlie Max Blobson.

PS.  Milly did get her hot chocolate when we got home.

Now we are six

When I was one, I had just begun

When I was two, I was nearly new

When I was three, I was hardly me

When I was four, I was not much more

When I was five, I was just alive

But now I am six, I'm as clever as clever

So I think I'll be six now and forever.

Buster's birthday celebrations started on Saturday when he hosted his first birthday party.  He invited a group of school friends to a play centre and they ran around and got sweaty for a few hours.  He was a great host and enjoyed himself totally.

Come Monday and our sleepy head was slow to wake up and get his actually birthday started.  Instead of heading downstairs to open his presents, he headed to the kitchen and helped Henry unstack the dishwasher.  Once he realised what day it was the present opening began with gusto (interspersed with well wishing phone calls).

Then it was off to school where his class sang him Happy Birthday and he got to wear the birthday badge all day.  He was also selected as the teacher's special helper for the day, which just made it all the more glorious.

Come home time and he was greeted with more presents, a birthday cake afternoon tea, and more phone calls.  His birthday dinner request was a trip to McDonalds where we met up with Michael, fresh off the train from work, and where we finished the day.

He (and us) are very grateful for all the birthday wishes and gifts received.  Now we are six.