Big ears

No trip to the zoo is complete without taking a photo of Henry in between the ears of a fennec fox and then comparing it to previous photos taken.

Black belt boy

Proud as proud could be is my description for us as parents at the moment.  Henry attained his black belt in karate at the recent grading.  He showed commitment and focus, and somewhere in his quiet demeanour I'm sure he's proud of himself too.

During his grading he needed to demonstrate his execution of basic kicks, punches and blocks.  He went through a series of rounds of kumite (sparring) against other advanced students.  He was required to complete all the kata's during that grading cycle from beginner to advanced, as well as select another advanced kata to perform on his own.  Then he had to do a speech on "what his family means to him".

Obtaining his black belt was a goal he set himself when he started karate.  There have been times he has wanted to quit but he's also wanted to see it through and get that belt.  He was originally going to quit again after getting his black belt as karate fatigue had set in with all the lessons he needed to do during the last grading cycle (we've been doing four classes a week since the start of the year).  There has also been a bit of fear, knowing after he got his black belt he'd have to join the teenagers and adults classes to progress.  His kids black belt is the equivalent of an adults purple belt, which puts him in the advanced classes in the older age group.  We've convinced him to stick at it another month.

He's done a couple of the adult classes now and doesn't look out of place at all.  At first he was overwhelmed and there were some tears, but he all the kids before him who got black belts are in these classes too, so he's not alone.  Also, now he is really learning the art of self defence.    

In addition, four days before his black belt grading he was pulled out in front of his class and awarded a Student of the Month trophy.  We had no idea he was going to receive it.  It was also the first time the centre had awarded one.  His Sensei announced all the Sensei's over the past month had been secretly awarding points to students for attitude, skill, commitment, focus and respect.  Henry had the most points by a landslide and was unanimously voted Student of the Month by all the Sensei's at his centre.  He really is the quiet achiever.

Good things come to an end. Holiday wrap up - days 7 & 8

We were all a bit glum checking out.  No one wanted the holiday to end.  So many memories, such a good time.  So we fitted in a little bit more.  Some more rides and a dolphin show before the car trip back to Coffs for the night and then home.

It was a bit eerie driving back to Newcastle knowing areas were still flooded and how badly the cyclone had hit.  As we got closer we could see all the trees lining the freeway that had come down and fences taken with them.  There was a beautiful sunset and more storm clouds.  We were driving straight into another storm.  Milly hid behind her hands for the rest of the car trip when she saw the lightening.  Michael and I looked at each other slightly worried when we realised how close the lightening was and the realisation that we our drive home was taking us into the eye of this storm.

We were pretty relieved when we pulled into our driveway and undercover.  The rain was pelting down, lots of thunder and lightening.  We were safe and the holiday was certainly over.

A bit of this and that. Holiday wrap up - day 6

Who doesn't love a buffet breakfast?  Fruit, cereals, pastries, eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, sausages, baked beans, fried potatoes, tea, coffee, juice..... a smorgasbord of all you can eat.  The kids were amazed.  Milly and Buster stuck to one waffle and pancake with a side of fruit and juice.  Henry had the opportunity to eat as much bacon as could fit in his tummy, but instead opted for plates of tropical fruit every morning.  Not a slither of bacon passed his lips.  He was in fruit heaven.

One of the perks of staying at Sea World Nara resort is the opportunity to see a dolphin training session before the park opens.  It's pretty relaxed and not a show performance, so we decided to check it out and then head back to Movie World for the day.

We seriously could not get enough of Movie World.  This day was less crowded and there were no queues for rides.  Michael and I got to go on the rides we missed from the previous day, Buster and Milly found some courage to do a few more rides, and Henry the thrill seeker did everything.
 

We ended up leaving Movie World after lunch and headed back to the resort so the kids could relax and play in the pool.

Wet n Wild. Holiday wrap up - day 5

Another day another theme park.  Grab your swimmers and towels, we're about to get wet.

It was another beautiful sunny day on the Gold Coast.  We were all lathered in sunscreen and the first thing the kids were keen for was the Wave Pool.  Buster is a bit of a cold frog like me, he dipped his toe in the water and he was done.  There was a small breeze so he and I sat in the sun with the park map to read while the others enjoyed the pool.

As it turns out, Wet n Wild have an absolutely awesome junior water park for those too small or less brave for the bigger water slides.  Milly was happy to hang out with me and Buster at the junior park, while Michael and Henry explored the other slides.

Buster is still not a swimmer.  He might be a dare devil, but when it comes to the water he is cautious and he doesn't like it cold.  He took a while to enjoy himself, but when the confidence came he was off and running from slide to slide.  Milly was wonderful with him, encouraging him all the way.

I did manage to do one of the adult slides with Henry and Milly but cameras and water don't mix, so you'll just have to take my word for it.  Then we discovered the spas.  Oh yes.  Warm water, jet sprays, relaxation.  Did I mention the warm water?  I didn't want to leave.  Milly and Buster didn't want to leave. So Michael and Henry left us in search of more water slides to conquer.

At the end of the day we were wet and cold and it was nice to come back to a cleaned hotel room and a hot bath.

Hollywood on the Gold Coast. Holiday wrap up - day 4

Part of our holiday was getting unlimited entry passes to the theme parks for the duration of our stay. This was awesome because after our full day at Movie World we knew we wanted to come back just to fit in all the extra bits we missed as well as go on some of the rides again.

This was the theme park with lots of roller coasters and rides for all ages.  Henry and Michael spent most of the day together going on the bigger rides and I stayed with Buster and Milly doing the smaller stuff.  Then we'd swap and I'd get a chance to do some of the adult rides with Henry, who completely surprised us with his love of roller coasters.   

It was a busy day not just with all the stuff to do and see, but also there were some long waiting times to get on the rides.  At the end of the day it was all agreed we could return.

Animal adventures. Holiday wrap up - day 3

Turning 10 years old is a special milestone in a young man's life and this was going to be a birthday to remember.  Henry's love of animals is well known and his present from us was a snorkelling experience that gave him the opportunity to get up close and personal with marine life, that included sharks.

Staying at Sea World resort meant we had early entry to Sea World park.  We checked out the polar bears, stingrays, and dolphins.  We even managed to do a couple of rides before the shark adventure.  Buster wasn't so keen on the rides which was just as well, given he didn't meet the height requirements.  Henry and Milly were more daring and enjoyed the Viking Log ride, and then the Storm roller coaster again and again and again.

Then it was time for Henry's present. Michael was doing it with him and they needed to suit up.  Sea World have created a reef lagoon full of tropical fish, turtles, rays, and sharks.  The sharks are harmless reef sharks, but they are still big enough to look scary.  There is an underwater viewing area to watch the sea life beneath and the boys on their snorkelling adventure.

Milly and Buster entertained themselves with the interactive touch pools.  Buster especially loved stroking the starfish and the stingrays.  He didn't like the soft and slimy feel of the sea cucumber.

In the afternoon it was time to reward Buster for his patience after watching everyone else on rides and adventures.  He got to fulfil his love of water guns and this time they came as water cannons.  He squirted anyone he could take aim at.  Then he got to enjoy a boat ride where he got squirted too.

Then it was back to the resort for a rest and dinner before the nightly light show started.  Henry enjoyed his special day and it was reward itself to see the big smile on his face when he went to sleep that night exhausted.  Happy Birthday Mister.