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.

Henry is the VIP

At the start of the school year Henry's teacher introduced a VIP concept to his class.  All of the kid's names went in a hat and each week a name would be drawn and that kid would be the VIP for the week.  Being the VIP doesn't require anything of you.  It's purpose is to have your classmates acknowledge you and write down something positive about that person for them to keep.

Henry has been waiting all year for his name to be selected.  Above is the result, all written by his classmates.

Halloween

Not really an Australian tradition, but that doesn't stop every shop in town trying to milk their marketing dollar to attract sales and shoppers.  Our neighbourhood doesn't celebrate Halloween, but each year the kids are keen to Trick or Treat.

A local shopping district puts on a daytime Trick or Treat to attract people to their area.  The shops have signs letting you know if they are participating so the kids know who to approach for lollies.  It's an alternative Halloween to the American traditional one, but the kids don't really care as long as they can dress up and fill their bags with sweets.

The shopping streets were crowded, the shops had a delegate standing outside just handing out crap lollies, no interaction in terms of saying "trick or treat", some great costumes were seen, but it wasn't long before the kids were over it and ready for home.

A bruised Boo

Someone was a bit excited the bell had rung, then tripped and fell on the concrete running to lunch.  He's all better now.

Rock n Roll All Night

A few weekends ago I took a little trip down to Sydney.  Just me.  No Michael and no kids.   My brother got tickets for him and I to see the band Kiss.  I thought I'd make a weekend of it and also spend some extra time with him and his family.

A little lunch in Chatswood.  

My sweet, sweet nephew Casper.

Getting ready to Shout it Out Loud.

Seeing Kiss was all kinds of awesome.  They were loud, there was so much pyrotechnics going on it was over the top and crazy.  Lots of fun and I'd see them again in a heart beat.

I had a wonderful weekend.  Catching up with my brother's family and spending time with my nephew was beautiful.  Can't wait to see them all again at Christmas.

It's never easy to say goodbye.

Mini Roos - girls only

If you're a regular reader of our little family blog you'll know for the past few years we have knocked back Milly's requests to play competitive soccer.  A couple of months ago I heard about a girls only soccer program run by the Football Federation Australia.  It provides the opportunity for young girls to have fun, gain confidence, and learn some basic skills without the pressure of competing.  The program runs for 10 weeks and we thought at the end of it she'd know for sure if soccer is a sport she wants to pursue.  She's grouped with girls her own age and they spend 30 minutes learning skills through ball games and then 30 minutes divided into teams to have a match.        

She's three weeks into her soccer program and enjoying it.  She's even scored a few goals.  She's not a huge fan of any pushing and shoving but that is the nature of the game.  It is a physical sport and she needs to get used to it and get amongst it if she wants to play in a real team.  But for now she's having fun and Henry's old soccer gear and boots are getting another workout.    

Art gallery open

Thought I'd share some of the art work Milly and Buster have brought home recently.

More of Leo

These photos don't really do justice to how adorable this little pug called Leo is.  Nonetheless, Henry is smitten and any chance he gets to see Leo and have a cuddle is a chance swiftly taken.

Buster took his notebook and drew some portraits of Leo too.

Breaking boards

Just how much does Henry want to go back to Queensland for a holiday?  He wants it bad enough that he put his fist through a wood board to prove it.

Yes, our quiet Little Mister can break boards.  Who knew?

His karate centre had an open day for current students to try out new things and breaking boards was on the schedule.  Proving just how much I underestimate him, he broke his board on his first try and without any hesitation.  He was pretty proud of himself and rightfully so.

The instructor encouraged the parents to have go as well.  I admit I was pretty anxious about doing it and had little belief I could do it.  The boards the parents had were a lot smaller than the kid's boards, but they were twice as thick.

Henry encouraged me the whole time and I too smashed the board on my first attempt.  It was a very empowering experience and beautiful to share it with Henry.

So now whenever he and I have any self doubts we dismiss them because "if we can break boards we can do anything".