When Dad came to stay

My Dad came to stay with us for a few days recently.  It's always great to see him and catch up. 

We thought we'd take him out to see the whales but despite it being a sunny day, it was in fact freezing and blowing a very bitter gale.  No whales to be seen unfortunately.

Winter walkies

Would I be speaking too soon to say it's been a mild winter? We have had some glorious winter days this season and are lucky enough to live in a coastal town where you can watch the whales migrate just by standing on a shoreline or headland.  I didn't manage to get any whale photos, but you'll just have to take my word for it that we saw a few whales and I never tire of watching them.

Michael does Vegas

Michael had the fortune of being invited by Dell Technologies to their conference in Las Vegas.  So we said goodbye to him for a week as he headed off for a few days of tech talks and taking in the sites of the City of Lights.

Michael tells me there are poker machines everywhere, including all throughout the airport.  So if you're desperate for a flutter while waiting for your baggage in the collection area... don't sweat it, the opportunity to lose some dollars is there.

Dell had booked Michael into the Palazzo hotel.  His hotel suite was huge.

VEGAS BY DAY AND VEGAS BY NIGHT

Around 1500 people attended the conference event.  Even Will.I.Am was there to talk about artificial intelligence.  The band Imagine Dragons entertained the congregation on the final night.

Then it was back home to three very excited children to see their dad.

ANZAC march

Easter Sunday

I don't think this year's Easter will be remembered for Easter eggs.  Although we did have a morning egg hunt at home and an afternoon hunt at Nanoo's house later in the day. 

Instead, I'm sure this Easter will be remembered for handball.  Yes, that "old school" school game, where all you need are some people, a bouncy ball and some squares.  We may have even started a new Easter tradition - the family handball tournament.

It was an "all in" affair with kids and adults alike.  Of course, us adults showed no mercy to the kids and they didn't need it.  After all, they are lower to the ground than us and able to hit those really low skimming balls. 

We had a glorious autumn day for it and were rewarded with some delicious lunch thanks to Nanoo and Peter. 

Fourteen

The birthday festival continues with Mister turning fourteen.  FOURTEEN!  WTF! 

He spent his day mainly on the Playstation playing a new game.  Then it was off with the whole family to watch his sister perform in Madagascar (not quite the birthday treat he was hoping for). 

His cake request was a chocolate orange cake.  Again, too easy.

Then it was out for a celebratory family dinner at a local Thai restaurant where he could indulge in his favourite noodle dish - Chicken Pad See Ew.

Twelve

Look out, we have a tweenager in the house.  Milly has turned twelve and the festival of birthdays has begun, with the added bonus of Easter for good measure (more blog posts to come).

When your birthday falls on Good Friday it's chocolate hot cross buns for breakfast, followed by present opening and receiving birthday phone calls and messages.

Our birthday girl also requested a trip to Blackbutt playground, so we had a nice bushwalk, the kids played and the weather was glorious.  Michael and I sat and watched and wondered where all the years had gone (as you do).

Then it was back home for a relax and making the birthday cake.  Milly requested a lemon cheesecake, so I whizzed up a rustic mascarpone version (too easy and delicious). 

He's almost as tall as his Dad.

She's all arms and legs is our long limbed girl.