Sporty Mister

Our least competitive child just so happens to be our most active child.  He's gone from a very quiet boy who spent most of his time gaming, to still being a quiet boy who plays both basketball and soccer.

Basketball is a new sport for Mister, introduced to him by some school chums who encouraged him to join their team.  It's fair to say, Mister is the least experienced on the team, but he shows up for training and games every week and is improving all the time.  He's even scored a couple of baskets.  Unfortunately, his team have not won a single game all season.  A few times they've been close, but that has deterred Mister and it's wonderful to see the different kid he is when he's with his mates.  

Mister's soccer team are a terrific bunch of lads.  He plays in defence, usually on the left, sometimes in the centre.  He's not shy of the ball and has a solid kick on him.  If not for another round of COVID-19 lockdowns, his team were a chance for the semi-finals.  We wait to find out the decisions to finish the season.

Big girl bed - sisters doing it for themselves

 

Isn't it amazing what you can assemble with an Allen key?  Milly's bed has always been a hand-me-down from Nanoo.  It was a mattress on a bed base with the castors/legs removed.  It just sat on the floor.  It had served it's purpose since she moved out of her cot as a toddler and she had been asking if she could get a "proper" bed.

Like any savvy consumer, she researched online what style she wanted and we took her shopping so she could see the beds for herself.  With selection made and delivery it was time to put this big girl bed together....and I did...all by myself...with assistance from a laundry basket and pillow.

Birthdays - 14 and 16

The two teenagers lapped the sun again.  They are such great kids, very different in personalities, and both getting exceedingly tall.  The usual celebrations of birthday cake and going out for dinner were followed.

Easter

 

It would seem you are never too old for an Easter egg hunt, with the kids just as keen this year as any year past.  Each year Nanoo holds an Easter egg hunt and she has the perfect garden for hiding the eggs.  It still amazes me how the kids still struggle to find the eggs hiding in plain sight.  

We have a rule that all eggs are divided equally at the end.  The kids get to decide if they'd only like to find their quota of eggs or find as many as they can and then share the spoils at the end.  Usually they choose to limit themselves to their own allocation.

The egg hunt is generally followed by a short game of backyard cricket - as Aussie as you can, played in a pair of thongs.  Photos are also taken with Nanoo to prove now how much she is shrinking but how much the kids have grown since last Easter photo.  Just look at the size of Henry's feet.  Buster has a decent sized foot as well, so maybe there is a growth spurt coming soon.

Back to school

 

Year 6, Year 8, Year 10

School holidays

 

Summer holiday

Some random photos from what turned out to be our last family Christmas in Coffs Harbour.  Dad and Tracey having made the decision to move further north to Queensland in 2021.  

2020 Huckers Tournament

 

It was a marathon of a tournament this year.  Competing for the trophy were Grandad Bryan, Michael, Henry and myself.

Game 1 was an easy straight win for Grandad.

Game 2 saw me take out the win.

Game 3 had Michael and Henry team up to ensure either one of them won, with Michaael sealing the win.

Game 4 turned into an epic battle.  Henry was poised to win, which would have sent the match into a final fifth round.  However, the game turned cut throat and it could have been anyone of us victorious (except Grandad who was mercilessly picked on).  In the end it was Michael who managed to roll a ridiculous succession of sixes and take out the 2020 Huckers Trophy.

The traditional last years champ passing on the trophy to the new victor.

Coffs Christmas

 

Road trip.

No one to play with, Dad's two dogs don't want anything to do with her. 

Then along came Ralph and Minnie had the best holiday ever.  

It might be a summer Christmas but Nanna Trace knows how to make it snow.

Christmas morning before the carnage.

Seven adults, five kids, three dogs.

All the kids were happy Santa had been.

Well, all the kids but one.

Nanna Trace rocking her newest Camilla.

Looks like even Grandad Bryan had been a good boy this year.

Elfie Selfie.

Three out of five in one photo isn't too bad.

 

Managed to get this one with me in it... with some help.

Didn't manage to get a snap of the Christmas smorgasbord, but let's be honest, we're all here for the desserts anyway. 

It had been a big day for some.