ABC 666 Giving Tree

We went along to St.John's in Reid who were organising 'The Giving Tree' an initiative for Canberra's poor and disadvantaged community. Part of it was a Christmas wrapping competition which the kids entered (and won!) Here is a pic taken by ABC 666. The kids were interviewed on the radio and gave a great account of themselves!

 

Australia v New Zealand day-night cricket

I picked the kids up from after school care and on the short drive home (listening to the cricket on the radio) we all decided to head to Manuka rather than back for dinner and bed.

Australia were playing (and beat quite easily) New Zealand and we arrived in time to watch pretty much the whole of the New Zealand innings. I had to talk my way into the ground for the three of us (I didn't want to buy a ticket which were pretty pricey) and when we were inside the ground I explained to the kids that this is called 'blagging' an important lesson learnt methinks.

They loved the atmosphere as there was music after every boundary - a few beachballs bouncing around amongst us, several Mexican waves and a beer snake. The kids feasted on pink ice creams.

It made for a late night (I think we got home about 10.15pm) and the kids were wrecked the next day for school, but it's pretty much the end of what has been a really long term, so I didn't really mind knowing that they would probably sleep-walk through the next day of classes.

enjoying an ice cream

The stunning sunset

pink sherbet ice cream

Audrey riding out on a sunny afternoon

Budding Brumbies

Each year the Brumbies organise a 'Budding Brumbies' rugby session over four weeks. It's really well organised and Eli has been going for a few years (I think Amy took him originally).

This year the course culminated at Brumbies HQ and the kids were trained by the Brumbies first team squad and had a chance to have their picture taken with the squad afterwards. It's such a lovely atmosphere there and Eli absolutely loves it.

Audrey climbing the goal post

Eli with the first team Brumbies squad - so cool!

Fancy spag bol...

Merry Beach Camping Trip

We had a lovely long weekend of camping at Merry Beach on the NSW South Coast. The weather was just about perfect (apart from a bit of wind which picked up on Friday night.

Merry Beach is beautiful and we camped right on the edge of the beach. The kangaroos there are always very brave/tame and hopped along at dinner time to see what everyone was eating. We had fun flying our rocket, a cliff walk and a mini golf tournament (Audrey fared best of all of us).

Fresh prawns delivered daily

our encampment

mini golf

mini golf

Audrey on the 18th tee

beach cricket

coffee stop

Audrey's class

Audrey's class had to write their name on a piece of paper and then circulate it around the class and their classmates were invited to write what they thought of that person. I haven't found out yet whether the project was censored (i.e. nothing nasty!) but I was so chuffed to see some of the things her friends had written about her (accepting that the spelling is a bit dodgy!). I'll have to chat to her teacher to understand some of the context of it (as it sounds like it was potentially a pretty risky exercise!).