Our Local Shopping Mall

Just for those of you that still think we live in a country bumpkin town, here is a picture of our shopping mall. Note my car in the parking area and Natasha standing by the boot. Notice how long the mall is. The City Council has just approved plans to grow it half the size again which is estimated to cost $46 million dollars and will add another 41 shops.

Natasha's Pony Party

Natasha celebrated her 7th birthday today with a small party at Ironbark Riding Centre. She had a lovely day with her friends and we were very lucky with the weather. Here are some photos of her day.

Confectionary Capers

Yesterday we were looking for an indoor activity due to about 5 degrees, drizzle and wind. I thought that we should check out Confectionary Capers. I went along expecting a sweet factory. It actually doesn't manufacture sweets it has a confectionary theme though. My first impression on walking through the door is that I have never seen such a busy room. There were toys and belts and pulleys busily whirring and going up and down and around and around everywhere that I looked. Upon closer inspection I discovered that there were clever plays on words everywhere also. A string bouncing up and down with a tap on the end of the string was a tap dance. The kids were spellbound, Rhys particularly liked the train that was loaded with jellybeans. Here are some photos to give you an idea.

Kyabram Fauna Park

One of the things that I love about Australia is the wildlife. Here are some photos from our very pleasant day at Kyabram Fauna Park. In case any of you need names for the animals we have Flying Foxes (Bats), Alpine Dingos, Cranes, Owl, Python, Emu, Koala Bears to name a few. My favourite animals are the Koalas and the Dingos. Emily was scared of the Emu.

Natasha Vs Supermarket Trolley

Yesterday Natasha was holding my supermarket trolley while Rhys sat in it and I loaded the groceries on to the counter. I was happily stacking items up when I heard a loud crash and a collective gasp from all the shoppers around me. I turned and found to my horror that the trolley had tipped and pinned Tash to the floor, Rhys was still in the trolley and crying. I ran over and picked up Rhys, checked him quickly for blood, none thank goodness. I then looked at Natasha who had been helped up and her face was covered in blood all down one side, in her eye and a big gaping cut in her forehead. I grabbed a big wad of tissues and got Tash to apply pressure to her head and I grabbed the other kids and got on my way to the emergency Dept. Wayne met me at the hospital and we got our first good look at Natasha, her forehead wound was the only injury, her eye was ok, she still had all her teeth. Wayne stayed with Tash and she got about ten stitches both inside and outside the cut. She was very brave and didn't cry. The Doctors gave her a pink teddy (pictured) named Susie. She's ok, on four hourly panadol. We go back to check up on the wound on Thursday. The Doctor sewed it to minimise the scarring.

She will probably recover faster than me, there is nothing worse than seeing a sight like that.

Here's some photos of a recovering Natasha.

How to paint with weetbix

Rhys is such a tidy eater usually. Much better than the girls are. So it was with confidence that I left him to eat his breakfast this morning. When I returned to take his plate and wipe a speck off his chin here is the sight that greeted me.

Double the gold nearly

Wayne added 24.8gms of gold to his stash today. So we thought it was time for another photo. Gold price is $24.91 per gram AUD today. So it was a great days work.

Ballerina Emily

Emily had a special day at ballet today as Kooka the Kookaburra from The Advertiser attended her ballet class. Here are some photos of her before we went to class. Hopefully she will be in the newspaper on Thursday and I will post the clipping for you all to see. Sadly most of the preschoolers greeted Kooka with tears rather than excitement. He was very big. Rhys was brave until Emily started crying then he started whimpering on my shoulder. The children all looked very beautiful and their dancing was lovely.

Porcupine Township

A small historical township built to show how life was in the 1850s when the goldrush was on. It was a deserted sort of place. There was only the lady who took our money, ourselves and a peacock wandering around. Here are some photos of our day.

Equestrian Natasha

Natasha is looking the part these days. This is her after horse riding this afternoon.

Kindy trip to White Hills Botanical Gardens

We had a lovely kindy trip to the gardens on the 17th May. We had a big flash bus to transport us there and back. The bus was the highlight of the trip for Rhys. Kindy put on a BBQ lunch for us which was great. We looked at Wallabies, Kangaroos, Birds and interesting autumn leaves and pine cones. There was a great playground there and the rain kept mostly away which was good of it. We have had a bit of rain lately as you can see in the photos, it is starting to be green around the place. Emily's favourite part was the bus and lunch.

I'm a big boy now I'm two

Rhys had a lovely day and is now the proud owner of a shiny new tricycle, some plastic wild animals, some really nice clothes and some fast racing cars. Here are some pics from his day for you to enjoy. Notice all the help the big sisters are with tough jobs like opening the presents. Rhys spent the day saying cars, cake and two. I think he was pretty impressed with our singing as he danced, clapped his hands and tried to sing along to Happy Birthday. He blew out his own candles.

Birthday Cake

Just thought you might like a preview of Rhys's racetrack birthday cake. Made by myself with the help of the gas oven. Pretty small racetrack I know but it's got some pretty cool cars on it and a lovely green infield. Obviously not an Australian Racetrack!!! Watch this space for the birthday boy photos tomorrow.

My Bubby Boy is growing up

Rhys is turning two years old on the 10th May. Here are some last photos of him before he becomes a terrible two. These were taken after his bath tonight.