2010-12-29 Christmas!

Aiysha: I was soooo looking forward to Christmas! Since Uncool Dave left we had something else to look forward to, which was fantastic!

On Christmas Eve, Clara and I put all our good work on next to the tree with treats for all the reindeer and Santa, and a pen for them to write things to us. We were so excited! We went to bed pretty late, which was funny. We had dinner on the top terrace, and at the end of dinner, a Wiero landed on Daddy! He just sat on him when he came into the house, and would not go! We called him Badger, and Tracey from down the road lent us a cage for us to keep him in. He’s gonna be with us for Christmas! We also went and looked around Lansdale at the lights - our favourite was the Nativity one, which was really nice!

On Christmas Day, we started with our stockings that Santa brought us. Clara and I got the same number of presents, but some were pretty different. We got lots of crafty things, which were so cool. We then went to the beach, which was amazing! We saw Emma down there, and we did loads of surfing together. She’s funny. We then came back, and started opening our Christmas Tree presents – thank you everyone for your lovely gifts! Clara and I love them all! We spent the afternoon playing games in the pool, which was lovely! We let Badger out of his cage for a fly around - he is slowly getting use to us. Mummy made us a roast, and it was delicious!

On Boxing Day, we did lots of boxing with Daddy. We went down to the beach again, and Emma was there too. We decided to hop to the shops to see what sales were on in the afternoon, so it was quieter. We also got a boost juice, and Clog and I spent our Smiggle vouchers, and we got more bouncy balls for the pool. We had a night swim, which was very funny!

Over the next couple of days, we went to the beach and spent loads of time in our pool. We tried to go snorkelling, but it was too choppy at Waterman’s Pools, and I hurt my foot on a rock. We did some tennis practice too, which was fun.

Just before Christmas Beau and Ben came over with Jill and Michael, and we spend the day by the pool. The boys actually pushed the floor out of the dinghy, and now I can do some gymnastics routines in it without the bottom of the boat! Funny! It was lovely to see them.

Clara: I loved Christmas! It was so much fun! I was very careful opening all the presents, and sticky tape kept on sticking to my fingers, which Daddy laughed at. We threw lots of paper at each other too once someone opened a present. I love Badger too, and wish I had more pets. Daddy took the stabilisers off my bike, and helped me ride downhill while he held me. It was pretty scary stuff, and quite hard! We spent lots of time in the pool, which was so funny.

C: Had a lovely Christmas time! Girls were so funny, and we have had a lovely time relaxing! Not too happy about the bird, but he is quite cute…

S: I got attacked by huge, man eating jellyfish which stopped me doing my swim to the yellow buoy! The scars on my face do not look good.

2010-12-22 He's Uncool Again!

Aiysha: Uncle Dave was so funny! We had lots of fun in the pool, chatting, playing games and botanical golf! We went for a Cold Rock Ice Cream, and I also judged their photo comp! They were good!

Auntie Lizzie has also started her trip to South America - I hope she has a great time, and Clara and I will miss her so much this year.

Clara: I loved Uncle Dave being around. We played loads of card games, and I beat him loads! We had lots of fun in the pool, and he made me laugh so much!

C: Hmmmm, spent most of the week in Aiysha’s room while the boys were boys at night time. Great seeing Uncle Dave though!

S: It was a great, exhausting holiday! Went down to Dunsborough for 3 days where we swam with a wild group of 12 dolphins on a deserted beach, went crabbing, argued about getting lost, played Assassins Creed on the PS3 and a temporarily bought TV from Coles because the one down there did not work, hiked, did photography, body boarding and did catching on the beaches until our arms gave way! It was so funny. We ate loads, and stuffed ourselves at night time after expending all our energy during the day.

In Perth we went windsurfing 3 times, and only at the end of it did we watch Dave’s DVD which he got last Christmas, and it was awesome! We did loads of games in the pool, played tennis twice which was probably not enough as we were just getting into the swing of it, played GOWIII which was amazing (Aiysha liked it aswell!), and had our photo comp which we drew, but Dave got the winning shot with a photoshopped portrait of Aiysha! What a cheat! Also went to watch Tron, which was funny, a couple of episodes of Peep Show, and we had such a laugh at Botanical Golf, although Dave didn’t trust my counting. We went to watch the Ashes test match at the WACA, which England lost badly.

We were sooo tired by the end of the holiday, and could not believe how much we did in such a short space of time!

2010-12-10 I have FINISHED! Iceberg! Clara's Graduation!

Aiysha: “I do not want to watch Harry Potter!”. Even when I am not suppose to be watching it, I was scared, and we had to leave 1 hour 30 minutes into the latest Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Daddy was really enjoying it too!

We went down to Mandurah for the weekend, and had so much fun! We got down there on Friday night and had a barbecue. We went on a boat trip, went to a water park on the river where me and Daddy had to climb up loads of inflatable toys and jump off them – one of them was a massive ice berg! That was so funny! We also had fish and chips twice, went to feed animals at a farm park – Daddy’s favourite were the pigs, and I loved the joeys! We also played loads of games. I love going away!

I missed my school disco to go to Mandurah, but I am happy because I won the music prize, and I also chose presents for Clara for my indonesian prize!

Daddy played this video of Marina and the Diamonds to me, and I loved it! We downloaded it, and now listen to it all the time!

It is getting close to Christmas now, and I have written cards for everyone!

I was so proud of Clara at her graduation. She looked so grown up!

Clara: I finally had my own graduation from ABC Edgewater! I was so proud of myself, and Aiysha was allowed to come and see me graduate as well as Mummy! We had to sing songs and everything, and we were made to dress up! I was so happy, and was the perfect reward for being brave during Mummy's teaching practice!

I loved feeding the animals at the farm park! I loved the deer and I got to touch a snake!

C: I cannot believe I have finished my teaching practice! I am soo happy now! We finally got our games room floor repaired now! It has only taken 6 months since the storm!

S: State Titles were a little disappointing going out in the semis with a drop off which we could have won if a pass was not forward! Next year, eh? Claire and I had a nice night swim, and the girls found out and came down to talk to us – it was really nice to see them…J

2010-11-10 Daddy’s Birthday and Halloween!

Aiysha: We went to Rottnest Island for Daddy’s birthday! It was such a sunny day, and Daddy and I sat at the back of the boat looking out to see if we could see anything strange, and to avoid getting seasick. We got our bikes off, and cycled to some beautiful beaches, and had a dip in the water, even though it was a little cool. When we turned back, Daddy decided to cycle all the way round the island, and we met him back when we ate our ice creams back at the park. We didn’t see any quokkas until we got back, which was funny. We saw some pretty amazing salt lakes too. Daddy really enjoyed his birthday.

I invited Grace, Joseph and Luke around for our scary walk around Ridge Close! Nick came along to have a chat with Daddy too, which was funny! We ran everywhere, and we picked up a few people along the way. We got sooo many treats which I could never possibly eat. Grace enjoyed herself though, which was nice.

Daddy took us to a party for an old friend Chris Bruce, and we played by the pool for a bit, then Clog and I joined in with the girls playing a dance game on the Wii, which was really funny!

Clara: I loved touching and looking at the quokkas – they are funny! Happy Birthday Daddy!

C: Half way through my prac, and exhausted! Poor Clog in day care full time…L

S: I loved Rottnest, and getting away from the crowds! I had a brilliant birthday!

2010-10-18 It’s Pool Time Again!

Aiysha: Summer is almost here, but our pool is now warm enough to swim in! It is so nice having our pool back! We also took Joseph snorkelling at Methams Pools while Mummy did her work. Joseph was a little scared of going into the water with me, but we moved a long the beach, and we did a little together. Daddy also took Joseph and I rock climbing, which was brilliant! I love it!

Hanna Banana came to sleep over, which was so much fun again! We stayed up late again, and she made us laugh a lot!

We also went on a day trip to the Swan Valley where we had a picnic and a very short walk. Ah well, at least we got to go to a park!

In Real Life was a program I asked Daddy to record, and it was brilliant – possibly the best one we’ve watched so far! The people on it were all very nice, and it was just as good, if not better, than Scorpion Island!

We went to have an ice cream at Hillary’s Marina, and Daddy found his favourite ice cream – cheesecake and crushed raspberries! Mmmmm, it was lovely!

Clara: Went to Harry’s Party – he is my best friend, we do so much together! It s funny having our pool back – it has been a while since I went swimming, so it is so nice to know I can still do it! It is hard going into Day Care for 5 days a week for 5 weeks, but Mummy has made a special chart for me so I can count down the days, and I get a treat after each week! I will do my best to be strong!

C: My course is sooo busy! But I’m doing ok with a couple more High Distinctions, and I really like my mentor at Lake Gwelup! I’m pretty lucky there!

S: So glad winter is almost gone. Just gotta collect loads of wood for next winter now!

2010-08-09 Aussie Of The Month and Gym Comp

Aiysha: I had no idea! Mummy and Daddy kept it secret from EVERYONE! They called my name, and I was shaking the the chair! It was presented to me by a footy player Owen, and he was really nice because he stayed behind to talk to me especially! I just can't believe I was chosen, and it is only given out once a year!

We went to the Cuddly Animal Farm Park, and we just hugged, fed, and kissed the guinea pigs! We tried to feed the lambs, but preferred to go back to the guinea pigs. Daddy went off and found a HUGE horse, and we spent ages feeding and talking to it. It was amazing. We went for a few snacks after at some lovely tea rooms, and then went home.

We've been to the beach twice already this Spring - once on our own, and once with the Harveys on Daddys Day! It was brilliant fun, and lovely weather! We went cave exploring, body boarding, running races and slid down the dunes.

This week I have the State gym comp, and next week the Carnival! So exciting!

Clara: I am so proud of my sister - she is so nice to me, and everyone else thinks she's nice too! Go Aiysha! She is teaching me lots of gymnastics, and also looks after me when I am not well!

I love Alvin and The Chipmunks! I watch it all the time at the moment!

C: Another High Distinction for Music! Wow! I am soooo excited. Steve must be sooo proud! We are all beaming for Aiysha and her award!

S: I've just resigned from my job - scary stuff! Um, yeah, so proud you can sing Farmer In The Dell on the geetar!

2010-08-16 Zoo and Bees!

Aiysha: Last weekend we went to Perth Zoo, and I took loads of pictures, especially of the Orang-utans! They were so funny, and I must have taken about 50 pictures. Daddy said that there is no harm in taking lots of pictures – he said he took loads of pictures of a lizard in Malaysia, and Grandma Sue laughed at him – one of those pictures now hangs in Lowbarn bathroom. Anyway, I wanted to show my Indonesian teacher, as they are endangered animals. The rest of the zoo was brilliant, and Clog and I had such a laugh. We had a nice picnic, and played in the park too! We spent the whole day there, and was quite tiring!

This weekend, Caroline invited us to dinner at Joseph’s, and it was great fun! He had an electronic car which I helped Roxy drive, we had fish for dinner, and lovely chocolate cake and pavlova for pudding. It was such a nice meal! I can’t wait for them to come round again. Daddy re-strung Joseph’s guitar, and he started playing it – maybe one day we can play guitar together!

On Sunday, we decided to go up to Gin Gin to a bee farm, but there were no bees there apart from one small hive. There was a kangaroo there who shared our picnic. Her name was Tiger Lilly, and she was so cute! She seemed a bit lonely as her partner was killed by a car, which was sad. After eating loads of honey, we went to Gilderton and played on the beach – we got very wet, lost one of my thongs, but was really funny! It was a lovely place!
Clogger: I loved driving around in Joseph’s electric car – it was so funny! I got so wet at Gilderton that I ended up only wearing my bomber jacket! It was funny!

C: Gilderton is a lovely seaside down – I would love to go to Seabird too!
S: Saw Inception on Saturday night after going to the Sovereign Pub – what a dreadful place! Reminded Nick and myself why we detest the English pub culture! Movie was average, bordering on disappointing.