2011-12-09 Netball Winners, Kindy Concert

Aiysha: Last game of netball, and it was like a final. We played the only team that beat us this season, but this time I played GA and GS with Olivia. We started off really well, and we were 5-1 up after the first quarter. However, their two best players were coming on. They helped their team a lot but when they shot, they missed so many. It was a fun game, and I did some shots from a long way out and got them in! We finally won 10-2, and because we beat them by more than they beat us, we won the league! It was brilliant! Last season we beat the best team in the last game, and this season we did the same! We must be improving.

I went down to see Clara's Christmas concert with Martina - it was funny!

Coming to England is so exciting! I can't wait!

Clara: It was our Christmas Concert! I was a reindeer, and Daddy helped make our hats when he came for Daddy helper, and Mummy made my dress! I was so happy, and I sang really loud and did all the motions. We only have 2 more days of Kindy, and I will be sad to leave Mrs Rose, and Mrs Higgins.

It was our turn for Bella the budgie, and we bought a new bell for her and a seed chew. I love having her. I get her out every morning, and talk to her, and make sure her water is clean. It's fun having Bella.

I can't wait to go to England!

C: Clara's concert was so funny! The reindeers were the best by far! We also got all our old Bali photos out to look at to see if we could recognise any places that we had been! The memories!

S: Daddy helper was excellent fun! The last one of the year, and it was really relaxed. I helped make the hats for the concert on Wednesday, and had great chats to Mrs Rose and Mrs Higgins. Great to see all the kids again, they are such a nice bunch.

England is coming up too quickly! We're not ready to have 5 weeks off! Er, yes we are...

2011-11-28 Touch State Champs & Suitcases!

Aiysha: We bought new suitcases and put stickers all over them ready for England. Funny stuff, if a tad crazy!

Fireworks for the Wannaroo Show were excellent. Roxy missed them both nights as she was asleep.

I invited Jasmine to play - I think she is nice, but not many people do, which is such a shame.

Watched Daddy's touch rugby - felt sorry for him and his legs, and had to look after him when Mummy went out for Linda's party on Saturday night.

Clara: I loved climbing into the big ice bins at Daddy's touch rugby. But in the end a lady came and told us it was a little dangerous, so I had to get out. She was very right and Daddy thanked her for noticing.

C: We hired a big limo to take Linda out for her birthday - it was so much fun, but ended too early!

I was so excited going to the Wanaroo Show on Sunday, but, but, it disappeared! It finished the night before :-( Daddy laughed at me.

At least we saw the fireworks.

S: We had our Touch Rugby State Championships - we got to final and lost, but not before some major casualties, namely my knees. Played all games, but after first two, I struggled with my knees and had them both strapped up. Scored 4 tries in first two games, but rest was very disappointing. What a shame after all the training. Best game was definitely against Brothers in the semi - 0-1, 4-2, 4-4, 5-4.

We were just too tired and too damaged.

2011-11-18 Talent Comp, Mummy Helper, Daddy's Party

Aiysha: We had our Talent Competition this week - and we performed our dance on stage during an assembly. We worked really hard on the dance with Martina, Kiera and Yasmine, and it turned out brilliant! Even though we came third, everyone though we should have been first, and we got a huge round of applause when we got back to our class, and the teacher said we deserved to be first.

Finally on the Deathly Hallows, and we are watching the films. It is so good, and I cannot believe I have reached the end.

Daddy's Party at The Shepherds was funny - we started off on the water slides (Lilly was brave when she was tackled by Will), then we had loads to eat and played games and watched TV until really late. It was fun. The boys got together to talk Pokemon, but I didn't mind.

Clara: I am growing a flower - it is an Istersion, and I am taking so much care over it.

Mummy also came to be a Mummy helper this week - she loves it, and I love it too!

C: I love being Mummy helper. Clara behaves so well!

S: Penny and Jason invited all of us round to celebrate my birthday - didn't expect it at all, but was lots of fun. Nick and Tracey, Linda and Andy turned up too with all the kids. Very funny.

2011-11-06 Interschool, Yanchep Bike Ride

Aiysha: We had mixed netball performances over the passed 2 weeks - we won last week easily, but lost this week as we missed so many shots at goal. We didn't pass very well, but I was not marking their best players so could not do much. I think we would have beaten them if we marked their best players properly.

We went up to Yanchep for a bike ride - it was pretty hot, but was fun having our picnic. We did some throwing practice ready for my inter-school carnival this week.

At the Inter-school Carnival I was so proud - 4th in 400, 2nd in Long Throw, 2nd in Long Jump, 1st in sprint, 1st in team relay, 2nd flag relay. I was the only person to compete in all of the events, and was mentioned in the newsletter along with Callum. I was so proud, and Mr Gray was very proud of me.

Mummy and Daddy came to my parents evening. I showed them my artwork (my big paper machet cat), but sneakily tried to hide my not so good English work which I didn't do too well on. I flipped it upside down. Mummy and Daddy found it - they don't miss a thing, do they?


Clara: We went for another bike ride to Dog Beach, but I didn't like the dogs too much.

We also went for an ice cream at Cold Rock which I loved! We also had a play in the park with Daddy, which was also very funny!

In my Carnival I came first in my race! I was so proud of myself!

At the weekend Daddy and Aiysha taught me how to play Soldiers. It was a fun game where we use marbles to knock down soldiers. I was called Private Splattergun as I threw all the marbles at once, and Aiysha was Private Burns because the carpet kept on slowing her marbles down before they reached the soldiers - it was funny!

C: Clara coming first was great! Long may it continue!

We went for a parents evening at Aiysha's school, and really enjoyed speaking to the teachers about Aiysha's performance. She's doing well.

S: Aiysha was amazing! So exhausted...

2011-10-17 My First Sleepover!

Aiysha: I am back at gym - only 3 turned up! I was so looking forward to it, and I showed Mel my round-off backflip! I love gym so much I even did it at the beach when we went on Sunday when it was 35 degrees! It was too windy for me though.

I loved going into the pool though and playing Marco Polo again. We spent a long time cleaning the pool area - it has never looked so clean!

I went to Joe's birthday party at Arena - I was the only girl to go, and it was really funny! On Sunday, I also went for a sleepover at Joe's - it was very tiring, but great fun! I looked after Roxy and played with Luke mostly as Will came along, and him and Joe just talk about Pokemon cards. Luke and I raced each other on Mario Carts!

Clara: Went for my first sleepover at the Harveys (as part of Joe's birthday), I was so excited! I started off sleeping with Emily, but then she went into he Mum and Dads room, so I asked if I could go in with Aiysha. She looked after me for the rest of the night, and I was sooo tired on Monday that I fell asleep watching TV! I helped Nick make pasta which was fun, and I played so much with Emily.

We all helped Mummy bake a cake for Daddy when he came back from work last week as a late birthday- it was a nice chocolate torte. Funny name!

When we went down to the beach on Sunday, the waves were huge! Mummy and Daddy took me out to the waves, and the rip was pretty strong it knocked me over a few times! I caught some big waves - I love surfing!


C: All pool lights apart from one working! We'll get onto that asap!


S: Australia out of world cup - what a shame! Nice cake though :-)

2011-10-07 Bali: Day 11 - Denpasar / Kuta / Perth

Traveling today back to Perth. Plan - get to Kuta asap so we could get to Waterbom park again and relax...didn't turn out so easy.


Donkey to the beach after breakfast, boat ride was long - 2 hours? Had to bargain for a mini bus which didn't leave for at least an hour, and we took another 3-4 hours to get to Kuta - what a day, in messy traffic, arrived at Airport at about 4pm after leaving Coconut Cottages at 9am. Left luggage at airport, and headed into town. Everyone sad that we could not get to Waterbom Park.

One great thing though - we found Krishna! A supermarket which sold everything for a dollar - this is where all the hawkers get their stuff to rip off the tourists! Our taxi driver took us - amazing, we bought loads of stuff - gifts, massage oil, incense.

Took taxi into Kuta - so tired. Had an okay dinner, and went down some alleys to get some clothes - got some after bargaining with a funny woman - bali trousers for Daddy, skirt for Mummy.

Back to airport, and waited for plane. Daddy phoned Grandma Sik to wish happy birthday, and watched a bit of rugby. We had some food (wonton soup and noodles), then on plane. Arrived in Perth early in the morning. Absolutely exhausted.

What a holiday. Amazing.

2011-10-06 Bali: Day 10 - Gili Air

Our relaxing last day!

Mummy and Rox went to get their nails done, and Paish and Daddy spent morning on beach practicing throwing and gymnastics. Aiysha a little tired, so went to get a drink and Wi-fi, had lunch as Scallywags with mummy and rox - ceasar salad, prawn cocktail, baguettes - lovely, but costly compared to local places.

The inflatables were out, but too windy and rough to go out. The clouds came in and there was a little rain, but we went in to swim anyway, which was lovely. Paish threw 32m and we had a sprint competition and a handstand competition. We also did a few handsprings each. Aiysha impressive back flips as always!

We then decided to hire 3 bikes to cycle round the island - so funny, but hard as it was pretty sandy. Amazing to be able to cycle round an island! Mummy bought a ring halfway round in a shop.  We took a way back through some back alleys which was amazing - saw the true lifestyle of the islanders being off the beaten track. Great for the girls to see. Almost home, and Mummy gouged some of her foot out when avoiding a donkey - there was a lot of blood, but Aiysha and Clara to the rescue!

Dinner at Biba - pizza with asparagus spaghetti - amazing. Scallywags for pudding for all of us! We were spoiled!

Walked back long the beach and Aiysha found the most massive hermit crab - as big as her palm!

Read for a little, then bed. So tired.

A lovely last night.

2011-10-05 Bali: Day 9 - Gili Air

 

The most amazing experience - our snorkel trip. Glass bottomed boat, 2 stops, lunch stop at Gili Menu.

1st stop - Clara and Aiysha so brave. Both snorkeled, but Roxy just swam after the first dive, but swam at each stop, which was amazing! The first stop had the strongest current we've ever been in, and there was no way to swim against it. We were dragged a long way with the guide - just us, a girl and the guide - pretty scary stuff, and the boat came to get us. Saw amazing fish!

At lunch we went to a turtle sanctuary and donated some money to keep preserving them. The turtles were so cute. After lunch we did our second dive, and this time we saw so much - snakes, massive fish, and finally so many turtles! Daddy stayed with the guide and a girl, and they ended up diving down and stroking the turtles as they swam - one actually tried to bite them! What an amazing experience! One of the best ever!

When we got back, we played swings and sandball. Clara + monkey nuts = lots of mess.

Moved into the most amazing family room also with an outdoor bathroom shower area, beautiful bed and veranda with a horse in the garden and hammocks. Sat outside and read, and did some colouring in. Clara told me to write "Clara slobbering over her hand with those monkey nuts".

Wanted pizza again, but still broken. Went to a bar, which didn't look impressive, and, er, wasn't. Bruchetta was rubbish, and we had to send all food back. Horrible. Chef, who wasn't really the chef, was very sorry and didn't charge us. Mummy and Rox went home, but Aiysha and Daddy went to get more food, and ended up in Biba and had spaghetti and bruchetta. Took some back for Mummy, but too tired to eat.

Watched the geckos chase each other and read before bed. So peaceful here.

2011-10-04 Bali: Day 8 - Gili Air

Up early with an Aussie breakfast with bacon, eggs, sausages. No one came to pick us up to take us to the boat and we had loads of luggage, so we had to wait for them to arrange a bus. Not impressed. Pretty rough and wet trip on the boat, and Daddy made sure he knew how to get the life jackets out as they were sellotaped in to the side!

No cars on Gilli Air, so we took a donkey (well, the girls said they were horses) - we all fit on one donkey to the drivers disgust to Coconut Cottages, and we started off in 2 rooms, then to family room tomorrow. Clog stayed with Mummy, and Aiysha with Daddy, but then swapped round. Amazing  place with open bathrooms, so you could watch the trees and stars as you had a shower!

Set out for lunch at Biba - bruchetta, spaghetti, pizza bread, lasagne - a true Italian chef, and it was lovely!

Walked further on down the beach where Aiysha did some gym and we threw a ball around, snorkeled (although got a few stings) - water was soooo warm!

Before dinner, the girls did a circuit using a coconut while Daddy went for a run along the other side of the island - lovely, loads of shells. We tried to go for some oven baked pizzas, but broken down, so we went on a forest hunt in the dark for Scallywags - ended up being on the main street after we were told we were going the wrong way by torchlight. Great food (buffet), Wi-fi, great desserts, very relaxed. We had salad, barracuda, shrimps, jacket potatoes, apple crumble. Rumours was playing which was very atmospheric.

Clog slept with Daddy, and Aiysha with Mummy - huge bed under the net, but Clara still managed to fall out (which happened several times during the holiday), but she could not remember it. Otherwise, lovely sleep.

Amazing island, amazing place to stay.

http://www.coconuts-giliair.com/

2011-10-03 Bali: Day 7 - Padangbai

Daddy's Birthday! We gave Daddy our presents in Lovina today - really nice. Daddy felt so much better than he did yesterday, which is great! We paid the bill, and everyone came out to say goodbye to us! Mahmood, his wife, the boy and girl helper. We had a 3 hour drive to Padang Bai along the coastline. Strange to see no sculpture places, very different and some amazing padi fields and scenery. We stopped briefly to swap seats, and we left all our stuff with our driver. We only realised after that he could have driven off and we would have been left with nothing - he was a nice man, and we trusted Kemang.

We got a room in a nice place for one night and booked our boat for the next day. We had a TV which was funny, and went for a very late lunch, which was even later as they forgot about our order. We kept ourselves busy by playing on the musical instruments. Bruchetta, pizza, toast and spaghetti.

We walked to the Blue Lagoon beach over the hill and went round the rock pools. We did some dares, then as Roxy was walking into a rock cave, Aiysha spotted a snake with blue, white and black stripes. Pretty scary stuff! Took some photos and checked it was still alive, which it was! We all got a closer look, well, Mummy didn't, and then went to the other side of the beach where Aiysha did more gymnastics.

We headed back, watched some TV and rugby world cup roundup (some great matches). Didn't feel too hungry so went to Ozone for ice cream and pizza and lots of games of Pit sitting on our low table. Watched a lame survival program while drinking cocktails, and fell asleep exhausted.

Perfect birthday just being on holiday with the girls!