2011-09-28 Bali: Day 2 - Ubud, Dolphins

Our hut is in such a beautiful setting,  surrounded by padi fields with banana plants and buddhas all around! So peaceful we can't even hear the crazy road!

Breakfast and met other travellers - Ivy borrowed our lonely planet and worked for a charity back in Australia. She liked Yoga. Round 2 with the Fruit Woman - no sale!

Set off on our dolphin trip - crazy driving here, so crazy we cancelled our hire car! Dolphins were amazing - met Triton the dolphin - so friendly, and did a few tricks for us. We all loved getting to know him, and hoped one day he could go free. Amazing to be able to interact with a dolphin though. Walked along the beach and collected shells, and bought a couple of small dolphins after another marathon bargaining session. Chips, noodles and satay for lunch, and Aiysha managed to find a trampoline and do some tricks. Everywhere she went she did some sort of gymnastics!

For dinner we had chilli crab and fresh fish in a restaurant set above a big valley. Got ripped of with more mangos - 4 for 25000rp. Hmmmm, we will get this bargaining game one day...

I think we blew our budget again.....

2011-09-27 Bali: Day 1 - Ubud

Arrived  at Denpasar Airport, and got mobbed by baggage men! They carried all our bags for about 10m, then asked for money. No sale! Bad traffic to Ubud with our driver Nora, and met Maddy at Nirwa Homestay. Lovely walk to the home stay next to a small stream where we played poo sticks each time we walked along it - funny!

For lunch had chips, mee goreng, satay and spag bol sitting in a small hut on top of a bridge. So nice and hot. On way back passed a mango lady who tried to rip us off - no sale!

We all then slept apart from Aiysha who read Order of the Pheonix! Bought some mango, mangusteen, but not so keen on jack fruit. Saw some monkeys in the monkey forest, but stayed clear. We took all our food precautions, but Roxy had trouble swallowing the medicine, and eventually went off mangos when we tried to mix it in - what a shame.

Walked down Ubud high street looking at temples, eventually stopping at Cafe Lotus where we stayed for dinner and the daily 7.30 cultural show, which was pretty special setting in amongst a pond of lillies. Lasagne, fish, shrimp and spinach, and ended with fried banana and ice cream. We even had a cocktail and coffee! Oops, blew our budget. Ah well.

Walked back with our torch along the stream and saw loads of spiders. Played Happy Families, and watched the geckos on the ceiling.

Amazing start to our holiday, and great feeling to be back in Asia again!

http://www.nirwahomestay.com/ - our view is on the home page - we stayed in that room!

2011-09-26 First Bike Ride & Tennis Lesson!

Aiysha: Now that all my major competitions are over, I can relax a little, although we still have the interschool sports carnival to go.

On Saturday morning, Daddy took Clog and I to play tennis. I had some rally's with Daddy and I really enjoyed it!
I am almost finished Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire - it is over 400 pages and the biggest book I have ever read! We actually watched it, which was fun.

On Sunday, after doing loads of packing in the morning, we cycled to Neil Hawkins Park - Roxy's first bike ride on her own on two wheels!  She did amazing! While we were there, Roxy practiced her handstands and cartwheels, and Daddy chose gym sequences for me to follow, including back flips, back walkovers, front walkovers, and handsprings.

I am a little nervous about our holiday - it will be strange being away from home and visiting so many different places.

I got my laminated carnival day runner-up  best girl! So proud!

Clara: I had my first tennis lesson at Emerald Park with soft balls - really liked poison ball at the en. Daddy said I was hitting the ball really well! I also went on my first bike ride to Neil Hawkins Park - wow, it was far, but I managed to get all the way there! I was so proud of myself!

Can't wait to go on holiday!

C: Getting organised for our holiday takes ages!

S: Lamb roast, mmmmmm...

2011-09-22 Carnival & State Champs!

Aiysha: On Wednesday we had the first part to our sports carnival. Now that we are in year 4, we have so many events to do, it is great! We had the 400m and I came third 3rd (I overtook Kiera in the last 50m), won long throw, 2nd long jump (just!) - I was really proud of myself, and Mummy recorded it on the video. I'm glad Mummy was there to watch, as she was not able to make it on Friday.

On Friday it was pretty bad weather, so the flat races were changed and Daddy was not able to see it. I came in 2nd but I slipped. In the year 4 relay we came 3rd, and I ran in the grand relay, and we came 3rd. It was a really fun day, and Yasmin and Kiera came back to our place for a play. We did singing and dancing with our routines.

On Saturday, I had my State Champs at gymnastics! I was pretty nervous, but excited too! We had bars first, then beam, then floor, then vault. I thought I had done okay in all of them, and Daddy didn't think they were the best that I had done. Even so, at the end, I came 1st in vault, 2nd in bars, 2nd in floor, 2nd in beam, so I came second overall! I couldn't believe it! We also looked at the team scores, and we actually beat the other HighFlyers team in the other session! I was so proud!

I have now started reading Harry potter and goblet of fire - I love it! I'm getting through them pretty quickly, and Charlie can't keep up!

What a week - it was really fun, and I love doing all these different sports! They are so much fun!

Clara: I can do a cartwheel and handstand! Daddy and Mummy and Aiysha have been watching me, and I keep improving as I listen to them giving me advice.

I also have a new toy - Lilly the dog - I love her, and she sleeps with me every night. Daddy asks me why all my pets are called 'Lilly' - I just tell him to be quiet.

I went to watch Aiysha's carnival, and it was really fun - we had a bit of a gang going on top of the climbing frame with Harry, Claire Bossert and Emily. I was the boss though :-)

Claire: I love our new bedroom! So much room, and the wooden floors were just put down and they look lovely! Just waiting for blinds now...

Steve: Australia lost to Ireland - great game, and makes things a lot more interesting...

2011-09-12 Renovations!

Aiysha: I am now on Harry Potter Book 3 - The Prisoner of Azkaban. Shouldn't take me long, they are great! I can't wait to watch the films!

More training with Joe, which was fun. I am in throwing and long jump for carnival - can't wait!

Sunday - spent day with Charlie doing more training for the carnival.


Clara: I practices my handstands and swingball, and on Sunday I spent afternoon with Ella Pasta. I really enjoyed that!


C: I love our new room! Can't wait to put floors down and maybe some shutters! Really exciting!


S: Floor looking good...

2011-09-08 Last Netball Game

Aiysha: We had our last netball game against St. Marks A team - they had not lost all season, and we beat them! We actually didn't have any substitutes either, so we had to all play the whole game! It was such a great feeling! We came 4th overall in the season, which is amazing!

We all met for our Netball BBQ at Neil Hawkins Park, which was really good fun. Everyone was there, Daddy and John were in charge of the BBQ, and it was really nice to have everyone there.

We went on a picnic in a lovely national park on Sunday, walked along river, saw canoeists, and picked up strawberries on way back - we even saw a giant metal strawberry.

Daddy took Joseph and I running, long jump, ball throwing ready for the school carnival. It was really nice Joseph came along, and he really enjoyed it. We goes a bit hyper when he gets excited! It's funny.

Clara: Both Mummy and Daddy picked up from kindy! It was so exciting! Georgia H came round for play straight after, we had so much fun, but when we played a bit of swing ball I hit the racket in her face. I was a bit sad. Harry also came round for play. I love my friends.

Daddy came to our Fathers Day presentation in the evening - we did loads of experiments, and he spilt tea over himself! It was a funny evening, and I was so glad he could come and see my work and my teachers!

C: Lovely sunny days now!

S: So excited about rugby world cup! Got 10KW on solar! Fwarr!

2011-08-29 Judges Invitational, Kalamunda

Aiysha: I had my first inter school cross country race, and I came 8th overall, 3rd between the Edgewater girls Martina and Yasmin, so I was pretty pleased. I don't particularly like cross country, but I try my best. I'm glad I made the team.

I played GD and GK this weekend, and it was such a tough game! The other team were very good, and I had so much work to do intercepting passes they made and making sure they didn't get near the goal. I got Man of the Match this week, and Mummy and Daddy thought I played really well again. I realy enjoyed it, even though we lost 6-3.

The same day, I had my Judges Invitational gym comp, and I was pretty nervous, but I thought I did pretty well. I ended up getting 2nd overall - 1st on Bars, 1st on Vault, 2nd on Floor where I almost did my soderroll, and 3rd on Beam where I didn't think I did that well. It was fun, and I think I got the best in my group, but I don't think we're going to get the scores, which is a shame. Our session was with a lot of older girls, so I got to see some fantastic performances! I can't wait to do what they do!

On Sunday we went to Kalamunda for the day. Daddy had a meeting with some of his clients until lunch, then we met him after and went to the Packing Shed, where we had some lovely food and played around in their garden for about 3 hours - it was a lovely day, and it was great fun. I got to listen to Harry Potter (an d the GOF) there and back, and when I got home I started reading the first book - I love it!

Clara: I got to bring home Bobby the Bear this weekend, and we did loads of stuff with him, like bringing him to gym, having dinner with us, and bringing him to Kalamunda! I loved going to Kalamunda, and we had lots of fun in the garden - I liked stroking the dogs there!

Mummy got us a new swingball too - I got a bit upset that I couldn't hit the ball, but when Daddy changed rackets to a bigger racket, I was fine, and it wa funny!

C: It is finally warming up! Aiysha played so well, and she stopped them scoring so many. If only we got more goals. There were no scores in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, so it was that close!

S: Kalamunda is a nice place. I like it. Australia beat NZ to win tri nations - can't wait for RWC!

2011-08-22 Cross Country Team!

Aiysha: Another fun netball game - we won quite easily this time, and we all played really well. I played C, WA, WD.

I had such an exhausting day on Thursday - I had cross country in the morning, I was the top runner in our school Lapathon with 20 laps, so I was really pleased! I then had netball practice, and finally had gymnastics! I was puffed out!

Mummy's friend Jenny and her boyfriend Art visited us, and it was fun. He was a funny man - we chatted loads, we went for walk from Iluka to Burns beach where he hurt his leg at Burns Beach, and we all played Connect 4. It was fun.

I was selected for our school cross-country team! I'm pretty happy about that, even though I'm not the best at it - only 4 of us got selected.

Clara: I beat Daddy and Art at Connect 4 - I was so happy!

C: Great to see Jenny again! She hadn't changed a bit!

S: I got told off for filming the netball. Naughty me!

2011-08-17 I Can Ride My Bike! Gym Comp! Netballious!

Aiysha: Netball was brilliant this weekend! We played a really good school, and after the first quarter it was 3-3. After the second quarter it was 5-3. After the third quarter it was 8-5, and after the final whistle we won 12-7. It was such an exciting game! I did loads of running from GA, and put some great shots in. Daddy videod it, and we watched it after - it was really funny listening to Mummy and Daddy shouting, but so exciting watching myself play and seeing how I can improve. Best game of the season so far, and only a couple of games to go! I love netball!
We took out scooters along Mullaloo coastal path, and sat on the beach - it was lovely. We even got an ice-cream! I was pretty tired though, and got a bit grumpy on the way home.

We finally finished finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and I actually wanted to watch the film, which was a little scary but I really enjoyed it!

We had our team penance last Sunday, and I really enjoyed it! I thought my floor was the worst, but when I watched the video, it looked good! Our team came third overall, but I actually came 2nd out of everyone on bars, and 5th overall out of 32 gymnasts! I was so proud, and so were Mummy and Daddy!

We popped over to the Harveys in the afternoon, and while Daddy was talking to Nick, we got our foam guns and kept on having battles with them - it was really funny! Roxy even shot a real basket in the big hoop!

I was the only Year 4 girl to turn up to Cross Country again! The weather was not great, but I wanted to go.

Clara: I can ride my bike, and stop on my own! I love it, and I can go up kerbs, and everything! I am so proud of myself.

I love monopoly!

On Sunday, we went to the gallery, and I loved seeing all the animals and insects there!

I got the basketball in the big basket! Wahoo!

C: Brrrr, still chilly! Enjoying my new job though! Second week this week! Scary stuff!

S: Can't wait for the Rugby World Cup!

2011-07-23 School Holidays and Bike Rider!

Aiysha: I love school holidays! I get to watch TV in the mornings, get to do lots of fun things like play Monopoly and games with my sister, and Mummy takes us on trips everywhere!

The holidays started cold, so we went to a reptile park where Roxy held a snake - she was so brave. I didn't want to at all, which is strange because I use to love it. A bit scared now.

On Tuesday we decided to spoil ourselves and go to Hillaries for ice cream and trampolining! We sent Daddy some pictures, and he was ver jealous!

On Wednesday we went to see Clara's friend Matilda, and in the afternoon a game on Monopoly which Mummy was winning, but she had street repairs on all her hotels, so she was broke! funny!

We went to Grill'd burgers when we met Daddy for lunch near his work - they were lovely, and it a funny lunch! Mummy also got us a game called Jenga, where we build up a tower of bricks and if we pull out a brick and the tower falls down, that person loses! It is 1-1 between me and Daddy!

We had a very exciting netball game today - we lost, but I loved it because I played in my favourite position at Centre, and in the last quarter completely marked out their best player! It was so fun, even though we lost.

Joseph came round and we dressed up like crazy! I also went ice skating with Lauren, which was so much fun!

We also went to Penny's 40th Party with the grown-ups, and we stayed up until 1am! Wow! We were very tired the next day, but we had a great time with Will, Charlie and Flourie!

Clara: I love scary stuff! I loved holding the snake - just like my snakey at home, but just a little smaller.

This holiday I learned how to bike ride! Mummy got me started on the grass, and when I could do that, Daddy helped me on the concrete, and today I managed to do it all on my own AND turn right around! I was so proud!

Daddy started telling me Charlie Chicken stories - they are funny!

We went roller skating with Lauren - it was so much fun!

C: Brrrrr! Cold!

S: Monopoly is a great game, especially when I win. Don't like losing at Jenga.

2011-07-11 12th Anniversary! Scooters!

Aiysha: Mummy and Daddy have been married 12 years! That's ages before I was born! We had sucha funny day. It was cold and wet outside, so we decided to finish our game of Monopoly - it took all morning! Daddy won eventually, and Roxy did really well, but I just kept on getting myself into trouble. Daddy was pretty nice to us both though by giving us free stuff and money. In the afternoon, we had a movie afternoon, and then we went out to Hippo Creek African Grill restaurant, and it was lovely! Mummy and Daddy both had a steak. It was still very windy and cold though.

Netball was cancelled as the other team pulled out - I was very disappointed. Me and roxy played while Mummy and Daddy did eBay stuff, and then in the afternoon I had gym - the last one for two weeks.

We got my report, which was really good. Mummy and Daddy sat with me to go through it, and my test book, and they were very proud. I really enjoyed this term, but really need a nice break.

Mummy bought Roxy and I 2 new scooters! They are brilliant!

Roxy: Monopoly is my favourite game at the moment - I love the pink notes!

I love my new scooter! Daddy took me and Aishie down to Emerald Park with our scooters, and we also did some netball and running races! It was great fun!

Claire Bossett came round to play too, which I love - she is funny!

C: Happy anniversary!

S: Happy anniversary!