Holiday Fun

Two delightful children, Nivea & Benjamin, spent a couple of days with us during the recent school holidays - and a lot of fun was had by all.

Some of the time the four of them (that's including Sarah & Daniel) jumped and played games on the trampoline; some of the time they played Nintendo Wii Sports; some of the time the boys played their dirt-games; some of the time they all took turns on the tyre swing





Some scones were made by the girls, and devoured by all!






Lovely children, lovely days. Hmmm, now I'm thinking it's time to make some more scones!

Botanical Gardens Excursion

Enjoyed a lovely day in the Sydney Botanical Gardens on the last day of term with the homeschool group. Such a restful, beautiful, interesting place! I think there were about 25 children in our group, and they learnt about composting and worm farms by one of the employees there. Then they got to harvest some mustard plants, do a bit of weeding, and plant some beans. Just before the 2 and 1/2 hour tour finished, they planted a watermelon seed in a cup to bring home.

I think we might start a worm farm once I get our vegie patch up and growing.

After the educational tour we all had a picnic lunch and play together, then went our separate ways. Sarah, Daniel and I continued on a wonderful walk through the gardens, and alongside the harbour right around to Mrs Macquarie's chair...then back again.

Got a little lost, lol - but it was all good!






And this spider thought to try hitching a ride in our backpack. Freaked me out a bit when I went to get our lunch out, but it jumped away with a bit of prodding. Yes - it JUMPED. Some sort of jumping spider apparently!

Shield and weapon

Daniel has quite a collection of sticks and spears in his 'base camp' and I guess the next step was to fashion a shield to protect himself - should he be so fortunate as to have somebody to play friendly war games with.

Recently he made a shield; impressing me with the way he so confidently unlocked Tony's tool cupboard, readied the drill, and actually drilled holes for the leather arm bands, which were later screwed on! I was hovering around to make sure he didn't drill a hole in his foot or hand, but he is clearly quite capable with this tool. Must have had lessons from his Dad when I wasn't looking, lol!

Then it was time for some painting of the actual shield, as well as on his chosen image. A dragon, of course. I should have known.

Here tis



Notice the weapon he is holding? (click on the picture to enlarge and see it better) Such a nasty thorned plant of some description, which he found in a park. Picture now my eyes popping out of my head as he extolled the sharpness and greatness of this particular weapon. Bulging. Especially when he asked could I grow this plant so he can have a steady supply. Uh, that would be NO!


I was a little relieved that dirtballs were the weapons of choice when Daniel and Benjamin had a wargame recently. Much softer and less dangerous! The pile of dirt we dug out for the water-tank installation a month or two ago (and which was going to keep my chooks happy in dirt heaven) has become a favourite play area. I did have to confine this game to the dirt pile, and stop them from throwing dirt rock balls all over the backyard: Yes, they did have to pick up the dirt globs from all over the lawn! I suppose the dirt is still going to be in the same general area once they finish the game, so the chooks when I finally get them, should be happy. In the meantime, 1 giant dirtpile plus assorted bits of timber and bricks = 2 boys happy as can be!

Karate Fun Day

Each school holidays, the gym where the kids train in Karate organises a fun training day. It's a combined event where the Karate kids and the Thai Boxing kids join together - to train in each discipline, have some games, and enter a sparring competition.

I never got around to blogging about the one held during the winter school holidays; should have ... because excitingly, Sarah and Daniel BOTH came home as winners. Sarah won the Sparring competition, and Daniel won the ...(oops, I'll have to ask him the name of the comp where 2 players are on their knees facing eachother and have to be the first one to grab a white cotton glove tucked into the back waistband) They won fantastic prizes which included a kick shield, gloves, focus mits, handwraps and a skipping rope! So useful for our practice at home. I was so proud of them! Naturally I took photos





AND.... on Wednesday, Sarah and Daniel both enjoyed the latest Fun Training day for these current school holidays....and AGAIN came home as winners! WOW, am I proud of my children! This time Daniel won the Sparring competition (and he is pleased as punch!) while Sarah won the Dodgeball competition. Trophy's this time - how exciting!