Another Special Birthday!

Yes, that's right we have another special birthday in the family today and that is my lovely mom-in-law.

Heath's mom lives in Johannesburg and as Heath and the boys are visiting in SA they will have the opportunity to catch up with her to wish her a very Happy Birthday! Unfortunately due to work commitments I am still in Perth so I will not be around to join in any celebrations!

Happy Birthday mom - wish you the best birthday ever and I hope that my boys spoil you rotten. Sorry I could not be there with them to enjoy the day with you!

Have a great day!


Lots of love
Heath, Nicky, Reece & Bryce

Giant US Navy Aircraft Carrier!!!!

During the week while I was in Singapore a US Navy aircraft carrier anchored off Fremantle. Below is the report in the Perth News:

"GIANT US Navy aircraft carrier, the nuclear-powered USS George Washington, anchored off Fremantle today for a five-day visit.
The near 88,000-tonne ship, which carries about 5000 crew, has sailed into an Australian port for the first time and will take part later this month in war games between US and Australian forces. USS George Washington replaced the USS Kitty Hawk last September as the command of the East Asia-Pacific Region and it is based at America's military port at Yokosuka, Japan. Named after a US founding father and first President of the United States, George Washington, the carrier arrived with guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens which has a smaller crew of about 400. Hundreds of sailors stood at the formation manning the rails on the USS George Washington as the anchor dropped 3km off shore just after 9am today. A helicopter will keep constant watch over the ships while they remain in port. The visit will inject millions of dollars into the local economy as the sailors take liberty leave.
Some crew will complete community work with projects including cleaning, maintenance, and painting work at organisations including PMH, a Salvation Army rehabilitation centre, Perth Zoo and Cohunu Koala Park. The two warships will take part in the Talisman Saber two-week series of exercises which are held every two years between the two countries around northern Australia and involve groups from all three Australian defence forces and their American counterparts. Commander of Battle Force Seventh Fleet, which includes the ships, Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan, said the exercises were more complex and more involved than most other ally games. Rear Admiral Donegan said his fleet’s main purpose was to ensure peace and stability in the region and while he would not comment on specific operations he was keeping watch of North Korea. "
Below is the link to see the full story and a full picture of the aircraft carrier http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,,25722174-2761,00.html

So of course as we had such great weather this morning we headed off to Fremantle to have a look and take some pics. Fremantle is about 10 minutes drive down the road so nice and close. The boys loved the sight but of course dad was the most excited. Below are some pics that Heath has taken. On the one video clip that we saw it mentioned that there are over 68 aircraft on the aircraft carrier.Heath also got some great pictures of the boys around and about on the rocks while watching the ship.

After visiting the aircraft carrier we went into Fremantle to have some fish and chips but of course Freo was packed as so many people came out to see the ship, anyway after a long wait we got our order through. Great day out once again.....

Cheers

Nicky

Reece's first cross country race!

On Wednesday 1st of July - Reece ran his first cross country race at school. Unfortunately while I was still in Singapore so missed the whole event. Now Reece is not really the sporting kind so in the morning was telling Heath that he was not feeling so well and did not really want to race..... I then spoke to him and mentioned that once he gets out there and sees all his friends running I am sure he will have fun.

Waiting to get going!

And they are off....

Well he came fifth out of about 15-20 boys, so he did not do too badly for a little boy who did not feel like running and also does not do too much sport. We have told him though that as long as he has lots of fun it does not really matter where he comes. He seemed to be very proud of himself all in all.

Run, Reecey run....

When he saw me on Saturday morning the first thing he showed me was his little tag that he had run in the cross country race and told me how much fun he had!

Love

Nix

Reece's Magic Box

Before I left for Singapore Reece bought a "Magic Box" from school.

Basically he had to put the box next to bed when he went to bed and "magically" in the morning there is a surprise. We had been sent a notice a while back informing us that the magic box would be coming home. We can choose what we want to put in the box and the idea it that the children take the box to school the next day with the magic surprise still inside. The rest of the class get to guess what is inside by asking Reece questions. The kids then get to take their surprise home.

Magic Box Instructions:
Place me by your bed tonight.
Then go to sleep and sleep tight.
When the sun comes up and you arise.
Look inside for your surprise!

Back from school with the "Magic Box"

So in the evening it was a big event for us to put the box in the right position as the teacher has obviously told them that the magic box needs a bit of sunshine to bring in the "magic". So the next morning before I went shooting out the door to wait for the bus I went to Reece's room to see if he was awake, which he was. When I asked him what did he get in his magic box he told me "No mom it is too early it is still dark and he needs to wait for sunshine before he checks in the box", he then turned over and went back to sleep - well that's what I thought.

It was not long before he came bounding in the room to let us know that the magic box had magically produced a toy horse. He went to school a very happy boy and after a couple of questions one of the little boys in the class guessed that Reece had a horse.

It is very cute idea of the teacher and it is such fun to see how the kids just love the new surprises she comes up with. I have been told by one of the other mothers from the other pre-primary class that they do not do any of these little tasks so seems like it is up to the teachers in the various forms that they teach.

Then over the week-end Reece decided that he wanted to build his own magic box and course I had to try and convince him that the teachers box was the real magic box..... can you imagine if we had to think of a new surprise everyday!!!!

Reece & his "magic box" and a little "monkey"

Love

Nicky

Update.....

Once again I have been really bad and not updated the blog in a little while there are a couple of posts that I never got around to before my trip to Singapore. I just got back from Singapore at about 2:00am this morning so the next couple of posts will be an update over the last couple of weeks. I forgot to take my camera to Singapore to take some pictures but I am going back on Tuesday until Friday and will try and take a couple and do my best to update the blog on a regular basis again.

Well as mentioned the next couple of posts will be an update. Hope that all of you are keeping well and will do my best to catch-up with everyone again.

Cheers
Nicky

Heathcote Reserve

Heathcote Reserve in Applecross is high on a hill with spectacular 180 degree views of the Swan River. Definitely the playground with the best view anywhere in Perth.

Most kids call it the 'pirate playground' because the main feature of the play equipment is a giant wooden replica boat that kids can run all over, climb up and down and pretend to be Captain Feathersword.

From our place it is around 3km away. There is also a walk way all along the river to the reserve from home which we have not done yet but we have heard from many people that it is a beautiful walk. Quite often when we go to the reserve we meet up with alot of the people that we have met in the Applecross area and Reece often sees children that are in his school there as well.

The views from the park are just too beautiful and the best part is that it is free. There is a small coffee shop on the reserve where you can order small take away meals as well. There are also barbecue facilities around the park but most people pack a picnic basket and head down to the park for the day.

Our boys just love going there as there is quite a bit to keep them busy. From the reserve there is a walk down to the boat harbour so this tires out the boys as it is a bit of an up hill battle to get back to the top.

Wish I was a kid again to run around this park!

Lots of love

Us

Visit to the Perth Zoo

We all woke up later than normal and had a real lazy morning after getting home late last night. We went for a braai (oops sorry barbeque) with a couple of South Africans who live down the road from us.

Heaths just love the fact that he got the sign in this pic......

We headed off to the Perth Zoo just before lunch time. We packed a picnic basket of sandwiches, fruit and some juice. The weather was just too glorious to miss out on not having a picnic. So after visiting the African Savannah section of the zoo we settled down to have our picnic and the boys played a bit of soccer.

We did not get around the whole zoo as it is quite big and we decided that it gives us the opportunity to visit the rest the next time around as the zoo is only about 5 minutes down the road from us, so we will be visiting quite often.

I have also done it! Chopped my hair eventually - you all know I have been talking about for ages. Yesterday afternoon at about lunchtime I said to Heath that I was off to find a hair dresser. The first one I got to in Applecross had an open appointment - so it seemed like I was destined to have it cut. I think the hair dresser was more nervous than me but in the end it turned out well but I think next time I might go a little shorter! :)

I cannot believe that the week-end is over already and I am back to work tomorrow. In two weeks time I am going back to Singapore for two weeks as my project has been delayed again and now I will only be finished at the end of December.

Hope you all have a great week!

Cheers

N

Bryces Birthday....

I cannot believe that 3 years ago I was in hospital with a new baby in my arms it just feels like it was yesterday. Yip, it is my little babies birthday today he turns 3!

Don't be fooled by the very cute picture above - he is very cute most of the time but wow he also knows what he wants in life and does not have a problem telling anybody off. I tell most people that he is our 3 yr old going on 13........



Unfortunately I had to work all day as I was scheduled on a training course so I did not even get some time this morning with him, but all in all he had had a good day with his dad and with his brother after he came back from school.


Bryce just loves any sort of ball sport so we got him a sporting pressie i.e. a soccer swing ball. It is basically like the old fashioned swing ball but instead of being a tennis ball attached to the end of the string there is a soccer ball. Heath and Bryce spend most of the morning in the park playing soccer. Well.... until the ball came off and then he ran around the park with a little friend he had made. He has very good ball skills and so many people ask us how old he is as they cannot believe how well he kicks and throws a ball so we are looking around to see if we can find a soccer school for little ones to play somewhere around in our area.


He keeps on telling us that today is his "big party" instead of birthday but he is just so proud that it is his birthday - just to sweet!


We unfortunately have not met anyone around who has kids Bryces age so we did not organise a party but we will most probably have some tea & cake in the park on Sunday - hopefully we have no rain as, winter is Perths rainy season but the days are still beautiful when it does not rain.


So all in all my little boy had a good day and the fact that he spent the bulk of the day in the park playing ball so he is very happy......



Happy Birthday Brycie!!!!!


Lots of love
Us

Pizza Evening.......

Heath and the boys came to fetch me from work - what luxury compared to catching the bus. Even though I must say that I have read so many books since I have been in Perth as I get the time now while on my ride to work and back, sometimes I am so engrossed in my book that I have nearly missed my stop a couple of times.

Well anyway Heath and the boys had invited two South African friends who stay down the road for a pizza evening. So on our way home we went to look for some pizza dough but could not find any at one of the local shops down the road so we settled for a pre-made pizza base and bought the goodies to put on top.

We collected the two boys Auleighn and Datton and started with the preparations as soon as we were home.

We had our little watchman make sure that everyone was sorted with a drink..... well sort of.....

We had all of the pizza makers piling the delicious goodies onto their pizza's the most popular ingredients were cheese, cheese and more cheese, ham and pineapple...... the pizza's were made in about 2 minutes flat......
The worst part was waiting for the pizza's to cook but all in all it did not take too long....

The best part was eating the delicious pizza's........

Somewhere along the line we picked up this mad Italian man who was giving us advice on how to make a good pizza while he enjoyed some red wine.......

After supper the boys had a cooling ice cream before settling down to watch a movie.......

Sweet dreams....
Love

The Italians To be......

Chilly Weekend!

Well the rains have eventually reached Perth - even though they are 2 months late we have had our fair share of rain over the last 5 days and very windy - actually reminds me a bit of winter in Cape Town. Even though the first morning after some heavy rain and wind overnight I wrapped myself up in my winter clothing - only to get outside and find that it was actually quite warm so on my walk to the bus stop I was stripping off my jacket and scarf - but the next couple of days did get much colder.

On Saturday evening we had a couple of people around to watch the semi-finals of the rugby - all I know is that the Blue Bulls and the Crusaders were playing (I am not much of a rugby fan at all) and I had a lot of noise in my house with 8 adults and 7 kids. We had a barbecue in the garage as the weather was still a bit crummy. So we all stood around with blankets around us - but all in all we had a good time. All the people that came over have been met through the school that Reece is attending at the moment and most of them only live in walking distance from us.

Now today was a great winters day chilly in the morning and evening but glorious during the day. Heath and I lazed about for the morning then took the boys for a bit of a drive but landed up at one of our favourite spots in Freemantle - it is a very laid back restaurant on the beach that makes the best fish and chips that we have found so far and my kids just love it. They have eaten so much fish since they have been here and if we had to give them fish every night they will still eat it. The restaurant itself is right on the beach front and there is a play area for the kids plus you can arrive dressed up or down - whatever you fancy. Alot of people go for a long walk on the beach and then end their walk at the beach restaurant to read the newspaper over a cup of coffee.
Now to Reece and Bryce if you tell them we are going to Freemantle all they can think of is beach - nothing else, so we could not leave for home unless they had had a little bit of play on the beach. Being a winters day the water was not the warmest but like any child they do not seem to feel the cold, so they had a splash around until they were frozen.

Once we got home we put Bryce to sleep for his afternoon nap and I found that the winter sun was shining on our bed, so of course I found a blanket and curled for an afternoon nap myself. Heath then came to take over the warm spot on the bed while I took Reece for a run around at the park just down the road from us.

So all in all a lazy week-end.....

Cheerio

Nicky

Special Birthday!

Today is a special day in our family, it is my mom's birthday, but she is in London and we are in Australia so we will not be able to be with her on her birthday but we will be thinking of her all day. They have organised a family get together so she will still have a great celebration with the family in the UK.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM and we all hope that you have a great fun-filled day with everyone and sorry we could not be there to celebrate with you. Hope that the weather is good to you and that the sun gets to shine. Have a great one...

Lots of love

Nix, Heath, Reecie and Bryce

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