Who is kidding Who?

Well, it's that time of year again and we have just had the annual reunion of the Ashy Baps Youth Group.  Take a quick look at the photo.

It will come as no surprise to anyone that "Youth Group" is more an expression of hope than reality.  After all it is over 40 years since this august group met in its original format!

Bendigo

We have returned from a wonderful weekend in Bendigo with Lisa and Justin and family and Adam and Kate and family.  The park had great facilities for the children.

There was plenty to see around the town.  We spent some time on the old tram which is maintained as a tourist attraction and runs through the centre of the city stopping at the major tourist locations

Granny's birthday was celebrated in great style with a take away feast in the Caravan Park.

The next day we spent time at the Chinese Museum and gardens providing plenty of ideas for future landscaping projects!

A slideshow of some of the images of the trip can be seen at http://s1186.photobucket.com/albums/z374/idrpix/Family/Bendigo/?albumview=slideshow&direction=reverse

Sophie's First Gig

A few weeks ago, Sophie was invited to do some modeling for a clothing catalog for Levi.  While the day went well, we were all very interested to see the results of the shoot which arrived in the mail today.  Sophie was very proud to show Granny her photos.

Apart from the catalog, she received a whole range of photos from the shoot.  No doubt the printer will get a working over shortly.

The New Pet

Patrick has introduced a new pet to the family.  The Skink (lizard), as yet unnamed, was found outside and is now housed in a plastic terrarium and will live in Pat's room.  Time has been spent getting the housing conditions correct and sorting through the food options.  Currently, interest levels are sky high.  Watch this space.

Not to be outdone, Sophie brought over her (plastic) frill necked lizard in its new housing.  Sophie has found her pet to be more docile and he has escaped far fewer times than the skink.

Swimming - the next challenge

Without a lot of preparation, James took part in the school swimming sports during the week. he won a place in the freestyle race and, as one of his teachers said, he would have won if he had not paused during the race to see how the competition was going.  With this as incentive James, Pat and Sophie have started swimming lessons.

New Academic Year

It has been too long coming for Sophie but she has started Kindergarten.  It is a very serious business and her mother was only allowed a very short time to snap a photo before she had to move on and do her work.

Jack also started at his new Kinder this year and he is enjoying his new friends and teachers.

Jell's Park

Sunday - and for once, the weather was perfect for a picnic in the park.  The bikes were stacked into the cars and we, the adults, had a lazy afternoon in the park.

Some of us lazed around on the rug with junior members of the team and others (who on the previous day had attacked themselves with sharp implements) spent time recuperating from their injuries.

Bikes and ball games were the preferred options for the more energetic.

But (as always) the big attraction was ice-cream.

Birthday Preparations

If it is going to be done properly, a boy has to prepare thoroughly for his birthday celebrations.  Jack decided on, and designed his Spiderman Cake.  His Executive Assistant had to do a trial run before the big day, so Granny and Pa were invited to view and sample the results.

 After dinner, Granny is always a soft touch for a book or three.

 Lachlan was not going to be left out so Dad was called into action.

Ben's Birthday Bash

While Mum and Dad headed off to celebrate Ben's Birthday, Granny and Pa were called in to impose order and discipline on the bedtime process.  It didn't work.
The occasional photo belies the tone of the evening.

Others more truly reflect the hilarity of the occasion.

Let's Do Lunch

It was a beautiful day so we decided that we would wander up to Yarra Glen and have lunch at the old Hotel.  We had passed it many times and wondered what it was like inside.  As can be seen from the photo, the joint was not exactly jumping.  Let's say we had a wide choice of tables and the car got lonely.

However the lunch, a salted calamari entree and beer battered fish main, was excellent. Following lunch, we headed off to Yearing Station to check the wines.  The Chief Culinary Officer found a Chardonnay to her liking and the Transport Manager found a Fume Blanc which was fresh and fragrant.

As can be seen, room was found in the budget for a small appropriation.

Weekend in Inverloch

We have returned from a great weekend at Inverloch.  Lisa and Justin organised the venue and Adam, Kate and family came down on the Friday night to spend Saturday with us.  Our special skill is selecting extreme weather events so on the Friday night it poured rain.  Many areas of Melbourne were flooded (we found about 120mm in the gauge on return) and there were gales on the Saturday night.  Thankfully the days were clear.

 The pool was a great hit with the kids (of all ages) Cooper and Sophie made sure Granny was safe.

The beach was close by ensuring an ongoing need for changes of clothes.

The huge jumping pillow ensured appropriate energy expenditure and for something a little more sedentary, there was always the "the largest snail" competition.

See a short slideshow of photos at
http://s1186.photobucket.com/albums/z374/idrpix/1102%20Inverloch/?albumview=slideshow

Sophie - A New Direction?

It happens to all of us.  Occasionally we sit down and quietly review our lives and achievements and sometimes this leads to new directions and opportunities.  Sophie has decided that the time has come to investigate the options in the world of Ballet.  She took part in, and enjoyed her new class and on return she was able to demonstrate her new outfit and some of her moves to her brothers.

Of course, a girl has to keep her options open so lead singer/drummer in a rock band is always another option for the future.