Spring Produce

The CEO (Chief Environmental Officer) decided to visit Grandma.  A quick tour of the garden produced a number of blooms of sufficient quality to set before the Master Gardener and she was very pleased with them.  (Photo presented in the style of Duchamp)

The Family Expands

Patrick's birthday is nearly upon us and this year, the grand obsession is Guinea Pigs.  Having spent the morning scouring the shops he had acquired the cage, feeding, bedding and the Guinea Pig family starter pack in the form of Homer and Marge.  First the cage was constructed.

Then Homer and Marge (an albino) were introduced to their new home.

Adam Returns

Adam made it back to Aus despite the best efforts of the Qantas workers.  The family was pleased to see him and the goodies that materialised on his return.

(Sorry about the shaky phone photo - it was the only camera available!)

Lachlan Back From Hospital

Lachlan managed to catch a terrible virus which really knocked him around.  He (and his mother) spent a couple of days in the Childrens' Hospital.  The poor kid spent a lot of time providing samples of his tissues so the Docs could propose all sorts of interesting diseases.  But in the end it was a common, very unpleasant virus that was the problem.  He will have a cough for a while but is OK.
He was pleased to see Dad when he got home and knocked off a celebratory donut!

Movie Night

The esteemed members of the Triple R Movie Club all assembled for another quality cinematic experience. The chosen film was the "The Three Musketeers" in 3D. Some publications had given it a bit of a caning but we enjoyed it as a crazy, totally over the top romp. Some critics need to get a life.
Dinner at an Irish Pub was a great finish to the evening.

Boys Visit

Jack stayed for a while this morning.  He is becoming quite the "Angry Birds" aficionado.

When Cooper joined him, construction was high on the agenda.  (iPhone photos again)

New iPhone Test

The morning walk is always a good place to test a new camera.  It was overcast and windy this morning, not ideal conditions.  However the new iPhone produces some impressive results.

The phone is a great camera to have if you do not have a camera.

Big Night Out

Granny and Pa took up their positions on the couch as Lisa and Justin headed out for a big night with friends. Enjoyed by all (including the babysitters).

Basketball on a Wet Saturday

It was a very wet Saturday morning.  Just as well the basketball was inside.  James and his Viking team played really well against Marcellin, a team with similar skills. As a result, some of the spectators (such as Granny) got a little excited.  Unfortunately they lost the match 7 to 11 after both teams peppered the goals.

It was great to see the skills developing.  James can really put on a turn of speed moving down the court with the ball

The boys performed well.  There is still plenty of room for improvement but it was only the second game of the season.  Exciting times ahead.

Lachlan's One and a Halfth Photo

Yes - I know the word does not exist.  We have been trying to get this photo for a while.  Lachlan has a tendency to become bored with photo sessions so you have to get in quickly or wait for a day or so.  I might say there is nothing unique in this behaviour!  This is the one that the interested parties have agreed on.

Basketball Season Opens

Great excitement today as James and Pat had their first games of the new season.  Patrick and his mate Fletcher are in the same team and James came along to assess their performance.  James was playing at another venue later in the day.

It was an exciting game with some very willing players (Patrick included).

Pat saw plenty of action although at times he seemed to disappear below the tree line of other players.

It was a promising start to the season and both the boys teams romped home!

Sunday Evening

What's the best thing to do on a relaxed Sunday evening? Stick some snags on the barbeque! Add a delicious salad and a few extras and combine with an aged red and there is nothing better!  The following photos will indicate one of the games of the evening.  I hasten to add that the adults did not participate.

Sleepover

Granny and Pa had some visitors overnight while Mum and Dad recovered from their recent holiday.

The initial task was to evenly distribute resources for the game that was to be played in the future.

Over some time, the task was eventually accomplished to the satisfaction of all but by that time it was time for bed.

The morning schedule included a park visit and some performance art. Sophie showed us a few aerobics routines she had picked up on holiday.

And Pat showed how his guitar is progressing.

The Zoo

Yesterday was the first decent day for a while and rain was threatening for the rest of the week (school holidays) so we (and about 3 million other Melbournians) decided to go to the Zoo.

Lisa and the boys got in but when Adam and Kate arrived there was no parking and it was taking half an hour to get a ticket.  This made other venues far more attractive.
Jack liked the elephants -

but the big attraction for Lachlan and Cooper was the storm water drain.

Scienceworks

With most of Melbourne being preoccupied with the Football Grand Final being played today, what better time would there be to visit Scienceworks?  The Team assembled.

A variety of things attracted interest. (Maybe this one is genetic)

Food is always interesting and generating your own power was intriguing.

But dinosaurs and their bones were the top interest item today.  (Yet again!)