Paddling at Burnum Burnum

We left early this morning for a paddle on the Woronora but arrived at the Woronora boat ramp where we normally launch the kayak to find Forbes Creek almost completely dry! There was no way we were going to paddle there. So we drove to Burnum Burnum and launched from the boat ramp there. I got to try the Little Blue Yak (LBY) for the first time while Liem went with Daddy in the Big Blue Yak (BBY). I'm not sure what Liem is doing in the third picture, but apparently looking at Daddy like that was easier than turning around...

CNY eve reunion dinner

We had a lovely Chinese New Year eve reunion dinner at our favourite Japanese restaurant Wayama. They had all our favourite dishes too and we had them all! And Liem was very protective of his green tea ice cream….

Phillip Island

Here are some photos from our trip to Phillip Island. We went for a boat tour and saw the seal colony. Also went trout fishing at a farm where they cooked the trout we caught for us - very yummy trout! And of course the penguins - no photos because we weren't allowed to take any, but they were gorgeous. So cute and funny to watch.

Cousins

There's something about guns that's very popular!

Watching Star Wars the gold class way

We went with Mai, Chris, Oliver and Billy to watch Star Wars 7 and did it in style too. Gold class! Lots of fun was had by all...

Cousins and second cousins

Taking photos of kids is always difficult…I love Terrence's face, he was really in the tantrum phase then.

Liem's reading positions

Here are more photos of Liem reading - this time when he came to work with me as it was a pupil free day at school and no vacation care available.

Liem's 10th birthday party

The trouble with taking photos on different devices is that you check them at different times and photos get posted at the wrong times. These are some really old photos I found on my phone. Liem's 10th birthday party at Zone 3 where he had a great time with his friends, shooting each other.

Seals and gannets off Queenscliff

While we were in Victoria for Christmas, we went on a boat tour from Queenscliff. There were seals on a structure called the Chinaman's Hat and a gannet colony on a structure called the Pope's Eye. Wonderful to get such a close up view of the seals and gannets - when we watched some gannets do a beak clacking ritual, it was almost like watching a wildlife documentary.

Oatley Park

Oatley Park is our latest find - nice walks and we found some tawny frogmouths and owlet nightjars there on one of our trips. Not on this particular trip though. Here we have a picture of a dusky moorhen giving me the eye. And my boys having a rest.

Comfortable position for reading?

Here's a sneaky one I took of Liem while he was reading one of the Ranger's Apprentice books. He is really into them at the moment. And somehow it seems comfortable for him to read in this position!

Year 4 academic award

Oh, and here's a photo from when Liem received his Year 4 academic award. My goodness, this picture was taken ages ago...

Halloween eyeballs

Have taken photos but haven't been doing anything about them. Found these photos on my camera from last October when we made "eyeballs" to bring to a Halloween party. Lychees stuffed with strawberry jam and a blueberry in each lychee. We found they were more effective the sloppier we were, with jam everywhere the "eyeballs" looked more realistic! So simple to make and looks gross but tastes pretty good. Must remember this for next Halloween.

Paddling on the Nepean

This morning we went for a paddle on the Nepean River. We usually drive over it on the bridge when we go to Melbourne and I've always seen it from the bridge and thought it was really beautiful. Never thought I would actually get to paddle on it. Lots of water dragons, birds - lots of fun. Liem and Adam also got a chance to have a paddle by themselves. We went downstream for a bit, but it started to rain. Sheltered a bit in a cave, but then left to go back home. So happy we got a chance to see it.