Perth

Our visit to Perth in April was slightly different to previous ones. Namely Nana was mostly at work while Grandad was at home. Luckily for the girls Nana set up various fun activities (like egg decorating) to keep the girls and Grandad busy while I embarked on my annual renovation challenge. This time around renovations included fridge swapping, weeding, painting (8 internal doors and my old bedroom) and various odd jobs. All of these required numerous visits to Bunnings which for the girls meant a play on the indoor castle (much more exciting than the local Bunnings playground). And of course while I was busy at home, Andy was busy at UWA.

So our trip wasn't all about work - Mum and Dad bought a few secondhand bikes. Ella was a speed demon on hers while Katy had a tricycle with a handle out the back so we could assist when necessary. Katy slowly got the hang of steering by the end of the holiday but flatly refused to pedal!

We visited our favourite playground the 'Pirate Ship." Dad, the girls and I enjoyed lunch there which was lovely. Unfortunately we forgot it was still school holidays so the playground was absolutely packed and trying to keep an eye on Ella was difficult.

The weather was beautiful. Warm enough to have mud baths naked in the backyards as well as venture down to the river for a paddle.

The girls became experts on watching out for Grandad's foot (where he had his achilles tendon stitched back together) as well as finding his crutches and reminding him to use them. We had the community nurse come most days to dress dad's wound as it had been infected. This provided some interest and the teddy on the bed also ended up needing his leg bandaged too!

Grandad wasn't the only one in the wars. Amy, mum's 13 year old poodle was taken to the vet with bad breath. Turns out she had a gum infection as well as requiring a trip to the doggie dentist. Now I thought human dentists were expensive - Amy had a scale, clean and 6 teeth removed all for $1700!! No wonder why mum and dad still need to work!

Security Breach

Sorry for the lack of posts but we've been enjoying ourselves holidaying in Perth.

For this trip we decided for the same price to avoid the direct Canberra - Perth which leaves Canberra at 7.30ish pm to land in Perth at 12ish am then arrive at parents house in Kardinya by 1ish am. Rather we left Canberra on a 10am flight to Melbourne, had a 2 hours wait before boarding at 1pm which had us land in Perth at 4.30ish pm arriving at Kardinya by 5.30pm. Much more civilised!

However it was in Melbourne airport where we needed to kill some time so off we ventured. Now we all know what 2yr olds are like good fun most of the time but also determined to show some independence some may stubborn. So we are walking from our gate at Virgin towards the general food and check in area with Andy and Ella leading the way when Katy decides she doesn't want to walk and plonks herself down. After a few encouraging words which got me no where I said 'oh well just have to leave you there Katy' and keep walking hoping we would get a short distance before she would come running.

Unfortunately two things occurred simultaneously- Katy didn't come running (she was about 15 metres away) and we by this stage were heading into the security section (without actually realising it). Andy  turned around, began to walk back towards Katy intending to pick her up and in the process set off all the alarms!!! Within seconds, were flashing lights, sirens blarring and guards running!

Katy meanwhile had stated to moved a little towards Andy but then deciding that it was a game turned on her heel and ran! With The guards blocking Andy we stood and watched helplessly. Katy still thought it was all very funny that was until one of the guards caught up with her and carried her back! With lots of disapproving glares we continued on our way....

Deck News

Visitors can now reach our front door via the new steps which Andy installed during the week!

Thanks Gang!

Good times with good friends!

More on Potato Point

Potato Point wasn't all about building castles and boogie boarding at beach...

A walk along the beach turned into an Andy Sand train...

We visited the Bodalla Dairy Shed sampling cheeses, tasting milkshakes and watching the potty calf have a drink..

Explored the Potato Point Creek - floating on the river currents, swimming and having races!

Making Pizza!!

Easter Bilby

Luckily the Easter Bilby visited us at Potato Point not once but twice! Firstly he snuck into our tent during the night and hid 2 small easter rabbits in the girls pencil tin. Then while the kids were at the playground mid morning, the bilby returned to hide a whole heap of eggs around our campsite.

The kids enjoyed hunting for the chocolate eggs. Once all were found, we collected and divided up the goodies. It's funny watching their reactions and listening to their chatter. According to Ella her Dad heard the bilby in the tent at night and her Mum saw the tail of the bilby disappearing into the bushes in the morning!! What's even more hilarious is that probably half of the children didn't eat their chocolate eggs - Mia doesn't like chocolate but like to carry them around, Katy had enough after the first 2 and left the rest of hers and Mira liked to unwrap the eggs placing the foil in one pocket of her chair and the chocolate in the other! One thing for sure was that post easter egg hunt, the kids sat together and still for at least 10mins while 'eating' their eggs!

Ready, set, GO!

Looking, Looking

Yum!

Ah the serenity - post easter egg hunt!

Potato Point

Our idea to boycott Easter this year seemed like a great decision based on reports from the orienteering about the excessive amount of grass seeds and the looooong drive to QLD.

So hello Potato Point - what a wonderful place!

A holiday park at the beach. Nestled on the edge of the forest our tent site was about a 200m walk to the beach.

The numerous very friendly wallabies were content eating the grass and generally lazing around adding to the laid back holiday atmosphere.

Thankfully the rain kept away which meant lots of time spent at the beach and river. Ella carved up the waves on her boogie board with Josh and Susie. Katy along with the rest of the gang (Max, Mira, Mia, Abby & Zoe) were content to play in the sand making castles, baths and channels! Even little Alma on her first visit to the beach got in on the act.