Category: week in review

Again not all that many photos this week. After a quiet weekend, Dad took the kids to see “Sonic” at the movies. We ordered too many snacks.

Monday Puff had to head off to school camp. We dropped him off, to ease his nerves. He was having a good time with his school friends, but we’re looking forward to having him back again.

Huff was variously impatient waiting for the bus, and trying to escape being photographed, but was unsuccessful.

After school, and a positive three-way interview with her teacher, we had dinner together as a family minus one.

Huff and Dad were still short of their step goal, and so went for an evening walk together, where we had a great time.

It was nearly dark when we arrived home, in time for Huff to go to bed, and for Dad to start his next video call. A good use of time all around.

Even in the middle of a busy season with life and homework, Puff managed to find time to build this kiwi crate pinball table – here it is in its early stage before the multi ball and bumpers an ramp were added, and Dad trying it out while Huff looks on.

The Swag camp was rained out over the weekend, so we had a mostly home day (Dad ran some errands) on Saturday, which was a welcome change of pace.

Sunday morning Dad and Puff were up early, so Dad was getting some Rubik’s cube lessons from Puff before church.

After church, Huff had a playdate with a friend, and then we visited Grandma and Doc, drop off some food and see how they were going.

This morning we had swimming lessons, and there was a rare opportunity to take a photo of them both, in separate lanes.

Are we getting to the point where there aren’t many reasons to take photos? Do we need to mix up our routines and explore different things? We’re seeing a bit less enthusiasm in the kids to being photographed, but they’re still relatively happy about it.

Oh, and we’ve now finished the Harry Potter series of audiobooks as a family. What should we listen to next?

Suddenly we are back into the ordinary pattern of life. Puff is getting used to getting up early and making his way to school via public transport, spending a day at school, then reversing the journey again. He’s still finding it very tiring, and has less energy at the end of the day, and even on the weekends.

Dad managed to make some time to take the kids out for bubble tea on a fairly quiet Saturday before a combined birthday party. He’s getting to a stage of not wanting his photo taken.

One of the favourite presents was Huff’s new copy of “throw throw burrito”, a game that gives adults permission to throw a soft toy burrito at adults and children alike.

We made a trip to IKEA over the weekend too. Always a character building experience for the kids, but not without fun.

Another of Huff’s presents was a little craft kit that required intense focus to complete.

It’s good to watch her stretch her ability to concentrate, even as we end up going multiple rounds sometimes with her. The next battle will be tidying their rooms, we suspect. We have fallen victim to letting things accumulate over many years and not clearing out as we go: let this be a lesson for other parents!

Huff turned 9 this week! She had asked her brother – when he’d asked what gift she would want – for a banana. So he obliged.

There were other gifts as well, including this cardigan: hand-made by grandma (no mean feat at the moment).

Dad took her out for breakfast on Saturday, and we played “Mr Squiggle” with her crazy pom-pom pen.

After that, we went to Sydney Zoo. Thanks to the generosity of a cousin, and fixed booking times for tickets, we were there on a bit of a rainy day, which made for a less crowded experience.

There was a little bit of shelter around the place, including this zebra chair (chairbra)

This was perhaps more reflective of the experience of the day, but the umbrellas stood up quite well.

Puff managed to pose for a quick koala photo.

And the kids are as engaged as ever at church… well: this was a sly photo, so they are actually more engaged some of the time!

And we’re back at school. The regular patterns are back, with a start to swimming lessons again. The kids are struggling a bit back with the early starts, but are in reasonable spirits.

Puff is contemplating a portable breakfast on the way to school.

Dad walked Puff up to the bus stop on his first day (this was also the last day of the repairs to the Sydney water pipes out the back of the house).

Mum was struggling a bit with the thought of a son at high school. Puff has done an excellent job navigating his way on public transport, and we’ve enjoyed hearing from him via text message.

On the weekend we made a spontaneous decision, despite the fire warnings, to head down and visit our friends in Canberra.

We made it through the sixth Harry Potter audiobook – one to go.

The kids had a mostly screen-filled time, but enjoyed playing together.

We also managed to fit in a family dinner: always good to get all Dad’s siblings together under the one roof.

Last week of the holidays. Dad was off on a conference, and Puff had a go at making nachos, with some lessons learned but a tasty (by all reports) result.

The kids had a week of 8am swimming lessons to help them improve their swimming, and get them used to being up early for school, which starts tomorrow.

Dad went with Puff while the latter navigated public transport to reach his new school to make sure he’s going to be able to do it in the future.We bought umbrellas only hours before, and ended up using them!

Puff had a celebratory slurpee for the way home.

Dad had a celebratory coffee on the way home too.

As expected, the holidays passed very quickly, but hopefully we have formed some more lasting memories with the kids.

Putting this post up a couple of days early because Dad will be away for work for a couple of days.

We’ve tried to make the most of some downtime with Dad, and so we went to Tasmania for a week to (inadvertently surprise) catch up with some friends.

Puff had more book vouchers to use, so Dad and Puff went to the city to visit some different bookshops, and we stopped for some snacks.

As we prepare for him to start high school, Puff is getting used to having a feature phone to carry around.

Here we are heading to Tasmania.

We had breakfast in a cafe (eating out is quite expensive in Tasmania, even relative to Sydney).

We went to a park in Launceston that has a display of monkeys to look at. This was one of the the trees in the park.

The monkeys were fantastic; it was great to watch their antics with the kids.

Mum noticed this tree that has grown up around the fence, and we all photobombed it.

We had dinner out with friends.

Here are the kids working through the books they picked up with their Christmas book vouchers.

We found a place that was a combination of gelato shop and food truck stand, and had a fun dinner together.

Here is Dad playing Puff at chess (spoiler: Dad won).

Here is Dad playing Huff at tic tac toe – it was about even.

One of the highlights of the Tasmania trip was the Daedalus Luminarium – it was like being inside a giant bouncing castle.

The kids enjoyed it.

The whole family had a great time.

Thanks to Bec for taking pictures.

Huff met a distant relative.

We also visited a seahorse farm, and learned about the lifecycle of these amazing creatures (and what bad parents they are).

We also saw echidnas and platypi, and Puff captured it all on his camera phone.

Perhaps this is a habit he has picked up from Dad.

Mum and Huff also enjoyed seeing these creatures up close.

We had plenty of screen-free time as well, but there were a few moments of game playing.

We also had a great pancake breakfast at our friend’s house.

Huff kept mugging for the camera, even as we had a beachside lunch from a fish-and-chip shop.

Our friend was in a show for MONAFOMA, and we watched it as a family.

Here we were flying back after our missed connection led to a 3-hour stay in Melbourne airport.

Here are Dad and Puff heading in to the city for yet more book vouchers.

Huff wasn’t sure bout using the chopsticks but enjoyed the ramen.

And we visited Aunty C’s exhibition at a community art gallery.

Oh, and Dad took Huff out for a late-night pearl drink on the way home from visiting Grandma and Doc.

And Dad and Puff continue their tradition of walking to church together.

One more week until school goes back!

We survived Summer Camp again with few photos. Dad and Puff counted down into the new year, while Mum and Huff were already asleep after a big week. Puff was in top form with his “all year” jokes – I haven’t been to the toilet all year… I haven’t eaten all year… that kind of thing.

Huff, back home, decorated her soaps.

Oh, and Huff made a bit of a change to her ears this week.

Grandma stayed around after our trip to the movies (Spies in Disguise) to be there and see the result.

Puff has been increasing his speed at Rubik’s cube solving.

Dad and Huff went for a walk. Huff explained how if you crouch down and look at a tree from lower down, the tree looks much taller.

Here are the kids waiting around at the shops.

Huff with her new ear decorations.

Oh, and here’s Huff pretending to ride a quidditch broom.

Dad has a week off work coming up, so hopefully some extra photos of the kids next week.

Update to follow shortly. This week we have been at summer camp.

It’s the final throes of Christmas Eve and the kids are sleeping, even as the last of the presents and cooking are being put together. With the school year finished, there have been various errands to run and shopping accomplished.

Huff and Puff both had their eyes tested – Huff was a bit sad not to need glasses, and in fact neither of the kids need glasses (yet).

Puff has made the most of the holidays so far by learning about speed-solving Rubik’s cubes.

The kids have been following Mum around a bit, doing errands like taking grandma to the Physio – they had a chance of some extra screen time, which is always a bonus for them. Huff continues to make amazing worlds in Minecraft (the newest addition of bees to the game has been a significant one for her), and Puff is replaying some favourite old games.

At church, we received a few gifts from a friend who lives in Zimbabwe. This is Huff modelling the cap.

One of the destinations for our Christmas shopping was a bookshop. Both the kids made the most of the stay by reading in the comfy chairs.

Puff is now almost as tall as the fridge, as tall as many of our adult friends, and taller than some!

Looking forward to Christmas, then Summer Camp for the next week of updates. In the midst of a massive bushfire season on the back of a drought, we are praying for rain.