puff and huff

It’s the end of the school holidays. With Dad working during the week, most of the activities that we photographed were left to the weekend. Friday morning, Puff was so keen to go with Dad to coffee mornings that he woke Mum and Dad up at 4:30 (much earlier than we asked).

We were up so early that we went for a walk on the way in.

The high-point for Puff was getting his own Opal card – he’s been asking for this public transport card for a long time.

He was so keen to keep using public transport that he and Dad caught a bus afterward, until Mum came to pick him up.

The next day, it was Huff’s turn for some solo-Dad time. We too caught the train, and organised an Opal card.

With our annual membership, we went into the Powerhouse museum for free. For the school holidays, they had something for kids called “Paper Planet”. We went in for a look, and it was great fun. There was lots of paper and masking tape, and it was a celebration of creativity. Huff wanted a pirate hat, so Dad and Huff collaborated on it.

With Paper Planet done, we explored some more of the museum – there was some cardboard building to be done.

After the museum, we headed back to swap parents around – Huff went with Mum, while Dad went to take Puff to a Star Wars birthday party. Afterwards, the newly public-transport-obsessed Puff wanted to catch a train with his pool-noodle light sabre. Huff was keen to have a go with it too.

The next day, after church, we headed in to the city again so everyone could try out paper planet on its last day.

Puff wanted to be a newly-minted super hero named “creepy cat”. He was really happy about it.

Huff eventually consented to some wings (after spending a lot of time delivering some carefully made envelopes).

They caught the train home together.

So we felt like we made the most of the weekend! See you next week.

It’s the school holidays, and to some extent the first holidays that Huff has really been aware of: she’s in a pattern of expecting to go to preschool, and she doesn’t have to go, and her brother is around. Puff is enjoying it. He’s big enough to have some opportunities in terms of activities – here he is at a holiday baking class.

We had a morning where Dad was able to be around, so we went to the park after a frantic trip to the Physio. Despite the cold weather, the kids have been consistently desperate to remove layers of clothing and run around like it’s summertime.

Huff is getting more and more into drawing: her current obsession is smiley butterflies of different colours. 

On Thursday night we had dinner with our friends from bible study. The kids had a great time playing whatever games they could get their hands on. Here they are trying to play battleship together.

Saturday Dad needed to go to the physio, and then after that we went down to the Science centre and Planetarium in Wollongong. The kids had a great time with science experiments, and then we whisked them home again to get some rest.

Sunday we went to our old church in the morning and caught up with some people, then went to the zoo. Huff’s favourite thing about the zoo was the slide near the lemur enclosure.

We stopped near the elephants for a family photo, which the kids were not too interested in.

Puff was really keen to see the fishing cat – this is an animal he’s passionate enough about to want to sponsor it. 

It took a while, but we found the cat eventually, and watched it run around for a while. No fishing, though.

We also came back to the penguin statue area, to find that Puff is now taller than the emperor penguin and that Huff is bigger than the king penguin.

It’s a bit of a milestone for both of them!

The next day was a day off work for Dad, to have some family time after a busy period at work. After a quiet morning, we went for a walk to the library. Walking with the kids is one of Dad’s favourite things.

Monday night, while Puff went to bingo with Mum, Huff stayed home to make pasta with Dad. It was a great time – she was keen to try all aspects of working with the pasta dough, hanging it up, and then it was time to eat, and watch videos about making pasta.

See you next week!

Dad had a busy week with work, the end of several busy weeks at work; and so had some extra time to spend with the kids this week.

Meanwhile, Mum took Huff shopping, where she spied a Minions poster. Huff is a big fan of the minions, as you can tell.

The kids were blowing bubbles in the morning before school; this week Puff had “historical games” at school, which were (in many cases) just games that Mum and Dad played when they were at school: it’s an easy way to feel old!

Friday morning was parent/teacher interview time, and Friday evening Huff had her first girls-only birthday party to go to (with Mum in tow), so Dad and Puff went out to play Putt Putt golf. We had the whole course to ourselves, and the course allows people to play another game for free. We played 3 games in total. Puff was having multiple attempts at some of the holes, and managed to beat Dad in one of his games. It was good to see his confidence pick up, even if it was probably a bit too long to be playing.

After Putt Putt, it was time to reprise an old photo experience, going back to a previously visited pizza place. Puff was – as you can probably tell – pretty tired, but glad to have some time with Dad.

The next morning we caught up with one of Dad’s old school friends and his family. The girls in particular were fast friends, but all the kids had a great time exploring Fagan park.

Huff and Puff both really liked the ducks (and the eels) and we learned about the amazing hydrophobic properties of nasturtium leaves.

After that, we went to a friend’s house for a 40th birthday party, and so by the end of that, the kids were pretty well exhausted. They both – for once – fell asleep in the car. Puff was probably first to sleep.

Huff managed to stare out the window for a while before giving in.

The next day, after church, we headed into the city to make the most of family fun day. We caught a train and a tram to the fish markets.

The kids wanted to pretend to be on a tram as well. Mum helped.

On the way back, we stopped for ice cream at a place called Aqua S. The kids liked the odd take on ice cream that they have there.

The next day was the first of the holidays. Dad had to head off to work, but the kids walked him to the station.

The kids had their first official visit to the dentist, assisted by Dr Bunny. Puff was excited to have the full cleaning process, and not to suffer any of the queasiness from fluoride that Dad suffers.

Huff assured me in the evening that Dr Bunny was very helpful, but she was “just a toy”. She talked happily about the “buzzy bee” toothbrush that was used to clean her teeth, and the “blue stuff” (fluoride). Overall, a very positive experience.

More next week!

Dad has been spending more time than usual at work, getting ready for a website launch, and so it’s been bursts of high-quality time, rather than the preferred quantity time on offer. Mum and the kids picked up Dad on Friday night and we went out for dinner – the kids tried a range of different dips.

The next morning, Puff wanted to mix and cook pancakes, so we made that happen. Huff helped a little bit, and ultimately Dad finished off the cooking, but it was a heroic start.

Dad took the kids out for a while: we went to the library, and the kids wandered through a sculpture afterwards, as is their custom. There’s something about arriving at a library 7 minutes before it closes that wonderfully concentrates the mind.

Dad had some one-on-one time with Huff as well; we played a lot in this playground. Well, Huff played: Dad watched and offered encouragement. She wasn’t sure about sliding down the roof of this climbing equipment, but once she’d had one successful attempt, she was keen to keep trying it.

We stopped for hot chocolates, and her favourite: catching a train. As the train pulled in, a pigeon flew alongside the train on the platform, and then walked into the carriage we were in. Hilarity ensued. Dad also let Huff play a jigsaw puzzle game on his phone: it was just the right mix of challenging but achievable – she was really delighted with her success in putting the pieces together.

Dad was getting some more work done over the weekend, but there was still some time to play PhotoBooth on the laptop, and also to watch a particular lullaby video.

 Sunday morning before church the kids wanted to play board games, so we played Tsuro together as a family. Dad bravely threw himself off the board so the kids could keep playing, but it was Mum who won the day.

 Monday night Dad was out, and Huff decided to see if she could look at her brain. She’s been experimenting with pulling different faces.

 Puff thought he would try too.

 Mum may also have tried, but we’re out of space for this week. See you next week!

Busy week. Mum had a last-minute chance to do something fun, and so Dad had the chance to take the kids for swimming lessons. Puff is getting ever stronger at his swimming, floating along and wanting to show off his backstroke.

Huff was full of beans having a babycino with Mum the next day.

On the weekend we went to a party for a friend’s combined birthday. Huff had a great time playing in a range of different contexts with lots of different kids. She doesn’t use the term “friends” for everyone she plays with, but even if she’s not prepared to make that commitment, she happily plays with other kids in a range of different games.

Puff had his wheelie shoes with him, and was (when he wasn’t playing ball games with a bunch of different kids) having fun walking across rocky terrain.

The party had a piñata for the kids to try and break. Huff was enthusiastic at trying to open it up. Once it had broken, the kids swarmed on enough candy to last them (we hope) a few weeks.

The kids had a chance to play with their cousin at the party, too!

The next day, Dad had a chance to walk to church with Puff (no photos taken), and in the afternoon, the kids went to a play centre with their Mum and grandmother, while Dad stayed back to do some work, and some long-neglected household chores.

Huff’s latest obsession is serving tiny cups of turkish apple tea. She is super excited to bring people these cups, and then offer top-ups.

Puff is getting more and more impressive with his wheelie skills, and his ability to solve different puzzles.

See you next week!

Lots of people and adventures this week. Huff and cousin E had a great time playing at a play centre, despite the anxiety in the photo.

Puff continues to adjust to life after losing another tooth: he’s now lost all his front teeth, which is giving him a new approach to eating certain types of foods.

Dad and Puff spent some one-on-one time together over the weekend, getting a haircut, and then playing chess again. He’s continuing to improve.

We caught up with Aunty S, who came over bearing gifts: new toy kangaroos, and a new book to read. They even played “collect the chicks” together, a game that Huff and Puff picked up again the next day, with the two kids playing against their toy kangaroos.

While Dad took Puff to a post-church birthday party, Mum and Huff headed into the city to get custard puffs (really, the train is enough of an adventure for her at the moment).

As if that wasn’t enough excitement for a weekend, we went up to the Central Coast to a friend’s farm, where they were having a bonfire. It was a chance for Huff to wear her Kitten Mittens again.

Puff had a great time toasting marshmallows and talking to other kids his own age, which was encouraging to see.

Huff, tired towards the end of our time in front of the bonfire, was happy to sit with Dad for a while and watch the flames.

The family went to the movies on Monday for a cheap ticket special on Home, and then Dad took Huff for a short walk afterwards to get a babycino. When we were waiting for the babycino to be made, and the barista offered her a marshmallow, she said “we toasted marshmallows at a bonfire the other day”, so it definitely made an impression!

Still a few night activities this week, despite the kids being a bit sick. Friday night was the night foodie markets. With Dad still commuting home, the kids had an early dinner before the queues picked up at the markets (Huff is eating dumplings, Puff is eating crepes). They were pretty happy with that, and then we went out to get Knafeh afterwards, with Dad.

Saturday morning we went out for breakfast with Grandragon for her birthday. The kids had a great time sharing the presents they’d made or recommended for her.

Though they really enjoyed playing in the park afterwards. Puff is probably reaching the edge of the physical challenges afforded by these kinds of playgrounds, and will be looking for fresh challenges. Huff is a bit anxious about trying new things, but having had a single success on a piece of equipment, she’ll go back and try it again and again. She still likes being pushed on the swings by her Dad, though.

Puff is getting to be quite the confident wheelie-rider (though he had a stack today, which dented his confidence a little). We had bit of a wait for food here, so Huff amused herself by pulling faces.

Puff ordered a giant milkshake here, which he managed to finish, impressively.

Later that day, while visiting his grandparents, Puff lost another tooth!

Then last night, cousin E was visiting, and stuck around for a couple of stories before bedtime.

We visited Doc for his birthday this week, and uncle J read stories to Huff. She has a big appetite for books at the moment, and is putting up with a few more questions than usual about what letters and words she might be seeing on the page.

Both kids were well enough to make it to swimming lessons at different times; Huff hit a milestone when she managed to jump in the pool (“Cannonball!”) and swim across in one go.

Puff has had a lot of coughing this week, so we kept him out of school on Friday; he managed to read a Roald Dahl book in about a day. 

The kids went for a walk with Dad on Saturday morning looking somewhat similar. They talked to everyone they saw who had a dog, so it was a fun adventure for them.

We also went to a putt-putt golf place as a family. It was Mombasa themed, with lots of African things. Huff made it to hole 11 before saying that she was bored.

After golf, we dropped Mum off so she could go to the EQUIP conference, and washed the car. Dad was only mildly sprayed with water while helping the kids wash the car.

After that, the kids were pretty tired, so we had a quiet evening at home. The next morning, Puff was ready in time to walk to church with Dad. We stopped very efficiently for a 1-minute duck feeding.

Huff had her cousin visit for church this week. They had fun together – as you can tell.

We stopped for lunch with Grandragon, Aunty C and Uncle J and cousin E, and after hours playing in the park, he wanted to walk back home. He made it another few kilometres.

Then this week, Puff had Musica Viva at school, so Huff went with a friend from preschool to go see it.

Huff is more and more confident at preschool – she loves the opportunities to be creative, and is enjoying exploring the world more.

And that’s about it for the week.

The competition is on between the local supermarkets. Huff was given this amazing face decoration for free as part of an in-store promotion. I would imagine this is a new attempt to leverage pester power from even the youngest kids.

Friday night was marshmallow roasting with a friend. The idea of the roasting seemed to be more fun than the actual roasting itself, but it’s still a favourite activity.

Dad had a chance to play Jenga blocks with Puff and Huff. Huff built these little houses – one for Mum, Dad and the two kids. “Dad has to go off to work in the big tower building for an important meeting, then go back home again”. It’s fun to see how her imagination plays out.

We went to Bicentennial park on Saturday to spend some time with friends.

Huff is loving her scooter at the moment, and Puff has been having a good time playing with his remote control car. We chalked out some paths, and he had to drive the car over them.

There was lots of photo-taking, including this photo with Dad, Huff and cousin E.

The kids were also playing with a cardboard box. Here’s Puff hiding in the box.

Huff was eating some jelly this afternoon (in fact, the kids were both tucking in to jelly as an after school snack). She’s starting to be able to recognise letters with increasing regularity, but despite that, she can navigate the video player on-screen like a pro.

Mum went out on Saturday with a friend, so Dad had the chance to spend several hours with the kids on Saturday. After a fairly slow start to the morning, Dad packed a satchel and headed out  for an adventure. First stop was the library. We borrowed some books, and then the kids played among the sculpture. 

By then it was lunchtime, and we went for lebanese pizza. The kids managed to persuade Dad to get them these juice blocks that come with toys underneath.

We then caught a train, did some shopping for Mother’s Day, and then went for a walk, fed some ducks, and then had to race back for a toilet stop. Huff wanted to pause for a photo at this sign.

And then insisted that her brother also stop for a photo. You can see the height difference between them.

Sunday was Mother’s Day with lots of messages being exchanged. Grandragon stayed overnight so she could be around for breakfast and morning church, then we went for lunch at Grandma’s house. Huff was sporting a new dress, made by Aunty C.

Puff received a gift from an uncle back from an overseas trip, and started reading about Hong Kong.

Dad paused during reading bedtime stories for a quick photo with Huff.

Puff also had his fun run this week – he had a good run – here he is stoping for a post-race drink.

See you next week!