Iron Mark

Well the day finally arrived when Mark got to put his endurance training to the test and compete in IronMan Western Australia. 6 months of 5am starts, Ks upon Ks of cycling, swimming and running all in preparation for this big day.

We stayed at the Royal Palms Resort which was perfect for a short trip away. The kids loved the pool and it was just a few blocks from all the action. Busselton is pretty small, and its famous landmark is the 1.8Km Jetty that runs out to sea.

I took the kids for a ride along the miniature train, which runs all the way out to the end of the jetty and we went down below the sea to the viewing rooms and watched the fish and the coral.





Its the longest in the southern hemisphere and Mark got to swim all the way out, around and back from it in the first leg of his swim (4Kms).

We dragged ourselves to the start line at the beach for the 6am start but it was impossible to spot Mark from the other 1799 competitors dressed in the same black wetsuit and white swim cap!


However we did see him run out of the water and up the beach as he came in close to his 1 hour target. After that we saw him off on the bike leg and then went to enjoy our day whilst he spent 5 and a half hours in the 32 degree heat cycling around Busselton!


We swam and ate lunch then headed to the playground near the beach to see him come past on the run. As he was doing 4 x 10 Km loops we were able to wave and cheer him on his weary legs, plenty of times before he crossed the finish line in an amazing 10 hours and 54 minutes. We saw him coming - which is tribute to his precision - with a big smile on his face and he ran across with his arms in the air.








We met up with him in the finishers enclosure where he was beaming, eating ice cream and visiting the nurse for a blister check (a few needed popping). There was some minor vomiting (not surprising considering all he had eaten all day was a Vegemite sandwich and a large number of energy gel drinks (24!)


So we went to The Goose for dinner - Busselton's finest restaurant on the beach to celebrate and watch the final stragglers finish the race in the dark.

Our final day was spent relaxing at the beach, swimming in the pool, eating ice cream and playing crazy golf! But the holiday came to an abrupt end when we arrived at Perth airport the next day only to find all flights grounded and delayed due to an approaching thunderstorm. I dropped the car at the rental desk without any fuss (unlike when we picked it up and realised we couldn't fit Mark's bike box in the boot! Luckily Ela came up with the suggestion - after we had tried to push and shove it a 100 different ways - to slide it over the top of the back seat. Since the kids are so short it was cozy but worked fine!) And then we spent 2 hours waiting in the checkin area. When they called in the Sydney flight (us) were were thinking how luck we were but no, actually it was the beginning of a nightmare. We waited 2 more hours in the departure lounge only to be told the flight was cancelled and we needed to get into a queue to get re allocated. 5 hours later, at 9.30pm when i reached the service desk I was told there was no available accommodation in Perth or surrounds and there was no space on any flight to Sydney for over 24 hours. We were given pillows, blankets and tried to settle the kids on the floor of the departure lounge when there was an announcement that all passengers were to take a flight to Melbourne. So instead of spending the night in Perth airport we spent 3 hours on a flight and then 4 hours in Melbourne airport lounge. Finally got to Sydney about 9am (sans luggage of course) and home by 11am, a full 24 hrs and no sleep after we had arrived to begin our journey! What a bunch of memories.

Jungle Rock

This year Ela has been learning to play the flute. Each wednesday she has lugged it to school with her music sheets and practiced under the expert tuition of Mr Burjan.

The end of school year concert where all students who have been learning an instrument get to show off their talents is called the Mortlake ARIAs (or MARIAs).

This year Ela played on stage with the other flutists, a song written by her teacher, with words composed by Ela. she has really enjoyed herself this year and we were really proud to watch her perform on stage in front of the whole school body, parents and teachers. Well done Ela!

Latin Festival

Today was a holiday so we braved the weather and jumped on the ferry to Darling Harbour. It was day three of the Latin Festival and luckily for us the rain stopped and although there was a cold wind, the sun was out. The kids had a ball watching all the dancers and listening to toe tapping music from the various South American and Spanish regions as well as playing with equipment at the circus skills area. Ela impressed us all by hula hooping with 10 hoops at once! Our favourites were probably the Argentinian drummers dancers and whippers!

The 9 km Bridge Run

Well today was the big day - Alex and I had been training for the past 6 weeks since we completed the Bay run (7km) for our next big challenge, the Bridge run. An iconic Sydney event where runners start in North Sydney, run across the harbour bridge, across the Cahill expressway, down Macquarie st, out through the Botanical gradens to Mrs Macquarie's chair and back to the Opera House. We didn't think that another 2 kms was such a big thing, and we ran close to 9kms in our last few training runs.

However I hadn't factored in 30degree heat, a half hour wait to get started - standing in the blazing sunshine and not enough water stops enroute. That combined with hundreds of walkers and people pushing prams, meant that a nice steady jog was out of the question.

We first saw our support gang around the 4km mark and I honestly felt that soon after that I was ready to give up. Luckily I had Alex gently coaxing me along, but by the time we eventually crossed the finish line, I was totally 'over' running in all shapes and forms! It was gruelling and not at all enjoyable!

All the kids could do was ask where my medal was and if it came with a goody bag and then proceeded to argue over who was getting which. In the meantime I was swooning on the side of the road under the Opera House steps trying to get my breath and stop myself from vomiting!

Don't suspect I'll be trying that again in a hurry - although the best bit about it all was that I managed to raise $1500 for The Red Cross, my charity of choice. Thanks go to all my family and friends who supported me both financially and mentally.

A first excursion

Today Tom went on a rather grand excursion. He and 20 classmates from Gumnut Cottage took the train(!) into the city to visit the Dinosaur exhibition at the Australian Museum. Although there were 14 parent helpers, so a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children, I was extremely nervous about my baby going off like that. Drawn between wanting to protect him and wanting him to experience the adventure!
Anyhow pleased to say he returned in one piece and was full of excited tales of what he saw and what he did. Needless to say the minute we got in the car to go home he fell fast asleep and it took him a few days to recover from the exhaustion!

A trip to the park

Who would have guessed that a trip to the local park could turn into so much fun. Ela's schoolfriend Gabby who lives next to the park, arrived on her motorbike/buggy and gave the kids rides round and round the park.

Tom has been begging us for a motorbike of his own for longer than i can remember and so was in 7th heaven when he got on.

Father's Day Chess Challenge

Today Ela took part in a Sydney Academy of Chess - Primary School Challenge. We turned up to the sports centre at Sydney Olympic Park and found that the chess competition was part of the Education Expo that was on. 255 kids from grade k-6 were taking part. It was a 'Swiss' competition which (apparently) consists of 7 rounds, with all players playing 7 games, no one being 'knocked out'. Each game is timed (15 minutes) and they used timer clocks - that was a first for Ela but she soon picked it up.

We left her there at 9.30am and went back for lunch at 12.30. That was when our kids gave their fathers day gifts (as Mark had been out riding/training when they woke this morning), lovingly crafted and chosen and written, whilst we picnicked on sushi outside in the park. Then she returned to the competition and we picked her up at the end of the day (4pm). She came 149th overall which was an outstanding effort considering she had never been in a competition before, and that she knew no one there and that she played against grade 6 kids too. We are so very proud of her for having a go!

Tom's 4th Birthday

Today was Tom's party, and what a big day it was. He refused to go to Phizz kids in the morning because he was too busy playing with all his new toys. His main present was a skateboard and he's had us with our hearts in our mouth watching him try to get to grips with it.

All day he kept asking when people would be arriving. Luckily the jumping castle came early so that kept him quiet for a while! And also gave me a reprieve while I battled with icing his cake. I need to take lessons as i failed to get the consistency right for the yellow icing which i was trying to write his name on the blue with, and it ended up running off the cake like a snotty nose!

Finally the guest arrived at 2pm and we had a great party, with pass the parcel (though Ela was disgruntled at being the only one not to get something), musical statues (again Ela was miffed that she only came second), limbo, tattoos, fishing game, yes/no game and duck duck goose (Tom's favourite). I also made a marvelous Train shaped jelly (using one of those silicone moulds) and forgot to get it out of the fridge!

He scored some awesome presents including a cricket set, a soccer net and flippers to name a few, and the best was he got two identical Ben Ten on a motorbike figures which he has been thrilled with. Ours was bought as a last minute addition to add to the cake but then his friend also turned up with one much to Tom's delight.

Graduating to Dolphins

Today Ela graduated from Goldfish at swimming classes, to Dolphins. According to her certificate she can now:

• Torpedo
• swim 5m overarm
• back kick 5m unaided
• bubble and breathe

She was so excited to get her certificate. Her goal is to be able to swim 50m by the end of the year so that she can take part in the school swimming carnival. Go Ela!

Tupperware

I asked the kids yesterday if they would like to come to a party - of course they said yes. My friend from work, Marina was holding a Tuppaware party at her place. But this was no ordinary party  - as Tuppaware turns 50 years this month, we celebrated with a special cake, toasted with champagne and there were even party bags for the kids!

They were delighted, I spent a fortune and we ate too much cake. Great afternoon.

Socca Joeys

Today Tom had his first (long awaited) game of soccer. Dad took him to Homebush Boys high where they run SoccaJoeys, an indoor pre-school soccer program. Of course he wore his Liverpool kit, but came home sporting a new white footy jersey, a water bottle and new yellow sports bag. Apparently he was an ace at the dribbling but needs more work on the aiming and kicking. Won't be long before he's bending it like Beckam - or more preferably striking like Dalglish :)

                       

Aussie of the month

 
This month we had a proud parenting moment. Each month, Ela's school awards one child 'Aussie of the month'. May was Ela's turn to stand up and be applauded at the morning assembly under the cola. Lucky for us, our friend Alex snapped ela with her certificate and sent me a text. When she got home though we found they had spelled her name wrong so the certificate has been returned for amendment ;)
We asked why she got it and she didn't seem to have any idea. Maybe for acting like a true Aussie (I can't take credit for that then) or maybe for being a good all round citizen? The next week she came home with another award, this time we got a litte more explaination as it was written that it was specifically for 'using good build-ups to her peers during fitness'.

An Easter Egg Hunt

Well what a lot that Easter Bunny has to answer for. The kids have been super excited about his arrival but more so about the egg hunt that would follow with their cousin Sophie when she came for lunch. There was a lot of explaining to do when at 6pm the kids ran downstairs and returned crestfallen "that stupid bunny has left us eggs on the kitchen bench - he hasn't even hidden them!"
Some quick thinking from Mum - "they are from me and dad, the bunny has hidden your eggs in the garden". Ela - "but we can't see them" Mum - "that's because they are hidden". Disaster averted....

Besides chocolate, the kids were spoiled with gifts from the grandparents - some of which are yet to arrive from the UK even though they were sent in mid march! Squinkies, (the latest and greatest toy trend) were a hit as was a Denis the Menace water flask.

The Easter Show

Well we studied the weather forecast carefully and realised that unless we wanted to get wet, today was the pick of the weekend for visiting the show. I recon the rest of Sydney decided the same thing as it was absolutely chocker block. Anyhow we managed to make it through the day in one piece without losing anyone. The day didn't begin well as we realised our cunning plan to park at the local park and take in the free Showlink bus was foiled because we hadn't taken into account the restricted parking as it was Friday (3hrs). So we decide to pay the $20 parking fee and drive in, and although we had to sit in a lot of traffic, we knew the shortcuts and managed to park in a much closer place than the officials were trying to siphon us into.

We started off at the ABC roadshow where Wot Wots were doing a show which Tom loved. Ela got mildly hysterical when she thought we'd left her - when actually we had just moved over slightly into the shade! Then Bananas in Pyjamas came out to shake hands and Tom was in awe. Next stop we shuffled with the crowds to the nursery animal farmyards . Tom was not keen on this at all and insisted on being carried through the area because he didn't like walking on the sawdust! Ela loved feeding the baby goats and lambs but Tom wasn't interested, too busy searching for the exit It was too crowded to attempt any of the other  animal pavilions so we headed out to the Giant slide.

Then there was a lunchtime visit to the main arena to watch the Holden V6 utes doing synchronised driving - Tom loved it and asked if he could 'go on that ride next'. That was closely followed by Motox where these three motorcylers did mid air stunts for the crowds. Again Tom was enthralled and asked when he was going on that ride too?!

So we headed then to the rides area and queued a ridiculously long time for the water logs - it was about an hour wait for a ride that was over in less than 2 minutes. No matter the kids thought it was a blast and loved that they got wet! Tom loved the flying Elephants (too babyish said Ela) and Ela loved the flying swings. And they both (after some initial hesitation) appeared to really love the freefall ride.

I let them play one 'game' and they chose a monkey game where you had to put balls in the monkeys mouth. Anyhow Tom outshone Ela and came away with a bigger prize much to her chagrin.  

After ice creams and a visit to the woodchop stadium (which by all accounts was 'boring') whilst i braved the crowds and the queues for the show bags. I had decided to let them loose on the showbag list from the newspaper a week earlier and they had poured over them daily scrutinising every bag and its contents. Tom had settled on the Ben10 (which is amazing as he has never even seen the cartoon) and Ela on the Littlest Pet Shop (LPS). Well wouldn't you know it when i finally got into the hall the only bag that was not there (big SOLD OUT signs all over it) was the LPS. I called Mark to ask her for a second choice but then was greeted with floods of tears - she couldn't possibly chose a second as her heart was already set on LPS! Anyhow we decide to take a risk and see if any of the side stalls near the exit had them left and (thank goodness) the very last stall near the gate had them. Disaster averted and a great day was had by all. Oh and we were so relieved that the car was so close and that we didn't have to brave the bus so after all the $20 parking fee was more than worth it.

Uncle Stevie

This week Big Uncle Stevie has been visiting from Dubai. He spoiled the kids rotten with presents and time. Tom scored and extra large toolkit and Ela an inflatable, motorised aqua scooter (which has been the object of many a fight since).
It was also his birthday so he was spoiled back by all his seven nieces and nephews who sang happy birthday and helped him demolish this lovely large cupcake.

Husky '11

This weekend we went to Huskinson down at Jervis Bay for Mark's first Iron Man Competition. It was a half ironman, 2km swim, 90km ride and 21km run.
We stayed at the local caravan park and the kids had a ball, fighting over the bunk beds and sleeping bags. Especially Tom who made a new friend called Oli (whose dad was also competing), as were the majority of residents in the park, in one of the races over the weekend.
As usual we were briefed with our planned location(s) and bottles of Goo to hand over. We intended to see him once on the bike leg and twice during the run, then to be at the finish line.





Mark was up at the crack of dawn to do whatever he does before the race begins and was back at the van around 6.30am. I had intended to get the kids up, breakfasted and watch the start as Mark jumped into the ocean but we didn't quite manage it. I pretended i could see his head bobbing in the water from the cliffside walk from the park but in fact it took all my energy to get two tired kids and their scooters into position to see him whizz by in 2 seconds on the bike.
After that we attempted to relax at the beach but in actual fact there was a lot of waiting around by the running track. We were able to hand over the goo and do a couple of 'high fives' before making another mad dash to the finish line when, due to the crowds, we heard him (be announced) cross rather than saw him! He was shattered but euphoric and didn't stop smiling for at least three days! I don't doubt we'll be back again next year.

Cockatoo Island

This weekend we went for a camping trip to Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour! 

Cockatoo Island is a former imperial prison, industrial school, reformatory and gaol. It is also the site of one of Australia's biggest shipyards during the twentieth century.  

We took the ferry with six other families (14 adults and 15 kids) to the island where the tents were waiting, complete with inflatable mattresses. Once Ela got over the fact that she wasn't allowed to take books or toys she actually had a ball. The dads took all the kids on an adventure tour of the island, through tunnels and old warehouses and finally a swim from the causeway in the harbour! Meanwhile the mums sat around sipping bubbly and enjoying the view!
There was a kids BBQ followed by impromtu games, then the adults BBQ. The kids were in bed by 9.30 and the adults sat around the esky (no fires allowed) being social. Our lot slept quite well - actually we were last up!

We had to load the kids back on the ferry very reluctantly but with a promise we would come back again soon.

SRC

This week Ela was voted in as class SRC rep. (Student Representative Council). We are not quite sure how that happened (when I tried to ask I got my head bitten off) or what it means but Jubilation turned to sorrow a few days later when Ela found out the SRC meetings were scheduled at the same time as the junior choir (which she has also joined).
I tried to explain about life and choices yadayada but she was having non of it and couldn't chose which she would rather attend. So we wrote a letter asking for the times to be changed and they have been.
Very proud of her, as she is of herself - particularly as she gets to wear a special badge on her uniform. She seems to think it means people can tell her in the playground if they want an iceblock....

Back to School

Today Tom started at the local Pre-School (Cabarita-Mortlake Kindy) which was a much anticipated event. The bag was packed, shoes on and waiting at the door at 7.30am! When he arrived, Ela stole the show a little as all the old teachers recognised her and were asking how she was doing at school. Not to be outshone however, Tom was on the ball will all the routine - putting his lunch in the fridge, towel on the peg, bag in the locker. Then he exclaimed "You forgot my sheets mummy". And I had to explain that they were provided at this place (unlike at Gumnut where we take our own). He was straight out onto the play equipment and waving me farewell without a backward glance! Phew, easy!


We just made it for the bell at 9.25 at Ela's school, and the headmistress announced to the over excited kids that they would go straight to the hall to hear about their new classes and teacher. I made one of the mums promise to text me the gossip as they all hung around and I ran off to work.

Unfortunately Ela has been separated from her two best buddies, Celina and Mykala, but I don't doubt it will be long before she has a new best mate. She will be down the 'big end' of the school, in the new multi purpose room (that was newly converted from the old hall). And she seemed highly pleased about that. She wasn't able to tell us the teacher's name, but it sounded something like Miss Allow?

And after school it was Gelato all around as is the custom on first day backs, scuffed shoes and smiles too as we all cooled off from a very hot and sweaty day.

Australia Day

Another glorious sunny day in Sydney, perfect for celebrating Australia day by the pool with family and friends. This year we had about 24 adults and 18 kids. Our Tom had a ball, throwing himself in with his rubber ring on and asking 'Glenny' and 'Chrissy' to throw him up in the air. Ela too hardly left the pool for about 5 hrs, pausing only to grab a sausage off the barbie before diving in again. There were LOTS of empty bottles at the end of the day and plenty of weary kids that night by all accounts.

Mark the superhero managed to fit in a 2.5km harbour swim before the party. He and Chris did the Opera House swim in the morning then raced home to put the sausages on the barby by midday just in time for the guests to arrive!

Garage Sale

Well I knew it wasn't great timing, but I decided after having spent a whole week off, cleaning out all of the rooms of old clothes and toys, that we would have a garage sale at the weekend. The weather was touch and go and I only made the final decision to go ahead late on Friday night. So early Saturday morning I drove around al the local streets tying up notices (made by Ela and her friend Izzy) with balloons on roundabouts and at junctions. We set out everything on the driveway and the lawn and waited the rush of customers.

Alas all the big spenders must still have been on holidays for they came not in their droves but in a trickle. Only two visitors in fact! And to make matters worse Tom was wandering around pouncing on each item shouting "that's mine" and holding onto it for dear life. Maybe I need to try again a) when there are more people around and b) when the kids are away for the weekend!!

Its funny that in my mind I had SO MUCH stuff but in reality when we laid it all out, it wasn't really that much at all. In fact it looked rather sparse - as I imagine were the thoughts of the few drive-by visitors we had!