Walking to Regionals

It was a grey and drizzly day when we showed up for Ela to compete in the Sydney regional Finals at Sylvania Waters. The grounds were pretty basic but that didn't stop the kids from having a great time.

Grandad came down to cheer Ela on in the 700m walk which was good because he was able to keep his eye on Tom - hiding under the umbrella! I had to volunteer on the stopwatch (backup timer) which I recon was more gruelling than the races themselves lol. But it did give me a birdseye view of my gorgeous girl giving it her all (as always).

Tom didn't appear much from out under the umbrella but her seemed to have a great time and was wearing his athletics uniform in support of his club.

Ela did fantastic - came in 5th place close behind her friend Maisie from Balmain. Though her good friend Bronte got disqualified for incorrect walk style. Great work Ela.

Husky Holiday

Spent two wonderful weeks relaxing at Huskisson on Jervis Bay. Highlights included our dolphin boat ride - where kids got to go boom netting with dolphins and we got to see all the beautiful beaches of the national park and surrounds from the ocean, and of course lots of dolphins.


















Then there was my early morning kayak trip round the coast towards town with one kid on either end and the dolphins coming close up.

A few day trips to our favourite Murray beach, once with Grandad for some beach cricket and snorkeling over the side of the inflatable boat and hanging in the hammock.



















The bakery coffee was another highlight of the holiday as was the final night of the churchies (or SUFM) where they held the H-factor and Ela won 1st place by doing her rolling on a river dance.


Tom's bike riding was something not to be forgotten as were the multitude of bruises scratches and scrapes and the whole box of band-aids we went through. The first night he was so shattered from riding his bike that he fell asleep with his helmet on. We also loved our family night at the movies to see Disney's Frozen and dinner out at StoneGrill cooking our steaks on the volcanic heated slab. For the kids there was also the crazy golf (put-put) and carnival rides with Grandad. Having him join us half way through the holiday was great and thanks to Nanie and Grandad in cronulla for bringing him down and for dogsitting whilst he was with us.

 

And of course there were low lights too. The Shark sightings made swimming in the bay a PITA. In fact the kids probably only ventured once into the creek and once into the boat after we were told they were around. My paddle board experience was also crap - too windy for the bay and too shallow for the creek. Spent most of the 2 hours pulling it back against the tide or dragging the kids around for a joyride! And depending on who you ask, Mark's 5 hour round trip back to sydney for his bike turbo could be viewed as a low or highlight! All in all though a wonderful holiday and we have booked again for next year!

New Years Resolution

Well a whole year and more has gone without a post from us. 2014 will be different. Concerted effort to record our adventures for posterity. Here is the first - a great NY celebration starting with the carnival run by SUFM. Henna tatoos and inflatable football pitch followed by dinner at the Husky pub with our great friends Alex, Chris, Tom and Isobella.