HALLOWEEN - HALLOWTEEN

Robbies first Halloween disco saw him transform into a smiling Grim Reaper. As much as we can't understand the purpose of Halloween or able to explain 'WHY' to our youngest child, we dressed him up and painted him so that if the mask we bought got too hot, he would still look deadly. He loves a good dress up and was vying for best dressed male. Which he won........It's all in the detail! All the credit needs to go to Rob who designed the costume, found and purchased it all without my help, searched the Coast for the right sort of skeleton gloves, found face paint at a $2 shop, bought long black socks and polished up his shoes. His house wife training is almost complete. The Skinny Smiling Reaper who danced all night! That face: Definitely worth painting, he won the $50 best dressed male prize. Which will immediately turn into chocolates and lollies no doubt. Happy Halloweening, although I don't know why!

1ST TIME CAMPERS!

Very Exciting - Very New - Very 1st Time!

Camping!!!!!

We stayed over at Grandmas house last weekend and enjoyed sleeping in a tent in their back yard. It was very much an under the stars moment, with an open tent filled with stories and torches and sleeping trouble. Our best of thanks to Uncle John who supported the whole ordeal and made it a memorable occasion for my outback starved boys. The only thing missing was actual outback. But we did take back packs - I hope that counts.

Robbie put the tent up with Uncle John.

While Rocci zipped up his sleeping bag refusing to use it. All he needs is a dog and a blankey....apparently.Scary stories were not on the agenda, but plenty of anticipation of strange bodily function sounds filled the air.

And after an exhausting night of games and sleep deprivation and an unusually intimate relationship with his iphone, Uncle John was all snoring and drool well into the morning. Robbie woke up with the sparrows, but Rocci kept needing reassurance during the night, so he stayed in drooling over his pillow later than John.

FAMILY TIME!

Rocci has developed a passion for cooking now that Dad has taken over the family cooking at home. He makes cakes and pizza's and helps prepare food for Dad to cook.

I have a lucky streak and I tend to win most board games, and yet they still like to play with me. Yesterday I was struck with a dilemma during a game of Uno with Roc - should I play the card I had and win 5 games straight? Or should I just 'pick up'? We don't "LET" the kids win after 5 years old and he is 6 now! Hmmmm.....I paused........then I picked up. :) Not so with this game of Monopoly though. Last night we spontaneously went out to our little Italian Restaurant for dinner. It is right next door to the vacant building I would like to start my new business in. This will come in very handy. Hello Garlic Breath in the morning.........

Mr Independent!

During the holidays Robbie went to Brisbane on his own to stay with Grandma and Grandpa. He enjoyed spending time there and he is fortunate to have a Grandpa who shares a similar passion. Anyone who know Robbie would know that the only thing he wants to be - Is an Astronaut. All of his school studies are aimed towards this goal, the books he reads, and his hobbies - all point to Astronautiness. While he was staying they went out star gazing together and discussing the stars and different formations. What a treat. Grandma took him to the set of the new Narnia movie - Fantasy books - another clear winner.

Then he came home by train, on his own, for the first time, without his mummy. I was so excited to see him safe and well, and his excitement at this new form of transport made him feel very grown up. I know other kids use public transport all the time, but we don't have a very good network up here, so our kids get driven everywhere. I tell them they're lucky to have our chauffeur services, but I think he would say otherwise now, after his experience.

When he came home all we did for him was send him off to tennis camp. Nothing compared to be an only grandchild. He had a great time and progressed well with this intensive training. Even when he didn't win any fixtures, he still enjoyed the experience. He just likes to play. Though I could have suggested sunscreen 30+. Will revise the Neglectful Parenting Handbook.

ARMY MEN SAIL AROUND THE WORLD!

Over the weekend I was most impressed with the boys ingenuity in making sailboats out of palm fronds. They came up with the idea without any prompting from us and sailed their little army men over the water. It was such a delight for Rob and I, as usually their activities are planned out with all the materials provided.

Robbie tried to blow his ship across the waves with a noodle. And it takes off - perfectly balanced with the wind in its sails. They tried all different shapes and sizes, some worked, some didn't.

Hair * Hair * Hair

Rocci's hair was looking like this:

So we made the executive decision to go for hair cuts. But this time we all enjoyed a trip to the hair dressers. Normally we each have appointments separately when needed, and we all go somewhere different, but this time.......we went together! It was a lovely bonding experience.

(NEWS FLASH - Rocci can't sit still.)