Photo with Santa

Busy weekend

On Friday night Madison had her first ballet concert. It was in a proper theatre with a huge stage, lights, curtain and expensive tickets! She was wonderful, performed her 2 minutes beautifully and had a great time. (And yes, that is eyeliner, mascara, lipstick and lots and lots of hairspray!)

On Saturday morning it was Sam's turn. His first proper birthday party. His best friend, Arnav, was turning four and was having a super hero party. Sam went as Spiderman with Mickey Mouse and Rudolph the Reindeer for support (and Jane and Madison too). It took him awhile to warm up and join in but thought the real-live Batman was hilarious. And of course by the time the party was over Sam was just settling in.

In the afternoon we decorated the Christmas Tree.

Another first ... Madison headed around the corner to a friend's place for her first sleepover. With this heat I don't think she'll be needing the sleeping bag!

Last weekend

Madison has been studying Baha'i in scripture this year and we thought it would be fun to visit the Baha'i Temple. It was their children's day with lots of food, face painting and craft. But it was really hot so we headed home to ....


get cool.

Dancing...

Dubbo Zoo

We travelled around Dubbo Zoo on bikes with a trailer each for Madison and Sam. It was a perfect way to travel - easy for the kids plus exciting and something new, exercise for Mum and Dad and easy access to seeing the animals.

Meerkat - very cute and entertaining, we watched them for a long time.

This was on the side of the road on the way to Dubbo. Between Molong and Yeoval we came across the Animals on Bikes. 100 sculptures of animals ... on bikes! Some were really well done and they kept us all entertained for a good stretch of the trip.

Siamangs - these guys put on a great show for us.

Galapagos Turtle - maybe not the fastest way to get around the zoo!

Which way Sam?

Sam

Orange

That's Mad

Really low light for this shot, had to get the jumping jack to sit dead still, 8pm and really nice highlights on her hair. Love new camera, looking forward to my Christmas lens.

Road Trip

This is a map of our road trip through the Central West back in October. First stop was Oberon.

Charlotta Arch at Jenolan Caves.

Tim and Madison inside the caves on the Diamond Tour.

On a very cold and windy Oberon Dam.

Flying Fox and Mouse House at a fantastic park in Oberon.

We were very excited to see this platypus so close up while walking around the Blue Lake near Jenolan Caves. He is scratching his back in this photo.

Toucan and Ellie

Gran brought these great masks back from her recent trip to England.

Narrow depth of field

Water Dragon

Saw this beautiful dragon at Clontarf when I went for a walk on the Spit to Manly track.

Cooking with Sam

New Blog

Hello,
I have started a new blog called Australian Birds. As some of you know I have recently bought a new camera (Nikon d5100) and have been on a trip to the central west. So I took 1000 photos, mostly of animals and have always liked the feathered kind so thought rather than just taking photos and leaving them on a computer I would release them into the wild. Please let me know what you think of the layout, info or lack there of, photos (some are a bit blurry as I don't have autofocus, but that will soon be rectified) and whatever else you think might be helpful. Here is one of my favourites, go to the blog to find out what sort of bird it is.

Trip to the park

Madison with jellyfish and cat

Getting back to nature

A few weeks ago we headed north to Muogamarra Nature Reserve with our friend Ashleigh. It is only open to the public six weekends a year around spring time. As you can see it was a gorgeous day. 

They had a kids table full of colouring in pages, activity books and samples of things found in the bush.

A whip snake which crossed the path right in front of us.

Looking out across the Hawkesbury River.

Testing new camera

Last Saturday

Madison went to a dance class run by the new Yellow Wiggle. They learnt all the obvious moves and the Yellow Wiggle (a girl) said she liked Madison's black sequined outfit!



















Afterwards we went to the local school's fair for face painting, fairy floss, mini golf and pony rides. It was quite cold and windy (hence the tracksuit pants doubling as a scarf).
Just as we were heading off to walk home it poured and we raced to the nearest cafe for milkshakes and banana bread. Nice end to a fun day.

Where's the treasure, me hearties?!

We have a captain, a matie, swords, flag, pirate ship and treasure map. Off to find their fortune!

Thank you!

Thanks everyone who has sponsored me for the Jump Rope for Heart! Here are a couple of pictures of me practising on my way to school. Lots of love, Madison.

Congratulations Madison!