Creek play at the Chase homestead

Today we had lunch with the Chase family house, out the back of Samford. They have a creek through their front yard! Bronte had a great time - in the creek, down the flying fox, on the trampoline...

Just a cute one

Maintaining interest

For a boy who loves being held, a baby bjorn is a necessary accessory. Zach normally likes to face the world and check out what is going on, but it all got a bit too much today.

Flower power

Bronte in her birthday clothes from Grandma

Chuckles

Zach started laughing today - it is very cute. At the moment, Bronte tickling him under the chin and mum playing peek-a-boo a the main triggers.

Hello world!

Zach decided to lift his head up and have a look around!

Tower of concentration

Building bridges at GOMA

Funny face

Find the bunny, eat the bunny

Photo quality

We have now got an iPad - which is great - and easy to upload photos from while someone is cuddled. But - the photo quality is not as high. So, to keep on track, the blog will be updated in the easiest way possble, and backdated with higher quality photos when we get a chance.

Farewells

The Swedish crew flew back home tonight. We are already missing them - but it was lovely to get to know Xavier a little better. Bronte and X were instant friends, culminating in the word "bronte" (onte) making Xavier's first 10 words list!

New farm park playing

Plenty of grins as we spent a lovely afternoon in the park

Bath with X

Final item on the good Friday agenda was a visit to Nanna's where Bronte and Xavier had a very long, and very funny (judging by the giggles) bath together.

South bank

Next on the good Friday agenda was south bank.

Sunscreen - something a Swedish boy hasn't needed much of!


Then play at the newly reopened water park - we have missed it (it got destroyed in the Jan floods)

JC Slaughter

Good Friday was a busy day, starting with breakfast at the falls with the Smiths




With GNX later showing up

Toys and monkeys

Zachary has started showing an interest in toys - particularly monkey, which he holds onto with a fierce grip.


On the playmat, on top of the trampoline on the deck is a favorite hang-out

A pun

Bronte made her first pun - recreated here. While building a tower with grandad, she put the blocks up to her ears and said "I'm blocking my ears!"

Torres

Bronte has quite a skill in building towers - and it is one of her favourite things to do with grandad. thanks heaps for the interesting blocks Mel :-)

Water play

The way to a Swedish boy's heart - outside + hose


Uncle Gerry seems to like this nephew of his

Couple of dags

Some late afternoon street riding with Will

Healy celebrations

The next was the combined grandad / bronte celebration. Grandma had made a delicious ice-cream cake - again from women's weekly. In a first, we pretty much ran out of food as the kids' eating exceeded all expectations.

Ross family catch up

Today was a chance for everyone to catch up with the Swedish crew, as well as celebrate Nanna's birthday. The birthday month also started for Bronte - as not every one can be invited to the Bronte's actual party.

Brone undressed to do some of her birthday-present painting


The butterfly birthday cake - chosen from the women's weekly vintage edition - a classic.

Some of the super cute moments with cousin X

Big grins

Hanging out at Nanna's

Lone pine with xzb

Such a fun and easy thing to do

2 months

2 months already! Zachary has discovered his hands this month, and is quite interested in seeing if he can fit a whole fist in his mouth. He has chuckled 4 times - though all in his sleep so far. He is an excellent communicator already and protests loudly when you do not do what he wants. How is he going to be as a 2 year old?

Morning tramp

Zach loves lying on the trampoline, kicking out and looking at the trees

2 years, 11 months

In her last month of being a two-year old, Bronte has been trying her hardest to be a "terrible two" - screaming when Zach is asleep, as well as given him a push or two, as well as perfecting the whine. The extent to which this is attention seeking for the new brother, or just because she is nearly 3, is undetermined... But, on the plus side, her creative side is really starting to blossom. She often makes up songs and/or different words to songs, and has been doing lots of craft. She also is in undies now during the day, and takes herself off to the toilet without an issue.

Sprawled

Chillin' out on Aunty Nuni

Bubbles

Xavier nailed the bubble-blowing first go. Second and third efforts, he thought he would eat the bubble-wand. Fourth go, the bubble mixture was tipped out. But first go - wow!

More tickles

Bronte loves tickles - here Grace generates some uncontrollable giggles

Too bright