Bronte's first fish!

I cast it, but then handed the rod to Bronte and she did the rest! I advised a slow wind in, and then she hooked her Brim and reeled it in. Very exciting. Zach then caught a flathead: something I didn't achieve until last year.

Late afternoon at the beach

Happy birthday Nanna!

It was a bit of a tough run up to the birthday this year, but it was celebrated in style on a beautiful autumn day. 

Comet and Fudge got to celebrate at the party too

And after the lunch - some relaxing was in order

Will is 5!

I like in this one how Zach is front and centre next the cake.

A visit to Perth

I had a brief work trip to Perth this week. With the timezone difference, it meant that I was up an bike riding early in the morning. This is looking out from the University of WA campus towards the city: not a bad view!

Chester visit

Chester is a Racoon who was scared of school so his mum gave him a kiss on the hand so that he would always carry her love, even if she wasn't there. Every day, a different kid in the prep class gets to take Chester home. You take a photo of what Chester got up to while he was with you to then add to the book. The child then tells the class the next day what they did. Bronte was lucky to be near the end of the class to have Chester as it meant we got to read all the very cute stories. With us, Chester got to visit the Chase household out at Stanford and go on the flying fox.

On the job

Hunting that pesky cat

The cat is hiding on every page, but it takes some keen eyes to find it. This book is a must read with Nanna.

Nearly 5

Bronte has always taken care of Zach, but lately she is also teaching me how to be a better parent by showing how patience and kindness is the best way to respond to whinging and screaming. She is getting more confident in her reading (level 1), and her bike riding skills have improved dramatically.

Home

A very happy brother seeing his big sister in her fancy Melbourne outfit and boots.

Just hanging out

A quick trip to the farm

Tony tested the new car on the highway with an afternoon trip down the farm. Nothing quite like it. 

The melbourne crew at the park

The morning after the party

Z & N

Zach loves his one-on-one time with Nanna on Mondays. They have their books, water the plants, and pat Oscar the cat, in between cups of tea and sweet treats. 

A special 5th birthday party

I hadn't been to visit my Melbourne work colleagues for a long time, so we took advantage of school holidays and Bronte and I headed down. In a stroke of good timing we were able to go to Ava's 5th birthday "disco" party - check out those jelly oranges! With all of Ava'a Melbourne friends there, there wasn't much opportunity to re-connect, but they did have a quiet look at each other at one point implying "hey, we have 4 days together - it is going to be awesome to play together again". 

BMX bandit

Bronte after conquering the local BMX track. She rocks.

Doing exercises with Nanna

Nanna is doing very well after her hip operation - helped by her assistant physiotherapist.