The 4 year celebration

The cake was picked out about 6 months ago - the Dolly Varden cake in the Women's Weekly. This involved the investment of a cake tin, as well as some careful cake planning by the cousins and Bronte. One of Bronte's birthday requests was a sleepover by the cousins - and they were invaluable in cake design and pass the parcel tasks and wrapping.

The cake! A winner in pink and purple with blue and silver beading and marshmallow flowers. The photos don't really capture how good it looked in my memory. Very much a winner all round.

The cake designers and decorators.

A necessary ingredient

A birthday cannot be celebrated without the involvement of a best friend. Zoe came over for a present delivery and a play.

4 years old!

Wow - 4 years old. What a huge and wonderful year. The combination of good conversation, rapid advancement in motor skills, and unconditional love makes for an absolutely delightful age. In terms of this month, Bronte has started to rhyme (like all the time), and has also started to do reading eggs (an educational tool on the computer). We have been playing more games, such as snap and memory, and she has been spending more "chillax" (chill out and relax) time in her room - somewhat necessary with a brother around.

Fete fun

I am not sure Bronte believed that we put the Ashgrove fete on just for her birthday, but it was worth a try. We snagged a winner in the toy section with a bob the builder workbench and tool kit. However, the relish had a bit too much onion and the flower stall was out of flowers way too early on.

Wedding weekend

Our lovely friend KB got married on the Friday, reception on the Saturday, and we joined in the celebrations at the park on the Sunday. Glorious weather, and a lovely afternoon with frisbee offspring everywhere.

Super cute

Out at the lake

Thirty minutes north of our house is a secret lake - only available to those with a key. Fortunately, our friends have that key, and we spent an AMAZING day kayaking, windsurfing and just general lazing.

Two leaps forward

Over night, every night, Zach seems to advance in leaps and bounds. Sometimes quite literally. He is now up to climbing up slides, and sliding down on his bottom. Doesn't sound like much - but it is a big advance from backwards / sideways / face-first / crashing / crashing then headfirst / and so on...

Dusk racing

Bronte's bike riding has now progressed onto bike paths - so much so her and Tadhg had a disturbingly fast race - disturbing as braking is still not really accomplished yet. Zach was urging his father to at least try and catch up.

The wonder of turf

We have been working hard on the outside area, digging up the old paved pathway and laying some new grass. It is amazing what a bit of green can do - I think even better value than painting to make a quick difference.