A trip on the bus

On Bronte's request we ventured onto the bus to southbank and for the second time in a row, the bus was non-pram friendly (i.e. a big pole in the door). At least the bus driver helped me get on this time. Unbeknownst to us the "out of the box" festival was on - a huge kids festival - so there were school kids EVERYWHERE. We visited the dinosaurs again before watching a dry-land water ski show. For the first time, Bronte was really into the show (rather than just watching at the very back). Time to embrace the festival scene. Triceratops by Bronte I like how you can see Zach's dimples in this one.

16 months - the whole next phase

Four new teeth (top and bottom molars) and a whole lot of attitude have just started to emerge. Looking back at Bronte's 16-month description, her and Zach are going along parallel paths. i.e. the tantrums have started, the bossiness, and the deliberate naughtiness - all wrapped up in a whole lot of charm. He can jump and run, and practices climbing over everything and swinging off it. He has a few words (spider, digger, ball, book, bubble and baby are some), but he is very into the sign language, repeatedly signing "more / milk / finished / down / up". He loves it when we understand him - though when a boy goes to the cupboard, gets a cup, goes and opens the fridge, tries to lift up the milk, does the sign for milk, and finishes off with a "uugh!" - it is really not that difficult to get what he wants. I get the feeling he is ruling the roost a school - he squirms his way into most action photos, particularly if they involve the sand pit.

Hitching a ride

Looking for a way out of this joint.

4.1

Despite a recent week of regressive behaviour, this month has generally seen a big jump in maturity levels - a bit of "yep, I am four now, I can't act like a baby three year old". She has mastered her new bike, including braking a turning, she can read basic sentences in her reading eggs (e.g. I am a cat), and she is now allowed to hang out on the top bunk - the "zach free" space. She still sneaks into our bed at about midnight each night, but she is getting away with it in the cold.

Cooking with the heart

Bronte received some awesome cooking implements for her birthday from her Aunties. We made some lemon shortbread with the heart and butterflies cutters - things definitely taste better when they are shapes like a heart (or butterfly).

In between drops

The Poon-Ryans joined us for the wet coast weekend. Although the skies were grey, we still had a great time, with glitter art, scootering and bikes, and four kids hitting the disco dance floor very hard.

Grey skies

Grey skies and a very quiet Noosa

Nanna and Z

Crusin'

After a weekend of rain we were desperate to get out of the house, so we headed for a city cat ride to Southbank. Zach did come - he just was not very impressed at the ferry situation (and hence the stop at Southbank rather than the intended New Farm). It was half an hour of power at Southbank, with a playground play, market trip, and the essential chocolate ice-cream before the city cat home again.

Super fast

With toes poking out of sandals, it was time for shoe shopping. After three hours of frustration, we found the perfect, super fast shoes at our local shop. Bronte has been running around the house and up and down the street since she put them on.