Weekend in Canberra

Last weekend we made the (now familiar) journey up the Hume to Canberra.  We left on Friday, and came home on Sunday, but managed to see LOADs of people.

Justin's best man, Ash had his 40th at a restaurant for lunch on the Saturday.  It was a great meal, good to catch up with people we haven't seen in a while and lovely to see Ash again.  As you can see by the smiles, it was a happy occassion:

And Ash looked after the boys by letting them help open his presents:

On the same weekend, Justin's siblings were all in town to visit Missy's family.  It was great to see everyone again, and of course the kids were thrilled to see their NSW cousins again:

We stayed with John in his new house.  A really interesting place which has been designed to work with the environment.  Canberra has had one of its coldest winters in decades with weeks of overnight lows of minus 6, and John's house doesn't have heating, yet it was lovely inside, not cold at all.  Amazing to see what a good design can do in such a cold environment.

The kids had a great time at 'Pop's' place.  They found all the best running lanes, ran around the garden, went for an early morning run with Pop and saw kangaroos, and got to muck about playing with his glasses! (No, Jack hasn't developed eye problems...)

All this, AND I managed to pop in and visit my school friend Kate. 

Well worth the visit!!

Cooper writes his name!!

Today Cooper wrote his name for the first time.  He has put it up on his wall (see his name in blue).

Well done, Coops. 

Lachlan's Birthday Purchases

While we were away, all three boys had their birthdays and my Mum and Dad (very wisely) decided that the caravan wasn't the best place for all of their birthday presents.  So after we arrived home, Dad took both Jack and Cooper on birthday outings to let them choose their birthday gifts.  Both chose lego and other toys which they absolutely love. 

Lachlan was a bit little to go choosing his own gifts so that has been left in my jurisdiction.  We have just finished his purchases which he seems quite pleased with, first is a 3 wheeler 'Thomas' scooter with a 'Lighning McQueen' helmet (which is nearly as big as he is, hilarious!):

And finally today we bought a Lighning McQueen playdoh set and two puzzles:

Both indoor and outdoor activities covered.  Thanks Grannie and Pa!!

Auskick

Jack has finally reached the age when he can go to Auskick, and then we take him away travelling for the first 3 months of it ... Whoops!  He has made it back in time for the last 3 weeks so he has been getting a taste of it.  Here he is with his mate from school (another Jack!):

Cooper and Lachlan watch on in true brotherly spirit...

Jack's School Occassions.

OK, so it has been a while since my last posting so prepare to be blasted with a few in a row!

A week after school started, Jack was voted as Junior School Council representative for his class.  We were fairly impressed with this, given that it is a vote by the class and he hadn't been there for the entire previous term!

Here he is with his JSC badge:

He then got 'Aussie of the Week' from his teacher to welcome him back to school.  It was really nice for him, and he LOVES school.

And shortly after that was the '100 Days of School' celebrations.  Jack had to go to school dressed as 'something to do with the number 100', so we decided on a Centurion.  He was pretty pumped about his outfit too (he is doing his best 'soldier' expression):