However, what amazes me is that at every assessment they have been identical on every measure and today was no different. They both weigh 17kg and Ruby pips Poppy by only 0.5cm on height at 99cm. I know that statement seems crazy given that we believe them to be identical twins BUT we were told through pregnancy and post birth that they were fraternal. We’ll never, and feel no need to, know for sure but for some reason I keep expecting a difference in them, probably driven by the stark differences in their personalities!

The main thing is that we have 2 happy, heathy little girls!

K

Talking to her on Skype we see a little girl firmly in control of those around her, through no fault of hers or theirs, refusing to do things and speaking to adults in a way she has not been raised to do. Then I realised telling her off through the camera has zero impact. Further thought reminds me she is only 6, away from her parents and although it’s ‘home’ for us it’s not for her. She’s being the best she can be and I’m happy when she tells me that she’s having fun.

She arrives back into Melbourne in the early hours of Saturday to 3 adoring siblings that have missed her a lot.

K

I have some exciting news to report – Ella arrived safely in Scotland with her Auntie Mhairi to spend the Easter holidays with her grandparents.  She has been so excited about her ‘big trip’ and I’m amazed that the secret was kept.  As departure day drew closer I was nervous during our skype chats that someone would let the cat out of the bag but no – mum & dad got a huge surprise when they went to pick up Mhairi from the airport.  Alan’s parents got an equally big surprise when they went to pick up a ‘parcel’ we’d given Mhairi for them and then were greeted by Ella at the door!

I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane…..

The ‘surprise’:

Hanging Out with her Cousins – Elliot & Lennox

Lost Another Tooth in Scotland

Fun in the Park with Grandma & Grandad

I really wish I could be with them but its not to be for now.  Charlie is missing his big sister and while Ruby & Poppy ask for her, they don’t have the same concept of time as to how long she is away.  I’m delighted for her to spend time with the family but in the back of my mind my focus is April 14th when I get to give her a big hug again!

K

The little ones loved the rides, slightly bigger ones the water walking balls and the biggest one (Alan of course) had fun fishing off the pier.

Mix that with bumping into lots of friends, picking up free bobble drink bottles simply by liking their facebook page and winning a fishing rod in the prize draw (well done Ella), no bad for a morning’s work!

Even back home we listened to the music all afternoon – fun times!

K

Ready to Go

On the Way

Happy Girls

K

We spent hours on the beach with the Dad’s engineering a swimming pool for the kids, (because clearly the ocean a few metres away was not enough).  We were close to 7 hours that first day and the kids would happily have stayed longer in the same spot doing pretty much the same thing for way longer if we’d let them.

The freedom they have on a camping holiday is fantastic.  Making new friends, scooting laps of the camp site, learning to negotiate the skate park, visiting the games/tv room and ducking past the tent whenever they needed a snack or a drink and everyone looking out for each other.  Here are some photos.

That’s a Whole Lot of Kids!!

Their Very Own Swimming Pool!

Dinner Time

AJ and Ella scooting

Ruby & Aiden having a chat

Go Kart Fun

Play Park

Kids Doing the Dishes (shame we only learnt their enthusiasm for this on the last night!)

Hanging Out  L to R – Poppy, Jake, Frankie, Kaleb and Charlie

Ruby & Poppy asleep in the tent

Mums Together L-R Marie, Shannon, Andrea, Danielle (sorry its the only one on my camera) and me

We arrived home late this afternoon and yes it’s a pain to unpack, load all the laundry and scrub everyone clean but will we do it again?  Of course….when is the next holiday weekend?

K

I seem to always forget the volume of noise that comes out of groups of boys together…..then I remember how lots of my close friends feel every day!!  They ran everywhere and I’m sure none of them heard any of my requests but that was all part of their fun.  They all loved the tram ride and in particular putting their own ticket into the machine and squabbling for who could press the bell (I think they requested every stop).

Next challenge, what did they want to eat.  Eventually we settled on ice-cream and popcorn for all.  The movie, The Muppets, was a little slow to start for us adults but the kids didn’t seem to notice.  Charlie has been singing along to the songs these past few days.

Posing after the movie

The tram ride home was equally as boisterous and back home they all had fun on the trampoline and playing with water guns.  We had one tired but very happy Charlie that night, as he fell asleep during dinner!

K

Auntie Maz looked after everyone today as I had to work but we’re taking a couple of his closest buddies to the movies on Friday.  He’s very excited for that!

The birthday boy

Time for cake

What a mess

K

In all there were 9 adults and 13 kids, brave you may think but for us it worked well.  Everything we had forgotten was covered by someone else and vice versa.  Between us we had a great set up!

My only complaint….the torrential rain we had to pack up in but I guess that makes for a hardy camper!!

A stop off on route

All the boys (minus Frankie)

Ruby taking a nap in Zach’s pram

This couldn’t have been comfortable but she did fall asleep….

Beer for the girls!

Friends together!

Charlie & Jake at the Skate Park

Ruby hitching a lift

Alan’s turn to cook

Breakfast

Our campsite

Navigating after dusk

Boys looking for Wally!

Fun in the river

Marshmallows by the campfire and an introduction to s’mores by our American friends

K

I then took him to lunch and we sat outside on the balcony on our level and Charlie counting the many cranes at work in Docklands. We then had a wander around in the sun.

The afternoon session involved more art & craft then an excursion to the park where they played cricket and other ball games. He had so much fun that as soon as we left he asked if he could come back next year.

He then visited my colleagues and happily helped himself to some snacks from the kitchen!!

K