The Donaldsons in Oz

It’s hard to believe it’s been a month since I lasted posted…..I’ve thought about it a lot but just never seemed to get around to actually typing!

We were all delighted to see September 1st bringing with it the start of Spring.  We were lulled into a false sense of security with a few beautiful days then a cold spell returned but I’m glad to say the forecasts are slowly improving…..in time for your arrival Marie!

Here are some pics taken in the park which I’ve just downloaded from my phone:

And here are some from August 20th when we started to get a taste of beautiful spring weather.  The kids had fun playing with all their new outdoors toys from Grandma & Grandad….although Ruby & Poppy were not all that keen to be the running targets with Ella in pursuit!

We’ve been up to so much more but I promise I’ll post more in the next few days.

K

Another busy weekend is almost over in the Donaldson household!

Ella brought home the school bear, better known as Bojangles, on Friday to spend the weekend with us.  She has excitedly taken him around with her and wrote his diary this evening which she’ll present to her class tomorrow.  Here they are ready to ride to swimming lessons on Saturday morning and then ready for a dip in the pool!

On Saturday we all went to a fundraising screening of Cars 2 at the Astor Theatre.  It was a joint fundraiser for St Kilda Primary and our school, St Kilda Park Primary.  It was Ruby & Poppy’s first time at the cinema and they were really good.  We had a laugh at Poppy because at the end she said “Can we put Nemo on there now?”, thinking it was as casual as changing a DVD at home.

Ella & Charlie then went for a sleepover at Auntie Mhairi’s house so Alan & I took Ruby & Poppy out for dinner, something that is so much easier with only 2 kids to occupy. Here are some of Mhairi’s photos:

This afternoon Ella went to Olivia’s birthday party.  Surprising how much fun they got from decorating themselves on the pavement!

Now the weekend would not be complete without some of Charlie’s sleeping antics, this one is a classic.  He was in ‘time out’ and when I went to get him this is what I found:

A final picture to end our weekend, Ella & I decided to go out for a run just before dinner which was about the same time the heavens decided to open.  We had fun but got absolutely soaked!

K

This is a skill that Charlie has perfected.  Last night he fell asleep at the dinner table with a mouthful of food.

K

Ella Bella turned 6 last Friday and she had a fantastic time celebrating with her friends at a dancing party at Glittery Tapping Wonderland.

Warming Up

Dancing

Learning a Routine

Catching Bubbles

A Big Hug for the Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Ella

K

It’s hard for Alan & I to believe that Ella & Charlie had their first real snow experience this week given that we grew up in Bonnie Scotland!  Alan and Uncle Dave took them to Lake Mountain to do some tobogganing and they built their first snowman.  Alan said they loved it and that he’s never seen Ella so happy…..we must do it again soon.

Trying, trying, trying to climb up the hill….

K

Today Ella came to work with me to take part in a school holiday program  – the Australian Ballet dance education.  The children participated in a range of dance-related activities and workshops led by The Australian Ballet’s Dance Education Ensemble.  Later in the morning the parents re-joined the group to watch a performance by the Ensemble which was interactive for the kids.  They particularly like seeing some of the lavish costumes used in an Australian Ballet production of Snuggle Pot & Cuddle Pie.

After the performance lunch was provided for all and Ella was most excited to get her gift bag with colouring pencils, a money bank and NAB drink bottle!

My colleague’s daughter, Jacqueline, was also taking part so she and Ella became buddies.  They entertained themselves at our desks really well for the remainder of the afternoon thanks to colouring books, ipad etc.

Ella

Jacqueline & Ella

K