Maths and The Gruffalo

Tasiana brought me 'The Gruffalo' to read before bed. Half way through the book Makoa grabbed it from me, flipped through, and counted the pictures with a circle that show the description of the Gruffalo's features. For example, knobbly knees, turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose. I looked at him and he said, "I just wanted to see how many three threes make." (There are three pages on which there are 3 descriptive pictures.) "We call that three TIMES three, and how many is that?" "Nine."

Since this is my blog I find it only fair that I can brag about my proud moment :)

Wa-ka

 Tasi's newest obsession is water. She first said 'wa wa' but Makoa has been helping her learn the correct word (with Australian accent) 'wa-tah' which Tasi pronounces 'wa-ka'.

She reminds me of a little alchemist or scientist (sorry no pics of her in these ridiculous glasses that make her fit the part!). Tasi could spend an hour asking for water then pouring it from one container to another mixing her potions! Water and a bucket, what else could a one year old want :)

School Fete

A few weeks ago Annandale Public School held it's annual fete. These are definitely one of the things I love about Australia. Most every school has a fete or fair to earn most of the money for the year. No selling wrapping paper and chocolates all year long, this one event takes a lot of coordination and effort, but definitely worth it. For months parents and kids have been making crafts to sell, and we all baked something - preschool was on scone duty. Not sure how mine turned out as American scones are much different than Australian ones, but I donated something!

When we arrived the school choir was singing, and after some ice cream and cupcakes (had to support the school of course) the kids jumped on the bouncy castles and we went in the haunted house (it was the day before Halloween).

Koa is in the blue striped shirt :)

Happy Halloween!

I know it is a week late, but I wanted you to finally see our Halloween. 

Last year's celebrations could not be topped, and sadly I just wasn't really in the mood this year. It has been a busy last few months, and although the house was decorated and we brought books and spider rings to share with Koa's class, I wasn't sure if we'd go trick or treating. But then we got a last minute invite to our old neighborhood and we decided to go. I picked Koa up from school and asked him if he wanted to go trick or treating, uh duh, Mom, totally! I told him we had to search for something to wear. "Do I have to wear a costume?" "Yes, or you get no candy." We went to the closet and he decided, MORE is MORE! 

 That is a Woody hat, pirate patch from last year, a knight costume from Auntie Annie's travels 2 years ago, and a black cape I made for a rainy day Darth Vader costume!

We loaded up in the car, along with all things that could be added to Tasi to be 'dressed up' and headed to Annandale. We couldn't find the group we were supposed to meet up with but on the way we found a neighborhood all ready for Halloween (albeit Australian style - not sure if they want to celebrate an American holiday but a few will hang spider webs on the front of their house and pass out candy!)

 First house - cute smile and wings on Tasi! There were a few houses passing out candy on this street, then we loaded in the car to the other street we spotted. It is a bit hit or miss!

 Koa snitched a piece of candy on the way, it really is Halloween!

 Wings were off so on with the train conductor hat!

 Tasi was done, it was about 7, so quick photo with the kids before loading up.

 

Tasi got one of the goodies from her trick or treating bag - loving that someone gave her My Little Pony crackers instead of candy! The child in Don was not quite satisfied with Koa's loot, so the boys ran up the road to hit a few more houses :)

Last house had a man dressed up with a skeleton head with red eyes, and a little boy nearby saying 'that's really my dad you know'!

So it didn't quite live up to the celebrations last year, but it was our first real trick or treating and Koa said he had the best time ever. My heart was happy and I am so glad we went! Hope you all had a fun Halloween too!

Birthday in the Park

Today we went to a 2nd birthday party. The park was fantastic and the kids had a great time.

See-saw

isn't this crazy? this was taken in a red slide

I was chasing Makoa around this steam roller trying to take a pic

Told him the camera kept taking pictures until he smiled at it :)

Goofy

Great having a sibling to be goofy with!

Catch Up

I haven't posted for a while so here are some photos to catch you up . . .

 Don's goatee was getting so long I could put it in a scrunchie! I took this photo before he went to the barber.

 

Guess who love to 'help' Daddy with his chores? No question as to why it takes him so long to mow the lawn!

 

 Rainy day dress up fun.

 How long do you think those rubberbands stayed in her hair? If you guessed about 30 seconds you are right!

 Tasiana's newest fashion accessories are these rings that she wears as bracelets. She recently started putting them on herself and now almost every morning she loads up her arms and then whines when she can't get any more on :)

There you have it, a quick update on what we've been up to. Hope you are all are well.

Grandpas on Skype

Going through iPhoto I found these 2 that Makoa took!

We love our Grandpa and Papa!