Birthdays, Cyclones and Life



Since I last blogged, this little girl has celebrated her 4th birthday. 



Heidi awoke to a treasure hunt in which she had to follow pictures looking for more clues which of course eventually led to.....

....a stash of presents!  She desperately wanted "fairy clip earrings" for her birthday.  Whilst I was thinking to myself where on earth am I going to find fairy clip earrings - Darryn headed straight for Google and found these little gems!! Perfect!

She had a wonderful morning then off to Kindy where she shared a mermaid cake with friends.  She is already counting down to her 'five birthday'!

 We then received a much anticipated dose of 'Debbie'.  While we were luckier than most to enjoy beautiful rain and only minor damage.  The kids of course thought Debbie was great!

While we watched water raging through the creeks and filling dams, wondering if any fences would be spared, we were equally thankful for all Neerim's creatures great and small coming out of it safe and sound.  Considering almost a metre of water flowed through my chook-pen and the pigpen we are extremely lucky not to have suffered any casualties.

Peppa, however, was not impressed that this swollen creek stood between her and us (with piggy breakfast in hand). 

 

 

As the water subsided, Dad got to fixing roads and fences while kids frolicked in any water they could!

 

 

The next event on our social calendar was the annual Show Ball.  So we washed off all the mud and donned our Sunday best. 

 This beautiful little girl won "Princess of the Ball", not to be outdone little Rhys also won "Prince of the Ball".

 

 

We had a wonderful night with lovely friends and enjoyed the fantastic community spirit of our little town.

We had a quick little visit from Nana and Olivia.  Heidi also decided that after just two haircuts in her entire life that she was nonetheless qualified to give herself and Lewis a style cut! So she is now sporting a crooked fringe, mullet kind of look! 

 

Of course there has been horse riding...



...and cattle work...

...and spectating.

 

 

Fly and Rusty welcomed six little puppies into the world.  They have received much love over the past six weeks!

 



 

 

 

Mama came to visit, bearing gifts that keep on giving.  With some assembly required she and kids set to creating our very own strawberry farm!  Heidi rushed out the very next day in the hope of finding a juicy strawberry to feast on!  It was gently explained the concept of only getting out what you put in - so she has been diligently watering the farm ever since.  We're still to harvest any fruit...

 



 

 

 

Whilst the days are getting shorter and colder - we are enjoying green grass, fat cattle, good health and of course much happiness.  Although someday's all of those things take their toll and we are just physically unable to finish our dinner.

A late recap on February

February is full of birthday's for us.  Although Heidi wants to make everyone a cake (whether or not they live close or distant), I managed to hold her off until February 23rd.  This is Poppa's birthday.  Firstly, birthday cards were created.

 

 

Then birthday cake was made, with everyone's help.

 

 

A chico baby football match was the end result...Poppa loved it :-)

 Presents were given, however Lewis was unable to hold in his excitement and blurted out what was in the present before Poppa had a chance to open it!  The kids have been engaging in water pistol warfare on Poppa lately, so to help keep things even Poppa now has his very own triple barrel water pistol!!

 



 

 

 

Also in February, we headed to Church to have Lewis and Rhys baptised.  Lewis cried most of the time but Rhys relished in the holy water.



 

 

We now have a strong association with Fr Shaji Joesph.  He married Darryn and I and has now baptised all three of our children.

 

 

Of course there was cake to celebrate.  I can't take credit for this little masterpiece though.  A yummy ice-cream cake was certainly enjoyed by young and old!!

We also enjoyed a quick trip to Bundaberg to look at a new car.  The kids were less interested in the car but did thoroughly enjoy the sun, surf and sand!

 

Reelenuff headed off in search of Barramundi in the mighty Fitzroy, only to return home empty handed....

 

 

 

Seeing as Darryn is having trouble catching fish, the kids have started their fishing apprenticeship.  All they want to do is wind the line in!!  However, after some gentle words from Darryn on the importance of patience while fishing they enjoyed waiting for the elusive bite!

 

 

 

Finally they got a bite! Instead of reeling in the big one - they both took off up the dam bank not wanting any piece of the action!!  I don't get excited about fishing but I am more than happy to forego the waiting and just step in when the action starts.  

It was up to me to wind in what we thought was a turtle but turned out to be a big slippery eel!

 The prize catch - note the three scaredy cats in the background!  We ended up with two eels for the afternoon.

We even had a little visitor who was looking to cool off.

 

In other pig news, both Peppa and Sparkles have had their piglets.  We have 11 piglets in total, standby for some photos...

 

We now have a very special 4th birthday fast approaching, so I better get cracking on the birthday cake....stay tuned for Heidi's birthday in pictures....



A tiny little Kindy Kid

The highlight of the last month was by far our little girl's first day of Kindy!  Marlborough State School was lucky enough to secure a position on the Kindy Pilot Program which allows Heidi to attend kindy at the school five days a fortnight.  A just three years old she seems so little to be carrying her backpack through the school gates.  However, a opportunity as great as this is not to be missed so as I dropped her off on her first day there were no tears (from either of us), she just said "Don't forget to take Lewis home Mum"!  Heaven forbid Lewis should stay and cramp her style!!!

 

Heidi is lucky to be able to share her schooling years with her cousins, Wade and Jake.  They eagerly greet her each morning and no doubt have been showing her the ropes of their little school.  These kids are third generation Marlborough State Schoolies. 

 

In other milestone news, these cheeky monkey cut his first tooth.  Ten months old now!  He is crawling around as fast as he can, pulls himself up on everything and can walk along the furniture.  

This ratbag has decided he doesn't like having his photo taken and evades the camera every single time - except this one!!  He has been a bit lost without Heidi, but is slowly getting used to it.  Being able to go with Dad has helped ease the pain of not having his sister home to play with.  Rhys has also been copping a lot of Lewis' attention now which is not always ideal and often ends in tears!

It's branding time so we have been helping a little bit.  The kids were initially very scared but have slowly warmed to the loud noises, strange smells and general hustle and bustle that is branding.  They always start off viewing from afar but after a while they get in on the action.  This early introduction will hopefully see them be an integral part of the branding team in years to come.

 

 

Plenty of smoko's lately have been enjoyed 'on-site'.  The kids love going out to see what Dad and Poppa are up too.  Their antics keep everyone amused and their continual questions keep everyone on their toes!

 The perils of eating in the great outdoors is that sometimes you get dirt on your rockmelon......but you eat it anyway.

 

 

We got a new motorbike.  Lewis was very happy.  When David pulled up with it on the back of the ute, Lewis yelled "Thanks for my new motorbike Poppa!!"  Then he turned Darryn and said, "Dad I want to go ride my new motorbike." 

 

It's going to take a few more branding sessions before you have earnt yourself a motorbike little boy!! 

 



 

 

We have been enjoying 'beating the heat' with afternoon swims in the dam.  I love summer!

 



Other than that it has just been general mischief and mayhem in this little household!