Family Adventure #3 Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary

Jeff was sick in bed this morning, but I was determined the kids would not miss out on our weekly Family Adventure. This time, rather than going up a hill or through a hill, we stuck with the low lying areas. We visited a bird sanctuary very near to the Swan River.

We mostly saw ducks on the water.Near the car park we saw a heron and an ibis.- I think! My parents would be able to identify these birds, I am sure.

We enjoyed following the path around the wetlands and the kids liked exploring the surrounding bush, although large portions were off-limits to exploring adventurers, to protect the birds and their homes.

We stopped to take some family photos. I got a few very nice pics of Joshua, who hasn't been one for posing much recently. We admired scenery.The Autumn (Fall) colours reminded me that it is Spring for my friends in the USA, and you won't see colours like these for another six months.All in all, it was a delightful way to spend a few hours on a Saturday.

Seven Silly Eaters read by Grandad

While I was in the USA, I caught up with Kellie "argsmommy" from Blue House Academy. (Amy took me and her kids to meet Kellie. Amy blogged about the meeting here. Kellie blogged about it, with far more artistic photos than Amy or I took, here.)

Kellie very kindly gave me a present for my whole family: a copy of her family's favourite book, Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marla Frazee.
Thanks very much, Kellie. My kids all like this very funny story of a family who all want to eat different foods, but end up finding one food that they can all enjoy.This morning I read it to Abi and Sam, and then when Sam was down for his afternoon nap, Abi asked Grandad to read it to her again. I love the benefits of having grandparents over to visit!

Isn't that last photo a corker?

Now, we just need to try the recipe!

Me and My 5 Year Old

Abigail turns 5

We celebrated Abi turning five on Sunday. On Tuesday, her real birthday, she received our family's traditional 5th birthday gift: a brand new bike.

Being 5 comes with quite a few privileges in our family. Abi can now use a metal knife as well as an adult sized fork, and she can also play with the little Lego in the small games room. The only problem with the last privilege is that our Small Games Room is now our Guest Room. So Abi enjoyed building her Lego gift in the lounge room instead.

Appreciating the cake:
Enjoying the cake:
A new present:
Riding her brand new bike, wearing brand new clothes, with a brand new handbag:

Family Adventure #2 Swan View Tunnel

After last weekend's Family Adventure #1, we decided not to climb another hill but to go through a hill this time!It was just as well that we chose to explore a bush trail that went through an old railway tunnel, since it was a very wet day, and we needed to be kept out of the rain. The kids loved the opportunity to get their raincoats out of the cupboard. Unfortunately we didn't think of getting their rainboots as well... but next time we will not forget.

Though the sky was grey, the scenery was lovely. The Swan View Tunnel is on the Railway Heritage Trail, in John Forrest National Park, in the hills to the east of the city, inland from where we live. Completely the opposite direction of last week's trip.
The kids had lots of fun clambering over the rocks at the side of the path.And I even managed to climb a rock of two myself.
There were lots of opportunities for photos.I think they turned out well despite the fact that we were only using Jeff's iPhone, since I had forgotten to bring the new camera.

Jeff and I

A portrait, taken when we were at Saddleback Church, (Lake Forest, Los Angeles, California, USA) for Mothers' Day, 2010:

Family Photo

It's a little bit fuzzy, and Abigail would not smile - she refused to since she had no stockings to wear, a consequence of making holes in the knees of the last pair - but here it is, our Family Photo from Sunday, when we all went to church together for the first time since Easter.
(as requested, Amy!)

One Big Happy Family

We are back home at last after five weeks away in the USA. Jeff and I drove 6,616 miles together (that's 10,647km!) through 12 states. Our route took us through California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, more of Colorado, more of Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and then more of Oregon and finally California again. We visited 12 National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites plus numerous National Forests and Wildlife Preserves. And we came away inspired to be tourists in our own city, exploring Perth together with our children.

Today we began our hometown tourist exploits, walking up Reabold Hill in Bold Park, with a few stops to explore the bush on the way, and admire the banksias, taking in the views of city and sea. It was a great "adventure" and we all had a lot of fun. The complete absence of mountains, after so many weeks admiring them, was somewhat startling. But the presence of four happy children more than made up for the absence of mountains.It is absolutely marvellous to be home again with our four beautiful, beloved children.

Thank You God for holidays. And thank You for bringing us home. Amen.