James first Triathalon

James and his friend Jonah just after the race.

James before the start - taking his bike into the transition area.

Inside the Olympic Stadium pool - waiting for the start.

Our slightly scared young boy before the start.

James - 3 up from bottom, had a great swim leg.

On the start line.
Coming out of the swim leg - now a 400 metre run to his bike!
Pulling of his swim cap as he leaves the Olympic pool.
In transition - shoes on, t-shirt on, helmet on - lets go!
On his bike - chasing after older kids now.
Finishing the bike leg, back in transition, bike on stand, helmet off, lets run!
At the finish line!
This is just the 7 - 10 year old kids.
Checking out the opposition or a girl??

James took part in the Weetbix Tryathalon today. It's the tryathalon because there are no times - it's just about getting the kids out doing sport.

Well 2,800 kids showed up at Olympic park at 7:30am this morning to take part - and they all had a great day.

After a long, long, long wait at about 11:00am James started.

His 75m swim was good - he moved well up the field and if he had swam straight would have done even better. His transition run to the bike must have been fast as I was trying to run after him to take a photo - he beat me. He got on the new bike and made good use of the 18 gears as he powered around the 3km bike course. Off the bike and then a 500m run to the finish.

A great event and a great day out. We spent the afternoon cycling around the Olympic park - there are lots of wetland areas and parks. It was rather hot and humid so we had plenty of drink stops and ice-cream to keep us going.

Once we got home we all needed a dip in the pool and I suspect the kids may sleep well tonight.

Ken

Birthday weekend

The hammock was a very much appreciated birthday present.

The cake melted in the heat - Emma had to apply more icing.

We had 14 kids and about 8 adults floating 2km's down the river on airbeds. A great way to travel.

This visitor was a bit of a pain. He kept coming back - they also have a nasty bite so we stayed well clear.
Everyone floating down the river - being towed by Ben.

As everyone floated down the river - this is what they saw!

The kids preparing for the river trip.

Emma decided her airbed was rubbish so teamed up with James.
The kids would live on marshmallows if we let them.

I made damper bread one morning (in the campfire). It was surprisingly good!

We did a 8km hike along a dry river bed. Every one of the kids made it without too many tears.

Emma insisted we all played rounders. James was happy until he was caught.
Lots of photos - reflecting a great and long weekend.

Every year for my Birthday, Australia has a public holiday. They call it Australia Day but I know it's really just for me.

For the 3rd year in a row we spent the weekend at our favourite campground - Coolendell. We were there from Friday to Tuesday - a very long, long weekend.

Life at Coolendell is easy. We get up early (once the sun hits the tent, it's time to get up). We eat a huge breakfast what must include bacon & eggs (our friends have chickens and we were gutted that the eggs from their chicks got broken in transit). After breakfast we consider having the first beer of the day, but usually decide to go for a long walk. This is followed by a swim in the river (after all it's usually about 40 degrees). Lunch time is definitely first beer time. The afternoon involves more swimming in the river, some sports activities or lazing in the hammock, reading a good book.

By 6:00pm dinner is in full swing. Now you may think camping involves half-cooked sausages and burnt baked potatoes - well not ours. We had the best filet steak with salad one night, lamb kofti kebabs with tomato/pepper/chilli salsa, excellent pasta and more - all washed down with the best wines, whisky and Port.

After a few hours by the campfire we are all usually in bed by around 9:30.

We had 6 families with us this weekend - which meant 14 kids!!! They all survived and had a great time.

sing me a song mr piano man..

The piano has finally arrived and the kids have been practising really hard all week.

They are both very keen and, so far, Olivia is definitely the more focused of the two and showing most potential. Emma has got chop-sticks just about right now and promises that next week she will start playing something else!

Otherwise it's been another busy week of school holidays.

Poor James developed a nasty rash earlier this week (you can see it on his back in the video clip). A friend and pharmacist both agreed it was a caterpillar or plant sting - and gave him some cream and tablets. A few days later though it was not clearing up so Emma took him to the doctor to discover that he actually has Shingles.

Thankfully they are not quite as bad for kids as adults - but he has still been itching like crazy and has been very brave all week. Despite having been immunised for Chickenpox somehow the Doctor thinks James had the chickenpox virus and that has made him more prone to Shingles. Poor boy - it looks like it's finally clearing up though.

This weekend involved a family bike ride to Manly, dinner with friends, Emma sailing twice and me doing lots of gardening.

Sadly the weekend is over and it's back to work tomorrow. Thankfully though next weekend is Australia Day weekend - and we are getting a 4 day weekend (Saturday to Tuesday off).

Ken

Quick update

It's been a busy start to January.

While I've been back at work a fair bit we've also managed to squeeze in some quality family time. The kids are at the age now where we can do more and more as a family - including a Family golf game.

Yes, Emma got golf clubs for Xmas and we all headed out to a local Par 3 course for a match. The first hole was halved after I scrambled a par to match James. On the 2nd hole James was a foot short of his first hole in one, tapped in for a birdie and took an early lead. Then Emma found her game and started hitting greens and making putts. Meanwhile I was having a shocker and only just managing to keep ahead of Olivia! Thankfully I found a game of sorts on the second 9 and Emma finally remembered she was a beginner. So in the end a narrow victory for age & experience - but worrying signs that my 7 year old son came very, very close to beating me!

Olivia had a first last week - she lost her first tooth! The tooth fairy was very generous leaving $5 - apparently kids get more for the first tooth these days.

We are getting musical here - we bought a piano last week. Olivia is very excited - she has already told us that when it arrives (tomorrow) she will spend some time with Emma to learn to play and then her friend Tess will come round later that day to dance, while Olivia plays the piano!

I think she will be a little upset when she realises that years of practice are ahead of her before she can play that well!

Last weekend finally felt like Summer. On Saturday we spent the day on the beach and the kids really got into the waves - James is now body surfing and loves the waves (until the get too big). On Sunday we took the speed boat out on the harbour with our friends Kym, John, Stuart and Quinn. We had a great day swimming at three different beaches, enjoying lunch at Balmoral and then towing the kids behind the boat on an inflatable.

A great weekend.....which was followed by my return to work!

Fireworks

....were spectacular.