While Emma was away - Ken & the kids played

Emma and her friend Kirsten treated themselves to a weekend in the Blue Mountains - children free and full of good food and late mornings.

While the ladies were relaxing I had a hectic weekend with James & Olivia, which involved:

• Rock stars
• Rock walls
• Rock caves

After the compulsory soccer matches on Saturday (James lost, I won) we headed to the local shopping centre so the kids could spend their pocket money. James was sensible and only spent $7.50 out of his $15.00 of savings. Olivia does not like too worry too much about the future - she spent $11.00 - which was a $1.00 more than she had! James & Olivia have very different approaches to money.

The big kid (me) spent this and next months pocket money on Band Hero for Wii.

Band Hero consists of a drum kit, guitar and microphone. The Band Hero game requires 'the band' to play along to various songs - it gives you guidance on what to sing, which drum to hit etc.

Here is Olivia singing David Bowies classic "Lets Dance"........

On Sunday morning while James played AFL (see dirty legs above), Olivia and I had a pleasant breakfast in Manly. The hearty breakfast prepared us for the Rock Wall challenges of the afternoon.

Indoor rock climbing is a big hit with James & Olivia - although Olivia does tend to get scared once she is about 4 feet off the ground. James was a little cautious until he realised there were lots of girls from his school there - at which point he starting getting to the top of all the climbs as the girls cheered and waved at him.......

There is also an 'indoor cave' - basically the kids climb into a hole in a wall and 5 minutes later appear out of another hole - sweaty and happy. Olivia did it with a torch, James went without. I was VERY concerned they would get claustrophobia and I'd have to crawl in after them - but thankfully they were fine!