Skiing weekend

A few weeks ago we decided to do a quick dash to Mount Perisher and teach the kids to ski.

What a GREAT WEEKEND.

We had four days.  Each day James & Olivia went to ski school and Jack went to creche.  Emma and I just skied, and skied and skied.  There were about 10 other families down at the same time and it was great to just ski around the mountain and keep bumping into people we knew - in fact I think Balgowlah Heights was empty that weekend.

At the end of the four days:

• James could ski parallel
• Olivia can ski any slope with a really good snowplough
• Jack had a bug and kept vomitting
• Emma and I were tired but happy

Olivia loved ski school.  Partly helped by having male instructors who always seem to bring out the best in Olivia..

After ski school (9am to 3:30pm) James and Olivia did a few runs with us to show off their new skills.

Olivia is already developing the "I will never bend my knees, ever" approach that has worked soooo well for Emma for many, many years.

This is James in the half pipe - heading up the slope and about to turn.

And exiting the half-pipe with a flourish.

On the last day James spent all afternoon with his good friend Luke and an instructor - Tim.  They had a great time, despite some terrible weather.

We had a great time.  We skied in sunshine, hail, rain, snow and high winds.  We are already planning the next trip!

Ken

Olivia's birthday

Ms Olivia Rose Reid turned 8 on Friday. This special day started early with presents - which included a new bike, lots of clothes, dolls and more. Olivia was happy. For her party she had 3 good friends come back after school for 'afternoon tea', followed by a treasure hunt in Manly (including ice cream) and then back home for pizza. There then followed hours of screaming and running around (at least that was my view). Olivia thought it was excellent and eventually the girls went to sleep around 9:30pm. Next morning MORE 8 year old girls arrived for breakfast...with more screaming. By the end of all the screaming and playing Olivia was happy - she had a great time and was exhausted.

Jack loved watching Olivia open her presents - he was very excited and played with all the wrapping paper.

Olivia and Tess were born a few weeks apart and have been best friends since birth. Tess was #1 guest at the birthday party.

While the girls ran around Manly doing a 'treasure hunt' that Emma made up, Jack and I had a stroll and I kept up to date with the Rugby World Cup scores.

Breakfast.  6 girls. Hard work.

Finally getting ready for bed, but still more time for screaming.

Despite the mayhem, Jack found time to show off his new crawling skills. He just LOVES knocking over these blocks, again and again, and again and again....

Party girls dancing (and screaming).

Finally after the screaming stopped, we took Olivia out for a ride on her fantastic new bike.  A quick trip to Tania Park.  A short ride but a perfect way for Olivia to get used to her new bigger bike - she only fell of once!

And what of James?  Well he has spent the week at a Cub Scout Camp.  The camp was an Enviromental Weekend - so he learnt lots obout endangered animals and recycling.  He arrived back this afternoon very dirty and very tired - so I am guessing it was an awesome weekend.

More soon.

Ken