Jack's 1st Birthday Party

While it is not Jack's birthday until Wednesday, we decided to have his party yesterday and invited around 8 families to celebrate with us.  We had 16 adults and 20 kids - so it was pretty hectic in the house.

The Party was carefully scheduled to start at 1pm to ensure cake was eaten and party was wrapping up at 4pm - just in time for the Rugby Quarter Finals to start.

Jack had a great time.  I have never, ever, seen a kids eyes light up as much as when he realised that the 36 people standing around him singing happy birthday - were for HIM.  His smile, and laugh was simply wonderful.

The party was a great success - Jack ate lots of cake and got spoiled by all the girls who were there.  The adults ate great steak sandwiches and a few beers.

Best of all it ended just as the rugby started - which actually meant everyone stayed and enjoyed Wales beating Ireland....then enjoyed a little less France beating England (I tried not to cheer).

The cake was a Koala Bear - just in case that is not obvious - another Emma success.

 This is the moment Jack realised everyone was singing for him.  Simply wonderful.

 Olivia almost managed to burn him with the candle....as 16 adults shouted at once "Nooooooo Olivia"

Jack got plenty of cake and really enjoyed his day.

POSSUM

About a week ago James saw a little possum running under a car.  The owner was about to drive off, but James made them stop.  The little possum was hiding in the wheel arch and was clearly injured.  Well Emma rescued him, brought him home and we called WIRES - the animal rescue charity in Australia.

We were told to put him in a box with an old jumper - somewhere dark.  Emma did as she was told and we left the little possum alone in the wine cellar.  A few later she went to check - and the box was empty....but we could hear him....eventually we discovered him clinging to a 2006 Dry River Pinot Noir...

Today Olivia had attended her good friend Tess birthday party - a horse ride in Centennial Park.  Olivia  had a great time and has now been horse riding 3 times in the last 3 months.....but no matter how much she asks we are not keeping a horse in the garden!

James had a tennis tournament today.  He moved up a level for this event - and the standard was clearly higher.  In every other tournament he has made quarter finals or semi finals.  Today he lost all five games - but some were very close (lost 6-7).  He tried hard and had fun.  This is him looking all serious waiting to return a serve.

Another hectic weekend comes to an end....

Ken

Rugby, rugby and more rugby

I have just returned from a 'liver-destroying' weekend in Auckland to watch the Rugby World Cup.

I had the pleasure of seeing a great match on Friday night - South Africa v Samoa, where the Samoan's almost caused an upset.  The 30,000 crowd loved their approach and it was a perfect Spring evening.

Saturday night was a different story.  It was wet and windy as 62,000 people waited in anticipation for the Scotland and England teams to take to the park for a critical match.  I reckon there were 45,000 Scots there - about half of them in kilts.  The teams arrived and it was time for the national anthems - which is where the Scots lost it.

I have never heard God Save The Queen sang so loud with so much passion.  Everyone agreed it was 'hair standing on the back of your neck' stuff.  Quite surprising.

Well, if the English can sing like that...what could the Scots do....well....Flower O Scotland did not really work on Saturday.  I think the English had actually shocked us with their anthem and the Scots were lost for words/voice.....

Despite the score (England won, eliminating Scotland) it WAS a great night, great atmosphere, helped by having half-way line seats and a continuous supply of beer.

Auckland was amazing and is enjoying a two month party.  The hangover will be intense - particularly if the All Blacks do not win.

This slightly bad photo is Me, Warwick (a client), Matt (fellow KPMG Partner), Dave (life long friend).

I got back to Sydney on Sunday afternoon - just in time to watch the Rugby Leage Grand Final with James - which Manly won, so all he was very happy.

To make up for all this rugby, we did a family bike ride today at Homebush (Olympic Stadium etc).  We did a great 15km ride, Olivia on her new bike, Jack in his chariot.  Great ride, great weather.

We were joined by the Underhills who are in the photos with us.

Next week Jack turns ONE.  We cannot believe it's been a year since he came into our life.  He is crawling everywhere, standing up and threatening to start to walk....in a few weeks...we hope.

Lots of birthdaty party pics next week!

Ken