Santa came!

This is what our house looked like after Santa visited

Christmas lights

A few days ago we kept the boys up late and went for a drive to see some Christmas lights. Ben and Ethan usually go to bed at 7-7:30pm. At this time of year sunset is 8pm, and it doesn't get dark till 8:30! We left home around 8pm, and stayed out till around 9:30. Ethan almost fell asleep in the car he was so tired when we got home.
We saw some incredible lights!

Two of these pics are amazing houses. The other two are our house. A simple Christmas tree and a Santa.

Christmas Eve

It’s Christmas Eve and we are all so excited for Christmas in this house! Today has been a busy day getting ready for Christmas.

 

This morning Ben helped clean out the fire place. We do this every Christmas so Santa doesn’t get too dirty.

Grandma and the boys did some dancing to Christmas music

After lunch, Mummy, Ben and Ethan made chocolate chip cookies for Santa (also a Christmas Eve tradition in our house)

Yum!! We tested them (fresh from the oven) and they were very tasty.

We put the cookies and milk on the fireplace for Santa.

 

And some carrot and water for the reindeer.

We put some presents under the tree. Some of these presents are from Uncle Graham (Tracie’s brother who lives in America), some from us to other family members and Ben and Ethan bought each other a present, so they put those presents under the tree too.

We are all ready for Santa!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Karate

Ben and Ethan have been going to karate lessons for about 4-5 weeks. They really enjoy their lessons. This week was graduation and they got their white/green belts. Here are a few pictures from karate class.

At the start of the class the kids earn their red stripe if they complete the task from the week before. This week they had to do a nice thing for someone every day. Ethan got his stripe first. He was especially nice to his Mumma this week, and gave her a back massage for her sore back, without being asked. He just came to her and started.

Ben got his stripe for being helpful in our Christmas preparations.

Ben kneeing the pad

Ben volunteered to demonstrate the next move to the class. (video below)

Ethan practicing self defence. Ben waiting in line for his turn

“Basics” – Left hand touches right ear, then they extend their arm and point forward, then back to the ear again. (then swap hands to the other ear) It was difficult for both boys to master this move in the beginning. They kept wanting to touch the left hand to the left ear. Apparently this is normal for kids to struggle crossing their meridian.

Ben getting his white/green belt.

Ethan getting his white/green belt

At the end of the lesson they say the ‘kids karate promise’. Sensei Liz says a few words, then the kids repeat after her…

“I promise never to use karate to show off, hurt or scare others,

I will always show self control and respect,

I will only use my skills to defend myself and to improve my life,

I’m on a quest to do my best.”

Santa pic

Camping

Last week we got back from our 6 night camping adventure. We had a fantastic time. We slept in our tent and had a powered ensuite site. It was very handy to have our own toilet and shower.

During our week we: went swimming, bike riding, fishing, boating, played in playgrounds, jumped on the jumping pillow, played mini golf, did 10pin bowling, had a steam train ride, mini train ride, horse and cart ride, ate freshly picked berries from a berry farm, went to the lighthouse relaxed and had fun.

Below are some pictured from our week

 

Our campsite

Ben’s bed

Ethan’s bed

 

Kookaburra -  there were lots of them around camp

and ducks, which Ben enjoyed feeding

 

Ethan playing at the playgrounds in the camp area

And Ben

Ethan

Ben on the jumping pillow

 

At the other park

We even played a game of checkers.

And there was also an indoor play room. This campground was fantastic!

We spend many hours in the pool!

One morning we hired (rented) a small boat and did some fishing on the river. It was the boys first time fishing. Ben LOVED it. Ethan got bored quickly and spent most of the 2 hours eating food from our bag! He later said that he did have fun though.Sal caught the first and only fish on the boat

After our 2 hours on the boat, we had some leftover bait, so we fished off the wharf in the afternoon. We got far more bites on the wharf, and caught 3 more fish.

 

On our last day we visited Timber Town. It is an historical town with lots of old houses, school, blacksmith, wood turners, old fire station, old steam train and that sort of thing. The boys had never seen an historical town, and they really enjoyed it.

 

Our first sight was the old steam train. We got to take a ride, and it was great fun.

 

Ethan LOVED the old water pump at the back of a house. He could have stayed there for hours and pumped that water!

Old washing machine

Ben checking out the chook shed

We saw a bullock train demonstration.

The old fire station

Ben in gaol

Ethan in gaol

Horse and cart ride

Ringing the school bell

Ice cream to finish the day. It was such a great day.

 

We had a wonderful time on our camping trip. We can’t wait to go again!