Star Wars Party

 Another party extravaganza ... more photos to come, but here's a peek of the fun ...

 Lightsabre invites ...

 .. party decorations and a happy birthday banner ...

... your hosts (that's Queen Amidala, a Jedi and a Storm trooper ... little Yoda was just out of shot) ....

 ... the Death Star pinata (boy, was it tough to crack!) ...

 

 .... one of the many pretty little Leias ...

... lightsabres from pool noodles ... perfect for fights!

... we had Jedi training obstacle course, fighting Darth Vader, a starship relay, hunt the asteroids, a treasure hunt, find the Ewoks in the forest, and a pinata ...

 Star wars cake and Yoda Soda ...

 ...

 Take-home bags ... a light sabre, Ewok babies, Chewie's chips, light-sabre lollies, Bobba Fett's Bounty (chocolate coins), Jabba's Jellies (jelly frogs) and a notepad with a Star-Wars character sticker on it.
We had a fantastic day, with beautiful weather and children who enjoyed themselves and were exhausted by the end of the party. Eric said it was the best birthday he's ever had!

Easter

Preparing for Easter ... the Easter tree ...

  ... hot cross buns on Friday ...

... Easter face painting ...

 ... and bunny craft ...

 .... meeting soft bunnies at the petting zoo...

 ... the Easter egg hunt, for big boys ...

 ... and little ones ...

 ... so many eggs!

 Giving thanks for family and friends, and remembering those who are not with us ...

 ... then a special birthday cake for a boy who is 8 today ...

 ... and presents from Grandma and Uncle Richard ...

 ... an afternoon of cricket on the field...

 ... a walk, cups of tea and chat, and finally a swim.

Easter is about being together ... and eating far too much chocolate!

This Year so Far ...

 Sandcastles at the beach...

Boogie-boarding ...

 Cousins and lego creations for the Kiama Show ...

First place in the 8yrs 50m freestyle at the school swimming carnival ... (and in other achievements a High Distinction, two distinctions and a credit in the theory component of my uni degree ... just 10 weeks practical to go and I'm officially a high-school teacher!) ...

Grandma's birthday afternoon tea ... a homemade card and a pretty glass jug from Eric ...

 Grandma's cake ...

Thank you!

 A Valentine's card and chocolate rose from my 'secret admirer' ...

(it can't be from Eric, I'm told, since it begins "Dear Cathy" rather than "Dear Mummy") ...

Playing at the little river, which is running beautifully following a crazy week of rain and mini tornados (which missed our little part of the world, fortunately, although others in town weren't so lucky ...)

 Paper boats to sail down the river ...

 Friends ...

The Year 2 Assembly item at school ...

Making bread after a swim on a rainy day ...

A rain house ... note the clear lookout point ...

Watching other students race at the district swimming carnival ...

Eric swimming in the 50m freestyle ...

Breakfast on a sunny verandah with my littlest man ...

Eric being invested as an Student Representative Council Member.

Throwing apples to the horse next door ...

A picnic and picture books in the garden ...

My little bird, in his nest with his baby birds and eggs ...

A bunch of blooms from our garden.
Quietly and studiously busy, but our little family is well.

A Few Blog Headers from Last Year