Happy Birthday Tess!

The birthday girl with Tom and Olivia

Saturday was Tess' 8th birthday and we started with obligatory present opening - her main present was a scooter but she was much more excited by the Gomuz (rubbers in different shapes that come apart and can be put together again) and the Squinkies (little animals/creatures that live inside plastic bubbles) and played very happily with them for the rest of the day.  In the afternoon the Reids came round to sing happy birthday and have some cake - Tess asked for a smartie cake - she knows my decorating limitations!  Olivia stayed for a sleep over and we went out to Tess' favourite Thai restaurant for dinner.  It all seemed quite low-key but I think she had a lovely day.  

That's Tom gazing longingly out to sea!

Tom, Nicholas W and Callum rock-pooling

On Friday I went with Tom's class on an excursion to the Narrabeen Coastal Environment Centre.  We had our own guide who took us to the rock platforms to look for sea slugs, sea stars, mulberry whelks etc and then took us to a "secret" beach where we all built sand castles.  It was 32 degrees and the kids coped incredibly well with the heat.  In the beach picture you can just see Tom on the left hand side looking longingly out to sea because he thought the surf looked pretty good and wanted to be out there!  It was a lot of fun hanging out with Tom and all his little mates - a number of them asked me throughout the day "does Tom always make up songs"!!  

Tess and Tom caterpillar

Tess and Tom's latest game involves wrapping themselves up in blankets and shuffling around the house like caterpillars - must be doing wonders for their stomach muscles!


During the week we had our first sighting of the Channel Billed Cuckoo who comes and lays her eggs in our neighbourhood every year.  It's very exciting because it means summer is just around the corner.