Firstly, let me apologise for the quality of these photos. I was actually having too much fun to take them. We were off at a party today that was so much fun. It was a pirate theme and Nay had spent a lot of time making and hiding treasure chests filled with the costumes. Printed t-shirts and headscarfs for the pirates, and mermaid skirts and necklaces for the girls. The food for both the adults and kids was delicous as we lazed around and in the pool in the sunshine.
It is still so incredibly hot here- another 43 degree day. We are trapped inside with the air conditioning and trying not to kill each other. Today I got a bit creative and we built a cubby inside. Using a fitted sheet over the couch and supported with two chairs this made a great space, and renewed the door to them. They spent ages in there cooking and playing. The other thing I did was bring the scooters inside. While this is normally not allowed, they were racing each other around the kitchen bench and actually getting pretty quick. At least they are using their energy up - the things you do in the heat...speaking of which, we designed a new baby blanket. This one was a special request for a family on a sheep farm and their little boy. I think it came up really well.
Yes -- a rather decorative way to display toilet paper. I like to call this a toilet rose - what do you think? Pretty tragic that this is the only place I get flowers! One of the current obsessions of the twins is the toilet. Benji is intent on toilet training (much to my dismay) and Spencer doesn't want to miss out. We have nappys strewn around the bathroom and fights over who is sitting on the toilet. Benji is actually doing pretty well and when Alexander is off to school and the weather is a bit cooler, we may get serious with it. However I could live without the toilet roses.
On this lovely Australia Day, we went off to the Melbourne Zoo. I have been not too long ago, but this time we made a point to do the Australian section and I can't stress enough how good this is. You walk into a red dirt section and the animals wander around. Not like zoos of old with single animals crammed into concrete cages, these animals roamed like in the wild. The kangaroos sat in the shade while emus searched for lettuce. The wombats were getting fed and we could talk to their keeper and even pat them! This is not how I remember the zoo. Not only were the animals comfortable, but the surrounds were all in keeping, little huts and tunnels - all very interactive and well worth a visit.
Tonight we enjoyed a twiglight picnic at Ripponlea estate watching a real pantomine of Peter Pan. It was great set against the beautiful building, and then when we moved to Neverland, using the lagoon as the backdrop. It was a lovely night (once we all got there) and the play was really quite good. It was old school pantomine (you know, behind you!!) and not too scary - which pirates can sometimes be. We all enjoyed it and the boys all ran off together - we went with Two Little Buttons, and had a nice picnic in the shade. I highly recommend it and it is only on until Friday.
After the show the kids had a good run in the large gardens, and we literally had to hose of the little grubs when we got home.
Once they were sitting at the table, the other food was brought out -
The cake was the same as the invitations. Half of this was a basic slab cake that I bought from the supermarket. ( I was sewing there was no time for baking!) The fire is an egg free, dairy free recipe that I found on the internet. This was a great recipe, easy and actually tasty - and a great standby for any time you don't have either eggs or milk and need to do a cake - I'm sure you could also alter it from chocolate.
The mighty crew of Alexander 5 in their outfits.
A bit of a game- tunnel ball with a globe printed ball.
On the trampoline with helium balloons
Happy Birthday Alexander. My little mate.
It is hard to believe you have only been with us for 5 years. To me the time has just flown, but it feels like you have always been part of our family. You are such a sweet boy, with a generous and loving heart. You are always looking outfor, and after, your little brothers, no matter how much they drive you crazy. You talk so much but I really enjoy having a chat with you and love some of the ways you turn a phrase. You love books and reading stories and get engrossed in the fantasy. Most of all, we love you sweetheart and hope that you have a really happy birthday Alexander.
As you can imagine, it has been a bit hectic around here- getting everything organised for not only the party tomorrow, but also Alexanders actual birthday. The space suits are finally finished, and each is packed in its own named draw string bag. This was a good idea at the start, but I was seriously regretting it today. The idea is they can either pack their clothes in them, or wear them as backpacks at the party - we'll see what happens. Also, another great $2 shop find was plain white caps. I had intended to make astronaut helmets out of paper maiche but even I realise I have already gone over the top as it is. I printed out an additional nasa badge and stuck it to the caps - they are actually really nice caps.
I also had to sort out the backyard. We are planning to use the trampoline again, last year it was transformed to a pirate ship, this time zero gravity. I wanted helium balloons inside so we needed to put a roof on top. As we cant predict the weather, I bought some shadecloth from bunnings and Paul attached it with cable ties. As an aside I can recommend this to anyone who has a trampoline with sides- it reduces the heat inside the trampoline but keeps birds and leaves etc out of it - I don't know why we didn't do it earlier. Then my ever crafty brother got to work with the lights from ikea. These are christmas stars that I bought on special in their sale. As the party is during the day, he has wrapped the back of the trampoline in navy lycra that I just had lying around. (dont ask!) This is it at night - how great does it look - shame the party is lunchtime! 
Fun and games has been going on a bit here of late. I don't know whether it is the heat or the full moon but we are all over the shop and my tiredness isn't really helping the situation.
And just when you think the change has come, Spencer was a bit quiet and he had climbed up and got my bag and applied a little mascara. I think it really brings out his eyes - dont you?
Today was a family affair as we were celebrating four birthdays which occur over 2 weeks in January. Sarah & Andrew hosted it at the farm and we were spoilt with lovely weather and great hospitality. The boys love it there with so much space they can just run and run and run...til they run out of puff and sleep all the way home.
these boys took it upon themselves to do a bit of couch diving. All the cushions came off and they were throwing themselves off. While Spencer and Alexander were fairly sedate, little Benji was literally throwing himself off. There was no jumping, no line up, no nothing. He would put his hands behind his head and literally fall forward. Even when he fell flat onto the carpet between two cushions, there were no tears and he would get up to have another go. We did have to step in and end the game before 'someone got hurt' but their were tears - mine from laughing.
On a different subject - here is more work in progress for our space party. I have been on the internet searching reference etc and found this great site http://www.coolest-kid-birthday-parties.com/astronaut-costume.html which has a great array of party ideas.
Finally a sunny day and even though I wasn't feeling in the mood, I got out the supplies to paint some wrapping paper. Benji got into it, but Spencer wasn't so interested. He was happily jumping on the tramp. (the paper is the roll from ikea) 
