Tidbinbilla

After boxing day I took the in laws to Tidbinbilla to check out the natural environment and wildlife.

 These two that we found at Stromlo were pretty scary!

 The view from the lookout.

 Edwina the Emu played cricket with us during lunch.

 We were terrified that she thought the ball was one of her eggs but it turned out she just liked cricket. She was really friendly and made a point of going up to every new visitor to say hi. The reputation of other emus must have preceded her because most people were terribly frightened of her and all she wanted was to say hello. All be it at very close range!

 We had a walk around the koala park. Basically is is an area that they say you may catch a glimpse of a koala in this vicinity. They had just imported quite a few so we got lucky. I've been before and the only thing I got was a crink in the neck! This guy was 5 meters from the track at Nathan's head height. Those cute grey ears of his were flapping like mad listening to the rubbish those Rickard boys were spouting!

At the entrance there were several Mummy and baby koalas so my baby climbed on my back to show them we were friendly. The koalas really didn't care at all!

Ryan's Writing

In an attempt to encourage the boys to write more they will be blogging over the summer holidays. This idea stemmed from the Andy Griffiths book "Once Upon A Slime" which I bought for Ryan earlier in the year and got him all sorts of curious about publishing writing. When I explained that my blog was a form of publishing he got super excited and wanted his own.  And when Santa delivered him his very own Chromebook with which he could blog until his hearts content, he went mental! But now that he has all he needs to be a published author I am going to need your help! He is concerned that no one will read it! So I now need you all to click on the link to his blog and leave him a comment!

Thank you! xx

http://ryanswriting2014.blogspot.com.au/

THE jet box construction

Remember a few weeks ago Ben had to present to news a box construction and the evaluation? Well he finally brought the construction home. See it does look like a jet plane! It has a cockpit and everything!

 Even jet burners!

He really was right in his evaluation about the only thing that could make it better would be a pilot!

The Elfelfa the Elf Helper saga continues!

He really has been running amok! 

First, he drew all over a family photo. He gave Ryan a tail, Matthew horns, Ben glasses, me a halo and Nathan hair!

 But the boys were horrified with his behaviour. When I suggested that perhaps we should send him back to Santa Ryan and Ben agreed! The little army men were also very unhappy with his behaviour!

 Thank goodness the next morning Elfelfa the Elf Helper made they boys breakfast to make up for all the trouble!

 He even wrote a little sorry note.

 The next morning we woke up to a lego snow angel!

 Followed by a reminder that Elfelfa the Elf Helper was in constant contact with Santa. He also brought back from the North Pole their mid December report card from Santa the same day that they received their school report cards. Their teachers were more impressed with their progress than Santa was!

 And last night Elfelfa the Elf Helper made a flying fox out of some ribbon and a candy cane. Apparently he had so much fun all night!

It has been amazing to see the magic of Christmas come alive this year. I really thought it was going to over, after all Matthew is 10 but Elfelfa has re invigorated Christmas magic big time in this house!

Ummmm Ahhhhh!!! ELFELFA!!!!!!

Last night he got into the bubble gum ball jar! And he ate one! And blew bubbles! Naughty Elfelfa!

What Elfelfa the Elf Helper did next...

Last night he helped Ben with his hearing homework! Which resulted in Ben being super motivated to beat Elfelfa's best score! Yay!

Elfelfa the Elf Helper

This Christmas we thought we would try something different from the usual rotten potato threats! Because we know how well that worked! 

So this year we have enlisted an Elf on the shelf to help. Our elf arrived in the mail yesterday after days and days of anticipation. Saying the boys were busting to meet him was an understatement!

Once we had him unpacked we needed to give him a name and the boys decided on Elfelfa the Elf Helper. We were standing near our Alfalfa grower at the time! I explained the rules to the boys and we registered our new elf online. We printed our adoption certificate and perused the Frequently Asked Questions page on the website. The boys were pleased to know if they accidentally touch him they can cleanse him with cinnamon to refresh the magic and Mum and Dad were pleased that if the elf is in the same position as the night before it just means he is happy there! Phew!

 Then in the morning they woke up and found Elfelfa the Elf Helper riding the boys favourite monster truck jump! They went off! And the magic of Christmas has been re-invigorated for another year! The boys then raced around cleaning their rooms and doing their jobs to ensure they get a favourable report tonight. They got a little freaked out when Ben swore he saw his head move and then they all witnessed either his head move or his eyes move!

Then Ben sat down quietly to do this:-

 This is a picture of Elfelfa the Elf Helper.

And this is a picture of Santa! The bottoms line says The Rickard's believe in you. Awwwwww!