Stats

Blogger has added a function that shows me how many views my blog gets and from what country the view was from. It is awesome! Someone from Malta read my blog!!!! Hi Malta! I get most of my hits from Oz with the US second. I had 28 views in one hour just after Ben's birthday.
Blogger that is one cool application!

Federation Star

Dad and Mum recently came to Canberra for Dad to receive his Federation Star from the Chief of the Army. Dad has served our country as a soldier for 42 years. His reward for doing so was a tiny little silver star, no bigger than an earring to put on his medals. Whilst it is only a tiny little star it was a huge deal to Dad, Mum and all of his children. I was fortunate enough to be in the same state where it was presented and got to go and get teary eyes as dad together with Mum received it at a special morning tea. Dad was the only full time soldier to receive one. He was also the only return serviceman to receive one.

I am always very proud of my Dad as I couldn't have asked for a better father but I am especially proud of his service to his country. And as the Chief of the Army said there would have been no way Dad would have served his country for so long if he did not have the vital support of his wife and family. It was very much an award presented to both Dad and Mum. I am sure they would both tell you they both deserved such a great accolade!

The sign welcoming them to the service.

Dad receiving his award.

I was a fair bit teary by now! So was Mum!

Then this is Mum chewing off the ear of the chief! He invited anyone with any problems at all to come and talk to him as he would always listen. Well you don't need to tell her twice. She got all ready to launch into a discussion on why such an experienced soldier was being forced into retirement when he was willing to stay on. However, the chief is in exactly the same position, therefore very sympathetic to Mums plight!

And hahahaha Noddy! I got to hold the Federation Star before you!!!!!!!!!!!! Sucked In!!!!!!

Spider Park

A few weeks ago we went for a walk and lunch with the family that lives at the beginning of our street. Lillian is in Ryan's class and Ben and Violette will be in the same preschool class next year. It was the first reasonable warm and sunny day since autumn! So we ended up at the spider park which is very close to the school. Nathan helped all of the boys climb up to the top.

Matthew and Daddy

Lillian preferred staying close to the ground!

Ryan getting started

Two gorgeous blokes

Daddy and Matthew

Spring is Springing!

Finally! It has been a long wet and cold winter. It is nearly over. Thank goodness. Although as we are heading for the tropics in a weeks time we don't mind if it stays cold here!

As long as it is warm when we return!

Experiments

Ryan is going through an "Experiment" stage. It started with 500 grams of sultana poured into 3 litres of milk.........
Method: Sultanas poured through a funnel! Pushed through with the end of a tea spoon! (Appears to be a very time consuming operation. I should have guess mischief was being made with the deafening roar of silence!)

Conclusion: A lot of wasted milk ans sultana because no one wanted the milk or the soggy sultanas!

He then moved onto a concoction of cut up banana, coffee, ripped tea bag and sugar.
Method: Involved mixing in the fry pan soaking in detergent on the sink.
Conclusion: A very big mess! And a mad Daddy who drew the short straw in the cleaning up stakes!

Bennyisms

Apparently Mummy did not give birth to Ben! Daddy had him sucked out of his tummy because Mummy is far to small for Ben to have fit!

Ben has never been a baby and was born as a big boy!

Ryan and Matthew were getting a lecture after a recess play fight in which girls were involved. Benny pipes up with "You don't hit girls because when they get big girls are very important!" Excellent lesson to learn Ben!

Discussing with the boys the animals we will be seeing on our trip to the top end. Matthew says Kangaroos. Ryan suggests Emus. Ben thinks we will see Lions!

Happy Birthday Ben!

So my baby turned 4 today! It is so hard to believe he is 4! Although if you were to ask him he would tell you it is taking forever! That boy is in such a hurry to grow up. Ben greatest wish would be to catch up to Matthew!

So the day started early and noisily with a new guitar. This boy was born to strum and boy has he got the moves!

Check out the look of anticipation on all of their faces!

So Ben got a reconditioned bike. Now the reason he got a recon one and not a new one is we couldn't find an appropriately sized bike! So we were given this one by a neighbour and Nathan sprayed it.

He is still having problems holding it up as it is heavier than his 30cm bike!

But once he get moving, nothing can stop him!

As one could only expect from Ben he had a monster truck birthday cake. It was rather symbolic that the monster truck is crushing the big red car. There are no more little boys in this house. Only big boys occupy our house apparently!

This monster truck is called "Our Black Thunda" This name has been invented by Ben as it is a cross between "Outback Thunda" and the radio stations "Black Thunder"!

Now the birthday boy got a bit sooky for the birthday cake.

But Mummy talked him around.

Until he managed to blow out his candles.

We didn't have a party for Ben as this year was Ryan turn for a party but we did have the usual crowd come over for cake and a cuppa. Nathan got roped into reading to Harry. Harry hero worships Nathan as Harry believes Nathan knows everything about everything!

Daniel, Violette, Eli and Lillian making a city.

Cleon and Michelle giving Jonah cuddles. Jonah was trying to figure out what the hell they had put in his hand!