Dad returns

There has been very little (nothing) posted lately because Dad has been up North, visiting James, Cameron and Marcus. He'll put up some photos soon when the work computer starts playing the game.

In news of thecranegirls, Brooke has a new haircut which she is very happy with, although you wouldn't know it from the photograph.

A while ago now, the girls made (painted) Mum some flower pots and on Sunday they planted seeds together, watered them in and then put them out into the sunlight. Let's hope they are more successful than their effort with the vegi garden last year.

Chess

Tonight Courtney beat Dad in chess. Amazing watching her brain ticking over, developing strategies. She knows what each of the different pieces can do (most of the time), and she has invented a couple of new rules but the basics are there.

Courtney's message

Courtney wanted to send a message to her school and everyone

halo courtney heae i have chicken pox today is sunday it is 6 more day's until my chicken pox og away good bi to aii my friend's and teaeher's.

Seeing Spots again.

On Friday, CJ broke out in the first of her chicken pox. Hers are much worse than the mild dose that Brooke had, today we counted 101 (would you believe it) spots on her. She has a few really good/big ones as well, one of which is on her face. So far she has not been too itchy but that might be beacuse of all the creme and lotion that Mum bought.

Courtney's greatest concern is that she will not be going back to school this week. She is very upset, to the point of tears. Dad told her that she would have to miss the first week, he hopes that is the truth otherwise he'll be in trouble. We've had a very quiet weekend, staying indoors and away from other kids.

Leighton's comes to play

Today Leighton came over and played all day. Everyone was worn out, including Mum. He's a great little guy but Dad is worried by the amount of attention the girls pay to him.

Not the Royal Show

Today the girls went to a family picnic day put on by Dad's social club. It was fantastic and the girls had a ball. They had every ride that the girls would have gone on at the Royal Show without the cues (and cost)



They drove go-carts, went on dodge'em cars, bouncey castles, ferris wheels, pony rides etc as well as having face painting, ice creams and fairy floss. A huge day for them (and Mum and Dad) and they are still tucking into the lollies from the show bags.

As always Brooke wanted to do everything that Courtney was... including climbing to the top of a huge blow up slide. As the pictures show, Brookes reaction at the top was a bit different to CJ's and she had to be 'helped' down by one of the older kids.

There are a lot more photos on the other page

Aqua

Tonight Mum and Dad took the girls to AQUA. They both loved it. The girls went into the face painting room, Brooke wanted a horse or a pony but settled for a fish once she was told (several times) that the animal had to live underwater - a sea horse doesn't count, apparently.



The touch pool was a hit, as was the underwater tunnel but, as expected, Nemo (or any fish that looked like him) was the most favioute thing of the visit.

The Crane Shins

It appears that both of the Crane girls have inherited what it commonly known as "the Crane shins". Walk near a tow ball, lean against anything and they bruise. Hopefully for them, this will not continue later in life

BMX girl

This morning, the girls went back to the park to ride their bikes and fly the kite. As there had been a little rain over night, Courtney got to learn to coolest thing about riding a BMX, the rooster tail. She was very upset when Dad pointed out that she had mud flicked up her back from her rear wheel.



CJ did not want to get out of the car at the shops on the way home, she was so embarrassed that people would see the mud on her clothes and she was very relieved after Mum had been told and that, just like Dad said she would, Mum thought it was great.

First BMX session

Today was a big day. First Dad took the girls to buy new bike helmets, there wasn't much to choose from and Brooke insisting that she had the same (different colour) helmet as Courtney meant that hers is a little bigger than it should be.

After lunch we took the bikes down to the local BMX track where Courtney faces her first jumps, bumps and hills. We had a couple of minor stacks but nothing serious. She loved it.

Brooke on the other hand quickly worked out that having training wheels meant that it was impossible to keep the rear/drive wheel on the ground because all the other bikes had worn down the middle of the track and her training wheels were lifting her rear wheel off the ground.



Brooke ended up riding up and down the footpath. She would ride and ride, until she couldn't hear Dad yelling at her to come back anymore. Cheeky girl



We also tried flying the stunt kite again. It worked a lot better this time because there was more wind, maybe too much because we snapped the line each time. Both girls had a really good turn a flying the kite. Now they just have to learn not to chase the kite as it comes crashing to the ground.

Tonight Aunty Ned and Uncle Rob came to visit. The girls were by this time very tired and cranky. For a while, Brooke ended up in Rob's lap telling stories instead of having a bath.

Historical Moment

Today the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, told Australians that they could not ever expect the price of fuel to return below $1.00 per litre. Today the average in Perth is around $1.25.

Sizzler

Tonight we all caught up with Dave, Sharon, Ben and Cassie at Sizzler. The girls had a great night but completely wore themselves out. The girls were asleep in the car a couple of minutes into the trip home.

If, years from now, Courtney believes that all the water comes from angles tears, we'll know who to blame.

The Ballet

Today Grandma took Mum and the girls to the theatre to watch the ballet, Cinderella.

Although the show went for about three hours, the girls were very well behaved and they seem to have had a good time. It's been a long day and the girls are very tired so it might take a little while before we hear if they want to be ballerinas when they grow up.

The girls also enjoyed getting room service for their fish-n-chips for dinner, it looks like they like the concept of hotel rooms.

The long weekend

Grandma is in town and she came and spent the weekend with the girls. We are all starting to wonder about Brooke's chicken pox, after the initial breakout, there has not been too much action at all. She is not itchy, she has no spots on her face, in fact she only has about forty spots on her...



On Saturday, the girls played with Grandma whilst Dad watched the grand final. If history must know, the Syndey Swans defeated the West Coast Eagles by four points and neither of the girls are able to sit through a whole quarter of football.

After dinner on Saturday night, Courtney and Brooke treated Grandma to a special show where the girls sang songs, played the guitar and told stories. We loved the one (that went on and on and on) where Courtney was the narrator and Brooke followed the story with the actions.



Today, Grandma, Dad and the girls went to the markets and we ended up buying Mum some flowers, there really wasn't much to do there. The bonsai man says Dad is looking after his Fathers Day 2004 gift.

This afternoon Dad and the girls went down to the park and tried to fly a kite. There really was not enough wind and the dual hand stunt kite was a little hard for the girls to control, but they loved it. Looks like we'll be getting/making simple kites in the near future.





After the park, Brooke showed Grandma how well she could ballet dance, Grandma is taking Mum and the girls to see the Ballet (Cinderella) on Wednesday. and Mum came over for Chinese dinner. CJ is having a sleep over tonight but Brooke went home with Mum.

Chicken Pox

This site was created to answer, one day, all the questions that the girls might have in the future. Things like when did I? and where was I when?

Today Brooke broke out in Chicken Pox. We are guessing that she caught it a few weeks ago during a visit to the Mundy clan. Courtney is yet to show any signs however we don't think it'll be too long... Shhh, don't tell too many people. We don't want the parents of the thousand odd kids that went to the Wiggles on the weekend to find out.

Only Brooke could start a pandemic incident.

The Wiggles

Today Mum and Dad took the girls to see The Wiggles today. The girls were really pumped up, they couldn't wait, and then when we got there they didn't want to dance, clap hands or anything.

Brooke had a little go, Courtney sparked up every now and then but in general they watch it like it was television. A pretty good show all round. Although we were up near the back, the Wiggles left the stage and came running around the crowd.

Those boys are getting old.

In other news, Brooke has a sore tummy, most likely because she refuses to eat proper food. She is also finishing daycare in a couple of week, choosing to spend some more time with Mum before kindy starts next year. Brooke does not really like daycare.

School Assembly

Today Mum, Dad, Brooke, Nana Grandad all went to watch Courtney’s school assembly because she and her class were singing songs for the whole school and Courtney even got to speak into the microphone, asking the Principle to address the school.

Doesn’t she look sophisticated in her glasses?

Today the girls used MSN Messenger to talk to Cassie over the internet. Having the latest version on MSN and ADSL has made it really clear, both video and sound.



The girls were more interested in pulling faces but they did talk a little as well. We'll have to get all the family and friends onto this so we can keep in touch.

I think that's enough

Thecranegirls new house has a very, very deep bath tub. The other night the girls jumped in as Mum ran the bath. Whilst the bath was filling up, Mum turned her attention to cleaning the bathroom. After a few minutes, Courtney says "I think that's enough water now Mum"

Brooke is found to be silently sitting there with water up under her chin, bubbles up around her face.

Fathers Day

For Fathers Day, Dad got to make the girls pancakes for breakfast. The girls gave him some ties for works, a new coffee cup that Courtney painted at school and a picture Brooke made of her hands.



This morning Brooke came to Dad (after some coaching no doubt). She was holding about $2.00 in silver coins and she asked, "Is this enough money to go to Dino Gym?" Dad didn't have the heart to say no, so we spent the afternoon climbing, jumping, rolling, sliding and paying mini golf.



Today was Courtney asked for the training wheels to be taken off her bike. She has tried Isaac's bike a few times and is full of confidence that she can ride on two wheels. She is doing really well. It'll only be a couple of weeks until she has it mastered. She has already had her first crash, thankfully it ended in laughter.



Over some time, Brooke has developed a cute little habit of going and kneeling on her bed and facing the corner when she gets told off or does not get her way and she wants to sulk about it. She has the stamina to stay there for a long time, long enough that to out last her parents and we'll eventually come in and say sorry and give her the upper hand.

Today Brooke put a new spin on it. After being told she could not have a biscuit before dinner she stormed off to her room, looking back to make sure someone was paying attention. When Dad went in, she was not on her bed as expected.



It appears that she has taken to sulking in the cupboard. Oh yer, she got the biscuit as well.

Kings Park

Today the girls went to Kings Park for Natalie and Damian's (Mum's relatives) wedding. They were very good during the ceremony but didn't really pay much attention or take in what was going on.



It won't be long until we go back to Kings Park, maybe next weekend. The girls want to see the whisper wall - neither of them remembers last time we went there.

Pizza with Emersona and Darcy

We finally caught up with Emerson and Darcy, something we have been meaning to do for over a year now. Dad and their Dad watched the footy while the girls (and the little fella) played as much as they could.

Courtney stubbed her toe and put on a really big show, just to let everyone know how much it hurt.

Courtney tried pizza and guess what. She likes it.

What about the other one?

Tonight the girls stayed at home with Mum because she was hosting a Jigsaw party and they thought they might miss out on something if they went out.

Both the girls are concerned about Dad's house being broken into (which is more than we can say for some). Dad explained what had happened in detail and how the window had been fixed etc but Brooke kept asking, "What about the other one?" and "What about the other house?" No one understood what she was asking, and we assured her that it was only Dad's house that was broken into. Brooke started getting kind of frustrated because no one would tell her what happened to "the other one"

Then the penny dropped, Dad had told her "My house got broken in TWO"

The cure

Dad has settled down a fair bit, thanks to Brooke. At 3:30am Mum called looking for some pain relief medicine as Brooke has an infected (or similar) ear and was in a fair bit of pain which the panadol was not touching. Obviously Dad was not sound asleep any way.

Amazing how a brave little girl's smile and a cuddle can turn a bad day into something special. It's hard to stay enraged when your reading My Little Pony stories.

Very Very Mad

Dad got home from work tonight to find that his house had been broken into. Not happy.

Nice of the Police to do absolutely NOTHING. They took a name and phone number. Apparently someone will come around in the morning. Not Happy.

Too mad at the moment.

The new tree house.

The Crane Girls are just about settled into their new house and they are loving it. There is heaps of room for them to play and their bedrooms are big enough, Courtney even has a television in her room. Best of all so far is the tree house, Dad (obviously with Grandad's assistance) is going to have to do some structural work as the steps have been eaten by the white ants but I'm thinking this summer they won't be coming inside until well after dark.



The girls stayed over at Dad's house on Sunday so they were not in the way whilst the furniture was getting moved. We potted plants, cleaned the windows, made a cubby house and had a funny faces competition. - Courtney won with this effort.



In all seriousness, notice the two teeth growing in where she lost her baby teeth and check out the molar coming through at the back.

One year on

Believe it or not, thecranegirls website is now officially a year old. It's worth going through the archives and having a quick walk through the last twelve months. Hopefully, we'll still be going in the years to come.

As you can see below, the site only gets (on average) one or two "hits" per day and it is assumed that on most occasions, Dad and Pa are the culprits. In fact, in the last seven days only one person has visited the site for the first time - "surfed in" we guess.

Dad has convinced someone else to have a go at keeping a web blog (online diary) as well. We'll put a link to this new site up once all the bugs have been ironed out and the author is ready for public display. Stay tuned.

In general girl news, Brooke has a orange/red spot on her head where she painted herself - seems her daycare does not use water based paints. The girls have a new house, the best one yet - heaps of room, a sand pit and a tree house... Accident and Emergency, here we come.

Clean Glass

This afternoon Mum took the girls to see the new house that they'll be moving into very shortly. Poor little Brooke, in all the excitement, ran flat out into the glass sliding door, obviously not seeing that it was closed. Her nose is a little flat at the moment. There was a little blood but apparently nothing to serious.

Wonder if she will run in the new house?

A great diet

It has been another fairly non eventful weekend for the Crane girls. Brooke had some sort of stomach wog earlier in the week and further, she has not totally recovered from her last cold, therefore we tried to stay fairly quiet. Taking into account that the weather was shocking, there was little to do except hang around inside the house.

Dad had a minor brain snap with the girls constant refusal to eat any food that is not ice cream, chocolate or something similar. After being given 100 different options on Saturday, Courtney was told to come up with her own idea for lunch.

Her answer.... a Mardarin Sandwich. She made it all by herself, showed off how she could make smiley faces and shapes and then left it on the table. Dad tried it, not bad at all.


The Mandarin Sandwich

Sunday morning pancakes are becoming a bit of a tradition. According to the taste testers, Dad's effort this morning was the best so far.


The girls make pancakes

Courtney's on going fascination with death continues. This afternoon she talked Brooke into playing hospital, your standard Doctor/patient role playing - no one survived.

We died the slatter bug

We’ve had a few morbid moments over the last week. It started in the car the other day when Courtney was telling Brooke about how she would learn a whole heap of new songs when she goes to ‘school’ next year. Courtney said there was a song about a pig that she learnt and started singing, in a mono tone…

“There once was a pig,
that went out and picked up a bone
and then the pig got hit by a train…”

It appears that CJ forgot the words – We hope.

Then on Sunday, the girls were checking out all the insects in the back yard. They caught a slatter bug and a caterpillar and had then in jars so they could watch what they did. When it came time to go, Dad told them to let the insects go.

Courtney says “We died the slatter bug… because it only had three legs left.” We’ll be keeping a close eye on her for a while, to make sure she is not learning too many new tricks from those boys at school.

On a lighter note, many will know that Brooke is often armed with her baby blanket. She has a favourite one, her “teddy bear nigh nigh”. She always fusses when she can’t find it and so on the weekend, Dad took on the challenge to wash it with Brooke knowing that it was going to get wet.

She went quite, are stared at the sink for a little while after Dad showed her how he was soaking it in Napisan, but when it came time to put it in the machine, both the girls were memorised. They spent at least ten minutes, kneeling on the ground in front of the washing machine, giggling and pointing every time they saw the nigh nigh go past in the window.


Watching "Nigh Nigh"

Nana and Grandad return

Nana and Grandad have returned from their holiday. Although we're sure they are glad to see the girls, it sounds like they would have been more than happy to keep on seeing the sights of the world.

No time for food

Dad took the girls up to visit the Mundy clan tonight. Uncle Rob had cooked up a big dinner for them, which they ignored and ran off to play. We have no idea what the girls survive on.

Also, Courtney left her shoes behind. Maybe she just wanted to ensure that we retruned again soon.

French Toast and Ice Cream

Tonight Mum and Dad took the girls to Sizzler for dinner. When they were getting dressed, Brooke was not too sure about the pink stockings that Mum was trying to put on her. Although, as soon as Courtney told Brooke they look cool, she fell in love with them.

At Sizzler, Brooke did her normal and tried to eat her body weight in French Toast. As always the girls ate very little but still claimed that they were full and begged for sweets.

Brooke went to sleep in her new pink stockings, not because she fell asleep, because she refused to take them off.

Heart Breaker

Pa has gone home.

Yesterday when he was packing his suitcase, Brooke was watching him and chatting away. Pa explained to her that he was packing to go home. Brooke went over to Pa, wrapped her arms around one leg and said something like "I don't want you to go home"

I bet she'll see him again soon.

Courtney's day off

Yesterday Courtney came down with a cold and came home from school early. She ended up spending the afternoon with Pa and then had a sleep over that night. Today Pa got to play nurse and he tells us that they stayed quiet all day, that he put his foot down and made sure Courtney didn't go outside. CJ is on the mend.

Brooke is her normal happy self, she went to watch Mum play netball and was by all accounts very well behaved, sitting quietly on the side lines.

Brooke - Makeup on and still not happy

Cirquedisoleil

Today Pa took Courtney and Dad to see Cirquedisoleil which is in town at the moment. Courtney, as expected did not like the noise very much but she says that she really enjoyed it and can't wait to tell everyone about it at school this week. Not surprisingly, it seems that her most favourite part was the clowns.

Pa has been behaving himself and Dad has only had to tell him off a couple of times - for soiling, fetching for or fussing over the girls. Brooke is the worst offender, she has worked out that Pa will do just about anything that she asks, depending on how she asks it.

Coughing Brooke

Today Brooke has been a little unwell. She had a little bit of a cough and was feeling a bit down. Brooke didn't want to sleep over at Dad's with Pa and Courntey, instead she went home for some TLC.

Pa went and watch Courtney's gymnastics class today.

Grandparents are good

Pa arrived today and Mum and the girls came over after school and stayed for dinner. It doesn't need to be said that the girls are over the moon and Pa is getting pushed and pulled in every direction.

When it came time for the girls to go home, Courtney turned on the tears, sobbing how much she wanted to stay with Pa. Mum and Dad ignored Courtney and told her to stop being silly. Pa went to the cupboard and got a bag of snake lollies and offered Courtney one.

Courtney stopped crying, looked up and said "But what about one for the other hand Pa?"

One more sleep

Pa is coming to town

Farm life and Greyhound Racing

The girls have had a great weekend. On Saturday, we went to "Mr Burke's farm" and this time the girls had a ride on the ponies, they also had a turn at holding the baby goat that was only a few days old.


Brooke and the kid (more farm photos on the other page)

Both the girls slotted into farm life fairly well and were not too afraid of the animals. It took Courntey a while to warm to the chickens and she wasn't going within 50 metres of the goat with horns, but generally they were happy.

Courtney discovered that mandarins grew on trees. It was obvious that she knew fruit grew on trees but it was still interesting to see her face as she picked the fruit, peeled and then started eating.

In the afternoon the girls played with the Burke clan, they had running races, wheel barrow races and even a game of bog ball. Courtney dived into the pack a few times but Brooke was always roving, waiting for the ball to slip loose.

That night we all went to the greyhound races and watched the dogs run really fast. Amazingly, the girls were still awake at 10:30pm when we finally made it home. A great day and thanks again to the Burke tribe for letting us join in.

Obviously Sunday was a fairly quiet day, hanging around the house, painting and cleaning up the toy room.

Cheeky manners

Tonight, the girls were having ice creams and the were both hounded Dad to let them put their own hundreds and thousands on top.

Dad : "No, you'll both get them everywhere. I'll be the only one putting the sprinkles on the ice cream"

Brooke (in her best angry voice-stamping her foot-arms crossed) : "You're not sharing Daddy"

Dad got the vacuum cleaner out and waited for the girls the finish...

The new look

Dad is back in Perth safe and sound however he's been a bit busy with work etc. He'll post the photos of the girls cousins soon.

In the mean time, here is a picture of CJ sporting her new glasses.

Historical Moment

Four bombs are detonated on public transport in London, killing 56 people, including the four bombers. The bombings came while the UK was hosting the first full day of the 31st G8 Summit and a day after London was chosen to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Nana and Grandad were in the UK at the time but thankfully nowhere near the bombs.

Dad's away

Dad is away at the moment, he's up north visiting James, Cameron and Marcus. Might be a while before any new messages appear.

Optometrist Visit

This afternoon Courtney went to the Optometrist and he has told her that she needs to wear glassess when she is reading in class and for other things up close. CJ is fairly excited about getting her glasses in ten days or so.

Brooke has started a new routine of not going to bed. She insist on sitting in Mum's lap and although she falls asleep within minutes, it can't go on forever. Time will tell.

Speaking of people needing glassess, it has been suggested to Dad that he increase the font size in order to make the page easier to read... we'll try it for a while and see.

The Doctor visit

Courtney went to the Doctor today. Nothing serious she just has a little excema near her mouth on the right side of her face. She has some creme so hopefully it'll clear up in no time.


CJ's excema and two missing teeth

Off the hook

Courtney's postcard arrived today. All is forgotten.

Interesting

Courtney has (had) no idea what a typewritter is.

Grandma and Pa are in the bad books. "Someone" sent Brooke a postcard, but not Courtney.

Madagascar

Today Dad and the girls went to see Madagascar, at first Brooke was a little scared of being in the cinema but the pop corn and lollies soon took her mind off her worries. The movie itself wasn't too bad but not as good as some of the other great kids movies that have been released. Dad's opinion is to wait until the DVD comes out.

Tomorrow Nana and Grandad leave on their big trip. We hope they have a great time and that they come home soon.

Her Mother's Daughter - Keeping warm

Gymnastics Day

Dad got to go and see both Brooke and Courtney's gymnastic classes today. He thinks that Brooke likes jumping into the foam pit the most. There is no way that you'll get her anywhere near the bars. Seems she is going to be like her older sister and wait until she's older before she tries the monkey bars etc at school.

Courtney on the other hand is getting quite confident on the bars, she has taken well to doing forward rolls and hanging in the tuck position.

Both the girls have to learn how to listen, they are more than content to do their own thing - which is generally just mucking around.

Courtney's Swimming

With Dad being on afternoon shift, he managed to go and see Courtney's swimming class today. She has really improved over the last couple of months. She is now swimming laps by herself and duck diving to the bottom. It seems to have taken a long time but she is really getting the hang of it now. Amazing.

In other news, Pa is off his feet again after another visit to the Doctor. Get well soon. We're all thinking of and missing you.

Winter has arrived

Not much happened over the weekend as winter has arrived and lately, it has been far too cold and wet to do very much at all. The girls did make the best out of a bad situation and managed to convince Dad to take them back to the Fun Station so they could have a play. There are some recent photos on the other page.

Brooke is now confident enough in the water that she is starting to muck around and not listen to her swimming teacher. She just loves having her face in the water, which is not very productive when people are trying to talk to her. At least she is leaving her goggles on more these days.

Two down

Courtney's second tooth fell out yesterday and she received another two dollars from the tooth fairy. This time CJ pulled it out by herself when it was barely hanging by a thread anymore. She's pretty happy with the whole situation. Mum and Dad are just waiting to see if they stop falling out for a while now. At this rate she won't be able to chew her food by the end of the month.

Grandad's Birthday Dinner

Today we went to the duck park again. Brooke wanted to feed the ducks but there is a sign up asking people not to, so we couldn't. Brooke also made a little friend in the playground. Much to Dad's (and the other girl's parents) disgust, they both decided to make a run for the swings that were about 100 meters away. Brooke did not understand what the problem was.

Courtney is very proud of herself, it seems that going to gym is helping her build up her strength, she can now go back and forth across the monkey bars, something that she couldn't do a few weeks ago.

Tonight we all went to Chinese for Grandad's birthday. The girls ate their favourite dishes, hot chips and prawn crackers.

Courtney has another VERY loose tooth, another middle tooth on the bottom, it is so loose that she can wobble it. We expect that the tooth fairy will be paying another visit by the end of the week.

That's not how Nana does it

Firstly,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDAD

This morning the girls wanted pancakes for breakfast but Courtney was not going to settle for buying the mixture from the shops, she wanted the real deal made from scratch. Dad got out the flour, eggs etc and that just about bought tears from Courtney who wanted them made just like Nana's.

"You put some butter in the pan and swish it around, then you pour in some milk and make the pancakes. Nana doesn't have eggs in her pancakes"

Dad checked with Nana, her recipe does have eggs and flour. Courtney is still getting her head around the fact that cooked milk and butter does not make pancakes.

In other news, the girls have a new play room at Dad's house. With a lot of the toys being stored there are the moment, Dad has been forced to finally move all the packing boxes. In short the room (and a majority of the house) is littered with toys of all shapes and sizes.

Courtney's teacher is setting homework for a "teachers test" next week. Courtney has learnt how to spell and write some words - was, the, of, in, it ecetera...

New address

Mum and the girls have moved to Nana and Grandad's for a while. Nana and Grandad are going on a holiday and the girls are going to help Mum look after Cara. Only down side is that Chloe has to live like a dog, outside... during winter.

Mum and Dad both have the flu at the moment, the girls have gone close to catching it but they seem to be staying healthy.

Welcome to the world

James R. Burke

5lb 9oz

Scitech

This evening the girls went to Scitech with Dad. This is their second visit. Obviously they were not very interested in the science behind the exhibits. Their favorite was the maze of mirrors, all you can see is your reflection in every direction and as you walk through you can't tell if you going to bump into the wall or not. They also loved playing in the makeshift construction site, using pulley systems to get fake bricks up to the top of the site.

The first tooth

Today at school, Courtney's first tooth feel out. Her tooth has been loose for sometime and it appears that she had the chin strap of her school hat in her mouth (as she does) and some how the strap got caught up on the tooth... when she took her hat off, the tooth went with it.



The tooth fairy came tonight and exchanged $2.00 for the tooth. Courtney says that she can already feel the new tooth coming through

It's alive

Yesterday Courtney went to the museum with her class from school. She had been really looking forward to seeing the dinosaurs. However when she first saw the dinosaur skeleton, she saw a bone in its leg move and she burst into tears from the fear. Apparently she was okay and calmed down when she saw the dinosaur head. We're sure that teachers are never shocked by a childs imagination. Courtney also saw the stuffed tiger licking its lips...

In other news, Courtney received another gold certificate at school for her regular good behavior. This time she even received a pencil.

Having said that, she has not been a perfect angel of late after hitting her sister in the face with a broom stick. Brooke has a little cut on her lower eye lid. Evidently Courtney has been told "you could have taken her eye out" enough times because she replays "That's what everyone says"

Mum is busy packing the house as the girls are on the move again very soon.

Happy Birthday DRB.

3 year old runs the show

Today Mum wasn't feeling the best so Dad took Brooke to swimming. She turned it on, the water works and everything. Brooke made it very clear that she didn't want to leave Mum and had no interest in going swimming unless Mum came as well.

That was until after about a block and a half in the car and a fruit tingle to solve all her troubles.

Brooke had a great time at her swimming lesson.

Dad has been lazy

On Friday the Mum and the girls went to the trots (horses) with the Mundy's. You'd never know that there were horses there if you spoke to Courtney, she only seems to remember that there was a double decker bus that had been turned into a kids play ground. Afterwards Mum and the girls had a sleep over at the Mundy house, the girls like sleeping in the sleeping bags.

Saturday night the girls had a sleep over at Dad's house and stayed up too late, once again.

On Sunday, Dad gave into the constant hounding and took the girls back to the Fun Factory so they could play.

Fairly standard weekend.

Heart Breaker

Courtney wrote her friend Issac a note today. I read something similar to "Dear Issac, I have a new boyfriend. His name is Leighton"

She is going to give Issac the note at school tomorrow...

Winter returns

Over the weekend the first of the real rainy days set in. The girls had a sleep over at Dad's house on Saturday night and then they played indoors on Sunday because it was a bit wet outside.

On Sunday afternoon a lady was surpose to demonstrate the Math Computer Tutor for Mum, Dad and the girls but apparently her car broke down... Does anyone know anything about this program?

Gymnastics Class

Today Dad took Courtney to her gynmastics class. She is really enjoying it at the moment although she still has to learn how to listen and watch instructions.

Dad has to learn how to take photographs of people running and jumping

Swimming Lesson

Brooke had a swimming lesson today and Dad got to go along as well. She certainly has a lot more water confidence that what Courtney ever had at her age. Brooke loves being in the pool although the confidence also brings out her little cheeky streak and she forgets to listen to what her instructor is telling her.



Brooke is a good little swimmer, she loves having her face in the water and jumping in from the edge. You would think she was a pro by the way she pulls her goggles up on to her forehead between every exercise.

Happy Mothers Day

This morning the girls all jumped into Mum's bed for a Mothers Day cuddle before they gave her some presents. Mum got given the paintings that the girls did last weekend and a new pair of warm pajamas. Not that Mum will get much of a relaxing day, Courtney has Maddison W's birthday party this afternoon and then it's off to grandma's house for BBQ dinner.

Footy, Arts, Crafts and Parks

On Friday night Courtney had a sleep over at Isaac's house. Sounds like they had a really good time doing "nothing" by all accounts. For some reason CJ did come home wearing Issac's clothes? Apparently they got all wet, accidently.

Saturday night we all went up to to see the Mundy mob and watched West Coast go SIX in a row... keeping their 100% win ratio for the season... for some reason the girls still want to back that purple mob? Hopefully they come around by September.

Today was a craft day. A while ago now, Mum bought the girls some canvases with pictures on them with the ACRYLIC paint included. Now Dad prefers water based so a few of his old khaki shirts came out and the girls managed to get through without too much mess. Did you know? No matter what order you mix colours in - you end up with a dark grey/black. CJ also received some blow pens for her birthday so the girls took to spray painting as well. Grandma and Pa will be pleased to know, their walls are still white(ish).

Chloe stayed over on Saturday night as well. Here a picture of her and Brooke watching cartoons together...

This afternoon Dad ran a survey of the girls, it appears that he forgot to post the last one. It'll be interesting to see how these details change over time;

Brooke -:

Favourite Movie - The Lion King
Favourite Colour - Pink and Purple
Favourite Food - Pumpkin and Gravy, sandwiches
Favourite Song - Barbie Song
Favourite Friend - Emily
Favourite Drink - Coke
Favourite Toy - dinosaur (the flyer)
What do you want to be when you grow up? - Like Courtney

Courtney -:

Favourite Movie - Wind in the Willows
Favourite Colour - Purple, Pink and Yellow
Favourite Food - Banana, muesli bars with white chocolate chips
Favourite Song - The Willow Tree
Favourite Firend - Issac, Maddison, Natasha and Dana
Favourite Drink - Leomande
Favourite Toy - Textas
What do you want to be when you grow up? - Artist and a Teacher

Dad's getting used to his new camera and there are more photos on the other page to check out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY KIRSTIE

Ice Cream Face

It's funny, normally ice cream doesn't make Brooke sleepy...

Happy Birthday Cameron

Today Cameron turned three. Happy Birthday little guy, sorry we couldn't be there and we promise to send Grandma and Pa home soon.


Cameron in March 2005

The word of the Courtney

Tonight Dad read Courtney a bit from her "buy book". The bit where the King sends the three wise men out to find the baby, "because he wants to put him on the ex"

School goes back tomorrow. Courtney is very excited and hopes that her teacher in returning after a period of illness. She'll be devesated if Mrs M. is not there tomorrow...

Cunning Big Sister

On Friday night Courtney wanted to have a sleep over with Grandma and Pa. Brooke followed CJ's lead, as she does, and said she wanted to stay as well. That was until Courtney asked her "but who will look after Mummy?" After that Brooke thought she better go home with Mum. We're still trying to work out if Courtney was really concerned about Mum or just wanted some time alone with Grandma, Pa and the lollies etc that they have.

On Saturday morning Brooke went to gymnastics for the first time. She had a good time doing 'pencil rolls'. Mum may have pulled up a little sore because she had to join in as well and it has been a while since she last did gymnastics.

Sunday the girls went to Isaacs birthday party before BBQ at Nana and Granda's house.

Sleep Over

Last night, Courtney’s friend from school, Isaac had a sleep over at Mum’s house. They girls and Isaac made up beds in the lounge room and then they stayed up very late. Courtney blames Isaac for doing all the talking.

Brooke got hold of a ink pad that Courtney got for her birthday. After covering the sole of her foot in red ink, she then walked around the house, leaving a little red footprint everywhere she went. Mum was not impressed.

By all accounts Courtney and Isaac fell asleep about 11:00pm.

Today Courtney went to Maddison W’s (there are two Maddisons’ in her class) birthday party at McDonalds. Brooke and Dad tried to stay out of the way but somehow Brooke found herself getting a slice of birthday cake and a lolly bag. Let’s hope that Brooke is as tolerant when people crash her birthday parties.
Needless to say both the girls are tired and ratty at the moment. CJ is having a sleep but Brooke is fighting it…no doubt they’ll both sleep well tonight.

Historical Events

In the last 24 hours or so...

- Joseph Ratzinger A.K.A. Pope Benedict XVI was elected the leader of the Catholic Church.
- Nine Australian's were caught trying to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia and now face the death penalty.
- Cousin James was caught ON THE ROOF of his house... James is three years old.

Birthday Number 6

Today was Courtney's birthday. She was spoilt rotten, she even received a watch from Nana and Grandad and Grandad showed her how to read the time.

There were so many presents it doesn't look like she has had time to get to them all yet.

Courtney had a birthday hair cut and then tonight she went to dinner with Nana, Grandad, Pa, Grandma, Mummy, Daddy and Brooke.

Birthday Girl

Brooke

Courtney's Birthday Party

Today Courtney had here 6th birthday party. Unfortunately Dad is having a little trouble posting the photos at the moment hopefully they'll be up soon for everyone to look at.

She had a great day and she was very spoilt with presents from her friends, mainly makeup and bath salts (very girly). Mum made a fantastic "fairy palace" birthday cake and everyone got to play musical statues etc.

The girls dressed up in their party dresses. Courtney is obviouslly growing up because she didn't want to climb in the tree wearing her beautiful dress.

Courtney's 6th Birthday Party

The Birthday Girl

Brooke at Courtney's Party

Only Grandparents

There are certain stunts that only grandparents can get away with.

On Friday night, the girls had a sleep over and were looked after by Grandma and Pa because Mum was busy getting a birthday party ready and Dad was at work. All was going well and then at about 10:30pm, Brooke woke up and had a bit of a cry because she missed her Mum and wanted to go home.

Grandma goes in to comfort her and just as the tears stop flowing, Brooke says something like, "A little lemonade would fix it..."

Needless to say, someone wet the bed on Friday night.

Happy Birthday Mum

Today is Mum's birthday.

Big weekend

On Saturday afternoon, the girls took Pa to the duck park. Courtney has developed a phobia of a certain breed of water bird (not a duck) after it leapt off the ground and snapped her finger whilst trying to get the bread. No harm done, just a fright.

On Sunday afternoon Dad and the girls went to Mr Burke's farm. There were heaps kids to play with, chickens, dogs, horses and ponies to feed and a dam where the girls had a ride in a canoe. Being scattered all over the state as well, the Burke's were having a belated Easter gathering so the Crane girls lucked out getting to gate-crash another families Easter egg hunt.

A big day, the girls liked life on the farm, just not the mud and droppings etc. Thanks to the Burke family for letting us join in on your day.

Sunday evening was filled up with Mum's birthday dinner at Nana and Grandad's house although the girls arrived late, full of chocolate, smelling of farm animals and dam mud.... Dad's fault.

Brooke and the animals. Dad is getting his camera fixed this week.

Historical Event

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles marry. Courtney considered watching it on television with Grandma but, real royal weddings go a lot slower than those Courtney is used to.