Mackenzie at 1 week - more on the photo page

Welcome Mackenzie Kate

A great answer

Mum (inspecting the days lunchbox) : "Courtney, you didn't eat your apple"
Courtney : "I don't have any teeth" (flashing and pointing to her one tooth smile)

The sore head

Courtney got hit in the head with a rock today. Apparently the rock was about the same size as her head… I guess were lucky that she wasn’t seriously hurt. It appears that Isaac was trying to build big muscles in order to impress one of the girls in year five and he accidentally lobbed the rock on Courtney’s head as he threw it down – something like that.

Happy Mothers Day

On Friday the girls played up at netball, they were obviously making themselves well known the staff at the netball centre. One of the ladies told Mum that they were running around, causing a disturbance, the girls version is that they were being chased by boys.

As punishment for their ruckus at the netball, the girls have been banned from watching television, playing on the Playstation or using the computer all weekend and it must be said that they took it very well. In fact, Courtney spent most of the weekend reminding people that she had to obey the rules.

This morning the girls jumped into bed with Grandma and without trying, made her Mothers Day rather special. There was tears though when Brooke wanted to give Grandma’s card to Mum because she liked the butterflies on the cover… Guess who gave in first, Grandma or Brooke?

This afternoon, we took the bikes for a ride, which the girls always love doing and then the girls had their first ever ride on the back of a ute. Honestly, we only went about 5 km/h.

This weekend coming the girls are going on holidays with Nana and Granddad and they are really looking forward to getting away and going fishing.

Historical Event

Grant Webb and Todd Russell are freed after being trapped for 14 days in a gold mine in Beaconsfield, Tasmania.

It begins

Grandma and Pa have arrived in town and the girls are jostling for Pa’s attention. Last night, Mum took the girls over their house to say hello and it appears that Pa paid too much attention to Brooke so suddenly Courtney had a sore throat and needed to be carried out to the car when it was time to go. There will be some interesting times ahead.

This weekend the girls are off to Brookton to visit Maddison, Courtney’s mate from school last year.

Not much to report

Today the girls went to Holly's 4th birthday party. It was a fairy party so the girls got to dress up in their outfits (photos on the other page)

It starts early

Today, Mum showed Dad how Courtney had collected over $70.00 in birthday, Christmas and Tooth Fairy money. Courtney wanted to go to the shops and spend $10.00 on buying some magnets. Like all good young ladies, she ended up coming home from the shops after spending 3 times more than she had planned. CJ spent $35.00 odd dollars on buying a board game.

Dad is now banned on taking Courtney shopping. Rightly so as Mouse Trap, the board game she bought has about 30 small parts and if a single piece goes missing it won't work. Not to mention that it's a little bit advanced for Brooke and there are bound to be some arguments coming up.

Donnybrook

Over the last few days, the girls have been down South. On Saturday we drove down to Donnybrook where the girls got to meet Isobelle and Aidan. The girls had a really great time, playing, feeding the neighbour's chickens and what ever else we could find to do. Dad had a good time drinking the local moonshine.

On Sunday we all took a day trip over to Nannup and had a BBQ (sometimes in the rain) at Barrabup Pool. The girls had a great time helping collect firewood, throwing dead leaves in the air and trying to catch marron with sticks. Both the girls were quite amazed that food could be cooked over a fire.

On the way home today, we dropped in an saw Dad's boss. Whilst playing there we found out that Courtney is above par with a hula-hoop.

Courtney's Birthday

Courtney seems to have had a great day. One of the special highlights was when she let Brooke open one of her presents, for no other reason than wanting Brooke to feel apart of it. I doubt that the little sister would have been so generous.

Obviously CJ got spoilt, jewellery, clothes, a television and a lamp for her room, pencils etc.

Instead of a party, Courtney wanted to go to the cinemas, which was fine with Mum and Dad. We took CJ's school friend, Mya (Dad'll check that spelling) and we watched Ice Age II which was pretty good.

Tonight we all had dinner at Nana and Grandad's house and Nana made fried rice just for Courtney becuase that's what she wanted for her birthday dinner.

Dad's camera went flat during the day, Hopefully we'll get some of the photos that Uncle Brad took soon.

Turn on your Child Locks

For some unknown reason, Brooke had an absolute brain fizzle today and decided it would be a good idea to open the door of a moving car, giving Nana and Grandad heart attacks in the process. None of us can understand why she would even contemplate doing such a thing...

In better news, here is a sneak preview of Courtney's birthday tomorrow.

Easter time

Well, without very much fuss being made at all, the Easter Bunny came to the girls house again this year. It really didn't seem to be a very big event for either of the girls, not that they are complaining about the Easter Eggs.

Now we're all getting ready for school holidays and most importantly, Courtney's birthday on Wednesday. She is not having a party this year, she is taking a friend, Maya, to the movies to go and see Ice Age II

P.S - If anyone can see a 7 year old in the photo above - don't tell her grandparents

A new scar

Brooke came home from school the other day, sporting a new graze to her forehead. Nothing serious, just one of those little bumps on the head she'll get from running where she shouldn't.



Also worth mentioning. Courtney was telling Dad how she found out the other night that she quite likes "French Food" - satay sticks, spring rolls... that sort of thing.

Mum recalls that is was Thai. We have no idea where CJ got French.

Happy Birthday Mum

Today the girls had an Easter Parade at their school. All of the classes made Easter hats and then the kids got to show them off. The girls are starting to get keen on the idea of the Easter Bunny coming to town. They are not as excited as at Christmas time, just a general interest but no counting down the days just yet.

'No Boys Allowed'

Don't remember if it has been mentioned in the past. For about a month now, Brooke has left a little cushion with "No Boys Allowed" written on it, guarding the threshold to her bedroom. Even when she is upset and crying, boys (including Dad) are not allowed in her bedroom.

Sorry

Another week that is light on information. We can report that Brooke is very proud to be her classes "Tap Monitor", it's her job to make sure that the tap is turned off - very big responsibility for a 4 year old.

Dad's going out this weekend, celebrating two years in the city and then a wedding on Saturday. Maybe there will be some new photos on Sunday.

No News week

Not really much to report this week. Dad has been working too many hours and has not seen very much of the girls this week. Maybe soon there will be some more tales to tell.

Where did he go?

An interesting story from the weekend.

While the girls were on their way to Adventure World, they were chatting away together in the car. Dad manage to catch the tail end of a conversation which ended with Courtney saying, "I don't know where he died, I guess he went back to Queensland."

When quizzed Courtney told Dad that she and Brooke had been talking about Easter and where Jesus was when he died.

We're guessing Pa had something to do with this?

Adventure World (again)

The girls went to Adventure World again today. As always they had a great time although Brooke was a bit 'standoffish', not wanting to go down the water slides or go swimming. Still they went of a few rides and were really good (understanding) when they had to take turns or miss out on doing certain things because of the odd number.

Maybe next year, we'll only go once. We don't think the girls (as always) understand how good they have it.

It's all in the name

With Easter getting closer, Dad bought the girls some hot-cross-buns which they outright refused to even try, claiming that they had tried them before and that they definately did not like them.

20 mintues later... Brooke loves the 'rasin toast' that Dad made, it's just like the toast the Nana makes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY JODIE

Brooke's 4th Birthday

Today was Brooke's 4th Birthday. Both the girls were very excited and could hardly wait to get into their party dresses. Brooke had some friends from school and her swimming class come over for a small party and then she got to have her My Little Pony birthday cake.

She was (as always) spoilt by everyone's presents, so far her favorite is the Pegasus and Cloud Queen (Barbie)

After her party, Brooke went with Auntie Kirstie for a play at her house and then we all had dinner at Nana and Grandad's - followed by another birthday cake.

The Beach

This afternoon, Dad and the girls went down to the beach and made sandcastles and played in ankle deep water. The girls loved it and no doubt we'll be going back before the end of summer.

Will it ever end?

Yesterday Courtney went to see the Doctor, with a view of getting the manky plaster taken off her arm. After getting it wet in the bath and Nana's pool, not to mention the paint, tomato sauce etc that was on it, the cast needed to be changed and was no longer offering any support.

The Doctor took the cast off and did not replace it - seems she is on the mend.

Then today, whilst playing at school, one of Courtney's friends swung he hand back and struck CJ in the face, knocking out another tooth. Unfortunately "the tooth landed on Madison's shoe, but she thought it was a coconut, so it's in ESC"

CJ wrote the Tooth Fairy a note which explained where she could find the tooth.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Courtney's message

to mum and dad i love you four courtney' abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 123456789 10' iii

Getting older

Notice anything new?



On Wednesday after school, Mum took the girls to the chemist and Courtney had her ears pierced. Apparently she was very brave and she is now feeling very grown up. Brooke does not want earrings, strange considering that she wants everything else that Courtney gets or has.

On Monday the Mundy's came to stay and the girls had a ball playing with them. The weekend has been fairly slow, so we're going to Fun Station or something this afternoon.

Happy Birthday to Pa for yesterday.

Why is everyone's seatbelt black?

If anyone has the answer, Courtney would like to know.

Not really much to report, Courtney is getting used to doing most things one handed. She has managed not to get her bandage wet so far, although she did give the end a tint during some painting today. She does not like having it wrapped in plastic so we're limited to sponge baths at the moment.

Courtney might not be the only one in plaster if Marcus keeps up his efforts. The girls think it is really funny that he climbed up onto the roof.

Brooke is getting into the hang of school, she'll tell you that she does "lots of stuff" each day but it's very difficult to find out what "stuff" is.

It seems that the girls would love a cat (they are NOT getting one). We went to a friends house last night and they had a ball playing with the cat - still not sure if the cat actually liked all the attention.

Another First

In the early hours of this morning, Courtney did another first. She broke her arm, well fractured it at least. CJ fell out of her bed and obviously landed on (or broke her fall) with her right arm. She also managed to wack her chin on something as well. After the mandatory period of crying (during which Brooke got bored and went back to bed) Dad came over and the Painstop kicked in a CJ fell asleep. Mum and Dad decided that an immediate trip to A+E was not required.

This morning the Doctor sent Courtney for an Xray and that showed the result.



CJ has a 'half cast' (Not very PC) on her arm. It's more like a U shaped splint instead of the old fashion plaster wrap. She is a little worried about going to school and not being able to write.

Needless to say, Mum has blacklist the bunk bed and it was taken out this afternoon, replaced with a boring old single bed. At least if she falls out, it's only a foot or so to the ground. CJ's bunk bed is officially on the market.

Our little school girl

Yesterday was Brooke's first official school day. Her school bag looks huge on her and even with next to nothing inside the bag, it looks too heavy for her to carry. That said, there was no way that Mum or Dad were allowed to carry it for her. She simply burst into the classroom and then moments later sent her parents away.



Come midday she was picked up from school and she was full of tales about playing, using glue and listening to stories read by the teacher. Brooke loved her first day of school, let's see how she is going 10 or so years from now.

Back to School

It has been an exciting couple of days for both of the girls. Yesterday Courtney started year two with a new teacher and classroom. Mum and Dad are a little concerned because she has been put in the Year 1/2 class and not the 2/3. Time will tell if she is getting held back in anyway.

Today Brooke went to her 'school' for the first time and she loved it, so much in fact that she refused to leave. Brooke was very upset that she was only allowed to stay at school for an hour (orientation) when Courtney got to stay the whole day. Mum warned Brooke's teacher that she was (or at least thinks she is) the boss but it was still funny watching Brooke trying to negotiate a longer day at school with first teacher.

Also, last week Courtney lost her other front tooth. It became looser after biting into a snake.

No girls this week

Dad has just returned from a week up north, hence no posts recently. In the mean time, here is a photo of the girls' cousins (to date).

Another Weekend

Yesterday Dad was just a little bit 'tired' so the girls spent a big afternoon playing in the park with Pa. Their grandfather was impressed with the way that Courtney takes care of her little sister when there are bigger kids around.

This morning started with a serve of pancakes and then we headed to the beach until Mum reminded us that it was the middle of the day and that being in the sun was not the smartest thing. Instead we went to Joondalup Arena.

The girls had a great time although we forgot their goggles so there wasn't too much swimming getting done. Brooke went down the slide and around the whirlpool but she wasn't as keen as Courtney to have a second go.



For the first time ever, Dad was told that he was not allowed to take photographs of the girls. One of the staff members told Dad that it contravened the privacy laws. For those of you interested, there are no such laws and there will continue to be photos of the girls... until such time as vanity and self awareness becomes an issue and Dad gets shut down by the girls themselves.

The dentist and the goldfish

Firstly, the biggest news of the day. Courtney is missing one of her front teeth and the other one is loose. All thanks to Jasper (Issac's little brother), trying to "help" Courtney by jamming a recorder (as in musical instrument) into her mouth.

As a result Courtney, Mum and Brooke have spent the afternoon at the dentist having one of the teeth pulled out. The other one will come out in its own time.



CJ is feeling a little sore and sorry for herself, her mouth is still a little numb from the anestetic and she'll have a fat lip for a couple more days.

For the record. Mum was the first person ever to make fun of CJ's lisp... it's so cute.

Now for the fish. CJ's tank has three fish. Goldy, Patches and Skinny Fish have all made themselves at home and seem happy enough.

Family

Today the girls caught up with their cousins. We all went to Wildkidz so the kids could run amok while the adults tried to have a cup of coffee. The girls (and boys) had a great day.



Courtney started vacation swimming today as well. She is very concerned that she will have to repeat levels that she has already achieved during her normal swimming class. Today was her assessment session... Obviously she was very tired after playing with Brooke and the boys. Time will tell.

Happy New Year.

The girls are both very tired today after a big New Years celebration at Issac's house. Courtney managed to see the new year in but Brooke thought better off it and fell asleep. Happy New Year everyone, who knows what 2007 will bring for the Crane girls.

Christmas - Take 3

Today Grandma and Pa arrived in Perth and the girls had yet another session of unwrapping Christmas presents. Brooke received another makeup kit, which she needed. Brooke loves makeup, and she never applies a light coat. Check out the photo page for the final results.



Needless to say the girls were very happy to see Grandma and Pa and they are making the most of having them around (and getting their own way)

Christmas Day - Half Time Report

The girls have had a wonderful morning. Santa and everyone else has been very generous. We started the day, getting presents from under Mum's tree and then on to Nana and Grandad's for more. The girls sit have another session to come when Grandma and Pa arrive later this week. Very spoilt little girls.

Merry Christmas

The Crane girls are sound asleep, waiting for Santa to come and deliver all his presents. Tonight an old shoe box turned up under the christmas tree which Courtney announced was for Brooke. Mum and Dad took a sneeky peak. It contains Courtney's fairy ornaments and some of Mum's hand cream - Sweet really.

Merry Christmas everyone. We are thinking of you all and we hope you have a wonderful day.

An important life lesson

We've all learnt it at some stage and now Brooke knows as well.

"It really hurts when you walk into the tow ball on a car"

Dad thinks it (seems to) hurts a lot less when you get struck in the thigh and not the shin.

Christmas Lights

Dad and the girls went on the hunt for some the best Christmas lights display tonight. The first one we went to was the best. They have over 25,000 lights, Santa displays, elves in the garden - all sorts of things.

Some people really put in a big effort - maybe next year Dad and Pa can combine forces for a half decent showing.

7 More Sleeps

Last night it was back to the greyhounds to catch up with Dad's friends, including Mr Burke - as in "Mr Burke's Farm"

The girls had a great night playing games, drawing, playing with puzzels, getting their face painted, blowing bubbles etc.

We didn't get home until about 11:30pm and the girls slept in until about 11:00am.

This afternoon the girls did something special. Running around the back yard under the sprinklers...

Tongight Aunty Kirstie took Mum and the girls to Christmas Carols and fireworks.

She's a spoon

Okay, so it's the middle of December (almost), it's cold, wet and windy in Perth and because Brooke and Dad have a touch of the cold, we spent most of today, quietly in side watching television and playing on the computer.

Yesterday, the girls suckered Dad into buying them a new Barbie DVD, in which there were pairs of 3D glasses.




Would you believe that one of the rolly bugs that Brooke caught was also issued a set of 3D glasses so he/she could watch the movie.

Last night we went to the greyhounds with Dad's friends for a little bit but the kids activity room was closed and it was too cold outside so we didn't get to stay too long.

HI 5

Courtney took a majority off from her last day from school today because we all went to see Hi 5. It took the girls a little while to get into it but they seemed to enjoy themselves. As always there was no great effort on their behalf to get up and dance or anything, the girls were content to sit back in their seats and watch as if it was a giant television.

A big congratulations to all the Burswood share holders. What a great idea! Close off all the free parking spaces, put up barricades leaving everyone the only option of taking the $5.00 parking area. Sensational.



As mentioned, Today was Courtney's last day as a year one student. School holidays are on! We're still trying to work out if that'll make things easier or harder on Mum.

Forgot to mention

Last night when we all left Sizzler, Brooke forgot to pick up her "nigh-nigh" (blanket). Mum saw it and picked it up but didn't tell Brooke. After a while at home, Brooke noticed it was missing. Apparently there was a huge amount of tears and Brooke even woke Courtney up to help her look for it around the house. A while later Mum gave her nigh nigh back. We think that she might have learnt a little bit about taking care of her possessions.

Sizzler

Tonight the girls, Mum, Dad and the Mundy mob went to Sizzler. Again, with a whole smorgasbord of food to choose from, Brooke only eats a bread roll and a couple of chips.... and ice cream.

Christmas Party

Today Dad's work held a Christmas party which the girls went to and had a great time. It was much like the picnic day earlier in the year with rides, an animal farm, gymnastics gear, etc. Santa Claus came in on a helicopter and he had a present for both of the girls.



Courtney learnt the importance of using tears at the right moment. After letting Brooke go first on the dodge 'em cars, Dad and CJ went to line up for her turn, only to be told that the ride had closed for the day. Courtney burst into tears and tugged enough heart strings to have the man running the ride to let her on. Only time will tell if she continues to use this trick.

Christmas begins

Today the girls put up the Christmas tree. It looks a lot better than last years effort. This year Brooke got to put the angel up on top. The girls already have a present underneath the tree and they have already taken to squeezing, shaking and listening in an effort to guess what is inside.

This week...

Last weekend Courtney went to Nana and Grandad’s house and helped Grandad lay some new pavers. She was a big help carrying them over and playing in the trailer load of sand.

Yesterday, Brooke played quietly in the kitchen while Mum was busy. She went to the pantry and pulled out all the flour, chocolate sauce, sugar etc and had a wonderful time “cooking”

Brooke continues not to eat anything. Has anyone else heard of a three year old that does not like watermelon, rockmelon or any other type of fruit – except banana?

Bugs, snails etc

On Saturday, Dad and the girls went up to see the Mundy family who are busy getting ready to move house. Due to an earlier than expected settlement date, they are going to stay with Dad for a week or so at the end of the month. Both the girls are really looking forward to the visit.

Today was a bit slower. The girls have for some time, taken a great interest in the "Rolly Bugs" that live in the garden. Dad has always known them to be called Slater Bugs but a search of the internet has him no closer to working out their proper name. They are the little black critters in the leaf litter that roll up in a ball as soon as you touch them. They look something like this...

Porcellio Scaber is the closest I can get. For now, Rolly Bug will do just fine. Anyway, the girls have discovered that Rolly Bugs love playing in the dolls house, cubby houses and just about anywhere they can. Today the girls had a great time sending them down a little slide that they made up for them. Needless to say, Dad vacuums up a number of bugs each Sunday night.

Speaking of such things, Brooke is well and truly over her fear of snails, in fact earlier in the week she was somewhat upset to discover that her "pet" snail have escaped from the container in the back yard.

A new game

Brooke found out this morning that if your (at least hers) fist will slide into a toilet roll tube quite easy... it just won't come out again without a great deal of effort. Still she has not learnt and did the same trick again this afternoon.

Today Mum and Dad took the girls to the duck park so they could ride their bike. Courtney gave them both a heart attack by riding so fast she got speed wobbles and Brooke pushed herself really hard to make it all the way up the hill.

CJ