Hydrotheropy

CJ didn't go to school today as she has a sore leg. She may have simply over done it during all the playing yesterday. Brooke was also up most of the night with an ear ache.

This afternoon Dad took the girls up to the Ando house for a little hydrotherapy. Today may have been the girls first spa bath... It won't be there last. They thought the outside bubble bath was really cool.

Today the girls went to the family picnic day put on by Dad's work. Santa Claus was there and gave the girls a couple of nice presents. As always there was pony rides, petting farms, rides, fairy floss, ice cream etcetera.



In the afternoon the girls had a pool party for on of the girls in Courtney's class. We're amazed that they were still awake come dinner time.

Christmas is here.

Christmas is here and the girls are getting right into it. They have put up the Christmas tree at both Mum and Dad's house. Mum gave the girls a little artistic right whereas Grandma was a little sterner, ensuring that there was some balance. It has worked out well really, Brooke put the fairy on one tree, CJ on the other.

Little Nan

Unfortunately the girls lost their Little Nan who passed away today. It the days leading to her passing, Brooke spent some wonderful moments at her bed side, bringing a smile to little Nan's face and holding her hand. We'll all miss you.

Busy weekend

Last Friday afternoon, the girls had a disco after school and they had a great time. The girls wore matching dresses, personally fitted by Grandma.



Both of the girls are starting to think about Christmas. Courtney has drafted a few letters to Santa Claus, below is one of her first efforts.



Tonight Courtney got a little confused. Grandma and Pa explained how Aunty Rita is adopted and how she has brothers that are not Dad, nor Uncle Scott. Complicated for a seven year old.

Also tonight, Courtney wanted to listed to Christmas carols, and put on a CD. On reading the cover, she announced that one of the songs was sung by Frankenstein... Sinatra is a difficult word to pronounce.

Halloween Photo

Aunty Kirstie has sent through the photots of the night that she took the girl Trick or Treating. The girls had a ball this night.

Under the sprinklers

This afternoon, the girls came over to have dinner. When Grandma and Aunty Les went down to pick up the Chinese takeaway Dad assumed that the girls went with them. 10 minutes later, Grandma and Les returned home to find the girls, still in their school uniforms complete with shoes, playing under the sprinkler – soaked.

 

Not wanting to take the blame, Brooke straight away said “but, Pa let us out the front”

 

The First Filling

Today CJ had her first filling. That is one more than her father has ever had.

Courtney tells us that the Denist had to put her tooth to sleep with some gel on a cotton tip and then they showed her what the drill felt like on her arm. She was surprised to discover that the drill feels really bumpy in your head when they are drilling into your tooth.

New Blogger

Blogger has changed their format a little so Dad is currently learning his way around a slightly different system. Shouldn't take too long before everything is back to normal.


Brooke is slowly recovering from her week of being sick, she is almost back to 100% now. Keeping that in mind, the girls had a fairly quiet Saturday but got to ride their bikes in the afternoon and then they watched the Wizard of Oz.



On Sunday we went to Bunnings and made planter boxes and then in the afternoon, we went to Mindarie for the blessing of the (crayfishing) fleet. Once again we lined up for the face painting which ended in somewhat mixed results...

Worthy of note was the incident when Brooke was pouring herself a glass on milk at the kitchen counter. Being that the counter is about her chin height, it was a tough ask for a little girl to have a two litre container above her head and neatly pour the milk into the glass. When she spilt a little milk, Courtney started to tell her off. Dad was just about to throw out the line about crying and spilt milk when Brooke defended herself saying, "Courtney, my tippy toes weren't long enough"

Incursion

This week Courtney had an school "incursion"... A school trip to the assembley area to see the reptile man...

In other news, Brooke has been sick most of the week with a stomach bug and CJ has been summonsed to attend the school dentist to have a small filling. She is a little concerned.

Illness

This morning Courtney woke up with a sore throat and feeling a little unwell. Brooke woke up sniffing and coughing.

Brooke refused any suggestion that she should stay home. Being that she only gets to go to school two day a week, she was not keen to miss out on anything. Courtney on the other hand, leapt at the chance to skip school.

Dad took the day off work today so he picked Courtney and Brooke up, took Brooke to school and then dropped CJ on the couch at Grandma and Pa's house. It appears that not being allowed to do anything fixed up her sickness fairly quickly.

This afternoon Dad and Pa went and watched CJ's netball training. Sorry no photos allowed....?

Halloween

Tonight the girls got dressed up in their costumes and went Trick-or-Treating with Aunty Kirstie. They cleaned up in the street and now both have more lollies than they will be able to eat in November... Aunty Kirstie has some great photos which will be posted shortly.

Party Girls

On Thursday, the girls' school had an exhibition of the art work that they have been doing this term. Here is Brooke with her classes monsters.



The girls have had a very busy few days. They have attended three parties in as many days. Two birthday parties and a Halloween party where they got to make ghosts and jack-o-lanterns. Of course as soon as they got home, they had to show Dad which meant that we had to make another one. Brooke is mighty pleased that she got to light the candle with the stove lighter – Dad is just hoping that he hasn’t created a pyromaniac.



Brooke was so tired after he big Saturday that everything got too much. She argued and cried when Dad and Grandma tried to dress her into a new pair of pajamas. She was certain that they were not right. She ended up sleeping in her day clothes – skirt and all.

A brief update

Well, it’s been pointed out that there have been very little news posted on the site lately. Dad has been busy with other things and has neglected his duties by forgetting to update on a regular basis. Here is a quick update to bring you up to speed.

About a week after the royal show, the girls got to go to a family picnic that was put on by Dad’s work. The girls had just as much fun as they did at the show (at a fraction of the cost) and obviously they were let of the reins a little.





CJ has a lovely new bed. A purple four poster! Mum’s friend John took on the challenge of making the bed after CJ (and Mum) couldn’t find one she liked – there will be a picture shortly.

Yesterday Courtney went on a school excursion to Hills Forest where she learnt a little bit about the Noongar people and life in the forest.

CJ has taken a term off swimming with the intention of taking on netball. Brooke on the other hand is swimming like a fish even though she rarely listens to her instructor, spending most of the lesson with her head underwater.

Last week (or so) Leighton and Teagan went with the girls to the Beach House where they played for hours. Courtney was very upset when the day was over.

Royal Show 2006

The girls loved the Royal Show and to tell you the truth, Mum and Dad had a great day as well. Clearly the girls best moment of the day was riding the ponies but they also got to go on five rides which they paid for themselves out of their pocket money. Brooke picked out a My Little Pony showbag and CJ chose a Winx Club. This year Mum and Dad got to look at a few displays as well which the girl patiently waiting through.

A trip to the Zoo

The girls have had a really big weekend. Mum's old friend, John has been making Courtney a big four post bed so the girls went over to consult on the finishing touches. It is looking really good and CJ has asked that the bed be painted a nice purple colour.

Today the girls joined in on Katrina's 14th birthday at the zoo. Having been there only a few weeks earlier, Courtney was an old hand, showing Dad and Brooke around.



Obviously the lions and tigers were up there with the favourite animals but the silver gibbons put on a very funny show and the girls didn't want to leave their enclosure.



Dad's favourite was the salt water crocodile - it was amazing to see the under water view as well as the eyes and nostrils on top of the water.



How the girls managed to stay awake all the way home in the car - I do not know.

Historical Moment

The West Coast Eagles win the AFL Premiership. Today, the girls (and most other kids in WA) are fans of the Eagles.

A week without

Last night, CJ took her Gameboy to bed with her and got caught up by Dad, playing it at about 9:00pm. Needless to say, Dad was not impressed. CJ is not allowed to use the Gameboy, Playstation or the computer for a week.

All Quiet

The biggest news of the weekend is that Brooke has had a haircut.



It was fairly quiet all across the weekend with the girls playing their usual games. Courtney is looking forward to writing a post this weekend coming.

Dad Can't Win

Courtney is a little upset because Dad posts news before she gets a chance to tell people. Apparently Nana and Grandad had heard about her coming first in the running race before Courtney got a chance... ooops.

Then today Dave from BHM Photography, told Dad that he wasn't posting enough...

One thing that they will forget long before the culprits return, today Brooke wanted to know why 'Dad's' horse fridge magnet was right up the top of the fridge where she couldn't reach it - "Dad!, you have to put it down, so you know it's a horse, not a bird!"

Nothing Much To Do

If you ask Courtney, we did absolutely nothing today. Dad remembers it somewhat differently, waking up and making pancakes before heading down to our now ritual of arts and crafts at Bunnings.

Then after lunch, we took up the challenge of trying to make the largest bubble that the girls have ever seen, trying different solutions in our attempt.



Brooke had a sideline game going where she was trying to collect as many Rolly bugs as she could, putting them into one of Grandma's jeweller boxes...



Then the girls glued together every piece of scrap wood they could find in order to make a town and course for the match box cars and then this afternoon we (Dad walked) rode down to the shops for a milky way.



Perhaps Courtney was right – not much happened today.

First place

Today was the sports carnival at Courtney's school. She is so very proud of herself because she cam first in a running race. Apparently Mum was very proud, shouting out from the sidelines.

Historical Moment

Today Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after being struck in the chest with a stingray barb. The girls were always glued to the television when Steve was on.

Fathers Day

Yesterday, the girls went to the shops with Grandma, armed with a couple of dollars each to buy Dad a present. Three hours later they came home.

Fathers Day started with Courtney waking Dad, franticly saying “Dad, Dad… stay in bed okay!” A few minutes later, the girls came in with toast and a hot coffee. Dad was spoilt with a back massager, coffee mug, a key holder and key tag.



Dad also received a horse fridge magnet, a packet of colourful beads and a packet of open glitter glue pens. He also was given a nice book which contained pictures that the girls had drawn with the glitter glue pens….

We went back to Bunnings this morning for the kids workshop. Brooke had decided that the tool box that she made on Thursday, she wanted to give to Mum and the girls wanted to make another one for Grandad.





The girls spent a fair bit of the day blowing bubbles and this afternoon they rode (or got a tow on) their bikes to the park for a big play.






A really nice day.

Tool boxes at Bunnings

Tonight the girls went to Bunnings with Dad to attend a special craft workshop which was put on so girls (and other kids) could make something with their Dad. The project for the night was the kit toolbox that Bunnings sells.

Can't show the photo's just yet as it'll give away the surprise for those that may or may not be getting a tool b ox for Fathers Day.

The girls had a fantastic time. They're both fairly handy with a hammer but unfortunately they are not so versatile with a paint brush, getting paint all over their clothes.

The girls were spoilt by the Bunnings staff. Even after putting on the craft workshop, there was pizza, softdrink, a gift bag, mini putt golf and a raffle in which everyone (including Dad) got a gift.

School Excursion

Today Courtney's school went to the zoo. Her favourite animal there was the otter. We'll get her to write a story about it this weekend.

Sunday Sunday.

Lately Brooke has been trying very hard to stay in her own bed. That all got thrown out the window last night when she woke up, went to Grandma and Pa's room, switched on the ceiling light (obviously it was too dark) and jumped into bed. 20 minutes later, she announced that she was off to see Dad, jumped out of bed, switched off the light and went to Dad's room. There, she tickled Dad's foot until he woke up and then jumped in for a cuddle.

Today the girls went to Bunnings and made some letter holders in the arts-n-craft class and then we had a picnic at the five slide park where the girls stalked a duck for a while and then played in the play ground for ages.







Pa has planted a special "Courtney Brooke Mackenzie Lily" tree in the front yard.

Here She Is

Lilly Mae

Strange how the world works sometimes. After yesterdays sadness, today there is a lot of happiness. Thecranegirls have another cousin - Lilly Mae was born this evening and everyone is very excited to meet her. Hopefully we'll have a photo soon.

Farewell Little Pop

Sadly, the girls Great Grandfather, Little Pop passed away today after a battle with illness. We will all miss him very much. All is as well as it can be today.

Arts-n-Craft day

Brooke has been a little bit of, for want of a different term, a Mummy's girl lately. She has just prefered to be close to her Mum. So, she didn't sleep over last night. In some ways we think that Courtney might spend the whole week planting the seed in Brooke's head, because she loves having Dad, Grandma and Pa all to herself.

Today we heading down to Bunnings and CJ joined in the kids arts and crafts class. She made Mum a key board so she will never lose her keys again.



This afternoon, CJ continued to make craft items. She glued pop sticks together to make a house and then she painted it bright colours.

Recent photos

This week, Uncle Rob came for a visit and at last Courtney has stopped going on about when he is going to visit. CJ spent the afternoon making a spider web in the back of Pa's ute.



The other day, Brooke worked out she is old enough to make her own breakfast.

Life goes on

There is not really any great big news to report. The girls have both been carrying colds so that has kept us quiet on the weekends. The girls are really getting into having Grandma and Pa around, they love being spoilt.

Grandma has taken to paying the girls a gold coin each weekend when they clean their room and polish the furniture. CJ is saving her money for the Royal Show which means she will have about $10.00 by the end of September, should get her a hot dog and half a coke.

This week will see the 2nd anniversary of thecranegirls site. Although Dad has been a bit slow on the updates of late, it's still ticking along.

Illness

Both the girls have been a little unwell this week with the flu. Today was the first time that Courtney went to school this week but Brooke had to miss today. As always, you'd never know that they were sick, the girls still seem to have their sparkle.

Off to market

Yesterday Brooke wanted to stay home so Courtney had a sleep over all by herself and she made the most of it, getting spoilt by everyone around her.

Today Brooke joined in and we went to the markets in Waneroo. The girls bought something each from the two buck shop and they each had an icecream. All up a very quiet weekend.

Earrings come out

Tonight for the first time since they were put in, Courtney's earrings were taken out. In Courtney's mind it was going to hurt. Mum bribed her with an ice cream and she stood perfectly still waiting for Mum to pull the backing off. AS the tears welled in her eyes, Brooke came over and dabbed her wet eyes with her nigh nigh and then CJ noticed that Mum's hands had moved away and they were holding the earring.

Wide eyes like Christmas morning. 5 minutes later, CJ was putting in her own earrings.

Cup cake and missing teeth

Late last week, Mum kept the girls busy with something fun. She made a batch of small cup cakes and then the girls got to decorate them. The had hours of fun.



The weekend was fairly quite with a trip to Fun Station with Pa. On Monday night another of Courtney's teeth fell out. It appears that Brooke is starting to feel a little left out by the tooth fairy.

Economics

A couple of weeks ago, Grandma made the girls a simple deal. If they kept their rooms cleaned and the furniture polished for the week, she would pay them $1.00 each. Today the girls (with a little help) remembered to polish the bookshelf. They took every single book out of the shelf and piled them up on the bed and did a very thorough job. Grandma paid Courtney the money and then had her write a receipt. CJ then ran around the house making “business bills” (contracts) with everyone.

Censorship

Yesterday, Courtney asked that a previous post be edited and that a reference to a person be taken off their website. This blog is not open to free speech, it is the girl’s site and therefore has been removed.

I’m sure that Brooke won’t censor her comment on Sunday “I am an angel, I have blonde hair!”

Today, Courtney went to Natasha’s house for most of the day to play whilst Brooke helped Mum, Nana and Grandad with getting ready for a house inspection.

Google and Greyhounds

Last night Dad took the girls to see the Greyhounds. Although it was very cold outside, they both had a great time running around and cutting a rug on the dance floor. Courtney is now quite competent at filling in TAB tickets, although she and Brooke both seem to think that it's the same eight dogs each race.



Below is a picture of Brooke's diary. She writes pages and pages like this and they all mean something, to her. It's like a long story about fairies, ponies, horses and purple butterflies.



The funniest news was this morning when Courtney asked Dad "How do you spell heart?" A few minutes later, CJ comes out and asked for help with the computer... she wanted to learn how to use Google. Her query... "how do i win a boys heart"

We have no idea how she had worked out that Google will tell you the answer to everything.

Over the Hedge

The girls have done well for the the first day of the school holidays. Dad took them to the cinemas and we saw Over the Hedge. Not bad. Brooke got a little scared at the end when the bear was chasing the rest of the animals around.

School's out

This weekend the girls kept fairly quiet, gearing up for the school holidays. They have a fairly lengthy list of things that they want to do over the next few weeks, most of them costing money. Dad thought it was about time to survey the girls again.

Brooke;
Favourite food – Nutella Sandwich
Favourite drink - Coke
Favourite colour – Purple, blue and pink
Favourite song - My Little Pony
Favourite movie - Cars
Favourite place – Cinema
Favourite thing to do at school - Painting
What do you dislike? – “When Ryan doesn’t play with me”
What do you want to do when you grow up? – “Run like a horse”
What is your first memory? – “Playing with my horse” (at her 4th birthday)

Courtney;
Favourite food – Banana
Favourite drink - Milk
Favourite colour – Light blue
Favourite song – I Like to Sing
Favourite movie - Madagascar
Favourite place - Home
Favourite thing to do at school – Silent drawing
What do you dislike? – Isaac (but read on)
What do you want to do when you grow up? – “A rock star or a singer”
What is your first memory? – “My 3rd Christmas, at Nana and Grandad’s house”



The Fringe


Fancy Dress

Happy Birthday James

Unfortunately, the distance between us meant the girls missed out on James’ pirate birthday party – Happy 5th Birthday James.


James - The Pirate


Cameron


Uncle Gavin and Marcus


Uncle Scott and Mackenzie


Aunty Tarita and ...

Not much to say

Not really much has happened this week. Mum and Dad took the girls to Sizzler earlier in the week and again we are reminded that the girls are not the greatest eaters and that it is salad bar only for them from now on.

The weekend got off to a bit of a slow start with Dad spending most of Saturday on the couch The girls wanted to enjoy the weather and went riding on their bikes.

HAPPY Birthday to James and we hope that his pirate party went really well.

Moment of the week: Brooke watching a wedding on TV with Dad, Grandma and Pa. When the bride and groom kissed Brooke says, "Now they can sleep with each other".... Silence....