Versailles

The girls had such a tiring day yesterday at the Lourve, this morning called for a slow start. We woke about nine and then caught the train to Versailles. The line to get into the palace was at least 300 people long bit to be fair it took only half an hour or so to get inside. Inside was chaos with hundreds of people wanting to see the same rooms. Just when dad was about to give up, it appeared everyone did and it quietened down.

We saw where the kings and queens of France grew up and from where they often controlled the country. We also got to see lots of their furniture and art work.

 After looking inside the palace, we explored the gardens which had lots of beautiful ponds, some some with waterfalls. There was one pond in which there was a water fountain that squirted water in time with the music.

The girls got to try crepes for the first time - they are just like Nana makes! So again today was a lot of time on our feet walking and everyone is looking forward to tonight's sleep.

Dumb Dumb

The highlight of the Lourve visit was meeting "Dumb Dumb" - he is a character from the movie Night at the Museum - but in real life, he's an Easter Island Head.

The Mona Lisa

Today the girls went to the Lourve. It is a massive place and we really don't think we saw half of what it has to offer. Simply, exhaustion won the day.

Dad and the girls pushed their way to the front eventually and got a really good look at the Mona Lisa.

5kg tubs of Nutella !

Today we went to a food hall which sold 5 kilogram jars of Nutella. Brooke's eyes really lit up.

Day 2 Paris

It's been a really long day - and a beautiful sunny day in Paris. We started out expecting the worst and Dad spend the whole day lugging a backpack full of jackets, beanies, scarfs and gloves which were never needed.

We started the day at Musse D'orsay, an art gallery which had some Van Gogh paintings (a favorite of Doctor Who fans) including 'The Church'. The girls want to go back again if time permits.

We had lunch at cafe nearby. Brooke was more than happy with the lamb chops.

After lunch we walked towards the Arc De Triomphe and found a bridge over the river Seine where visitors have started attaching padlocks, on which they have written their names. It looks really good.

In the sky there is always long jet streams. They look awesome criss-crossing over each other.

The Eiffel Tower

Day 1 - Paris

Last night we arrived at CDG airport about 8:00pm. We stayed at the Novatel Hotel which is attached to the airport.

 This morning we caught two trains, arriving at the station just below the Musee D'orsay museum. When we came out of the underground immediately saw the museum, a statue of an elephant and the river Sein. It's an amazing place. Beautiful.

We're lucky Louise is able to speak French. She has negotiated all the street signs and check in counters.
Our apartment is fantastic! Although the girls are sharing a fold out sofa bed, the view out the window is breath taking. Dad has already claimed one of the streets as his own.

This afternoon thecranegirls and Dad went wandering the streets of Paris until we eventually found the Eiffel Tower. Courtney was the first to spot it - Brooke and Dad looked left.

Courtney's school art assignment has her taking photos of all the trees - which looks odd when you're facing away from the world famous monument taking photos.

We had a lovely afternoon wandering the streets looking at buildings and shops. It's fair to say the girls have fallen in love with Paris.

Tripod

Courtney has worked out a way of staying stable whilst she takes photographs.

Arrived in Paris

Today was really long. We were awake and up at 3:00am and then caught our flights from Perth - Dubai and then a from Dubai - Paris.

We have arrived safe and sound. Brooke's first flight that she can remember went off without a hitch. She was a little concerned about the turbulence but was frequently reassured by her big sister. Although she loves watching movies and playing games on the in flight system, after the first few hours her enthusiasm for long flights diminished and she is not looking forward to the next one.

Tonight we're sleeping in a hotel near right next to the airport before we tackle Paris city.

Perth to Paris

Qantas Club

We had a really early and slow start to the day but all is well now.

The girls are pretty sure they could live in a Qantas club. They had a really good breakfast, helping themselves. Unfortunately, Brooke is starting to think all air travel is like this!

On Holiday! - False Start

After all the planning thecranegirls are off on their holiday!!

We had a little false start with the girls forgetting to pack/bring Woof Woof, Tickle etcetera.

Mum and Dad had a little half way meet and all is well again.

Threading

Courtney Arrives in Geraldton

Great Escape

Brooke Turns Eleven

Today is Brooke's eleventh birthday!

Last night we measured her against the door at Grandma and Pa's house - she has grown a couple of center meters in as may months.

Happy Birthday Darling!

Almost 11

Fast Eddys

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Australia Day

The girls have experienced their Australia Day weekends apart. Brooke was lucky enough to be invited to a raft up on the river with Riley and his family. Hopefully there will be a photo to post soon.

Courtney had a sleep over weekend with her friend Jasmine. We rode down to Matilda Bay to watch the fireworks from the river banks.

Happy Australia Day 2013.

Lucky Girl

A month or so ago Courtney's Itouch was dropped accidentally. Today this lucky girl received a very early birthday present from Nana and Grandad. Grandad tricked CJ into thinking she was helping him pick out a ipod for himself. Cheeky! She loved the surprise and is very happy today.

Kalbarri

Courtney Arrives

Today Brooke travelled from Kalbarri to Geraldton to collect her jet setting sister up from the airport. With less than 24 hours at home since the Jamboree, CJ arrived to a big hug from her sister.

They were both really excited to see each other.

Running Though Rivers cover

Courtney has for some time been a fan Carrie Fletcher's songs and singing.

Here is a cover version she posted for a little Christmas present for us.

http://youtu.be/OdYPEkBXt6c

Christmas 2013

Christmas Guitar

iPod Broken

Crazy Brooke

Mum and CJ are off camping with scouts this weekend. Brooke has netball and then it seems Grandad and Nana's swimming pool will be getting a work out.

Minecraft Halloween.

Charlie's Brownies 2.0

Today CJ baked an improved version of charlieissocoollike brownies.

Alex Day Posts

CJ is pretty happy at the moment because the musician who wrote the song she performed at the eisteddfod posted a message on thecranegirls' Youtube account.

At the movies

Courtney is away on a Scout camp this weekend. She and the other scouts are preparing for the national jamboree on the Gold Coast in January.

Dad and Brooke enjoyed the first really nice Saturday of Spring inside a movie cinema. They went and saw Hotel Transylvania - it was pretty good.

No Better Medicine

Brooke was really happy to see all her visitors today but most of, the visit from her big sister was most important.

Brookie is still feeling awful but we hope tomorrow will bring some improvement.

The Morning After

Brooke has started to feel better. She is eating and really keen to see Courtney.

We're told she has to wait a couple of days before going home.

Brooke's off to Surgery

Poor Brooke has appendicitis and will have surgery this afternoon. Poor little lady is a fair bit if pain and will be really happy when it's over.

Sports Day

Today is sports day at Brooke's school.

Brooke Plays Guitar at Cubs

Unearth Perth

Today Brooke and Mum took part in Unearth Perth II with the other kids from Scouts/Cubs.

They spent most of the day exploring Perth and answering questions about our city. Sounds like they had a great day but were both worn out by 3:00pm.

CJ went to a party at a friends house and had a great day watching movies and playing in the park.

Joondalup Esteddfod

Courtney Plays the Eisteddfod

Today CJ performed her first solo performance. She played guitar and sang an Alex Day song, Holding On at the Joondalup Eisteddfod.

YouTube

Courtney was really brave and hardly missed a beat. We think the adjudicator was happy to see something new and different. We have no doubt CJ will be back next year... in fact Brooke is working hard to get her guitar playing skills up too

New Hair Cut

Courtney has been sporting a new hair style for the last month or so - she loves it!

Academic Award

Last week Courtney received an academic award at school. She is a little bemused as to why because she feels she is just doing what the teachers ask her to.

Lego Day

Brooke has been a little unwell of late. Today Dad got back from holiday and bought with him a Lego present. Brooke got to spend a nice quiet day, constructing her new kit.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating

Dad was clearly the best skater - once he got enough confidence to go on the ice without his zimmer frame.

No serious stacks and by the end of the two hours we were all skating (in one format or another) pretty well.

More Sleepovers

This weekend Courtney is on a young women's camp with her friend. Brooke had a sleep over birthday party on Friday night and then she had a friend sleep over on the Saturday night. They will both be needing the long weekend to get over it all

Best on Court

Today Brooke played the Goal Keeper role for her netball team for the first time. She was not really keen to try a defense position but she did really well.

Although the team did not win, Brooke was deemed best on court by the umpires.

Annabelle

The girls have a brand new 'puppy'. Annabelle is three years old, she did not have enough room to run around at her old house so she has moved in with the girls.

Annabelle is part kelpie and part greyhound.

CJ took her for her first walk - and they both got soaked in the rain.

Rottnest Scout Camp

This weekend Courtney had a scout camp on rottnest island.

Courtney's Braces Go On

Brooke's Cub Camp

This weekend Brooke has been away on a cub camp - for the senior cubs only. Brooke was the only one from her group that went on the camp but she took it in her stride and had a great time making new friends.

Cameron

Cooking Night

Tonight Brooke made a banquet in an effort to get her 2nd Cub cooking badge. She had to make a 3 course meal so she made quinoa salad, Thai soy chicken rice and vanilla cup cakes.

Out of the three dishes, Brooke ate one - the cup cakes. The other two dishes almost raised tears in getting her to taste them.

Happy 13th (phase one)

No Idea

Happy Easter

Mary Poppins

They've set up camp

We hear it is hot in Sri Lanka but the Scouts are having a good time swapping badges and meeting new people.