The Solar Panels

We decided to take advantage of the federal rebate and install some solar panels on our roof. It kinda feels good to know we are making our own electricity, with the help of the sun of course, especially with rising electricity costs. We also bought a little bluetooth device which tells us how much electricity we are making every day/month etc, how much CO2 we have avoided and how much money we have made by selling our electricity back to the grid. With the latest few days of wall to wall sunshine we should make our money back in no time!

Face Painting

We went to the Guildford Heritage Festival this morning, it was a lovely morning spent wandering around the various stalls and watching some of the free entertainment. Jack and Josie also had a go at some bubble blowing and tried their first few mouthfulls of fairy floss - Jack liked it, Jo wasn't so keen on putting that strange pink stuff in her mouth. Jackson was also really keen to get his face painted, below is the result.

Josie was not so sure about the strange paint on her brothers face.

The blue tongue lizard

This blue tongue lizard likes to hang out in our garden. We hadn't seen him for a while, but one morning last week we caught him catching some sunlight in the rock garden.

Carine Fair

We went to the local Carine fair this afternoon.

Out of all the rides etc, Jackson's choice was to 'pluck a duck' - so both Josie and Jack attempted to catch a duck for a prize. We then went on to the lucky dip, followed by showbags for both of them. A great afternoon, although those places can suck your money away - "sorry did you say $10 for 2 goes on the duck thing?"- ahem.

Josie's tiarra she got in her lucky dip

Jackson with his showbag and 'pluck a duck' prize

2011 Freeway Bike Hike

We all joined the Freeway Bike Hike this year. This is an annual event where they close the freeway to cars and allow people to cycle along it to raise money for asthma. We joined the 'family 10 km ride' - which is a walk in the park for Rich, but for me - well, its the longest I've cycled since our big trip through Europe! Jack and Josie both loved it, they got heaps of attention from other cyclists and they particularly liked the train ride at the end!

Before the event

The freeway full of cyclists


Dad drove down to wave to us from a bridge and take photos

Josie and I

Swimming

Jackson had his first swimming lesson today, and he loved it, he even received his first certificate for 'a solo swim with arm floats'. He was very pleased with himself, and we are so proud of him.

Sculptures by the Sea 2011

We went to Cottesloe for the annual Sculptures by the Sea recently. The kids enjoyed seeing the 'funny things' on the beach, as Jack called them.

Jack thought the big red man was doing a poo - probably not the best place to stand if that was the case!

The Zoo

With some Christmas money from my Auntie, we bought some more annual passes to the zoo. We have already been 3 times since we bought the passes, Jack and Josie both love going there - this trip Jack was particularly interested in all the maps of the zoo and kept asking 'where are we Mummy?'

Urban Down hill

A couple of minutes of footage of an urban downhill. Brilliant

Nappy hats!

Cycling in the Netherlands

I've been trying to ride my bike to work most days. On the way there I usually see about 3 other cyclists. Not bad for Perth. Check out the following- it shows some pretty impressive cycle traffic!

Hip hop and bikes

Hip hop on bikes- what's not to like!!

Landsdale Farm - revisited

We needed to get some plants from Landsdale Nursery on the weekend, so decided to pop into Landsdale Farm whilst out there.

Josie wasn't so sure about the sheep

"Alright, thats it, someone pick me up - I've had enough!"

Scitech - revisited

With some Christmas money we bought another annual pass to Scitech, and Jackson was very excited to go again yesterday. They both loved their trip, with Josie getting a lot more out of her 'Scitech experience' this time (last time we went she just watched Jackson from the buggy).

The 'new' bike

Richard found Jackson a bike in the bulk rubbish collection this week. For those who don't know, twice a year at specified times the council lets you put unwanted household items out on the verge and they will collect it - called 'bulk rubbish collection'. Typically people go around and see what others have thrown out and claim it as their's - another form of recycling. The below bike was found on the verge around the corner from our place. Jackson mastered riding the bike after a couple of attempts and is now often seen doing laps around the driveway and up and down the verandah.

The adventure playground project - part 1

Rich has decided to build an 'adventure playground' in our backyard. He has planned the whole thing out, it includes logs to walk along, stepping stones, a climbing wall and a wobbly bridge. The first thing to be constructed with the help of Glendon in yesterdays 38oc heat was the wobbly bridge.

Australia Day

We went to Cottesloe Beach this morning for the attempt to beat the world record for the most amount of people on floating thongs in the water. Everyone buys a blow up thong, then at a particular time they all float out on them together. They got more than 1900 people out on thongs. Jack and Jo got some free mini blow up thongs, which Jack had fun floating on before the world record attempt, and Jo enjoyed playing with the free bucket and spade.

Happy Australia Day!

John Forrest National Park

Went for a walk in John Forrest National Park this morning. Lovely out there, but a bit hot this morning - we will definitely go back in the cooler months. Jack and Jo enjoyed their walk, Jo probably enjoyed it more than Jack as she just had to sit in the backpack and enjoy the scenery. Jack got tired half-way through and declared that walking was "hard work" and was hurting his shoes. He then insisted on a "Mummy carry", but when I got tired Rich took over and carried both his kids. I'm sure that'll do his bad back the world of good! To be fair to Jack, I think he was hungry as he finished all his lunch as soon as he got back to the car.

Margaret River - Part 2

Yallingup Beach

Climbing in the rock pools at Canal Rocks

Wise Winery

Outside Dunsborough Church, where we got married