A quick getaway!

We jumped in the car yesterday straight after we got home from Kates comps and headed south to Mandurah for the night checking into here We stayed here a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. However the weather was wet and cool, so we cut it short, returning home at midday today. It was still great to see something different, and the girls enjoyed the heated pool.

Looking down at the resturant from our top floor

The view from inside the lift

Swim time!

Tricks!

More tricks

Our roomy apartment

The girls pushed their beds together

Upstairs bathroom

Our room

The view first thing this morning, it rained soon after

Waiting for dinner

The sun sort of came out

It was nice while we had ice cream and milk shakes and the girls played on the swing

But then the sun went and it started to rain again!

Dance Comps!

Kate competed yesterday in two competitions, that are held during the school holidays. Her tap trio placed 3rd in the 12yrs and under tap trio/duo section, and her hip hop troupe got a SM, in the 16yrs and under hip hop troupe section. There was some very tough competition out there. I didn't get many photos, too busy to get the camera out much. I don't have a photo of her hip hop troupe, as she had to get ready straight away for her tap (and the hairstyle took about an hour to re-do with 3 of us working on it!!!)

Nesting Boxes

It's been a bit of trial and error with what we use in the nesting boxes. We have had a ton of rain here in Perth, and the boxes while well sealed still get damp from time to time. I discovered this "confetti" the other day, which is ideally aimed at guinea pigs etc, but thought I would give it a go for the chooks. It says it absorbs 40% moisture plus odours. The chickens weren't too sure what to make of it at first, but soon accepted it.

Omelette decided she didn't like to be in on her own, so got out and hopped in with Phoebe!

Baking Day!

We made Queen Cakes today, taken from this book

125g butter
125g sugar
2 eggs
175g flour
1 tsp baking powder
50g sultanas (optional)

Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs one at a time. Sift in flour and baking powder. Add sultanas. Put into greased patty tins. Bake at 200 deg C, for 10-12 minutes.

The Spring Garden

We have had a ton of rain here, which has been really really good. You can't have too much rain in Perth, and more is predicted for the coming week. Everything is so green and lush! The grass (and weeds) are growing like crazy. Here are a few photos I took recently when the weather was sunny.

nasturtium for the chooks

growing bulbs

the passionfruit finally reaches the chicken coop

new buds

 

 

plenty of lemons

beans

 

 

tiny limes

 

 

wormwood for the chooks

pretty

plentiful parsley

I love succulents

first rosebud

passionfruit

new seedlings

Out and About & Dance Night!

It has been a full on week for the girls (Kate especially) with dancing. Yesterday was her school dance performance night, so Ella and I, along with Amie, Ruby and Jonah went along to watch. Due to such a rush after school and getting Kate there by 4:30pm (we don't get home until 3:45pm and the school where it was held is half an hour away on a good day) there are no photos off Kate on the night. No photography was allowed by parents or the kids, but there were a couple of photographers from school taking pics, so hopefully soon I will get some of Kate.

Anyway, while Ella and I were waiting for the others to get there, we went on a big walk around the area, we saw some pretty cute houses, and of course the school where it was held is gorgeous (our school theatre doesn't seat enough people) so I took a few photos.

The dance performance itself was outstanding, full credit to the teachers and students!