Fun in the Sun...

Another week has flown by, ending the first week back at school for Claire and Keira...

First up, Keira was very happy to be back with her 'boyfriend' Matthew...

On Monday morning, before heading off to school, she asked me if we could go to the zoo this weekend...  Since Saturday was the first day in a while without any birthday parties, we headed out for a day in the zoo...

As usual the girls were super happy, and as usual our first activity was a trip on the sky safari.

Saturday night we headed out for a night with mummy's friends... this group of gals lived together in an apartment back in the 90's while they were all international students.  Cindy and Seb are staying with us this week visiting from Vietnam. (Claire remembers Cindy as Princess Cindy from her wedding a few years back...)

Seb is a great photographer, and the girls have been taking advantage of having another paparazi in the house by posing (and demanding the camera is brought out) as often as they can!

Keira looks so grown up here...

Hanging girls...

Claire's faces...

 Not sure what was so shocking here...

 Then today we spent most of the day in the pool...

As well as some time on the trampoline... all with paparazi in tow!

Lastly, Claire got to touch her first ever real snake at Madeline's birthday party...

Daylight Saving!

This weekend past was a long weekend here in Sydney... It was also the start of day-light saving... meaning we get more time to enjoy the outdoors.

The weekend started on Friday afternoon with a swim at dusk (a very cold swim)...  Now the pool is officially open, Claire is extremely keen to make use of it (as much as possible).

On Saturday Chloe & Amy (and their folks) came around for a bbq, swim and bounce on the trampoline...

The girls did a bit of exploring in the bush behind our place...

And spent some time in the water with the daddies!

On Sunday, after spending most of the day driving (furniture delivery, followed by an Indonesian food festival in Chatswood) , Claire's idea of a fun afternoon was, you guessed it, swimming!

All this swimming sure makes a girl thirsty!  Lucky we've got a big straw!

Here's a future bridezilla in the making! Claire was showing off for Daniel and Liz (who joined us overnight for dinner and breakfast).

Today was spent bike riding with Iris & Irvin at Blaxland Park...

After all that fun...what else would be in store but another swim...last chance during the school holidays, as is back to school (and work) tomorrow...

School Holidays with Oma

At the beginning of the school holidays, Oma arrived from Semarang (to stay with us for a week).  As can be expected, the girls had a great time, and we managed to squeeze in a few activities and events during the week.

A gift from Mummy Siannie back in Semarang was a Minnie veil... which the girls have been wearing 'for their wedding' since!

Oma also brought a special gift for Claire... A nice pair of earrings.  Only problem is, Claire's ears weren't pierced!  A quick trip to the pharmacy, and a very brave little girl endured the piercing (including the 2nd attempt on one ear) and was very proud of her new bling!

The girls had a cup-cake making session where they could ice and decorate their own creations.  Sadly after a 5 minute lesson they have well and truly put dad to shame!

This one may be out of order...but we recently celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary with a nice Italian dinner... So good even the girls ate it all up.

Here's Keira getting ready for a day out... She was applying powder...

 The girls were lucky that mum loved these wigs... Little Katy Perry wanna-be's!

The girls came into the city for a day's shopping (and daddy surprised them in one of the shops)

And next day, a visit to daddy's office, followed by a bus ride home with daddy (while mummy and Oma hit the shops)...

Saturday night, and we headed into Darling Harbour for dinner & fireworks.  Daddy didn't make a booking, so we made the most of the 1.5 hour wait for a place...and headed to San Churros!

There's nothing like dessert before dinner!

We then eventually got a seat in Hurricane's for our all-time-favourite ribs!

Claire's attempt at the full rack...

While Keira settled for the half rack + chicken combo!  Turns out Keira is a real fan of the ribs!

Not sure why this came after...but we also headed down to Wollongong, so that we could take Oma to Nan Tien Temple.  The girls thought we had entered the realm of the Kung Fu Panda!

Loving sisters...

Lucky dad!

And all the girls...

We loved the little statues around the gardens... Here's Keira's impersonation of one...

And Claire's of another...

We then headed over to Austinmer beach....our first real trip to the beach for the season...and it was beautiful!

Keira decided to try out her new swimsuit...

And she has gladly taken the clip on earrings now Claire's ears are pierced.

Here's Keira being 'mini-Oma'...

Beautiful Keira...

Alas, Oma had to go home again on Sunday... Until next time...