Election

Callum's class has been talking about government this year. So having an election has been very enjoyable for them. Callum is really enjoying being able to talk about the latest election issue at the dinner table. In the latest news, they are studying political cartoons, and Callum was proud to report that the election is now between red hair, and red speedos. I think Callum is choosing the red hair, but has learned some new vocabulary (budgie smugglers) in the process.

Declan is still trying to get over the fact that he quite likes Joe Hockey (our local Liberal member, who he has met a few times) and we have brainwashed him into thinking Tony Abbott (also a Liberal) is a complete lunatic who shouldn't lead the country. He would quite like to vote for Joe Hockey, if he had the choice, but is starting to understand that that would imply a vote for Tony Abbott. He still doesn't quite understand a system that makes that hard choice possible, and seems quite glad he won't get to vote himself.

Newsflash: Callum becomes hacker

Callum was very pleased with himself last night. He put a virus on Evan's computer. It was a little icon. When you clicked on it, it said "Sorry, but you just clicked on a fake virus", and then turned the computer off. Fortunately his face gave away the authorship of this nefarious attack.

Party

We went to a party at the Vincent Gaynors' local playground and then lunch at their place today - Alex's second birthday. Beforehand I was discussing Alex's status with Callum and Declan. Callum decided that Alex was a big boy, now that he was two, but Declan was quite convinced that he was still a baby. After discussion, they both decided that baby status stops at 3, but somehow big boy status starts earlier.

As part of the later lunch, there were some late birthday presents handed out, and Declan scored three (!) new books from the Lees, which he had been eyeing off the previous day in our local bookshop (not a coincidence, but the result of some mobile phone discussion). He was thrilled to bits, and has now finished two out of three, as he proudly shouted down from his bed about an hour ago.

Tae Kwon Do

The boys got their TKD promotions this week. Callum is now a black-tip and Declan is a red belt (and their Dad is now a black belt!).

NZ Visit

We're just back from a fleeting visit to New Zealand, for my grandmother's memorial. We stayed at my cousin's place - Hamish and Kerry not only said offered us beds at their place even though we were arriving at 11pm, Hamish still picked us up at the airport when the flight was delayed till 1am.

The boys were very excited to see cousins (Joshua and Michaela) who they had only previous met as penguins (on clubpenguin) and meet some more (Holly and Ethan) who they hadn't even met virtually.

Unfortunately Callum continued his habits of poor travel - getting greener and greener as we landed, and then vomiting just as we got to customs.

Fortunately, despite completely inadequate sleep, the boys were very good pretty much the whole weekend, sitting patiently through speeches about their great grandmother, and playing hide and seek around the house when it wasn't full of people.

They were even polite (but uncomprehending) when all around them (including the cousins their age) were glued to the rugby when we went out to dinner.

We took them to Motat this morning, in our continuing quest to visit a science museum wherever we go, which was lots of fun as they got to ride in a "tank" (actually an armoured personnel carrier).

Mountain visit

On the weekend we went up to Yellow Rock for a visit. I had got the boys to sort through their books before we went up, and Declan, particularly, surprised me with his willingness to give away books he had read once. With the result that Tom got a stack of Beast Quest books (it remains to be seen whether he will be as enthusiastic as Declan has been) and the Vincent Gaynors got Geronimo Stilton (among others).

The boys had a good time roaming the landscape (a massive lawn plus the edge of bushland being quite amazing to their city-selves) and then had a great time watching Evan fire off the last of our rocket car rockets - a spectacle that was popular with all.

Callum amused me by pointing out the concrete that we immortalised the childrens' hands and feet a while back (well all the children that existed at the time) and waxing nostalgic for how small his hands had been - normally a parental comment with much childish rolling of the eyes at the sentiment.

Just Macbeth

Yesterday the boys and I went to see Just Macbeth at the Sydney Opera House. Callum had read the book, and Declan is a fan of author Andy Griffiths, so we all had high hopes. After an adventurous trip there (it was raining, so my earlier plan of walking was replaced with a wet ferry ride) we took our seats. Callum laughed hysterically all the way through, and was constantly grabbing me to tell me there was a funny bit coming up. Declan, as is his habit, was quieter, but still enjoyed it (except for the very brief romantic part early on).

With a biscuit each at interval, and a free program each, it was a very grown up theatrical experience. And one which I found pretty good, too.


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Kindle

Evan has found a book in the series Callum is reading on the kindle. So Callum has been very excited for the last two nights to take the kindle to bed with him. He seems to be about 50% enjoying the coolness of reading on the kindle, and 50% enjoying the series of books. So far, so like his parents!

Scariness

Because it is school holidays we told the boys they could stay up late on Sunday night and watch Dr Who if they wanted to. Callum, based on his last experience, declined, but Declan decided to watch with us. It was probably medium level scariness for Dr Who (which is pretty scary!) and Declan was quite terrified at some points. He really enjoyed it, though, and was pleased with himself for watching, as were we.

But fast forward to last night, and Declan spent most of the night having nightmares about the whole thing. He woke up late this morning, having had quite a few moments of being not quite awake and terrified about something unspecific, and calling for me and Evan. I'm not sure if he will be watching next week, even though it is the second half of the episode (so presumably will end better than the first half!)

Sorting

Once we got back into the house, we had to take everything out of boxes. So we gave the boys the task of stocking the big bookshelf in their room. They did well, cooperating and taking turns sorting all the books into series, information and fiction categories, and without too much argument, getting them all up on to the bookshelves.

And now we've realized that they have far too many books for one set of bookshelves! Next weekends task will be to decide whose books get to go back out on the shelves.

Location:Willoughby bike track