Puzzle queen

Sophie and Nick both love jigsaw puzzles, Nick is currently working on one under the house and sneaks off from time to time to try and find a few pieces, but Sophie is the queen of puzzles. Sophie had a choice of activities for the last 15 minutes prior to bedtime and chose to do a puzzle with Daddy! Well daddy got to watch and listen - BUT not to touch or help.

Linda Darling

(Auntie) Linda Darling the chosen one
(Auntie) Linda Darling the escapee Oh! (Auntie) Linda Darling the adventurous

You may have noted from previous pages that Sophie has a distinct favourite when it comes to her Chookens! (Auntie) Linda has been her most loved and of late has been re-named "Linda Darling". I am not sure how or why this has occurred but don't be worried she has not neglected Valerie or Lori, they are still getting plenty of lovin. The girls had a day out on the lawn today and we are thinking that they are just about ready to go into the "chooken pen" that Nick and Sophie built some months ago in anticipation of their arrival.

A Pixie in the garden

Sophie and I had a "stay at home day" on Saturday as Nick was working and we were all a bit tired after a hectic week. I was pottering inside trying to catch up on the house work (yeah fun times) and Sophie was VERY quiet outside - I called out to see what she was up to only to be advised that "daddy will be sooooo happy with me and he won't have to water the garden!". Some of you may think "oh how helpful" others (the smart ones) may think "ohmygod what has she picked, plucked or flooded this time"!

On inspection it was all good - whilst she may have flooded a portion of the backyard she had managed to water some of the plants:)

You may have noticed Sophie's attire? She is now wanting to dress herself and this is one of her many "interesting" combinations! I find this very challenging, Nick finds it absolutely hilarious!

(Sisters: you may have noticed an "auntie mary-ness" to her colour combinations!)

IT IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE

A budding Gym Instructor or Aferleete? I think so, look at the balance, style, posture.......

Thank you Char Char, Auntie Zoe, Scott and Maisy

Sophie has had the longest birthday EVER with gifts arriving today from Charlotte, Auntie Zoe and Scott. She could barely contain herself when she saw what was in the postage box, as you can tell by the photo's she was wearing everything within minutes. Thank you for the lovely gifts and card xxxxx

My best friend - what's her's name?

Sophie adored having Papa and Anita'a company and who wouldn't? Anita came with an arm load of gifts so was very soon Sophie's new "bestie". We had one small problem, Sophie had trouble remembering Anita's name - but she followed her new "best friend" everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE, even inviting Anita to share her bath. Unfortunately due to Anita's "sore leg" she wasn't able to have a bath - "But it doesn't matter, you can just watch me!" said Soph

I think what really won Sophie over was when Anita willingly shared her "pink lipstick". For Sophie that is relationship building and a bonding experience. They both looked drop dead gorgeous don't you think.

The Rock Bun (part two)

Papa and Anita arrived in Blackwater on Saturday for a visit as a part of their Queensland road trip. We were so happy to see them and spent several wonderful days catching up and sharing a "rock bun" or two. Papa was delighted when presented with a hot cup of tea and a plate of fresh rock buns - made the drive worth it he said.

Sophie had been eyeing the goodies off ever since they came out of the oven, fianally allowed to try she said "I really like these too mummy!" So the tradition continues.

(Don't worry Grandad and Pop you have not been forgotten)

I knew I loved you the first time I saw you....

Auntie Linda and Sophie's first meeting - They didn't meet until Sophie was 4 months old, but it was love at first sight:) Although photo's a plenty had been sent to Cairns, it isn't quite the same as a "snuggle"

NANA'S HELPER

Oh dear Nana, your tupperware draw is a mess - but never fear I am here!
Yep, just about got it all sorted for you
Oooops! missed some
Now Nana, I've fixed it ALL up this time but don't let me have to do it again and again and again!

As a little girl Sophie just loved nana's tupperware cupboard, infact I am sure she would have LOVED all of nana's cupboards, but this was the only one she had access too! I suspect nana's draws are quite tidy now that madam isn't constantly "rearranging".

MY BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

BUNGY - the helper! (named Cute)

Sophie had so much fun and was such a good girl considering we spend 5 hours watching Nick fall from great heights! But as she always does, she found a friend and spent the day as his "off sider". She named her friend "the rescuer" as his job was to rescue all the fools that fell from the sky! He was fantastic with her and allowed her to hover around him, should she get in his way he would just pick her up and place her out of the way. At one point he came over to tell me that we have a "great little girl" and that "she reminds me of my little sister".

At the end of the day the barman let us know it was last drinks, so I shouted him a beer in lieu of baby sitting fees:) He gave Sophie a length of the used bungy rope (that they normally sell) as payment for her great help.

Sophie often refers to her day out at "spongey jumping".

BUNGY - the jumper! (named CRAZY)

Nick is such an adrenalin junky)! each time we have visited Cairns we have had a day at Hackett's Bungy thingy (that is the technical term for place!). He asked Sophie to pick his first jump, she chose "the blindfold" - CRAZY I tell you! So here is the jump. (you will note that the photographer (me) was a safe and reasonable distance from all things high!