A & H Show 2012: Lego Extraordinaire

Here it is. The final show photo, I promise.

Harry and Till made these one-of-a-kind Lego creations for the category 'Lego Model - original model or kit - Lower Primary'. Harry's Queen Elizabeth mosaic won first place (and was runner-up for the grand prize 'Best Exhibit: Primary School Student'), and Till's Lego house was awarded second place. They both did a superb job and we are super proud of our little Lego buffs. Is there anything that can't be replicated in Lego?

It's a bit tough when you have to compete against your brother, especially when you are only in first class and he is in Year 4!!!!

A & H Show 2012: Horses Again

Stop groaning...
I'm nearly done with show photos, I promise!

Till rode by herself this year, meaning last year she sat on a pony and was led by Ben. Till (like Harry) has a soft spot for Charm, but as he was busy being ridden by someone else, Till had to settle for Fudge. Dear funny, strong-minded Fudge, he just wasn't in the mood to cooperate! No matter what Till tried, he refused to trot! If you look closely at that bottom right photo, you'll see quite a determined look on Miss Till's face...but alas, Fudge had better ideas!!!

Above is Harry competing in the section called 'Led Pony'. For this he was required to lead the pony around the course whilst the judge called instructions (ie run, stop, walk, stop, run, turn etc). I really have no idea what the judges are looking for specifically! This horse caper is still pretty new to me! Harry looked rather dapper, don't you think? The photos below show him riding in his age category.  Harry is the only boy competitor in his age group. Horse riding is definitely a girl-dominated past-time here on Norfolk. It doesn't worry him however, and I think these photos capture how much he loves every minute with Charm!

A & H Show 2012: 'Dress-up your horse'

How's this for an equestrian event with a difference - the dress-up section! Don't the kids look hilarious! I'll tell you what, that Ben of mine is one brave lad. He cautiously slipped the floatie armbands onto Charm's front legs and then proceeded to blow each one up.  Imagine having your face that close to a pony's lofty foot!

The 'Sea-horse' theme won Harry and Till equal second place. I think if Ben had been wearing his boardies, they would have come home with a blue ribbon (just kidding). Poor Charm, he injured his foot an hour or so before this event.  It's fortunate he was able to carry the kids for the 'dress-up' competition, but Harry was unable to compete in the 'show jumping' section or any other events for the remainder of the day.  You'll be pleased to know, after a week of rest, Charm (who is almost 30 years old) is now in good shape again.

Les français fête d'anniversaire

I'm interrupting the A&H Show blogroll to bring you today's important event...Till's French Birthday Party. I promise to get back to the show soon.

Till was going to have a birthday party, a while later we decided she wasn't, then weeks passed (as did her actual her birthday) and I suggested 'what about a friend over to play'? Somehow 'a friend over' became 'Can I have a few friends for a birthday afternoon tea'? and then somehow that plan morphed again to become..."Now we are having a party, with 10 kids...this weekend.....oh and it's going to have a French theme"! For several years now, Till has been intrigued by the Eiffel Tower and hopes desperately to visit Pairs one day. A French themed party seemed appropriate!

Now I don't normally do parties! They stress me out BIG TIME (as in I become a complete crazy nut, losing patience with everyone and panicking about every detail). Crumbs on the floor can almost cause my head to pop off and kids running through my house will often lead to steam coming out of my ears. But today's party went well...and given that we organised the whole affair in less than 4 days, I'm feeling pretty chuffed with myself! Even the mess didn't cause me to twist my knickers! Till had a GREAT time, and really, it was all for her. Seeing Till's happy little face throughout the whole party helped me to remain cool, calm and collected - knowing the party would only last for 2 hours may have helped too!!!!!!!

Ben and Till put up the decorations the night before. There was red, white and blue aplenty.  Ben made 'french' play-dough for the take-home goodie bags. We gave brown lunch bags some flair by gluing on a pretty 'Thank you' label and a paper doily.  Each bag was filled with stickers, novelty erasers and a few sweets. Croissants with jam and cream were served for lunch, as well as french dip with crackers, french fries and sliced french bread with pizza topping (Yes, a little Italian snuck in - Italy is close to France after all). For beverages, I mixed fruit juice with soda water, which went down a treat with the thirsty hordes. Till didn't want a cake and instead requested mousse au chocolat. I did however have a small cupcake, just so we could sing and have a candle. What birthday would be complete without that ritual!

Many games were played (you've got to keep the little muchkins busy is my way of thinking). First up, a game of Zingo, then musical statues, followed by 'Pin the Madeline on the Eiffel Tower viewing deck', followed by more musical statues.  Ben supervised a game of blackboard 'pictionary' while I got them all burning some energy on the verandah with a vigorous game of 'Red light, Green Light'. And then I think they played musical statues again! There were no prizes (that's not my style) - just good clean fun and laughs! You know, the kids didn't even ask about prizes!

Till was very spoiled, receiving some lovely gifts from her friends. I think that photo above beautifully depicts how delighted she was! I was proud of her graciousness and good manners! And don't you just love her dress? It was a present from Ma. The photos don't show it, but around the hem is a gorgeous French inspired streetscape.

Well I've vacuumed and mopped. The decorations are down. Even the blog post is complete. 

Phew. 

I survived.  

Et maintenant à vous détendre

A & H Show 2012

Phew, show day was BUSY for us this year! The days leading up to the big event were industrially spent making, baking and creating, not to mention polishing (horse riding boots that is). Harry locked himself away for almost 2 days whilst working on a Lego masterpiece.  Till worked diligently on her mushroom painting while I attempted cake decorating, all to a standard worthy of competition. When the actual day rolled around, we/I rose early with more eagerness than usual, in order to allow enough time for the last cooking entries to be finalised. Pikelets and veggie models can't be made the day before!! We love Norfolk's annual Agricultural Show; the senses are bombarded with so many happy sights and smells!

A birds-eye view of the exhibits in Rawson Hall

Till checking out the cakes that she and Harry decorated - next year we'll enter the children's cooking section - oops

Till's Vegetable model -  a tortoise

My 'Queen's Diamond Jubilee' cakes - which managed a third prize!

Our collection of preserved fruit - oranges, lemons and grapes

Stay tuned....more show photos to come....(think horses, flippers and Lego)

Follow the String Birthday Girl

Our birthday girl woke a little earlier than usual.  Upon rising from slumber Till discovered a trail of string starting from beside her bed and leading out the door and beyond. The wool pathway zig-zagged every which way through the house including outside along the verandah. I think Ben may have got a little carried away (Ahem almost 300 metres of wool and string in fact). Miss Till wasn't particularly patient with the "following" and "winding-up" part of the treasure hunt...she roped in the bystanders to do most of the winding-up work and cheekily scuttled ahead at every opportunity! But in the end her (our?) efforts were rewarded - because what seven year old girl can do without a Lego Friends doll house?

Norfolk's Minature Golf Course

Mini golf on Norfolk involves dodging a volcano, crossing a narrow sandstone bridge, passing through stable arches, and navigating graves in a haunted cemetery (lucky for glow-in-the-dark golf balls). Each section of the course represents a moment in Norfolk's history, so it's quite an educational experience if you can stop laughing long enough to read the information boards! We certainly had a few funny moments, mainly involving balls veering dangerously off-course! I'm not sure any of us are destined to become golfing champions. Harry and Till certainly have their own unique putting style, that's for sure.

Focused on Lego

We don't receive junk mail here - a good thing really. I remember pouring over the Toy World catalogue when I was a kid. They were highly prized actually! Harry is a member of the Lego Club and recently a new catalogue turned up in our post box. Last night when I stopped in to wish Harry and Till a good night I found them sitting up in Harry's bed intently studying the latest Lego creations. The two of them were concentrating so hard on this Lego brochure, I just had to grab the camera and capture the moment!

Breakfast at Bumborus

I'd definitely put Bumborus on my list of Top 5 favourite spots here on Norfolk! It's really VERY pretty. The prefect place for breaky on the sand, followed by dam making in the creek and fossicking for treasure! One may even be lucky enough to find a crab claw, an owl, pirate patch or washed up blue bottle (ouch)!?

PS Did you spot a ring-in?

We're Back!

So it's been a while huh? We had a little mainland time - some of us longer than others! I spent 3 weeks here on Norfolk by myself while Ben and the kids had some long-overdue family catch-up time in both the Southern Highlands and the Central West. I jumped on the plane and joined them eventually. But now we're all home....and finally you can stop reading about Book Week (I've had complaints about my lapse in posts). I promise to hit the blogging with gusto ASAP!!!!!