Friday, June 19, 2015

Education Week and fun with friends

Once we got back from Sydney it was nice to get back into our normal schedule a bit. We had some nice weather when we returned, so Lydia and I were able to get to the park while the kids were at school.

Lydia at Ocean Grove Park
It was Education Week at Ocean Grove Primary School, so the kids had different events throughout the week. Thursday, May 21st was breakfast at the school followed by open house for parents. Barry was able to attend as well! We attended music class with Hannah. They were learning about the parts of a ukelele and how to play.

Hannah learning how to strum the ukelele
We enjoyed watching Kiernan's class work on a hands-on project that taught them about capacity. They worked in small groups and had only newspaper and tape to design a structure that could hold unifix cubes. Then they held a competition to see which group's structure could hold the most cubes. It was all fascinating to watch- many different little personalities in that group!

Kiernan working on the team structure
Lydia entertained herself with classroom books
Kiernan and his friend, Matthew
Friday was Beanie Day at school. Students were allowed to wear a beanie if they brought a gold coin ($1 or $2 AUD) and all donations were given to an organization for brain cancer research. Since my dad (Grandpa Steuk) has brain cancer, we wore our beanies in honor of him that day and happily donated to wipe out brain cancer!

Beanie Day at OGPS
On Saturday, May 23rd we had Roberta and Gary and their kids over for dinner. The kids had a great time playing and sharing magic tricks. They are such great people and we will miss them when we go.

Kids eating dinner with friends
We suspected something was up with Lydia that evening as she put herself to bed, which is NOT typical toddler behavior. Sure enough by Sunday morning she had a fever and was not herself. I stayed behind with her while Barry, Hannah and Kiernan went to Flying Brick Cider Co. for a long lunch with some friends we met during surf lessons in February/March.

Lydia sleeping away
Lydia was better by Tuesday afternoon-thank goodness! Wednesday she was quite grumpy from the illness and lack of sleep, but the weather was excellent, so we went to the beach after we picked up Hannah and Kiernan from school. That got her out of her funk!

Grumpy girl
Barwon Heads bluff view
Hannah and Kiernan enjoying the day
Watching the surfers
The school has a new playground, and Lydia likes to get there early before the bell rings, so that she has time to play. Silly girl!

Some kind of spinny thing

Lydia
The book must be too good to stop reading
while walking
Friday, May 29th, we hosted a work party at our place. Quite a few of the CSIRO scientists that Barry interacts with regularly were able to come - along with some of their family - adding up to about 30 people in total. We enjoyed sharing some Southern US-type food and some dessert that was new to our guests, in addition to a few adult beverages.  Hannah, Kiernan, and Lydia all had a great time running around with some outgoing kids of the same age who came along with their parents, and the house was buzzing with lots of conversation all evening.

On Saturday we went to one of our favorite cafes in Geelong - Cafe Go. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.

Instead of table numbers they give you a stuffed animal
Hannah enjoying breakfast
Lydia with her babycino
On Sunday the CSIRO social club had a family event at Inflatable World. The kids really enjoyed going crazy in all the bouncy equipment. They were so worn out after this!

Kiernan stuck on the velcro wall
Lydia stuck to velcro wall
Lydia going through inflatable obstacle course

Sarah

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