Sweet 16!

On this day 16 years ago, at midnight we became parents!  There were three people with watches in the room when Jasmine was born, one said 11:59, our watch said 12 midnight and the hospital clock 12.01am …. so they went with the 12.01 as the hospital computer would not allow a midnight birth time! 

Today started with an early (for us) phone call from Jasmine’s Auntie!  It woke us all up, but not all stayed awake!

Later we rose and had our normal hot drinks, coffee, NRG MAXX, Chai or plain milk depending on taste.  Jasmine opted for having her presents after she’d walked her dog – got to love her priorities!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The little guys helped me wrap the presents and waited on the bed (as is traditional) for the birthday girl to return from her walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a hot start to the day, a storm rolled in!  In town the BOM recorded 101km (55 knot) winds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that the weather was cooler, the younger guys played on their bikes and in the new puddles

while the older ones re-enacted some scenes from Stargate Atlantis!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With all their energy burned out and the tummies once again empty it was time for cake!

16 Candles!!  Took a while to light and a while to blow out (relighting candles are like that).

Here’s to another year of living, loving and learning!

Sculptures and State Parks

After paying $10 to gain access to Lake Burrendong State Park we were very disappointed to find that the main attraction, the water slide, only operated on weekends!  The only pool that was open was the toddler pool that was about 20cm deep.  We thought ok, lets swim in the lake … um … no … blue green algae may be present in the water!  So plan “c” find a BBQ and make pancakes/pikelets only to find the BBQ had been out of service since January this year!

After getting over the huge disappointment, the older girls took the dogs for a walk and came back feeling better!  Amazing how a walk can improve your mood!  We cooked some pancakes/pikelets on the gas cooker and enjoyed the view.

The girls got out their toys and set up an elaborate game at the tables under the gazebo, even using the old BBQ as part of the area!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the pikelets were finished, and the game was over … it was time for ….

A fun game in the toddler pool!

 

 

 

 

 

I would not recommend this State Park to anyone … unless you are happy to look at the view.

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After drying off we headed out of the Park to find a place to stop for the night.  We noticed at the turn off for the Wellington Caves some interesting looking sculptures so we turned in to check it out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided it was as good as any a place to spend the night!

Dubbo Parks

Did you know there is a water park in Dubbo?  We didn’t until we were driving past one day!  It is small and best suited to primary and preschool children, but on a hot day who cares about age!

There were fountains that came at random times up out of the ground.

A semi-circle that sprayed water from jets all around.

A row of jets were great for jumping over!

A water gun, perfect for aiming at your sisters!

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There are also several leash free dog areas.  Some are unfenced and two like this one are fenced with agility equipment.

The later in the evening it got the harder it was to get the fast dogs in focus!

Right next to this dog park in South Dubbo, is a children’s playground much to the delight of the ones who don’t have dogs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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After it got dark … it was time for …

NERF GUN WARS!!