boys cooking a BBQ

Benjamin loves to cook.  So when he asked to help Dad cook the BBQ how could we refuse.  BJ and Daddy cooked up a storm  - steak, sausages, mushrooms, pineapple, pumpkin, onion, capsicum.....  BJ definitely proved to be a chef in the making.

BJ and Daddy cooking dinner

fathers day

We all love this time of year. The day we get to spoil Daddy and to say thanks for being the 'World's best Dad'. This year was no exception. It all started out with the usual present opening on the bed in which Daddy got so so many hand made gifts and the gifts the boys bought him at the school Fathers Day stall and a few bits and pieces that Mummy bought. That was closely followed by breakfast which was chicken BBQ plum kebabs at Daddy's request followed by church. Daddy had the option this year to spend the afternoon up the beach or go to sizzler for tea so Daddy opted for Sizzler which the kids were very excited by that idea.

We love you so much Daddy and we think you are the best Daddy in the whole wide world!

boys and camping

On a very early and chilly 3am morning the boys headed off for their camping trip. The boys slept in their tracksuits, had their shoes at the end of the bed and waited eagerly for Daddy to wake them up. They were off for an adventure to Fraser Island with Uncle Pete, Christian and Josh.

The adventure consisted of: playing in the sand

Daddy and BJ

: snorkeling in the VERY clear water at Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek and the Champagne pools

Daddy with BJ to the left and Christian to the right.

: having a joy flight around the island (this was a definite highlight)

Daddy and the boys (left) Uncle Peter and his boys (right)

: swimming down Eli Creek

Josh, Christian, Matt, BJ and Daddy

: and some sight seeing at the Mahemo ship wreck

BJ, Matt and Daddy

At night the boys loved toasting their marshmallows on the fire before heading off to bed after some VERY big days. When the boys returned four days later they were extrememly tired with lots of stories and adventures to tell Mummy and the girls.

Chargers!!

Soccer season has begun for 2009. This year not only is Matthew playing but Benjamin has started playing too AND Daddy is the assistant coach. Benjamin is so excited about playing soccer and constantly counts down to Friday, as this is training day, and then 'one more sleep' til 'soccer day'! The boys are also so excited about having Dad as the assistant coach. They love Daddy being part of it all. There was one 'hiccup' on the first game day, Mummy forgot to buy Benjamin a pair of plain black soccer shorts. Oops, who would have thought I could have possibly forgetten to buy them when BJ had been counting down the days/weeks til the first game.

the 3 boys - first match

Go Chargers!

Matthew doing what he loves most - attacking the ball

BJ doing what he loves most - goal keeper

Benjamin loves playing goal keeper whenever he plays at home. So when he got the chance to play goalie 'for real' he jumped at the chance. He was so excited but also he was a bundle of nerves. He did a fantastic job as goalie for his first attempt, he did not let one goal in (a few near misses but nonetheless not one went in!)

Matthew loves half time!!

At the end of the game all the players received an encouragement award certificate. This was Benjamin's first ever certificate and he was beaming from ear to ear.

BJ receiving his certificate from 'Coach'

Matthew receiving his certificate

Once all the formalities were over and everyone was heading home this is where I found three of my cherubs....

Matt, Annie and Lucy eating the left over oranges!!

P.S. - Chargers won their first game 4-0!!

growing grass???

Daddy loves his grass BUT it is dying or non-existent in patches due to lots of soccer and football games being played in the backyard! So Daddy is trying to transplant grass and scatter grass seeds to help it grow but it just aint growing. I know it doesn't help when the kids (and Daddy) still play around (on) it! So the girls decided to help Daddy plant some grass in the hope that it grows.

Father's Day

Getting ready to wake Daddy up!

waking Daddy up!

receiving instructions on how to read the treasure map

Daddy finding some treasure on the fort

sitting down to breakfast

Father's Day this year was a little different to the ones we have had in the past. This year we did not have to rush off to church as we were going to the afternoon service. So the day started off with Daddy having a sleep-in and the kids getting ready to wake Daddy up! The kids absolutely loved running in and jumping on Dad to wake him up and to show all of their homemade presents and cards. Matthew gave Dad a tie card (which he made in class) , a frisbee and chocolates (which he bought at the school father's day stall). Benjamin gave Dad some paintings and a special card (which he made a kindy) and Annie and Lucy gave a tie card and some Rocky road (all made at playgroup). This was a great time of sitting on the bed and watching Dad open all of his presents and listening to all the details and stories from each individual child on how it was made, why it was made and what the picture is about. Next we headed downstairs to start cooking Dad's requested 'mixed grill BBQ' breakfast which consisted of bacon, lamb chops, sausages and eggs. Daddy thought he was in heaven! While the breakfast was cooking, Matthew gave Dad the treasure map he drew with instructions on how to find the rest of his presents. So off Dad and the kids went on a treasure hunt around the garden to find some more gifts. I don't know who was more excited, Daddy or Annie and BJ! Once the treasure hunt was over it was time for breakfast. We all sat down to celebrate the fact that we have the 'World's Best Dad"!
After breakfast, and a quick nap for Lucy, we headed over to Mama and Grandad's for lunch with the Smith family. There the girls gave Grandad his tie and Rocky road they had made for him at playgroup. We then proceeded onto church before heading home for a little dinner and bed after such a huge day. To finish it all off Matthew decided to give Dad a rub instead of getting one from Dad. Usually part of the bedtime routine Daddy gives the kids a rub each night before they go to sleep but this night Matthew decided to give Dad a rub because it was FATHER'S DAY.