Ella is five

Our day began early decorating 50 ginormous cupcakes according to Ella's chosen colour scheme, insect designs and range of lollies.

It was quite an exercise loading the cupcakes, fresh fruit platters and presents and two great grandmas safely into the car and making our way to the CSIRO's Discovery Centre, the site for Ella's fifth birthday party celebration today - careful going round corners Robbie!!!!

18 little people were Ella's guests.  Everyone got a big hug, which the girls enjoyed repeating for an extended time - while the boys quickly reverted to floor wrestling each other.

Luckily the science discovery program started quickly. First stop was the mat and some close up examination of the insects and the turtles - under the watchful guidance of the beautifully trained Jason.

Ollie certainly was the most well informed young person in this circle of aspiring entomologists.  He even knew that turtles breathe out of their mouths AND their bums. 

Then there was time to look at some of the "specimens". "Yes they are all real birds and animals", says Jason. "They're just not alive anymore!"

........before heading into the lab. Of course every scientist needs a lab coat before they can check out their lab specimens under the microscope!

I was impressed with how engaged Ella became with the story of DNA.

While the boys enjoyed the zappy stuff....

........ and working out how to unlock this little 2 ring rope challenge.

Science and energy take on a whole new meaning when jaffas are involved - they were all immersed in the physics of this one!

Abi enjoyed the party today very much too.  She found the sunny Discovery Centre atrium cosy and bright and enjoyed having cuddles with all the extended family members.

Jody and Joshy devised a beautiful, healthy lunch menu for all the kids - and sensibly had it catered by the Turkish Pide House at Jammo.  They must have been pleased to see all the kids LOVING it! (as did the Great Grandmas too!)

Ella's insect cupcake tower caused quite a stir - so much more exuberant and fun than the delicate little pink fondant masterpieces many other girls her age choose.

Happy fifth birthday darling girl; it was so lovely sharing the fun!

Mothers

It's been five years since I started this blog, a week or so before Ella was born in 2007. Whers's all that time gone?

This week was not an easy one for everyone in the family. Granny K is struggling with her broken wrist and reduced mobility and little E has not had an easy time either being away from her darling Mummy and baby Abi.

All is well though when we can share some time together especially when fifth birthday planning is high on the agenda. Abi is taking much more notice now of everything happening around her and is a lot more communicative.

Abi and Ella continue to adore each other and the shared room trial is now a permanent arrangement.

The difficult week ended well with a lively gathering at our place on Saturday to celebrate a visit from Melbourne Erin and John, and gorgeous baby Liliana.

The presence of five cousins saw the  backyard tree house/climber put to good use, in between bouts of ball throwing and carrot cake eating.

The two baby girls (both of them around 13 weeks old now) remained calmly oblivious to all the mayhem. Liliana Rose looked like she was taking the noisy Canberra branch of the family in her stride.



Luckily Abi has grown used to big sister's attention and extreme "close ups".  They are extremely tactile towards each other and shared a lot of laugh out louds on Saturday afternoon.

Lucky Granny K got to see and have hugs with five of her six beautiful great children on this Mother's Day weekend.  That was the best gift of all. Thank you John and Erin and Liliana for making that possible.

Stromlo Forest Park

Thank you Jack and William for the link to the new cycling facilities opening up at Stromlo Forest Park.  Nine years on from being completely devastated by the January 2003 firestorm an exciting new park is emerging for keen Canberra cyclists and runners.

We took Ella for a very late afternoon ride this week. She quickly tired of the little track around the play area, opting instead for a complete circuit of the 2 kilometre big person's track.

She gave Stromlo Forest Park a mark of 1100 out of 10!!

BTW we were amazed to hear her reading (unprompted) "Cotter" (Road) from one of the roadsigns leading to the park