This post is a celebration of Ella on her eleventh birthday. She's still the gorgeous, talented, bright and funny girl we've known for over a decade, but a lot taller now ........ always on the move ......... and always heading in the right direction!
This was the big birthday present this year - one for the whole family to share .......
Ella's birthday yesterday was also marked by the installation of her first (small) set of braces. They only affect her back molars at this stage so hopefully her megawatt smile will be unhindered by the new hardware.
We were able to see Ella's two and half hour gym session last night (no slacking off just because it's her birthday). She does some very scary stuff - and beautifully too!
Ella can walk the full length of this floor mat on her hands!
Happy Birthday beautiful Ella!
This year is the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur by Japanese torpedo off the coast of South Queensland around 4.00am on 14th May 1943.
We like to attend the commemoration of this wartime disaster each year at the Australian War Memorial, in memory of Rob's Dad Allan who was one of the few survivors. Of the 332 persons on board only 64 survived.
Each year at the Last Post ceremony there is a focus on someone who lost their life on the Centaur. Private Athol Povey (from Queanbeyan) of the 2/12 Field Ambulance was the focus of this commemoration. He was only 21 when he was killed, two years younger than Allan. There looked to be family members here tonight laying wreaths - so sad.......
The Last Post ceremony is perfectly beautiful; simple but exquisitely layered and disciplined. We were standing much closer to the presenters this year and got to admire up close the incredible synchronicity of the "catapault team" presenting arms. Their efforts were even more arresting than the the noisy mobs of cockatoos in the space of open blue sky above the Pool of Remembrance.
It's almost dark by the time the service has ended. We're surprised by the number of navy personnel and American Embassy people here tonight. Security is tight and there are quite a few black shiny cars waiting to pick up all the suits at the end of the night. The War Memorial however looks beautiful at any time of the day or night.
Abi is growing up fast. After years of avoiding having her photo taken whenever she could, she actually "asked" (told) me to take photos this week at swimming class (because I am so good at swimming - she said).
Abi executes a perfect dive!
I think this is the first time Abi has happily "posed" for me.........
Abi took this gorgeous shot of Ella!
Ella's birthday yesterday was also marked by the installation of her first (small) set of braces. They only affect her back molars at this stage so hopefully her megawatt smile will be unhindered by the new hardware.
We were able to see Ella's two and half hour gym session last night (no slacking off just because it's her birthday). She does some very scary stuff - and beautifully too!
Ella can walk the full length of this floor mat on her hands!
Happy Birthday beautiful Ella!
