Vegetable garden

It's been many years since we have been able to have a vegie garden, so we were glad to be offered the use of one here at college.  Several weeks ago we took our kids shopping and let them each choose something for the garden, and then Simon and I just added the extra things we wanted.

Abby chose strawberries, Tim chose carrots, Ben chose tomatoes (several varieties) and Ezra (with encouragement from me) chose corn.  we also bought cucumber, celery, snowpeas and several different varieties of lettuce. We had already planted a bean Tim brought home from school and some sunflower seeds.

<== Little tomato already growing.

Bean flowers ==>

<== first strawberry

Sunflower ==>

Photo dates.

Simon and I have a tradition of having dates with our kids.  On Monday afternoon after school, one parent will take one child on a date.  When that parent has worked through the children over a 4-week period, the other parent has a turn.  We would love to be able to cover all the kids in a two week block instead of over four weeks, but we are still working on that.  On a date we take the child who's turn it is to do something special with them (eg: go out for milkshakes and donuts; go for a walk/bike ride; wander the toy section of Target/Big W and dream of what we'd buy if money was not an issue; visit a playground; etc) and I always try to give them time to ask questions they've been pondering, or share things that may have been bothering them, or things they are excited about, and then at the end I pray with them before we head home.

For the last few weeks Simon has been taking the kids on "photo dates", meaning they take our old digital camera and Simon takes the new one and they go on an adventure walk through Macquarie University, taking photos of anything that interests them. I have been very impressed with some of the kids photos and decided I should share some.

Here are some of Abby's photos...

some of Tim's photos...

and some of Ben's photos...

Ezra begged for weeks to use the camera, but when it came to the actual day of his date, he decided to go for a bike ride with Simon instead.

It's been nice to see the kids get excited about 'their date', but at the same time it is a little sad that they can't get such individual attention more often.  We really need to reorganize life to make more time with them.  I am hoping to do some cooking with them on my date with each one over the next few weeks.

Long time... no blogging

It's been a very long time since I made an appearance here at my blog.  Well... strictly speaking that's not true.  I actually check in here almost every day, just to see whether anybody I have linked to has written a new blog post, but I never seem to find time to post anything myself.

Life has been the usual kind of busy in the Gellert family, with a few exciting highlights since I last posted.  I began studying for a Diploma of Theology last term, doing one subject to begin with and I'll evaluate how I'm going at the end of the year and see if I continue with it next year.  What I'm learning will, hopefully, make for another blog post in the near future.

We have also had a wedding in the family  Simon's brother Matthew got married to Kylie on October 2nd, this year.  

Simon gave the message, and did an excellent job (in my opinion).  Our children were in the wedding party and were, mostly, very well behaved.

 On the whole we had a lovely day at the wedding, and everything went well.

We also had lots of holiday fun while we were in Victoria.  We felt a bit like we were on a strict schedule most of the time as we tried to fit in seeing all the people we wanted to catch up with.  Sadly we did not manage to fit everyone in, and many of our visits were very brief, but we did see more than I had expected we would.

We caught up with family...

friends...

more friends...

 And it was all followed by a very long drive home again.

Winter Holidays in Sydney

Our holidays felt very busy and as enjoyable as they were, it is almost a relief to get back into the routine of term time again.  We had many visitors, including both family and friends.  The weather has been absolutely glorious most of the time and we are appreciating not being in freezing cold Victoria this winter.

Here are a few holiday snaps.

Ben and Jerry's ice cream in Manly.

Rock climbing and bushwalking in Lane Cove National Park.

Exploring the creek behind our house

and building lego with other friends.

Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day to finish the holidays

And we finished the day by finally succeeding in getting a photo of all four of our children in Autumn leaves to replace the original which only had Abby and Tim.

Winter Uniforms

Yesterday was school 'photo day' and all children were required to wear full winter uniform.  We don't believe it is cold enough for winter uniform yet, but we dutifully went and bought them for the kids as we have been told that it can get cold here in the middle of winter.  Here's all my beautiful children spiffied up for their photo's.  I admit that I don't think the winter uniform is any more attractive than the summer one, but it does grow on you after a while.  Abby couldn't put her book down long enough to walk to the car without reading.

Easter Happenings

We have had a very exciting Easter this year.  Among other things my parents came to stay for the weekend and Tim got baptized, by Simon, on Easter Sunday, whilst they were here.

 Tim giving his testimony

 Simon and Tim in the Baptistry

After our Church Morning Tea, and a quick lunch we decided the weather would allow us to make use of Sydney's 'Family Fun Day' tickets and so we visited Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and took a ride on a ferry to Watson's Bay.  We discovered that while the ferry going to Watsons Bay was practically empty, the return trip was very, very crowded.  Apparently you are not meant to remain on the ferry and do a round trip.  You are meant to get off at Watsons Bay, join the end of the queue and see if you can get back on.  We didn't know this and the ferry crew were a bit grumpy with us.  Fortunately, they let us stay on, and the Ferry was not quite full, so we would have made it back on, but we may not have had the seats we had, right at the front.

Kids with Grandad and Grandma at the Opera House

Grandma, myself, the kids, Simon

A lovely day was topped off with icecream sundae's at Hungry Jacks.