Perth Royal Show with Odette

Because it is Odette's birthday next week (she will turn 9 on Monday) I took her for a birthday treat at the Perth Royal Show. She invited her friend Jen to go with us too. We went to Perth last night and caught some of the night time action at the show. We went on the big wheel, watched the fireworks, and saw some nerve-wracking FMX (freestyle moto cross) stunts in the arena. We stayed the night at my sister's place not far from the showgrounds and went back to the show this morning.
I took Hugh's little point-and-shoot camera - no way was I lugging around a big heavy camera and lens all day!  So in pictures, here is some of what we did at the show:

Went on the tea-cup ride (we wanted Odette to go on it because 7 years ago we went to the show and the operator had to stop the ride and get her off because she cried so much.)

Went on the chair lift

Milked a pretend cut-out cow

Posed as/with Captain Cleanup

Explored permaculture concepts

Played with a junk sculpture robot

Bought a showbag

Swapped shoes and socks when Jen got blisters

Yes, Odette's toes are really long

Drank lemonade (not as good as Bonnie's home-made stuff was the verdict)

Climbed on a rock-climbing wall

Fell off the wall

Went caving in a model cave

Learnt more about Malaysia

Rode on the "Dragon Wagon"

Saw lots of poultry

I had lots of fun with the two girls, but I had forgotten how tiring a day at the Show can be! Maybe I'll be ready to tackle it again in another seven years...

Hugh on the Quad

I had been planning to take some photos of Hugh on the quad. He looks so cute in his motorbike boots and helmet. He has just started to ride the little four-wheeled motorbike. The brake requires quite a bit of strength, and he needs to use two hands to handle it. Which has never been a problem, until this afternoon. He was riding when it started to rain, and to his credit he thought about putting the bike under shelter. Unfortunately Roger has been putting it on the verandah right up against the glass door at night, so Hugh tried to do the same.
I heard the BANG from the laundry, and I must say that laminated safety glass is a very good thing. There was glass everywhere, but the little shattered pieces were fairly easy to clean up.
I didn't get the photo of Hugh wearing his helmet, gloves and boots, as he had fled the scene by the time I got my camera.

Basketball Grand Final

Bonnie's basketball team played in the grand final tonight, and they came out victorious. Bonnie's basketball skills have really improved during the season, and she contributes well to her team. It was a well deserved win, and a very tight game. It was the defending that defined the game, as the scores reflected.
Next season Bonnie will have to play with older kids, which will extend her even more. This time she was one of the big kids!

What Farm Kids Learn

The other day we were talking about the number of women in town who are pregnant at the moment.
Little miss seven commented that "it must have been mating season"!!
Isn't that the sort of observation that would only come from a farm kid?