Spring snowball fight (Father's Day part 2)

Following on from my last post, as promised, I have some snowball action shots to share with you.

Never a better way to welcome Spring then with a snowball fight!  Pichu unfortunately missed out completely on the snow play because he was asleep. 

There were a few moments where the boys worked together to ambush Daddy,  this was nice to see, as they usually make everything into a competition.  If there is ever an Olympic sport for being the first one to finish weeing in the toilet, touching the car first, climbing out of the bath first or being first off the trampoline, then book me a ticket now because I'm going to be an Olympians Mother!

Lesson learned: Sometimes your brothers can be an asset in boosting the fire power of a snowball attack.  

Lesson learned: Working together can bring down even the most fearsome snowball throwers.

Lesson learned: Turning around quickly prevents copping a snowball to your stomach.

Lesson learned: Fingers are warmer in your mouth then out.

Lesson learned: Snow is cold, pockets are good.

Lesson learned: Run Forest run!

Lesson learned: Daddy's snowball retaliation can be brutal. 

It was such a fun relaxing day (once you filter out all of the complaining).  And to give them credit it was a long way to walk and they did a great job.

Pichu had a 2 hour nap that afternoon, waking up just moments before being handed an icecream.  What a way to wake up! 

Mt Field photos (Father's Day)

On Sunday, Father's Day, we set off early with spirits high as the sun was shinning and the wind was calm.  Spring has sprung here in Hobart, if not only for a few days at first, because another cold snap is forecast.  

We arrived at Mt Field by mid morning, resisting the urge for another coffee stop, we marched straight past the enticing cafe and led the boys up to our first stop, Russell Falls.  Led the boys? Ok, we didn't lead them anywhere, the older two were galloping ahead with giddy anticipation while we tried to reign them back a little.  Oshawott and Pichu were taking a more leisurely approach to the hike.

He had a habit of doubling back to run back to Mummy, increasing his walking distance quite considerably.

We had not even made it half way (of a 10 minute walk) when the first toilet emergency arrived.  Even though they had all just been to the toilet at the visitors centre!  Luckily the boys are experts at ducking off into the undergrowth to find the magic urinal that is in every forest.  

So the 10 minute walk, as stated on the sign, became a 20 minute walk.  And only that quick because Coder carried Pichu most of the way.  I had the job of encouraging a reluctant grumpy hiker to keep going (yes, it had been all of 5 minutes!).  Granted, he has just been unwell and is still getting over that.

Are we there yet? 

  Daddy trap!

At the Falls, some of the boys enjoyed their sandwiches.  The rest of us went without because the other food bag was hanging up safely at home on the coat rack so the dog wouldn't get into it the night before.  Luckily it was the 3 youngest that had food.  The oldest is a very picky eater anyway so he didn't care.  We had water at least!

 Nom nom!

We resisted the urge to turn back and retreat to the comfort of the coffee shop and pushed on to the top of the waterfall.  Yes, the top!  Another toilet stop, a little rest, an argument over a stick, having to carry 4 and 2 year olds, about a hundred stairs and we were there.  Easy.

I think they are natural posers, I didn't have to say a word to them about their body positioning.

From here we decided to continue the pain... I mean, education and exercise, and take the tall trees walk.  By this stage the boys were starting to not care so much about their surroundings and more about trying to make Mummy and Daddy regret taking the tall trees walk.  Legoman was sulking because of the previous stick incident, Oshawott point blank refused to walk anymore, Pichu was wanting to get up and down every other minute, and Voltorb was sick of being photographed so was either silly or refused to join in any more group shots.

Really really tall tree.  79 metres tall to be exact.  Quite a challenge to photograph.

Even through all the grizzly we managed to do the walk and take heaps of photos.  We took a shortcut back to the visitors centre by way of the rear road that goes up to the lake.  Another toilet stop..  more whinging about above mentioned stick, much more carrying of now a sleepy Pichu and stubborn Oshawott.  

Coder kept them going, telling them it was just around the next bend, until several bends later Legoman became disillusioned and started a mutiny.  This was quickly nipped in the butt and the walking continued without further incident, but much sooking.

We stopped at the visitors centre for some food, caffeine and a much needed rest.  The boys had some ice creams and lunch (yes in that order, but let's not forget they had just walked a marathon), then chose a toy from the gift store which was conveniently located within the same room as the cafe.  We hoped Pichu would nap in the pram, of course, he didn't.   So off to have the promised play in the playground.  There was a couple of things that kept them going on the walk, ice cream and the playground.

After a play we drove up to Lake Dobson, which was 16 kms further along the dirt track we had just made our way down on.  The road was a little bit muddy to say the least, I was worried we would get bogged and did not hold back letting my fears known to Coder, which he ignored!  (well, you did!) 

As if it wasn't enough that we had just ignored the sign that suggested not going up to the lake past 3pm (it was 2.50), we must remember we drive a 4 cylinder Tarago with tyres that needed replacing.  

After several gut wrenching moments, where I had to curl my toes and pull contorted facial expressions just to get us through, I successfully put doubt into Coder's mind (mission accomplished), but we kept going mainly due to the fact there was just no where to turn around.  Pichu had thankfully stopped screaming after the fist 5 harrowing minutes on the road and given in to sleep.   

I am glad we threw caution to the wind, the Lake was amazing, there was not a person in sight (just a couple of cars) and the boys got to play in the snow!

Come back next time for the next installment of photos.  Featuring the amazing snowball kick that splattered snow all over Legoman and an incredibly cute picture of Oshawott. 

You can see them here.

An early arrival, meet the newest family member!

The delivery was reasonably painless.  And that is probably something I have never said before, because all 4 of the boys 'deliveries' were a wee bit painful! 

I was skeptical about the abilities of the piano handlers, doubting we would have a intact piano by the end of the process.  Happily, I was proven wrong.  Except for a few hairy moments where the piano was slipping off the trolley as it ascended up out rocky pathway, it went smoothly!  From my perspective anyway.  Though my keen skills of observation told me that the sweat trickling down the faces of the handlers was not a prop.  No stage crew in sight to run in and spray water on faces for added drama and affect.

Though he only gave the difficulty a 6/10!  Come on, I thought it was more like a 7 and a half!  They are the experts however and have delivered to much more difficult locations. 

I even threw in the added distraction of a 4 and 2 yr old screaming at each other. They were fighting over the toy phone that lives on the side of the play kitchen that had (2 minutes previous) been up against the wall where the piano was going to live.

Taken just moments before I enquired if they were enjoying the view. 

Turns out they weren't.

A piano has been on the want list for years.  We were going to wait until the house was extended before filling it up anymore.  But when Coder mentioned he wanted a pinball machine for Father's Day.. I said "Not until the house is extended!".  There was no way I was going to try and make room for a pinball machine in the lounge room.  Of course he thought I would still get it.  So to make sure he didn't get what he wanted... No I am kidding.  He really wanted a piano.  More then a pinball machine.  Honestly.

Why a pinball machine in the first place?  Well why not? He is an expert now you know.  During Oshawott's party, Coder would frequently disappear into the dark arcade.  Later I discovered he had joined a pinball tournament and was trying to get the highest score he could to secure his position in the top 5.  The top 5 in each location are invited to attend the State tournament.   

He does this to me occasionally. Surfing for example.  When we were holidaying in Coolum he casually mentioned he had always wanted to learn how to surf and proceeded to have some lessons in the days following.   Surfing?  I have known him for 15 years and this was the first mention ever about surfing.  Ever.  Sure he didn't have to disclose every tiny bit of information about his interests during that 15 years, but you would think it may have accidentally popped into conversation at some point? Nope.  Also, he had always refused to swim in the oceans of Australia (he is American) because he was certainly going to be eaten by a shark.  Seems to me like surfing would put you pretty high on the menu.

So not entirely new to being sprung with these kind of secret lifetime wishes, I go along with the idea.  He seems to be good at anything he tries, he probably can be the next Statewide pinball champion.   

But we are not having a pinball machine in the lounge room.

Period.

However, lifetime wish of owning a piano I can do.  And I will even allow it to be in the lounge room!

It's a second hand Kawai.

So even though it's a gift for the whole family (and I am pretty sure as soon as Pichu wakes up from his nap I will not be viewing it this way anymore), we surprised Coder with the piano for Father's Day. 

It was two days early, because if you have ever tried to hide a piano in your  lounge room for two days, you'll know it's not easy.

And yes, he did think it was a pinball machine!  -insert evil laugh here-

Who can play you ask?  Well, technically, no one.  But I did take lessons for a whole year when I was young so I am sure all my talent (*cough*) will come flooding back.  Coder has been teaching himself to play for years, because when you teach yourself something like that it's going to takes years!  

Hopefully 1 or 2 of the boys may show enough interest to want lessons.  I am considering taking it up again.  My Dad started to learn in his 50's, so I can do it too! Not that i'm 50, but you know what I mean.

My dream.

In 20 years we will sit around the piano at Christmas time, all 4 boys, Coder and myself taking turns to play Christmas carols as my Lamborghini is driven up the driveway to surprise me.  Oh wait, that's right, the Lamborghini?  That's one of Coder's life wishes too! 

A girl can dream.