(Zoe on Wombat Run, Mt Buller)
Greg has been loving his new school - he's been there a year now and seems to be feeling very settled and happy. He doesn't have to take sport during winter but has the Yr 11 debating teams instead - a much better match!
(Freckle - chilling.)Zoe has been getting on well at school too, and has recently joined a soccer team. As it is now halfway through the season, she is just a fill-in player but is loving the training and making new friends. Her very good friend, Bella, is a member of the team, as are some girls who will be at high school with her next year.
(Zoe in her soccer gear, combining both of her active hobbies!)
Most impressively, Zoe completed her Grade 4 AMEB Piano exam at the end of June, and achieved a Credit! Congratulations superstar and thanks Leonie for the wonderful teaching.
We took Mum and Dad to the Windsor for afternoon tea for Mother's Day. What a treat! As well as sandwiches and scones brought to the table, there was also a buffet of divine desserts and a chocolate fountain. Truly indulgent.
(At the Windsor)
We have all been engrossed in some wonderful books. Greg has to teach Shakespeare's Richard 3, and he loves it. The double meanings and political intrigue have really caught his attention. Zoe recently finished "Shauzia" by Deborah Ellis and "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen - loving both of them. She is now reading "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". I have finished reading "The Wouldbegoods" by E Nesbit (another in our year of reading classics) and we are currently racing through "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" ahead of seeing the film next week. It's a departure from the classics but we just had to read it! I have read "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga (an interesting novel about life and India), "Asking for the Moon" by Reginald Hill (another Dalziel and Pascoe novel - I love them), "Sea of Poppies" by Amitav Ghosh (the author of "The Glass Palace" which I loved - this one has some great characters but I haven't enjoyed it as much) and "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich (amusing but the series is getting a bit tired). I am now reading the short stories of Nam Le in "The Boat" - captivating and thought-provoking.
(Another happy hippo, made by Zoe and me for Leonie's birthday.)
I have been trying to run but have been struggling with injuries in both ankles. I have orthotics and hopefully they will keep me up and going. I completed the 10 km Run Melbourne event on June 28, and my brother John completed his first fun run with me, running in the 5 km event. As I waited for him at the finish line, I watched the winners of the 5 km race come in. To my amazement, one of my Yr 10 students was second in the women's race! I knew she was good but wasn't expecting to see her in this race. Zoe had also been training for the 5 km event but came down with an awful cough and cold in the days beforehand. We had been doing regular Sunday morning laps of the Tan - lots of fun.
(Another of the simple dresses I have been making and wearing for work, this one with the Boden cardigan I bought in England.)
As it's winter, it's time for knitting, and I have been making lots of fingerless gloves with fold-back mitten covers. Each of Zoe's friends has been given a pair for their birthdays, and I have made several for friends at my school. They are quick and fun to knit. I also made Zoe a balaclava for our trip to the snow.
We went to Mt Buller earlier this week, staying at Andre's. The snow was fantastic and the weather was really good. Had a fab time.
The football season has been exciting, with Collingwood now playing very well after having several players out injured earlier. I am, just this week, at the top of the footy tipping table - and feeling the pressure. Who to pick each week?!
