barrandgirl: August 2013

City Meets Country

It was the day the city came to the country. We invited our playgroup up for a day on the farm and gave the kids a chance to do what city kids may never do...play with fire, ride bikes on gravel, sit in a trailer towed by a tractor (no seatbelts), cook damper on a campfire and splash in a stream. It was fabulous. We loved it, they loved it and maybe it will become an annual event. The weather was a glorious Perth winter's day and there were no reports of marshmallow tongue burning. About 35 adults and almost the same number of kids.

Survivor meets MasterChef...all the raw ingredients were provided and each family fended for themselves. Snaggers, damper, jacket potatoes, eggs, bacon, marshmallows and baked bananas stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows.

Farmer John cranked up the tractor and did laps down to the stream.

Adult supervision by a Dr and a Lawyer - all bases covered in terms of liability.

Angus has recently been advised that a Photographer is a career option that pays money. He's really interested in that and likes taking snaps.

After the city folk left the farm us locals had our own private tractor ride and splash. Dad taught me how to drive the thing so that if he needs to go into aged care in the next year, we can still pull off the Farm Day in 2014.

Silas is firmly nestled against Michael. Love that shot.

The less inhibited cousins.

Angus to the rescue.

And let's not forget it was the day H turned 3. Happy Birthday, sweet lil' man.

Sydney Staycation

The Barrs (8 big and 9 little) hung out in Sydney for a few days. When you only see your cousins once a year it's like speed dating when you actually get together. We acted like tourists for a few days and caught trains, walked The Bridge, caught a ferry to Watson's Bay for fish and chips, went to the Aquarium, licked lollypops and 'did' Darling Quarter playground. Good times, great family.

Walking the Bridge and looking down at the ferry.

The Barr girls.

Sea legs.

Angus was going through a Ninja Turtle phase during this week.

In this shot you can see the seagull that ate a piece of fish out of Jem's hand as she was putting it in her mouth. She won't be forgetting that in a hurry.

Big Boy

Siley turned 1 while we were away and we celebrated prematurely with our friends and family in Sydney. We had our traditional Blessing event at the house of our wonderful friends the Wheatleys. Our first year with Silas has not been, as many people predicted, a "just fit in" kinda third baby. He's dominated our world and made everyone else fit around him for most of his days. Although much of our year has been entertaining, jiggling, feeding, patting, pacing and holding him, he has brought SUCH joy to us. He took his first steps on Mum's 70th birthday and has been so much happier since being able to get places himself...actually happiest on top of the dining room table after scaling the couch. He announces his position on the summit with a laugh/roar combination. His chuckle will melt your heart, whoever you are. The other two are quite practiced at collapsing on the floor and sustaining injury simply to hear him belly laugh. Simply gorgeous.

Our precious friend Salli sharing her insights and reflections on Silas.

'This is not the first time I've had this, ya know'.

On his actual birthday in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne.
Silas: "Lover of Trees".

Snow (in 11 degrees)

To celebrate mum turning 7-0, we met them all in Melbourne for a week of family fun. The first day all together we heading up to Lake Mountain in search of snow. It was good enough for some West Aussies who never bump into the stuff. Although it was all man-made. And it was 11 degrees (the snow suits are just for effect). And it was a bit slushy and grey but if you're under 10 you wouldn't care.

It was good we had this day together as the next 4 days of our time were controlled by gastro and we spent most of it in our hotel room.