Eloise's first somersault

Eloise has finally worked out how to do a somersault !   Legs apart, head down, arms near legs and lean forward.  We were very excited about this newly acquired skill as Eloise has been trying to do it for months.   It all happened on the wedge at Gymbaroo and once the first one was a success, Eloise kept on doing them again and again and again.  Well done Eloise !  

Heads down, hands on knees ...

Legs part, arms on ground ...

... and flip

Hows that mum ?

Abbey's first music class

The decision to enrol Abbey into her first music class was inspired by her very enthusiastic response to the live Fijian dance performances when were were in Fiji and also by her automatic response to dance to any 'boppy' music that she hears.   So we enrolled her in Mainly Music.  Classes started on 17 July with Melita.  There were 5 other kids in there with Abbey being the newbie and youngest one.  She was a little hesitant at the start but soon warmed up and got right into it.

Carnivale at the Immigration Museum

It was Carnivale day at the Immigration Museum so we took the girls for a bit of a look see.  There was a puppet show which enthralled the girls and Eloise was in her element making Venetian masks, Brazilian headgear and puppets . 

Eloise modelling her Brazillian headgear and Venetian masquerade mask

Skiing

We took Eloise (Abbey stayed home with Poh Poh and Gung Gung) to Mount Buller for the weekend for her first ski trip.  She has been tobogganing before at aged 2 at Lake Mountain but has been asking to get on skis ever since she watched Donald Duck chase after Mickey Mouse on skis.  She actually said that she did not need lessons as she already knows how to do it from watching Donald and Mickey do it ! 

Just outside our lodge, lots of snow !

We stayed at Alkira Lodge which is just a few minutes walk from the village. On Saturday morning we played in the snow, making a very dismal looking snowman.   

Then it was off for a bit of toboganning and a practice on the skis. 

A little unsteady to begin with

"Whooa, don't let go daddy !"

After lunch, Eloise went into ski school where she was put into the Koala's class. Eloise actually took to having skis on her feet fairly easily and was glidding very quickly. Although still a while to go before we master the art of stopping.











There was plenty of snow and most of the lifts were open but unfortunately the weather on the Sunday was terrible - cold and very windy.  It was not very pleasant sitting on the chair lifts.  In fact, we gave it away after only a few runs.   

A much more credible looking snowman

Making snow angels

Circus

The girls went to their first circus and loved it.  We took them to Circus Olympia which is a Russian circus that had the traditional clown, trapeze artist and animals.  Gone are the days when circus animals were elephants, bears and tigers - the animals at this circus were farm animals like horses, ducks, goats and donkeys.  

Eloise and Abbey were glued to their seat and Eloise's favourite part was watching a little girl perform on the tightrope whilst Abbey's favourite was the animals (off course!).