cookefamilystevenson

I know it is rude to boast, but...

2012-02-14T20:04:00.002+11:00

...in ONE DAY! Collected by Harper with assistance from Tonka.

First day of term

2012-02-14T19:55:00.003+11:00

First day back at school - Beatrix, Harper, Mum and Lily. 1 February 2012

Harper with Gran, who made our lovely new owl dresses.

Goal!

2012-02-14T19:50:00.002+11:00

We started back at sports today with Sandy - no sooner had she said Ready Steady Go than we were off! Mum's concerns that we may have been reticent to participate were proved to be without foundation as we took to the field/court/gym with gusto. We sang the song, did the stretches, and kicked like Ronaldo!
Harper, Beatrix and Lily, 31 January 2012.

First haircuts!

2012-02-11T23:08:00.002+11:00

Harper was first in the chair, 30 January 2012

Then Miss Lily And finally Beatrix!Three happy campers - thanks Flo and Nancy (and Nemo and Dory)

Tama

2012-02-11T22:49:00.002+11:00

At Miss Sophie's first birthday at Tamarama
28 January 2012

Inundated

2012-02-11T22:44:00.002+11:00

Baby James with his fan club on Australia Day - Lily, Olivia, Beatrix, Harper and Meggie Moo

Home grown

2012-02-03T22:15:00.001+11:00

Our first lamingtons! Lily, Beatrix and Harper
26 January 2012

Peddlar woman

2012-02-03T22:12:00.002+11:00

The esteemed guest at our Aus Day celebrations, one Miss Sarah Turner, spent much of the afternoon as the peddlar woman out of Snow White, tormented by the four princesses. We love playing with you Sarah!

Our little Aussie family

2012-02-03T22:06:00.001+11:00

Gran and Harper

Meggie and Livy

Lily and Nana

26 Australia 2012

Just flagging the idea...

2012-02-03T22:02:00.002+11:00

Beatrix and Lily, Australia Day 2012

The beautiful Olivia

Toothpaste commercial part 2

2012-02-01T22:48:00.003+11:00

Harper

Lily

Beatrix, 17 January 2012

Toothpaste commercial part 1

2012-02-01T22:48:00.001+11:00

Harper, 17 January 2012

Harper's crop

2012-02-01T22:44:00.002+11:00

Look what I've go, says Harper...

Just a day's harvest! 17 January 2012

Ballet afficionados

2012-01-31T20:26:00.001+11:00

We were watching Swan Lake today (the Royal Ballet, for those who care). It came to the final scene, when the "bad swan" takes odette away: Harper says - he wants her but he doesn't love her.
I weep.
16 January 2012

Pacing the hood

2012-01-31T20:22:00.002+11:00

A great stroll around the neighbourhood with Olivia today. Not sure what was more astounding - the distance or the amount the kids ate en route! Lucky we stopped at Mrs Yianni's bakery! Harper, Olivia, Beatrix and Lily

Lily and Beatrix

14 January 2012

School

2012-01-31T20:20:00.000+11:00

I was talking to the girls about how this year at preschool they are in "red" room (the 4 year old room), and Lily said "and then next year we are at boarding school!"

Damn those Madeline books.

12 January 2012

Rosie

2012-01-31T20:16:00.002+11:00

Harper's portrait of her favourite teddy, Rosie.

10 January 2012

Miss Eliza

2012-01-31T20:13:00.001+11:00

Poor Mum had to go to work, but we got to sttay home and play with Miss Eliza! She introduced us to her new sister Victoria - what a poppet!
Cuppy with Victoria, Eliza, Beatrix, Lily and Harper
9 January 2012

Memory

2012-01-31T20:10:00.001+11:00

Dad and harper having a quick game of memory, 8 January 2012

iKeA

2012-01-31T20:01:00.002+11:00

Rainy day? Quick trip to iKea! Lily makes a list and checks it twice...just a couple of weeks later
Olivia keeps her eye out for a bargainLunch Swedish style! And a naughty icecream afterwards.... Harper, Gran, Beatrix, Lily, Olivia and Meggie Moo
6 January 2012.

Have pool, will travel

2012-01-31T19:56:00.001+11:00

A lovely afternoon at he Foxes, complete with our own pool! Here James eyes off our paddling technique Penelope and James - what a grin! Harper showing off her owl wings, a birthday gift from the lovely Miss May!
3 January 2012

nanaland

2012-01-31T19:51:00.004+11:00

A lovely play at Nana's! Harper, Nana, Lily and Beatrix

3 January 2012

Beach babes

2012-01-31T19:49:00.000+11:00

A great time at the beach today, followed by fish and chips! Harper, Lily, Beatrix, Livy and Meggie Moo, 2 January 2012

New years' dinner

2012-01-31T19:47:00.003+11:00

Beatrix, Meggie, Livy, Lily and Harper having dinner to celebrate the start of the new year, 1 January 2012

Hello 2012

2012-01-31T19:41:00.002+11:00

A lovely afternoon at the Isaacs - here are the misses Abelia, Justine and P

Beatrix, Dash, Lily and Harper

1 January 2012

Loungin'

2012-01-23T20:55:00.003+11:00

Boo hoo Timmy heads home again. But it will always be Timmy's room.Lily and TimmyBeatrix and TimmyRediscovering the hammock. And a quick icecream - Lily, Beatrix and Harper
31 December 2011

NYE

2012-01-23T20:54:00.003+11:00

In the bay at The Bay with Timmy, 31 December 2011.

Adoring James - Beatrix and HarperBeautiful BeatrixLily and David having a chat over a cino How many sardines fit in our car?

Timmy time!

2012-01-23T20:53:00.001+11:00

We picked up Timmy today and had a lovely breakfast at Carss park...
...before a quick swim in Kogarah Bay...
See the 3 smiles, Miss Turner? Dad, David and Timmy before their night out.
30 December 2011

Worms, worms, glorious worms

2012-01-23T20:00:00.002+11:00

Dad gets help from Olivia and Lily to set up the new worm farm - the Christmas present Mum didn't know she wanted! And here are the workers post-installation - Harper already asleep from all of her efforts, with Lily, Dad and Beatrix. 27 December 2011.

Pacing it out

2012-01-23T19:55:00.003+11:00

Notice the new suitcases from Uncle Nick - what a hit!

On the way back from Olivia's 26 December 2011.

Christmas day

2012-01-23T19:51:00.001+11:00

P, Uncle John and Meggie Moo
25 December 2011

Christmas Eve

2012-01-23T12:24:00.003+11:00

Beatrix on the phone to Santa ...

...who was in New Zealand at the time (Lily)...

...delivering gifts to kiwis (the bird) (as Harper confirmed)

Harper, Beatrix and Lily, 24 December 2011.

Smart parking

2012-01-23T12:23:00.006+11:00

Stephanie, Lily, Harper, Lily and Seamus - Kyeemagh, 24 December 2011

and the icecreamy aftermath!At the park with Seamus and Stephanie,
Christmas Eve, 2011

Our idol

2012-01-23T12:23:00.005+11:00

James - we worship you.

Harper, Beatrix and Lily on "their" stools at the Foxys.

Christmas Eve 2011

Winona Ryder eat your heart out

2012-01-23T12:19:00.004+11:00

Mermaids Lily, Beatrix and Harper, 22 December 2011

Hansel and Gretel

2012-01-23T12:19:00.003+11:00

Nana, Beatrix, Harper and Lily 23 December 2011

Last day swimming

2012-01-23T12:18:00.001+11:00

18 December 2011, Macmasters

We love jazz

2012-01-23T12:16:00.004+11:00

Macmasters, 14 December 2011

We were lucky enough to be at the kiosk when the local jazz combo came down for their weekly practice on Wednesday. They were great, and no more prefect a scene with the sea breeze floating by, the sound of the waves in the background, and coffee perfection. Sigh. Didn't matter there was a king tide and stingers when there is such culcha on offer.

Sunkissed

2012-01-21T23:14:00.002+11:00

Beatrix, Lily, Harper and Mum, Macmasters
18 December 2011

Last day, Perfection

2012-01-21T23:13:00.001+11:00

Macmasters, 18 December 2011

Beatrix and her diving stick

Lily

Harper

En famille

Day 7, Surfing safari

2012-01-21T23:12:00.001+11:00

Another great day's swimming at Snake Lake - here's Harper practising a few new moves before hitting the surf.
Go gidgets!
An after dinner walk to spot dolphins - Dad, Lily, Beatrix, Mum and Harper Telling Captain Blackbeard stories on the way home

17 December 2011

Day 6, making mountains out of molehills

2012-01-21T23:11:00.004+11:00

On expedition, 16 December 2011 Snake Lake aka the lagoon in between Copa and MacMasters - opened to the ocean on a king tide the day before created amazing sand cliffs down to the water

Beatrix

Lily

Harper off to catch a wave

Five years ago today, who would have thought

2012-01-21T23:11:00.003+11:00

Celebrating with tapas in Hardy's Bay, Lily and Dad Beatrix, Mum and Lily

Harper. 16 December 2011.

Andrew you are the love of my life.

Day 5, Pirates

2012-01-21T23:08:00.008+11:00

After some early morning pirate hunting...

...we decided to build a fort to defend ourselves. 15 December 2011

Religion at bathtime

2012-01-21T23:08:00.004+11:00

Lily - I am baby Jesus the girl one. What is my mum's name?
Mum - Mary
Lily - What is her dad's name?
Mum - Joseph
Beatrix - Why not Jack?
11 December 2011

Sun and sand and water

2012-01-21T23:07:00.002+11:00

A swim at last!
Here we are in snake lake, hunting for Captain Blackbeard.
14 December 2011

Day 4, the one that got away

2012-01-21T23:05:00.002+11:00

Here's Dad fishing in the lagoon that has now had its water levels regulated after being opened to the ocean on a king tide (we are such locals).

Dad says there are fish in the lagoon: the one that got away and the one he hasn't caught yet. We don't have the heart to tell him it could be the same one.
14 December 2011.

Bardot

2012-01-21T22:53:00.003+11:00

Lily

Beatrix

13 December 2011

Day 3, sun but no water

2012-01-21T22:52:00.002+11:00

Today we ventured to the rock pool but there were stingers everywhere!
So instead we went to feed the ducks again (a bad attempt at damper nearly killed some), and there was NO water in the lagoon!

But a beautiful sunset.
13 December 2011.

Day 2

2012-01-21T22:49:00.002+11:00

Day 2 at Copa, still no sun, so instead we went to the movies and saw Arthur Christmas.
Mum and Dad laughed louder than anyone else. It was so embarassing. We liked Briony Elf the best - she can wrap anything with only 3 pieces of tape!

And we did have a lovely walk in the afternoon to feed the ducks. The lagoon was so high it was lapping at people's back doors.

12 December 2011

Day 1, take 2

2012-01-21T22:47:00.003+11:00

Our first day at beautiful Copa.
But someone forgot to order the weather, so we started in on our new craft projects and discovered the magic of magic painting - just add water and teh most amazing colours appear!
But doesn't Mum know that you can do this on Dad's eye-phone just by painting with your finger on the screen? The wiggles beat her to it. Oh, it's something from her chikdhood? Still naff.

11 December 2011.

It's never to early...

2012-01-21T22:46:00.002+11:00

...to put up the tree!

Doesn't matter we were about to go away for a week, when your tree comes from BigW you know it will survive your absence!
Beatrix, Harper and Lily, 10 December 2011.
Dad and Harper

Holiday Day 1

2012-01-21T22:44:00.003+11:00

What to do on Day 1 of the holidays?
Well, you could play hairdressers... lucky Renee
Or you could play princesses and ponys!

7 December 2011

Angels

2012-01-06T08:43:00.023+11:00

Are angels real? Yes.

7 December 2012

Last day of preschool

2012-01-06T08:42:00.021+11:00

Last day of our first year of preschool, 6 December 2011 Harper, Miss Karen, Lily and Beatrix

Mrs Polias and Lily. Mrs Polias is a triplet too and we love her!

With Mrs Blakeney, who will be our teacher next year - Lily, Harper and Beatrix.

We love to barbie!

2012-01-06T08:41:00.015+11:00

Written in Australia, you would think I was referring to the chargrilling of meat!

But no! Thank you Nina and Ewan for our new princess Barbies - we love them! (And mum and dad are coming to terms with them...)

A trifling matter for one's birthday

2012-01-06T08:40:00.016+11:00

Harper

Lily

Beatrix

Birthday girls are four today! 5 December 2011

Three for four, or is that four for three?

2012-01-06T08:40:00.013+11:00

On the day itself- 5 December 2011

Beatrix and Lily in their new mermaid outfitsHarper and her new pet guineapig Beatrix, Nana, Harper, Nick, Lily and Dad

Who loves to party?

2012-01-04T07:26:00.008+11:00

A quick self timer family photo on the way to the party, girls dressed in Granny C Couture!

Beatrix, Harper and Lily waiting for our friends to arrive - high spirits

And going UP!Womens Weekly will be asking for the designBenji, Beatrix and Caleb

In all her fairylike glory. 4 December 2011

Preparations begin

2012-01-03T22:48:00.002+11:00

Pre-party post-swimming planning session at Cafe Bido with Uncle Nick. 3 December 2011 The cake fairies were working well into the night...

Uncle Nick just in time

2012-01-03T22:45:00.001+11:00

Nick and Lily, 1 December 2011. Nick arrives just in time for the birthday festivities to commence!

Six! I mean three!

2012-01-03T22:41:00.002+11:00

Watch out Shane Warne, Lily has her eye on the target at cricket practice!

Beatrix, Lily and Harper with the wonderful sandy at RSG, 1 December 2011

Monet

2011-12-30T23:51:00.002+11:00

The art

The artist
1 December 2011

Stacks on

2011-12-30T23:10:00.002+11:00

30 November 2011 - Harper, Beatrix and Lily

Black Crowes

2011-12-30T22:50:00.002+11:00

27 November 2011

Xmas with the Club

2011-12-30T22:41:00.002+11:00

At the Club Xmas party at Carss party: Harper, Bea, Mum, Lily, Meggie Moo and Miss Olivia

On the fire truck. As Beatrix said: the reindeer would have gotten stuck in the trees!

Harper and Beatrix in the petting zoo!

Security arrangements

2011-12-30T22:38:00.001+11:00

Lily going to bed: You can't kiss me, mum - the door is closed to my bed so my babies don't get out!

Beachie-keen

2011-12-30T22:28:00.004+11:00

Harper and her crocodile

Harper, Lily, Beatrix and Dad at Kyeemagh

Lily, Dad, Harper and Lily

26 November 2011

Dizzy

2011-12-30T22:25:00.002+11:00

Lily

26 November 2011

Xmas craft

2011-12-30T22:17:00.002+11:00

Getting ready, a month to go! 25 November 2011 Beatrix

Harper

Lily

Nana's birthday

2011-12-30T22:11:00.001+11:00

23 November 2011

Swimalicious

2011-12-30T22:09:00.000+11:00

Beatrix, Harper and Lily, 19 November 2011. And yes, that is a wave!

Bra bras

2011-12-30T22:05:00.002+11:00

A lovely day at the Bra with Caroline and Miss Sophie. With Harper

Sophie and Beatrix, 18 November 2011.

Nana's party

2011-12-30T21:54:00.005+11:00

A great night for Nana's birthday - out in the big city for tapas!Harper
En famille
Beatrix

Gnomies

2011-12-30T21:52:00.003+11:00

Hanging with my gnomies

Beatrix, Olivia, Harper and Lily, 19 November 2011.

Excursion

2011-12-30T21:48:00.002+11:00

Lily, Beatrix and Harper On our school excursion to the zoo! 15 November 2011.

UNited

2011-12-30T21:39:00.002+11:00

Beatrix, Harper and Lily 18 November 2011

Ken Done has nothing on me

2011-12-30T21:35:00.002+11:00

Beatrix with her new approach to usign watercolours. 16 November 2011.

Seamus is 4!

2011-12-30T21:29:00.003+11:00

Harper, Beatrix, William and Lily at Seamus' party, 12 November 2011
Beatrix with the wind through her hair on the way home.

11.11.11

2011-11-26T22:58:00.003+11:00

What happens when you watch the episode of Playschool playing at 11am on 11.11.11"Pants" (Harper)

The Blues Sisters

2011-11-19T21:13:00.004+11:00

Too cool for school Lily

Harper

Oh Beatrix you gave the game away!

Breakfast al fresco, 8 November 2011

Enelope

2011-11-12T21:54:00.002+11:00

A lovely dinner with Aunty Dave and "Enelope" (as Lily has recently taken to saying). Beatrix, Lily, Enelope and Harper.
6 November 2011.

Lah Lah's Big Live Band...

2011-11-12T21:09:00.003+11:00

...has nothing to worry about in terms of competition from the Cooke Band!

6 November 2011

Shelly Park

2011-11-12T20:59:00.002+11:00

A lovely morning with the family Isaacs at Shelly Park - Dashiel is growing so fast!

We had a lovely swim at the baths (sea slugs, star fish, crabs) and then played in the park. Harper and Dash.

Lily, Harper and Benji

Beatrix. 6 November 2011.

Mermaids

2011-11-12T14:14:00.004+11:00

And then after class we went to this really big shed where there were all these amazing old doors, windows, and whole staircases in the middle of nowhere. Mum saw lots of things she liked. Now she just needs the house to fit them in! But we still didn't find what we're looking for.
5 November 2011.

Things we grow

2011-11-12T14:07:00.002+11:00

TomatoesSweet peas Babies. What a blast from the past! Congrats to Kate B for her involvement in this very important publication!

4 November 2011 (with some help from December 2007)

The old haunts

2011-11-12T13:39:00.002+11:00

Today we went back to one of our old haunts, Jubilee Park. We loved coming here when we were crawling adn toddling, and proved today that it is still fun when you are ALMOST FOUR! Harper and Mr Fox Lily feeding Snow White - good to see that the local community is supportive of breastfeeding in public!

Having a 'cino after a hard morning's play - H, L and B.

Beatrix takes Ariel for a swing While Harper takes Mr Fox on the slide. Friday 4 November 2011.

Julia (aka the PM)

2011-11-12T13:37:00.004+11:00

Dad and the girls picked me up from work tonight after having fish & chips by the beach.

As we drove out of the city who should we pass leaving the Governor's residence in car C1 but the Prime Minister!

I waved and said "Hello Julia" and she waved back.

Beatrix said "That was a funny car Julia was driving". Classic.

Remembrance Day - Friday, 11.11.11

Watching The Tale of Desperaux

2011-11-09T16:04:00.000+11:00

Scrapes and bruises

2011-11-09T16:03:00.000+11:00

I was getting out of the shower at 6.42am this morning and heard a yell and then crying. They're awake!

What's wrong, I ask
Harper replies: It's not fair! Lily says she has more sores than me and she doesn't!

Editors note: only scrapes, not infectious!

Spooky Halloween!

2011-11-07T23:53:00.003+11:00

Here is our spooky pumpkin! And here are our spookiest faces ever! 31 October 2011

Cousins

2011-11-03T22:51:00.002+11:00

At Meggie's birthday party - Livy, crazy Dad, Beatrix, Mum, Lily and Harper- 30 October 2011

Sparklers

2011-11-03T22:43:00.001+11:00

Harper and Lily, 29 October 2011

What we grow

2011-11-03T22:13:00.006+11:00

Bees

Harper very proud of what her watering has produced

The sweetest of peas.

Waterplay

2011-11-03T22:12:00.000+11:00

Harper is obviously holding water in her mouth. I turn away, shaking my head.

Then she says: Mum I was just putting my finger in my mouth to see if it was like a swimming pool and some of the water came out and squirted me in the eye!

Halloween

2011-11-03T21:56:00.002+11:00

Harper

Lily

Beatrix (in her new golden sandals!) 28 October 2011

New shoes

2011-11-03T21:53:00.002+11:00

New shoes brought 2 surprises:
1. Lily has caught up to Harper now size 9.5
2. Beatrix has overtaken and is now a size 10!

Since when did kids feet become bigger than age?

When the girls were mere apples...

2011-11-03T21:23:00.000+11:00

29 September 2007 - explaining the set up to Penelope.

Meggie Moo

2011-11-01T23:15:00.002+11:00

Harper's birthday card for Meggie, complete with lengthy message and flowers.

Absolutely batty

2011-10-30T21:04:00.002+11:00

It's an ordinarly afternoon in the land of fairies and princesses, and Beatrix is hanging upside down on her mother's lap

Mum What are you doing?
Bea Hanging around like a bat.

Oh, of course.

23 October 2011