Azariah's Graduation Ceremony

Azariah had his kindy break-up party today. The children started on a waterslide. Then they had a treasure hunt - following clues. Next, the children going to prep were presented with a Kindergarten diploma. The kids wore little gowns and mortar boards - so cute! Finally, the group sang some songs for us parents.

Here is Azariah receiving his certificate.

Christmas Program at North Church

Today our family took part in the North Church's Christmas program. Sharlene and I signed to 'I heard the bells on Christmas Day', and Zemiel and Azariah signed to 'Silent Night'. Both songs covered by Casting Crowns.

This is a video of the boys' performance.

Zemiel's Christmas Concert

Yesterday, Zemiel's school held their Christmas concert for all the families of the school. Zem was involved with his class song and the signing choir. His class sang 'The 12 days of Aussie Christmas', and the signing choir performed 'Silent Night'. Zem did a fantastic job of the signing. Here are a few photos from the event.

Our friend from next door came over and helped Sharlene prepare Liana's hair. Cute eh? Too bad it only lasted 23 seconds...

...just long enough to get this photo from the front.

We set up our blanket on the grass near the stage. It was lovely spot. Zemiel saw the sound desk and decided it needed closer inspection. Definitely no touching though! When we attend North Church here in Mackay, Zemiel is allowed to help work the sound desk and projector. It is one of his favourite things.

Liana had a blast. She started out eating - everything in sight. She even used Zemiel's school lunchbox as a plate and then ate her food directly from it...

...mmm...yummy.

After eating all our food, she promptly ditched us for another family...

...and another family...

...and yet another.

Monkey see...monkey do.

Meanwhile, Zemiel was called up to do his performances.

 He originally started out with the mask down over his face, but he couldn't read the words. So up came the mask.

He performed well though. Well done Zemiel!

Time for signing choir, and another admirable effort. So proud!

Cape Hillsborough picnic

So... we invited a friend of ours who recently returned to Mackay out for a picnic at Cape Hillsborough today. The children were keen as mustard to get down to the beach and swim in the sand and water. Shar wasn't very happy for them to get wet and sandy but that's pretty much what happened anyway...

Sharlene grabbed the camera and snapped Dan and Liana together.

Zekiah..."Hey you! No cameras!" Zekiah was just happy to play by himself at the beach.

Azariah..."It's my turn isn't it?" He got wetter, sandier and in more trouble-er than all the other children.

Riah, Zekai and friend sprinting for the beach.

Liana-Roze creating a bit of sand art.

Zemiel spent some time just gazing out to sea. He loved looking at the islands...

...Just like this.

Liana..."To go in or not to go in...hummmmm."

"Yup. Going in it is!"

Liana and friend digging by the shore.

After being successfully extricated from the ocean, a dripping wet toddler makes a break for the surf once more!

Zemiel - Student of the Week

Observe: The many faces of Zemiel...

...Down wit' it. This is where it's at!

...Irish dancer. Betcha can't do this!

...Kamikaze. Sock it to me!

...Robot. Target: camera, mission: fake smile.

...Famous. Make sure you get my good side.

Mainly Music Break-up

Throughout the year, Sharlene has taken the younger three children to Mainly Music on Thursdays. Last Sunday, they had their break-up...

Zemiel went straight to the petting zoo and made some friends.

Azariah couldn't wait to get his face painted.

 Zekiah had so many ice blocks that he ended up vomiting.

Liana thought she saw something in the mirror...hey don't I know that person?

Whoever it is, they are beautiful! Mmwah!

Double Birthday

Sharlene and Liana share their birthday. Sharlene got a rainbow cake, cemented together with cream and jam.

Liana celebrated her birthday with her Sabbath School friends. Although she was more interested in holding the matches...

...and grabbing the candle...

Finally, with arms restrained, we can light the candle...

...and Zekiah can blow it out! Hooray!

Zekiah's 3rd Birthday

Zekiah's favourite shirt is the red one with a shark on the front holding a soccer ball in its mouth. We get a happy dance every time we pull that one out. For this birthday, Zekai got a cake based on that picture. 

When it finally came to changing his age, Zekai liked the idea of turning 3 but utterly rejected the notion that he was a 'big boy' now.

Trip to Bowen

In September we drove to Bowen to show-off Liana and see our old friends. We'd been slack and hadn't visited nearly as often as we ought. Church was great and we shared lunch in the hall afterwards.

Before we drove back to Mackay, we stopped at Horseshoe Bay. Zemmy just sat on the sand for a while taking in the waves before coming to join Azariah and Zekiah on the rocks.

After rock-hopping for a while, we went back to the car and thought we would attempt a climb up to a lookout. The boys were keen so off we went...

This is a zoomed in photo, taken from the lookout, of the rocks that we climbed on earlier.

Zemiel on the bridge leading to the lookout platform.

Sharlene and Liana-Roze resting in the shade near the lookout platform.

Zekiah on the walking track. We were very proud of his effort in walking the whole way.

Zekiah again. This time in a narrow gap between rocks. What an adventure for him!

At one point in the track, we could see these trees in flower on the next hill. 

Cole Kids - How they grow III

Azariah wanted a robot cake for his birthday this year...

We went up to broken river with Aunty Rosie and Uncle Piotr. 

We got to see the platypus come in really close at the lookout. So cool!

We enjoyed going to the botanic gardens with our Adventurers Club. 

Liana loving the camera.

Zekiah had great fun in the sand. He loves getting wet and dirty. 

Azariah felt he missed out on some photos so he decided to pose a little. 

Zemiel doesn't always cooperate to take a nice photo, but today he was in good form.