Merry Christmas

Hannah went on a school field trip to the American Museum of Natural History. She was so impressed by the Christmas tree that we all had to go and see it the following Sunday!

Hannah's haircut

Before and after. With all that time saved through not having to brush so much hair, Hannah now has time to read books!

Gettysburg Address?

On our way home from Washington, we took a detour through Gettysburg, PA. The entire town is the battlefield site but here, at Cemetery Hill, just south of the town, is where Lincoln gave his famous address. Nearby is the Gettysburg Museum, which had a big "Electric Map" display full of blinking coloured lights telling the story of the battle. It was a cutting edge display...for 1965.

Capital Weekend

We went to Washington, D.C. for the long weekend. Here are some photos:

Thanksgiving

Diana and Phil brought the children over to our place for Thanksgiving. Here are Sam, Freya, Hannah, and Astrid sitting comfortably to give the camera a big smile. And here are the children moments later from a slightly different angle. Looks like that sofa wasn't so comfortable after all!

Sensibly, while all that was going on, Imogen was keeping her tush firmly on the floor.

Balto

With our departure from New York looming, it is time to revisit our favourite places. Here are the children with Balto in Central Park. If you don't know Balto's story, you can read it here.

We Are Sailing, We Are Sailing

Philip bought a sailboat and took Hannah and me out on it. We sailed up the Hudson River, back around the tip of Manhattan, up the East River, and then did a loop around Liberty Island. We had a great day and now Hannah wants us to buy a boat too. I said Philip would probably get us one for Christmas!

Field Trip

Hannah on a field trip to the Brooklyn Salt Marsh. We were looking at a part of New York that was in the same condition as when the Lenape indigenous people lived there. Hannah's class is studying Native American culture.

Trick or Treat

This year's Halloween costumes, provided by Granny. Sam needed to be convinced that Shrek was a good costume to wear as he was afraid people might laugh at him. The photo doesn't quite do justice to Sam's paunch.

We went trick or treating with Samurai Lucas.

Yet another successful "trick or treat" and the candy bags are filling up.

New Clothes

Nana knitted Hannah a new jumper to go with her new hat. Sam received a new Thomas the Tank Engine hat that he insisted he needed to wear to school every day despite the mild fall weather.

Wild Things

Sam's class have been reading, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. For Halloween, they created Wild Thing costumes from paper bags and plates, and paraded around the school giving short performances from the book for other classes.

Here they are on their way out of the class. As you can no doubt tell, Sam is at front left. He said that he was the "chicken wild thing."

A performance. Sam was most resolute in staying in character. I didn't get a shot of them "gnashing their terrible teeth."

A group shot. Can you spot Sam?

Performance over. What a relief!

Transit Museum

New York has a lot of museums to choose from on a rainy day, but the children's favourite is the Transit Museum in Brooklyn. In the last four years we have been there so often we should qualify for lifetime membership. It is full of old subway cars and buses and other interactive displays that the children love.

Nick

We were all shocked by the sudden loss of Nicky in Drouin last month. She was much loved and will be greatly missed.

Park Slope Gets a Gong

The American Planning Association has named Park Slope one of the ten great neighborhoods of America! Woohoo, look at us! For the blurb and some great photos, check it out here.

The Importance of Being Earnest

Sam's new teacher described him to me last week as a "very earnest boy." I hadn't thought of him that way before, but he certainly takes his face painting seriously.

Freya was asked to describe her day with Sam. "Oh, I guess he loves me," she replied.

Apples

Fall in New York means it's time for apples. We hired a noise making device that was described to us as a car, and eventually made it to Applewood Orchards. Here's Hannah with Astrid and Freya Veal and the product of their labors.

Or should that be the product of Sam's labors? Here he is hard at work.

New York ain't just a city

Having a New York driver's license makes lots of new adventures available. Last weekend, Pauline and Philip invited us to their house upstate for the weekend. Food market in Kingston on Saturday, a big dinner with friends Saturday night, a flea market in High Falls on Sunday, New Paltz Food and Wine Festival on Sunday afternoon, big breakfasts every morning. Phew, it was hard to leave!

Outside Kingston Fire Museum on Saturday with Philip. Children in their new Fireman hats.

Sam at the wheel of another old fire engine. Scroll down for a photo of the children in Australia doing the same thing.

Pauline giving Hannah botanical pointers in the backyard of the house.

Prospect Park Zoo

Prairie dogs may be making a comeback, but there were none to be found in their enclosure at Prospect Park Zoo. Hannah substitutes.

Sam pretending to milk a pretend cow.

Photos from our Australian holiday

Here are some photos from our four weeks in Drouin at the new Nicholls family seat.

No holiday with Sam is complete without lots of train rides. This time we went for a ride on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. The children in front of Kasey, the engine.

More old time Australia. The children clambered over every 19th century conveyance that they could find at Gippsland Heritage park in Moe....

...including this old fire truck. Moments after this photo was taken, Hannah jumped out looking for something else. Half an hour later, Sam needed to be bribed to get him out of the driver's seat.

Walking through a rainforest is hungry work. Following a ramble in Glen Nayook, the children recharge with muffins.

Aunty Vicki about to get hugged. Nicky trying to hide.

This photo of Sam adds to the stock of Nicholls photos of the View Master, one of the key technological innovations of the 20th century.

Grandpa making his famous soup.

The Nicholls family library. Books about cricket and footy on the back wall. Books about sheilas in long white dresses on the right hand wall.

Sam showing his style with our new game of Totem Tennis (that's Swingball for you Brits) during one of our barbecues at Tarago Reservoir.

The 90 year old Noojee Trestle Bridge.

The children asked to go to Melbourne Zoo on the day we arrived in Australia. After a couple of weeks we finally made it.

I kept being told to take photos in the same locations as last time.

Hannah and friends at Gumbuya Park.

Hannah and Sam talked to the cockatoos. One of them had Sam laughing hysterically with his crazy dance routine.

All set for the Twister Karts.

Nana gives Hannah a loving cuddle. Hannah eyes up Nana's pudding. Lunch at Brandy Creek Winery.

The hand of chocolate strikes.

Serious footy talk.

Sam's favourite new item of clothing. A black and red headband which, Grandpa assured him, made him look cool.

Uncle Dean. A portrait by Sam Nicholls.

Aunty Vicki providing a lesson in poise and decorum.

Vicki holding Hannah on her lap while Sam is doing his "I can rest on your shoulder with my chin" routine, yet again!

The end of a wonderful holiday, and a group shot where everyone is smiling!