Lest We Forget

It isn't often that we are encouraged to get up early, especially when early is before the sun has even risen but today is a special day, it is ANZAC Day and we were going to the local dawn service.

Mum woke us super-dooper early, we put on our Scout and Cub uniforms, grabbed a croissant and a banana each before jumping in the car to head down to the local RSL. We (the Scouts and Cubs) had been invited to march with all the returned soldiers and their families before the service and then to go back to the RSL afterwards to have breakfast together.

It makes us really sad to think of all the people who were killed or injured at war but it is important to remember all of the people who have sacrificed so much so that we can be safe in Australia.

Thank you ANZACs,
Love AJ and Milla

Sundays in my City #18 - Don't Change

Sunday morning our quiet house was invaded by a group of girls who couldn't possibly survive the weekend without spending time together.  Seeing that they had no soccer, they decided to 'relax' in the hot tub.   (Yes I do have photos but they aren't ones I can share without their permission.)

As the girls splashed away and squealed so loudly I thought that the neighbours would start to complain, I spent a few minutes inside enjoying the relative quiet.  I contemplated transferring photos and files from the old laptop and I thought I would share a few of the pictures I came across in the process to show just how much the noisy girl in the hot tub has changed.

Walking away

You are not listening!

My Cherub!

hmmm... looking at these old photos makes me see that some things really haven't changed at all...  The determination to just get her doll and go when she didn't want to be indoors...  The loud, well that hasn't changed at all...  What about the pig headed stubborn 'whatever!' look of this last one!

I do love that she still has a desire to get out and try new things, to go exploring and to know what she wants, even if that is far from what I want for her.   

Squirmy drop-tail

And yes, that would be the tail of a drop-tail gecko she is holding, it was still wriggling yet she wanted to pick it up.

Dear Milla,
Please remain the wonderful, independent, insightful and brave girl that you are for ever and ever.  Love a very proud Mama

If you want to join in the fun of Sundays in my City too, click on over to Unknown Mami.

Learning and Remembering

A long time ago, during World War 1, there was a battle that was 'one of the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history' that took place in France.  It was called the Battle of Fromelles.  My great great great uncle Tom Sheridan (I think that is the right number of 'greats') was a soldier that fought and died in that battle and his body was buried in a mass grave in Fromelles.  Well not too long ago, the grave was discovered and some bodies were recovered so that they could be identified using DNA.  

Well Uncle Tom was one of the bodies identified so today, instead of going to school we went to a special memorial service that was held at the Cobbers Sculpture near the Shrine of Remembrance.  

Service by the Cobbers

Heaps of our extended family were there...  

Our Family Remembers

There was a brass band playing...

And the band played

 We placed a poppy (with Nanny and Poppy) for Uncle Tom and all the other cobbers...

Placing a Poppy

I tried to hide from mum and her camera but she managed to find me anyway, can you see our reflection in the tuba?

Upside Down Portraits

Most importantly we learnt more about World War 1 and remembered all of the people who gave their lives so that we could be free.

Love AJ Pickle