Monkey-Chickens

This bird has been affectionately named "The Damn Monkey-Chicken" at our home. It has an incredibly crazy "laugh" that we thought were demented chickens welcoming the morning at 5:00. We thought they were chickens because they are like clockwork every morning. Much like a rooster is. However, this chicken screeches and cackles like a monkey on a sugar high.

We had some neighbors over and asked them who owned the chickens. They thought really hard and couldn't come up with anyone. We insisted that there must be some because we hear them every morning and they sound like monkeys. That was when we were politely educated about the kookaburra bird. I'm politely waiting for Zach's air soft pistols to arrive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0ZbykXlg6Q


Happy 7th Birthday Lucy

This Saturday was also Lucy's 7th birthday. It was a pretty uneventful day for her. We must admit that the ball was dropped when it comes to being prepared for her day. It snuck up on us. Alas, Lucy was able to go to Toy's R Us and pick anything she wanted. She choose a collection of Squinkies (don't ask) and then got to go grocery shopping. FUN!

She was a good sport for her big day so we made her a cake. When we needed to go ask the neighbors (whom we haven't meet yet) to borrow a screwdriver, we asked them to come over for birthday cake later in the evening. They agreed and even brought a wrapped chocolate bar with a card. Her only present she actually unwrapped all day. I do have a picture of the two neighbor boys and my kids playing outside for her "birthday party", but it won't download now.

Speaking of the neighbors...now we have met them. To our left is Ken and Caroline. Ken is Irish and Caroline is English. They have three boys; Daniel (17) who goes to Uni, Patrick (12) and Robert (9). Our kids are very loud jumping on the trampoline every night and occasionally we see little eyes peeking out the window next door. While jumping on the tramp at Lucy's party, Robert exclaimed "You look different from my window" :)

Graham is our neighbor to the right. He is a delightful widower who has even offered to sit in the car while Angielee practices driving on the left hand side of the road.

First Week of School

The kids enjoyed their first week of school. Madison rode the city bus to "Garden City" Friday after school with some friends. That is a mall in Mt. Gravatt that had a lot of fun at. She said they tried on a lot of clothes. Madison is the one who told us there was a Toy's R Us there, so she saved the day Saturday.

Zach went on excursion (a field trip) to a Synagogue and a Buddhist Temple on Thursday. He said the Synagogue wasn't that fun because you had to just sit there and be really quiet. But the Buddhist Temple was like being in China. They even practiced meditation.

Lucy went to the railway museum Friday, but didn't really have anything to report. She is, however, very excited that she was put in the "Challenging Reading" group at school. She has turned into a great little reader.

Brandon is enjoying his job, but will be happy when the moved to a new office building is finished. Then he will be able to concentrate more on clients and projects.

Angielee spends her day doing laundry and reading. She's very happy to finally have a car, but still hasn't driven yet.