October 2011

In October 2011 Ethan did so much we did not even know where to start with his blog... but have decided to start at the end and work our way back through the month. Yes, sounds a little backwards but the BIG event happened at the beginning of the month so he will save that for last.

So, we start with October 31st, Halloween. Ethan had many great ideas for costumes, Scooby Doo, TMNT, unfortunately his Mothers costume making skills (no time, no sewing machine...) did not allow for these. He settled in the end for a Harry Potter costume that looked pretty good and everyone seemed to know who he was so he must have worn it well.

Unfortunately with Halloween being on a Monday this year, there weren't any parties planned so Ethan had his first go at 'Trick or Treating'. Manly Corso shops hosted a 'Trick or Treat' hour from 2 to 3 and Ethan did pretty well. He had another go later on in Balgowlah with Tristan & Bianca (below) but did not make out so well there. Australia just isn't the same as Canada, Mummy remembers bringing home pillow cases full of candies when she was little. Ethan very was happy with what he got though, he has never known anything different. Someday maybe he will experience a Canadian Halloween...
Ethan had another kindi transition day at Manly Village school at the end of the month and this time he got a 'buddy'. Guess what his Buddies name is? Ethan!!! How funny, they will have to be big Ethan & little Ethan I guess but Ethan was so very happy to have a big friend to show him around the school. Not sure if you can read his t-shirt in the photo but all the kids got a "I'm going to big school next year" t-shirt, how great is that? This big school is doing a great job of making Ethan feel very welcome already and there are still 2 more transition days next month. He cannot wait to start big school.Ethan went to the theatre with Mummy and Daddy this month to see Mary Poppins. It was 'OK' and Ethan said he was just enjoying it a little bit (even though Mummy heard him singing 'spoon full of sugar' AND 'supercalifragilistic'). But even Ethan had to admit what a great show it was when Mary Poppins actually flew up over his seat at the end.
Now on to the BIG event from October, Ethan went on holiday to Western Australia (WA). It was such a busy holiday, he stayed in 5 different towns/hotels and rode over 20ookm in the car touring the WA Coral Coast from Exmouth to Fremantle, phew! There were 509 photos taken and it was just too tough deciding which should make it into Ethan's blog but finally a decision was made. This was a family holiday so only the family shots will be included in this blog. The rest will go up on Facebook when Mummy gets them organised. So here you go, the family holiday shots from WA.

Here we are on Rottnest island where Ethan made his Mum & Dad very proud. Having only taken his training wheels off a month ago, he pedalled his way around the entire island (24km!!!). He doesn't even look tired in this after shot. Next, at the start of our driving tour (after a short flight North) in Exmouth - we enjoyed a hike through Yardie Creek Gorge (part of the Cape Range National Park).

Our next stop was in Coral bay where the family went on a quad bike and snorkeling tour. This was Daddy's favorite trip, Ethan found the bikes a little too bumpy for his liking.

Then we moved on to 'Shark bay' and went on a sailing tour. We saw lots of dolphins, dugongs, sea turtle & yes, a tiger shark (eeek!).

Then on to Kalbarri for some more hiking and LOTS of flies. The fly nets went off for this quick photo but went back on very shortly after.

And another family cycle along the Kalbarri coast (no bikes included in the photo as Ethan would be very embarrassed to let any one know his was pink, it was the only one they had in his size and he only agreed to ride it if no photos were taken, ssshhhh, don't tell anyone...).

Almost back to Fremantle, a quick stop at the 'Pinnacles' desert. Daddy insisted he was taller than these rock formations we saw, he always thinks he's the tallest, we know the truth ;-)
Last but not least, the holiday and this blog come to an end with this shot taken in Fremantle (Cottesloe beach to be more specific - someone was eaten by a shark at this very spot only a week earlier...). We are not in the shot but this was our view as we ate another lovely dinner and watched the sun set into the ocean, something we don't get to see living on the East coast... perfect ending to a great holiday.