Staircase to the Moon

We have been trying to see a 'staircase to the moon' in Karratha for a while now. Its a natural phenomenon that occurs in the north west of Australia between March and October. It is caused by the rising of the full moon reflecting off the exposed mudflats at extremely low tide - creating an optical illusion of stairs reaching to the moon. We heard there would be one occurring on Wednesday night at Hearson's Cove just after 6.30pm (according to Karratha visitors centre). So we packed a picnic and headed to Hearson's Cove at about 5.30pm. By the time we got there, cars were already lined up along the beach. Cars continued to come after we arrived too. We took some photos together as the sun was setting, the sky had the most amazing colours.

 

 Clinton and Harrison could walk for meters and meters in the low tide. Harry loved it!

The reflection on the water was amazing.

 

 Lots of muddy sand for Sienna to dig in, that girl loves getting dirty!

Clinton took these stunning photos of Aunty and Alissa - the colours are so beautiful.

 

 Tam took these photos of our family, I love how Sienna is off doing her own thing (as usual).

Our full reflection in the water is so cool. 

 Oh how I wish I'd brought a hair clip for Alissa's hair....lovely photos anyway.

So the sun set and it got to 6.40pm and no moon! We ate dinner and waited and waited. When it got to 7pm Clinton looked up the times on my phone and it said the 'staircase to the moon' had changed to 7.35pm. We figured we might as well wait another half an hour...even though it was getting pretty cold. Tam and I joked that next time we'd bring doonas, pillows and more food! haha! More cars kept coming and by the time the moon was rising the beach was packed. Our wait was worth it, the staircase to the moon was stunning! It's very hard to capture it properly with a camera because either the moon or the 'staircase' reflection is out of focus. Clinton did a good job though and this photo is amazing. I'm sure we'll be taking more photos of it over the time we're up here in Karratha.

 



Aunty has arrived!

We have just got back from two amazing weeks in Perth - I have so many photos to sort through and when I finally do, some Perth posts will be coming! The kids were very sad to leave Perth and having Aunty arriving in Karratha the day after we got home was the only thing that enticed them to come home (and seeing Daddy of course). Harrison made a count down calendar for our visit to Perth and Aunty coming. Sienna and Harrison have been asking about when Aunty will come for weeks! So to say they were excited on the day she was due to arrive would be a massive understatement! They were bouncing off the walls with excitement!!

 

 Harrison and Sienna made signs to hold up for Aunty at the gate. Sienna kept holding hers upside down. I did take photos on my phone of them running to Aunty and hugging her but they were blurry.

One of the first things the kids showed Aunty was the new trampoline and of course they expected her to have a go! Poor Aunty. She was pretty good at doing 'sit drops' as you can see in this photo, Harry was impressed!

 Alissa watching the kids and Aunty on the trampoline...just waiting for her turn!

 Aunty always spoils the kids with presents - Harrison with a Lego technic set from Aunty...his favourite!

 Sienna with a wooden tea set (complete with cakes and goodies) from Aunty.

 It is SO cute!

 Aunty's first snuggles with Alissa.

 Wrestling with the kids...I think Aunty was thinking "why did I extend my stay?" right about now! We then went to the Tambrey Tavern for dinner and had a lovely night (but unfortunately Clinton lost his phone).

The next day Aunty came with us to Sienna's dancing lesson. For some reason when anyone watches Sienna at dancing she goes all weird and shy. She kept stopping and coming over to us. We tried to bribe her to dance in exchange for some Maccadonuts (McDonalds) after class. During the singing time at the end of class Sienna blurted out "is it finished? Can we go to Maccadonuts now?" The teacher said, "no Sienna, it's not time yet". Oops! haha! Here is a picture of Sen in her new ballet slippers. Cute!

   After picking Harrison up from school he was excited to see a treasure map from "Pirate Pete" on the gate. Whenever Aunty visits, Harrison inexplicably gets a visit from Pirate Pete. He never sees this mysterious pirate but finds a treasure map and clues that lead to treasure around the house. He adamantly still believes in Pirate Pete and loves these special treasure hunts...thanks Aunty....wink wink.

 Pirate Pete left Sienna some pirate chocolates!

 Hunting for treasure!

 Wow! Lots of treasure!!

 Meanwhile, Sienna and Aunty were busily making crafts together.

 Harrison loved all his "treasures".... that Pirate Pete sure knows him well.

 Aunty and Sienna watching the unwrapping...

 So many special things! Very spoilt Harrison.

 Then of course - some more bouncing!! Harrison loved his pirate hat and didn't take it off until bed time (he tried to sleep with it on but Mummy said no).

 On Wednesday morning we went out for breakfast at Soul Café in town. Sienna loved her banana smoothie and egg on toast.

One of the perks of Aunty staying is the treats she brings. Sienna has a whole bag of mini lolly pops and decided to eat two at the same time yesterday!

Alissa had her first time in the swing yesterday and loved it. We pushed her very softly.

This is a photo I took of Alissa before we left for Perth - I just love this one and didn't want to forget to put it on my blog.

 I'm excited to share some photos we took last night at Hearson's Cove...they are coming soon! In the meantime we are enjoying Aunty Tam's company!!

 

Super Hero Wall Climb

On the second last day of term, Harrison's school had their 'Tambrey Team Player' reward day. The kids were allowed to dress up as a super hero for the day and climb a mobile rock climbing wall. The mobile rock climbing wall was 8 meters high - with four different levels of climbing routes. Unfortunately, Harrison's class got their time slot wrong so the children were only allowed one turn each instead of two. Amy went to watch the kids and took these photos for me - thanks Amy! Harrison said he had a lot of fun.

 

 

 

In other news...Harrison recently had cross country at school and managed to come 6th! The top ten in his level were asked to stand up in assembly to be congratulated! Maybe the little athletics is paying off? We are so proud of you Harrison!

 

 

 

Alissa's Play Time

Alissa is now 6 months old and getting more and more interested in the world around her. She loves looking at people's faces, watching people eat (she loves food) and playing with toys. She's always loved laying on her back under her play gym, grabbing at hanging toys, but she is now enjoying laying on her tummy and reaching for toys (or any objects) around her. I now have to be careful with little things on the floor, as she's very good at rolling or twisting to reach something she's interested in. She's even started getting up on her knees from time to time. It won't be long until this house will need to be properly baby proofed!