The love of learning

A visit from Grandad in late May provides inspiration for new favourite game - school teachers!

Yo Gabba Gabba!

The place to groove this Saturday was the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, where Moono, Foofa, Brodie, Tutti and Plex were mov'n to the tunes of DJ Lance. For the benefit of those without a three to five-year old, these giant, stuffed characters appear in a children's television show currently airing on ABC 1 called 'Yo Gabba Gabba'. The show has a moralistic and educative content that seeps into the psyche of its audience through the very groovy and repetitive music orchestrated by the show's DJ - called Lance. Now don't get me wrong here, I agree that Lance's hair-style does not aid first impressions of him (being closely akin as it is to an orange toilet brush), yet the warm personality and unfailing energy of the DJ does quickly make a lasting impression on his audience. Today, this audience included Tor, Anthony, a happen'n crowd of three to five year olds and a smaller yet possibly more obsessed band of teen cult followers. This last group (born too late to turn to Star Wars) have latched onto Lance as an idol. They enjoyed the show immensely, passing the intermission by quizzing the kindy group on the purchase location of thier character t-shirts. The answer - Myer. The reason they missed them on their shopping trip? They're in the children's clothing section, not 'the basement'!!!!

Moono! He's so unfriendly...








Foofa! She's pink and happy....

Brodie! The little green one...

Tutti! He likes to have fun...









Plex! The magic robot...

Lake Eyre

The Lake Eyre complex of salt-pan lakes filled with water this year to a depth of 1.5m during May. Quite miraculously, the flight path of Anthony's plane to Kuala Lumpur went right over the top. It was a clear day affording excellent views of the river systems. He took these photos.

Mother's Day Magic

Mother's Day started a little earlier than usual for me this year with the dawn start of the Mother's Day Classic. With the auspicious entry number of 6000, I jogged my usual Sunday morning round of the Tan Track alongside hords of others. Being a first-time entrant I was unaware of the unspoken dress code of candy pink, blow-dried hair and lashings of mascara, daring to hazard the circuit in my daggy track-suit!

I returned home to an array of inspiring home-made gifts which included a beautifully beaded necklace and a painted plaster-cast of Tor's hand. Sincere and dedicated efforts had indeed been made!!! After a pancake breakfast (thank you Anthony) we ventured back to the Yarra to party the day away with the excellent children's activities run by the Classic.

Scones on!

Molly and Tor in...the battle for the scone!