Robinson family Christmas

And then we were off to Perth.  We flew straight into a heatwave which was a bit of a shock after Melbourne.  Cottesloe was the best place to be with the beach 2 mins walk and a pool outside our unit door.

Santa bought the boys a Scalextric set

Christmas day started bright and early (of course...)  There was some disappointment that Santa hadn't delivered exactly as per the wish list but that was soon overcome as the boys got into the Scalextric set.  It was also a hit with any cousins and uncles that wandered in.

Panettone for Christmas breakfast - a bit of a tradition for us

G and the boys love Panettone and it has become a bit of a tradition that we have one for breakfast on special occasions like Christmas.  Christmas lunch was a huge Robinson family affair with loads of food and even more presents.

Luke and Lucy in the pool on his sting-ray (one of the presents)

This was a Christmas like the ones I remember as a kid.  Lots of cousins around, food and family all day long and of course kids in the pool until they were wrinkled like prunes.  Luke (7), Lucy (5), Alex (4 but nearly 5) and Will (3) really connected this year and started to run as a bit of a pack.  Ben (only 1) watched but will no doubt in in the thick of it next time.

Cottlesloe beach on Christmas night

Evenings at Cottelsoe beach are just magic and really make it the best beach in the world for me.  It's such a family place, the sunsets are incredible and the chance for a one last dip it too tempting.

I think Luke is saying "wow look at the sun" and then they all
jumped off this wall into the sand  below about 50 times each!

Christmas only just came to an end with all the ham and turkey being eaten and we rolled into birthdays.

Luke chose a Bouche Noel, a french Christmas cake, which was a hit with everyone

As with his birthday party Luke was very against getting a chocolate cake and really wanted white chocolate only.  We managed to find a cake and get the kids out of the pool long enough to light candles and sing happy birthday.  As a big seven year old Luke got a special outing with Aunty Karen, they head to Scitech as Luke's love of science continues.

And then Alex turned 5 with an ice cream cake this time

More sun, lots more swimming, food and time with family and then it was Alex's birthday.  Everyone had started to get used to gathering each afternoon for cake!  Our boys kept the lolly bag tradition going strong so each birthday meant lolly bags for all the cousins.

Hanging out on the top bunk, they went there to consume their lolly bags away from their parents

And the fun and parties didn't stop as we moved into New Years Eve.  We planned yet another family dinner, pulled in extra tables and chairs to share the New Year.  True to form I didn't make it any where near midnight and the kids pushed it as long as they could, at least until it was dark enough for sparklers.

Glow sticks after a New Years Eve dinner, a lot of trading went on to get the colour combinations that  they wanted

Sparklers not a midnight but late enough for it to be dark

Finally the weather broke and the temperature was more bearable but our holiday was coming to an end.  Our final night was memorable for the big crayfish meal that G had help catch on a trip to Rottnest Island - good work boys!

A extra special treat for Luke, the only 7 year old, a motorbike ride with Uncle John

Then we stuffed everything back into our bags (and the spares) and loaded up to go home.  The boys weren't happy when we arrived in Melbourne and it was announced that the next few days were going to be a heatwave...