Monday 1st march we celebrated our friend William's 6th birthday with a (not entirely healthy) meal of hot chip and fish...Couldn't even fit the cake in, it was a very beautiful, so cleverly made by his mum Jo. Had a great evening, thanks guys and HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!!!
Saw lots of kisses and cuddles and a present treasure hunt carefully crafted by Josh. It was just so exciting, I think I was as excited as she was. (Basket ball from Noah)
A back pack from Eli (and the tie dyed shirt from Charlie).
A new (very very cute) Birthday suit, with thanks to her very clever Mummy.
A very cold money box from Josh
She was so incredibly delighted with her birthday, she gets so excited about these sorts of things, she can barely contain herself, it's very cute. She got a new helmet from Gran and Granpa (complete with knee pads and elbows pads. Thankfully at least the elbow pads fit her skinny little knees).
And what 5 year old's birthday is complete without a flash new bike from Mummy. The boys accessorised her bike with every spangle they could find. I have to say the diamante flower valve caps are my favourite.
Charlie reeeeaaaaally loves Bethany.
In the McChesney house birthdays are marked by a pancake brunch (and are also marked by Eli making himself ill, without fail, everytime). So today was no different.
Charlotte only managed to get one down, at least her eyes aren't too big for her belly. Eli got most upset when I busted him putting honey & sugar on his pancakes, he couldn't see how that was different from having lemon juice and sugar.
The biggest pancake was saved for the birthday girl, maybe that's why she could only eat one.
And in the tradition of the Mawhinney house, Strawberry Ice cream is a must. This time it came in the the form of an ice cream cake beautifully crafted by Gran.
Of course we all sang Happy Birthday.
Charlotte blew and blew and blew her candles out.
We spent the morning playing at home and then went out for (more) fish and chips and a play on the beach. The party goers were all pretty had it by the time we got home. it was really nice just spending time together.
Charlotte can dribble (both kinds).
Oh and she can now use an iphone too.
We headed out to the beach (Mt Martha) for the kiddies to have a puppy run and a very short cold swim (Golden Rule: One can NOT go to the beach and NOT swim regardless of the weather), I managed to talk Charlie out of a swim though.
We moved on for the mandatory hot chips at the beach (Safety Beach)
And a play in the park.
On the eve of the big birthday the kids (and Danny) camped out in the back yard, very exciting, so exciting in fact they they didn't get to sleep until 10 o'clock. This was Charlotte's first time in a tent.
After an afternoon nap (all round), Josh took Charlie out for a play in the tub and with the hose. Charlie being the water baby that he is loved this of course
Look at those cute teeth
I think Josh wished he was big enough to squeeze in there with him. I reassured by telling him about the time he DID do just that when he was Charlies age (all those years ago...boohoo).
Thanks for being SUCH an ace big brother Josh.
First we got busy with the rubber bands, the boys put in loads of thought and got really creative tieing.
Next we mixed up our blue and green dyes and filled our trusty sauce bottles ready for squirting.
We then hit the back yard to make a wonderful mess (lucky the grass was already green).
Even more exciting was what we found when we removed the rubber bands...I love it (I just wish the over the counter dyes stayed this vibrant). They loved seeing what designs turned out like, what worked well and what didn't.
We love our 2010 "Ocean and Earth" series of Tie Dyed shirts. 
These are so so cute, an other Aunty Janine creation...
