This is going to be a long one, and chock full of beautiful images.

Sadly, our time with our much loved family has come to an end. Thomas and Oscar and their parents are currently on their way home to England. Toby has been asking about them all day; wondering when they’re coming over to play next. I am feeling a bit sad about it, but cherishing the knowledge that they just created a bunch of beautiful memories together that will stay with them always.

First up, here’s another shakeit collection, from our trip to Questacon on Monday.

On Tuesday I was working, so I missed out on Zoo Fun, but on Wednesday we went to Gold Creek which has loads of great places for little kids to hang out, and I had a total photofest! 

First stop was the National Dinosaur Museum, and I was pleased to see that Toby did not react to the dinosaur models and skeletons in the same way he did to the very lifelike moving ones at Questacon. Then we went to the Walk-in Aviary, where Thomas was more interested in eating the apples we were given to feed the birds, and Toby was more interested in playing with the tiny dino toys we bought him at the museum. Oscar smiled the whole time, of course.

This bird fell in love with Thomas’ shoes. They are quite funky shoes: Toby was a bit obsessed with them as well.

After the aviary, we had lunch. Many, many years ago, I used to work in hospitality, and I can’t tell you how irritated I used to get by cleaning up the tables of families with young children. I have now become one of those offenders! You should have seen the mess we left! I still have a pang of embarrassment every single time. [If you ever read this, cafe people at Gold Creek; we're very sorry for the disgusting mess we made!]

After lunch, we headed off for a mini photo session. I just love these shots so much, they tell so much of Toby and Thomas’ personalities, and really capture the fun of childhood.

Thomas just loooooves to roar. Really loudly, like a dinosaur. The biggest roars in the world, he told me, and then demonstrated several times. Toby roars too, but he doesn’t look as scary, and he always puts his hands into it (showing his European blood).

Then I took some family shots. It might be another year or two before we’re all together again, and it scares me to think how much bigger the kids will be.

And after a final set of roars from Thomas… it was time to go home…

[There's another installment coming...]