Today I took Kate down to our local TAB as she wanted to put a bet on the UK Grand National horse race. Kate found it incredible that no one in our house knew what the Grand National was. I told her that no one in Australia watches it. Every time she said it was the world’s richest horse race, someone would reply: “What, the Kentucky Derby?” This year, one of the horses was named “Oscar Time” so I couldn’t resist putting a bet on for Oscar. Kate said that the “Time” part of the horses name could also represent “Tim” with an “e” for Erik”. Down at the TAB, we eventually found the race details and went up to the counter to place our bets. I found it hilarious that the young bloke behind the counter also had no idea what the Grand National was. We got up early the next morning and watched the race live on the internet. It was long dangerous steeple chase (hedge jumps) race in which two horses died but Oscar Time came 2nd. We won $80 for our $20 each way bet. Nice one Oscar.

Lotsa Love Dad

Welcome to Day 516. Tonight was one of the best nights of my life. I finally got to see my favourite band Metallica. I went with my best mate Mick who also bought me a Metallica Australian Tour t-shirt for my birthday (I’m 35 Monday). Here are some videos of Metallica playing Master of Puppets, One, Nothing Else Matters and Enter Sandman tonight at Acer Arena Homebush Sydney NSW.

Lotsa Love Dad

Welcome to Day 508. Today we watched an awesome movie called Scott Pilgrim vs The World. It’s my favourite movie for 2010. I like nearly all movies that I’ve seen featuring geek actor Michael Cera. I also love the chick in this movie that changed her hair from pink to blue to green played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Lotsa Love Dad.

Welcome to Day 500! Today we have some awesome news for you. Next year, you are going to have a little brother! Mum had her 20 week ultrasound today which showed that everything is healthy with our new baby. It also showed that your sibling is going to be a boy. He is due on 17 March 2011. We are both very excited to be having another baby to join you.

Lotsa Love Dad
    

Welcome to Day 493. Today we joined your Auntie Lyndel & Cousin Kate at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. We were joining Kate’s playgroup at the playground. You had a great time playing on the rocking sheep and slides. You and I had a go at the big steep slide too. Unfortunately, you went back to climb up it from the bottom and burned your palms on the hot metal surface. I’ve included a short video of your first unassisted slide effort.

Lotsa Love Dad

Today is a day that I have been waiting for, for a long, long time. I’m holding in my hand tickets to Metallica. They’ve been my favourite band since I was 13 years old. I’ve got every one of Metallica’s albums. Mick and I are going to ACER Arena at Homebush Sydney on my birthday weekend in November. I can’t wait.

Lotsa Love Dad

Welcome to Day 487. Today you and I joined Grandma, Lyndel & Kate at Questacon. It was raining as we arrived in the car park, so I was cuddling you within my jumper on the walk into Questacon. An umbrella appeared above us from nowhere and it was your Grandma! Inside the toddlers area, you had a great time with Kate driving the little cars, playing at the water table, crawling through tunnels and around the playground. I like to think that the two shots of you and Kate at the petrol pump are taken before and after you tell Kate the cost of fuel. You also had a great time in the hall of mirrors.

Lotsa Love Dad

Welcome to Day 482. Today you and I shared our first all day on the couch watching Bathurst. Watching the Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar race is an annual ritual conducted by thousands of Australian motorsport fans every October. It’s 1000km of racing on the best circuit in the world which is actually a public road for the rest of the year. I’ve been around the track a few times in our FC Holdens. Unfortunately, we missed watching Bathurst last year as we were in WA as part of our around Australia trip. This year, our favourite driver, Craig Lowndes was teamed up with the retired Mark Skaife. The short story is that they won. It was Craig Lowndes’ 5th win at Mount Panorama. Your Mum and I were actually at Bathurst for Craig Lowndes 2nd Bathurst win which was the first of three in a row with Jamie Whincup. You spent a while racing on the couch using our Play Station steering wheel which was a gift from your Auntie Kate. I got you your Craig Lowndes race suit when I was at the V8 races in Winton this year.

Lotsa Love Dad

Welcome to Day 481. Today your uncle Byron and I rode to Stromlo Forest Park to watch the start of the Scott 24hr mountain bike race. My mates that I used to ride/race with Chris, Martin & Bill were racing in a team of six. Chris was riding second, so we stuck around to watch him head off on his first lap. Your Mum and I have competed in many 24hr mountain bike races over the years. The last one I raced was in 2007.  It is pretty tough being at the event and watching everyone else ride when I can’t compete anymore. We had a very long ride home from Stromlo as poor Byron had just about killed himself riding to Stromlo. We won’t be able to make it back out tomorrow for the finish of the 24hr as the Bathurst 1000 V8 race is on.

Lotsa Love Dad

Welcome to Day 478. Today we joined Lyndel, Kate & Grandma at Floriade. Mum even came over to join us for lunch. We had a look around the flowers which make up part of Canberra’s annual flower display in Commonwealth Park. The highlight was our very first ride on a ferris wheel (even for me)! We also had a look inside a tent full of reptiles. You weren’t too scared of the crocodile outside, as you’ve seen plenty in the Northern Territory already. Weeks later, I am still getting in trouble for losing your new hat with cars and trucks (and most importantly a daggy string) that we bought for you in Cobar. These photos are it’s last known sighting, but now you are good and keep your new hat on for at least 10-15 seconds.

Lotsa Love Dad