Over Already?

I have a need to post tonight, being the last day of January 2008. I think it's because I can't actually believe January is over already. Where has the first month of the year gone! Holy.

Had an, erm, challenging morning trying to get two very tired children to sleep. The last two busy days had caught up with them. I tried to put them to bed at 9am - they were up before 5.30am. By lunchtime I had smoke coming out of my ears. I started to make lunch, give them a full belly and they might sleep *this* time. Waiting in their chairs ready for food, Caleb asks what is Zali doing? I don't know, what is she doing (remember I was not that happy). She is hiding! he says. I trot around the corner and see she has fallen asleep in her chair, head and hands hanging down on her tray. She isn't hiding Caleb, she is asleep!

I took her to bed and Caleb decides he wants to sleep also, lunch can wait. Grrr.

I told myself (surely they would have heard?) they *must* sleep for at least two hours to give me some breathing time. I played on the computer and scrapbooked. Nice relaxing stuff.

They actually slept for two hours! Wahooo! My kids aren't real huge day time sleepers but this was one big sleep I am thankful for.

Catch you in February!

Feels Good

Cause I have been scrapping. It has been months since I was getting into this activity. Then two weeks ago I started and I haven't stopped. I have been enjoying it and it feels really good. I haven't been producing amazing pages, but I am starting to get my feel back and it is fun to play and experiment with my style.

Here are a few recent pages I have completed. You can click on any of the pages for a larger view. Liz - see this first one - using my new stuff! Did it today! I think I am loving turquoise.

The kids have totally loved their last two days. Caleb adored the bus to and from Little School and had a great time both days. I have gotten great feedback from his teachers and therapy ladies. He has settled in really well, he painted the door (not sure if he was supposed to or not!), has been using his 'helper hand' and all is well.

Zali enjoyed her days in the Toddler room. Big move up from the Babies room - she is exhausted! So tough being a toddler! She was ready for bed early tonight and I am hoping for a sleep in tomorrow. She had a big sleep in this morning (shock!) till after 6.30am. When we picked her up this afternoon she had paint on her legs, shorts, all over her smock and some upper limbs and torso. Surely that means she had fun?!

Got my hair cut today. Wanted it all chopped off. Wasn't really chopped off, but the back is short and the sides a little longer. A heap was chopped off and it feels much lighter and free, I think I will get a better idea after I wash and it returns to normal programming of wavy and messy (it was straightened!).

Big hug to you!

A Good Day

First day back at Little School went well. As far as I know.

Zali moved up to the Toddlers Room at kindy today. Adrian thought that meant out in the big playground. He came home and said he didn't think she was ready to move up. She sure ain't ready to move up to the big playground with the big kids, but ready for Toddlers. The Toddlers share the small playground with the babies, so it will be the same outside play as before. I nearly shite-ted myself when he said he took her out to the big playground . . . but he handed her to a carer, she would have put Zali in the right spot. Phew!

Caleb was excitedly waiting for the bus to come. We waited at the garage and just before the bus pulled up it started spitting. Great timing! I couldn't get decent photos of getting on the bus cause I had to take his car seat and install on his chair. Lynette the bus driver had put back the Freddo window shade and toy Freddo on his window - nice having the same driver again. He was happy with a touch of nervousness. He gave me a shy hug, needing a little confidence boost, but once I lifted him onto his car seat he was smiling and talking to the carer about cleaning his sunnies. All was good.

Can't wait to see how his day went. Caleb will come with me this afternoon to pick up Zali. Can't wait to see how her day went.

Oh, I do slightly miss them. I miss the cuddles. I don't miss the whingeing. I am loving the quiet. So far, a good day.

Cool and Hip

Still recovering from this crazy weekend. Shocking headache I cannot budge with panadol or panadeine. Hate that. Hot day, couldn't nap, kids were hot and bored and stubborn, glad today is over, nearly. Bring on Tuesday and the first day of school - wahoooooooo.

I may miss them before the day is out, but I may not. I may need these next two days to try and suck some sanity back into this empty head of mine.

Had to share these photos. I am in shock. Saturday (of course while I am not here to witness) my 17.5 month (baby!!) girl climbed a freakin ladder! Straight up the ladder, sitting cool and hip on top of the slide, then pushes off for a rush of air through her curls. And the cycle starts again.

I cannot believe the ladder. Maybe I am a bit slow, but I am pretty impressed. I saw her do it on Sunday. She is so confident and strong and balanced and happy. It is amazing. It is great to watch the two of them taking turns in climbing the ladder and sliding down, over and over.





I love them both dearly.

sun

Just popping in to say Hi. We are back from Roma safe and sound. We drove 1340km in the last two days. Buggered.

I am sunburnt, dehydrated and tired. On the road most of the day you can't be drinking too much water when you have to wait a while until the next town, and I gotta be peeing right *now*, that ain't good. Now I am thirsty thirsty but can't drink too much as I get bloated after one cup. Need that to settle before I skull another glass of cool pure refreshing water. Sigh.

Sunburnt, well, that was when I was walking around the Injune cemetery about 1pm. It was stinkin hot, the dry killer hot, and I could feel my skin cooking like a sausage on a BBQ. Being the pure genius I am, I left my suncream home with the kids and none was brought.

Lastly, I am tired. Driving is tiring, most of the time I was the back seat passenger (high on travel sick medication), but seating in one spot watching clouds and/or trees wonder past, is exhausting. I am going to bed and I will talk more about my travels later.

The kids missed me (which is nice) and Adrian is glad to have me back, yup. He is going fishing tomorrow with a mate. He better take the suncream I think. Hopefully tomorrow will be an easy day for this old girl and we can prep Caleb for his first day back at Little School. Not sure if I will be recuperating on Tuesday or celebrating my quiet with a flurry of craft activities. I want to be scrapbooking, making a quilt, sewing a dress and making some cards. I will have to prioritise I think.

Okey, nighty night cats pajamas.

Aussie Aussie Aussie

I am sending you an early HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

Australia Day rocks. I couldn't think of anything better than celebrating what a great country this is. I love Australia and I am a very proud Australian.

I will be up at 4.30am in the morning to shower so Mum and I can hit the road at 5am. We are heading to Crows Nest to pick up Sheree and zooming out to Roma. We will also drop in for a wee visit to Injune, to pay our respects to Uncle Fred (my Grandfather) who was buried there 20 years ago in February. In Roma we are visiting and paying our respects to Grandma and Aunty Di (Mum's Mum and sister). Grass should be pretty good out there after all the rain.

We are staying the night at a motel in Roma, then after a quick McD's breakfast we will hot foot it back to Crows Nest to drop Sheree home, pop into Telfer's in Toowoomba to pick up a parcel then zoom home to Brisbane. We have to have the hire car back by 3.30pm, there ain't no time for dilly-dallying.

My small bag is packed and ready. I will have an early night tonight cause didn't get a great deal of sleep last night, plus my kids driving me nuts today and need to chill out and read a magazine. It is so easy to pack for one. Taking the kids anywhere you bring the entire house including a portable kitchen sink. Travelling light is a very weird and unusual situation for me. I will enjoy while I can.

Have a bewt weekend, remember the suncream and hat and enjoy your days.

Love ya and love Australia!

Nice

Had a nice day. Zali went to kindy and Caleb and I walked down the end of the street to the park for playgroup. The weather was nice and it was great to chat to Liz and Shan.

Caleb fell asleep on the lounge when we walked home so I made myself comfortable in the study and started and finished a scrap page (yay!).

We went to visit Liz, having to come through the back tradesman entrance as she had *misplaced* her keys. (Side note: her husband found them in her car!) Caleb played with Zane and Sabrina while Liz and I talked scrap. It rocked!

Picked up Zali from kindy and we all played outside. Both kids start getting a bit tired and I start getting a little 'testy'. I wasn't impressed when I came to find them 'playing' with their dessert (custard only cause they didn't like the added tinned pears) which was dripped all over the floor, down their legs and mushed over the table. Not impressed at all. I only left them for a few minutes to get the latest information about Heath Ledger's passing. (Another side note: quite sad for a young bloke to pass away, but even sadder for his family and especially his 2 year old daughter).

That 70's Show gave me a few laughs and then I played with my scrapbooking - both things are good for improving my mood. Now I will have a nice cool drink of water and plan my next scrap page.

My thoughts are with Campbell and his family after a pretty rough day. Hope you mend soon little fella, big hugs and kisses.

Throat

That is what I am going to grab if I get my hands on any of the hundred small black flying buggie things in my kitchen. They are driving me NUTS!

They don't care about fly spray, they seem to get a little upset with orange spray freshner stuff, but they still don't leave! Grrrrrrr.

Have you tried the Sweet Almond and Custard bun or loaf from Bakers Delight? Oh. My. Lord. It totally is delicious and scrumptious and soft and yummy and, well, try it if you like custard.

Peace.

Rock On

Today we rocked! At the Hi-5 Travelling Circus Spectacular!

It was heaps of fun, I loved it a bit too much and sang to all the songs and wanted to be the one getting up and doing the moves. However when they said to join in, it was the kids who danced and the adults who stayed seated. I didn't want to block the view from the kids behind me. Considerate aren't I! (dammit!)

Caleb, Zali and I drove to the Convention Centre with Kerry and Riley behind us. We got a park beside each other which was great, then hot-footed it upstairs to join the crowd. We met up with Kerry and Dylan and our Hi-5 party was ready to start!

This will be a shock, but I forgot my camera. Gasp! Luckily Kerry bought hers and got a few shots. Will post some when she sends them over to me.

It was really cool seeing Hi-5 for real! Arrrgghhhhhhhhhhh! We had great seats and the door where we entered had was very short compared to others that snaked for miles - I suggested ours must have been the VIP entrance. The original Charlie, Nathan and Kellie plus Sun and the 'new Tim' was Stevie. Does Stevie sound manly to you? They all did a fabbo job. I loved the trapeze - they were swinging and flying around the stage - I was surprised by no safety harnesses - man, they live for danger!

I am pretty sure they all waved directly at me to say bye, I mean at the kids, I am sure they were *this* close to giving me their phone number and we would all become best friends.

The day was fun, the kids went to sleep on the way home. Caleb woke up 10minutes after we got home after being disturbed moving from the car to his bed. Dammit. I needed a nap so he had to build his own train track without me.

Toodles and have a spiffy day!

Happy Naming Day to my Goddaughter Amy Louise!

Janene and Jim had a little ceremony at the park near their house for Amy, which was sweet and meaningul and loving. The dress Amy wore was worn by Janene and Jim (Janene's Dad), so it had family sentiments entwined in the threads.

Amy was a good girl and slowly nodded off to sleep. Thankfully it was when I was holding her she nodded off, wouldn't have looked too flash if she burst into tears when I held her!

Janene looked beautiful and happy and loves her family to pieces. Jim look relaxed and happy and loves his family to pieces (and tried to hide in the corner - I saw you Jim!) I know I smile awful, I am hoping to fix that in the next few months.

The proud Mummy and Daddy, sleeping Amy and the Godparents - Nicholas, Brenda and myself. Nich is Jim's best mate and best man at their wedding. Brenda is Jim's sister. Good looking bunch hey?

Amy changed into her party frock and cut her cake. She was very interested in the flowers on top - not sure that they were actually edible!

Drat, I got sunburnt, Caleb got sunburnt, Adrian got sunburnt and not sure if Zali has any sunburn but she has spent the entire day with a nasty mozzie bite taking over half her calf. Poor us, life is tough! Before you ask, no, I don't think any of us had suncream on. We were running late and well, my bad.


Big hugs to Amy on her special day.

Thomas

After we dropped Zali off to kindy, Kerry and Riley came to our house and packed Caleb and I into their Rav 4 to take a drive out to the Workshops Rail Museum. Caleb and Riley had their official Thomas shirts on! It was fun!

The Fat Controller visited Thomas the Tank Engine and was happy for photos.
There was a huge display of tiny trains. It is so tiny and perfect, you could stare at it all day and spot new details. Just brilliant. Had this cute chairlift.
This is cool. Three trains were shooting around this end display. Thomas had Annie and Clarabel plus two long trains zipping through tunnels and slowly through the stations. People are playing tennis at the bottom left, top left has a house and family with swings and a cubby and the soccer pitch at the front is funny. Look closely, the crowd at the front are starting a Mexican wave!
This was the mountains full of tunnels and a bridges and chairlifts. Very nice.
The red truck was parked in the crops and the train travelling all around it. Colourful and cute.

There were displays of diesel engines and an electric engine. See? Caleb and Riley obligingly posed (with bribes!).
Train driving game on computers. I won't point out that I was the clever one and could get the train moving. When we finished I let the little boy on the next computer use ours cause his mother couldn't get it to work either.
There were heaps of activity stations where you press a button and things move or change or interact, the boys loved it. Heck, we all loved it.

This was another activity station, pressing the button would make this train twiddle around the track.
There was a large open (undercover) playground set up like a train station. There was the station, with pretend office to buy tickets. A train. A small train track with a wagon to push. Cars to drive over the roads. Colouring in stations. A fishing boat. A truck. All sorts of fun, interactive things. There were a few tables with Thomas tracks set up which were a hit.
The play pit was a large room full of wooden tables with Thomas sets. Both wooden sets and plastic sets. There were some pretty cool train sets in here. I picked up a balloon each for Caleb and Riley (unfortunately Riley's balloon came to a sudden end when it hit a spoke of grass walking to the car, oops.). The boys had a great time, Kerry and I were happy with the whole setup and we all left happy (and tired!). There was also a shop with all Thomas things you could purchase.
Overall, the day rocked. Thanks to Kerry and Riley for the adventures. You rock.

Great day

You know how a lot of the time we take things for granted. (Ok, sure, not everyone and not all the time yadda yadda). Normal things we can do we don't even think about. Using your two hands, at the same time. Seeing through your beautiful eyes. Running, jumping, peddaling, climbing a ladder. Everyday things. Sure, I don't run every day, ok, I don't run. Probably don't do much ladder climbing either, but work with me here!

This morning at an occupational therapy appointment, I saw Caleb open his right hand up and reach to grab a yellow wooden ladybug. It is the first time he has opened and closed his hand for an object with no assistance. I fought it as I sat there watching, I still am fighting it now, but I am nearly about to crumble in happiness and sob tears of pure joy and love for my little boy. It is a huge leap forward with his progress. Such a simple task, something we take for granted.

I don't know how to fully explain these feelings. But today is a good day. I hope he knows how special and wonderful he is, now and always.

Why don't you leave me a comment today? Share the love baby.

Bruises

This photo makes me laugh. Both my kids love to dance. To anything. Even to the Woolworths jingle. Here we were watching Sunrise, and they had a choir from Africa (part of the best of 2007 Sunrise episodes). The kids went off!


Zali is improving with her moves. She using more arm action and is feeeeeeling the music.

There are times when I don't like listening to music. Like when I am singing along and Caleb says 'no singing Mum!' Whatever. I am sure his father tells him to say that. Hmpf.

The kids went outside this afternoon to play in the rain. They loved it. Zali loved the mud and dirt and splashing in the water. Caleb loved filling his watering can with water and transporting to the shell pool. Zali loved putting the bucket on her head.

At the end of the play session out the back, Caleb found delight in running up and down the cement splashing through the puddles. Zali had sort of given up and was pulling our clean clothes of the clothes airer and rubbing past them with her dirty grassy little self. You gotta laugh, she did a small wee approximately 37 seconds after I took off her nappy, then took off the peg holding a pair of Grandma's undies, which proceeded to fall into the puddle of wee. It is making me laugh again.

Anyway, back to Caleb. I told him to be careful. Yes Mum, he said. Need to be careful, don't fall over or we hit our head. That was his words. You don't have to be a genius to guess he did slip, a real good one. The thud of his scone hitting the cement was loud and he immediately screamed out in pain. The egg on the back of his head would go into the Extra Large egg carton. I wonder if this has been an educational experience, or he will go straight back to his puddle running. I won't mention the water tap on the back wall that he walked straight in to, his poor bruised and battered noggin.

Have you said I love you to someone today?

Growing Up

This week has been huge for Miss Zali. She turned 17 months and is now doing 'big girl' things. It doesn't seem like that long ago she was a tiny baby in my arms, cripes. All too fast.

We put away her highchair and she has claimed her new booster seat very proudly. She was sitting in it when I pulled it out of the box onto the floor. She had climbed up on it before I had finished tying the straps to the seat. She climbs up and sits on her royal behind and waits for her meals. She loves it.

She had a great time eating her weetbix. She asked 'is there anything on my face?' (Work with me, people! Of course she can speakly clearly and concisely, would I put words in her mouth? Moi?) The booster seat, well, all I can say is it had a quick and messy christening.

The next move up to 'big girl-ness' was to a single bed. This little beauty set us back $10. Good starter bed, and it bounces well so both Zali and Caleb are impressed. Her new linen was part of her Christmas parcel. I would like to make a doona cover and a patchwork quilt for her also. These will be a first for me, but I am keen and determined. Will show you when I have finished. If they can be seen in public, that is.

Her first sleep in her new bed. She is sharing with Piglet and Piggie. Caleb was keen to share also, but he is asleep in his bed in the diagonal corner of the room.

Zali is loving the double swing at the moment. A while ago when I loaded her on it, she didn't like it and got cross at me. These days she climbs up and shakes it, waiting for someone to push her. Of course Caleb doesn't want to miss out on any fun, so he is a very willing participant in the 'it takes two' swing. Bless little Mel, pushing them while I syphon oxygen and count to 10 (this was on Friday while they were driving me nuts!).

This is a cute photo. Zali really swings herself when she walks and this pic captures that very nicely. Not quite sure if Mel was urging her over this way or hamming it up. Love it.

Stay Awake

Friday was a challenging day. By the end I took myself off to scrapbook and tried to chill. Some days it is *very* nice when the kids go to bed. Mel kept me company in the afternoon and thankfully somewhat sane, thank you! Briefly saw my old 'training' buddies at ex-work at lunchtime, looking fab and happy and working hard as usual.

I went to the movies this morning after the groceries were done. I rarely go to the movies. Saw 27 Dresses. I liked it, my type of flick (chick-flick!). Parts of it were frustrating, I wanted to grab her and .... well, I don't want to ruin it for anyone. The movie and ending is very nice and it is one that would be nice in my DVD collection. Will start my 'Dear Santa' list.

Have started packing away some baby items around the house. Bouncer being taken apart (waiting for a tool - instrument, not my husband!), the walking pram that sits quietly out the back I totally dismantled this afternoon. Who'd a thunk it would come apart so easy. It is great, I am scrubbing it all down and half is hanging on the line to dry. Have one more large piece to scrub and will wrap in large bags to put in the shed out the back. The space that is becoming available rocks. Not that I want to fill it again, just the space is nice. As long as the kids don't claim it to spread more toys around the house.

I got a new phone on Thursday, I am really liking it. It is cool. We look out of place together, but I have promised to give it a good, caring and warm home. When the screen goes turns off, the phone is a little mirror! That is scary, I don't need to see this ugly mug every time I use it! I will update you on it's handiness when I utilise that feature to re-apply my makeup. Tee-hee.

This post is boring me, so I will move on before you fall asleep. Want to do a bit more stuff in here before bedtime and the clock is ticking. Take care and make sure you tell someone you love them. Maybe they need a hug too!

Wishes

Shouting out big birthday wishes to two wonderful little boys!

Max and Ben turned three today. Yay!

Their cake rocked. Max had a green crocodile and Ben had a chocie teddy bear. Hmm, I wonder if I am too excited about the cake?

Will post pics tomorrow! Thanks Meagan, you are a great Mummy!

Tempting

This plate of nutritional goodness, this mouth watering delicacy, this salty/sweet collection of the worlds best creations, is my favourite meal. Especially created by Jamaica Blue. Of course I don't mind sharing this with everyone, but when I saw this most perfect photo, I needed to share with my sweet JJ. Rock on!

Thick french toast with bacon and caramelised banana topped with maple syrup and a dash of cream. Oh. My. Heart. Be. Still.



I do have to thank my (great with tucker!) sweet friend Mel for this addiction. Initially, as you might, I thought what a strange combination. She makes a *great* dish except with strawberries (that *totally* rocks also) and took my 'french toast/bacon/selected fruit with extras' virginity.

I have made it and I did a great job, happy happy family that day!

However, Jamaica Blue is quick and easy, minimal mess and dishes (for me).

Nepal?

Driving home from our adventures this morning, Caleb asks 'Where's Santa?'

'He's on holidays' I replied.

'Nepal?' is what I 'hear' float from the back of the car.

Keh? What the?

'Ahh, yes Caleb, he is at the North Pole!'

Chocolate is Evil

I suppose you all know about my friends news? Nic is preggers! I am happy for Nic and Keith, truly I am. It is a nice chapter in their love story. Did you hear the reporter ask them is it a boy or girl? Really? Are you that much of an idiot? I hope they don't get totally hounded by the media (yeah right!) and I am happy to hear the baby will be born Australian. That is the way it should be. That is the good news story of the day.

The embarrassment story of the day involves my daughter. We went to Kmart to get a booster seat for her and put the highchair out to greener pastures. In and out was my plan. The little angels got off the leash (truly, I am joking, however after reading this I must just invest in a couple!) and had fun darting around the aisle. Thankfully we only walked down one aisle to get it and return to the checkout. I got in the *slowest* checkout and stood waiting for ages. Which was basically a green light for the angels to play chasey.

When they had detoured around a stand or two, my brows started to furrow. Caleb comes walking out slowly and happy, is he eating something? Can't be. Zali then dawdles down the aisle toward me chomping. On a Freddo filled with chocie drops (like the kinder surprise type with goodies inside). You little ... !

I scooped her up, she had eaten the bottom of it, drat. I wasn't sure if she had eaten the foil wrapping or pulled it off. Drat. Well, better buy it now, I don't think I can blame rodents when she is caught chocolate handed. I look for the bar code. Um, I think she ate it. Maybe I should run her through the scanner! (Self, wonder how many Fly Buys I would get for her?)

Of course to be fair, I told Caleb to go and get one for himself. He takes off and comes back saying he can't find it. Drat. Off I go to grab it and get back to the checkout. I can't find it. How come little miss-bar-code-eater can find something that no-one else can. Drat. Obviously by this stage we have lost our spot in the checkout line. I am walking up and down the damn confectionery aisles looking for another green Freddo dude. Surely she could not find a one and only lonely Freddo. Just as I was giving up and heading to ask a friendly Kmart employee, I saw the green shimmering on the bottom shelf - prime taking for a 17 month old!

Yes, you may ask, why was I going to all this trouble? Two reasons. I had to take a bar code to the checkout, remember? And Caleb was *not* going to miss out. I tried to shake the contents out of half-eaten Freddo to share, and, erm, let me just say that wasn't an option. This was one instance where trying to reason with a jealous three and a half year old was the last thing on my mind with little miss-bar-code-eater getting chocolate over most of her face, not wanting to part with it and wanting to adventure through the centre and socialise with any child that came within sniffing distance.

Remember I said the Kmart visit was in and out? It was more like a comedy skit showing a frazzled mother wondering if having children was the best option or should she have gotten a guinea pig instead?

Thankfully there was a Gloria Jeans on the way out and I got me some caffeine. While waiting for my 'refreshment' I kept Miss happy with a plastic spoon and Mr occupied with the thought of helping to vacuum when we got home.

Sweet

The gorgeous Kerry sent me some photos from the kids' kindy Christmas party. This photo is sweet, Caleb wrapped around Kerry like a koala. He was tired, and he has a very special spot for Kerry. Love it.






Looking at some photos lately, I have realised where Caleb gets his strange photo faces from . . . me!

Honestly, I try and look normal when the camera is about to blink, but I just don't think I can do normal. No comment needed, thanks Sheree!


Man, today has been a challenge. Putting it politely! The sticky heat is so draining. The kids don't like it, and don't hesitate in letting me know. The two half shells had scored pretty decent amounts of rainwater. I dragged (and broke a bit, oops) the shell from the yard up onto the covered cement. Then proceeded to dump mop bucket loads of rainwater from the other half a shell into the 'shell pool'. The kids were in the nicky-noo-nar splashing around in the water having a great time. They definitely enjoyed the cool play, but still didn't mind the whine when someone touched someone else's water jug.

Make sure you are drinking lots of water, it is good for you!

She in Boots

I love this! My little girl in Uncle David's work boots. Thanks for sending the photo Sheree!

She is loving big people shoes and I am finding odd shoes all around the house. Caleb walks around in one shoe also. The worse part is when you are late to leave the house, I run to find my shoes and then have to begin a Hide and Seek game to complete my pair.

I had to try bigger shoes on Caleb to see if his new AFO would fit inside. Not much luck. One pair has red in them (they are basic play shoes) and he is really liking them, wants to wear all the time. Won't go back to his nice brown sandals. Dammit. This thing of having an opinion and wanting to wear certain things, hmm, don't think I like it.

What a yucky sticky day. When we were heading home from the markets at 6.30am, it was uncomfortable already. Cripes. And Caleb still wants to vacuum, I say nope, too hot to vacuum. Report me to Child Services if you must, but I am not vacuuming in this heat for the entertainment of my child. Zali was vacuuming in the nicky-noo-nar this morning, however I suggested that doing that chore in that state of undress has bought much misery to certain people doing strange things with stated equipment. She gave me a look, then continued on her merry little way.

Lesson of the day? No-one listens to my dribble, not even my Mummy-loving-little-girl.

Wake up bright, smiling and happy on Monday!

Yay

Yay! Mel and Brent arrived home today! Missed them and can't wait to see their photos and hear about their travels. Will be *really* nice to see them.

When I was packing on the Friday before Christmas to head up to Toowoomba, the kids were downstairs playing. Hard life for some. There were lots of giggling, I knew they were doing something no-no. While they played though, I had peace to get stuck into the packing. It was quite warm and I wanted to get it done and hop in the car so they could sleep on the way up.

After a period of silence I went to check on them, silence can be worse than giggling in the no-no stakes.

This is what I found . . .


The poor dears had tuckered themselves out.

Caleb had perched himself on the lounge for a few minutes of Rags before having a nap.






Little Miss Zali was stuck on the ottoman, complete with sheepskin for added comfort. No wonder they were quiet!

When I first saw Zali I thought she was covered in sweat and might be unwell. Yeah, no. That was what the giggling was all about. She had gotten Caleb's water bottle and been splashing around like a human fountain. She was covered in large patches of water, the water bottle was empty. Least it was good clean fun for them. Plus now I had more quiet time to finish the packing!


Here is Campbell blowing out his candles on his birthday cake. Sheree made a chocolate cake with yellow butter icing. Different coloured lollies spelt out his name and the four balloon lollies had tails made with Sheree's brand new piping set. It was fun to make, I helped only slightly with the lollies. Making the letters, not eating them. Except the peanut M&M's.



Cripes it is hot today. Sticky hot, uncomfortable hot. There is a list of things I wanted to get into tonight, but I have the motivation of a dead mosquito.

I heard during the week, but today I saw it myself. Hot Cross Buns. At the supermarket. Totally wrong. Lordy.

Remember to get stuck in to the chilled water people - hydrate! Off to get me some.

No Way

I visited Spotlight this evening and the kids were both in bed when I returned. I checked on them just before and Adrian had not shut the window or blind. Normally the window is open a small amount for some fresh air and a touch of coolness. The blinds are drawn up to the window opening to keep out the light of the morning, my feeble attempt at getting them to sleep longer than dawn!

In the process of fixing the situation, I moved Caleb's 'torch'. It was a present from the Telfer family. There is a light part, wheels, handle and a noisy part. The noisy part hadn't bothered me . . . after years of training I can ignore (some) recurring sounds. It was sitting next to Caleb's bed sticking out a bit too far.

Self, pick it up gently so to not make noise, and relocate to quiet spot so it doesn't accidentally get touched.

You see, you turn the torch light on, but the noisy part starts when absolutely any part of the contraption moves.

I must have moved a wheel 1/5000 of a millimetre. It starts chugging and choo-chooing. It cuts through the quiet still air like a megaphone.

Self, you *idiot*!

I wait for noise or movement from either little person. Nothing. Phew.

I continued fixing the blinds and all was good. Self, exit room now while the situation is good.

Self. Kicks. Thomas. Torch. On. Exit. Of. Room. It starts chugging and choo-chooing, again.

I grabbed it and ran out of the room, bursting into giggles when I was a few metres away from the alleged scene. I could not believe it. Trying to keep quiet and leave the room safely and I am like a moving, talking, dancing clown. I only need big colourful boots, curly coloured hair and a honky horn and I could be a professional!

Unbelievable.

Back on Deck

Alrighty then. I have finally got my software I need to play with my photos (and make them blog-size!) . . . yippeeeeee!

It is way past my bedtime, but wanted to share one photo. I know it ain't in focus, I know you can see way too much lunch, but I really love this photo. These kids are *nuts*! Love them.


P.S. Jill, will book out the entire month of April for you. I will sit and wait everyday, just so I am ready and able. Hmmm, does this sound like I have no life?

Welcome 2008!

Happy New Year to you!

2007 went fast. Christmas is over. The fireworks have all popped and brought in the brand new year. Public holidays are done and normal starts to resume. Ha! Normal, like anything is normal! Least though I might start to remember what day it is again.

I really hope you and your loved ones (and ones that are around but annoy you) had a lovely Christmas and completed the season with a spiffy New Years Eve. Pinch and a punch.

My NYE was so exciting! Gee, I don't even know where to start. I was asleep in bed at 10.30pm. I am *so* uncontrollable!

Luckily, cause my two angels were up at 4.40am (again!) this morning. Some folk might have been on their way home and/or feeling a little worse for wear, but we were watching Hi-5 and eating green apples.

Late this morning we had some sad news. Claude, our long time blue feathered friend passed away. He has gone to Budgie Heaven and we truly hope he enjoys his new home and flies free and happy. Rock on, Claude.