Scrap Royalty

On the June long weekend, there was a big scrapbook convention at the Brisbane Convention Centre. I enjoyed a wonderful two days there. That is right, two days without the kiddies. I felt a little naked without someone hanging on to me. I felt so *naughty* doing something frivilous (sp?) for my own enjoyment. I am a bad girl, spank me. Ooops, wrong channel!

I wanted to do some classes, learn from new people, pick up hints, tips and new ideas. I attended three Making Memories classes, two Basic Grey and one Pink Martini. I had such a great time. The teachers were all American (there were Australian teachers as well, just not the classes I picked) and were fun. This cool chick here (middle) is Margie Romney-Aslett from Making Memories. She is the Creative Director and gets to design all the great products. She rocked. She had fabulous ideas and a cool-dude laid-back attitude. She gave away *heaps* of prizes and the class packs were to the brim with great products. The other cool chick is my friend, Liz. We went together on Sunday, and I went by myself on Monday.


This is Liz and I with Kelly Goree. She works with Basic Grey putting layouts together. Not sure of an official title. The classes were really good, had to keep pace, but the end result was a fantastic layout, a cool little matchbox album and a chipboard album. She only gave one or two prizes away, and I was lucky enough to score one at the last class of the day!



Kim Kesti taught the Pink Martini class. Made a little chipboard-ribbon accordian album. She was bright and fun. However, she called me a redhead? What is with that? Was there bad lighting or am I colour-blind?
Basically I was one of the twits who asks for a photo after the class with teacher. At this sort of convention though, all about photos and memories, well, everyone likes and appreciates the addiction of photo and memory keeping. I fitted right in!

My beautifully pregnant friend, Janene came over for a visit today. She just started maternity leave this week and is catching up with friends while she can. I told her some pointers to remember about hospital. I hope I didn't scare the pants off her, or confuse her to the point of explosion. She bought over some scones, date or fruit. My, they were tasty scones. Fresh, soft and very tasty. Very thoughtful.

Zali is a little off. Not sure if there is a toothy going to start harassing us again or what. I applied some bonjella tonight to see if that helped, she was very restless going to bed. I am guessing tonight might be a little disturbed.

This arvo I organised more photos. I want to visit Harvey Norman with their 15 cent photo for 15 day special, and get a heap printed. When Zali woke up she joined me in the study for a while. Until she started eating paper, or tossing paper in the air, everywhere, it's a spotty kind of day. Ooops, that is a playgroup song!

Caleb was very happy to see me when I picked him up from kindy. We took the detour through Maccas and got him a cheeseburger and milkshake for dinner (mainly cause I wanted a coffee) and got some 50 cent icey-creams. Grandma got brain freeze trying to get rid of the mountain of icey-cream off two of them, one each for Caleb and Zali. They only get a little bit of the good stuff and then crunch on the cone. Caleb ate his well, then passed it back wanting his milkshake. Zali thought it was heaven. She was basically breathing it in - so funny to watch . . . where is a camera when you need it. Hands too I suppose, mine were on the steering wheel. At all times, I promise. By the time we pulled into our driveway, she was kicking her legs and talking away, squashed melted cone sitting pertly on her purple with white dots (read: plain purple, but now showered with smears of white icecream) jumper. I think she was high on sugar! She enjoyed herself very much, so that is most important.

Off to sort some more photos for printing. Enjoy your day. And shout yourself an icey-cream!

First Day of Little School

Very exciting. Caleb started his kindy program at Narbethong today. (The school used to be called The School for the Blind, that probably gives you more information as a title!) Due to the fact he already goes to 'kindy' (child care at Cannon Hill), we are calling this 'little school'. So our day today . . .

He got up when Grandma got up, and came and woke me about 6.30am. This very cuddley dressing gown is very soft to touch and more soft to cuddle, and accompanies the Bob the Builder slippers.


He had a 'little milk' with Grandma (Yukult), so was ready for vegemite toast and juice for breakfast. 'Ready?' he asks after that.

Off to little school we go. Does he look a little worried here? Oh, I need to add, this little boy is a bit sick. I think it probably was not the *best* timing to be having his first day, but he got through.

When we initially checked the place out, he had a great time playing with the other kids. He is used to going to child care and playing and being away from us. It didn't even enter my mind that he would mind being left. He did. When I said goodbye, gave kisses, I love you's, Mummy and Zali are going now and we will be back to pick you up after your sleep, he grabbed my hand and said he was coming. I had to walk out, and he started to cry. Always very hard for a parent to leave, but I was strong . . . I lowered my sunglasses, and *then* walked to the car crying . . .

There was a huge drum to belt. I reckon he liked that (just a bit!). He liked outside play with the pre-school kids. When I picked him up the teacher asked me if he liked computers (a big Yes!), and that he had computer time. Wonder what computer time is for a 3 year old?? He also had a fantastic play with some high school students who came to volunteer. Supposedly he was running around playing with them having a great time. Bet they were worn out! I am not exactly sure what happened at rest time thought (see below). Both his teachers said he had a nice day, after initial hesitation. I am hoping things get better when his health improves also.

Pick up time, and Caleb sees me. I wanted to get a photo of his happy expression when he spies me. That happened way too fast and he ran to me, *obviously* extremely fast by this blurry photo!

Mummy was *very* happy to see him and have cuddles. He doesn't really look like he wants them though?

'Mummy, home?'

'Did you have a fun day, Caleb?'

'Yes.'

He was very hungry. Didn't seem to eat much at little school. Not sure if it was the new surroundings, or the fact that he is unwell. He had a snack while I sang along to Hi-5. After a few minutes the rear view mirror showed this picture .... I am not sure if he slept at little school, this little boy looks pretty exhausted to me.

Zali and I went to playgroup to, um, play. And talk, of course.

Other than that, we went to KMart to pick up a few supplies. Caleb had a chocolate bar and wouldn't share with Zali, Grandma or me, even when we begged.

The kids played with a capsicum while I made their dinner (we don't like them, but the lady at the markets insists on putting a few in our shopping). Baths, some jelly (pronounced 'jey-yey, cause 'l's' are like a 'y'), and bedtime. They both went to sleep fast after a big day.

I know they are ours, but I love them dearly.

My Sister - The Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to you, dear Sheree. Hope you enjoyed your day and loved your presents. Another year down already though? My, they are shooting past so fast! He he.

Man, if you can't bag your older sister about age, who can you? And she knows I love her. Big squeezey cuddle to you.


How funny is this! There were a few photos like this, all with eyes closed. Here, we have eyes open, and Campbell is doing a big booger pick!


Sheree is loved by her hubby and two little boys - the loves and light of her life. Their happy little family.


Happy Birthday to you, my dear sister.


Other than this being a special birthday, this was a damn hard day! My little *angels* got more, erm, *angelic* as the day progressed. I think there is some sickness knocking on our door, with some more runney noses starting, some coughing, some misery, some tiredness and some crankiness. And me going even more bonkers.

I bought a couple of those Sudafed plug-in things, like a vapourizer? They smell really nice. Will see if the kids come out tomorrow any different. Fingers crossed. Kathleen from Hi-5 says they are good. Better be right, Kathleen.

Can I ask you what party food do you like? Especially if you were a kid? Help me.

Not impressed. Not impressed at all. The big catalogue sales. Is it just to suck you in. Is it just so you buy more and/or different stuff? Does it also give you the crankies?

The Big W toy sale started last Thursday. Not sure if it lasts one week or two. I think everything I wanted is gone. I visited on Sunday and had a browse - the toys nearly take over the whole shop! It is quite overwhelming, especially when you have no idea where to start to look for the things you want. There isn't a rhyme or reason in organisation, so I think it is pot luck if you stumble across your desired purchase. After trampsing down numerous aisles and back again, I realised that heaps have been sold and I am looking at leftovers! Not impressed.

Today I went back with my two angels ($%!) armed with a new list. Yep, nothing. Not impressed. I bought some other stuff though, mostly crafty things to play with the kids. Actually some of the things I don't want to share, I think I would appreciate them much more. Must I share, really? Like, a really cool colouring book with invisible pens. You colour, and after a short wait the colour appears! Loving that. It is hard to keep in the lines when you can't see where you have already coloured, that is a trick I will have to work on.

Hmm, this shopping trip, is that mission accomplished for me . . . or the Big W shareholders?

Haven't been to KMart yet to check them out, but I hear differing stories about their stock. Need to go to check out little cars. For little boys.

Okey, need to do a few jobs so I am leaving you with some old photos. How cute! These were the days when I could take Caleb to work (for a one-off contract) and he would lay on the floor playing with toys, and be charming. He would have some milk, and nod off to sleep. The cycle would be repeated and we would head home. It was a breeze.



However this morning at Carindale? Well, Carindale Shopping Centre is swahilli for 'Caleb's big playground' I have found out. He stood tall at the front of the trolley like Leo Decap in Titanic and pretty much behaved while shopping for Huggies nappies on sale (yahoo!) and then after his Bertie Beetle, he 'mummy out now'. Well, out he did. He loves to explore and run. And not watch where he is going. I think at one point he played peek-a-boo in the aisles in Big W and used a roll of wrapping paper as his light saber with some Luke Skywalker moves.

Oh they grow too fast!

Last few days been busy. Friday there was an email from one of my favourite scrapbook shops, they were having a 25% off everything sale. Cha-Ching! I thought I might venture out for a drive and visit their actual shop at Caboolture. I loaded Zali in the car (who was due for a sleep) and off we went.

Zali slept all the way, and I even sat behind a slow truck so she could sleep a little longer. I gave her lunch, and in we went. She lasted about 2.5 minutes before getting cross at being trapped in the pram, when there was so much exploring to do. In between looking at the products, I was trying to pacify her with attention. I would cuddle her or she would play with wrapped ribbons and my sunnies, or crawl after me if I made a quick getaway to the supplies while she wasn’t looking. She also had some mummy milk. By the time we got through it all, we were leaving the premises at 2.45pm! Oh my!

Traffic was already starting to build on the Gateway, and the bridge itself was a crawl to get over. Zali had another sleep, and we scooted past kindy and got Caleb.

It was afternoon tea time, and all the kids sat down and ate cruskets with vegemite or cream cheese. When they are finished they can go and play. Most kids had 1 or 2 and ran off to play. Caleb was still sitting there with his hand up wanting a third crusket. Must have been a hard day at kindy!

After the kids went to bed, I sat in the study and just played with my new scrapbooking goodies. Just nice to touch and hold. I was too tired to do anything with them.

Saturday we decided to go to Toowoomba for the day. Firstly to Telfer’s to see the family and had a yummy lunch of home-cooked pasties and sausage rolls. My sister-in-law Teagan informed me they were made with low fat pastry. So, like, doesn’t that mean I can eat double the amount? No? Hmmm. It was Nannie’s birthday last Tuesday, 3 July – she got a nice navy recliner chair.

The kids had a nice play with Nannie, Pop, Uncle Kewy (Kelly), Aunty Teagan and Uncle Awex (Alex). Caleb ran straight into the clothesline and had to come up for a cuddle. Zali attacked a pot plant and had that red dirt all through her nails.

After that we scooted out to Crows Nest to see the Adams. When we arrived, Uncle David and Finn were just going for a walk down the backyard, Aunty Sheree was baking muffins (chocolate chip marble – do they sound low fat low calorie and healthy? *surely!*) and Campbell was sleeping. It will be my sister Sheree’s birthday on Tuesday, 10 July, and we got a pamper voucher for her favourite hairdresser. Very noice.

The four children had a lovely play together, mostly everyone was nice and behaved. Caleb and Campbell loved jumping on the trampoline, Finn liked being chased and Zali preferred to have cuddles. Twas quite cool, but nice.



We had dinner, the kids had baths, and we packed up and left. The kids drifted off to sleep listening to the Wiggles. We stopped at McDonald’s, Gatton to get a coffee. We needed some help to warm up and keep me awake, man it was a big day! Got home just before 10pm, and basically straight to bed.

Mum and I were up at 5am this morning to go to the markets. Heaps of fresh food and meat on the list. I really think a sleep is on the cards today, I am too old for all this action. I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend!

Leaf

Some more pics from last Friday when Ida and Macey visited. The girls played inside.



Then we went outside for some fresh air, some photos and . . . .

the odd leaf or two!

Mmmm, crunchy. Maybe like potato chips?

Enjoyed the day inside. Didn't want to brave this weather and be blown away. Caleb had a good day at kindy - he moved up to the Senior Kindy room today! He is very happy to be there cause Riley (his bestie) is already there. This afternoon when I picked him up, Riley's Dad arrived also. Both boys went in to their room to get their bags, and Caleb picked up Riley's bag and said 'Here's your bag Riley'. Riley says 'Thanks'. Then they walk off together. Sweet. Um, hang on . . . Caleb . . . what about your bag?

Just Perfect

Look what was delivered to me this afternoon . . .

from my gorgeous Mel and Brent. Thinking of me, the card said. Total surprise, and what a wonderful surprise to come knocking at your door on a Tuesday. Thank you sweety, they did brighten my day.

And you know what, you brighten my life . . . Thanks for being my friend.

While chatting this morning with a sweet sweet lass, I was paid a compliment. I don't handle compliments very well. I thought about it afterwards, it was really nice to hear the compliment. Thank you.

Bubbles

We had some cheesey tomato spaghetti for lunch. Caleb loved it. He drunk all his popper. He had a red cheesey tomato face. He thought it was funny.

I gave some to Zali. She really liked it. I think she might have gone a little rash-type red around the eyes, but only if you looked hard. That is a great improvement for her eating, and I will certainly give her more of that another day. Yeah! She had some banana after that - yippee! So good that she is eating a fruit and not rashing-up. Maybe she is starting to grow out of her intolerance to some foods. Fingers crossed.

We played on the swings. We played with bubbles. Caleb whinged. Zali ate a leaf or two. They had an afternoon sleep, at the same time! Thank you thank you thank you. I sat and journalled about the kids while I had some quiet, basically cause it was really overdue.

Then we watched Hi-5, played on the swings, played with bubbles, and Caleb whinged. Zali played and ate the bubble blower.

I spent the entire day in my jimmies. When I changed and had a shower before dinner, they were covered in pasta sauce, snot, dribble, wee (not mine!!), arrowroot and cheerios. What a treat.

See?

How could I not take a photo before I put his blanket on?

Does anyone else have 'one of those days'? Today is one of those days for me. From the moment you wake, it starts off. Starts to head downhill. And continues to get worse. And it is probably one of those days when you are least likely to be able to handle it.

Everything is rotten, I am miserable, and as each minute ticks by there seems to be another reason to like myself even less. The little girl is asleep - oh puh-lease let her sleep well and long. The little boy is watching the Wiggles with heavy eyes, and I think when I finish typing this sentence I will go and see if those heavy eyes are now shut and resting.

Yep, he asleep. I had to take a photo, he looks so uncomfortable. And then I covered him with a blanket and nestled a pillow for support.

He must have been tired cause he was whingeing and getting under my skin, which of course would have been very easy. I ask him 'Are you tired?' No. 'Do you want to have a sleep?' No. He wants the Wiggles on, I want to watch The Morning Show on 7. I want to watch the clips of Princess Isabella at her christening and her perfect little family. I want to sit in my jimmies under a blanket, I want to cry at how lovely it all is. Babies are so precious and beautiful, little miracles. On the show they are going back over Mary and Fred's story. How they met, their wedding. I cry on the inside. Cause I have a little boy's head directly in front of mine blocking the television, asking for the Wiggles. I put on the Wiggles, take the little girl up to bed, and miss out on watching other people's wonderful lives.

I have a few minutes of peace (they rarely are asleep at the same time during the day). I can't pick myself up to actually do something I want. I realise I need to talk, and here I am. Talking to you. Well, at some point you will listen (read), but right now I am talking to my computer. I want to cry, I think I need to release some emotion, I am not able to cry. I feel dull and lifeless. Everybody is going about their normal day, everybody seems happy and living their life, moving on. I feel stuck, stuck inside my sorry self. I don't know if everyone is happy. Right now it is me against the whole entire happy world. I hope this wave of sadness is blown away with the winds today, and I can be happy too.

I think I will write two lists. Firstly, to help vent and release some emotion/negative thoughts, I will write what is yuck. What I don't like, what is annoying me, what things could be dragging me down. Then I will write a list of all the good things in my life. I know there is some, but right now I need to refresh my memory. I think I need to put that last list up on my wall. I think I need to make it colourful and have some pretty flowers on it.

The little boy has just walked in, obviously a very short nap. He is something I am lucky to have, so we will have a cuddle and play and I will give him something I don't give myself. Love.