KARYN'S FAMILY BLOG!

Suiting up on a Sunday

2010-04-27T15:57:00.001-07:00

We were all up at the crack of dawn this week to honour the memory of our ANZACs, something we have never done. Robbie has joined the Air-Force Cadets and now has responsibilities that have encouraged him to find his role in our community. He very proudly served in the dawn service and marched through Buderim with a few other new recruits. He was very masculine and proud of joining in, even though this was the smaller of the two parades he could have marched in, and when, all of his new friends were marching in the bigger one. Robbie and Rocci in front of a vintage car after the midday service we all attended. It was a beautiful sunny day with a lovely community feeling of celebration. The local community groups all work together to make it a memorable day for everyone. All the local school bands were playing, all the schools marched and every one was given a free morning tea. There were guest speakers and church leaders, such a lovely friendly atmosphere. Perhaps we are ready for another move?

Suiting up on a Sunday!

Robbie helps with Rocci's tie - a little moment of AAhhhh as we watch them co-operate together, you can feel the lurve.

SHOPPING?

2009-12-19T01:39:00.000-08:00

I took Rocci out shopping today to buy gifts from him to friends and family. It started with getting car sick on the way, then spending a very long 22 minutes in the stinky toilets while he attended to his business. After this he was feeling much better, but, he fell over his own foot and decided that walking was no longer on the cards. I carried the big lump until he made orders to take him back to the toilet.....ugh....stinky public toilets! Thinking a visit with Santa would be special, and after waiting in line (for what seemed like days) I was shocked to find he was too scared (at six??) to talk to him, so we left without talking to him and went back into Myer. With all the drama, I was beginning to remember why God gave children two parents and not one. As we neared the BORING section (haberdashery and crockery) Rocci found a book for sale - good old 'Cat in the Hat'. We already have 15 of these at home, but he's never looked at them. But, today, as a new little reading man, he jumped up onto the bed and began to read it (very loudly) to all who passed by. I was able to browse the boring section from cutlery to pillow slips, I may not have been able to see him, but I sure could hear him. People gathered around at one point and when I returned to where he was sitting he was lying down on the pillows reading still, just like he was heading off to nigh nighs. Too cute. We left shortly after and stacked our shopping in the boot of the car (which was about a kilometre away) when he decided he really would like to talk to Santa..........Did I trudge back?????? Yes, I did. We are now the proud owners of a very light, well read, bruised knee, gifted up, Santa loving, little boy. Anybody want to break the news about Santa not bringing everything you ask for?

CONCERT PICS!

2009-12-16T12:03:00.003-08:00

Chelsea - vocal student 14yrs

My End of year concert for my students is a focal point in our house and in my teaching studio for about 10 weeks in the year. This year saw the dawn of QAVA - (my new business, for those not paying attention) so the concert was bigger and better than average. I hired a big hall with a big curtain, lights, professional camera man....the works. The concert went off without a hitch (if you don't include the crying, the nerves, the shaking knees and the microphone hassles) and all my students sang beautifully and performed very well. Here are some pics of just another day in my office.William - 13 years

All students singing the finale.

Getting flowers from William.

Handing out Trophies to high achievers

Lots of Musical Theatre Performances.

Really cute audio guys.

SQUARE EYES!

2009-12-12T16:47:00.001-08:00

When a child looks like - exhibit 'A' and 'B' (below) - this while watching TV you can guarantee his time is up. He's had enough, he's finished, he's now bored. Even when he swears he is in the middle of a very interesting show, he really really really should do something else.

We have a no tv rule during the week in school term times. So come holiday time - every morning and evening - is devoted to the God of entertainment. The boys can't get enough of it. But this time I actually started to think that we might be abusing our children by allowing them to go for too long. Robbie is in the back ground watching tv on the computer and watching the one in the lounge. Two at once???? "STOP! No more TV!" I say with certainty. Tomorrow will be no TV day and you will play, create and enjoy. EXHIBIT A EXHIBIT B

Instead of the children getting up out of bed and creating a masterpiece drawing, or setting up a jigsaw, or cooking up a storm - this is a picture of the boys watching the tv. Problem.......It's not even turned on!

BOYMOANS!

2009-12-07T00:46:00.000-08:00

This week marks the beginning of a new chapter in our family lives. Rob is done and away from Sunstate, the boys have both finished school, I retired from school and officially begin as QAVA, my singing concert was last night (more about that later) and we're all on to the next big thing.........or so I thought.

Yesterday morning saw the end of Quiet, Placid, Easy Going, Lovely, Gentle Robbie. We all understand the female hormone disasters that can dominate a family's lives, but little is said of boy hormones, or what I like to call Boymoans. I can honestly say, Robbie rarely cries or gets upset, that's just his personality, but yesterday, a new day dawned. It all started with a visit across the hall to his brothers room and after a brief tustle with Rocci along the lines of "Go and make your own advent calendar! I'm sick of sharing", Robbie dissolved into a big ball of tears and snot. I left him in his room, unable to make him see reason, but as the sobbing continued I thought that he probably just needed breakfast and a glass of water, so I calmly escorted him out. After eating though, he returned to his room and resumed the sobbing. I walk in and sit on his bed, and point out that perhaps there is something more to it than an advent calendar problem. He agrees but doesn't want to talk. I leave him with my personaly belief that you can't stop your child feeling certain emotions, even if I don't know what the problem is, it's okay to feel. An hour later, some rescue remedy, a cup of milo, a massage and aromatherapy oils burning in the distance I come to realise that maybe he doesn't quite understand it either. Poor Robbie, I hand him a blank diary and a pen and suggest he write to himself, to me, to God, to a friend, anyone just so he can get his thoughts into order.

Rob was out printing programs for my concert and when I called him for reinforcement he had to check that I wasn't confused about which child was having a melt down. Rocci is a regular at melt down moments - I don't need help for these. It was definitely Robbie.....The big one!

It was ten o'clock when he surfaced and presented me with a list of emotional ailments (no advent calendar issues any where in sight). We all sat down and read it, evaluated, discussed his boymoans and their effect on a growning boy, and how we could best address each problem listed. He was happy to find solutions and agreed to work on resilience - which is moot in the face of boymoans anyway.

There is no picture attachment to this story, if there was, it would just be a picture of me in shock at the dramatic change in my little boy. Three cheers for turning into a man! Albeit a sobbing mess, there wass a change! Then this happened........

Last night during my students concert, Robbie was in charge of mic adjustment for each performer, which meant being on stage infront of 300 people every 3 minutes or so. It was a big stage and I wasn't sure he would be up to it, not on this particular day......but if I didn't see his behaviour with my own eyes, I would never have believed it......... he performed!!!!!!!!!! Not singing, not dancing, but comedic, funny, silly 'sound-guy' performing. Each time he came on stage to change a microphone, he did something silly, subtle, funny and entertaining. One time he tumbled onto the stage, another time he dived onto the stage after running from the back, he wore odd clothing stolen from actual performers, and managed to - without one word - have the audience cheering him and calling out for him between songs. He did his job quickly and was so helpful, but unexpectedly - after such an emotional morning - he managed to shock his unshockable mother, with a performance. I was so proud of him last night, not only for the evening show, but for the morning show too. He really is changing.

This morning...............after learning that you get more attention if your tantrum goes for hours, Rocci took up the mantle and showed his best performance to date. Fun, fun, fun. It was weird having a family meeting that involved pen and paper and drawings of emotions and action plans with solutions to problems. Who knew we could be that civilised. Boymoans have arrived just in time for Rob to be in charge of all parenting issues. I will be able to say - I knew them when............!

DANCING QUEEN!

2009-12-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

I managed to attend dance classes amid my busiest and most tumultuous year in history. When I say attend, I mean, every few weeks I went to a class and video taped the dance so I could learn it at home. We have a lounge room with no curtain and neighbours that could possibly have learnt all the steps also, but in the end, I did know it, and managed to not completely embarrass myself. It was a jazz dancing class with a circus themed concert. My friend Fran and I squeezed and pulled and squished ourselves into these corsets, and miraculously they didn't pop open on stage.

My oldest friend Chad and I are finally dancing buddies again. If it wasn't for him, I would be turning and shaking in the opposite direction to everyone else. I arrived at the hall on the first night at 8:00pm and appeared on stage at around 8:03pm. Chad was not happy! And the next night I had to redeem myself by hanging out back stage from 6-11pm, the atmosphere was fun and lively and a great opportunity to relax and soak up the excited and nervous energy.

EARLY PREPARATION!

2009-11-24T14:09:00.000-08:00

Christmas preparation is underway at 'Camp Clark' with the creation of our December advent calendars. Rocci and I sat down on the weekend and began cutting, counting and gluing the beginnings of our edible calendar.

Thanks to Bobbie for this great idea. Filling shot glasses with M&M's and covering them with tissue paper which you can poke your finger through on each day. Yu-u-um!

We wondered how it was going to hang on the wall with the weight of the lollies on paper but.... With the aid of Rocci's drumsticks and some gaffa tape, it hangs perfectly in his room.Now all we have to do is wait for December! Sounds simple enough, but, we have had to print out a November calendar for him to cross off the days until he can start this calendar. Perhaps next year I'll wait a week longer before making one. Argh, the nagging!

WE'RE MOVING!

2009-11-17T12:04:00.001-08:00

With our recent release from Rob's Business we have had the opportunity to rethink our living circumstances. We have always been tied to a radius within the area of the factory which, luckily for us was in a beachy location. I hate to think of what may have become of us if the factory was started in Roma, or worse still, the Northern Territory. Not that I don't love our sunburnt country.....it's the whole.....desert thing.

We have been discussing our ideal living location this week in an effort to finally decide where we would like to raise our children.

We recently moved to a new area, an area I thought I have always wanted to live. It has still water on one side and a surf beach on the other side. But after living here, is it where we would eventually choose to stay? We have: A quiet street. Close to shops. Middle of suburbia. Surf, sailing, tennis, breezy walk ways and parks. Close to school.

Surfing - Eating out doors in the evening- Breakfast at the park - Sausages on the Barbie - Handsome, healthy family - Yep - I'll take it. This is it, we'll stay! I love living here!

RACE DAY FROCK-UP!

2009-11-02T23:36:00.000-08:00

MY DAY AT THE RACES!

I haven't had a day off work for quite a while due to my new business venture, and I really, really, really wanted to enjoy Melbourne Cup Day for a change - instead of working right through it. So a group of mums from Rocci's class made up a table of ladies and went to our schools function.

What a treat to sit around and have a yarn with the ladies, but best of all, and more importantly (to me) I got to 'Frock-Up! I love a good dress up and this was the perfect excuse.

We did sweeps, drank champagne, applied lippy, entered raffles, bid at auction for horses, re-applied lippy, entered fashions on the field, laughed, re-applied more lippy, and generally enjoyed a very loud and raucous time.....actually maybe the loud bit was just me? But, our table was definitely the most raucous.

Ahhhhhh, no stress.

Everything was fabulous, except, for one thing..............(view all pics then read the bottom line.)

Hair by Karyn

Way too much time spent on this.

FILLIES ON THE FIELD!

THE HAT THAT SHOULD HAVE WON A PRIZE!

Pipped at the post by a peacock!

HIGH HEELS AND CHAMPAGNE?????

AFTER PARTY CHAMPAGNE HEAD ACHE.....

NOTHING LEFT TO DO NOW BUT BLOG UP THE DAY

My problem is that no-one noticed my doubled stranded exquisite natural pearl necklace and the giant sapphire hanging off it, even though it was surrounded by carats and carats and carats of diamonds. The perfect occasion to wear it - but not one comment!!!!!!! Is it not big enough?????

Perhaps next year I need to borrow my jewels from the queen. Maybe a crown will get their attention!

PLEASE HELP!

2009-11-01T23:17:00.000-08:00

I'M ADDICTED TO POTATO CHIPS!

Hi my name is Karyn, and I'm a Chip-a-holic!

It's been 2 hours and 10 minutes since my last packet. And I still want more. I can't help it. It's a weakness........must have chips.

I've tried to stage my own intervention.
I've admitted I have a problem.
I've warned my family and friends.
I've asked for them to be removed from the pantry.
I've had glasses of water to stave off cravings.
I've even tried sticking 'post its' on packets saying "Dont Touch"

Nothing works.

I first discovered I had a problem when I was told that as a Coeliac I was no longer allowed to feast on flavoured potato chips except.....the Plain Salt varieties. Since then, I have purchased the plain Smiths chips in all different sizes, but, more recently I having been stocking up the pantry with the largest packets money can buy. Telling myself this is cheaper and more cost effective.

I innocently set about buying the chips for my two boys, as we regularly weigh chips into smaller bags for them to snack on. Alas, innocence turns ugly once I need a fix. Rob took to hiding the packets so the boys didn't miss out, but I frequently find the hidden stash of chips and eat them, and later saying "we must have run out".

Today I was very healthy and made a lovely big salad with tuna and avocado for lunch. So why would I need something more? Surely a big salad is sustainable? Why would I need to hoe into the chips that were screaming at me from the back of the top shelf? Argggh.

Am I the only chip-a-holic around? Or the only one who will admit it?

Please help me find a cure.......or send your donations (of chips).

HALLOWEEN - HALLOWTEEN

2009-10-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Robbies first Halloween disco saw him transform into a smiling Grim Reaper. As much as we can't understand the purpose of Halloween or able to explain 'WHY' to our youngest child, we dressed him up and painted him so that if the mask we bought got too hot, he would still look deadly. He loves a good dress up and was vying for best dressed male. Which he won........It's all in the detail! All the credit needs to go to Rob who designed the costume, found and purchased it all without my help, searched the Coast for the right sort of skeleton gloves, found face paint at a $2 shop, bought long black socks and polished up his shoes. His house wife training is almost complete. The Skinny Smiling Reaper who danced all night! That face: Definitely worth painting, he won the $50 best dressed male prize. Which will immediately turn into chocolates and lollies no doubt. Happy Halloweening, although I don't know why!

1ST TIME CAMPERS!

2009-10-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

Very Exciting - Very New - Very 1st Time!

Camping!!!!!

We stayed over at Grandmas house last weekend and enjoyed sleeping in a tent in their back yard. It was very much an under the stars moment, with an open tent filled with stories and torches and sleeping trouble. Our best of thanks to Uncle John who supported the whole ordeal and made it a memorable occasion for my outback starved boys. The only thing missing was actual outback. But we did take back packs - I hope that counts.

Robbie put the tent up with Uncle John.

While Rocci zipped up his sleeping bag refusing to use it. All he needs is a dog and a blankey....apparently.Scary stories were not on the agenda, but plenty of anticipation of strange bodily function sounds filled the air.

And after an exhausting night of games and sleep deprivation and an unusually intimate relationship with his iphone, Uncle John was all snoring and drool well into the morning. Robbie woke up with the sparrows, but Rocci kept needing reassurance during the night, so he stayed in drooling over his pillow later than John.

FAMILY TIME!

2009-10-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

Rocci has developed a passion for cooking now that Dad has taken over the family cooking at home. He makes cakes and pizza's and helps prepare food for Dad to cook.

I have a lucky streak and I tend to win most board games, and yet they still like to play with me. Yesterday I was struck with a dilemma during a game of Uno with Roc - should I play the card I had and win 5 games straight? Or should I just 'pick up'? We don't "LET" the kids win after 5 years old and he is 6 now! Hmmmm.....I paused........then I picked up. :) Not so with this game of Monopoly though. Last night we spontaneously went out to our little Italian Restaurant for dinner. It is right next door to the vacant building I would like to start my new business in. This will come in very handy. Hello Garlic Breath in the morning.........

Mr Independent!

2009-10-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

During the holidays Robbie went to Brisbane on his own to stay with Grandma and Grandpa. He enjoyed spending time there and he is fortunate to have a Grandpa who shares a similar passion. Anyone who know Robbie would know that the only thing he wants to be - Is an Astronaut. All of his school studies are aimed towards this goal, the books he reads, and his hobbies - all point to Astronautiness. While he was staying they went out star gazing together and discussing the stars and different formations. What a treat. Grandma took him to the set of the new Narnia movie - Fantasy books - another clear winner.

Then he came home by train, on his own, for the first time, without his mummy. I was so excited to see him safe and well, and his excitement at this new form of transport made him feel very grown up. I know other kids use public transport all the time, but we don't have a very good network up here, so our kids get driven everywhere. I tell them they're lucky to have our chauffeur services, but I think he would say otherwise now, after his experience.

When he came home all we did for him was send him off to tennis camp. Nothing compared to be an only grandchild. He had a great time and progressed well with this intensive training. Even when he didn't win any fixtures, he still enjoyed the experience. He just likes to play. Though I could have suggested sunscreen 30+. Will revise the Neglectful Parenting Handbook.

ARMY MEN SAIL AROUND THE WORLD!

2009-10-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I was most impressed with the boys ingenuity in making sailboats out of palm fronds. They came up with the idea without any prompting from us and sailed their little army men over the water. It was such a delight for Rob and I, as usually their activities are planned out with all the materials provided.

Robbie tried to blow his ship across the waves with a noodle. And it takes off - perfectly balanced with the wind in its sails. They tried all different shapes and sizes, some worked, some didn't.

Hair * Hair * Hair

2009-10-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

Rocci's hair was looking like this:

So we made the executive decision to go for hair cuts. But this time we all enjoyed a trip to the hair dressers. Normally we each have appointments separately when needed, and we all go somewhere different, but this time.......we went together! It was a lovely bonding experience.

(NEWS FLASH - Rocci can't sit still.)

FROM BIRTH TO BOY!

2009-09-05T23:14:00.001-07:00

Birthday Boy!

2009-09-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy of late that it may seem like I haven't done anything at all for weeks. Its really quite the opposite, but, amid the madness of the Clark house there are often highlights that are worth mentioning. So today we'll start with.......Rocci's birthday.

Birthdays at our house usually begin just when you roll over ignoring the alarm clock. Before you want it to be morning, someone will jump in and remind you to start being a perfect parent. So with that in mind I didn't even bother to get up to give out the morning gifts. Lego for my boys is like cake to a fatty. I also found him a beautiful new fluffy dog, seeing as though this could very well be the last time he will actually enjoy a soft toy. A new tennis racket after breakfast and we left for the tennis courts to learn how to hit. He was a natural...whacking the ball right out of the nets. We think baseball might be a better sport for our strong little man. Rocci's favourite place to eat is Sizzler so we took a few friends and Nanni and Pa for a big feed. This is the first time he hasn't vomitted while dining there, but he did spend about half the time in the toilet. Big boys need lots of food......just not thaaaat much. After school on his actual birthdate we had all the kids in the street come over for ice cream cake and lemonade. This was lovely and they all played dress ups and totem tennis. At school Rocci had to run his first cross country. Not one to ever be beaten he raced like a true champ and came in 4th out of the 4 prep classes. He was sick in the morning with worry about the race because some boys had been bragging about how fast they are, so he thought he was going to be last. Little did he realise that they were all talk. He raced well had even showed team spirit by picking up the fallers and trippers. It was such joy to see him racing with a big smile on his face.....and in the front of the pack. Happy birthday Rocci!

Best Cubby in the world!

2009-07-12T01:06:00.001-07:00

We had a fabulous holiday break which, was made all the more special by a delivery of bedroom furniture! I love my new stuff and we are so excited to have drawers for the first time in our 16 year marriage, that we barely know how to arrange things. Rob has a massive tall boy that you can't see here and I get the dresser drawers. We both have spare drawers and things that don't belong in drawers. And those ones next to the bed.......empty! It's a good reason to go buy more clothes.

A bonus for the boys were the boxes the furniture came in. Best cubby in the world was created. It's not much from the outside but it sure is cosy inside.

Murals on the inside of the giant bedrooms.

Pop up bits so you can stand up from the inside. Includes separate bedrooms, lounge, playroom.

Massive entry way with impressive facade. Prone to floating away in the rain.

Sad to see this fabulous cubby go. Last day tomorrow - school starts back.

End of term!

2009-06-22T01:30:00.001-07:00

The boys and I are off to a great start to our 3 week holiday from school. We like to celebrate the end of term with a special trip out for afternoon tea together. It was very relaxing and we had no where else to rush off to. This is a fabulous tradition for us and the boys always enjoy it.

Rocci copies his brother - lamington and hot chocolate. Robbie tries out a new tim-tam hot chocolate! And says "This won't affect me at all!" Even Rocci sees a new Robbie emerging - HEEEELP!Some kids just can't hold their Chocolate.

COUSINEY WEEKEND!

2009-06-07T18:17:00.001-07:00

We have had a lovely long weekend with plenty of visitors from both sides of the family. Ken and Bobbie and the girls visited over night in what was the girls first sleepover. We really loved having them over and only wish we took more photos. We didn't get up to much, but stayed up as late as we could to squeeze all the time in that we could manage. I sure enjoyed getting up early to feed the girls breakfast, not something I normally do, but they were so nice and well mannered and full of conversation. It is remarkably different with a house full of girls and not boys, it was almost relaxing. This is Miss G eating breakfast with Robbies mouse - very cute.

Right after the girls left, our other family turned up with their 2 boys. They are gorgeous too, but completely different, its all go, go go, next, next, next! I ended up running to chase scooter-cousin for a kilometre or so, which finally ended my exercise drought. Scooter-cousin has great centre of gravity but watching him perch on this rock had me very very scared. There is only rocks and water below, and I found myself unnaturally nervous and running through first aid procedures in my mind. Should I climb down after him, would I take my shirt off to tend his wounds??

On a safer ledge the others sat watching, surfers, boats, birds, fishermen and each other, in a "What a lovely day" moment of AHHH!

We also had little time to sit and take in the fresh air.

EMBARRASED?? NOT ME!!

2009-05-26T02:02:00.001-07:00

After enjoying mums party we left to check in to our cheap hotel room in the city. To our surprise there was a problem with the room (water damage) and we were given alternate accomodation. Knowing the sub-standard of the booked room, we worried that we may be in an even worse room that maybe didn't even have 4 beds. But luck strikes the Clarks! We were re-routed to a very fancy suite, one street from the mall with 2 large bedrooms, kitchen, laundry - well lets just say it was a sky home! It was so magnificent and 40 floors up with windows all around made it very impressive. (Our littlest one wouldn't even look out the window, let alone walk over to it, it was that high.) What a delight for us to get the royal treatment, the room was soooo bright all the photos got shadowed, but take it from me, after a meal (or more) at the pancake manor, a room just 40 floors up is a great luxury.

After our magnificent sleep in at our house in the clouds we felt a little richer and decided to treat ourselves to an buffet breakfast at the Sofitel - known for great breakies. It was fabulous and we enjoyed our walk through town to get there - when I say walk - I mean chasing Rocci through the streets. He was full of hearty pancake from the night before and was keen to get moving. Of course a good run is followed by some stretching...... A few dozen push ups.......... And a hundred or more sit ups. If I had known he was going to have one of those energetic, "I'm never going to stop, work out till I drop" sort of days, I would have just gone to MacDonalds where weird and wild children abound. You havn't lived until you overhear your 5yr old child giving work out tips to a waiter in a first class 5 star hotel restaurant. Embarrassed????? No, we were mostly just puzzled.

Relative Overload!

2009-05-17T01:06:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend we had a fabulous opportunity to catch up with family and old family friends. Happy 60th Birthday mum. Thanks for having a party. Great music, great food, great day! I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with my cousin and getting to know new baby Claire. I think it was also fabulous for all of the little cousins to catch up and get to know each other better also. Sadly I only took one photo of the whole event but I look forward to sharing more when they are shared around. It was great to see Uncle John all the way from the Maldives and Uncle Sam all the way from Melbourne.

Remember me?

2009-05-02T01:14:00.000-07:00

I took the time on Friday to call my hairdresser and tell him of my displeasure after my last visit (see earlier blog). I have never complained before about a bad cut or colour, because in perspective to life itself, my hair is relatively unimportant, but thought long and hard about how to approach it. To my delight he invited me to come in immediately and have my hair fixed to a colour I like better. And "voila" I feel vibrant, creative and I look like I'm actually in full colour for a change. Much better! Not that this is the only thing that happened this week, but, it is the most obvious and I love it!

It's still a tradition!

2009-04-28T04:28:00.001-07:00

In a previous post I commented on how excited I was that our family had finally found a tradition. We have bacon and eggs every Sunday morning and we have been doing this for over 8 weeks now. So much so, that we wouldn't just stop now, the boys would never let us. We will however, need to adjust our frequency of going out for our weekly fix though.

We have been on a Sunday mission to find the best cafe breakfast on the coast. We think we found it, they have the best hash browns (for Robbie), they will do a boiled egg (for Rocci) (not everyone will), I can get a savoury corn pancake that is not too big, and Robs plate is packed with a big variety. This week we took UNO to play and Rocci won a very long game that took the whole pack and a half to do. Then he repeated his win - good job Roc.

Rocci shows off his final UNO card while we wait for our meals. It was such a beautiful morning, the beach was packed so we waited a loooong UNO time. But after we ate we were very very full.... we need a homeless person to come and finish off the meals.

Bad Hair day!

2009-04-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

We stayed with mum and dad during the week which was lovely and very relaxing. I came home feeling refreshed and finally headed off to my usual hairdresser to have the overdue regrowth coloured. You know, if your mum says - "Gee, your hair's really gray!" - then it's time to nip off to the hairdresser quick as a flash before anyone else notices.

I have been seeing the same guy for years and years and noticed some problems with the colour selection when I saw the hair colour in the bowl, but he said I had no cause for alarm this is the same colour I always have! Again, I noticed it looking different as it was being applied to my grays and was told not to worry, it is the same colour as usual. Two hours later when it was was washed off I mentioned that it was very dark, and he said - don't worry, its the same colour, it just needs to be dried. Well, then he dried and what do you know it still looked black and I got the same familiar speech, it the usual colour, but apparently, but my hair has built up colour over time and miraculously took differently this time and has gone dark. So perhaps next time I come in we can strip some colour out. I don't know - I'm perhaps not an expert on my hair, but does it look the same as usual to you????

Please also note that I am also sporting a mullet cut to which he said - my hair was just in shock - and needed a day or two to settle down. Apparently, I'm the only person who doesn't think everything is looking normal. Please tell me I don't always look like this!!!!

On a different note, the science centre was fun, until Rocci fell over.......hurt his knee....... and screamed for hours........... and made me carry him......... and demanded an ambulance........no more of that story, surely you get the drift! Lets just say, it wasn't pleasant. One good photo! At Grandmas house Robbie was taught how to make his favourite cookie the ANZAC bickie. These were delicious and he will try them at home again once we get through the batch of 100 or so. Clearly we don't have seven children and this recipe should be more than halved in future. Thanks Grandma, if there's a pandemic this week we should be right for at least 3 months (he he he). Grandma made special icecream sundaes with Rocci and these were ridiculously good and should never be eaten again due to heart health guidlines. Next time I'll ask for mine to be delivered directly to my thighs! Thanks mum and dad, we enjoyed our stay.

Easter Makings!

2009-04-10T01:23:00.001-07:00

We made these cute little Facewasher Bunnies for our visit with the cousins on Sunday. Very cute and each with their own little cotton tail.

The boys spend time building wooden war planes and painting them - without my help.

Rocci and I make some Easter decorations with painted alfoil eggs, hung up with string in front of the doors. We made so many (can you see the big silver pile) we glued them back to back and we also made egg necklaces out of them. We also made some mini strawberry cup cakes with hot chocolates. mMmMmMm.. It's been fun preparing for Easter. To view any ideas in full please refer to the craft queen web site this girl loves to talk! Everything I know, comes from here. Thanks Bobbie.

Birthday Girl!

2009-03-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

My gorgeous gorgeous friend Kylie (Lets call her my 'Best-Friend' - due to the fact that my real BFF doesn't read my blog), came over the other day with a beautiful surprise. She had made me a butterfly birthday cake and came bearing birthday gifts. It was so nice to just sit and chat with her while our children happily played together. It's sad to acknowledge that due to a lack of time we both couldn't arrange to meet closer to February where my birthday really is, but it's great that she remembered so long after. Thank you so much Kylie for the gifts and chocolates and cake, I really felt special. And for someone who doesn't cry very often, this came close to a welling in the eyes. No lip quiver, but definitely a warm and fuzzy moment for the girl who sings the "What about me" song a little too often.

George Michael???

2009-03-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

Do you recognise the era? Do you recognise the boy??

Yes! It is Robbie, getting down to some WHAM with George Michael and some memorable eighties classics like "Wake me up before you GO GO!" and "Careless Whisper!"

Robbies high school had its first themed disco held at the school. It was a fluoro and 80's theme and I had no trouble making this outfit for him. He looked great and the hair worked well, but..........he was the only boy who dressed up! Good one mum! To Robbies credit though, I'm the only one who has been cringing at the thought of him walking in to a room of big kids looking like this, he couldn't care less. He even entered a 'dance-off' where he was the only boy and won a movie pass for his "Girly Hip-Hop" routine, everyone loved his new image and he didn't care if they didn't anyway. He won his award around the same time that my phone kept going off with texts from teachers saying they now know exactly who Robbie Clark is! Oh dear, I wonder how un-co he was?

Guitar Overload!

2009-03-21T13:46:00.001-07:00

I'm sure there is no need for a full editorial description of yesterday's events. But I'll give a little to set up the scene of this lovely pictorial - Rob went surfing in the morning and came home with a little gift for our boys. What a delightful memory I will keep after seeing Rocci strum a full volume 'tune' (I think I will call it that) on his Electric guitar. Seeing his face light up in a way that I've only ever seen once before - when he first set eyes upon the giant sizzler buffet. Large amounts of food and very loud distorted sound are clearly the way to this little mans heart.

THANKS DAD. XXXXXXXXXXXX

SICK??????

2009-03-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

I had to leave work and cancel students last Thursday and race off to the GP with Rocci as he was particularly unwell at school. He has had mouth ulcers and fevers and malaise and headaches and persistent cold and flu symptoms but this day he had been unable to eat the day before or even at breakfast. I dropped him at school anyway, but it didn't last and I took my little sicky out at around morning tea time.

Poor little Rocci - sooo sick!

But after a little bit of a nap and some TLC from mum, and Digger the class bear - a March miracle

He was looking brighter than ever. Leaving me to question my ability to diagnose a sick child.

He changed Diggers clothes.

We had an inside Teddy Bears Picnic!

With Yummy waffle fingers and cups of tea!

He looked so chirpy we got to and sorted his toys - again! Apparently Digger made a mess!

Everything looks great! Including my poor sick Rocci. Perhaps next time he is sick I will get a second oppinion. But check out the first shot, this was only hours earlier.

12 photos for 12 years

2009-03-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

Most impressed by my sister in-laws '8 photos-8years' blog story, I had to copy it. The idea is to have 1 photo of your child for each year of life. I loved looking at the photos of my niece, especially since we don't see them all that often, so I decided to do the same for my 12 year old birthday boy. Robbie had a birthday last week and we had his big party on Sunday, a rather tiring and culinary indulgent party, but best of all - a fun one.

So here is a running photo diary of my delightful biggest boy. He always was and still is, a softly spoken all round nice guy. He enjoys Tennis, Surfing, Science and Maths and loves to read and read and read. He loves to learn new things and has always had a strong desire to be an Astronaut. We love having a child who wants to discuss odd scientific facts - and one who can answer my stupid naive questions, for example: If a baby frog is called a tadpole, is a baby toad called a toadpole? Would you believe he patiently explained the whole metamorphosis theory. So here is my photo tribute to our first born - using 12 photos........(NOT!)

1 day old. Robert Clark IV with Robert Clarks' I, II, III

Nearly one and nearly too fat for clothes.

Two years old and waiting for Santa for the first time.

Three years with mum and too shy to take photos.

Getting better at nearly Four and opening up by performing on stage with fellow dancers.

Fourth Birthday Party

This five year old just loooooves pre-school!

Six years old and starting big school off with a turtle impersonation!

Seven years old with a new baby brother. Bathtime Everyone!

Eight years old and finding his brother full of fun and goo!

Nine years old and competing in the athletics carnival.

Ten years old and he's learning so much his brains just might pop right out!

Ten years and we notice a new extra personality emerging!

Ten years old at Dreamworld! Rude gestures now too!!!

And along comes gun wielding professionalism!

Eleven year old logic and eleven year old sense of humour - love it!

Happy eleventh birthday dude!

Sick of the same old school uniform everyday - this new high school kid decides he's had enough of school rules. He didn't make it past the front door though!

Giant lamington birthday cake for my 12 year old lamington lover!

Special 12 year old dinner with the family! Too much love can't kill you......I hope!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PROFESSOR!

I had a moment! A blissful moment!

2009-03-01T00:40:00.000-08:00

This week my heart captured a rare moment of "This is what I always wanted"! I always saw myself as the sort of parent that constantly played music and had the whole family singing around the piano after dinner. The sort of mother that sings to her children at bed time and shares her musical skill in relaxed informal lessons. Alas, I think this family exists in a 1950's family sitcom and not in real life. Well, not mine anyway. But this week I had a moment of clarity that shone brighter than any other family music moment.

Making music - The Robbies!

Robbie was walking around the house practicing his guitar (he's having lessons this year) and Rob came out of his room playing his guitar, and they met in the halway - and 'JAMMED'. Then they sat down and played a whole song together, no talking, just musical communication. Can you believe it, they were actually jamming with tongues out and heads bobbing. And they sounded fabulous (if only there was a singer in the family! ha ha). The moment completely took my breath away and I had to capture it on film. It's what I always dreamed about.

Finally.........A Tradition!

2009-02-14T00:08:00.000-08:00

We are not a family of tradition at all, but my sister in law (Hi B) is always creating opportunities for traditions at home. It has forced me to think a little broader than our regular unconventional traditions like when I yell "hurry up" every morning before school. I've had to think broader than the daily tradition of brushing your teeth. And certainly further removed from one of our favorite little traditional sayings of "Don't shoot at your mother with a machine gun." No, we have actually done some thing enough times now for it to actually be a THING!

We have been enjoying a hot breakfast every Sunday morning. Bacon, Eggs, Hash Browns, Pancakes, sweet bakery treats and more. Infact we have even been experimenting with hash brown recipes instead of store bought ones. We love to fill the table up with fine foods and gorge ourselves silly, and discuss the weeks adventures. 'Voila' - we finally have a tradition. Even if a big Sunday breakfast seems a bit old, we have never done it. It's our tradition and I hope it continues into a time when the boys bring their children over for a big Sunday breakfast. Robbie seems to think it will be a bit tricky when he's out in space to make it back every week, but if someone can't make it, we'll talk about them behind their back instead. ha ha ha! I thought next week we might take advantage of a park nearby and take the guitars and do a big cook up/sing a long. Yippee, cant wait

Rocci loves setting the table for the feast.

Dress up day!

2009-01-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

Robbie is away at the moment at his first high school camp and dealing with new girl friend stuff and embracing a new media era of being allowed to watch some M rated movies. In what seemed like an eternity at the time, 12 years has suddenly become a very small and fast period of time. We have welcomed the new big boy times ahead with career choices and car savings, sex education and so on. So I was completely caught off guard when he showed up at my study door dressed up for a battle. Dress ups are not a unique pass-time for any child and every parent loves to see their child playing make believe, but I saw this as perhaps being the last time I see him make believe in this way. I watched him balance on top of our front gate (rendered brick wall) guarding our home from attacking aliens, shooting at the enemy with a variety of weapons and protecting himself with invisible shields. I enjoyed having the opportunity of seeing it this one last time. While he is blissfully unaware that his life is moving into a more young adult realm, I can't help but reminisce about all the time he spent dressed this way

Broken Boy!

2009-01-26T00:30:00.001-08:00

A trip to the Hospital!

Getting looked after by the nice lady on the ride to the hospital.

How did this happen?

Just as I was getting ready for a busy term to begin, I called a few friends looking for something to do. But alas, no need, something found me. We have a new trampoline that the boys love using and they are very good at abiding by the few rules of jumping. One of them being that the zipper on the very padded safety net remains zipped up when you are on it. Both boys were jumping and tumbling and Robbie decided to get off, but he didn't close the zipper. Rocci bounded over to do it himself but misjudged his boing and bounced right out of the little opening flap. All that padding up and around the tramp was not enough to save the leaping lad and he landed with a splat and a crack on the grass below. This in itself isn't very unusual - as he often does funny things and hurts himself, but this time was quite clearly a bit different. After assessing the damage with the help of our on call GrambulanPa, we decided to call the real Ambulance.

Little legs - big bed!

Robbie enjoys the ride from the front. No sirens though!

Baby Central!

2009-01-21T14:32:00.001-08:00

On Monday I had the boys looked after and travelled to Brisbane to help welcome the imminent arrival of a new baby to our extended family. Di and Dave are expecting a baby to pop out any minute and it is with excited anticipation that I attended the Baby Shower. A little up market affair was very enjoyable with loads of baby talk and plenty of chamagne with too much dessert food. Strangely I came away feeling quite hungry. I must have talked up an appetite. I had the pleasure of sitting with my sister Sarah and enjoy uninterupted conversation. It was a delightful morning and I was happy to be included. Both Sarah and I returned to our cars with parking fines but we decided it was worth it. Thanks Di.

Sarah and Karyn - enjoying a chat.

The little Drummer boy!

2009-01-19T01:18:00.000-08:00

We were recently at our cousins house for afternoon tea and the boys enjoyed playing and sharing all their new Christmas toys. We were going to buy Rocci a drum set for Christmas but decided he could wait until his birthday instead. So, boy was he excited when he found out Lachlan got a whole big boy drum kit from Santa. We had a beautiful visit and seeing cousins is always fun, but this was extra special, thanks Sarah for having us over and enjoying the racket they made. Lachlan is already a fine little drummer boy and produces a good even rhythm with budding tonality. He concentrates and practices all the time, I'm sure his dedication will pay off in time. Just look at Tommy Lee, Lachlan just needs a few tatoos and a blonde girl friend and he'll be ready to rake in the big bucks.

Rocci channels 'Animal' - from the Muppets.

We love Lachlans face here, you can almost hear him cackling.

Trip to Bris!

2009-01-14T18:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas Mum and Dad!

Finally we had the opportunity to visit mum and dad for Christmas. After a hectic end of school year and moving house we have now made the journey to Brisbane (Albeit sans Rob). We enjoyed a beautiful Christmas-like meal at mum and dads house where we ate like piggys and had too much lemonade. Thanks mum and dad it was delicious. We rushed off though without helping with the dishes (sorry mum) to watch dad rehearsing with his band the Jazzy Chats. It was fun to see Dad in his element, and it was good and loud for you know who! Sadly, after 9pm Robbie heads off to nigh nigh where ever he is, just as Rocci hits his peak volume. The band made the perfect 'roc-muffler'.

We stayed overnight and in the morning Rocci got to walk Daisy all on his own. Even though she didn't want a walk or need a walk, to walk a dog is what Rocci has wanted his whole life (so he says) and he savored every tired old dog step. Do you think Daisy loves me? Do you think Daisy wants to come home with us? Do you think Daisy should find a boyfriend? Do you think Daisy loves me more than she loves Robbie? Do you think that man coming up the path wants to steal Daisy? Do you think Daisy will live forever?? Yes....this was a little christmas dream fulfilled. I just hope it was enough to satisfy his need to actually own one.

Young and in Puppy-Love!

2009-01-11T17:17:00.000-08:00

This is the face of a very happy boy with a call from his girlfriend. I took this photo by bursting into his room just after his phone rang and aimed the camera randomly, hoping for the best, and I'm lucky to even have got the shot as he practically picked up the whole bookcase and threw it at me for violating his privacy. I was just as excited as he was to get the call after she had returned from holidays away. It is such a lovely and innocent friendship and they are one of the only couples in year six who actually speak to each other. If you can recall, back in the day, in year 6 your friends set you up with someone you've said you like and then they ask them out for you and then you never speak to your friends or the person you liked for days. Well that's how this happened, only they DO speak. Robbie thanked his friends for the set up and proceeded upon a lovely friendship that seems to have out-lasted the holidays. He hasn't been able to bring himself to ask her out to the movies yet, but they did finally understand the value of having phone credit, moving their relationship to email (which is easier for me to monitor). Best not to mention this post to Robbie, as he may die of embarrassment that everyone knows his biz, but it was too cute for me to leave it out. Must go, he needs to check his email!!!!!

Holiday fun!

2009-01-09T00:43:00.001-08:00

How ridiculous is this helmet???? I felt like such an idiot riding along with this on my head. I will be ordering a pink bike with streamers and matching helmet for my birthday. No more circumsized black guy head for me thanks.

After a big 5km run up to the point I had trouble cooling down because it was such a hot day, so I stripped off and dived in. (this is the 'blurred out rude bits' version) You can see I was red all over from running. Sorry Ken, at least it's not the one of me diving in. Robbie has been busy making lego. The boys enjoying their automatic turning ice-cream cones. Boys absolutely exhausted after a big day in the sun. We had guests over for dinner so we turned on a movie for them. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we didn't realise we hadn't put the boys to bed until about midnight, when we found them in the lounge. Today officially marks the last day of Robs holiday, with him returning to work on Monday. We enjoyed it by having a little gathering with a few friends and about 15 kids. It was lots of fun and the house could do with a good mopping now. It's a bit sad his holiday is over, but we have enjoyed his company immensely, dads are soooo fun.

Trip To Noosa!

2009-01-05T02:27:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure today of taking a day trip with a funky young friend. Some of you may have met Emma who has been one of my fabulous long term students who left for Sydney to study musical theatre at the Australian Institute of Music. I miss her dearly, but love that she has maintained her passion for music and is pursuing it further. Today we drove to Noosa for the day, to catch up. We enjoyed shopping, coffee, lingerie stores, coffee, and a cocktail or two. It was boiling hot but with all the things I like to do in one place with such a lovely young lady, it made for a rewarding mini-break within a break. Thanks Em. XX

Christmas Surprises!

2008-12-27T01:39:00.001-08:00

My pictures download backwards, if you know the reason for this please let me know. So here is a run down of our very fun Christmas Day....Backwards.....

Robs family came over to our house for Boxing day and helped us assemble our new trampoline. We enjoyed a big meal and had heaps of fun with our little gang of boy cousins. We laaaaahhve this trampoline and the boys jump off the tramp and into the pool and back again. No other gifts compare.

At lunch at Robs parents house with all the boy cousins. Karyn gives out Christmas sample bags, these are a hit. Robbie surprises us by loving a new green dress! Yes, I said dress! He wore it all day and looked every bit the beautiful little girl, including necklace and headband. The whole family enjoyed the joke and he quite liked the attention and laughs it created. It did however, confuse poor old Uncle Davie (who has Downs Syndrome) and had no idea who Robbie was when he kissed him hello. When we told him it was Robbie dressed up as a girl he shot back "ooooh, I'll just call him Klinger then!" That guy from *M*A*S*H* that dresses up like a girl to get out of the army. A close up of our handsome young man. Or as Rocci puts it the She-man. Robbie had been talking about getting a dress for months and we are so glad he was brave enough to follow his little hearts desire all the way to the In-Laws house. Rocci enjoys putting his lego together. This one has lots of men in it, a big plus for any lego ship builder of this age. A new home excersize machine that will enhance the rest of Robs gym work. He Loved this! And his new electric razor. The old one he got when he was 21 yrs old finally gave up. Now he'll look extra buff and clean shaven. Robbie gets his own mobile telephone, with all the bells and whistles, this is the best for calling your girl friend. She was the first person he called on Christmas day, I'll bet he doesn't tell her about the dress though. Rocci's favourite thing for christmas is a dress up. He got this one and a batman suit. Here he shows off the gun and his mobile phone, his is muuuuch cheaper than Robbies. The boys open their stockings on Christmas morning and love their novelty gifts. A big favourite is the automatic rotating ice cream cone, you just stick your tongue out the the cone turns around all on its own. The stockings were full of such great things that they didn't even ask to open the big presents until 9 O'Clock.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

2008-12-17T00:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to my favourite brother! I think it is well known in our family that David is my personal favourite sibling (and lets face it, everyone's got a favourite). And going by this picture, I always thought so too. He is happy, easy going, stress free, eager to please people, easy to talk to and more importantly.....easy to love. I couldn't let the day go by without wishing him a very happy birthday and express once again my excitement that he is bringing a new little mini-Dave to the family. This miracle child is my tip to be the cutest Comber yet. Look at that face, any replica of this would do me just fine. Albeit a little chinesey, this cute little grin continues even in his old age. Happy birthday Brother. Lots of love from big sister X X X X X X X X X and hundreds more.

GRADUATION!

2008-12-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

Grade 12 is not the only year you can graduate it seems. With the introduction of prep, infant school, junior school, middle school, senior school, the ceremonies for moving onto the next grade include a big evening graduation. So this year, I not only had to provide the school with numerous musical items for presentation at each graduation, but I had to attend a full week of "Special" evenings. (I used up all my best outfits, my best songs and ran out of patience by the end of the week.)

Robbie graduated this year from grade 6 and is moving on to middle school.

He also sung at his own graduation with my little group of Grade 6ers. They did a great job. I was very proud of his solo part, but because I was conducting I couldn't have a proper mummy moment.

(Tried to download video here. Sorry it didn't work)

Also graduating this year is Rocci from Pre-prep into Prep. He sang with his class and was presented with his certificate. It was such a hot day the kids didn't seem to enjoy it very much. But boy are we ready for 'Big School'. (Pictures are at the start of this page.) But please, no more graduations.

BIG END OF YEAR CONCERT!

2008-12-02T01:30:00.000-08:00

Presentation of flowers at the end. Big show finish Building to a crescendo

Keeley showing up a fabulous jazz number Robbie fitting in beautifully with the sopranos and loving it Rocci handed out programs and showed people to their seats. Then beautifully ran up and down the aisle throughout the show, pulling the seats up and down, expressing his boredom and testing the students focus. (Mental note: Every year is another year older!) My students performed last weekend at my big end of year concert to an enthusiastic audience of parents and friends. Everyone did sooooo well, with some students even managing to bring extremely high performance techniques that showed a conquering of nerves. They showed massive amounts of encouragement to their fellow performers, even giving standing ovations.

We started the show with a mini musical showcasing excepts from 'Godspell' along with bible readings. Robbie was the narrator for the show and spoke clearly, with good volume and from memory. He didn't look nervous at all.

Our concert included presentation of certificates to all students who took vocal and piano exams this year. All of my students received Honors results and were extremely excited by the presentation. There is always an award for the highest achiever in the exams out of all my students and this year I had a child awarded with 'First Class Honors'. A very rare award for outstanding results. She got 98/100. Good girl.

The concert ended with a big group number that blew the roof off with volume and choreography, harmony and rounds. Boy was the new music director impressed. He even felt compelled to thank me and say gushing words of gratitude (which made me fake smile and hold back puke.) but this was over shadowed by a beautiful presentation of flowers, giant card, gift vouchers and a big box of more gifts, and a lovely speech by two of my little stars. Their generosity was such a surprise and their kind words I wish cherish forever. What a great job I have that these little ones feel so compelled to show their appreciation so articulately. It makes me want to teach them forever.

A TASTE OF WHAT'S TO COME

2008-11-19T23:13:00.000-08:00

What makes a big boy sleep like this?

Robbie has been enjoying the surf this summer already, not needing Dad to help him or even take him. He and I woke up early last weekend and braved the morning heat (35 degrees at 8:45am) to have a quick surf. The waves weren't huge but the enjoyment certainly was. With actual surfing lessons through school and an in-built genetic 'surf love' he was smiling every second. I can't wait to see him on Robs old and enormous surf board in the coming weeks.

WORK! WORK! WORK!

2008-11-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, instead we are amidst a lot of changes both at home and work. Last week the brand new school music department finally opened and I was able to move all my things into my new room. Conditions are much better, but it is a tiny, tiny space with no windows (for sound quality). Thankfully my room is closest to the main door so I can get some fresh air into the room between students. I am thrilled to have my own air conditioning thermostat (set to my temperature) A piano of my very own and a huge white board. Now all I need is a lockable cupboard to store all my things. There are about 8 other rooms like this one, all full of music teachers and eager students and at the end of the corridor is a kitchen and seating area. It's great to be in the new building.

I have been preparing the students for exams and this Saturday is a full day of examinations and most importantly a full day of accompanying students on the piano. Eeek, must go and practice.

DREAMWORLD!

2008-10-02T15:12:00.001-07:00

Rocci - getting used to life in jail. Robbie - doing his best to be evil and agro. Rocci - on a ride all by himself. Robbie - strongest man in the world. Yesterday the boys and I went to Dreamworld and we took cousin Kody who is the same age as Robbie. School holidays are the perfect time to go for us, but, it is also the best time for the rest of Australia. And believe me, everyone was there. Theme parks for adults are confusing places, do we feel joy or pain? I was littered with all sorts of emotions during the day, like, Confusion about the map - Exhaustion from standing - Hunger (junk food city) - Dehydration (very hot day) - Dizziness (having to go on every ride with Rocci) - Boredom (standing in lines) and just plain old muscle pain from carrying food and water all day. We waited in lines for hours and hours, it was very hot and I recommend that in future all stinky people should go to the water park instead. The great part was that Robbie is old enough to walk around on his own (with his cousin), so I only had to be with Rocci. My lovely boys kept checking to see that I was 'having fun' and I did my best to pretend it was the best day ever. The truth is, on the trip home we stopped in at IKEA and had a nice healthy, clean meal, a cup of tea, and a bit of shopping. That was the best part of the whole day. But if the boys ask, the best bit was when Rocci went on the last ride of the day all on his own and I got to watch his excitement, he went on it 3 times and screamed with delight till he was hoarse. Everyone like to hear screams of delight. But, please let that be the end of rides forever for me.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

2008-09-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

Rob and I have been married for 16 years from 19/9/1992. I have almost spent 1/2 my life with Rob and 1/2 with the Comber family. This is an exciting milestone and our relationship is clearly in it's teens and I suppose the only thing we haven't been through together is a divorce. We are very happy and still dating and still madly in love. He doesn't complete me and he is not my other half, (as we are individual people) but we are a great match. I love him dearly and we are looking forward to spending some alone time together next week in Melbourne.

Doing The Dishes!

2008-09-03T22:44:00.001-07:00

Do you grow up faster when you're in a big family? Do you become more independent because your parents aren't available for every little thing? My husband doesn't believe me when I tell him I made my own sandwiches for kindy, and he thinks the stories of being able to slice bread in grade 1 are exaggerations. But when you look at our family albums, you will find photos of kids washing and drying dishes before they could reach the bench. Kids painting houses before they were in high school. Kids mowing lawns, cleaning toilets, making dinners, baking desserts, in fact the only thing we didn't do, was clean our own rooms properly.

So I made the executive decision yesterday that my children should be learning to be independent too. And boy, was Robbie thrown off guard when I said he would be doing the dishes......All of them. He thought it was a joke at first, and he also thought I should help. I did my best to have a long shower, with hair treatment and shaving ritual, also took the time to moisturise before I came out to see the damage.

What a delightful surprise to see him doing a wonderful job, washing, scubbing and rinsing! Albeit with a giant crockery construction, but, whatever it takes to get the job done. I was impressed. An 11 year old doing the dishes....what an achievement!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

2008-08-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Rocci and his 'wife' Abbi. She gets pride of place next to him at school too. Party food yeah! The kids get to serve themselves. Disco. Loud music, Lights off, Bubble and smoke machine.....Very cool. PARTY TIME! Rocci turned 5 this week, bringing back memories of a 6 week early, extrememely painful labour, that just about ended my life. He finally peered his little head into the world in perfect health, to be greeted by his adoring father (while his mother quietly bled to death) who held him as he looked around. During his time in hospital he admired everything, and spent little time sleeping. He sat on the counter of the nurses station looking around and being very cute, and seemingly helping them them work. He never complained, but took the time to look at every face carefully. Five years on, nothing has changed, he is a social little bunny with time for everyone, and he is a great helper. And just as he was premature, he has covered every mile-stone before I was ready. He is a loud surprise package with a massive personality that makes an impact on people very quickly. We celebrated this beautiful baby with a party at Maze Mania and his friends from school.

Master Mum!

2008-08-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

I have been off school with a bad case of tonsilitis. I can't talk, can't swallow, can't move my head, can't eat and consequently, I won't cook. So that leaves the kids to fend for themselves, I can't even give instructions to Rocci as he doesn't quite understand my basic sign language, so I write things down for Robbie so he can translate for me. Rocci thinks he's old enough to do everything, so when he said he would chop up the vegies, I just let him go. Note the bandaid! What's a caserole without a little blood in it! The casserole didn't work out too nice, it had an overpowering taste of carrots and beans - apparently. As this is all I was going to allow him to chop. Perhaps next time I should introduce him to other vegies.

A picture tell a thousand words!

2008-08-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

When Rob goes away he sends home little packages for the boys, they get so excited. Unfortunately I couldn't contain my laughter at the dissapointment when all Rocci got this time was a shirt. "He should know that this is not what I would want" he cried, before calling Rob in Adelaide to impolitely refuse to accept the gift. He won't wear it, even if Kung Fu Panda is cool! The difference in the their two faces is priceless.

SOMETHING IS MISSING!

2008-08-12T03:05:00.000-07:00

CAN YOU SPOT THE CHANGE?

Once again one of my children is the first one in their pre-school class to lose a tooth. We are Gold Medal winning tooth losers up here. I hope the tooth fairy remembers to come. Rocci drinks water in the night and he always puts a glass of water by his bed. He hopes he doesn't drink it.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2008-08-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Here I am well over dressed for the Sunshine Coast Junior Vocal Eisteddfod. I dress for my students performances the same way I would dress for any paying show, so that the students can see that I think that their performance is as big as they do. Keeping up the heels for a 12 hour day is particularly difficult, as is the pressure to have consecutive skinny days. I am having lots of fun watching my students and they are all doing so well, with lots of winners and lots of milestones.

THE HOUSE SOLD LAST WEEKEND! YEAH!!!

2008-07-29T03:17:00.000-07:00

SOLD - SOLD - SOLD - SOLD - SOLD SOLD - SOLD - SOLD - SOLD - SOLD

In the end after all the waiting and no viewings or potential prospects, we had two buyers battling it out for ownership on Saturday. We ended up getting more than what we were asking for with the added bonus of a quick settlement with the added option of renting the house back until December. This is perfect for us as I don't want to move until the Christmas holidays, so it has all worked out very well. Once again, luck strikes us again.

Movie World.

2008-07-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

We went to Movie world this holiday. Rocci's first roller coaster experience was a nightmare, likewise the little boat ride was a screaming crying nightmare and the dodgems........just don't go there! We found a few things we could do instead.

The up and down thing was waaaaaaaay better.

And the carousel was a real hoot....for me!

Donald and I tried 10 new positions before I was asked to get off.

Music Matters

2008-07-20T01:14:00.000-07:00

I'm hard at work at the moment organising students in the Sunshine Coast Vocal Eisteddfod. I have 63 individual entries and 5 duets, 3 trios and 2 vocal ensembles. I still have piano students and a few of them will be performing the very next week too. I am looking forward to seeing everyone participate and I wish all of my students well. Still two weeks to go, but we are well on the way to many winning performances. Good luck to my little ones.

When I grow up......

2008-07-07T02:35:00.000-07:00

This week saw Rocci's first dress up day at school and luckily his goal in life (this week) is to be an Army Man (I say lucky, because we had the approprate outfit). Excitingly we drove past 2 Army tanks on the way to school and he gave them a right royal salute, much like the salute pictured, which nearly sent the tank driver off the road. I'm sure he couldn't believe his eyes when this little GI wizzed by yelling and saluting in this outfit. Sadly though, this young private had to hold his wee in all day, because his Sargeant didn't show him how to undo the belt.

I'm here...barely!

2008-07-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Thank you for your interest in our little family happenings. At the moment I have not been blogging very much, but I really love it and like to write in positive things. Life just isn't always rosy 100% of the time and I would rather stick to my motto - "If you cant say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Or in this case "If you cant blog nicely then dont blog at all". So I won't bore you with details of our little dramas or stresses. I love you all and will write again soon.

YIPPEE! AN AMBULANCE

2008-06-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

My boys (being regular boys) find the presence of police, fire, rescue, ambulance and assorted noisy trucks very appealing to watch. They race by with the noisy sirens and lights and I've even been known to follow the odd fire truck in an attempt to keep their excitement piqued. Those days are over, I'm never doing that again!

Last night I had to go in an ambulance as I was taken to hospital with acute pain in the lower abdomen. I was writhing in bed (in agony) waiting for it to arrive to take me to the hospital. The boys thought of everything, turned outside lights on, unlocked AAALLL the doors, jumped around with excitement talking about whether it will come with the siren or the lights going. A 'Woo Hoo' was heard as I clutched a hot water bottle to my belly and held the phone in my hand receiving instructions not to eat or drink anything. But my boys didn't come in to me.

I could hear Rob coming into the room, just as I was beginning to feel at last like someone was interested in how I feel... But alas, only to pass by me on his way to the ensuite swearing something about not coming with me because his gastro bug was too intense. I felt myself almost singing the "What about me song" as I was being transported outside by the Ambos without any of my family by my side. Because the Ambulance took all of 10 minutes to arrive the boys got lost in a Scooby Doo cartoon, and Rob got lost in the loo business. "Do they even know I'm gone??" The answer was no!

I was reprieved by a friend who came in to stay with me at the hospital and the pain completely left as we waited for the doctor together, we sat there chatting like we were out to lunch. It was a great catch up, but, I don't normally pee into a cup mid-chat, but this I did do. So if anyone cares - it was mysterious, its gone, and I'm okay. But if you see the boys, they will tell you that an ambulance visited them.

SURPRISE PACKAGE!

2008-05-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

As a parent I am always on the look out for some advanced way ward gene that may have been passed on through the generations and onto my children. For example, when Robbie is excelling at computer games I attribute it directly to the hand eye co-ordination of our ancestorally deceased shooting champion. When Rocci break dances on my gym mat, I think of mums old tap dancing days. When they are checking out the stars at night, I know dad has something to do with it. But this week, something amazing happened, something from MEEE!

I have a lucky gene, I won my first raffle at a scout fair when I was 13 and I have won so many things since then, that I actually have a file in the cabinet for winning letters - and its full. This week for example, I bought four crossword scratchies and won on all of them to nearly $50. In Powerball on Thursday I picked up over $600. I won the main prize at a school thing last week, and without gloating, I win something about once a month. Needless to say, I am always falling over lucky things, and I even have a reputation for it.

Robbie got a parcel in the mail from 'The Courier Mail" and it could only have been a prize, I was so proud, and everyone was excited. We even waited for Rob to come home to open it.

A Parcel Has Arrived. What could it be? Everyone is over excited because he had entered an 'Inventors' competition. The excitement dulls slightly as he realises he has won a girls prize. From the movie 'Enchanted' he gets the DVD, a necklace, girl tattoos, pink magic 8 ball, and other trinkets. But he keeps searching the bag for something a little less girly. No luck there! The magic ball says he will never find a girlfriend.Regardless of the prize being girly we are all excited that we had a free movie for Movie Night. And even more excited about him having my lucky gene, until..... he finally realises that he never actually entered this comp. "It was you mum" he said degectedly "you're still the lucky one". It's true, I enter girl comps for the girl cousins in his name. Sorry Robbie, But it was fun to think that just maybe he had the lucky streak too.

HELP, I'M GYM JUNKIE

2008-05-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I took up running around the park which is down our hill, just for exercise, and I gradually built up the distance to a longer run every fortnight. Within 6 months I was running 5 kilometres, 3 times a week, but I began to rethink my exercise needs, as this was a bit boring. So to boost my routine I added a weekly weights training class which within a month or so, turned into 3-4 classes a week, plus the running. I seemed to be very on track. I progressively ran out of time (no pun there) to keep it all up as I began to work more. But I did keep up the classes and went regularly for 12 mnths. Now I basically don't know how to run because its been so long, but I have great biceps sticking out unnecessarily for no purpose at all other than to lift the weights during my classes. But..... this week my gym membership ran out. Help, I'm going to turn to mush. It's too cold/dark to run now and I don't know how long I will be in this town so I don't want to renew my membership. I thought about going up and down our hill a few times today in an attempt to keep fit, but got stuck talking to neighbours and having coffee and cake with them. I fear my next post will be from a big, fat wobbly, blob of saggy muscles. I don't know where to start without my gym. Any ideas. (Anyone who suggests 'walking' doesn't know me at all.)

MOMENTS OF AAAAHHHHH!

2008-05-21T02:38:00.000-07:00

Not Ahrrrrrr, but aaaahhhh! I had a lot of difficulty with Robbie as a baby because he cried a lot and needed a lot of nurturing time. After having many many sleepness nights, I started to count my days by how many peaceful moments I had and thus 'Moments of Aaahhh' was born. As Robbie grew and got easier to care for, these little moments turned into bigger moments, and by the time he was 18 months I no longer needed this mantra, it was all good.

Now that we have Rocci, these moments of Aaahhh are back, and I can honestly say sometimes my aaahhhs really sound more like aarrrrrs. But every now and then, I am reminded of how much I treasured my old aaahhhs. Just yesterday something incredible occured that made me take a big deep breathe and loudly let out the biggest sigh of.......you guessed it... AAAHHHH!

Anyone who is still in the throws of babies and children, will be able to appreciate this. Rocci was (how shall I say??) 'in a Business Meeting' in the toilet and normally yells loud enough to start an earthquake in China, saying he is 'FIIIINIIIISHED' and that can only mean one thing to any mother. Wet Wipes! But.....instead he yelled "I'M DOING IT MYSELF MUM", well, I didn't even check for left overs, I congratulated him on being a big boy, and breathed a giant sigh and smiled, chalking up another MOMENT OF well you know AAHHH. I'll never have to do THAT business again.

Hope you get some Aaahhhs today too.

BUY MY HOUSE!

2008-05-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

The view is different everyday The garden path around the side, perfect for adventuring children Look its a view from the study And a view from the lounge And even a view from down stairs. Hi everyone, I have had a request to put in a link for the sale of our house. You can view the sale details by clicking on this link www.realestate.com.au and enter house code: 104793648.

The real estate guys did say that I needed to tell as many people as possible, so please pass on the details to anyone you may know. The photos on the site are few but, I hope this encourages people to come up and view it. You could also direct your friends to this site to contact me and arrange a private viewing or private sale. And just for the heck of it here are some pics of our gorgeous view - this weeks philosophy is "the kitchen may date, but the view never will."

SELLING YOUR HOUSE, KID STYLE!

2008-05-17T02:56:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time to wash all the windows in the house for weekend house inspections so I sent the boys outside to play, turned up the music and blissfully kept to my job at hand. I knew the boys were playing down the hill, but I didn't realise what they were up to until I went down to see what had kept them so amused for an hour. They were writing all over the road in front of our house, listing our house features and writing neighbours names on the road with arrows pointing to their house. They also welcomed any aliens to view the house. This particular message clearly written for all interested buyers "Bey house No# 9 because its COOL". I thanked the boys for doing their part in selling our house and secretly pray for rain.

Chelsea is a Dancing Star

2008-05-15T03:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight, my student Chelsea placed 3rd in her song and dance section at the dance Eisteddfod. I am so pleased with how she sang, she worked hard during preparation and it showed on stage. Her first time singing and dancing and it seems all my students have caught the performing bug and want to do more of it. To have confident children performing strong contending routines in public and loving it - This is the best result ever.

Happy Mothers Day To All Mums

2008-05-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MUM!

I have had a lovely day today, woken up at the crack of dawn by a stereo chorus of Happy Mothers day. I put my feet out of the bed and straight into a new pair of slippers, changed into my new pyjamas (the ones in the photo) and then was given tea in my new gorgeous tea cup with bacon and eggs on toast on my new cake plate. It was just beautiful, and after Robbie took this photo of me I was reminded just what being a mum is all about: Sorting out "I had that first" and "stop pulling my hair" and more. By 9am I decided - Like every self respecting good old fashioned mum - to turn the tv on and have a strong cup of coffee. This was delightful!

Then I did the grocery shopping. Played a board game with Robbie. Scratched my scratchies and after a false win (read the letters wrong), we went off to Robs parents to cook a good old fashioned BBQ. While we were there I made some Mandarin cakes for afternoon tea. They were delicious. Now back at home after a bike ride and walk and bathed children eatingsome hearty vegemite toast, I'm about ready to crash for the night. It's fun to celebrate an ordinary day.

My Little Troupe

2008-05-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

PIC: GRACE KEELEY JACKSON ME

Congratulations to my three under 10yr students last night for their outstanding performances. They scored very highly amongst the more professional dancers and the singing was fabulous. The adjudicators report also was full of positive comments. Jackson especially, after recovering from a severe panic attack prior to performing ended up wanted to go again. They all loved it and thankfully it was a positive experience for them. Well done guys.

I'm A Dancing Star!

2008-05-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

As part of my company profile (singing teacher) I have decided to boost my image on the Sunshine Coast. Not because I need more students, but to show the ones I already have that I am involved in the local entertainment culture. So I donated money to the Sunshine Coast Dance Eisteddfod, its a big deal up here and runs for 2 weeks with dancers competing from the Gold coast up to Gympie. I always go and watch, but this year I organised four of my singing students to meet with a fabulous choreographer to learn song and dance routines and polish them to performance standard. They will be performing tonight. I'm very excited about it.

But as I donated money, my name is in the program about 12 times as the sponsor for the song and dance sections, Yippee, I'm famous. So here I am in the audience watching - with Rocci........bad idea by the way - and the announcer calls me up out of the audience to present the trophies. Holy Guacamole!! Where's my lipstick? What will I do with Rocci? There are bicky crumbs all over my shirt and Rocci wants to come on the stage with me. I tear out of our seats clutching, bottles of drink, chip bags and books with Roc trailing behind booming "I'm coming on with you, you're not going on without me" which entertained the audience. I come around to the side door all flushed with adrenalin and as I'm about to walk on stage I look at my child and see his scared face - He's afraid of the dark. He was taking a breath of panic when I just stopped in my tracks, I couldn't do it. He could shadow me infront of 900 people on the stage (we might get away with it as cute), but I couldn't make him walk the 10metres of darkness. We went home instead.

Needless, to say, later that day.......I very famously presented 8 different trophies to well deserving participants. Even if the famous bit is only in my mind.

Captain Robbie

2008-05-06T02:16:00.001-07:00

The biggest, most shocking news of the year was from Robbie last week, announcing that he has just been nominated and voted as Class Captain for his Grade 6 class. How can this possibly be? Sadly, my quizzically negative frame of mind responded to his announcement accordingly. I said things along the lines of "Don't be silly!" and "Stop kidding around!" and "You did not, stop lying!" I was thinking that I probably don't deserve mothers day this year. Until Rob came home and repeated my sentiment exactly. Poor Robbie! So! Here's where I make up for my disbelieving remarks.

Congratulations Robbie!

You deserve it! I am so excited to hear that your friends wanted you to be their leader. They understood your personality perfectly, and knew that you wanted the job, but wouldn't ever stand up and nominate yourself. I hope you enjoy your new role as Captain of Grade 6RS.

I have already heard Robbie give a speech confidently in front of parents at Culminating day and he is leading the class in many activities during camp this week. He is clearly enjoying this new responsibility, and will make a fabulous class ambassador. (Mothers day - here I come).

Not so Thrilled

2008-05-05T03:43:00.000-07:00

When purchasing new videos for my boys to watch, I suddenly remembered how awesome some of Michael Jackson's music was for me at a young age. And in my determination to keep them up to date with all varieties of music (I like classical for dinner) I uploaded 'Beat It', 'Billy Jean', and 'Thriller'. I thought perhaps to broaden their horizon even more, I would get the extended 10 minute movie clip that I never had growing up. I remember seeing parts of it at a friends' house and wished I could have it too. At age 11 I opted for the 'Thriller' tape instead of a Barbie Doll.

So I diligently uploaded it like a good little mother, put it on for them, and raced off for a 10 minute peaceful shower (I'll do whatever it takes to get one!!!), only to over hear lingering screams of horror and the boys totally shocked by what they were seeing. Keeping in mind we are a PG household, my boys were horrified and sickened by the violence of the video clip. Rob raced over to supervise them while I cringingly washed the shampoo out and trying my hardest to come up with anti-nightmare ideas.

It wasn't until I took this photo that I remembered why I never actually remembered seeing the entire clip all those years ago. I would have been too scared to watch it, and I probably looked a little like Rocci when I saw it too.

Ipod Issues

2008-04-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

We have an enormously loooong drive to school and back each day, and to help ease our traffic droll-dum-ness I bought an ipod. Its great! Now with the push of a button I can randomly choose a song for each of them while posing no danger to other drivers - like I used to do - searching for cds, changing cds, sorting out aguments about who's turn it is etc. Then even more recently, Robbie bought his own ipod (after saving for over a year), now there was near silence in the car while both boys wore their own ear plugs and listened to their own music. This was all very refreshing for about a week, Until I felt a bit left out. Suddenly I felt like the stinky foreign taxi driver that no one wants to speak to. A Pick them up, drop them off, See you later, sort of arrangement. So, to get a little attention my way, I put MUSIC VIDEOS onto my ipod (Robbie can't afford these). So with just one ipod to watch we are back to 'TURNS"! Ah, Blissfully refreshing arguing.

FAMILY HEROES

2008-04-26T03:09:00.001-07:00

Joseph Gordon Lobb Light horsemen moving to EgyptJoseph Lobb was part of the Light Horse Brigade in the 1st world war. He cared for the horses in Egypt and came under fire while there. His team was bombed with mustard gas and taken as a Prisoner of War by the Turkish for some time and then traded. Back in the battle he was wounded by shrapnel and taken to hospital for treatment. With wounds preventing him from further battle he was sent back to England, where he met Nanna who sewed uniforms.

We are fortunate that he survived the war, married and had Grandma Woody. We can remember this brave soldier as another of our relatives for ANZAC weekend, but this time as a survivor of World War 1 and pay tribute to his bravery under fire.

TRIBUTE for our ANZAC

2008-04-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

Robert Charles Keeble Monks Eleigh England - Home town Postcard from his father Arthur This post is dedicated to the memory of our late ancestor who was killed in the line of duty during the first world war. Corporal Robert Charles Keeble died on Wednesday 16th September 1914. He was 22 years old. He was a signal man and among the first troops to be sent to the front lines to set up telegraph communications when he was shot by a sniper. The war began only 2 weeks earlier.

You will remember grandma Woodys mum - Nanna. She was one of 6 children, all girls, except for the youngest - Robert. Sadly the family was left with no male heirs. He was buried in Vendresse in France and just this past year we have heard that one of his other sisters' children has taken soil from his family home to the grave site, the first visit to the site to date. Although he was not an ANZAC (because he was English) it is on this day that we have the opportunity to remember those from our family who were killed in the line of duty. There are many sad and gruesome stories told during ANZAC weekend and it's easy to cast aside the sentiment. Please take the time to look into the eyes of one of US, and Let Us Not Forget!

Heavy Load

2008-04-24T00:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I bought 2 tonnes of rocks and 3 cubic metres of mulch and had it dumped on my driveway. I wanted to repave the side walkway and the under the house garden walk. I had rocks and mulch delivered at 2pm and by 6pm the driveway was clear for Rob to return home from work and drive through. I used our neighbours wheelbarrow and made hundreds of little trips all over the yard to complete it in time. It looks great now. I was so totally buggered though, that when Rocci wanted me to tuck him in bed, I denied him a kiss goodnight as I couldn't bend over anymore. I was expecting to wake up the next morning with stiffness and aches but nothing, so I did the painting instead. I thought maybe I would get delayed soreness, but the next day, nothing.......I weeded instead. (2 car loads of full). The soreness still didn't arrive. Thinking that perhaps I really was a wonder woman attempting daring feats of strength... my week continued in the same way.....until today.

After picking up Robbie from school I once again donned the finery that is yard work wear and began to do attempt twighlight mowing. Alas, half way through the steep hill mowing, I nearly passed out, aching muscles, headache, shaking, and dizziness. I suppose I should just take a break now. My Wonder Woman powers seem to need a recharge.

Computer capers

2008-04-22T03:11:00.000-07:00

Ah the joys and hassles of selling are very time consuming and I seem to be allowing the boys to go from TV to PSP to ipod to Computer games. Is this neglect? Or a clever way to introduce them to our modern age of technology. You decide! I sure enjoyed the joys of delight at a mastered maneouver from Rocci. I also love it when the big guy can show the little guy what to do, and once again my parenting involvement is relegated to observer. A great games web site for 3-8 year old is www.NickJnr.com games

This site is good for at least half an hour of neglect! Ooops.... I mean, entertainment.

Robbie hard at work

2008-04-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

11 year olds are great. They want to try new things and need minimal supervision. He helped with painting inside the cupboards and then made a casserole, it was delicioso. Not only does he help us, but he fends off a relentlessly high maintenance little brother.

Pa, The Handy Man

2008-04-19T02:53:00.000-07:00

We are making improvement to our house for selling, so it's basically all the things we had planned on doing, except now we are doing it in fast forward. Robs dad has been around with his high pressure hose, wood, nails and handy man expertise to help us out. We are so grateful.

Rocci especially loves the masculine example........when he's in the mood that is!!!

Moving house

2008-04-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

Rob and I have decided to move closer to our school, to save time. We have put the house up for sale and look forward to an impending sale. Anyone want this view? We have been busily preparing the house and I am quickly tiring of cleaning. My holidays have been physically exhausting with painting, mulching, weeding, planting, high pressure hosing, hiding stuff, cleaning stuff, throwing out stuff and organising for what I hope is an impending move. Think happy thoughts for us.

Cross Country Sick Bay!

2008-04-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

On the last day of school Robbie ran in his school cross country marathon. A total of 3ks, which is a huge run for anyone. The weather was freakishly hot for April and the sick bay tent was overflowing with exhausted children - some before they even started running. The girls race was led by an adopted Kenyan child who came in 5 minutes before anyone, an amazing achievement - and the boys.....well, not as fabulous. Too many ran in from the finish line and straight to the sick tent, but we are very proud of them.

Each year at cross country we count Robbies achievements by how many from the end he is. Last year he was 12th last. I think that was his best yet. BUT THIS YEAR.......dah, dah, dah, dah........ 14th place - from the start. I was so proud of his efforts and caught it on camera for everyone to see. Sadly, I also caught spewing action from the two boys before him. An enlightening snapshot of only two of a total of 15 spewers.

(I'm having trouble uploading, I will keep trying.) here is a picture preview, Robbie is at the back and the boy in front is just about to spew, ewwww!!

Holidays are fun

2008-04-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

We have two whole weeks of holidays and the boys have been hard at it making lego, sharing lego, arguing about lego, fighting over lego and best of all....throwing lego.

I even said that I would sit down and make something with them today, but, because they were happy for five minutes I thought of a thousand other things I could do while they were quiet. I wonder if I can get away with it tomorrow?

Learning to be a blogger

2008-04-10T02:53:00.000-07:00

I have a sister in law who is a big fat blogger. She uploads images and text daily and I can barely keep up with her ramblings. I am so impressed with her ability to broaden my friendship with her without even realising it. I am fascinated with how easy it is to keep in contact with family members using the internet and thought perhaps who ever wanted to know what was happening with our family, can do the same. I'm just not sure if this will work though.