Dining Al Fresco - and tackle basketball!

This would have to be our family dining preference lately - Al Fresco!

With all the gorgeous evenings we have taken to eating outside a lot. The kids love it - the fresh air is great and so far we haven't been too bothered by flies (Hmmm should I take that as a complaint about my cooking?!?)

It is a great time to sit and relax and seems to be a much more casual chat time.

And occasionally we even get Tony to join us (on the rare occasion he is able to have dinner with us)

After this particular meal however the kids decided a spot of basketball would be fun. Sounds like a great fun activity doesn't it...... not with this family.

Our gentle game of 2 on 2 basketball (Tony and Tasha vs Kyle and I) soon turned into tackle basketball as the adults used every means available to them to stop the kids getting goals. It involved lots of laughs, a few "not fairs", lots of puffing and ..... okay maybe one little injury (I still think they were crocodile tears!).

Lions and Tigers and Bears (well almost!)

Well we went for one of our "family drives" again and this time we ended up at Mogo Zoo. somewhere I had been planning on taking the kids for a while but it was great to do it with all four of us! As it is one of those not really planned things we didn't get there until about 1pm but we still had a great time. I LOVE big cats and you get to see them so close here. Hhmmm doesn't look too scary here! Wouldn't want to be in there with it though ~L~How gorgeous does this look! They have white lions as well which are amazing but my pics didn't come out too good.So there is the lions and tigers - couldn't get bears! But this Red Panda was just so cute had to include him too!But my all time favourite would be the otters. I love watching them run around and play - they are so cute and I could sit and watch for hours.

My other fav of the day was the Tapir. Not an animal that has interested me a great deal in the past but they were having so much fun, running around the compound and then diving and splashing in the pond, swimming around and showing off. They were amazing.

Oh and I found these two monsters there as well!

It was a great day and if you get a chance go down and see the animals. I have so many pics but only put a few here.

Another mad week

Have had a busy week. I believe my kids are on school holidays but I really am not sure as I haven't seen them between school hours!
Working mon, wed, thurs and fri this week and Tues I met up with the wonderful Cass in Berry for coffee, window shopping, more window shopping, lunch, some more window shopping and more coffee!
Bank is looking very dismal right nonw so window shopping was the extent of it but still had a great time. In the middle of all this was a lot of chatting and talking and just a simply wonderful day.

Sandras parcel finally arrived from America so I was able to send that on - sorry it didn't make it in time for your birthday :(

In the midst of all this have had a sick little girl (thanks so much to those who called or messaged to see how she was going it was lovely). She is doing much better now ~ don't know that we will ever be allowed back in target again *blushes*

Have been checking out a lot of the photo challenges that friends have on their blogs and am getting seriously inspired so you may see a lot more pics her soon (and more regular posts). Hope wherever you are you are well and have a smile on your face. MWAH

Happy Mail

Got some amazing happy mail today. I am doing a little jiggy dance here!
I had a sick little girl when I went off to work today so I rang home at lunch time to see how she was (doing fine - slight temp) to hear I had a parcel sitting at home. I got very excited as I was expecting a special parcel from overseas but this was something unexpected!
My poor old cutter has seen much better days. It doesn't like cutting straight and is kind of dead - well now it can retire!?!
In a parcel today I received the gorgeous Making Memories Precision Paper Trimmer. I have drooled over these for so long and now my gorgeous friend Sandra has made my dream come true!

(pretend pic is here - blogger didn't want me to upload pic)

So I am very , very, very happy jiggy girl this afternoon. Dont ya love happy mail - especially totally unexpected happy mail. (Will return the favour when your parcel arrives!)

I also have to say a massive thank you to Lucy for the other parcel I received. I can't wait to play - off to check out some tutorials now! Watch out photos - prepare to be fiddled with! (I mean that in the nicest way ~L~)

Zoom Zoom Zoom

If you are looking up to the sky today spare a thought for Sandra. I know I will be.

For christmas SJ got a voucher for a tigermoth flight and is off to the skies today. Can't wait to hear how it goes. I have been "zooming" around the house - arms outstretched, doing my turns and spins. Don't think it's quite the same but I can live vicariously through my friend!

Have a great time sweetie.

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a wonderful 2009.

I have great plans for this year - It is going to be a good one! 2009 will be my year!

Hope that it will be a great year for all of you and that you aren't feeling too bad this morning ~L~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Sending a shout out to a gorgeous girl who I have the greatest priviledge of calling my friend.

Happy birthday sweetie....... i am sure you will be spoilt by your wonderful family. Wish I was there to share it with you but I am thinking of you and am there in spirit. Hopefully next year I can be there for your birthday!

Have a great day and may all your birthday wishes come true!

The answer to the meaning of life is 42

that is according to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy!



If you listen to Monty Python the meaning of life is: "Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."



As for me... hmm still working on that one! Had one of "those" days today. - JANE if you are at work you may want to stop reading or "that" pesky woman may turn up!



Today I went to the funeral of an amazing lady. I met Rhonda when I started working on Medical Ward. She was a lovely person with a great smile and loved by all (except when she was pulling them into line!) Rhonda had breast cancer about the same time as my mum and we joined Rhonda's team for Relay for Life. Last week - 2 days before Christmas - Rhonda lost her fight with cancer. She has left behind her parents, husband David, teenage son michael (who is in a wheelchair) and a teenage daughter Kate. She also leaves behind a large number of colleagues and friends who adored her.



Rhonda had the strength to organise her own service a few weeks ago so the service today was put together by her with songs of her choice. It really was a lovely service. Reggie got up and spoke so well and when they payed In the Arms of the Angels I don't think there was a dry eye.



Rhonda you will be sorely missed. The ward will not be the same without you and you have left a large gaping hole in many lives.

Monday = Funday

Today was a nice casual relaxed day. Mark and Mel had friends they wanted to catch up with so Declan came here for the day to play with Kyle and Tasha. Kyle and Declan had a ball playing on their DS's and on the Wii.
Tasha filled up the inflatable pool and they all jumped in but it didn't last long. Declan is used to temperatures in the middle east so our 25 degrees here with water out of the hose was waaayy too cold for him.

Then we went back up to Georgia for a baked dinner and a last chance to catch up with Mark, Mel and Declan before they headed back overseas. We wont see them for some time now. they won't be home for christmas next year. They are planning on going to Italy for a white christmas. How cool would that be! Don't I wish I could join them!

It has been great spending time with them and just sitting chatting as we used to.

Day trip to Goulburn

Today we drove to Goulburn and met up with more family members who drove from Cowra. David, Henry, Rowan, amelia and Uncle Les. Unfortunately Amanda and Taylor didn't make it and (as usual) Michael was elsewhere but we still had a great day. Kyle and Declan are like shadows and seem to go EVERYWHERE together and Tasha had fun playing with Rowan and Amelia.
We went across to the Workers Club for lunch which was very yummy and then back to the park to play. All in all another great day with family. Very relaxed and lots of chatting and just a very pleasant day.
This pic was taken in the fountain in the park in the main street of Goulburn. With the drought the fountain has no water so the kids went straight in (somehow don't think the water would have stopped them if it was there!) Kyle, Tasha and Declan playing on the play equipment. it is a great park for families - heaps of things for the kids to play on.

Three generations. My Uncle Les (mum's brother), his son David (my cousin) and David's son Henry. You can tell they are from the same family.

Mark, Mel and Declan

Mum and John

David

a collection of pics showing the kids having a ball playing on the train.

l -r Amelia (Milly), Tasha and Rowan

Stedfut Family Re-union

Today we got to catch up with the Stedfut clan. Have really been looking forward to this. Mark, Mel and Declan went to dubai about 16 months ago so it was great to catch up and find out what life is like over there (and to do the christmas thing)

The kids got waaaayyy spoilt by Uncle Mark and Aunty Melissa with Kyle getting a Nintendo DS with a couple of games and Tasha getting an ipod nano - 16gb! Tried to swap her for my 8gb but she wouldn't be in it1 ~L~ Tony got a Coles Myer Vcouher so I can see a shopping spree coming up! As far my gift. WOW. I got the most beautiful hand made necklace and earring set - made by Mel with antique silver and in purples!

It was just a great day with heaps of chatting, laughing and catching up

Oh and celebrating in style!!!!!
Thanks Mark and Mel (I stole the empty bottle - it now sits on my buffet in pride of place!)

Boxing Day

Today we had a nice quiet day. We spent most of the day at home resting, the kids played with their new games etc and I read one of my new books! All in all a nice quiet peaceful day.

Then in the afternoon we went down to see Mone, Greg and family as we hadn't been able to catch up with them on Christmas day.

Then we went out to Greenwell Point to buy some fish and chips for dinner and sat and ate by the waterfront.

Looking forward to catching up with Mark, Mel and Declan tomorrow. We haven't seen them since Sept last year before they moved to Dubai so I can't wait to see them and find out how they are going. Then Sunday we are going to Goulburn to see my uncle and cousins. It's been about 18 months since we saw them as well so this weekend will be a busy one but I can't wait.

Christmas Day

After our search for christmas lights last night ending about 11pm we actually had a sleep in this morning (well Tasha did) so we didn't open pressies until about 9am. I must say we all got very spoilt.Then about 10.30 (after a brekky of Smoked Salmon - yum) we headed off to Georgia for lunch with Nana and Papa John. We had sooooo much food but it was all lovely.I had to give this its very own picture. This was our new favourite christmas pudding. It is an icecream pudding filled with "fruit". The kids have now decided they want Nana to pack their lunches as her fruit was actually crumbled up Mars Bar, Crunchie, Turkish Delight, Peppermint Crisp and I can't remember the other one! Then it has Ice Magic drizzled over the top - VERY YUMMY!!!Then we came home for an hour or so. I cooked up the ham while Tony went and had a "nana nap" and then off to Davinas.
Tasha and Haylee found time to have a dance (or 2 or 3) - how unusual for those 2 to be drawn to the music! Kyle roped Royce into a game of Pokemon with his new cards that he got for Christmas. The rules seemed to change depending on whose hand was being played.

We did Secret Santa again this year and I think everyone seemed very happy with their gifts.

Oh and I am not sure how this works but we somehow ended up having a balloon fight. No not a water fight but a balloon fight. Not really sure how that works but they all had fun!

'Twas the night before Christmas

Christmas Eve was a nice quiet one for us...... Resting up for the madness to come!

We had some additions to the household for a couple of hours and Kyle studiously displayed the use of the Wii to them! Not sure how much they took in though! They really are great kids. Jhorjie in particular seems much more relaxed here and was chatting away most of the time - last time she was here she even gave Uncle Tony a hug!All the presents were wrapped and under the tree ready for Christmas morning. We waited until it was almost dark and headed off Christmas light hunting. We walked around delivering the last of our Christmas wishes and looking at the lights. Then over in Rayleigh Gardens we lost one child who went wandering off by himself! So I went off looking for him. Found him and then couldn't find Tasha and Tony so we ended up doing our Christmas light walk in 2 separate pairs. Then we met up again and jumped in the car and went for a drive where we found some of the most amazing, elaborate lights displays! Wish I had a tripod so I could take decent night pictures because most of mine didn't turn out at all.

Wayne Brady hits Australia!

Well all I can say is WOW! (Mainly because my cheeks still hurt so much from laughing!) Wayne Brady was soooooo funny!

Show Details:
Kitty Flanagan was the support act and she was hilarious - although the language was extreme! Definately not a family show. Really not needed. The humour was so relevant and funny but the swear words were all through it.

Wayne Brady is the cleverest improv guy I have seen. At the start of the show they took random words from the audience and when Wayne hit the stage he had to make up a rap song with those words. It was so funny. He did alot of the WLIIA stuff - started with getting a girl out the audience (and getting way more than he bargained for including requests for a baby!) and making up a song about her. He had another guy with him who was very clever too. They played the sound effects game. Did the game where people have to move them as they make up the scene. So much more! He really was hilarious and everything had audience interaction which was great. Oh and he didn't use the bad language we had seen from Kitty Flanagan.
He did a whole section of made up songs with titles suggested by the audience. He also did some of his songs of his album which I love. He didn't play my fave but he did do ORDINARY and BACK IN THE DAY. Oooh and dance!!!!
Tony and I both came out of the show with an aching head from laughing so much. I am so glad we went. Pity he did so few shows in Australia.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I think I could sleep for a week!

After a madly busy and insane week with so much happening this weekend was another big one! Had a loooong day at work Friday (normally my half day)

Saturday we dropped the kids off to Haylee and then I drove up to Sutherland where we parked the car and caught a train into the city. We wandered around the city for a couple of hours checking out shops and christmas displays. Then went for a small stroll (well not quite!). we walked from Centrepoint down to Circular Quay, wandered around the Rocks, woollomooloo and then all the way around to Darling Harbour! Talk about walking your legs off!

We went to Baia for dinner (where else!) and had the most amazing meal. Tony and I really loved the meals they were great. then we wandered down to the Lindt shop for dessert.
Then (because we hadn't walked enough) we walked up to the state Theatre! Saw the show - AMAZING and then caught the train back to Sutherland and drove home. got home about 2am then up early this morning - had a nice bath and then picked up the kids before I went to my work Christmas lunch which was great.

Now sitting on the lounge half asleep and exhausted. Will update with show details when I am slightly more awake

Here you go- photos from Kyle's Year 6 formal. This first photo is of my spiffy looking boy outside the school. Getting his graduation certificate and class photo from the principal Mr Lavendar. Mr Lavendar has been the principal there for 10 years and has a great affinity with the students but sadly this was his last official function as he has now retired. :(

The boys - whilst Kyle is bit of a loner this is the small group of boys he calls his friends. He doesn't make friends easily but when he does he is extremely loyal.

Kyle and Nathan having fun posing and being "cool" together

Kyle with his teacher from the last 2 years Mrs Wade. I have loved having her as Kyle's teacher. She is a person who loves her job and cares for each and every one of her students. She takes the time to get to know them and what they like. She was discussing memories of Kyle dating back to Year 1 when she met him whilst she was doing playground duty.

After the formal part of the evening the parents left and the kids went into the hall for their meal (served by Year 5 students) and some dancing. The hall was decorated in an alien theme which Kyle loved. The parents were invited to join them at about 8:45. Tasha and I got back to the hall a little bit early and found Kyle having a blast!

Doing the Macarena

And the hustle

And then the parents were invited to join in. Kyle came over and asked me for a dance and we did the Barn dance and Pride of Heron. Then he had a dance with his sister Tasha.

He had a great night and ended the night giving his mates a hug goodbye - they are all off to different schools next year! so next year is going to be a big one - new school - new friends - new school system (no more 1 classroom).

MY day

Today was a good day!

Think thats all I need to say!
Hmmm more details ?!?

After the crappy sorts of days I have been having lately when I just feel like running back to bed and hiding there till everyone goes away I had a really good day today. It wasn't a special day - just an ordinary one but it started with me looking through a parcel sent to me from Melbourne with chocolate (of course) and a gorgeous foot pamper pack which I can't wait to use and my advent gift was a plaque that simply said "Pals".

Then I had to work all day which wasn't a bad thing - you see I love this job! Working all day includes lots of work but also lots of laughs, coffee, more laughs (and a bit more work).

Then tonight I went to my boy's year 6 presentation and formal. I am so proud of him (he looked very spiffy too). His teacher had some wonderful things to say about him and she was very appreciative of a present I had made her that I had spent hours on. (Not that I made it for the appreciation but it nice to know when you have spent so long on something that it is loved). And then at the formal I got to watch my boy, who is usually so shy and overshadowed by his sister, dance his little heart out and have an absolute ball! He has grown up into such an amazing young man and it was mind blowing to think of the difference from Kindergarten to now! And what a charmer - he came up to me and asked "Could I have the pleasure of a dance".

Now if I can just manage to get to bed before midnight it will be a great day! Got 3 baskets of ironing and a messy kitchen though so don't like my chances!

So much for planning

GGGggrrrrrrrr

Don't you hate when you think everything is planned? Got the christmas shopping done - stocked up the freezer (like really stocked up) and just home from Davinas to find our freezer has packed it in and we now have all the meat and frozen goods for the next few weeks in a soggy defrosted mess.
Just don't know how we are going to re-stock (or come to think of it buy a new freezer!). Had no grocery money this week already and now no frozen goods.
GGGrrrrr just had to vent