Jack-o-lantern

We made our first Jack-o-lantern this morning. It wasn't as hard as I had imagined, although I did have some good instruction. My hands now smell really nice as the only vaseline I had was the baby one and it was scented, so the pumpkin and I smell quite lovely!

The kids drew a picture each of what they wanted to look like so I tried to incorpoate into it something for each of them so they were involved too. I love the digital camera because they could all take photos of it and be part of the experience.

Everyone is so excited for Halloween tomorrow, just wait till the kids see what I've got in line for them for dessert. I love that special lolly shop!

There was so many things I was meant to do today. A fair, immunisation, a delivery to the all day crop which I'm not attending, and twilight nipper carnival, oh and DH is working. So I decided to skip the fair, its really not feasable with my 3 kids to look after as well, plus it didn't finish until 3pm. The kids really want to go to nippers, it starts at 2pm. So Nath got immunised, we did the delivery and went to nippers. Such a full day and I am so exhausted.

Nath was a legend for his immunisation. He had to have 3 needles, two in one arm, 1 in the other. He just made a tiny little whimper, the nurse gave him lots of lollies for being so brave.

At the nipper carnival BMW won 2 events and came 2nd in another. TJ kept coming 6th, but considering there is 18 in her group thats pretty good. And for the wade, she let everyone else go first before she started to run. Imagine if she had gone when everyone else did, she may have even won. We had a bbq dinner, played in the sand and surf and stayed for the presentation. It was a really nice day.

My girls back

I have been wondering what had happened to TJ. For 2 days we had the good twin. But I shouldn't have been worried, getting off the bus today, and yelling at me through the car window was my girl. She was back alright. Its funny how the whole mood of the house shifts depending on her.

Even on the way home from ballet she mentioned that the good twin had come to visit. I know, I tell her, but she's not listening, shes telling me how the good twin had come back from vacation to visit, but normally the good twin stays at school.

So for those of you reading this that think I am truly bizarre here is the difference. Wednesday, she gets in the car extra polite and quiet, asks conversational questions and responds in a pleasant manner. Thursday AM, quiet in the house, no yelling, gets self ready for school, plays with brothers and is totally organised. Even comes home from school and is still quiet and pleasant. Even does homework without argument.

It was refreshing, but also quite strange to have the good twin here. Oh and thats my girls language, it was her that first brought up about having a twin. When I think about it, she's been with us for a very long time.

Catching up

I caught up with my lovely cyber friend today. Hey Glo! It was so nice to see her again and meet her daughter, even though she wasn't well. When I told TJ she was a bit disappointed as to why she didn't get to meet her too. TJ also wanted to know how tall she was, because if she's 9 would she be a lot taller than her? If not, then they could play together. Don't you love how kids think?

I did some shopping while I was out, and sorry girls I didn't get shoes, but I did get lollies! There is this ace lolly shop and I got some Halloween lollies and eyeballs. The lady said to set them in jelly. I'm going to surprise the kids. They will love it! DH just shook his head when I showed him.

Tuesday

Today was a quiet lovely and very warm day. Nath and I had a lovely time together. We watched some tv, we sorted out some pmp (my flolder was bulging from all those little bits), we swam in the pool and ate watermelon. I took a photo of us using the timer function on the camera. We even picked up some pizza for dinner and the kids rode their scooters in the street after dinner. I can feel summer coming.

Eeewww...

I made for dinner tonight Turkish meatballs, and plain lamb ones for the kids. They are so easy to eat just in a wrap with some salad and the kids really like them. Tonight we had some fresh lemons from next door, and a squeeze of lemon just adds that extra zing to them. So I cut up the lemons and added them to the salad.

After eating two, I squeezed the lemon onto my third and out came a bug that looked just like a maggot. EEEEWWWW. It was so gross. I had to throw everything out. And now my stomach feels sick because I had already eaten two, with lemon. Its disgusting to even think about it.

Where is that vomit smilie when you need him?

Dancing Day

Today I got up way early, with TJ, caught a bus at 6:45am from the dance school and headed to Cambelltown for an eisteddfod. It took 2 hours on the bus to get there. The place was packed. There was so many people there and lots of really good dancers.

TJ danced in the 8U jazz troupes first. They did 2 dances, Jump and Boys of Summer. There were 20 troupes altogether. And some hot competition. The best group (IMO), got disqualified because they had a girl in it who was 10yrs old. They were so upset with all the little girls and the dance teacher crying. That was hard to watch. Our girls got 3rd for Jump which was a great result, they danced really well.

They then got changed into their tap stuff and danced Mambo No 5. There was 10 troupes in this section and they got a highly commended. The ones that won were simply brillant. It was very pleasing that they were awarded a highly commended.

With the boy from their troupe being in hospital with pneumonia, and another girl out the back unable to dance after getting motion sickness from the trip down, I think they did a great job, and I'm really proud of my girl.

Tonight I've been playing with my sizzix and watching the Arias. There is some really good music on and its nice to sit and have a bit of a watch and catch up.

Thats all folks.

Actually went out

TJ is having a sleep over tonight at a friends from school, she was so excited. MIL came to look after the boys and DH and I went out! OK it wasn't that exciting, we had to go to a parents meeting at the surf club. I could tell DH really wasn't interested, but at least he came.

Afterwards we stopped at a couple of restaurants to find some nice eats. Third resturant lucky and we dined out like real grownups. The restuarant we choose was sicilian. We both had veal and prawns and risotto on the side, but we had different sauces. I choose a creamy sauce which won't be good for the scales I'm sure, but it was yummy! With much controlled effort I didn't even have dessert.

We came home to sleeping kids, MIL doing our ironing, and she had folded all the washing upstairs. Off to bed now.
Night.

brothers

I got a call from my brother tonight, well it was just really returning my call from this afternoon. Part way thru the conversation he tells me I don't need to be a stranger, I could ring more often. Hello? This goes both ways dude.

He was waiting for me to ask about his house he has bought. He could tell me about his house he has bought.

Pain in the ass. I bet he'll ring mum now and I'll be getting grief from her next. I wonder if he's ever planning on telling me the name of this girl he's bought the house with? The one DH heard my mum telling his mum that he was going to marry next year. Might be nice to be introduced before then.

Gotta love family.

Swimming Lesson Request

My girl is so funny. She comes up to me with a note tonight from school. While I'm trying to cook dinner. Its about swimming lessons. Its for 2 weeks learn to swim intensive lessons. Can she please go? And then in the next breath says, its intensive mum, so I'll get to be really good at my butterfly, I can practive everyday. Well who could say no to that kind of thinking. Good for her. I wonder what the people will think when she turns up and can already swim? I did have to break the news to her though that she would still have to go back to school after the lesson, not just stay at the pool all day. Oh she said, just a little disappointed.

And the note, it will be going back tomorrow with some of dinner on it.


Wendy

Feel like a turtle? I'll just crawl back into my shell.

Today has been a busy day and I didn't even go anywhere. No bus, no dancing, no tennis. Not even to the letterbox. Today I cleaned 2 rooms. Reorganised my study again. I have my scrapping table mostly setup with all my little jobs to do sectioned on it. I have finished all my Chirstmas tags for the tag swap Yeah! Just got to figure out what to put them in to send. I am almost caught on my raks, which feels good in itself. And I finally made the decision to buy a sizzix and some dies.

Poor DH said if I buy this, I can't complain about the lack of blocks in the garden, paint on the walls or curtains. I won't complain hon, honest! It might just be there when you get home one day.

So I'm ording my stuff online. I get to the final page to enter my payment details and the silly site goes line error. Ugh. I ring them, and they closed a half hour prior. I'm rethinking, is it a sign? Am I really meant to do this? And what shop closes at 2:30 in the afternoon. Oh yeah, a scrapping one.

On another note, I've been wondering again philisophically about me today whilst I've sat and scrapped. Why am I the girl that everyone likes well enough but never anyones friend? I've always been the one not invited to the parties. Not invited to come and stay. Yeah it hurts a bit when I'm constantly overlooked. Makes me wonder about myself. What it is that I say/do. Or is it what I don't do. I really have no idea. Contrary to belief I am quiet. I think way too much and when some one else refers to ANYone I think they are referring to me.

Which brings me to another point. This international stuff makes it really hard. I am geographically challenged which I will admit to. I don't know where things are on the other side of the world. I don't know how some words upset some people. Its not an excuse. But if you've never been exposed to other cultures before how are you supposed to know? Should you not be given the chance after getting it wrong to be forgiven? Or maybe I am forgiven. I'm just that girl that no ones really friends with. I get it. I think.

I'll just crawl back into my shell now. I don't know if its worth sticking my head out to look around or not.

Sunday again

Its Sunday again and the second week of Nippers, and the second week of cold windy weather. It was freezing on the beach and the kids were wet and running around in swimmers. brrr. BMW seemed to be enjoying his activities, really running fast in the bucket brigade. TJ had fun in the flags, coming in the middle of the group again which was good. She just needs to get up a bit quicker and focus a little more, but I'm sure that will come with age and practice. You can see her long legs catching up the others as they reach the flags.

TJ told me today she'd like to go in the carnival thats coming up. I'm sure that will be an interesting day, but I am pleased that she is interested in trying. She also wants to go board training. It makes me wonder if this is a swing away from dancing. Its equally as healthy and definately cheaper. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Tonight she's gone off to a birthday party. It was themed disco diva, but all the little girls turned up in party dresses for the disco. I may need to relook at her wardrobe for next time she goes out with this group of girls. TJ didn't seem to mind though. The birthday girl is from ballet and all the girls seem very different from the girls at school. That could be a good thing. I'm sure she will have fun.

later

Boys will be Boys

My DH was sleeping all day today. So I've been trying to keep the kids quiet.
A hard task with 3 youngens. We had to go out and borrow some stock this afternoon so I thought we could waste some time and stop at the hardware store to look at paint colours.

Luckily the store was pretty empty until a Mum from school turned up. She just commented on my boys, who were running around and around and around. Poor things were just trying to use up some of that energy they had accumulated all day being quiet! The shop staff didn't seem to amused though. Oh well, at least they didn't break anything.

Stop the world...I want to get off

I got a pm today, "Wendy are you alright?" Well....no.

Do you ever get that feeling like you are being pulled in a thousand directions at once? Everyone wants everything now, if not yesterday. I've worked my butt off at school for the p&c fundraiser. Which I didn't mind doing, but it irks me when other p&c members are strolling around enjoying themselves and not even bothering to ask if someone needs help. I had all these deliveries to do, children to get ready for after school activities, and trying to keep them quiet so my DH can get a little bit of rest before a 12hour nightshift and a drive down the freeway.

I CAN'T DO EVERYTHING

I have a huge list of things to do. List stuff on ebay becuase we have no money. Finish RAKs, which I can't send yet, because I have no money. Clean house. Organise for workshop. Ring customers. Keep children quiet while DH sleeps. Play with dog. And on it goes. Ugh. Somewhere in there I'm supposed to be a good Mum, read stories and do all the other stuff a Mum does.

A day on our own

It was so nice today to spend it with DH. We did window shopping, had yum cha for lunch, we also had to do a delivery, but he drove so I didn't get lost! It was just so nice to spend time with him and just him. Not a child in sight. It makes you remember why you are together.

hmmm...

will get back to this one...

Canteen by ones self

Did canteen today. I never look forward to it, but I'm getting better at it each time. I was 'solo' again today which I figure is actually ok because I can just do my own thing and be organised the way I like it, and not have to worry about someone else. It is hard work though.

I am proud of myself I have to tell you. I didn't forget anyones meals. Everything was timed well. Cash added up right, and I even found the set of keys they lost yesterday. Wasn't the principal happy about that!

Off to bed now.

Wendy

Shopping...ugh

I went for an innocent xryon refill for my little x this morning. Well they don't carry the refills anymore so I had to upgrade to the xyron 250, gee ... what a shame. I've come home and used it and love it!

But while I was at the shops I thought I might look at some of those lovely aqua clothes that are out at the moment. Could I find anything to fit? No. It appears that since I've lost 5 kilos I'm now between sizes. One size too tight, next size looks like a tent. It is really discouraging. I have P&C this afternoon. I'm sure that will make everything else look fantastic in comparison.

Later.

Back to it

Well it was back to school today after the holidays. BMW took it really well, which I was surprised at considering he's only in kindy. I think telling him that he just had this term to go and then Santa would come helped.

Nath did great at swimming lessons. He's got a new teacher who is brillant and we've swapped times away from the boy that always tipped the steps over. Nath was completely different from last term. Completely improved which is great.

After school TJ did her timed swim for Nippers. She had to do 200M in less than 6 minutes. She made it with 10 seconds to spare. What a huge effort. The poor darlin then had to turn around and do a half hour swim lesson. I'm so glad that we did it today and not tomorrow night after 2 hours of dancing. She never would have made it then.

BMW had his lesson too. He's getting a lot stronger and is now doing 2 lengths of the hyrdo pool at once. I'm sure by the end of term he will be going up a level and into the big pool.

And tonight? Not a peep out of any of them at bed time. BMW was asleep before we went down stairs, after the 1st round of tuckins. Gotta love that.

Cheers

Wow WHAT a Day!

Talk about finishing the school holidays off with a bang. We've been on the go all day. It started at 8:15am and we got in just after 6pm tonight.

Today was the first day of Nippers for the season. BMW was very excited to be starting red caps, the youngest of all the age groups. I bought him the club cossie and rashie so he fitted right in. He seemed to have a good time playing games on the sand.

TJ has gone up to yellow caps. The surf was a bit rough today from the wind so they just did beach events, she seemed to go sort of well in the flags and the sprints, but she is really looking forward to board paddling.

Even Nath behaved himself and played with a little friend that he made. Its much easier him being a year older and happy to play in the sand this season.

On the drive home we stopped in at the new Home Zone. 2GO radio was there and they had a free bbq and icecreams, a clown showing the kids some juggling and other fun tricks, face painting and balloon making, a jumping castle, dodgems and the St George Dragon. The kids had heaps of fun, although TJ vowed never to go on the dodgems again. BMW told me later he was driving. Go figure. We also met Tara Dennis the designer. She was so lovely and gave me some suggestions for finishing the decorating of the lounge room. I've at least got an idea of what to look for now for curtains. She was impressed that I could sew.


A quick stop at home to pick up a birthday present and we were off to Mingara for Holly's birthday party. We ended up being early so the kids all had a swim. Naths face painting slid off in the water leaving a weird red and black mess which was a little amusing.

Finally party time came around and TJ went off with her friends. They are all growing up so fast. BMW and Nath had enough swimming so we went for a tour of the club next door. The boys found a play area on the terrace, so they played for a while and I got to listen to some jazz. The band was quite good, and it was nice to sit and relax for a while.

The party finally finished and we left to the 'I'm Hungry' whine from the boys. I should know by now not to go out without food for them. They are going to cost me a fortune when they get bigger.

We've all come home tired but happy. I've even got the first sunburn of the season.

Chow for now.

A Scrappers Life

Today has been a great scrapping day. I went to the shops this morning and got my photos printed and spent the rest of the day scrapping them, while DH ironed and watched cartoons and motor racing. He's still ironing now. That was a huge pile!

This is my favourite layout from today.


This was from just last week. It feels so good to have it scrapped already because it was such a lovely day. The kids and I got to meet Gloria, which was fantastic and she is so sweet. She brought the kids a whole bag of lollies which took them 3 days to get through. And they loved her. TJ said it wasn't just becuase of the lollies, but becuase she was interested in them. According to TJ, when they meet my friends they just ignore them and talk to me, but Gloria was interested in them, and she really liked that. Nath is still asking about her.

Nathans bear is named Huggle. Everyday he gets changed from his jammies into his day clothes, and at night back into his jammies. It was so lovely for him to build this bear, he really has ownership of it, but he stilll can't let go of his broken teddy. Last night it crept back into bed with Huggle. Apparently Huggle is its Mum. Oh well, he has plenty of love for both of them.

The Cave

I've just been though the mess of the cave again with TJ. It again ended up with her in tears. I can't beleive what I find in the mess. Lolly wrappers from lolly bags, the empty lolly bags from birthday parties, pencil sharpenings from where she decided to sharpen her pencils on her desk while she was doing her homework many moons ago, bits of barbie or bratz clothes, books, pens and the list goes on.

The thing that got me most was the little torn bits of paper. The little messages. More mess. She has been asked constantly for at least the last 8 weeks, since Grandma cleaned it last time for her, to clean it up, and all she has done is cry about it and shove things in the corners, under the bed, on the desk or in the shelves. I am trying to get through to her that this is not the way to live. To be respectful of her things. That I didn't go and buy her nice things for her to treat them this way.

How can I justify getting her more nice things when she can't look after the things she already has?

It makes me sad to make her sad. I know those little scraps of paper mean something important to her. She just needs to keep her cave clean.

My first mum and daughter crop

Being the school holidays I thought it would be smart to have a mother and daughter crop. It was a very interesting thing, and I don't think I will be promoting it again in a hurry. People who had booked in just didn't come, well nothing new there, that happens all the time. But because the people that did come weren't regulars they expected the world for their $10. And me being a softie, well what can I say. Plus they then didn't spend any money. Ugh. Hope tomorrows better.

Today Nath went to preschool, and TJ and BMW came out with me. We had a nice morning window shopping at Erina, in the camping store, Harvey Norman for the PictureMate and a bed for BMW. Then we headed into Erina Fair. The kids were quite keen to go on the bungee. It seems to be there every holidays.

BMW got all hooked up first and then started to cry, deciding it wasn't for him afterall. The lady tried to convince him, but he just wanted off. TJ then strapped in for her go and she had so much fun. 4 minutes goes for a very long time. She tried so hard to do a somersault but just couldn't get there. Afterwards we went to Yum Cha. Yummo!

I can't believe how hot its got so quick. It was 32 degrees celcius when we went to pick up Nath at 5pm. Lucky we could come home for a swim afterwards. Off for a nice relaxing evening watching Robots and eating pizza.

My first blog

I seem to be starting a new life. My old life is getting left behind. I am meeting new people, although rarely IRL, being influenced by thoughts and ideas, being inspired and shown new ways.

My goals as a twenty year old were to have a car with a sunroof, earn over $40,000, and something else completely material. I accomplished that all at 22yrs old, and have been left wondering and floundering a little ever since. Until now. Oh and the car is almost worn out, 250,000kms later.

Now I find out its ok, to be me. To put my kids first. To enjoy what I do. I now understand what the lecturers meant at uni, when it was no longer about what they earnt.

I'm slowly adjusting to my new role. Today my baby is no longer a baby. I am seeing a new direction. Thanks for looking in on my journey.