Matthew:
* is 8 and in Grade 4 and loving it
* got a “Student of the Week” Award the first week back for “his mature attitude, his lovely manners and for a great start to Year 4” (I think he pays his teachers, he has gotten it first week every year).
* has had a massive (social) maturity leap over the holidays and has become more boyish, is standing up for himself and won't be taking any garbage from any of the bullies at school this year
* loves sport…all sports – watching and playing, statistics. I call him my walking almanac of cricket and AFL - there isn't much he can't tell you about the sport, the players, recent games etc.
* is cricket obsessed and spends most of the day with a bat in hand, dressed in one of his Australia jerseys and white cricket pants or green tracksuit pants (yep tracksuit pants in Brisbane's summer heat...insane!!!)
* loved going to the beach cricket on the Gold Coast
* can hit a tennis ball (hanging on a string from the patio roof) with a cricket stump repeatedly (around 50 times in a row) and quite effortlessly
* has read all of the Harry Potter series (read #6 and #7 in 5 weeks!) and has started re-reading them again (half way through #2)
* loves High School Musical movies, Indiana Jones movies
* loves The Suite Life of Zac and Cody, Hannah Montana, Suite life on Deck, Wizards of Waverley Place
* would sell his soul for KFC, Cadbury's caramel chocolate rolls or cake (especially Nanny's banana cake)
* eats strawberry jam sandwiches for lunch everyday
* is really great mates with Stephen (constantly says "hey Dad")
* loves kisses and hugs from his mummy (as long as no-one is around)
* hates colouring in
* loves playing Stephen's Command and Conquer games
* loves Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, High School Musical soundtracks
* loves his MP3 player and has about 25 songs on it but asks daily for more to be added
* loves using MSN and the internet
* hates most fruit except bananas and apples
* hates (and is a bit scared of) dentists especially Dr McDermott at Chermside who yelled at him and was completely unprofessional while fixing his teeth over the school holidays. While Matthew was sooky during the procedure (and fully admits it too!) I would not recommend taking your worst enemy to him let alone an 8 year old child. Problem is now we have to find another good dentist and convince Matthew that the new dentist will not act like the other idiot!
* When I meal plan his choices are crumbed steak and vegies or burritos
* is very much like his father
* Frustrates me because he gets a thought in his head and can't function until he says what he is thinking or has his question answered
* Wears size 4-6 pants (he's small and has no butt or hips) but size 10 school shirt (size 6-8 t-shirts though) and size 13 shoes.
* can't understand why mum fusses when he wants to go out in his daggy clothes
* Favourite colour is purple
* Had a problem with his freckles last year and thought he was ugly but this year he is starting to see what I see – a gorgeous and handsome face with a few adorable sun-kissed freckles!
* He's a great kid and I am so proud of him!
Emily
* is 6 and in Grade 1 and loving it
* has formally learnt the letters 's', 't', 'a', 'i', 'p', 'n' and their sounds and associated Jolly Phonics actions, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and how to write them properly.
* is confident and resilient but needs to be reassured that she is definitely doing it right
* loves swimming (I think she may have been a mermaid in her previous life)
* is responsible beyond her years
* takes great care of Sarah including helping her wash her hair "don't worry mum, you can go, I'll help her"
* is dying to be able to read properly. She tried to teach herself to read over the holidays (didn't need our help, apparently she can learn by herself!)
* Yeah she's still stubborn and determined
* loves glitter and drawing colourful pictures
* is forever leaving "I {heart}U Mum/Dad/Sarah/Matthew/Nanny/Mama" notes
* made some great friends last year including Paige, Holly, Emily J, Rebecca
* is best of friends with her cousin Jasmine and loves spending time with her
* loves McDonald's mini crispy snack wraps, prawns, strawberries, tuna, noodles, chocolate custard, chicken jugglers... really she will try and eat most things
* eats ham, lettuce, carrot and cheese wraps or vegemite sandwiches for lunch but likes a bit more variety in her lunchbox than Matthew does
* her choice of treat is always different and she will often pick different novelty lolly items eg Nerd ropes, Hello Kitty lollipops etc
* Idolises her father
* loves "huggles" from me and kisses from daddy
* loves colouring in but isn't terribly fussed that all homework at the moment is colouring in each night...she wants "real" homework
* loves playing "darlings" with Sarah, swinging on the swings, cart-wheeling
* loves Hannah Montana, "Big Cook, Little Cook", H20: Just Add Water,
* loves gymnastics "it's so me!" LOL! she hated ballet "it's so not me!"
* loves most fruit except bananas - she HATES bananas even the smell makes her cringe
* when I meal plan she asks for: crumbed sausages, honey soy chicken, family pie
* wears size 6-7 clothes and size 13 shoes (size 1 school shoes), size 8 school uniforms.
* loves wearing pretty clothes (especially skirts) and looking nice
* likes to brush her fringe and sweep it across her forehead
* can wash her own hair and can now put it up herself, although still needs a little practice ;)
* favourite colour is pink
* recently went through a stage of saying that her nose stuck out too far, that she was fat and was not eating a lot. We had a big chat about thinking positively, how some people develop a sickness where they think they are fat and it ends up making them really really sick and how she is perfectly healthy, fit and definitely not fat and she has stopped thinking she is fat.
* I admire Emily so much because she is such a go-getter and doesn't accept that she won't be able to do something, she just keeps trying and trying until she can do it!
Sarah
* is 3 and in pre-prep one day at week at Mother Duck
* knows most of the letters and their sounds and has picked up the Letterland program at Kindy really quickly
* can count to around 30 without help and up to 100 with a little help of the '...ty' numbers
* has a fabulous grasp of language, talks unbelievably well
* has 2 mums: 1) me - the mother who carried her for 9 months and gave birth to her & 2) Emily - the 'mother' who is raising her LOL!
* still says "menana" (banana), "melightful"(delightful), "malicious" (delicious)
* when you ask her something she will often say "I have NOOOO idea"
* thinks it is hillarious that when she crosses her eyes and looks at her nose she can see 2 of whatever is in front of her and will point to it and say "oooh which one is real"
* loves swimming and over this summer has been able to swim without her jacket but still puts it on before going in the pool. Has gained a lot of confidence and will now jump in the pool
* adores Emily and really misses her when she is at school but gets a bit over having them home over the holidays
* calls Emily and Matthew "the kids" eg "do we have to pick the kids up soon?", "do you want me to tell the kids it's bedtime?" or "Can we get some for the kids?"
* loves books and will happily grab a book and read to herself. Faves include "Isabella's Secret", "Possum Magic", "The Christmas Fairy", "There's a Hippopotamus on the roof eating cake"
* Hates cleaning up but Steve has introduced the "Clean up dance" (which includes a tushie wiggle at the end) so she is starting to clean up more
* loves doing ballet and dancing. She doesn't learn formally yet but will spend a large part of the twirling around and dancing. Steve and I watched "Save the Last Dance" yesterday and she stood mesmerised when the girl was dancing.
* likes playing with Denham and Isabella
* Idolises Emily and plays with her all the time. She gets frustrated with Emily telling her what to do but most of the time still plays along
* Can't wait until she goes to Prep next year and has been wearing Emily's Prep uniform a lot
* loves McDonald's nuggets, tacos, yogurt
* is a shocker for eating dinner - she will eat tacos, carbonara, meat and plain spiral pasta. Virtually have to force her to eat vegies.
* Has become really close to Steve (although she no longer calls him Billy like she did last year! LOL!) Calls him "my bestie"
* loves "schnuggles" with me every morning and "supers" from daddy (Supers are where she sits on Steve's chest and he lifts her with his arms under her bottom up into the air. All of the kids have loved supers, poor Steve! Sarah is the only one who can still have supers, but I don't think for much longer)
* loves her Dora stuff,
* has started riding her bike and is understanding what she needs to do to start off.
* still thinks she can do EVERYTHING that the big kids can!
* loves "Big Cook, Little Cook", Dora, anything on Foxtel...TV junkie!!!
* wants to do ballet and gymnastics
* loves most fruit especially strawberries, bananas and apples without "the crust"
* will look at some foods and tell me it's "misgusting" and "I hate that misgusting stuff"
* when I meal plan she asks for: tacos and spiral pasta (no sauce *sigh*) and will often eat the raw pasta (eww!)
* wears size 3-4 clothes and size 8-9 shoes.
Keep smiling, Trish :)
Saturday, February 07, 2009
100 things....
I've been blog hopping this morning and since I am so bad at updating my blog unless I steal ideas off other blogs, I thought I'd steal this too LOL!
So what I am meant to do is answer the questions and pick the five top ones that you'd most like to do, so here goes:
1. Started my own blog – Yes, the poor neglected thing!!
2. Slept under the stars – Umm...kinda...does in a tent count?
3. Played in a band – Again...kinda - orchestra all through school and Recorder Group (Band) in primary school - yes you read right, a whole group playing recorders (although the thought now gives me shivers, the teacher must have been partially deaf!) but it gets worse - I was the leader of the recorder band and could play a variety of different types of recorder. I think from memory there was the piccolo, the alto, the soprano, the bass and double bass recorder. Yeah I was supercool in primary school!
4. Visited Hawaii – No :(
5. Watched a meteor shower - not that I can recall although I can vividly remember Halleys Comet.
6. Given more than I can afford to charity – Yeah but we're really hoping Matthew will reap the rewards one day.
7. Been to Disneyworld/land - No, we had planned to take the kids there when Matthew turned 10, although I think Sarah may not be old enough to fully appreciate it then so maybe when he's 12, Em will be 10 and Sarah 7!
8. Climbed a mountain – Girraween National Park - climbed a huge rock thingy called the Pyramids as a kid, we got most of the way up before Mum freaked at the combination of the height and the wind blowing and told Dad it was time to turn around! LOL!
9. Held a praying mantis - Yes, I think they are one of the coolest insects!
10. Sung a solo – Kinda - had small solo parts in various musicals at school. I can still remember the words to my solo part in Gr 8 production of Anne of Green Gables.
11. Bungee jumped – NO WAY!! and never will!! Watched Steve do it though and seriously thought he was dead when he was just hanging there at the end with all trace of colour gone from his face!
12. Visited Paris – Only through Grade 8 French classes! Maybe one day *sigh*
13. Watched lightning at sea – Watched it from dry land, how scary would it be being out on a boat/ship amongst lightening!
14. Taught myself an art from scratch – The Art of Raising Children without going completely insane count?
15. Adopted a child – No, I think I'd like to foster kids one day though, so many kids that need a little bit of unconditional love and someone to believe in them.
16. Had food poisoning – Urgh...yes, from a friends 21st at Hogs Breathe Cafe....there were about 25 of us there and 18 got sick...2 seriously, 1 actually took them to court about it! I avoided Hogs Breathe for a loooonnnngggg time but now one of my fave places to eat!
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – Nope!
18. Grown my own vegetables – Haha! No. When we moved in to our old house, the garden was a complete vegies patch, with fruit trees, herbs, complete with chook shed even...we quickly put the Steve and Trish touch to it - lots of weeds, dead plants and eventually pulled it all out! Now Steve is getting all Farmer Ted on me - has a compost bin and wants to start up a vegie patch.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France – Nope.
20. Slept on an overnight train – Nope.
21. Had a pillow fight – Many!
22. Hitchhiked – Nope
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill – Is there anyone in the world who hasn't??
24. Built a snow fort – A what? Built a snow man, does that count?
25. Held a lamb – yes
26. Gone skinny dipping – Yep
27. Run a marathon - Nope despite Elle and Vicki trying their best to get me to.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice – Nope.
29. Seen a total eclipse – Yes, very cool!
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset – Lots of them and hoping to see LOTS more!
31. Hit a home run – Yep! Yay me! Played teeball and softball for many years!
32. Been on a cruise – Nope.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person – Nope!!
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors – Nope!
35. Seen an Amish community – Nope.
36. Taught myself a new language – Not taught myself but I learnt French in Grade 8
and Italian from Grade 8 - Grade 12.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied – Nope although there is more to life than money, I'd just like enough to go shopping without feeling guilty about spending!
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person – Nope.
39. Gone rock climbing – Funny I can recall doing it but have no idea when or where.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David – nope.
41. Sung karaoke – yes, so much fun.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt – what? never even heard of it!
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant – no don't really have the spare cash
to do it but I do like the idea of "pay it forward" and hope to do it one day!
44. Visited Africa – Nope.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight – Yep, magical!
46. Been transported in an ambulance – No
47. Had my portrait painted – Not painted but sketched when I was younger. We were camping at the Bunya Mountains and there was this old guy there who sketched all 3 of us kids. They have been on Mum's wall for years and Michael has just had them reframed for Mum for Christmas.
48. Gone deep sea fishing – No
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person – Nope.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris – Nope.
51. Gone scube diving or snorkeling – Both - scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef in 2001 was one of the best experiences of my life!
52. Kissed in the rain – Yep
53. Played in the mud – Yep
54. Gone to a drive-in theater – Yep and I'm really sad that they aren't around here
any more!
55. Been in a movie – Nope - but does a TV ad count?
56. Visited the Great Wall of China – Nope
57. Started a business – hmmm...Steve started his Installation business years ago
and I started my own Tupperware business (lol...well they market it as starting your very own business!)
58. Taken a martial arts class – Nope
59. Visited Russia – Nope
60. Served at a soup kitchen – No but I want to
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies – No
62. Gone whale watching – Not deliberately...but have seen them!!
63. Got flowers for no reason – Yep!!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma – yep - every 3 months!
65. Gone sky diving – NO WAY IN THIS LIFETIME OR ANY OTHER LIFETIME...in fact if the plane was going down I'd probably still not strap on a parachute and jump!
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp – No but it would be interesting.
67. Bounced a check – nope.
68. Flown in a helicopter – Nope
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – Yep
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial – Nope
71. Eaten caviar – yep - not sure it is all it is cracked up to be!
72. Pieced a quilt – God no! I don't even like sewing buttons on
73. Stood in Times Square – nope
74. Toured the Everglades – nope
75. Been fired from a job – nope
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London – nope
77. Broken a bone – nope
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - I had a boyfriend (Dominic) many years ago who
rode a bike. i'm not sure if he was speeding but it sure felt like it. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time (or I might have pretended to be scared so I could hug into him more! LOL!)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person – nope.
80. Published a book – no but have often thought that I'd like to try to write a children's book one day!!
81. Visited the Vatican – Nope
82. Bought a brand new car – Nope
83. Walked in Jerusalem – Nope
84. Had my picture in the newspaper – Yes
85. Read the entire Bible – No and I never will!
86. Visited the White House – Nope
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating – Eww...no, I'll happily eat it but
someone else can do the gross bit. Although, I suppose I have - fish!
88. Had chickenpox – Yep as a kid
89. Saved someone's life – don't think so
90. Sat on a jury – Nope
91. Met someone famous – met many while working at Cha Cha Char. Matthew Hayden,
Dennis Lillee, Greg Norman, Fatty Vautin, Peter Sterling, Gordon Tallis, Shane Webke, Alastair Lynch, Rishard Champion, Malcolm Blight, Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus), Chris Isaac, Martin Plaza (Mental as Anything), John Williamson, Nick Cave, John Farnham, lots of politicians including Kim Beasley, Olympians - Jai whatever his name is lol, Stephen Bradbury, Natalie Cook, Kerri Pottharst.....there are lots of others that I can't think of now. To be honest, I don't really get off on the "famous" thing - they are really just people who are really good at what they do.
92. Joined a book club – Nope
93. Lost a loved one – My dad way too early, all of my grandparents
94. Had a baby – 3, it blows me away how quickly they have grown up yet it seems like forever since they were babies.
95. Seen the Alamo in person – Nope
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake – nope
97. Been involved in a law suit - nope.
98. Owned a cell phone – yep and lost it a few weeks ago :(
99. Been stung by a bee – Yep
100. Ridden an elephant – No, but I would soooo love to do that!!!!! I've ridden a camel though and that was really cool!
So which ones do I want to do the most - ride an elephant, pay for someones meal, own another cell phone (or preferably find my old one!), travel to most of the places mentioned (in fact just travel outside the country).
Keep smiling,
Trish
So what I am meant to do is answer the questions and pick the five top ones that you'd most like to do, so here goes:
1. Started my own blog – Yes, the poor neglected thing!!
2. Slept under the stars – Umm...kinda...does in a tent count?
3. Played in a band – Again...kinda - orchestra all through school and Recorder Group (Band) in primary school - yes you read right, a whole group playing recorders (although the thought now gives me shivers, the teacher must have been partially deaf!) but it gets worse - I was the leader of the recorder band and could play a variety of different types of recorder. I think from memory there was the piccolo, the alto, the soprano, the bass and double bass recorder. Yeah I was supercool in primary school!
4. Visited Hawaii – No :(
5. Watched a meteor shower - not that I can recall although I can vividly remember Halleys Comet.
6. Given more than I can afford to charity – Yeah but we're really hoping Matthew will reap the rewards one day.
7. Been to Disneyworld/land - No, we had planned to take the kids there when Matthew turned 10, although I think Sarah may not be old enough to fully appreciate it then so maybe when he's 12, Em will be 10 and Sarah 7!
8. Climbed a mountain – Girraween National Park - climbed a huge rock thingy called the Pyramids as a kid, we got most of the way up before Mum freaked at the combination of the height and the wind blowing and told Dad it was time to turn around! LOL!
9. Held a praying mantis - Yes, I think they are one of the coolest insects!
10. Sung a solo – Kinda - had small solo parts in various musicals at school. I can still remember the words to my solo part in Gr 8 production of Anne of Green Gables.
11. Bungee jumped – NO WAY!! and never will!! Watched Steve do it though and seriously thought he was dead when he was just hanging there at the end with all trace of colour gone from his face!
12. Visited Paris – Only through Grade 8 French classes! Maybe one day *sigh*
13. Watched lightning at sea – Watched it from dry land, how scary would it be being out on a boat/ship amongst lightening!
14. Taught myself an art from scratch – The Art of Raising Children without going completely insane count?
15. Adopted a child – No, I think I'd like to foster kids one day though, so many kids that need a little bit of unconditional love and someone to believe in them.
16. Had food poisoning – Urgh...yes, from a friends 21st at Hogs Breathe Cafe....there were about 25 of us there and 18 got sick...2 seriously, 1 actually took them to court about it! I avoided Hogs Breathe for a loooonnnngggg time but now one of my fave places to eat!
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – Nope!
18. Grown my own vegetables – Haha! No. When we moved in to our old house, the garden was a complete vegies patch, with fruit trees, herbs, complete with chook shed even...we quickly put the Steve and Trish touch to it - lots of weeds, dead plants and eventually pulled it all out! Now Steve is getting all Farmer Ted on me - has a compost bin and wants to start up a vegie patch.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France – Nope.
20. Slept on an overnight train – Nope.
21. Had a pillow fight – Many!
22. Hitchhiked – Nope
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill – Is there anyone in the world who hasn't??
24. Built a snow fort – A what? Built a snow man, does that count?
25. Held a lamb – yes
26. Gone skinny dipping – Yep
27. Run a marathon - Nope despite Elle and Vicki trying their best to get me to.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice – Nope.
29. Seen a total eclipse – Yes, very cool!
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset – Lots of them and hoping to see LOTS more!
31. Hit a home run – Yep! Yay me! Played teeball and softball for many years!
32. Been on a cruise – Nope.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person – Nope!!
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors – Nope!
35. Seen an Amish community – Nope.
36. Taught myself a new language – Not taught myself but I learnt French in Grade 8
and Italian from Grade 8 - Grade 12.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied – Nope although there is more to life than money, I'd just like enough to go shopping without feeling guilty about spending!
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person – Nope.
39. Gone rock climbing – Funny I can recall doing it but have no idea when or where.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David – nope.
41. Sung karaoke – yes, so much fun.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt – what? never even heard of it!
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant – no don't really have the spare cash
to do it but I do like the idea of "pay it forward" and hope to do it one day!
44. Visited Africa – Nope.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight – Yep, magical!
46. Been transported in an ambulance – No
47. Had my portrait painted – Not painted but sketched when I was younger. We were camping at the Bunya Mountains and there was this old guy there who sketched all 3 of us kids. They have been on Mum's wall for years and Michael has just had them reframed for Mum for Christmas.
48. Gone deep sea fishing – No
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person – Nope.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris – Nope.
51. Gone scube diving or snorkeling – Both - scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef in 2001 was one of the best experiences of my life!
52. Kissed in the rain – Yep
53. Played in the mud – Yep
54. Gone to a drive-in theater – Yep and I'm really sad that they aren't around here
any more!
55. Been in a movie – Nope - but does a TV ad count?
56. Visited the Great Wall of China – Nope
57. Started a business – hmmm...Steve started his Installation business years ago
and I started my own Tupperware business (lol...well they market it as starting your very own business!)
58. Taken a martial arts class – Nope
59. Visited Russia – Nope
60. Served at a soup kitchen – No but I want to
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies – No
62. Gone whale watching – Not deliberately...but have seen them!!
63. Got flowers for no reason – Yep!!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma – yep - every 3 months!
65. Gone sky diving – NO WAY IN THIS LIFETIME OR ANY OTHER LIFETIME...in fact if the plane was going down I'd probably still not strap on a parachute and jump!
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp – No but it would be interesting.
67. Bounced a check – nope.
68. Flown in a helicopter – Nope
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – Yep
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial – Nope
71. Eaten caviar – yep - not sure it is all it is cracked up to be!
72. Pieced a quilt – God no! I don't even like sewing buttons on
73. Stood in Times Square – nope
74. Toured the Everglades – nope
75. Been fired from a job – nope
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London – nope
77. Broken a bone – nope
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - I had a boyfriend (Dominic) many years ago who
rode a bike. i'm not sure if he was speeding but it sure felt like it. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time (or I might have pretended to be scared so I could hug into him more! LOL!)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person – nope.
80. Published a book – no but have often thought that I'd like to try to write a children's book one day!!
81. Visited the Vatican – Nope
82. Bought a brand new car – Nope
83. Walked in Jerusalem – Nope
84. Had my picture in the newspaper – Yes
85. Read the entire Bible – No and I never will!
86. Visited the White House – Nope
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating – Eww...no, I'll happily eat it but
someone else can do the gross bit. Although, I suppose I have - fish!
88. Had chickenpox – Yep as a kid
89. Saved someone's life – don't think so
90. Sat on a jury – Nope
91. Met someone famous – met many while working at Cha Cha Char. Matthew Hayden,
Dennis Lillee, Greg Norman, Fatty Vautin, Peter Sterling, Gordon Tallis, Shane Webke, Alastair Lynch, Rishard Champion, Malcolm Blight, Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus), Chris Isaac, Martin Plaza (Mental as Anything), John Williamson, Nick Cave, John Farnham, lots of politicians including Kim Beasley, Olympians - Jai whatever his name is lol, Stephen Bradbury, Natalie Cook, Kerri Pottharst.....there are lots of others that I can't think of now. To be honest, I don't really get off on the "famous" thing - they are really just people who are really good at what they do.
92. Joined a book club – Nope
93. Lost a loved one – My dad way too early, all of my grandparents
94. Had a baby – 3, it blows me away how quickly they have grown up yet it seems like forever since they were babies.
95. Seen the Alamo in person – Nope
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake – nope
97. Been involved in a law suit - nope.
98. Owned a cell phone – yep and lost it a few weeks ago :(
99. Been stung by a bee – Yep
100. Ridden an elephant – No, but I would soooo love to do that!!!!! I've ridden a camel though and that was really cool!
So which ones do I want to do the most - ride an elephant, pay for someones meal, own another cell phone (or preferably find my old one!), travel to most of the places mentioned (in fact just travel outside the country).
Keep smiling,
Trish
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Me in a Mosaic!
I saw this on a blog and thought I'd give it a go. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search, using only the first page (oops I didn't do that LOL!), choose your favorite image, copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (4 columns, 3 rows).
The questions:
1. What is your first name? (Trish)
2. What is your favorite food? (Chocolate)
3. What high school did you attend? (All Hallows)
4. What is your favorite color? (Pink)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Brad Pitt)
6. Favorite drink? (Cofee and water)
7. Dream vacation? (One of those over the water bungalows...you know the ones that cost a guzzillion dollars per minute...... Bora Bora, Tahiti I found out! Ahhh...dream dream dream!)
8. Favorite dessert? (Apple Pie and Custard)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Teacher, loved what is written on the blackboard too LOL!)
10.What do you love most in life? (Children (especially my amazing kidies), Happiness and Hope)
11. One word to describe you. (Ahhh, well I broke the rules and chose 2 - Happy and Silly...although someone I know refers to that as exhausting!!!:) )
12. Your Flickr name. (don't have one but my online nickname is Tish)
and here is what my answers created.......
1. Jump Trish Kebab, be Freeeeeeee!, 2. I never met a chocolate I didn't like, 3. Resurrection, 4. happy valentines day - pink gerbera with a heart of chocolate!, 5. brad-pitt-04, 6. Easter Sunday (afternoon), 7. Le Meridien Bora Bora - Tahiti, 8. Apple Pie & Custard, 9. I will be..., 10. bless from above, 11. [14/365] "wha... what's going on?!", 12. Tishy
What a cool way to sum me up in pictures!!
Keep smiling,
Trish
The questions:
1. What is your first name? (Trish)
2. What is your favorite food? (Chocolate)
3. What high school did you attend? (All Hallows)
4. What is your favorite color? (Pink)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Brad Pitt)
6. Favorite drink? (Cofee and water)
7. Dream vacation? (One of those over the water bungalows...you know the ones that cost a guzzillion dollars per minute...... Bora Bora, Tahiti I found out! Ahhh...dream dream dream!)
8. Favorite dessert? (Apple Pie and Custard)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Teacher, loved what is written on the blackboard too LOL!)
10.What do you love most in life? (Children (especially my amazing kidies), Happiness and Hope)
11. One word to describe you. (Ahhh, well I broke the rules and chose 2 - Happy and Silly...although someone I know refers to that as exhausting!!!:) )
12. Your Flickr name. (don't have one but my online nickname is Tish)
and here is what my answers created.......
1. Jump Trish Kebab, be Freeeeeeee!, 2. I never met a chocolate I didn't like, 3. Resurrection, 4. happy valentines day - pink gerbera with a heart of chocolate!, 5. brad-pitt-04, 6. Easter Sunday (afternoon), 7. Le Meridien Bora Bora - Tahiti, 8. Apple Pie & Custard, 9. I will be..., 10. bless from above, 11. [14/365] "wha... what's going on?!", 12. Tishy
What a cool way to sum me up in pictures!!
Keep smiling,
Trish
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sex and the City
Tam and I have made a pact to update our blog every day for 2 weeks. The first person to miss a day has to take the other person out for coffee (or Earl Grey Tea for some LOL!) so...wish me luck! I think it was meant to start 2 days ago, but I thought I'd start with a fresh new week (well thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!)
Well I just watched Sex and the City Movie and loved it. The end was a little sappy but as Steve said "It's a chick flick, what did you expect". But it really got me thinking about my friends and our little group of 4....Elle, Ange, Vicki and I! I was watching it and thinking who would be who.
Would Ange be Miranda, the non-nonsense, sensible, practical one?
Would Vicki be Samantha? All be it a little more toned down but non-the less with the same zest for life and love for fun?
Would Elle be Charlotte? The positive, always look on the bright side, life is peachy one?
And does that make me Carrie? Hmmm...not sure....I wouldn't know my Manolo Blahnik's from my Tar-get specials! LOL!
I don't know but I do know that I treasure these girls so much. We've been friends now for around 20 years (Can you believe that?!?!) and they know me better than anyone in the world! They have seen me admire my first crush from a distance, catch my crush and lose him again, they laughed with me through many classes at school, in fact they made accounting with Mrs West and Maths with Mrs Stillman bearable, they wiped away many tears when my heart was broken, they rejoiced in true love with me, they shared my grief when Dad died, they've celebrated my successes with me, they held my hair back while I threw up from too much alcohol, they have shared my deepest hopes, dreams, desires and secrets, they welcomed Stephen into their lives and gave him the nod of approval (to quote Elle "we like you much better than that other one"), they shared my awe of entering motherhood when Matthew was born then again when Emily and Sarah were born, they listened to me when I was really struggling with Emily, they've helped me talk through my problems and helped me see solutions I hadn't thought of and of course......boy have we laughed, uncontrollably at times!
We are all so much busier with our lives these days so thankfully when we do get together, we slip right back into that comfortable "comfortableness" that is "us". Love these girls to death and I am so grateful to have them in my life!
Now for a scary blast from the past..... taken approx 1998/1999.
And the same gang, taken Jan this year! (Excuse the bad edit job)
Sorry, got a little sentimental, but watching Sex and the City just made me realise how lucky I am to have these girls in my life!
Keep Smiling :)
Trish
Well I just watched Sex and the City Movie and loved it. The end was a little sappy but as Steve said "It's a chick flick, what did you expect". But it really got me thinking about my friends and our little group of 4....Elle, Ange, Vicki and I! I was watching it and thinking who would be who.
Would Ange be Miranda, the non-nonsense, sensible, practical one?
Would Vicki be Samantha? All be it a little more toned down but non-the less with the same zest for life and love for fun?
Would Elle be Charlotte? The positive, always look on the bright side, life is peachy one?
And does that make me Carrie? Hmmm...not sure....I wouldn't know my Manolo Blahnik's from my Tar-get specials! LOL!
I don't know but I do know that I treasure these girls so much. We've been friends now for around 20 years (Can you believe that?!?!) and they know me better than anyone in the world! They have seen me admire my first crush from a distance, catch my crush and lose him again, they laughed with me through many classes at school, in fact they made accounting with Mrs West and Maths with Mrs Stillman bearable, they wiped away many tears when my heart was broken, they rejoiced in true love with me, they shared my grief when Dad died, they've celebrated my successes with me, they held my hair back while I threw up from too much alcohol, they have shared my deepest hopes, dreams, desires and secrets, they welcomed Stephen into their lives and gave him the nod of approval (to quote Elle "we like you much better than that other one"), they shared my awe of entering motherhood when Matthew was born then again when Emily and Sarah were born, they listened to me when I was really struggling with Emily, they've helped me talk through my problems and helped me see solutions I hadn't thought of and of course......boy have we laughed, uncontrollably at times!
We are all so much busier with our lives these days so thankfully when we do get together, we slip right back into that comfortable "comfortableness" that is "us". Love these girls to death and I am so grateful to have them in my life!
Now for a scary blast from the past..... taken approx 1998/1999.
And the same gang, taken Jan this year! (Excuse the bad edit job)
Sorry, got a little sentimental, but watching Sex and the City just made me realise how lucky I am to have these girls in my life!
Keep Smiling :)
Trish
Friday, September 05, 2008
Interviews
Just went to update my blog and found this in my drafts so I'll post it here, obviously I got preoccupied before posting it.....
I was just sitting here chatting with Emily and decided to ask her some questions so I've recorded them here.
What is your favourite food: Prawns, tuna (cans of smoked tuna), Lollipops, chocolates, apple, wraps with ham, cheese, carrot and lettuce,
What is something you say all the time? I love you
What is your favourite colour? "You know what that is" so I assume she still loves Pink!!
What do you want to be when you grow up? a horse rider. Up until recently it was a doctor and an artist so I just asked if she was over that and she says No, I'll still do that too! She's gunna be busy LOL!
Does anything scare you? Thought about it for a while then..Nup!
What is something that makes you really happy? Hugs and kisses from you and Dad.
How much do you think bread costs? ummm...I don't know, is it a lot? like $20? (hmmm close....I currently pay $1.29 for one brand from our local petrol station or $2.09 from Aldi)
What is something that you think is amazing? Art, sport, gymnastics,
What is something that makes you sad? Nothing, because everything is happy.
What is something that you would like to do that you have never done before? Cartwheels and handstands (she's working on it though!!!)
If I was a genie and could give you anything you wanted what would you want? ummm...that's a stupid question sorry mum! LOL...um....OK!
Who is your best friend? I've got lots of best friends but I'd have to say my best friends are Brookie, Paige, Josh Toohey, Marco and Dominic...oh and Sarah
What is your favourite TV Show: Spongebob, Lazy Town, Simpsons, Peppa Pig
What do you think of Matthew and Sarah? I love Sarah and I love Matthew. Why? 'cause they are beautiful and handsome and fun to play with. Sassy is my best mate though, Matthew's not very fun because every time we play with him, he plays with me then he says he doesn't want to play anymore so that's not very fun but he's still my best brother. Sassy always plays with me.
Do you have any secrets? I do but I don't want to tell anyone. Is it a good secret or a bad secret? A good one, its a funny secret! :) Then she very cheekily added, "I might tell Daddy I think"
What is the best present you have ever got? My art stuff. Which ones? Ahh, all of it! LOL! (Well derr Mum)
Tell me 3 of the best things about you? I'm gorgeous, I'm loving and I'm kind.
What is your favourite thing about school? I like my teachers and friends.
Is there anything that you don't like about school? Nothing, I love everything! (Wouldn't it be nice to keep this enthusiasm all the way through school!)
What is your favourite song? The Father's Day song we sang at school for Dad's Father's Day celebration yesterday and Hannah Montana (ie "See you again" by Miley Cyrus)
Hey Mum, do you want to know who my favourite teacher at school is? Mrs Selese, she is really nice and funny.
What is your favourite piece of clothing? My Hannah Montana shirt (yep she conned Dad when they went shopping!!)
Do you know any funny jokes? Knock knock, who's there? Sarah, Haha, you laughed (and of course Sarah did laugh at that!!)
and of course....if Emily is doing Sarah wants a turn too "you ask me some questions too Mum!"
What is your favourite food: Teddy bear biscuits (ie tiny teddies), ham sandwich, chocolate, pasta (not sauce though), mashed motato (potato)
What is something you say all the time? Emily is my buddy
What is your favourite colour? Green, and I do like pink too
What do you want to be when you grow up? Do painting
What is something that makes you really happy? Playing with Emily,
How much do you think bread costs? ummm 5 cents
What is something that you think is amazing? Hair bands. Huh?? :)
What is something that makes you sad? Sometimes when Emily hurts me, when you and Daddy put me on the thinking step, when Matthew doesn't play with Emily and me, when Matthew doesn't give me cuddles,
I was just sitting here chatting with Emily and decided to ask her some questions so I've recorded them here.
What is your favourite food: Prawns, tuna (cans of smoked tuna), Lollipops, chocolates, apple, wraps with ham, cheese, carrot and lettuce,
What is something you say all the time? I love you
What is your favourite colour? "You know what that is" so I assume she still loves Pink!!
What do you want to be when you grow up? a horse rider. Up until recently it was a doctor and an artist so I just asked if she was over that and she says No, I'll still do that too! She's gunna be busy LOL!
Does anything scare you? Thought about it for a while then..Nup!
What is something that makes you really happy? Hugs and kisses from you and Dad.
How much do you think bread costs? ummm...I don't know, is it a lot? like $20? (hmmm close....I currently pay $1.29 for one brand from our local petrol station or $2.09 from Aldi)
What is something that you think is amazing? Art, sport, gymnastics,
What is something that makes you sad? Nothing, because everything is happy.
What is something that you would like to do that you have never done before? Cartwheels and handstands (she's working on it though!!!)
If I was a genie and could give you anything you wanted what would you want? ummm...that's a stupid question sorry mum! LOL...um....OK!
Who is your best friend? I've got lots of best friends but I'd have to say my best friends are Brookie, Paige, Josh Toohey, Marco and Dominic...oh and Sarah
What is your favourite TV Show: Spongebob, Lazy Town, Simpsons, Peppa Pig
What do you think of Matthew and Sarah? I love Sarah and I love Matthew. Why? 'cause they are beautiful and handsome and fun to play with. Sassy is my best mate though, Matthew's not very fun because every time we play with him, he plays with me then he says he doesn't want to play anymore so that's not very fun but he's still my best brother. Sassy always plays with me.
Do you have any secrets? I do but I don't want to tell anyone. Is it a good secret or a bad secret? A good one, its a funny secret! :) Then she very cheekily added, "I might tell Daddy I think"
What is the best present you have ever got? My art stuff. Which ones? Ahh, all of it! LOL! (Well derr Mum)
Tell me 3 of the best things about you? I'm gorgeous, I'm loving and I'm kind.
What is your favourite thing about school? I like my teachers and friends.
Is there anything that you don't like about school? Nothing, I love everything! (Wouldn't it be nice to keep this enthusiasm all the way through school!)
What is your favourite song? The Father's Day song we sang at school for Dad's Father's Day celebration yesterday and Hannah Montana (ie "See you again" by Miley Cyrus)
Hey Mum, do you want to know who my favourite teacher at school is? Mrs Selese, she is really nice and funny.
What is your favourite piece of clothing? My Hannah Montana shirt (yep she conned Dad when they went shopping!!)
Do you know any funny jokes? Knock knock, who's there? Sarah, Haha, you laughed (and of course Sarah did laugh at that!!)
and of course....if Emily is doing Sarah wants a turn too "you ask me some questions too Mum!"
What is your favourite food: Teddy bear biscuits (ie tiny teddies), ham sandwich, chocolate, pasta (not sauce though), mashed motato (potato)
What is something you say all the time? Emily is my buddy
What is your favourite colour? Green, and I do like pink too
What do you want to be when you grow up? Do painting
What is something that makes you really happy? Playing with Emily,
How much do you think bread costs? ummm 5 cents
What is something that you think is amazing? Hair bands. Huh?? :)
What is something that makes you sad? Sometimes when Emily hurts me, when you and Daddy put me on the thinking step, when Matthew doesn't play with Emily and me, when Matthew doesn't give me cuddles,
Look who's 30 (oh and 27!)....
Yep that little baby on the left is now the babe on the right! My little sister is 30!! Unbelievable!!!
But of course she shares her birthday with her twin brother...he however has decided that he is turning 27 this year...(until the house settles then he will allow himself to be 30). LOL! He wanted to have 3 things achieved before he turned 30, 2 are done (boat and work promotion) but the 3rd is still pending (buying a house).
I don't have a baby photo of Mikey though :( but here's one with Milly (who adores her Uncle Mikey!!)
I really can't believe that you guys are 30! I was about to turn 4 when you guys came and crashed my world LOL! and I remember you guys being little so vividly!
Some quick memories ...
...Michael wearing thongs everywhere, including into our little above ground pool.
...Tammie playing with Barbie's....in fact Tammie having every Barbie thing ever made - caravans, horses, townhouses, cars, Ken, Barbie, Barbie's sister/daughter, furniture...etc etc etc (I on the other hand had 1 Barbie and can remember biting its foot for some strange reason!)
...Michael pulling everything apart to find out how it worked, including a pen in Marnie's bathroom and splattering it all over her white curtains.
...Tammie reading Babysitter Club books
...playing Softball and/or teeball in the front yard. There was a mound of dirt that had been delivered on the footpath and never got used so grass grew over it so we used to use that as home base, the water manhole as the pitchers plate and then we'd dodge the persimmons as we ran the bases!
... jumping the fence to run over to the Robsons, Heinrichs or 'Jameseses' house
... many many camping trips - yabbie pumping, walks on the beach, icecreams of our choice
... Thursday night Dad's cooking - homebrand pizzas "Dad style", homebrand burgers "Dad style"... plus our choice of chocolate bars or Tam's standard Chomp!
... Honey patrol for each other when the mustard came out LOL!
... hiding the rulers!!
... sneaking Mikey into our room at night to play. He'd get down low and crawl along the floor into our room and we could never work out how Mum and Dad knew...derr, where Mum and Dad used to sit in the lounge room was about 2m from where Michael was crawling!
... Staying up late and giggling then getting into trouble but putting pillows in our PJ pants in case we got a smack (and thinking we were getting away with it!) LOL! Now that I have my own kids I have to laugh - 1st I now realise how frustrating it is when you just want your kids to GO TO SLEEP! and 2nd - how Mum and Dad kept a straight face when telling us off!!
... Tammie's "goth" stage...ewww!
... Watching the Sound of Music - EVERY TIME it was on! LOL!
We had a lot of fun growing up. We also had some not so great times but their were definitely more good times!
You have both achieved so much. You've grown into amazing people and I love you both! So Happy Birthday to my little brother and sister. Hope you have a wonderful 30th birthday and that the next 30 are just as great as the last 30!
Keep smiling
Love Trish
Happy Birthday Moo!
Happy Birthday to my amazing little man Matthew for yesterday. I cannot believe that 8 years ago you came into my life and I became a mum! Last night Stephen and I were talking and it is so hard to remember life without Matthew in it. You changed our lives in ways that I can't even begin to explain.
I remember when I was pregnant with you...I was pregnant and working in town and Dad used to pick me up in the afternoons. I got in the car one afternoon and burst into tears. I had always wanted to be a mum but as it got closer and closer I started to worry, really worry. I didn't know anything about babies and now I was going to have another little life that was my responsibility, what if I was a bad mum? what if I didn't know what to do? what if? what if? what if?
So I was starting to panic and worry about all of the bad things that may happen....but what I never stopped to think was:
what if this baby is the most amazing baby in the world?
What if your newborn has an adorable squeaky cry rather than an earpiercing one?
What if it all comes naturally for both you and your baby?
What if the baby is a really easy baby?
What if he loves snuggling in?
What if he is so adorable that people stop you to tell you how gorgeous he is?
What if he grows into a really smart little toddler?
What if he is easy going and a joy to be with?
What if he learns to talk early and is easy to communicate with?
What is he has the most infectious little giggle?
What if he loves playing outside and loves having fun?
What if he welcomes his new little sister without any problems and adores her?
What if he never gets into all of the things he shouldn't?
What if he is well behaved and polite?
What if he rarely chucks a tantrum?
What if he is one of the best things you have ever done in your life?
What if he makes you so proud that you could explode?
Matthew, I am so glad you came into our lives. I don't know what I was so worried about. Right from the start you have been such a joy. You were such an easy going baby and toddler and you are growing into such a wonderful person that I am so proud of. You have had your obsessions (Blue's Clues, The Wiggles, Stargate, now AFL and sport) and it has been amazing seeing you enjoying something with so much passion. You are so smart and I truly believe that you will be anything you want to do, just believe in yourself. You are handsome and even though you hate your freckles, I think they are gorgeous. You sometimes get upset that your aren't as tall as some kids in your grade but Matthew you are fit, funny, smart and incredible. You have had some rough times but you always handle life's hurdles with maturity beyond your years.
Matty, I can't even begin to say how proud Dad and I are of you or how much we love you. Before you came into my life I didn't realise that it was possible to love THIS much! I hope you had a great birthday and enjoy your party this weekend.
Love you,
Love Mum xx
I remember when I was pregnant with you...I was pregnant and working in town and Dad used to pick me up in the afternoons. I got in the car one afternoon and burst into tears. I had always wanted to be a mum but as it got closer and closer I started to worry, really worry. I didn't know anything about babies and now I was going to have another little life that was my responsibility, what if I was a bad mum? what if I didn't know what to do? what if? what if? what if?
So I was starting to panic and worry about all of the bad things that may happen....but what I never stopped to think was:
what if this baby is the most amazing baby in the world?
What if your newborn has an adorable squeaky cry rather than an earpiercing one?
What if it all comes naturally for both you and your baby?
What if the baby is a really easy baby?
What if he loves snuggling in?
What if he is so adorable that people stop you to tell you how gorgeous he is?
What if he grows into a really smart little toddler?
What if he is easy going and a joy to be with?
What if he learns to talk early and is easy to communicate with?
What is he has the most infectious little giggle?
What if he loves playing outside and loves having fun?
What if he welcomes his new little sister without any problems and adores her?
What if he never gets into all of the things he shouldn't?
What if he is well behaved and polite?
What if he rarely chucks a tantrum?
What if he is one of the best things you have ever done in your life?
What if he makes you so proud that you could explode?
Matthew, I am so glad you came into our lives. I don't know what I was so worried about. Right from the start you have been such a joy. You were such an easy going baby and toddler and you are growing into such a wonderful person that I am so proud of. You have had your obsessions (Blue's Clues, The Wiggles, Stargate, now AFL and sport) and it has been amazing seeing you enjoying something with so much passion. You are so smart and I truly believe that you will be anything you want to do, just believe in yourself. You are handsome and even though you hate your freckles, I think they are gorgeous. You sometimes get upset that your aren't as tall as some kids in your grade but Matthew you are fit, funny, smart and incredible. You have had some rough times but you always handle life's hurdles with maturity beyond your years.
Matty, I can't even begin to say how proud Dad and I are of you or how much we love you. Before you came into my life I didn't realise that it was possible to love THIS much! I hope you had a great birthday and enjoy your party this weekend.
Love you,
Love Mum xx
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
And the World's Worst Mother Award goes to....
.....ME :(
It's Book Week at school this week and Emily's grade are having a dress up day. They had to dress as their favourite character. Emily's current favourite book is Uno's Garden (which is an absolutely divine book!!)
so it was no-brainer that she would want to go as a character from this book. Originally she thought she might like to go as Uno but then changed her mind as "well, he's a little boring and he's a boy and he's bald" so she decided that she wanted to be a Feathered Frinklepod (the red bird looking character on the left side of the cover).
So on Sunday I went and got everything we'd need - feather boas, a red outfit, pom poms, pipe cleaners, headbands, some elastic.... then Sunday afternoon we made the beak (I was going to try to buy something but Emily came up with the idea to make it like you would make a party hat and then she could wear it on her nose instead of her head). Sunday night I finished it off and had it all ready for her Monday morning.
She got up Monday morning and excitedly got dressed and kept thanking me for being the best Mum ever (awww!) I took a few quick photos and Steve dropped her off.
She was so happy and excited and I couldn't wait to hear all about the day when she got home. Steve picked them up from school and she gets out of the car. She was in her uniform (which we had packed so she would be able to change for lunch time play). I asked her how she went and she said "Not good".....why I asked, thinking that she must have ripped her costume or something. "Because it's tomorrow not today....I was so embarrassed!"
OMG! Poor little thing. The world's worst mum had put it on the wrong day of the calendar! She said that as she walked in to the school ground and towards her playground she realised that no-one else had their costume on and then remembered that dress up day was going to be a Tuesday. So she put her bag in the racks and then looked at the kids in her class and quickly grabbed her uniform from her bag and ran to the toilets to get changed.
I felt sooooo bad, how embarrassing for her. But I am so incredibly proud of how she dealt with it so maturely. She's only just turned 6....I know that if it had of been me at her age I probably would have burst into tears. She amazes me at how mature she is. She said she was a bit sad and embarrassed but she knew that she could fix it so "no need to worry!" LOL!
Anyway, we had a giggle over it last night and I told her that at least she knows that it stays together! (I'm not a terribly good costume maker!)
So here is my Feathered Frinklepod.....
I am so proud of her and how she handled this. Once again she proved how truly amazing she is.
So if you are having a bad day, remember it could be worse, you could be wearing a bird suit a day too early ;)
Keep smiling,
Trish
It's Book Week at school this week and Emily's grade are having a dress up day. They had to dress as their favourite character. Emily's current favourite book is Uno's Garden (which is an absolutely divine book!!)
so it was no-brainer that she would want to go as a character from this book. Originally she thought she might like to go as Uno but then changed her mind as "well, he's a little boring and he's a boy and he's bald" so she decided that she wanted to be a Feathered Frinklepod (the red bird looking character on the left side of the cover).
So on Sunday I went and got everything we'd need - feather boas, a red outfit, pom poms, pipe cleaners, headbands, some elastic.... then Sunday afternoon we made the beak (I was going to try to buy something but Emily came up with the idea to make it like you would make a party hat and then she could wear it on her nose instead of her head). Sunday night I finished it off and had it all ready for her Monday morning.
She got up Monday morning and excitedly got dressed and kept thanking me for being the best Mum ever (awww!) I took a few quick photos and Steve dropped her off.
She was so happy and excited and I couldn't wait to hear all about the day when she got home. Steve picked them up from school and she gets out of the car. She was in her uniform (which we had packed so she would be able to change for lunch time play). I asked her how she went and she said "Not good".....why I asked, thinking that she must have ripped her costume or something. "Because it's tomorrow not today....I was so embarrassed!"
OMG! Poor little thing. The world's worst mum had put it on the wrong day of the calendar! She said that as she walked in to the school ground and towards her playground she realised that no-one else had their costume on and then remembered that dress up day was going to be a Tuesday. So she put her bag in the racks and then looked at the kids in her class and quickly grabbed her uniform from her bag and ran to the toilets to get changed.
I felt sooooo bad, how embarrassing for her. But I am so incredibly proud of how she dealt with it so maturely. She's only just turned 6....I know that if it had of been me at her age I probably would have burst into tears. She amazes me at how mature she is. She said she was a bit sad and embarrassed but she knew that she could fix it so "no need to worry!" LOL!
Anyway, we had a giggle over it last night and I told her that at least she knows that it stays together! (I'm not a terribly good costume maker!)
So here is my Feathered Frinklepod.....
I am so proud of her and how she handled this. Once again she proved how truly amazing she is.
So if you are having a bad day, remember it could be worse, you could be wearing a bird suit a day too early ;)
Keep smiling,
Trish
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sweet or Savory?
Challenge 5 from Terri on Scrapbook City....
Sweet or Savoury?
Hmmm....let me think???? Anyone who knows me, knows that this is a no-brainer
SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I lurve sweet foods and have the hips, tummy and butt to prove it!
I love chocolate, lollies, cakes, icecream, apple pie, custard, biscuits, .........anything sweet. I don't mind savoury foods but sweet will always win!
Keep smiling, I'm off to hunt down sweet stuff!!
Trish
xx
Sweet or Savoury?
Hmmm....let me think???? Anyone who knows me, knows that this is a no-brainer
SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I lurve sweet foods and have the hips, tummy and butt to prove it!
I love chocolate, lollies, cakes, icecream, apple pie, custard, biscuits, .........anything sweet. I don't mind savoury foods but sweet will always win!
Keep smiling, I'm off to hunt down sweet stuff!!
Trish
xx
What's in my handbag at the moment?
Challenge 4 from Terri on Scrapbook City:
OK my handbag...probably has a lifeboat, a fire extinguisher...OK, maybe not really but the things in my handbag always amaze me LOL!
Here's what is in my handbag right now....
Purse - my pink, impractical purse - that's another story...must record that on here one day!
Impulse deoderant - been wearing it for years and no cute guy has popped out of nowhere and given me flowers so I think that ad is a lie!
Small zip wallet that contains most of my 'rewards' style cards (or as Steve calls them...my beggers guide to brisbane cards LOL!)
Dextrose tablets - for Matthew when he has a hypo!
Dental floss - strange I know but I hate having stuf caught in my back teeth.
Hand cream
Lipstick
4 pens, actually make that 5 pens
1 pencil
2 pencil erasers - yep I dunno on this one...strange!
A shopping list
Layby receipt - Santa sent it to me to look after ;)
Brush
Mini Tape measure keyring
Small torch keyring
approx 10 hair bands
Tissues - all clean!! I haven't yet graduated to storing them in my bra like someone I know LOL!
Red Rooster wipe unopened - strange thing is I can't remember the last time I had Red Rooster?!?!
Fuel voucher for coles
Lip gloss
Random bits of paper and receipts - just a few?!?!?
Another dental floss *blush* told you I hate stuff in my teeth!!
I think that is it....
when I go out I also stuff in
Matthew's blood sugar tester
Insulin pens
camera
Mobile phone
Various little bits and pieces that Sarah wants to take with us
Wipes
and then sometimes Steve will ask me to hold his wallet, keys and/or mobile in there too.
Suprisingly it's not a very big bag but it is like the black hole!!
Keep smiling,
Trish xx
OK my handbag...probably has a lifeboat, a fire extinguisher...OK, maybe not really but the things in my handbag always amaze me LOL!
Here's what is in my handbag right now....
Purse - my pink, impractical purse - that's another story...must record that on here one day!
Impulse deoderant - been wearing it for years and no cute guy has popped out of nowhere and given me flowers so I think that ad is a lie!
Small zip wallet that contains most of my 'rewards' style cards (or as Steve calls them...my beggers guide to brisbane cards LOL!)
Dextrose tablets - for Matthew when he has a hypo!
Dental floss - strange I know but I hate having stuf caught in my back teeth.
Hand cream
Lipstick
4 pens, actually make that 5 pens
1 pencil
2 pencil erasers - yep I dunno on this one...strange!
A shopping list
Layby receipt - Santa sent it to me to look after ;)
Brush
Mini Tape measure keyring
Small torch keyring
approx 10 hair bands
Tissues - all clean!! I haven't yet graduated to storing them in my bra like someone I know LOL!
Red Rooster wipe unopened - strange thing is I can't remember the last time I had Red Rooster?!?!
Fuel voucher for coles
Lip gloss
Random bits of paper and receipts - just a few?!?!?
Another dental floss *blush* told you I hate stuff in my teeth!!
I think that is it....
when I go out I also stuff in
Matthew's blood sugar tester
Insulin pens
camera
Mobile phone
Various little bits and pieces that Sarah wants to take with us
Wipes
and then sometimes Steve will ask me to hold his wallet, keys and/or mobile in there too.
Suprisingly it's not a very big bag but it is like the black hole!!
Keep smiling,
Trish xx
When I was a Little Girl I couldn't wait to grow up so I could...
.... Challenge #3 from Terri on Scrapbook City - When I was a Little Girl I couldn't wait to grow up so I could...
* Drink wine - I remember my first taste of red wine at a cellar door tasting when I was young and I loved it! A lush from an early age???
* Be a teacher - working on it...*sigh*
* Have children - I used to dream of having a child/children and snuggling up to them on the lounge and as luck would have it my kids love snuggling on the lounge :D
* Be kissed - My mum used to tape Days of Our Lives everyday and I used to watch it and dream of one day being as sophisticated as the women on DOOL and finding the perfect man to kiss...now I look at that show and think how tragic they all are!! LOL!
* Drive - couldn't wait to grow up to drive and be able to take off when I wanted to.
* Be as happy as I was in my childhood...and you know what - so far so good!!!
* Drink wine - I remember my first taste of red wine at a cellar door tasting when I was young and I loved it! A lush from an early age???
* Be a teacher - working on it...*sigh*
* Have children - I used to dream of having a child/children and snuggling up to them on the lounge and as luck would have it my kids love snuggling on the lounge :D
* Be kissed - My mum used to tape Days of Our Lives everyday and I used to watch it and dream of one day being as sophisticated as the women on DOOL and finding the perfect man to kiss...now I look at that show and think how tragic they all are!! LOL!
* Drive - couldn't wait to grow up to drive and be able to take off when I wanted to.
* Be as happy as I was in my childhood...and you know what - so far so good!!!
August...Is it really August?!?!!!
What the heck happened to the rest of 2008???
* Steve still stay at home Dad...we're still all loving it! He's started playing ....shhh....lawn bowls!! shhh...stop laughing!!! He seems to really be enjoying it. Of course being Mr Competitive, he's frustrated that he hasn't perfected it yet but I'm sure he'll get there. He has also commented that he has never seen so many hearing aides in the one place and that he has to use his outside voice when he's inside!! Quite a lot of young people play though, so I don't think it is all oldies!!
* Kids bathroom renovation - Emily came downstairs one morning a couple of months ago and asked Steve why the shower was falling apart. We had no idea but when Steve looked at it, a tile was coming loose. So he got out what he need to fix that one little tile and when he pulled it off, it peeled away a little too easily....as did about 25 other tiles so we made the decision to bite the bullet and renovate it. Steve decided to take on the challenge of renovating it for under $1000. I didn't think he had a hope of sticking to that budget but I should have known better.....so it's done, just needs to be painted. I love it, kids love it and the bank balance loves it too...total was just over $1000 - he was a little extravagent with the tapware and I didn't even notice them oops...LOL! Will have to take a pic of it all.
* We've all been struck down with the dreaded flu that most of Brisbane currently has. I'm still trying to shake it off and have had it now for about 5 weeks!!! Over it!!! Spent nearly all of last week sleeping all day...not good! I'm hoping we've almost got rid of it. Matthew has been home from school this week, hopefully he's on the mend. By the way have you seen this??
Oh too funny, "got a man with a hurty knee" and "haven't you ever heard of Lemsip?" Hahaha!...I love it! Not that it's like this in our house when the man of the house isn't feeling so well...*roll eyes* LOL! Matthew seems to be suffering from "Boy Cold"...a slightly gentler version of the Man Flu...yes he's dying LOL!
* Uni has been crazy - I opted to do 2 of my subjects in an intensive 6 week period. Nearly finished them but OMG 13 weeks of work in 5 weeks...not fun!!! But at least it means 2 subjects down for the semester!
* Talking of uni - Brad finished his degree and graduated recently! Congratulations Brad (have I mentioned I hate you?!!!) Serously though, we're all so proud of you. I know how hard it is to balance everything and you did so well balancing it all, so a huge congratulations to you!
* Sarah turned 3 in May. 3?!!! 3!!!!!! Yes I am having issues! I can't believe she is 3 and goes to school year after next. She's a clever little thing and very very funny. She copies everything that Emily does which Em both loves and hates! Right now Sarah loves: TV - Dora the Explorer, Wonderpets, Fairies, Lazy Town, Playschool. She loves Kindy and hates the days she has to stay home. Loves books and will often grab a book and 'read' it. She talks to herself ALL OF THE TIME! Actually she just talks all of the time!!! At Kindy, at sleep time, they have to put her to the side of the room, by herself as she doesn't sleep but talks to herself the entire time! She loves to eat all day long but doesn't eat a lot as such, she nibbles all day long. She often sings to herself and cracks us up when she starts singing regular radio songs - some not so appropriate for a 3 year old "I kissed a girl and I liked it" for example!!! She is a shit-stirrer though and constantly stirs the older 2. She loves shoes...seriously LOVES shoes - mine, hers, Emily's, doesn't matter...she loves them. At the beginning of Winter I bought Emily some long brown boots. A few weeks later she was at the shops with Mum and she tells her "Mama, these shoes are hurting my feet, I think they are too small." Derr...we'd had an arguement about them being too small before she left the house, but she insisted that she loved them and they were fine!! So Mum goes to buy her some shoes...any guesses what type of shoes she just had to have? Yep Long brown boots!! They do look pretty cute on, she loves them - THANKS Mum!! :)
Here's a pic of her going to Bella's birthday party back in July. She was so excited to be going to a birthday party by herself without the other kids!
* Emily - is growing up WAAAAAY too quickly! She turned 6 last week. I can't believe how fast it has gone. I also can't believe that this child is the same person as the one who was here 2 years ago! I could have given that little girl away....we fought CONSTANTLY, she didn't do anything she was told, argued with everyone, didn't seem to care who she upset...but she has grown into the most amazingly loving, kind hearted young lady and I canot even begin to say how proud I am of her. She still has that determined streak in her that I admire so much but she doesn't argue all of the time. She still stands up for what she believes in and won't be walked over but generally tries to keep the peace and is just so, so sweet and kind. Obviously she just needed to find out who she was and realise how important she was but she is seriously a different child these days! She's also 6 going on 16!!! Very concerned about looking pretty/cool/trendy etc. She still adores Luke (her boyfriend...remember the one she "married" ion Preschool?). She doesn't get to see him as often but when they do see each other they have so much fun and it's like no time has passed at all.
She loves - ART! Oh and art and anything remotely artistic and all things arty! Yep...loves art! LOL! Paint, glitter, cutting stuff up, glue, drawing, crayons, anything creative and she is in her element! She reminds me so much of Tammie as a young kid. Tammie was always cutting stuff up, creating something, (aka making a mess!!!), we'd all be watching TV and Tam would have disappeared and would be out in the garage making something. Emily is exactly the same. She is always leaving little notes and pictures around the place for us. Unfortunately she has limited things that she can write so we often find "Mum/Dad, I {heart} u" around the place. lots of drawings of flowers, suns, butterflies and always colourful. Back in July at school her class had an art gallery and they spent weeks creating lots of different types of artwork to display in the gallery (pencil drawings, colourful paintings, paper bag puppets, wet chalk drawings, black and white drawings, photography, charcoal drawings....heaps of things!!) It was fabulous and Emily loved being a part of it. She has started gymnastics and seems to love it or as she would say "this is SO me!!" With the Olympics recently on, I think she has set herself some serious goals, I'm not sure if she realises how many years those athletes have trained to be able to do all of that! With her determination, I am sure she'll be doing it in no time!
Here's a photo of her taken earlier this year that I just love....
and another couple of photos taken on the day of the school Walkathon a few weeks ago. They had to have crazy hair/socks/hat for the day, so she had crazy hair and crazy socks!
And of course, as I said earlier...someone likes to copy her big sister so Sarah also went to Kindy with Crazy hair!!!
* Matthew - turns 8 in about 2 weeks. Now that is seriously scary! 8!! We were talking the other day about the Olympics and he pointed out that he will be 12 when the next Olympics is on.....then of course he had to point out that he'll be 16 at the Olympics after that!!! 16!!!!! The bizarre thing is, the Sydney Olympics were on when he was a newborn and they don't seem that long ago. When you look at it that way...is he going to be 16 before I know it??
He's still completely football obsessed! He's just finished his first season of Aussie Rules (Aspley U8 Pies) and absolutely LOVED it! He did really well and amazed everyone with the way he could bounce that silly shaped ball while running (hours and hours and hours of practice in the back yard probably helped!!). Every time he got the ball, a few of the parents would yell out "Bounce it Browny". He idolises Jonothan Brown and on the field he walks like him, tucks his shirt in like him, has his socks pulled up like him, goes through the same motions before he kicks the ball etc etc. Steve was the coach (he did such a great job too!!) It was funny at the start of the season Matthew had no idea what to call him "Do I call you Coach, Dad, Steve or what?"
Matthew really listened to everything Steve told him...in fact sometimes too literally! Steve told him after one game that his kicking was great but he should start looking to handball more. He explained that sometimes a better option is handballing so he should start handballing more in the game. Matthew took it all in, nodded and said that he would definitely try next game. Next game Matthew did nothing but handball. Steve had to explain afterwards that he had done a great job but the idea was to mix it up a little and try handballing AND kicking and part of being a great footballer was knowing when to do what! He laughed at himself though and found a good mix in the next game. Sadly the season has finished now but he's looking forward to next year and playing Under 9's. He's madly trying to convince Steve to coach again. Actually all of the boys and parents are too. Matthew told him a few days ago that it was really cool having Dad as the coach so I think he may have convinced him to coach again next year. I hope he does because he did such a great job and the boys all improved so much over the season. It seems most will be back and are hoping to all be together again. The parents are all really lovely too so I hope so.
Matthew made some great friendships with the boys in his team. I think it was really refreshing for him to be around boys who shared his passion. The kids at school play rugby league and soccer and don't particularly like or play aussie rules which disappoints Matty greatly. He had one of the boys, Bailey, over for a sleep over a few weeks ago and they had a ball. VERY little sleep mind you. Steve fell asleep on the lounge and woke up around 11.30pm and could hear them still chatting, giggling (and I think playing Playstation) then Matthew said Bailey woke him at 5am because they hadn't finished their game the night before. LOL!
As well as footy he also currently loves - High School Musical (movie), Hannah Montana (TV), Miniclip and Club Penguin on the computer, Aussie Nibble/Aussie Bites, Harry Potter and Specky McGee books - he reads every night when he goes to bed. He reads until he gets tired and turns his lamp off when he has had enough. He's currently reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and is nearly finished...just in time for his birthday ;) He also loves "inventing" things...he's recently invented a sport and spent every night for a few weeks designing the sport and rules etc, he has invented a pretend country (along with a flag, a map of what it looks like - named all of the states and everything), and he's always thinking of things that he could invent or proposing 'what if' questions. Yes he's a funny little man at times! LOL!
Here's a few pics of Matthew and his team mates:
First game of the season.
Last game of the season.
At a night game in full club jersey's.
Secrets between mates (photo a little dark, will have to lighten it)
Matthew in action.
Actually funny story here...this team had a girl on the team (you can see her in the photo. When the boys got there they saw there was a girl and started laughing at the girl on the other team. I turned to Matthew and said "I wouldn't laugh if I was you, if she's in the team she's probably pretty good" All the boys laughed at me and I could tell they were thinking "as if!" Well...... girl power at it's best!!! She killed them! She was amazing and at the end of the 1st quarter they were all coming off saying "Did you see how good she is" She ended up winning her teams best player for the season award. And our boys learnt a good lesson too! LOL!
* As far as scrapping goes....I haven't done much at all this year :( :( I keep trying to find the time but then feel guilty that I should be studying so don't scrap. I was going to enter Scrapbooking Memories Masters but didn't get one of the items finished in time. Here are the 3 I did get done:
- Single layout had to be in a shape other than traditional square/rectangle so I chose to do mine in the shape of a crown: "Mum to a Princess"
- Double layout - had to be about your hopes and dreams and I chose to take mine from a slightly different angle. I based it around this beautiful song:
"Cherish Now"
The journalling reads: "Dear Matthew, Emily and Sarah, I heard this song recently and it has made me think and I realised that so many of my dreams at the moment focus on you all being a bit older and not so needy of me. I've been dreaming of the days when I'll be able to have a hot cup of coffee or talk uninterrupted on the phone, when I've finished my degree, when we'll have the house paid off and therefore have more money, when you'll all be old enough to travel with, to do your own seatbelts up, stay home without a babysitter while we go out, drive your own cars wherever you want to go. but then I realised what I already know deep down - that time will come all too soon and I'll miss these days. So I'm going to Cherish now and stop dreaming life away. Love Mum."
- BTP - Keepsake gift for someone special - Sarah is forever collecting little bits and pieces and carrying them around in her pockets or in a handbag so I made this little tin for her "Sarah's Treasures"
Some of the other scrapping I have done this year:
These were done for the Scrapbook Savvy Cybercrop a few months ago:
Harry Potter: Book Week last year, Matthew went as Harry Potter.
Sarah at 2.
A layout about our fears: My greatest fear is something happening to my children.
Well, I might leave it there!
Keep smiling,
Trish xx
* Steve still stay at home Dad...we're still all loving it! He's started playing ....shhh....lawn bowls!! shhh...stop laughing!!! He seems to really be enjoying it. Of course being Mr Competitive, he's frustrated that he hasn't perfected it yet but I'm sure he'll get there. He has also commented that he has never seen so many hearing aides in the one place and that he has to use his outside voice when he's inside!! Quite a lot of young people play though, so I don't think it is all oldies!!
* Kids bathroom renovation - Emily came downstairs one morning a couple of months ago and asked Steve why the shower was falling apart. We had no idea but when Steve looked at it, a tile was coming loose. So he got out what he need to fix that one little tile and when he pulled it off, it peeled away a little too easily....as did about 25 other tiles so we made the decision to bite the bullet and renovate it. Steve decided to take on the challenge of renovating it for under $1000. I didn't think he had a hope of sticking to that budget but I should have known better.....so it's done, just needs to be painted. I love it, kids love it and the bank balance loves it too...total was just over $1000 - he was a little extravagent with the tapware and I didn't even notice them oops...LOL! Will have to take a pic of it all.
* We've all been struck down with the dreaded flu that most of Brisbane currently has. I'm still trying to shake it off and have had it now for about 5 weeks!!! Over it!!! Spent nearly all of last week sleeping all day...not good! I'm hoping we've almost got rid of it. Matthew has been home from school this week, hopefully he's on the mend. By the way have you seen this??
Oh too funny, "got a man with a hurty knee" and "haven't you ever heard of Lemsip?" Hahaha!...I love it! Not that it's like this in our house when the man of the house isn't feeling so well...*roll eyes* LOL! Matthew seems to be suffering from "Boy Cold"...a slightly gentler version of the Man Flu...yes he's dying LOL!
* Uni has been crazy - I opted to do 2 of my subjects in an intensive 6 week period. Nearly finished them but OMG 13 weeks of work in 5 weeks...not fun!!! But at least it means 2 subjects down for the semester!
* Talking of uni - Brad finished his degree and graduated recently! Congratulations Brad (have I mentioned I hate you?!!!) Serously though, we're all so proud of you. I know how hard it is to balance everything and you did so well balancing it all, so a huge congratulations to you!
* Sarah turned 3 in May. 3?!!! 3!!!!!! Yes I am having issues! I can't believe she is 3 and goes to school year after next. She's a clever little thing and very very funny. She copies everything that Emily does which Em both loves and hates! Right now Sarah loves: TV - Dora the Explorer, Wonderpets, Fairies, Lazy Town, Playschool. She loves Kindy and hates the days she has to stay home. Loves books and will often grab a book and 'read' it. She talks to herself ALL OF THE TIME! Actually she just talks all of the time!!! At Kindy, at sleep time, they have to put her to the side of the room, by herself as she doesn't sleep but talks to herself the entire time! She loves to eat all day long but doesn't eat a lot as such, she nibbles all day long. She often sings to herself and cracks us up when she starts singing regular radio songs - some not so appropriate for a 3 year old "I kissed a girl and I liked it" for example!!! She is a shit-stirrer though and constantly stirs the older 2. She loves shoes...seriously LOVES shoes - mine, hers, Emily's, doesn't matter...she loves them. At the beginning of Winter I bought Emily some long brown boots. A few weeks later she was at the shops with Mum and she tells her "Mama, these shoes are hurting my feet, I think they are too small." Derr...we'd had an arguement about them being too small before she left the house, but she insisted that she loved them and they were fine!! So Mum goes to buy her some shoes...any guesses what type of shoes she just had to have? Yep Long brown boots!! They do look pretty cute on, she loves them - THANKS Mum!! :)
Here's a pic of her going to Bella's birthday party back in July. She was so excited to be going to a birthday party by herself without the other kids!
* Emily - is growing up WAAAAAY too quickly! She turned 6 last week. I can't believe how fast it has gone. I also can't believe that this child is the same person as the one who was here 2 years ago! I could have given that little girl away....we fought CONSTANTLY, she didn't do anything she was told, argued with everyone, didn't seem to care who she upset...but she has grown into the most amazingly loving, kind hearted young lady and I canot even begin to say how proud I am of her. She still has that determined streak in her that I admire so much but she doesn't argue all of the time. She still stands up for what she believes in and won't be walked over but generally tries to keep the peace and is just so, so sweet and kind. Obviously she just needed to find out who she was and realise how important she was but she is seriously a different child these days! She's also 6 going on 16!!! Very concerned about looking pretty/cool/trendy etc. She still adores Luke (her boyfriend...remember the one she "married" ion Preschool?). She doesn't get to see him as often but when they do see each other they have so much fun and it's like no time has passed at all.
She loves - ART! Oh and art and anything remotely artistic and all things arty! Yep...loves art! LOL! Paint, glitter, cutting stuff up, glue, drawing, crayons, anything creative and she is in her element! She reminds me so much of Tammie as a young kid. Tammie was always cutting stuff up, creating something, (aka making a mess!!!), we'd all be watching TV and Tam would have disappeared and would be out in the garage making something. Emily is exactly the same. She is always leaving little notes and pictures around the place for us. Unfortunately she has limited things that she can write so we often find "Mum/Dad, I {heart} u" around the place. lots of drawings of flowers, suns, butterflies and always colourful. Back in July at school her class had an art gallery and they spent weeks creating lots of different types of artwork to display in the gallery (pencil drawings, colourful paintings, paper bag puppets, wet chalk drawings, black and white drawings, photography, charcoal drawings....heaps of things!!) It was fabulous and Emily loved being a part of it. She has started gymnastics and seems to love it or as she would say "this is SO me!!" With the Olympics recently on, I think she has set herself some serious goals, I'm not sure if she realises how many years those athletes have trained to be able to do all of that! With her determination, I am sure she'll be doing it in no time!
Here's a photo of her taken earlier this year that I just love....
and another couple of photos taken on the day of the school Walkathon a few weeks ago. They had to have crazy hair/socks/hat for the day, so she had crazy hair and crazy socks!
And of course, as I said earlier...someone likes to copy her big sister so Sarah also went to Kindy with Crazy hair!!!
* Matthew - turns 8 in about 2 weeks. Now that is seriously scary! 8!! We were talking the other day about the Olympics and he pointed out that he will be 12 when the next Olympics is on.....then of course he had to point out that he'll be 16 at the Olympics after that!!! 16!!!!! The bizarre thing is, the Sydney Olympics were on when he was a newborn and they don't seem that long ago. When you look at it that way...is he going to be 16 before I know it??
He's still completely football obsessed! He's just finished his first season of Aussie Rules (Aspley U8 Pies) and absolutely LOVED it! He did really well and amazed everyone with the way he could bounce that silly shaped ball while running (hours and hours and hours of practice in the back yard probably helped!!). Every time he got the ball, a few of the parents would yell out "Bounce it Browny". He idolises Jonothan Brown and on the field he walks like him, tucks his shirt in like him, has his socks pulled up like him, goes through the same motions before he kicks the ball etc etc. Steve was the coach (he did such a great job too!!) It was funny at the start of the season Matthew had no idea what to call him "Do I call you Coach, Dad, Steve or what?"
Matthew really listened to everything Steve told him...in fact sometimes too literally! Steve told him after one game that his kicking was great but he should start looking to handball more. He explained that sometimes a better option is handballing so he should start handballing more in the game. Matthew took it all in, nodded and said that he would definitely try next game. Next game Matthew did nothing but handball. Steve had to explain afterwards that he had done a great job but the idea was to mix it up a little and try handballing AND kicking and part of being a great footballer was knowing when to do what! He laughed at himself though and found a good mix in the next game. Sadly the season has finished now but he's looking forward to next year and playing Under 9's. He's madly trying to convince Steve to coach again. Actually all of the boys and parents are too. Matthew told him a few days ago that it was really cool having Dad as the coach so I think he may have convinced him to coach again next year. I hope he does because he did such a great job and the boys all improved so much over the season. It seems most will be back and are hoping to all be together again. The parents are all really lovely too so I hope so.
Matthew made some great friendships with the boys in his team. I think it was really refreshing for him to be around boys who shared his passion. The kids at school play rugby league and soccer and don't particularly like or play aussie rules which disappoints Matty greatly. He had one of the boys, Bailey, over for a sleep over a few weeks ago and they had a ball. VERY little sleep mind you. Steve fell asleep on the lounge and woke up around 11.30pm and could hear them still chatting, giggling (and I think playing Playstation) then Matthew said Bailey woke him at 5am because they hadn't finished their game the night before. LOL!
As well as footy he also currently loves - High School Musical (movie), Hannah Montana (TV), Miniclip and Club Penguin on the computer, Aussie Nibble/Aussie Bites, Harry Potter and Specky McGee books - he reads every night when he goes to bed. He reads until he gets tired and turns his lamp off when he has had enough. He's currently reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and is nearly finished...just in time for his birthday ;) He also loves "inventing" things...he's recently invented a sport and spent every night for a few weeks designing the sport and rules etc, he has invented a pretend country (along with a flag, a map of what it looks like - named all of the states and everything), and he's always thinking of things that he could invent or proposing 'what if' questions. Yes he's a funny little man at times! LOL!
Here's a few pics of Matthew and his team mates:
First game of the season.
Last game of the season.
At a night game in full club jersey's.
Secrets between mates (photo a little dark, will have to lighten it)
Matthew in action.Actually funny story here...this team had a girl on the team (you can see her in the photo. When the boys got there they saw there was a girl and started laughing at the girl on the other team. I turned to Matthew and said "I wouldn't laugh if I was you, if she's in the team she's probably pretty good" All the boys laughed at me and I could tell they were thinking "as if!" Well...... girl power at it's best!!! She killed them! She was amazing and at the end of the 1st quarter they were all coming off saying "Did you see how good she is" She ended up winning her teams best player for the season award. And our boys learnt a good lesson too! LOL!
* As far as scrapping goes....I haven't done much at all this year :( :( I keep trying to find the time but then feel guilty that I should be studying so don't scrap. I was going to enter Scrapbooking Memories Masters but didn't get one of the items finished in time. Here are the 3 I did get done:
- Single layout had to be in a shape other than traditional square/rectangle so I chose to do mine in the shape of a crown: "Mum to a Princess"
- Double layout - had to be about your hopes and dreams and I chose to take mine from a slightly different angle. I based it around this beautiful song:
"Cherish Now"
The journalling reads: "Dear Matthew, Emily and Sarah, I heard this song recently and it has made me think and I realised that so many of my dreams at the moment focus on you all being a bit older and not so needy of me. I've been dreaming of the days when I'll be able to have a hot cup of coffee or talk uninterrupted on the phone, when I've finished my degree, when we'll have the house paid off and therefore have more money, when you'll all be old enough to travel with, to do your own seatbelts up, stay home without a babysitter while we go out, drive your own cars wherever you want to go. but then I realised what I already know deep down - that time will come all too soon and I'll miss these days. So I'm going to Cherish now and stop dreaming life away. Love Mum."
- BTP - Keepsake gift for someone special - Sarah is forever collecting little bits and pieces and carrying them around in her pockets or in a handbag so I made this little tin for her "Sarah's Treasures"
Some of the other scrapping I have done this year:
These were done for the Scrapbook Savvy Cybercrop a few months ago:
Harry Potter: Book Week last year, Matthew went as Harry Potter.
Sarah at 2.
A layout about our fears: My greatest fear is something happening to my children.
Well, I might leave it there!
Keep smiling,
Trish xx
Monday, March 31, 2008
WHOAH! Time flies!
Nov 18th?!?! Oh my goodness, 4 months since I have blogged..whoah! Obviously a lot has happened in that time, a LOT! - end of school year, holidays, lots of scrapping, Christmas, New Year, Emily started Prep, Matthew started Year 3, I'm back to uni, Steve's become a home Dad (and we're all loving it! and he's doing a great job too but shhh! don't tell him I said that ;) LOL!) then Easter ...so....where do I start?!!
Well Terri from Scrapbook City has been running blog challenges and they're up to week 5 so I thought I'd get the blog ball rolling with the challenges. I'm back to uni again and lots to do so if I get a chance I'll upload some photos, layouts and put down what's been happening before my sieve of a brain forgets :)
OK so the challenges:
Challenge 1 - My Favourite Things
Well I recently did a layout for the Scrapbook Savvy cyber crop about my favourite things so maybe I'll cheat and upload that......
Journalling reads:
I love.....BRIBIE ISLAND retire there one day?, CHOCOLATE any type, COFFEE all kinds but at the moment I love Caramel Lattes, PINK the colour and the singer, MUSIC most types, SCRAPBOOKING and all of the yummy products, HOT SHOWERS, EASTER and our annual family picnic, MY HOUSE and all of the renovations we have done, HOGS BREATH STEAK "LiteCut" with Calamari, cooked Medium, with vegies and curly tail fries, MY CAR Gold Ford Falcon Forte, ME TIME especially late at night when no-one else is around, CHRISTMAS the lead up, Christmas Day with family, the look on the kids faces, FRESH SHEETS, BEING HAPPY and being surrounded by happiness BUT there is NOTHING in the world that I LOVE more than my FAMILY.
OK so that was pretty easy...next!!
Challenge 2 - What Makes You Laugh
What Makes me laugh? Hmm... well definitely Stephen...all of the time. We share a bizarre sense of humour and often I know what he is going to say, what joke he will crack and sometimes if we are around other people, I get what he means and laugh but others just look at us like "Huh?" LOL! Sue always says that Steve and I live on love but I think we live on laughter (and love of course!)
The kids make me laugh...Living in this house they couldn't help but have a good (warped) sense of humour. Steve and I are always doing silly things with them, acting like idiots, there is a lot of laughs and giggles in this house and they are very funny kids! They all know when they are being funny and love trying to make us laugh.
Movies - one in particular comes to mind - Hercules Returns, still cracks me up. If you haven't ever seen it, do yourself a favour and find a video/DVD shop that has it and give yourself a good giggle. Stupid stupid humour but...well just my kind of humour...you'll probably hate it LOL!
Other people laughing...I love those emails that people send through that have a pic of a baby and this incredibly annoying laughter...makes me laugh though...I love laughing and laughter!
OK so yet another entry that I never posted. Yes it is months later and has been sitting in draft form, so I am going to post it and then go chase up the other blog topics...they are probably up to prompt 200 by now :)
Keep smiling
Trish xx
Well Terri from Scrapbook City has been running blog challenges and they're up to week 5 so I thought I'd get the blog ball rolling with the challenges. I'm back to uni again and lots to do so if I get a chance I'll upload some photos, layouts and put down what's been happening before my sieve of a brain forgets :)
OK so the challenges:
Challenge 1 - My Favourite Things
Well I recently did a layout for the Scrapbook Savvy cyber crop about my favourite things so maybe I'll cheat and upload that......
Journalling reads:
I love.....BRIBIE ISLAND retire there one day?, CHOCOLATE any type, COFFEE all kinds but at the moment I love Caramel Lattes, PINK the colour and the singer, MUSIC most types, SCRAPBOOKING and all of the yummy products, HOT SHOWERS, EASTER and our annual family picnic, MY HOUSE and all of the renovations we have done, HOGS BREATH STEAK "LiteCut" with Calamari, cooked Medium, with vegies and curly tail fries, MY CAR Gold Ford Falcon Forte, ME TIME especially late at night when no-one else is around, CHRISTMAS the lead up, Christmas Day with family, the look on the kids faces, FRESH SHEETS, BEING HAPPY and being surrounded by happiness BUT there is NOTHING in the world that I LOVE more than my FAMILY.
OK so that was pretty easy...next!!
Challenge 2 - What Makes You Laugh
What Makes me laugh? Hmm... well definitely Stephen...all of the time. We share a bizarre sense of humour and often I know what he is going to say, what joke he will crack and sometimes if we are around other people, I get what he means and laugh but others just look at us like "Huh?" LOL! Sue always says that Steve and I live on love but I think we live on laughter (and love of course!)
The kids make me laugh...Living in this house they couldn't help but have a good (warped) sense of humour. Steve and I are always doing silly things with them, acting like idiots, there is a lot of laughs and giggles in this house and they are very funny kids! They all know when they are being funny and love trying to make us laugh.
Movies - one in particular comes to mind - Hercules Returns, still cracks me up. If you haven't ever seen it, do yourself a favour and find a video/DVD shop that has it and give yourself a good giggle. Stupid stupid humour but...well just my kind of humour...you'll probably hate it LOL!
Other people laughing...I love those emails that people send through that have a pic of a baby and this incredibly annoying laughter...makes me laugh though...I love laughing and laughter!
OK so yet another entry that I never posted. Yes it is months later and has been sitting in draft form, so I am going to post it and then go chase up the other blog topics...they are probably up to prompt 200 by now :)
Keep smiling
Trish xx
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year...2008...bring it on (but only in an organised way thankyou!
Saw this on someone's blog this morning and thought it would be fun to recap 2007 with:
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Held a snake at Alma Park zoo as part of a TV commercial.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Gee, I don't remember....ummm.....Oh yes I do...this year was going to be the year of "High Maintenance" LOL! Just so you don't think I have tickets on myself, in 2006 Matthew had a girl in his class who's Mum is stunning, so we nicknamed her "Hottie" because Steve could never remember her name. Anyway, we were chatting about her one day and I commented that she always looked amazing but I'd never seen her in the same outfit (ie always new clothes) and that I wondered how she could be so perfectly made up and hair etc to drop her daughter to school. I mentioned that I thought she would be a very high maintenance wife (which I am now about 99% sure is the case) I went on to explain that she seems to spend a heck of a lot on clothes and manicures and hair and makeup and kids clothes etc etc. Anyway, Stephen commented that if I looked like that, I could be as high maintenance as I wanted to be LOL! Anyway, I can't be high maintenance, it's not me. I do plan to get my hair done more regularly and start looking after myself better this year but I don't think I'll ever look like "Hottie" and you know what, I don't really want to. I've got to know her better and she's actually annoying, so concerned about appearance and what people think and that's not me. I am more interested in people remembering me as someone friendly and happy than the lady who always looks good and obviously spends a lot of money on herself. So no I didn't really keep 2006/7's NY resolution! LOL!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Tarsh, Glen and Ena welcomed Owen to their family. Gayle and Tim had their daughter, Isla, making Russ and Penny grandparents and Ange and Steve an Aunt and Uncle. Congratulations to them!!!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother passed away 28th August 2007. I think about her all of the time. I know Mum is missing her so much. Nothing like a Mum to talk to. I love you Mum xx
5. What countries did you visit?
*sigh* one day!!
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Less procrastination, more energy, more drive and determination to get through my uni work, more organisation.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
28th August - Marnie passed away. 30th November - Emily's pre-school graduation. I looked at her that night and it took my breath away that she is really going to school, that I have 2 school aged kids and only 1 baby left at home, that she is so mature and confident and individual and kind and sweet and beautiful and I am so proud of her. I mean I always know these things but seeing her graduating and then on 'stage' singing with her class and being one of the older, bigger kids, I just realised what an incredible young lady she is!
OK Say there were about 30 questions and this was as far as I got, I'm going to post this now (months and months later *roll eyes*)
Keep smiling,
Trish
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Held a snake at Alma Park zoo as part of a TV commercial.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Gee, I don't remember....ummm.....Oh yes I do...this year was going to be the year of "High Maintenance" LOL! Just so you don't think I have tickets on myself, in 2006 Matthew had a girl in his class who's Mum is stunning, so we nicknamed her "Hottie" because Steve could never remember her name. Anyway, we were chatting about her one day and I commented that she always looked amazing but I'd never seen her in the same outfit (ie always new clothes) and that I wondered how she could be so perfectly made up and hair etc to drop her daughter to school. I mentioned that I thought she would be a very high maintenance wife (which I am now about 99% sure is the case) I went on to explain that she seems to spend a heck of a lot on clothes and manicures and hair and makeup and kids clothes etc etc. Anyway, Stephen commented that if I looked like that, I could be as high maintenance as I wanted to be LOL! Anyway, I can't be high maintenance, it's not me. I do plan to get my hair done more regularly and start looking after myself better this year but I don't think I'll ever look like "Hottie" and you know what, I don't really want to. I've got to know her better and she's actually annoying, so concerned about appearance and what people think and that's not me. I am more interested in people remembering me as someone friendly and happy than the lady who always looks good and obviously spends a lot of money on herself. So no I didn't really keep 2006/7's NY resolution! LOL!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Tarsh, Glen and Ena welcomed Owen to their family. Gayle and Tim had their daughter, Isla, making Russ and Penny grandparents and Ange and Steve an Aunt and Uncle. Congratulations to them!!!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother passed away 28th August 2007. I think about her all of the time. I know Mum is missing her so much. Nothing like a Mum to talk to. I love you Mum xx
5. What countries did you visit?
*sigh* one day!!
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Less procrastination, more energy, more drive and determination to get through my uni work, more organisation.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
28th August - Marnie passed away. 30th November - Emily's pre-school graduation. I looked at her that night and it took my breath away that she is really going to school, that I have 2 school aged kids and only 1 baby left at home, that she is so mature and confident and individual and kind and sweet and beautiful and I am so proud of her. I mean I always know these things but seeing her graduating and then on 'stage' singing with her class and being one of the older, bigger kids, I just realised what an incredible young lady she is!
OK Say there were about 30 questions and this was as far as I got, I'm going to post this now (months and months later *roll eyes*)
Keep smiling,
Trish
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Random Memories
Just wanted to record a few random memories of things the kids are saying at the moment (so I don't forget them!)
Sarah
* Her teachers are Biss Nikki, Biss Shelf (Miss Rochelle!)
* I love you five!
Emily
* Talking about how babies come out. I kept trying to explain without 'exact' details but she kept asking over and over again "but where do they actually come out?" So I told her. She looked at me puzzled and asked, "does it hurt?" I told her "a little but then you hold your little baby and it is all better" She looked at me with her little face scrunched up on one side and said "I am SO not ever having babies" LOL!
Sarah and Emily
Playing together ALL THE TIME! Sarah is going to miss Emily so much next year when she goes to school. They play "Babies" where usually Emily is the Mum and Sarah is the baby (occasionally they swap). It's so nice hearing them play and I realise I must be an OK Mum by the way they act and talk to their baby (lots of "darling, sweetheart, kisses, hugs and I love yous). They also play Kindy where Sarah is the Kindy Kid and Emily is the teacher (gee some of the kids in her class get in trouble a lot though LOL!) They play in the cubby a lot and have races in the Cozy Coupe car and the motorbike. They are such good friends!
Matthew
* "Oh that is lame"
* Steve, Matthew and I were watching TV this week and ANOTHER election ad came on. He stood up and looked at us and went off.....
"I am so sick of all of htese ads and I am sick of them picking on John Howard. He is trying his best. They keep blaming him for climate change but if people looked after water and turned lights off and looked after our planet then we wouldn't have to worry about climate change. But people do bad things and then blame John Howard. And work choices, well people need to work hard and then their bosses would want them to work and they wouldn't have to worry about work choices and not having a job. But nope, they blame John Howard. And how does Kevin Rudd think he'll do a better job? He might do a better job, but he might not. Why don't they try to fix things and not just come on TV and say how bad the other person is. That's not nice and bet they don't like it when people are mean about them so why be mean about each other......"
He continued on his soapbox for a bit longer while Steve and I just looked at each other and stifled our laughter! He was so passionate and 7!!! I don't think I even knew who the PM was at 7 let alone have an opinion on who to vote for. And for the record, it hasn't come from us. He watches the 5pm news most nights. When Kevin Rudd first became Labor leader, Matthew really liked him and kept suggesting I vote for him but he's been weighing up the argument and I think he's leaning towards John Howard now.
I've just called him in and asked him and for those still undecided about who to vote for, this is Matthew's opinion:
"Well I'd want to vote for both of them for different reasons. John Howard is being pushed around and people are being mean and that's not fair so I'd vote for him for that reason and because he's been doing OK. But I'd vote for Kevin Rudd because I don't want Peter Costello to be our Prime Minister so I'd choose him"
Hmmm....OK so I'm still undecided so I'll consult Matthew again....
I've told him you can only pick one so who would you pick? Amswer: Kevin Rudd because I really don't like Peter Costello!
LOL! I wonder if we'll see him in the future as a political correspondant or maybe in parliament himself?!?!
Anyway, in my usual style the little post I had intended to make has morphed into a huge story LOL!
Keep smiling (only 1 week until the election ads are finished LOL!)
Trish
Sarah
* Her teachers are Biss Nikki, Biss Shelf (Miss Rochelle!)
* I love you five!
Emily
* Talking about how babies come out. I kept trying to explain without 'exact' details but she kept asking over and over again "but where do they actually come out?" So I told her. She looked at me puzzled and asked, "does it hurt?" I told her "a little but then you hold your little baby and it is all better" She looked at me with her little face scrunched up on one side and said "I am SO not ever having babies" LOL!
Sarah and Emily
Playing together ALL THE TIME! Sarah is going to miss Emily so much next year when she goes to school. They play "Babies" where usually Emily is the Mum and Sarah is the baby (occasionally they swap). It's so nice hearing them play and I realise I must be an OK Mum by the way they act and talk to their baby (lots of "darling, sweetheart, kisses, hugs and I love yous). They also play Kindy where Sarah is the Kindy Kid and Emily is the teacher (gee some of the kids in her class get in trouble a lot though LOL!) They play in the cubby a lot and have races in the Cozy Coupe car and the motorbike. They are such good friends!
Matthew
* "Oh that is lame"
* Steve, Matthew and I were watching TV this week and ANOTHER election ad came on. He stood up and looked at us and went off.....
"I am so sick of all of htese ads and I am sick of them picking on John Howard. He is trying his best. They keep blaming him for climate change but if people looked after water and turned lights off and looked after our planet then we wouldn't have to worry about climate change. But people do bad things and then blame John Howard. And work choices, well people need to work hard and then their bosses would want them to work and they wouldn't have to worry about work choices and not having a job. But nope, they blame John Howard. And how does Kevin Rudd think he'll do a better job? He might do a better job, but he might not. Why don't they try to fix things and not just come on TV and say how bad the other person is. That's not nice and bet they don't like it when people are mean about them so why be mean about each other......"
He continued on his soapbox for a bit longer while Steve and I just looked at each other and stifled our laughter! He was so passionate and 7!!! I don't think I even knew who the PM was at 7 let alone have an opinion on who to vote for. And for the record, it hasn't come from us. He watches the 5pm news most nights. When Kevin Rudd first became Labor leader, Matthew really liked him and kept suggesting I vote for him but he's been weighing up the argument and I think he's leaning towards John Howard now.
I've just called him in and asked him and for those still undecided about who to vote for, this is Matthew's opinion:
"Well I'd want to vote for both of them for different reasons. John Howard is being pushed around and people are being mean and that's not fair so I'd vote for him for that reason and because he's been doing OK. But I'd vote for Kevin Rudd because I don't want Peter Costello to be our Prime Minister so I'd choose him"
Hmmm....OK so I'm still undecided so I'll consult Matthew again....
I've told him you can only pick one so who would you pick? Amswer: Kevin Rudd because I really don't like Peter Costello!
LOL! I wonder if we'll see him in the future as a political correspondant or maybe in parliament himself?!?!
Anyway, in my usual style the little post I had intended to make has morphed into a huge story LOL!
Keep smiling (only 1 week until the election ads are finished LOL!)
Trish
Monday, November 12, 2007
Lots going on.....
Scrapbook City had their first Awards night on Saturday night. It's the weirdest feeling being so excited about meeting people for the first time that you already know so well. They have moved into a new shop which looks absolutely amazing!!! Leisa and Kerri put on a great night! They should be so proud of what they have created with Scrapbook City, although I am still working on getting them to open a northside branch ;)
So here we all are:
How gorgeous are we!!! LOL! Thanks Katie for the photo!! :D
I got to catch up with Sue (toby) again who deservedly won the Heritage section. My goodness I love her stuff!
I got to meet Kathy for the first time and you know sometimes you meet someone and think, now that is my kind of person, well Kathy is definitely my kind of person. She is happy and nice and friendly and funny and talks heaps LOL! After all of our games on the Scrapbook City forum, I was really looking forward to meeting her. I also wanted to make sure that she knew I am insane and my comments are always made with a smile! That's the hard thing about forums and internet communication, you lose the other parts of communication that help communicate meaning so sometimes I have to wonder if people think I am weird! LOL! Luckily Kathy has understood what I have meant in my posts although she probably still thinks I am weird! LOL!
Got to see Linda again. Linda is just the sweetest and happiest person and another person that is just a pleasure to be around. Although apparently she wasn't so impressed by my Magic Vending Machine Gift of 1 month's free baby sitting by Brittney Spears. LOL! Go figure!?!?
Jen is exactly like I had pictured her to be - another fun lady!! I was so thrilled that she won the Pet Layout Award. She had created the most gorgeous layout of her little buddy, (Mr Birdles) who had sadly passed away the day she did the layout. Everyone had tears in their eyes when she gave her speech.
Everyone is just so darn nice! Niss, Sue, Katie, Debbie, Ronnie, it was so good to put faces to names and get to kow them a bit better.
It was such a lovely night and I was so excited (and hugely shocked!) to win 2 categories - Freestyle (won a MM tote!!!!) and Monthly Competition Categories (won a K&Co Album pack) and we got little trophies too which are pretty cool! These are the layouts:
{my} BOY - for the Scrapbook City Monthly Competition Winners Category. This kit was divine!!!
Journalling reads:
"I can still remember when you were born and the midwife announced that we had a son. I was thrilled but I remember thinking…A Boy?? But I don’t know what to do with a boy?” I was thinking of all the typical boy things…climbing, falling, getting dirty, bruises, pulling things apart, swallowing random objects, playing with cars and trucks, mud, funny bodily functions, loud, sweaty, smelly, playing ‘Superman’, trips to the emergency room, calls to poison information, walking on the roof, finding obscure places to put things, smelly, snips and snails and puppy dog tails….All very stereotypical I suppose, but that is what I was expecting with a son.
BUT you are NOT a ‘typical’ boy! We never childproofed with you, you’ve never swallowed anything weird, you don’t like or play with cars, trucks, superheroes or other “boy” toys. You never pull things apart, climb places you shouldn’t, you’ve had very few bruises and cuts. You are careful, safe, a worrier and we often joke you’ll have an ulcer by age 10! You may not be a stereotypical “boy” but you are MY boy and I love you just the way you are. {heart} Mum xo."
And Scrapbooking Memories have accepted it for publication too which is pretty darn exciting!!
And "this girl has SPUNK" for the Scrapbook City Freestyle Artist Category.
This is not a category I would have ever thought I would have won LOL! I am usually so straight and linear and tidy in my scrapping. Everything gets measured and is straight but I enjoyed creating this laout soooo much. I made myslef do it quickly and just stick it down ie no time to move stuff and doubt what I was doing. I decided that if something ended up looking silly or in the wrong place then I would just keep adding stuff until it looked OK! LOL! Might have to use this technique more often, it certainly got the page done quicker than normal!
Here are all of the winners for the night:
Category 1: Scrapbook City Photography on a layout Award = "Flamingos" - Trackster
Category 2: Most Compelling Journalling Award = "Life's Journey" – Brendy
Category 3: Scrapbook City BTP Award = "Altered Watering Can" – Terri
Category 4: Scrapbook City Digital Layout Award "Mum & Dad Satisfied" - Scrappy_nat
Category 5: Scrapbook City Colour Artist = "Agnes" - Lauren Rhodes
Category 6: Scrapbook City Freestyle Artist = "This Girl has got Spunk" - Tish
Category 7: Scrapbook City Outstanding BOM Layout = "I am what I am" - Trudi
Category 8: Scrapbook City Outstanding Boy Layout = "Rockstar" - Niss
Category 9: Scrapbook City Outstanding Girl Layout = "Beautiful" - Loulou
Category 10: Scrapbook City Outstanding Baby Layout = "3445 grams" - Madscrapbooker
Category 11: Scrapbook City Outstanding Family Layout = "Suddenly" – Kezzie
Category 12: Scrapbook City Outstanding Non-Person Layout = "Lit Chic" - Gigi
Category 13: Scrapbook City Outstanding Pet Layout = "My Little Buddy" - Jen
Category 14: Scrapbook City Outstanding Heritage Layout = "Shirley & Elve" – toby
Category 15: Scrapbook City Outstanding Holiday Layout = "Distant Dreams" - Ronnie
Category 16: Scrapbook City Outstanding Double Page Layout = "Christmas Pressies" - Ronnie
Category 17: Scrapbook City Outstanding Card = "Thinking of Scallops" - KathyJ
Category 18: Scrapbook City Outstanding Photography (not on layout) = "Dragonfly on a Waterlily" - Laraine McIntosh
Category 19: City Cybercrop Champion = "Beauty" - Tracy Firth
Category 20: Monthly Competition Winner = "My Boy" - Trish
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. Amazing job by everyone!
After the Awards Night Tam and I went and had a quiet drink at the Monier Hotel. It was SOOOOOO nice to sit and chat without kids. We love our kids but I can't remember the last time we could chat without worrying about fights, food, kids getting in to things they shouldn't, wiping bottoms, drinks etc etc while trying to hold a conversation! The joke used to always be "you shit me but I love ya" (meant in an endearing way of course. I started saying it when she was "an annoying teen of 13" and I was an "oh so mature 17 year old"!! LOL!) Tam, you don't shit me at all anymore, I just love ya to bits!! It was so nice to spend the time together and have Sunday morning together too!
Here are a few more layouts I have done lately:
Willing To Try was also for the SBC Monthly Kit Competition (did I mention I loved this kit!!!)
Journalling reads:
Emily, I love the fact that you give things a go. Whether it be different food (for example prawns) or trying something new. This day I remembered being at preschool and being too scared to go down the firemans pole. It took me until my last day to really try, yet here you are, just started preschool ad you gave it a try. I'm so proud of you and how you will "give it a go".
Scrapbooking Memories have also accepted this one for publication which I was pretty excited about too.
Emily is thrilled that she's going to be in the "mazagine" again but now that she is going to be in there and Matthew too she wants me to tell the "mazagine" that they need to put Sarah in there too or Sarah will be sad. How sweet is she!!!
This was also for the Kit Comp. The journalling is pretty honest and a little heavy. I really struggled with Emily from when she was 2 years old until earlier this year. We've had a bumpy few years but now we get along so well and things are fabulous between us. I have wanted to do a layout on this for ages so I am glad I finally have. Here's the journalling if you want to read it:
Verse from a Barbara Streisand song "Clear Sailing" (which I did a modern ballet solo to for many years) is in top left hand corner -
"Now I look into your eyes
The colour of a quiet sea
Cast my love upon the tide
Watch it return to me
Now I'm feeling fine
I can tell the storm has passed
For the last time
It's gonna be clear sailing
From now on. "
Emily, the verse from this song says exactly how I feel now. To be honest, it’s been a long bumpy road for you & I. It began when you were about 2. At the time, I put it all down to the “terrible 2’s” & you trying to assert your independence & be your own person.
At first you would just be defiant & stubborn & throw tantrums & I’d do the best I knew how to do to work through it. But it got worse & to be honest with you, I didn’t know how to handle it. I started to wonder if there was something wrong with me as a mum. Dad didn’t have the same troubles, no matter what he asked you to do; you did without question, so I started to think that it must be me. You would fly off the handle so easily, you would defy every little thing I asked. It didn’t matter how I tried to handle the situation…I tried being extremely nice, praising you when you were good, I tried smacking you, putting you on the ‘thinking step’ (actually you virtually lived on that step for a long time), I tried ignoring your behaviour, I broke down in tears in front of you many times, I yelled, I ranted, I raved, I took deep breathes & calmly tried to reason with you…no matter what, nothing worked. Your kindy teachers were always telling me what a gorgeous young girl you were & how well behaved you were so then I knew it wasn’t you, & started blaming myself more & more. I started to think that maybe you & I would never get along. It broke my heart. When I was pregnant & found out that you were a girl, I was so exited. I was elated - I always dreamed of having a daughter. But this wasn’t how I had imagined it to be. Part of me was so happy that you had so much spark & independence & that you knew how to stand up for yourself. But it really started to get to me, I got more & more depressed, kept blaming myself for whatever it was that should have been between us & just wasn’t. I absolutely hate to admit it now, but I didn’t enjoy being with you at all. The thing is, I know that you weren’t enjoying being with me either & I don’t blame you, I wasn’t fun to be with.
In July 2006, Dad realised that I needed to get away & sort myself out & organised for me to go away for a week by myself. During my week away, I thought so much about where I was at & so much about you & what was going wrong. I started to really think about why & this is what I believe contributed to the situation…
Matthew had been diagnosed with Diabetes in April 2004 when you were just 18 months old. I cannot begin to explain how that rocked my world. I did my absolute best to keep it all together, stay positive, to learn as much about it as I could. Then Sarah was born in May 2005. Poppy got really sick. There was a lot going on! I think back now & realise how it must have felt for you. Sarah was being breastfed so was always with me. Matthew was still adjusting to life with Diabetes, as was I, & I was trying my hardest to make everything positive for him. You didn’t need me in the same way as the others did. I mean I know you needed me but you didn’t need me physically like they did. Sarah needed me to feed her, change her, do everything for her. Matthew needed me to test him, give him injections, correct hypos etc etc. I now realise that I was barely coping & because you didn’t need me physically, I wasn’t doing as much physically with you. I think you were trying to tell me that you were there too & that you needed me too. You couldn’t say it in words so you used tantrums, fights & bad behaviour. I think in your eyes bad attention from me was better than the limited attention that you thought you were getting. Don’t get me wrong, I was still there for you & I kept telling you how much I loved you. I never stopped loving you! Never ever think that! I adore you, I always have & I always will, through both the good & the bad times.
Anyway, my week away didn’t immediately solve the problem. We had a lot to work through. I had a lot to work through. My biggest realization during that week was that I was angry about Diabetes coming in to our lives. I hate it & I have hated it ever since the doctor first mentioned the word. I hate that it has brought needles & testing into our lives, I hate that it makes us clock watch all of the time. I hate that it has made Matthew have to accept more responsibility than he should have to at his age. I hate that it has made you take on extra responsibility that you should never have had to either. I hate what it did to me. I hate that it turned me into such an angry person. I was trying to stay positive to convince myself & all of us that we could deal with this in our family when all I wanted to do was scream that I hated it. & so, nearly 3 years after it came into our lives, I finally cried & cried about it & admitted how much I hated it. I also realised how much anger I had stored up. But my most devastating realisation was what it had done to you & I.
I came back from my week away intent on making things between us right. I knew that it would probably get worse before it got better (& it did!) I knew that I had to crack down on your behaviour, to gain your respect & make you realise that I was the boss. I also knew that I had to make you realise how much I love you & what an important part of our family you are. & then earlier this year, we were talking & I said “I love you so much, you are such an important part of our family”. You stopped, looked at me & said “you love me like you love Matthew & Sarah, don’t you.” It was almost like you needed confirmation, that you were starting to believe it but needed the reassurance that it was true. “Yes sweetheart I love you just as much as I love Matthew & Sarah. I love all of you exactly the same – up to the moon, around the stars & back again”. & it’s true, I do! We’re good friends, just like I had always dreamed!
I suppose I could have left all of this unsaid. I am sure you won’t remember any of it so I could have left it out of your life story but I have chosen to tell you for quite a few reasons. Firstly, I want you to know all of this for when you have your own children. Maybe you will go through something similar, maybe you won’t, but if you do, I want you to know that its not always clear sailing & sometimes you have to work hard for what you love. Secondly, I want you to always know how important you are to me. I love you so much Milly. You put a smile on my face & I am so glad to be your mum. I am so proud of the person you are & I don’t think you will ever fully realise how much I appreciate the relationship we have now. So as I said, the verse to this song seems so appropriate. I look into your big blue eyes, give you my love & feel it returned to me. Now I feel fine, I can tell the storm has passed. It’s going to be clear sailing from now on.
{heart} Mum xoxo
This was for Challenge 1 in the last SBC Cybercrop. Based on a sketch but I didn't upload in time. I lay down with Steve and woke up at 7am the next morning! Getting old huh!!!
Journalling:
Sarah you are or 3rd child - my last baby! I am trying to enjoy every minute, and with you, that's not hard to do. Love Mum"
You can't really tell in the photo but there are little dots made with Dimensional Magic all around the outside of the layout and around the circle.
This one was done for Friday Night Games at Embellished a few weeks ago. The challenge was it had to be themed around "The Simple Things". I won it that week and got a $20 voucher which was brilliant!!!
Journalling is under the flowers and reads:
"There are 1000's of $'s worth of toys here but you got so much enjoyment out of a box - Hours of fun making it a car, a house, lots of things. Pleasure from the simplicity of a box. Sarah, 2007."
Well that's about it I think. This sure is one super-post though!
Keep smiling,
Trish
So here we all are:
How gorgeous are we!!! LOL! Thanks Katie for the photo!! :D
I got to catch up with Sue (toby) again who deservedly won the Heritage section. My goodness I love her stuff!
I got to meet Kathy for the first time and you know sometimes you meet someone and think, now that is my kind of person, well Kathy is definitely my kind of person. She is happy and nice and friendly and funny and talks heaps LOL! After all of our games on the Scrapbook City forum, I was really looking forward to meeting her. I also wanted to make sure that she knew I am insane and my comments are always made with a smile! That's the hard thing about forums and internet communication, you lose the other parts of communication that help communicate meaning so sometimes I have to wonder if people think I am weird! LOL! Luckily Kathy has understood what I have meant in my posts although she probably still thinks I am weird! LOL!
Got to see Linda again. Linda is just the sweetest and happiest person and another person that is just a pleasure to be around. Although apparently she wasn't so impressed by my Magic Vending Machine Gift of 1 month's free baby sitting by Brittney Spears. LOL! Go figure!?!?
Jen is exactly like I had pictured her to be - another fun lady!! I was so thrilled that she won the Pet Layout Award. She had created the most gorgeous layout of her little buddy, (Mr Birdles) who had sadly passed away the day she did the layout. Everyone had tears in their eyes when she gave her speech.
Everyone is just so darn nice! Niss, Sue, Katie, Debbie, Ronnie, it was so good to put faces to names and get to kow them a bit better.
It was such a lovely night and I was so excited (and hugely shocked!) to win 2 categories - Freestyle (won a MM tote!!!!) and Monthly Competition Categories (won a K&Co Album pack) and we got little trophies too which are pretty cool! These are the layouts:
{my} BOY - for the Scrapbook City Monthly Competition Winners Category. This kit was divine!!!
Journalling reads:
"I can still remember when you were born and the midwife announced that we had a son. I was thrilled but I remember thinking…A Boy?? But I don’t know what to do with a boy?” I was thinking of all the typical boy things…climbing, falling, getting dirty, bruises, pulling things apart, swallowing random objects, playing with cars and trucks, mud, funny bodily functions, loud, sweaty, smelly, playing ‘Superman’, trips to the emergency room, calls to poison information, walking on the roof, finding obscure places to put things, smelly, snips and snails and puppy dog tails….All very stereotypical I suppose, but that is what I was expecting with a son.
BUT you are NOT a ‘typical’ boy! We never childproofed with you, you’ve never swallowed anything weird, you don’t like or play with cars, trucks, superheroes or other “boy” toys. You never pull things apart, climb places you shouldn’t, you’ve had very few bruises and cuts. You are careful, safe, a worrier and we often joke you’ll have an ulcer by age 10! You may not be a stereotypical “boy” but you are MY boy and I love you just the way you are. {heart} Mum xo."
And Scrapbooking Memories have accepted it for publication too which is pretty darn exciting!!
And "this girl has SPUNK" for the Scrapbook City Freestyle Artist Category.
This is not a category I would have ever thought I would have won LOL! I am usually so straight and linear and tidy in my scrapping. Everything gets measured and is straight but I enjoyed creating this laout soooo much. I made myslef do it quickly and just stick it down ie no time to move stuff and doubt what I was doing. I decided that if something ended up looking silly or in the wrong place then I would just keep adding stuff until it looked OK! LOL! Might have to use this technique more often, it certainly got the page done quicker than normal!
Here are all of the winners for the night:
Category 1: Scrapbook City Photography on a layout Award = "Flamingos" - Trackster
Category 2: Most Compelling Journalling Award = "Life's Journey" – Brendy
Category 3: Scrapbook City BTP Award = "Altered Watering Can" – Terri
Category 4: Scrapbook City Digital Layout Award "Mum & Dad Satisfied" - Scrappy_nat
Category 5: Scrapbook City Colour Artist = "Agnes" - Lauren Rhodes
Category 6: Scrapbook City Freestyle Artist = "This Girl has got Spunk" - Tish
Category 7: Scrapbook City Outstanding BOM Layout = "I am what I am" - Trudi
Category 8: Scrapbook City Outstanding Boy Layout = "Rockstar" - Niss
Category 9: Scrapbook City Outstanding Girl Layout = "Beautiful" - Loulou
Category 10: Scrapbook City Outstanding Baby Layout = "3445 grams" - Madscrapbooker
Category 11: Scrapbook City Outstanding Family Layout = "Suddenly" – Kezzie
Category 12: Scrapbook City Outstanding Non-Person Layout = "Lit Chic" - Gigi
Category 13: Scrapbook City Outstanding Pet Layout = "My Little Buddy" - Jen
Category 14: Scrapbook City Outstanding Heritage Layout = "Shirley & Elve" – toby
Category 15: Scrapbook City Outstanding Holiday Layout = "Distant Dreams" - Ronnie
Category 16: Scrapbook City Outstanding Double Page Layout = "Christmas Pressies" - Ronnie
Category 17: Scrapbook City Outstanding Card = "Thinking of Scallops" - KathyJ
Category 18: Scrapbook City Outstanding Photography (not on layout) = "Dragonfly on a Waterlily" - Laraine McIntosh
Category 19: City Cybercrop Champion = "Beauty" - Tracy Firth
Category 20: Monthly Competition Winner = "My Boy" - Trish
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. Amazing job by everyone!
After the Awards Night Tam and I went and had a quiet drink at the Monier Hotel. It was SOOOOOO nice to sit and chat without kids. We love our kids but I can't remember the last time we could chat without worrying about fights, food, kids getting in to things they shouldn't, wiping bottoms, drinks etc etc while trying to hold a conversation! The joke used to always be "you shit me but I love ya" (meant in an endearing way of course. I started saying it when she was "an annoying teen of 13" and I was an "oh so mature 17 year old"!! LOL!) Tam, you don't shit me at all anymore, I just love ya to bits!! It was so nice to spend the time together and have Sunday morning together too!
Here are a few more layouts I have done lately:
Willing To Try was also for the SBC Monthly Kit Competition (did I mention I loved this kit!!!)
Journalling reads:
Emily, I love the fact that you give things a go. Whether it be different food (for example prawns) or trying something new. This day I remembered being at preschool and being too scared to go down the firemans pole. It took me until my last day to really try, yet here you are, just started preschool ad you gave it a try. I'm so proud of you and how you will "give it a go".
Scrapbooking Memories have also accepted this one for publication which I was pretty excited about too.
Emily is thrilled that she's going to be in the "mazagine" again but now that she is going to be in there and Matthew too she wants me to tell the "mazagine" that they need to put Sarah in there too or Sarah will be sad. How sweet is she!!!
This was also for the Kit Comp. The journalling is pretty honest and a little heavy. I really struggled with Emily from when she was 2 years old until earlier this year. We've had a bumpy few years but now we get along so well and things are fabulous between us. I have wanted to do a layout on this for ages so I am glad I finally have. Here's the journalling if you want to read it:
Verse from a Barbara Streisand song "Clear Sailing" (which I did a modern ballet solo to for many years) is in top left hand corner -
"Now I look into your eyes
The colour of a quiet sea
Cast my love upon the tide
Watch it return to me
Now I'm feeling fine
I can tell the storm has passed
For the last time
It's gonna be clear sailing
From now on. "
Emily, the verse from this song says exactly how I feel now. To be honest, it’s been a long bumpy road for you & I. It began when you were about 2. At the time, I put it all down to the “terrible 2’s” & you trying to assert your independence & be your own person.
At first you would just be defiant & stubborn & throw tantrums & I’d do the best I knew how to do to work through it. But it got worse & to be honest with you, I didn’t know how to handle it. I started to wonder if there was something wrong with me as a mum. Dad didn’t have the same troubles, no matter what he asked you to do; you did without question, so I started to think that it must be me. You would fly off the handle so easily, you would defy every little thing I asked. It didn’t matter how I tried to handle the situation…I tried being extremely nice, praising you when you were good, I tried smacking you, putting you on the ‘thinking step’ (actually you virtually lived on that step for a long time), I tried ignoring your behaviour, I broke down in tears in front of you many times, I yelled, I ranted, I raved, I took deep breathes & calmly tried to reason with you…no matter what, nothing worked. Your kindy teachers were always telling me what a gorgeous young girl you were & how well behaved you were so then I knew it wasn’t you, & started blaming myself more & more. I started to think that maybe you & I would never get along. It broke my heart. When I was pregnant & found out that you were a girl, I was so exited. I was elated - I always dreamed of having a daughter. But this wasn’t how I had imagined it to be. Part of me was so happy that you had so much spark & independence & that you knew how to stand up for yourself. But it really started to get to me, I got more & more depressed, kept blaming myself for whatever it was that should have been between us & just wasn’t. I absolutely hate to admit it now, but I didn’t enjoy being with you at all. The thing is, I know that you weren’t enjoying being with me either & I don’t blame you, I wasn’t fun to be with.
In July 2006, Dad realised that I needed to get away & sort myself out & organised for me to go away for a week by myself. During my week away, I thought so much about where I was at & so much about you & what was going wrong. I started to really think about why & this is what I believe contributed to the situation…
Matthew had been diagnosed with Diabetes in April 2004 when you were just 18 months old. I cannot begin to explain how that rocked my world. I did my absolute best to keep it all together, stay positive, to learn as much about it as I could. Then Sarah was born in May 2005. Poppy got really sick. There was a lot going on! I think back now & realise how it must have felt for you. Sarah was being breastfed so was always with me. Matthew was still adjusting to life with Diabetes, as was I, & I was trying my hardest to make everything positive for him. You didn’t need me in the same way as the others did. I mean I know you needed me but you didn’t need me physically like they did. Sarah needed me to feed her, change her, do everything for her. Matthew needed me to test him, give him injections, correct hypos etc etc. I now realise that I was barely coping & because you didn’t need me physically, I wasn’t doing as much physically with you. I think you were trying to tell me that you were there too & that you needed me too. You couldn’t say it in words so you used tantrums, fights & bad behaviour. I think in your eyes bad attention from me was better than the limited attention that you thought you were getting. Don’t get me wrong, I was still there for you & I kept telling you how much I loved you. I never stopped loving you! Never ever think that! I adore you, I always have & I always will, through both the good & the bad times.
Anyway, my week away didn’t immediately solve the problem. We had a lot to work through. I had a lot to work through. My biggest realization during that week was that I was angry about Diabetes coming in to our lives. I hate it & I have hated it ever since the doctor first mentioned the word. I hate that it has brought needles & testing into our lives, I hate that it makes us clock watch all of the time. I hate that it has made Matthew have to accept more responsibility than he should have to at his age. I hate that it has made you take on extra responsibility that you should never have had to either. I hate what it did to me. I hate that it turned me into such an angry person. I was trying to stay positive to convince myself & all of us that we could deal with this in our family when all I wanted to do was scream that I hated it. & so, nearly 3 years after it came into our lives, I finally cried & cried about it & admitted how much I hated it. I also realised how much anger I had stored up. But my most devastating realisation was what it had done to you & I.
I came back from my week away intent on making things between us right. I knew that it would probably get worse before it got better (& it did!) I knew that I had to crack down on your behaviour, to gain your respect & make you realise that I was the boss. I also knew that I had to make you realise how much I love you & what an important part of our family you are. & then earlier this year, we were talking & I said “I love you so much, you are such an important part of our family”. You stopped, looked at me & said “you love me like you love Matthew & Sarah, don’t you.” It was almost like you needed confirmation, that you were starting to believe it but needed the reassurance that it was true. “Yes sweetheart I love you just as much as I love Matthew & Sarah. I love all of you exactly the same – up to the moon, around the stars & back again”. & it’s true, I do! We’re good friends, just like I had always dreamed!
I suppose I could have left all of this unsaid. I am sure you won’t remember any of it so I could have left it out of your life story but I have chosen to tell you for quite a few reasons. Firstly, I want you to know all of this for when you have your own children. Maybe you will go through something similar, maybe you won’t, but if you do, I want you to know that its not always clear sailing & sometimes you have to work hard for what you love. Secondly, I want you to always know how important you are to me. I love you so much Milly. You put a smile on my face & I am so glad to be your mum. I am so proud of the person you are & I don’t think you will ever fully realise how much I appreciate the relationship we have now. So as I said, the verse to this song seems so appropriate. I look into your big blue eyes, give you my love & feel it returned to me. Now I feel fine, I can tell the storm has passed. It’s going to be clear sailing from now on.
{heart} Mum xoxo
This was for Challenge 1 in the last SBC Cybercrop. Based on a sketch but I didn't upload in time. I lay down with Steve and woke up at 7am the next morning! Getting old huh!!!
Journalling:
Sarah you are or 3rd child - my last baby! I am trying to enjoy every minute, and with you, that's not hard to do. Love Mum"
You can't really tell in the photo but there are little dots made with Dimensional Magic all around the outside of the layout and around the circle.
This one was done for Friday Night Games at Embellished a few weeks ago. The challenge was it had to be themed around "The Simple Things". I won it that week and got a $20 voucher which was brilliant!!!
Journalling is under the flowers and reads:
"There are 1000's of $'s worth of toys here but you got so much enjoyment out of a box - Hours of fun making it a car, a house, lots of things. Pleasure from the simplicity of a box. Sarah, 2007."
Well that's about it I think. This sure is one super-post though!
Keep smiling,
Trish
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