Friday, January 27, 2012
Queen of the night
For me to go away for one night takes a lot of coordination. It is such a rare thing for me to do that I only do it in exceptional circumstances. When PJ Harvey announces a few concert dates in Sydney, I classify this as an exceptional circumstance.
For me to attend the concert required Michael to change is working days from home, and my Mum to look after all three children for two half days. I'm so grateful to them that they could do it.
I caught an afternoon train down to Sydney and met up with my brother Corin after work. He was coming to the show with me. Corin took me out for a beer and then to dinner at a yummy Japanese noodle place. We had a good catch up and a laugh and then it was on to the show.
I've seen PJ Harvey play four times (wish she would tour Australia more often). Each concert has been different. The last time I saw her she played at the Sydney Opera House with no other muscian's on stage. Just her and a dozen instruments and she even had a little chat with the audience. The time before that she had a band of three behind her and it was much more like a rock concert. She was animated and danced about the stage. This time it was different again.
The stage was blackened out with spotlights on her three piece band and a spotlight on PJ. She was only visible in the spotlight when she sang and when she stopped singing would walk out of the spotlight. She didn't say a word to the audience until she introduced the band at the start of the encore and that was basically it. It was a very theatrical concert. More like a performance piece than a rock gig. The staging suited the material she was performing. It was eerie, dramatic and I thought she was mesmerising.
After the concert it was back to Corin and Yin's place. When I woke up the next morning I got to have cuddles with my gorgeous nephew Casper, who was excited to show me his toys and tell me stories. Then it was a bus into the big smoke and back on a train heading north for home.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Christmas - Part 4 of 4
Another three hour drive and this time we crossed the NSW border into Queensland. Destination this time was Toowoomba to stay with Michael's sister Libby, her husband Michael, and their three children Aisling (9), Rory (7), and Ciara (5). The last time we all saw each other was Christmas 2008 when they came to us in Newcastle. It was a long overdue catch up, a great chance for the cousins to all play together, as well as their first meeting of Buster.
Within the first few hours of our arrival there was an incident. The type that stops a parent's heart. The kids were keen to get in the pool, Michael had gone off to get changed into his swimmers and I went down to the pool with the kids to supervise. Buster was still fully clothed and just wanted to continue his fascination with dangerously teetering on the pool edges, throwing in all the pool toys. This was his kind of fun. I was already on high alert watching him, when Michael entered the pool area. Then Buster picked up a pool noodle and stepped too close to the edge to throw it and fell in. A split second of panic and fear from me thinking "this is it, this is how kids die the silent death of drowning, my Buster is going to die". I screamed "Buster" and before I knew it had jumped in the pool fully clothed to save him. Michael had also dived in and come up holding Buster who was a little shaken and crying, but breathing and ok nontheless. It all happened within seconds and I was in shock for a while. Buster on the other hand was fine and wanted to continue throwing things in the pool. Michael put him in his swimmers and Libby gave him a life vest, and Buster continued his holiday happily throwing things in the pool, and us slightly less nervous if he fell in again - which miraciously he didn't. I went to bed that night insisting Buster sleep with us so I could feel closer to my little man.
I think it is fair to say that the cousins all got on very well. Buster loved the extra attention he was getting and played up to it. He is a cheeky little rascal and needs no encouragement, but it was truly wonderful watching the kids playing together. I never experienced growing up with my cousins who all live overseas, and I don't want that for my children. I want them to have a strong sense of family and their extended family and be close.
We celebrated New Year in Toowoomba. Well sort of. It was a funny old night. The town was putting on fireworks at 7.30pm. Henry didn't feel well and had gone to bed before 5.00pm. The two Michael's had had a couple of beers and me a glass or two of wine, so all unable to drive. My Michael volunteered to stay behind to watch over Henry and put Buster to bed. Libby's Michael also stayed at home. So me, Lib, Milly, Ciara, Rory and Aisling went to the fireworks. Ciara had a little meltdown over which shoes to wear, and Milly then had a meltdown about getting in the car and having to sit in a child seat. I couldn't get over how similar in personalities and temperament Milly and Ciara were.
We almost didn't make it to the fireworks on time, but found a park just as the fireworks had started. I have to say it was a great display. Firework after firework was let off. They just kept going and going and going. They didn't have any flashy fireworks, but what they had they had plenty of.
Then it was back home and trying to stay awake to bring in the New Year.....and no one did. Me and Libby were in bed before 9.30pm, and neither of the boys made it to midnight either. Yes we are a bunch of sad old farts! On the plus side, when we woke up early the next morning to the sounds of children, none of us had a hangover.
I was so relaxed by this point in our holiday I had forgotten about getting family photos. Which is a shame because I really would have liked one of all the cousins together.
We had such a great time in Toowoomba. It really is a beautiful city and again we were spoilt by our hosts. Big thank you to Libby and Michael for having us. Thank you to Aisling for giving up her room to Henry and Milly, as well as being a great helper wrangling the kids.
From Toowoomba it was a very, very long drive to Coffs Harbour where we stayed the night with my Dad and Tracey and then headed home to Newcastle the next day. It was a fantastic holiday with lots of great memories created.
Now we are back at home, the car has been unpacked, everything has been put back in it's place. The kids are busy playing with their Christmas presents and Michael has another day of holiday before he returns to work. Before long Henry will be back at school starting Year 1 and Milly will be at preschool three days a week. It doesn't take long and time really does fly by, which is why it's important to stop and take time out.
Happy New Year everyone and wishing you all a terrific 2012!
Within the first few hours of our arrival there was an incident. The type that stops a parent's heart. The kids were keen to get in the pool, Michael had gone off to get changed into his swimmers and I went down to the pool with the kids to supervise. Buster was still fully clothed and just wanted to continue his fascination with dangerously teetering on the pool edges, throwing in all the pool toys. This was his kind of fun. I was already on high alert watching him, when Michael entered the pool area. Then Buster picked up a pool noodle and stepped too close to the edge to throw it and fell in. A split second of panic and fear from me thinking "this is it, this is how kids die the silent death of drowning, my Buster is going to die". I screamed "Buster" and before I knew it had jumped in the pool fully clothed to save him. Michael had also dived in and come up holding Buster who was a little shaken and crying, but breathing and ok nontheless. It all happened within seconds and I was in shock for a while. Buster on the other hand was fine and wanted to continue throwing things in the pool. Michael put him in his swimmers and Libby gave him a life vest, and Buster continued his holiday happily throwing things in the pool, and us slightly less nervous if he fell in again - which miraciously he didn't. I went to bed that night insisting Buster sleep with us so I could feel closer to my little man.
I think it is fair to say that the cousins all got on very well. Buster loved the extra attention he was getting and played up to it. He is a cheeky little rascal and needs no encouragement, but it was truly wonderful watching the kids playing together. I never experienced growing up with my cousins who all live overseas, and I don't want that for my children. I want them to have a strong sense of family and their extended family and be close.
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| Rory. |
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| The artists Milly and Ciara. |
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| Swing set. |
We celebrated New Year in Toowoomba. Well sort of. It was a funny old night. The town was putting on fireworks at 7.30pm. Henry didn't feel well and had gone to bed before 5.00pm. The two Michael's had had a couple of beers and me a glass or two of wine, so all unable to drive. My Michael volunteered to stay behind to watch over Henry and put Buster to bed. Libby's Michael also stayed at home. So me, Lib, Milly, Ciara, Rory and Aisling went to the fireworks. Ciara had a little meltdown over which shoes to wear, and Milly then had a meltdown about getting in the car and having to sit in a child seat. I couldn't get over how similar in personalities and temperament Milly and Ciara were.
We almost didn't make it to the fireworks on time, but found a park just as the fireworks had started. I have to say it was a great display. Firework after firework was let off. They just kept going and going and going. They didn't have any flashy fireworks, but what they had they had plenty of.
Then it was back home and trying to stay awake to bring in the New Year.....and no one did. Me and Libby were in bed before 9.30pm, and neither of the boys made it to midnight either. Yes we are a bunch of sad old farts! On the plus side, when we woke up early the next morning to the sounds of children, none of us had a hangover.
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| The nail bar. The girls and Buster get their nails painted. Buster chose a hot pink colour for his first day and then black for the next. |
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| Three gorgeous girls. |
I was so relaxed by this point in our holiday I had forgotten about getting family photos. Which is a shame because I really would have liked one of all the cousins together.
We had such a great time in Toowoomba. It really is a beautiful city and again we were spoilt by our hosts. Big thank you to Libby and Michael for having us. Thank you to Aisling for giving up her room to Henry and Milly, as well as being a great helper wrangling the kids.
From Toowoomba it was a very, very long drive to Coffs Harbour where we stayed the night with my Dad and Tracey and then headed home to Newcastle the next day. It was a fantastic holiday with lots of great memories created.
Now we are back at home, the car has been unpacked, everything has been put back in it's place. The kids are busy playing with their Christmas presents and Michael has another day of holiday before he returns to work. Before long Henry will be back at school starting Year 1 and Milly will be at preschool three days a week. It doesn't take long and time really does fly by, which is why it's important to stop and take time out.
Happy New Year everyone and wishing you all a terrific 2012!
Christmas - Part 3 of 4
Next stop on our itinerary was Inverell to visit Michael's parents Janet and Peter. There's not much to do in Inverell, so it was the perfect place to relax. I even managed to read a book (can't remember the last time I did that).
Henry and Milly lived in the pool. Their swimming lessons have paid off and it was great to see their confidence in the water. Buster on the other hand did not want to venture in. Instead we were all on red alert as he walked around the edges of the pool throwing in pool toys, or leaned over the pool edges to grab pool toys so he could throw them in again.
Just outside Inverell is a place called Green Valley Farm. Michael had always described it to me as a small farm with freakish animals. And when I say freakish, I mean cows with two heads, sheeps with five legs, deformed dead animals in jars and the like. Not the type of place I've ever been keen to visit. Janet and Peter said it had improved a lot and had plenty of things for the kids to see and play on, including water slides. A quick look at their website confirmed it wasn't as scary as I had imagined, so we ventured out for the day.
Aside from all the time spent in the pool and relaxing another event happened in Inverell. Henry lost his second tooth. It had been on the wobbles for a long time and we were convinced it would come out before Christmas. The tooth fairy found him in Inverell and he was a happy chappy.
And just before we left Inverell for our next stop, it was time for another attempt at a family photo and this one was more successful.....eventually. Thanks to Janet and Peter for letting us disturb their quiet life with our excited children and for their gracious hosting. I'll be trying to work off that Mangomisu dessert for weeks to come.
Henry and Milly lived in the pool. Their swimming lessons have paid off and it was great to see their confidence in the water. Buster on the other hand did not want to venture in. Instead we were all on red alert as he walked around the edges of the pool throwing in pool toys, or leaned over the pool edges to grab pool toys so he could throw them in again.
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| Ta-da! |
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| A rare moment in the water with GrandJan. |
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| Al fresco. |
Just outside Inverell is a place called Green Valley Farm. Michael had always described it to me as a small farm with freakish animals. And when I say freakish, I mean cows with two heads, sheeps with five legs, deformed dead animals in jars and the like. Not the type of place I've ever been keen to visit. Janet and Peter said it had improved a lot and had plenty of things for the kids to see and play on, including water slides. A quick look at their website confirmed it wasn't as scary as I had imagined, so we ventured out for the day.
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Entering Green Valley Farm you need to walk through a small museum. The museum was actually quite interesting and had historical bits and pieces from the 1800s from the early gold miners and fossikers. Then I came across the dead animals in jars, and what looked like home done taxidermy gone wrong in the way of a two-headed lamb, a calf that looked like a pig, and siamese wolves - the freakish bit. With my face cringing I managed to make my way through the entrance and to the gardens and play area of the farm. Phew!
There was heaps of things for the kids and us big kids to play on. Old fashioned rocking horses, huge slippery dips, huge swings, gardens and a lake to walk around, farm animals, and a giant trampoline. But we were all really waiting for the water slide to open, and when it did it was a tonne of fun!
They have a shaded water park for the toddlers, and mini water slide for the under 6s. Then there was the big water slide. There was just the one, but it was long and curled down the hill it was set on. Henry loved it and surprised us by showing no fear and going down on his own many times.
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| Only time Buster got in. |
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| Milly was happy and loving this water slide until another girl landed on her, bringing an end to Milly's water slide adventures. |
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| The big water slide. |
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| My ice cream Grandad! |
Aside from all the time spent in the pool and relaxing another event happened in Inverell. Henry lost his second tooth. It had been on the wobbles for a long time and we were convinced it would come out before Christmas. The tooth fairy found him in Inverell and he was a happy chappy.
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| Mind the gap. |
And just before we left Inverell for our next stop, it was time for another attempt at a family photo and this one was more successful.....eventually. Thanks to Janet and Peter for letting us disturb their quiet life with our excited children and for their gracious hosting. I'll be trying to work off that Mangomisu dessert for weeks to come.
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| Buster sit down, it's time for a family photo. |
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| Everyone smile. |
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| The Hobsons. |
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Christmas - Part 2 of 4
It never fails to amaze me how much stuff you need to pack when holidaying with children. It doesn't seem to matter if you're only going away two nights or two weeks, the amount seems to be the same. Michael does an excellent job of packing the car and finding gaps to fill with our belongings. I never envy him this job, and he probably doesn't envy me putting everything away when we get home.
So with the car packed and us all ready, off we set on our Christmas holiday. I had been looking forward to getting away for sooooo long. After a big year of school, markets, Michael's work and commute, this was our time to get away for more than two days as a family.
I'm not going to lie. The portable DVD players were brilliant. The drive to Coffs Harbour was going to take 5-6 hours with minimal stopping. We didn't hear much of a peep from Henry, who only stirred from watching his DVDs when he was restless. Buster watched Milly's movies with her and had his afternoon nap. And Milly was mostly content, but needed a little whinge every now and then, and always seemed to be hungry.
The drive was pretty good and when we arrived in Coffs we were all happy to finally have the holiday begin. We were all staying with Dad and Tracey (Corin and family arriving later that night), and the kids were super excited to spend some time with Grandad and Nanna Trace, but probably more excited that the build up to Christmas was reaching its climax.
On Christmas morning, the kids emptied their stockings and kept themselves amused whilst us adults got organised. Henry was keen to open some presents, but like all the kids was pretty good at being patient and having to wait until after breakfast.
Just when we thought we might get started Corin had to take out some garbage. Then there was a knock at the front door and who should stroll in ...... Santa Claus of course! He'd forgotten to put a present under the tree and had popped back to deliver it and seeing he was there he thought he'd hang around and hand out the presents.
Santa was very orderly and everyone had to take turns in opening a present. It was a shame Corin missed it. He really did take a long time putting out that garbage.
With presents all opened it was time to prepare ourselves for the main event - Christmas lunch. Dad and Tracey are both such great cooks that I don't know anyone who doesn't look forward to a meal at their place. They are generous with their food and wine, as well as generous with the true Christmas spirit. They had a couple of friends join us for lunch who otherwise would have spent Christmas alone.
Aside from Christmas, on our other days in Coffs we ventured out to the beach. Henry and Milly loved being in the shallows jumping waves with Michael. Buster didn't want anything to do with the water and spent his time chasing seagulls or digging sand. If he saw a ripple of water approaching he would sprint up the beach in a panic out of it's way.
THE HUCKERS TOURNAMENT
Whenever myself, Corin and Dad are together at Christmas time the Ludo board comes out and we play a version of Ludo called "Huckers" until a champion is crowned. Traditionally this happens on Boxing Day, and we play as many games as required, that is until one person has won two games.
Corin, Dad and I used to play Huckers with Grandad from when we were kids until he died. It was he who taught us the Huckers rules, as it was taught to him when he served in the Navy. Michael now fills Grandad's seat and we play for a trophy filled with some of Grandad's ashes. We play on the original Ludo board given to my Grandad and Nan as a wedding present in the 1930s. A lot of swearing usually accommpanies the playing of the game, and it was noted this year that swearing was almost non existent. We put this down to Corin and I now being parents and having curtailed our langauge.
On the morning of our depature there were some solemn faces. We had all enjoyed the Coffs Harbour part of the holiday and although looking forward to our next port of call, repacking the car and driving for three hours isn't always easy with three young children. Also not easy was trying to get them to pose for a photo with their cousin Casper. No one wanted to participate or oblige.
And there ends another Christmas. Another Christmas of us all together, healthy and happy. Many thanks to Dad and Tracey for their hospitality in housing and feeding us, and keeping us hydrated.
So with the car packed and us all ready, off we set on our Christmas holiday. I had been looking forward to getting away for sooooo long. After a big year of school, markets, Michael's work and commute, this was our time to get away for more than two days as a family.
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| Wired for sound and visuals. |
I'm not going to lie. The portable DVD players were brilliant. The drive to Coffs Harbour was going to take 5-6 hours with minimal stopping. We didn't hear much of a peep from Henry, who only stirred from watching his DVDs when he was restless. Buster watched Milly's movies with her and had his afternoon nap. And Milly was mostly content, but needed a little whinge every now and then, and always seemed to be hungry.
The drive was pretty good and when we arrived in Coffs we were all happy to finally have the holiday begin. We were all staying with Dad and Tracey (Corin and family arriving later that night), and the kids were super excited to spend some time with Grandad and Nanna Trace, but probably more excited that the build up to Christmas was reaching its climax.
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| Christmas morning, dressed, fed and ready to open presents. |
On Christmas morning, the kids emptied their stockings and kept themselves amused whilst us adults got organised. Henry was keen to open some presents, but like all the kids was pretty good at being patient and having to wait until after breakfast.
Just when we thought we might get started Corin had to take out some garbage. Then there was a knock at the front door and who should stroll in ...... Santa Claus of course! He'd forgotten to put a present under the tree and had popped back to deliver it and seeing he was there he thought he'd hang around and hand out the presents.
Santa was very orderly and everyone had to take turns in opening a present. It was a shame Corin missed it. He really did take a long time putting out that garbage.
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| Look Boo, it's Santa. |
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| Dishing out the pressies. |
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| Thanks Grandad and Nanna Trace for my laptop. I love it! |
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| This is the best Christmas ever! |
With presents all opened it was time to prepare ourselves for the main event - Christmas lunch. Dad and Tracey are both such great cooks that I don't know anyone who doesn't look forward to a meal at their place. They are generous with their food and wine, as well as generous with the true Christmas spirit. They had a couple of friends join us for lunch who otherwise would have spent Christmas alone.
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| Christmas cocktail. |
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| An Aussie Christmas. |
Aside from Christmas, on our other days in Coffs we ventured out to the beach. Henry and Milly loved being in the shallows jumping waves with Michael. Buster didn't want anything to do with the water and spent his time chasing seagulls or digging sand. If he saw a ripple of water approaching he would sprint up the beach in a panic out of it's way.
THE HUCKERS TOURNAMENT
Whenever myself, Corin and Dad are together at Christmas time the Ludo board comes out and we play a version of Ludo called "Huckers" until a champion is crowned. Traditionally this happens on Boxing Day, and we play as many games as required, that is until one person has won two games.
Corin, Dad and I used to play Huckers with Grandad from when we were kids until he died. It was he who taught us the Huckers rules, as it was taught to him when he served in the Navy. Michael now fills Grandad's seat and we play for a trophy filled with some of Grandad's ashes. We play on the original Ludo board given to my Grandad and Nan as a wedding present in the 1930s. A lot of swearing usually accommpanies the playing of the game, and it was noted this year that swearing was almost non existent. We put this down to Corin and I now being parents and having curtailed our langauge.
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| And so the battle begins. |
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| Dad retains "the ashes". |
On the morning of our depature there were some solemn faces. We had all enjoyed the Coffs Harbour part of the holiday and although looking forward to our next port of call, repacking the car and driving for three hours isn't always easy with three young children. Also not easy was trying to get them to pose for a photo with their cousin Casper. No one wanted to participate or oblige.
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| Not another family photo. |
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| The Bartley/Hobson family Christmas photo 2011. |
Christmas - Part 1 of 4
Christmas for us this year was to be a travelling affair. Christmas Day was to be spent in Coffs Harbour with 'the Bartley clan' (Dad, Tracey, Corin, Yin and Casper). Seeing as we were in the area, well three hours drive away, we were also to call in on Michael's parents in Inverell. To top it all off, we then planned to cross the border into Queensland to visit Michael's sister and her family in Toowoomba. But before we were allowed to depart, Nanoo needed her Christmas time with us and the children.
Finding a day to get together proved a challenge. I was busy with markets and/or baking for said markets, and Mum was busy with a multitude of Christmas get togethers with friends and extended family. On finally agreeing a date, the kids got excited, knowing they would be getting some presents before Christmas.
We had a lovely Sunday BBQ dinner with Mum and Peter. The kids received presents to help with the holiday to come. They each received suitcases, and Henry and Milly each got a portable DVD player to keep them occupied (and silent) on the long holiday drive.
Peter had pitched a tent in the backyard, so the kids entertained themselves dragging their suitcases about and pretending they were on holiday, whilst us adults enjoyed a beverage and conversation.
Finding a day to get together proved a challenge. I was busy with markets and/or baking for said markets, and Mum was busy with a multitude of Christmas get togethers with friends and extended family. On finally agreeing a date, the kids got excited, knowing they would be getting some presents before Christmas.
We had a lovely Sunday BBQ dinner with Mum and Peter. The kids received presents to help with the holiday to come. They each received suitcases, and Henry and Milly each got a portable DVD player to keep them occupied (and silent) on the long holiday drive.
Peter had pitched a tent in the backyard, so the kids entertained themselves dragging their suitcases about and pretending they were on holiday, whilst us adults enjoyed a beverage and conversation.
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