Christmas photos and outtakes

A conversation with Buster

Buster:  Mamma, elves aren't real.
Me:  What do you mean they aren't real?
Buster:  They're not.
Me:  But who makes the toys for Santa?
Buster:  Elves.
Me:  So they are real?
Buster:  No.
Me:  Does that mean Santa isn't real?
Buster:  No.  Santa is real and the tooth fairy is real.
Me:  Why can't elves be real?
Buster:  Because they're not.

Buster's first concert

I've just asked Michael how he would describe Buster's performance in his end of
year preschool concert.  His words.  "It was as good as expected".  "Patchy".  "He was there".

Admittedly, we had low expectations.  We anticipated someone who would do his own thing or maybe be silly.  It's not easy for four year olds to sing and do choreographed pieces with a large group of adults watching, taking photos and filming bits of it.  He was kept in close check by his teachers who made sure one of them was always next to him.  All the girls in his preschool group were very in to it.  They performed with pride.  Most of the boys were just watching everyone else but by half way through were singing just as loud as the girls.  Then there was Buster. 

So what did he do?  Well, he stayed with the group as they performed.  He pulled faces and he did his own choreography.  He is his own little character.... and he is quite a character.  We love him to pieces.  He is our Boo.

I took a bunch of out of focus photos, but I feel they do capture his contribution ...... and as Michael said "he was there".

Award season

School presentation day was today and weren't we the proudest parents to have both kids chosen to receive awards.  Henry's award was for "Excellent attitude toward literature and reading" and Milly's award was "Excellent attitude, application and achievement". So very proud we are.

Then later that day at karate, Henry was singled out to receive a "Respect" award.

In the meantime, tomorrow is Buster's final day at preschool for the year.  He will be performing in an end-of-year concert and graduating from his preschool room.  Next year he joins the school readiness room where they might have a challenge on their hands.  Until then, we are looking forward to just what kind of a "performance" Buster will put on.

The tree is up

 

O' Christmas Tree

 

The mantlepiece

Santa found some reindeer

Cutting the grass

The four year check

Buster has just had his four year check by the health nurse and his immunisations.  The immunisations didn't go so well and gave us a little scare.  Prior to him getting his needles a doctor came in to check his ears and heart and detected a murmour in his heart beat.  He told us this could be normal in young children but sent us off to have an ultrasound just to be sure.  We are still waiting on the official report, but the ultrasound technician said he couldn't see anything abnormal and if there was any cause for concern it would have shown up before now.  So we are breathing a sigh of relief but still want to get the report results for final peace of mind.

After Buster's health assessment with the nurse I couldn't help but compare his results against Henry and Milly at a similar age.  Here is the comparison.

Buster (4 years old):  weight 14.8kg, height 101cm
Henry (3.5 years old):  weight 18.7kg, height 103cm
Milly (3 years old):  weight 16.1kg, height 100cm

Nanoo recently had the kids over for a sleepover and she measured them against a wall.  Henry is now 138cm tall and Milly is 123cm.

Buster has a lot of catching up to do and maybe he will have a growth spurt and maybe he won't.  For now he is still in size 2 shorts and trousers and we are about to break out the size 3 shirts for him to try.  He is our little pocket rocket.

Boo the Thoughtful

The kids have been putting together their Christmas lists.  This has never been an issue for Milly.  She has always been very specific about her needs and wants, and can easily come up with a wish list of items as long as your arm.  In fact, I got a bit excited when she asked if it was alright to put some books on her Christmas list.  Hooray, anything that isn't a toy gets my seal of approval.  So when she found out her list could include items that weren't toys, she madly started writing and the list got longer still.

Henry, on the other hand, either comes up with a list of toys he will never play with but only wants them because he doesn't have them.  Or he comes up with a list of what is essentially the same item, only he has given it different names.  For example, this Christmas he would like an Ipad mini, an Ipad touch, a touchscreen laptop, and a computer).  Remember back in 2008 when all he wanted was a some soup and a truck?  (you can read about it here)

Then we come to Buster. 

Me:  Buster, what would you like for Christmas?
Buster:  A telescope and a telescope.
Me:  Why do you need two telescopes?
Buster:  One for me and one for Henry.
Me:  What else would you like?
Buster:  A pirate sword.
Me:  But you already have a pirate sword.
Buster:  Henry doesn't have one.  I want to give it to him so he can play with me.

Bless.

The Secret Club

Milly has started a club at school with her friends.  It is called The Secret Club.  I asked her what they do in the club and she said they tell each other secrets.  She also made everyone in the club a wristband.  Then I found a little booklet she had put together with the rules of the club and I couldn't help but laugh... very, very loudly.

You need to come on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. 

If you don't want to go on adventure playground you can come on Tuesday.

 

If you want to go when I am talking you might miss playing at the end. 

But if you want to answer a question, put your hand up.

 

Be sensible if you have to leave, but you are still in the club. 

But if you are talking when I am talking you are not in the club.

 

Secret handshake to get in the club and out. 

Clap, knuckle, swoop and bang your knees to get in.

 

Check that everyone is here. 

If they are not coming they are out of the club. 

If they are here give them a tick.

 

 

 

Our birthday Boo

Our little man's birthday started at 6.30am.  He wandered into our bedroom and I wished him a happy birthday.  He insisted it was still one more sleep away, but when I confirmed it was in fact his birthday at that moment, he got very excited to open the bundle of presents awaiting him.

 

 

Doctor Dreadful's Zombie Snot Shots

He was very excited about some animal cards.

He loves Skylanders.
 

Milly had painted him a picture of a dragon.

Chocolate pancakes for breakfast.

While Buster and Henry played with the presents, with Henry hassling every five minutes if we could make the Zombie Snot Shots, me and Milly headed to the kitchen to make Buster's birthday cake.

Michael had bought himself a tent as an early birthday present to himself and filled it with balloons.  The kids spent the whole weekend playing in it.
 

Buster received lots of birthday phone calls.
 

Cake time.  Buster had requested a vanilla cake with blue icing with chocolate and lollies.  He also said he wanted a Minion from the movie Despicable Me 2.  This made making his cake very simple.

Buster thought it easier to eat his cake with no cutlery and no hands.

He finished the day with dinner at McDonalds.

His birthday weekend proved too much and the next day he couldn't make it through the afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who wished him a happy birthday, called or sent cards and presents.  It's hard to believe next year will be his last year at home before starting school.

PS.  For those who want to know, the Zombie Snot Shots were delightfully disgusting.

Sleep deprived

Somebody woke me up this morning before 6.00am.  It was their shouting that woke me from my slumber.  However, the shouting was not being directed at me, nor was it intended for me.  The shouting was coming from the other end of the house.  It was Buster shouting at Henry.

Buster:  "Henry.  Heeennnnrrryyyy!"

Each time Buster called out to Henry (who just happens to be sleeping in the bed next to him) his voice sounded sterner and more forceful.

Buster:  "HEEENNNRRRYYYY!!!!!!

Henry (very sleepily):  "What is it Buster?"

Buster:  "Two more sleeps."

It would appear someone is very excited about their approaching birthday.

Look what Michael's been keeping from me

Sorry for the lack of posts.  Quite simply, I haven't been taking any photos recently and things have been a bit busy.  In short, we are all well and happy.  I asked Michael if he had taken any photos on his phone that I could use for the blog.  He gave me a USB stick with 114 photos on it, dating back at least four months.  A lot of the photos are blurry but I've selected a few to share.  So here are some randoms.



This photo was taken in September at a soccer presentation day.  There was a sumo wrestling mat set up for the kids to have some fun.  Henry had a go and loved it.  He wasn't as timid as we thought he would be and was actually quite strong, managing to knock over an opponent or two.  Must be all that karate he does.

Poppet received her first Principal's Award at the big school assembly.  Please also note my first attempt at braiding her hair.  I did one of those side braids from the top of her head.  I think we were both pretty proud of ourselves that day.  I had been practising on her Barbie doll before I had the courage to try it on Milly's head.

 

Henry's karate centre had a Halloween themed karate class where they could dress up.

Milly got dressed up as well.

I love this photo of Michael and Boo.

Well, we have a special event coming up in five more sleeps.  A certain someone will be celebrating his fourth birthday.  I'll be sure to take plenty of photos.

Our precious lot

I've been wanting to share with you Henry and Milly's school photos for a a while, but have been holding them back while I wait for Buster's preschool photo to be taken.  Now at last, I can share them all.

Henry and Milly's school alternate each year which season their photos are taken.  This year the photos were taken in autumn/winter which required the winter uniform to be worn. 

Henry's photo pre dates the attack of the nits, which is why his hair is still long.  Look at his teeth.  The poor boy will probably need braces.  He is still my gorgeous little mister and I can never get enough of his beautiful brown eyes and dimples on each cheek.  He really is a great kid.  Proud parents ..... yes.

Miss Milly proudly shows off her missing bottom teeth.  I still need to learn how to do her hair.  I've not graduated from a pony tail or simple plaits yet.  Her hair is much longer now.  She looks very smart in her winter uniform and is doing very well at school - just ask her.

Last but not least is our little man Buster.  You can see the mischief in his eyes and grin.  He also has dimples on his soft and creamy cheeks.  It is hard to believe he'll be starting school in 16 months time.  There is much work to be done before then to get him ready.  His photo was taken after the nits and no, I'm still not over having his golden locks chopped off.