Christmas 2016

Ah Christmas.  That magical time of the year where the kids are so excited they can't sleep..... and so it was for Henry on Christmas Eve.  The poor kid struggled to fall asleep and was upset about it.  He finally fell asleep around 10.45pm only to awake at 5.00am and proceed to wake up the other two as well.  Stockings were full, presents were under the tree.  It could only mean one thing.  Santa had been.

The kids kept themselves occupied until 7.00am when we adults decided we should get out of bed and start the day.  Let's face it, they weren't letting us have a sleep in.  Michael made everyone breakfast and we let the kids open one present before my brother and his family arrived for the full present opening festivities.  The late night and early morning start took it's toll on Henry.  He needed a quick power nap.

Then at last Santa arrived and the exchange of presents was underway.

It was a very Journey Girl Christmas for Milly.

Then we all headed to Nanoo's house for Christmas lunch and more presents.

After lunch (sorry I forgot to take photos of the food), it was an afternoon of quiet reflection by the water or a game of Finska.

The annual gingerbread houses

It's just not Christmas in our house without gingerbread and the decorating of biscuits and houses.  I always make my own gingerbread because the gingerbread house kits you can buy just taste revolting.  Nothing better than homemade gingerbread.

This year instead of one big house we made three mini houses.  

End of another school year

Just before school ended Henry went on his first school camp.  His year went to the Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens, where they enjoyed lots of outdoor activities and didn't enjoy the food.  He came home very tired, dirty and hungry.  Nonetheless, he had a great time.  The house was very quiet without him, which was surprising, considering he is the quiet child.
  

We had one family representative at the school Presentation Day ceremony.  Buster was honoured with a class award for Excellent Attitude Towards All Areas of Schooling.  He was given a medallion and a certificate, and only one of two kids chosen from his class to get an award.  

His teacher also gave him a Christmas present on his last day and left a note inside the book's cover for him.   

So another year done and dusted.  Next year will be their last all together in primary school.  Henry will be in Year 6 and then on to high school.  Michael and I are now left to ponder where the years have gone.

Things Milly says #16

Jane, our next door neighbour, recently had a change of haircut and colour.  On the weekend Milly was at her house having a playdate with her daughter and noticed.

Milly:  You've changed your hair?

Jane:  Yes.  What do you think?

Milly:  (long pause)  Mmm..... it's different.

Celebrating visitors

A few days before Boo's birthday, Michael's parents (Peter and Janet) visited with us for a few days.  With four birthdays within a month of each other (me, Buster, Peter and Michael) we thought a little birthday dinner out was in order.  A rare treat for us all to be together and indulge for one night.  Also a risky venture given the two fussy eaters in our family.  The brilliant news is we actually ALL enjoyed ourselves, and the two fussy ones were darlings and actually ate.  Hooray!

The lad's

Potato chip pizza (she loved it)

Michael and Henry shared this meatball pizza

Then Henry ate this mixed grilled seafood plate, with Michael helping out with the baby octopus which freaked Henry out.

Boo and his fresh calamari and chips (he loved it).

Beetroot salad for me and a slice of Milly's pizza.

Despite being full of food, the kids still wanted dessert.  Milly not keen to share her Italian donuts.

A rare photo of me with a child.

Seventh birthday

The little man celebrated his seventh birthday last week.  He doesn't want for much and he's not a materialistic nor greedy kid.  When I asked him what he would like for his birthday the answer was "a box of Nutri Grain, a box of Cadbury Favourites, and $2.00".

We managed to come up with some other gifts for him but he did get his top three requests and had a super day.  Here's how his day unfolded.

Birthday presents in bed.

Buttermilk pancakes for breakfast.

I made the cake while he was at school.  He requested a chocolate cake, with the centre hollowed out and filled with gummy bears, and lolly snakes stuck on the outside.

More presents after school.

Birthday afternoon tea and cuddles with Nanoo.

Birthday dinner of choice was McDonalds, where he delighted and entertained us with his own birthday celebration dance.

Then it was back home to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake.

Lightening up

Another birthday has just passed and I thought I'd share a selfie I took (geez I'm terrible at taking them).  I've been slowly lightening my hair colour and this recent colour job was a birthday present to myself.  Gotta cover those greys and hopefully they'll blend in a little better with blonder hair.

Buster's face plant

Buster seems to be the child that gets injured all the time.  I've had more phone calls from the school's office saying he is in sick bay or sustained a knock to the head, than I have had for the other two kids combined.

This time he sustained his injury on the playground equipment.  Rather than climbing up a ladder, he was climbing down the ladder...... face first.  He lost his grip or gravity took over and he fell on his face straight into the metal landing.

Under his ice pack was a large bump forming on his eyebrow and a bruise already surfacing on his cheek.

Not cuts or broken bones, just chalking up another bruised noggin for this child.  A few days later and the bruise has stretched to his eye too.

Will it be a lesson learned for Boo?  Probably not.

Some random updates

The kids are now all back at school for the final term of the year.  Another year is racing by and their lives are busy with friends and activities.

Milly has discovered a love of shopping and now wants to wear dresses.  I feel for her having a mum like me, who isn't a fan of either of those things.  But I try and it gives us some time together, just the two of us.  

She has a lovely group of friends, is busy in one of the school dance groups, joined the school knitting club, does squad swimming, and will endlessly cartwheel and backbend until bedtime.

During the school holidays I dyed sections of her hair purple, which she loved.  It is now almost washed out but I can see her wanting to repeat it because she likes being an individual.

Henry is eating and growing and eating and growing.  His appetite is man-sized, as are his growing feet.  He also has a lovely group of friends, is in the school boy's dance group, in the school skipping team and demonstration team, plays tennis, and does squad swimming,  No wonder he eats as much as he does.  I'm predicting by the end of next year he'll be as tall as me.

He also desperately wants a dog.

Buster has grown a little.  He's on the countdown for turning seven, although I'm still to get the size five box of clothes out of storage.  He is our little man.  He plays tennis and attends swimming lessons.

He also likes to have his photo taken and often when we are walking about he'll stop and pose and ask me to take his picture.

Back to school haircuts and a lick from Leo

Not quite summer yet

It's late afternoon on an overcast day.  It's a little windy and a little chilly.  However, my kids want to go for a swim.  So we head on down to the local pool and unsurprisingly happen to be almost the only people there.