2017 Boxing Day Huckers Tournament

The famous Boxing Day Huckers Tournament was played again this past Christmas.  With my brother not with us to play, it was time for the next generation to step up and be inducted.  Henry was that player.

Traditionally, we all pick on my brother to prevent him from winning.  This time that honour fell to my Dad.  I was reigning champ from 2015, so was expecting to be ganged up on as well.

The first game was won by Michael in a game that made Hucker's history.  Poor Henry, in his first game had the severest case of bad luck when rolling the dice.  He didn't roll a six (the number needed to exit your house and enter the board of play) the entire game.  Welcome to Huckers Henry.

The second game was a much closer affair.  As you can see from the picture below.  Three players (myself, Dad and Henry) only needed to roll ones to claim victory.  Luck was on my side and I took the win of game two.

Game three proved to be the final game and I convincingly walked away with the win.  Unbeaten.  Champion still.

I like to think Grandad and Nan were watching over me play.  I had visited their memorial that morning to pay my respects and remember them.  Thanks Nan and Grandad.

The dog beach

Poor Minnie wasn't able to befriend my Dad's two dogs.  Numerous attempts were made but they didn't want her anywhere near them.  Fortunately, Coffs Harbour has a great beach for dogs and she was able to run wild, sniff, chase and be chased, and frolic in the waves.   Proving even dogs can have a great Christmas holiday with the family.

Michael managed to cut himself on some rocks.  Shark bait.

Christmas in Coffs

Christmas was spent in Coffs Harbour.  We had a great road trip up and it was Minnie's first long car journey.  Henry did a great job of keeping Minnie calm on the trip.  He only needed to do that for the first 30 minutes, after that she was lying on the car floor either relaxed or sleeping.  The kids also did well.  There have been lots of road improvements with dual carriageways and bypasses that made the trip quicker than previous years.  Four hours isn't so bad and pretty much the limit the kids could take.

My Dad's next door neighbours have two sons (ages 12 and 10) who are cricket crazy.  Our kids loved playing street cricket with them and seemed to have formed great friendships with the boys.  Milly and Buster in particular loved playing cricket with them everyday.

Christmas Day was a warm one.  Santa was there to hand out the presents.  This year the role of Santa was played by James, my stepsister's partner.  Minnie was also hoping for a present but wasn't very good at sitting on her bum and waiting her turn.

We managed a few trips to the beach, the obligatory ice-cream treat at the Big Banana and plenty more cricket with the neighbours.  We also had plenty of cuddles and plays with Ivy, my stepsister Nikki's baby.  Milly also got the chance to make some cake decorations with Nanna Trace.  Before we knew it our time was up and we were back in the car heading home.  

Farewell primary school

I can't believe it's 2018 already.  It already promises to be a big year for our little family.  It will certainly be a big year for Mister.  He has completed primary school and this year embarks on high school.

His farewell from Year 6 saw the end of last year go by in a blur (hence not much blog posting from me).  There were final high school inductions for students and parents, final Year 6 parties, fetes, performances and presentations.  When the school year finally came to a close Mister was exhausted.

His big send off was the Year 6 farewell dinner and disco.  A night that belonged to him and his friends.  Teachers were present and parents were allowed to take part for the first 30 minutes before we were all shown the door and only allowed back for the final 15 minutes of the night.  It really was a celebration for the kids where they could let their hair down.  

The last school day of the year saw the "clap out" of Year 6.  A tunnel of arms for the kids to pass through and be acknowledged by the school community.  Plus the official Year 6 shirt that needed signing by classmates.

And so, high school starts in a few weeks.  My hopes for Mister are he transitions well, makes new friends, and finds subjects that wet his educational appetite.  It might be too much to ask that he stay focused and improves on his organisational skills.  At the very least I hope he comes home from school and is excited to show or tell me something he learned that day.

The photos below express just that.  I took these photos months ago after a high school transition day.  Mister was keen to cook for me and show me what he learned during the home economics class he did.  For a kid who won't even butter his own bread, I was surprised when he picked up a knife and used a chopping board, then prepared these pizza scrolls.   He was so proud of himself and so was I.
 

Boo is eight

My little man is another year older.  Could time please just stop now!  How is it that my baby boy is eight years old.  So while I was coming to grips with his ageing, he was busy celebrating opening presents, taking phone calls and generally having an awesome day.

Disappointed that he had to go to school on his birthday was buffered with a breakfast out at his favourite cafe before school.  Henry couldn't join us because he was in rehearsals for the boys school dance group.

Milkshakes for the kids and a pot of tea for me.  Buster only ever orders poached eggs on sourdough toast but today he wanted to try the chocolate chip pancakes.  He took a couple of bites and then looked across the table at my poached eggs.  He didn't like his pancakes - too sweet.  So we did a swap and he had my perfectly poached eggs while I spent the rest of the day feeling sickly from eating his pancakes.

Another perk of the birthday boy was getting some special reading group time with me for 20 minutes at school.

Afternoon time was spent at home with a visit from Nanoo and the lighting of the birthday cake.  This year's cake request was for a chocolate cake with Oreos on around and on top.

Thank you to everyone for his birthday presents, cards, calls, best wishes and thoughts.

Another year older

Another year older and I got to spend it with my nearest and dearest.  A big thank you to everyone who called, sent cards or messages.  I had a lovely birthday and made a weekend of it.

His present was a big hug.  Best present ever.

My birthday started with a catch up chai latte and scones with two girlfriends.  Mum came over to the house with some lunch, and then it was school pick up time and the afternoon with the kids.  I told them I didn't want to cook dinner so they could have whatever they wanted.  They chose Pringles and were surprised when I said yes.  Not the healthiest of dinners but what the hell, it was my birthday.  They probably won't ask for Pringles for dinner again.  What first seemed like a great idea became reality when they struggled to eat them all.

Saturday was the usual running around with swimming lessons and drama classes.  We managed to fit in a trip to the movies to see Thor Ragnarok - which was awesome.  Lots of laughs and we all want to see it again.  Saturday night was Milly's final Cinderella performance and after party.

Sunday started off lazy (which is how we roll).  Late breakfast, some work in the garden, then it was off to a birthday party for one of Buster's classmates.  It was held at a dog park and you were encouraged to bring your pet.  Minnie had a great time.  The kids all had fun and there was a pinata full of dog treats to keep the pooches happy.

Sunday night was out for my birthday dinner.  A great way to end a perfect weekend.