School holidays - bring 'em on.....

Today is the official first day of the Victorian School Holidays and I am actually looking forward to the next two weeks. Not only do I get to spend some quality time with my kids for a change, they get to spend some quality time with me CLEANING and SORTING and THROWING RUBBISH OUT!! Sounds like my kind of fun!!

No seriously my mission, which I have chosen to accept, for the first week is a good clean up and out!! The kids have been worded up and have agreed to help.

If we get it all done the second week is all about fun. I am even lining up a get together with the boys and Jamie as the kids really love spending time with their cousins. Maybe a park somewhere for a play and a picnic - now that sounds like a great idea!!

So bring it on.......

The week is almost over....

Well once again this week is flying past and I don't seem to be getting anything accomplished! I am sure others have had similar days but what is with it lasting a whole week? ggrrr...

The week started off on a sad note after hearing the news that Fred, a co-worker of mine, lost his beloved wife, Wendy last week. She died on Thursday after a 6 month battle with cancer. A very sad time as both Fred and Wendy were so positive that she would beat this and continued to think towards the future and their retirement. It was only two weeks ago that Fred underwent his second hip operation and is now in recovery. Needless to say, I plus a few others from work, attended Wendy's funeral on Tuesday morning. If there is any way of describing a funeral service I would have to say that it was nice and very fitting for the lady that Wendy was.

Mam and Dad have left to go on their holiday up north, stopping in to see Clare in Sydney. It was great to recieve a few photo via text yesterday from Clare. I am glad that they have finally got away as their trip has already been delayed by the dreaded Melbourne cold!! No not the flu!!

The only disadvantage of them going away is we get the bird!! This bird, a cockatiel named Elly, is awful - she hisses, bites and is just noisy!! The kids are even over the bird!! Oh well, babysitting Elly is the least we can do considering Mam and Dad do a hell of a lot for us!!

As the week is passing quickly, we are facing another weekend... a weekend where Alex is off for a sleep over on Friday night, not sure what we will do with Oliver, Saturday sees the kids at their first rehearsal with the Boite Choir in Tyabb followed by another day of football on Sunday... before I know it it will be Monday again!!

Sunday both kids played great football and their reward was to get their hair tipped.... so this is the outcome!!

Missing in action or just busy????

You may need to grab a cuppa with this post as I feel a long one coming up!! It seems like forever since I posted last and I know I have a lot to tell you.....

We all survived the Queen's Birthday holiday although we were kind of dissappointed. We had to make our own entertainment as the invitation for her party just hasn't arrived, maybe she doesn't have our new address (hhhmmm I will have to look into that) and you know you cannot just gate crash the Queen's party without being thrust into any form of media spotlight either! LOL!!

Seriously, it was great to have the Public Holiday on the Monday as that was an extra family day for us. Although saying that the whole weekend went as quickly as a normal one did. Okay so what did we do...

Saturday morning, I worked as usual whilst Noel and the kids did some cleaning and started getting food ready for the BBQ we were having on Saturday night with some friends coming over. We had invited some of our friends from the football club as I did have an ulterior motive to our free food... lol... I am glad our friends like us that's for sure! They came over to help repack the chocolates for the football fundraising drive - all 12,288 bars of chocolates!! As I said we felt it only fitting to provid the food as payment!! It was a great night and we all agreed that it was a shame that there was football on the next day as we could have kicked on into the wee hours of Sunday morning - actually we did with Noel and I getting into bed around the 12.30am mark!

Sunday was just as busy with a planned family breakfast with the Murray clan at The Cove in Patterson Lakes. The Cove do a all you can eat buffet breakfast every Sunday morning. We have been there before and although not all that impressive it's central for us all and not bad price wise. We only caught up with Mam, Dad and Christian as Sean and Vicky were ill. Mam and Dad picked up Christian on their way through and looked after him for the remainder of the day.

Mason, one of Oliver's team mates, was playing football on Sunday representing Karingal in the Frankston and Districts Junior Football League team. They played other teams from various other Leagues within Victoria. We went to watch the 3rd match due to our commitments in the morning. Oliver was quite impressed watching his mate on the field. Mason is an excellent football player, one that Oliver looks up to also.

All Monday morning I was waiting and must say I was eagerly awaiting the clock showing 10.30 as that's what time Jamie and the boys were due to visit. We hadn't planned to do anything as the weather was undecided whether it would rain or not. So we decided to play it by ear and go with what ever happened.

Whilst Jamie, Noel and myself chatted away all 6 kids just played together. It was fun to watch all of them interact and listen to their laughter. We had the playstation going, the DS's, the electric keyboard and microphone were over worked and definately out of tune!

We all sat down for a family lunch, a warming bowl of Lamb Stew and some nice fresh frenchstick and chatted about things that were happening, such as junior football, school and what we had all been up to.

As simple as it sounds it is not.... it is anything but simple. I haven't seen all the boys for quite a long time and have almost got used to the fact that my nephews do not know us at all... but I do believe times are changing. Monday was a day - one that was a long time coming but it was a day that I thoroughly enjoyed and one I will remember.

Jamie had the boys last weekend and honestly, I had to take advantage of the fact that he is willing to ensure that the boys stay in contact with me and my family, especially my mam. So, without Claire knowing, I organised with Jamie that we get together and given their marraige situation you can imagine that Jamie didn't mention it to her either. It is not that I didn't want Claire to know it's the fact of what is happening in her life at the moment and how she is reacting with her family (me and mam) with the level of interaction being very very minimal to almost non existent.

Having the extra day off from work meant that last week flew past, not that it is that unusual as we are generally busy anyway but it was a nice short week. Alex trained with her football team for the first time so that was a bit strange for her. Oliver had training as usual and yes we have managed to start distributing all the boxes of chocolates to other club members to sell. We are down to a few remaining boxes at home and I have to admit I am very happy with that.

Friday the kids had a "pupil free" day at school so that pleased them - a holiday on Monday and then another day off on Friday! Noel volunteered to have the day off with them - how ever I must say he didn't really take that much convincing! How lucky are they - a 3 day week and here I was bragging about working for only 4 days! hehehe Oliver organised to have a sleep over at Mason's house and as Alex couldn't miss out on any holiday action she asked if she could have Ella come over and have a sleepover. Ella's mam and dad both work full time like us so the only way we could organise it was to have Ella dropped off first thing in the morning.. so no sleep in for Noel and the kids as Ella arrived at 7am!! Oliver disappeared over to Mason's just after lunch - I think quite grateful to escape the two girls! Friday evening was great - no arguing etc Ella and Alex had a ball. The girls made their own pizza's for dinner, hired some movies and slept on matteresses on the loungeroom floor in true sleep over style!

Saturday Ella was picked up, Oliver was returned so it was back to normal. We had to take Alex up to the sports store to get her a pair of white shorts, a pair of skins and a pair of red socks for her football debut the following morning. She was quite excited about the whole thing so therefore needed the whole kit and caboodle!! I don't mind as at least she is out there playing a sport and if she likes football, that's great! After Friday and Friday night, Saturday night was nice and quiet and thoroughly enjoyed!

Although we have been getting up early on Sunday mornings to help Tanya with the football club canteen (the canteen I wasn't having anything to do with this year) both Noel and I had forgotten what it felt like having an under 9 footballer in the house. The game kicked off at 9am, Alex had to be at the clubrooms, which were away this week, by 8.30am and of course we were late!! Not too late, but late and of course she was making note of the time every minute! I would have to say that describing her as excited would surely have been an understatement! Getting her jumper brought on a excited yet nervous giggle fit and she just wanted to get out on the field and play!!

Her first game, she managed a few touches and a kick or two but the team had a win so that made the morning memorable for not only Alex but us, her parents!! Oliver helped out also and was the goal umpire for the game!

Oliver played football later in the morning and the result wasn't as great for his team. We actually played a strong side that I would describe as bullies and unfair but then I suppose I am a biased mam, especially when kids get hurt.

I am proud of Oliver, just as I am with Alex, for just getting out there and playing, participating in a team sport and bottom line all I want both of them to do is have fun!

Sunday afternoon became another afternoon of children swapping. Alex went for a play at Summer and Logan's house whilst Jet, their little brother, came to play the playstation with his mate 'Knackers' - Oliver's nickname he proudly answers to... (the nickname itself comes with a long explanation!).

Sunday nights are always up at the footyclub for us throughout the whole season. I may have mentioned before but each team presents a handful of kids awards for the game played and there is food available as well as the bar being open. We tend not to stay up there too late but as Noel is team manager, I am treasurer, and now with both the kids playing it something we feel we should continue to do. Last night Alex got an award for her non stop running and enthusiasm to her game - her first game. Corey, her coach, is spoiling his only girl in the team and of course, Alex idolizes Corey!!

Phew I suppose I should be glad that's it's Monday again and its work and school as normal.....

Queen's Birthday - a long weekend ......

Well today marks the start of the Queen's birthday weekend here in most states of Australia.... so all with the exception of WA and Tasmania get Monday off work as a public holiday!



Elizabeth II or Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born 21 April 1926. She is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms. This is made up of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenade, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis and AUSTRALIA! All together, these countries have a combined population, including dependencies, of over 129 million. She holds each crown separately and equally in a shared monarchy, and carries out duties in and on behalf of all the states of which she is sovereign. She is also Head of the Commonwealth, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Ducke of Nomandy, Lord of Mann and Paramound Chief of Fiji. In theory her powers are vast; however, in practice, and in accordance with convention, she rarely intervenes in political matters.

Quite an impressive lady, I must say. What do you think?

Yet this weekend always amazes me... why? It amazes me as we are a country, a nation, that wants to gain independence away from the good ol' Motherland and become a Republic but we all grateful take the public holiday year after year to celebrate OUR QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY!

You never hear anyone saying things like - "I want to work because she's not our queen" or "let's all boycot having a public holiday and really get into the Republican swing!" NO! NO! NO! Everyone enjoys the extra day on their already short feeling weekends and relishes in the fact that next week is a four day week.....

Have a great weekend everyone and don't forget to toast a Happy Birthday to our Queen!!

Getting back into the swing of things.....

I know I have been slack this last few weeks and have only been posting on a weekly basis but I have blown that out of the water now by having nearly a week and a half break between socialising within these blog walls.

So now it's a case of where to start.....

The reason for my slackness is the flu - NOT the swine flu. Just the flu. Infact I didn't work Monday and Tuesday only to return today. Feeling very run down but I must soldier on!

We have just about put the final little bits of our rearrangement into their new homes... the loungeroom got another reshuffle and it looks a lot better than the first arrangement. It's all starting to feel homely now which is good - one less thing off my ever procrastinating mind!!

On Thursday I received a shipment of a pallet, yes a pallet, of boxes containing chocolates. Cadbury's Freddo's, Camamello Koalas, Cherry Ripes, Crunchies, Boost and Time Out... a total of 256 boxes! Thankfully we don't eat that much chocolate at our place but geez I have chocolates everywhere. Please be aware these are NOT for us - these are for the football club fundraiser - we make really good profit out of them. The catch is that they need to be sorted into boxes of 8 flavours before distributing for sale. Last night Nazz and Jane (two lovely parents of club players) came over to help especially as I have been sick and are coming back tonight.

Friday night, Alex had a birthday party to go to. It was Shiryln's party and Alex actually went straight from school to Shirlyn's house so she had an extra long play. She was really happy about that. Oliver was picked up from school by Nana and Grandad and taken up to their house for a sleepover and when we picked Alex up from the party we took her up there aswell. They had a ball especially as Nana and Grandad have a Wii..... guess what they did all day???

Over the weekend, we picked up the fish tank that was on layby and Sunday went down as a family to choose a few fish each... the kids were really excited and chose there own 2 fish which of course are now sporting interesting names. We have 10 fish in total, one black moore, one pearlscale, one oriana, one bronze moore, two danio's and four white clouds. At the moment, it's a novelty with the kids, racing to feed them etc., standing next to the tank just watching but it will be interesting how they will go with the first clean and to whether or not mam will have to do that.

Another pleasing thing for us is the Under 11's won again... and they blitzed!! I believe the final score was 118 to 8 but after a team having a 70 point lead they do not continue to score.. but we did! LOL!! Nana and Grandad came down to watch also. Needless to say Dean was happy, Noel was happy, the team was happy and we have had our 2nd win for the season...