Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Cyber Safety


Alex and a few of her friends from Grade 6 had a great night at the school's Open Night when they did an on stage act about Cyber Safety.  It was brilliant.....





They all took turns discussing Cyber Safety and introducing short films about the subject.

They were all very brave and we are sooo proud of them all.

Ollie's camping again.... home today!

Despite a broken arm and being in plaster the school (and his parents) allowed Ollie to go to camp up in the Grampians.  It's an Outdoor Activities camp so he won't be able to participate in all the activities but the fact that he is getting out there in the wilderness with his mates was important to me.

He left Monday morning so has spent two nights away, as with all the camps for his year level they have to cook/prepare their own breakfasts, lunches and dinners while away.  Ollie was in charge with dinners so left armed with hot dogs for Monday night and Ravioli in Bolagnese Sauce for Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how they got on over the 3 days, what the camp was like and if they survived Ollie's cooking??


There is always a strange feel in the house when one of our members is missing... there is a saddened quietness especially from either child when the other sibling is absent.  For Noel and myself it's just too quiet - outright too quiet.  Not niggling or arguments, no dobbing and unfortunately no silly giggling!!

All will be back to normal by 3pm this afternoon.......

Monday, May 21, 2012

Fundraising Chocolate Drive ....


The Karingal Bulls Juniors have once succumbed to a Fundraising Chocolate Drive, which while it brings in great profit for the club it does mean many families eat too many chocolates and grumble about having to pay for them.

Alex and her friend Sarah embarked on selling the box that we brought home and within the hour the whole box was sold and they were quite proud of themselves.


Well done girls for supporting the Karingal Bulls Junior Football Club.

Menu Plan Monday (19th May 2012 - 25th May 2012)


Ok so it's time for the House of Murray to get back into planning and being organised especially when it comes to healthy eating and menu planning.  I have decided it's also high time for me to get back onto my weight loss journey - yes the one that I started many moons ago.  One that means the whole house would benefit from such an action.....

So here is this week's menu plan for our house:

Saturday ~ Fish, Cauliflower and Broccoli Cheese and vegetables
Sunday ~  Roast lamb, potatoes and vegetables with gravy and mint sauce
Monday ~  Slow-cooked Sticky Pork with Steamed Asian Greens
Tue ~ Lamb Stew with Crusty Bread
Wed ~ Middle Eastern Beef Meatballs
Thu ~ Curried Lamb Pie
Fri ~ Fettucine Marinara

Baking ~ Bacon and Corn Polenta Muffins

Menu planning plays a major roll in our life! By menu planning it ensures that we have a weeks worth of meals organised which is especially useful Monday through Friday when there is not much of the day left after finishing work, picking up the kids from school and having to deal with the tasks of homework, clothes washing, showers, etc., and to do without the hassle of worrying WHAT we are cooking for dinner each night. Honestly if I left deciding what’s for dinner until I go home we wouldn’t eat until midnight!!

I know that our week starts on a Saturday but that’s just for the ease of fitting in with my grocery shopping which is normally done on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon. As usual more great menu ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday over at I’m An Organising Junkie, don’t be shy pop over and have a look at other’s menu plans. You never know you may just find something different to have for dinner.

Some recipes for things we cook can be found over at our cooking blog, A Dash Of Flavour, normally posted after they have been cooked or just click on the links for each meal when they appear.

Happy cooking,

Jo xx

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Kerry is back....

Great to have Kerry back in Melbourne for this weekend.  Our friendship has blossomed since meeting many years ago on the Weight Watchers forums and has seen many catch ups.

Kerry flew into Melbourne this morning to participate in the Michelle Bridges 12WBT training session and for us to both attend the Finale Party.  Kerry has been following the plan whereas I was only attending as a guest.  Not that I minded going out all dressed up.


The Finale Party was held at the The Plaza Ballroom, Collins Street, Melbourne and the theme was to sparkle. It was great to see so many people committed to bettering themselves.  I have walked away with quite some motivation to continue on my weight loss journey.

We came home, enjoyed a chat and then went to bed with poor Kerry absolutely knackered from here 4.30am start this morning and the huge workout at St Kilda as part of the Michelle Bridges 12WBT programme.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Our little Princess is sick.....

Last night I was awoken by Princess who said in a sad voice "Mam I really need to be sick".  This has come totally out of the blue as she had gone to bed as normal and in good spirits.

A full night of either Noel and I keeping Princess company meant that the two of us were knackered but not as much as Alex was.....


Love you Princess.... hope you get better quickly!!  MWAH!!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Another great win for the Unders 11's

Today the Under 11's played Edithvale Aspendale.  There was some rain to which I was one of the parents that ran for cover to the inside of the pavilion while the kids ran around in the drizzle.



A really good game played by the Bulls....  The Under 13's also won their game but Oliver didn't play due to his arm being in plaster.

It is Mother's Day here today so I received some gorjus presents and lots of special treatment.  While nice and relaxing it was strange not to be surrounded by other members of our family with my Mam being in Brisbane and Noel's Mam being overseas on holidays.  I received a text message from Sean and Vicky wishing me a Happy Mothers Day which was really nice of them taking the time to make the effort.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Dinner with the Roberts' family...

Definitely a long time between catch ups for the two families.  Vera and Paul helped us with a computer issues because, even if you cannot believe this, I am not computer savvy when it comes to fixing these machines.  I am pretty good at using them but I have to say that I do come with an IT department at work.

Vera took some photos.....

~Paul ~

~ Kayla ~

~ Bailey and of course, Me ~

~ Bailey, Oliver, Paul and Vera ~

~ Noel, Alex, Kayla and Dante ~

We all had a brilliant evening - an evening that should happen more often..... that's for sure!!

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Now it's Oliver's turn to break.....

A phone call at work was enough for me to leave, gather a child from home and head to the Emergency Department at Frankston Hospital.  After several hours of waiting, being x-rayed and then plastered Oliver is now the proud owner of a plaster cast on his right arm.


He was running around at school, didn't see a wire fence, managed to run into it and fall over, landing on his arm.  This has resulted in a greenstick fracture and his arm being in plaster for at least 5 weeks.
 

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