surprise for Mum!

After a long tiring day at work today, I told the boys i was going to have a nice soak in the bath and then tackle the evening chores, you know the ones..dishes etc, then pack our gear ready for our weekend getaway! Aaryn had been told over and over to just get some shorts, tshirts etc ready but he kept getting sidetracked with the dilemma of which bed toy to take, his welsh dragon? his crocodile? his Teddy? the choice is endless, (he has decided upon his steve irwin crocodile! appropriate for Seaworld LOL). I told them both to have their gear ready for me to pack away after my soak and off I went, oblivious (well sort of oblivious) to the giggling etc i could hear coming from the other side of the door. I was told to stay there while they finished getting their 'stuff' ready and get out when told So when told i got out to find...

They had all their gear ready, had tidied their bedrooms spotlessly (well as spotless as a boy can!) AND had washed all the dishes, dried them, put them away and wiped down the kitchen!! AND the piece de resistance....a glass of wine poured for Moi!! I am still in shock!!! Sometimes these ever so naughty boys can be so good, it makes me almost cry!!!

so they were rewarded with an early easter present..(because i was gagging to give it to them LOL) DALEK easter eggs!! I love the Daleks and couldn't wait to buy these little cuties..Press the button and they say..EXTERMINATE..love it!!

We had an easter egg hunt with the grandies yesterday, because we wont see them tomorrow, Emily was beside herself with excitement, the boys were too, but not as much as her! She was so overcome she threw up all over her mother's lounge room when they got home..BOY i love being a grandmother ROFLMAO!!!!

we scrub up ok!!

Finally Portrait Place have emailed me our free photo (mind you, we spent a small fortune on enlargements!!!) so here we are!! You have no idea how hard it was, to get everyone to smile at the same time, to stop Gary looking gormless, to have me happy with the prints!! I'm so glad they've gone digital, you can see the pics immediately and have any horrid ones instantly deleted!! This one, was amazingly the first photo she took! we were so relaxed with the photographer, we threw off our shoes, laughed and joked about, she took pics for about 45 minutes and only about 5 were no good! The hardest part was choosing the ones we liked, so they did them up into various frames which looked fantastic so we bought a heap, I love the ones of the boys on their own, so we have 3 of those in the one frame I cant wait to get them, should be this week!!!

Happy St Paddy's day!!

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY!! tis a great day for the Irish, to be sure to be sure!!! I do believe that Donald and his daughter Roisin will be having a glass or 3 of the lethal Irish guiness later today when they wake up! (they are my father's cousins in Belfast!) I had an email from Roisin, saying that she intends to have one or 2 LOL i do wish i liked guiness, it always looks so nice, with the froth on the top, but the taste leaves much to be desired..AND YES, i do make myself drink a glass at least twice a year!!!To be sure, to be sure, one wouldn't be Irish if you couldn't keep a Guiness down!!!! My Dad loved st Pats day..he would sing Irish songs all day!

• If you're Irish come into the parlour
• With a shillelagh in my hand (pronounced shilaylee) this one was one of my favorites!
• When Irish Eyes are Smiling (we played this at his funeral!)
• My darling Maggie May (loved this too!!)
• I'll take you home again Kathleen (I remember my Grampy singing this to my Nanna every time he got he drunk, which was a LOT LOL)

It's the first St Paddy's day without my dad, so I'm feeling a little sad and nostalgic, he really enjoyed 'today'. He was very proud of our coat of arms!!!

I leave you with this Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face;the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

A word of warning today ladies, if your Irish and Catholic, keep your legs well and truly crossed! Tis a well known fact that a Saint Patrick's day fling, brings a Christmas day Baby!!! and yes, i have proof, I have 3 of them ROFL..

a surprise!!

The other day, Gary asked me if i was working on Easter Monday, naturally I checked my roster to find out that yes indeed i was and also on Easter Saturday (hmm, i'm only supposed to work one public holiday!!) so he then said, Just ring work and tell them you cant work that Monday because, I'm not working on Sunday night so I have a surprise planned for you...OH DAMN!! I know his surprises. He wouldn't tell me what it was, I just knew it was camping, i stewed all night, hardly slept a wink for thinking up plans of how i could stay home and he could take the boys, but i couldn't think of one really good excuse. I hate camping with a passion, I would rather stick needles in my eyes, whilst watching mice do the tango! indeed I would. He asked me had I rang work, with that work rang me, I couldn't get out of it, i told them i couldn't work, No problem whatsoever DOUBLE DAMN, they could at least have said, OH NO, the shop will fall down without you here, but no, it was fine, My last card, gone, dammit! There he was, sitting with a smug look on his face, OH yes, you can smirk I thought, trying to smile and think it'll be ok, but it wont,...I JUST HATE CAMPING...He went off to work, and wouldn't tell me anymore. SO i grilled Tina! Has your father arranged to borrow your tent?? NO! has he mentioned anything to you?? NOPE..dammit, that man is aggravating..Last night during dinner, that smug smirk was back, i wanted to take that burger and smash it into his face, but i resisted temptation. He looked at the boys and said, I have a little surprise for you all...Here goes..I think, smile, smile smile, pretend to be happy, you like camping, you like camping...it's not working lol..he then says...we'll leave here at lunchtime on Sunday, and probably leave our destination about 6pm on Monday...the boys are jumping around, HOLIDAY HOLIDAY..i'm sitting, sinking lower into my chair, waiting for the words...when he then says...I have booked a night at.....yeah, here it comes..boreen point, in a tent, no toilet, no shower, no electricity, no stove blah blah...then......NARA RESORT!!! I smiled, then the penny dropped, i looked at him and said WHAT?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? YOUR KIDDING AREN"T YOU?? WE ARE GOING CAMPING AREN"T WE?? YOUR WINDING ME UP?? then he just sat there with that smug look...NOPE!!! so, next Sunday, we head to the Gold Coast, NARA RESORT arrghhhh, so excited, i've always wanted to stay there!! It's only one night but heck, it's time out! We get to go to Seaword I LOVE SEAWORLD its my favorite place...ARGHHHGHH, dolphins, polar bears, penguins (NO SKUNKS!!!)...I'm a little excited, can you tell LOL..the boys are beside themselves..Aaryn wants a penguin, he's working out how to get one into his backpack..I DONT THINK SO!!! I'm so glad i have a great camera, i'm going to get some good close up dolphin shots! polar bear shots...bit sad there's no skunks LOL, i guess i wont need to pack tomatoes!!!

Skunks!

Interesting conversation on the way to school today.

• A....Mum, skunks spray
• M...I've heard that
• A....have you been sprayed by a skunk?
• M...Not lately
• A....Have you ever seen a skunk?
• M...No
• A....Well, when we go to canada
• M... We are going to canada??
• A.... Yes, i heard you say to dad, that one day we will go to Canada
• M....Oh yes, ok, you got me there
• A....Well, when we go to Canada, you will have to be careful, because a skunk may spray on you and then you will stink to high heavens
• M...I shall remember that
• A....Dont think they are cute, mum, cos they aren't, they look cute, but boy do they stink
• M...Have you seen a skunk?
• A....NO, but i am a skunk expert
• M...we dont have skunks in Australia
• A....I know, but they have them in Canada
• M....hmmmm
• A....MUM, when you get sprayed on
• M...hmmmm
• A....wash yourself down with tomatoes, that will get rid of the smell! you have to rub yourself all over with tomatoes, i dont think tomato soup will work but you could give it a try
• M..I shall remember that!
• A...I cant wait to go to Canada, i've waited my whole life to go to Canada to see a skunk.

thank god we pulled up at school! I'm so pleased that I live with a skunk expert, i shall have to remember the tomato juice and always carry some with me just incase a rogue skunk escapes from a zoo!

I wonder what the conversation on the way home will be, usually it's about Katie. Yesterday's went..

• A....Do you know what?
• M...What?
• A.....Robert stepped on Katie today, for no reason, she was just there, and he stepped on her and nearly killed her
• M...That's dreadful, what did your teacher say
• A....He said, Robert, be more careful, you could have killed Katie, open your eyes.
• M...My goodness, is Katie ok? did she cry?
• A....No she just let out a big squeal and all the kids went mad at Robert for hurting Katie
• M....Thats good that you look after Katie, she's very brave for not crying.
• A....(looking at me strangely) hmmm, we just picked her up and put her in her area
• M...OH?
• A....Katie is a rat mum!
• M....oh, SHUDDER.....i see.........

and that is why i do not go into Aaryn's classroom!!! 2 pet rats, Katie and Pricilla..the girls as they are affectionately referred to!!

Think i'd rather meet a skunk!!!

oh and for the record......we aren't going to Canada!!

i've been tagged

Thanks Susan! so here goes!! As for the tag, here are the rules:Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

1. I have 2 tattoos, a butterfly on my shoulder and a bird somewhere no one sees it LOL
2. When I was a kid, my favorite treat was bread and dripping covered in salt (not dripping bought from the shop, the dripping from the sunday roast, it sets like butter) it sounds revolting and it sure is good for your heart NOT!! I dont think i could eat it now
3. FIG BISCUITS!! i cant stop at one and they always remind me of my grampy! none of my kids like them, but 2 of my grandkids to, so we are making a new memory!!!
4. Lychees make me gag!(you needed to know that!)
5. I am terrified of mice and rats
6. I once shaved off my eyebrows to see how it would look (i was 17 at the time!)
7. I have had a toe-ring for over 7 yrs and never removed it!

ok, so now i have to tag 7 people, do i know 7 people??

Joyce Debbie Y Tina Nicole Leanne Peta Mrs Frizz (Michelle)!

Home made candles

I'm loving making these candles. Kimberley taught us girls at a workshop a little while ago and i've been dying to make them ever since! It's a bit dangerous if you are heat gun challenged like i am, but after setting fire to the wax paper only once, burning my fingers twice, nearly burning the table top (thank god gary wasn't home to witness that!) and melting wax onto my hand I managed to make 9 tonight!! (one i made at the workshop!) Last time i used a heat gun, i managed to not only set on fire all the paper i was trying to emboss onto BUT also i set fire to the kitchen curtains Thank GOD the window was right behind the kitchen sink so i managed to put that out immediately (and that is precisely why i was using the gun at the kitchen sink LOL). Needless to say, tonight i was very nervous and have to admit to trying to use the hair dryer first so i wouldn't have to use the deadly gun!! I feel like an indian giver now though as I gave the gun to Jackie, then asked if I could 'borrow' it back tonight LOL She will probably have to beg me for it back (unless i get bored with making candles LOL). I have to make a heap (like 20 or 30) for Cam's school and also a heap for Aaryn's school fete. The biggest problem I have now is, which one to give to Gary's sister Dyan, for her birthday tomorrow! decisions, decisions..i might let him choose!!

Stay away from PINK LIGHTS!!!

• Aaryn..Are you scrapbooking dad?
• Gary....Dont be stupid boy, i'm fixing my business cards
• Aaryn..Why are you using all mum's stuff? we aren't allowed to touch her stuff
• Gary....She said I could use her cutter
• Aaryn..MUM..Dad's using ALL your scrapping stuff (he is using the cutter and window punch!)
• Gary...This cutter cuts really good doesn't it, i'm impressed
• Aaryn...Dad...do not walk towards the PINK light!!!!!

that was the little conversation i overheard today. To explain..Gary was covering the old phone number on his business cards by cutting down some labels to fit (let it be known, I had suggested white-out before he started!). After an hour or more of him punching them out and then trying to remove backing from label, he gave up the punch and moved onto the Kaiser cutter. same deal really, he still couldn't get the backing off, SO then resorted to my cutterbee scissors, how remarkable, same deal, still couldn't get the backing off!! SO he then had a brain wave..if he used white-out, it would be quicker and i could get on with the job of writing the new freecall number on them (why he just cant get new business cards is beyond me!). Aaryn, likes to watch Ghost Whisperer, when people die, then walk towards the bright light!! so, obviously, when one becomes a scrapbooker, you walk towards the PINK LIGHTm therefore he felt it necessary to warn his father of the perils that await him!

more interesting conversations

Hayley bought the kids over for a few hours today, I love having little chats with them, although they are only 2 & 3 they both talk as if they are 20!! Emily is so Expressive and well, Brayden, is just too damn cute when he tries to copy Emily. the first conversation went a bit like this.

• Emily....Nanna, do you know what i see'd in the sky the uver day?
• Nanna....An airplane?
• E.....NO no, nanna, a real live rainbow.
• N...REALLY? was it red and yellow and pink and green? purple and orange and blue?
• E...(looking at me rather oddly) yes...*rolls eyes*..pink is my favorite colour
• Brayden...I likes pink i does
• E...NO YOU DONT only girls like pink, your a boy, you like blue
• B...shoves his icecream into E's face yelling...I LIKES PINK I DOES so shutup. NANNA she ate my iceblock
• N...it's ok, boys can like pink because Cam likes pink he had a pink cast remember..
• E...*rolls eyes yet again* nanna, I am not thinking about pink anymore, i am thinking about RAINBOWS *rolls eyes so far back i'm sure she's going to faint*

Conversation #2

• Emily...Nanna, (said softly as she strokes my hair lovingly)
• Nanna...Yes my lovely
• E........Nanna, are you dying?
• N....NO sweetheart i'm not dying
• E.....Will you die soon?
• N....No i hope not.
• E..... Oh, (very disappointed look) i thinked maybeeee you will die soon
• N...Really? (getting a bit worried now)
• E...yes, nanna, because i want your rings and when you die, you said i could have them!
• Thinking i might have to watch this young murderer, i mean, young lady!

Last one!

• E...nanna, can i brush your hair
• N...*cringe* yes if you must
• E....drags brush through hair, scalping me in the process* i love brushing your hair
• N...Thanks (i think)
• E....will you wear your hair like this tomorrow at work Nanna..
• (hearing giggles coming from hayley)
• N.. if you would like me to i will.
• E...well nanna, it looks lovely (it didn't!) and nanna, can i wear your rings?
• N...No not today
• E...well then, you better hurry and die!!

she's only 3 i swear! the little madam

*edited to add*..i forgot about this one LOL

I gave Emily and Bray their first Caramello Koala's, Brayden loved it, in fact i dont think he chewed it. Emily on the other hand wanted to play with it, it was much to cute to eat (girls lol). I told her there was a nice surprise in the middle, She wouldn't bite it's head off, so started from the feet, well, she bit it in half, her face just froze, mouth partly open, caramel drizzling down her chin, she looked at me, spat the half out into my hand and holding back tears said...NANNA, the koala pooed in my mouth....then looked horrified as Nanna ate the other half to show her that it wasn't poo!! she wont eat them at all now LOL

FINALLY!!!!

Aaryn, just put his head on my shoulder and sighed "can you believe i finally have a girlfriend?" I looked and sighed back "no" He then says "All that hard work has finally paid off" *insert strange look from mother*... he then says.." for 6 years i've been working hard at getting a girlfriend, and FINALLY it's all been worth it" *Heavy sigh* (for godsake, he's only 10!). I somehow dont think this Maddie is a flash in the pan,

Ground rules are to be made...

1. there will be no snogging at my house (or anyone elses) until you are at least 13/14,
2. When on a date ie: to the pictures, you will be accompanied by an adult who will sit between you at all times. popcorn and drinks to be purchased before hand and no you cannot accompany each other to the toilet!
3. NO sleepovers, well ok BUT seperate bedrooms, bells will be put on the doors to stop sleepwalking, actually, Aaryn will sleep on the floor in his parents room leaving his bedroom free for Maddie.
4. Gifts of love, will be made, not paid for by this 'mother'. if on the other hand, Maddie chooses to buy a gift, nothing under $20 will be tolerated, scrapbooking vouchers are negotiable!
5. Talk of Maddie is to be limited to 1/2 hour before school, 1 hour after school and 2-3 hours on a weekend.
6. NO YOU CANNOT BORROW MUM'S CAMERA TO TAKE A PHOTO OF MADDIE FOR YOUR WALLET (for goodness sake)
7. OK Mum will come to school and take a photo of Maddie for your wallet (do you have a wallet??) YES ok i will do a page on you and her, YES you can have it on your bedroom wall (anything else?? a pint of blood perhaps??)
8. Your brother is not interested in your love life, he is only interested in what ever is showing on his computer screen ie: world of warcraft or Runescape. please do not bother him with your lovelife (PLEASE!!!!)
9. NO you cannot use mum's mobile phone to call Maddie, NO i do not want to talk to her mother, DONT you dare use my phone..I mean it...

he used the phone! after all, he hasn't seen her for a couple of hours!

i'm dreaming......, large white wedding, Huge wedding cake, black suits and ties, top hats perhaps?? Emily will be bridesmaid, Evan, Keiran and Brayden. Groomsmen and Cameron will be best man, She can pick the other bridesmaids after all, her parents will be paying for this wedding. I'm expecting at least 6 grandchildren, 5 girls, 1 boy, one girl will be named after ME and I will have final say on babies names (hey, it's my dream!!!). They will build a granny flat in their backyard for me and Gary to retire to, after all he is the baby of the family and he will look after us in our old age..(once again, it's my dream LOL). now if i tell them all of this, i wonder how long that little minx will stick around??? LOL

Love, casts and other ramblings

• Aaryn is in love, it's official, he has announced it to the whole family and Tina has made him the cutest valentine card for her on Thursday. I contributed with a little chocolate with the words, you are so sweet on the wrapper. (i have a box full of these little treats that i bought for gary and forgot to give to him LOL). Her name is Maddie, she's 10 the exact same age as him! (his words) and she is almost (though not quite) as beautiful as me (his words again lol). I have met this young lady and i have to admit i was not impressed with my first glance. We were at the Palmwoods hotel enjoying a birthday dinner for Gary and also my Friend Chrissie had stayed the weekend. I noticed this young girl, with long dark hair, pretty little thing except for the make-up, i swear she keeps estee lauder in business LOL..I was taken ill just before our meals arrived (most embarrassing to almost faint) and went and lay in the car, so i missed all the high-jinx with this little minx who has stolen my son's heart LOL..apparently, she pushed him across in his chair, sat beside him, leant over the table and said..'oh hello, aaryn' he replied "grunt"..she then looks at Chrissie and says..."I'm Maddie, you may need to remember my name, I intend to become Aaryn's girlfriend!" flounced her hair and sauntered off. I'm so glad i wasn't there to witness that, i would have choked laughing. ANYWAY, the little minx was correct, they are now boyfriend and girlfriend. She even asked Aaryn to go with him..(i stupidly asked...go where??).It'll be ok, soccer season starts soon and like all true Footballer's Wives, she'll be left for dead on the sideline, crying into her glass of coke, wondering what she ever did to deserve such treatment. (i watch far too much english tv LOL)

• THE CAST IS OFF!!!! thankfully, today the doc gave the all clear and his cast came off, a bit before time, but Cam had to promise not to walk on it (yeah right) until he goes back on Friday for a review, so he's still on crutches and just a light bandage, but at least we wont be breaking our necks on his stupid pink leg as we walk past LOL. He will finally get to wear a pair of shoes (instead of one) i think i'm going to have to find his other sock, he's only had to wear one so far LOL, so i'll have to buy another pair (at nearly $10 a pair i had been putting this off lol). He's off to his first High School camp in 2 weeks so he's pretty pleased that the cast is off!

i think that's all for now, i had more but cant remember what it was now..

OOOPS

just a quickie because i was told to update LOL... Gary's sister has been to visit from WA. She's lovely, we all love her to bits. I took a few pics..why not LOL so will pop them on here later..She's very important person over there in WA, a doctor of psychology (ok, you can stop laughing now...yes, yes, she probably did analyse me and has probably used me for quite a few thesis LOL...but she loves me, she told me LOL)...ok that's that news.. last bit (because i said it would be very quick lol)....first blooper in quite a while...... a man came to my register today, bought 3 rubber balls, chatted for a bit, then walked out of the shop..i had a queue, there was a queue at the other 2 registers next to mine and I noticed the man had left his purchase behind..so i called out....EXCUSE ME SIR...YOU SEEM TO HAVE LEFT YOUR BALLS BEHIND.to which the man replied...I am always leaving them behind......everyone was in fits, i was mortified, my supervisor couldn't even look at me....even the manager got to hear about it and teased me in the tea-room...

Pink Cast, Anniversary and Australia Day..

It's been a busy week..

• Monday saw us traipsing (sp?) around the countryside with Cam's foot. Off to the Doc, cast removed, off to xray's for CT, back to docs to be told YES definitely broken in 2 places!!! Nasty break one of them!! (does that mean that the other break was kind?? lol) was too late to get his cast on Monday so we had to go to the orthopaedic place early Tues morning. We decided to get the waterproof cast so he could at least swim and shower, otherwise it would be a bit of a stinky 6 weeks LOL..he was allowed to choose his own colour so..he chose.. PINK which is his favorite colour at the moment (a bit of a SNAG my boy!), Emily was beside herself when she saw it, she adores pink!! (and her skirt today matched it perfectly so she kept telling us!!)....

• Wednesday saw us celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary, i made a box and filled it with heart choccies and a card. I thought Gary had forgotten, until i got home to find a beautiful bouquet of red roses and white lillies (my favourite flowers) had been delivered whilst I was at work.

• Today is Australia day, we celebrated at Federation Park, with Tina, Zeb and the kids! We were babysitting Bray and Emily too so it was nice to have all 4 grandies together, first time since Xmas day!We played cricket, we had a one legged bowler LOL that was funny, watching him hop about but he bowled us all out.I had a go at batting and surprised everyone with 2 mighty good hits (apparently worthy of a six!!!!) Cam cooked the barbie, his first time cooking it by himself, until of course, the 'big men' took over (as they do at bbq's).It was great at the park, when we arrived the Australia Day breakfast had just finished and the huge crowd just disappeared, leaving us the whole huge park to ourselves!! we did have a huge truck parked there, and the Marquis were still up, but it didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves, in fact it was perfect!!
• finished off the day by Tina soaking the kids, it started off with her sneaking up and trying to get Zeb, the kids thought it was great, so they all pretended to not see her sneak up on them!!

• Just a few random pics from today here....

• Aaryn is attempting to breed SEA MONKEYS...well, they have hatched and there are about 20 of the tiny little critters swimming in their little beach resort pool! Naturally, i had to photograph them, (no you cant see them yet, they are microscopic, you can see black dots, which are eggs) you can see them through a magnifying glass, hopefully in a few days they'll be big enough to at least spot in a photo! He has it all worked out, he's going to train them to jump through hoops etc, with the aid of a torch, he has an instruction booklet telling how to do all of this...the next few weeks should be very interesting (unless of course he gets bored with the whole procedure of being a parent and flushes them down the toilet!)

have you felt like this??

I had forgotten this little update i was going to tell you, until i was talking to Jackie about it the other day!! so thought I had better tell you all too!! A couple of weeks ago at work, i was minding my own business serving, when i heard a God almighty Scream. I nearly broke my neck, looking up, i saw security come running to the front registers, Supervisors came from no-where, i just froze thinking OMG a robbery. At the register just infront of mine, stood a lady, her hands on her hair...just screaming she was...then, she burst into tears she was so embarrassed. She looked at her two boys..and said to them...."SEE i told you i would scream, you are driving me insane with your constant fighting, nagging and whinging"....the 2 boys just stood there with their little mouths wide opened..I looked at her, grinned and said.."Boy that must have felt good!" Then everyone just burst out laughing, the lady included (thank goodness)..I guess at times, we've all felt like doing that but not brave enough to do it!! back later with the update of the foot and pics of the new cast!!!

Broken!!!

Had to happen! doing silly things means YOU BREAK BONES!! now i expected the boys to break a bone (or 2) doing this........

check out the look of fear on his face LOL

he was screaming OMG OMG

Certainly didn't think that one would break his foot by just slipping over on the wet grass (ok he was 'helped' by his brother who pushed him).

he looks a little peeved here, sick of being on crutches!

Crutches doesn't stop him from playing soccer!! OR going on the trampoline! I nearly had a king fit when i saw him jumping on the tramp! made him get off quick smart. Thank goodness he goes to the docs on Monday morning to have the cast off and xrays done to see if it has to go back on (hoping it doesn't!!!).

I've been busy.....

making cards!!! Our little group of scrapping friends..(and a few others!!), Heather (mum), Jackie, Kimberley, Monika, Me, joined by Debbie Y, Nicole and Joyce are doing a card a day challenge that Tina has set on her new blog HERE anyone is welcome to join in and at the end of the year, you'll have a stack of cards!! well that's the plan anyway LOL.

Here are my cards so far (in no particular order)!! It's been a good diversion, quick and simple to do, as i'm lacking in mojo at the moment and have only done 3 layouts for the year.

I AM

still here! just haven't had time to blog lately. I WILL UPDATE THIS WEEKEND! i promise.. I thought i'd let you all know i'm still alive, kids are still in one piece, well almost, 1 has a broken foot! will let you know about that including pics soon! work is going ok too! nothing too drastically funny happening, just very very busy..Rain is still falling..STILL!!!! we are all waterlogged! ok off to watch the tennis and will be back very soon!!

Birthdays and elves!

Yesterday was Cam's 12th Birthday, we hardly saw him!! he was on his new(ish) computer for most of the day, coming out every now and again to show us his new phone! I had to work for a few hours so Gary was in charge of cake and candles..yes, he remembered cake...no, he forgot candles, but Cam didn't worry. He still loved his cake!! CARAMEL MUDCAKE from the cheesecake shop (spoilt boy Today i had the grandies for a few hours while Tina and Hayley did last minute christmas stuff. I had a ball with them, taking advantage of their good behaviour, we had an elf photo shoot. Evan was the only one who wouldn't join in, he hates santa hats and elf hats so he hid inside watching tv, while we played outside with the camera. I think the pics show what fun the kids had. (amazing how cake keeps Brayden quiet LOL). Aaryn joined in too, never too old for santa fun are you!!! (and 10 isn't too old) !) (NOTE: we now have grass!!!!! our backyard looks fab, i must take pics for you all one day mustn't i LOL)

Name dropping!!!

OMG life is never dull at work..a few weeks ago it was Jamie Dunn at my registers (you remember him, his hand was always up Agro's bum LOL), last week, Tania Zaetta (who dares wins) and today...OMG OMG how i managed to NOT gape and gawp (unlike most of the customers) How i managed to NOT ask for an autograph (unlike most of the customers). HOW i managed to serve her without getting star struck..WHO?? none other than TERRI IRWIN that's who!! who incidently does most of her shopping for Bindi and Robert there, because our clothes are kid proof!!!! oh and also my most favourite FAVOURITE radio hostess in the whole world and who I have missed in the mornings, because she resigned to go into politics BUT is coming back in the New Year. WHO laughed at me when i said...OH I LOVE YOU TO BITS when are you coming back on air, i miss you so much...yes, the one and only...CAROLINE HUTCHINSON...oh yes, she is lovely!!!! OK BREATHE NOW LOL I must remember next time to grab some paper and get their autographs because well, the manager tends to get a bit testy if you ask him if you can keep their credit card slips ROFL.... Aaryn was beside himself when I told him that Terri had been in...Cam, naturally, wanted to know what the Irwins get for christmas and was surprised that they shop in a real shop and not online!!!

THEY do believe!

YES...confirmed....THEY DO BELIEVE IN SANTA...well, they do believe in dept. store santas LOL. Today we were in Myers and it all got a bit too much for Cameron, the urge was there, he couldn't resist it, I saw him have a chat to Aaryn, then they inched over to the display to have a peep, looking around incase they saw anyone from school (LOL), then it happened HE MOVED, HE GOT OFF HIS CHAIR....OMG there was no-where to run, he had them in his sights, I saw the panic in Aaryn's eyes (he's always been terrified of Santa even though he's now 10), saw Cam, pat him on the arm and tell him it will be ok...THEN HE MADE A BEELINE STRAIGHT FOR THEM, Cam, didn't flinch, looked at him and to my mortification said..

• Hey Fatman, How's ya doin'?
• Hello, young man, doin' good, How you doin'
• Doin' not to bad thanks Santa. So, Dude, you givin' away free stuff to all the kids or just the babies who believe in you?(mother faints!!)
• (laughing heartily) I'm giving them away to all good children.
• (aaryn) hmm, that counts us out then...dig in ribs from Cam...
• Well, Santa, you've come to the right place (hello cam, he was already here!!) We've actually been really good today and I reckon we can come in and see you. (quite the charmer my boy)

Santa sits back down and in they walk, right up to the chair..was going to get a pic but at $25 i dont think so! I saw them chatting to Santa, the lady at the camera asked me to keep them there because she had a problem with the photography and they needed a diversion..oh that's right, use my boys so other parents go mad at me, i dont think so LOL..I really dont want to ask what they talked about but they were deep in conversation for ages and Santa kept laughing very loudly and real laughter not just a fake HOHOHO. THEN they got their booty...a balloon and a lovely little canvas bag with a pack of crayons and sticker book...(which i might add, hasn't left their possession all day, they even tied them to their belts!). Felt very proud when I saw Cameron, lean forward and shake Santa's hand, thanking him profusely for his rather small gift! Aaryn, tentitively reached out and shook his hand, Turned around and yelled, I'M NOT AFRAID OF HIM ANYMORE HEY MUM!!!..then..as they came out of his grotto, Cam stopped, Turned..and said with thumb raised high...

SEE YA CHRISTMAS EVE DUDE and dont forget...(said address)....TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE PRESENTS FOR ME OK DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!! now where did my shy? reserved little cam go, to be replaced by this loudmouthed almost 12 year old highschooler go????

He then asked WHY i didn't get his pic taken with santa, that would have been way cool...i told him it was far too expensive and we will go out to kawana and get it done there at 1/4 of the price..his reply....Does that santa give cool presents...ok, lets go see!!!!!!! (so we will go on Thursday!!! woohoo my first santa pic!!!!well aaryn's anyway lol)......

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Aaryn has been NAGGING for over a year to get his ear pierced, today i decided ok, it could be done...so, after seeing santa i casually said to him, ok, lets go to the piercing shop and we'll get that ear pierced. What's that i see??? sheer panic?????

• oh, it's ok mum, not today, what about we get it done on the day after xmas?....
• It wont be open then, today is kid piercing day....
• Well, I'll get it done on Saturday
• Nah, we wont be here on Saturday, what say we pop in and get a price and pick out a nice stud and you can get it done right now???
• OH it's fine mum, i dont feel like having it done today, I think I'm a bit tired, can we go home now? Do you need to do anymore shopping?? What about a coffee?? do you need a coffee??
• NO, ok, lets just pick up my glasses and go home shall we??
• HUGE SIGH...yes, that sounds good mum....

CALLED YOUR BLUFF BOY!!!!!

MUMZ RULE LOL.......

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Yesterday, I had my housewarming/christmas morning tea with all the girls..9 of us lazed around, watching the kids (all 11 of them) jump and scream in the pool, without a care in the world. The day was fantastic, we had a great day of doing nothing except eat and drink tea and cold drinks.

Mother(Heather), Jackie, Tina, Hayley, Monika, Kimberley, Monika's mother on holiday from Poland, Jenny and Moi..

I took no photo's, i think Jackie and Mother did will have to get some copies.

After everyone left, i found myself thinking how lucky I am to have these wonderful ladies as my friends. We've formed a firm bond in the 12 months or more that we've been scrapping together (actually i think it's more like 24 months if i think about it..could be even longer!). Being adopted by Heather was the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love her dearly.

If your reading this my friends..I LOVE YOU ALL....you know I do LOL...