Projectile Vomit

Last night as we were eating dinner, once again Emmalee complained that her tummy hurt. I chalked it up to complaints. Not wanting to finish dinner. Not wanting to do homework. Not wanting to go to bed. Not wanting to do something. You know, bad day...
I ran to the grocery store while Jim put them to bed and when I got back he informed me that she was an absolute terror going to bed so she lost her sweets for the next two days. YIPEE for me. She had settled down, though.
Off to bed we went and at 1.14am in she comes making noises. I wasn't quite awake until Jim yelled, "Nikki she's going to throw up!" Well, that gets a person awake and out of bed in a hurry. At least it gets me out of bed in a hurry. He was still in bed. Hmmm -- funny how that works. So off to the toilet we went and into the toilet she went.
She is remarkably calm when she throws up. No crying or anything. Just puke. So there I am holding her hair back. The person who gags at the sound or smell of throw-up. Funny how motherhood changes you. Now if it was anyone but my child (or possibly Jim's -- but not even sure about that!) who was throwing up I just couldn't deal with it, but for her or Andrew... I can. I am strong. I can talk her through it. I hold her hair back. I get her the wash cloth just like my mom did.
And then I hold her for the rest of the night. In and out of the bathroom while she continues to repeat the process until she no longer has to.

Another Hour at School

I think I am going to just get myself a hook to hang a bag at school. Sophie asked if I would help out with a painting project for the Paint the Town fundraiser after Morning Tea. She has to get the 170 kindergarten kids to paint a black and white picture on A3 paper so we can use the artwork to decorate the hall for the event. She was going to do it herself so she asked for my help. Of course I would. I have nothing better to do (than housework, laundry, blog, etc.)
We started in KJ, and of course Andrew painted his house. Makes me wonder how much he is missing home... It was a 2 storey house with a fireplace, so it definitely isn't the house here.
Lots of love-hearts from the girls. Boy paintings were hit or miss as to what they painted. Girls definitely stuck to girly things.Then we worked with the classroom next door. The concepts were pretty much the same, except this class used even more paint than KJ. Now only 3 more classes to go. Not sure when she is going to finish up, but I did volunteer to help her out with those...

Miss Jowett's Birthday

Today is Miss Jowett's Birthday. She is turning 27. Another one of the amazing facts that Andrew has managed to bring home from school. Sophie made the cupcakes yesterday and dropped them off while Jim was napping. I decorated them last night. Made them look like her (I suppose). The plans were arranged to meet in front of the hall at 11.05.

One of the boys in Andrew's class, Brian, was volunteered to play Happy Birthday. We were all set. The moms walked down with cupcakes and flowers in hand. Got Brian out of class and managed to get the piano all ready. Just as the bell rang, got the KJ kids up and had them kinda sing Happy Birthday. I think the most important part to them of course was the cupcakes afterwards.

The comments that made everyone smile were "Look Miss Jowett, I just ate your eyeball!" "Miss Jowett, I just ate your face off!" It was funny! All the kids had a ball and I think we genuinely surprised her. Sue said that many of the kids had made her cards at home so she had gotten a bunch of cards from them at the start of the day too. Fraser and Andrew worked hard on theirs during their play on Monday.

A very nice and sweet celebration for her special day.

IKEA run

Had to run out to IKEA today. Needed to get some tea cups for Emmalee's tea party. She has requested that everyone get a personalized tea cup for their placesetting. Just like last year's party. They didn't have the cute little purple espresso cups, so I had to get regular tea/coffee cups, but I think it will work anyway. Now I just have to personalize. UGH. 12 sets to work on in the next 10 days. Sad thing was, not much else really called my name at the store. Must be waiting to spend money when I get back to the states...
Jim came home sick with a tummy ache. Called at 10 and said he didn't feel well. By 10.30 he actually left work and came home. Couldn't believe it! I had taken his car with me so that I could get it washed for him at the mall (Abbott covers one wash a month and the month is almost up), so he got to drive my car. Picked up some chicken and made him chicken noodle soup for dinner after Andrew's soccer practise and the kid's new session of swimming lessons. Emmalee even squeezed in an impromptu play at Emma McGargill's house. Busy Busy day.

KJ Paint the Town Art Project

Today I spent the entire day at school. Started the day at 9.10 to drop them off. Went to coffee with Sophie and Emma. Found out that it was Miss Jowett's birthday on Wednesday. Andrew had already informed us for weeks that it was the 30th, but Nicole called to confirm it. So we decided then we would set up an impromptu birthday celebration for her on Wednesday during Morning Tea. Sophie will make the cupcakes and I get to decorate. Emma will bring the flowers.

At 10.05 I headed back off to school to do the Reading Groups for KJ. This time I got the green group, so I got a new gaggle of kids. Still about the same reading level, if not a little lower this time. Went smoothly.

Had enough time to run home after that and change clothes and grab my camera and head back to school to be there after morning tea at 11.30 to meet Biddy. I was the official 'photographer' while the kids were painting their portraits onto the platter for the class. We are having a school fundraiser and this platter is the class' contribution. Hopefully Jim and I will be the high bidders so we have a really cool souvenir of Andrew's kindy year when we move back. Unless the bidding runs too high. Don't know how sentimental people get here when it comes to money...

Everyone was there except for Isaac, so we spent the whole day there painting until 2.45. So really didn't even have time to run home before it was pick up time. But the platter looked really good. Only had to go and get a photo of Isaac at Biddy's house on Tuesday AM and we will be done. Then all I have to do is paint their names on the plate and we can get it fired. Not sure how I get myself all volunteered for all of this stuff, but it sure keeps me busy!

Picnic at McMahons Point

This afternoon we had a picnic with the Grubers at McMahon's Point down by their house. Tiffany and James took care of everything, so all we had to do was bring the blankets and sports toys to play with. The park has a gorgeous view of the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park.

It was an old fashioned picnic. Fried chicken (KFC), home-made pasta salad, fruit salad and then white chocolate chip, cranberry, oatmeal cookies for dessert. Yummy!!!

When we first got there, there was a woman riding an exercise bicycle down by the water, which we thought was strange. Then we saw a camera-man filming her. Seemed to be an amateur exercise video happening before our eyes. Then, while we were just hanging out, a bride and groom showed up to get photos taken. By the time they were done photographing, I think we were about the only ones who didn't get their photos taken with them!!!

After the sun started to go down, around 3ish, it definitely got a bit cooler out, so we decided to head back. That left the long walk back up the hill. The kids were cute holding hands all the way up the hill -- but they sure were slow!!!

Northbridge Family Fireworks

Tonight we went down to the Northbridge Oval for the Rotary Club's Family Fireworks Festival. We were told there would be a bouncy house, pony rides and more, so the kids were excited. Plus, it seemed like everyone from school would be there. Or so everyone said.

Got down there and the lines weren't too bad, so the Emmalee went on a pony ride and Andrew chose the bouncy house. Then they both decided to ride the swings. UGH... that's enough to make an adult nauseous.

We were going to eat there, but the food lines for way too long. Jim ran back to the house to grab food. Got a message from him saying he was running to Psycho Chicken to get dinner there instead and would be back in 15 min -- in time for fireworks. He made it back in time and with a bottle wine too!

Watched the fireworks with the Bartons, Fords, Matannis, Leaches and Von aan Holts. The kids just goofed and goofed around. It was so cute. Timmy wasn't so sure about the fireworks, but everyone else loved them. Can't say they were the biggest or the best we'd seen, but for a little town, they were pretty good!

The World's End

Sometimes I feel like I am living at the World's End here in Australia. In reality, Jim and I got to go and see it for 'date night' tonight. We got Sara Young to babysit the kids and decided to go and see a 1st run movie for a change. We had been waiting for Pirates of the Carribbean III to come out for a long time and it is finally here. I even think it came out at the same time in the States, which is unusual for Australia. Usually the movies are much later premiering here.
We went to Chatswood to get tickets, knowing it would be busy for the 8.15 show.
Didn't have much time to eat, so we grabbed dinner at this little sushi place next to the theater. The sushi is served on a little conveyor belt and you pay by the plates you order. Price is by the colored plate -- so you can see how much you are spending. It was pretty good. And you can definitely see how fresh everything is. Kinda fun too. Jim was just saying how he was in the mood for sushi, too.
Went up at 7.50 for the movie and there was already a huge line. Of course -- like I told Jim. Got into the theater and there were hardly pairs of seats togther without sitting close up front by the time we got through our spot in line. I think we have decided that we are no longer doing 'date night' on weekends -- too many silly teenagers let loose. Cat calls and goofy-ness until the movie started. They didn't even start previews until at least 8.25.
The movie was Pirates through and through. And they definitely found the World's End. Have to say I saw some of Australia there. Not sure they filmed here, but saw some similarities. (Doubt I really would have if I wasn't here). But was nice to get out to see a movie!

Andrew's First Kindy Assembly

Andrew's class hosted their first assembly this afternoon. They were the first kindy class chosen to host an afternoon assembly, so it was considered an honor!

He and Tilly practiced their line for the past two weeks because they were going to speak and were very excited about it. All the children got an opportunity to talk with the microphone and announce something. It was so cute. They also sang two songs, "Louise" and "Jaws".

Jim even made it to the assembly, so he was able to see how they were first hand rather than from photos and videos.

Reading Recovery Testing

At noon today I had to pick Emmalee up from school so that she could attend a testing session with Mr. Frankie at Turramurra Public School. It was to test his skills as a Reading Recovery teacher. Since this is his first year teaching he has to go through training and testing and stuff to get better. Evidently he wanted to use Emmalee as his 'guinea pig'. There are people on the other side of the two-way mirror that observe his skills during a lesson and assess him. I had to go along to watch (and to drive her). I had already sat in for one session early on, so I pretty much knew what a lesson consisted of.

I felt a little bad for Mr. Frankie because Emmalee kept looking to him for direction, which she does at home, but with a MUCH WORSE ATTITUDE at home. She just gives him a sweet smile and bats her eyes. At home she fusses and whines. That is one of the comments the others gave her. They told her she is a good reader, just that she would read better if she read the words on the page because the words are on the page, not on Mr. Frankie! But she survived and so did he! And off we raced to Andrew's KJ assembly...

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

This morning the kid's school hosted one of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea's. It is a fundraiser for their Cancer Society. All the children bring in a gold coin ($1) to purchase a chocolate chip bunlet, which was donated by the local bakery. The moms are asked to come in and stop to have a coffee or tea and make a donation to the Cancer Society and have cakes or cookies that have been donated.
I got to help man the raffle table. Not sure how that happened, but there I sat taking money and writing peoples names, addresses and phone numbers. Sure was the wrong person to choose. My brain doesn't compute with the language system here. Double tt this, double 99 that, zed for the letter 'z', the goofy spelling of all the street names. They would race on with all these names and stuff and my brain is still trying to process things 10 letters back. UGH.
I think it did raise almost $1750 in the end and the kids were definitely happy to see me at the school as usual.

Happy 9th Anniversary

Since we (I) couldn't find a sitter for tonight. And we technically aren't really celebrating it today. (Although I am not sure when we are celebrating it, yet), the kids and I did a little running this afternoon. Picked up beef wellington, wild mushroom risotto and espresso mousse. And a bottle of the sparkling wine we drank on vacation in Hayman. Got that all arranged for dinner for Jim and I after the kids go to bed.
Hurried up and fed the kids ravioli and pear slices for supper. Wanted to get them all finished and ready for bed so that Jim and I could have a nice quiet anniversary evening in, since we weren't going out. Of course, that didn't exactly go according to plan. Parenting...hmmmm.....
Jim played a game of Monopoly Jr. with Andrew and Emmalee. She wasn't too keen on following the rules, so she got kicked out before her 2nd roll. I ended up dealing the fighting and screaming that followed from her. Andrew kicked Jim's butt in the game in the proceeding 10 minutes that followed. He cleaned house on the board! He is a great game player.
After the kids settled down and fell asleep, we finally got to sit down to a candle-lit dinner at the kitchen table. I did pull out the good china and crystal for the anniversary meal. First time using them since we moved here. Everything was nice. Was almost like going out -- except that I still had to cook (kinda) and plate it all. Then kinda clean up. Well, we did leave the dishes until morning. 2 glasses of bubbly made me too tired to feel like cleaning up. Strange celebrating our anniversary with the leaves falling on the ground and a big chill in the air.
Had to even put the thermal blanket on the bed for the first time ever! Never had to use it in Illinois since we were on the 2nd floor and it was always hot upstairs. How strange is that?

Dateline Confusion

Its the 23rd here in Australia and Jim and I are wondering (not even debating) on whether to celebrate our anniversary today or tomorrow. I mean technically its not officially our anniversary until it hits the 23rd CST in the US. So that wouldn't be until the 24th here in Australia. But we are living by the calendar here -- so we are using the dates here, so we should celebrate it on the 23rd, right? Its not like we wait on the kid's birthdays until the day they were 'technically' born in the US... Then again we can always celebrate it on both days...

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr

You know, its beginning to feel alot like winter here. Or at least autumn or fall or something very un-tropical here. Not really sure what to call it. But definitely not what Jim signed us on for.
Woke up this morning and it was grey and dreary. And very windy. Looked like fall back at home. Got the kids dressed up in warm uniforms for school. Sent them off bundled up in their 'jumpers' or sweatshirts as we know they are called. Don't think it was going to get out of the lower 60's with dampness in the air.
Afterschool since Emmalee decided to drop out of drama we had a few minutes to work on homework. Then off to soccer practise for Andrew at 4.15. He had a ball. We got there and there were only 2 others. Was a little suprised. Man was it windy. I thought I was going to freeze. Emmalee went over and played on the equipment while he practised. All was well until he banged into Angelo a bit at the very end, but coach took him aside and he worked through it.
Barely made it to swimming in time for 5.30 lessons. But we did. The whole drive there the kids told me how swimming was their favorite thing to do. And since it was their last lesson of the session I decided to sign them back up.
Got to the pool and got Andrew over to his area. His teacher wasn't there and he had a different girl -- Melissa. So of course this change threw his for a loop and he absolutely refused to go into the water. Screamed and cried. No way was he going to swim. UGH! I ended up leaving him poolside while I signed them back up for next session. I eventually convinced him to go in for the last 10 minutes of the lesson by telling him that he couldn't swim after class if he didn't do the class itself. Its like he is going backwards with this needed to be near me and fear of things.
After class we talked to the teacher and he found out that she was from Canada and that made it all better. He now likes her best -- because she is from where Ella is from!!! Of course...
When we got into the car to go home I told them I got them all signed up for the next session and they threw a fit -- 'We didn't want to keep swimming!' If we were sad about stopping we would have cried!
I guess I just can't win!

To Andrew on his 5th Birthday

Happy Birthday to my five year old boy. I can't believe you have turned five already. It seems like only yesterday you were just tiny and still spitting up on my shoe in the back yard in Grayslake. My how time flies.
This past year has been crazy. Full of changes for you. First you turn four, which happens to be your favorite number, your favorite Green Bay Packer's number. So we knew it would be a special year. Then you meet a very special family that moves into our neighborhood from Canada. And you believe you have found your future wife. Who knows that at four???? But you are so sure. You tell me with complete certainty that you are going to marry Ella when you grow up. She is the first girl you ever kissed by choice and you liked it. So you WANT to marry her. Good thing she wants to marry you. And we get to spend a really magical summer just hanging out with her and her family. Going to the pool. Playing in the back yard. Going to parks. Just doing kids stuff.
Your friends from Gloryland are the center of your universe. They are your buddies. Dylan, Ryan, Luke and Brendan. They are your t-ball team, too. Those are the people you just love to hang with. Ryan's dad even coached your t-ball team over the summer--- how fun was that? You had some great hits, super fast running and lots of dirt kicking with Dylan. You even spent a couple of weeks at Sporters Sports Camp through the park district doing lots of different sports with Jeremy and Dylan Rowder. More boy stuff. I am pretty sure you had fun. And I know you had the girl coaches wrapped around your fingers by the end of the sessions. They all knew you and you would get all excited to say hi! to them when we would see them out in Grayslake.
At the end of August you started back up in Ms. Ann and Ms. Donna's Pre-K class at Gloryland. It was three afternoons a week, so not all of the regular buddies were in it, but Dylan and Ryan were. That was good enough for you. Mom and dad thought you needed the challenge since you already knew your numbers and were trying to read and spell things. Ms. Ann is a great teacher and we knew you would do great with her.
In September we found out the information that would change your world forever...daddy decided to interview for a job in Sydney, Australia. I didn't think he actually would get it, so I said 'Go for it!', but you know daddy... he is great at everything he does! They wanted the best and that was daddy. So, we asked you and your sister if you would like to move to where the Wiggles lived and you both got excited and said "YES!" It was your excitement that helped me to get over my nervousness. Or at least deal with it a bit... So off we went to look for our 'new home'. We left you with grammy and grampy and Grandma and Grandpa Rhomberg to be spoiled for a couple of weeks. And spoiled you were! Kiddie cocktails... movies... McDonalds and pizza for dinner. Sundaes for dessert. Who knows what else. But what are grandparents for???
When I got back, grammy and grampy drove you, me and Emme out to South Dakota to visit the Great Grammas and to say Good-bye to them for a while since we wouldn't see them for a while. Again, since you were 4, you didn't really grasp it, but you could see that mommy was sad, so you felt sad for me. You had so much fun running around the farm, playing with Nash, almost getting used to the dog and just being a kid running free... things we couldn't even do in Grayslake. Things I used to do over the summer when I was your age. Things I am sad you will miss out by being in Sydney.
Once we were back in Grayslake, it was getting ready to move full steam ahead. All you kept asking was when we were moving. When is it going to happen. We put the date on the calendar, but it didn't come soon enough. We had Luke and Ryan's birthday parties at Pump it Up to enjoy. Then Luke's parents threw a going away party for us, which was super because all of our friends got to be together so we could say goodbye all at once just before we left. Then at Thanksgiving, Uncle Phillip Aunt Katie, Claire and Maddie all came out to visit and say good-bye.
None of those good-byes were as hard on you than I think saying good-bye to Tejas and Boo. Tejas got adopted by the nurse at the Grayslake Animal Hospital and Boo went to live with Uncle Sam. Those cats were a part of your life from the beginning. I didn't realize how much you love them. I knew you weren't really a dog person, but having the cats gone just made you sad. It makes me sad too. But they are both having fun at their homes since we couldn't take them with us.
On December 4th, we left Chicago. Grandma and Grandpa Rhomberg drove over to say good-bye from grammy and grampy's house. You got to ride in your first limo that day. Then you got to ride in business class all the way to Los Angeles and then to Sydney. By the time we got here, it was already December 6th, early morning! You were not happy to stand in line at customs, but you survived. The van driver met us and we made it to our new home, 47 Woonona Rd, Northbridge. As you constantly repeated. You recognized it from the photos immediately.
Since it was school holidays, the neighborhoods were pretty much empty. We three spent alot of time together in the house. You were probably getting pretty sick of me and Emmalee. I was looking for a class like art or drama or something for you to do, so I asked what you would like and you said, "A reading class!" How many 4 year olds would request that? I plugged in the Dell computer I brought from the states so you could play the games you love and it fried -- in fact so badly it smoked and shut off the power to the whole house! Boy were you mad at me. It was an accident. Honest.
We spent our first Christmas and New Years in Sydney. A little different since it was HOT, well pretty warm, not hot. But no snow. We did get a tree. You helped decorate it. Santa did get your change of address because he got you this cool ESPN basketball hoop thingey to hang on the back of your door. I think you love it.
Wednesday, January 31, you started Kindergarten at Northbridge Public School. Miss Alisha Jowett is your teacher. She is blonde and young and very nice and smart. You have a large class of 22 kids. Evidently almost everyone is new to Northbridge that is in your class, so no one knows each other, so you all are 'new kids'.
You are reading more and more each day. Your spelling is amazing. You can spell words that are unbelievable for your age. When you concentrate you make this silly little screwed up face or tap the side of your head...Your memory is something else. You are a walking calendar. You remember things that happened months ago, on the dates that they happened. We didn't believe you at first, so we would check the calendar and lo and behold, you are correct. I don't know how you do it, but you are right. I think you might have some of Great Grandpa Shea's photographic memory or something.
You discovered how fun it is to run into the ocean and play in the waves -- if you don't get knocked over. You also discovered you DON'T LIKE sand in your eyes AT ALL. EVER! You are getting to be a swimmer now that you have been enrolled in swimming lessons since January. I can even see strokes developing. You have joined Northbridge Football Club (which is truly soccer, they just call it football) and are doing well. You even have scored a couple of goals in games. You tried out drama at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy (just like Drama Kids in the States) but after one term decided it wasn't for you. You still have the training wheels on your bike, but I bet if we took them off, you would just try a few times and zoom. That is how determined you really are. Once you let go of the fear, you can do anything.
Your compassion for your friends is still strong. If someone is sad, you still help out. When Anthea didn't have anyone to walk up to the quad with, you waited for her. You always comment on how my jewelry looks or if my hair looks nice. You are still a mommy's boy -- when you are sick or sad, nothing fixes you like mommy. You don't know how special that makes me feel. I will protect you from the world if I can. You have the softest and sweetest kisses in the world. Your ability to share is amazing for someone so young. I know I have always told you to share, but that is a hard concept to grasp. Yet, even if its something you really really like and someone wants a bit of it, you will offer it to them. That is one of the many many things I love about you.
If you continue to grow up as you are doing now, you will be an amazing man, Andrew.

Mother's Day Part II

Here in Australia I guess we celebrate Mother's Day for two Sundays. Not sure why. You'll have to ask Jim. Maybe its because daddy didn't get to go shopping before the real mother's day. Or because he wanted to spread it out. Who knows, but the kids really liked having two days to give me gifts.
On the real Mother's Day, I got a hand-made card from Emmalee with a door hanger that said, "Shh, mum is sheeping in", a card with a chocolate, a poem and a tissue in case I cry and a beaded necklace and bracelet she made in a beading class I sent her to over the holidays when mom and dad were here. Andrew gave me a No.1 mum award. Both very sweet. Then this Sunday I got a certificate for a massage and facial from Emmalee, Andrew and Jim. So, that is how I got the day spread out over two days. How lucky can a mom get?

Andrew's Party

Andrew's 5th birthday party went off without a hitch. All 11 guests arrived within 5 minutes of the party starting. One by one they ran thru the house and off into the backyard to start to play and play. Girls and boys just playing away. I had originally thought some of the parents might stay around since I had seen some stay at other parties, so we planned to 'entertain' a few, but it was completely a drop and go party. WHOA!

Andrew chose a pizza party theme. 10 friends from his class and one boy from the next class over and who goes to church with us. So while everyone was playing in the back yard, I took groups of three to start making the mini pizzas. They got to make their own individual handmade pizza. It was really cute. Then off to the marshmallow race while the pizza cooked. Divided them into two teams and had them race with a marshmallow on a plastic spoon from one end of the yard to the other and back then handing off the marshmallow without dropping. Since they are just 5 and 6 we let the just pick up and keep going rather than starting over. Andrew's team won and he had a blast. After pizza we did pass the parcel, where everyone got little prizes (stickers, lollies, yogos, keychains and pencils) and finally stick the baseball on the baseball field. After the games we sang Happy Birthday to Andrew and had to relight the candles since everyone helped blow them out before he had a chance. Being a good sport he didn't even cry!

But of course, the most important part of the party were the lollie bags. Jim and I were asked numerous times if there were lollie bags. Sometimes I think the only reason kids go to these parties is for the lollie bags! Sunday we were told kids were inventory-ing their 'loot' from the bags and same thing on Monday at school, so I guess I did OK picking out the proper Aussie lollies for the bags. Not bad for our first Australian party. And most importantly, I think Andrew had alot of fun.

Girlfriend Time

Talked to Tiffany early on in the week and both of us decided we needed a little girlfriend time -- to chat and stuff. Tried to figure out a place to go for lunch. She doesn't have a car, so I end up driving. No big deal... So I usually go pick her up or we meet over near her place. Anyway, we were thinking of places to go and I mentioned that at some point we NEEDED to do afternoon tea at the Gunners Barracks like I did with mom. She thought that was really funny since the first time she had high tea was in Singapore a couple of weeks ago and so we decided that was where we were going to go.
Finished up Education Day just in time to grab the car and head on over to pick her up. Swung by the ATM for some cash on Military Road (only had to pretend to park while I waited for her luckily) and then we were there. It was a really nice day. A bit cool. Upper 60's or low 70's but nice and sunny. Decided on the sparkling afternoon tea, after all, we girls deserved it.
So for the next 2 1/2 hours we sat and chatted and caught up on all the goings on and everything in our lives. They have alot going on with the Abbott/GE changeover. Plus they are trying to have a baby and looking into IVF, so that is weighing heavily on her mind. And we are both in the same boat with our parents and family and friend soooooooo far away. Its just that their future is more uncertain with the GE thing. I feel really concerned for them until it gets worked out one way or another.
But we had a really fun time. She can just make me forget why I get grumpy and I think I helped her cheer up a little too. Nicole (Grace's mom) picked the kids up from school, so I didn't even have to hurry back. Was really nice not to have to look at my watch and rush along. A nice relaxing time.

Mr. Dinkly

This is a silly song about Mr. Dinkly that the Kindergartners sang at the Education Day assembly...

Magaleena Hagaleena

This is the kids singing a silly song about a woman named Magaleena Hagaleena Ogataka Wakataka...

Education Day

This week at school it has been Education Week. On Thursday the school had an open morning where we were invited to come to school as early at 8.30 (or when I could get the kids out of the door!) to visit their classrooms and see their work. First I visited Emmalee's classroom. I got to see her workbooks and some of her artwork around the classroom. Next I went to Andrew's room. I went through some of his books and papers also. I see alot more of Emmalee's work since I teach scripture in her classroom. Andrew, its more like pulling teeth to figure out what he is doing other than the readers he is bringing home.
Then, after the bell rang, the programs began. Each of the classes and special groups put on performances. Emmalee's year 1's did a special sports demonstration. And the Kindy's sang.
It was very cute. There was a garage band that I have to say needed quite a bit more work. And the regular band (it was years 2-6 I know) make me feel TERRIBLE for all the NOISE I put mom and dad through each year. UGH!!!!! Their string/orchestra sounded much better. They actually did a medley of Chicago songs that sounded really good. But I guess just plain band sounds like plain band and only parents are required to appreciate it???!

Here vs Home

Got into a debate over chocolate today at a store here. I went in looking for some stuff for Andrew's birthday party. I knew this store had what I needed and it also had some gourmet and import food items. Thought it would be a good place to ask about baking chocolate. You know, the stuff with NO SUGAR... the really bitter chocolate. Well, I asked if they had any and the clerk went and looked. Said no, then went in the back. Came back and told me they asked the person back there who just happened to be a pastry chef and she said that baking chocolate is the same as bittersweet or dark chocolate. I may not be a trained chef, but get real. There definitely is a difference. Maybe they don't carry that kind of chocolate. Or quarantine won't allow something of that sort into the country for some bizarre reason, but don't tell me it is the same as bittersweet or dark chocolate... ones that have been adulterated with sugar and other ingredients.

Food I Love

Today we had a coffee for the two new moms (mums?????) who have joined KJ since the beginning of the year. We have gained two new little girls, Amy and Freya. I have met Amy's mom, Sara. But so far, Freya's mom, Junko has been quite elusive. No one has seen her yet. So Biddy decided to arrange a coffee to get everyone together that was free.
Food I Love is a coffee shop in North Sydney, about a block away from Tiffany Gruber's house. So it wasn't hard to find -- just hard to find parking. I got there around 9.45. I also found out this morning that Junko wasn't going to be able to make it. So half of the 'reason' we were having the coffee was not going to be there. Sara is always at school, so most of the people had already met her. She is very nice and outgoing, so I think she has met quite a few people already.
Anyway, got there and ordered then joined the table. Couple more people drifted in after me, so I didn't feel bad about being the last person there (class mom and all...) But at 10.30, a parking ranger was seen checking cars outside the window of the shop, so Biddy, Penny, Emma and Shelly all popped up and took off. Evidently the Rangers are ruthless in North Sydney. So, it was a short coffee.
Felt bad, because as I was leaving Sophie texted me to let me know she was leaving from reading groups at school and on her way... I had told her to do that and I would let her know if we were still going on. Then as we walked out, Chris (Angela's mom) walked up, she had snuck out of work, to meet everyone. So next time, I think I might just have to suck it up and try to have it at the house and squeeze everyone in.

Roller Bladin'

I found roller blades for Jim and the kids at Aldi a week or so ago. Finally had time to break them out on Saturday. I knew it would be a BIG mistake for me to get some, with my coordination skills and all. I can just see a broken wrist or something...Anyway, off Jim zoomed first time out. Go figure! Then Emme tentatively rolled along. Andrew on the other hand was not so sure. Decided that it wasn't the best blading around us, so I drove them over to the school where there was more flat-ish land. By the end of the afternoon, Jim was flying around. Emmalee was getting a little better. And Andrew, well, he must get his athletic abilities from daddy. He was getting braver and braver and rolling around a bit. In fact, once we got home at the end of the night, he requested to go back out on Sunday!

Emmalee's News Day

Emmalee brought Cindy in for her news at school today. Boy did the kids treat Cindy like a rock star. They asked about her wedding, her dress, who she was going to marry, how she knows Emmalee and more. And the whole time you could just see how excited Emmalee was...

Missing Home a bit too much?

The last few days have been really strange. It has been fun because I have been seeing more of the city because Cindy is here. We have been all over in a short time. See tons of things -- reminds me that I am missing my girlfriends ALOT.
To top that off, I have been 'seeing' people pop up all over Sydney here. Sunday, when we were walking around the Rocks, I swear I saw Shannon. Got up close and of course, no way. But from afar, reminded me of her. Must have been thinking of her. Today I saw someone at school who looked just like Julie M. She had the same hairstyle from the back, dressed like Julie on a work day... wonder where my mind has been...

Cinco de Mayo

Had a very cultural Saturday in Sydney with Cindy. Took the bus downtown. Went to Lowenbrau, a german brew haus, for lunch, then caught a ferry to Manly to show Cindy the beach. The kids played in the sand until the sun just about went down. And the older girls (me and Cindy!) just about froze. Then we went and had dinner at Montezuma's. We had to... it was Cinco de Mayo. It was weird, for being a Mexican restaurant, they didn't really do much for the Cindo de Mayo. In fact, they didn't say or do anything, but another patron mentioned it. Then we rode the ferry back to Circular Quay and hopped a cab back to the house.

Busy Busy Busy!

Saturday Fiascos

Andrew told me the bones in his chest hurt, so like a nervous mom, I decided he wasn't going to soccer and he had to go back to the doctor in the morning. I didn't know if the pneumonia hadn't totally disappeared or what. So, called and informed the coach he wouldn't make it. Then made him an appointment at 11 for a check-up at the local doctor. Only problem with that is Jim had a 10.30 haircut. Luckily Cindy is here, so I could drop her off with Emmalee at the field for Emme's game.
Sat in horrendous traffic and just got to Bales Field to drop them off right at 11, which meant we were late for the Dr. Left Cindy with my phone in case she needed to call Jim and took off. Rushed back to the doctor. Of course, the doctor said Andrew was fine and gave him a clean bill of health. Good to hear, but still don't know why he said/says his bones hurt. Rushed back to Bales to catch the end of Emme's soccer game.
When we got there, she was kicking the ball around with Jim and Cindy. Evidently I dropped them off at the totally wrong field. OOOOOOOPS. Cindy was telling Emmalee to concentrate and look real hard for her teammates, who of course weren't there because they were down playing at Tunks Park in Northbridge. I should have read the schedule/calendar a little bit better. So Cindy didn't get to watch anyone play soccer. But she got to watch our un-organization, that's for sure!

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Busy Day

After planning what was to be a frantic day of attempting to clean the house before Cindy, Sam's fiance, comes to visit, I discovered that was all going to be blown to bits.
Once the bell rang to dismiss the kids to class this morning, Grace's mom, Nicole, asked if I was attending the Cancer Council meeting regarding the Australia's Biggest Morning Tea down at Bond's Corner. Well, not one to want to be left out now (and having to pass the emails back and forth as class mom) I decided to go along. Plus, she said she would spot me the cappuccino, since I didn't have any money with me! 10.30am later and a re-design project to boot, I was on my way home. Quick clean up of myself, then off to a 1R luncheon to meet the mom's in Emmalee's class.
This luncheon was planned by the 1R class mom's and they decided to forgo the cooking/dishes and have it catered with champagne at $15 a head. Initially I declined thinking that Cindy would be here, but after realizing my mistake -- after the RSVP date, I spoke with Phoebe's mom and she said to take her place as she would be arriving late.
12pm, I scurried over there. Met a whole slew of ladies I can honestly say that I pretty much had never met before. A few from soccer and of course, Olivia's mom. But otherwise, most of the faces were new. This group was alot different that the KJ moms. A little more something. Can't quite put my words on it yet. They were friendly, but not like the kindy moms. Maybe since most had older kids, they were just not so 'desperate' for friends, like kindy moms??? It was nice, but a little hoity toity for me...

Happy Birthday Andrew

Andrew's Birthday at School

Andrew celebrated his birthday at school today by bringing in star shaped sugar cookies decorated with turqoise icing. The boys got Scooby Doo candies on their cookies and the girls got butterfies on theirs.

We even brought in extras to share with the other special people in Andrew's lives like Anthea's little brother, Timothy, who was really, really enjoying his cookie!

And they're off

a sad farewell...

the time went too quickly...

wish you were still here...

McLeRoyGuyver

On the last night of Mom and Dad's visit here, we all planned to go to Wooloomooloo (yes, that is how it really is spelled) for the most famous meat pies in all of Sydney. Was going to be Dad's treat. Kids got to skip drama and swimming to spend a little more time with gramma and grampy. And grammy and grampy finished up their packing.
Little did I know that grampy was charging grammy's phone in my car.... 2 1/2 hours later we all pile in the car, hungry for dinner and all we get is a click, click, NOTHING. "OOOOPS!" "I didn't think it would drain the battery!" Let's see, my car is the size of a small motorboat, imagine the size of the car battery. So we waited 15, 20, 30 minutes for it to cycle back and to run. It was totally dead.
Called everyone I knew (which actually ended up being at least 6 people in the neighborhood!) and no one at all has jumper cables. We gave up at 6.30 and walked to Pizza Tutti for dinner since we needed to feed the kids.
When we got back home, Dad put his thinking cap on and started to strip two of my American computer power cords to make temporary jumper cables. Then when Jim got home, we were going to jump start the car from his. Let me tell you... it actually worked. And we laughed so hard at 10.30pm we woke our next door neighbor!!!