It Doesn't Rain, It Pours!

It has been pouring with rain here for 2.5days. Thank goodness we've had a reprieve late this afternoon. Many of those flooded last year must be feeling a touch of deja vu and very anxious. It has been taking me 55mins to get to work which is double the time. No accidents just slow moving traffic in the rain and also return to school traffic.
Nick and Penny are going well at school but glad to have a day off tomorrow. We don't have any Australia Day plans. Just waiting to see what happens with the weather. Craig is flying back from Bundaberg tonight and his plane has been very delayed due to bad weather.

Thought I'd share my latest and greatest. First is my new (and first ever) mixmaster. I love it. I leave it on the bench top so that I use it. I have made cakes, biscuits, pikelets and bread rolls which the kids love. I am yet to make a meringue/pavlova - maybe tomorrow.

Next is my new Oroton handbag. Couldn't walk past such a good sale and with some Christmas money I had received, decided to lash out. I have been looking at these cute bags for a long time and it was just the colour I wanted.

Thought I better get up to date with sharing some more LO's. I managed to complete 68 last year and still have about 10 to share from 2011. I have done 4 LO's this year so far. So here are some Christmas LO's from 2006. 

Have a happy Australia Day tomorrow whatever you decide to do.

Rach xx

School Begins 2012

Nick and Penny headed back to school today. Nick is starting Year 4 and Penny Year 1. They were looking forward to seeing all of their friends again but Nick, not so much the learning and hard work thing. Penny is not too interested in 'serious' homework as it may cut into her afternoon play. All in all they seemed to have a good day, particularly Penny. Nick is not so sure about his teacher but she has big shoes to fill after the wonderful teacher he had last year. Hopefully just first day jitters. Penny was allowed to wear the school dress for the first time today, thanks to a hand-me-down from her cousin Alex. They are not allowed to wear the dress in Prep, so all of the little girls in Year 1 had them on today. Penny also talked me into buying a pair of Mary Jane shoes for her to wear with her dress. The dress is a little big but looks very cute. Nick and Penny certainly have grown in size and appearance from the first day last year (photos here).

We have had good holidays. The children did some fun things at vacation care. They went roller skating which Penny was very nervous about but she apparently did very well and was asking to go back the next day. Nick spent more time on his bottom and came home with many bruises but he only has two speeds - zero and flat out! We visited GOMA with some friends and saw Magic Land and the Spot Room. The children also spent many days at the next door neighbours (over the back fence) playing and swimming in their pool. Rather than having to walk around to each others' front doors, we have swinging fence slats that allow the kids to come and go so that they don't have to walk on the road - perfect arrangement.

In other news I have chosen to take on another day of work - 4 days per week but only school hours (20hrs). We are trialling it to see if I manage and whether there is enough work for me. More excitingly, I had a layout published in Scrapbooking Memories V14No4 which arrived today. It's a LO of baby Penny in the pram (pink with lots of ribbon strips)and is on the 2nd last page of LO's prior to all of the advertising. So if you're passing the newsagent, have a squiz. I have also had another LO accepted for photographing and possible publishing.

Have a good week.
Rach :)

One Little Word ...

Well here it is, my one little word for 2012 is:
                                                

   MOTIVATION

This is almost a polar opposite to 2011 word - RELAX. I don't think that I relaxed so much as fell into a bit of a rut. So onwards and upwards with some motivation to kick start my positive thinking, exercise, eating well and learning to love life again. I think lists are also a good idea for me as I just love crossing things off. Perhaps a little notebook for beside my bed so that I can make a list at night or before I rise in the morning. Nothing like a list of new goals on the left of my blog and a pretty new header that I poached from here to give me some motivation ;)

What is your one little word for 2012?

Rach xx

HAPPY 2012!

We've been away, hence my lack of posts.
In the week prior to Christmas we had Craig's sister, Annette fly in from Cairns to stay for a couple of nights. She looked after the kids whilst I worked which N and P loved. They went to the movies, shopping and ate yummy Cold Rock ice cream - she spoils them. We don't see each other often so it was lovely to spend some quality time together.

We travelled to Bundaberg a couple of days before Christmas to stay with Craig's mum and met up with Annette again.  It was quite cool when we arrived (22 degrees). In fact I can't remember a cooler Christmas in Bundaberg - normally stinking hot over Christmas. We had a great family time together over wine and too much food. Nick and Penny were up at 5am on Christmas morning. They were so happy with their gifts from Santa that I think everyone in the neighbourhood heard their excitement. Nick received the new Wii Skylander portal and game and Penny, the Malibu Barbie house. Christmas day was spent out at Craig's uncle's place which is always very merry and the weather was superb (28degrees)!

On Boxing Day we farewelled Pam and Annette and ventured down to the beach at Bargara. We had a lovely spacious apartment (Platinum Apartments) which was one street back from the beach and one block over from all of the shopping and restaurants. I was very pleasantly surprised by the apartment as it was the only  2+ bedroom accommodation left in Bargara when I booked in October. We enjoyed warmer weather at the beach with surfing on boogie boards, building sandcastles, hand feeding and watching fish and catching up with our Bundaberg friends. Craig was able to get out to sea in our fishing boat and came home with a good catch. I read a book in almost a day. It was a most relaxing holiday.

We arrived home yesterday afternoon and after we unpacked we went to the Clifton's (Nick's school friend) to celebrate NYE. It was a great night full of champers, delicious nibblies and many laughs. I whipped up pancakes topped with creme fraiche,smoked salmon and chives which are rolled and chopped into pin wheels - easy and yummy.We celebrated at Russian time (10pm) as we were feeling a little tired from the long drive home. I didn't get out of bed until 8am this morning which is almost a record since having children and so lovely to feel refreshed and no hangover ;)

Today I am facing a monumental washing and ironing pile but the weather is beautiful and bright so it will be dry in no time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU. I HOPE 2012 IS A SPECTACULAR YEAR FOR US ALL!

Rach xxx

ps - I'll be back later with my one little word for 2012 (2011's is here)

RIP Our Dear Holly Cat 30.06.1996 - 15.12.2011

This morning we had our sweet Himalayan cat, Holly put to sleep. After fifteen and a half years her heart had decided that it was too tired to go on. We feel so sad and have such heavy hearts at present but are remembering what a beautiful natured cat she was. In the early days of her life she was a little neurotic and used to go and hide in the drains. She would travel through the drain system in Bundaberg and we would find her up to a kilometre from home! She also wasn't very fond of men and would take off when they arrived. I think she used up her nine lives in those early days and from then on, Holly decided that the home life was for her. She decided to be lazy like our Labrador Zoe and lie around in the backyard and wait for food and cuddles. She has lived out her days in a lovely enclosed yard in Brisbane and enjoyed much love and cuddles from us all.

Bye beautiful Holly, you were very much loved.
xxxx

Holidays Are Here ...

for the kids anyway. The end of the school year went well. Nick had a good report and Penny a good teacher interview. They have great teachers for next year.
Penny's dancing concert was lovely. The costumes were so pretty and she was so excited to get a trophy. It was a huge day (2 concerts) and we didn't get home until 11pm! My parents came up from Adelaide for her concert which she was very pleased about.

We visited Santa on Friday and the children made their requests known.

Craig has not been home very much lately but the countdown until Christmas holidays is on. We attended my work Christmas party on Saturday night. It was held at a Greek restaurant at South Bank which was very yummy and good fun.

I am still working through the holidays (except between Christmas and New Year) and so the kids are attending vacation care at their school. They are enjoying it so far with a Starwars and sculpture day. Tomorrow they are catching the train to the movies and having lunch at McDonald's.
Have a good week.
Rach xx

Busy end of year

Life is a little manic at present as I am sure it is for most. Penny spent all of Saturday morning at dancing practice and then we went to the dress rehearsal on Sunday afternoon (5hrs) for her concert which is on this weekend coming. I am one of the dressers so stayed to help dress the girls in their various costumes and apply and reapply make up. We came home feeling rather tired but pleased last night.

Craig flew home for 30hrs over the weekend so that we could attend his Christmas party. It was a lawn bowls party. We enjoyed a BBQ dinner followed by bowls on an undercover carpeted surface (due to rain). The children also came and enjoyed playing with the other kids.

I've pretty well completed and wrapped the Christmas presents. A job I unfortunately loathe every year as I have no idea what to get anyone. Certainly feels good to get it out of the way. Mind you it is a great feeling to give something that is appreciated. Just have to do my Christmas cards and letter now.

Penny and Nick had a rides day at school on Friday in lieu of the cancelled rides at their community day. They had a great time although Penny's little upper arms got so burnt and are still recovering. They had another lovely swim in the neighbour's pool on the weekend.

I've done a little more scrapbooking. Here's some of the latest.

Have a good week.

Rach xx