The life and times of Libby Withnall

Today we finally got to meet Kasumi, our Japanese exchange student.

She will be part of our family for the next 5 days. She has been learning English for 4 years and although there have been some difficulties we seem to be managing to communicate just fine. We haven’t had to resort things down. It must be so hard to come and live with people you don’t know with a very different lifesytle/culture.

After dinner on her first night she gave us LOTS of gifts from Japan. She bought both the girls these kimonos (though she had another name for them) and did great with the sizing (though both shoes are a little small)

And this is what I got. We couldn’t believe how much she bought for ALL of us. We certainly were not expecting this but it was so thoughtful.

A months ago when the girls were really causing me a lot of stress Kevin came up with the idea of having a weekly family meeting. That way we could address any problems and discuss possible solutions and hopefully come up with an outcome that everyone is happy with.

I set up a bowl with blank paper and pen so that anyone can write down things of concern during the week.

Then as we have dinner on a Monday night I read out the notes from last weeks meeting (which are written up in a notebook) and we discuss that.

We then go through the papers one by one discussing them and anything else anyone wants to raise. Our first meeting took FOREVER (remember this when they were driving me mad) but we’re now down to 15 – 30mins or so. Most of the issues are to deal with kids mess or kids behaviour and we try not to get angry or frustrated but instead ask them how the issue could/should be resolved. Amy tends to get very defensive and feels like we’re picking on her but I think that’s just the tween stage. This week I raised the issue of pocket money – so it’s not all negatives. Last week Amy wanted to be able to do homework in the scrapbook/computer room when needed (with no one else in the room) – this was agreed to.

I think as kids get older and less time is spent together that this meeting is a great way to resolve any conflict within the family. And it gives everyone a say in the decisions made. We hold our meetings weekly on a Monday night but you could do so any night, or even have a fortnightly or monthly meeting. I believe keeping written notes is crucial because when the kids disagree with me about something we decided, I can consult the notes and remind them what the decision was.

If you decide to hold a family meeting please let me know how it goes.

A fun day of Easter fun – all organised by Amy, though the other did help to do things.

It all started with an Easter egg hunt.

Then there was special Easter lunch.

And finally egg colouring.

Love the colours – so vivid this year.

The day ended with a swim and a spa – to the accompaniment of an afternoon storm.

Certainly makes me wish I’d had a big sister to organise so many fun events.

Poor Amy. She spent her  Birthday at home with tonsollitis and her birthday party had to be postponed. Luckily her sickest day was Wednesday so she wasn’t too bad by Friday and because was wasn’t allowed to go to school it wasn’t too rushed in the morning to open her presents.

She was very excited to get a new i-pod.

And Christy was excited to get the packaging to play with. Finally an i-pod she can take to school .

There was also time for a family breakfast – french toast at Amy’s request (and the first meal she’s eaten in days).

And since we didn’t have to leave home at 7.20am, there was time to open gifts from Nan & Pop and cards from other family members.

She continued to feel better as the day went on and we ended up having Chinese for dinner with Nan & Pop. Not sure what I was doing/thinking as I took NO photos!!!!

Then on Saturday it was time to party…. Glee style. Meet Sue (me), Quinn (Christy), Rachel (Sarah), Santana (Alyssa) and Mersades (Amy).

Yes, I know…. a nine year old pregnant girl looks so wrong…

Games were played – the chocolate game being a big hit.

Everyone seemed to enjoy getting dressed up in character.

What a bunch of losers

There was dancing…

and lots of Glee singing…

and, of course, Birthday cake….vegan chocolate cake to be exact.

Amy had a fabulous time and I think everyone else did as well. It was an easy party to host with pizza supplied for dinner and Kevin & I were pleased with how well behaved and well mannered all the kids were.

With Kevin overseas for a training course (he’ll be back tomorrow) I thought it might be fun to have a girls day out. It’s been ages since we had one and it always seems to be a good bonding time for Amy and Christy.

Instead of their usual roller skating lessons (both are now on blades) we went to the open session. I had blamed to skate but with my heel spurs acting up I didn’t want to aggravate them. Christy’s roller skates had gotten too small (she got them for Christmas 2009) and she wanted to move to roller blades.

After the session we headed to the movie theatre where someone got VERY excited when they saw this poster (bad photo – sorry)

We got our tickets, picked up some lunch at Subway, got coke icees for the girls and headed in to see our movie.

We didn’t actually see the 3D version. It was a really funny movie – like a lot of kids movies theses days it had plenty of jokes only the adults would get. It was so much better than I thought it would be.

After the movie we went to Target where I let the girls pick out a few items of clothing (and I got some new PJs). We also got some nail polishes from Australis. We then went to newsagents for large cardboard for Amy’s school project (and Christy got some in Smurf blue!) and Coles to get lollies to make up lolly bags for Amy’s party next week. Then home sweet home. And I was right about the bonding….they got right to work on making up those lolly bags together .

Yes, I know the girls have only been back at school for a week and half but I’m already exhausted. I’m sure our ridiculous temperatures last week didn’t help. We had almost 7 days of near or over 40deg celsius (104F). Thank goodness for air conditioning!!!

The first day saw Amy head off on a year 7 camp for 3 days and Christy starting in year 4. She has a teacher that is new to the school and is very happy with her.

Then Amy got her have her first proper day in High School. She looks so grown up in the shirt and skirt.

We have to leave home at 7.20am to get Amy, and her friend Emerson, to the bus stop on time. The plan is for them to walk home from the bus it’s so far I’ve picked them up. They missed the bus home from school yesterday, which meant a dash into town to pick them up (15min car trip each way).

I’ve had to open the uniform shop twice (for an hour or two) and spent another 45mins filling orders today. Plus I’ve been getting my household routines re-established and have gone back to the gym. On top of all this my heel spur is acting up. Unfortunately my plan to rest it isn’t really working out!!!! So life has been crazy busy, and not at all like I like it to be. Tomorrow in Christy’s swimming carnival, then I’m hoping to have two days at home to just potter around doing jobs and having some free time for crafting .

Is it really just 7 years ago that Amy had her very first day at primary  school? I can still remember how excited she was. Now that she knows what school can be she is even more excited about starting High School next year. I’m thinking that it’s going to be a rather long 6 weeks for her.

As you can see she started at a different house (but since we had bought the land here she was allowed to enroll) and somewhere along the way moved from wearing a dress and wide-brim hat with cute plaits ….. to shorts & polo & baseball cap. Where oh where did the years go?

And her final ride to school. From now on she’ll be catching the bus, until she gets her drivers license….

It was Amy’s big day yesterday – graduating from Year 6 and then their formal in the evening.

Amy volunteered to give the opening speech – and did an awesome job .

She then got her graduation certificate…

and recieved Dux of the school. We were so proud of her.

Then there was some singing

and hat throwing…

and some photos….

Afterwards we Nan & Pop took us out for lunch to celebrate. Amy got her hair done and I bought her a few things as a graduation present. Finally it was time to get all dressed up and pose for photos. She looked so beautiful.

We then drove her … chauffeur style… to the formal.

Some more photos… here’s one with Emerson – who she met before she even started in Kindy – both were getting their school shoes in DJs and got chatting as we waited. Who would have guessed they’d still be good friends 7 years later and heading off to High School together.

We then left her to have a fun night with her friends.

Christy performed with her school at the Wollongong Mall today. She was so excited and did a great job (though I’m sure all Mums say that ).

Then this afternoon it was off to the hairdressers for both the girls.

Before…

Doesn’t she look so cute…. shorter and a fringe (which she is very proud of)

And Amy is all ready for high school….with a hair style to match…

NOTE: It’s been a crazy few days but I promise to do the draw for the Christmas Giveaway tomorrow. So if you haven’t yet entered you’ve still got a bit of time.