Our Pre Christmas Eve Party

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Once we decided we’d be spending Christmas in Fiji we knew we’d really miss spending Christmas Eve with our friends – a tradition dating back to my childhood. So we decided we’d have a pre Christmas Eve party before we left. Now I was either having too much fun or my arthritis was bothering me or both, but I have hardly ANY photos. It was dreary day but a few brave souls (i.e. kids) had a swim. And poor Sarah (Powell) wasn’t able to come as she has the chicken pox.

However, there were games….

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There were laughs…

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There was punch made by Kevin…

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There was pizza….

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There were yummy desserts…

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There were friends and family…

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There were kids who did not want their photo taken…

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There were very cute babies…

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There were puppies with presents…

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There was the mayhem of gift-giving and present unwrapping…

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There were good times had by all….

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Celebrating the start of the Summer school holidays

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Well the weather might not have co-operated (it was a little on the cool side) with my plans but at least I had the tablewear (thanks to Annie) for our first ever “let the Summer holidays begin” party. Though the girls inform me it’s not really a party unless you get to invite other people.

Don’t you just love the watermelon candles? I couldn’t light them though (they are outdoor citronella candles) as we ate indoors.

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We debated a BBQ but decided on a very “healthy” meal of chips, potato scollops and pineapple fritters.

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After dinner I busted out a new game – UNO stacks.

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You’d think this would be a quick game but it’s surprising high the tower can grow before it comes crashing down.

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While we didn’t get the swim I’d planned for, and it was easy night food wise, the girls really enjoyed that it wasn’t a normal night. And I think it was a fun way to start the Summer holidays.

So glad it’s the weekend

Sorry there’s been nothing on blog this week. I’ve had the girls home most of the week sick. Not that I was home with them. I wanted too but couldn’t as I had to deal with this…
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I think there were well over 30 boxes of new school uniforms (we have a totally new look school uniform).  Mid packing looking like this, and these photos don’t do justice to the chaos we experienced at times.

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After almost 3 days Mum (who was the most wonderful helper) and I had packed nearly 200 orders.

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I felt so sorry having the leave the sick girls to fend for themselves but I had no choice. They were so good about it. But Christy kept calling asking when I’d be home – she wanted her Mum :-(. My Dad was just next door much of time but on Friday morning Amy went to school and Christy was all by herself. That’s when you miss having no siblings to call on for help.

Anyway, finally we returned the room to state of order…..

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just don’t look at the other half of the room….

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which is stack of old uniforms and empty boxes waiting to be flattened.

Now I just need everyone to pick up their orders next week, then I sit back and relax and get ready for Fiji!!!

A Wonderful Weekend

Had a lovely weekend. Spent Saturday morning out the pool enjoying the sunshine and cool water, and doing some gardening.

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Then in the afternoon Mum & I headed up to Sydney…

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to see this….

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Cesar Millan (the dog whisperer) was fantastic. The show was funny, moving and educational. We had 3rd row tickets and got to stay behind after the show for a special question and answer time.

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Then on Sunday, after doing some paperwork in the morning we headed down to Kiama  to meet one of my online friends, Vanessa of Little Retro House(  they were staying at East Beach – you might remember our stay here). We’ve been trying to meet up for a while now so I’m so pleased we finally managed it. And like always when I meet blogging friends we hit it off straight away. It ALWAYS amazes me there is no awkwardness, just instant real-life friendship.

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Her daughter, friend and Christy took off for a swim at the pool (also instant friends) while we chatted and enjoyed some afternoon tea. We then took all the girls (including Amy) down to the beach for a swim. Though it was overcast it was still very warm.

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While we were sitting here  a Southery came through and it instantly turned cold. I think it dropped around 10deg. Just crazy.

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When we could see the big grey clouds moving in we headed back to their van…

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and tried to stay dry.

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We really enjoyed our visit and it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Of course, it’s essential to have ice-cream if you drive through Kiama. Mad, I tell you, as it was rather cold.

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Christy didn’t end up eating her’s as it was “too cold”. What, ice cream is cold? Who knew?

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Me, being the sane one, opted for a nice hot tea :-).

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We then headed home and since Kevin wasn’t keen on going out again to the basketball, I took Christy with me.

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We had a nice time, though the Hawks lost (due mainly to bad sportsmanship by the other team).

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It was a certainly a very enjoyable weekend. Hope you all had a good one.