Anzac Day

We all got dressed up today for the Anzac march however because of the rain it has been cancelled andthey were holding the memorial in an underground carpark. Very damp, very stuffy and the kids just didn't cope so we're home again already. I had been telling them on the way in the car that it was 'Anzac Day' and rain, hail or shine they would always march... I was very dissapointed as were the kids ... it was only sprinkling and I really believe it should of gone ahead.
Regan has a girlfriend over for the day, hopefully they can entertain themselves inside because it is still so awfuliy wet and soggy outside.



Have I mentioned the rain! it doesn't seem to have stopped all year, I am so over it ... the kids have cabin fever, the dog is bored and has reverted to taking our sneakers for a walk up the yard, and the chooks can't get to anywhere dry to peck and carry on so have turned on each other ... balding chooks are not pretty!



And yes, I have finished my March in review using some of the goodies I got from Pip Prosser in her double up pack I ordered this month.

We're off to Royal Far West on sunday for the week ... Shane and Regan are coming this time so we're planning on turning it into a bit of a family holiday...Will catch up on our return .... until then ....

With a window

Falling further and further behind.. This is last weeks copycat card - 'with a window' ...

I have been busy at work this week .... first time I haven't been home with the kids for the holidays ... it's made me very sad but I don't think the kids have minded ... thank god for Nans ... this week shes only got two as opposed to 5 last week ... lots of flowers and chockies going her way.



Did get a chance to take them bowling on thursday - such style and grace...

Feb Review

It's only 3 months in and already i'm falling behind ... February took a while but March is already on the table.



Both the kids got an award at this weeks assembly (the first one I've managed to get to this year ... and with a camera and all!!!) Aaron was very excited and was jumping up an down when all the kids were lined up ... his was for 'always trying his best and being a happy smiley person.' Regan's was for 'beautiful handwriting, excellent work habits and always listening carefully to instructions given.'


Regan has started her next Girl Guides badge on Pets. She has decided that Todd will be the easiest of our pets to look after for three months....i think it was the cleaning out of the chook pen or Guniea Pig hut that turned her off the others ... so it started with a wash however she wasn't overly keen on touching any part of him that was likely to be dirty... Todds got a rough few months ahead of him....


Off to work this week ... first time ever that I won't be spending the school holidays with the kids... I finish at 2 so here's to lots of fun activities in the afternoon..

Modern Technology

This is what I found last night in my bed ... Regan watching our newly aquired bedroom telly, Aaron still immersed in his Star Wars marathon and Shane texting his brother ... the "joys?" of technology....



And without meaning to be on the same theme I also finished a LO of Regan on the phone this week.... the photos were taken in Jan .... oh how she loves to ring her friends for a chat... I don't know if you can tell but I love all the expressions ... there are so many important things to discuss as a 7 yr old.



This weeks challange for copycat cards was 'a stamp and a punch'... I've lent out all my punches to a friend so I hope corner rounders count.... sorry.

As for the family this week .... I really enjoyed my day as Teachers Aide and have been offered another day with more to come ..... I also am enjoying my time at the Takeaway ... I had a slight meltdown on thursday but I think it's just going to take a while to get used to.... this old girl hasn't officially worked for very close to eight years and it is a bit of a culture shock.... We had a meeting about Aaron's individual programme at school and all is going really well ... he is coping great and all the teachers, aides and hangers oners seem to be on the same page ... Shane has been working his butt off doing some huge days (made me feel pretty cruddy about complaining about my day) ... and last but not least Regan is fine, she got her first badge at Girl Guides last week and is very proud of herself.... her best friend and her are on and off - but I have officially given up - I will never understand.


Till next time...

Working girl

I know it's not exactly up my alley, but I've got a job at a take away in the industrial area and, so far so good, I haven't managed to deep fry any part of my body or clothing. It's been great fun and the girls there are my age and very easy to get along with...If I play my cards right I might be able to spend my days travelling around in one of these....



Impressed??? I will however have to change my style a bit ... it seems I will need more cargo pants, push up bras and low cut singlets ... im not sure the world is ready for that...

It also happens that I was offered my first day as a paid Teachers Aide for special needs kids which I will be doing on monday..... Life is looking good and so is that pool we keep promising the kids.



This of course is my card for this weeks challange ... It's hip to be square..... and I have a layout to share as well ... Could it be any brighter you ask? The gear is from this months challenge over at Scrapsidaisy ... definately not my normal colour scheme but I loved playing with such pretty colours.



All is well so until next time.....

One tough week

Regan has had a really tough week this week. Last week she stood up to one of the girls in her group that had been deciding what they would all do during their lunch break, when she went to play else where two of her friends joined her. So, this week it was decided by the same girl that if you wanted to be her friend and play with her you couldn't talk to Regan. Unfortunately they all followed suit and even her best friend, who I expected much more from, ignored her for the whole day and then on to netball training. She was devastated, there was nothing Shane or I could do to calm her down and eventually she cried herself to sleep. Have I mentioned that these girls are only 7 ... I couldn't believe they could be so cruel, after much discussion I decided to tell Regan's teacher the next morning who, I am very happy to say spoke to the girl in question straight away and made it clear that this does not happen in our school, and on Wed everything seemed better, as though nothing had happened. They are only 7 so I guess I couldn't expect too much from them but these girls have all been friends for three years now and not one of them was willing to go against the group. It scares me immensely for the years to come ... And to top it all off I found these under Regan's pillow the next morning



they are Guatemala worry dolls ... you tell them your worries before going to bed then put them under your pillow to take your problems away during the night ... Regan has had them for a while but hasn't used them at all this year. I broke down in tears thinking about how sad and worried she must of been that night .. how on earth am I going to survive the teenage years. 10 points to Regan though, she wanted to go to school on the Wednesday and wasn't scared, all in all she handled the whole episode much better that I did.

And on to more happier things ... this card is for you Grandma and Grandpop but Aaron doesn't want to send it to you (no he doesn't know you have sent him one yet). He got me to write inside it for you, it says - To Grandma and Grandpop When we go to bed the big giant bunny will come and bring chocolate eggs. Little one and big ones and chickens. Love Aaron.

Ran away

Aaron ran away from home this morning ... hopefully none of the neighbours saw me chasing after him in my PJs .... aparently he is very very angry with Regan because she wants to move her bears into the loungeroom of the dolls house and of course they have to live in the bedroom ... he is paying no attention to the fact that his bedroom (the same size as the loungeroom) is twice as big as the room he wants Regan to play in .... this happened at 9 this morning, it is now 11:30 and it still isn't resolved.



I'm taking a leaf out of a few other bloggers books and doing a month in review page this year ... not only have I done a 12 x 12 LO but it's a double ... so much space! ... so here's Jan, Feb isn't far away.

Layer it!

Here is my entry for copycatcards challenge for this week.



And this of course is my beautiful boy on his sixth birthday - how did that happen ... I got a bit carried away with colour here but am loving the brown circle(y) paper...

General Stuff

All is going well here ... it's Shanes birthday on tue so we are off to dinner sun night ... the kids are great ... Regan lost another tooth yesterday and then actually lost the tooth in the backyard - those of you who know her will now how devistated she was ... Aaron managed to get his arm stuck in the benches at school last week - it took three teachers and a bottle of oil from the canteen to get him out - he took it all in his stride .... and could even see the funny side of it ... and as for me I'm enjoying being at home and am keeping very busy doing, well, just stuff.

I Love Purple

Isn't this just so cute, It's my new wallet, I just couldn't resist.

Now on to scrapbooking ... I seem to spend most of my time thinking about, looking at, checking others, reading about and researching techniques that I tend not to actually scrapbook anything myself .. so ... I made this cute little board to put up in my space and list all those pages I need to sit down and do ... hopefully I can cross two off a week ... heres trying.



... and this is Regan doing her promise for Girl Guides .. I used the latest pack from scrapsidaisy for this ... very dark colours and lots and lots of stuff ... great value but too much choice.... I must of redone it 4 times before I got to this.

Pupil Free Day

The kids are home from school today - the teachers are doing some maths thingy ... we've been out all morning using the vouchers I've been hording for 12 months that run out today ... we got two for one at the video store (at the moment they're watching Surfs Up)... cheap entry into the Aquatic Centre ... and then free Happy meals at Maccas ... Regan wanted to go swimming to prove to me she could swim 50 mtrs and therefore go in the swimming carnival... I had previously told her I didn't think she could do the distance.... I am very proud to say that she has proved me wrong today and can easily swim it even though shes never tried it before... so very very proud. Bring on next years carnival.


Here's the first page i've completed in my new 'space' It's all the girls (grown up) on Shane's side of the family.



And last ... a very plain card done this week for copycatcards - useing inks.

Feb - Aussie Scrapjacked

I'm quite enjoying challanges at the moment ... I think i'm just being lazy ... it's nice to be told what to do when the mojo isn't exactly flowing ...here's mine for this months Aussie scrapjacked.

All is well here at the end of another school week .... finally, it has stopped raining and we have been blessed with a beautiful warm day ... I can hear about 5 different mowers going at the moment and am just about to jump on ours ... hopefully I can get this jungle under control before it rains again.

I had a arvo tea with the teachers and other mums from Aarons Early Intervention group today, it was good to speak to the other mums in my position and realise that they are just as unsure as me as to how their kids are "really" going. Ros gave us some great handouts however about just the right questions to ask, overall a very informative time. Went to pick the kids up to find Aaron in tears - sobs - because someone else had taken home his Spot the dog drawing. He gets so attached to his things...

Blue, Brown and Buttons

Tried to do something boyish for this weeks copycatcards challenge. Hope you like it.

My new scraproom

From this...






















To this!!!!!!


We are finally able to lock up the garage (Shane's just got to get the eaves on)... so we spent the weekend getting my new scrap space up and running ... so excited ... it will be a while until it is lined but i have big plans which include lots of shelving under the bench tops, good lighting and special places for each of the kids to do their homework ...

monochromatic

Here's my entry for this weeks copycatcards challenge - monochromatic + 1...

Yeah for the weekend ... hopefully we can get out and test run the boogie board Aaron got for his birthday ... summer seems to be disapearing very quickly ... till next time ...bye

Happy Birthday to You

It was Aaron’s birthday on Sun … just the family this year … we said he could have a party next year when he gets to know a few more of his school mates… he decided on a ‘scary’ cake … happy 6th buddy.



I too have fallen in love with the new ‘two scoops’ range … the layout is Regan and her best mate Layla … and the card is for a very special friend of mine who told me last week that she has Leukemia … I want to say so much to her and am just trying to find the right words before I post it off.
‘till next time …

Back to Scrapping

Yeah I know there hasn't been a lot of it going on here at the moment... I sit down to do some and then this one calls, and that one wants me, and suddenly it's time to get dinner ready.... Now being an official lady of leisure I should be able to get heaps more done, we'll see !! Anyway enough wingeing I have managed to scrap these two...



This one reads: I've never seen a kid take to school so easily. All that worry, all that concern , all those tears (on my part) and in the end, one happy little boy and one perfect 1st day. I am so very proud of you.




All is well here in Taree... the rain has finally stopped, but for how long is any ones guess... Aaron is still enjoying going to school but hates having to brush his teeth at the same time every every day ... it's his first news day today and he has taken in his very favourite Pirate flag... Regan is also going well and is signing up for netball again today... Thanks for stopping by.

Big School

Guess who had their first day at Big School… after all my weeks of worry, specialists getting ‘packs’ together and general uncertainness it was all just too easy … Aaron went off no worries and his teacher and aide both said he had a fantastic day … did everything he was meant to …. got up and introduced himself and generally just enjoyed his day.



I have been very emotional about him going to school for quite a few months now but today, when the time came, we were both really happy and not a tear was shed. How grown up we’ve both become.



Oh yeah have you noticed Regan’s new grown up hair cut … she’s had it shortened and layered and is growing out her fringe ….for now!!!!

Australia Day Weekend

What a great Australia day weekend, yes I know it was a few days ago but it’s taken me this long to get back on track. We had our good friends Steve, Kel and the kids come down from Armidale for the weekend and we did all the typical Aussie Day things.

the kids played in the backyard…



spent hours in the pool….



we went to the beach and had a BBQ in the park…



and finished it all of with movies for the kids and a few drinks in the pool for the grown ups….



all and all a bloody good weekend..

About Me

I found this questionaire 'somewhere' last night and thought I'd give it a go .. so for those that don't know me well-

1. What is your occupation?
Stay at home mum but looking for a job in 2008
2. What color are your socks right now?
Bare feet.
3. What are you listening to right now?
The dishwasher and the kids.
4. What was the last thing you ate?
Choc chip cookies
5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Yes, but not very well according to my husband.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Bright purple, it’s out a fair bit but not too much and quite happy to stay home in the box.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
The bank.....Ahhhhh
8. How old are you today?
37yrs 6mths and 8 days (if I post this today)
9. Favourite drink?
Anything that’s not a dark spirit, you can’t beat a good creamy cocktail.
10. What is your favourite sport to watch?
Don’t tend to watch a lot except for my daughters netball
11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yes, oh god yes, continually and in many varying shades, from Blonde to Black over the years.
12. Favourite reality TV show?
I never admit to watching any but I do tend to watch the beginning and end of most with exception to Big Brother which I can’t stand.
13. What was the last movie you watched?
27 Dresses
14. Favourite day of the year?
Can’t beat Easter, time off to spend with the family AND chocolate.
15. What do you do to vent anger?
Tell someone (out of the event) and of course my side is the only side.
16. What was your favourite toy as a child?
I remember a doll whose hair grew out of, and retracted into her topknot.
17. What is your favorite, autumn or spring?
Spring.
18. Hugs or kisses?
Hugs
19. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Yes, but it might help if I sent something first!
20. Favourite dessert?
Cheesecake (flavoured, preferably with maltesers or mars bars) and ice-cream.
21. Living arrangement?
1 husband, 1 daughter, 1 son, 1 dog, 1 fish, 2 guinea pigs, 4 chooks. Nice house on 4acres with extensions in progress.
22. When was the last time you cried?
During a movie the other day staring Adam Sandler – can’t remember the title but he had lost his family in 9/11
23. What is on the floor of your closet?
Shoes, tin box, craft paint, the letters for REGAN which I will scrap any day now, and a pair of bikinis I will never again wear.
24. What did you do last night?
Went to see 27 dresses with my mother in law, sister in law and niece.
25. What inspires you?
People, and the incredible things they do.
26. What are you afraid of?
Locking up the chooks at night, Aaron going to kindi this year.
27. Favourite breed of dog?
My gorgeous dog Todd is a mix, Kelpie and Border Collie, good looking, intelligent and very active
28. How many years at your current job?
Coming up to 8 years since I was actually employed
29. Main Career?
13 years in the Royal Australian Navy
30. Favourite day of the week?
Saturday
31. How many states have you lived in?
4 states, 9 towns, 12 houses.
32. Celebrity crush?
The guy with the cute smile in 27 dresses, I think his name is James Marsden.
33. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery?
Motorbike a long time ago, I’m not allowed to go near the hubby’s new one. We own a bobcat and excavator but I’ve never driven them.
34. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless?
A what?
35. Freezing cold or boiling hot?
I’ve done my time in both, much rather be cold than hot, but saying that I’m not a fan of winter clothing.

Tear it Up

And here's my submission for this weeks copycatcards challenge "Tear it Up"