Just boringly busy

Just like everyone else, have been rushing around the last few weeks finishing up all the kids stuff for the year, doing their parties and all the other bits that lead up to Christmas.

The kids are all going fantastic, but looking forward to having the girls seen by the ENT specialist early Jan. Mika is deaf, Jarry is loud as a result, so our house is just getting madder!

The littlest Miss is going wonderful, and is very much WALKING everywhere now. Quiet proud considering at 10m she was sent off to physio for not bearing her own weight. She is happy as, in her own little kingdom of home with mum, but take mum out of her sight outside our home and things ain't so pretty.

So Merry Christmas to everyone, may it be the day you want it to be and full of love and laughter.

I did it...

Yesterday i went to my first funeral since Kalen's. I had every reason in the book to get out of it, but it was something i wanted to be part of, and the day wasn't about me. I took Little Miss with me, even though i could have left her home with Ian, as i needed an excuse if things did get too much. I cried, in fact lots, why do tissues seem to disintegrate when you really need them, but i did it. (i lost a friend from school, not real sure about the reasons, but it was sudden. Two children 4 and 6, she was one year younger than me, she also married another friend from school so it was very heart breaking)

I went with my sister, and although i hadn't mentioned anything it felt nice when she told me how well i did and she was running with me if i did have to leave.

Crazy, crazy, crazy

And we are all feeling the effects. Everyone has these kinds of photo's, but still had to share:)

Please stay awake, here's some cheese.


Just finished a 22 hr wk of work, ok may not be much to some, but decent for me. Had our first dance concert Saturday night too for Mika, but the big one for us is Tuesday night. IL's coming down and we are all going (mmm, hope to get just a bit past Mika's dance before i bail out with two youngest).

Dancing in the rain

One of those moments in life, just had to go for it. Everyone else had heaps of rain for days but not us, so when it hit we made the most of it. Thanks Shaddiegirl for the inspiration and Mel (not sure if you even read my blog, but also thought of you). Missed the best of the pictures as batteries ran out and by the time i got my back ups with Little miss on my hip it was all over.

Some Christmas gifts

This is for Dad and Carol. First time i have ventured into scrapping for them, so if the response is poor and they are so paper thin, it'll also be the last. Caz loves animal prints, so hence the Zebra print.

And for my lovely neighbour, she's so sweet:) A diary and note pad. Can't go wrong with this old fave from Basic Grey.

Too much for one night but........

but...i just had to change my tunes. I was looking for Dire straights or Angels my two fav bands of all time, but NO!

So this song also has special meaning to me from my days supervising in a cocktail lounge. We had some fantastic performers but our local "Vern", was the one that got the crowds in on the quieter nights. So this song always reminds me of him. I could be right back there now, lol........

A collection of Tahlia's 1st birthday pics

The Stride to ride thing from Nanny and Pa. Loves pushing it around trying to walk, more than actually sitting on it.

Mum and Goldenchild (i fully admit to spoiling this baby with all the love and affection i have)

The dreaded family shot (mind you this was late, so i think we all came out alright).

The big performance is nearing

These are some pics just before the dress rehearsal, hair, make up and all that jazz.

Not the best pic of Mikes, but you get the gist of her costume.

The dress rehearsal went great, i wasn't real sure what to expect as we aren't allowed to watch normal lessons, but they did fantastic. I watched Tamika obviously and she really had the dance down pat and new exactly what she was doing, even though we were in a different hall. Now theatre rehearsals on Wed, then the big performances Saturday and Tuesday nights. We are going the Tuesday night as both of us work that Saturday, Ian's parents are coming too.

Some scrapping stuff

I am just so in love with this Paper Inklings paper, and have a few more different ones to do yet. Also bought this recipe holder for displaying my latest LO in my craft area in the lounge room.

Started one of three advent calenders too. I did this one for the WW at Blumars last weekend, so just used up old Christmas stash, but am looking forward to planning the other two better and doing some nicer colour schemes.

Mum makes steps....

To finally let of some of her restraints, lol. Number one the safety sleep sheet. Wasn't happy, but she was ripping it off herself, so had to take the plunge. Look what mischief she got into the first day. Too much freedom now. Lucky for me, the breathing monitor is still working fab, almost amazing really.

Yep, another catch up....

Happy 1st birthday Goldenchild, LOVE you to bits, even though most steps along the way have been hard for both of us. Was it me, is it Tahlia, who knows but I'm sure i have contributed to her shy, anti social behaviour. Considering my 'it's cool', attitude has disappeared, i think I'm seeing the difference. Things will never be the same.

This is also Tahlia at Kalen's Magnolia tree, it just wasn't thriving in the ground we put it, so it's on the move. In TLC garden care atm!

Just a catch up

Tomorrow is the big 1st birthday for Tah's but her mental mother thought she could play supermum and still work all weekend. BIG REGRET! Anyways i got off work a bit earlier tonight and will finish at 2 tomorrow. We are having a BBQ here with hopefully lots of people. Did all the prep today, just the final bits left for tomorrow afternoon. Actually bought my first ever birthday cake though, so not totally stupid:)

On a more negative note, she is also back on AB's for another two ear infections. Day 3 tomorrow on the AB's, so hope to see her cheer up for the day.

Now a positive note, she is cruising around everywhere now, and i really believe it won't be that long till she is walking.

The bigger two are going well. Having a sleepover in Nanny's caravan tonight, so they are more than content. Mikes is still loving every part of Dancing and Nippers, and all the fun stuff is about to happen in dancing with the end of year concert coming up. Theatre rehearsals and dress rehearsals, and we also have her costume now too, very cute.

Have packed up all my craft stuff in prep for this weekend, so that part of my life is on hold again. One little brag though, won the LO challenge for the month at Blumars last month. I was really happy with the way it came together and now there is such lovely stuff being submitted, i was pretty happy.

ummm.......I'm sure there was more i wanted to share. I know it will come to me as soon as i turn off the puter.

October Challenges at Blumars

This was a sketch challenge using 5 embellishments. I was really happy with this LO, although the photo of it makes the photo look washed out.

This challenge was to decorate a tin of any kind, so thought it was about time i made myself something.

Backs

Happy Birthday to me....for yesterday

33 years young and had a fabulous birthday. From hubby and the kids i got a mix master (smashed my old one trying to pull the bowl off and threw pureed veges all over the kitchen), some seedlings that are already planted for me in a nice new garden. Also bought myself some pj's and thongs for the family to give me.

Went up to the shops for lunch with my sis and the kids and did some much needed shopping for clothes. Only spent $80 and got denim shorts and 3/4 pants, a beach dress and a top:)

We all went up to my club for a drink and got the kids dinner. Kids ran around and played beautifully, Tahlia nearly ended up down the stair a handful of times (was too relaxed and chatty to pay attention, bad mother). Got some cool pressies and some vouchers too!!!

Came home to oysters and prawns for dinner, PERFECT!

Physio

Last week we had the appointment with Tah's at the physio and as i expected there is nothing wrong at all. Was given some ideas on how to encourage her to crawl and kneel and talked about the importance of crawling in a baby's development. Back next week to see how she has progressed.

She stands

Well the goldenchild has learnt to pull herself up now and stand. Yay, more trouble to get into, lol.

1st time horse riding

Mikes was invited to a horse riding party, and wow was she impressed. Thanks Matilda!!

October WW at Blumars

This challenge was to decorate a key ring any way you wish. I made this obviously for one of Tamika's teachers.

The card challenge was a sketch and to make a thank you card, so these are Christmas thank you cards, again for Tamika's teachers. The pink/green part is one of the transparencies i did with the alcohol inks.

My attempt at alcohol inks

and stamping....these are raw to me, i have so many plans for them, keep tuned. I just love the yellowy one.

Some pp to muck with.
These are the transparencies which are just so easy to play with.

This was done at my class with Rachel Greig, who is wonderful and very inspiring. (also helpful to those that haven't stamped much:)

Tahlia 11 months today

Tahlia update

Last week went back for Tahlia's check up at the doctors and still no change. Chest infection and two infected ears. Dr suggested some oral steroids for three days, nothing changed. Good news on that front though as she probably hasn't got any real asthma problems. So she is now on another AB. She is happy enough and sleeping pretty good at night so i can't complain, i just wish for her sake she could be healthy again.

Thought it was about time too, to pop into the health clinic with Tahlia. Not much weight gain, but enough to keep them happy. They are a bit concerned about the strength in her legs so have been referred to a physio. Joy oh joy. Not too worried myself, i reakon she was just having a lazy moment.

Still no crawling although she has managed to get around a fair bit lately on her bottom. Moves over into a crawling position, but leaves one foot tucked in front for her sitting safety.

Loves impressing us with her clapping and is also waving now too, very cute. Lots of all the babbling and continually says 'dadda', typical hey! You can say mama to her and all you get back is dadda.

Family update

Tahlia saw the Dr 4 days ago and both her ears are still infected and full of fluid, Dr wanted to ride it out a bit, especially as she was OK generally speaking, (mild temps and sleeping OK at night). After 3 doses of AB's, i also didn't want her to have more of the same. So now 10 days off AB's, then going down hill again, i think she may be slightly improving. I have ANOTHER check up Thur. (no i don't get bulk billed and I'm brokER)

Jared has turned back into his naughty self, had about 4wks of this nice boy here in my house but he ran away again. Never know what to do with this boy, but we'll get there! Love him to bits but just never know how to keep him nice.

Tamika is on holidays and I'm looking forward to it. It's so nice having a big kid around, one that cares and listens:)

Have two big weekends of work coming up, i know I'll love every moment of it, but i also know it will knock me around. Tahlia is going great with Ian on the weekends, not so good though for my sis and girlfriend. Time will help...hopefully!

My challenges for this month....

at Blumars.

Only real happy with the OTP, which was suppose to be 9 2in x 2in wooden blockes decorated for a puzzle. As easy as it would have been for Ian to knock them up, his time is limited and this was a monthly challenge, lol! So as you do, rumaged around the house trying to find an alternative. What i came up with was two match boxes stuck together! I left the matches in, (prob not too safe in a fire, lol and should come with a flammable warning but....), but they were much more sturdy that way and great shaker boxes too :) I made these for my sis.

Kids craft

Thought it was about time i spent some time playing craft with the kids. So here are their for challenges at Blumars. First challenge was to decorate stars with glitter and tinsel. Tamika did the purple star (she tried so hard, it must have taken her half an hour to do the purple glitter glue) and the red ones, Jared the green.

This is a file/colouring book holder we cut down from a weetbix box.

This was heaps of fun and i'm all motivated to do lots more with them now:)

I've been tagged

Here’s how it works:1. Players must list one fact, word, or tidbit that is somehow relevant to their life for each letter of their first or middle name.2. When you are tagged you need to write your own post containing your first or middle name game facts, word, or tidbit.3. At the end of your post choose one person for each letter of your name to tag.4. Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them that they have been tagged, and to read your blog.5. If I’ve tagged YOU (see below), please join in on the fun!

T~idy
I~n need of some more sleep
A~t the end of my baby days
N~ot aggressive
N~eed a big night out:)
E~nergetic, well i pretend to be

Ok, i tag;
Maria
Jodi
Skinny Steph
Carlie, (just to double nag:)
Kerryn
Mouse:)

See this why i don't normally do the tag stuff. I'm not witty at all, and very boring.

More stuff

This the Better Homes and Gardens Album i bought and altered for Dad. I always find it so much harder to do boy stuff and my dad is such a simple person. He said he liked it :)

Falling behind again with sick kids, having such a rotten season with all the winter lurgies. Tahlia back tomorrow for a check up and she's miserable as! There is definatly a chest infection, but can never tell with the ears.

Me and my best friend.....

Tahlia just loves playing in her room in front of the mirror. I didn't get to catch her slobbery acts of kindness this time, but she just loves playing with the girl in the mirror.

Give me five!!!

She is still on antibiotics with her last check up saying her ear drum has healed well, but her ear is still very red and infected. Back for another check up in just over a week. Still hoping (well my Dr is) that this is a one off infection (yeah right with my family history), and she doesn't have glue ear yet as everything is still so fresh so to speak.