The Graduates

Well, kinder days are officially over for my big boys. Their Christmas concert and 'graduation ceremony' was last week, and they had their last day today. The concert was just gorgeous, with Alex and Ben playing reindeer in the play. We didn't know about the caps and gowns until all the children appeared dressed and ready for the presentation. Having held it together during the concert, I lost it completely when I saw them all dressed up - water works. I'm surprised I could hold the camera still long enough to take these photos! So, that's it and it's ever onwards towards school. Their uniforms are neatly folded in the cupboard, ready for 1 February 2010. Whoa, will Mama be a mess THAT day!

All three boys are super-excited about Christmas, and the energy level in our house has been rising by the day. They'll be beside themselves by Christmas Eve. Me, I can't wait for some beach time and no timetables - not long to go now.

Birthday Season

Six down, two to go - birthdays, that is! Mum kicks off Birthday Season in our family in late May, and then Dad closes it in late September - and we all fall in between those dates. Clever, really. Mum, Steve, Alex, Ben and I have had ours, and Sammy turned 2 today - my big little boy. Just Jono and Dad to go, and before we know it, it'll be Christmas.

A few photos from the boys' birthdays - and some cakes. Alex and Ben helped me to make Sam's digger cake, it was very much a team effort. The twins took in in turns to distract Sam whilst the other one helped me in the kitchen - awesome job! Alex in particular is showing huge promise as a food critic - with an emphasis on the criticism: 'That icing looks funny Mama, it's the wrong colour - but it's OK, people will still eat it.' Ah, the beautiful wisdom of a 5-year-old!

Love you boys, you make me feel like the luckiest girl alive. xxx

My 8 Sisters....and some spots

I have just spent the last few days on our annual girls' weekend in Daylesford, and have to say that I think it was our best one ever! Gorgeous house with amazing views, wonderful sunny weather (shame about that cyclone on Saturday night!), great food and most of all, amazing company. When we girls get together, it's a bit like a weekend-long session of laughter therapy! Love my girls, love it all. Sash and I even managed to sneak in a bit of sewing, a bit of shopping, and had THE MOST decadent pastries for lunch on Saturday. I'm still thinking about those, Sash. And if that lamp's still in the shop next year, I'll know that it's meant for me! Bring on Daylesford 2010 - can't wait.

Sunday brought a return to reality, and that meant my little spotty boy - poor darling. He is very uncomfortable and not sleeping much, but still smiling - what a little trooper. Steve did a heroic job of holding down the fort, everyone still in one piece when I got home despite the Pox outbreak. I haven't left the house all week and am starting to get cabin fever, but it's back to work for a few hours tomorrow. Thank goodness for my awesome Mum who has (as always) come to our rescue and made things so much easier for us this week. Love you more, Mum!

K

xx

Go, Diegos, Go!

It was character dress-up day at Pre-school at the end of last term, and after careful consideration, Alex and Ben decided that they both wanted to go as Diego, Dora's cousin from Dora the Explorer. Unfortunately the costume turned out to be very hard to get. Their panic-stricken mother spent many hours online and on the phone to interstate suppliers, only to find two costumes in exactly the right size at the local toy shop. Hurrah!

Here are our two Diegos with their trusty wildcat friend, Jaguar.

Steve and I are off to Tassie tomorrow (sans children, who are beside themselves with excitement at the prospect of a holiday of their own at Grammy and Gramps' house) to celebrate his 40th birthday. It's sure to be nice and cold there......I'm packing my hat and gloves.

K

x

The Lazy Blogger

I was reminded by Tam yesterday that I haven't updated my blog since January. I have been so busy taking photos of other people's families over the past 6 months, that I have taken very few of my own. So here's Alex in desperate need of a haircut, but with some nice gold light. He and Ben have been enjoying pre-school very much this year, and I can't believe that they're off to 'big school' in February. And wee Sam will be 2 in September - he's still my baby though.

Inspired by Celeste's recent run of frequent posts, which I've loved keeping up with, I'll try to be a more conscientious blogger from now on - please leave me a comment to let me know you've been by!

Sammy has just finished eating the biscuit I bribed him with so that I could write this, and now he wants me to sit with him and watch 'Brum' - possibly the most inane children's program ever made. Naturally, he loves it.

K

x

Low Tide

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas - it's over again for another year, so that's a big sigh of relief and some down-time at the beach for us.  The boys had a great day with lots of excitement, but did pretty well in keeping the day (relatively) tantrum-free.   Mum cooked up a storm as always and we all ate waaaaay too much.  But, best meal I've had since the last time she cooked for me!

We're in Warrnambool for the next week, and have been living by the pool and at the beach - bliss.  The weather's been a bit variable, but the sun is shining now and the twins have been making good use of their new wetsuits - good for at least an extra 40 minutes in the water before the blue lips appear!  Sam took to the beach like a duck to water - we weren't sure how he was going to like the sand, particularly as Ben refused to allow any part of his body to touch it the first time we took him to the beach!  We needn't have worried - Sam took one look, went streaking off towards the shoreline shrieking with delight and leapt face-first into the drink.  Yikes.     I am clumsy as always and broke my toe the first night we were here - it's a lovely shade of purple and very sore, so just as well I can live in my Havaianas for the next little bit.   I don't know what it is with me and my feet.

Aled, I'm with you on negative interest rates and live in hope - but not bated breath.  The invitation is open indefinitely!

Happy New Year!

Kirst

The Reluctant Models

I thought I'dtry to be at least a little bit organised this year and take some photos of the boys ready for our Christmas cards, instead of having the usual late-November panic shoot. Well, it's likely to take until then to get a decent photo of them, as they are suffering from serious 'model fatigue'! Ben will sit still for approximately 28 seconds, before squirming off and lamenting that he's bored. Hmmm, very challenging. Even the Freddo Frog bribe is losing its impact. Time to bring out the big guns, I think - that's right - the promise of Thomas toys. What a sorry state of affairs. This was the best of a bad bunch, and although Alex is out of focus, I might claim artistic intent and use it anyway.

We are over the moon to have my beloved aunt and uncle from England visiting at the moment. It's been so wonderful to spend some time with them and to introduce Sam, and for them to catch up with the twins - time flies and they grow so fast. Hopefully it will inspire the rest of the family to make the trip! Come on, the Pacific Peso has never been cheaper, it's worth about a handful of bottletops at the moment, so there's never been a better time to head on over. The fridge is full of beer and the BBQ is firing up, and we need to make use of this 5-bedroom house......!!

Love,

Kirst

xxx