Home Sweet Home

After braving the city (Sydney) last weekend it is SO nice to be home...although being away for a whole weekend meant that housework hasn't been up to date for several weeks, and thats getting on my nerves. I guess that is what Sundays are for. Yay. Not.

Anyway, we went to the Sydney Acquarium and it was fantastic. The only hiccup was that Reilly ran away from us and we had a frantic 10 minutes before Chad finally located him... and it was almost half an hour before Lafe knew he had been found... so Lafe and Doobee were still looking because they had both turned off their mobile phones... grrr. Alls well that ends well.

It was great... we can't wait to go again, too bad its in Sydney.

The rest of the photo's are on Facebook, because it takes too darn long to get them on here!

Free Cup Cakes

Bam Bam and I just finished making gluten free, dairy free, corn free, nut free, soy free, almost everything free mud cupcakes. A picture paints a thousand words. In one of the video's (or possibly more, but we see it so often we don't realise other people wonder what he's doing) he makes the V sign with his fingers... no, its not victory, its not a backwards 'peace' sign.. its his own invention of a whale's tail. Also, you see him stimming sometimes, and in one video he says 'nemo'... we'll hes making the sign for a fish at that time, so it not really a stim. His stims have evolved over time, and each time a new one emerges, the old one disappears. At least the one with is hand down his pants is gone (for now... forever I hope).

I've been trying to catch his language so you all can hear some of his words. In the 005 video he says "Deshin", which we know means "finished" and you hear me say it then. In the 006 video he says "hank oo" which is "thank you". In the 012 video (the eating the cake one) he says 'wook' which most will realise is "look". It takes him almost 2 minutes to actually taste the cake. Heaven forbid should he get any cake on his fingers while he is taking off the paper. This is also the video where he uses the V sign for the whale and he's telling me a story about a whale and then he mentions Nemo (which he hasn't seen in a while, but must have just thought of) and then says something about a pirate ship and then the 'whale come back'. I'm not clear on the rest of the story though. He also see's one of his gluten free, dairy free etc chocolate bar (which he gets maybe one in two or three months) and he says 'oh gen choco' which translates to "orange chocolate" because the chocolate bar is wrapped in an orange wrapper (its tangerine as well). So there you have it.

Under Protest... the haircut after.

Hair Cut and Blue Whales

For Grandma Williams.

Grandma Williams has once again been very generous and sent the kids all Valentines Day Cards. Piddles and HotCheeks would like to say thank you and I videoed this showing BamBam saying Thank You Grandma Williams... and then he blows a kiss, which I didn't expect. Of course, he had to be visually and verbally prompted to say thank you. Photo's also of him opening his card.

Blogworthy

Two things over the past day or so are blogworthy (according to me, so its rather subjective).

Btw, for all those who have asked, HotCheeks has settled in nicely to his school... isn't missing us, but is looking forward to home cooked meals because the meals there are somewhat 'basic'. He seems to have just grown up in the three weeks he's been there already!

Last night at the swimming carnival, in which he went in every possible event possible. Piddles was sick, so she stayed home and watched BamBam. Shoey and I spent a few hours with HotCheeks.

The converstation went on about school, subjects, weekend activities etc. At one point HotCheeks asked for a piece of paper and pen so he could write out a recipe for something he had cooked in D & T!!!

Anyway, to the blogworthy things:

1. HotCheeks mentioned in passing that he had lost a tooth. I asked him where it was he said he had lost it... further questioning and we find out that HotCheeks bought a green ball when he went shopping last Saturday. He then said on the way back to school in the school bus he transferred gum from one side of his mouth to the other and low and behold the tooth went with it... then he took the tooth (attached to the gum) out of his mouth, but he couldn't hold it because he was holding the ball, and the tooth fell on to the floor, never to be seen again. At this point, I said 'why didn't you put it in your pocket' and his reply was 'it wouldn't fit" to which I asked "why not?" and he said "because it was big and green and filled with air" ????????????HUH???? I was laughing so hard... "Chad, I meant the tooth"... duhh!!

Well, I thought it was funny!

Writing his recipe.

With his Dad.

2.As you all know, BamBam started at a new school this year. Our only concern is that the school is not fenced and he may obscond, as he is prone to do. His new teacher assured us that he would be supervised at all times and that wouldn't be an issue. So far so good. Yesterday when he came home from school there were several curious velcro patched on BamBam's school hat. Upon investigation, his communication book revealed the answer: "You may notice some velcro on Reilly's hat." (ya think?). "Its there so we can attach a 'play' hat to his hat so we can keep track of him at lunchtime because he's so busy". We had to laugh. We do wonder if they had a little scare and thought they lost him! We offered to send him in a bright coloured hat, but they rejected that idea when we were planning to send him t here... funny.

The velcro strips!

January = Summer Fun!

Ok, where to start.. its been so long. Summer has been great. One of my favourite times of the year and BamBam actually will go swimming now, so this is the first year I've been in deeper than my knees since he was born! This of course means that I have very little photographic evidence, as we have spent so much time in water of some description. On Jan 2nd we took our caravan and Piddles and HotCheeks tents out to a camping area/dam not too far from home. We stayed out there for 3 days, then came home (work commitments), but left the 'van out there.... Shoey and one of the older kids rode out with him on his motorbike each night for three nights, then we went back out and stayed until the 19th! The last week we were there was the Scripture Union Christian Youth Camp and Shoey is one of the leaders. Piddles and HotCheeks moved their tents up to the youth camp area (and away from our 'van) and during the day BamBam and I would go swimming, then sit for a while, then go swimming, then sit for a while... you get the idea. Shoey would be helping out at the camp or driving the speedboats for the teenagers to ride behind on a biscuit. Piddles knew quite a few people, this was her 3rd camp, but it was HotCheeks 1st.



I also got a tattoo during this time because a new tattoo artist moved to Tamworth. I had been wanting two tattoo's actually for quite a few years and had the design in mind... but hadn't had the opportunity. This is the internet, so you'll have to email me privately if you want to know what or where the tatt is! Haven't had time to get the second one yet. Still working on the design.



Piddles went back to the private Christian school and is in Year 9. HotCheeks left for Boarding School and I'm still coming to terms with that. BamBam began kindergarten in a special class at a school in Tamworth.



Here are a few photo's from this summer... cant' find the Christmas ones... not to worry. The description is above each photo.



This is one of the big tents at the Youth Camp.




Piddles snapped BamBam while we were camping.

At one bible study, Piddles did her ligament in her ankle... that was in October I think... its still giving her problems.

Piddles took this shot of our 'home away from home' at the dam before the kids moved their tents to the Youth Camp.

Piddles also snapped this 'bird on a wire'.

This is the pool at HotCheeks boarding school. He's in there somewhere! We aren't allowed to see him for the first 5 weeks. After that he can come home on weekends.

Piddles on his bunk in his dorm.

BamBam and HotCheeks on their first day of school this year.

BamBam. First day of school 2009.

Piddles on her first day of school 2009.

BamBam washing up while we were camping.

This was the view from our caravan while we were camping.

Shoey on his motorbike. We had to come home every couple of days to feed our menagerie. Also we had a problem with our car and had it in the shop for a couple of days as well!

Piddles about to fall off a 'raft'.

This one is before he fell off! Obviously.

BamBam loves this bridge, but he prefered to be under it most of the time. As you do.

Shoey has begun competing in local triathalons. When they run in our area, the running bit goes past our house! Just after this shot BamBam decided he had to run into the middle of the road and try to physically stop the other runners... it was very embarrassing.

This is an arial view of HotCheeks new school. I won't point out his dorm, as this is the internet!

There has actually been some rather serious drama's in our family... not in our household, but other members of our family. As that is not my story to put on the web, if you want to know, so you can help us pray for strength, then email me and I'll give you the full story. Or Stories actually... sheesh.

STOPNOTE: The following is different incidents to the above worries. Shoey was hit by a car yesterday while riding his push bike. He's fine. and the guy who hit him has paid for the repairs for his bike and its allready fixed and home! At the same time No 1 son has been quite sick, and has had several hospital visits... asthma, broncitis and throat infections. If he's not better by next week, they said he might have influenza.

apologies for spelling errors. Its taken all day to get this far... so I'm not even proof reading!

A lot of BamBam and a little of Shoey!

Just photo's... none of Piddles and HotCheeks yet... another post. Sorry guys. Just quickly though, we are starting the silly season and overnight Tamworth has flooded... I barely got home from work last night. BamBam was invited to his first (non family/friend) birthday party, but not sure I can get him there, as roads are closed. Piddles has her Girls Brigade party overnight today, and HotCheeks gets to look after BamBam while I go to work and Shoey has paintball (if the players can get though the flooding).

Obviously we watch way too many military movies.... BamBam saluting!

How sweet.. BamBam with Poppy.

BamBam has figured out how to tie up Maggie.... to the emu.


If you look really hard and zoom in, you will see a bluish speck up the road... that is BamBam... escaping and almost to the highway... I'm still getting over the stress of that day. He ate some Catfood and gee wiz... he's been not the most pleasant to be around.


Shoving a stray cat BACK UNDER our house... .nonone else can get near that darn cat, but BamBam luggs it around!

see?

In his school uniform, in the class he'll be in next year.

New school...

His next year's classroom.

Shoey's birthday. We has arranged some of his mates to come over for tea... Shoey didn't know... he got home and said "i'm going back into town to get an oil filter so i can change the oil tonight" grrrr. So we made him open his presents first.... another pair of sunglasses, because he loses them on a terribly regular basis... like every few weeks!

BamBam had to try them on too.

BamBam wataching a movie Grandma Willilams sent over... they have a magnifiying glass on the movie, so BamBam had to find his!

Bam Bam gave Maggie a cup to drink out of... sigh.

This is how BamBam thinks you use a magnifying glass.

Saying 'shhhhhh' to Poppy.

Hmm, I found Maggie and BamBam in Piddles room.... they had potato chips and peanut butter....

Happy Birthday Marines!

Happy Birthday Marines!

During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776. Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.
- http://www.marines.com/main/index/winning_battles/history/missions/founding_of_the_marine_co

Happy Birthday Marines!

And now to Family dribble:

BamBam has learnt to say "tunnel" and "bear-womb" = bedroom and "wost" = lost! He seems to learn a new word each week and runs with it........

Piddles at her Girls Brigade Presentation night. The bloke in the background is the local Anglican Minister who handed out the awards. Piddles got the trophey again this year.

Maggie (or Mangi as BamBam says) is BamBam's best friend, other than us of course. Unfortunately she is currently shedding, but he insists they h ave to be on our bed...ughh.

BamBam hiding in the jungle.....???

Shoey and BamBam... supposed to be bowling.... hmm.

HotCheeks cutting his cake at his Bowling party. We forgot a knife, but luckily Shoey has his pocketknife! I just wonder where it has been....?

oh dear.

the cake for our home celebration of BamBam's12th birthday..

So sweet.

Putting a verandah on our house.

BamBam had to help Grandpa...no wonder it took so long!

Helping to dig the hole. We realised BamBam has watched Pirates of the Caribbean far too many times when as Grandpa turned this hole digger Bam Bam was yelling out "heave" "heave"... or perhaps too many Hornblower DVDs!

BamBam had to 'heave' himself!

Heading out the Paintball Field. Piddles snapped this one... pretty isn't it?

Hotcheeks on his way to his Circus Splendida performance... he was the Lead Juggler.

Here he is Juggling... blue hat, white shirt and red suspenders!

BamBam's drawings of sharks and whales. He's still pretty much ambidextrious, but he does better with his left hand.

Supposed to be taking off the candles...but no... lets go for the lollies!

A birthday Blowfish.

Reading one of his birthday cards.

Gluten free/Dairy free shark cake.

Hotcheeks went to Narnia.

Piddles and her Paintball Display.

The lead Juggler... as he is seen on his school's website!

Again, Happy Birthday Marines.