Sports Carnival

Just being on the oval and feeling the spring sunshine on our faces took me back to last year when we felt so new and green.  The sound of the intercom and the children shouting their cheers and war cries transported me right back to those early days.  We have come a long way and have now been part of our second sports carnival.  This year Adam placed third in his heat and had his first taste of standing on the winners' podiums. 

For us it was BLUE all the way and Hugo got right into the spirit with the older boys.  He still had time for a photo moment with Ava who was supporting her brothers in RED.

Russell was a real champion who returned home with a chest full of ribbons for everything from long jump to races.  He finished fourth overall in his age group.  But at the end of the day it was all about being good sports and growing friendships.

another cub

Adam is now a fully invested cub scout.  He is really enjoying all the activities and has already been on a camp to York for a weekend.  He is planning his badges and coming out of his shell as he learns new skills.  He is the smallest cub in the pack and is often used as cargo in the challenges when someone has to be carried!  Now when there is a cub activity for the day we are down to one small boy in our house and it feels quite strange.  Hugo can't wait to join the pack but the leaders have a few years to brace themselves for his onslaught after our calm first cubs.

Today was the district challenge in the form of an Amazing Race around a huge area called Piney Lakes.  Adam went alone because Russell has come down with a dreadful flu lurgy and spent the day in bed.  Adam loved running from country to country doing the challenges and having fun. 

So now my sewing job has doubled.  I am far less enthusiastic about earning badges and am all for instituting a sewing badge so that they can do it themselves!

before and after

BEFORE....


February 2011

AFTER...

September 2011


We have come a long way!  We aren't quite finished yet but I couldn't resist this little comparison to make me feel better.  The builders are gone.  We still need the painter and bathroom No. 2 needs to be bashed out but what a difference!  And here are some more...



tigerbok

Well there is no doubt who Hugo, our little tiger, is supporting in the World Cup.  He is a fierce little supporter and is valiantly behind his team.  He wears his Springbok jumper as often as possible and cheers them on through good and bad.

We are somewhat disappointed in the lack of excitement over this WC.  These West Coasters are only into Aussie Rules Football and the rugby is slipping under the radar.  We are having to form a huddle with other migrants to get into the "gees" but sadly the tide is swaying amongst the SAffers as they come out donning their Wallabies shirts.  It's the little supporters that are the first to cross over to the other side so we are getting our mileage out of this little shirt and also his wonderful enthusiasm.

Our home is still behind Bokke all the way and we were proud of their great trouncing of the islanders yesterday.

Go Bokke, go!

honoured

Adam received an Honour's certificate in assembly on Friday.  He was so proud to stand up front and hold his certificate for the whole school to see.  He was honoured for "becoming a more independent worker".  His confidence is growing too and he is really getting into the fun of learning.  This week Adam will be invested into the cub pack and there is much excitement around the house as Russell helps him to learn the cub promise and oath!  Adam is a gentle sole  and a very deep thinker.  He loves making crafty inventions and gifts for everyone.  He is the one we can rely on to make the card for someone's birthday or a gift for Fathers day. 

We are very proud of our special Adam.

Uplifting

Well I am fully into the business of knickers and bras and am loving every minute. I presented five times this week and measured and fitted close to forty women! Every styling presentation is great fun and the product is gorgeous to wear and show. Most women are so appreciative of the individual attention in the fitting room and leave feeling uplifted and supported in more ways than one! I am meeting amazing women with incredible stories and feel very blessed with this awesome opportunity. Each bra party results in at least one booking with a new hostess so I can work just as much as I want to. Juggling the family and home responsibilities are tricky so I will have to be careful not to over do it but am aiming to settle on three parties a week.

So at last my day is about lace and frills. I am back out there setting sales targets and a part of my mind has woken up again. It feels good to be stimulated as I learn a new product and system. The other consultants are dynamic and driven and I am enjoying working in a team again. And of course it is so exciting to be earning commission again.

At INTIMO "we believe that every woman has the right to feel fabulous in beautiful, well fitting and supportive lingerie. Everyday. And every woman has the right to financial independence, professional pride, personal fulfilment and control over their destinies. Always."

What is not to like?
 

toilet talk

With a house full of boy bums, I am always pulling my kids up on this, but today I can't resist a bit of toilet talk myself.  At last, we have TWO flushing loo's in our house!  Yippee!  No more jumping up and down in the passage as they cry for a turn to do the morning run.  These males are so regular it is disturbing.

Russell asked me when "we" can start using our new shower and I said "NEVER".  Only Rob and I would be using that one.  Unless he applied in triplicate for special dispensation with a very good reason, he or any other small boy would NOT be using the new shower at all.  He was not impressed.  I, however, am delighted at the new privacy this brings the only female member of the clan.

And I must say, it all looks amazing.  We are still waiting for the shower screen and mirrors but at least it is all functional and very beautiful.

To avoid the rush on bathroom number two and the pool (two projects that threaten to sap us of more energy and cash than we are prepared to part with right now) we have taken another wet plunge and are installing a jacuzzi in the courtyard behind the garage!  The preparation will happen tomorrow and the spa pool will be fitted next weekend.  The weather is fantastic so we are really excited about another great summer looming.

Oh happy days, the queen has a throne at last.

Urban Splendour

A Night of Urban Splendour was the theme of this year's Youth Focus fundraising ball.  Rob and I were very privileged to be offered a place at the Atlas Iron table and we cleaned up for a night on the town.  The evening was an extravagance of entertainment, food, drink and dancing with an auction of incredible items up for grabs.  Youth Focus is an NGO which councils and supports teenagers in depression and suicide situations.  This night out raised almost half a million dollars for this cause.

It brought back the Solstice Ball memories for us and the many evenings of glamour with our Cape Town friends.  It was great to be back in this ritzy setting, dancing and having fun again. 

all tucked in

If I happen to wake up in the night, which admittedly isn't often, I do the toilet stop and then go to tuck in my boys.  It seems that they are suddenly all bigger.  They are able to keep their duvets on their sleeping bodies now and don't really need me to tuck them in.  Our sleep is uninterrupted every night as their boy bodies recharge.  In a lot of ways our lives seem easier all of a sudden as we move out of the small boy-toddler stage with Hugo.  He is now able to:

• put on his own seatbelt
• dress himself
• write his name
• do all the toilet and bathroom stuff ALONE
• wait his turn
• play a board game patiently
• eat with a knife and fork
• And generally be one of the boys

Adam is making great progress in reading and writing.  He is going on cub camps, sorting out breakfast for Hugo and himself, making his bed, doing his share of the chores and growing very fast.

Russell is really maturing quickly now.  I get these fleeting glimpses of the teenager peeking out sometimes.  He understands my jokes, asks challenging questions and reads paperback novels.  He is now able to make tea or hot chocolate for the team and will help himself to a sandwich.  Russell bakes independently, makes bacon and eggs and turns the meat on the braai. 

So now when Rob goes for his Sunday morning early swim, I still get my cup of coffee in bed.  It is served by my handsome nine year old.  Bliss.

renovation update

There is still a skip on our front lawn.  There is still someone else's truck in our driveway.  There are still tradesmen all around.  But now, there is:

• a garage with ceiling and fittings
• primer paint on most of the walls
• down pipes and gutters
• a fully kitted and tiled laundry
• half a bathroom (the tiler is too busy to finish)
• a garage door on order
• And......an end in sight.

Spring is here and we are still very busy working on the house.  The project took longer and cost more than we originally anticipated.  I still live with banging and grinding but it is starting to look great.  We almost have a brand new house in time for summer. 

A fine day

It was, until I got one.  A fine.  A big fat one too.  The traffic police here are very strict about speed and unless I have Griet lying under my accelerator, what is the chance that I will drive at 50km/h? 

There is a stretch of road from Mt Pleasant to the highway that is a dual carriage way with a steep downhill and it is a 50km/h zone.  Is that possible?  Not unless the driver is almost asleep or running swiftly out of petrol.  I know exactly where Mr Plod hides his equipment and I find myself throwing the anchor out just in time, every time, to do the karate run to South Perth.  Sadly, on this one occasion I must have been too busy singing along to the 80s hits on 94.5fm to notice my speed and that damn camera caught me!  And I wasn't even smiling.

The penalty is $300 (ouch!) and 3 demerit points off my licence (ouch!).  I am gutted.  My first commission cheque has to go to the cops.  I was only going 72km/h after all.  That is a very respectable speed for a SAffer.  I am just hoping that there aren't more of those little charmers winging their way to me.

At least I get to have a good vent here.  I am feeling rather poor and pathetic and Rob thinks he should call me Lead Foot.  I am not amused!