It all happened so quickly this time. Hugo can read! The penny has just dropped. He can work out the phonetic words, make a stab at the more difficult ones and basically decode a book! He is reading level 5 books with gusto. The world has opened up to him as he deciphers the cereal boxes and newspaper headlines. He is so thrilled with himself and happily reads four readers a day. He is able to write and call out about 70 sight words and his confidence in the process is growing daily.
It is fair to say that the curriculum for foundation learning in Western Australia has changed dramatically in the past two years. Hugo is expected to know what Adam only learned in Year 1. He is adding and subtracting up to 20 and is soaking it all up in his internal sponge.
The literacy gap between the two boys is closing fast and I am under pressure to keep Adam motivated and focused. He is exceptional at Maths and Science experiments but really struggles with reading and comprehension. In the first term of this year we discovered a reading programme called Toe by Toe. It comprises of daily exercises of 20 minute sessions to increase confidence and blends. It is a book which we purchased online. It gave us a structure to work with and a focus for our 20 minutes every day. His confidence grew and he has now begun to read books at a reasonable level wtih ease. The key has been to find books that are of interest to him with characters he can relate to. A real hit has been the Tashi Books. Adam loves the make-believe stories and really relates well to the boy, Jack and his imaginary friend. These books are beautifully written and a hit amongst boys and girls of his age. We borrowed a big Tashi Book which is a novel, incorporating all the books as chapters. Russell devoured it and loved every minute!
Russell's reading has come a long way too. He really enjoys adventure stories and boy scout type expeditions. He has just finished reading the Bear Gryll's book (children's edition) and couldn't wait to get into bed for his Chapter every night. He is urging me to read it too so that we can talk about it. So far it is lying untouched next to my bed!
So we are all reading now. Some of us more than others. How fabulous! The boys are growing up fast and taking on new challenges daily. Just being around them is an adventure for me!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
beautiful
It was wrong of me not to document the arrival of an additional member to our family. During last term, Hugo's Pre-Primary class were learning about taking care of pets and which pets are good to have. We had to send in drawings of our dog "Griet" and write up what we do to take care of her. Hugo was in charge of her meals and cleaning up behind her for a few weeks. He had to report back to his class about her and gave a detailed description of her medication and arthritic tendencies! Someone had kindly donated a beautiful white budgie to the class for observation. Different children were able to take it home each weekend. At the end of the term, Hugo's teacher asked the class if anyone would like to adopt the bird named Beautiful. Of course, Hugo's hand shot up and he claimed the prized offering.
I came to school to fetch him for our July holidays and found him clutching a cage and trolley, food baskets and water trays. The bird was ours, whether I liked it or not!
As it turns out, Beautiful is a lovely pet. He (yes another male at the Wilsons) talks alot and can't stand to be out of view of the action. The boys are pretty good about cleaning his cage and Russell is trying very hard to tame him out on to his hand.
So now we are 7. Just beautiful.
I came to school to fetch him for our July holidays and found him clutching a cage and trolley, food baskets and water trays. The bird was ours, whether I liked it or not!
As it turns out, Beautiful is a lovely pet. He (yes another male at the Wilsons) talks alot and can't stand to be out of view of the action. The boys are pretty good about cleaning his cage and Russell is trying very hard to tame him out on to his hand.
So now we are 7. Just beautiful.
poolside
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| pillars going up |
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| a pool at last |
We are so excited about being in the final major project of our house renovation. The plan is to board the plane to South Africa, knowing that when we return our house will be complete!
At the rate that our builder is putting these pillars up it is probably optimistic but we live in hope. The pool itself, looks fantastic. It is 7.5 metres by 4 metres so there is plenty of room for the boys and their friends to dive and splash. They have already jumped in twice in spite of the freezing temperature. As the days start getting longer and warmer, the prospect of having our own pool is awesome.
So the action plan is: render (plaster) the pillars, pave and cement the areas around the pool, install a roof over the outdoor entertainment area, put in the panels between the pillars, paint everything, landscape the garden and then SWIM!
Woohoo!! I can't wait for this to all be over so the real fun can begin.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Maree
Rob has finally succumbed to the relentless urge to own a recreational boat! It makes a lot of sense living here so close to so much water. She is rather beautiful too.
So here I sit, waiting for Rob to return from BCF which is the biggest shop supplying the Boating, Camping and Fishing industry! It used to be Bunnings (the massive hardware store) that swallowed him up for most of the weekend, now it's BCF. If he makes it back in time, we will launch our little treasure and become real Perthlings at last.
So here I sit, waiting for Rob to return from BCF which is the biggest shop supplying the Boating, Camping and Fishing industry! It used to be Bunnings (the massive hardware store) that swallowed him up for most of the weekend, now it's BCF. If he makes it back in time, we will launch our little treasure and become real Perthlings at last.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
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spring "kit" clean
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Sometimes you just have to tip it all out and give it a good old fashioned spring clean. Oh, the stories that I remembered as I folded each bra. The beautiful ladies whom I remembered as I packed them all away. The bra brings us together, but it is so much more that keeps us together.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
tough life
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| Adam (size 4), Hugo (size 12) |
This is how our boys' shoes look after just a few short months of hard wearing. They get a beating from the scooter rides and skateboarding. These little shoes have to run around school all day and play in the streets until dark. They develop silent mouths and ragged tongues. Their laces hang frazzled and knotted on the sides. These little shoes end up soleless and tired.
It's been a while since anyone actually out grew their shoes around here. They work hard to keep our boys moving!
Friday, September 7, 2012
spare parts
Just days before Granny Maggie came crashing into our lives, Rob had noticed that the motor that drives the water pump that sprays the windscreen of his BMW was broken. Being an engineer, he stuck his hands under the bonnet and pulled out the offending part which is about 10cm long with a diameter of around 3cm. He googled the part and compared prices at BMW and EBay. After discovering that this little widget would set him back several hundred dollars and take weeks to be shipped from the east or Europe, he decided to put the search on hold.
On the fatal night of the Granny crash, it was my great pleasure to watch the captains of industry out in the street at midnight sweeping up parts and glass before the Mercedes was towed away.
The following morning, Rob went over the road to assess the damage of the misparked Ute and low and behold, the motor for the windscreen sprayer of the Merc had become dislodged on impact, flown out of the fast moving crumbling bonnet and landed in the back of the open Ute! I am not kidding!
Like a delighted child, Rob grabbed the motor and raced back across the street to his little Beemer. He popped the motor in place where a gaping hole had been left and Voila: it worked!!
Not only do we have Mercedez badges adorning our walls and fenders that are now shields, we also have swords that were windscreen wipers AND now a motor that works in a BMW!
So the Mercedes Benz was not a write-off after all.
On the fatal night of the Granny crash, it was my great pleasure to watch the captains of industry out in the street at midnight sweeping up parts and glass before the Mercedes was towed away.
The following morning, Rob went over the road to assess the damage of the misparked Ute and low and behold, the motor for the windscreen sprayer of the Merc had become dislodged on impact, flown out of the fast moving crumbling bonnet and landed in the back of the open Ute! I am not kidding!
Like a delighted child, Rob grabbed the motor and raced back across the street to his little Beemer. He popped the motor in place where a gaping hole had been left and Voila: it worked!!
Not only do we have Mercedez badges adorning our walls and fenders that are now shields, we also have swords that were windscreen wipers AND now a motor that works in a BMW!
So the Mercedes Benz was not a write-off after all.
crashing grans
While I have been a bit quiet, one of my big prayers has been answered. We have adopted an Australian Granny. I have been interviewing for one for a while now - that is asking just about anyone over 65 if our boys can come for a sleep over. It's something we really miss here. It can be tough not having family nearby especially when we have been used to grannies and grandpas who were so much part of our lives.
A few Fridays ago I was unpacking my work kit from my car at the unusual hour of 11pm. As I was walking up the path with my last load, I was frozen by the loudest, closest bang I had ever heard! A new Mercedes Benz Coupe had come hurtling down our street and the driver had misjudged a bakkie (Ute/pick up truck) parked against the verge and had clipped it! Suffice to say the Ute was pushed up its driveway and the Mercedes was ripped to shreds. The bonnet buckled over the roof and came to a screeching halt right in front of our driveway. Out of the crumbled heap climbed the dearest elderly lady called Madge. She was all shaken and confused so I took her inside for a cup of tea while Rob and the men of the street got into action sorting out the details. In the early hours of a Saturday morning, Madge and I bonded over cups of tea and tears as she got over the wreck she had caused on a 1km trip home from a dinner party. I helped her through the breathalyser test (which she thankfully passed!) and the paperwork, and gathered her belongings from her boot.
Granny Maggie and the boys have become firm friends. She lives just around the corner opposite our favourite park. I text her when the boys are going for a play and she watches from her kitchen window or wanders down for a chat. She is actually a great-granny of 75 and twice widowed. We visit one another for tea and have a budding friendship that melts the years between us. She is a wonderful Aussie lady with a beautiful story and warm heart. She made a silly mistake that night but her collision with a Ute made her collide with us. God works in mysterious ways!
It is comforting for us both to know that we have each other just around the corner. I am excited at the prospect of a local granny for our boys and I am enjoying getting to know this lovely lady. She entered our lives with a great big bang and we are enjoying her so much.
A few Fridays ago I was unpacking my work kit from my car at the unusual hour of 11pm. As I was walking up the path with my last load, I was frozen by the loudest, closest bang I had ever heard! A new Mercedes Benz Coupe had come hurtling down our street and the driver had misjudged a bakkie (Ute/pick up truck) parked against the verge and had clipped it! Suffice to say the Ute was pushed up its driveway and the Mercedes was ripped to shreds. The bonnet buckled over the roof and came to a screeching halt right in front of our driveway. Out of the crumbled heap climbed the dearest elderly lady called Madge. She was all shaken and confused so I took her inside for a cup of tea while Rob and the men of the street got into action sorting out the details. In the early hours of a Saturday morning, Madge and I bonded over cups of tea and tears as she got over the wreck she had caused on a 1km trip home from a dinner party. I helped her through the breathalyser test (which she thankfully passed!) and the paperwork, and gathered her belongings from her boot.
Granny Maggie and the boys have become firm friends. She lives just around the corner opposite our favourite park. I text her when the boys are going for a play and she watches from her kitchen window or wanders down for a chat. She is actually a great-granny of 75 and twice widowed. We visit one another for tea and have a budding friendship that melts the years between us. She is a wonderful Aussie lady with a beautiful story and warm heart. She made a silly mistake that night but her collision with a Ute made her collide with us. God works in mysterious ways!
It is comforting for us both to know that we have each other just around the corner. I am excited at the prospect of a local granny for our boys and I am enjoying getting to know this lovely lady. She entered our lives with a great big bang and we are enjoying her so much.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
stalking
Time to be perfectly honest. One of the reasons that I haven't written for a while is the weird feeling that I am getting about being stalked. This blog is intended for those who know and love us to follow our path and to remain part of our life journey. It is our hope that one day we will be reunited and our stories will somehow collide again.
From time to time, I have realised that there are people reading here who have never met me or my family but who found us in the ether and enjoy my writing. On the surface that seems OK. I am not sure why someone would be remotely interested in my ramblings if they didn't have a vested interest in my life. When strangers start leaving arbitrary comments here on almost every post, it feels a bit weird.
Why would someone wait for my next post and hang on my every word if he doesn't know me? Why would someone think I am at all interested in his comments if I have never met him? That's the problem with our private lives in the public domain. The Internet has far reaching arms and unlimited depth. We are exposing ourselves like never before. Take a look at these statistics on Facebook for a shock.
From time to time, I have realised that there are people reading here who have never met me or my family but who found us in the ether and enjoy my writing. On the surface that seems OK. I am not sure why someone would be remotely interested in my ramblings if they didn't have a vested interest in my life. When strangers start leaving arbitrary comments here on almost every post, it feels a bit weird.
Why would someone wait for my next post and hang on my every word if he doesn't know me? Why would someone think I am at all interested in his comments if I have never met him? That's the problem with our private lives in the public domain. The Internet has far reaching arms and unlimited depth. We are exposing ourselves like never before. Take a look at these statistics on Facebook for a shock.
I am learning to love my Facebook. It is a great way to connect with people on a personal level who I have met at lingerie parties. It makes me a real person to them and helps with the intimacy of the products I sell and the experience of bra shopping. I am able to network quickly and easily and spread my news and views quite far. What I don't like is that it sucks you right in. I keep checking to see what you have had for breakfast and with whom. But that is a whole other post.
My point is this: read freely off the net and take what you want from it. Tread carefully when it comes to stepping over personal boundaries. Your voice may be read as graffiti.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
coming back slowly
It's been so long since I wrote that I almost felt a bit scared to be back here. Where do I start? The last few weeks have slipped through my fingers in a blur of constant activity. Between our constant home decor projects, the boys' activities and our jobs, we seldom have time to fold the laundry, let alone come up for air. When we do, it's a long deep gasp of air and we mooch in each other's company.
This week Rob has gone to New York and Boston on an investors' roadshow. He has left in a blaze of angst and stress over the plummeting price of iron ore and is fighting the remains of flu. There are continual fires to put out here and investors begging to see him there. Our lives seem to be a whirlwind of cocktail parties and corporate functions as Atlas Iron's profile rises in Perth circles. The stress of the role is taking its toll on Rob and we are going to have to take a few days leave soon in order to make it to the end of the year.
So here I sit, in silence, with only you for company. It's been too long apart.
This past month I have witnessed two of my friends getting really ill. One has leukemia and is fighting a brave battle with infection and chemotherapy and drugs. The other has Crohen's disease and has just had a meter of her intestine removed that was badly damaged by the bugs. Their illnesses have drained me of energy to write when I have had time and have stopped me in my tracks to pray quietly for their recovery. I have also been reflecting on how blessed we are.
My business has become busier than ever since the unmasking on conference six weeks ago. My team is growing and thriving. I am enjoying this new role of mentor and coach while still doing between 15 and 20 parties a month of my own. With Phuket Rewards trip now safely achieved, I am goaling for Venice in April! It's a stretch but one I am trying to reach.
So we are still here, still working and playing. Rugby season is over and there is a short break before cricket starts. Spring is threatening to come. I am still running with the group of 20 before sunrise 3 times a week and just did my third City to Surf 12km run.
My fingers are warming up, as is my little office. So blogging is back.
This week Rob has gone to New York and Boston on an investors' roadshow. He has left in a blaze of angst and stress over the plummeting price of iron ore and is fighting the remains of flu. There are continual fires to put out here and investors begging to see him there. Our lives seem to be a whirlwind of cocktail parties and corporate functions as Atlas Iron's profile rises in Perth circles. The stress of the role is taking its toll on Rob and we are going to have to take a few days leave soon in order to make it to the end of the year.
So here I sit, in silence, with only you for company. It's been too long apart.
This past month I have witnessed two of my friends getting really ill. One has leukemia and is fighting a brave battle with infection and chemotherapy and drugs. The other has Crohen's disease and has just had a meter of her intestine removed that was badly damaged by the bugs. Their illnesses have drained me of energy to write when I have had time and have stopped me in my tracks to pray quietly for their recovery. I have also been reflecting on how blessed we are.
My business has become busier than ever since the unmasking on conference six weeks ago. My team is growing and thriving. I am enjoying this new role of mentor and coach while still doing between 15 and 20 parties a month of my own. With Phuket Rewards trip now safely achieved, I am goaling for Venice in April! It's a stretch but one I am trying to reach.
So we are still here, still working and playing. Rugby season is over and there is a short break before cricket starts. Spring is threatening to come. I am still running with the group of 20 before sunrise 3 times a week and just did my third City to Surf 12km run.
My fingers are warming up, as is my little office. So blogging is back.
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