Happy 10th Birthday Blossom!

Blossom has reached double digits!

The Birthday Questionnaire

Years ago I started to ask Blossom a series of questions on her birthday with the hope that I'd keep them for posterity. However, like many of my ideas, I never followed through and have no idea where the other lists are. Now, at least, I can post this list to cyberspace where it will float for all eternity...

How old are you? Ten

What is your favourite colour? Orange, Light blue, Red and Light green

What is your favourite animal? Cat

What is your favourite food? Roast dinner and spaghetti bolognese

What is your favourite drink? Cold water and Lemon Squash

What do you want to be when you grow up? Swimmer (breastroke) or Ballet Dancer

Where is your favourite place to visit on Holidays? Thredbo

What is your favourite subject at school? Sport and Science

What subject to you like the least at school? Spelling and Maths

Favourite book that you've finished reading? The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and The Spiderwick Chronicles

Favourite TV show? Avatar: the last air bender

Favourite board game? Blokus and Trivial Pursuit

Favourite music? Classical

What makes you giggle the most? Alissa

What scares you the most? Cyclones, Tidal Waves, Big Hairy Spiders and the Sound of Thunder

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? A name that doesn't have a boys version of it.

Happy Birthday Princess!!

PS. Alice, here's your cuppa

IN WHICH Blossom's perfectionism is tested

On Wednesday morning, 8.45am, I went to Blossom's parent-teacher conference at school. As I sat down Blossom's teacher (let's call her Ms Frizzle) beamed at me and said "aaah, here is the mother of the girl who runs our classroom".

"Ha Ha" I say "She runs our house as well. In fact she thinks she's Padawan Learner's mother".

I look down on Ms Frizzle's hand-written notes and read the word "Perfectionist?".

"Are you telling me this because you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?" I ask.

"I- I'm not sure" says Ms Frizzle. "I think mostly a good thing. I think. Is she super tidy at home? I mean because children at this age usually don't notice mess"

I think for a moment and the truth is, I don't know. I've always grumped at her to tidy her room so it's always been spotless. But is she naturally like that?

So, I'm conducting an experiment. I'm not touching Blossom's room. I'm not going to ask her to tidy it. For as long as I can bear it. Here are the results so far (apologies to true scientists I forgot to take the control picture but believe me she had a VERY tidy room to start with):

Day 3

I can't tell you how relieved I am to see that mess. I think she's fine.

edited to say: Oh God, it's getting worse. Now there's Saturday Mess. I.must.keep.strong.

Baseball Gala Day

Today was the last day of Baseball for the season. The kids played their last games, had team photos and got their trophies.

Kids now get a trophy for every sport they play, every year. Just for turning up. Does anyone else find this over the top? I'm all for a certificate and a pat on the back. Or even just a pat on the back.

Anyway, enough bah humbug, the kids love their trophies and they had a great day.

Now the soccer season starts...

This morning while brushing my teeth

KelpieBlossom: Mum...what did you want to be when you were in Primary School?

Me: A spy.

KB: a good one or a bad one?

Me: Hadn't really thought that through, just a spy.

KB: What did you want to be when you were in high school?

Me: An Egyptologist.

KB: [blank look on face, mummy explains]

KB then starts giggling. Giggle. Giggle. Giggle.

Me: What's so funny?

KB: Well, look what you ended up as. [more giggles]

Me: What do you mean?

KB: [more giggles] A person that does work at the school, looks after us kids and cooks us dinner.

Me: Have I told you about my plans to sell you and use the proceeds to fund a real career?

Freedom from Homework Part II

Gotta love KelpieBlossom's teacher. Remember I said she hated homework but that she would set it each fortnight per school policy - and she doesn't care if the child doesn't hand it in?

Here is this fortnight's homework (she's in Year 4):

• 20 minutes reading, daily
• Practise your spelling
• Teach a parent something you know about St Valentine
• Help with the housework or gardening
• Tell a joke to a family member
• Help with the shopping
• Play a game with a family member
• Practise your tables

In other words, she's asking her students to be an active family member. Our house is so much more relaxed without 10 maths/science/HSIE worksheets and a mini project to complete.

I should've sent her a Valentine's Day card.

P.S. I'm off to Padawan Learner's Parent-teacher info session on Monday. His teacher is new, young, blonde and looks like a Barbie doll. I bet the classroom is full of Dads, all of whom will volunteer to do reading groups.

Thumbs optional

This morning I went into KelpieBlossom's room and noted, in my most calm and serene voice, that perhaps she should pick up all the clothes and other detritus that was strewn across the floor. She responded by looking at me in a manner similar to puss-in-boots above and said:

"But, Mum, that would be impossible for me to do - I am a very cute Kitty and I do not have disposable thumbs"

In my very mature way I then spent the rest of the morning saying things like "those with opposable thumbs can come with me, those with disposable thumbs better stay at home".


*pic from here

KelpieBlossom made this...

... scarf for her class mascot (the mascot is a stuffed toy owl called Grandpa Hooty).

It's all wrapped up in tissue and Christmas paper ready for her to give to him tomorrow.

Trifecta

First we heard about Queenie's excellent effort in getting a Class Prize for General Excellence at her recent Speech Night. Then Domestic Goddess' daughter Fashionista got a Class Prize at her Speech Night. I can now report that we have a Trifecta with KelpieBlossom taking out the Special Award for Citizenship and General Proficiency at her Presentation Day today.

You go girls!

Not to be outdone, Padawan Learner's Year 1 class shone in their final assembly item yesterday. Their fabulous teacher Mr B plays guitar and accompanied the class as they sang Aussie Jingle Bells loud and proud. Rumour has it that they were going to finish their class item with a rendition of Smoke on the Water but Mr B thought he might be in trouble with the school Principal if he played Deep Purple at a school assembly.

We parents would've supported you Mr B! *

* in breaking news it seems the new Russian president would also have supported the playing of Deep Purple at the school assembly!

Good Grief, A Wreath

Our 9yo, KelpieBlossom is very keen on Tara Dennis and the Better Homes and Gardens team. There has been many a project that Tara has "instructed" KB to do THIS WEEKEND or even RIGHT NOW. And this festive season we have hit fever pitch.

A couple of weeks ago KB, as instructed by Tara, started making christmas decorations from the wrapping paper to be found in the current issue of BH&G magazine (she buys this in preference to tween magazines). This weekend she felt the extreme need to make a wreath for the front door. We have a Holly bush in our garden so I said "go for it", thinking that would be something to keep her occupied for a while.

So here how the project went:

KB: All I need is a coathanger made into a circle. Could you just do that bit.

Mum: that sounds like a dad job to me

KB: Daaaad, can you make a circle thingy from this coathanger?

Dad rustled around outside with pliers and wire until he produced a perfect wire circle.

KB: Actually, dad I think we might need TWO circles.

Dad rustles around outside with pliers and wire until a second perfect circle is produced.

KB: Actually, dad, I think the two circles need to be wrapped in winding wire.

Dad: I don't think we have any.

KB: Let's go to Bunnings

Dad: It's after 5pm on a Sunday.

KB: Why don't you ring them?

So KB and Dad whip off to bunnings. They come back with winding wire, and a Crunchie Bar each.

KB: Mum can you help me get the Holly?

at the Holly bush:

KB: It looks a bit prickly, can you cut it for me?

later:

KB: It looks a bit prickly, can you attach it for me?

later, after Mum has wiped all the blood off her fingers from attaching Holly:

KB: It looks a bit prickly, can you tie the ribbons on?

Once it is finished KB's brother Padawan Learner comes over and says:
"Wow, KB, that looks really good, you're really clever"

Definitely CEO material.

The Birthday Shopping Spree has stopped ...

because someone's husband bought this at our recent school Art Auction fundraiser

Year 3 Artwork "Tree of Birds"

Last Saturday our school held its end of year drinks combined with an auction of 7 Year artworks and 25 Class artworks which the students have been working on for the last 6 months. The Year works were completed under the direction of a local artist (and school parent) and the class artworks were completed under the direction of the teachers. Every student produced a small piece of work which was collaged into the larger year works. The results were amazing.

We were gobsmacked at how much money we raised. Our estimate was a profit of about $5,000-$10,000. We raised nearly $40,000.

Year 1 Art Work "Butterflies"

Padawan Learner was at pains to point out that he didn't paint a butterfly. He painted a moth.

Concert

On Thursday evening KelpieBlossom went to bed with us believing that she would not be able to perform in her annual ballet concert the next day. During the week she had been diagnosed first with Colic and then late on Thursday with a UT infection. Dr said if it was UT infection then it would clear up overnight. The concert is a big deal in KB's mind and she was fretting.

Yesterday morning KB woke up, ran into our room shouting "I feel better, my tummy doesn't hurt at all" and proceeded to dance around the house. Um, okay, so I think the concert is back on.

We arrived at the theatre at 1.30pm for KB's rehearsals and for me to help out with hair and make-up. The rehearsals seemed never-ending, the hair went smoothly and the make-up totally freaked me out (I'd never done stage makeup before. 10 mins before curtain up we still had 15 6 year olds to do).

I finally joined Firegazer and our other guests just in time for the show to start at 6.30pm. It was beautiful. This year the Grades students were showcased in a progression from Primary to Grade 6 as well as a spectacular display of Russian National Dance and fabulous Jazz & Modern numbers. The finale was the entire ensemble in a Christmas inspired number with music from The Nutcracker.

The only disappointing part of the evening was that the vocational students were not showcased to the extent they normally are. There was only one number 'en pointe' when usually there are several.

I had intended to take candid shots of backstage activity throughout the evening but it was all too frantic. I have no pics of KB in her stunning lilac grades costume but here are pics of KelpieBlossom in her Nutcracker costume.

This morning we are enjoying our first lazy Saturday in quite a long while.

Apprentice Assistant Deputy Trim Director

You may remember a couple of posts ago that I was sewing 30 metres of ribbon trim to go on costumes for KelpieBlossom's annual ballet concert. With that task complete (thanks Domestic Goddess for your help) I was elevated to Apprentice Assistant Deputy Trim Director at the ballet concert sewing bees.

Since that time I have sewn gold buttons onto flight attendant costumes, gold beading onto lush velvet jackets and now at the pinnacle of my seamstress career: gold buttons sewn onto (fake) fur AND the making of those little loopy things to secure the buttons (what ARE they called?).

I'll have you know I made those loops from scratch using some sort of nifty crochet-type process I learnt this morning.

The ballet concert is tomorrow night. I just hope KelpieBlossom gets over her colic/UT infection, or whatever it is that is making her sick at the moment, so she can dance in the production she has practised over 30 hours for.

Update: KB woke up feeling fine on Friday morning ready for the concert. Report coming later.

Because shoes can't fall off during an exam

KelpieBlossom is not happy because I bought her a new pair of ballet shoes.

She loves the pair in the top of the picture because "they help me to point my feet better". Problem is they are a size too small, and the colour is all scuffed off beyond the point that any calamine lotion or shoe paint can rectify - and she has her ballet exam in two weeks.

So we had new ones fitted, not with growing room, but to "exam" specs. I then had to sew the elastics in.

This is not a 5 minute job. We know from experience the importance of well sewn in elastics/ribbons. Five minutes before walking out on stage before a ballet eisteddfod in July a ribbon popped off her shoe...

Cat Wrangling: because Tara Says So

KelpieBlossom (9) is a big fan of Tara Dennis and Better Homes and Gardens. Come 7.30pm Friday she is glued to the Plasma hoping to glean whatever domestic pearls of wisdom Tara has for her that night. This is why we only have OMO washing powder, why this week we had to cut up plastic bottles to make scoops (actually quite handy, see pics below) AND why we had to BATH OUR CATS today.

While our older cat, Biggie, was introduced to the pleasures of bathing at a young age; our 18 month old Marble had thus far avoided the dreaded bath. Apparently this week on BH&G Tara instructed KelpieBlossom to bath her cats, and to do so at least once a month.

Excellent.

Luckily, Firegazer is an experienced and capable cat wrangler and managed the job without loss of eye or limb.

Fractured Holidays

Aaah holidays. I don't know why I should feel different when the kids are on holidays. I mean during term time the kids are at school for five hours a day. Isn't that a holiday? But no; term time means hurried breakfasts, the dreaded packed lunch, homework and horror of all horrors - after-school activities. And that's without the Last Minute Project, the School-Play Costume and We Need a Parent Volunteer for [add activity here]. No holidays are bliss.

What is it with all the Play Dates? I have mentioned before that I deliberately planned a quiet, in Sydney, holiday. No major events planned, no over-scheduling, just wake up and lie around in jammies until lunchtime. Ha! I didn't plan on the kids being invited on play date after play date. It's not that I mind them disappearing for several hours, and the kids love them, it's just that I feel that I should reciprocate - and I JUST DON'T WANT TO (for the Jammies Until Lunchtime reason). So I will be Bad Reciprocator this holidays.

Still, apart from the play dates it has been quite relaxing. The kids have been trying out a new swim school by doing their SwimVac program and I'm REALLY IMPRESSED. This school (Carlile Swimming) actually focuses on stroke correction; the last two schools I've tried just pump out the laps.

I get to read books, yay! I finished Carpentaria just before the holidays started and have since finished March by Geraldine Brooks (which had being laying unfinished for some months) and Theft by Peter Carey. All good reads so far.

Now I am onto Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough. This is the eighth book in the Masters of Rome series and is definitely up to Colleen's usual standards (Although she has annoyed me with her apostrophe use eg. Octavianus's - I prefer Octavianus'). Colleen is one of the world's great experts on the Roman Republic and her point of view on this stuff is really worth reading.

Here's the bit about the fracture. Yesterday the kids went to a Baseball clinic - Baseball being their chosen summer sport this year (Hilariously, Firegazer is their Match Coach! I think he may have once watched a game of baseball). During catching practice (without a mitt), where balls were fired rapidly from a machine, KelpieBlossom sustained a green stick fracture to her Pinky and now has it strapped up. Great look for her upcoming ballet exam...

What is a holiday without some sort of fracture anyway?

Off to the Melbourne Writers Festival

I'm about to pack my bag in anticipation of my trip to Melbourne tomorrow afternoon. I will be staying with Fairlie and indulging in two days of Melbourne Writers Festival activities, being a 'blow-in' at Cousin It's 30th birthday and catching up with whichever members of the No. 1 Melbourne Ladies Bookclub are available to be at Domestic Goddess' house on Sat night.

When I booked this trip I didn't realise that Sunday was Father's Day. Ooops. However, KelpieBlossom assures me that she has the day fully in hand. I don't want to reveal too much in case Firegazer reads this blog; however, I hear that there is a Menu being planned. I don't recall ever giving KelpieBlossom or Padawan Learner lessons on how to make tea and toast but I guess they'll figure it out.

Luckily, the Fire Station is just up the street.

I will file a full report on my return.

Zone Athletics: Kids were great, but one parent gets a GRRR

For the last two days I have been out at the Academy of Sport in Narabeen watching KelpieBlossom and the rest of the school team compete in the Zone Athletics Carnival.

KelpieBlossom competed in the Junior Long Jump on Tues and the 9yrs 100m on Wed. She was really pleased with her results having achieved a PB in Long Jump (which was 45cm longer than her previous recorded jump) and a fourth in her 100m heat.

It was amazing to see all the talent out there - miniature future Olympians complete with Skins and Spikes. The kids all had a great time; KelpieBlossom enjoyed meeting kids from other schools and was sad when it was all over.

However, I am sorry to report that one Mum and I were not sad to see the back of one of our school parents. Cupcake Queen and I were the Team Managers for the day yesterday. This means we had to make sure that all the children were present and accounted for and that they got to their allotted events. Anyone who has ever tried to herd cats will know what sort of day we had...

We were particularly careful to ensure that the youngest members of the team, three of whom were only 7 years old, were accounted for and we tried to keep them close by to ensure an adult could walk them to their events. At one point just before the 8yrs 100m we asked these kids to stand near us ready to be taken to their event.

So, we were completely unimpressed when one father (of a 7yo) loudly proclaimed to all and sundry that his daughter couldn't possibly stand in the sun for that 5 minutes (it would sap her energy) and we were clearly inexperienced team managers. He then marched his daughter back to the stands somewhere.

Well, yes we were inexperienced. We'd never done this before. We had 75 kids to keep an eye on. This dad, rather than offering his obviously vast organisational experience, chose to sit on his butt and hurl insults. THEN when his daughter's race was called he walked her down there without bothering to let us know causing further angst while we searched for her.

There endeth the GRRRRRRR.

A Wash of Colours

KelpieBlossom wrote this poem at school. It was published in the school newsletter this week.

A Wash of Colours

Blue, green, purple, aqua

Brown tastes like the rich goodness of chocolate cake

Grey smells like a cloud of never-ending mist

White sounds like snow falling from a cloudy sky

Black feels sad like a dreadful funeral

Yellow looks like pretty, blooming, sunflowers

Red makes me hot and angry

But my favourite colour is blue

No Maths Skills Required at the Athletics

For the first time this week the sun is out, the washing is on the line and the house is being aired.

This is a far cry from the conditions in which KelpieBlossom's school held their inter-house athletics carnival on Wednesday. It was bitterly cold, for Sydney, and most of the children ran in tracksuits - not even bothering to take of their fleecy jackets.

In a previous post I was concerned that being posted to the Long Jump meant I would have to employ my non-existent mathematics skills to accurately measure jumps. I needn't have worried as the Science teacher took one look at me and assigned me to raking out the pit. It seems my reputation precedes me.

It turns out I had the best job there as Army Wife felt sorry for me and brought me a constant supply of warm tea and I was the only adult moving enough to keep warm.


Warning: gushing about child to follow.
If you are not a family member or this is 'not your thing' then you may prefer to divert here to a discussion about Quantum Mechanics.

KelpieBlossom had a good carnival. Her results:

• First in the Junior Long Jump (nothing to do with my raking);
• Second in the 9yrs 100m final
• Second in the Junior 4 x 100m House Relay

Last Week of Term

The last week of term is generally fairly relaxing. Normally there is no homework due, activities have stopped and the kids have more free time in preparation for two weeks of holidays. This week has, so far, hasn't fit the mold. It's been relaxing but yet we've had more on than is usual for this time of year.

Staying with us this week is Fairlie and her daughters Queenie and Impossible Princess. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get around much due to the atrocious weather but it's lovely to have them here.

Other happenings this week:

First, KelpieBlossom played with her school band at the Yamaha Music Festival on Monday night. They were in tune and came away with a Silver. The band was marked on appearance as well as performance and they looked fabulous.

Second, you may remember that when the Fireworks Night was postponed one parent was left with 230 bears in her house which were destined for the "Adopt-a-Bear" stall. Well, that stall was held today at school. Despite the rain there was a bear-buying FRENZY. I was a little skeptical about the potential of this stall. I needn't have worried. They sold out quickly with disappointed children who missed out.

Third, I had forgotten that Padawan Learner had to learn, and recite, a poem for news today. Last night, Fairlie, kindly found the Spike Milligan poem "Worm" for him which was a big hit.

Worm
Little worm - wiggle wiggle,
You make me and my sister giggle.
You live in mud,
You live in wet,
Yet never ever see a vet.
You must be very healthy worm,
Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Squirm.

Fourth, KelpieBlossom, despite having a term's notice, had to write a book report in a hurry tonight. Her chosen book? Judy Moody: Around the World in 8 1/2 Days. Thanks must go to Queenie for her help with the last minute colouring in and help with accompanying poster layout.

Fifth, despite the promise of more inclement weather the school athletics carnival is scheduled for tomorrow. It looks like it will be cold, and drizzly. And, hurray hurray I am on "Long Jump" duty (even though I specifically requested not to be put on any timekeeping or measuring activity - words are my thing; Charlie Eppes, I am not ).

Roll on the weekend when the kids and I will drive down to the Great Southern City for a week with Fairlie and the girls, leaving Firegazer to hold the fort and keep the Plasma company.