Yawn, is it time to go home yet?

If your child has just started their school year they may have been asked to fill out a number of worksheets about "what I did in the holidays" or "what I like about school".

Here is the worksheet that came home from Padawan Learner yesterday:

ABOUT SCHOOL THIS YEAR

I think my favourite subject will be:

Maths (yep, he would've added 'science' if he could've spelt it)

My favourite school lunch is:

Meat Pie (as if you'll ever get one, but good try)

In School it would be very strange if:

We had no classrooms (again, hopeful, but true it would be strange)

My favourite place in school is:

The Playground (that figures, see above)

This year, I really want to do this in school:

Go to bed

Yes, well, yawn, I know the feeling...

Precious Boy

I have one child who has always been very conscientious (takes after her dad) and one child who has always been, well, a bit more of a free spirit, perhaps a little less conscientious, never does his homework.

So this morning when this child - completely of his own volition - made his own bed (even stacked his teddies neatly), tidied his room ("so it's clean for Grandma and Grandpa to see") and wrote out 25 Christmas cards for his class-mates (again, I stress voluntarily, actually asked me if he could do it) my little heart went awwwwwww....

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.

Dear Diary: I cannot adequately account for myself I'm afraid

Monday: Back to real life with thud after weekend away at Melbourne Writers Festival. Day starts early with whipping KelpieBlossom off to doctor to look at weird rash developing all over her trunk. Looks like chicken pox but luckily is non-infectious thing. Take reading groups in Padawan Learner's class. He "sings" his reader again. Excellent.

Tuesday: Canteen Duty at the kids' school. This is the one day per term I must make small talk with the Canteen Supervisor and whichever other mum is on duty. Our usual hot-seller at recess is the Rice Cup (hot rice, with/without soy sauce); however, the committee has decided that it must now include vegetables stirred into the rice. Sales down by more than 50%. Sales of hot cheese rolls go through the roof. One kid came back for his fourth and we had to say "no more until you've eaten some fruit". Recess is only 20mins, where do they put all that food?

Padawan Learner had to give a talk on something to do with the water cycle. Talk hastily pieced together late the night before. He talked about snow. He ended his talk with "facts about snow"; the last of which was "Don't eat yellow snow". Wanted to be a fly on the wall in that one.

Wednesday: A blur. Cannot account for myself in any substantial way. Agonizing Pilates session involved. Resolve never to go at 9am Wed with the Elite Pilates Crowd again. If you do Pilates and are ever asked to do something called The Orangutan quietly pick up your shoes and make a quiet, yet quick, exit.

Day also involved taxiing kids to various activities and kids frantically completing homework tasks as Thursday is last day of school for the week. I think I might have done some grocery shopping. Hate Supermarkets. I shop on an emergency basis only.

Thursday: I went to the dentist; and for the first time in my memory I came away with a clean set of teeth but NO dental work to be done. Quite pleasant really after the (quadruple) wisdom teeth extraction (in the chair) I had earlier in the year. Kids go to dentist after school. Luckily they too just came away with new toothbrushes but no extra appointments.

APEC in full swing. Firegazer gets to work at 6.30am to avoid traffic on the Bridge.

Friday: APEC holiday. Living near the harbour sounds like we are in the middle of a Vietnam movie with all those helicopters whirring overhead.

Most of Sydney goes away for the weekend, we have the remaining two families over for dinner. I want to cook Fairlie's Blueberry Cheesecake Tart but remember that my Mixmaster is dead and decide to cook FarmDad's Apple Crumble instead (with homemade custard of course). Over dinner we try to remember the songs on the 1979 Australian compilation album "Screamer" but can't. I know one of them is "Sky Pilot" and also "Curiosity Killed the Cat". Couldn't even find them via Google. Does anyone still have this album?

Saturday: Finished The Time Traveller's Wife this morning. Loved it. M and Firegazer are taxi service taking kids to Ballet, Swimming and Ballet again. Almost forgot that KelpieBlossom has a party this arvo. Rush out to buy gift. Notice that the Wisteria is about to burst with flower. Must remember to photograph.

As much as I love the Driza-bone I can't help giggling at the picture of the APEC leaders on the steps of the Sydney Opera House wearing theirs.

Note to self: must get a "real" job.

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.

Padawan Learner Bowled Over on His Birthday

On Sunday the AMF "Bowl-o" in Dee Why welcomed 12 spirited seven-year-old boys and 3 sensible girls to jointly celebrate the birthdays of Padawan Learner and his friend JJ. As I write this the AMF are re-writing their policy manual with regard to seven-year-old birthdays. I wish to formally apologise to all those in the adjoining lanes...














Actually they weren't too bad, there are only two boys who I've blacklisted from further parties. I'm just glad that bowling balls are tough, and so is the flooring.














Padawan Learner had a great time and finished with the highest score - he even managed a strike.














After the bowling came the food, a gourmet selection of hot dogs, chicken nuggets and chips - drowned in as much sauce as you want.














This was the first time I'd completely outsourced a party. I've discovered that with the ease of ringing up and asking for "one party please" comes the difficulty in accepting that cold hot dogs and soggy chips are the real price. However, Padawan Learner loved it, and best of all they all got to have a go in the amusement arcade afterwards while I cringed reminding myself how easy it all was.

And I didn't completely outsource: the AMF provided an icecream cake but I had to make cupcakes - just wouldn't be a real party without them.

Happy 7th Birthday Padawan Learner!

It's Padawan Learner's 7th Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday!

A great-looking present pile was waiting for him in the lounge room from family & friends. He was very excited to get a skateboard & helmet, a Dr Who book, Lego, a toy army truck, money from Nana and Pop, and some new clothes.

He shares his birthday with:

10 BC: Claudius, Roman Emperor
1819: Herman Melville, author (Moby Dick)
1936: Yves Saint-Laurent, fashion designer

and also with all horses...

Also on this day:

1831: London Bridge opened
1936: The Games of the XI Olympiad opened in Berlin.
1981: MTV began broadcasting in the United States and aired its first video, "Video Killed The Radio Star" by the Buggles.

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.

A Visit from The Oven Fairy

While Padawan Learner is keen for the Tooth Fairy to pay him there are some fairies that I am more than willing to pay myself. Like The Oven Fairy. On Monday morning my oven looked like this:

If the photos above are not clear then imagine two years' worth of Roast Dinners, cakes, pizza toppings, un-nameable dishes going wrong and you get the picture.

On Monday afternoon after my oven had been completely dismantled, each part cleaned and reassembled after two and a half hours. It looked like this:

I'm not sure what evil magic The Oven Fairy possesses but it worked on my 17 year old oven.

The only disappointing thing about all this was that The Oven Fairy didn't wear wings. I had at least expected wings. Also, The Oven Fairy was a male. Well, a male fairy with no wings was a bit confusing for Padawan Learner who exclaimed loudly as he walked in to see the Oven Fairy at work:

"So where's this fairy then?"

He did explain that when he had finished his training he was presented with a halo but that he hasn't been game to wear it yet.

I'm sure you'd love a visit from the Oven Fairy. But you'll have to wait; this fledgling Sydney business is booked out six weeks in advance.

Homework Task for a Rainy Day

What do you do on a rainy day? Stay inside and read a book? Bake cookies? Watch a movie?

We wish. Instead we helped KelpieBlossom complete her homework by visiting Vaucluse House in the Eastern Suburbs today. Her current Homework Grid suggests she

"take a trip to Vaucluse House with your family.Talk about the different lifestyles of the convicts at the Barracks compared with the richer free settlers".

The Homework Grid approach encourages learning to be integrated into everyday activities (ie involves mum and dad). We pointed out that this part of her homework was not compulsory, and that visiting an old house in the rain wasn't an "everyday activity", but KelpieBlossom takes all homework very seriously so we had no choice but to obey.

So here it is. KelpieBlossom pointed out that, unlike the convicts at Hyde Park Barracks, this family did not have to sleep in hammocks, did not have to work all day and didn't share their beds with rats. Padawan Learner had a lot of trouble finding the dishwasher.

The Tale of Two Cakes, One Party and a Lost Tooth

KelpieBlossom turns 9 today and the floor of her room is covered in gifts. There are so many gifts, in fact, that she feels concerned that her dad didn't have as many gifts on his recent significant, large number, birthday. However, this is what happens when you invite 15 friends to an indoor climbing party.

So what's popular with your average 9 year old girl? From her present pile I would guess: notebooks, monkey themed pjs, 3/4 leggings, books, DVD DanceTwister, art materials, the label maker, clothes (but only if purchased by a favorite aunt), monkey themed knickers (!) and anything cat-themed. And anything wrapped in "cuuuuuute" paper.

Yesterday, we had the aforementioned party an indoor climbing place nearby. Fifteen crazy boys and girls did this:


Then they descended like ravenous locusts onto the party food and demolished these cupcakes

grabbed their party bags and headed home.

Padawan Learner left one thing behind - his front tooth. His story is that he accidentally hit his mouth while he was climbing and it fell out. I'm thinking he needed a cash injection to his pocket money supplies and thought that appealling to the tooth fairy was easier than making his bed each morning.

This evening we are planning a roast lamb dinner with all the trimmings and yet another cupcake "cake":

After which we will all need a week to recover from the sugar high.

Happy 9th Birthday KelpieBlossom!

I didn't video the school concert...and it's okay

This past week has been Education Week in NSW. Our school ended the week with a concert featuring every student in the school.

Kelpie played the lead role of Ella in her class play "Computerella" and Padawan Learner sang two songs along with everyone else in his year. I did not video the concert. I did not take photographs. Not even one. Not even before or after the concert. I just sat there and watched.

I was nervous at first. Would I be sent to the parent 'naughty corner' for such a breach of concert etiquette? Was it obvious that I turned up without any electronic paraphernalia? Well, I am here to tell the tale. And it was okay.

I reminded myself that, to my knowledge, there are no records of my thespian attempts in Trial by Jury, or The Golden Fleece. No voice recordings of my school choir attempting The Oratorio (thank goodness). Am I damaged by this? No, quite relieved!

So, I sat and enjoyed watching Kelpie play the part of Ella clearly and confidently. I noticed every expression, got every joke. I noticed that Padawan Learner knew all the words and hand actions to "Miss Sue" and seemed to enjoy every minute of it. I can relate all of this to you in detail because I saw it with my own eyes and not through a viewfinder.

I'm sorry that I have no photos or video footage to post. Perhaps you, too, would like to come and watch the next concert free of your electronic paraphernalia.