Swan River, 8am

This morning was forecast to be heavy rain so it was a lovely surprise to see a stunning morning on the Swan River for the official opening to the Rowing season at Blossom's school.

The girls have been rowing together for a month now and this morning, after a tough session of time trials, they rowed in to an audience of proud parents.

If only all mornings were like this on the river!

Spot my car

Parking for my son's swimming carnival earlier this year something about this photo struck me. Do you see what it is? My little Golf definitely was the odd one out (can you find it?).

One clearly needs a 4WD to negotiate school ovals... I must have missed the memo.

Mother son bowling night and lessons on being careful what you ask for

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Last night Year 4 at my son's school had a Mother Son Bowling Night. It was a lot of fun and while we mothers felt we would love to have a mothers-only bowling night as well we wouldn't have the excuse to raise the lane bumpers if the boys weren't there!

All was going most excellently with the sauvingon blanc and soft drink flowing nicely until one mum decided it would be a great idea to issue balloons to each mother-son combination. We were to write a loving message to each other on the balloon and then keep it as a memento of the night.

Right.

So without any instructions like "Write what you love about your mum" what do you reckon the boys wrote? One boy in our team wrote "You stink unless you give me $20".

And my beautiful blue-eyed boy? This is what he wrote:

They thought they were being hilarious.

I'm not sure whether I feel amused by the message, concerned about the spelling or just relieved he wrote "you are" and chose not to get confused by "your/you're".

What did I write in return you say?

"I may be grouchy but I still love my blue-eyed boy".

Be careful what you ask for, I say.

Best Ever

Today Blossom went to the Zone (interschool) swimming carnival.

Her stroke? Breastroke.

She managed her best result ever.

Fifth in the 50m final for Senior girls.

But, you know, she was robbed of fourth. Robbed I tell ya.

But I'm supposed to say that because I'm a proud mother.

Breathe out ...

A couple of weeks ago I took a huge breath in and prepared for the manic last weeks of school. One child finished school on Wednesday and one finishes next Wednesday but given that the last three days of school consist of packing up books, holding a 'talent day' and going to the park I consider it to be more akin to babysitting than school.

This last week has been particularly manic with performance reviews due at the office, speech night for the youngest, concert band performing at the local carols evening, presentation assembly for the eldest and then her clarinet exam today.

On Wednesday night my 9yo was given the above award at his speech night. Its held in a local church with a long aisle and plenty of room for all parents. PL had to walk the length of the aisle to receive this well deserved award.

Blossom was inducted as a school prefect for 2010 at her presentation day yesterday. We learnt that the school will increase to 750 students next year. When Blossom started in 2004 the school had 500 students.

Blossom (R) and Mozzie looking over the examiner's remarks after their 3rd grade clarinet exams at The Con today. They were both thrilled to get a B+.

It has been a long week and I look forward to a sleep-in tomorrow...

Hands up who wants to move Christmas?

• Gifts for teachers - check
  
• Christmas pudding made - check
  
• Interstate Christmas Gifts posted - check (mostly)
  

Just over a week ago I had a mild panic about Christmas.  Who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to have Christmas AND the end of the school year so close together?  Really, couldn't we maybe move Christmas to late February then we could have the whole summer to plan.

And of course some daft-minded companies schedule their annual performance reviews for right now.  

But anyway I think I'm mostly under control.  

Except for Christmas Cards.

Every year I send out Christmas cards by the 1st December or thereabouts.  I wonder what will happen if I don't send any this year?  Do you ever wonder how many of the cards you get are simply 'reply' cards.  Perhaps I'll see who sends first... a little childish but it'll be our little secret.

But you know I won't be able to help myself.

It's like New Year's Eve.  I said I wasn't going to host a New Year's Eve party this year.  But, you know, I actually like having a NYE party - so I've sent out invitations.

The 9yo finishes school tomorrow and he told us tonight that he will be getting a certificate.  I'm not sure whether that means he gets a certificate at Speech Night or at their final assembly. And we have no idea what the certificate is for.  Either way we are extremely proud of him because it's his first year at a new school where he had to learn a whole new routine and make new friends.  It's been a great move for him.

Our 11yo, Blossom, has her presentation assembly on Friday.  She has been announced as a Prefect/Leader for Year 6 next year (I'm not sure what to call it, the school are using the terms interchangeably).  The School and Vice Captains will be announced out of the prefect group at the Assembly.

Just to ensure that we are not bored this week Blossom's school band is playing the carols for the local carols service on Thursday night and she has her 3rd grade clarinet exam on Saturday.

Like I said earlier - school end or Christmas has got to be moved.  I vote Christmas because I'm quite fond of the summer holidays.

Lindfield, 6pm: GOLD!

These Year 5 & 6 kids all complain about their silky Concert Band shirts, but they look fabulous on stage.

But fashion horrors were all put aside by these 10-12 year olds when they heard that they were awarded Gold at the Yamaha Music Festival this evening.

Our Blossom is one of the blurry over-exposed clarinetists in the second row. You can't see her, but she's there somewhere.

Teacher errors, what would you do?

Until this week I hadn't taken much notice of Blossom's homework book because she is somewhat of a girly-swot and has it finished before I get a chance to nag her. I know, sickening isn't it but don't worry, getting my 8yo to do his homework is a painful process so it all evens out.

Anyway, yesterday I get a look at the homework instructions that are glued into her exercise book each week and read this:

"Complete ONE Activity from the box below each night. Plus do you're READING & SPELLING daily."

A capital in the middle of a sentence? Confusing you're with your?

I checked back through weeks 1-5. Same errors each time and that's without nitpicking about the creativity of starting a sentence with Plus (I'm all for creativity in English but perhaps not on Year 5 homework sheets).

I asked Blossom to point it out to the teacher but she's too shy/concerned/scared. So what do you think? Clearly the teacher hasn't noticed. Should I point it out? How?

Teachers out there - how would you like a parent to point these things out to you?

Stress relief comes in balls of yarn

Last night I went to my daughter's school's P&C meeting. After resigning as the Fundraising and Functions Co-ordinator last year I had resolved not to go to these meetings, at least for a while, so that the new co-ordinator could do her thing without me seeming to peer over her shoulder. Last night, however, I broke this resolution to go along and support a change to the school council constitution.

Mistake. Big Mistake.

What a shamozzle.

What was a simple change that made sense to me on face value turned out to be mightily controversial for no good reason and resulted in factional infighting not seen in a Labor caucus. And I hadn't realised there were factions. Silly me thought we were all there with the common goal of ensuring our children had access to the best facilities we could muster.

All I could do was sit there, for two hours, while the shambles unravelled. One of the new Kindy parents walked out. Don't blame him. I only stayed because I wanted to hear the Principal's report and what was happening in the subcommittees.

So, when I got home I was in need of some stress relief. Luckily I had decided to pick up the knitting and crochet implements a week ago and had some projects to still my mind.

Here is a scarf I knitted with the Noro Geisha ribbon yarn I was given as a New Year gift. I used a simple open knit I found in my 400 Knitting Stitches book (recommended by Stacey last year). I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out. Being a ribbon it is a trans-seasonal decorative scarf rather than one for warmth.

And above is my practice run for Mum's birthday present. Mum's birthday was on Tuesday and, not knowing what to get her, I asked her what she might like me to make. Mum said she'd like a knee rug and as a crocheted ripple blanket was on my list of 'to do' things this year that is what she will get. I've ordered yarn in lovely soft colours (exact details a secret) from Bendigo Woollen Mills but while waiting for the package to arrive I decided to do a test run using up left over balls of yarn in my stash.

I'm not sure what will happen with this practise run. It might be a small blanket for the kids, or perhaps a giveaway. I'll let you know.

It's Saturday, It's raining and it's time for a little nitpicking

You know, I like to give the local greengrocer and butcher a little slack when it comes to errant apostrophes because sometimes it all gets a little confusing. The occasional "apple's" or "sausage's" is not going to kill me.

However, I do think the professionals should be held to account.

I found this lovely example in a well-known national renovation magazine. I just couldn't bring myself to engage this firm to build my laundry. If they confuse their plurals perhaps they'll confuse my request for lino instead of vinyl flooring.

And this little beauty came home from Blossom's school. It's the front cover of her homework book. I'd say whoever printed this didn't do enough homework themselves.

In other news...

• I am exhausted from the new school routine. Blossom has to be at school by 8am four days per week due to her before school commitments (pilates, dance, band) and PL is at school soon after that. Leaving the house by 7.45am each morning with kids dressed, lunches packed and multiple activities catered for is all too much for this little bear. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  
• PL gets homework. Now you KNOW how I hate homework. This combined with his school support-related exercises each night is causing me apoplexy at the other end of the day. zzzzzzzzzzzzz
  
• I think I need a midday Nana nap.
  
• I would have a midday Nana nap if I wasn't trying my damnedest to get a part-time job.
  
• I am certifiably crazy. Nothing surer.
  
• I know how early and late many of you work. How on earth do you do it? Pass on your secrets, please.
  

Oh, and I've been told I need to get a slow cooker. Is that the secret to easier night-time meals?

I think I just need a cook.

Tonight we celebrated...

A week in which

1. Padawan Learner made some new friends at his new school. It is hard to join a class with long-established friendships. He agreed at the beginning of this week that he would face his fears about finding new people to play with, and he did.

2. Blossom auditioned for, and got a place in, the school Concert band. We are proud of her - not because she got into the Concert band, even though that is great news, but because she was so determined to get in that she practised her Clarinet all through the holidays without once being asked.

The Name Game and a question about Four Wheel Drives.

So, it's the sixth day PL has been at his new school and yesterday the class lists came home. In his year there are

Five boys called Max

Four boys called James

Three Bens

Three Daniels

But NO Jacks (how did that happen?)

No other boys with PL's name, but I'm venturing that there are no other boys in.the.school with his name. Oh yeah.

But even more interestingly than the super-popular names is that there are a couple of golden-0ldies. There is one boy called Tony, one called John (with an 'h') and one called Graham.

I have been wondering for a while when some of these names from the 50s - 70s will start re-appearing. Has anyone got a Steven, Jason or Brian in the primary school?

On an unrelated, but still school, matter Blossom exclaimed at morning drop-off:

Look, every single mum is blonde, wears large sunglasses and drives a big four wheel drive. What is with that?

Um, well honey, that's just the look around here. Be rest assured your mum will still turn up in the unwashed station-wagon with just-washed and still-wet hair. I'm just too old and tired to care.

A New School

It's been a rollercoaster week and a half.

I feel I should report in about our first (half) week back at school especially given that there have been some changes here at Clan EasternMax.

First, after a rollercoaster week and a half, Padawan Learner started at a new school. We were offered a place at this school on Monday 19th, accepted it on Tuesday the 20th and then spent the rest of the week organising uniforms, booklists, visiting the school, meeting the teacher and then breaking the news to PL's friends.

So, why a new school? Until this year PL has gone to our local public school. A fabulous school that Blossom still attends. However, I'm a firm believer in recognising the individual needs of each child and I am not afraid to differentiate between them if I judge it to be in their best interest. While our local school has been an amazing place for Blossom it hasn't been the same experience for PL.

Our local school has increased by 200 students in the last five years and is bursting at the seams. Blossom thrives in this environment, PL does not. In addition PL needs considerable Occupational Therapy intervention which has been difficult to integrate into his normal day. The new school is smaller, has on site OT and has great pastoral care.

I'm fortunate to have a choice.

While PL misses his old friends (as you would expect with a change of school) he has a sparkle in his eyes that I haven't seen for about TWO YEARS. He is motivated and he now even has his own blog where he is recording his thoughts about his new environment (sorry, it's a private authors-only blog).

Meanwhile all is good at Blossom's school. She loves her new teacher who she says is a "medium-level happy-dancey" type. She is with her friends and she has met some new girls who arrived at the school this year. Smiles all 'round. The only thing she's cross about his that PL gets four more weeks holiday than she does! (it's the Pay.More.Get.Less system of the private schools).

So that's been my week. Two schools. Two drop-offs. Two Pickups. I must be completely out of my mind.

The week that ended well

While last week started so heavily, mourning the loss of a friend, it ended well with a lot to smile about.

I loved seeing the kids' term science projects on display. Blossom's straw bridge she designed and constructed with her friend took out the Best Design prize. PL's term project was to build a water tower out of as few pieces of A4 paper as possible. The tower had to support a full water balloon. PL's team built one out of four pieces.

I loved watching the Year 1 & 2 end of year concert. PL's class showed everything they had learnt about The Netherlands this term via two dances. What's not to love about 24 year twos performing a clog dance!

We were proud of Blossom as she received the class award for Outstanding Progress at Presentation Day.

I never tire of the inside of the Sydney Opera House. It takes my breath away every time. We saw the most fabulous production of the ballet "Manon" here on Saturday afternoon.

And I finally posted my Christmas cards.

He's with the band

Yesterday was the blow test.

Before you quickly change channels, the blow test is the day where all the interested Year Twos line up and try out lots of different types of instruments to see which one suits them best.

Padawan Learner has been very excited about this. The band program at school is very cool and there is a band camp at the beginning of the year. I'd like to think this isn't his only motivation to join band but being the only camp at school before Year 5 it is certainly an attraction.

So PL turns up with a list of possible instruments he'd like to play: clarinet (like his sister), trumpet, saxophone or trombone. I send him with instructions to try out for instruments that have very small cases (knowing full well I will have to lug this thing around a fair bit).

He tries out the trumpet but only scores 5/10. Not good enough. He scores better on the Saxophone and not bad on the Clarinet. In the end he has a choice of Clarinet or anything he likes from the brass section (other than Trumpet).

So he chooses...

the Trombone.

Big case. Bugger.

According to PL you have to spit into a Trombone and you get to wave your arms around a lot. From an 8yo boy's point of view, what's not to love about an instrument that allows you to wriggle and spit!

* pic from here

Canteens as a positive force in schools

Yesterday I was on canteen duty. Our school has a traditional canteen run by the P&C, staffed by two paid canteen managers who are assisted each day by 2-3 volunteer parents.

Until the end of first term this year the canteen had been managed by the same person for many years. Her sudden departure left a vacancy which was quickly filled by two school parents with a background in restaurants and catering. And, oh man, what a difference. Despite now employing two canteen managers the canteen has increased its takings.

The reason? Really good food. Good, yummy, kids.don't.know.it's.healthy food. Before the change the most exciting thing on offer was a hamburger. Now food like pies and hamburgers are restricted to one day a week - and even then they are homemade versions made with organic beef. Instead we now have sushi and wraps available every day and each week there is a different lunch special made on the premises by these excellent cooks. There are no chips, lollies or ice creams on the premises.

Yesterday's lunch special was Crazy Chicken and Avocado Salad. It had avo, pasta, chicken, coriander, tomato and loads of other yummy bits held together with dressing that was mixed on the spot. Seriously good food, and at $3.50 is the most expensive item on the menu.

In the past the most popular item was the meat pie. Eaten with a spoon. Last Friday they had a record 81 orders for the lunch special alone.

Our school, while in a 'good area', has a mixed socio-economic base. Many kids come to school without a real breakfast, sport is not high on the agenda for many families and, judging from the contents of lunch orders in the past, nutritional guidance can be low. Whatever your view on the role of schools vs the role of parents, Canteens play a vital role in educating children in what is okay to eat and what is best left for special treats. Our canteen now takes this seriously and I applaud them.

How about you? Does your canteen play a positive role in your school?

Proud and Positive: my cunning plan

I've been pondering my own self-pity over the last week. I've been mulling over the nature of thank-yous and how it is so important to get them right, and also to give them at the right time. Too many thank yous and you seem insincere, too few and you are unappreciative. Thank yous, once forgotten, are difficult to make up.

It is with this in mind that I got over myself about last week's little incident. An incident that was only one in my own mind. And I decided to dish out a few thank yous of my own.

On Tuesday I emailed every person who had taken the lead role in a function or fundraiser and personally thanked them for their contribution, notified them that I had stood down from my role as F&F co-ordinator and introduced the new co-ordinator.

On Thursday I put a note in the school newsletter introducing the new co-ordinator and thanked all parents and staff for their contributions in whatever capacity they made them.

Last Wednesday I felt empty . Today I feel strong, that the case is closed, and that I am ready to stand aside proud of my contribution to the school.

I don't need anyone's thank yous. And I really mean that in a positive way.

How was the 80s for you?

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this, but the eighties was my era.

I started high school at the beginning of the eighties and I started my first full-time job in the last year of the eighties. Arguably one of the most defining periods of my life...in shoulderpads. Aaaargh.

So when the theme of our school's end of year function this year was "Rewind to the 80s" I just HAD to go. Dress up was optional. I took the no dress-up option because while I have an 'archive wardrobe' of taffeta froth and bubble I also weighed about 50kg back then so the chances of those outfits getting any further than my knees was a little doubtful.

This was one of the best school functions I've been to - we had 80s trivia, dress up comps and two dads dressed as Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons EmCeeing for the evening. What's not fun about that?

One thing about the evening was clear: we all experienced a different 1980s. There were those who dressed up as Madonna, the acid-wash jeans brigade, the corporate shoulder pad group, the glam rock (think Poison/Bon Jovi) brigade, the Don Johnson lookalikes and one mum who could still fit into an amazing Year 10 formal dress!

My 1980s was the early years. As an impressionable first year high school student I befriended a girl from Manchester, UK whose much older brothers were in the British army (and, yes, went to the Falklands). I was fascinated by New Mod - the Jam, OMD, Joy Division. I listened to the university radio station. I was unimpressed by anyone who wore Stuart Membrey, Jag or Country Road. All way too mainstream. I was forbidden by the housemistresses from going shopping in my tartan mini, fishnet stockings with socks rolled down over the top, army jacket and stilettos (why?).

Then, when I got over myself, I thought The Police were fab, that U2 were the HOTTEST, and that David Bowie was the best live performer in the world. Madonna was not my thing. My opinions hold.

By the mid 1980s I succumbed to every bad fashion notion of the decade. Baggy jeans that finished at the ankle, white Reeboks, permed big hair (with or without hair combs).

At uni I supported Australian bands, because that was cool -and cheaper than going to international acts.

My dorm room was a testament to 80s glam. Isabella Rosellini was the Queen, David Bowie (early years only) was still my thing, quoting from Le Petit Prince was cool (typical Arts student) and my sound system played cassette tapes.

After uni I got a job working at the ultimate late 80s icon in Perth - Bond Corporation. I had shoulder pads as large as anyone elses and front row seats to the collapse of the 80s lifestyle and all it entailed.

What was your 1980s?

Fundraising is a thankless task

So, I've retired as Fundraising and Functions co-ordinator at my school. This is a good thing. It's been fun, tiring and worthwhile. And also time to hand-over to someone fresh.

[BEGIN VENT]

On Wednesday night I turned up to P&C, ceremoniously handed over the fundraising files, gave my final wrap up of fundraising and functions news, stood down from my role and waited for the vote to be held to elect the new recruit.

Now, I did not take on the F&F role to receive accolades or flowers, that's just not my style. I am relatively quietly spoken, get on with my work, do a lot of behind.the.scenes negotiating and generally just get things done with minimal fuss. Clearly this is not the correct way to do things.

During the AGM the P&C president saw fit to make a big fuss of the outgoing Canteen Co-ordinator (well deserved) and of the P&C Secretary (also well deserved). I even bought flowers and presented them to the aforementioned secretary.

But was there any mention of the outgoing F&F Co-ordinator (moi)? Of the record fundraising results of the previous two years? Of the record number of parents who now attend school functions?

No.

Gosh, the P&C must think those SmartBoards in every class appeared from the ether.

I felt that, given that the others were thanked a small vote of thanks recorded in the minutes might have been appropriate. I was a little cross.

But it's now two days on, I recognise this is a small concern in the scale of world concerns and I move on happy knowing that I played a part in making our school just that bit better for our children.

[VENT OVER]

Note: School parents who read this blog: I would rather this not be mentioned at school. I have my own cunning little plan.

The Devil is in the Icing

Tonight years 4-6 at Blossom's school are having their annual Trivia Night. This is a big occasion on their social calendar and much preparation has gone into Blossom's table.

Her team is called The Disco Devils and they will be dressed in red and black and wearing red sparkly devil horns. Blossom asked if she could take mini cupcakes as her food contribution, with red icing.

I have just finished baking the cupcakes and feel a little ill on account of the many spoonfuls of cupcake mixture I have eaten. I.just.can't.help.myself.

I tried my hardest to make red icing but to no avail.

In fact I think the icing is more akin to Waratah in colour.

Which is much prettier than red anyway.