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

Relax, this is a G-rated site

It's official, according to a link found via this post , the blog you are reading is G-rated. So go ahead, show your children.

EasternMax is more innocuous than Happy Feet and Finding Nemo!

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.

Tour of Iraq

Without giving it much thought I tend to think of Iraq as a destination for US soliders. I think of US families & friends farewelling their soldiers for their 'tour of duty' not Australian families & friends. And yet tonight we did just that. Feels odd.

A quiet steak at local pub, The Oaks, marked the last time we'll see Army Wife's husband for at least six months. And after he returns from Iraq they will be posted to another State or Country.

Army Wife, who gets used to the six-month tours, says she puts her fears "in a tiny compartment in one part of her brain" so that she can keep her home life as normal as possible. But this time it will be harder. Her five-year-old is old enough to understand daddy is going away for a long time (and where he's going) and cries even when he leaves the room. Her eight-year-old is being more irritable than usual. It's not the fact that her husband is away, it is the impact on the kids (and the imminent move) that makes it hard.

End Of Term Ballet Performance

We had our end of term ballet performance last night. KelpieBlossom danced in the RAD Grade 2 and RAD Grade 3 displays plus performed her classical solo.