The -best- day ever!

"This is the BEST day ever!"  We overheard Voltorb exclaim from the bedroom on Christmas morning.   To which Legoman responded: "That's because it only happens once a year".  Always the realist.  Also, I guess we aren't doing a good job of being Easter Bunny.

We were trying to ignore the fact that they were busily and nosily going through their stockings, hoping to get another 10 minutes sleep.  We had agreed the night before that they were allowed to do that, but must wait for the rest of the family before starting on the rest.  I wanted to close the door and go back to sleep, but figured that would be a bit rude, especially seeing it was "the BEST day ever!".

So we got up, made coffee and began the process of opening packets, untwisting ties, installing batteries, fastening costumes and loading Nerf darts.

After all the chaos had subsided, I found a solitary 8 year old in his room, setting up a Lego game.  "Is Santa real?" he asked me.  I wasn't shocked, I knew it was coming.  Ever since the tooth fairy trap, he has been suspicious, even to the point of instructing me to set up his iPod to record the lounge room as I went to bed on Christmas Eve.  I played along, always intending to 'have the talk' after Christmas. 

He was fascinated in the schematics.

"So YOU put the lemons and the lime in my stocking?"

Yep

"And the jar of Olives!?"

Yep

"So YOU bought me the Mario hat?"

Yep

"So YOU ate the biscuits?"

Well, technically that was Daddy.  But yep!

"And the carrot mess outside?"

My teeth.

"Can I help you next time!?"


This has gone on for a few nights as he has processed all of the events.  He knows what an important secret it is, he understands why we want to keep the magic alive for his younger brothers.  He is reveling in joining the secret club.

Preparations are very important on Chrismtas Eve, especially if you are in charge of taste testing the Santa Gingerbread.  Reindeer food was sprinkled, times 4 packets.. just to be sure.  And carrots were placed as offerings for any reindeer's with oat allergies. 

The boy who held up the proceedings, sleeping in, blissfully unaware that his 3 brothers were literally bouncing off the walls waiting for him to wake.  When he did get up, he made a bee-line to his new Fire and Police station house and wouldn't budge for half an hour.  Refusing food, refusing other presents and generally just grunting people away if they approached.  When he finally did come up for air, he quickly decided that the singing and dancing Alien with the green glowing bloodshot eye was seriously too freaky for him and quickly found the off switch before throwing it away as far as he could manage. 

The new plush toys were a big hit.

As were some of the other gifts.

Gearing up for school with backpacks purposefully chosen to suit.

And just a random selection of photos from our day.  The quality of the photo's is considerably low to be able to fit so many on.

I have some blogging news!   Today, I am joining the IBOT (I Blog on Tuesdays) Team over at Essentially Jess.  I am -very- excited to be on board and can't wait to get started!   Which coincidentally happens today!


If you have enjoyed reading this and/or my photos, please subscribe via email at the top of the page.  Then head over and like my Facebook page.  And then... follow along at Twitter too!

A taste of my own medicine.

But it's very very sweet, delicious, and extremely pretty!  Well, to start with.  It won't be in house form for long.

Every year I make Gingerbread houses for class teachers and close friends.   One friend in particular decided to 'get me back' this year with a gorgeous short bread house!    

She knows I take a fair amount of time to make the houses, (though I have it streamlined now from 4 years of production), and wanted to show her appreciation by making us a house of our own.  We do make a gingerbread house for ourselves after all the rest are finished and delivered, but by that stage it is usually slapped together hastily without much care to the sturdiness of the foundations or the placement of lollies.  Plus Legoman doesn't even like lollies so he doesn't let me put very many on.

So here is our own house to admire, at least until Christmas, and then it's hours are numbered! A huge thank you to... well, you know who you are!  You really shouldn't have, but thank you!!

 It's massive too, here it is sitting on an ironing board (to give you an idea of the scale).

On similar matters, I have made 2 gingerbread houses so far, and will post photos, my recipe and template instructions for those that may be interested.  Including instructions on the stain glassed window affect I use.


If you have enjoyed reading this and/or my photos, please subscribe via email at the top of the page, and one day when I work out how to actually use Feedburner you will get updates in your inbox.  Then head over and like my Facebook page.  And then... follow along at Twitter too!  If you do all of this you will get a pony*.

*no actual ponies will be distributed.

The persistant Mummy.

Persistence paid off, it was painful, laughable at times, but we got there in the end.

Last week I shared with you the out-takes from our Christmas photo session.  This week, now that most of the cards should have arrived at their destinations, I will reveal the better ones. 
 

So I managed to get some ok individual ones that I then used for our Christmas card collage.

If you have enjoyed reading this and/or my photos, please subscribe via email at the top of the page, and one day when I work out how to actually use Feedburner you will get updates in your inbox.  Then head over and like my Facebook page.  And then... follow along at Twitter too!  If you do all of this you will get a puppy*.

*no actual puppies will be distributed.


 I'm linking up with Grace today, at With Some Grace, for FYBF (Flog your Blog Friday)

The face of Christmas at our house.

The face of Christmas at our house is sometimes happy, sometimes not.  Perfect example was on the weekend when I attempted to get that perfect Christmas card photo.

Basically that didn't happen.  

But I did manage to get enough pics here and there to do a collage Christmas card instead.

It was probably not a good idea to start this project an hour before bedtime to begin with.  But I was running out of time, everyone was home, everyone was awake, and no one had skipped a nap that day.  So I had to take what I could get.   As it turned out, there -should- have been two boys napping that day, because Voltorb was point blank refusing to participate from the get go.  

That's the spirit!

Not.

I should have guessed this would be a problem for him, as a few days earlier, he had refused to even talk to Santa, let alone sit on him!  His 4 and 2 year old brothers waltzed right up the big man in red, Voltorb ran back to pram bay.   We weren't even attempting the Santa photo that day, as we were still missing one brother, but I was testing the waters (thinking I may have trouble with Pichu).  

I know I have buckleys of getting a descent Santa photo this year (again).

Intermission saw a bit of mischief with an accidental set breakdown, an intervention (Legoman had a 'talk' with Voltrob to figure out why he was crying), a photo bomber (bottom left), and a hat thief.

Pichu then had to have a turn, but this is nothing compared to some of the Tantrums he throws. You can check out The Tanty Files here.

If you have enjoyed reading this and/or my photos, please subscribe via email at the top right of the page.  Then head over and like my Facebook page.  And then... follow along at Twitter too!  If you do all of this you will get a lollipop*.

*no actual lollipops will be distributed.


 I'm linking up with Grace today, at With Some Grace, for FYBF (Flog your Blog Friday)

My Christmas list

So Christmas is fast approaching with speeds matching that of an out of control freight train.   Are you getting prepared?  I am, and loving it!  

Essentially Jess has passed on a baton of sorts, for me to make a Christmas List, and tag 5 other fellow bloggers to do the same.. and so on.

Here is mine!
 
One
In January we are starting the most exciting part of our house extension, the actual building part!  It seems like, well because it has, taken forever to get to this stage.  We started the process in May, and should be getting our first few quotes in very soon.  So my first wish is for the build to run smoothly, no unexpected snags and for a timely finish.  It will take around 4 months, as they are demolishing 2 rooms, and building 6, remodeling the current laundry, and building a massive deck.  



Two
So to my second wish, I hope that we can manage to pay for it!  Coder has been working tirelessly on his business.  For most of the year he worked his full time job, and then came home and worked an additional 40 hours a week on his business.   It is paying off, he has been able to reduce his 'work' work hours by half, spending more time at home on his own stuff.  Which then means he actually has time on the weekends and evenings for family stuff.
 

Three
This one is a big long shot.  I will elaborate on this later, as there is so much info it requires it's own blog post.  But basically I am a carrier of Retinitis Pigmentosa (a disease that degenerates the eyes, eventually leading to blindness), and the boys each have a 50% chance of having the disease.  We haven't had them tested yet as there is nothing we can do about it at the moment (there is alot of research going on, so I am fairly confident by the time it starts affecting them, there will be a solution). I really hope and wish that none of them have it, as this particular strain affects only the males on the family (girls are carriers).


 Four
Now for something frivolous..  I wish I had a Thermomix or I would even be happy with a Kitchen Aid. I don't have a proper mixer and am dreading the gingerbread season using my $16 Target hand held mixer.  So of course.. it would have to be an early gift.  I like silver and blue...  ;) 



 
Five
Finally I had better wish for world peace or something.. right?   Well how about I start closer to home.  I wish Pichu would grow out of his Tanty phase.  Because it sure seems to be a long phase.  Check out my Tanty Files post from Tuesday. 




Six 
Is a wish for someone else.  Easy!  I wish my family and friends a happy, healthy Christmas and 2013!



The 5 bloggers I am tagging to make their own Christmas lists are:

Mel, at Coal Valley View
Danya Banya
Sophie, at Modern Day Mummying
Becc, at Take Charge Now
The Aussie Hausfrau  


If you have enjoyed reading this and/or my photos, please subscribe via email at the top right of the page.  Then head over and like my Facebook page.  And then... follow along at Twitter too!  If you do all of this you will get a lollipop*.

*no actual lollipops will be distributed.
 

The Crowd Controller, and a Pageant.

I took the boys along to the Hobart Christmas Pageant 2 weekends ago, we usually go as a family, but Coder had to concede defeat to the dreaded gastro that had been going around.  He felt guilty after we left he said, really guilty.. until his first emergency run to the toilet.  He said that would have been an unmitigated disaster had he been standing with us on the side of the packed streets, not a toilet in sight.  

That's ok I told him, I have plenty to blog about already thanks to the council worker who was saving our lives every other minute.

Legoman was going to be the star of the show this year!  (in our eyes anyway!) He was participating with his Scouts Troop and they were all dressed as Tassie Devils.  

So because we had to be at the start/end area to be able to drop him off and collect him, we were treated and defeated all at the same time.

The treat was that we got to see each float twice.  We also got them while they were happy, fresh and their feet weren't aching.  It also seems, if your son dresses up as a dragon you get -alot- more attention from the passing parade. 

The defeat was that were were constantly nagged by one particular council worker, who was insisting we keep our distance in case a rogue steam roller suddenly picked up it's speed by 50kms, was able to actually steer, and mount the curb.. crushing us in an instant.   Apparently standing on the footpath was clearly not safe enough.  We already knew we were not allowed to sit on the curb, oh yes, we knew!   But then he insisted we keep moving back, and he wasn't happy even then!  He made several calls to the powers that be, clearly (because I could hear him as he was saving me from myself) 'dobbing' us in, there was no barrier he kept saying.  "NO BARRIER!  NO CONTROL!"   

 If I put my hands on my hips and stand in the gutter I will seem super important.

  

Because you know, that flimsy tape that is cordoning off the other areas? Everyone would be much safer behind that.   Clearly. 

We were privy to some information whilst there, a school Mum let us know she had worked with that man in the past (at the council) and he was a bit of a control freak.  Also the reason he was so highly strung, perhaps he was one of their lawyers... was that in the 2 years previous there was a an 'incident' each year.  Last year a child fell off of a float.  Ok, fair enough, that explained why the only children on floats this year were in cages.  The year before that a horse became spooked at some balloons and bolted... into the crowd.  Oops.  

I may be making light fun of it, but I do realise these incidents could have well been very serious, if not fatal. 

But!  

We were on the footpath, we were 1 metre away from the curb most of the time!   

He even took a photo of us with his smart phone.  Seriously.  I didn't have time to react and take a photo of him doing that, wish I had!   

We had a few interactions.  I can't seem to help myself when someone is being so incredibly unreasonable.  I told him that I do manage to keep my children alive when on footpaths every other day, and even when there is actual traffic moving at 60kms, not ambling along at a snails pace of a steam roller.  He told me that it wasn't even a viewing area, we shouldn't be there (along with the other hundred or so people?).  I told him I had a child in the pageant and we were waiting for him, as we were instructed to do.  Well that quickly stopped him at the height of his lecture. 

He was happy when his reinforcements arrived, but not happy enough apparently as he told us again to move back because a "-large- vehicle was coming".  Thanks Sir, I'll be sure to watch out for that vintage yellow car carrying the clown doctors.   At least I will be in the right hands when my toes need splinting.

Remember the days at pageants when you would try to collect as many lollies as you possibly could?  You would put on your cutest smile in the hope the people walking along would give you that super awesome radio station or loaf of bread sticker?  Yes.. those were the days, before horse tramplings and acrobatic children. 

 A cheeky, and then reluctant Voltorb posing in his Pikachu hat. 

And Pichu, the cutest Elf.  Ever.

Who is walking who?  

Creepiest Smurfs you'll ever see.

Wolverine about to split open someone's skull.

Black smurf in a coffin?  Seriously, I'm clueless on this one.

 Oshawott even got a special wave from Jimmy Giggle, as Jimmy was pointing out the Dragon in the crowd.

One of the many evil glares of Pichu.

Great, i'm in the pram again.

Over it.

Make sure you check out my giveaway, it ends in just 3 days. 

Have yourself a quirky Christmas - a Giveaway!

The winners!


Pikachu Tote - Cherie Stokes
Caped Wonder Women socks - Yvette Bowyer
Robot Tea Infuser - Rebecca Senyard
Crime Scene Tape - Jody Jamieson
Giant Googly Eyes -Barbara Nelson
 
Thanks to all that participated, and stay tuned for more interesting giveaways after Christmas!

Christmas Quirk Giveaway

(this is not a sponsored post, I was not given these items, and in no way have entered into any agreement with any retailer or business)

I did promise another giveaway before Christmas, and seeing as this is my 100th post, what better time for it!  I wanted to throw in a little fun for Christmas, so I found a few interesting items to include.  

There are a few ways to enter, but most importantly I need you to comment here, telling me the order of preference you have for the items.  For example, if you wanted the socks the most, you would put #2 first. eg:  2,1,3,5,4 

Pikachu Tote with long strap. 

Wonder Women caped socks.

Robot Tea Infuser

Crime Scene Tape: 

Bio Hazard - Stay out 

(15m roll)

1 Pair of giant googly eyes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Additional Terms and Conditions: 

1. No country restrictions, I am happy to send the parcels internationally (though you may not receive it before Christmas)
2. One winner at a time will be randomnly selected using the Rafflecopter system, I will then check their comment to see the order of preference of the prizes.  And continue on randomnly drawing winners and checking comments until all prized have been allocated. 
3. The winners will be notified by email, and posted to www.i-soph.com. The winners have 4 days to respond or the prizes will be redrawn.
4. Prizes are not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash. 
5. Prizes sent out will not be replaced in the event that they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit.


If you have enjoyed reading and/or my photos, please head over and like my Facebook page.  And follow along at Twitter. 
 




Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

Christmas in Coolum

Having just started this blog a few days ago I am going to go back and pick certain dates or months and write something about them, mainly to help me and the boys in the future remember them.

We had Christmas in Coolum with most of the family.  Grammy was spending Christmas in Mildura, as it was too far to travel up to Qld.   Along with my sisters family we rented out a house at Coolum Beach.  So there we were, 4 adults, 7 children, 1 baby, 1 dog, in a 3 bedroom house.  Most people would shudder at the thought, but I (and I hope they too) loved it.  We just piled bodies wherever we could fit them, 5 kids in one room, some in the lounge room, and some in the adults rooms.  Best thing about the house? the in-ground pool!  Oh how the kids loved that pool.  Was not an uncommon morning ritual (at 8 in the morning!) for them to be splashing about in the pool.  Any moment we spent at home revolved around the pool, either in it, getting splashed by it, warming yourself on the pavers after being in it, or whining about wanting to go in it. (much of the latter!)  Fun days.

My eldest sister and her family live on the Sunshine Coast, and were just 20mins away, and our parents stayed with them for the holiday.  The cousins loved playing together, all 10 of them! What's great about having so many cousins together is that (usually) no one feels left out, there will always be someone to play with.  Many different dynamics are possible with such a age range, from 1 to 14yrs.  Pichu doesn't always play nice with others, but even he (at times) would find himself drawn into a game or two.

Here are some holiday snaps.

 Legoman and cousin enjoying the pool.

 Same ripped cousin physique.

 Cheeky!

 

 Help! I'm falling! Very convincing.

Even Dexter got into the spirit!

 Enemies on land, these two siblings seem to tolerate each other in the water, a rare sight indeed!

7/10 of the cousins

Trying to explain himself...

Apparently it was quite an explanation!

Oshawott trying on someones goggles.

Cousin donut, the best kind!