Redcurrent

Redcurrent written by Kathreen Ricketson was the blog I stumbled across that inspired me so much  I started my own blog! I was living in Canberra at the time and through our blogs, Kathreen and I met up a few times for coffee and our boys would play together.

I feel I should honour Kath with a blogpost as she really was such an inspirational person for me in those early days. It is such devastating news to hear that Kathreen and her husband have died in a tragic accident in WA, while on their amazing family adventure around Australia. My thoughts are with two very special children at the moment.

She really is an icon in the Craft world and will be so sadly missed.

China

I have become so slack with my blog - yet it seems when I am on holiday I feel I should write something in order to keep the only type of diary I keep a little up to date with what the family and I get up to.
We are currently in China and have been here for 2 amazing weeks already! I should actually just put links to my mum, dad and sister's blogs as they have all written about China far more eloquently than I could.
I just want to say - We are here, it is amazing and it has been so wonderful to see how much my children have experienced.

PS - now back home and I still haven't published this post. There was an issue with photos - let is see if it works now!!

House Swap

So while we are relaxing in a lovely house in a smallish town on the north Island of New Zealand, the family who own this house are having a holiday in our house near Brisbane Australia.

I came across the idea of house swapping when I was looking for places to stay (and pay for) over the Christmas period here in NZ. I needed somewhere to sleep 7 (my in-laws are with us) and somewhere that provided linen. Many I found requested that we bring our own linen and I really didn't fancy filling a suitcase (or 2) with enough sheets and towels for 7 of us!! I stumbled across www.aussiehouseswap.com.au and now we are having a great holiday! It appears like a "dating website" - you can view places but only make contact if you pay the registration ($60.00). I made contact with a few people and the swap that we made has been great. We actually met the family we swapped with as we arrived earlier in NZ and called in our way to Taupo. They were really nice and we felt like we had met them before (they are English and have lived in NZ for 3 years). They have the same configuration of kids as we do - 2 girls and a boy and similar ages. This has meant that age appropriate toys etc have been catered for (this was just luck of course!). When I mentioned the house swap idea to some people back home - they were "oh no - how could you have someone you don't know in your house?" - But I will be in their house I said. We have kept in touch while we are in each other's houses and all has been smooth sailing (so far). House swapping has meant we have saved a huge amount of money on hotels/holiday homes and we have been able to do so many other things. I think the best part is that all we need is here - kids are happy and I have really been able to relax! There isn't a big list of things that I need to do in this house - there are cobwebs that need removing but this isn't my place so they can stay!
What I am loving at the moment is that my 3 kids only have each other to play with. It has been fun and interesting to watch the dynamics of the three change and how they interact as a three or a two against one! Zoe has realised her little brother isn't that bad!!!
I would really recommend house swapping for a holiday!

New Zealand

Whitewater rafting and the Zorb - oh this country is fun!!

Back to Nature!!

So i remembered my camera on our weekend camping at Cunninghams Gap. It was fabulous and we all enjoyed it so much - maybe not the storm and heavy rain on our tent.

September

Actually these photos were taken in some other month! I can see that my in-laws have been logging on to Shells and Beans in the hope of seeing some images of their grandchildren - so here are a few. I am pretty crap with taking photos of my kids of late. They all now have cameras and I guess I leave it up to them. I just never think to copy the images they have taken. The slippers above - how can you not love them. It was actually the 'craft' Zoe and her friends made at her party this year. I bought $2 pairs of slippers and let them go wild!! Actually it was only Shay who actually went wild. The other girls were more methodical, matching etc than the above pair - but that is my girl!!!

School holidays for 4 out of 5 of us. Had a lovely couple of days up with the Country Cousins. The kids have had 2 days already of the 3 day Sailing course I booked them into. Really windy conditions today and I thought I might have to pick them up from Noosa!!!  I had a planning day with my teaching team - made better by Thai and wine for lunch together!! Fish and chips for an early dinner with the kids by the bay and a Zumba class at 7pm to shake up all that food I had eaten - smart move!!!!!

Very very proud of myself for taking 5 bags of clothes to the Op shop (most were originally bought there anyway) - and I didn't go in!!!  No - I will wait a week or so and then decide to purchase back something I really miss or get very close to buying something and then finally realise it was mine in the first place. Don't laugh - this has happened before! I couldn't believe they wanted $12 for a dress I had donated!!  I had paid less for it originally!

Enough rabbiting - it feels good!! I could do a few more posts of no real importance very soon!

xx

Hello

I know I know - I am completely rubbish at maintaining a blog!! And I could give you many many reasons why - but the main one is my laziness!!!

So to keep a few people quiet (family) - some snaps of things going on. All mixed up but hey blogged!!!

Zoe - chosen to be part of the Dolphin Show at Seaworld (a few months ago).

 My parents and their 6 grandchildren!! Not being biased or anything - but they couldn't have asked for 6 more gorgeous kids!!!!

 TODAY - Luca was chosen to participate in the Dolphin Show! We have season tickets. Luca didn't care that the announcer said " Yes - the young lady in the orange come on down!" - She called him 'Buddy' later. All 3 of my kids have now been chosen to be part of the show (they pick 2) - so our 7 visits to date have paid off!!

 Shay has always been brave when it comes to heights! She was in her element!

 Zoe has overcome her fears and is equally at home - meters above the ground with a mere rope to hang on to.

 A father and daughter moment!! Bright pink mood changing nail polish for her Papi!

 The green snake sadly not seen and run over by my snake loving husband! He was devastated! The snake now resides in a bottle of methylated spirits in the future Scientist's bedroom!

 Some dressing up antics!

......and again.....

Until next time xxxx

My Best Friend's Wedding!!!

I have known Nicky since we were 11 years old!! She is my dearest friend!! It was the most beautiful wedding ever and so very emotional too in the happiest way possible!!! I am so soppy anyway!!!  She was my Bridesmaid nearly 15 years ago and it was such a pleasure to have my two girls as her Flower Girls! Their outfits were a combination of designs and expertly made by my wonderful Aunt and myself (maybe not as expertly though)!! They were very Nicky and very my girls! I made a tearful reading at the ceremony and had others tearful too. It was the same reading as Nicky had made at my wedding and it was read from the exact book The Prophet - that Nicky had given me in '94 when I went travelling again. I also made a speech at the wedding but thanks to the many glasses of Champagne prior,  it wasn't so tearful!