Bugs, Babies & Life Stories

Oh Dear

2011-06-19T16:28:00.001+10:00

I can't believe my last blog was Christmas 2009, that is just terrible!!!!!!

I better update the family photo and a quick run down of what we have been doing for the last 2 years :)

Merry Christmas from the Parkinsons

2009-12-21T20:08:00.000+11:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Caitlyn finishes Kindergarten

2009-12-16T16:55:00.001+11:00

Today was Caitlyn's last day of Kindergarten, where has the last year gone and where has my baby girls gone.......

Caitlyn graduates Kindergarten

2009-12-13T07:24:00.002+11:00

Thursday night, Dad, Barb & Verlie joined us as we went to Caitlyn's Presentation Night. It was a long night, but was lots of fun. The first half of the night was all the special awards and then all of Kindergarten got a book and certificate for graduating Kindy and the Year 6's for finishing Primary School. Then there was a short intermission to allow the kids to get changed for their class performance/dance. We were very proud that Caitlyn actually danced as you can see below, she has come so far this year from the shy scared little mouse to this beautiful confident school girl.

Daddy brings Neon Dion to school

2009-12-03T11:59:00.005+11:00

Today Andrew did his Scripture Christmas Concert at Millthorpe Public School. The kids all seemed to get involved and enjoy it and the teachers were really complimentary too. I think Caitie was a little chuffed that her Dad was there too :)

Good Morning Principal Jacket :)

Andrew, Neon Dion & the kids doing Twinkle Twinkle.

Roadie Pip wanted to get in the boot with all the gear....

Its Christmas Timee

2009-12-03T08:07:00.005+11:00

As it was the 1st December, it was the day for the Christmas Tree to go up. So Grandma Werlie and Great Grandma Norma came up to help the girls decorate the tree. Once the tree was done, Verlie and the girls headed out to the garden and Norma stayed and helped Andrew and I decorate the rest of the house. We finished the night up with a yummy Roast Lamb dinner.

Caitie's 1st Disco

2009-12-03T08:01:00.004+11:00

Caitie had her first school disco last night, after racing home from school at 3:30pm to do her homework, wash her hair and the plait it up while she munched on nuggets for dinner. We jumped in the car and dropped her off a school at 5:30pm. At 7pm we went back and picked her up and she had the best time.

Its really funny how at this age they are programmed so much..... This is where the Kindy kids line up of a morning for assembly and so they lined up and danced in their line.......

Escargot......

2009-12-03T07:57:00.005+11:00

We got up yesterday morning to find all of these slippery suckers all over the front yard...... The girls had a great time carefully walking around to try and find them all, but I had to pick them up as in Pip's words "ohh how gross".

Windy Afternoon

2009-11-26T18:58:00.003+11:00

It got a little windy here this afternoon, we came around the back to find that the trampoline had decided to join the neighbours by launching itself over the fence!!!

It is a little bent now!!!

Running on empty.....

2009-11-21T13:23:00.003+11:00

Sorry of the lack of posts this last week, I have found this week that I am just functional.

I am physically and emotionally drained and anyone who has been following my facebook status would know this already.

I have no energy, hence no excerise and after 3 days last week of takeaway, I soooo need to do something. Andrew is really busy with Christmas Scripture and Carols prep, so has not been having an hour for lunch which means I can't get to the gym and with a week of high temperatures I haven't been able to go walking during the day, as its just not fair to take Pip out in the heat.

The wedding was lovely, it all went well and the girls were great considering, but I'm so glad its all over, it was a big stress and really wrung us all out.

Andrew chose this week to give up diet coke and start to exercise, which is fabulous and I;m so glad for his sake that he has got to this point as he has been miserable that he just hasn't had the motivation. But his withdrawal process has him less tolerable of things and short fused, so he also has spent alot of the week yelling!

I'm finding I have zero patience with the girls and they have just been little devils this last week, that I'm finding myself screaming way to much or saying things 5 times and just getting attitude in return. One morning this week, while I was doing lunches and eating my breakfast I sent the girls out to the toy room to play. Caitlyn came back inside trying to hide from me that she had climbing up to the shelf on the landing to open the black high gloss model paint that we used the night before on her shoes and had it all over her hands, arms and nightdress!!! Later that morning, I asked Caitie to brush her teeth while I hung out a load of washing before we left for school. While I was hanging the washing the girls came outside and started playing in the shed/dogs kennel. After asking Caitlyn to get out of the shed 3 times as she will get dirty and was ready for school, she came out and started playing on the dirty swings, it then took me 3 times for her to get off the swings. Ahhhh, she then came over to me, sporting the look of blue toothpaste all over her clean white shirt. Needless to say I was furious, I told her to get inside, wait for me to come in and don't touch anything else. Once the washing was all hung, I went to their bathroom to try and clean her shirt. I sat down on the bath and wiped both girls faces and Caitie shirt clean. I then stood up and Caitlyn told me that I had blue toothpaste all over the butt of my white shorts as Pip had wiped it all over the bath!! We are now running late for school and I had to try and find another pair of shorts.. This was all before 8:30am, you can understand why I just have had enough. Then Pip and I go to Bathurst to do the shopping and she fights me most of the time as she doesn't want to sit in the trolley or sit in her seat. the final straw was when I had my hands full leaving the servo and she has a hissy fit and will not walk out the door, so I grab her by the wrist to lead her across the drive way and she proceeds to scream at the top of her voice, "Ow, No!, Your hurting me, stop it your hurting me Owww" And of course the entire petrol station looked and me and watched to see if I 'was' hurting her, which I wasn't. I held were wrist really loose, just so I was not hurting her. Then when picking Caitie up from school, I got another tirade from both of them as they didn't want to get in their seats and wanted the lipstick I had taken off Caityn after she had snatched it off Pip!!!!! I spent the rest of the afternoon, fighting with them both and went to bed so exhausted and so not waiting to do it all again.

I just don't know what to do with them, they are constantly baiting each other and being so rude to me. Pip has started to copy Caitie in her temper tantrums and so its a double whammy.

The biggest problem is that Pip is so much more stubborn and so the fights are so much worse.

I don't know why things have got like this, its like someone has just flipped a switch and its horrible kids time... The worse thing is I don't know what to do to get my nice kids back...

I only have 2 pairs of shorts, that are good enough to leave the house in and I broke the zip on them too!!!!! Certainly has not been a good week.....

This coming week, Andrew is in Dubbo on Monday, Scripture seminars Tuesday & Wednesday, Ministers Association lunch on Tuesday, that I'm going to and need to take a plate, (Tuesday is the only day I can go to the gym without bothering Andrew as they provide baby sitting, yet again can't go!) Thursday I'm on Canteen, Friday night Alison & I are setting up for the Ladies Christmas Dinner, Saturday morning we are having breakfast with a young family from the AOG's and then Saturday night is the ladies dinner...... then we start all over again, with more scripture seminars, visitors and another wedding down the hill.......

Well the girls are screaming the toyroom down so better go and deal with it. Pray for us, that the girls settle down and that we can get back into a routine and survive the next few weeks.

Tahlia's Glamor 6th Birthday Party

2009-11-16T10:17:00.003+11:00

"Where's Pip"

2009-11-11T11:55:00.003+11:00

While I was doing the floors today, Pip disappeared. Andrew found her putting dry dog food down between the verandah floor boards and Harley was underneath having a great feed.

Ouch!!!!!

2009-11-09T20:22:00.004+11:00

Look what I did today!!!

I was cleaning the girls bathroom and I needed to move the sink surround and my finger got jammed between the pipes and the surround. It have snapped the acrylic nail and my nail hence the blood. Problem was, other than breaking my nail, is that I had polish on it and had to remove it to see what the damage was. So I had to put Nail Polish Remover, Acetone on my open wound. OUCH it stung so much. It is still throbbing a little and tomorrow when I get my nails infilled it with be OUCH again as she will drill out the crack and then fill it in.......

The things we do for beauty :)

Andrew's Retreat

2009-11-09T13:36:00.004+11:00

On Sunday afternoon when I got home from the Hen's Andrew headed to Katoomba for his Annual Renewal Retreat Week.

He had a great time away and finds this time really worthwhile for Him personally and His ministry, which is why coping with being a single mum for a few days is worth it. Mind you it wasn't that bad this time, usually everytime he goes the girls get sick, but we all coped just missed him lots. Every morning Pip would come in and ask 'Is Daddy home yet?' and Caitie was counting down each sleep.

This is a video of the Hail storm that came through while he was away.

These photos are of the beautiful Blue Mountains taken from the Jamieson Valley during the bushwalk that Andrew thought he was going to die. :)

Carcoar Show

2009-11-09T13:22:00.004+11:00

While I was down in Sydney for the Hen's Party Andrew took the girls to the Carcoar Show. He blew a heap of money as nothing is free anymore, but the girls had a blast. They had their faces painted, a ride on the flying horses, ate hot chips and watched the Sheep Dog Trials and the obligatory fairy floss.

I can't believe how much the girls look alike now, I just mistook Pip for Caitlyn in this photo.

All crashed out :)

The final countdown

2009-11-08T13:50:00.002+11:00

Well this time next week it will be all over and we will be driving back home.

I feel like I have sooooo much to do in the next 2 1/2 days before we head down to Dad & Barbs.

Need to pack, its done in piles everywhere at the moment just need to put it all in the suitcase and bags ready to go, do the final shopping for bits and pieces like 'hollywood tape' hmmmm, drinks for between the church and reception and wrapping paper.

Caitlyn has school photos on Wednesday morning (how lucky was that, the only problem is she is having her extremely over grown hair cut on Thursday once we are back in Windsor, oh well, she will have a Pitt Town fringe photo and a Millthorpe no fringe photo. I pick her up at 3pm Wednesday afternoon and we should be at D&B's by 5pm.

Have nail appointment on Tuesday morning and while in Bathurst will do all the last minute shopping.

Also have to make sure the house is all clean and tidy as we are having one of the young guys from the Church house sit. I think thats the worst bit as not only do you need to pack and remember everything, but the house needs to be respectable too.

Its all very exciting and I just pray that all goes well and that the girls last the whole time.

Getting creative

2009-11-06T20:23:00.002+11:00

We worked out on the hen's how we were going to do our hair and that we needed a hair piece of some sort, so I went looking everywhere and could find nothing in silver. Which was rather surprising with Melbourne Cup, but all I could find was red and black. So I went to Spotlight and found some flowers and crystals, problem was they were white flowers so I got some Simply Silver spray paint and went about changing the flowers to silver. They came up so well, I was really happy. Then I put it all together and this is the final product. Lizzie like them which is good so it looks like we are all set :)

Pipisms

2009-11-06T13:45:00.005+11:00

These a few Pipisims that she has been coming out with lately.

Hallelujah = halayloola

Jeremy = Jermanie

Ballerina = Baralena

Guy Sebastian's new song "I like it like that" = Hey ohh, I lika lika lika lika, Hey ooh I lika lika lika and she just keep going........

Mum what we're doing today? (everything is we're not me, my or our)

Mum what time is it? (this happens all day every day....)

"It was an accident" and my favorite "I love you so much mum!"

My Baby Girl

2009-11-05T19:30:00.003+11:00

Where has the years gone??????

New experiences

2009-11-05T19:17:00.003+11:00

Remember the hot summer afternoons when we use to play under the sprinkler, well my kids are 5 1/2 and 3 and they have just experienced it today!!!!!

We are allowed to use sprinklers and fixed hoses before 10am & after 5pm so the yard needed some water and the girls needed to see how we use to spend our afternoons.

Caitlyn loved it, Pip as expected not so much but they both had fun in their own way which was great. We finished the day off with Bacon, Eggs & Sausages on the BBQ. What a way to live. LOVING IT!!!!

Just want to be like my big sister

2009-11-05T13:38:00.002+11:00

I was watching Pip at school today when we were waiting for the bell to ring and she so just wants to do what Caitlyn does. She misses her so much when she is at school and is always wanting to know where she is and what she is doing. They play together like any other siblings, they have their fights and moments. I just feel for Pip sometimes as she so desperately wants Caitie to do things with her or talk to her and Caitlyn just ignores her or won't listen. Being the eldest and having a brother not a sister, I don't know if this going to always be the case or as they get older and are both at school if Caitlyn will be more interested.

We got a letter confirming Pip's enrollment at preschool starting as of the 28th Jan, 2010 for 2 days a week. Orientation is 27th Nov, so that will be good to actually meet all the teachers and find out how the Preschool runs.

We have been having problems with Pip sleeping through the night. Since moving here she has been visiting our room sometimes 3 times a night. I have started leaving her door closed all night and it seems to be keeping her in there and asleep. She has been not waking up till 6am which is lovely as 3 months of very broken sleep have just exhausted both Andrew and I. She sits on her shoe box calling out "Mummy come and get me, Daddy let me out" as the door handle is high and hard to open. we have had 3 nights of sleep hopefully it continues.

Heard everything now!!!

2009-11-04T13:14:00.003+11:00

It was alot cooler here this morning so Caitie chose to wear her 3/4 shorts and a jumper. So I thought she might like to wear her hair down, I pulled the fringe and front up and put her ribbon in and sent her off. We get out to the car and she says to me "Did you leave my hair down Mum" "Yes Caitlyn I thought you might like it down today" "NOOO Mum I can't wear it down with my 3/4 shorts, it looks silly"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I give up!

Summer is Here

2009-11-03T14:05:00.005+11:00

Caitlyn came home from school yesterday telling me that she was sooooo hot and sweating because she was wearing her 3/4 shorts and a singlet under her shirt. So today she had to wear her Short shorts and a no singlet. Mind you there is only about 10cm difference in the length....

Got to start somewhere!

2009-11-02T13:45:00.003+11:00

As Pip is such a baby doll girl, we have got her a Baby Born off ebay for Christmas and I thought I might try and make some clothes for her as lets face it you can never have too many clothes for your doll.

So I got a pattern and ventured into the unknown today. It looks great in the picture and the front is pretty good, the back is a little doggy but for my first attempt I'm pretty proud of myself.

I'm no Kerryn or Mum or Barb and I never will be its just not my thing but I can try and Pip is not going to care.

Lizzie's Hen's Night

2009-11-01T19:35:00.004+11:00

We headed into the city for a fun night of a Treasure Hunt around The Rocks, a nice dinner and then to hit some clubs in The Rocks.

We had fun wandering around The Rocks looking at all the people dressed up for Halloween.

Caitie and Swim school

2009-11-01T19:31:00.004+11:00

Friday Caitlyn started School Swimming. She had a great time as she loves the water and had lots of fun splashing her teacher Mr Morgan.

Our Gardens (so far)

2009-10-29T20:12:00.007+11:00

(Mum's rose Covered in Buds)

We have been slowing trying to tame the gardens, Verlie has been up a few times and we have worked very hard pruning, digging, raking, moving really heavy big rocks, and bucketing mulch from the trailer to the garden bed as we do not have a wheelbarrow. The roses are starting bud and are covered in leaves. The 2 Maples (1 out the front and 1 out the back) are covered in leaves now. Still a bit to do especially out the back but that will be a slow process as we want to move the vegie garden and change the garden beds to reclaim some of the yard back. But for now the front is looking really great.

We did have to build another fence inside the colourbond due to stupid Miss Daisy digging again. She had dug under every fence within a month of being here. Because of her digging she got Harley bitten by the big dog next door as he was dumb enough to put his paw under the fence and ended up with a punctured paw. Then we got a letter from the neighbour behind saying if we didn't do something about our dogs none stop barking and digging they will have no choice but to contact the council!!!! Oh yeah and she got under their fence twice and was rounding up their chickens, so lucky she didn't kill one.

23rd - 29th October, 2009

2009-10-29T19:31:00.002+11:00

Well this week has been a pretty normal with not much happening.

On Saturday we had the Church Garage Sale which was a good day a little quieter than the last one apparently (they have 2 a year) but they still made $1,300, which is great. Without the hard work and many hours of sorting and pricing done by Christine and Elizabeth it would not have been possible.

Church on Sunday was good, Andrew has had alot of good feed back on his sermon "What do we believe about Jesus", lots of stories which seems to be a style of sermons these guys enjoy.

Monday Pip and I headed into Orange to get the final Hen's Night things and NAdrew a new pair of jeans. Then home to start to get organised for Me to go away on Saturday for Lizzie's Hen's Night and then Andrew on Sunday for his Pastors Renewal Retreat for 4 days. Andrew spent a long day in the office trying to get as much stuff done with him being away for most of next week.

Tuesday Pip & I headed to the gym. Pip went to the child minding, she loves going and it just shows me how much she is missing Preschool and confirms that 2 days next year will be good for her. I did 30 minutes in the gym and then into my 'Abs & Stretch' torture class.

Wednesday is usually Andrew's day off but this week he did a swap cause I was on Canteen, so it was my cleaning, washing and packing day, which was done by 9:30am, so then it was a relaxing morning, which is always nice to have. Then at 12pm I headed into Bathurst to get my nails done for the wedding. It is so nice to have them back on again after so long. I know it sounds funny but this was my one thing, I don't go out, I don't do courses, my one extravagance. I just have always liked having nice nails and never feel dressed for a wedding of special event unless my nails are nice, so its lovely to be able to have then back on.

Thursday was Canteen day, which was really easy as we only had Years K, 1 & 2 as 3, 4, 5 & 6 are all on camp till tomorrow. We have come to the conclusion that its is the older students that like the canteen as we were packed up and counting the money before the lunch bell rang as the kids just were not interested. I know that in Caitie's case it is, I've eaten my lunch and now I just want to play and then they forget they can eat some more. There are some kids that just eat constantly and are at the counter 5 or 6 times but mostly they just want to play.

Tomorrow, Caitie starts Swimming for school, which will be interesting. Pip & I will go down to the pool for a swim and to help supervise then it will be back to make sure I have all my things sorted for me to leave early Saturday morning to head down for my final dress fitting and then into the city for the Hen's night. Also I need to make sure everything Andrew needs for his week away is washed and clean and ready to go.

It is the Carcoar Show this weekend so Andrew will be taking the girls on Saturday, they have been looking forward to it all week, I just hope the weather is good and that he can do it just him and the 2 girls, it is always difficult when 1 wants to do this and the other wants to do that. Oh well I will be too far away to worry and have too much to concentrate on. We are doing a Treasure Hunt in The Rocks followed by dinner and then night clubbing!!!! I fell like I am so past night clubbing, I didn't even do it when I was their age, but anyway its only 1 night, just as long as I don't get lost in the city (I hate driving in the city) and that I get a enough sleep to drive back home Sunday morning. Pip is so funny she keeps asking me when am I going on the 'Bear Hunt'.

Twinkle Twinkle October 2009

2009-10-29T19:14:00.002+11:00

Pip was singing beautifully until we got the computer out and then it became a performance and a chance to see how much she could play up. She is certainly the performer and is quiet happy to be in the background and be a support for her sister. It will be interesting to see what it is like in 10 - 15 yrs time.

Fathers Day 2009

2009-10-28T10:36:00.004+11:00

We had a really nice fathers day this year, not to say every year is not nice. The girls got up and gave Andrew a special 'Daddy' book and there 2009 paint. He also got a ladder which he actually received 3 weeks earlier as it was to big for me to hide. We had a nice service at church, came home had some lunch, Andrew & Caitlyn washed the little red car and then Andrew jumped on the Ducati and headed for Cowra for a ride.

Philippa

2009-10-28T10:22:00.004+11:00

1st Night at the new house in her 'Big Girl' Bed

1st Week at church - not shy at all this one

Playing in the garden

Happy 3rd Birthday Pip

Rock Chick

Riding her new Bike

Curly Pip

Such a performer at Church

New Dress

Caitlyn

2009-10-28T10:02:00.004+11:00

1st Night in New Bed

1st Day at Millthorpe Public School

Curly for Fathers Day

Helping Daddy wash the car

Off on her 1st excursion

Book Week - Jungle Theme so Caitie was 'Dora'

Jump Rope for Heart 2009

Sporting her new teeth!!!

The girls since arriving

2009-10-24T06:33:00.005+11:00

1st Breakfast in the new house

Playing in the back yard

1st Bath in the 'Bubble Bath' (Our spa)

Snuggling under my heated throw

Bike riding in Winter in Blayney (why would you?)

Waiting for Kadens to arrive

PJ Buddies

Wedding hair practices

Sisters

Parkos update 1

2009-10-22T20:38:00.002+11:00

Firstly we are loving the country!! Loving having our own home to do things with and loving having our own Church that we can start to mould and grow.

Andrew :- is doing scripture in 3 local schools now, Blayney, Errowanbang & Millthorpe and is enjoying getting back into the schools. He has also started arranging Youth activities and this term they are joining with the local AOG church a few times, heading down to Lithgow Bap's for their evening cafe church and a few nights up at Martha St (the church property). We had a Church family picnic last Sunday (Australian MOTOGP at Philip Island was on so it was not a long one) which was well attended and a nice way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. He is meeting with the elders once a week and is really valuing these Men and their hearts for the church and the community, he always comes home really blessed. He is getting a lot more opportunities to ride the Ducati which is great as 3 minutes from our front door he is in 3 different 100km zones and out on the highways.

Caitlyn :- Survived her 1st Term at Millthorpe and is now into her last term off Kindergarten. Other than some slight nerves on her first day she loves her new school and her teacher Mr Morgan. She has made friends in her class however I think it will be a very long time before she has any close friends like she did at Windsor, but that was because she grew up and Tahlia, Brianna and Hayley, where here she is the new kid. She has not started up Gymnastics again and we are not sure if she will, she would like to have piano lessons however we have been told that at the moment her fingers are still too small so we will see. She has grown up so much and is doing really well in her reading and learning. Millthorpe PS have paid for students to have unlimited access to "Mathletics" an online maths program and she loves to get on there and earn herself Awards that are presented at school assemblies. She has received a merit award for class contribution and 2 home reading awards. The entire school holidays every day she would ask how many days till I go back to school, she just thrives on learning and loves it. She also lost her 2 bottom teeth during the holidays so had something cool to tell for news when she got back to school.

Philippa :- has grown up so much since the move, she was not exactly happy about the new house/church/life and for the first few weeks spent every day asking to go back to here real home. But all is good now, she has adjusted to sleeping in her own room with out Caitlyn, but now visits us on a nightly basis sometimes more than once. She is enrolled in Preschool for next year and will be going Tuesdays with the 3yr olds and Thursdays with the 4 - 5yr olds which I'm hoping will extend her a little. She is very intelligent and somedays craves extra stimulation and having grown up with a big sister she loves playing with older kids. Her eyes recovered from the operation back in June fabulously and are now perfectly straight, however he vision has gone backwards so we are back to drops and patching till we see Dr Rowe again in mid November. She got her first big girl bike for her birthday and powers on it, as she has longer legs than Caitie she has been able to reach the peddles and has the strength to push them.

Both girls are loving having a toy room where they can play when they want and also a backyard where they can play on the swings or trampoline or ride their bikes in the driveway. They have spent more time out there playing in the 3 months we have been here, than the entire time they were at Windsor. They both also love playing with the dogs and the dogs love the attention most times.

Me:- I'm really enjoying the slowness of life here, there is no more racing from here to there, we get back from school and the girls head straight outside and it is just lovely to not have to rush. I have been trying to get to the gym as much as possible to kick start my weightloss again as I would really love to loose atleast another 10 - 15kg, but it is so much harder when you don't have the constant accountability that doing 'Super Shape Me' with the girls did and the incidental excerise of walking every morning with Merrillie and Lauriann after dropping the girl at school. I have made a good friend in Alison the church secretary which is nice, we have been doing canteen together twice a term and see each other every afternoon when picking up the kids. Her youngest is in Caitie's class. I have been really busy with Lizzie & John's wedding which is less than a month away now, so I have done lots of trips back down to Windsor for catch ups, dress fittings, kitchen teas, I will be back down on the 31st for the Hen's night and then I will be picking Caitie up from school on the 11th Nov and heading back down till Sunday 15th Nov. I'm hoping to get to church that Sunday to see everyone before Christmas. The local AOG ministers wife arranged a 'Welcome to Blayney Jo' morning tea for me last week which was lovely and a chance to meet some people from the other churches. I also had a 'Meet Me on Queen' (our house is on Queen St) Ladies coffee and dessert night back in Sept and it was really great, we had 19 ladies come and they all enjoyed themselves which is always good. I have also orgainsed a Ladies Christmas Dinner for the 28th Nov which everyone is excited about, now I just need to arrange it, should look at doing that this coming week, I'm just trying to get all the Hen's stuff done and Andrew is off to his renewal retreat the day I get back from the hens for a week.

Well that is kind of it for now, its late and Andrew is home so I will sign off. I will try and upload some photos to this tomorrow.

The evils of facebook

2009-10-22T20:35:00.003+11:00

Its not my fault, its facebooks, since I have been on facebook this blog has be neglected.

I have come to the conclusion that I need to set aside an actual time every week to sit down and update this blog other wise it will never happen.

I'm thinking Thursday nights is a good option as Andrew is at Bible Study and other then watching the shows I'm recording there is really not much on TV.

So this is my plan. Thursday nights is blogger night :)

Better get to it.

I Know I Know!!!! but a lot has been happening!

2009-05-26T11:19:00.006+10:00

1stly SORRY for the lack of blogging since Christmas 2008.

We have had a lot of things happening.....

The year started with us deciding to accept a Call to Blayney Community Baptist Church and it was a process of telling our close friends and then in February the Church.

Caitlyn started school on her 5th Birthday and has loved every day since, she is home from school today as she has the flu and she cried cause she wanted to go!!!

Pip is even growing and is booked in to have her eyes operated on this coming Monday 1st June. She is going to take after Andrew, any chance she get she is on stage with the microphone and loves playing guitar on the coffee table.

We are very excited about the move and we are currently in the "Cooling Off" Period of the purchase of our 1st house, it is due to settle on Friday 26th June, with our final Sunday at Windsor 28th June. We will spend the rest of the following week moving and cleaning and will be in Blayney as of the 4th July.

The house is a 3 bedroom with 2 family areas, ensuite with corner spa, enclosed verandah and family room at the back, double carport, double garage, shed and granny flat so if you want to come and visit the country there is somewhere to stay, All on a 912sq block.

It is going to be a long and difficult process, very emotional, I will be finally leaving home after being here for 10 years married and 22 years at Windsor Baps. It is going to hurt to leave but it is going to be great for Andrew to be able to prove to himself that he can do it on his own. It will also be great to be know and Jo Parkinson, Andrew's wife and not the ratty teenager that use to run a muck, which Im sure some people still see.

I am in the midst of packing at this point however will endeavor to keep you up to date with the coming months events.

2008-12-21T14:48:00.002+11:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Graduation

2008-12-16T08:42:00.004+11:00

Philippa does boo

2008-12-15T22:11:00.003+11:00

We were playing with the Mac and entertaining Pip while waiting for Caitie to finish Gymnastics. As you can see she thought he was very funny!!!

SEAWORLD

2008-12-09T08:21:00.009+11:00

It was a slightly overcast day and as we were waiting for the Dolphin Show it did shower for about 5 minutes, other than that it was a nice temperature.

We started with the Sesame Street Beach Show, which was really good, the girls loved it even if Caitlyn did tell me that they were not real and that they were costumes with people inside!!!!

Grover was so funny, he played up the whole time and then he was the last to leave the stage and kept doing the bum dance to a rather large angry looking bikie one row down from us.

Next was the Dolphin Show. It was unreal, I don't think you can see this show too many times.

Then it was time to play on the rides and in the water play area while Andrew and I had lunch.

Then we headed underground/sea and I got to play with the features of the new camera. It has the 'Behind Glass' setting to allow for these fantastic shots.

This is playing with the macro setting underwater - Starfish

The highlight of the day was meeting and having a photo with Elmo and Grover!

Biggera Waters (work in process)

2008-12-09T06:53:00.003+11:00

We did lots of fun things, Putt Putt Golf, Swimming, Jumping Pillow, Bike Rides, Visits to parks and the shops, Andrew's Dad & Corrine came for lunch once and Dave, Dee and Teghan come for lunch and a swim twice. The highlight was are visit to Seaworld, we visit one theme park a year and this year it was great. Seseme Street Beach was sensational. The girls had the biggest and best day it was great.

Sunny QLD

2008-12-09T06:14:00.005+11:00

We arrived at Treasure Island about 11am as we gained an hour by crossing the border. We got on our site, which for the bit extra money was sensational so much room and started setting up. The girls were really good in helping and by 1pm we had roof, walls, verandah and beds done. It was time for some lunch. We spent the rest of the afternoon fiddling to get everything right (for anyone who caravans would know this is process that takes about 3 days)

We had dinner and as it was still hot and muggy we decided to go for a swim. This is where the fun began!!! While Andrew was on the phone I got the girls ready and when Andrew got off he got ready too and we headed out. I took my keys out of the door making sure it was not locked, threw them on the floor and closed the door BIG mistake as the door locked itself and both keys were inside the van..... We tried everything to get back in and nothing worked, so we had to rip the flyscreen on the small window that was opened into the van and then feed Caitlyn trough the window and onto the lounge for her to pick the keys up off the floor and hand them to us, it was lucky that I just dropped the keys rather than hanging them up as there would have been no way she could have reached them. Anyway while we are doing this Philippa announces that she has done Poo's!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH

Once the van was sorted, Caitie was back out and Pip was cleaned up we headed to the pool and had a great time.

On the road - Tenterfield

2008-12-09T06:03:00.003+11:00

We left Tamworth about 8am and headed to Tenterfield where we spent the night. Interesting town, the park we were booked into had no one at the office and no one answered the page so we left and found another equally doggy park. After setting up it was time to sit back and watch Phillip Island 2008 MotoGP, God was good as the only channels we could get were ABC, SBS and TEN and the race was on TEN.

After the race we went down to the park and had a couple of hours of fun before it was time for dinner showers and bed.

Next stop QLD!!!!

A True Bush Wedding

2008-12-09T05:09:00.010+11:00

Well we headed off to Tamworth on Friday 3rd with a rather uneventful trip arriving about 2pm. We were staying in a park that was right on the river just on the outskirts of the main shopping area. Andrew was very proud of himself and rightly so as we had a site that was in the middle of the row, (so with a van and car on either side) and a tree at the front of our site and Andrew hooked the van around and got it perfectly on the site, completely straight in 1 attempt!!!! for anyone that has tried to reverse a trailer would appreciate the significance of this feat. It has only taken 10 years for us to get to this point, but it just shows it can be done. you should have seen us , or more importantly heard us when we first started towing the van it would take 10 attempts just to hook up let alone get the thing straight and level on a site! We spent a night afternoon just hanging around town and then dinner at the Tudor and off to bed.

Saturday was a beautiful day, we spent the morning riding bikes and relaxing until it was time to get ready and head out to the property 30 minutes out of town. We you arrived you had to follow the white flags....... lucky we had the 4wd it was like mountain climbing as you weaved you way form the road up to the top of the property that opened out at this plateau with

a gorgeous bush church.

Everything went beautifully, Kristy looked simply elegant and Nick was very excited. The clouds were starting to form as we hung around chatting and as we were 2 minutes out of Tamworth the heavens opened and it did not stop till morning. They were just taking there final photos when it stated which was lucky.

The reception was my part which I was extremely nervous about. I pulled it off in the end and I have not had any complaints so thats good, but I will never do it again public speaking is so not me.

It was a great day and we all slept really well that night.

Our Gymnastic Silver Medalist

2008-09-27T12:25:00.004+10:00

Today Caitie had her second gymnastic grading and ended up with 88.40 points out of 100 and the Silver medal.

They have to do 10 things on either the floor, beam or bars and get 10 points per item.

To not say we were EXTREMELY proud of her would be lying and to say we (notice the WE) didn't tear up would be lying also.

We have spoken to Michael and she does now go up to the next class Step 3 and her class will change from 4-5pm Tuesday to 5-6pm.

WELL DONE BUG

SOOOOO JOY!!!!

2008-09-27T12:12:00.004+10:00

We had Trish's (one of our fantastic youth leaders) 21st last night and the theme was "A night at the races", so I got to wear my hat again. Before we left I was playing around with the camera as you do and this shot came out...... I'm sorry Aunty Joy but I'm your twin!!!! Not sure if its you evil twin, but twin indeed.

Caitlyns Curls

2008-09-14T20:36:00.004+10:00

I wanted Caities hair to be pretty for John & Lizzie's Engagement Party, so after baths I sat Caitie down and started to put her hair into 'rags'. I was really happy with my effort, it took 45 minutes, I had to make 8 more rags as I was making them smaller ringlets than when I have done it before and I was able to get them really tight. As the party was Saturday night and I was not wanting to pull the rags out till just before it which meant Caitie had to wear a bandanna all day to keep them in and under control. While I was helping set up for the party in the morning Andrew took the girls to Pitt Town Primary School Fete. They had a great time riding the pony's, jumping castle, bubble blowing, eating snow cones and cupcakes.

I knew that I had done a good job when to only way to get the rags out was to unwrap each ringlet as it was so tight it wouldn't let go of the rag. As you can see it worked so well and she looked fantastic.

Daddy Day 2008

2008-09-08T20:56:00.004+10:00

We had a great day, started very early with Pip joining us in bed at 5:30am, then Caitie 5 minutes later. So we got up and got Andrew's presents. He loved their paintings, and the special things from Preschool, he knew about but still excited about his new Motorbike boots and then he LOVED the shutterfly book that I did for him of him and the girls.

Then it was bacon and eggs for breakfast and get ready for morning Church. After church we had a quick catch up with people and then headed up to Dad's for lunch with Dad & Barb and BJ, Kerryn and the Girls. We had a nice till catching up and eating YUMMY prawns and cheesecake (there was other food but this is the important items...) The girls had a rest when we got home and then it was over to Sunday Night Live.

IgglePiggle meets Mothers Group

2008-09-08T20:42:00.004+10:00

I did manage to do my cake for Pip's birthday celebration at Mothers Group. I was really pleased with the way he turned out. And even more pleased that it didn't end up smashed on the ground as I hurried out the door, I stopped but the cake seemed to just keep going!!!!

Lots of food colouring, lots of sugary frosting equals lots of happy kids..... no I mean it bouncing off the walls happy and they say the food colouring effects kids..... nup!!!

The sick house!!!!

2008-09-06T08:01:00.006+10:00

I can't believe how much money we have spent on medication in the last 3 weeks!!!! (I'm so glad we have our health card otherwise there is no way we could have afforded it!)

Before we went away last Thursday the girls were on there antibiotics for Chest infections and Tonsillitis and Andrew had a bad case of the flu or so we thought. Then Andrew got the Gastric bug so was throwing up for 2 days then it was time for us to go away for our 5th Sunday 4 day get away.... I have to be honest and this was not a fun time. I had to pack the entire van and then tow it all the way up to Blue Lagoon, set up the van, Andrew did help put the annex up as it is not a job for a short single person. He then spent the rest of Friday in bed. Oh Yeah Pip started throwing up at 12am on Thursday night but was back asleep by 2:30am. Saturday was a good day we all got up went for a play on the beach, went for a swim in the heated pool and spa had some lunch, a nap and then went to The Entrance to watch the Pelican feed and eat cold rock ice cream. Sunday Andrew was a right off again and by Sunday night was throwing up again... So Monday morning I got up and pulled down the entire annex on my own (my hands are still sore), packed the van around Andrew still in bed and then towed the van all the way

Andrew got an Dr's appointment at 3:30pm, so went dropped him up there went to the post office and then back to pick him up. Rex said that there was no need to be greedy to get attention as he diagnosed him with Sinusitis, Bronchitis, Gastroenteritis and wanted him to go straight up and have a chest xray to rule out of confirm pneumonia. So we headed up for the xray and had to hang around till 5pm to pick up the films to take them back to Rex and if he did have it get another antibiotic. It was confirmed and he was told to have at least a week off work.

Pip continued to have random temperatures and the same with Caitlyn. On Friday I took myself and the girls back to the Dr. All chest infections gone, tonsillitis gone, but Caitlyn now has an infection in her glands so is on another antibiotic and I am on antibiotics for Bronchitis.....

Andrew is doing better, Pip is now better, I'm just plodding along and I'm praying the Caitlyn is better as she started to throw up last night!!!

Philippa turns 2

2008-09-06T07:47:00.005+10:00

Well not the best birthday for Miss Philippa, she woke up very grumpy and not interested. Then once all the presents were over she started to throw up AGAIN!!!!! Poor Iggle Piggle was in the washing machine before his tags were off. She spent most of the day just lying around and only started to pick up in the afternoon and has been OK since.

I went over to Penrith while she was sleeping to buy the BIG (66cm) Pillow Toys and put them on the lounge beside her. When she woke up she sat up her eyes lit up and she climbed up with them and had a look of total amazement on her face, they all then got big kisses and cuddles. They have been a hit ever since as she has feed them, wrestled them and danced around the lounge room with them. They are just the right height for her and Caitie has enjoyed them too.

I'm attempting my cake making skills again for Mothers group on Monday and as the theme of the year as you can see by the gifts is "In the night Garden" so I'm making a Iggle Piggle and he is Blue and Red, just like last year..... I wonder what blue and red character we can find for next year!!!

Caged Children

2008-08-25T20:11:00.003+10:00

Caitlyn found the empty washing baskets and decided to cage herself in, what she didn't count on was Pip coming along and poking her through the holes.

And of course what Pip does..... Caitlyn must do!!!!

Andrew is getting in on the act!!!

2008-08-25T20:00:00.002+10:00

As I didn't get a full walk in this morning due to not having my new shoes and getting a blister within 10 minutes, I got the exercise bike off the verandah and did some cycling. When Andrew got home he thought he would have a go and added his girls for that extra resistance.

Wedding Bells (very exciting)

2008-08-25T16:41:00.006+10:00

I have until November, 2009 to loose my weight!

Last night Lizzie asked me to be in her wedding and I refuse to be the fat and frumpy bridesmaid. It is going to be exciting as we are all going to be involved in the wedding. Andrew is marrying them (performing the ceremony), Caitie is Lizzie's Flower girl, Pip is John's and now I'm a bridesmaid. It is lovely for all of us to be involved and I know it will be lots of fun trying to dress Caitlyn, Philippa and Lizzie and keep their hair in and dresses clean!!!!

My aim is to look good in the dress rather than just ok or what a shocker! So my aim is to get back to 55 - 60kg which means I need to loose 25 - 30 kg. For my height medically they recommend 46 - 60kg and the ideal weight is 62kg so I think by aiming for 55 - 60kg I am on the right track. I have not been that weight since year 10 so I know it is not going to be easy, but I got new walking shoes today (thanks to the Cutts birthday voucher) as my old ones are 5 and 10 years old and giving me bad blisters.

I plan to walk around the church every morning or down at the RAAF base as it starts getting light earlier and I'm not going to get mugged or something. I want to look healthy and not gaunt so I will loose as much as I need too when it comes down to it. I'm glad that this has happened to force my hand as like all of us I'm always going to bed motivated to exercise and eat right the next day, but its all very different in the light of the morning, but I know that excess weight is linked to Breast Cancer and with my family history I really don't need to give it any help!

Also if I get stuck into this full on now and you usually loose the most weight first up, It will be good as Kristy & Nick's wedding is only 6 weeks away and as I'm MC, I do want to look and feel reasonable. Anyway will keep you posted on my success !!!! (Come on I have to at least think positive!)

This has also kind of given us an answer to whether we want to go for number 3 now..... As the last thing Lizzie needs is a 8 month pregnant bridesmaid. On the other hand if we were to aim for a July - August baby then I will have lost the weight as I always come out of my pregnancy's 10kg lighter on top of the baby, my hair grows really long and is really healthy and I will have a nice plump cleavage to fill the dress, but then again milk letdown on a satin or taffeta dress not a good look in any instance!!!!

The verdict is in!!!

2008-08-23T19:14:00.003+10:00

After a long and slightly scary night with Caitlyn, (She had temps of 39.9 and at 2am jumped up out of bed ran down the hall way screaming out "Aunty Jella, aunty jella where are you I can't find you", I settled her back down and then 20 minutes later she was screaming out again " Mummy Mummy help me, look look their all over my bed" I couldn't get her to settle down so took her into the hall and asked her what was wrong and she said " You saw them mummy" What Caitlyn?, "the animals they were all over my bed you saw them", I took her into our bed but after about 5 minutes there were crocodiles in my bed. At this point we both moved out to the lounge room with the light on, where we spent the rest of the night in fitful sleep till about 4am where she settled down till about 7am)

We went and saw "Dr Loppy" (Dr Stubbs that is but he is Dr Loppy to Pip as that is what she calls lollies and she always gets a lolly when she sees the Dr). Philippa has a chest infection and has 1 course of antibiotics, Caitlyn has a slight chest infection but more importantly has Tonsillitis, so 2 courses of antibiotics.

I'm hoping that after having 3 lots of antibiotics that we will have a better night tonight, but we are giving Church a miss tomorrow and mothers group on Monday as the last thing we need is them infecting someone else.

Oh yeah and my diagnosis of Andrew is he is a male with the flu so he is dying.......

No blogging tonight

2008-08-22T14:50:00.002+10:00

I will not be blogging tonight as even though I am not going to Youth Group, Majella and Marcus are still coming over as Majella wants some help with something to do with the Engagement and Marcus is having 'withdrawal' from not playing with the girls.....

We would value your prayers as Pip has not been well for a week now with temperatures and a bad chesty cough. Andrew woke up with a blinding headache this morning and can't kick it but still has to do a games night at youth group tonight with 3 leaders down. Caitie has been complaining of a sore tummy again and today was sobbing for about 2 hours as she was in so much pain. She has picked up a bit this afternoon but I fear it will come back tonight! I have a Dr's appointment for both the girls tomorrow it is just getting till then. I am really tired as I have been up to them all week and I still have a bit of a leftover from the flu too.

Proof we bred little ones!!!!

2008-08-21T11:57:00.006+10:00

Setting the scene :-

January 2005 , International Terminal Sydney Airport Mascot. We are gathered to farewell the Hibbard family as they set off to Switzerland for a few years. Caitlyn is almost 1 yr old and is cutting all 4 top teeth so is not the most happy of babies. Graham has already gone through the gates as he was working the first leg of the trip and we are waiting with Paula and the boys till they have to leave too. Caitlyn is dressed in her blue summer overalls and bodysuit, she did have cute little pig tails too but the only lasted 10 minutes once we got in the car. Caitlyn decided that now was a good time to throw up all over herself!!! We did not have a change of clothes in the car as she was never a chucky baby and there was not a need, so I thought. There was a pair of shorts in the car, but no top. So while I was in the toilets trying to clean her up as best I could Andrew went back out to the car and got the shorts. The cleaning up was not very successful so I then had to go and find some kind of top for her to wear as we still had another hour or so before they left. So off to the souvenir shops I go, I never realised how hard it is to find a top for a OOO sized child in those places!!!! no body had anything.... eventually I found the smallest t'shirt I could find for under $25. Size 2, We put it on and needless to say she did look ridiculous but at least she was no longer top less.

Why the story:- This week at preschool they are having Mini Olympics and Caitlyn is in the blue team. She only has 1 blue shirt that she had worn yesterday and I was out last night so it was not washed. I found a navy shirt in the 'next size up' draw and guess what it fitted perfectly!!!!

3 1/2 years it took but at least now she can wear it.

Also Merrillie bought blue hairspray for the girls as they were in the same team, so Caitlyn had blue hair yesterday (you should have seen the bath water!) and today which was really cool as it came out as a shimmering silvery blue on her dark hair and looked great on the braid.

Mr & Mrs Mackenzie

2008-08-17T17:18:00.003+10:00

2pm Saturday afternoon at St Johns Anglican Church Wilberforce, Kyle finally married Carmilla. It was a lovely service, the boys looked very handsome and the girls simply stunning and then there was the 'Preacher Man' very hot in his new pink stripped shirt and purple tie.....

Before she arrived
She has arrived
The very talented Band
The mushy bit Mr & Mrs Mackenzie
Our Thank yous..... very cute and very yummy

I was very impressed with table decorations they were simple yet beautiful.

Let the dancing begin.

Life and death

2008-08-16T11:18:00.003+10:00

On Wednesday morning one of the old ladies from the church that has been there for 29 years passed away. Joyce was the most encouraging and Godly woman that just got old and sick. Joyce was sick for a long time and was in and out of hospital so often, that by the time we had changed the bulletin she was back in again. It was a very long and sad journey for her husband Morris who adored his bride of 58 years. He would spend as much time at the hospital with her until he could not drive anymore and then he could only go when someone could drive him... it must have been so hard. Andrew and I were talking to Noel and Andrew said that Morris seemed still on auto point when he spoke to him on Wednesday afternoon. Noel spoke to him on Thursday morning and he said that Morris was not doing as well today..... Morris had told Noel that he went to bed on Wednesday night and the last thing he said before he fell asleep was "Good night love" and there was silence"...... My heart just broke as the tears welled in my eyes. For 58 years this is what he did and now she is gone....

I know we all die, some old having lived a long life and others far too young, but I still find it so hard to rejoice in their life as you are missing their touch.

She's Electrifying!!!!!

2008-08-15T20:06:00.004+10:00

Caitie got on the trampoline this afternoon, combined wind, electricity in the air and a nylon mat...... well you can see what it did to her hair. Also Lizzie thought it would be lovely to share her dark red lipstick with my child too!!!!! hence the scary lips.

She also found that if she ran around and then came back and touched me it would give me an electric shock, I'm sure we would still be out there now if we had let her, she thought it was very amusing.

Dresses for Aunty Kristy's Wedding

2008-08-15T19:57:00.004+10:00

On Wednesday Andrew and I were in Parramatta getting his Fathers Day present (New Bike Boots) and so we wasted a lot of time in Target trying to find something for the girls to wear for Kristy's wedding on the long weekend in Oct. We found 1 style of dress that was in both sizes for the girls, but I was just not happy with it, it was pink and green check sundress with thin straps. Just didn't do it for me! Then as we were leaving I saw this dress and it was on sale $23.95. Problem was they only has sizes 4, 5 and 6, so not a 2 for Pip. However we went to Rouse Hill on the way home and they had the size 2. I was also able to get matching shoes (Caitie already had them, and I found a size 5 for Pip also on sale!!)

As you can see Philippa was not all that happy about having her photo taken!!!

Bath Time ..... Their favorite time of day

2008-08-15T19:50:00.002+10:00

Both the girls have always loved the bath, it is a great time for them to play together and get clean while they are at it. I have got a lot of great shots of them over the years in the bath.

What have I done!!!!!

2008-08-08T20:25:00.004+10:00

Since finding out that we are going to be in the cottage for at least another 12 months I started to get frustrated with the girls rooms and the lack of space etc. So I rearranged Caitie's room and it was all good then I attacked Pip's room and I was happy with that too after I moved the cot, chest of draws and full book case from different walls 3 times. I was very sore the next day. Anyway we really wanted to move the two girls into the same room, hoping with each other in the same room they (Caitlyn) would sleep better and to give us a room that was just a toy/play room exclusively rather than it spread all over the house.

So today I 'bit the bullet' or should I say 'the allen key' and pulled Pips bed down and moved it into Caitlyn's room. Put Pip's name on the door and her CD in the player. Pip went to bed at 7pm with no argument and went straight to sleep and then Caitlyn at 7:15pm the same...... We will see how the night pans out now.

I have been constantly reminded this last week that my baby girl is 2 in less than a month... where has the time gone.....

Day at the Fete

2008-08-08T20:15:00.004+10:00

Last Saturday Andrew had an all day retreat, so Majella and I took the girls to the St Monica's Fete. They got their face painted and played on the play gym and we got 10 books from the 2nd hand book stall for $4.50 (Bargain!!!!). Then they had Fairy Bread and Strawberry Milk for lunch at the Kids Cafe. It was a nice way to spend the morning.

This was the first time that Pip has had her face painted and she was so good about it. It has been a time of alot of 1st for my baby girl of late.......

Love these video's

2008-08-01T21:46:00.004+10:00

Pip's gets her new glasses

2008-08-01T21:42:00.004+10:00

After a great appoinment with the Eye Dr we ordered Pip's glasses and they arrived yesterday.

She has been really great with them and thinks she like very beautiful (always wanting to see "Pippy in the mirror")

Introducing Lara-Marie Elizabeth Baigent

2008-05-20T14:05:00.008+10:00

At 4:15pm on 8th May, 2008 the Parkinson clan grew

a little larger.

Congradulations to Glen & Michelle on the safe arrival of a beautiful little girl.

Caitlyn the Winner!!!

2008-04-22T10:42:00.004+10:00

Caitlyn has been learning to write her name. She has been able to do 'caitl' for a while it was just the 'yn' that she was having trouble with. But today she wrote it all with no help!!!

1st Attempt

2nd Attempt

20th May, 2008

I don't know how many of you noticed, but it was not till the other day that I saw that in her second attempt and when she is all smiles, she forgot the 'l'..... ohh well

A Pip break through!!!!

2008-04-09T20:59:00.003+10:00

Today was a FANTASTIC day!!!! for the 1st time since starting preschool Philippa did not cry when we arrived, when we went through the gate, went inside her room, when I said good bye or when I came back to pick her up! It was just such a great feeling. Her teachers said she was great all day and was just hyped.

PS: Lots has happened since my last blog which is not hard so I will be doing a mass blog soon....

Where has 4 years gone????

2008-03-27T14:12:00.003+11:00

You know as the anniversary of Mums death is quickly approaching, it is so hard to accept another year has gone. Andrew was watching Oprah today!!!!! as she had Destiny Hope Cyrus, that is Miley Cyrus who is Hannah Montana just incase you missed that. It is a thing that we can't go anywhere before 9am on a Saturday as we all have to sit down and watch Hannah Montana on Saturday Disney. Anyway he was telling me about this song that Miley had written about her grandfather that had died and that it was so spot on for me. So I googled it and as I read the words through my tears I just had to share it with you, as I know everyone can identify this with someone in their life. I could not have done a better job at it (probably why she is a multi $$$$ super star and I'm just me, but the thing is my mum loved me for just being me) Anyway hope this makes you appreciate that someone special. Love You.

I Miss You by Miley Cyrus

Sha-la-la-la-la, sha-la-la-la-la

You used to call me your angel

Said I was sent straight down from heaven

You'd hold me close in your arms

I loved the way you felt so strong

I never wanted you to leave

I wanted you to stay here holding me

I miss you

I miss your smile

And I still shed a tear

Every once in a while

And even though it's different now

You're still here somehow

My heart won't let you go

And I need you to know

I miss you, sha la la la la I miss you

You used to call me your dreamer

And now I'm living out my dream

Oh how I wish you could see

Everything that's happening for me

I'm thinking back on the past

It's true that time is flying by too fast

I know you're in a better place, yeah

But I wish that I could see your face

OhI know you're where you need to be

Even though it's not here with me

I miss you

I haven't forgoten you!!!!

2008-03-14T19:14:00.008+11:00

I am aware that it has been a long time since an update. We are still without our good camera and also to be honest life has been pretty crap of late and the last thing I have wanted to do is try and put together a blog.

We also have been really busy getting back into everything, so by the time I have half an hour to sit down and blog, my brain is fried and just not able to put 2 words together.

Hopefully things will settle down and I will be my motivation back soon, as i really do love doing this but it is just really hard some times.

Here are a few shots of the girls to show how much they are growing up.

OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

Look at our new fringes!!!!!

Pre School Day!!!!!

You can't tell me that my kids don't have style!!!!!

My Mother would be proud!!!!!! It was "Jesus heals the sick" at Little Kids Church and the kids were encouraged to dress up like a Dr or Nurse. So I went to Spotlight, got some material and made a costume for Caitie. She looked fantastic as you can see and she looked so grown up. I know that it was nothing fancy and compared to what Kerryn can do with a sewing machine I fall very short but I was impressed with my effort and so were my family!

Caitlyn turns 4

2008-02-08T18:34:00.001+11:00

I need to go to youth group now, so will add the words later.

Pips 1st Day at Pre School

2008-02-08T18:26:00.000+11:00

Please excuse the sepia look of these shots. I am borrowing a camera from Dad and for some reason it took all red out of the shots so they actually look like this!!!!! and are

TIF files.....Caitlyn is wearing a pink shirt and denim shorts and Pip is in a blue shirt and denim shorts and their bags match their shirts and hats....

Internet Issues

2008-02-06T15:21:00.000+11:00

Since our last power blackout I have no internet again, so if I want to do anything on the net I have to go over to the church.

Hence there has been no blogs about 1st day at Gymnastics or today Pip's first day at preschool.

Once this is fixed which hopefully will be Friday night while I am at youthgroup and Uncle Marcus is fixing it while Aunty Jella is looking after the girls. Then I will post photos and information.

On the Pip note, she went fine and so did I. We got to her room, I put her down on the ground, she wandered off to play and that was it, didn't even want to say good bye. I am on my way now to pick them both up so we will see how she went.

I love my kids

2008-01-31T11:53:00.000+11:00

I just found these photos and love them.

Thanks Lizzie

Quiet Days

2008-01-31T10:51:00.000+11:00

Well as we start to get back into the full swing of things this week, it is hard to not wonder were the holidays have gone!

Caitie is at preschool today and Pip is having a sleep and the house is so quiet, just the sound of the air conditioner (as it is soooo hot) is keeping me company.

After just reading "Mackay's what happening" latest blog about Maddie starting big school and Maddie crying and Annette crying, I'm sitting here crying, the closer I get to next Wednesday when Pip goes of to preschool, the more emotional I am getting. I now soooo understand how Aunty Merrillie was feeling. But the nice thing is I was reading the information that the preschool gave me on Pips room and its says, No matter if this is your first, second or third child starting, we understand and are here to help.....

After we drop both the girls off next week, we are thinking of going for a ride and having a nice relaxing kid free lunch, so at least that will hopefully take my mind of it.

Anyway we have Caitie's 4th Birthday to think about first as it is Saturday. So we will start the day with presents and a yummy breakfast then we head down to BJ & Kerryn's as it is Imogens 1st Birthday on Friday and so they are having her party Saturday morning. Then it is back home at 12pm for a Pip sleep and to get ready to head up to the pool for Caities party at 2pm. Busy Busy Day. My biggest frustration with this is our digital camera is broken and is in getting fixed and so I don't have a camera to take photos...... I have to see if I can find some one with one that we can borrow for a while as the shop said 'don't expected it back in a hurry' helpful hey.....

Well there are washing baskets surrounding me so I should start sorting, on fun!!!

Rain Rain Rain

2008-01-24T13:45:00.000+11:00

When it looks like this outside

It looks like this inside

Preschool 2008

2008-01-18T20:32:00.000+11:00

Wednesday Girl

Thursday Girl

Well we could not be prouder of our Caitlyn. She went off to preschool this week with no hassles, no fears and most of all NO TEARS!!!

Wednesday we get ready and head out. She was a little put out that she was now a Butterfly and had to move into the butterfly room rather than a Caterpillar, but other than that all was good. We get there, she kind of clings a bit and and asks when will Tahlia be here? I said she will be here soon, who you like me to wait till she gets here? Yes! Then as I am signing her in she asks if she can go play? and she is gone.... For me to be able to tell her what locker is hers and that I am putting things in the car I have to find her in the sandpit or on the climbing gym with the other kids. Eventually I found her and told her that I had to go, (even though Tahlia was still not there) and she said ok mum bye. When we picked her up in the afternoon, I was told she did really well and other than when she spilled her water she did not cry, not even at rest time. What a girl!!!!

Thursday, this was the day I was worried about as it was her day without Tahlia. But on Sunday we had found out that Lauriann & Carig Cousins (who have just moved back into the area) little girl Harley was going Thursday, So Merrillie introduced them and I was reminding Caitie that Harley was going Thursday too. So we get there, there are hardly any kids and cause of the rain they are inside. Caitie says mummy can I go play, but them comes back and says they are all little kids. So we both head into her room and put her bag in the locker when she sees the table with the paper and scissors, so she is off. Miss Trudie brings in some more kids in her class and she starts talking to them. I say I'm going and she says ok, bye!!!! When I picked her up she was sitting with Hayley and said she had a good day.

We did have to be a little gentle with her that afternoon, as she was very tired and so a little emotional, especially when she could not find her cup to have a drink. But other than that she was great.

I should not put my fears on my kids and worry that they are going to have issues, as every time I do they prove me wrong and show me just how much they are growing up.

I know I am very blessed and love my bug dearly.

Now I just have to get through leaving Pip in 2 weeks, I'm excited and I know I will be a little like Aunty Merrillie on Wednesday too........ sniff sniff give me some tissues...

Daddy's BIG Girl

2008-01-11T10:13:00.001+11:00

Caitie has always been afraid of the bike as it scared her, she does not like loud noises. Yesterday Andrew wanted to wash the Duc as it was very dusting having been sitting in the garage for months and as he is going for a ride on Saturday. Caitlyn wanted to help and she did a very good job at it.

Then Andrew needed to bring the bike back into the garage and so he started it up while Caitie was beside him and she bolted up to the front door, Andrew called her back and she let him put her up on the tank (Oh no not the tank!!!!) and then she let him ride the bike back into the garge with not much fuss other than she freaked that he was going to take her out on the road as he had to go onto the Beam driveway to get back into ours. She didn't cry, she didn't run and she also didn't smile for the camera.

Pip followed me out and when she saw Caitie on the bike she had her ams raised and saying "up, up, up" She has NO fear that one!!!!!

Fun Summer Days

2008-01-11T09:56:00.001+11:00

This is my two beautiful girls watching TV together.

Philippa totally idolises Caitlyn and so has to do everything that her big sister does. As you can see her, as they get older they are getting more and more alike.

Yesterday I decided it was time to be creative and so we set up the painting and had a great time. Caitlyn has always loved her painting she has inherited her mothers artistic flair. It was interesting to see how much Pip got into it and I was amazed that she lasted as long as she did before the paintbrush went in the mouth. As each day goes by I am more confident that Pip will love Preschool as she is just into everything and loves to play, drawn, dress up etc.

See she did this much before the mouth got it.....

See what happens when Daddy is looking after the Baby!!!

2007-12-30T18:52:00.001+11:00

Not so happy days

2007-12-30T18:41:00.000+11:00

These were taken when the girls were sick.

This one is at the Mothers group Christmas Party when Pip was kept away from everyone else, had not really eaten much in days and all she wanted was a chocolate biscuit. So she got one and enjoyed it so much. But it still didn't put the sparkle back in her swollen eyes.

Christmas 2007

2007-12-30T17:56:00.000+11:00

Well December has been a rather long, stressful and tiring month. Not only did we have all the usual busyness of the different things finishing and catch up with everyone before Christmas but both the girls got tonsillitis and Andrew was really unwell again. So by the end of the 2nd week of playing Dr to my darlings I was over them all and if I could have, I would have disappeared however this was not possible and so we did get through it all and are much better now. However Caitie has started complaining of a sore ear again tonight and went to bed at 4:30pm so that is not a good sign!!!!

Anyway Christmas.

We had our traditional Christmas eve of clean up and get ready for the following day (set the table and get food ready etc), put the kids to bed and eat finger food, while sipping Champagne. Very nice tradition that we started when we first got married.

Christmas morning I was up at 5:15am (not quite sure why as had to wake the rest of the house at 6:30am), breakfast is 7am you see. Anyway up we got and started cooking Grandma Verlie arrived and a little late Dad & Barb arrived but we still enjoyed a yummy breakfast of bacon, sausages, eggs, croissants, toast and juice. Then it was time for presents.

Next year remind me that wrapping is a waste of time as i unwrap every present that I had wrapped for Pip and then some. The girls were very spoilt as we both Andrew and I. Caitie got her first Big Girl Bike, Pip got her first dolly and a pram, Andrew got a Summer Bike Jacket and a really great Ducati jacket and I got an ipod.

It was then time for Andrew to head over to the church and for us to all get dressed properly, hair done, face on and out the door in time for Church. It was a great service, the church was packed and a nice chance to catch up with so many friends and old faces.

Then home for lunch with Jo & Steve, a family from the church and then an afternoon of bike riding and relaxing.

At 4:30pm we headed down to BJ & Kerryns for the 'Camp family' dinner, actually it isn't really the 'Camp' family as this is when we catch up with The Alexanders, The Robsons and The Bevans (mum's side of the family). Anyway we had a really lovely evening catching up with everyone as it was last Christmas that we saw Greg & Lorraine. Dad & Barb were not there this year as they had left for their holidays up north after the mornings service. The girls played on the bikes and enjoyed their time with their cousins and at 9pm when we started the present giving nightmare, all the girls had hit the fan and there were cries and sobs coming from all directions. We headed home not to much after that and the girls were both asleep by the time we hit Windsor Road.

On Boxing day we had the 'Parkinson' family Christmas as with Dad being away and having had his birthday on the 23rd we were free to catch up with Glen & Michelle and Verlie for lunch. After that we headed over to the church to Skype Dave & Dee and had a chat with them while Teghan threw up on camera.

It was really and nice couple of days and we loved visiting with family and watching the faces on our fast growing up girls as they enjoyed their days and all the presents and chocolate.....

Merry Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T16:20:00.001+11:00

We wish you all a Blessed and Joyful Christmas.

Love Andrew, Jo, Caitlyn & Philippa

1st of December, 2007

2007-12-07T11:33:00.000+11:00

I was very excited when it turned out that the 1st of December was a Saturday this year and that we had nothing on so we could put up the Christmas Tree and decorate the house. It is actually amazing that when you start at 6:30am as you have been up since 5:45am that you can be finished by lunch time.

We had a nice time decorating the tree with all our special ornaments. Andrew & I have a ball with our name on it and then both girls have a special 'Baby's 1st Christmas' and the a ball for every year since they were born. I have also bought a special ornament each year since mum died in memory of her, so we have a candy cane, Venetian blow glass angel from Venice, Christmas tree and a wreath candle. There are also some special little ones that we have picked up over the years. As Miss Philippa is at that age we are back to caging the tree in...

Then we attacked the walls and door frames with tinsel, balls and the staple gun!!! (best thing every invented for putting up decorations)

And of course the lights, however due to the constant rain we have not done outside this year but the front window looks very pretty.

Even though we are tired and how totally unmovitavted I am, I still love this time of year and now understand why mum loved it so much too.

Christmas through kids eyes is just precious.....

Time Time Time

2007-12-07T08:32:00.000+11:00

This monthly blogs is ridiculous, and as is obvious from the lack of blogs we have been very busy of late. And with the silly season on us in full force it is not going to get any better.

(He wishes!!!! at the Sydney Bike Show)

Andrew is very tired, as we don't seem to get much sleep these days. He is really happy with the changes we made to the youth group as we are still averaging 35 - 40 kids a week and the drop in nights are working well. Noel & Anne have headed back to South Africa again this Christmas as Anne's Dad is not well and so for the second year running Andrew is on deck for December. He was very excited on Monday as he had finished Sunday's sermon by 12:30pm, this is a first ever achievement. He had also taken on a Kids Christmas Show with a good friend Merrillie who felt God was leading her to put on a very cute Sheep costume named 'Fleecy' and go around to schools telling kids about Jesus. They have been very busy with practices and are doing 3 different schools and our Christmas Carols.

Caitlyn is still loving preschool and is growing into a gorgeous little big girl. We had Annika's 3rd Birthday in the begining on Nov and she had a great time playing with her cousin.

With Andrew and Merrillie having Fleecy practices I have been looking after Tahlia and Kalista and the girls have had great times dressing up and pretending to get married.

This week we invited Lizzie to come shopping wit us and she brought Caitlyn a new dress that has not been off her since Tuesday and she loves to parade around in it. She is almost 4 years old and you really wonder were that time has gone.

Philippa is off and running now and there is no stopping her. She is such and happy and funny kid, so different from Caitlyn, (Caitie was always serious).

I enrolled her in preschool this week so we got her uniform and she paraded around to show everyone her new shirt, hat and bag.

She is still refusing to eat anything but weetbix, bananas, pasta in sauce, jam sandwiches and of course Chips!!!! but we are slowly getting there. She is a lot more demanding that I remember Caitie being as when Pip is hungry and feels that it is time you feed her she goes up to her high chair and hits it, points to the kitchen and grunts. She told the microwave off the other day as I put her bowl in there and she wanted it out!!!!

I am just as tired as Andrew and really not organised out Christmas at all. My garage is FULL of presents to wrap that I have to do once the girls are in bed but I just can't be bothered. But at least my attempts to clean my house every Monday morning before mothers group, make the beds each morning and vacuum once a day so it stays tidy is working. Well I better get dressed as it is swimming day and Grandma Werlie will be here any minute and I am sitting on the ground in the middle of what was my tidy lounge room before the girls got up in my PJ's.

Life always get in the way

2007-11-20T19:17:00.000+11:00

I can not believe it has been over month since I blogged.... (Not as bad as Mrs Fabelhaft, but getting there).

You always have the best intentions of making this a weekly thing and then life gets in the way and its all out the window.

To bring you up to date

Church exchanged contracts
We launched a new look youth group and are averaging 40 kids a week
Andrew went on a 4 day Retreat and while he was away both the girls got the throwing up high temps bug
Went to the bike show
We have booked our Speaker for the Ladies retreat and i have 5 registrations already
Our fridge broke (and still is broke)
Have got hooked on Facebook
Alissa & Dave got married
Pip is walking
Pip is currently cutting all top teeth including molars (all in the last week)

Well that is pretty much up to now. We are all well and truly on the end of year countdown now, no free time till 2008.

However I am very excited and so is Andrew as we booked our wedding anniversary yesterday. We are going to see James Morrison playing at Taronga Zoo and spending the night at Rydges North Shore. WITH OUT THE GIRLS for the first time since Caitlyn was born.... Now we only have to wait till the 29th March, 2008!!!!!!!

Our Important News

2007-10-17T15:08:00.000+10:00

On Wednesday 3rd October Caitlyn started Pre School (yes again).

Praise God, she loves it, today is her 3rd week of going and she is enrolled for 2 days next year. We realised that she is 6 months older now than she was and we have taken her to Pitt town where her bestest friend Tahlia goes. So she is not alone.

The teachers are fantastic, the centre has been there since the 80's but is just exciting every time we go and when we get there at 8:45am- 9am there are kids everywhere playing and she just joins in. We have had no bedtime issues, she talks about going all the time and just loves it. Which is SO great for us, as I was worried that after last time she might not cope but I need to have more faith in my big girl. Miss Nicola was trying to explain that this is her preschool now not just Tahlia's as I think she still thinks of Clarendon as her preschool and this one Tahlia's.

So each Wednesday we drive to Kadens, throw Pip and Kalista in the pram and walk Caitie and Tahlia down to preschool as it is 2 houses down from their place. And now Caitie doesn't want me picking her up at 3pm, she want us to pick her up when Merra picks up Tahlia at 4:30pm and we have to walk back to Tahlia's house. Don't you just love her.

She gets a t'shirt, hat and bag and just looks adorable. The first day I forgot my camera but it was so cute here is both Caitie and Tahlia in their Pink shirts, Pink Hats, Jeans and Sneakers walking hand in hand carrying their dolls. Just a priceless moment.

I am so impressed with this preschool that the plan is to enrol Pip in for 1 day next year and Andrew swap his day off so we can have a day off without the girls and try and do some more Motorbike riding. I was a little hesitant to put Pip in as it is just a babysitting service for her age but then I realised that I need a break and for Andrew and I to have a whole day that is just us I think can only be beneficial to us and our marriage!!!! No housework that day..... And tell me where you can get a Babysitter that also feeds your child for $15.25 a day!!!!!

I should have gone with my gut instinct, 8:45am to 4:30pm is too long. When we got there Miss Nicola told us that she had started to cry at 4pm as she wanted to go home. So i will be picking her up at 4pm next week.

Australia Zoo

2007-10-17T14:50:00.000+10:00

WOW WOW WOW within 10 minutes of walking in the gate the $165 for us to get in was worth it (That was for Us, Caitie and Verlie). This is such a fantastic park, there are handlers everywhere with animals that you can touch, or hold and have photos with. The Crocoseum Show was great really informative and well down (the only pity was Bindi was coming next week she was filming in the US the day we were there.

Caitlyn patted a Wombat, Kangaroo, Koala, Baby Croc, Lizard and a SNAKE!!!!!! She loved it. Andrew got to feed and Elephant and we all got to see the new Baby tiger cubs.

It was hard not to be choked up when you saw photos of Steve Erwin and he is everywhere. There is a number of memorials and it was just so sad. Amazing guy!!!!

Dreamworld

2007-10-17T14:14:00.001+10:00

Well this ended up being pretty much a waste of a day and $150. This is not really the best theme park for little ones. We thought the fact they had Tiger Island, Nickelodeon Land and Wiggles World that it would be good. WRONG!!!!!

Tiger Island, really interesting for us but after 5 minutes for Caitie not so, as for Wiggles World they have 2 rides 1 of which was not working and Nic Land well they had 3 rides she could go on but other than that... not much else. We did find the Vintage Cars way down the back and this was a good one. Caitie even drove, well she thought she did while Daddy pushed the peddle and the car traveled around the track that is.

Sometimes you just have to see to believe!!!! So take a look at this!!!!

Amazing hey, did you know that you can get Hot Chips, cooked Hot Chips in 90 seconds out of a vendor machine!!!!

Treasure Island Holiday Park Biggera Walters

2007-10-15T15:22:00.000+10:00

We arrived at Treasure Island and were so impressed. This park is the BEST. They are a Big 4 park and have just been purchased by NRMA. So if you are a Big 4 member or NRMA member you get 10% discount.

They have 3 HEATED pools, 1 Toddler pool, 8 spa's, Putt golf, Go carts, Tennis courts, Huge Jumping Pillow, Swings and Restaurant. It is just the best park for young families and is some much better than when we were last there in 2000, B4K (before kids).

The girls loved the pool and some days Caitie's routine was Swim, Grapes, Jumping Pillow, Grapes, Swim, Grapes, Jumping Pillow, you get the idea. And Pip's was Swim, Sleep, Eat, Swim, Sleep, Eat...

The pool for Caitie was great got her water confidence back up and she was swimming under water from one side to the other, swimming backwards under water and even mastered backward underwater somersaults . If this is all that our holiday achieved it was worth every penny, but it isn't there was lots more. Pip just walked around and around as the water kept her standing and you just stood her up each time she lost her balance and went for a dunk and off again she would go.

Andrew hired one of the go carts one afternoon and rode all around the park with Caitie for an hour, while Pip slept and I read. We also had lots of fun playing Dora Ropes and Ladders.

We are expecting that as the conference was such a great success that it will be a yearly thing, so we are wanting to do this defiantly until the girls are at school and maybe even after as taking them out a few weeks a year for holidays is not going to cause them to fail. But we will be going in the term as it is just so much easier.

September Holidays - Travelling to QLD

2007-10-15T15:03:00.000+10:00

See I told you I would get around to it soon........

We headed off to Tuncurry/Forster on Saturday 14th Sept and after a trouble free trip arrived at a very run down and disappointing park that did not deliver what it had advertised. I did complain to Big 4 once we got home and in the parks defence, we were contacted by the owner directly so apologise and explain that he has just taken over the park and it about to poor over 1.5 million dollars into fixing it up and speak sternly to the lady that was very unhelpful at the front desk. It was encouraging actually as within a week of my email Big 4 contacted us twice, the owner called and Big 4 visited the park to evaluate the issues.)

Anyway once set up we headed into Forster for a walk and some ice cream.

Then it was back for a light tea and bed.

Next morning it was off to Grafton which again was a trouble free trip. We spent the afternoon around the very cold pool and then drove around for 45 minutes trying to find somewhere to have dinner and ended up at Macca's!!! Country towns on Sunday nights not much to choose from. The park was sensational, not a kids park but great transit park as we got a drive through site which meant we didn't even need to unhook. The only thing was we were next to the duck pond which was full of frogs that croaked all night and then at 4am the sprinkler's came on. But if that is all I can say to fault this place then it was good. We also stayed here on our return home trip. Drive thru sites FANTASTIC!!!!!! now they just need drive thru ensite site and we are set.

Introducing Teghan Jade Amelia Parkinson

2007-10-15T14:40:00.000+10:00

She was born Sunday 9th Sept to very proud parents Dave & Dee. After some feeding hiccups and getting her days and nights mixed up, as they all do, she is doing really well and is now a healthy 8pd. Dave is back at work and Dee is managing to get a few cat naps in while Teghan is sleeping. Overall they are loving their new bundle of joy and all of the new experiences that come with the responsibility of being parents.

Dave changing her 1st dirty nappy at home.

Casey Stoner.... What a legend!!!!

2007-10-15T14:15:00.001+10:00

Ducati 1 & 2 -Australian MotoGP 2007 at Phillip Island

What a great race, he had it from the start and he never lost it! It is just amazing this guy is 22 next week and is just amazing!

Lizzie Turns 18!!!

2007-10-15T09:29:00.001+10:00

Well yes she made it!!! and from all accounts she had a great day.

The girls and I went over in the morning with balloons and party hats and sang happy birthday.

Then in the evening we left the girls with Grandma Werlie and headed into The Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. (Andrew calls Lizzie a hooker the then 2nd time!!!!)

(The Birthday Cake/Sundae)

As usual the food was DEVINE and the service IMPECCABLE. We all ate way to much but had a lovely time doing it.

(Lizzie's 1st Hard Rock Hurricane)

We were amazed to hear that the Hard Rock will be closing its doors on the 21st Oct for the last time. Apparently after all these years their lease is up and the owners want to charge them $46,000 a month!!!!! apparently the entire property can be purchased for 7 million. So they are packing up and trying to find somewhere in Darling Harbour to reopen with 6 - 18 months. So they will be back. But Melbourne however is closing not to reopen.... very sad.

WOOO HOOO we have broken the 1000!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-15T09:25:00.000+10:00

Can I just say thanks to all of you that have helped in breaking 1000 views!!!! without you it could not have happened. hehehe.

Love ya all

We are back AGAIN!!!!!

2007-10-02T19:51:00.000+10:00

Well we are back from our sojourn north and are all so much better for it.

We had a great time of relaxing by the pool, visiting the newest addition to the Parkinson clan, doing the theme parks spending time together as a family, even read a whole book and Andrew was blessed at the conference.

Here are some photo's and I will blog in more detail as soon as Pip & I have done the washing. He he he!!!

Maddie's Hi 5 Pizza Party

2007-09-07T15:17:00.000+10:00

We headed off to Maddie's Hi5 Pizza Party in our new Hi5 shirt thinking we looked very special with our curly hair. Once everyone had arrived Aunty Annette told the kids to put on their special aprons and climb up ready to make their Hi5 Hand Pizza's (Very well done Uncle Nathan!!!!) This kids had a great time putting on a selection of toppings.

While the pizza's were cooking it was then time for pass the parcel. Each of this kids got a lollipop and some stickers and the birthday girl got a special Hi5 sticker book.

Then it was time for Maddie to open her presents, have you ever seen a group of 4 & 5 year old's during the present opening stage of a party, it is much like seagulls at the beach really....

Once the presents were opened then it was back to the table to eat their wonderful creations. and then Aunty Annette's wonderful creation the cake!!!!!

The kids then did some dancing and a game of frozen solders. It was a great afternoon had by all.

Well done Uncle Nathan & Aunty Annette and Happy 5th Birthday Maddie!

More Baby News

2007-09-06T19:44:00.000+10:00

Congratulations

To Craig & Lauriann Cousins as they welcomed into the world a new baby boy at 4:26pm Wednesday 5th Sept.

Bryce Lachlan weighed in at a healthy 7 ld 2 oz and is a new brother for Hayley.

Hairspray

2007-09-06T15:33:00.000+10:00

I can still remember going and seeing the ORIGINAL Hairspray movie with Mel & Karen back in 1988. Back when the Richmond Regent only had 1 theatre. There was Mel, Karen and Me and the guy that collects the tickets!!!!!!

It had Ricki Lake playing the lead role and was a enjoyable movie. Take a look and see if you think it would be better than seeing John Travolta in a fat costume and a dress.