Interuption to the Christmas posting....

Sorry, interrupting the 2nd part of the Christmas post to do this; I stole it from Sal.......you bold everything you've done.


1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited The Great Barrier Reef.
5. Stood under the stars in the outback, the real outback – think Uluru.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to the Gold Coast’s theme parks – anyone, you take your pick.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sung a solo.
11. Bungee jumped, jumped out of plane, been paragliding or hang-gliding, hot air ballooning – you get the idea, you’ve been hundreds of metres about earth in a seemingly flimsy contraption.
12. Visited Melbourne.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Had a child. Raised a child. Worked with children.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Been to the Snowy Mountains.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Visited the Brett Whitely studio in Surry Hills, Sydney.
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Been backpacking. Are you nuts, I dont backpack!!
23. Taken a mental health day.
24. Been buried in sand with just your head and toes sticking out.
25. Held a possum, kangaroo or koala – or any other native Australian animal.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Been in a fun run.
28. Been on the Blue Mountain cableway.
29. Seen a total eclipse. I think so!
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Played, or watched, summer cricket.
32. Sailed, kayaked or canoed our beautiful waterways.
33. Seen the Daintree.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Visited an Aboriginal settlement or mission.
36. Learned a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Toured the Sydney Opera House.
39. Tried rock climbing (indoor or outdoor), abseiling or just simple bush walking.
40. Visit Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art.
41. Been to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
42. Sunbaked at Bondi.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Broome.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone fishing.
49. Seen Tasmania’s old growth forests.
50. Been to the top of Q1, on the Gold Coast.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Driven the Great Ocean Road.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Norfolk Island.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Guide biscuits.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone jet boating.
66. Visited Port Arthur.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Australian War Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Federation Square.
74. Been on the Murray River.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Travelled, or climbed, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Three Sisters at Echo Point, Katoomba.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited St Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Been to Hermannsburg.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited Parliament House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Saved a pet.
95. Been to the site of the Eureka Stockade.
96. Swum in The Whitsundays.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a mobile phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Merry Christmas

The build up to Christmas here was huge, the kids were the most social little butterflies . It really feels like we have been hardly home for the last 3 or so weeks. Monday before christmas I had to finalise the shopping, there was no way I was going to tackle it the last two days before christmas, on Tuesday we met up with the Macklinshaws (Jacks best friend from school) and we all had lunch at the local and exchanged Christmas gifts. That evening we met up with 3 of my school friends at Moorebank Sports club for a meal and a chat, Mart got to meet them as well, and it was a really nice night. Christmas Eve, I braved Macarthur Square, wanted to get the kids some new clothes, and both needed new shoes desperately. Surprisingly enough it wasn't as bad as I thought, the kids whinged and whined alot, they were sick of following me around shop to shop, but I bribed them with Maccas and a trip to the Vlatkos house that evening to exchange more christmas gifts.

The plan was to have the kids in bed nice and early, but of course a planed plan never works out. Got home from the Vlatkos about 9pm, after Jack almost using an entire 2 litres milk for the reindeer and leaving Santa about 10 packets of tiny teddies he was ready to sleep. I was sure I was in for an early wake up, but I was poked and prodded at 6.45am, which is much better than expected.

Nothing beats the delight on childrens faces when they wake up to presents galore on Christmas morning. I think my two were both very impressed with there new toys.

Jacks was very musical this year with a drum kit and a proper guitar for children, he also got some mega block navy things, arts and crafts stuff, puzzles, and a remote control monster truck....Santa your so clever.

"What I always wanted Mum....."

Jack with drum kit.

Jack with Guitar on his back.

For my little princess this year was alot of Barbie. Santa brought her the Fisher Price Digital Art Studio, and a Barbie make up kit which seems to be the number 1 gift; she also got the Barbie boat, some arts and crafts things, and some games.

Hayley loving her Make up Kit.

Hayley after doing her makeup. Isnt the Orange eyeshadow just delightful :/

Showing off one of her stamp kits.

Breakfast went out the window that morning, bad Mummy, but they both wouldnt settle down enough to eat, and I was a little to relaxed myself to even care to much.

**disclaimer** its midnight, I must sleep now before I turn into a pumpkin, Christmas part two tomorrow.

Good night y'all!

Saturday 20th December - NSW Mortgage Brokers/Platinum Property Xmas Party

Saturday 20th December - NSWMB and Platinum Property combined Christmas Party; GREAT NIGHT! We all went to dinner at a restaurant in Darling Harbour, cant remember what it was called, but it was Italian. I had the nicest Fish Ravioli for entree, yep the Ravioli was filled with Barramundi, it was delicious and for main I had Osso Bucco on a bed of creamy garlic Mash. YUM! From there we headed across to the Lyric Theatre at Star City Casino and watched the second last show of the musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert. OH MY GOSH! The show was fantastic! I really didn't think Mart would enjoy it but it was really hard not to. Todd Mckenney definitely stole the show.

Mart and I before the show.

Thats about the only photo of the night, I was to lazy to take pictures and noone else wanted to. Originally the plan was for us to stay overnight at the Casino, but when I found out that the room was costing $350.00 for one night and lets face it we'd hardly be in it anyway, we quickly turfed that idea. I can do alot for $350.00, and I can sleep in my own bed for free.

Kids were dissapointed they never got to have their sleep over at Nannys house but they dont realise a sleep over means you MUST go to sleep.

Friday 19th December - Marts Birthday

Ok, so I sucked at getting this thing up to date...and Christmas has been and gone.....but oh well, its been an unusually hectic time (that's the excuse I'm giving myself anyway).

Friday 19th December - Marts 36th Birthday. WOW 36 years old. Mart and I got together when he was 18 and I was a mere 16years old. 20 years ago. Here we are 20 years later, been through 3 houses and and have two little kidlets.

He really dislikes having his birthday so close to Christmas, its really hard to organise anything, like this year, most of our friends had Christmas parties on that night, so a small group of us just went to eat at the Outback Steakhouse.

Rodgers Family 19th Dec 08

My Dad, Birthday Boy and a great friend Steve

Marts Dad Daryl, Jack and Mart

Me, Mum & Hayley

Me & Mart

After dinner I dropped Mart and Steve at the pub, came home finally managed to get the kids into bed and crashed out myself, I never heard them knocking on the front door, so I was rudely awoken to the phone ringing at 12.45am, the thought of taking keys obviously didnt cross his mind.

So, there's another birthday gone by. Cheers to many more.

Video Time

This is what my children do when they are supposed to be cleaning out the toy shop that is my car.

Rockstar, by Jack and Hayley 15th December 2008.

Theres the link to the video on You Tube. Tried uploading straight to blogger but the upload will take forever as the file is HUGE.

Its obvious Jacks musical ability has nothing to do with his vocal cords.

Enjoy!

Monday 8th thru to Sunday 14th December

Lots of little things happened during this week, instead of starting new posts for each day, Ill combine the week in one post.

Monday 8th December - Party Day at school for Jack. The second last day of school arrived, and today was party day. The week before each child was given a big Christmas lunchbox from school, and we were to pack it with lots of yummy goodies for the party. Jack raved about it most of the evening so I take that as he had a great time.

Tuesday 9th December - Last day of Kindergarten. Felt a bit sad, cant believe that my Jack has now completed his first year of school and next year will be in Year 1. I am forever grateful that he had a great teacher for his first year and word has it that his Kindergarten teacher will be taking Prep next year which means that Hayley will have her for next year as well. School finished at midday, so Jack and I went off and did some fun things together, shop (yes of course, thats a fun thing), and had lunch, things that we dont often get to do together because we have a little biddy with us all he time, this time she was in pre-school.

Wed, Thursday and Friday the kids where at my Mums a fair bit. It gave me the chance to get some Christmas Shopping "started", and I had to pop into the office a few times during that week.

Saturday 13th December - Lucas's 4th Birthday at the Train Shed (Vicarys Winery). Lucas turned 4. Toni had a little party for him at the Train Shed at Luddenham. After some pretty horrific weather the previous 3 days, Saturday morning turned out to be hot, but then the wind picked up, not a little breeze, we are talking gale force winds that ended up blowing lunches off tables. We managed to spend about 2 hrs there but gave up in the end and took the kids back to Tonis for cake and water play.

Kids on train ride

Ashleigh, Jack & Hayley

Hayley, Kai, Jack, Ashleigh, and Christopher getting choked by Lucas

That day was topped off by a nice meal at the Outback Steakhouse with Tommy, Renee and Damo.

Sunday 14th December - Tinishas dancing concert at Mounties. My cousins little girl Tinisha had her dance concert last Sunday, so Mum, the kids, Ang and Christopher all went along to watch our little munchkin get into the groove. She did so well, was very proud off her up on Stage like that. Ever since that day Hayley has been asking to do dancing....again....undecided if Ill try her again next year, maybe, she still has her heart set on playing soccer and also doing proper gymnastics. Not sure. Decisions.

Tinisha - 3rd from the left

Tinisha number 1 on front row.

Saturday 6th December - Mini School Reunion

I know! Im still trying to catch up. Hoping to have a fair bit done today at least so I can start a Christmas Day post actually on Christmas Day.

Now, Saturday 6th December, I have to say was the best night that I have had in a very very long time. Lets face it, I don't get out alot without the husband or the kids, and not that I don't have a good time with them, it was just different, I was a person.....and not a Mum. Ill always be a wife so that bit dont really count.

Thanks to Facebook, Ive managed to get in contact with so many of my highschool friends. A mini school reunion was organised at one of the local Sports Clubs. My friend Krystina and I went together, and after a few inital nerves and two quick Vodkas to gain some courage we walked out to the beer garden with no nerves at all (well hardly non).

Krystina & I (taken after a few)

Me & Matt (taken after a few more)

Adrian and I (taken after a bit to many)

Matt #2 and I (taken after way to much)!

I don't recall, well not for at least 10 years, possibly more ever feeling that hung over the next day. But for that I can blame my Jager Bomb friend Krystina, 1 was fine, #2 I can blame Matt #1, knew I should stopped there, #3 well not sure were that came from, but it came, and it went and so did the feeling in my body. Combine it with numerous Vodkas, and the next morning you have one big MESS!

Looking forward to the next one on Feb 15. No Jager Bombs though.

Friday 5th December - Birthday Party at the Bike & Safety Centre

Friday the 5th was basically just another normal school day, mainly consisting of christmas craft work and taking all the things off the class room walls. The afternoon was rather rushed, Jack had Bayleys Birthday Party to attend at 4pm, but I somehow had to organise to get Hayley picked up from Preschool. I wouldn't have been able to fit it all in but Mart ended up bringing Hayley home, I had bikes and helmets already loaded in the car and off we went.

Due to two sets of lights being out on Narellan Road we were stuck in traffic for AGES! I was cranky, hot and frustrated, a birthday party on a Friday afternoon was the last thing I needed. We got there about half hour late, but the kids ended up having fun so I guess thats all that matters really.

The girls off on a bike ride

Youll always find these 3 together

Harry, Kai and Jacko

Hayley busy decorating her bike

Cake Time

We have attended lots of Birthdays at the Campbelltown Bike & Safety Centre. We tried to have Jacks birthday party there but you need to book WAY in advance to have any luck in getting a spot. They have real working traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings and a big play area for the littlies.

After the party I went and visited Mart and the boys down the local (pub) that is. I had the kids with me so everyone sat out in the beer garden so I could at least have a bit of adult conversation. Jason was down for the weekend so I wasn't expecting to see much of the husband that night, considering we don't see much of Jason I figured that a bit of boy time is ok. I had a couple drinks, Vodka and Redbull, not recommended if you are planning on having an early night, I was still bright-eyed at 1am, definately not a good thing when you know you have a big night coming up.

Thurs Dec 4th - Excellence in Effort Assembly

Mid November I received a rather formal looking letter from Jack's school. Immediately I thought he has been up to no good, and felt that wave of anxiety hit me as I was very slowly opening in the letter. Well, how surprised was to see an invitation to attend the Excellence in Effort Assembly as Jack will be receiving an award. My anxiety disappeared fast and then the I was overcome with proudness. Proudness, is that even a word, today it can be!.

You aren't told what the award is for a period of two weeks we were having a quiet laugh that it could be for Biblical studies. Not that that would be a bad thing but we are so not a religious home. Then we thought it could possibly be for PDHPE as he is loves his sport, but we were very wrong, he recieved his award for Music. We sit back and think about it now and Jack does love his Music, he taps away on his pretend drums, or air guitar and the report card at the end of this year said he has a talent for Music. So what do you know hey........

Receiving award from Mr Riley headmaster of all 3 schools (who retired this year)

Jack with his classmates on Stage who also recieved awards

He was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents there to see him receive his award, it was a pity that Nanny/Stephen in QLD could be there but there's always next year.

2nd December - Xmas Concert at Mac Anglican

We did the good Mummy and Daddy thing and attended the Infants School Christmas Concert. Everyone in the Infants school was involved, even the little Transition children, who used their big voices so everyone could hear their singing. Jack was excited that both Mart and I were able to attend; I gave Hayley the day off Pre-school as she wanted to see her big brother singing on stage. I started to regret that decision after about tantrum number 5, all because she decided to wake at 5.30am, why she thinks that hour is an acceptable hour to wake is beyond me.

School finished at 12pm that and it was like a Kindergarten get together at the local McDonald's. I don't think Narellan Maccas has even seen such a large influx of children at the same time. They day proved to be quite hot, so afterwards we went back to the Macklinshaws for some fun in the pool. By this stage Hayley was past being tired, she was so overtired that she was actually quite hilarious in her antics.

Hayley managed to last until about 3pm, then she started to really get whingy, that was my queue to head on home. I surely thought she would've fallen asleep in the car but she managed to stay awake on the drive home (because she wanted Milk) and we arrive home to no power due to a problem in the area. Electricity company said it could be out for a few more hours yet, so I packed everyone back in the car and headed over to Mums so I could relax and just clear my head for a bit as it was a very very long day.

1st December 08 - Assembly of the Christmas Tree

Usually it never goes up before the 1st of December. Since the 1st fell on a Monday this year, I decided that we'd do it on the 30th instead. So much excitement, and then 15 mins later both kids got bored, so I was stuck doing it yet again, the only thing that really excited them was me putting the lights on the tree. Hayley hung everything in the same spot and Jack kept trying to put everything up so high he ended up falling into the tree.

The tree gets constantly redressed every day, Hayley removes the baubles, plays with the baubles, rolls them across the floor, they break, I get angry, and then have to go buy new decorations. The tree looks pretty bare this year but its going to do, at least until next year when I am planning on getting a new huge whopper tree with brand spanking new decorations.

New Month, New Blog!

What a better way to start a new month - with a new Blog. But before I get started with the nitty gritty, Id like to thank Darcy from Graphically Designing for doing all the behind the scenes work; I'm sure you'll all agree that she has done a wonderful job. I'm deciding if I'm going to try and import from typepad to the new blog, but Ive had trouble with typepad importing in the past and I don't know if I really want to put myself through the hassle of it. Youll probably see regular changes to the content of the blog (at least till I'm happy with the things I want in my sidebar). Remember I love comments so please leave me some, at least so I know that you people are still reading.

Ill be starting on updating for the month of December really soon so keep checking back. But before I go I am pleased to say we have accomplished a successful Santa photo, the first time in almost 4 years that the children have sat together and smiled (well it was still a bit forced from Hayley) but she didn't run screaming in the other direction.

Enjoy.