Counting Down!!!!

     Counting down until we get to go HOME!  Papers are all in order (I hope!!) the little kids clothes are pulled out and stacked, Alex and I will do ours tonight, Lyle when he feels like it (but before Friday for sure!) and the activity backpacks will get done later today.  I have plenty of things in there that they won't get to peek at until we are on the plane to Sydney.  Plenty of coloring and activity books, read aloud by mom and to mom books, plain drawing paper, you know the drill.  They are thrilled that they will have their OWN TV to watch whatever they want on the trip over, so I think the flights are well handled.  It's the 8 hours in LA that will be fun-NOT!
     Luggage looks like it will be manageable at least.  We're planning on 6 or 7 lightly packed suitcases plus 2 roll on carry-ons (for all to share) and a backpack each.  We have a bunch of stuff we are bringing home to share, so will have lots of room if we decide to do some shopping and haul it back with us.  The Costco list alone ought to fill them right back up!  We are going to order a MaxiTaxi that holds up to 10 people, so it ought to handle the luggage just fine.  Parking here is obscenely expensive-so an $80 cab ride both ways saves us about $200!  Needless to say, our idea of expensive has been readjusted on many things.
     The trip over looks like it will be the challenging one.  We depart Sydney about 12:30 pm on Friday, and arrive in Boise at about 7:30 pm on Friday.  Love going across the international date line!  So, 14 hours from Sydney to LA, landing in LA about 9 am.  That will be about 2 am according to our bodies, so I'm betting a nap in the status lounge will help to kill some time.  Lyle has gold status with Qantas and extra passes come with that, so the family will at least be able to while away the time in a quieter location than the main concourse!
     Our basic schedule at home-get into Boise Friday night, recover and sort the goodies out on Saturday, Boise family BBQ on Sunday (pretty much all day!  Yay!).  Leave for Oregon on Monday and be in Oakridge until Friday, leave Friday for Newberg and hang out with the Trantham family Friday and part of Saturday-we may even get to go to the Rose Parade!  Saturday evening with the Hoobing side and back to Nampa on Sunday.  Whew!  The kids are dying to sleep in the pop up camper with Baba and have a shooting day out in the desert or at the gun range.  Ian really wants to see "his" shotgun in action and they are all ready to plink with a BB gun.  Alex may even get to shoot a .22 if she thinks she can.  Darn kid is nearly as big as me, so she can certainly physically handle it.  Hang with the Nampa/Boise crowd (Lyle and I are going to abandon the kids to the grandparents for a night off there somewhere-our first since before we moved here!), relax, and enjoy the family.  Sarah will hopefully get to spend some extra time with her Nonny and cousins, and for sure the girls and I are going to get a haircut that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!  Maybe we need to go to Razzle Dazzle school of Hair design and do a pedicure too?  What say you sis and Mom?  A little girl pampering??
     In the meantime, life is swimming along here!  Alex is finishing a social studies project that will be due while we are gone, both girls have aerobics (Alex will miss state competition, but if they do make it, will attend nationals in Sydney in August!), school fun day is tomorrow morning (not sure what that entails yet, but sounds like fun!), and I will be working on Wednesday.  The laptop is finally back up and running, and will take the trip with us as well.  And on another good note, my Utah teacher certification is now complete BEFORE the deadline, so all is well in my professional world, at least for now.
     No pictures to post up from Alex's birthday party-I don't like to post pics of other kids without permission, and I only have some table group shots with all of them.  Alex is thrilled with how the party turned out.  8 girls with laser guns, plenty of chocolate, and lots of giggles.  The masses of 8 and 9 year old boys pretty much did me in!  How dare she be 12 already!  I think I'll be even more offended when she hits 16, so I better get used to it regardless.
     So excited to be heading home!  See you all soon!

What do you mean she's 12!

     Today (at least here) Alex turned 12.  She just came into my room at bedtime and told me that technically her birthday really isn't until tomorrow, so she gets another day to turn 12.  Smart@$$ kid!  She is right too.  Alex decided that she needed to make brownie bites (mini brownies) for ALL of the 7th graders at school for today.  So last night she did, with very little supervision I might add.  She is getting confident in the kitchen, so about time to get serious about letting her loose there.  Growing up.  She can nearly look me in the eye and is already stealing my shirts and some dresses.  Her feet are the same size as mine, but have been for nearly a year now.
     I was mulling over the fact my baby is getting big, and had read a great book by the comedian Tina Fey this last year.  Her book, Bossypants (don't you love that title!) has a chapter towards the end called The Mother's Prayer for Its Daughter.  I'm putting it in here (a bit altered) as it pretty much sums up the fears we have and the heartfelt prayer I know my mother offered up for me (and her!) to make it through.  While your words may be different, I think we all have the same general ideas here.  Enjoy, and Happy Birthday Kiddo.  You are growing into a truly amazing young lady and we are proud to be your parents.

First, Lord:  No tattoos.   May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the Pooh holding the FSU logo (or in our family, BSU!) stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful, but not Damaged, for it's the damage the draws the creepy soccer coach's eye, not the beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half and stick with beer.

Guide her, Protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming the the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking into parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller coasters, log flumes, or anything called "Hell Drop," "Tower of Torture," or "The Death Spiral Rock 'N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith" and standing on any kind of balcony, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way into Finance.  Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes and not have to wear high heels.
What would that be, Lord?  Architecture?  Midwifery?  Golf course design?  I'm asking You because if I knew, I'd be doing it Youdammit.

May she play the drums to the fiery rhythms of her own heart with the sinewy strength of her own arms so she need not lie with drummers.

Grant her a rough patch from twelve to seventeen.

Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long.  For childhood is short-a Tiger flower blooming magenta for one day and adulthood is long and making out in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the internet forever that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers and the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls just wanna get stabbed.

And when she one day turns and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, give me strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, for I will not have that shit, I will NOT have it!

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes Lord.  That I may see her lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 am all at once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.  "My mother did this for me once," she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby's neck.  "My mother did this for me." and the delayed gratitude will wash over he as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me.  And she will forget.  But I'll know, because I peeped it with Your God Eyes.

Amen.

Yes Daddy, I'm doing my blog now!

     So, slacked off just a bit this last week.  My dad called me on in Saturday morning.  Yes, I do let things go once in awhile.  As long as the laundry and dishes are kept up, life can continue though!  Looks like you'll have 2 blogs to read this week!
     Last weekend we had tickets to go into town and see Annie.  It was fabulous!  All of the kids stayed awake through the whole thing and for the ride home on the train as well.  As expected, it was nearly midnight by the time everyone was tucked in, and we paid for it all weekend. . . and a good part of this week as well!  Everyone has a low key virus with a runny nose and some coughing.  Ick.  Welcome Winter!  Here are some pics of us on the train!  Don't the boys look especially handsome!

     No one slept in the next day (at least the kids didn't so neither did we) but a short nap was taken by Ian.  We went to the park and enjoyed the glorious weather-mid 70's and clear blue skies with a light breeze.  The kids took their bikes, and Annika FINALLY is up on 2 wheels and riding away!  Ian pedaled his yellow bike with training wheels and is thinking he may love it now too.  This park as a great fitness circle that the kids love to ride around and around and around. . .

     Monday was the Labor Day holiday here as well this last week.  It was nice having yet another beautiful day to play in the sun!  Back to the park and more biking and running for everyone.  We also nearly got peed on by a koala!  Nothing like pee raining down from the tree just meters from where you are sitting.  Certainly got everyone's attention!

      Happy Mother's Day today to all my favourite Mums as well!  Alex and I spent the day down in Ormiston for the school aerobics state preliminaries.  Left the house dressed and ready by 7 am and home about 2.  It was a LONG morning.  Her team was the very first on stage for the day and they did a great job.  Here are some still shots of Alex and her team.  Every team Camp Hill sent in all categories qualified for the state based on points.  They will have copious notes to consider from the judges before the state meet next month.  We will be in the USA during the state meet, so unfortunately Alex will miss this, but if they go to nationals, we'll be going to Sydney in August.  Whee!

Catching up

     Some catching up this week.  Obviously I'm late with the weekly post, but it has been a busy couple of weeks.  I realized reading though that I have missed a couple of updates, so here goes!
     Alex had her interview at Cavendish Road HS last week, and it seemed to go well.  I am so proud of her, she had grown in her confidence so much this last year.  We had put together a resume for her to use in the interview and once we started listing out the activities and interests she has over the last couple of years, it is pretty impressive.  Swimming and aerobics, good grades, community and school involvement and leadership and such a pleasant personality in an adorable package!  She turns 12 years old in just a couple of weeks!  Where has the time gone!  At any rate, the interview went well.  They do not have an audition choir to earn a place if you live outside of the boundaries, but we are applying to their academic program, so we'll see what happens.  There is always the option of moving so we are in boundary, then they have to take us!
     We have tickets to go and see Annie in the city at the theater, and we are so excited!  We'll take the train into town and walk to the theater.  Planning on being home about 1130 to midnight, so a long day/night for all of us.  Naps on Saturday before we go and naps on Sunday to recover.  Monday is Labor Day, so a holiday for us all!  The weather is supposed to be amazing, followed by a cold front (remember, anything below 60 is cold here!) and clear, beautiful skies.  Love it!
     Annika has decided to start Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) with a couple of her friends.  She is at the brownie scout equivalent and is so enthusiastic, as with everything she does.
     I also meant to post a recipe last week for ANZAC biscuits.  These are basically an eggless and dairy free oatmeal cookie.  They were developed to mail to the WWI soldiers in Europe for a treat from home.  Be warned, they are addictive, and don't overbake, or you will be eating them for months to come.  This is a form of sailor hardtack, dunk in a cup of coffee or tea, or you will find your teeth are cracked!  If you bake for the 10 minutes specified, they will be chewier, bake longer they crisp up fast.

Makes

about 24

Ingredients

• 1 cup (150g) plain flour
• 1 cup (90g) rolled oats
• 1 cup (85g) Ward McKenzie desiccated coconut
• 3/4 cup (155g) brown sugar
• 125g butter (a bit more than 1/2 cup)
• 2 tbs golden syrup (you can use dark corn syrup)
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 2 tbs water

• Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.(320 F) Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Sift the flour into a large bowl. Stir in the oats, coconut and brown sugar.
  2. Put the butter, golden syrup and 2 tbs water in a small saucepan. Stir over a medium heat until melted. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda.
  3. Pour the butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
  4. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on the trays, about 5cm (2 in) apart.
  5. Press with a fork to flatten slightly. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  6. Set aside on the trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack so it cools completely.

  
  

ANZAC Day

     ANZAC Day was yesterday, April 25.  This is a national day to remember the sacrifice of the soldiers fighting at the peninsula of Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.  Australia and New Zeeland Army Corps is where ANZAC comes from and is observed by Australia, New Zeeland, Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn, and Tonga.  Following is an excerpt from Wikipedia about ANZAC Day so you understand what it is about and where it comes from. 1 of every 8 Australians in service died at Gallipoli, so this is still a strong national memory.
     
     In 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of an Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula, according to a plan by Winston Churchill to open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies. The objective was to capture Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, which was an ally of Germany during the war. The ANZAC force landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Army commanded by Mustafa Kemal (later known as Atatürk). What had been planned as a bold strike to knock the Ottomans out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. The Allied casualties included 21,255 from the United Kingdom, an estimated 10,000 dead soldiers from France, 8,709 from Australia, 2,721 from New Zealand, and 1,358 from British India. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed to achieve its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking the Ottoman Empire out of the war, the actions of the Australian and New Zealander troops during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity in both countries. This has shaped the way their citizens have viewed both their past and their understanding of the present.

     Following WWII ANZAC Day became a commemoration for all those who served and who died in the wars.  It is traditional to have a service at dawn to silently remember those who fell in the cause of freedom.  With the continual loss of service members to age the families and schools have begun to take over many of the ceremonies locally.  Camp Hill Primary school was approached several years ago by the local chapter of the Returned Service League asking them to become the organizer and host of the local ceremony as so many members were too aged, disabled, or simply gone.  Our school, deputy Principal Pam Dunbar, and staff organized a beautiful ceremony honoring the service members.  Military speakers, local clergy, and students spoke and sang, prayed, set wreaths at the school war memorial, and held a moment of silence.  I must note that the short parade started at the local Hotel (bar in Australia) and that traditionally that is were services end as well.  Seeing as our crowd was a bit young the tradition had to be altered a bit!

     We spent most of the afternoon at our local park.  Alex ran 2.4 miles with her dad, and Lyle ran another 7 after their bit.  The kids played quite happily with several dozen other kids.  The parks are a popular option on ANZAC day as nearly every store and shop is closed.  Those that do open are only in the afternoon from about 1-5 or so.  All in all, a very nice day.  It is nice to see so many gather to remember.

     Winter is coming. Not the quote from Game of Thrones, but for sure Brisbane winter is coming!  It got downright chilly last night.  I woke up shivering under my flannel sheets and comforter. Of course the windows were wide open and the wind was howling.  I had been dreaming of tornadoes at the time. . . Annika was on a frantic search for her long pants and Ian needed a jacket for the walk to school this morning.  I do have to laugh-the daily high is still nearly 80, but the mornings are brisk.  If you are no longer used to snow!

     Love you all!

School Pictures!

     It's been a pretty typical week around here this week.  Annika decided this weekend before school started up for term 2 that her hair was too long and such a pain to take care of.  Hear, hear!  Seeing as she didn't want to brush it and that it was a messy rats nest, I applauded her decision and got out the scissors!  It looks quite cute!  I posted a pic on FB, thought I copied to the computer.  I'll have to find and put on here next week!  In the meantime, here are the newest pics of the kids from school  I love them!

     Don't they just look like the both of us too!
     Love you all and counting down until we come home.

North Stradbroke Island Easter 2012

     Hi everyone!  We enjoyed a long Easter Weekend on North Stradbroke Island this year.  Here's a link for basic info for those inclined.  http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/queensland/north-stradbroke-island
     We left on Friday afternoon on the ferry from Cleveland and enjoyed the crossing.  Daddy treated to toasted cheese sandwiches (cheese toasties in aussie) on the ferry and we enjoyed the views from the upper deck loungs.  It was nice to have the morning to finish packing up and relaxing!  We felt and looked like the Beverly Hillbillies until we got there-lots of people packed to the gills in their 4WD vehicles and utility trucks.  For those not in Australia, a utility vehicle aka Ute, can be many things.  A small pick up truck, a Ford Falcon (half car half truck.  Think Ranchero), or a truck with flat bed with rim around.  These were all piled on with coolers (Eskies) tents, tarps, bikes, sand chairs-you get the picture.  For those planning on a long stay, they brought the campers or trailers also piled high.  Serious fun to be had by everyone!
     We got to the house we rented for the weekend.  Again, nothing really special, but it was a quick drive to the beach.  It was a 2 bedroom 1 bath place that was the basement of a nice house.  The owners live above and we had a chance to visit for a bit.  Nice people!  There are 3 kangaroos that hang out and a nice backyard the kids played in.  They went adventuring and found huntsman spiders as big as Alex's hand!  Oh, fun!
     The beach was amazing.  Cylinder beach is just literally around the corner of the tip of the island on the Pacific side and gets amazing waves coming in.  Alex is totally hooked on body boarding and surfers love the island for the selection of beaches with fantastic waves.  We loved this beach because everyone was happy!  As the tide went out, there is a flat, shallow area that protects a deeper hole that was practically wave free for the little ones.  Something for everyone, for sure!  Here are some pictures of the weekend for you to enjoy.  The only part we didn't like was the jellyfish stings on our last day.  Annika got a bluey wrapped around her wrist, Lyle got some good stings scraping it off of her and washing her down. In his words, it was like trying to wash off thick, sticky, blue snot.  Took some scrubbing on his part, which meant he got some good stings as well.  Ice at the lifeguard station for Annika followed by some ice cream made it all better.  As she was the 3rd reported sting, the station posted jelly warnings.  Didn't keep too many people away we noticed!

 The Jellyfish sting.  Hurts like heck!

  Our little maroon Nissan X-Trail.  Lightly loaded compared to many!

  Annika out to try body boarding!

  Alex loves to make sand turtles.

 Family beach photo!  Note my Medusa style hair.  I so rock this!

  Bury Annika time!

 And Ian's turn. . .

  Daddy was the abominable sand man after he got his turn being buried!

     Great weekend had by everyone.  The third day the kids were so tired!  Alex fell asleep on the floor on her pillow (a tile floor-she was exhausted!), Ian crashed out at 6:30 on the couch and Annika asked to be tucked in at 7.  The ferry was an hour late leaving the island, so we enjoyed walking the jetty and watching the waves.  Home with tons of salt water laden clothes and towels to work through.  Glad we have the rest of this week off until the next school term begins!

     Love you all!