A Sad Day at AGT

I can't believe it is nearly a week since Christmas Day.  Where did it go? 

We have been up to quite a bit and I had another nephew over the other night.  We did some interesting craft and we worked on some Maths issues he has been having.  I think we will need quite a few more sessions before the issues are sorted out, but we got a start.  


You are probably wondering what the title is about.  Yesterday was a sad day here at AGT or should I say, it was a sad day at our house.  The very last piece of birthday cake was eaten yesterday.  That means no more resident birthday celebration for another year.  Then, we will both be turning 30 and I think there will be more commiserating rather than celebrating.  

I showed you quite a bit of the fun that happened on the BFF's birthday, but I'm not sure that you have seen all the great food that was made in honour of my birthday.  My virtual and my actual birthdays were wonderful.  Here are some pictures so you can what fun we had. 

Random Cuteness on Christmas Day

One of the wonderful things about Christmas is the little things the kids do.  I have to say that by the time we were having lunch I was well and truly over the kids.  However, we were all very tired by then which didn’t help.  But I digress. Kid One and I had a few nice moments and I have to share.

I received two books from my parents for Christmas yesterday. Naked Bunyip Dancing by Steven Herrick is a verse novel about a year 6 class.  It is a continuation of Love Poems and Leg Spinners (also by StevenHerrick.).  I asked Mum for Naked Bunyip Dancing and informed her that it really wasn’t what it sounded like.  I also got Little Elephants; the latest Graeme Base picture book and #1 had to have a look. 

When I showed him my books, #1 asked me questions about the authors and what the books were about.  He saw the verse novel and read the title out loud.  “Naked Bunyip Dancing,” he read, “hee he he hee” he giggled.  “Naked,” I repeated and we both chuckled together.  I’m sure if any of the relatives were watching or listening to us they wouldn’t have got the joke!

Don’t deny it people.  Naked is a funny word!

I hope you had a silly moment with a kid this Christmas, it really isn’t the same without one.

AAAHHH Boxing Day, I have to get back to my online sale shopping!  

The BFF's Bday

Hi All,

This is another post that didn’t make it due to my internet connection, or lack thereof.  So, I will tell you all about yesterday first!

Yesterday was the BFF’s Birthday.  That’s right, she celebrates her birthday on Christmas Eve.  I mentioned in my last post, that it doesn’t seem fair for an angel like the BFF to share the day of her birth with Santa’s annual world trip.  So, I try to make it just about the BFF.  That is really tricky for me, because we all know that the world is all about me.  LOL.

I worked well into the night on the Eve of the Birthday so that the BFF would wake up to this…

I blew up the balloons and strung them together.  Then I taped the string to the top of  her door frame.
So when she opened the bedroom door she had to walk through the balloon "curtain" to get out!

Hagrid kept watch to say "Good Morning Birthday Girl:"
as soon as the BFF emerged from her bedroom. 

After breakfast with her Mum, the BFF did some shopping before picking me up and we went and did more shopping and had lunch and then went to the movies.  We saw, PITCH PERFECT, which was surprisingly good.  “Acca-Awesome!”  After the movie, we went home and the BFF went running!  Yeah, I think that’s weird too.   She had cake with her parents (cheesecake, white chocolate and luxury chocolates created by her Mum) and came home to a giant hug from her bestest bestie (ME).

Luv Ya Bestie!  I know you had a glorious day, because you told me you did! Welcome to club 29… 30 is just around the corner!

Now, I must acknowledge the fact that today is Christmas.  

Church was a blessed gathering.  Our family had a lovely time together.  The food and the gifts were great. The kids were exhausted and everyone had a nap after lunch… the perfect Christmas Day!  It wouldn’t be Christmas if I didn’t say…

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

Cubby Houses and Christmas Gift Wrap and Best Laid Plans

Trust me!  I composed the post below YESTERDAY! However, my internet connection has been rather dodgy and my mouse (the computer kind) died! So, while it appears that I have missed two days in a row, I really only missed one.  The plan today, is to post again before the day is out, because I know you must have missed me!! However, I can't promise anything because the internet connection is still a bit wobbly.  

Love! 



#################################################################################

Sorry! 

I missed yesterday and I almost missed today!  What a weekend. 

First, I promised photos of our most extraordinary cubby house.

This is the view from the side.  You can see the whole thing here.
The area under the blue roof is Hagrid's room.

Hopefully you can see inside.
You will notice the books scattered on the floor.
The best thing to do in a Cubby is read.
We had Tiny Teddies and water too. 

This is the view from the front door
(before you bob down  to crawl inside)

Yesterday, I slept late and the rest of the day was spent wrapping gifts.  The plan to do one present at a time and “not make a mess” did not come to fruition.  I had every intention of staying tidy and following the plan, but I pulled out the first bag and then I needed something that was at the bottom of the box and by the time I found it, the mess was made! Anyway, I tried another “loopy bow” with paper and it worked okay.  Then, I tried another loopy bow, but with curling ribbon.  There seemed to be a tangle of ribbon every step of the way.  The end result was very different, but it looks kind of cool in my opinion.  What do you think?

Today: I went to church and had lunch with the family and had my dress altered (love ya Mum) and sold a trumpet (Dad thinks I’m awesome) and gave Nan her present (she thinks I’m awesome too) and then I went to my Sister’s house and then the Chemist and then back to Church for our Annual Christmas Carol Service.  See, I told you it was a busy day!!

Tomorrow is the BFF’s birthday.  The poor girl was born on Christmas Eve and has to share HER day with Santa’s world travel.  This, in my opinion, is rather rude.  Therefore, tomorrow is going to be all about the BFF.  I have some nice little surprises planned for her, but I can’t tell you what they are, because she is sitting right beside me on the couch and even though she probably can’t see my screen, I don’t want to underestimate her super powers!  The BFF is a Super Hero, you know!  Not only that, she is my biggest blog fan and reads this thing religiously, so I don’t want to spoil the surprise. 

Did you read that girlfriend? No hints! No Peeking!  You will have to wait until tomorrow!!! :D

I do hope tomorrow is a Joy for everyone, and you all take a little bit of time to sit still and remember the real Reason for the Season (Luke 2 : 1-21).

Happy Holidays

Christmas Lights and DVD Movies and Sleepovers

The joy of holidays is not being stuck to a plan!  I’m finally beginning to relax and It is glorious. 

Last night, Nephew number 4 came over.  First, we went out with Grandma and Nan and number 2.  We took a driving tour around the neighbourhood to look at all the Christmas lights.  The tour ended at a local church that is open every night in December with a huge light display on their front lawn.  They also have stalls selling glow sticks, sausage sizzles, donuts, ice creams, books and handmade crafts.  They have singers and bands play in their main auditorium and the prayer room is set up with activities so people can read Bible verses, pray, or decorate a tree.  The Church has a Christmas Tree set up with a theme from every country in the world.  There are stuffed toys dressed in Santa suits and church members dress up as Shepherds.  We take the children there every year and they love it. 

It was very late by the time we all got home and into bed! But you know that already as you can tell what time I finished blogging last night.

This morning Number 4 woke me up and thankfully was happy to play with the blocks until the BFF got up and made him breakfast.  I love the BFF!!  We watched movies and coloured in and I made some bows for my gift wrapping.  4, was a delight for most of the morning, until we had a bit of a meltdown over shoes and socks.  It amazes me what this kid reacts to and what seems to slide off his back.  All kids are different.  I also found it interesting that 4 didn’t want to watch the Dinosaur movie.  Don’t get me wrong… I didn’t want to watch it either, but it is usually a favourite when the kids come over.  They will often pass up the other kid focused animated flicks to watch Dinosaur over and over again.  I have quite a few kid movies and I try to keep up with at least a few recent releases as well as some old ones, but Dinosaur often wins over the others.  I love introducing the kids to old movies (the ones I watched as a kid) and watching their reaction. 

  

Anyway, we watched Nim's Island and Evan Almighty.  Both are films that I haven’t seen in ages (despite having them on DVD) and I had forgotten how good they were.  I really enjoyed the animal fun in both movies.  Jodie Foster plays the agoraphobic writer, Alex Rider, who overcomes her greatest fears to help her biggest fan, a little girl alone on an island in Nim’s Island.  Evan Almighty is the spin off film of Bruce Almighty.  I have to say, I think I enjoy Evan Almighty more!  The soundtrack is my kind of daggy, there is zero swearing and no sexual innuendo (things that really ruined the whole concept of Bruce Almighty).  I can’t help thinking about the life lessons and Christian messages that might be squeezed out of Evan Almighty.  Some may think that this watered down modern version of the Bible Story is overtly Christian.  While God is a real person, there are real (rather than veiled) Bible references and conversations about faith and prayer, the message is more environmental and moral than Biblical.  But, it is clever and sweet and a bit of a laugh on a holiday morning.  It kept number 4 occupied for a while and for that I was grateful. 

After the DVD viewing, we put on socks and shoes and walked to the local shopping centre (which happens to have a McDonald’s beside it).  4 held my hand all the way, until we got there and he was off on the playground quicker than I could say, keep your shoes on!  After about 45 minutes of playing and eating and chatting and standing in line, we headed home, with a plan.  4 and I built a cubby house! I will tell you more (and show pictures tomorrow).  But for now, I will simply say, not many kids have an Aunty as awesome as me!!

After 4 was packed up and picked up by his Dad, I flopped on the couch and slept.  I slept and I slept.  I slept for hours!!! Being awesome is hard work you know! 

That’s that then. 

“Today was good, today was fun.  Tomorrow is another one.”

~Dr Seuss~

Happy Holidays