Writing Workshop

A couple of weeks ago, Kate came out of class after school waving a piece of paper with a very excited look on her face.

Her teacher had been talking to them about a writing competition that is being run by the Shire. To encourage entrants, two writing workshops were being held (9 -12yrs and 13-17yrs) and students were nominated by their teacher if they thought you would benefit from attending one of the workshops.

Kate was delighted when her teacher named her (along with Kade in her class) and today was the day of the workshop.

The author was Norman Jorgenson. He told stories of how he became a writer, with his new book due out next month. He read some of his first books ever published. He talked alot about what makes a good story and gave the kids sheets with ideas to take away.

So. now it's time to start thinking about what to write for the competition. There are some great prizes up for grabs!

I will keep you posted!

Just plodding along

Not much has been happening around here. Well, just the usual everyday things - housework, homework, taxi-ing the girls around to dancing and swimming lessons and school. Phil is going away to work tomorrow, not sure how long he will be gone, but the groceries were a bit cheaper this week with one less adult to feed :) The days are still nice and the nights are nice and cool. Great sleeping weather. The girls have been busy with birthday parties and playdates. Kate is busy planning her 10th birthday next month :)

Changing Weather Patterns

Finally we are experiencing some cooler weather after a record breaking summer. We have even had some rain. Not much, but a little bit to get excited about. The girls now have flannelette sheets on their beds, we don't yet but I feel it will be soon. Ella is the only one in winter pj's, but she likes to sleep with her arms and feet out so likes her arms and legs covered. The days are still warm and short sleeves, shorts and thongs are still being worn. It's perfect weather for working in the garden or enjoying a walk around the neighbourhood. I love this time of year.

Second Hand Bargains

Amie and I met at a shopping centre near where she lives down on the coast on Wednesday. I noticed as I drove in there was a Salvos on a side street that I thought I would check out after we visited the main shopping centre. I'm so glad I did as I found these two awesome jumpers in mint condition (they are both for Kate but she has been letting Ella wear one) and a dancing skirt for Ella. I also got some Tupperware herbs/spices containers to add to my collection (not photographed)

These were taken this morning before jazz, hence the shoes!

Mother's Day

It's been a lovely Mother's Day today. Ella and I were awake first so we got up and had a hot chocolate and waited for Kate & Phil to wake. I was given some lovely homemade cards, chocolates, a new nightie for winter, slippers, sheets and a herb garden. Very spoilt indeed.

The girls and I headed out to get some fruit and veges for the week and to buy some herbs while Phil put the garden together. Came home and planted - doesn't it look good?

Amie, Brendan, Ruby and Jonah arrived after lunch and we potted about while the kids played. Ella and Ruby were so pleased to see each other.

I wanted to get a photo with all my girls, but Ella wouldn't. She only wanted one with her buddy Ruby. Oh well, another time.

I got one of Amie and her kids

and a rare one of Phil and I

Amie, Brendan & the kids

Jonah loved watering and was pretty good at it!

All in all it was a beautiful day filled with love, peace, happiness, sunshine and lots of fun!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums out there, I hope you were all as blessed as I was.

End of the holidays

Enjoying a play in the sandpit. You are never too old!

The last day of the school holidays was yesterday and once again the sun shone for us.
I took the girls swimming first as they had been wanting to go for awhile but hadn't made it there. Then we decided to visit Amie & Jonah. Ruby was at school as private schools started back on Tuesday. Jonah had fun with the girls and vice versa. Oh what luck to have such young Aunties :0

Friends & Fun

From left: Isla, Kate, Hannah, Ella

The beautiful Kate

The beautiful Ella

We met our lovely friends Hannah & Isla and their Mum & Dad today for a morning of roller skating. The girls all had a great time, a few falls and tears, and some bruises, but they always got back up and had another go. Lunch afterwards at Hungry Jacks, A nice day for the school holidays.

Singing & Dance Troupe Competition

3rd place! Be back tomorrow with details.

Off for a walk

We had had a mostly inside day apart from a quick trip to the shops to buy Kate a new pair of stocking for tomorrow and some veges. So just before dinner, I suggested we go for a walk even if it was a bit cool and had been drizzling.

There was so much beautiful colour around to brighten the darkish afternoon. We all enjoyed the change of weather and the reasons why we liked winter.

Ella took her umbrella along, and was ever hopeful it might rain. It didn't but she wanted a photo with it up anyway.

We walked home through the park which was deserted today. usually there are a few dogs being exercised, people jogging, kids enjoying the play equipment.

Movies

The girls have been wanting to see Hop for a few days now, and as it is an Easter movie and will be ending soon, we thought we had better go today. When we got there we didn't anticipate how busy it would be. The queue was out the door! So by the time we got to get tickets the 11:30am showing was FULL. So we bought tickets to the 1:30pm session and went for a wander around the shops. I bought a lovely red casserole dish from House for 40% off and have used it already! We had some lunch then headed back to the movies. It was really enjoyable, we would all recommend it.

Jonah and the Park

We went to visit Amie today seeing we hadn't seen them over the Easter break. Ruby was at her other Grandparents house, but the girls were happy to play with Jonah. We took a walk to the park to enjoy another sun-shiney day. Make the most of this weather I say! It was hard to get a good shot, as this boy never sits still, nor does he walk. He RUNS everywhere!

We don't see him as often as we used to, or as we would like, so excuse so many photos. But isn't he just gorgeous?

Happy Easter

It's been a lovely day here, very quiet after being out all day yesterday. I suggested to the girls last night that they at least sleep until 7am. I was relieved when they came in at 7:30am for us to get up and join in the egg hunt. No photos from that, I didn't even think to take photos until after.

We mucked around in the morning, doing some washing and tidying up. I cooked a roast lamb for lunch which we all enjoyed. After lunch I had a big nap for nearly 2hrs while everyone just pottered around. When I woke I worked outside in the garden - getting the vege patch ready for planting.

It's always been a tradition that the girls get new pyjamas at Easter. It's to help cut down the amount of chocolate and the weather is finally starting to cool at night, so perfect timing.

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL