School Holidays are here!!

I can't believe we are already half-way through PrePrimary & PreKindy!! Faaar out!!! Nothing like having kids to make the world spin faster!!

So far both girls have had a great year at 'school'.

Sasha
She's made a few solid friendships independent of us ie. not children of family friends. This is a first for her & wonderful to see. The friendships are quite symbiotic too - she contributes positively to the friends & the friends contribute positively to her development. Her writing & drawing just blows me away - the improvement in this first semester is amazing. She can actually draw recognisable stuff!! I will attempt to scan some things from her portfolio. She's certainly grown into a little girl - her demeanor around her classmates is so grown-up & has an aura of 'importance'. ROFL She's growing up so fast!
So I got her portfolio home on Wednesday & looked through it late at night. It's a much more comprehensive 'report' of her progress that what she received in Kindy & overall she's doing very well. The report sections have a sliding scale ranging from 'developing' to 'developed'. Her social & physical abilities are all 'developed', while her reading & writing (which were assessed fairly early in the semester) were all closer to the 'developing' side of things. And most importantly to me - her Values & Work Habits are all 'developed'. She certainly is a hard worker in a student situation, I hope that she continues to apply herself like this because regardless of her other results, I'll always be proud to see her just try her best.

Nikita
Different kettle of fish. Of course! Do I sound like a broken record?? PMSL. She too has made me proud, for entirely different reasons. She had to work through a difficult period of PreKindy where she was upset when we left her there, but she seems to have come out the other side of that for now. I spoke with Tracey (the teacher & owner) a few weeks ago & she said that Nikita, along with one or two other kids in the class, was one that she relied on to help prompt & motivate the other children to participate. She knows it ALL. So yesterday at PreK pickup she brought home her portfolio. Her work is beautiful too. And she looks through her book with great pride, so that's a fabulous thing to see. At the end of her Semester, there's also an assessment page.
Nikita has 'achieved' everything on the page, some things it's noted she's exceed the achivement eg. count to 10 notes she can count to 14 (she can actually count to about 29, except she misses 15 for some reason), and she knows her shapes circle, square, triangle + rectangle. There was only one item that was not achieved yet, 'developing' again being the PC term - & that was "help to pack away". Of course she doesn't help to pack away - I could have told them that!! PMSL I just had a wry smile when I saw that.
I'm so glad that we've put her in PreKindy this year. It's been a great thing for her - loads of stimulation, interaction with other children, & learning to operate in a structured environment, and obviously by her results & teacher feedback she's more than ready for it all. I just wonder if the Semester 2 assessment is on the same things, seeing as she's already achieved most of what's there.

So, hopefully later in the weekend I'll scan some stuff from their books to share. In the meantime, I'll just share this beautiful photo. We finally received the school photos back & I'm so pleased with Sasha's. In fact all of the ones I've seen so far are gorgeous - the photographer the school used was very good in my opinion.

So Special

So Special
It's basically about how I felt to be Sasha's special guest for Mother's Day Morning Tea at Kindy last year. She was so excited & proud to have me there, which made me feel So Special. It felt like my first real Mother's Day now that they're getting older and want to make me feel good.

Couple of scraps

Here's one I did on Saturday night.






















And one I just finished tonight - Bramble Rose Lovin' how this one turned out. :D

Bittersweet

Today was a special day in the life of our little family. Our biggest girl graduated from Kindy. I can’t believe a whole Kindy Year has come & gone.

It’s been so much fun. The things she’s learnt this year are mind-blowing. Most of it I seem to take for granted, but sometimes she’ll say or do something & it just brings it all home just how much she’s grown.

Like all endings, it’s bittersweet. It seems like another chapter of her innocence is drawing to a close as she is now ‘too big for kindy’. Yet her uniform still swims on her and she’s still just a tiny kid in the class.

It’s sad to know that we’ll probably never see Mrs Bramley again. Mrs Carlyon lives nearby, so chances are we’ll see her again sometime, and Mrs Wayne is moving up to Pre-Primary, so we’ll see her next year, even if we’re not in her class. But these people have been such a powerful and positive influence on Sasha that I really don’t see how she could possibly have enjoyed her first year of school more.

Needless to say we’re looking forward to Pre-Primary because it will be more than double the fun as it’s 5 days a week, instead of just 2. I’ll miss having my little munchkin at home, but she’s ready to spread her wings that bit more & eager to learn. So it’s all good.

Our smaller butterfly is raring to go. It’s so hard for her being the smaller sister. I’m sure after Christmas has finished, she’ll be counting her sleeps until she starts pre-kindy.

So, today’s events started with a mad rush of me organising party food, teacher gifts, reindeer food for the kids, photography/video stuff. We got to Kindy on time – I still don’t know how.

Then Nikita & I waited outside whilst the students were organised for their concert. I recorded the whole concert on video & took loads of photos. They did three dances – so cute.

After the concert was finished, we went inside for a couple of Christmas songs, then the kids were individually presented with their portfolios & bag of goodies and officially graduated. Kisses & cuddles with their teachers.

Then we had party food & headed home. I think Sasha’s got a lot of conflicting emotions. She’s sad to know that she’ll miss her teachers. She realises what’s happened there. But she’s also happy because it’s Christmas season, and Daddy got home tonight. It’s a lot for a little girl to take in.

I managed to restrain myself. I thought I’d fall in a heap today. As I say it is so bittersweet to see your kids grow up.

WW - 4 weeks in

Wow, I was so surprised to see that I'd lost another 1.3kg this week when I stepped on the scales. I'm so just waiting to see a gain at some stage. I feel it's almost inevitable. All up I've lost 4.7kg in 4 weeks, so I'm really stoked with that. May there be many many more kilos lost this year!!!

In particular to have lost that amount at this time of year with a few social events has made it all the more encouraging. I think I'll be making an effort to use my X-Trainer every day this week though to make up for the truffles & other goodies consumed at Larissa's yesterday.

David's so funny. Everytime we go to Larissa's for an event, he always comments on how she knows how to put on a good Do. (despite getting home at 3am from a school reunion!!).

Dad's coming to visit in a week's time. I'm a bit nervous about hosting him at my house for a couple of nights - so different to the plush hotels, etc. But hopefully will give a chance for a better catch-up - if the girls let me get a word in edgeways.

David's heading offshore in the morning for three weeks. He arrives home on the evening of Sasha's last day of Kindy. It's a shame really as her class is doing a concert on that last day, and it will be a really special day, that he's going to miss. But I'll have the DVC charged up ready to record her performance. Hopefully he'll be home in time to go out for a special celebration dinner, and he'll definitely be here for Christmas.

We put our decorations up yesterday as we didn't want to wait until 11 Dec to put them up. So we're all set. Now I just have a truck-load of extra special house cleaning that I'd like to get done. (cleaning blinds & windows in particular!!)

The girls visited Santa at Myers in Garden City yesterday. His first day in the store, so nice & fresh & happy to have a chat. Just as well as the girls just wanted to talk & talk & talk some more. Really funny when Santa asked Sasha her name & she said "My name is Sasha. You've met me before!!"

We're hoping that the new train line is open before Christmas & we'll catch the train to the City so the girls can have another talk with Santa at Myers in the City. I just love the magic of Christmas!!

Hot & Busy!

'Twas a stinker today - 39.something. I've been baking - made a cake and also some cheesies for Sasha's teacher who is finishing tomorrow. She's having her 1st baby next Wednesday via c-sect. Anyway over the past few weeks I've made up this mini-album for her as a thank you. Finally got it wrapped and Sasha & I made a card this afternoon, amongst all the other jobs for today.

I've still got a pile of washing, ironing and dishes to sort out, but maybe they'll wait until tomorrow.

Here's the mini-album. The song might sound a bit funny to have with the album, but it's current and funnily enough it's what the girls were singing in the bath tonight.

WW has been going okay. I've been having trouble sticking to it of late. And today my ankle has started filling up again with fluid - I can see it & feel it, so despite another loss of 900gm (3.4kg total to date), I'm sure a gain is just around the corner if I don't get back on top of things again.

Oh, and whilst I remember, Sasha is going to give the mini-album to her teacher as her news item tomorrow. We've rehearsed it a bit. Along the lines of "Today I've got a present. It's for Mrs Bramley. Here you go. It's to say thank you for teaching me" *insert teacher crying here* lol.

Okay, off to finish decorating the cake & tidy up a little before heading to bed. Hopefully with a good night's sleep I'll get back on the X-Trainer. I think the exercise if key to keep the fluid draining from my ankle.

Callin' It

Okay, I'm calling it. I'm SURE this week I'll be out on Embellished Idol. Funny how things can change so much in just a few days. A couple of days ago I was really pumped because I was so pleased with how my LO turned out, and very proud of my digi-art. And now, I can see I'm just not getting as many comments as others, so I really think I won't get the votes to stay in either. Kinda spewing as I don't think they really get just how much effort went into making something as technical as my digi-piece. But I'm also kinda okay about it too, because it was really only a matter of time before my time was up anyway. I could have told you the winner by about Round 2 or 3 - far and away the favourite, and very talented too - no denying it.

Anyway, this week's challenge is to create a LO using a piece of packaging from scrapbooking products. So not up my alley, in comparison to last week. I'll prob give it a go even though I don't expect to go through to Round 7.

Sasha's Kindy sports carnival tomorrow. Weather's looking really dodgy. Can't believe I've only just realised that dodgy weather probably = overcast = great photo weather!! Camera's on charge, DVC already charged up. David's in charge of the video, I'm in charge of the photos, and Nikita's in charge of mayhem.

On a good note, Nikita's pretty much day trained with the toilet thing. She still has occasional accidents (as does Sasha - just today!! *mad*), but most times we don't have problems. Yee-ha - life just gets better and better!! Keep going Nikki & we'll give night training another try soon!!

Anyway, it's 20 past bedtime & we've all got a BIG day tomorrow. We're lovin' the Kindy Life!!

Quick Summary

Well time has flown since I last wrote. Couldn't possibly fit in all the stuff which has gone on!

I've been sick - head cold, and self-inflicted. (Kindy Mum's dinner was LOADS - too much - fun!! Lots of laughs. As was the Quiz Night - we came 2nd last! lol ).

David has been away, back and away again. He's now on a roster!!!!! Yay!!!! He left this morning and it was so cool to be able to say, goodbye & see you on *** date! :) I hope he settles in and enjoys the new rig he's on and that he's working with a good bunch of people as that makes all the difference. Although we have our stuggles with him working away, and it is a difficult thing to deal with, I'm very proud of his achievements. He's a great provider for our family, and he's done really well promotion-wise within his company. Getting out of the Navy was the best thing to have happened to him (well, after Me & the kids that is).

Sasha's been travelling along nicely. I guess I've been taking her a bit for granted lately, and should really concentrate on her good behaviour a bit more. She's still moody & fragile and sulky when things don't go her way, but she's really learning to cope better and keep a lid on things.

Nikita's been driving me completely mental. She's just so naughty. She won't do what she's told the first time, I've gotta yell at her to get her into action, which usually ends up happening after the 3rd or 4th or 5th request. I'm getting just so frustrated that I'm really considering taking her to get her hearing checked. I mean it seems strange that she could have hearing problems when she speaks so well, but just watching her at swimming the other day was so frustrating. Too busy thinking her own thoughts (or maybe she couldn't hear the teacher through all the grey noise??) to be able to listen to what she was being told. OMG I so could not have dealt with having a boy - I can see that now!!

Oh, and we learnt a big, and horrible, lesson last night. Leaving giving pessaries to the Medical Experts! It was traumatic to the poor patient, both parents and the freaked-out sibling. In the end we had to go back to the after-hours chemist and get some medicine that goes in the mouth & hope for the best. (Super Stinky result FINALLY tonight). Won't go into any more details than that. It was a nightmare.

On that lovely note, I'll head off to my scrapping table & *try* to finish my Harry Potter LO. :)

Because They Arrgh!

Went to Just Scrapbooking on Friday night. It was great to get out & have a chat with the people there. I knew about 1/2 the ladies scrapping that night & it was like a really bad case of 6 Degrees of Seperation.

Anyway, because I was chatting so much, I didn't get much done. Finished this LO last night and really am quite happy with how it turned out.

The writing down the side of the main photo is

Why are Pirates called Pirates?

And then the title Because They Arrgh is the answer. Pirate joke is thanks to my lil brother Ben in Canberra. Sasha learnt it in time for her Kindy Pirate Day back in March, and we still hear it quite regularly!!

At the crop I was asked for heaps of advice, assistance & how-to stuff. It was really cool, and I was so flattered and a bit embarassed that people think I know enough about scrapping to ask me for advice. Especially with all the AMAZING talent that is around. I still regard myself as a bit of a beginner and rank amateur, so it was a HUGE compliment to find myself in demand. (Now, where's a sharp needle? This big head of mine needs a little deflating!! lol).

We're goin' farmin'

Yay!! So excited, I'm joining Sasha and her Kindy class on their first school excursion on Tuesday!! I KNEW I'd be one of the 2 parents whose names were pulled out of the hat to join as assistants.

I asked if it would be ok to bring my camera along on the day to take loads of pictures & was given the green light.

Oh, and we're going to the Kelmscott High School Farm, so there will be loads of animals to feed and pat. I hope I get some really good shots & I'm just so excited to be able to share the fun with Sasha!!

It's so good

being Mum to a Kindy Kid.

The last few weeks Sasha's been talking a lot about how she loves me because I give her lots of hugs. They've obviously been talking a lot about Mother's Day and what it means to have a Mum.

So I've been feeling really loved lately.

I went in this morning to a Morning Tea which the kids put on for us. They baked muffins on Tuesday. Then whilst we were there we drew a picture of each other & then wrote a little note about why we are special to each other.

Then we read some stories, did some puzzles. When Mrs Bramley called the class to attention, they sang us 2 songs. Sasha just looked so proud of being able to show me what she had learnt. Her smile was so cute & so contagious.

After that we had morning tea, and then went outside for a play.

Finally the bell went & it was time for Sasha to line up to go back into class & for me to get a squishy kiss goodbye. She was so brave, even though she was sad as she had wanted me to stay so I could share her lunch with her.

I just felt very special & very proud of my girl today. We're both really enjoying the Kindy Journey, it's just wonderful.

Ethan's Birthday

Have you ever been to McDonalds & seen a gazillion and one kids running around in the playground screaming their heads off in excitement? Well today, Sasha & Nikita were two of those gazillion and one kids! It was quite strange being on the other side of the fence!

Sasha received her first kindy birthday invitation last week to attend Ethan's party at McDonald's this morning.

With David away for work, I had to take Nikita along too. It all worked quite well actually. Nikita played happily with the bigger kids and then when they went into the party room, we had lunch next door.

It was certainly full-on with 20+ active 3-5 year olds going crazy. But I think it was a great experience for Sasha to make some new friends and socialise with the other kids away from the teachers (who she just loves so much!!).

Off to wrap up a couple of other presents for Rose & Pam for their birthday today. We're going out to dinner and Sam is coming over to look after Sasha & Nikita. (They're madly excited to have her come over of course). Should be a fun night!

Ahoy there me hearties

Sasha's big Pirate Day at Kindy today. She looked so gorgeous. I actually learnt a bit of stuff too thanks to trawling the internet late last night looking for scar tattoo images & pirate flag images to make into tattoos. Did you know that different pirates had different flags on their boats which were quite distinctive? Blackbeard's flag was the worst one IMO.

Anyway, I was pretty happy with what I finally managed to find. Some nice split stitches scars & some not too bikey style tattoos. I had to be a bit careful as some of them were more 'adult' in their insinuations eg. Pirates get more booty, prob not appropriate for a kindy kid. I did give her a "Kiss me I'm a Pirate" but she is too cute not to kiss!!

Judge for yourself...!





Nikita got some split stitches scar tattoos too and the rollershutter repairman thought she had really fallen and hurt her cheek. LMAO!

Finally presenting - The Kindy Kid

Finally got around to posting pics of my gorgeous Kindy Kid. How cute does she look??? Anyway, she's going great guns at Kindy. Gets along really well with all the teachers (even those that aren't hers!!) and has really bonded closely with Katie. I'm hoping she'll make a few more friends as they will be the ones she travels through school with. Plenty of time left in the year for that to happen.

She's had a total of 3 TT accidents at school thus far, so I'm pretty happy (and relieved!!!) with that. (Wish I could say the same for at home!!)

Next Tuesday she's got a Pirate Day, so we have a costume all sorted out. It looks so cool too, so no doubt I'll have the camera out snapping away - about time I took some more pics. I've been very slack lately.