We went out tonight. Picked up some party supplies for LGR's pending event, some random clothing items (my new t-shirt tells all and sundry 'Global warming is not cool' - I found this very funny ...) and some new 40L pots to put a recently gifted rainbow frangipani and maybe some capsicum, tomato and/or chilli plants in. We even had some very tasty, but quite disgraceful, fish and chips.
--
For the last day or two Hayzey has been walking around the house telling us all she is "funny and beautiful". Sometimes this is emphasised by a good hair shake or a barely concealed giggle. The best is that she is funny and beautiful :-)
--
LGR solemnly informed me about his likes and dislikes tonight. He definitely likes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and mostly likes Superman and Batman and Spiderman. Dinosaurs are cool, music (and guitars in particular) are way cool and monster truck movies have somehow made it onto the list. I'm not sure that he even knows what a monster truck does ....
On the downside it appears that The Wiggles and Bob the Builder are no longer on the list - "I'm too old for them now Dad".
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Politically Aware
I think everyone out there is aware that Mrs G and I have a very strong belief that LGR is quite intelligent. Last night we had a conversation that amazed us. We were all watching the TV and a newsflash came on about John Howard and his statements that, if re-elected, he would most likely retire as PM during the next term.
LGR asked us what this meant and we told him it meant there would be a new Prime Minister.
The following is paraphrased but very much in line with the flow of the conversation.
---
LGR: If John Howard finished will the new Prime Minister be Peter Garrett?
Gazzarus: Probably not. He's on a different side to John Howard.
LGR: Is he on the right side or the left side? It's the right isn't it?
Gazzarus: No - Peter Garrett is on the left.
LGR: Is he the boss?
Gazzarus: No. His boss is called Kevin.
LGR: Kevin Rodd?
Gazzarus: That's right. How did you know that?
LGR: It's easy. His name is just like my fishing rod!!!
----
Maybe it was a contextual conversation - maybe not. Either way we were amazed.
LGR asked us what this meant and we told him it meant there would be a new Prime Minister.
The following is paraphrased but very much in line with the flow of the conversation.
---
LGR: If John Howard finished will the new Prime Minister be Peter Garrett?
Gazzarus: Probably not. He's on a different side to John Howard.
LGR: Is he on the right side or the left side? It's the right isn't it?
Gazzarus: No - Peter Garrett is on the left.
LGR: Is he the boss?
Gazzarus: No. His boss is called Kevin.
LGR: Kevin Rodd?
Gazzarus: That's right. How did you know that?
LGR: It's easy. His name is just like my fishing rod!!!
----
Maybe it was a contextual conversation - maybe not. Either way we were amazed.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A Very Big Week
The last week has been very busy; but also with some nice quiet moments thrown in.
Rewinding .......
Mrs G flew down to Canberra last Wednesday for a bit of work - meaning I had the pleasure of looking after the kids. It gets easier every time - both are champs when it comes to bedtime and in many ways they more or less look after themselves. I ended up giving LGR a camera and he very proudly took a plethora of photoes for us to use.
Thursday was a short day at work - because I had to drop off and pick up the kids from Kindy. It's a bit inconvenient but a short day is usually a good day. The evening was tinged with sadness. LGR's new camera was smashed - by Hayzey in a fit of 2 year old rage. LGR cried for almost 20 minutes and kept telling me about how much he wanted to be a 'retrographet' when he got bigger. It was very sad and I felt terrible for him.
Once all this was down we packed the car and headed down the Hume to Canberra - to meet Mum and visit Grandpa. As expected there was a lot of traffic on the freeway - APEC had certainly caused folks to leave town en masse. The trip itself was quite good - apart from the traffic and the handful of morons who were driving very erratically.
Friday was mostly cruisy. We rocked into Grandpa's cafe for brekky and then took the scenic route to a discount factory outlet to get some clothes for the kids. It was right next to Canberra airport and LGR liked watching the planes. The afternoon was nothing much - mainly hanging around Grandpa's house. Mrs G and I did manage a run (in the rain) which was quite a novelty for us.
At about 17:00 Aunt LJ and UA arrived and by about 18:00 we were out for dinner. Unfortunately LGR got quite crook and the evening was somewhat circumvented ....
Saturday ... A very late breakfast at Grandpa's cafe and then off to Questacon. Every man and his dog was there - and then a few more as well. I'm not sure if the kids enjoyed it or not. They certainly got very tired towards the end and I got on several wrong roads on the way back to Grandpa's.
The afternoon consisted of LGR, myself and UA going out to hit some golf balls. This was a lot of fun. For me it was great to hit again and for LGR it was a buzz to get the balls off the tee. I think UA just enjoyed hitting something really hard ....
Dinner was roast. Lamb and chicken. Quite good. My only complaint is that I didn't get myself enough food. No-one to blame except myself for that one .... The day was topped by a rousing victory by the mightly Eagles in the first round of the semi-finals.
Sunday .... Everyone seems to be a little tired. We all travelled a very short distance to visit the Dinosaur Museum. Both kids enjoyed this one. A lot. It was much better than I anticipated too. They got certificates (which we've lost) and some pressies. Next was a quick stop at the markets and then back to Sydney via lunch somewhere along the way.
During lunch I asked LGR what his favourite part of the trip was. The answer? Playing with Cherid the dog!!! I almost fell off my chair ... Apparently we are getting a dog soon.
The week since getting back has been quite busy. The kids have done a million sweet things. Hayzey has gone 5 consecutive days since messing her pants at Kindy (this will surprise those who saw her on Friday afternoon ...) and LGR has claimed to discover the concept of a sleepin. He hasn't practiced it however.
Rewinding .......
Mrs G flew down to Canberra last Wednesday for a bit of work - meaning I had the pleasure of looking after the kids. It gets easier every time - both are champs when it comes to bedtime and in many ways they more or less look after themselves. I ended up giving LGR a camera and he very proudly took a plethora of photoes for us to use.
Thursday was a short day at work - because I had to drop off and pick up the kids from Kindy. It's a bit inconvenient but a short day is usually a good day. The evening was tinged with sadness. LGR's new camera was smashed - by Hayzey in a fit of 2 year old rage. LGR cried for almost 20 minutes and kept telling me about how much he wanted to be a 'retrographet' when he got bigger. It was very sad and I felt terrible for him.
Once all this was down we packed the car and headed down the Hume to Canberra - to meet Mum and visit Grandpa. As expected there was a lot of traffic on the freeway - APEC had certainly caused folks to leave town en masse. The trip itself was quite good - apart from the traffic and the handful of morons who were driving very erratically.
Friday was mostly cruisy. We rocked into Grandpa's cafe for brekky and then took the scenic route to a discount factory outlet to get some clothes for the kids. It was right next to Canberra airport and LGR liked watching the planes. The afternoon was nothing much - mainly hanging around Grandpa's house. Mrs G and I did manage a run (in the rain) which was quite a novelty for us.
At about 17:00 Aunt LJ and UA arrived and by about 18:00 we were out for dinner. Unfortunately LGR got quite crook and the evening was somewhat circumvented ....
Saturday ... A very late breakfast at Grandpa's cafe and then off to Questacon. Every man and his dog was there - and then a few more as well. I'm not sure if the kids enjoyed it or not. They certainly got very tired towards the end and I got on several wrong roads on the way back to Grandpa's.
The afternoon consisted of LGR, myself and UA going out to hit some golf balls. This was a lot of fun. For me it was great to hit again and for LGR it was a buzz to get the balls off the tee. I think UA just enjoyed hitting something really hard ....
Dinner was roast. Lamb and chicken. Quite good. My only complaint is that I didn't get myself enough food. No-one to blame except myself for that one .... The day was topped by a rousing victory by the mightly Eagles in the first round of the semi-finals.
Sunday .... Everyone seems to be a little tired. We all travelled a very short distance to visit the Dinosaur Museum. Both kids enjoyed this one. A lot. It was much better than I anticipated too. They got certificates (which we've lost) and some pressies. Next was a quick stop at the markets and then back to Sydney via lunch somewhere along the way.
During lunch I asked LGR what his favourite part of the trip was. The answer? Playing with Cherid the dog!!! I almost fell off my chair ... Apparently we are getting a dog soon.
The week since getting back has been quite busy. The kids have done a million sweet things. Hayzey has gone 5 consecutive days since messing her pants at Kindy (this will surprise those who saw her on Friday afternoon ...) and LGR has claimed to discover the concept of a sleepin. He hasn't practiced it however.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Motorbikes
LGR's Story:
Once upon a time we went to see some motorbikes with my friends CMcK and KC. We went with some grownups - clan McK and the chefs. And Mum and Dad. It was so dirty that I think I might have got sick. They jumped up and did cool cool tricks and they did some without hands, they did some with hands, they landed on a truck and they motored down.
It was so cool. It was loud. I just wanted to stay. After the show we went onto the track and got stuff, their names, written on our arms and our t-shirts and our hats. We got to go on the bike but it wasn't moving but when my friend KC went on one of them started their engine!
I went with lots of people.
The end.
Once upon a time we went to see some motorbikes with my friends CMcK and KC. We went with some grownups - clan McK and the chefs. And Mum and Dad. It was so dirty that I think I might have got sick. They jumped up and did cool cool tricks and they did some without hands, they did some with hands, they landed on a truck and they motored down.
It was so cool. It was loud. I just wanted to stay. After the show we went onto the track and got stuff, their names, written on our arms and our t-shirts and our hats. We got to go on the bike but it wasn't moving but when my friend KC went on one of them started their engine!
I went with lots of people.
The end.
Spring
I love Spring - it is without a doubt the finest of all the seasons. I love the colours and the freshness and the sense of optimism that it brings. Summer is too hot, winter is occasionally a bit dreary and autumn is pretty in its own way but there's a sense of melancholy and winding down. For me spring is where it's at.
I was just outside watering my developing tomato bushes. I'm pretty sure I got the timing right on these ones - they're about 12-15 inches tall and full of beautiful smells and bright green foliage. The smell of them gives an impression of childhood memories. I don't know if this is accurate or not but something about them makes me think of being 6 years old and living in Leeton ....
We had a pretty good weekend. It was busy, as always, but good busy. Saturday was a trip down to The Gong for a birthday party by the sea and then a spot to eat with a group who also attended. The kids had a ball and ran themselves ragged - so much so that dinner had to be short circuited because they all got very tired and very 'mischievous'. Nice day though and it got me thinking that maybe we should consider moving .... Again :-)
Sunday was Father's Day. We were given a nice breakfast of pancakes and French toast and then it was off to lunch at a local pub with some friends. The beer garden was great - we got a table underneath a big old tree and right next to it was a very free form style of sandpit which all the kids loved. The food was pretty good - I'll definitely be back because it had a bit of something for everyone.
After lunch it was off to see the freestyle motocross bikes. It was hot and dusty and we got into strife for taking beers in with us (only after we'd drunk the vast majority of them) but the kids loved it - and because they loved it we all loved it. LGR thought it was a great trick to hang over the fence and high five the riders. Hayzey though it was great to wander around aimlessly.
In the end it went for about 3 hours and I got nicely burnt. It was a very nice pleasure to arrive home, have a very thorough shower and slip into some very clean and soft pyjamas.
---
Hayzey slipped without a rail on her bed for the first time last night. She didn't fall off. LGR was very proud of her this morning - I didn't see it but apparently he kept hugging her and saying "I'm so proud of you Hayley."
He also mentioned how sad it was that Hayley was growing up :-)
I was just outside watering my developing tomato bushes. I'm pretty sure I got the timing right on these ones - they're about 12-15 inches tall and full of beautiful smells and bright green foliage. The smell of them gives an impression of childhood memories. I don't know if this is accurate or not but something about them makes me think of being 6 years old and living in Leeton ....
We had a pretty good weekend. It was busy, as always, but good busy. Saturday was a trip down to The Gong for a birthday party by the sea and then a spot to eat with a group who also attended. The kids had a ball and ran themselves ragged - so much so that dinner had to be short circuited because they all got very tired and very 'mischievous'. Nice day though and it got me thinking that maybe we should consider moving .... Again :-)
Sunday was Father's Day. We were given a nice breakfast of pancakes and French toast and then it was off to lunch at a local pub with some friends. The beer garden was great - we got a table underneath a big old tree and right next to it was a very free form style of sandpit which all the kids loved. The food was pretty good - I'll definitely be back because it had a bit of something for everyone.
After lunch it was off to see the freestyle motocross bikes. It was hot and dusty and we got into strife for taking beers in with us (only after we'd drunk the vast majority of them) but the kids loved it - and because they loved it we all loved it. LGR thought it was a great trick to hang over the fence and high five the riders. Hayzey though it was great to wander around aimlessly.
In the end it went for about 3 hours and I got nicely burnt. It was a very nice pleasure to arrive home, have a very thorough shower and slip into some very clean and soft pyjamas.
---
Hayzey slipped without a rail on her bed for the first time last night. She didn't fall off. LGR was very proud of her this morning - I didn't see it but apparently he kept hugging her and saying "I'm so proud of you Hayley."
He also mentioned how sad it was that Hayley was growing up :-)
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