Thursday, December 18, 2008
Santa Poster
We made our own Santa poster. It took a bit of work and some convincing (of the kids) that it was worthwhile but the end result is quite impressive.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
'Exciting' Night
We had some fun and games in our neighbourhood last night.
Check this.
The kids could hear the helicopters flying around and as they were going to bed became aware of many police cars in relative proximity to our house. None of them could go to sleep (we were having a sleepover)
Quite a sad story really.
Check this.
The kids could hear the helicopters flying around and as they were going to bed became aware of many police cars in relative proximity to our house. None of them could go to sleep (we were having a sleepover)
Quite a sad story really.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Birthdays Everywhere
There's a lot of birthdays happening in December. Not as many as in late September and early October but still quite a few.
Our former obstetrician (former in the sense that we are not having any more babies and haven't had one in quite a while - not former in the sense that we have another one ...) reckons there are so many late September and early October babies because people get a little bit happy and carefree in the Christmas / New Year period. He might be on to something.
Back to birthdays. Beautiful little Hayzey turned 4 and was quite chuffed. She looked quite gorgeous at her party - all dressed up in a Dora costume which was completed by a wig. Mrs J turned an age that pleases her (whatever that age might be) and my Dad (aka Grandpa) got a year older as well. So happy birthday to all.
We've been busy. So busy.
I think the last entry I made had us travelling down South on 29/11 to visit some friends and then a deluge of parties on the 30th.
The following work week was quite big - a bunch of milestones to be met and deliverables delivered. LGR finished up the school year (in style) on the 4th and I attended a massive (ie many people) vendor lunch on Friday 5th followed by the work Christmas party. Lunch was great but the Christmas party was a complete waste of time. I left at 22:00 and just went home ....
Saturday 6th was a bunch of running around to get ready for Hayzey's birthday party and then for a bit of fun on Saturday night. Our social circle has expanded a little of late and this is bringing with it many more opportunities to get out and about.
Sunday 7th was Hayzey's party. It was fancy dress (whatever you want to be). We got a jumping castle and some rain and all in all had a very relaxed event. Highlight of the day was definitely Clan Jones getting in the castle after all had left and having a nice game.
Back to work for some downtime on the 8th with LGR in tow and then Mrs J started holidays on the 11th. There was a birthday on the 13th for Mrs J which was celebrated with a trip in to town. We got some very nice Santa photo's taken and made our way up Centrepoint Tower - much to my displeasure. I definitely felt that if I got too close to the windows the whole tower would tip over. The kids didn't seem to have any fears about this ...
Next stop was the DJ's Christmas windows and then a monorail ride over to Darling Harbour for lunch at Jordon's. About 3/4 of the way through the meal LGR declared "This restaurant isn't too bad at all" in a very matter of fact tone :-) I had the salt and pepper soft shell crab and would highly recommend it.
The evening was taken care of nicely by a night out with some friends and a celebratory drink with cake.
Sunday was a bit ordinary. I woke up slightly worse for wear and I think Mrs J was even more second hand than me - courtesy of a broken toe sustained while wrestling a pair of very macho 6 year olds the evening before.
LGR stumbled out of bed at about 08:30 and Hayzey graced us with an appearance at about 10:00!!! Pity I got up at 05:30 as I always do ....
We had lunch at Aunty BJ's house - finally. The kids took much delight in helping make pizza's and I took delight in managing to spill pizza sauce all over one of the pet dogs. It was a nice meal - firstly because it's always nice to catch up but also because the kids were engaged in novel activities which meant Mrs J and I could kick back a little.
Yesterday it was confirmed that Mrs J has a broken toe, Hayzey has yet another mystery infection around her mouth and LGR has tonsillitus.
And that's about where we are now. Mrs J is on holidays with LGR, and Hayzey goes to kindy intermittently. I am still at work but we are very much in a 'lockdown' mode of operation - which kind of means that if something isn't broken then I'm not allowed to play with it. Good thing I have a TV on my desk :-)
Our former obstetrician (former in the sense that we are not having any more babies and haven't had one in quite a while - not former in the sense that we have another one ...) reckons there are so many late September and early October babies because people get a little bit happy and carefree in the Christmas / New Year period. He might be on to something.
Back to birthdays. Beautiful little Hayzey turned 4 and was quite chuffed. She looked quite gorgeous at her party - all dressed up in a Dora costume which was completed by a wig. Mrs J turned an age that pleases her (whatever that age might be) and my Dad (aka Grandpa) got a year older as well. So happy birthday to all.
We've been busy. So busy.
I think the last entry I made had us travelling down South on 29/11 to visit some friends and then a deluge of parties on the 30th.
The following work week was quite big - a bunch of milestones to be met and deliverables delivered. LGR finished up the school year (in style) on the 4th and I attended a massive (ie many people) vendor lunch on Friday 5th followed by the work Christmas party. Lunch was great but the Christmas party was a complete waste of time. I left at 22:00 and just went home ....
Saturday 6th was a bunch of running around to get ready for Hayzey's birthday party and then for a bit of fun on Saturday night. Our social circle has expanded a little of late and this is bringing with it many more opportunities to get out and about.
Sunday 7th was Hayzey's party. It was fancy dress (whatever you want to be). We got a jumping castle and some rain and all in all had a very relaxed event. Highlight of the day was definitely Clan Jones getting in the castle after all had left and having a nice game.
Back to work for some downtime on the 8th with LGR in tow and then Mrs J started holidays on the 11th. There was a birthday on the 13th for Mrs J which was celebrated with a trip in to town. We got some very nice Santa photo's taken and made our way up Centrepoint Tower - much to my displeasure. I definitely felt that if I got too close to the windows the whole tower would tip over. The kids didn't seem to have any fears about this ...
Next stop was the DJ's Christmas windows and then a monorail ride over to Darling Harbour for lunch at Jordon's. About 3/4 of the way through the meal LGR declared "This restaurant isn't too bad at all" in a very matter of fact tone :-) I had the salt and pepper soft shell crab and would highly recommend it.
The evening was taken care of nicely by a night out with some friends and a celebratory drink with cake.
Sunday was a bit ordinary. I woke up slightly worse for wear and I think Mrs J was even more second hand than me - courtesy of a broken toe sustained while wrestling a pair of very macho 6 year olds the evening before.
LGR stumbled out of bed at about 08:30 and Hayzey graced us with an appearance at about 10:00!!! Pity I got up at 05:30 as I always do ....
We had lunch at Aunty BJ's house - finally. The kids took much delight in helping make pizza's and I took delight in managing to spill pizza sauce all over one of the pet dogs. It was a nice meal - firstly because it's always nice to catch up but also because the kids were engaged in novel activities which meant Mrs J and I could kick back a little.
Yesterday it was confirmed that Mrs J has a broken toe, Hayzey has yet another mystery infection around her mouth and LGR has tonsillitus.
And that's about where we are now. Mrs J is on holidays with LGR, and Hayzey goes to kindy intermittently. I am still at work but we are very much in a 'lockdown' mode of operation - which kind of means that if something isn't broken then I'm not allowed to play with it. Good thing I have a TV on my desk :-)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
All happening ...
We've had a busy last couple of days. Thursday was another 04:00am start for myself, and I got to bed at about 10:30 that night .... In the middle of the day I went for a bike ride and my rear tire started to go flat about 5km from home. Felt like I was peddling through mud by the end of the ride. We also went out for some Chinese for dinner. The kiddies were very well behaved and the food was quite good as well.
Friday was a washout. Literally. It poured where I work and I got thoroughly saturated going to my car to get home. This was after missing our traditional Friday lunch up at the golf club due to work (What is the deal with that? Who would ever imagine you could miss a lunch with work mates because you have to do actual work? Life is hard sometimes.)
It also poured at home. Athletics was cancelled so we watched movies with the kids.
Saturday .... started with some groceries, saw us in Helensburg for lunch with some folks we hadn't seen for a good while and finished with Grandma driving Hayzey and myself to get some dinner in a downpoor of monsoonal proportions because I forgot to leave out some meat for dinner ......
And today was party day. There was a frenzy of work activity to get the Sunday chores done by 09:00am so we could attend a party at Gledswood for Hayzey's best mate, and then it was off to a little bloke who LGR goes to school with for an afternoon pool party. Even better because they live on the same block and we can walk there ....
Interesting side note - I blacked out our house this afternoon by managing to cut through the power cord for the hedge trimmer while I was using it. I didn't think much of it other than "I wonder why I didn't die just then?" I grabbed the manual clippers and started chopping away. About 2 minutes later Mrs G came out and told me there was no power in the house and asked if my trimmer was working. I'm sure you can all figure out why there was no power in the house :-)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Trip Down Memory Lane
I took LGR down to Little A's State Relays on the weekend to let him see a synthetic track and a large-ish gathering of athletes. He was initially quite thrilled by the whole thing and was very, very keen to get out on the track for a run ... but ran out of enthusiasm within 30 minutes. He was cold and bored and couldn't find anywhere to sit down. He was asking questions but mostly they consisted of "Where's the canteen?" and "What can I get with my money?" (which was only $1.65).
I think he kind of enjoyed it. For me it was a nice little blast from the past - I saw quite a few uniforms which were very familiar but none from my old club .... What was most amusing was watching all these kids warmup and compete in a very serious fashion - almost as though it was the most important thing in the world. I wasn't like that. Was I?
Maybe a bit :-)
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What else? I might have bought some DVD's on the weekend. All six Star Wars movies. So far I've watched the first two and found them to be kind of ok. A little bit hit and miss and, in some ways, almost rushed. There are holes in the stories and some of the plot lines are very vague and jumpy. I love the effects (for the most parts) and LGR loves the fighting bits.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Phone
I got a new mobile phone today. It looks very slick and is quite different to my last phone. I don't really know how to use it - but did manage to sort out the Bluetooth component very quickly. My car has a Bluetooth interface and when someone calls me in my car now I can talk to them without having to put an ear piece into my ear ....
All my herbs are dying. Most of them are shuffling off because of the dog and some, such as the coriander, have gone to seed really quickly. My tomatoes are still alive but only just. I haven't paid them a lot of attention. Must have other things on my mind.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Chicken Rissoles
We had some chicken rissoles with salad for dinner. The rissoles were not very nice. Mrs Jones and I used to eat them quite a bit when we were younger and a bit less discerning in our food tastes. I'm pretty sure we used to be able to get rissoles that actually contained chicken (not sure which parts ...).
The last few times we've tried them they have been miserable, insipid dry pieces of excretia - with a texture vaguely reminiscent of cardboard and a taste just shy of what I would imagine prison porridge has. The only redeeming feature is that we can smother them with sauce - but even that's not as much fun as it used to be.
Growing up is such a bummer :-)
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Mum Jones has been at our place quite a bit over the last two weeks. The kids have loved it. It's been a bit of shock to see how tired she is but at the same time quite uplifting to see the way she deals with it.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I had a peep at Facebook this morning and I just don't understand the appeal .... but others say the same about blogging. Each to their own.
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As always there has been a lot going on. My little sister had a birthday which we helped to celebrate (by going to a pool but forgetting our swimmers and then heading out for some lunch), my Mum is back in chemo and hopefully on the path to recovery and the kiddies are behaving wonderfully (at this point in time).
Not much more to say.
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Christmas is approaching .... and,as always, Clan Jones is overcommitted and running out of time. I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year - for the first time in years. Most of the family are coming to our place for either Christmas Day or Boxing Day. We've got a few invites to various other places and are in the process of trying to juggle what feels like a million things in a very short period of time.
But - I am looking forward to Christmas. I almost feel like a little kid again.
Just for the record - I don't particularly need or want any pressies. The kids both need and want everything they see ...
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As always there has been a lot going on. My little sister had a birthday which we helped to celebrate (by going to a pool but forgetting our swimmers and then heading out for some lunch), my Mum is back in chemo and hopefully on the path to recovery and the kiddies are behaving wonderfully (at this point in time).
Not much more to say.
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Christmas is approaching .... and,as always, Clan Jones is overcommitted and running out of time. I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year - for the first time in years. Most of the family are coming to our place for either Christmas Day or Boxing Day. We've got a few invites to various other places and are in the process of trying to juggle what feels like a million things in a very short period of time.
But - I am looking forward to Christmas. I almost feel like a little kid again.
Just for the record - I don't particularly need or want any pressies. The kids both need and want everything they see ...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Another update
My second post in a week .....
Poor Mrs Jones is quite crook - to the extent where so far she has taken 2.5 days off and will probably have tomorrow off. She even cancelled trips to Canberra and Brisbane.
Must be serious.
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Not sure what else I should talk about. LGR is back at school and loving it. Again. He has more homework to do and seems to be less keen to do it than he was in the past. He also seems to be quite tired each night. I also have to keep reminding myself that he is now a 6 year old and not a 5 year old boy.
He seems to be getting quite tall too.
Hayzey learnt some new words at kindy this week to describe some 'delicate' parts of the female. When she blurts them out I can't help but have a chuckle.
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Random thought ... We are thinking about changing the kids swimming school. LGR is tall enough to stand up in the pool and won't make an effort to swim properly anymore - because he can save himself anytime he wants to. No fault on the swim school - just a function of age I guess.
Poor Mrs Jones is quite crook - to the extent where so far she has taken 2.5 days off and will probably have tomorrow off. She even cancelled trips to Canberra and Brisbane.
Must be serious.
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Not sure what else I should talk about. LGR is back at school and loving it. Again. He has more homework to do and seems to be less keen to do it than he was in the past. He also seems to be quite tired each night. I also have to keep reminding myself that he is now a 6 year old and not a 5 year old boy.
He seems to be getting quite tall too.
Hayzey learnt some new words at kindy this week to describe some 'delicate' parts of the female. When she blurts them out I can't help but have a chuckle.
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Random thought ... We are thinking about changing the kids swimming school. LGR is tall enough to stand up in the pool and won't make an effort to swim properly anymore - because he can save himself anytime he wants to. No fault on the swim school - just a function of age I guess.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Working Again
My home ADSL connection is working again. I feel like I have returned to the 21st century.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Returned from holidays
Hi Folks
We've been back a few days from our latest holiday - a little stay up at Surfers (6 nights) followed by a couple of nights in Forster.
Fantastic trip. Nice to get out of town and smell saltwater and fresh air. We drove up in a single day and it was a very long day. Left home at 03:00 and pulled into Surfers at about 16:00. Not very many tantrums from the kids (one massive tanty from yours truly at Ballina ...) and an overall nice drive.
I'll put up some more stuff next week (can't blog from home - my ADSL gateway has managed to fry itself during bootup and I am waiting for a replacement from my ISP ...)
I was also in Brisbane for a few days last month for work - but it was really a conference with very work related themes. We got taken out a few times by event sponsors and generally had a great time while learning a crapload of stuff.
That's all for now - look forward to seeing most of my readers on the weekend!!!
We've been back a few days from our latest holiday - a little stay up at Surfers (6 nights) followed by a couple of nights in Forster.
Fantastic trip. Nice to get out of town and smell saltwater and fresh air. We drove up in a single day and it was a very long day. Left home at 03:00 and pulled into Surfers at about 16:00. Not very many tantrums from the kids (one massive tanty from yours truly at Ballina ...) and an overall nice drive.
I'll put up some more stuff next week (can't blog from home - my ADSL gateway has managed to fry itself during bootup and I am waiting for a replacement from my ISP ...)
I was also in Brisbane for a few days last month for work - but it was really a conference with very work related themes. We got taken out a few times by event sponsors and generally had a great time while learning a crapload of stuff.
That's all for now - look forward to seeing most of my readers on the weekend!!!
Monday, September 08, 2008
More Words of Wisdom
I was having a chat with Hayzey about something rather obscure (as they all are I guess ...) and I asked her why she kept going around in circles.
Answer:
"Because it's fun. It makes me dizzy. Like on a roundabout."
What??? A few minutes later I was lucky enough to learn about kid adults. Apparently these are 8 year old kids. They're still kids, but they're also adults because they are bigger.
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A had a pretty good Father's Day yesterday. In the morning I wasn't allowed downstairs and wasn't going to be told why. Eventually (very eventually - about 30 minutes) I was told it was time. There were 21 Mars Bars hidden around the place and I had to find them. It was LGR's idea and he was so excited - to the point where he would hover over a hiding place looking straight at the Mars Bar waiting for me to find it!!
After this it was present time and both kids made me something and presented their made gifts with utmost pride. I was very touched by their sincerity.
The day itself was pretty good. We went into town and watched the Ben10 movie using some VIP tickets (it's nice to work where I do - on occasions) and then meandered around The Entertainment Quarter (as it's called) doing not much. It was a pleasant day and the kids were happy so all was good.
Answer:
"Because it's fun. It makes me dizzy. Like on a roundabout."
What??? A few minutes later I was lucky enough to learn about kid adults. Apparently these are 8 year old kids. They're still kids, but they're also adults because they are bigger.
---
A had a pretty good Father's Day yesterday. In the morning I wasn't allowed downstairs and wasn't going to be told why. Eventually (very eventually - about 30 minutes) I was told it was time. There were 21 Mars Bars hidden around the place and I had to find them. It was LGR's idea and he was so excited - to the point where he would hover over a hiding place looking straight at the Mars Bar waiting for me to find it!!
After this it was present time and both kids made me something and presented their made gifts with utmost pride. I was very touched by their sincerity.
The day itself was pretty good. We went into town and watched the Ben10 movie using some VIP tickets (it's nice to work where I do - on occasions) and then meandered around The Entertainment Quarter (as it's called) doing not much. It was a pleasant day and the kids were happy so all was good.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
I'm Back
Hi Y'all.
It's been a while. I wont' even attempt to explain what I've been up to - most people will find it trivial, boring, unremarkable - whatever. Suffice to say a combination of business, fatigue and apathy has contributed to the large-ish gap in blog entries.
On to the real stuff ....
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I was driving LGR and Hayzey home yesterday and I asked Hayzey a question. Her answer was "Because" ....
Dad: Because why?
Hayzey: Just because.
Dad: Is there a reason why?
Hayzey: Because.
LGR: Because isn't an answer. Because doesn't mean anything. Right Dad?
Dad: That's right. Do you know it doesn't mean anything?
LGR: Because because is .... I can't begin an answer with because can I Dad?
Dad: Not really.
LGR: Ok.
Pause.
LGR: Hayzey - you have to give a proper answer. Because isn't an answer because it doesn't mean anything. Can I use because in the middle a sentence Dad?
Dad: Of course.
LGR: So what's your answer Hayzey?
Hayzey: I don't have an answer. I just have because ....
A had a very good chuckle over this conversation. I never found out why Hayzey said what she did (which, just for the record, was that I couldn't go to sleep while I was driving the car ...)
It's been a while. I wont' even attempt to explain what I've been up to - most people will find it trivial, boring, unremarkable - whatever. Suffice to say a combination of business, fatigue and apathy has contributed to the large-ish gap in blog entries.
On to the real stuff ....
---
I was driving LGR and Hayzey home yesterday and I asked Hayzey a question. Her answer was "Because" ....
Dad: Because why?
Hayzey: Just because.
Dad: Is there a reason why?
Hayzey: Because.
LGR: Because isn't an answer. Because doesn't mean anything. Right Dad?
Dad: That's right. Do you know it doesn't mean anything?
LGR: Because because is .... I can't begin an answer with because can I Dad?
Dad: Not really.
LGR: Ok.
Pause.
LGR: Hayzey - you have to give a proper answer. Because isn't an answer because it doesn't mean anything. Can I use because in the middle a sentence Dad?
Dad: Of course.
LGR: So what's your answer Hayzey?
Hayzey: I don't have an answer. I just have because ....
A had a very good chuckle over this conversation. I never found out why Hayzey said what she did (which, just for the record, was that I couldn't go to sleep while I was driving the car ...)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Big Arms
The kidlets were phenomenal at swimming lessons last night. Hayzey has gotten past her improvement plateau and is starting to develop the ability to use her arms and legs at the same time while swimming freestyle. Her rocket/torpedo is becoming highly developed and if you catch a sideways glimpse of her doing this she looks a little pink bullet gliding just under the surface of the water.
LGR can swim - but doesn't believe he can. He did the most perfect dive last evening and transitioned it magnificently into a torpedo then a few strokes of freestyle. All he needs is some more confidence and a little bit of swimming fitness - and he can't swim long enough to get the latter without having the former.
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I've got to confess to being completely addicted to the letters pages of various newspapers - mainly for the vast array of ideas and opinions that it exposes me to. I don't always like what I read but it's fantastic to see what others think and to see how that gels with my own views and experiences. Democracy is a fantastic thing and I strongly believe we should all listen to others more often - and possibly this is more true when we don't agree with what others have to say ...
LGR can swim - but doesn't believe he can. He did the most perfect dive last evening and transitioned it magnificently into a torpedo then a few strokes of freestyle. All he needs is some more confidence and a little bit of swimming fitness - and he can't swim long enough to get the latter without having the former.
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I've got to confess to being completely addicted to the letters pages of various newspapers - mainly for the vast array of ideas and opinions that it exposes me to. I don't always like what I read but it's fantastic to see what others think and to see how that gels with my own views and experiences. Democracy is a fantastic thing and I strongly believe we should all listen to others more often - and possibly this is more true when we don't agree with what others have to say ...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Returned
LGR returned from Grandma's place last night - and seemed to be pretty happy to be back. He certainly had a good time - a visit to Scenic World to ride the cable car, railway and go for a walk into the old mines, a trip to the lollyshop, out for lunch, uninterrupted computer time ....
He was given a bit of spending money while he was up there and bought himself some toys. He also bought some for Hayz - which I found to be quite sweet and considerate of him. Hayz loved getting a gift from LGR and they were very excited to see each other last night. Perhaps too excited .... there wasn't a lot of dinner eaten.
While LGR was gone Mrs G and myself took Hayz out for dinner. We ended up at a pub as requested but couldn't manage spag bol. Lasagna was good enough ... The following evening Hayz helped me cook an entire meal.
How did she help? She ate olives and tomatoes while standing on a chair and watching me .... She even managed to drop an olive seed into the eggs - a story she retold in vivid detail over dinner.
He was given a bit of spending money while he was up there and bought himself some toys. He also bought some for Hayz - which I found to be quite sweet and considerate of him. Hayz loved getting a gift from LGR and they were very excited to see each other last night. Perhaps too excited .... there wasn't a lot of dinner eaten.
While LGR was gone Mrs G and myself took Hayz out for dinner. We ended up at a pub as requested but couldn't manage spag bol. Lasagna was good enough ... The following evening Hayz helped me cook an entire meal.
How did she help? She ate olives and tomatoes while standing on a chair and watching me .... She even managed to drop an olive seed into the eggs - a story she retold in vivid detail over dinner.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Winners are Grinners
The mighty LLSC U/6 Red team recorded their first victory on Saturday morning - courtesy of a single goal in the 3rd minute of the game. Doesn't matter though - the kids were thrilled and the parents (possibly) even more thrilled. It was great to see the kids milling around after the game - all abuzz with excitement and filled with pride.
We had another game in the evening - at 19:45 to be precise. We were the halftime entertainment in a charity game at Marconi Stadium. The kids all got their pictures taken and got to run down the players tunnel to go out onto the field. When they finished all the kids stood on halfway, bowed to the crowd and then ran to the grandstand to wave to the crowd. It was fantastic and LGR loved it all. Except the game. Too many distraction to play soccer .... I don't even know what the score was.
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Sunday was a trip up the mountains. LGR is on school holidays and is spending a few days with Grandma. He was quite excited about it but the actual moment of departure was quite hard. He put on a very brave face and gave us all enthusiastic hugs and kisses but in the end there were some barely withheld tears almost shed by all of us. Even Hayzey misses him - as we found out during the evening.
We went for dinner with Aunt LU, Auncle AU and 'lil baby Lillee. Hayzey kept herself entertained but frequently told us that she missed LGR. You could by the look on her face that this was the truth - and a sweet truth.
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When we woke this morning I asked Hayzey where she wanted to go for dinner tonight. The answer was immediate. "The pub. I want to go to the pub for dinner. I want spaghetti bolegnese!"
She reported the same thing to Mrs G after I left for work so it must be the truth .... I guess we've now got to find that serves spag bol.
We had another game in the evening - at 19:45 to be precise. We were the halftime entertainment in a charity game at Marconi Stadium. The kids all got their pictures taken and got to run down the players tunnel to go out onto the field. When they finished all the kids stood on halfway, bowed to the crowd and then ran to the grandstand to wave to the crowd. It was fantastic and LGR loved it all. Except the game. Too many distraction to play soccer .... I don't even know what the score was.
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Sunday was a trip up the mountains. LGR is on school holidays and is spending a few days with Grandma. He was quite excited about it but the actual moment of departure was quite hard. He put on a very brave face and gave us all enthusiastic hugs and kisses but in the end there were some barely withheld tears almost shed by all of us. Even Hayzey misses him - as we found out during the evening.
We went for dinner with Aunt LU, Auncle AU and 'lil baby Lillee. Hayzey kept herself entertained but frequently told us that she missed LGR. You could by the look on her face that this was the truth - and a sweet truth.
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When we woke this morning I asked Hayzey where she wanted to go for dinner tonight. The answer was immediate. "The pub. I want to go to the pub for dinner. I want spaghetti bolegnese!"
She reported the same thing to Mrs G after I left for work so it must be the truth .... I guess we've now got to find that serves spag bol.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Poet / Know It
I've just come back from a farewell lunch for a very competent and decent gentleman who wasn't given the chance he well and truly deserved at work. Very sad to see a bloke leave under these circumstances and a massive loss for the company. For me it's an object lesson in the impediments that can be placed in a career path when the skills of an individual exceed (or are perceived to exceed) those of their management. I always thought it was a good idea to hire those who could make you look good - but that is only true until those that you hire being to make you look bad ....
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I had a very engaging conversation with LGR this morning. We were talking about rhymes and coming up with verses when I said "I'm a poet and I didn't know it." Apparently this was very funny - to the point where LGR started chuckling very heartily. After a while I heard him repeat the phrase and start chuckling again. Very, very sweet.
Not too long after we were still rhyming words and I came up with "sugar" - thinking he would never find a rhyme. Wrong.
Booger.
Took him all of 1/3 of a second.
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Another LGR story. While I was tucking him into bed last night I looked up at his calendar and noticed he had scribbled in the numbers 32 and 33 in the empty boxes after July 31. I made comment (feeling quite chuffed that he had done this) and we got to talking about the picture on his calendar - Larnach Castle in winter.
The question was asked by LGR - "Can we go back there in winter?". I replied this would absolutely happen. Did I promise this? Of course I did. Was it a pinky promise? I had no idea what this was but said of course it was a pinky promise.
The next thing I knew he was reaching out his hand with a cocked little finger to shake with .... I honestly thought I was going to cry. It confirmed that he loved our trip, and wanted to spend more time with us, and it was such as solemn and sweet moment to share with my little/big boy.
---
But it's not all LGR. Hayzey has her moments. This morning (about 05:00) she came racing into our bedroom full of tears. I was laying in bed being quite lazy (I should have been out and about doing some exercise) and Mrs G was having a shower (needed to be at work by 07:00). Hayzey opened the bathroom door, looked in, walked out of the bedroom, came back in, looked in the bathroom again, walked out again and never missed a sob. I called her over to the bed and asked what was wrong. She couldn't find her blanket ....
I asked if she wanted hugs with Daddy and she almost jumped into bed with me. She might be getting older but she is very, very tiny and so sweet when she's not being a typical know-it-all 3 year old.
---
I had a very engaging conversation with LGR this morning. We were talking about rhymes and coming up with verses when I said "I'm a poet and I didn't know it." Apparently this was very funny - to the point where LGR started chuckling very heartily. After a while I heard him repeat the phrase and start chuckling again. Very, very sweet.
Not too long after we were still rhyming words and I came up with "sugar" - thinking he would never find a rhyme. Wrong.
Booger.
Took him all of 1/3 of a second.
---
Another LGR story. While I was tucking him into bed last night I looked up at his calendar and noticed he had scribbled in the numbers 32 and 33 in the empty boxes after July 31. I made comment (feeling quite chuffed that he had done this) and we got to talking about the picture on his calendar - Larnach Castle in winter.
The question was asked by LGR - "Can we go back there in winter?". I replied this would absolutely happen. Did I promise this? Of course I did. Was it a pinky promise? I had no idea what this was but said of course it was a pinky promise.
The next thing I knew he was reaching out his hand with a cocked little finger to shake with .... I honestly thought I was going to cry. It confirmed that he loved our trip, and wanted to spend more time with us, and it was such as solemn and sweet moment to share with my little/big boy.
---
But it's not all LGR. Hayzey has her moments. This morning (about 05:00) she came racing into our bedroom full of tears. I was laying in bed being quite lazy (I should have been out and about doing some exercise) and Mrs G was having a shower (needed to be at work by 07:00). Hayzey opened the bathroom door, looked in, walked out of the bedroom, came back in, looked in the bathroom again, walked out again and never missed a sob. I called her over to the bed and asked what was wrong. She couldn't find her blanket ....
I asked if she wanted hugs with Daddy and she almost jumped into bed with me. She might be getting older but she is very, very tiny and so sweet when she's not being a typical know-it-all 3 year old.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Night Out
I managed to make way into Homebush last night to watch the 3rd State of Origin. 'Twas a good night and a good game. From the very different (to TV) viewpoint I had it looked as though the game was moderately in the middle of the paddock but it was the NSW scoring options (or lack of) that were the difference.
It's great to be in an Origin crowd when the players decide to have a little bit of a pushing contest :-)
---
I had a very good morning today. When I got back from my morning exercise Hayzey was already up and about and in a very beautiful and friendly mood; full of talk and excitement. It transpired that both LGR and Hayzey saw 'Daddy' several times on TV last night. It turns out I had blue hair!!! I was about 50m from the mass of blue wigs but I can still imagine their excitement at thinking I was on TV.
I bought them home a couple of souveneirs (including a blue wig) and this seemed to thrill them to bits.
It's great to be in an Origin crowd when the players decide to have a little bit of a pushing contest :-)
---
I had a very good morning today. When I got back from my morning exercise Hayzey was already up and about and in a very beautiful and friendly mood; full of talk and excitement. It transpired that both LGR and Hayzey saw 'Daddy' several times on TV last night. It turns out I had blue hair!!! I was about 50m from the mass of blue wigs but I can still imagine their excitement at thinking I was on TV.
I bought them home a couple of souveneirs (including a blue wig) and this seemed to thrill them to bits.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
What's That Noise?
The Clan Jones were all settled down on the couch on Saturday afternoon watching "George of the Jungle". In this movie there's an elephant that thinks it's a dog.
At some point in the movie the elephant began to bark - and funnily enough it sounded just like a dog (the wonders of sound editting). It was so 'real' that our pups - who were obviously listening in from the back deck - started backing in reply. Mrs G and myself started laughing - poor little pups were quite confused ....
At some point in the movie the elephant began to bark - and funnily enough it sounded just like a dog (the wonders of sound editting). It was so 'real' that our pups - who were obviously listening in from the back deck - started backing in reply. Mrs G and myself started laughing - poor little pups were quite confused ....
Monday, June 30, 2008
Rugby Rules
We had a pretty good weekend - fairly quiet but good just the same. The highlight was definitely yesterday and a trip up the mountains to celebrate a birthday. The highlight of the highlight was when Hayzey 'won' a game of musical chairs at the party (she won it with a bit of assistance). Miss Hayzey didn't care that much but LGR was thrilled to bits - so much so that he raced over to give her a huge hug and then literally dragged her off to get her prize. He was so proud - and she had no idea what had happened!
---
I was listening to some commentary on the rugby union (and specifically the Australia vs France game over the weekend) this morning. The first funny bit I heard was a commentator suggesting the referee was making up rules on the run just so he could blow his whistle.
The second bit was more of a story - along the lines of having 3 retired former international rugby players commentating. 1 will think a penalty was legitimate, 1 will think it was wrong and the third will say they didn't even know the rule they are discussing existed.
I like rugby. It has very complex rules.
---
I was listening to some commentary on the rugby union (and specifically the Australia vs France game over the weekend) this morning. The first funny bit I heard was a commentator suggesting the referee was making up rules on the run just so he could blow his whistle.
The second bit was more of a story - along the lines of having 3 retired former international rugby players commentating. 1 will think a penalty was legitimate, 1 will think it was wrong and the third will say they didn't even know the rule they are discussing existed.
I like rugby. It has very complex rules.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Report Card
LGR got his first report card yesterday. It was pretty good. Turns out he is quite handy with maths, above average for spelling and reading, enthusiastic across all subject areas and not so good at accepting the ideas of others ....
Not a bad start really. We have our first parent teacher interview next Tuesday evening.
---
The same young chap came racing through to our bedroom at about 06:00 this morning. In a very excited and rushed voice he announced "Good morning Mummy and Daddy. Today I'm going on an excursion!!"
That's right - his first school excursion. They're off to Featherdale to do whatever it is they're doing. LGR is very, very excited - but I'm not sure if it's because he's going on a big bus, going to the park or wearing sports uniform on a non-sport day. Probably all three.
---
Hayzey's facial rash has come back. Again. It's starting to get a little bit old and more than a touch frustrating. I'm beginning to seriously think about changing doctors - the one we have been using for several years and is proving to be less able to correctly diagnose and cure problems than he has been in the past.
Not a bad start really. We have our first parent teacher interview next Tuesday evening.
---
The same young chap came racing through to our bedroom at about 06:00 this morning. In a very excited and rushed voice he announced "Good morning Mummy and Daddy. Today I'm going on an excursion!!"
That's right - his first school excursion. They're off to Featherdale to do whatever it is they're doing. LGR is very, very excited - but I'm not sure if it's because he's going on a big bus, going to the park or wearing sports uniform on a non-sport day. Probably all three.
---
Hayzey's facial rash has come back. Again. It's starting to get a little bit old and more than a touch frustrating. I'm beginning to seriously think about changing doctors - the one we have been using for several years and is proving to be less able to correctly diagnose and cure problems than he has been in the past.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Quick
A quick entry just to let everyone know I haven't forgotten about putting updates up - I've just been busy with a lot of different things being juggled.
What's been happening? It's hard to define. There's the obvious Big C issue which we all know about and that took up a bit of time on Monday and then yesterday there were some vigorous career discussions.
Last night Mrs G and I sat the kidlets down and explained to them that Nanna was quite sick and would need lots of help and special medicine that will probably make her look different. I expected LGR to ask lots of questions but he didn't - the only response was to say that he would pray for Nanna.
What's been happening? It's hard to define. There's the obvious Big C issue which we all know about and that took up a bit of time on Monday and then yesterday there were some vigorous career discussions.
Last night Mrs G and I sat the kidlets down and explained to them that Nanna was quite sick and would need lots of help and special medicine that will probably make her look different. I expected LGR to ask lots of questions but he didn't - the only response was to say that he would pray for Nanna.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Swimming Lessons
We were back at swimming lessons last night - just like we are every single Thursday. I was watching LGR quite carefully last night and he is beginning to turn into quite the swimming technician. There is a certain fluidity of movement beginning to emerge - his stroke is lengthening quite nicely and his kick has gone from being ridiculously ineffectual to quite good. His breathing and rotation on the breath is also becoming smoother.
And he can almost dive. He still goes from a kneeling position but goes into the water hands/head first more often than not.
Somehow he has developed a natural breaststroke arm action and can even do a bit of backstroke and some very rough butterfly. Most of all he loves it.
---
Hayzey is a little different. She can do a 'rocket' quite well - which is just arms outstretched in front and kicking. She can do 'big arms' with a flotation aid but when she has no aid she just seems to forget about her arms. Occasionally she gives it a crack but even when she does she moves very, very slowly.
It wasn't so long ago that LGR and Hayzey were at more or less the same level. Since then LGR has improved heaps and Hayzey has consolidated what she can do but not really moved onto anything else. I remember this happening with LGR and, while it's frustrating, it's also a necessary process before going onto bigger and better things.
And he can almost dive. He still goes from a kneeling position but goes into the water hands/head first more often than not.
Somehow he has developed a natural breaststroke arm action and can even do a bit of backstroke and some very rough butterfly. Most of all he loves it.
---
Hayzey is a little different. She can do a 'rocket' quite well - which is just arms outstretched in front and kicking. She can do 'big arms' with a flotation aid but when she has no aid she just seems to forget about her arms. Occasionally she gives it a crack but even when she does she moves very, very slowly.
It wasn't so long ago that LGR and Hayzey were at more or less the same level. Since then LGR has improved heaps and Hayzey has consolidated what she can do but not really moved onto anything else. I remember this happening with LGR and, while it's frustrating, it's also a necessary process before going onto bigger and better things.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mortality
Sometimes events occur which cause you situp and seriously consider what is going on in your life. Such an event has happened very recently in my life and it will presumably put me and my family (and by family I mean larger family - not just Clan Jones) on a bit of a 'thrill ride' for a while.
This event doesn't directly concern me yet but in my quiet moments it sets off a line of thought which always leads to question myself. What have I achieved? What will I be remembered for? Will I even be remembered? How would I like to be remembered?
And then it's always what should I be doing to ensure that I am remembered the way in which I see myself?
I fear there are tough times ahead. As a group we've been here before so the road is not totally unfamiliar but I suspect the landscape is somewhat different this time around.
Onward we march. To what we do not know.
This event doesn't directly concern me yet but in my quiet moments it sets off a line of thought which always leads to question myself. What have I achieved? What will I be remembered for? Will I even be remembered? How would I like to be remembered?
And then it's always what should I be doing to ensure that I am remembered the way in which I see myself?
I fear there are tough times ahead. As a group we've been here before so the road is not totally unfamiliar but I suspect the landscape is somewhat different this time around.
Onward we march. To what we do not know.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Puppies Returned
Our puppies came home last night and they are like different creatures. The good folks we left them with have somehow taught them some manners. They no longer jump all over us and the door and they do listen and obey simple instructions much more frequently.
I suddenly like the puppies again. Hayzey thought they were great - they were letting her pat them without getting excited and jumping all over her. LGR was neither here nor there - he just sat on the couch and watched the dogs continually sneak their way into the house.
---
I was driving into work fairly early this morning and listening to some talkback about the cricket just finished in the West Indies and, in particular, the Australian cricket team.
A listener called in to express the opinion that the Australian cricket team is no longer the best in the world because "they've lost so many good players." She then went on to suggest that the reason the Australians are dropping more catches is because they are lazy and arrogant.
One of the things in life that baits me far too easily is criticism of sports teams/peoples as being lazy and arrogant. It can be said without a doubt that are some highly confident sports people out there and that there are even some who behave in a very arrogant (Def: making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud).
Confidence is a massive prerequisite for sporting success (and dare I say it life in general) - it really does help to believe that you are capable of producing a result before you attempt to do it. Arrogance is not - but I see a world of difference in a group of confident Australian cricketers running onto a field and engaging in a sporting contest and the previous definition of arrogance.
What about the Indian series? Wasn't that arrogance? I don't think so - the Australians played to the umpires decisions. This is what I was taught to do as a kid and it doesn't matter if the umpire is right or wrong - they are always right. Sometimes that sux but the Aussies adhered to this.
The major grief from the Indian series concerned a single opposition player who has plenty of form when it comes to a series of 'crimes' - not walking when bowled vs England and then openly swearing at the English players when it was suggested he was out, racial abuse vs England, Australia and South Africa, judicial penalties from the ICC and now a physical assault on a team mate (admittedly minor but still bizarre ....).
There was some other stuff about not walking and claiming catches but I really think that was just counter claim from the opposition. There was also the stuff about going home because they didn't like the ICC (ie umpires) decision about the racial abuse thing - but that was all in jest. Wasn't it? Really?
I don't believe the Australian team to be arrogant - merely a group of blokes full of confidence who let others know they are confident in their skills and their capacity to win a game of cricket.
Why are they dropping catches? Most of the dropped catches are in the slips. When you think about some of the blokes lost to Australian cricket in the last few years there are some outstanding slips fielders - Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Damian Martyn, Matt Hayden missing from this series. There are some very good fielders in there now - Andrew Symonds and Mike Hussey spring to mind and Ricky Ponting is the 1st slippper. But you can't have 2/3 of your cordon ripped out and replace them easily.
Are the Australian team still the best in the world? I don't think there are any that can claim to be consistently better but it is impossible to ignore the performance of the Indians in Australia last summer. Australia is rebuilding and currently has the trophy from every tournament they have played in over the last couple of years with the exception of the Twenty20 WorldCup. Since losing McGrath, Warne & Langer they have won series vs India and West Indies. The WI series was also missing Adam Gilchrist and Matt Hayden.
Not many teams can continue to win while rebuilding.
The Indian team are very good. So are the South Africans. Australia appears to be a strike bowler short. I think the Aussies are as vulnerable as they have been at any point since about 1990.
They are still very good.
I suddenly like the puppies again. Hayzey thought they were great - they were letting her pat them without getting excited and jumping all over her. LGR was neither here nor there - he just sat on the couch and watched the dogs continually sneak their way into the house.
---
I was driving into work fairly early this morning and listening to some talkback about the cricket just finished in the West Indies and, in particular, the Australian cricket team.
A listener called in to express the opinion that the Australian cricket team is no longer the best in the world because "they've lost so many good players." She then went on to suggest that the reason the Australians are dropping more catches is because they are lazy and arrogant.
One of the things in life that baits me far too easily is criticism of sports teams/peoples as being lazy and arrogant. It can be said without a doubt that are some highly confident sports people out there and that there are even some who behave in a very arrogant (Def: making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud).
Confidence is a massive prerequisite for sporting success (and dare I say it life in general) - it really does help to believe that you are capable of producing a result before you attempt to do it. Arrogance is not - but I see a world of difference in a group of confident Australian cricketers running onto a field and engaging in a sporting contest and the previous definition of arrogance.
What about the Indian series? Wasn't that arrogance? I don't think so - the Australians played to the umpires decisions. This is what I was taught to do as a kid and it doesn't matter if the umpire is right or wrong - they are always right. Sometimes that sux but the Aussies adhered to this.
The major grief from the Indian series concerned a single opposition player who has plenty of form when it comes to a series of 'crimes' - not walking when bowled vs England and then openly swearing at the English players when it was suggested he was out, racial abuse vs England, Australia and South Africa, judicial penalties from the ICC and now a physical assault on a team mate (admittedly minor but still bizarre ....).
There was some other stuff about not walking and claiming catches but I really think that was just counter claim from the opposition. There was also the stuff about going home because they didn't like the ICC (ie umpires) decision about the racial abuse thing - but that was all in jest. Wasn't it? Really?
I don't believe the Australian team to be arrogant - merely a group of blokes full of confidence who let others know they are confident in their skills and their capacity to win a game of cricket.
Why are they dropping catches? Most of the dropped catches are in the slips. When you think about some of the blokes lost to Australian cricket in the last few years there are some outstanding slips fielders - Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Damian Martyn, Matt Hayden missing from this series. There are some very good fielders in there now - Andrew Symonds and Mike Hussey spring to mind and Ricky Ponting is the 1st slippper. But you can't have 2/3 of your cordon ripped out and replace them easily.
Are the Australian team still the best in the world? I don't think there are any that can claim to be consistently better but it is impossible to ignore the performance of the Indians in Australia last summer. Australia is rebuilding and currently has the trophy from every tournament they have played in over the last couple of years with the exception of the Twenty20 WorldCup. Since losing McGrath, Warne & Langer they have won series vs India and West Indies. The WI series was also missing Adam Gilchrist and Matt Hayden.
Not many teams can continue to win while rebuilding.
The Indian team are very good. So are the South Africans. Australia appears to be a strike bowler short. I think the Aussies are as vulnerable as they have been at any point since about 1990.
They are still very good.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Road Trip
We've been out and about over the past couple of days courtesy of a road trip out to Narrandera, Leeton and Wagga Wagga.
It kind of began on Thursday evening. A couple of folks Mrs G knows from work came over from dinner and took the pups away for a couple of days of training and general looking after. Nice guys and I had a good time. The kids were quite sweet - both saying goodbye to the pups and shedding a tear or two. LGR even spontaneously patted both of them.
Friday was departure day. We got out of town a touch before 08:00 and made our first stop in Goulburn. Via some pretty impressive storms and equally as impressive rainbows. We came across a bakery with a massive stone fireplace. LGR and I managed to snaffle a seat right in front of it only to be told by Mrs G we weren't staying - apparently we only needed a pit stop.
Next up was a short drive to Yass and morning tea. We expected the McDonalds there to still have kids toys - but they didn't. They are right in the middle of a refurbishment and it was crowded, loud and not very pleasant. We didn't stay long - but LGR did manage to fit in some homework.
About 5 minutes out of Yass Hayzey announced she needed to go to the toilet. So we pulled over and after 10 minutes nothing happened. Within 60s of jumping back in the car it poured - so the timing was quite good.
We decided to have some lunch at Gundagai after having a peep at the dog on the box. Very small. The kids were more impressed by the talking cockatoo. Lunch wasn't great but it was cheap and we were all rested.
Mrs G took over the driving at this point and I snoozed the portion into Wagga Wagga. We had a bit of time to spare so we ended up walking around a nice little area with a crafted lagoon, walkways, art galleries and a park. It was all vaguely Melbourne-esque and the kids had quite a good time. LGR was concerned about the flame in the War Memorial and Hayzey had decided it was her mission to say hello to every person she came across :-)
The final bit of the days drive was to Narrandera. Mrs G took the while for this one also and we made some pretty good time.
It was interesting to not the landsape throughout the drive. From Campbelltown thru to Mittagong/Bowral it was quite green and lush - rolling hills with greenery everywhere and some dramatic views topped off with magnificent storm clouds. It begins to dry out a little coming into Goulburn but even there it's not too bad. As soon as we were past the turnoff to Canberra the land became noticeably flatter. There still appeared to be a little bit of moisture around and it was quite open and scenic in a very Aussie sort of way.
Gundagai was surprisingly green and Wagga looked to be in pretty good shape too. Once we got past Wagga it got dry pretty quickly. There were empty irrigation ditches and very few crops planted anywhere. Lots of pale yellow grasses with the occasional field of green. Beyond Narrandera it was even worse with the only signs of a viable agricultural setup being orange trees.
Anyways - dinner was at Narrandera with my Aunt/Uncle and cousin. I big old roast dinner which was quite nice. We also slept there and it was fantastically quiet - especially once the kids decided to go to sleep :-)
We woke on Saturday and made our way out towards Leeton. I lived there for what I guess is about 2 years when I was a kid but I seem to have way to many memories for such a short time span.
Driving without a map I managed to unerringly find my way straight to my old house - despite there being a whole heap of new development. It was quite bizarre to see street names and remember them without being sure why I remembered them. The kids weren't too fascinated by the house but when we went to the old athletics track they were much more excited.
LGR ran around the track for a bit then we played some soccer and then had a game in the sandpit. I visited the old stormwater drains that I remember walking through as a kid and also examined the roadside where I was attacked by a magpie while riding my bike. There used to be trees there but for some reason they are gone now. We also had a look at my old school, the pool and that was about it. We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant and the waitress was quite impressed with the kids - who were behaving in a very grownup and cute way.
After lunch we went out to Leeton Ski Beach. On the way we had to get through a herd of cows - something we all found quite exciting and novel.
It was quite an eye opener getting to the beach, and the beach itself. There were plenty of dead and fallen trees and very little undergrowth. Most of the trees were redgum and even along the river edge there were dying off in vast numbers. The river looked to 3-4m below where it should be and was barely flowing. It was very obvious how beautiful the area once would have been and quite disheartening to see how it is now.
By this stage we were running quite late and had to get back to Wagga Wagga fairly quickly if we were any chance of getting to the party on time.
In the end we were late .... but not by much. It was a pretty sedate evening but we got to meet our newest cousin, watch a fire, meet some people and get a feed. And we were in bed by a reasonable hour.
Sunday was back to home day. We got a bit of sleep in and had breakfast at McDonalds (by request of the kids). We returned to the scene of the previous evening's festivities to catch up in a more leisurely fashion and have many hugs with the new bub. Then it was out of there. The trip home was very easy - a stop at Gundagai for some toilet time, lunch at Yass and then straight up the Hume to home.
Geez it was nice to get back ;-)
It kind of began on Thursday evening. A couple of folks Mrs G knows from work came over from dinner and took the pups away for a couple of days of training and general looking after. Nice guys and I had a good time. The kids were quite sweet - both saying goodbye to the pups and shedding a tear or two. LGR even spontaneously patted both of them.
Friday was departure day. We got out of town a touch before 08:00 and made our first stop in Goulburn. Via some pretty impressive storms and equally as impressive rainbows. We came across a bakery with a massive stone fireplace. LGR and I managed to snaffle a seat right in front of it only to be told by Mrs G we weren't staying - apparently we only needed a pit stop.
Next up was a short drive to Yass and morning tea. We expected the McDonalds there to still have kids toys - but they didn't. They are right in the middle of a refurbishment and it was crowded, loud and not very pleasant. We didn't stay long - but LGR did manage to fit in some homework.
About 5 minutes out of Yass Hayzey announced she needed to go to the toilet. So we pulled over and after 10 minutes nothing happened. Within 60s of jumping back in the car it poured - so the timing was quite good.
We decided to have some lunch at Gundagai after having a peep at the dog on the box. Very small. The kids were more impressed by the talking cockatoo. Lunch wasn't great but it was cheap and we were all rested.
Mrs G took over the driving at this point and I snoozed the portion into Wagga Wagga. We had a bit of time to spare so we ended up walking around a nice little area with a crafted lagoon, walkways, art galleries and a park. It was all vaguely Melbourne-esque and the kids had quite a good time. LGR was concerned about the flame in the War Memorial and Hayzey had decided it was her mission to say hello to every person she came across :-)
The final bit of the days drive was to Narrandera. Mrs G took the while for this one also and we made some pretty good time.
It was interesting to not the landsape throughout the drive. From Campbelltown thru to Mittagong/Bowral it was quite green and lush - rolling hills with greenery everywhere and some dramatic views topped off with magnificent storm clouds. It begins to dry out a little coming into Goulburn but even there it's not too bad. As soon as we were past the turnoff to Canberra the land became noticeably flatter. There still appeared to be a little bit of moisture around and it was quite open and scenic in a very Aussie sort of way.
Gundagai was surprisingly green and Wagga looked to be in pretty good shape too. Once we got past Wagga it got dry pretty quickly. There were empty irrigation ditches and very few crops planted anywhere. Lots of pale yellow grasses with the occasional field of green. Beyond Narrandera it was even worse with the only signs of a viable agricultural setup being orange trees.
Anyways - dinner was at Narrandera with my Aunt/Uncle and cousin. I big old roast dinner which was quite nice. We also slept there and it was fantastically quiet - especially once the kids decided to go to sleep :-)
We woke on Saturday and made our way out towards Leeton. I lived there for what I guess is about 2 years when I was a kid but I seem to have way to many memories for such a short time span.
Driving without a map I managed to unerringly find my way straight to my old house - despite there being a whole heap of new development. It was quite bizarre to see street names and remember them without being sure why I remembered them. The kids weren't too fascinated by the house but when we went to the old athletics track they were much more excited.
LGR ran around the track for a bit then we played some soccer and then had a game in the sandpit. I visited the old stormwater drains that I remember walking through as a kid and also examined the roadside where I was attacked by a magpie while riding my bike. There used to be trees there but for some reason they are gone now. We also had a look at my old school, the pool and that was about it. We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant and the waitress was quite impressed with the kids - who were behaving in a very grownup and cute way.
After lunch we went out to Leeton Ski Beach. On the way we had to get through a herd of cows - something we all found quite exciting and novel.
It was quite an eye opener getting to the beach, and the beach itself. There were plenty of dead and fallen trees and very little undergrowth. Most of the trees were redgum and even along the river edge there were dying off in vast numbers. The river looked to 3-4m below where it should be and was barely flowing. It was very obvious how beautiful the area once would have been and quite disheartening to see how it is now.
By this stage we were running quite late and had to get back to Wagga Wagga fairly quickly if we were any chance of getting to the party on time.
In the end we were late .... but not by much. It was a pretty sedate evening but we got to meet our newest cousin, watch a fire, meet some people and get a feed. And we were in bed by a reasonable hour.
Sunday was back to home day. We got a bit of sleep in and had breakfast at McDonalds (by request of the kids). We returned to the scene of the previous evening's festivities to catch up in a more leisurely fashion and have many hugs with the new bub. Then it was out of there. The trip home was very easy - a stop at Gundagai for some toilet time, lunch at Yass and then straight up the Hume to home.
Geez it was nice to get back ;-)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Long Weekend
We've just had the Queens Birthday Long Weekend and it was a pretty good one.
There was no soccer so we had a pretty lazy morning - did some groceries and some general shopping (picked up a heap of cheap kids movies) and then lay around the house doing a bit of work here and there but mostly just being mellow.
The afternoon was a 'Pirates and Princesses' party. Both kids got dressed up and LGR looked pretty good. He had a pirates hat with a skulll with flashing eyes, a cool little sword and even some stubble on his face :-) Hayzey was a princess and she was quite cute.
After the party (which the kids loved but I found moderately boring) we were off to the Little Athletics presentation night. We travelled over with clans Chef and McK and met Aunt LU and Uncle AU and Lillee and Nanna at the venue for some dinner. It was a rowdy old meal - most of the kids seemed to be very wound up and several points were also feeling a little 'emotional'.
The presentation itself was over relatively quickly. LGR got a medal and a trophy. He was pleased as punch. All day long he had been talking about getting a medal so the additional trophy (his first) was a very nice touch.
On Sunday morning we finally packed up all the camping gear that we borrowed almost a year ago and returned it to the rightful owners - who may or may not have been happy to get it back :-) We also finally got a chance to sit down and have a chat, and even got some birthday cake for Nanna's pending birthday. Little Lillee bounced up and down in her Tigger harness and we all smiled and enjoyed the show. She's the type of baby that makes you think babies aren't hard work after all ....
Clan Chef came around late in the afternoon for some dinner. The them was Indian and the meal was very mellow - no chilli to be found anywhere. It surprised a few folks and the kids seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. After dinner the adults settled in for a night of card games and the kids did what the kids always do - played, fought, cried and then played some more ....
Monday was very cruisy. After taking the pups out for a run (they are big enough now to runk with me when I go running) Hayzey and I ducked out to get some stuff for lunch. When we got back home Grandma was there, and so were the Chef's. Mr Chef helped take his tools and stuff home from the fence building exercise several months back and suddenly we have a garage that we can fit cars in again.
Grandma hung around for some card games (snap, fish and something LGR created with extremely fluid rules), some lunch and a bit of post lunch nothingness. After Grandma left we all settled down for a bit of movie watching which was interrupted by a dodgy DVD player and some baths.
There was no soccer so we had a pretty lazy morning - did some groceries and some general shopping (picked up a heap of cheap kids movies) and then lay around the house doing a bit of work here and there but mostly just being mellow.
The afternoon was a 'Pirates and Princesses' party. Both kids got dressed up and LGR looked pretty good. He had a pirates hat with a skulll with flashing eyes, a cool little sword and even some stubble on his face :-) Hayzey was a princess and she was quite cute.
After the party (which the kids loved but I found moderately boring) we were off to the Little Athletics presentation night. We travelled over with clans Chef and McK and met Aunt LU and Uncle AU and Lillee and Nanna at the venue for some dinner. It was a rowdy old meal - most of the kids seemed to be very wound up and several points were also feeling a little 'emotional'.
The presentation itself was over relatively quickly. LGR got a medal and a trophy. He was pleased as punch. All day long he had been talking about getting a medal so the additional trophy (his first) was a very nice touch.
On Sunday morning we finally packed up all the camping gear that we borrowed almost a year ago and returned it to the rightful owners - who may or may not have been happy to get it back :-) We also finally got a chance to sit down and have a chat, and even got some birthday cake for Nanna's pending birthday. Little Lillee bounced up and down in her Tigger harness and we all smiled and enjoyed the show. She's the type of baby that makes you think babies aren't hard work after all ....
Clan Chef came around late in the afternoon for some dinner. The them was Indian and the meal was very mellow - no chilli to be found anywhere. It surprised a few folks and the kids seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. After dinner the adults settled in for a night of card games and the kids did what the kids always do - played, fought, cried and then played some more ....
Monday was very cruisy. After taking the pups out for a run (they are big enough now to runk with me when I go running) Hayzey and I ducked out to get some stuff for lunch. When we got back home Grandma was there, and so were the Chef's. Mr Chef helped take his tools and stuff home from the fence building exercise several months back and suddenly we have a garage that we can fit cars in again.
Grandma hung around for some card games (snap, fish and something LGR created with extremely fluid rules), some lunch and a bit of post lunch nothingness. After Grandma left we all settled down for a bit of movie watching which was interrupted by a dodgy DVD player and some baths.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Trouble ....
I had an enormous amount of trouble getting out of the house and off to work this morning. Both kids were awake (which is kind of rare in itself) and both kept asking for cuddles. What can I do but I respond? After the 7th or 8th round of this it started to get a little monotonous (but still very cute).
We're getting our Foxtel upgraded today - do the HD product. I explained to LGR that the old Foxtel box needed to disappear and we would get a new one. There were tears ... as expected. He loves the old box and the movies we have on it and now he'll never get to see them again!!! Sob, sob. I showed him some pictures of the HD box and he seemed well pleased and the tears disappeared.
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We've just come off the quietest weekend we have had in a very long time. On Friday night Mrs Gazzarus went out for dinner with some friends and then to some sort of spending money party at someone's house. I took the kids out to pick up some dinner (KFC) and then we settled in for an evening of watching "Hook". Both kids asked to go to bed at about 19:30 and I was in bed myself by 20:00.
Saturday was soccer and then a visit from Aunt BJ. She and Mrs Gazzarus spent the afternoon making jewellery while I pottered around the place with the kids. Dinner was just the 4 of us and we were all in bed moderately early again.
Sunday was a spot of grocery and present shopping in the morning followed up by an afternoon of meandering around the house with the kids and a bunch of cooking.
All very quiet.
We're getting our Foxtel upgraded today - do the HD product. I explained to LGR that the old Foxtel box needed to disappear and we would get a new one. There were tears ... as expected. He loves the old box and the movies we have on it and now he'll never get to see them again!!! Sob, sob. I showed him some pictures of the HD box and he seemed well pleased and the tears disappeared.
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We've just come off the quietest weekend we have had in a very long time. On Friday night Mrs Gazzarus went out for dinner with some friends and then to some sort of spending money party at someone's house. I took the kids out to pick up some dinner (KFC) and then we settled in for an evening of watching "Hook". Both kids asked to go to bed at about 19:30 and I was in bed myself by 20:00.
Saturday was soccer and then a visit from Aunt BJ. She and Mrs Gazzarus spent the afternoon making jewellery while I pottered around the place with the kids. Dinner was just the 4 of us and we were all in bed moderately early again.
Sunday was a spot of grocery and present shopping in the morning followed up by an afternoon of meandering around the house with the kids and a bunch of cooking.
All very quiet.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Lightning
We've had some interesting weather in Sydney town over the last 24 hours. As I was driving to work there was a very nice lightning storm out over the sea. As I was driving home I got belted by a hail storm on the M5 (and chuckled with malicious glee as some fool driving a Lexus made a mad dash to shelter his car under a bridge ....) and then again this morning I got to watch a lightning storm out over the ocean.
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LGR read a book to us last night. He was able to identify some interesting words such as Saturday, museum and whale. The skillset is developing :-)
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LGR read a book to us last night. He was able to identify some interesting words such as Saturday, museum and whale. The skillset is developing :-)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tools
A few days ago LGR asked me a great little question (again):
"How did they make tools before they had tools to make tools?"
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We've been reading heaps of books to LGR recently - probably averaging about 1 per day. The number of words he can now read is quite staggering. He seems to almost look at them and just remember them. He has a very strong capacity to sound words out and if he can't spell them he can write/type the sounds that are involved in making the word. It's hard to explain but in essence it's not far away from phonetic spelling.
He is also displaying the same short term memory issues that I have - leaving things all over the place and/or just plain losing them. It's frustrating but hard to criticise when I do it myself ....
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Hayzey has developed a disturbing new habit - if somebody says something she doesn't want to hear (for example when asked to do a job or stop playing with something or really just anything that is different to what she is doing) she pretends not to hear or just completely ignores. She will look straight at you and continue on with what she was doing. Neither of us have any idea how to get her to stop doing this - reasoning, argument and punishment certainly aren't working. Time to consult the oracles and see what else we can try :-)
"How did they make tools before they had tools to make tools?"
---
We've been reading heaps of books to LGR recently - probably averaging about 1 per day. The number of words he can now read is quite staggering. He seems to almost look at them and just remember them. He has a very strong capacity to sound words out and if he can't spell them he can write/type the sounds that are involved in making the word. It's hard to explain but in essence it's not far away from phonetic spelling.
He is also displaying the same short term memory issues that I have - leaving things all over the place and/or just plain losing them. It's frustrating but hard to criticise when I do it myself ....
---
Hayzey has developed a disturbing new habit - if somebody says something she doesn't want to hear (for example when asked to do a job or stop playing with something or really just anything that is different to what she is doing) she pretends not to hear or just completely ignores. She will look straight at you and continue on with what she was doing. Neither of us have any idea how to get her to stop doing this - reasoning, argument and punishment certainly aren't working. Time to consult the oracles and see what else we can try :-)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Good Question
LGR wants to know who is stronger - The Incredible Hulk or King Kong?
I believe it would probably be King Kong - he can smash planes out of the sky with one hand. LGR thinks Hulk because he's the strongest thing in the world (the logic of which negates the question ...).
After a bit more thought Superman was considered as another possible contender.
The big issues in life are being addressed in my household :-)
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I picked LGR up from car lines at school yesterday. And got into trouble from his teacher!!! Apparently the kids are supposed to sit down in their lines before the parents can grab them. I was a bit early and was given a brisk instruction. My first response was to suggest that I would take my child out of school whenever it pleased me but my brain kicked in and realised that it wouldn't be good form to undermine the teacher in front of LGR. So I ate some humble pie and suggested to LGR that he should sit down. He did, and 3 seconds later we were out of there.
When we got home we took the pups for a walk. They're still young, energetic and quite stupid. And they wear out quickly. Which is good because they are also quite strong for their size. After about 15 minutes of walking LGR decided he wanted to hold one of the leashes. This lasted for about 200m - apparently a 12kg dog is a lot stronger than an 18kg boy :-)
I believe it would probably be King Kong - he can smash planes out of the sky with one hand. LGR thinks Hulk because he's the strongest thing in the world (the logic of which negates the question ...).
After a bit more thought Superman was considered as another possible contender.
The big issues in life are being addressed in my household :-)
---
I picked LGR up from car lines at school yesterday. And got into trouble from his teacher!!! Apparently the kids are supposed to sit down in their lines before the parents can grab them. I was a bit early and was given a brisk instruction. My first response was to suggest that I would take my child out of school whenever it pleased me but my brain kicked in and realised that it wouldn't be good form to undermine the teacher in front of LGR. So I ate some humble pie and suggested to LGR that he should sit down. He did, and 3 seconds later we were out of there.
When we got home we took the pups for a walk. They're still young, energetic and quite stupid. And they wear out quickly. Which is good because they are also quite strong for their size. After about 15 minutes of walking LGR decided he wanted to hold one of the leashes. This lasted for about 200m - apparently a 12kg dog is a lot stronger than an 18kg boy :-)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Private School Boy Picture
I've finally put the pictures of LGR in his 'long' school uniform on the PC. This is possibly the pick of the bunch but in true Daddy Jones there are plenty of pictures to choose from.
As usual the pictures don't do my little fellow justice :-)
As usual the pictures don't do my little fellow justice :-)
The Confusion of a 3 Year Old
Hayzey was being a bit naughty a few nights back (I should probably tell the truth and let you know she was being very naughty) and I was getting somewhat frustrated with my inability to get her to listen - let alone respond to anything I was saying in a meaningful fashion.
Mustering up all of my adultness I knelt in front of her and said "You're being very naughty. I don't want to yell at you but if you keep being being naughty you're going to be in a lot of trouble."
She considered this for 2-3 seconds and then came back with "Why?"
I asked "Why what?"
Her reply was "Why?"
I'm still not sure if she meant why was she being naughty, why do I not like yelling at her or why would she be in trouble for being naughty.
Mustering up all of my adultness I knelt in front of her and said "You're being very naughty. I don't want to yell at you but if you keep being being naughty you're going to be in a lot of trouble."
She considered this for 2-3 seconds and then came back with "Why?"
I asked "Why what?"
Her reply was "Why?"
I'm still not sure if she meant why was she being naughty, why do I not like yelling at her or why would she be in trouble for being naughty.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Private School Boy
Last Thursday I picked up LGR from after school care and was astonished to see him dressed in long pants, long sleeved shirt, leather boots and his school hat. It was all tucked in and neat and he looked every bit the private school boy. It was amazing and if I hadn't seen it for myself wouldn't have believed how grown up he seemed. I'm hoping to have some pictures of this published later in the week.
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I had an early start for work yesterday. Apparently Hayzey also had an early start - getting out of bed at 04:00 and deciding to walk around the house for a bit. She ended up in Mummy's bed - which I'm sure is a good result for Hayzey and a bad result for Mummy. She was better this morning - not waking up until Daddy's voice got a bit loud while talking to Mum while she was blow drying her hair.
I ended up with pre-work cuddles from both kids today - a bit of a rarity. LGR asked to me to print out a picture of himself when he was a baby so I did this and then found myself looking at more photoes and suddenly realising I was supposed to be on my way to work .... It was worth it.
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We travelled up the mountains on Saturday to see Nanna and Grandma for Mothers Day. It was a nice afternoon out - although I missed most of the Grandma visit because I was asleep (I don't know why but I got very tired and ended up sleeping for about 2.5 hours). It was fun at Nanna's house - all her kiddies were there with all our kiddies. It's pretty rare for this to happen and everyone seemed to get along quite nicely. The only dampener on the evening was the ridiculously small serving sizes provided by the Chinese place we chose to get dinner from.
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We gave the kids an 'adult' dinner last night - beetroot, pumpkin, rocket and walnut salad with some dukkah crusted steak. They ate it and said it was good!! LGR didn't like the walnuts but other than that there were no complaints. I felt very satisfied.
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What else have I done? I built another gate for the backyard - this time blocking off the narrow side of the house. It was mainly done so we can put our pots down there and start growing veges again. The puppies very kindly destroyed every single potted plant we had within a few months of us getting them and I miss the thrill of watching the plants grow. It's also good for the kids to see it all happen. And fresh food tastes terrific.
The best part about this gate is I did the entire job myself - no assistance from anyone. It's the first time I've done this and am quite satisified with my results. I'm not sure if it's squared up properly - I eyeballed everything. The gate swings and is firmly in the ground so that's good enough. Right?
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I had an early start for work yesterday. Apparently Hayzey also had an early start - getting out of bed at 04:00 and deciding to walk around the house for a bit. She ended up in Mummy's bed - which I'm sure is a good result for Hayzey and a bad result for Mummy. She was better this morning - not waking up until Daddy's voice got a bit loud while talking to Mum while she was blow drying her hair.
I ended up with pre-work cuddles from both kids today - a bit of a rarity. LGR asked to me to print out a picture of himself when he was a baby so I did this and then found myself looking at more photoes and suddenly realising I was supposed to be on my way to work .... It was worth it.
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We travelled up the mountains on Saturday to see Nanna and Grandma for Mothers Day. It was a nice afternoon out - although I missed most of the Grandma visit because I was asleep (I don't know why but I got very tired and ended up sleeping for about 2.5 hours). It was fun at Nanna's house - all her kiddies were there with all our kiddies. It's pretty rare for this to happen and everyone seemed to get along quite nicely. The only dampener on the evening was the ridiculously small serving sizes provided by the Chinese place we chose to get dinner from.
---
We gave the kids an 'adult' dinner last night - beetroot, pumpkin, rocket and walnut salad with some dukkah crusted steak. They ate it and said it was good!! LGR didn't like the walnuts but other than that there were no complaints. I felt very satisfied.
---
What else have I done? I built another gate for the backyard - this time blocking off the narrow side of the house. It was mainly done so we can put our pots down there and start growing veges again. The puppies very kindly destroyed every single potted plant we had within a few months of us getting them and I miss the thrill of watching the plants grow. It's also good for the kids to see it all happen. And fresh food tastes terrific.
The best part about this gate is I did the entire job myself - no assistance from anyone. It's the first time I've done this and am quite satisified with my results. I'm not sure if it's squared up properly - I eyeballed everything. The gate swings and is firmly in the ground so that's good enough. Right?
Thursday, May 08, 2008
A Thought
If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.
Bertrand Russell
British author, mathematician, & philosopher (1872 - 1970)
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This also explains why it is critically important that we closely scrutinise what we teach our children and the examples we set for them. The best way to judge how you are performing as a parent is to view how your children act.
The majority of praise for a good act should go to the parents; just as should the majority of blame for a less than good act. I'm sure as the years go on the parental influence starts to wane but the foundations are laid early in life.
These words could come back to haunt me one day ...
Bertrand Russell
British author, mathematician, & philosopher (1872 - 1970)
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This also explains why it is critically important that we closely scrutinise what we teach our children and the examples we set for them. The best way to judge how you are performing as a parent is to view how your children act.
The majority of praise for a good act should go to the parents; just as should the majority of blame for a less than good act. I'm sure as the years go on the parental influence starts to wane but the foundations are laid early in life.
These words could come back to haunt me one day ...
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Traffic statistics
I used some of the funky dash features on my new car yesterday to gauge my average speed and fuel consumption on the way to and from work.
On the way to work I averaged 38.4km/h with fuel consumption 11.5L/100km. On the return trip (which included the dreaded dual pickup of kids) it was 38.5km/k and 11.2L/100km.
This morning I started work at 04:00 and averaged just under 70km/h with a consumption of just under 10L/100km. I think I might start work at 04:00 more often ....
On the way to work I averaged 38.4km/h with fuel consumption 11.5L/100km. On the return trip (which included the dreaded dual pickup of kids) it was 38.5km/k and 11.2L/100km.
This morning I started work at 04:00 and averaged just under 70km/h with a consumption of just under 10L/100km. I think I might start work at 04:00 more often ....
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Login
LGR is fascinated by the concept of computer passwords. He has one at school and keeps asking me what my password is. Then he gets very upset when I don't tell him ...
Last night we setup a profile on the PC for him - LGR's very own space to set the desktop, store favourites and do other various things. He was terrifically excited by it. Even more so when I put a Transformers desktop on it while he was in the bath. The only bookmarks he has created so far are for games sites. The most pleasing thing out of it is I only had to show him how to do it once. He's quite clever when he chooses to be.
Last night we setup a profile on the PC for him - LGR's very own space to set the desktop, store favourites and do other various things. He was terrifically excited by it. Even more so when I put a Transformers desktop on it while he was in the bath. The only bookmarks he has created so far are for games sites. The most pleasing thing out of it is I only had to show him how to do it once. He's quite clever when he chooses to be.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Pyjamas
We had some guests at our house last night - the children of the family Chef and the Dad Chef while Mrs G and Mrs Chef went to a candle party. Whatever that is. It was fun.
Hayzey and Chookie decided they needed to have a bath but, unbeknown to the male carers, Chookies PJ's were in the car that had been taken to the party. This meant we had to dress her in the clothes she wore that day. This was met with some resistance.
Hayzey could see her friend was obviously upset so she offered her "my big pyjamas". It was a very cute offer and made very amusing by Chookie being about 10cm taller and 10kg heavier - and a day younger!!
As always it was the though that counted :-)
--
We went up the mountains on Saturday after soccer to celebrate Grandma's birthday . Hayzey had her first chuck in the new car .... It was a pleasant afternoon - we ate cake and drank wine and ended up cooking up a bunch of Mexican food for dinner. We even had the pleasure of dinner with Uncle G.
And it was very cold when we left - especially for those fools who wore only shorts, sandals and a t-shirt!!
Hayzey and Chookie decided they needed to have a bath but, unbeknown to the male carers, Chookies PJ's were in the car that had been taken to the party. This meant we had to dress her in the clothes she wore that day. This was met with some resistance.
Hayzey could see her friend was obviously upset so she offered her "my big pyjamas". It was a very cute offer and made very amusing by Chookie being about 10cm taller and 10kg heavier - and a day younger!!
As always it was the though that counted :-)
--
We went up the mountains on Saturday after soccer to celebrate Grandma's birthday . Hayzey had her first chuck in the new car .... It was a pleasant afternoon - we ate cake and drank wine and ended up cooking up a bunch of Mexican food for dinner. We even had the pleasure of dinner with Uncle G.
And it was very cold when we left - especially for those fools who wore only shorts, sandals and a t-shirt!!
Friday, May 02, 2008
Assessment Day
Last night was assessment time at swimming. LGR breezed through his - and is starting to consistently swim 10m freestyle without stopping. He is now being moved from the Beginner Learn to Swim group to the Intermediate Learn to Swim group. I'm sure that means a lot to my dear readers out there :-)
Poor Hayzey had a bit of a setback in her assessment - a teacher she wasn't used to. The poor little duffer is initially very shy with anyone she doesn't know and it was no different last night. She was very reluctant to do anything and when one of the tasks went a little awry she just shut up shop. It wasn't all bad though - she loved playing games at the end of the lesson.
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We bought a new car the other day. Well, not brand new but new for us. It replaces the tried and true Corolla. LGR helped us choose the new car and was very excited about getting it - until he realised we would be ridding ourselves of the Corolla. This was when the tears began with the cries of "I love that car" and "It's my favourite car". Those of you who have seen LGR watch a tree get cut down will be familiar with the level of angst he feels.
I assured him it would be ok and ended up having to take both LGR and Hayzey for a last drive in the Corolla. They got out with no great issues and the following day both got their first taste of the new car. LGR described it as "Lovely" and Hayzey, after watching me open the boot, decided it was a Transformer. LGR has latched onto this and now everytime we open a door the car is transforming.
LGR hasn't mentioned the old car once since we got the new one :-)
Poor Hayzey had a bit of a setback in her assessment - a teacher she wasn't used to. The poor little duffer is initially very shy with anyone she doesn't know and it was no different last night. She was very reluctant to do anything and when one of the tasks went a little awry she just shut up shop. It wasn't all bad though - she loved playing games at the end of the lesson.
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We bought a new car the other day. Well, not brand new but new for us. It replaces the tried and true Corolla. LGR helped us choose the new car and was very excited about getting it - until he realised we would be ridding ourselves of the Corolla. This was when the tears began with the cries of "I love that car" and "It's my favourite car". Those of you who have seen LGR watch a tree get cut down will be familiar with the level of angst he feels.
I assured him it would be ok and ended up having to take both LGR and Hayzey for a last drive in the Corolla. They got out with no great issues and the following day both got their first taste of the new car. LGR described it as "Lovely" and Hayzey, after watching me open the boot, decided it was a Transformer. LGR has latched onto this and now everytime we open a door the car is transforming.
LGR hasn't mentioned the old car once since we got the new one :-)
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Cold Weather
I was just watching a TV show which showed a couple of people digging out a hole in the gravel floor of a small 18th century stone hut by the side of a lake. There were grey clouds everywhere and a very obvious amount of wind. All the people in the show were rugged up. Extensively rugged up.
The gravel hole was used to create a fire over the top of which a large sheet of mesh was placed and a BBQ created. It looked fantastic - and the fact that I wanted to be there with them indicated how much I am truly a cold weather person. I'm loving the recent influx of chill in the air - and the associated joy of cooking a BBQ in the cold weather.
There's very little I don't like about cold weather. Rain and cold weather is a completely different matter ....
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LGR has just finished his first official school holidays. I'm reasonably sure he had a good time - spending a few days in the mountains with Grandma, some time at vacation care (the same place he goes to for after school care) and even getting Mum and Dad to take the occasional day off work :-)
Vacation care seems to have been quite well received. Each day they went on an excursion of some sort - movies, bowling, parks, bike riding - all sorts of things. LGR almost always came home exhausted and slept quite well each night.
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Both kids have suddenly become extremely affectionate - giving out hugs, kisses and 'I love you' at frequent and random intervals. Even to each other. I don't know where it's come from or how it eventuated but we love it and are doing everything we can to keep it going.
The gravel hole was used to create a fire over the top of which a large sheet of mesh was placed and a BBQ created. It looked fantastic - and the fact that I wanted to be there with them indicated how much I am truly a cold weather person. I'm loving the recent influx of chill in the air - and the associated joy of cooking a BBQ in the cold weather.
There's very little I don't like about cold weather. Rain and cold weather is a completely different matter ....
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LGR has just finished his first official school holidays. I'm reasonably sure he had a good time - spending a few days in the mountains with Grandma, some time at vacation care (the same place he goes to for after school care) and even getting Mum and Dad to take the occasional day off work :-)
Vacation care seems to have been quite well received. Each day they went on an excursion of some sort - movies, bowling, parks, bike riding - all sorts of things. LGR almost always came home exhausted and slept quite well each night.
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Both kids have suddenly become extremely affectionate - giving out hugs, kisses and 'I love you' at frequent and random intervals. Even to each other. I don't know where it's come from or how it eventuated but we love it and are doing everything we can to keep it going.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Goal!!!
LGR scored his first goal over the weekend. It was a beauty too - he took receipt of the ball, dribbled and beat a defender and then neatly slotted the ball inside the right edge of the goals. To top it all off he nonchalantly walked away as if nothing had happened and then challenged the biggest kid on the other team to a fight ....
I was thrilled to bits and thought I was going to cry. Not a good look for the coach :-)
So proud. So wonderful.
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Mrs G and myself had another evening out - this time to see the boys from The Chaser do their stage show. It was quite amusing. Somewhat rude, definitely straying into the inappropriate. They covered a number of topics including people arriving late for shows, online dating, both sides of Australian politics, terrorism, shoddy audiences and even the national anthem. We laughed a lot and enjoyed the night out.
The kids stayed at a friends place so they reckon they got a pretty deal out of it also. They certainly seemed to have stayed up late enough.
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On the Sunday we took a trip down South to visit the beautiful Scarborough Hotel. The pub itself is a bit hohum but the beer garden is magnificent - particularly on a fine day with very littel breeze. Much like the one we had. The kids love the space and the massive tree which they can climb and the adults like the kids having fun playing on the grass and in the tree. The food is probably overpriced for what you get but the place itself is quite amazing.
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Monday evening was kind of weird. Hayzey fell asleep on the lounge at 17:45 and didn't wake up again until 06:30 the next morning. I guess she was a bit worn out from the weekend, daylight savings and a very early start on Monday morning.
LGR got a certificate at school in front of the entire junior school ie Kindy thru to Year 6. It was for the book he created about the fire near our place. He was very pleased with this and Mum and Dad were thrilled to bits.
LGR introduced me to a new phrase on Tuesday morning - "Peekaboo, I love you". Very sweet.
I was thrilled to bits and thought I was going to cry. Not a good look for the coach :-)
So proud. So wonderful.
--
Mrs G and myself had another evening out - this time to see the boys from The Chaser do their stage show. It was quite amusing. Somewhat rude, definitely straying into the inappropriate. They covered a number of topics including people arriving late for shows, online dating, both sides of Australian politics, terrorism, shoddy audiences and even the national anthem. We laughed a lot and enjoyed the night out.
The kids stayed at a friends place so they reckon they got a pretty deal out of it also. They certainly seemed to have stayed up late enough.
--
On the Sunday we took a trip down South to visit the beautiful Scarborough Hotel. The pub itself is a bit hohum but the beer garden is magnificent - particularly on a fine day with very littel breeze. Much like the one we had. The kids love the space and the massive tree which they can climb and the adults like the kids having fun playing on the grass and in the tree. The food is probably overpriced for what you get but the place itself is quite amazing.
--
Monday evening was kind of weird. Hayzey fell asleep on the lounge at 17:45 and didn't wake up again until 06:30 the next morning. I guess she was a bit worn out from the weekend, daylight savings and a very early start on Monday morning.
LGR got a certificate at school in front of the entire junior school ie Kindy thru to Year 6. It was for the book he created about the fire near our place. He was very pleased with this and Mum and Dad were thrilled to bits.
LGR introduced me to a new phrase on Tuesday morning - "Peekaboo, I love you". Very sweet.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Fire!!!
There was a house fire in a house about 75m from where we live a few days back. A good one too - unfortunately for the very distraught folks who (used to) live in the house.
In the end we had 7 fire engines, 5 police cars and a handful of car based fire vehicles attend. Roads were blocked and about 300-400 people gathered in the park to watch this house be gutted. It was quite surreal.
We took it as a chance to teach the kids some things about fire - like it is very dangerous and shouldn't be played with. We also reinforced the 000 lesson for LGR.
After we got home LGR draw several pictures of the things he had seen and turned them into a book. He ended up using the book as a prop for news at school yesterday.
Hayzey hasn't really mentioned it again - but was full of excitement about the fire 'at kindy' yesterday. I would have been alarmed about this except for the fact that LGR and I saw the fire truck when we arrived and it was 200m up the road. Can't let a fact get in the way of a small girl's excitement.
--
We were back at swimming lessons last night. Every week I thing LGR is right on the edge of being able to swim and he's not quite getting there. I suspect it has more to do with my optimism than any shortcoming on his part. He is slowly but surely becoming more adept at breathing bilaterally and his kick is now turning into quite an effective part of his stroke.
Hayzey is not quite as advanced - but still doing quite well. I was watching her yesterday and couldn't help but giggle at her ridiculously big bright pink goggles.
--
Word of the week in our house is disgraceful. Hayz uses it whenever there is some food she doesn't want to eat - "I don't like it. It's disgraceful." You have to hear it for the full impact but suffice to say it amuses both myself and Mrs G.
In the end we had 7 fire engines, 5 police cars and a handful of car based fire vehicles attend. Roads were blocked and about 300-400 people gathered in the park to watch this house be gutted. It was quite surreal.
We took it as a chance to teach the kids some things about fire - like it is very dangerous and shouldn't be played with. We also reinforced the 000 lesson for LGR.
After we got home LGR draw several pictures of the things he had seen and turned them into a book. He ended up using the book as a prop for news at school yesterday.
Hayzey hasn't really mentioned it again - but was full of excitement about the fire 'at kindy' yesterday. I would have been alarmed about this except for the fact that LGR and I saw the fire truck when we arrived and it was 200m up the road. Can't let a fact get in the way of a small girl's excitement.
--
We were back at swimming lessons last night. Every week I thing LGR is right on the edge of being able to swim and he's not quite getting there. I suspect it has more to do with my optimism than any shortcoming on his part. He is slowly but surely becoming more adept at breathing bilaterally and his kick is now turning into quite an effective part of his stroke.
Hayzey is not quite as advanced - but still doing quite well. I was watching her yesterday and couldn't help but giggle at her ridiculously big bright pink goggles.
--
Word of the week in our house is disgraceful. Hayz uses it whenever there is some food she doesn't want to eat - "I don't like it. It's disgraceful." You have to hear it for the full impact but suffice to say it amuses both myself and Mrs G.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Outstanding
A few weeks back I wrote that Mrs G and myself were going to attend a Keith Urban concert with a couple of friends (The Chefs).
Well - that show has been and gone and I will openly admit that I was astonished, and very pleasantly surprised, by the quality of the show. I will quite freely admit it was the best concert I have ever had the pleasure to attend.
If you ever get the chance to see a Keith Urban show I highly recommend it - even more so if you like (or possibly even partially like) the music he plays. As a result of this experience I view his repertoire of songs in a whole new light and have a lot of respect for the guy as a musician.
It really was a fantastic show.
--
What else has been happening?
LGR is powering ahead with school. He loves it. He has discovered the joys of using MS Paint on the PC, and of late is also playing a lot of Solitaire on the PC. I now have to fight with him to get access to the computer :-)
His soccer skills are slowly developing. Of interest to me is that he shows a bit of promise as a goalkeeper - surprisingly fearless and quite adept at getting his hands on the ball. Last game he kept a clean sheet while he was in goals by keeping out about 10-12 shots. Very well done little mate!!!
Hayzey is, if possible, becoming even more stubborn and headstrong. She swings wildly between being amazingly sweet and loving to incredibly frustrating. It's hard to think of specific examples but suffice to say she manages to bridge the gap between the two extremes quite comfortably.
Well - that show has been and gone and I will openly admit that I was astonished, and very pleasantly surprised, by the quality of the show. I will quite freely admit it was the best concert I have ever had the pleasure to attend.
If you ever get the chance to see a Keith Urban show I highly recommend it - even more so if you like (or possibly even partially like) the music he plays. As a result of this experience I view his repertoire of songs in a whole new light and have a lot of respect for the guy as a musician.
It really was a fantastic show.
--
What else has been happening?
LGR is powering ahead with school. He loves it. He has discovered the joys of using MS Paint on the PC, and of late is also playing a lot of Solitaire on the PC. I now have to fight with him to get access to the computer :-)
His soccer skills are slowly developing. Of interest to me is that he shows a bit of promise as a goalkeeper - surprisingly fearless and quite adept at getting his hands on the ball. Last game he kept a clean sheet while he was in goals by keeping out about 10-12 shots. Very well done little mate!!!
Hayzey is, if possible, becoming even more stubborn and headstrong. She swings wildly between being amazingly sweet and loving to incredibly frustrating. It's hard to think of specific examples but suffice to say she manages to bridge the gap between the two extremes quite comfortably.
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