From June 16th

Friday 16th June Happy 10th Birthday Conner We woke up around 7.00am. Conner was up already having a chat with Ross on the sofabed. Not sure how long he'd been up, poor Ross. I'm sure was really tired after his week in San Diego. We did pressies & started to get ready for our big day. Everyone had some breakfast & got ready to go. Our aim was around 9.00 & we were off by 9.20, so that wasn't bad considering there was 7 of us. We made our way towards Marine World, San Fransisco. the drive was ok & everyone was pretty upbeat. It was already warm, the expected temp was going to be over 100F. We arrived around an hour later. It looked pretty impressive coming over the horizon I have to say. We parked the car. Conner got out & decided that he wasn't feeling well. We hung around the car so he could have something to eat, thinking it was probably car sickness. Finally we decided to go and see how he went so we and all the other people hearded (like sheep) along the pathway towards the front gates. We decided to get season's passes, so we can go back as much as we like over the rest of the year. Which should be fun, it works out that you really only have to go there twice & the tickets have paid for themselves. We finally made our way in & we were off, kind of. Conner was still blah, so slowly we were off. Elise & Ross headed for one of the BIG roller coasters, while we got pic's taken for our passes. Then we decided to separate for a while so they could get in all the rides they wanted while we plodded along on the smaller kids rides & with sicky Conner. (poor thing) We met up again at the Dolphin Show (fantastic) all the kids had rides on the Pirate ship (which was fun & got cool pics) then we went our separate ways again to meet up at the Whale show. We got some lunch, & off we went to see the whale show. (Again fantastic) the dolphin was my favorite but Elise liked the whale show better. Off we went again every 1/2 hour or so we would see the others & do a coulple of things together then separate again. Jamieson threw the tantrum of all tantrums outside the shark exhibit. He decided that it was dark so he didn't want to go in, then Elise, Rhys & Ross went in so a few minutes later he wanted to go in. I said he would have to wait for dad to get out, but he wouldn't take that & started screaming & pushing me until he pushed me over, of course I said he wasn't going in. Well, you can imagine. Bruce came out horrified!!! The tantrum just kept going. Ross & the kids face was priceless, (never seeing this side of young Jamieson) they went off with Jamieson still screaming at the top of his lungs "I WANT TO GO AND SEE THE SHARKS". Screaming kids are always a joy. Finally Conner was feeling a little better & saw a play house thing that he wanted to go in, so of course Jamieson did too. Which shut him up thank goodness. We finally had peace. It was getting on towards 4.00 (leaving time, school thing started at 5.30) Elise wanted to go on one last roller coaster, so Rhys came with us to do the Pirate ship one more time, Jamieson went on the boats & CJ & Rhys went on the Pirate Ship. We all met at the gate around 4.00 & started the long walk back to the car. Bruce carrying Conner & Ross carrying Jamieson. We got into the van & cracked open all the food & drink we had left (were coming back to have for lunch, but didn't get there). Friday traffic, it took us an extra 30 mins to get home. We got back around 6.00ish & the weather was still really really hot. Conner said that he wasn't feeling well still, so he & I stayed at home. The others put on their lay's & off they went across the road to school. By all accounts it was fun but just too hot!!! And tinny Jamieson came home after winning his classes boys dress up basket in the raffle. He was so excited....."this is the best day of my life"!!!!! After they got home, Conner said that he feeling better, & Ross said that he wanted to take us out for dinner. Conner wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese...... so we all piled into the van around 9.00 and drove across town to Chuck E Cheese. We ordered the pizza & the kids got their tokens & off they went. We left around 10.45 to come home after the kids got their crappy prizes from their tickets. Conner & all the kids were happy with their efforts on the machines. We got home around 11.30 & had a little cake & "Happy Birthday" for Conner before heading off to bed. So it was a packed day & apart from feeling crappy I think Conner had an interesting/good birthday that's for sure. Saturday We all slept in until around 8.00 (that's a sleep in for us here) Bruce went off to his coaching course so he is allowed to coach the boys basketball teams. (8.00-11.00) We all pottered around & decided what we were doing for the day. I decided that we would BBQ for dinner (at the function room tonight) we were going to order pizza, but we did that at Chuck E Cheese. So Alfie kindly offered to pick Jamieson up & take him to his try outs, I helped Ross & the kids re pack their suitcases, then Ross & the kids went to the pool & I went off to the super market to get food for tonight. I got back & waited for Jamieson to get home & Bruce to get back to have lunch & take Conner for his try out. Bruce got home and apparently they have a draft to pick teams. We all had a laugh, drafting 6 year olds. Bruce said the funny part was some of the coaches took a few minutes to decide who they wanted. This is going to be a fun season. Finally I found out that Jamieson was at John's & sure enough we all got in the car to drop Conner off & Bruce came driving down the other side of the road. So all sorted, Ross the kids & I were off to do some shopping. We got some really good stuff the boys got some shoes, we got Ross his birthday present (Happy Birthday Ross for the 3rd July), then we stopped and grabbed some more stuff for that evening that I had forgotten in the morning. We arrived home around 4.00 & Bruce & Conner arrived 5.30 (they were running really late, the draft took too long.) We started taking everything over to the function room, the Charles's arrived around 6.00. We all just sat around in the room & chatted, it was really great. The boys all wanted to go & have a swim so we made our way outside. Jeff, Lisa & the kids arrived around 7.00 and not long after we had some dinner. I think everyone had a good time. A little later we all went outside again so the kids could go for another swim before it got too dark. It was such a beautiful night, still really warm. The Charles's left around 10.30ish, poor little Cooper couldn't get settled. Jeff, Lisa & the kids left around 11.30; we cleaned up & made our way back to the apartment. I had a really nice time & I hope the others did too. It was around 12.30 - 1.00 by the time we all organised the dishes then ourselves & went to bed. But it was a good day, a long one for Bruce at the stadium from 8.00 - 6.00 is a big day. The others got some shopping done & we all had a really cool evening having some dinner & chatting with some new good friends. Sunday (Happy Father's Day) We all slept in until 9.00am. BIG SLEEP!! Australia was playing Soccer so the boys all sat watching that until around 10.30. I made pancakes & we did pressies at the table. Bruce got the kettle he's been wanting for a while. We were all packed & into the van (BAGS & ALL) by 11.30 & on our way to San Fransisco. Of course traffic again, BLAH!! We had to wait in queues to get over the Bay Bridge for AGES!!!! You have no idea, we had all had enough of the traffic by then. Anyway we finally got into the city & found the Hilton. Ross & the kids piled out of the car & booked into the hotel. Then off we went to find the Golden Gate Bridge, Bruce was on a mission. I have to say, it was worth the wait, it's only a bridge but it was amazing. We took heaps of pics (thanks Ross from the front seat) I got some video (Bruce is putting together) & all the kids were impressed. We got a park on the other side of the bridge & had some pics taken with the bridge etc, then Ross & the kids went for a quick walk on the bridge before we got back in the van & made our way over it again. Our next stop was Pier 39 - Elise was just in awe of the bridge though. She has a new obsession, the Bridge!!! We got to the Pier 39 area, parked the car & headed off towards the landmark. We stopped for a Starbucks (too warm up, the wind was cold) we walked along the streets towards the Pier. We did some shopping while we were there. The boys got a puppet from the same store that Bruce bought "Ralphie" (dog puppet) all those years ago. They used their birthday money, we just have to work out who's birthday money we are allocating it too. (Stay tuned) It was now around 5.30- 6.00 & we were all hungry & the boys wanted to see Game 5 (of the NBA finals). We ended up eating at "In & Out" the kids new favorite burger place. We drove around the streets & came across the Bendiest street in the world (got pics), then went back to the hotel & watched the last quarter of the game. The game ended & we made our way down to the car to say good bye, it wasn't as bad as the last time we said good bye, but it was sad & it did take me a couple of days to perk up. It was a quiet drive home, cause the kids were sleeping & we were just on a downer. They had gone, I'd just got used to them being there. Guys we had a great time - I hope you did too. We drove into Lakepoint around 11.30, what a weekend, we were stuffed to say the least. But it was another great day, we saw new stuff, the kids learnt new things, & can't wait to go back to San Fransisco to see more, so that should be fun. Cause we can do that anytime. Monday Well, it must have been a big weekend, I woke up without a voice, & not feeling that crash hot. (Thanks Rhys, good sharing!!!!) The boys all went off to school, Bruce went off to work & I stayed at home all morning & cleaned the apartment & did washing. I picked up Jamieson, we came home & rested in front of the TV until around 2.00 then we headed for the pool, for a little while. Conner came down after school. We had a swim & made our way home around 3.00. On the way back we ran into Makisha (Jakary's mum) Bit of news, his dad Johnny died suddenly last weekend (a big shock for us, I had spoken to him a couple of days before) anyway, she was taking his suit to the funeral home, so again I offered any help she needed. I think Jakary is 1 of about 5 or 6 kids. She is doing so well considering. They got through Father's Day OK she said. Anyway, we all got home & just chilled out for the rest of the afternoon. It was hot outside, around 100F today. Bruce got home & we had some dinner & were in bed early. All stuffed. Tuesday Today was a waste of a day for me, I spent most ofthe day in bed or on the floor. Got some sleep in which was good, but the voice was still gone. (yes, I'm sure it was very quiet) HA HA!!! Bruce had a good day working at the table, Jamieson came home & watched TV with me. Then Conner came home. We shaved Jamieson's head, not off, just short. A real summer hair cut. A little later the boys went off to the pool for a little while. They got back around 6.00, we had some dinner & went off to bed. Not a very exciting day. Chilling day for everyone. I'm just hoping the kids or Bruce don't get this, maybe just the voice thing. (not really) Wednesday Bruce was out of the house early again this morning. So I had to get up & get the kids to school. I made it over & got back OK. Then I had a rest & started tidying the apartment. Did some washing & had a rest. Bruce called mid morning to made sure I was ok. I had a shower & dressed into something decent to pick Jamieson up from school. It was going to be a hot one today around 105F. I have a little bit of a voice today. But you have to be next to me to hear. Ronnie the maintanence man thought it was pretty funny, that I couldn't talk. We had a giggle. The boys got home from school, later Bruce got home from work. Conner bought home some work & his new grades - CONNER MADE THE HONOR ROLL FOR SCHOOL - he has a B average for all subjects... we are very proud - can you tell? Then around 5.00 we went down to the pool for a swim. HOT DAY!!!! We had a swim, I caught up with Misty while Cayton & Cassey swam with Jamieson. We got home around 6.30 & had a light dinner. Too hot to cook, we had toasted sandwiches. Then we shaved Conner's head (not short) so now they both have their summer cuts. They were in bed around 8.00 for a good night's sleep, I hope. It's now around 10.30 & we are off too bed. Bruce is asleep on the couch already. Another day gone, & they are getting warmer. It's going to be in the 100's for the next few days. Look Out!!! Thursday We woke up at the usual time. The boys went off to school & Bruce started work at the table. I still wasn't 100% so I dosed in bed for a little while, before getting up & doing the usual. Cleaning & washing etc. Bruce went off to a meeting, I sat around not doing a whole lot, which was all I was capable of, I think. I'm in between, yes I'm fine, then a little while later, I could just lay down for a rest. My voice is better, I think tomorrow, it will be back. Picked up jamieson from school, then just rested for a while, which was ok with him, as it was around 100F outside. Bruce got home from his meeting, I grabbed the van & went out to do some groceries. On the way out I followed a few cars behind Mykeesha's car. They must have been burying Johnny today. I let them all through then followed them out of the complex. I got back with some food, then Conner got home from school. Bruce was working & the boys & I just hung out until around 4.00 when we went down to the pool for an hour or so. Around 5.00 we came in started to get ready for our dinner outing. We decided to go out a celebrate Conner's getting on the honor roll at a local restaurant, Pete's. We had been there before, when we first arrived in Elk Grove, we were looking around for apartments that day & stopped in there for lunch. Beautiful food & really nice people. We got there around 6.00. The boys got their colouing place mats & off they went. Bruce ordered Mozerella sticks for us all. Nice but you can only have a couple, so of course (being cheese) Jamieson had 7. Our dinner arrived, I ordered some chicken pasta thing, it came out with 2 chicken breasts with the pasta. That also included a salad as well. Bruce ordered his pasta & had soup instead. All included in the pasta price. Pretty cool, hey!! Conner had some chicken & Jamieson had spaghetti, which he refused to eat because it had (Parmasen) in it. Then after watching us for a few minutes he tried it & went MMM YUM!!! We all really only got 1/2 to 2/3's of the way through our meals & were ablsolutley stuffed. So we rolled out of the restaurant around 8.00 and headed home. We got out of the van & Jamieson made a pit stop or chuck stop to get rid of all those mozarella sticks. The boys went to bed and Bruce did a little work & I rested on the bed. It was still quite warm when we got into to bed, thank goodness for our ceiling fan. Another hot one forecast for tomorrow. Friday Another week has nearly gone again. We woke up to a very warm Friday morning. Bruce left early for the office & the boys went off to school. I came home & did the usual, then just chilled out inside until it was time to pick up Jamieson. On the way to do just that, I ran into Mykeesha (Jakary's Mum) she was standing outside with her Mum. I asked here how yesterday went she said OK, then we were just chatting about it & she starting crying. Which she hadn't done in front of me, so you can imagine me. By this time it was 11.29 & I didn't want to leave, so I chatted a little longer, we had hugs & I made her promise that she would call if she needed us and all that & had to go at a very unfortunate time. So you can imagine me walking to school. Deep breathes, deep breathes, poor Jamieson was waiting for me. The day before we had arranged to have a swim with Grant & his mum Kerri & sister Anna. So we organised for them to come here a little later. We dropped into the office as Conner needed some ventolin, (I think he's going to have to go to the dr's, it must be the heat) the weird thing is that my asthma is pretty much gone. Go figure!! We go there, he was actually ok, had a puff & was off. Jamieson & I came home, checked emails at the office, thank you to Michelle, Mum & Sandi. Always good to hear from home, even if it's nothing. Had some lunch and was at the pool by 1.00 waiting for Grant to get there. They arrived & the kids went off to swim, as did Kerri & I for a lot of the time. they left around 3.30 & I sat around under the umbrella chatting to Millie until around 4.00. It was hot, & if you were not in the water you had to be in the shade. You can imagine how hot it must be for me to say that. We chilled out until around 5.30 & headed out so Conner could spend some of his birthday money. We hit Toys R Us & he got a Pirate ship thing that he saw & wanted, & a small basketball to practise his ball handling with & a basketball ring for his bedroom door. We got home around 9.00 had a quick easy dinner (toasted sandwiches) & Jamieson went off to bed. Big day tomorrow, his first basketball training session. Very exciting!!! The stadium is air conditioned thank goodness. Conner has training & a birthday party as well. Then has Elliott's birthday party all day Sunday at Marine World. Should be fun accept that it's going to be 108F. Stinking hot!!!! to say the least. The good thing is that it's close to San Fransisco, so it is slightly cooler than it is here. Anyway, I hope that everyone has a great weekend, even though it's kind of nearly over. I hope everyone won. Dylan gets home tomorrow, (Sunday) I hope you had a great trip to Germany. We would love to hear how it all went, give Bruce a call, he wants to hear how it all went. The Kids & Ross got back during the week, I hope that you guys had a good flight, (I hear you did) & are happy to be home, (kind of). Enjoy the rest of the school holidays guys. Elise I hope you get all your homework done! Rhys, keep sleeping!!!! & growing!!! Love & Kisses to everyone, XXXXXX