From 13th August......

What a week. It was very normal with the exception of Wednesday of course. I worked for the week as per usual. Bruce has been hard at work and the boys are officially back into school mode, even though they are about to go back on holidays again.

Let’s see…Wednesday the 15^th August, birthday hum!!! It’s not something I enjoy celebrating too hard anymore. (Maybe it’s a getting older thing) I woke up and opened my pressies, Bruce bought me a new digital camera, and the boys gave me a couple of pink candle holders (that I picked out) as I am now going through a nesting phase, no idea what’s going on there but you will see later. Mum sent over a package and I got some money and some licorice, chocolate etc. The usual things from we get home.

We got ready as per usual and were out of the house and off to school by 8.00 and I went into Jamieson’s classroom. He told his teacher and they sang the song to me which was nice and a little embarrassing, but a lovely gesture. I got back to the house and changed for work. I arrived to find that Tom had put a gorgeous plant and balloons on my desk and Andrea had left a card.

It was a fairly normal day at work, nothing out of the ordinary. Bruce picked me up around 3.00 and I went home and pottered around for a little bit, did homework, Justin and Jeremy were over and they were coming with us, Paula was in a meeting an hour away and didn’t know whether she would get back in time to get them and drove over the other side of town by 6.00. I went out for a walk around, which doesn’t happen that much anymore now that I’m working everyday, basketball and cleaning on the weekends and then catching up with friends, there’s not enough time in the week. We were changed and looking presentable and out the door again at 5.00 to drive to the restaurant Andrea had organized for dinner. That’s after the usual discussion about not having anything wear. Although those of you that know me, that is a literal term. When you see in the movies they talk about putting weight on your hips and thighs, well it’s actually true. Hence, the term nothing fits, you can’t be a size 2-3 forever, it was a long winter and now it’s time to rectify that. All be it a little late.

I digress, that part was for the girls, they understand. We got to the restaurant and everyone was there already. I am really lucky cause the girls and work and their families are really great people and we always have fun together. Bruce and I were really excited, as we hadn’t been to an Italian restaurant yet; they had been a bit of everything places. The way it worked was really cool, you ordered plates of food, small or large, that fed either 2-4 or 4-6 people, so we ordered 4 plates. They go in the middle of the table and you just share everything. The kids had the kids menu, what else.

It was a good night but Bruce and I were a little disappointed with the food, it wasn’t the same as at home. Especially the lasagna, it has ricotta cheese in it here, and that makes it’s a little drier than I make it, so Bruce didn’t like it. The other food was not bad, but it was fun night and we all had a goof time. I got to use my new camera, which I discovered I have to read the manual to figure out everything that it does. Darcy’s little boys were out to it at around 8.30 and they took off, the rest of us were not that far behind, we were out and in the car at around 9.00. So overall it was a nice birthday, I got to spend the evening with my family and friends which is all you ever want. I did miss a lot of phone calls, so for that I apologize. Thank you everyone for all the emails, which were cool.

The rest of the week was pretty much the usual again. Work, school we have started going to the pool at Lakepoint with Millie and Lexi, which we have really enjoyed. Just and hour or so 2-3 times a week, the boys are enjoying the swimming (especially Jamieson)

Friday night we went to a place called Manteca, Geoff, (Carlos & Kristie’s friend) from United Airlines, organized for all of us to catch up for a bbq. They picked the boys up a little early and took them down there to swim and Bruce & I drove down a little later. We all sat around the pool, chatting while all the kids swam and played around. It was a really nice relaxing evening and we all had a fabulous time. I made a pavlova for the occasion, which turned out really nice, but for some reason my pav’s don’t rise. (Let me know what I’m doing wrong, if you are a Pav maker) It was ok; mine are just a little smaller than they should be. It was yummy, but it could have been better. I bought out the glow sticks and they ran around the backyard trying to scare each other, they were all really good and had a fantastic time.

The weekend was spent, as you would expect back and forth from basketball, and in between all the cleaning, going through cupboards. Jamieson’s team won big, Bruce tried to pull them back so the other team wouldn’t feel so bad, they were all on a roll. They all played really well and just had a great time. It was good for us, but bad for the other team. Conner’s game was an interesting one. They played against a team that only had 6 players, but couldn’t seem to get too far ahead of them, they were a little frustrated, but they won and they were happy with that. Conner had been playing really well and is improving, especially playing against some of the bigger kids, they don’t intimidate him anymore which is the best thing.

In between games we would get some jobs done, the place just isn’t where I want it to be and I spent the weekend trying to get it there. Bruce pruned his roses etc, using his new toys; hedge trimmer, blower (god bless garage sales!!! Picked up both of those toys for $13 – total!!!), he had some fun. I did what seemed like never ending washing and cleaning.

So that was our week; fairly normal with a couple of sparks in there.

Pic's from our week....

Andrea & Robert

Belinda & Kelly

Darcy, Jeremy, Samuel & Lucas

Manteca - BBQ

Carlos & Kristie

Pic's from our week

Hot August Nights Concerts

Charles' New Home

Dinner's with the Lewis' (Greg, Ruth & Julian)

From 6th August...

Well, it’s now the start of another week and I’m behind again. We had another usual week and it ended in a very eventful weekend.

We are slowly broadening our friendship base and trying to see them all while doing sports and work can make the weekend very hectic. Our week was as per usual. Bruce had lots of work on and the boys did their usual schoolwork after they got home. Jamieson was on spelling words this week as he misspelled Drum and thought it was like dumb. SO not to waste the week he did both spelling and challenge words for the test on Friday after I wrote to his teacher and requested it. It would have been a waste of a week if he had of stayed on just spelling words; he’s definitely past tree, etc.

Conner is plodding along as per usual, putting up with school. He doesn’t whinge about it but you know it’s not his favorite thing to do in the world. The weather has been really warm still, but we have been unable to go to the pool after school as I have been coming home from work and doing Angels, most nights. It’s made for a busy and tiring week. Bruce is still working as per usual, sitting at that desk on that computer going from one thing to another. You know he can’t handle having less than 3 things happening at once.

We got to speak to Trudy and the kids, which was fun, it’s good to see that kids are growing and Conner loves it cause they all want to see him. The only bad thing is Jamieson stands there going, ‘what about me’. He gets over it pretty quickly once he sits down to talk with them.

The week days were as usual and as you would expect, but the weekends are filling up and it’s getting a little out of control. Friday night I got home from work and we were out of the house and heading down to Hot Summer Nights concerts in the park. We met the Rivera’s there, had some dinner, the kids played, the only bummer was that the band was awful. We were home around 8.30, which was fine. It was good to catch up with Kristie and her mum.

Our Saturday was planned out and of course it didn’t turn out that way. It was supposed to be a busy day but controllable. Well, that didn’t last long at all. I set off to pick Paula and the boys up from the train station fro their flight back from Florida. I was to be home in time to see Jamieson’s basketball game. NOT!! I got to the station it was closed, but there was a shuttle, her plane was a little late, then I went to call and had no credit left on my phone, of course that would be the case. So I scrounged enough coins and Bruce had to call and talk to her when she landed. By the time she got through everything it was 1.30 when I finally saw them. (Jamieson’s game 12.45, OOPPSS) We stopped to get some Taco Bell for lunch and then hit major traffic on the way home, 3.30 she dropped me at the front door. Bruce and the boys were home wondering where I’d been. So then I ran around the house tidying up and 45 mins later it was time to get into the car and go to Conner’s game. He played really well, and shot the lights out, they won so that made him happy. He is loving being on this team, the other coaches son and him get along really well so we are trying to organize a sleep over which he is really looking forward to.

FYI – Jamieson won again, DER, he apparently played really well and has even started passing the ball.

We got back from the basketball and had some dinner and a semi quiet night. The boys went off to bed at a fairly reasonable hour and Bruce did some work and I did some angels and finished my book.

Our Sunday was always going to be a fairly busy, kind of, we were just going to be out of the house all day. We jumped into the car and headed off to see the Charles’ new house. WOW!!!! It’s gorgeous, Kristin has put a few of her touches on it and it’s really lovely, some work to do the update it but it is just a gorgeous HUGE house. The boys spend the better part of the afternoon putting up their new basketball ring, then they all spent the rest of the afternoon playing on it. It was lots of fun and Kristin and I just sat there watching and laughing as per usual. I got another helmet, type photo. It was October last year and when Alfie and Bruce got together anything can happen. Anyway Alfie decided to Alley oop over Bruce and I pressed the button at just the right time. The picture is priceless, we were in tears it is so funny.

We left their place around 4.00 and headed back into Sac and over to Chris Webbers restaurant, Center Court to meet our friends the Lewis’. (Greg is the other coach on Jamieson’s team, his son is Julian, and wife Ruth) we had a nice dinner and just chatted; Jamieson was a little out of control. Then we drove back to their place for a coffee and chat while the kids play. It turned into another late one for the kids, we didn’t get out of there until around 9.30, but it was a great night and they are really nice people.

We were home and all in bed early (for Bruce and I anyway) absolutely exhausted!!!! Sleep to rejuvenate and get ready for another week and busy weekend again.

HUGE CONGRATS TO THE SUPERCATS!!!!

BRUCE GOT A QUICK CHAT WITH THEM ON THE WEEKEND!!!! Geelong must be just jumping with the sporting success!! We are in the process of trying to find a place where we can take the kids to watch the grand final. I have even emailed the AFL, but they haven’t gotten back to me.

I hope everyone is well, and having a good week. I will try to be more organized and get the blog out sooner for you to read, not sure when I am going to get around to doing it.

From July 30th...

Another week has past and it was a quiet one, we were still recovering from our busy weekend the week before.

Our weekdays were pretty much as usual. The boys went off to basketball for a couple of hours. So I chilled out and had some quiet time. So I of course I cleaned the house, but did get a chance to have some time to myself as well.

I had a busy week at work and Bruce is busy with Angels stuff and organizing his up and coming trips. The boys are back into the swing of school and have some more independence. They walk to and from school every day and Conner has a house key for if we happen not to be home or running late. He is feeling older and happy to have some more responsibility.

The boys were getting their homework done, later in the week Jamieson and I went over to Paula’s pool for a swim; which was nice, chatting and hanging out just the two of us. Bruce and I have started walking in the morning, it was spasmodic this week, and hopefully we will get our act together and just do it. Conner has made some new friends which if great, his friend that he used to play basketball and run with at school last year, Christian, left. But he came home the other day and told us about this new kid David; and he’s even better than Christian. Jamieson went over to a new friend Mario’s place, they just live up the street, so that will be good. They both have new buddies, so Mum and Dad are really happy. We are planning to have a sleep over for Conner’s (belated birthday) so that will be fun for him with his new friends.

On Friday night, Bruce took Jamieson out fishing with his new rod that he got for his birthday. Conner and I stayed at home and chilled out together which was nice. They got home after dark and had a good time. We had some dinner and a quiet night in. We made a decision that a quiet weekend was in order considering the previous one.

On Saturday morning the Charles’ came around, they we in our neck of the woods so they dropped in the say hi. It’s always great to catch up with them, we just have to be more organized cause they are 30 mins away. It sounds like they are starting to feel at home. They were getting some painting done so they hadn’t unpacked completely yet, which will come. Kristin has amazing taste and even though it’s an older house (which she says, needs work) it will look fantastic, I could almost guarantee it. I can’t wait to see it. That’s happening next weekend.

They left cause we had to go off to basketball, Jamieson’s game was fun, he played awesome and got compliments from some of the other teams parents, which always makes a parent proud. Conner’s game was heartbreaking for the kids. They played the Knicks, who had scored 75 points the week before. They lead for most of the game and they got over run in the last 2 minutes. It was a fantastic game, but you just had to feel for the kids, the great thing is that they know next time they can win because they only had 7 players and the other team had 11, so next time they are going to get them.

We had some dinner and Andrea (from work) and Robert came over for a drink, which was really fun. They stayed until midnight; I think Robert is still enjoying listening to the accents. They are a really nice couple and I think we will be spending lots of time with them in the future. Andrea and I are also getting closer at work so that’s good for me too. I think all the PMD girls are going to start doing more stuff together outside work which will be fun.

Bruce slept in on Sunday and we all just chilled out for most of the day. Well, I cleaned the house and did washing, but I got in some reading time, somewhere through the day. I went out in the afternoon and the boys went off to the park. I got back and Bruce’s arm was bleeding everywhere. They were playing chasey at the park and he missed a step, CCAABBOOMM!!! Conner apparently told him that the ground shook!!! Yes, I laughed a lot when Bruce told me that. He is getting more and more like Bruce everyday, it’s actually getting a bit scary. Creatively, clowning around, trying to find other ways to make some money and the list just keeps going. It does make Bruce smile when we talk about it.

So that was our week, it wasn’t the most exciting week, but that was the week that was.

From July 22nd..

Well, I’m not sure it’s going to be worth the 2-week wait, but we’ll see how we go.

The week leading up to Jamieson’s birthday; which turned into a HUGE weekend, was really quiet. The kids are well and truly back into the swing of school and I’m busy interviewing for a new assistant for Ed; which is turning out harder than you would think.

I did get a nice present from my husband this week; he bought me the new Harry Potter book. So he was a little bit of a book widow this week.

The weather has of course been HOT; it hasn’t hit below mid 90’s in goodness knows when. We haven’t been out in it every day, but the boys seem to be doing ok without the pool outside. Every now and then I will take them over the Paula’s in the afternoon after school for an hour or so after they have finished their homework.

Work and school was normal, I had to go out and do some shopping for Jamieson’s presents and food for his special family dinner. He also wanted a Strawberry cake with a strawberry frosting, blah, but it’s not my birthday. He was excited all week and we had arranged for the Rivera’s and Paula to come over after dinner for some fun.

We were all up early on Friday morning; Jamieson opened all his presents and played them for a little bit before heading off to school. The day was pretty normal, I spent the afternoon in the kitchen cooking dinner and cake and snacks for our visitors. We had our Lasagna for dinner and we were cleaning up when everyone arrived. Paula first then Carlos and the kids, Kristie was in Germany working on a flight. The kids all went outside and ran around playing while the adults sat around had a drink and chatted for a while.

It was about to turn dark when I decided to turn on the music and we grabbed the glow sticks out. Some of the kids went outside and ran around and the girls stayed inside and we just started dancing, before you know and an hour later we were all in the lounge room dancing in the dark with the glow sticks, it was soooo much fun. Singing and dancing, I’m sure the neighbors weren’t too happy, but we were having a good time. We had cake at around 10.30, well, the kids and guys had cake, and Paula and I just served it. Apparently it was beautiful, so I’m told. After that we all sat down and watched Finding Nemo on the big screen and all the kids fell asleep on the floor. We put ‘The Dish’ and not long after 1.00pm I was asleep on the floor and Bruce put me into bed. He came in not long after and everyone else was sleeping in the lounge room. We had a house full. It turned into a slumber party….

We were all up and Bruce did pancakes for breakfast, I was of course reading in bed for a bit. Everyone was gone at around 10.00am, Paula was coming back to get me to go through a house she wanted to maybe buy. We walked around the corner, and picked the living daylights out of it. That is what she wanted to do so she made the right decision. We had the boy’s first basketball games in the afternoon. They both won and played really well and really enjoyed themselves. We finished at the stadium and ran out to get home. Paula came over around 7.30 and we got into the car and were off to the Amador County Fair.

We got there at around 8.15, and went into the Rodeo. Andrea and her husband were there and we sat with them. It was a great experience and the kids had a really good time. It turned into another late night; we didn’t get out of there until midnight. So that was another late night for everyone.

Our Sunday was another big day. Bruce was off to Billy Bounce in the morning and we baby-sat the Rivera kids for the day. Carlos was going to Germany and Kristie was on her way back. We hung around the house in the morning and then later in the afternoon we went over to Paula’s for a swim. We were back here for dinner and around 8.00pm Bruce took the kids home and put them to bed and waited for Kristie to get back. He arrived home after 11.00, so it was another late night for us.

What a weekend, it made up for fairly boring week. Although I did get “Harry Potter’ finished so it wasn’t a completely boring start to the week, but it did end up with the pretty fantastic weekend.

Pic's from Jamieson's birthday