School Photos

I was too cheap to buy the individual photos. After all, have you seen the prices for these things?!?!? All the students rushing out to their Mums with head shots or sibling photos (yes, they do that too) were so excited. Here come my two with their class pics going "but where is the one of us". Although I know that logically, yes, I can take a better photo than those horrid school shots with weird backgrounds (don't you dare question my abilities!!!!), I also know that having those in a photo album to show their kids one day might be important to them.

The guilt. I'll make a good Catholic.

Oh well, the kids will have to suck it up. They can just work all of it out with their therapist when they're grown.

Brady - 2nd from right, middle row.



Cole - 2nd from right, top row.

It's A Man Thing - Part Deux

"Billy goat terrain" That's what Jason calls the land they trekked to Emily Gap. To walk 4 1/2 miles, it took them 4 1/2 hours. They arrived to meet us sweaty, achy, tired and hungry. Luckily I brought the old picnic staple - Kentucky Fried. Yes we have Kentucky Fried Chicken here and it gives me a source of endless pleasure to see the caricatures of Colonel Sanders on the walls. Makes me feel like I'm stepping into any KFC in the states. One big problem...no Extra Crispy on the menu - only Original Recipe! Just when I thought I could delve into a big bucket o' crispy goodness...

Anyway, I digress. The girls and I stayed for an hour or so to feed our guys. Then we literally dumped all their gear and hit the road - singing about how girls are cool and planning our toenail painting session! Jason called after dark - said he had to walk 2 miles to get reception - gross exaggeration! They were doing fine and would see us at 7:30 am for the pick-up. It got down to 40 last night and I slept (peacefully) with the phone beside the bed just in case they should need rescuing. Turns out they slept pretty peacefully too. They were warm enough - only cold when the had to crawl out of the sleeping bags at the crack of dawn. They ate dried chicken and rice and dried scrambled eggs. Mom (ever the hero) showed up with McDonald's bags in tow. Cole was elated, Jason just irritated. Acting like the food they ate was so yummy and filling - ha - I laugh at this!

Two Person Tent - $250
Tiny, Tiny, Tiny Pocket Size Stove - $35
Dried Meal in a Bag - $10
Male Bonding - Father and Son Style - Priceless

It's A Man Thing

Jason and Cole have been planning a man's trip into the Australian bush since we've arrived. So the other day, I wasn't surprised to find lots of "stuff" (that's a substituted word - but after all, we are a family friendly site) saved in our Amazon account, ready to order for use on the very manly excursion! It included a two person tent, lots of packaged food items (like dried chili mac - bluh!) and another, yes another, stove. This is the third one, but it's different because it will practically fit in your pocket. Just what every family needs!

So today was the day of departure. The men will be hiking about 4 1/2 miles to Emily Gap to camp. Since one of the men is actually a munchkin man, Jason was having a hard time figuring out how he would carry all of the equipment to the Gap. I suggested that they carry a few provisions and the girls and I would meet them there, have a picnic, drop their gear and leave them to scratch and fart their way through the night. Excellent idea (of course women are the true intellectual superiors). Well actually it was Mom's idea upon hearing our frustration - but it was a woman nonetheless.

These are my guys heading out.



A little further now.



Of course about 1 hour into it, Jason calls on the new cell phone (to check that it's working). When asked how far they've gotten he replied (half whispering with a bit of frustration) "Not very far".

Stay tuned for another installment...

Say No to Crack.

Ok I couldn't resist the title or the shot. Sent Thing 3 to time-out. It had gotten too quiet (you know the very loud and noticeable sound of no sound at all). Went to investigate and this is what I found. Nothin' cuter than baby butt!



More butt:



And I better not get any "How could you put this angel in time out?" comments. I can't quite remember exactly what she did but it was a punishable offense.


And we can't be swayed by her innocent looking face. I'm hardened to it...she can't get to me...she'll have to do better than this...those pinchable cheeks won't sway me...


Oh forget it! She's a cute little thing isn't she?!

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...

...no wait. That's what little boys are made of. Sugar and spice and everything nice. No wait. That doesn't sound right either. I'm confused. Well it's understandable. Brady after an afternoon of play:

The Good Wife's Guide

I received an email today from Debbie (thanks Debbie for the tips). It was a copy of an actual article published in Good Housekeeping 1955. That's right 1955! Titled "The Good Wife's Guide". Now, those of you who know me well, know that I constantly ask myself "Angie, how can you be a better wife?". Stop laughing. I mean it, stop laughing. So of course, I decided to look the article over, compare it to my habits, and see just where I stand in the Good Wife category.

The instructions were as follows (paraphrased of course):

. Plan well and have a delicious dinner ready when he returns from work.
. Prepare myself (i.e. look your best).
. Be gay and interesting. (After all, his day has probably been boring and it's one of my duties)
. Clear away clutter.
. Prepare the children so they look the part of the little treasures they are. Minimize noise.
. Be happy to see him.
. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in my desire to please him.
. Listen to him and remember his topics of conversation are more important than mine.
. Make the evening his. Don't complain if he's late or goes out after work.
. My goal: Try to make sure my home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where Jason can renew himself in body and spirit.
. Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
. Don't complain if he's late or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
. Make him comfortable in his chair or bed. Bring him a cool or warm drink.
. Arrange his pillow and take off his shoes.
. Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement. He is the master of the house. I have no right to question him.

and lastly,

. A good wife always knows her place.

Now, let's in turn look at the reality that is our household. My very own Good Wife's Guide. Listen up ladies - the times they are a changin!

. When your husband arrives home from a hard day's work and there is nothing cooking or even defrosting, smile sweetly and offer to "let him" run to McDonald's.
. When you haven't even bothered to shower or brush your teeth, just maintain a goodly distance. And, for God's sake, don't breath on him!
. Be a happy, dirty, non-cooking wife.
. Make sure there is no clutter on his recliner, or at the very least, that the clutter is flat so it's not lumpy under his butt when he sits down.
. Make sure that the children understand that their father is the only one who can answer questions regarding computer games and Nintendos. And that he will definitely want to speak them about their issues as soon as he walks in the door. Repeat regularly that "Mom doesn't know anything about those sorts of things".
. Be happy to see him - or at least act like you are.
. Greet him with a warm smile that hides your "I really don't give a crap" attitude.
. Listen to him - who cares if it goes in one ear and out the other. But make sure to interrupt him a lot with random comments - lets him know you have a life of your own to lead after all. Allow children to interrupt at least every 10 - 15 seconds with technical questions (see above) - makes him feel important.
. If your husband is late or goes out after work, feel free to hold it over his head - makes him feel wanted.
. Greet him with all your complaints and problems, implying that he can fix them - makes him feel smart.
. If your husband stays out all night, feel free to cosh him over the head with your 12" cast iron skillet.
. Allow him to sit or lay comfortably amongst the clutter after he fixes his own damn drink.
. Don't worry about taking off his shoes. You don't have to touch his feet. And nobody can make you.
. Question all of his judgments and decisions - makes him feel like he married an intelligent woman.

and lastly,

. A good wife knows her place. Right beside her husband making him miserable. It's our job.

Could Mother's Day Get Any Better?

These are my babies.



And these are my babies.



And on Mother's Day, 5.11.08, my babies were baptised.

These are my babies after baptism. Tired babies.



Our day was beautiful. Mine started at 5:30 to get the house and all of us ready (the day before had been spent, cleaning house, cooking food and decorating the candles). Our day didn't end until we put the kids down at 8:00 last night. We had friends over to celebrate until about 4:00 pm and then we went to the Whitman's house and celebrated some more. As is typical of Alice Springs, we drank numerous bottles of wine and ate, ate, ate. Father Raas and Father Nick joined us also. Father Raas is from Fiji and played guitar and sang a couple of songs in his language! We sang along as best we could (not well mind you)- it was way cool! Check out all pics from our big day.

And yes, my Mother's Day was emotional, overwhelming, beautiful and completely unforgettable. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!

Baptism

Dance, Dance, Dance

Just can't get enough of these! There are 2 - watch them both!

Dance, Dance, Dance

The Bangtail Muster

Bangtail Muster

What a great day! May Day! The kids were out of school for this official Australian holiday but Jason had to work. But I'm sure he felt that being back at work after his two week absence was better than having to help with the pre-school's Bangtail Muster parade float. "Bangtail what?" you ask. The Bangtail Muster. Happy day in Alice Springs! Big parade with lots of wonderfully decorated floats and people. And our pre-school kids (Gracie's class) participated. Of course it was a lot of parental hard work. I co-coordinated with another Mom and, as much fun as it was, we both were very glad when it was over. It was quite a success.

Bangtail Muster originated in Australia as a roundup of cattle where the end of their tail hairs were cut straight across to ensure they had been counted for transportation. Somewhere along the years, the Bangtail Muster evolved into an official holiday in Alice Springs where it has been a favorite May festival for over 25 years - held on May Day. Every year there is a themed parade that winds through the Todd Mall (an outdoor shopping area).

This year's parade theme was "The Australian Work Horse - The Ute". Which as you should know from one of my Christmas posts (if you've been paying attention) the Ute is like a truck. The pre-school also sets a theme of it's own for the kids. This year is International Year of the Potato and we thought it would be great to have a Mr. Potato Head theme. So combined, we came up with the "Spuds Ute" (as you can see on the license plate). It was basically a truck full of potatoes - or should I say Potato Heads.

The Mr. Potato Head hats and the potatoes used for decoration along the float, as well as the stuffed potatoes in the sacks were all made by the pre-schoolers. Pretty good job. We sang to The Wiggles "Hot Potato" song as we rode along. Click on the pick to watch it evolve.