tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311912082024-03-07T20:05:06.933+11:00Stomper GirlTap-dancer, mother of the Climber (15) & the Cherub (12), and girlfriend of Mr. Fixit.Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.comBlogger773125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-48484491425446223632020-03-25T13:16:00.001+11:002020-03-29T10:09:02.697+11:00Plague DiaryThese are strange and unusual times. I thought I'd keep a record.<br />
<br />
This is the link for Stompergirl's Plague Diaries <br />
<br />
<a href="https://homefortheplague.blogspot.com/">https://homefortheplague.blogspot.com/</a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-32706807153115857552016-09-19T13:33:00.002+10:002016-09-20T16:40:59.989+10:00Read All About It.Headline Stories at Sparkly Street, since the last post:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>• MISTER FIXIT QUITS ANNOYING JOB TO RETURN TO HIS TRADE • </b></span><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/89J02P" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8048/29620150625_f2700dc816.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
This is definitely a good news story. The Warehouse Manager job that he left was driving Fixit crazy. It was stressful, badly paid, physically tiring and gave him no job satisfaction. It was the job he got after he was retrenched from his Airline Mechanic job, and he took it so we could pay our rent. At first it seemed okay; they realised he was a good worker and they appreciated him, which was good for his self-esteem after retrenchment. But it gradually became quite toxic, and he was hating the job and his employers (family business, high staff turnover, no actual systems to run things properly, you get the idea...). He started looking for work back in the industry for which he had qualifications, and despite there not being a great deal on offer, he came very close to getting an airline job. At the last minute they said they had to give precedence to mechanics working for the company in casual positions. The logical step at that point was to apply for a casual job so that he could be back in the system again, and hope for the best when permanent jobs came up again. He's been a casual employee since June, working 4 night-shifts in a row with 4-day rests in between. It's not perfect (no sick leave, no holiday pay, no job security) but it's better. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>• FIXIT FAMILY ADJUSTS TO HAVING DAD WORK NIGHT-SHIFT •</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/77zP8B" nbsp="" title="Left his tail inside"><img alt="Left his tail inside" height="500" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8142/29540526881_d0c3ec23f5.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The cat thinks the new arrangement is pretty good. On night-shift blocks there is nearly always a human in the big bed to cuddle up with. I'm enjoying seeing more of Fixit - we get to hang out and go for coffee dates during daylight hours. Also, he is contributing more to daily life. The kids, particularly Climber, have had to step up on the evenings that Fixit and I are both working (I teach 2 nights a week) so that we can manage getting them to and from their sporting/work commitments, (Climber has a job, he's a gymnastics coach! Also: he has started shaving OMG.) but they're older now so we felt confident that they could do this. I've been very proud of them. They catch public transport or ride their bikes, and then they get themselves off to bed. They're good boys. None of it is unmanageable, it just calls for forethought and organisation. It's good that we now live so much closer to everything, certainly makes a difference. Fixit is coping remarkably well with staying awake all night. I don't think I'd cope <strike>nearly as well</strike> at all. Still. It would be good to win the lottery so he could give up work and spend his time pottering round the shed and likely being a neighbourhood handyman.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/shF64w" nbsp="" title="DSC_3482"><img alt="DSC_3482" height="332" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8262/29697778881_2e79356d27.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">• STOMPER GIRL GOES TO CRAFT CAMP (AGAIN) •</span></b><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/26M0x5" nbsp="" title="IMG_0018"><img alt="IMG_0018" height="500" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7646/28363349115_f848ff886f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Mid-winter craft camps are best.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/Y0J5Q0" nbsp="" title="Frost!"><img alt="Frost!" height="240" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8435/29541868291_d0449abacd_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/dS973C" nbsp="" title="Pah"><img alt="Pah" height="240" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8546/28998846973_82a5d37acc_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
A whole 4 days away from the daily grind. Comfort food, woodfires. No insects. This year I got to meet <a href="http://tracycrisp.com/" target="_blank">Tracy</a> in person after years of blog friendship; we found each other to be just as we'd imagined. I suspect that means we have our online voices right. I was awarded the Princess Room, which is the one where you don't share with anyone and you get a queensize bed all to yourself. I made a rhubarb and apple pie for my turn at the cooking.<br />
<br />
As for my crafting, I had two successes and one failure. Success #1 was an Orphan Annie frock (adapted from the <a href="http://www.clothkits.co.uk/clothkits-vintage-dress-paper-pattern-p-2819.html" target="_blank">Clothkits Tea-Dress</a>) for a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/683669" target="_blank">fancydress party</a> (We put a baldcap and a suit on Fixit and he was Daddy Warbucks).<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/ZB1rG3" nbsp="" title="IMG_0035"><img alt="IMG_0035" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8847/28260600992_8b1245fdd1.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
The failure was a bias cut top with under-bust darts, the Curlew tank from the Merchant &
Mills workbook. The under-bust darts turned into weird side air pockets around my rib cage. We think it's meant to be worn by women with a more ample bust. But then I made a Ruby top out of
a tablecloth and all was well.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/qK849d" nbsp="" title="Trying a #curlewtop from the #merchantandmillsworkbook and this is what my chestal area looks like. Am now going through the process of trying to fix up the darts, but as a public service announcement I need to say: don't try this top if you are B-cup or"><img alt="Trying a #curlewtop from the #merchantandmillsworkbook and this is what my chestal area looks like. Am now going through the process of trying to fix up the darts, but as a public service announcement I need to say: don't try this top if you are B-cup or" height="240" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8790/29512202642_bb34553737_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/52033D" nbsp="" title="Ruby top"><img alt="Ruby top" height="240" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8255/29541793481_42e732c223_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
I love going away with my Crafty Friends. More photos <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/87xk7j" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/9f3m1o" nbsp="" title="First night at Craft Camp 😀"><img alt="First night at Craft Camp 😀" height="500" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8356/29622769045_9597b5b2cc.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">• STOMPER GIRL BUYS THE BEST PAIR OF TAP SHOES EVER •</span></b><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/z8Qo1i" nbsp="" title="IMG_3141"><img alt="IMG_3141" height="500" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8588/28286239081_339d80fe35.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
All the way from New York. <a href="http://www.tapemporium.com/" target="_blank">Miller & Ben SporTaps</a>. So good in every way. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">• STOMPER GIRL IS EMPLOYED AS A PROFESSIONAL WUTHERING HEIGHTS INSTRUCTRESS •</span></b><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/29042804434/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever"><img alt="The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever" height="333" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8835/29042804434_d55e4a4b91.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
This may need it's own post, but in precis I can tell you it was slightly bonkers but enormous fun, several thousand people on a perfect Melbourne day clad in red dresses and re-creating the dance from Kate Bush's song Wuthering Heights.<br />
<br />
<i>Heathcliff, it's me, Cathy, I've come home and I'm so co-o-o-old.</i><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/29044685653/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="WutheringHeights-Melbourne-20160716-1112"><img alt="WutheringHeights-Melbourne-20160716-1112" height="333" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8079/29044685653_79afdc0aac.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">• CHERUB BREAKS HAND IN FINAL GAME OF SOCCER SEASON •</span></b><br />
<br />
Cherub's team was playing the top team in the league, and when one of the opposition players
couldn't stop Cherub making one of his excellent runs with the ball, they resorted to a foul push which sent my poor lad hurtling to
the ground. The Ref said as he helped Cherub up <i>they seem to be targeting you</i>. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cherub </span>landed on his fist with all his body weight on top. <span style="font-family: inherit;">He</span> was awarded a free kick, but soon afterwards asked to come off and didn't play for the rest of the game. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/F9eL1H" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8217/29539612711_c45184ff33.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">You can tell its a break because the edges of the index knuckle, on the lift side, are not smooth and rounded, but slightly jagged. There was a also a wavy line -not visible here- in the middle of the bone where it had bowed at the point of impact.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/jrA0j5" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8072/28994828444_1385465467.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;">We took him and his poor swollen hand to the Childrens' Hospital next day where they found a small break just below the knuckle, and he ended up with a splint and 6 weeks of showering with a plastic bag on his arm, no writing, no playing clarinet, and no gymnastics or swimming. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;">He also had to miss playing with his school soccer team in t<span style="font-family: inherit;">he</span> state finals. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then he came down with a virus/flu and <span style="font-family: inherit;">was as miserable a<span style="font-family: inherit;">s I've ever seen him for 3 solid days, <span style="font-family: inherit;">we assume</span> because his immune system was concentrating on bone <span style="font-family: inherit;">repair</span> and couldn't fight the other n<span style="font-family: inherit;">asties or because he'd been to a hospital</span></span></span> and <span style="font-family: inherit;">picked</span> up something awful from there. Or both those things.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/urxGz9" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8452/29510060052_60afec0207.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span></span></span><br />
<br />
Good on you Fawkner, you dirty thugs.<br />
<br />
At the End of Year presentations Cherub was awarded Best and Fairest for the season and I give you this picture to represent the highs and lows of sporting life: I call it <i>Sling and Trophy</i><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/Ya2qTE" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8665/29586080656_c6845f2c25.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">• FIXIT FAMILY FIND & RESTORE MISSING CAT •</span></b><br />
<br />
This mini adventure felt like therapy for all of us, after the <a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2009/08/in-which-i-say-rest-in-peace-but-hope.html" target="_blank">trauma of our own cat who went missing but never came home</a>. <br />
<br />
On a Sunday night Cherub heard cats meowing outside and we went to investigate, in case Basil was getting involved in a territory dispute. A silver
tabby saw us and ran off into the street, but at the time I did think
his meows were strange, more <i>hello can you help me</i> than <i>I hates your poncy cat. </i> The next day Fixit and I saw the Missing Cat sign, so I immediately rang and reported the sighting. We all felt really hopeful about re-uniting a lost cat with the worried owner, and were disappointed when the owners texted back saying they'd searched but hadn't found him. They also asked if we would catch him if we saw him again but as the days went by we thought we'd missed our chance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJapBfCIEiGqahSoFS2nuN7ROc5a0bEU8ynAm3LWmQYDxFrSOPynEK5uGgIXngWL9nlNmzO2ucso5Bg4QAuOYZQqAYqL_5ju-roarGsJaeHgPzfNjU6cetv-texcSgbpBKm1jlg/s1600/IMG_1488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJapBfCIEiGqahSoFS2nuN7ROc5a0bEU8ynAm3LWmQYDxFrSOPynEK5uGgIXngWL9nlNmzO2ucso5Bg4QAuOYZQqAYqL_5ju-roarGsJaeHgPzfNjU6cetv-texcSgbpBKm1jlg/s400/IMG_1488.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then on the Thursday night, Cherub ran down from the bedroom to say he'd heard the cat again. This time we grabbed some dried catfood and our cat-cage before we went out. Basil was looking mildly defensive (he was safely tucked between the wheelie bins, but he wasn't fluffed up and snarling) and the tabbycat looked at us warily. I could see he didn't want us to touch him but when we put some food on the ground he immediately came over to eat, and after many soft words and plenty of food and a bit of sneaking quietly round the back of him, I eventually got the cage lid on top of the kitty. Cherub sat on it to stop him getting out while Climber and I spent some time wrangling him into the cage with towels and trays and Cherub's one good hand.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/92i370" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8729/28996621903_72706f2e57.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The owner wasn't able to get to our house til late so the boys sat for a while keeping Juan company and we all hoped we had the right cat, and hadn't falsely kidnapped a non-lost feline.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/6f6G39" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8056/28994874244_15ea9d6660.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
At 11.30pm a very grateful young man arrived at our gate and confirmed that we'd captured the lost Juan. He was extremely apologetic about keeping me up so late and offered me money, but I explained that we didn't need rewarding because we'd lost a cat once and finding one for someone else had made us all very, very happy. (He probably thought I was mad, but I'm just a good neighbour!) So he transferred Juan into his own cage and went on his way, texting me afterwards to thank us yet again.<br />
<br />
We recently watched a documentary about cat behaviour and this experience did make we wonder about cat dynamics. Juan came to our house twice, so did he know that a house where another cat lives is a good option for a lost cat? And did Basil, who never behaved in a hostile way, recognise a fellow feline in distress?<br />
<br />
PS. Last night the owners dropped round a very fancy looking bottle of wine as a thank you.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/sL6477" nbsp="" title="You know how we caught the Lost Cat and returned him to his owners? They dropped some fancy wine round as a thank you: Penfolds Bin 407, 2013. My wine expert tells me this is a very good wine and should be saved for a special occasion. I said at the time"><img alt="You know how we caught the Lost Cat and returned him to his owners? They dropped some fancy wine round as a thank you: Penfolds Bin 407, 2013. My wine expert tells me this is a very good wine and should be saved for a special occasion. I said at the time" height="500" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8037/29647806842_40e874af54.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>• WE FAREWELL THE FAITHFUL COROLLA •</b></span><br />
<br />
My Dad has given us his old car which is in much better nick than my poor old beloved Corolla, and it's a stationwagon, which will be so handy for lugging stuff around, so I keep reminding myself that it's great news. But the truth is I'm a bit sad because I really loved my girly hatchback. I could park it anywhere, it was an automatic with aircon and four doors, which were my 3 prerequisites when I purchased a car in the lead-up to starting a family, the heater worked, the petrol economy was great, and the mechanic used to give it a fond slap after working on it and say <i>Corollas, best cars in the world</i>. What more do you really need? Sure, it didn't have cup-holders or button-click doors, and the driver window wouldn't wind up properly unless Fixit did it, and the stereo volume was stuck on full, and the rear windscreen wiper didn't work, but I was used to living with those things. I must admit too, to a sneaking Luddite preference for car features that are mechanical rather than electrical or computer-chipped. They're easier to fix, especially if you have Mister Fixit in your life, and you'll never get trapped without air in a car that has an actual winding-stick for the window operation is what I'm saying.<br />
<br />
But also, it was the car that I <i>chose</i>, a style that I'd admired when I'd seen others driving around, and one that I duly researched in the Trading Post before finding the model-I-wanted at the price-I-could-afford at a mansion in Toorak of all places. This was me on the day I bought him, sometime in 1998. He was extra awesome because the number-plate said FBI. That fact always made me happy. <br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/29673315741/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="corolla hello"><img alt="corolla hello" height="318" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8445/29673315741_a787cf8d8a.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
And this was me yesterday, taking a last pic to remember him by. Eighteen years together. Sniff. I also re-read <a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2008/08/corollas-are-slightly-cool.html" target="_blank">this post </a>when I was looking for pictures and it made me smile. My Corolla <i>was</i> cool. It was probably the coolest car I'll ever own.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/67Re31" title="corolla goodbye_3485"><img alt="corolla goodbye_3485" height="351" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8864/29673314941_af9ba6e8e5.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining us for today's bulletin. Here is the Weather Report.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">• WEATHER •</span></b><br />
<br />
It's spring! There is some sunshine coming into our house again.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/09XW22" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8169/29586042036_bcc4e34552.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">* BONUS FEEL-GOOD STORY FEATURING CUTENESS •</span></b><br />
<br />
It's a meerkat from the Childrens Hospital. Nnaww.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/stompergirl/8270eh" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8164/28994835184_f3b240d9ef.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-38336593218496849832016-05-01T13:56:00.000+10:002017-12-30T18:03:43.974+11:00Sparkly Street Family Update.<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/26134817624/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1461/26134817624_060d1a8248.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Last night I made a roast pork dinner for the family; Fixit and I loved it, Climber quite liked it, Cherub ate it but didn't enjoy it. Kids. Cherub eats a wider range than he used to but is still basically a fussbudget, or, as we say, maintains constant vigilance against our pathetic attempts to poison him. He insists, despite my persistent cajoling, that he doesn't like gravy. Obviously he's crazy, how can anyone not like gravy? Mind you, Fixit insists he doesn't like pork crackling, we don't even bother telling him he's crazy, we are too busy fighting over it.<br />
<br />
After we ate, we played card games together, even Fixit who says he doesn't like card games. (We were going to play Jenga but we couldn't find our Jenga set. Maybe I gave it away when we moved, but that sounds crazy.) We played Billionaire and Uno, and it was really fun.<br />
<br />
While we were playing, Basil ran through the house with a smallish rat in his mouth. Fixit charged up to our bedroom to deal with it, the rest of us followed bringing the plastic container needed to remove the rat. When we got up to the bedroom (it's quite a long hallway) Fixit and Basil were both hunting around near the window, trying to find the rat which the stupid cat had let go. Suddenly I saw something moving on the lace curtains, and there was the rat, scaling the lace. I may have shrieked, it was so perfectly a reminder of how rats could totally run up your leg if you didn't stand on a chair when one was loose. The rat got right to the top of the curtains very quickly indeed, so Fixit did the only sensible thing he could, and picked the cat up overhead and said <i>there it is you idiot</i>, whereupon Basil launched himself up and across, like a top soccer goalie making an amazing save, and snaffled it. We all cheered like mad. Then we took the rat away from him, for humane disposal. He hates it when we do that, but based on his prior record, we really can't trust him not to lose a rodent. Although about a month ago I witnessed him eating a mouse whole, it was disgusting. PS this is a cat who only eats THE most expensive catfood.<br />
<br />
Afterwards we noticed that our lace curtains got torn during the kerfuffle. I don't know if I should try and patch the tears or keep a look-out in op-shops for a replacement set.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/26715456506/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Torn curtains and culprit sleeping in the foreground"><img alt="Torn curtains and culprit sleeping in the foreground" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1538/26715456506_cb993229e3.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
In other news, Cherub's voice is breaking. He's very croaky, much more so than Climber ever was. It's keeping us entertained. He can't reach any high notes any more, but his attempts to do so are very funny. He is still not as tall as me but his man-nose is coming in. He says his nostrils are as wide as his face and is not impressed, but we think he'll grow into his new nose. He is liking high school.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/26096213946/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Watching the Socceroos."><img alt="Watching the Socceroos." height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1538/26096213946_15ce699d0d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The soccer season has started. We're crossing our fingers that both boys' teams get re-graded down a level so we don't have to suffer watching them get flogged every week like last year.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/26741085535/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1602/26741085535_27f626620e.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Last night I was woken up by a thunderstorm. I'm much braver about thunderstorms than I used to be. I just rolled over and went back to sleep<br />
<br />
Today we went grocery shopping as a family and as we packed the car I banged by head really hard on the edge of the boot. Pretty sure I'll be having a Lump from that.<br />
<br />
Cherub made chocolate chip cookies today, the only thing he ever bakes. He was galvanised after seeing white chocolate chips at the supermarket so we bought them for him.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/26674409681/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1597/26674409681_952147078e.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
Climber helped him for a bit. Climber is a very accomplished baker and recently made croissants from scratch with this best mate<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/26675038141/in/dateposted/" title="Croissants from scratch by Climber and his bestie. Delish. Talk about flexing your baking muscles, this process took two days."><img alt="Croissants from scratch by Climber and his bestie. Delish. Talk about flexing your baking muscles, this process took two days." height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1568/26675038141_62263df875.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
Climber has been growing some sunflowers from seed, and they've just bloomed. I think he was inspired after his girlfriend (they've been together 6 months, she goes to a different school and she's very nice but rather shy with us) expressed a desire to punch a sunflower. For him to grow them for her so she could realise her dream of punching a sunflower is so sweet, and very like the sort of thing Mister Fixit would also do. But I hope she doesn't actually punch the sunflowers.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/26135356884/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Sunflowers on a grey day"><img alt="Sunflowers on a grey day" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1717/26135356884_a4263bf138.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
Just thought I should actually start writing some stuff down again. The days whizz past so quickly.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.misscarolinetapdance.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">www.misscarolinetapdance.com </span></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-33821050466200416552015-09-15T15:17:00.001+10:002015-09-15T15:17:55.616+10:00Last year of primary schoolWell it's official - Cherub is enrolled for High School! His - and our - final year of primary school is slipping away so quickly, and I am not doing a very good job of recording it here! So here are a few of the recent happenings for my Grade 6 boy.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21417797972/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5650/21417797972_0da0c8dbc2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Last night we watched his last ever primary school production, the Grade 5/6 kids doing Alice in Wonderland Jnr. Their normal drama teacher went on leave this term, and Cherub and his friends, who had been keenly looking forward to their last ever big production with that teacher, were very underwhelmed by the sudden change of plan. They didn't put themselves forward for roles, and told us it was lame. Which was a shame, and I kept exhorting them to change their tune and make the best of it. The show must go on etc. They looked unconvinced.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21240652050/in/album-72157658223472449/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5679/21240652050_73e6398352.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Actually, the show was completely fine. They hired costumes for it, and Cherub looked very cute in his lion suit. Well, I'm <i>pretty</i> sure he was meant to be a lion. Other guesses include a dog, or a possum or a werewolf. But his classmates looked quite like the cast of The Lion King, so I'm going with lion. We're still unclear as to what place wild animals have in the Alice in Wonderland storyline, but at least we parents didn't have to sew anything this year. The wig/mane looked so much like Cherub's own hair first thing in the morning that he was very easy to identify on stage. As always, his dancing was very good indeed, and he fulfilled my stage mother requirements by being in the front row, although whether he was put there because of height or merit is unclear.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21241775609/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="DSCN0499"><img alt="DSCN0499" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5627/21241775609_84db4bb047.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
The best thing about it was it was very short, so we were none of us too tired to enjoy our traditional post-show gelati.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21417816442/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/625/21417816442_91cd1f0cf2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
In other 'lasts' of primary school, Cherub had his final ever Bookweek Parade. <a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/assorted-august.html" target="_blank">A few years ago he went as Frodo from Lord of The Rings</a>, this year he was determined to be Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20317067293/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="DSC_2946"><img alt="DSC_2946" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5786/20317067293_71eb2b790e.jpg" width="332" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
He insisted he needed a red coat, not too long, and we eventually found one to borrow from my sister. I also made him a little green vest from a jumper I'd accidentally partially felted in a hot wash. To make the ears I sewed some foam padding rounds in half and threaded them on to a hairband made from hat elastic. Threading them meant the ears were adjustable on his head, I was actually pretty pleased with myself for thinking that design through. I found a shirt and some shorts at the opshop, and for his overlarge and hairy bare hobbit feet we put a pair of Fixit's brown socks over a pair of sandshoes with some padding down the end, then used some flesh-coloured knee high stockings over the top, which we drew hairs all over. It worked really well. He already had the Hobbit Sword and a Ring, but he didn't look for the ring until leaving time and it was nowhere to be found, so I had to quickly fashion one out of picture wire.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20928367422/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="DSC_2948"><img alt="DSC_2948" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/681/20928367422_c4a10a62b5.jpg" width="332" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Here he is going off to school in costume with all his bags for Friday (music, futsal and school) ...<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20750974498/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/714/20750974498_530ff0c9e1.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
...and here he is parading.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20751374359/in/photostream/" title="bilbo bw_pde457"><img alt="bilbo bw_pde457" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/664/20751374359_fd0266d6bd.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
While we're playing catch-up, here are some shots of the Friday Night Futsal team that Cherub has been playing in these last two terms with his school buddies. All the kids really progressed throughout the season, and they even made it to the finals, which is so good considering they only started this year.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21429597255/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/633/21429597255_587f139221.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21428635845/in/photostream/" title="DSCN0492"><img alt="DSCN0492" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5704/21428635845_5ce41487ed.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Also a shot from Cherub's last week of soccer, because hooray, soccer season is over and we don't need to be always taking the kids to soccer!<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21242721399/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/647/21242721399_9b8a585df7.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
And we don't have to be the Team Managers any more, which was stressful and boring and bad for our relationship. Note to self, don't say yes to that job ever again. Cherub's team played in a division too high for their abilities this year, so they got thrashed most weeks. Just at the very end of the season they started to hit their straps, and so they managed one win against the second-worst team and a draw against the 3rd-worst team, before finishing the season losing 8-0 to the league champions. We were all pretty ecstatic the week they won, I can tell you! Here's the Team Captain looking happy. He worked his guts out all season in defence, and made us proud every game.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21241844440/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/630/21241844440_b39dfd7a83.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
To end this post on a good note : here are the lads enjoying a delicious home-cooked breakfast of pancakes and bacon for Mister Fixit.<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/21402814196/in/photostream/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5766/21402814196_c5897d80a4.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Happy Fathers Day.Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-11119267015761444132015-08-24T13:59:00.000+10:002015-08-24T14:41:11.595+10:00Winter in SomersFollowing the success of our Walkerville holiday, Jenny, Astrid and I decided to organise another Mothers Group holiday house adventure for the July school holidays with <i>all</i> the Mums-and-kids. (Two of the Mothers Group Dads also put in guest appearances, but they were mostly stuck in Melbourne with work.) We found a big house in a town called Somers on the Mornington Peninsula and went off for a Winter-in-Somers adventure.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378235120/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="groupie294"><img alt="groupie294" height="333" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/329/19378235120_8f1ab14c55.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
The house we rented had 3 bedrooms with double beds, plus a bunk room, so we Mums shared the bunk room and split the kids into the big beds. The pairings-up were: firstborn girls, second-born girls, boys, and a cupboard in the boys' room (really a sizeable walk-in wardrobe) for <strike>Harry Potter</strike> Jen's third-born girl. In the boys' room, Cherub eschewed sharing the big bed with his brother because he was desperate to try out our self-inflating-mattress-from-Aldi, and Astrid's boy also came with his own mattress, so Climber managed to be the most luxuriated child with a queen size bed plus electric blanket for his very own. The kids took over the downstairs living area for their own, but were quite often to be found in the upstairs living area too. We had beautiful views from the deck out to Westernport Bay, an enormous table for mealtimes, and some comfortable lounges for lounging.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/18945573883/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 07.47.32"><img alt="2015-07-08 07.47.32" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/512/18945573883_4095fbbe5d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>View from the deck</i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20836568351/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_3801"><img alt="IMG_3801" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5795/20836568351_0252cddd45.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Downstairs living area</i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20829631095/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4119"><img alt="IMG_4119" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/606/20829631095_d6582621f4.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Upstairs living area</span></i><br />
<br />
The first job after sorting out the sleeping arrangements was to organise the division of labour. We put the focussed second-borns on the job of devising the Kids' Chores Roster.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19570673411/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-04 17.37.39"><img alt="2015-07-04 17.37.39" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/19570673411_b0c09af7cc.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
It was an excellent roster, and was put together fairly and thoroughly. All older children were expected to give the little kids a hand with their jobs if needed, and this happened consistently and without any adult intervention. What a great bunch of kids. The roster worked tremendously well all week.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20641434470/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="IMG_3809"><img alt="IMG_3809" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/668/20641434470_b8a9c4007f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
No shirking, fighting or nagging. Here it is in all its colour-coded glory.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19566393045/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-04 18.51.33"><img alt="2015-07-04 18.51.33" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/316/19566393045_f95ecb9afa.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Jen, Astrid and I handled the cooking with a meal plan we'd put together back in Melbourne.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19540035126/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="DSCN0286"><img alt="DSCN0286" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/19540035126_ffb55cb8dc.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We enjoyed some delicious family meals while we were there, thanks to Head Chef Jenny's excellent meal planning skills.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378512258/in/album-72157655663368522/" title="2015-07-07 18.09.16"><img alt="2015-07-07 18.09.16" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/19378512258_fbb855e57f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rice paper rolls and fried rice.</span></i><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378494700/in/album-72157655663368522/" title="2015-07-06 20.16.33"><img alt="2015-07-06 20.16.33" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/19378494700_b7a300e8f7.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Chocolate ripple cake</i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20641469440/in/album-72157655663368522/" title="IMG_3914"><img alt="IMG_3914" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5775/20641469440_ddbcdb1ccf.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hot dogs for the children, soup for the adults </i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20829586075/in/album-72157655663368522/" title="IMG_4060"><img alt="IMG_4060" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/645/20829586075_2243155d47.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Snakes, not an actual meal but a bit of group eating nonethelesss.</i></span><br />
<br />
I decided to poach some quinces and pears the day before we went away, proper poaching which took over 8 hours, and used them to make a delicious crumble dessert for our first night. <br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19559598372/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-04 19.07.20"><img alt="2015-07-04 19.07.20" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/257/19559598372_359ebec190.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
It was accompanied by the lightest and fluffiest whipped cream ever, provided by Climber who
put his strength to good use with the pure cream and an old-fashioned Nana egg-beater.
It was most delicious.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19559592012/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-04 18.53.26"><img alt="2015-07-04 18.53.26" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/387/19559592012_3cf4234dbe.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
On the first day the adults decided to go for a walk down to the nearby beach, but the children declined the offer to come with us, opting instead to play games in the house. It was a rather steep descent with a great many steps to reach the beach, and when we got to the bottom it seemed as though the beach might be inaccessible because it was high tide and that the waves came right up to wall.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19570345101/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="DSCN0278"><img alt="DSCN0278" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/279/19570345101_8b700c560a.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
However, we worked out that it was possible, in between waves, to make a dash for the next set of stairs and the next, so off we went!<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20206838294/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_3793"><img alt="IMG_3793" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5827/20206838294_4534d188d2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Somers Beach was almost completely covered in ankle-deep seaweed, and looked, to quote Anthony, like every cassette tape in the world had been unravelled there. We ploughed on through it for a good long walk.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19566096755/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="DSCN0281"><img alt="DSCN0281" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/372/19566096755_1c0fe8f8fd.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We got home to find the children had discovered pillow-fighting, something they did quite a lot of over the week.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/18945505863/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-04 20.47.37"><img alt="2015-07-04 20.47.37" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/545/18945505863_7fb6800fe7.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Eventually the pillow-fighting took its toll on Cherub's inflatable mattress and we had to retire one (we'd bought 2 with us) until Fixit could do some puncture repair. Cherub was slightly upset about his damaged bed and was afterwards very assiduous in deflating it each morning, before the pillow-fighting began.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378242938/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="pillowfight303"><img alt="pillowfight303" height="334" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/19378242938_c2734deee0.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We had decided every morning that we'd have 'Fit Club' and Jenny, being a very organised individual, had brought with her some bootcamp-ish programs and some equipment like cones and skipping ropes. It was actually a lot of fun to do it every day, and the kids enjoyed taking part too. The first morning we held it in the backyard, and asked a couple of the non-participating children to take some photos. <br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/18945308553/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="fitclub307"><img alt="fitclub307" height="333" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/18945308553_dcf912b411.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Lucky-Dip Exercise Program bootcamp.</i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/18943685444/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="fitclub314"><img alt="fitclub314" height="333" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/18943685444_ee0f1c9131.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I made them all do planks. I'm working on my core strength this year. There was whinging, although they're smiling here.</span></i><br />
<br />
One morning we did Fit Club in a playground with a Flying Fox. We all had to have a go on the Flying Fox, although obviously we grown-ups had to wait a while for our turns.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20820042132/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4010"><img alt="IMG_4010" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5784/20820042132_9364a74346.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20836663421/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4038"><img alt="IMG_4038" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/711/20836663421_7947f54676.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20803277496/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4041"><img alt="IMG_4041" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/577/20803277496_ae7ef6e988.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We make these holidays device-free (although television was allowed) so the kids have to make their own fun, in between activities organised by us for their enjoyment. There tended to be at least one pillow-fight per day, and quite a lot of board games were played too. There was also some jigsaw puzzle action, and Astrid, in particular, became slightly addicted. I think 2 or 3 puzzles were completed in total, Astrid did most of the work, with the kids crowding in at the end.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19559617472/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-06 09.36.49"><img alt="2015-07-06 09.36.49" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/287/19559617472_57ea6b2546.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Hide and Seek was also popular with this crowd, as usual. This looks like an early-morning game, judging by the onesies. Once you've been found you go around with the seeker to find the others.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378476498/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-06 09.41.22"><img alt="2015-07-06 09.41.22" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/445/19378476498_e54ed9e7c5.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
They also played outside with the soccer balls and netballs. I don't think the deck was the best place for playing soccer.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378482888/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-07 11.26.31"><img alt="2015-07-07 11.26.31" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/519/19378482888_545b3abf73.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We even had a bit of tap-dancing, not in tap shoes though.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20206863134/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="IMG_3824"><img alt="IMG_3824" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/634/20206863134_3aaae43f39.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
And then there were the organised activities. Walks on the beach for a game of Run To The Next Safe Spot Before The Wave Gets You.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20641460610/in/album-72157655663368522/" title="IMG_3889"><img alt="IMG_3889" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/568/20641460610_f2eecd2bd8.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
A visit to the market at Bittern, where we started our collection of photographs featuring each person with an item that rhymed with their name for the now traditional Holiday Gif (see below). In adherence to another Mothers Group tradition, we also asked the kids to pose for a photograph in age order, which is a different concept to height order. They are all holding up the stuff they bought with the five dollars they'd each been given to spend at the market. (The money was predominantly spend on sugar, <i>quelle surprise</i>.)<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19559611582/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-05 11.34.27-1"><img alt="2015-07-05 11.34.27-1" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/516/19559611582_31c926999b.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
How did this even work? asked Cherub.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19570539221/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="howdidthiswork322"><img alt="howdidthiswork322" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/387/19570539221_6eba34a656.jpg" width="370" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We went to the nice and mostly seaweed-free beach at Point Leo, where the kids decided to re-create the town of Plumbington (basically a sand town with drainage channels) that they'd made together in <a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/walkerville.html" target="_blank">Walkerville</a>.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378485008/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-07 12.29.57-2"><img alt="2015-07-07 12.29.57-2" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/19378485008_86fedff3ac.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The water is the invading enemy in Plumbington. You have to try and keep it out.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19378511680/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-07 13.23.16"><img alt="2015-07-07 13.23.16" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/297/19378511680_b6fd751b6a.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
It was cold, which you maybe can't tell from seeing all these children in swimwear?<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19570747091/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-07 13.23.47"><img alt="2015-07-07 13.23.47" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/314/19570747091_1ee061e348.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
This is how sensible people were dressed for that expedition. Brrrr.<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/18945540893/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-07 13.01.54"><img alt="2015-07-07 13.01.54" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/448/18945540893_2a5641cb9f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Afterwards we went to Balnarring in search of sausage rolls (not as easy as we'd thought it would be, there was a temporary shortage right when we wanted them in bulk) and then sweet treats from the bakery.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20820026432/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_3994"><img alt="IMG_3994" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/777/20820026432_bd914f1ac2.jpg" width="375" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
Fixit rode his bike down to have dinner with us on the Sunday. His mean work were being mean about giving him holidays. Again.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20642741619/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_3883"><img alt="IMG_3883" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5641/20642741619_24c6b60cf0.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Jenny's horse-mad daughter made good use of our proximity to my horse-mad sister, who owns a horse and let Bell ride it. My Mum was also visiting my sister during our time in Somers so it was nice and easy to pop over and visit them all.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19379717569/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="saddleclub355"><img alt="saddleclub355" height="333" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/515/19379717569_ef6d658040.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We also took the kids to the historic homestead and bird-watching/wetland grounds at Coolart. The kids were not made aware of the fact that there'd be a big walk as part of this activity. Look at them heading in. So unsuspecting.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19570777341/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 12.35.04"><img alt="2015-07-08 12.35.04" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/445/19570777341_ce6cfe0681.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The middle kids even practiced their leapfrog skills.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19540358366/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 12.36.52"><img alt="2015-07-08 12.36.52" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/467/19540358366_c665fe491c.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We headed off down the walking trail, and the kids posed for the camera. This is right before they started a game of pretending to pose for Jen and Astrid and then running off before the cameras could be brought to bear.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/18943952954/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 12.44.56-1"><img alt="2015-07-08 12.44.56-1" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/409/18943952954_38528ef786.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
Meanwhile my two took the walk at a more leisurely pace.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19540377056/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 13.10.46-1"><img alt="2015-07-08 13.10.46-1" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/420/19540377056_d0ddbf70de.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We caught up eventually.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20829602715/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4078"><img alt="IMG_4078" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/657/20829602715_5e5a53a8cd.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
We saw lagoons and bridges.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19566509275/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 12.48.16"><img alt="2015-07-08 12.48.16" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/19566509275_1c957cba16.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We sat in the hides and watch some waterbirds.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19570806961/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 13.16.43-1"><img alt="2015-07-08 13.16.43-1" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/427/19570806961_7ccc5cfe4a.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Then we went to the nice barbecue area for a reviving lunch. Some of the kids climbed trees whilst waiting for the sausages to cook.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20836722821/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4091"><img alt="IMG_4091" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/686/20836722821_339bf676db.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We finished off by going inside the house, which the adults enjoyed for history and the kids enjoyed for exploring. We dissuaded the children from sliding down the banister of the grand staircase.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/19380000759/in/album-72157655663368522/" nbsp="" title="2015-07-08 14.24.15"><img alt="2015-07-08 14.24.15" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/19380000759_5468106c74.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Then it was time for the boys and I to go home, collecting my Mum from my sister's house and bringing her back with us to Melbourne so she could see our new house.<br />
<br />
<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20646280579/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Mum visits our new house."><img alt="Mum visits our new house." height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5706/20646280579_56328841e5.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
I love these Mothers Group holidays. Not too much work, and plenty of fun, as a good holiday should be.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ezqfpaNJDT4ZfQv0ZxYvgtqeSi4_H73VwGhyphenhyphen6iYcLclZ7E3O1NT-vp6eT5vnxs3MPznLGON2t8-_ZzSg_nmXY7KLIssLp1-XhFGqe_VbMgC2v3qh9TFuaJZ-LbHC8mgK-cgeQA/s1600/somers.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ezqfpaNJDT4ZfQv0ZxYvgtqeSi4_H73VwGhyphenhyphen6iYcLclZ7E3O1NT-vp6eT5vnxs3MPznLGON2t8-_ZzSg_nmXY7KLIssLp1-XhFGqe_VbMgC2v3qh9TFuaJZ-LbHC8mgK-cgeQA/s400/somers.gif" /></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-71795846629014753682015-08-17T13:32:00.003+10:002015-08-18T22:07:10.464+10:00Sparkly Street<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20613366896/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5756/20613366896_de12397b66.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
It has been three months since we moved in to our new house, and we are
feeling pretty settled now. The bad old house is fading fast from my
memory. As I packed the school lunches the other morning, I tried to
recall how and where I did it at the ex-house, and I could barely
picture it. This pleases me greatly. I am so happy every day living
here, and love so many things about this location, both in terms of how
much easier my life is now, but also in terms of how much nicer this
place is.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20647147741/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="loungeroom"><img alt="loungeroom" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5755/20647147741_6d6e5f5d56.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
The new place is a long house that appears to have been put in as a sub-divide of the house-next-door's backyard. It has pretty features such as cut-glass doors and windows, chandeliers, polished floorboards, and picture rails, as well as comfort features such as a television aerial on the roof (we can now watch any free-to-air channel just by CLICKING THE REMOTE CONTROL, no agonising jiggling of the indoor aerial for us!), central heating, a remote-control roller door to the driveway (which is full of crap from the move so its not a feature we're making use of of just now) and best of all, some proper cupboard and storage options. I can't even begin to tell you how much better this is, storage in the ex-house consisted of 3 crappy secondhand wardrobes that the landlords had distributed in the bedrooms.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20614202376/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="the hallway following moving day"><img alt="the hallway following moving day" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/639/20614202376_8fa82a2410.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The picture above was taken the day after we moved in, but we're almost fully unpacked now. Inside the house, there are three boxes left for me to sort in the computer room, but Fixit has much more work to do; because of his knee operation and his Mum's death just before we moved, he was not in a state to sort through his crap, so all of that just got picked up and dumped here. And then of course, he still has to work long hours every day and do our other life things (soccer training etc) so he's often way too tired to pitch in at home. But over the last week, and especially on days when the sun comes out, he has started to sort it out. The carport which is to be his new open-air shed is starting to take shape and he also began to organise the back yard this weekend. As for stuff he needs to sort inside, well at least it's mostly out of sight (the beauty of proper storage options!) and can be tackled when he's ready.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20019556843/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="building a little shed"><img alt="building a little shed" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/660/20019556843_4d47803713.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Building a little mini-shed so he can have somewhere to lock up tools.</i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20613349856/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="herb garden by climber"><img alt="herb garden by climber" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/682/20613349856_abf58960d7.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Climber is putting in some herbs by the backdoor</i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20451603378/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/572/20451603378_e1e98f38cf.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The cat is the one who has been least happy about the move, and he was in a highly-stressed out state for a couple of weeks, but he seems relaxed and happy now. We kept him locked in for a long time so he didn't try to run away, and introduced him gently to his new territory. He is now free to roam but seems pretty tentative about this new outside world, and as such, hasn't really availed himself of this freedom. On the upside, we are enjoying having him hanging round us more.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20019573393/in/dateposted/" title="la chat dans au camellias"><img alt="la chat dans au camellias" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5642/20019573393_ca7fcbb1dd.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Basil having a little explore in the first week, he was not at all fond of the harness and it was abandoned within a fortnight</span></i><br />
<br />
Here then, are a few of the things about the house that are making me so happy.<br />
<br />
I love walking to school every day with Cherub. He loves it too. I love having 2 hours back in my day because I'm not driving up and back for school drop-offs and pick-ups. It's fantastic!<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20454354988/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Walking to school"><img alt="Walking to school" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/20454354988_18f34dcb7d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Walk to School Day, our first time we've participated in this that we could do the whole journey on foot.</span></i><br />
<br />
I love having a nice bathroom. Our previous bathroom was so cramped and skanky. This new one has plenty of room, no cracked tiles, a highly satisfactory bathtub and a separate shower. Plus the ducted heating vent is right underneath where I hang my towel so I have a warmed towel when I get out of the shower each morning.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20452481408/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="drinking from the shower"><img alt="drinking from the shower" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5816/20452481408_220d822503.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Drinkies.</i></span><br />
<br />
I just LOVE having baths again.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20647146361/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="bath"><img alt="bath" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/747/20647146361_5d4885f757.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
I love the efficiency of the little kitchen, which is much more pleasant to cook in.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20451612598/in/dateposted/" title="kids in the kitchen"><img alt="kids in the kitchen" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5656/20451612598_7137a98be2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
It also has a much nicer view for when we're washing the dishes. This was the view from the old house, the side of the Vampires' McMansion through a crappy curtain.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20021653583/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Ex house view from the kitchen window."><img alt="Ex house view from the kitchen window." height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/20021653583_a64f983036.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
SO much nicer now...<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20454652250/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Sunrise through a cut glass window."><img alt="Sunrise through a cut glass window." height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/606/20454652250_bcb3a97cd6.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
I am happy to report that I now have a decent oven and burnt cakes are a thing of the past.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20452500860/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="our new oven doesn't burn the cakes"><img alt="our new oven doesn't burn the cakes" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/767/20452500860_8f8b26fc2b.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<br />
I love the central heating (although I didn't love the first bill, but it has been a cold winter), and I love that we have decent carpet in the bedrooms and nice floorboards in the living areas. We spent 12 resentful years with horrid carpets that didn't even cover the entire floor in our ex-bedroom and pale cracked tiles that showed every speck of dirt. Of course, being a rental we had to pay $200 to clean those foul carpets and they were immediately ripped up and thrown out once we moved out.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20631311322/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="hiding in the cupboards"><img alt="hiding in the cupboards" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5822/20631311322_44a87c1ca8.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>decent carpets and proper storage </i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20019588183/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="catch the string"><img alt="catch the string" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5692/20019588183_005dd48413.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">floorboards</span></i><br />
<br />
I love the camellia trees in the back garden and the daphne plant by the front door.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20452466720/in/dateposted/" title="camellias"><img alt="camellias" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/654/20452466720_f9a8ecfa5c.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20613301886/in/dateposted/" title="daphne"><img alt="daphne" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/735/20613301886_593800ea9a.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
I love arranging things to my satisfaction, I love that I have engaged with this house enough to have pulled out my old posters and started to hang them up, something I never did at the ex-house.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20020164813/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Hallway"><img alt="Hallway" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/648/20020164813_912715c37e.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Most of all I love the location. When we lived in the bad old house, Fixit and I used to half-joke that we only slept in that suburb, and that we lived most of our lives (school, shops, cafes, friends, socialising) in the suburb where we came from and to whence we've now returned. I love this neighbourhood so much, always have. I have to fight the urge to tell people who were used to seeing me in the neighbourhood anyway that I REALLY LIVE HERE NOW, I'm not just faking it..<br />
<br />
The move was HARD work: physically, mentally and emotionally. My chiropractor was shocked by the state of my body afterwards. So much holding everything together. Fixit got a van from his work and we gratefully accepted the kind offers of help from a few of his strongman friends, and my Dad, and my sister and her partner, and Nell. But Fixit and I did most of the work - I did the organising and sorting and cleaning, and he did the lifting and deconstructing and reconstructing. Fortunately moving house is a bit like childbirth; you do fairly quickly forget the pain, and focus instead on the new baby. And like childbirth, I don't want to do it again any time soon, but I'm very glad to have done it. Plus, it is a really good feeling to clear out your old stuff.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20631358592/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="last night in the bad old house, the moving house crew and our celebration dinner"><img alt="last night in the bad old house, the moving house crew and our celebration dinner" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5746/20631358592_aacd41317d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dinner at the ex-local restaurant round the corner with Nell and my sister and her family who were our moving stalwarts, on our final evening at the bad old house.</i></span><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20647098031/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="last night at the ex-house"><img alt="last night at the ex-house" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/20647098031_cca8d697bc.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The front door at the bad old house on the last night.</span></i><br />
<br />
This is me waving good-bye to the bad old house after spending two weeks scrubbing my fingers to the bone. I was determined that we would have our full bond refunded, which we did, and the agent later told me that the landlords were highly impressed at the level of cleanliness. They have since gone in and renovated some of the more obvious problems such as the bathroom and the tiles that used randomly crash to the floor, but I still pity the people who are renting it, in a detached way. I am enjoying that detachment too, that I have put that house so thoroughly behind me. I love that I don't live there any more (are you sick of me saying that yet?) and I am so very, very happy here.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20017904244/in/dateposted/" title="bye ex-house! i hated you."><img alt="bye ex-house! i hated you." height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/598/20017904244_6926c3e072.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Seeya ex-house, I never liked you. Hello, new house. You're ace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/20022091013/in/dateposted/" title="Welcome to my house"><img alt="Welcome to my house" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/734/20022091013_439e305cb1.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-69099035411806021782015-05-12T08:00:00.001+10:002015-05-12T10:37:55.689+10:00Goodbye, goodbyeWe're moving house and Fixit's mother died on Mother's Day. There is so much I want to say about both these events, but no time to say it properly.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, just to add to the list of things we're dealing with at present : Fixit had knee surgery, to repair ancient damage caused by the great motorcycle accident of 1993. Surgery was much needed and will improve everything for him, so it's great news, just it wasn't the best month for him to be incapacitated, however briefly, and he really hasn't had a cushy recuperation. He's had to power through, but he is coming along nicely.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RUAKhiVl7zhh9KwIJ2w7xuJ5DHXhbd5Rsy1900TnELKlxU4hpSQ1VTZTiPCojv1xTwsHeazE0EFtxsb3DiSfWjrV8Ug2pVt-94GdWX_0d53d3KsLcVo8DlHxcpUGkvsZ99R4cQ/s640/blogger-image-1289602732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RUAKhiVl7zhh9KwIJ2w7xuJ5DHXhbd5Rsy1900TnELKlxU4hpSQ1VTZTiPCojv1xTwsHeazE0EFtxsb3DiSfWjrV8Ug2pVt-94GdWX_0d53d3KsLcVo8DlHxcpUGkvsZ99R4cQ/s640/blogger-image-1289602732.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Our house is in chaos, and bit-by-bit we dismantle our life here. We are very, very happy to leave this horrible house, and can't wait to start life again in the new house and closer-to-everything suburb. But moving is a SLOG.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgMHaO9xmEcgAMnSLEduwdzM9eEyRskXFmgtU6pTGWlpB1ut1hWRp6r9HPFAPjw8VTQc5NPusCppJsy-cQSy10XQH8GcKuZ6wNGltc_6kn03TZAOwjjQvwhQZNuLODVFV9_QiWw/s640/blogger-image-1685598988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgMHaO9xmEcgAMnSLEduwdzM9eEyRskXFmgtU6pTGWlpB1ut1hWRp6r9HPFAPjw8VTQc5NPusCppJsy-cQSy10XQH8GcKuZ6wNGltc_6kn03TZAOwjjQvwhQZNuLODVFV9_QiWw/s640/blogger-image-1685598988.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Last night Fixit pulled down the <a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2007/06/this-is-story-about-power-tools.html" target="_blank">bunk bed he'd built all those years ago</a>, and the cat was adorably confused. Cherub was Fixit's helper for the bunk dismantling job, and was waiting excitedly for Climber to return home from soccer training so he could show him the new sleeping arrangements. He's so very, very cute.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK9WRXS9hQacGokT21pTFMHXLxgqdaQpceIxvSb-Ek_7ZWIISNvd12PoeZMbKgr9pujwkgy-VPMLnWmEPZjwdLzUDejAnw6sVdhEnbjR_ykdQMNl7LoH75yV2UVu7w-UfFnsbUA/s640/blogger-image-1090019366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK9WRXS9hQacGokT21pTFMHXLxgqdaQpceIxvSb-Ek_7ZWIISNvd12PoeZMbKgr9pujwkgy-VPMLnWmEPZjwdLzUDejAnw6sVdhEnbjR_ykdQMNl7LoH75yV2UVu7w-UfFnsbUA/s640/blogger-image-1090019366.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As for Fixit's mum: she had had an awful run of health for the last two years, spending large chunks of it in hospital or in a wheelchair, and the root of it was the heart damage she'd sustained from the heart attack a year or so ago, but with so much else going on with her health (diabetes, broken leg, broken hip, chronic arthritis) no-one had quite picked this up. So it wasn't until she was admitted to hospital last week to try and sort it all out that they realised how bad things were for her, heart wise, and at that point they said
<i>there's nothing we can do, let's move her to palliative care so she's comfortable</i>. That was Wednesday, she died Sunday. It was very quick. In between, she slept. We went in as a family to see her on Sunday afternoon, and we told her we loved her and said good-bye and she did respond, but she was beyond talking or eye contact then. We came home for dinner, and as we ate, Fixit's brother rang and said <i>come back now</i>. She was gone 5 minutes before he made it. We're all so sad. The boys, shocked by how terrible she'd looked in the hospice and struck by the grief in the faces of the adults, were distraught and we cried and cried. Fixit stayed at the hospice and mourned with his family.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
At home, we lit a candle. Rest in peace Elaine. You were a loving and hard-working mother to Fixit, a kind and generous mother-in-law to me, and a loving and indulgent grandparent to Climber and Cherub. We will miss you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KmDHPP8olCfbuwBlQFsdAVr0KHbAHzehJmaLItNce3StUCgS8XF_NcwGVvWeGxFrs3dt8_cNXW81RKkFvM_XDeMItNHlVdB0fz3SvPpSHLk_LEAq-9BXpupDyL4gRzJbK4epmw/s640/blogger-image--227287695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KmDHPP8olCfbuwBlQFsdAVr0KHbAHzehJmaLItNce3StUCgS8XF_NcwGVvWeGxFrs3dt8_cNXW81RKkFvM_XDeMItNHlVdB0fz3SvPpSHLk_LEAq-9BXpupDyL4gRzJbK4epmw/s640/blogger-image--227287695.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-4536970689175786102015-05-01T13:57:00.002+10:002016-01-11T14:21:12.499+11:00Shaking It Off at the FeteThe Tap-Kids were rockstars again at the local fete this year. We've
performed there so often now that we have it down to a fine art - both
in terms of the performances and in terms of the technical stuff like
setting up and striking the tap boards. One of the guys running the
stage this year remarked on our speed - he'd been all prepared to help,
then he'd left the area to check on something and came back to find it
all set up. Another fete-volunteer-guy was helping Fixit lug boards
into the grounds, and as they shook each others' hands said <i>Oh so you're Mister Caroline? </i>The kids found that terribly funny.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16374598134" title="DSC_2202 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2202" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7637/16374598134_c8371e2cfc.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
As usual, for the performance run order, we worked from youngest to oldest. Here's a
picture of the Tiny Tappers, who are aged 3-4, being delightful tapping
bumblebees. One of my newer students, who'd been with me less than a
term and had never seen us perform, was suddenly stricken by massive
stage-fright and sat on her mum's lap looking at me with big tears rolling down her little face. But I offered to
hold her hand for the performance, and also said she could dance holding
her special lion soft toy, and she bravely agreed to come on.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16996987245" title="DSC_2213 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2213" height="332" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8709/16996987245_aa4d704036.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Of
course once we started she was fine and had a splendid time. The kids
indulged me by dressing up for the show, and I think they look so
adorable with their wings and face-paint and antennas. Such cuteness.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16374610354" title="DSC_2233 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2233" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7591/16374610354_c93a549b10.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trombone playing bumblebees. Edible.</span></i><br />
<br />
The
next to perform were the Flappers Class, who are beginner-level tappers
of school age. They did a terrific job walking 500 miles.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16809566910" title="DSC_2322 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2322" height="332" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8746/16809566910_00c254faa8.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
(It's a song, they didn't really walk that far. But there was walking of sorts. And jumping.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16376945093" title="DSC_2355 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2355" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7585/16376945093_81122b27bd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I especially like the bit where they fell down at your door.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16685445514" title="DSC_2364 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2364" height="332" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8823/16685445514_1e74b2e6f0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
We had the Gliders1 Class (more than beginners) up next, so many of them that it was hard to get them in one photo. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16996202561" title="DSC_2409 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2409" height="332" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8716/16996202561_ed0713e548.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
They had a pretty tricky routine this year. With shoulder choreography and everything.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16379146303" title="DSC_2474 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2474" height="332" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8734/16379146303_82367ea3db.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
This is them just before they bite the dust. Look at their faces, they can't wait to pretend to die.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16811518148" title="DSC_2502 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2502" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7615/16811518148_7c550de5c4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Then
came the Gliders2 class. They were performing Lollipop and at the final
class before the fete I suddenly decided to make them do the routine
with lollipop props. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16999255185" title="DSC_2516_1 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2516_1" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8684/16999255185_740be02219.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
One of the young tappers was a bit concerned that this was too much to
expect of them at the last moment, and to be fair, he had a point. It was a big ask.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16997856722" title="DSC_2528_1 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2528_1" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7654/16997856722_8d211fab1f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
But of course, these kids are so good that they absolutely coped and
remembered the new lollipop holding (and licking) choreography. Such troopers. (Should that be troupers?)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16811802140" title="DSC_2634 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2634" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7594/16811802140_405f779cc3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
After
that it was time for the Grand Finale, the ambitious routine where I
put all my senior classes together in one dance, doing different things
to each other. We had one fun rehearsal on the Friday night before the
fete so they could get used to tapping with all the three classes
together. It went incredibly smoothly! They all loved doing this song,
and were just fantastic about knowing where they had to be and what they
had to do. I was so impressed with them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17002752602" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7611/17002752602_73488f6e60_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16978198686" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8693/16978198686_3a2e3f58a0_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
I
think they were all bursting with excitement to get up there and
perform. First to take the spotlight were the youngest of the three
senior classes, The Shufflers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16973323536" title="DSC_2656 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2656" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7612/16973323536_9572c503d1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Falling
Off The Log step. We worked VERY hard on this. (I was a little bit sick
of this step by the end of term, I taught it to some grown-ups as well
so I had to fall off the log a LOT.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16811875920" title="DSC_2718 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2718" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7588/16811875920_3e1dff9d57.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
What a team.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16791929527" title="DSC_2671 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2671" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/16791929527_82286af6c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Next
up were The Tapsters. This used to be Climber's class but he no longer
wants to tap. So sad. Lucky I still have all these gorgeous girls to
work with, because this class is the most advanced and are up for all
the challenges I can throw at them. So clever. I still put Climber to
work; you can see him in the background being the stop/go person on the
ipod, so that I could have Nell on photographic duty (didn't she do an
excellent job?) and Fixit on videoing-using-the-ipad duty. He also did a
good job, except there was an ipad malfunction right when this routine
(the one I really wanted recorded) started, and he didn't get any of
it. However I was able to get footage from <a href="http://deminimismater.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Julie</a>, and Jen (who had a child in each of the three classes), thank you laydeez, and put together a video, see below.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16811929650" title="DSC_2843 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2843" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7647/16811929650_950b3e4c8c.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
I
wasn't planning to dance in this routine at all, but one of the
Tapsters was away this weekend, so I took her place. It was fun!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16973403006" title="DSC_2771 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2771" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7648/16973403006_7def77aae3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Wings!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16973395396" title="DSC_2754 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2754" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7623/16973395396_42719dfaa3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Then the groovy Groovers came forward and performed their stuff with their usual aplomb. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16815932568" title="DSC_2911 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2911" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7650/16815932568_eb944525d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
They love this move. We call it <i>The Geronimo</i>. All the other classes are jealous and want it in their dances as well.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16796277267" title="DSC_2915 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2915" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7609/16796277267_fa7143a642.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The crowd was very impressed with it too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17002262562" title="DSC_2916 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2916" height="332" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8713/17002262562_90660cde55.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
For
the final chorus, we had pat-a-cake, balancing and bridges. When we
finished we received an enormous round of applause, and lots of
cheering. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16383584243" title="DSC_2945 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2945" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7615/16383584243_caaf15619b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Great
work, kidtappers! Once more you did a fantastic job entertaining the
crowd. So proud of you all. Big thanks also to Fixit, Nell and
Climber, and of course, to all the wonderful tap families.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxEYcbC7iawl5FZjyuuDxvP49YYZNaGnXdaNnlwtBwok5hEWxvtde9r-d1VI3hXoW6krlxlHXLPvkk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" height="266" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" width="320"></object><object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" height="266" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" width="320"></object></div>
Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-4481497229841085622015-04-20T12:43:00.001+10:002015-04-22T16:07:44.377+10:00Walkerville<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17095503421" title="DSCN0101 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0101" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7663/17095503421_0c4e189842.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Fixit's work refused to give him any time off over the January school holidays, so I asked him to apply for something in the April holidays so that we could go away somewhere. I wanted the beach, but I also wanted a social holiday, like our <a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/rosebud.html" target="_blank">lovely Mothers Group stay in Rosebud</a>. Circumstances weren't right for Astrid, but Jenny was keen so we started trying to find a big house. Originally I wanted to go towards the west and the iconic scenery on The Great Ocean Road, but the prices down that way were exorbitant - we think because they double-loaded them with a school holiday plus an Easter tariff - so we looked to the east, and at a friend's suggestion decided on Walkerville, a small coastal town, once the site of a limestone quarry and kiln, located about 3 hours drive from Melbourne<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094750082" title="DSCN0012 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0012" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7659/17094750082_eee69592fb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The ruins of the historic limestone kiln, with Fixit and Nell for scale.</i></span><br />
<br />
We arrived on Good Friday and brought with us the home-made hot cross buns that Jenny and I had spent a day slaving over earlier in the holidays. Nell came with us too, because she hadn't had a beach holiday for over ten years and we had a spare bed, owing to Climber being off on a <a href="http://www.mittagundi.org.au/about/" target="_blank">10-day outdoor education program</a> in the mountains. We were also joined by Betty the Dog.<br />
<br />
On the first day the kids went off on their own to explore. It didn't take them long to find the beach, although they didn't go down without us. A bit later we all walked round to the campground kiosk at Walkerville North. We found icecreams, lollybags, a stunt kite for Nell and a stinky shark's head. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094745202" title="DSCN0013 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0013" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7703/17094745202_411cbef854.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stinky</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908455978" title="DSCN0034 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0034" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8823/16908455978_220e2897f4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Group selfie (or groupie) at Walkerville North Kiosk, closest source of milk, bread, papers and more importantly, coffee and ice-creams. Taken on our second day. </i></span><br />
<br />
This is us walking from Walkerville South to Walkerville North. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094731142" title="DSCN0029 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0029" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7675/17094731142_128f4b0c77.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Sometimes the tide came right up to the rocks so for those of us not wearing swimmers and water-friendly shoes, there was a lot of clambering over rocks to do. Actually, even the children quite often took the clambering option. Rock climbing is fun. <br />
<br />
If we weren't visiting nearby local towns or beach-combing, we would laze around in the holiday house.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094717512" title="DSCN0052 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0052" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7609/17094717512_a110685fb2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The kids and Nell played Monopoly, or Monotony as Jen referred to it, the other adults most definitely didn't. Fixit had his puzzles, the rest of us read books or added pieces to the jigsaw, or fixed meals or chatted. However one night we all had a go at a game called Riotous Applause which involved timed guessing challenges, like charades, twenty questions or continuous talking on a theme (Nell and Bella were stars at that category). And many patiences/solitaires were laid out. But there was a <i>lot</i> of Monopoly. In this picture below Cherub has <b>all</b> the $500 notes. He's pretty happy with himself. Bella had to start a Royal Mint to produce some $1000 notes to deal with this situation.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16976144128" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7608/16976144128_09cb98148a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17095808941" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7699/17095808941_eaa3031b87_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <br />
<br />
On Easter Sunday the kids were up very early to find if there'd been a magical chocolate-strewing visitor, and luckily there had, and luckily the kids in the adjoining house had not trespassed because their hunt started even earlier than ours.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908447168" title="DSCN0058 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0058" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7652/16908447168_e8b2d6af4d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Easter Egg Hunt (upstairs)</span></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908442648" title="DSCN0064 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0064" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8689/16908442648_42d5988ab3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Easter Egg hunt (downstairs). Cherub had extremely cold feet.</i></span><br />
<br />
Afterwards the kids divvied up the eggs, making sure that it was all fair and equal, and that there was a stash for the absent Climber. Are you aware when kids do fair and equal distribution that colour is one of the prime considerations? One small green egg for everyone, two medium pink eggs for everyone, etcetera. Once they're all sorted, you then open the trading floor for swaps, which goes more easily with boys in the mix as they will cheerfully relinquish pink eggs and take the green or blue. Cherub acted on Climber's behalf in colour trading. It took a while, but everyone was happy at the end. It was very civilised.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908695878" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7669/16908695878_d6fd1cc0f8.jpg" width="374" /></a> <br />
<br />
We put out birdseed out on the deck every day and were rewarded by regular visits <br />
from beautiful birds. At night a big possum came and cleaned up the <br />
leftovers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17095800681" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"> <img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7714/17095800681_61e95100ff_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16910134679" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7609/16910134679_5d5d460f1c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17070387476" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7630/17070387476_2f19ff91f2.jpg" width="240" /></a> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUjt3nZZfVB8mspkwTP0iqfyETXrHYu77vd1Q9PF40u8Z7kqTvoNLLOT_T2ETqHsaE2kOSY6TkZ5FwT1qyUltYgcSciulLW8gY600Al1KjcFD1nXXBUNCq7nTb7BjuCqyPKo-_w/s1600/IMG_8696.JPG" height="240" width="240" /><br />
<br />
We had some expeditions to nearby places of interest, such as Cape Liptrap Lighthouse, one the first two automated lighthouses in Australia.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16888811737" title="DSCN0075 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0075" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8724/16888811737_f48d0e1b85.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The kids had a lovely run around there, playing tiggy and just generally jumping for joy. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094686312" title="DSCN0087 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0087" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7652/17094686312_cb6f058874.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
We went to the market at Tarwin Lower, and bought up big on jam and soap, then celebrated with a coffee afterwards. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17070261176" title="DSCN0071 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0071" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/17070261176_3613800c1d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>The Tarwin Lower groupie. Nell stayed home, she was sleeping downstairs with the children and what with Cherub's snoring and all the early rising, she felt the need for some quiet time.</i></span><br />
<br />
We stayed up to watch the Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon. Well some of us did. It was very cool.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17096487975" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7646/17096487975_3266c62503.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>This shot is staged, because we needed to put on the lights so we could be seen in the photo, but this is actually what we were doing while the eclipse was happening.</i></span><br />
<br />
Fixit found a cave and took us there. It was very cool. Fixit and Nell and the children were keen shell collectors, despite Jenny and I nagging that some shells ought to be left on the beach for other people to look at.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17070050646" title="DSCN0110 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0110" height="320" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8699/17070050646_b961129beb_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908245168" title="DSCN0111 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0111" height="320" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8790/16908245168_e63facf4b2_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Find all the preciouses.</i></span><br />
<br />
On the Tuesday Nell went home and Climber joined us. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17096036285" title="DSCN0129 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0129" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7722/17096036285_4d9cd7a85e.jpg" width="343" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Nell and kids and Betty on her last morning.</i></span><br />
<br />
In between those two things happening was a very tense and unpleasant drive from Walkerville to Warragul (where Nell's train to Melbourne was departing), because of weird accelerator problems in Fixit's car, and bumpy perilous mountain roads taken at speed when it became apparent that we were in danger of missing the train. We actually made it to the station - Nell and I legging it with the luggage over the footbridge - with one minute to spare, but then the train was 8 minutes late. Then there was a moochy wet and cold day for Fixit, Cherub and me in Warragul and nearby Yarragon, both of which were nice enough places to visit but neither of which had a lot to offer over an extended period, and we were pretty desperate to get out of there by day's end. As Cherub put it: <i>I feel like a homeless person</i>, and it wasn't a nice feeling. Climber's train arrived at 7:30 (should have been 6:30 but his train from Albury to Melbourne was late, meaning he missed the 5pm train to Waragul). So we had to drive back over the mountains in the dark and wet, although we took a less mountainous route in consideration of Cherub's carsick-prone tummy. We heard all about Climber's excellent time away at the Mittagundi Outdoor Education Program, and then just as both boys had nodded off in the back seat, an enormous wombat decided to amble out in front of us, making Fixit brake and swerve, and me shriek and then laugh when we missed him. A wallaby also bounded out a minute later so we walked into the holiday house full of adrenaline and pleasure at being home.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17095674401" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7654/17095674401_30a5ecf277_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17096359955" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7681/17096359955_a20bba1b88_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094965412" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8763/17094965412_107f4e2c3c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094967002" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8721/17094967002_675fffd827_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>clockwise from top left: <br />La Porchetta's for dinner in Warragul, waiting-room at Warragul train station, <br />historic train at Yarragon and Climber in Walkerville at last..</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16889096357" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7669/16889096357_c45ff26d99.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>All the chilluns together, having dinner. </i></span><br />
<br />
On Climber's first day we took him to have an awesome climbing adventure over and round all the rocks, and of course to show him the cave.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908490380" title="DSCN0168 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0168" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8759/16908490380_538c98f0d5.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
He loved it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908396838" title="DSCN0107 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0107" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7598/16908396838_96809633e8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cave at Walkerville South</span></i><br />
<br />
The kids had a fantastic time exploring, and they were all brave enough to have a little dip in the rockpools. Madness. Neither of my kids even had wetsuits on. Brrrr.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17070148796" title="DSCN0184 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0184" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7674/17070148796_32de160d88.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
This time when we reached the cave we kept going, and there was much excitement when Betty-dog found a way to follow us, despite mean steep rocks and nasty sea water. Millie guided her.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16475960313" title="DSCN0163 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0163" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7682/16475960313_dbdf8a61e0.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Come on Betty!</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16473680294" title="DSCN0150 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0150" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7707/16473680294_32e7c59856.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My boys.</span></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16476044033" title="DSCN0089 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0089" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8714/16476044033_50372f6599.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Walkerville is so very pretty.</span></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908406058" title="DSCN0100 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0100" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8715/16908406058_2462bba152.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Millie and Cherub look through the rock window.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908698018" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7623/16908698018_b9c86e2c64.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Starfish. Still alive when this was taken, not so healthy the next day when we saw it again. </i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17095428391" title="DSCN0170 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0170" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8763/17095428391_23041693cf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Together at last.</span></i><br />
<br />
We also revisited Fish Creek, to pick up a signed book for Bella by local author and artist <a href="http://alisonlester.com/" target="_blank">Alison Lester</a>. Both Jen and I could have spent up big at her gorgeous shop, but sadly, we had to abide by our disposable income budgets. We had hopes of revisiting the very cool Flying Cow cafe, but it was closed, so after making the acquaintance of a hilarious goat, who either snorted loudly at us, or made this weird half yodelling, half gobbling noise, much to amusement of the children, ...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17095409441" title="DSCN0197 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0197" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8770/17095409441_62f5fd168a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
... and trying out the op-shop (where Climber bought a Harry Potter board-game for $3)...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16888688147" title="DSCN0231 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0231" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7599/16888688147_d7a203749c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>This is the Diagon Alley game being played back at the ranch.</i></span><br />
<br />
... we tried another eatery and took another groupie.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17095814691" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="374" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7617/17095814691_6024882bbe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17094540452" title="DSCN0203 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0203" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8685/17094540452_7a1f64ae33.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And did some more jumping. <br />
<br />
On our last full day we took the kids to Sandy Point beach so they could have some swimming and sandy fun. Sandy Point is well named. Barely a shell to be seen. It's just <i>very</i> sandy. Good kid-friendly beach, even if it was on the cold side. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17096059265" title="DSCN0206 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0206" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8786/17096059265_be38685bf4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
They didn't stay in long. Fixit -as usual- was the only adult to brave the water.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908288768" title="DSCN0224 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCN0224" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7587/16908288768_c445a69d20.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Then they all got very busy with an enormous fort. It was a gorgeous day and we finished it up with a lovely roast dinner.<br />
<br />
Then on Friday it was time to pack up and head home, although of course we needed to drop by the kiosk for a last ice-cream and groupie.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16476221543" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8778/16476221543_779a00b120.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Goodbye Walkerville. Thanks for having us.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16474037344" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8810/16474037344_9bdbe59e8d.jpg" width="373" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16908931160" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8771/16908931160_e527f3323b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17070416606" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="374" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/17070416606_73d16e6dbc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4ZlQ2Ub2hXx09Xw0h-ABYDAsMsJKM_mZ5OYbK4StrzUuv4d2q9PmE3YR130f3hyphenhyphenYmnqOG3lQ1NL0P_vDHI11hF4Rdc6V-2-9u4d7JJkYbqtiLWqkjb9vUXJGqIsfwW_iSAAj0A/s1600/talkervill.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4ZlQ2Ub2hXx09Xw0h-ABYDAsMsJKM_mZ5OYbK4StrzUuv4d2q9PmE3YR130f3hyphenhyphenYmnqOG3lQ1NL0P_vDHI11hF4Rdc6V-2-9u4d7JJkYbqtiLWqkjb9vUXJGqIsfwW_iSAAj0A/s1600/talkervill.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-37307530906899955802015-04-02T10:13:00.001+11:002015-04-02T10:13:13.138+11:00Craft Camp March 2015I was so desperate to get to Craft Camp over the Labour Day long weekend. Most of the other girls arrived on Friday, but with a kidtap performance happening the following weekend, it wasn't possible for me to miss the Saturday morning lesson/penultimate rehearsal. But my gear was all stowed in the car, and as soon as I'd packed up at the Tap Hall, I was on the road to Lancefield. I felt so happy when I walked in the door and saw all my lovely friends gathered round the studio table at <a href="http://sewjourn.net.au/" target="_blank">Sewjourn</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16809335478" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7631/16809335478_a13eef4664.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16810864609" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8740/16810864609_36f94b5f97.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16789690927" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8750/16789690927_fe33b51cc9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16809605460" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7625/16809605460_c1bb321e1b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16971108016" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7595/16971108016_4ef41e5613.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16376965903" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7585/16376965903_1b428b19f1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16809589580" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7644/16809589580_8ae1f14f2e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I spent most of my time sewing a dress from a <a href="http://www.clothkits.co.uk/" target="_blank">Clothkits</a> pattern, a vintage pattern for a tea-dress with princess seams. Clothkits had had a bit of a special on discontinued Liberty Fabrics, making it worth my while to brave the UK/Australian exchange rate, so I picked a design called <a href="http://www.clothkits.co.uk/clearance-liberty-print-tana-lawn-poppy-honesty-autumn-p-1907.html" target="_blank">Poppy & Honesty</a> and chose the more autumnal colour scheme, which had pops of purple, green and red.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16374688584" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8704/16374688584_e862734285.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
When the fabric arrived it was a lot browner than I expected, and I doubt I would have picked it had I seen it first. But having said that I've received so many compliments about how nice the colour looks on me that I'm trying to get over my dislike of wearing brown, which I owe to uniforms from my teenage years; specifically school from years 5-10, and the Kentucky Fried Chicken tunic from my first job. And it's not a sludgy brown, it's what, as a Melbournian, I would describe as <i>latte</i>-coloured. Which has positive connotations for me.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16809595490" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8688/16809595490_d3d9772143.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
My kids tried (and let's face it, succeeded) to put the wind up me while I was away by telling me that they'd<i> ridden a mototrbike illegally on a road </i>whilst
on their own little mini-break to the Fixit family caravan-house in
Gippsland. But I saw the photos when I got home and it was fairly
unterrifying, particularly as Cherub never went out of first gear.<i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/17004175645" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7606/17004175645_c178b068cc_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16817975099" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7655/16817975099_75b9466a97_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
During the course of the weekend we celebrated Suse's birthday. Jen and I organised a cake. In that, I said to Jen <i>could you bake a birthday cake for Suse that's gluten free so Kate can have it too?</i> and she said <i>yes</i> and came up with the goods.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16810858309" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7616/16810858309_29b1f78c90.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
Candles and everything. Birthdays are fun at Sewjourn. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16997070975" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7606/16997070975_877b4c5711.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16796852957" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7613/16796852957_857f4be165.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
My culinary offerings for the weekend consisted of chocolate mousse on Saturday night and apple and pear crumble on Sunday. With fancy poached pears. This is me whipping cream and deafening the girls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPMsGqr5V1hajBwKU8teZeN5ZDrwx2iJjFe-sOgoZw6VkvVBP8bEG90zGJN61JK9ZEfvXm9MoBsdQNlkoh7Hy6t7B-cjqIKrahi3xPu3amWlD6xRs-OCAwUmrScWGSpwcA_cicA/s1600/whipping+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPMsGqr5V1hajBwKU8teZeN5ZDrwx2iJjFe-sOgoZw6VkvVBP8bEG90zGJN61JK9ZEfvXm9MoBsdQNlkoh7Hy6t7B-cjqIKrahi3xPu3amWlD6xRs-OCAwUmrScWGSpwcA_cicA/s1600/whipping+cream.jpg" height="320" width="167" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As always we had a gorgeous time together, eating and drinking very well indeed, enjoying each other's company and creativity, and having lots of laughs. I love Crarf Camp. Can't wait til June!<br />
<br />
Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-53690135763128453642015-03-06T12:33:00.001+11:002015-08-17T22:52:05.024+10:00February from MarchSomehow February skipped by, with all of its back-to-school-and-tap madness, without making a mark on the blog. So before March marches out of control, here's what went on in the last month or so. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16098907524" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8679/16098907524_a42bf49ffc.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Climber started Year 9 and Cherub started his last year of Primary School. Talk about grown-up.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16205750838" title="Middle of High School and the Last Year of Primary School. 😿 by
Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Middle of High School and the Last Year of
Primary School. 😿" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/16205750838_f0d606c828.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
They seem to have settled into their new year at school really well, despite Cherub being separated for the first time from his lifelong best-friend. They are doing well with it though, and it's quite sweet to hear them discussing with each other what they've been doing in their different classes when his bestie comes over for a regular Thursday afternoon play. Probably can't call it a play anymore. Sniff. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16721226525" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/16721226525_69ab3dc8d6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Tap started back too, and is going really well. Good class numbers, excellent retention of current students and quite a few new faces too. The tap-kids and I are madly getting ready for another performance at the Merri Creek fete. We're all very excited!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16381408886" title="Yay, back at tap this morning with all the gorgeous children. I missed those shiny happy tappers and our super-fun classes. Excellent fun today. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Yay, back at tap this morning with all the gorgeous children. I missed those shiny happy tappers and our super-fun classes. Excellent fun today." height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/16381408886_0318e34f5b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Climber got targeted by an unknown German man via his Instagram account and received some disturbing private messages which made me feel ill when I read them. Not that there was anything highly explicit, and my feeling now that I've calmed down is that the sender was not an experienced predator and could possibly have just been a young gay guy trying his luck, but it's so hard to know who someone is just by looking at an Instagram account. However, it is absolutely clear that Climber is only 14 years old when you look at his profile, so there is still a high level of wrongness, and the guy has been blocked, and other preventative strategies put in place. What I took a lot of comfort from, once the shock died down, was that Climber just thought the guy was being stupid and inappropriate and either said repressive things like <i>that's none of your business</i> or just didn't respond. He is an awesome kid. I worry so much about the corrupting influence of peers and internet and high school, but time and again Climber's true character shows me I needn't.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16165953288" title="DSC_2158 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2158" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/16165953288_b939b1bd88.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
<br />
Fixit knocked down our cubbyhouse, seeing as how the only family members who used it were Fixit (for lawnmower storage) and Basil (for mid-afternoon catnaps). I do feel a little bit sad, but it had to be done. We've been looking around for a new place to live, but not with any luck so far. We did find something which I thought was perfect, but they didn't even ring up our referees so I obviously need to work on how we present on a rental application form. Possibly we need to lie? I don't really know how these things work.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16393513162" title="End of an era. Fixit has demolished the cubby house. I'm a little bit sad about it, but it had to be done. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="End of an era. Fixit has demolished the cubby house. I'm a little bit sad about it, but it had to be done." height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8567/16393513162_dedfa1b3a8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
We went to the zoo in the school holidays with Jen and her girls. We rode our bikes there which made it even more fun. There's a lovely bike path the whole way there.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16513928047" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/16513928047_5a1e4ab1c1.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
I took this photo against the seal window. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16720139212" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/16720139212_6d2f0ed436.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Climber has grown<i> so much</i> since the last seal window shots in 2013. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/9229696852" title="2013 1:11 PM by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 1:11 PM" height="320" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/9229696852_f3cc914d4f_n.jpg" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/9226910587" title="2013 1:11 PM by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2013 1:11 PM" height="320" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/9226910587_1750622859_n.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
<br />
We went Socceroo crazy during the Asian Cup, and were rewarded when Australia was crowned champion. The final match was an absolute killer, it looked like we were going to win and then the North Korean team equalised with 1 minute to spare, forcing the match into extra time. Cherub wept until the moment that Australia scored their second goal. It was his first ever experience of putting his heart totally into a team and then finding that they could let you down.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16533647198" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/16533647198_a2180aa9d6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Cherub has had his last ever primary school camp. He had an excellent time, but was so tired when he got home Wednesday night that he didn't fully recover until Saturday.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16533795980" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/16533795980_873d7a6550.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before camp</span></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16720148232" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16720148232_197e6f800f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>After camp </i></span><br />
<br />
He also had his final primary school swimming carnival. Previously he has elected to specialise in breaststroke, but I wanted him to enter the other events just to see how he performed after all these years of swimming lessons. He decided to go against this request, and I roused on him when I turned up at the carnival and found he was still dry; so having missed the chance to see how he'd do in freestyle and backstroke, he gave butterfly a go and got 3rd place. He also received 2nd in breaststroke and 2nd in the diving. I just wanted him to enter to see how he went, not for ribbon glory, but I suspect having seen the rest of the field in the 12-year-olds, his attitude cost him a backstroke ribbon at the very least. Anyway, the day after camp he represented his school in the breaststroke at the Zone Carnival and finished a creditable third in his heat.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16101277223" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8588/16101277223_2c35040e97.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I came home from tap on February 14th to find this lovely surprise on my pillow from Mister Fixit. I had forgotten it was St. Valentine's Day so I was even more gratified. Didn't have to hint or anything.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16719959131" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8585/16719959131_c9ccd21afc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Fixit and I attended his cousin's wedding down at a winery on the Mornington Peninsula. It was a very pleasant day, although it did seem a shame to be the designated driver at an event where the wine was likely to be very nice indeed!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16720144942" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/16720144942_147fff380d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Fixit's good shoes fell apart (the soles suddenly started disintegrating everywhere) so he had to leave the wedding between ceremony and reception to find a local shoe store. I think this is indicative of how little Fixit wears good shoes, but he should be set for a while now.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16719952051" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/16719952051_49647a3898.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I made a wearable muslin of a 1950s style tea dress with princess seams, in preparation for some dressmaking at Crarf Camp, and I'm very pleased with it. The Tiny Tappers were very impressed, and somewhat distracted, by my Winnie-the-pooh dress when I taught them this week. I sewed an invisible zip for the first time, not wholly successfully, but good enough for a practice dress.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16513941767" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/16513941767_3a781aa0c8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And although there's more to be blogged, I am off to Crarf Camp tomorrow - yay!- so I will have more to say when I return.<br />
<br />Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-64190223866706737472015-01-29T13:57:00.000+11:002015-01-29T13:57:54.708+11:00Fourteen<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15733570583" title="DSC_2145 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2145" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/15733570583_952d5ab200.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Some kids look like themselves from the very beginning, and it's easy to spot the baby photo. I'm not sure that's the case with the Climber, being as he was such a pudding for the first year (or so) of his life. I remember as a bubs that he was a very good sitter because of his solidness, that you could park him like a tripod with legs apart, and he would rarely topple onto the surrounding pillow barricade - in stark contrast to his little Mothers' Group friends Pea who couldn't sit unsupported to save herself (but who could roll from one end of the room to the other in the blink of an eye) or Squeaky who was a premature baby and spent a lot of our early Mothers' Group sessions catching up on her sleep. Anyway. He hasn't been a pudding for years and years, and now he's more like a beanstalk with his long lanky limbs. His grandmother, Ma Fixit, was a little bit worried by his leanness, and offered to stand guard between me and Climber so he could raid the dessert table at family lunch and fatten up a bit.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16331039331" title="Mothers Group turns 14 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Mothers Group turns 14" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/16331039331_04092557f4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
We had a Mothers' Group celebration at Astrid's house for our January babies, Climber, Pea and Squeaky. They are such a lovely trio. It was funny giving them their gifts, they were all very low key and just smiled in a pleased way at their treasures. But you could see they were happy. They're just not the <i>excitable</i> members of the Mothers' Group.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15710382204" title="Mothers Group turns 14 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Mothers Group turns 14" height="374" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/15710382204_a602260ddf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And then for Climber's actual birthday, he once more requested a family day, which this year involved pancakes for breakfast, the opening of the presents, a soccer clinic (only because it fell on his actual birthday, it wasn't a special treat, but it gave him the chance to try out his fancy new soccerboots), some birthday cake and then a meal out with the four of us at a restaurant, followed by artisan gelati at a posh gelateria.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16327587596" title="DSC_2155 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2155" height="332" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8590/16327587596_c9826d40a4.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
So here he is, our firstborn, our beautiful golden boy. Lighting up our life and making us happy since we welcomed him to the world. Funny, dreamy, kind, vague, sensitive, distractable, musical, athletic, clever, strong. Likes gymnastics, baking, soccer and computer stuff. Enjoys his friends' company but oddly insecure about his own popularity. And tall now. Much taller than me...<br />
<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15733598933" title="DSC_2164 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2164" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/15733598933_1c8a8927e1.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
...and eyeing off his father. I like how in these two photos he looks a bit like both of us.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16165960798" title="DSC_2177 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2177" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/16165960798_d4c5746757.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
His favourite present this year came from Nell, who splashed out on a proper Socceroo shirt for him. She even brought it over in time for him to wear while watching the Socceroos qualify for the final of the Asian Cup. He was so delighted that he said <i>No way!</i> when he opened it. As Nell said, you know you've got them a winner when they say no way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16391573632" title="Socceroo shirt present from Nell by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Socceroo shirt present from Nell" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/16391573632_ce2501584a.jpg" width="500" /></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-10497655653091182742015-01-21T23:07:00.001+11:002015-01-21T23:07:17.437+11:00Cereal KillerOn Monday morning Cherub showed me the empty 2litre plastic milk bottle and informed me that there was no milk. I said <i>yes there is, I bought some yesterday</i>. He said <i>no there isn't.</i> So I said <i>there's a blue cardboard carton in the fridge, look! here! </i>And he was able to have his morning bowl of Nutrigrain after all.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday morning, the colander was mysteriously in the kitchen sink with a few bits of Nutrigrain inside when I got home from the gym, but I didn't think anything of it until Cherub said <i>Mum that new milk tastes bad</i> and I said <i>bring it here so I can smell it. </i>So he brought over the blue cardboard carton with the 'bad' milk, and I looked at it and said <i>sweetie, this isn't milk, it's cream</i>. No wonder his Nutrigrain tasted bad. Amazingly he had eaten the whole bowl though. As for the colander, apparently, the cream had made the Nutrigrain very sticky and normal rinsing under a tap hadn't been enough to remove the cereal from the cereal bowl. He still didn't realise he wasn't dealing with milk at that point though.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16322971682/" title="Untitled by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/16322971682_f08e97730e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Oh Cherub. You're such a focussed and organised little individual, but your powers of observation are rubbish.<br />
<br />Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-36121959145750128702015-01-20T21:14:00.001+11:002015-01-20T21:22:32.931+11:00CatnipThe thing I am loving this school holiday is that the boys are now of an
age where I can comfortably leave
them alone together, while I nick out to the gym or the supermarket or
even for a coffee. Obviously Climber has been old enough to be home
alone for a while, but until recently I wasn't comfortable about leaving
him in charge of Cherub for too long. But they're both pretty mature
now, and their brotherly dynamic is so harmonious that most days I head
out while they're still in bed, knowing that they'll fix their own
breakfast and then play quietly and co-operatively on the computer til
I'm home again. Having that little bit of time on my own is fantastic: I
do love having holiday sleep-ins and fun activities and general lack of
routine, but I am pretty attached to my alone time and crave it when it
doesn't happen.<br />
<br />
<img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/15701409884_2db4fc87c0.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<br />
We had the lovely Nell over dinner last week, and I co-opted the kids
into helping make pork dumplings. Production line cooking is much more
fun with child slaves. There are no photos, Nell and I were too busy
catching up. She enjoyed the story of how I discreetly tried to signal
to Climber at the New Year's Eve party that his fly was undone, which
became fully hilariously public when he couldn't read my hand signals
and thought I was miming flicking out a teatowel.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16136277498" title="Watching the Socceroos vs South Korea, Asian Cup by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Watching the Socceroos vs South Korea, Asian Cup" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/16136277498_a2aa153def.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Watching more of the Asian Cup Football - Socceroos v South Korea)</span></i><br />
<br />
Both Fixit and I lost an aunt this year, and we were very touched to receive Christmas cards from our uncles in response to the ones we'd (I'd) sent them. Neither of our uncles have probably ever sent a card in their whole married lives, because the aunts took care of all that stuff, but both managed to send one this year despite bereavement, and in my Uncle's case, recent heart surgery <i>and</i>, as you can probably tell from the handwriting, Parkinson's Disease. I felt the same way when Fixit's Pop took up the card-sending and gift-giving after Fixit's Nan's death. Touched and impressed that they took up the mantle, but also slightly indignant at myself for being so impressed when there is no reason that card-writing is women's work. It's hard to explain properly. But the effort that my Uncle went to to send us this brings a little tear to my eye. I wonder if Fixit will send cards if I predecease him? I would be a very surprised ghost if he did.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16136296248" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/16136296248_99e0167b90.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
I thought I'd found an awesome activity for the boys, a Parkour Course, which is that weird sport of running and jumping over stuff in an urban environment. But when we got there we found the average age of the participants was 8, despite being advertised as 5-15 and being therefore suitable for teens. Worse, there was only one instructor to the 30-odd kids so all activities were conducted at the very young end of the demographic. My kids couldn't wait to leave. So disappointing, because I thought it was going to be really cool. In the right environment they would have loved flinging themselves around.<br />
<br />
More successful was our visit to the <a href="http://catcafemelbourne.com/" target="_blank">Cat Cafe</a> in the Melbourne CBD. It is basically a lovely house which is home to a bevy of rescue cats, with a (limited) cafe menu. You book an hour session and then spend that time interacting with the kitties and having a lemonade or cookie if you so wish. It was lots of fun, despite the fact that two-thirds of the feline posse were flat out sleeping for the entire session (2-3pm, it was only to be expected.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15668166974" title="Cat Cafe Melbourne by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Cat Cafe Melbourne" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7477/15668166974_6a40c9e0c6.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
In the picture below you can see three cats staring intently at the window. Despite all appearances, they are not plotting their escape. The humans who run the Cat Cafe have attached a bird feeder to the window, and the cats come into that room to watch. Well unless they've come there to sleep, like Lynx-of-the-impressive-fat-belly. The cats can't get out so the sparrows are perfectly safe, and the felines have plenty of toys and company and things to climb so they're not unduly tortured by not being able to kill the birdies. So they just sit there watching. It's like Cat Televison, the best programme ever.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15701411614" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/15701411614_859bcec1b1_z.jpg" width="478" /></a><br />
<br />
See the birdies?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16288810471" title="Cat TV (bird feeder stuck to the window) Cat Cafe Melboune by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Cat TV (bird feeder stuck to the window) Cat Cafe Melboune" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/16288810471_42c024cb9b.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
The visit improved when a couple of the cats woke up, although there was a bit of human competition to be the one to play with the awake-cat.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16104446259" title="Cat Cafe Melbourne by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Cat Cafe Melbourne" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/16104446259_b3b2d597b8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The boys hit the jackpot right at the end with Lottie, who played catch-the-hand-in-the-pouch for a good 15 minutes with them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16290692975" title="Cat Cafe Melbourne by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Cat Cafe Melbourne" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/16290692975_578ea702b4.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Recommended for cat lovers. They have a very good gift shop too. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16297896116" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8574/16297896116_c19a863911.jpg" width="500" /></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-28258800263536124652015-01-18T10:37:00.002+11:002016-01-11T14:21:23.741+11:00The Grown-Ups' Christmas Concert 2014<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16303412672" title="tapconcert2014 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="tapconcert2014" height="328" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8628/16303412672_27ddd3ff10.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I felt a bit sorry for my Grown-Up students at the end of last year, in the lead-up to their Not Really A Concert. They were <i>all</i> convinced they were terrible and would mess up. Every single one of them. You would think that this meant they had a mean teacher who stood out the front frowning and yelling, but I assure you this is not the case! I encouraged them, promised to do their dances with them on the night where necessary, praised them, and gave them plenty of revision, notes and videos to help get them ready. Yet still they fretted. This is normal, they're like that every year. They're not used to being showponies, and they <i>always</i> freak out beforehand and then they <i>always</i> have a good time during and afterwards.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16303582655" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16303582655_811e464c3e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The reason I was sorry for them was guilt, a conviction that the stress I was feeling trying to get 8 adult and 15 kid tap routines into 2 shows involving 60 odd performers within 4 days of each other was causing me to be less calm and zen in the face of their pre-show nerves. Immediately the kids' performance was over I was aware that a massive burden had been lifted from my shoulders and I was able to front up to all my adults' classes in their final week in a relaxed state of mind and try to put their fears into context.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16302713392" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/16302713392_a40e6ba397.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<i>What is the worst thing that will happen if you make a mistake?</i> I said to them. <i>Nobody will die. Most of your audience won't even realise. Nobody will demand their money back, because we're not charging people money to watch this! So just enjoy yourselves. You know these dances. You know it'll be fun on the night. And afterwards you can have a laugh and a drink. You will be fine, I know it.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16117732777" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/16117732777_fd018d6e27.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And they were. They were all great. Yes, mistakes were made (including several from me) but the audience enthusiastically appreciated every single routine. And that's the pay-off, that's why my students put themselves through it every year. They're not professional dancers, they are just people who wanted to learn a new skill. They've learned something hard, something out of their personal comfort zones, they stood up in the face of their nerves and gave it a shot, and the reward? Applause, cheers, whistles, whoops and smiles. Well-earned and very, very gratifying.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16303577275" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7538/16303577275_dac65b0ffc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
At the end of the night all the students, including some of the tap family kids, got up to join in the group Shim-Sham.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16117730577" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/16117730577_9fab735909.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16278349766" title="tapconcert14 shimsham by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="tapconcert14 shimsham" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/16278349766_236bb01b2e_z.jpg" width="482" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Then we took a bow, cracked the champagne and toasted a great night, and a great year, of tap. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15681169264" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/15681169264_2c0a25b747.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flowers after the show</span></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16277656326" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/16277656326_afd825728f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Students and party food. </i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16118132809" title="tapconcert14advclass by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="tapconcert14advclass" height="338" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/16118132809_fd04361737.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Advanced Class posing ala Mambo #5 (Five fingers held up, get it?)</span></i><br />
<br />
<img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/16117440929_0916b4c3f8.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Last ones left at the end of the night.</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16116206610" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8607/16116206610_ae3e40cc21.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I have such lovely students, and I love my job.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/_6ubI2ADrws">Link to video...</a>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_6ubI2ADrws?rel=0" width="500"></iframe>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
<i>(Some music has been changed, owing to YouTube rights restrictions)</i></span>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-8766939235152731962015-01-13T19:01:00.000+11:002016-09-18T14:48:34.886+10:00Baking, vouchers, beach and bikeridesWe are having a very quiet holiday this January, due paartly to Fixit's mean employer not granting him any time off this month, and partly to financial restrictions. I don't really like going away without Fixit anyway (except to Craft Camp/ Spa weekends with Jen and Astrid, obvs. that's <i>totally</i> different) but also, my car's steering is definitely dodgy, which means I don't want to drive anywhere too far away. Specially on my own. We're at that point of working out whether we throw a lot of money at the old Corolla, or investigate a new car, which will mean even more money, a bank loan, research and just general botheration. I will miss my car if we do this, I am very fond of it. But on the other hand, I keep thinking how nice cupholders and keyless entry would be. (Except when you leave your clicker in your shorts' pocket and it accidentally goes through the washing machine. Then you can't drive, until the rice dries it out. Ask Fixit if you don't believe me.) Plus I have so much work I need to get done for my tap business, to do with the website mostly. So even though my sister very kindly offered us the use of her house (she lives near the beach now) while she is away, we are opting instead to mooch around our house.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15628257994" title="Came out the front to find out who was beeping the horn. Cheeky kids telling us they're ready to leave. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Came out the front to find out who was beeping the horn. Cheeky kids telling us they're ready to leave." height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8579/15628257994_90651f4cb4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Mooching boys in my faithful car. Climber can't actually drive but he certainly looks the part.</i></span><br />
<br />
The boys had a few Christmas vouchers so one day we went into the city to see what we could spend. The expedition to Dymocks Bookstore to spend my Mum's gift vouchers was a success; both boys bought some Doctor Who paraphernalia, Fixit bought a fixitty How to Make Anything book, Cherub bought the latest David Walliams book (Awful Auntie), I bought More Fool Me by Stephen Fry and The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and Climber bought a really good baking book (Baking Recipes and Secrets from Our Test Kitchen by The Women's Weekly) and we have so far made coconut macaroons, a spongecake and today we're trying the gingerbread cake.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16081988920" title="Sponge Cake by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Sponge Cake" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/16081988920_c51e793bd8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sponge cake, so good</i></span><br />
<br />
Even the cat is benefitting from the baking book. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16269362905" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/16269362905_fd0d547094.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Whipped cream, mmm. </span></i><br />
<br />
We then went to to see what they could do with their Myer vouchers. Sadly, Cherub's are still burning a hole in his pocket owing to the traditional January Lego-Drought in All Major Stores (We've also tried Target and Kmart to no avail. January is a terrible time of year to buy Lego. It used to make buying for Climber's birthday a real pain). Climber chose to spend some of his vouchers on nice clothes, so I took him to the boys wear section (last year of getting him into boys wear I think, he is now taller than me even if I put on high heels) while Fixit took Cherub to the deeply disappointing Lego sections. They saw this while we were there, a Lego replica of the MCG. Pretty impressive.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16053746190" title="Lego MCG at Myer Melbourne. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Lego MCG at Myer Melbourne." height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/16053746190_eccb5141e4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Cherub spent a few nights away from us in Queenscliff with his best friend. He had a lovely time and came back tanned and fit from all the beach cricket. Climber was very quiet while he was away, not unhappy but fairly introspective. It was lovely seeing how much he came out of his shell when his brother returned. They do get on so well. Lots of laughing, lots of trying to make each other, and us, laugh. It makes me so happy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16053605678" title="Happy to have the small son home again. We missed him, and his crazy ways. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Happy to have the small son home again. We missed him, and his crazy ways." height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7524/16053605678_2924443520.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
As always in January, Melbourne throws in a few +40 degree days to punish us. We were able to escape one of them by driving to Barwon Heads to see my Aunt and Uncle. Cherub was very impressed with the recliner chairs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16241145345" title="Loving the recliner chairs at my aunt's house. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Loving the recliner chairs at my aunt's house." height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/16241145345_6e54b15333.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
We drove over the bridge to the awesome beach at Ocean Grove, where the waves are perfect for boogie-boarding. Bliss.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15621287883" title="Ocean Grove beach this afternoon before the cool change. Boogie-boarding heaven. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Ocean Grove beach this afternoon before the cool change. Boogie-boarding heaven." height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/15621287883_291984d8b7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The cool change arrived as were leaving so we travelled with it back to Melbourne.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16053742040" title="We are bringing the cool change back to Melbourne with us. by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="We are bringing the cool change back to Melbourne with us." height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8585/16053742040_22b3dff9a9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Small expeditions aside, the days are mostly spent round the house, with me periodically encouraging the children away from the computer for some exercise. Or as Climber puts it <i>forcing us to go on bikerides</i>. Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-29808858598205431802015-01-01T17:07:00.000+11:002015-01-01T20:57:50.631+11:00Hello 2015We saw in the New Year with our Mothers Group friends, as we have done for the last couple of years. Left to myself I would have no desire to go out and party on New Years Eve (too crowded, too many drunk people) but I am more than happy to attend this gathering: it is easy and close-by, it is in the company of people I really like to spend time with, and it is always enjoyable.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15972404030" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/15972404030_6200ebd492.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
As this is the third year running that we've celebrated this way, some traditions have now been established, and the nicest part is how much the kids like and demand the order of ceremony. They love a ritual, do kids.<br />
<br />
The first of the evening's ritual is fairly predictable - the kids jump straight in the pool and play raucously while the adults head for the table and the delicious food and drink. If it's warm enough the adults might swim too, when the noisy, splashing kids get out to refuel. It wasn't warm enough this year, so only Fixit braved it. As always, he chucked kids around and they hung off him and demanded <i>me next</i>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16157823821" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16157823821_1c584b3680.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Later, we walk up the road to watch the 9:30pm fireworks from a local vantage point with city views. I found out this year that Sydney gets dark before we do in Melbourne. Sydney's early fireworks were at 9pm, so we were able to watch them on telly before walking up to see ours from the hill. I really did not know that, thinking darkness would fall at the same time for all places in the same time zone. It's something scientific, to do with the earth's curve probably. So I learned something in the last hours of 2014, go me. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15539971083" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/15539971083_fcf4b98525.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
We usually see someone we know up on the hill. This year we saw some of my little tap students and some staff from our local cafe. And we met up with Cherub's best friend and he and his Mum ended up coming back to Astrid's house with us. He couldn't believe his luck.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15973651219" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/15973651219_58f330220f.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
There was fun with glowsticks this year. I assume this will be a new bit to add to the ceremony next year. Glowcuffs. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15972289868" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7574/15972289868_9fd3b864d2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
On our walk back to Astrid's, we stop at a specific corner and light our sparklers. This is Sparkler Corner now, by appointment. Someone generally yells out <i>Expelliarmus</i> at this point in the proceedings.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16160837875" title="Untitled by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/16160837875_c9f7feeb04.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15973399808" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7545/15973399808_6aac769157_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15541086863" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15541086863_48c2f0e7ce_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16160838335" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/16160838335_3b1d51d24d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16160106802" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/16160106802_60468f0868_m.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15538527024" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/15538527024_d944eaf6e8_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
Then it's back to Astrid's for dessert and some night-time swimming larks.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16160059001" title="Marco Polo in the dark by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Marco Polo in the dark" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/16160059001_7914354400.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And then another walk back up the hill at midnight for the good fireworks, where coloured sparks fly up from across the top of the CBD. It's beautiful. Trams ding as they trundle past us standing in the centre of the road. Then it's kisses and wishes for a happy new year, and time to walk back down the road, stopping only for another round of sparklers at Sparkler Corner. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15972284278" title=" by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt=" " height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/15972284278_fae548099c.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
After all this our family gathered up some stuff and said goodbye. We headed for
home, walking through the dark to catch our tram. Cherub was tired by
then and not impressed by all the walking, but we told him it was an
adventure, staying up till half-past-one. This morning we all slept late and then I made pancakes. I'm still in my pyjamas as I wish everyone a very happy 2015. Hope it brings peace, love, health and happiness to us all.Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-86030671944668617812014-12-31T14:46:00.000+11:002014-12-31T14:51:40.048+11:00The rest of 2014So since my last catch-up, I have the following things to report.<br />
<br />
Fixit has been made permanent at the Rehab Equipment Hire place. He initially applied for a warehouse packer/delivery driver position but his skills and talents were recognised and he was eventually hired as the Warehouse Manager. He works long, physically demanding hours in a hot dusty shed, but seems reasonably content. This is a shot of him celebrating his birthday this year, we had a deluxe dinner of sushi, garlic prawns and Peking duck pancakes, and he was very impressed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15947166329" title="IMG_6409 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6409" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/15947166329_01045d337c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16131339001" title="IMG_6392 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6392" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/16131339001_1720d93792.jpg" width="240" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Cherub graduated to a full-size bike. It is my old mountain-bike with a more masculine set of handlebars.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15513524323" title="IMG_6426 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6426" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/15513524323_480a2694c3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Cherub's school had another fete. I made more bunnies for the craft stall, and some cupcakes for the cake stall which suffered somewhat by being transported to the fete in the basket of my bicycle. I worked pretty much the whole day on the Champagne/Strawberries and Cream stall so didn't really get to wander round much. It was a good day though.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16107467316" title="IMG_6670 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6670" height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8639/16107467316_7128d5fa0b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16131356501" title="IMG_6703 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6703" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/16131356501_7787697332_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <br />
<br />
My sister was diagnosed with tongue cancer. She has had the lump removed and had 6 weeks of radiation to make sure. It's been hard for her, but she's been brave and positive throughout. Her recovery starts now.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15510928944" title="IMG_6814 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6814" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15510928944_a23fdcf361.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
During the school holidays my Dad and I rented a house on Phillip Island for a week and took my kids and Bron's kids with us, and while we were there we celebrated Cherub's 11th birthday. We did a bit of rock and tree climbing too, and some maze-running.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16107389196" title="IMG_6169 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6169" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/16107389196_10650e4baa_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16131285571" title="IMG_6353 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6353" height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8578/16131285571_ed8bdcb01a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16133189985" title="IMG_6042 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6042" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/16133189985_987ba273c5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16107414766" title="IMG_6234 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6234" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/16107414766_dd372bd39f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15947116589" title="IMG_6087 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6087" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7513/15947116589_eea900f455_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15513471153" title="IMG_6086 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6086" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/15513471153_05c7c1d13b.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
We also visited an a native animal park, where we patted kangaroos and tried to avoid the stroppy emus.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15947454877" title="IMG_6346 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6346" height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8612/15947454877_86510465d7_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15510869014" title="IMG_6348 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6348" height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/15510869014_8877777821_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15510875684" title="IMG_6345 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6345" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/15510875684_d7cc015f9d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16107419696" title="IMG_6344 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6344" height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/16107419696_f8d2c510b1_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
We helped Bron move into a better house, and I cooked lots of soup for her. Not that she was able to eat much of it before her mouth got too sore, but you do what you can.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15513529183" title="IMG_6472 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6472" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/15513529183_cb2c0218c2.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
We went to the Royal Melbourne Show with friends, and the kids had a great time as usual. Patting baby animals, trying out rides, inspecting yarn-bombed items and getting a showbag. Fun.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15163238268" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="240" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/15163238268_e2f88940fd_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15349512842" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="240" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/15349512842_33dd2b6299_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15170989977" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="240" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15354704805_9085e4766d_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="image" height="240" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/15170989977_afaa0e3aa1_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15169655700" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="240" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2949/15169655700_835d4b8a92_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15333330596" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="240" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/15333330596_cf937c2d13_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
The boys finished off their soccer seasons, and Cherub was awarded Best and Fairest Player in his U11 team.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15303889846" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="240" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/15303889846_b7073474d5.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrhhJ5hC6EePdBNItXHXU9vH1JiXk6h_1FlT0l7U-fUwvz56BiaecyBvWQzOdpLhA7B_DRaTCq6Y1N7dWHinzMoCX7k4C6fMoUmp4_3wzsY8mUDcdu9hQ4Cdn9lvHE1OzBnsaOw/s1600/2014-09-14+10.00.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrhhJ5hC6EePdBNItXHXU9vH1JiXk6h_1FlT0l7U-fUwvz56BiaecyBvWQzOdpLhA7B_DRaTCq6Y1N7dWHinzMoCX7k4C6fMoUmp4_3wzsY8mUDcdu9hQ4Cdn9lvHE1OzBnsaOw/s1600/2014-09-14+10.00.04.jpg" height="240" width="240" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We took Cherub to see The Dream by Bell Shakespeare (Climber was off camping with a friend and a whole host of mosquitoes at French Island) The production was an adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream using only 6 cast members. It was clever and fun, although not as fantastic as some previous Bell Shakespeare plays I've seen. But you know, gave my kid some culture.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15140157899" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/15140157899_e01eaf5788.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And we took both boys to their first comedy gig. We started them with a master, the brilliant Bill Bailey, and the kids loved it. It was really fun taking them to see this, sharing with them something we love and seeing them love it too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15323805111" title="Cheers by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Cheers" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/15323805111_6d7a177555.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Both kids received excellent reports, and Climber received an A for his flute exam. He also performed a short flute solo as part of Junior Stage Band. It was beautiful.<br />
<br />
I missed out on September Craft Camp, but got to sneak off for a night to enjoy a girly-getaway to a deluxe spa resort with Jen and Astrid.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15945828508" title="IMG_6846 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6846" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/15945828508_57d2094203.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
Climber went away on Year 8 camp. He had a very good time, possibly too good a time... (don't ask)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16132523112" title="IMG_6873 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6873" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/16132523112_16ccdfaaed.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Fixit wasn't granted any holidays over the Christmas January period (grr) but was given a week in early December. It was nice to spend time with him again, and he certainly needed the rest and recharge..<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16131367711" title="IMG_6867 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6867" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/16131367711_27c5167b5d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
And summer is on its way, which means we see much less of Basil. So I grabbed a picture while I could, with the portable air conditioner
which will soon be working hard as the hot months arrive. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15945829408" title="IMG_6854 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6854" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/15945829408_4f172f0615.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
So that is us pretty much up-to-date, although I need to report back on
my end-of-year concerts too. Still waiting on a bit of footage and some
time to piece it all together.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'm quite glad to see the back of 2014, what with the various familial health scares and the job stuff with Fixit. I hope that next year brings health and stability and fun, and wish anyone that still reads here love and happiness for the new year.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16132498282" title="IMG_6461 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6461" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/16132498282_1b2a4ca751.jpg" width="500" /></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-50874458817964348542014-12-31T13:16:00.000+11:002014-12-31T13:16:32.682+11:00High School Musical, Primary School MusicalUnlike our primary school, a school production at high school is a voluntary, additional activity, and in Year 7, Climber, despite having always enjoyed performing at primary school, did not volunteer. He also had no plans to participate in Year 8, despite the fact that they were calling for tap dancers and the kid has been tapping since he was 4. When I found out about this I encouraged and cajoled (and eventually begged) him to try out, like a good stage mother. It seemed positively sinful from my point of view not to use his skills, and to miss out on a fun-filled opportunity because of either fear of failure or fear of judgement by his peers. But nothing I said swayed him, and I eventually emailed his Home Group teacher (also the Production Director) to say he could tap and I wasn't sure why he was so reluctant to try out and could she have a word please. The upshot of which was that he did audition and did get the gig, alongside our mothers group friend and fellow tap student Pip. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15111378011" title="2014-07-26 22.23.34 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-07-26 22.23.34" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/15111378011_3f46e8d5cb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The show was an off-broadway musical called Urinetown, and the school
put on a great production in July. All the kids did a fantastic job. There is
something very beautiful and heart-warming about watching a bunch of
committed kids giving their all on stage. I was extremely proud of
Climber and Pip. I am pretty sure that Climber enjoyed himself,
although I think early in the rehearsal process when the dancers were
separate to the main cast he felt isolated and resentful. But once it
became a performance, he seemed to really enjoy it, and had a great time
hanging out backstage with some friends. I suspect any future high school performances will be based on whether his peer group takes part (it will have to come from the girls, none of his male friends show any signs of wanting to perform), but I'm very glad he gave it a shot this year, and that he persevered and discovered it was worth it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14927719770" title="2014-07-30 show by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-07-30 show" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/14927719770_f46ba9abee.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
As for the younger son, his Grade 5/6 production went on in September, and it was fun all the way for my all-singing, all-dancing Cherub. He auditioned for an acting role and got nothing (unbelievable!) but was not cast down. He just had a ball singing and dancing as part of his class' routine to <i>Happy</i> ...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15091004230" title="DSC_2072 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2072" height="333" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/15091004230_a58bcf2164.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
... and as part of the boys hip-hop crew to <i>Classic</i>. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15091045778" title="DSC_2047 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2047" height="332" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/15091045778_31948898ec.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<img alt="DSC_2028" height="332" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/15277205072_5f2a3c01b4.jpg" width="500" /> <br />
<br />
He was one of the strongest dancers in both numbers, and looked so cool, and so comfortable. As always the production was heaps of fun, and again, all the kids were so committed and were having such a great time on stage that it was completely happy-making. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15090957998" title="DSC_2005 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2005" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/15090957998_688f171acd.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
<br />
Little dude. I love how much he loves dancing.Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-30628986221231272132014-12-30T23:32:00.002+11:002014-12-31T12:05:36.914+11:00And so that was Christmas.<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15947202199" title="IMG_7170 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7170" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/15947202199_cf9f7ce098.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Hello! I'm sneaking in a last-minute post to record our December festivities, and now that I'm on holidays may even sneak in a few more to belatedly fill in some gaps from this year! But first, before I forget: Christmas.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15947195079" title="IMG_6945 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6945" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/15947195079_73e96b67b8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Christmas just seems to get more crazy every year, in terms of my workload. Some days I romance the idea of a mid-year tap concert for my school, but my students and I probably need the December concert to be a big full-stop (really an exclamation mark!) for the whole year of tap. So I spend November and December in a panic: producing, directing, choreographing and administrating two concerts; all the while trying to keep <i>some</i> headspace free for the myriad of other things that need to be done at the end of the year. What it means is that by the time I'm ready to get Christmas prep started I'm exhausted and having to push through in a slightly hysterical manner.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16131371721" title="IMG_6966 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6966" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/16131371721_879bb1e02d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Anyway. We got the tree done very early in December, and everything else (shopping, cooking, wrapping, card-writing) very, very late, but it did all come together on the day. I woke on Christmas morning with my heart racing, thinking <i>something important happens today, what is it?</i> and then I thought <i>oh yeah, Christmas</i> and stopped thinking work-work-work and instead tried to relax and enjoy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16107500626" title="IMG_7201 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7201" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/16107500626_52c06d447b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The kids came in to our bedroom at a very respectable 7:30am and opened their stockings with us. I do like this time, watching them dig in and find a little something and then show it to us all, then wait patiently for their brother to do the same. It's quite lovely.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16107502106" title="IMG_7222 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7222" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/16107502106_0cb13d7ff9.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Poor Cherub had to wait before we opened the under-the-tree presents. Like Inigo Montoya, he hates waiting. But everyone needed to be dressed and breakfasted and ready to leave before the wrapping paper could be ripped away.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15513673343" title="DSC_2116 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2116" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/15513673343_7d012c74bb_n.jpg" width="213" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16132647902" title="DSC_2120 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2120" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/16132647902_b2784e681a_n.jpg" width="213" /></a>
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16132648852" title="DSC_2123 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2123" height="320" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8597/16132648852_ee94d78763_n.jpg" width="213" /> </a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15945969428" title="DSC_2128 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2128" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/15945969428_99468749c4_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
I think everyone liked what they received but I am conscious that Christmas carries the weight of expectation, a feeling that maybe under the tree is something so lavish and wonderful that you'll explode with happiness. And then there's just the dvd you requested and a smallish lego set. On our income with all these people to buy for there is never going to be a big ticket item for anyone, even when I do let the guilt get to me and spend more than I think I ought to on them. And I think our kids know this and accept it in theory, but they also carry this memory of being 4-years-old, and receiving a really big box full of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff that blew their mind with excitement. Christmas does kind of go downhill after that. But hopefully after you realise that the fireworks present isn't happening this year, you take stock of the nice stuff you did receive and feel happy and grateful. Hopefully.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15946132030" title="DSC_2132 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2132" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/15946132030_0185ffc8a1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16132666222" title="DSC_2130 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2130" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/16132666222_b3360923d2_n.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15947323549" title="DSC_2127 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2127" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/15947323549_4c8026a31b_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
In the lead-up to Christmas we had a couple of family gatherings, a big get-together with my Mum's extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins galore!) which is always fun, although as it was scheduled on the same day as my Tapkids Concert, I was pretty wiped out during and didn't manage any photographs. My boys are always pretty popular with the younger kids at these parties and generally walk away with a devoted fan each year. This year it was 5-year-old Alec who insisted that Climber <u>needed</u> to come to his house for a sleep-over. Anyway. Here's a photo of my Mum staying with us afterwards. It was good that she was able to be here, especially to spend time with my sister who is recovering from horrid-but-successful treatment for tongue cancer.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15510938714" title="IMG_7050 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7050" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/15510938714_33a1161f5a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Then there was our Mothers Group Christmas celebration, our 14th! This year we tried the kids out with a 'crap-cringle' which is where instead of buying presents targeted at a specific person you lucky-dip for a gift and if you don't like it you can exchange it for a present that has already been opened. This system favours persons whose name comes out of the hat last, and ruthlessness is meant to be the name of the game, something I'm sorry to say my children displayed shamelessly. This meant we came home with the giant Toblerone and the giant box of Malteasers. Also the gingerbread house kit, which I think meant we got ALL the sweet stuff. Good work, Fixit males.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15947205619" title="IMG_7172 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7172" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/15947205619_74d7cf8d3b.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Despite this, my kids have decided that they prefer being bought for over the riskiness and crazy fun of crap-cringles. They have always been fairly cautious individuals.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/16107488316" title="IMG_7151 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7151" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/16107488316_313c84fe34.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
On Christmas Day we spent lunch time with the Fixit family, and I really only took one acceptable photo (Pa Fixit handing out presents) and then the afternoon onwards at my aunt and uncle's house with my sister and brother and father and half-brothers and cousins. Didn't take a single shot there, but we had a lovely time and ate some very fine food indeed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15513718763" title="DSC_2139 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2139" height="332" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7480/15513718763_25c297bc1b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
On Boxing Day we headed to Barwon Heads to see some more of my family, and enjoyed more good food and company. Climber and Cherub were very taken with baby Beatrix.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15510956544" title="IMG_7249 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7249" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/15510956544_5fc0654879.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15523987244" title="2014-12-26 21.10.35 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-12-26 21.10.35" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/15523987244_38601d1996.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And then it was back home to play with the lego and the computer game and to read the new book and eat some of that chocolate, and to rest and stop rushing. It's all good. All that rush and work and effort means there's a busy vibrant Christmas going on round our way, and really that's something to be very happy about. Family, friends, food and fun. Christmas as it should be. Hope yours was too.Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-52002816805874010002014-11-13T13:37:00.000+11:002014-11-13T20:34:25.700+11:00The Fixit ShouldersClimber is going to a party this weekend, a 14th birthday celebration for one of the girls in his class. This is the same crew he went trick-or-treating with on Halloween, without adult supervision, to a vaguely specified location a few streets away, which was fine except he said he'd walk home and when it got to dark-time, he hadn't come home and wasn't answering his phone, and I got a bit anxious about him walking alone in the dark. Well, it turned out he'd lost his phone during the trick-or-treating because he'd gone dressed up as a ninja, and as such had done a lot of ninja dives and somersaults during their travels (quite understandable), and the phone had come out of his pocket. That whole tale is very typical of Climber. The phone was found and returned to us next day, so no harm done.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15592275190" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/15592275190_4d0668489c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
This is his crew, and for the sake of fairness, here is a picture of Cherub and his friends in their Halloween garb. Cherub went as a pirate, arrrr.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15591664338" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/15591664338_7a7edc1274.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I got to stay home at Halloween and hand out lollies to the local kids in the area. I think Halloween is settling into being a thing here. The 'trick' part of 'trick-or-treat' seems to have disappeared, which is good, and the kids know to only knock at the houses where Halloween decorations are displayed, ie willing participants. (I prefer that, small children dressing up and asking nicely for sweets is one thing, but threatening harm to your property if you don't cough up is quite another!) So as it stands, the Melbourne version of Halloween is quite a fun evening, with community spirit and friendliness and adorable dress-ups. My kids certainly enjoy it, and are still working their way through the substantial haul of sugar they received. Our dentist will be able to holiday somewhere nice. <br />
<br />
Anyway, back to the party. Climber asked if I could take him shopping to buy a new shirt to wear, so we did that yesterday. It was actually really nice walking round shopping with him, although I could sense he was hoping he wouldn't run into anyone he knew, sigh. We eventually found a shirt we liked in a department store, a boys' size 16.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15591509958" title="DSC_2100_1 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2100_1" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15591509958_754333a3a2.jpg" width="333" /></a> <br />
<br />
We'd tried a few men's size-extra-smalls on, which were a good fit across his swimmer's shoulders, but were too long for him. I was telling Fixit about this later and he shook his head and said <i>the Curse of the Fixit Shoulders</i>. This made me laugh. Shoulders like theirs will never be a curse. Climber just has to grow into his.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15753234626" title="DSC_2103_2 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2103_2" height="333" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15753234626_1581783573.jpg" width="500" /></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-63430569321055033772014-09-03T16:30:00.003+10:002014-09-03T20:28:19.527+10:00Puh-hickle Cha-hicken<i>Puh-hickle Cha-hicken</i> is the current phrase that my boys use to make themselves laugh. It's in high rotation. Previous phrases in this series are: <i>wheeeskers</i> and: <i>it's pronounced </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[insert opening of mouth and closing of eyes while touching index fingertip to thumb-tip]</span><i> "neggie".</i> Yep. I don't really know either, but I do know I like how well they get on together. On the weekend when we drove out to visit the Fixit clan, the boys spent the journey making sentences or sums by taking turns to opera-sing a word. Climber: <i>eight</i> Cherub: <i>pluuuuus</i> Climber: <i>seveeeen</i> Cherub: <i>equaaaaaaals</i> Climber <i>fifteeeeeen.</i> The remainder of the journey was spent sticking their heads out of the window like dogs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14938578410" title="Head out the window by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Head out the window" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14938578410_824bc7d49e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14938689897" title="Car window hair by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Car window hair" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/14938689897_f78eb4993d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
They laughed and laughed. I hope they get on this well as adults too, the loonies.<br />
<br />
Basil is well. He's been helping me sew. Not that I've been sewing very much, even when he doesn't sit all over my project.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15124851282" title="image by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/15124851282_1a3a78908d.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
Fixit seems pretty settled in at the job and it looks like they are treating him like the second-in-charge. I don't have a picture of this so here is one of Basil helping Fixit sort out his work toolbag instead.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15125357745" title="Basil helping sort out the toolbag by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Basil helping sort out the toolbag" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/15125357745_1801e9df5f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
They have not as yet made a firm offer for his long-term prospects (which I am cranky about) so he is still on a casual rate of pay and not eligible for sick leave or holiday pay. He is not keen on rocking the boat, probably because 9 months of unemployment dented his confidence. Allegedly they will sort this out in a couple of weeks. (Why? Why can't they do it now, since they know they want him?) I don't have a picture of this, but I do have a picture of a new frock I bought as retail therapy for the stress I've been feeling about it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14930539990" title="New frock by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="New frock" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/14930539990_6ea3359a8b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I also bought a computer, but not as retail therapy, I bought it because we desperately needed one with an up-to-date operating system that could read modern websites. I'd been meaning to do this just prior to Fixit being made redundant, so we've been making do for more than a long time. It is such a relief to have something that works although I'm still ironing out a few bugs with software/organisation. I have the makings of a new professional website that I'm really keen to get up and running, once the ironing out is done.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14927818028" title="2014-07-22 preshus by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-07-22 preshus" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14927818028_f7036d69bd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
My poor Mother-in-Law in back in hospital AGAIN. She has had the worst year for health. On top of diabetes and chronic arthritis and an ulcerated foot which has meant months in a moon-boot, she spent the second half of last year in rehab hospital following a nasty fall in which she broke her leg and arm on one side. Last month she had a heart attack (luckily she was already in hospital to check out what felt like an angina episode so they were able to perform CPR and bring her back to life) so that was another week in hospital. And then yesterday she went to unlatch the door to let out the dog and fell and broke her hip. Back in hospital again! I don't have a picture of this so here is one of Basil helping me sort out the clean laundry instead. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14938651259" title="Basil helping with the washing by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Basil helping with the washing" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/14938651259_0be88cfbc7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
It was Bookweek at Cherub's school and he chose to dress for the parade as The Joker, from Batman.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15116725392" title="Bookweek Parade 2014 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Bookweek Parade 2014" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/15116725392_2cce0aa1b2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
For form's sake I was heard to mutter that Batman <i>isn't really a book,</i> but both boys assured me that comics count as books for the purposes of Bookweek. Cherub was very focused about this dress-up and made sure that I had plenty of notice and a clear idea of all the items required for his transformation. Both of us were very pleased with the result.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14930561718" title="The Joker for Bookweek 2014 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="The Joker for Bookweek 2014" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/14930561718_f5b6650646.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15117083605" title="Joker transformation by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Joker transformation" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/15117083605_089b45865b.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
Cherub also had his first turn at playing Goalie for his soccer team, something he has only been interested in this year, despite or perhaps because of his brother's prowess in that position.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15091083966" title="2014-08-24 10.36.58 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-08-24 10.36.58" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/15091083966_2c70ce5f6d.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<br />
Fixit and I and Cherub's coach all thought he did a really good job. Being a goalie is a tough gig.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/15111146471" title="2014-08-24 10.42.59 by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-08-24 10.42.59" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3858/15111146471_8a58e89a04.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
This week Climber has two school band competitions in Ballarat, as well as his first ever flute exam (Grade 2). Go Climber! He has been given a flute solo in the Junior Stage Band's rendition of <i>Somewhere Over the Rainbow</i> which is very lovely. I don't have a picture of him doing any of this, so here is a picture of him with fluffed up hair from sticking his head out the car window instead.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14938584960" title="Fluffed up by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Fluffed up" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/14938584960_542861ce94.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
There are little pops of spring in our much-neglected garden.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14930551147" title="Surprise daffodils by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Surprise daffodils" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/14930551147_72d0c9467c.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<br />
Fixit was hired out as a Neighbourhood Fixit this month. It felt like we never saw him when that project (hanging some doors and shelves for some friends-of-friends) was on, what with the 12 hour days he already puts in at work and him also being manager of Climber's soccer team. So he has only this week started to put our own garden to rights. Here is a picture of him multi-tasking, instructing Climber on the correct techniques of shoe-shining (the afore-mentioned band competition performances require shiny shoes) and weeding the little herb garden. Now our Vietnamese mint can breathe again.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14930467009" title="Shoeshine lesson by Caroline, on Flickr"><img alt="Shoeshine lesson" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3877/14930467009_8469e8b69e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
See how Basil is helping?<br />
<br />Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-18901885856975042382014-07-09T20:53:00.000+10:002014-07-09T20:54:05.469+10:00Tobogganing.<span style="font-family: inherit;">My mum was convinced that nobody photographed her having a toboggan ride during our family visit to the snowfields at Mount Stirling, and she was rather miffed about it. Fair enough, it is pretty impressive that a person of her years was able and game enough: she was the only senior cit in the snow, let alone on a toboggan, that we saw all day. So impressive, and she only needed a bit of help climbing to the top of the slope, and being lowered onto the toboggan. But the truth of the matter was that it was only my-sister-the-photographer who didn't have the fancy camera out on the three, yes you heard that right, <i>three</i> occasions when Mum decided to have a go. When I showed Mum that actually <i>I</i> had taken a photo of her, using Fixit's phone, she declared that it wasn't her and muttered darkly about photo fixing. But as you can see, the lady in the red parka with the purple backpack is the same lady sailing elegantly down the slope. Et voila, Grandmere sur le Toboggan.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN4KuSwNRJueydU1dsqgWnEbRlD4-qAKLQkcuCJ3-tUxk2saBB_DZhqU8HVX2NWXYrIYQmJ87t5UxYGgIBPTJphrb8NDv5tAw0HQ49m_Q-F0bGXtqVJkHx6aT1j3b7F4YTDdJBA/s640/blogger-image--123717386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN4KuSwNRJueydU1dsqgWnEbRlD4-qAKLQkcuCJ3-tUxk2saBB_DZhqU8HVX2NWXYrIYQmJ87t5UxYGgIBPTJphrb8NDv5tAw0HQ49m_Q-F0bGXtqVJkHx6aT1j3b7F4YTDdJBA/s640/blogger-image--123717386.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is Mister Fixit, who managed a few goes in between hanging with the boys or giving my niece big pushes. I do like the way his leg is sticking up and out as he careers down towards the temporary fencing. He crashed out quite a lot. He was probably a bit big for the toboggan.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9nBv298AJMeD0SGyVe1vnLikkXYTAzj4QXkQO8n8VbIWyiAeK7DSwxags2Vo1SIE3TwAXmCYXNX6HixNtXJZZK0xVGYwtDYpfmcxlaYLADkz5l9OtpVjjrx_VYBbT2gqPkhf8w/s640/blogger-image-1198620465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9nBv298AJMeD0SGyVe1vnLikkXYTAzj4QXkQO8n8VbIWyiAeK7DSwxags2Vo1SIE3TwAXmCYXNX6HixNtXJZZK0xVGYwtDYpfmcxlaYLADkz5l9OtpVjjrx_VYBbT2gqPkhf8w/s640/blogger-image-1198620465.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
But now we should look at the good quality pictures, the ones taken by my-sister-the-photographer. They're much better than mine.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C'est moi. Whee! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDixCWEp-LqwFaf8ENBMlistviVip3ebhnbs2_u85c_NZEBp9Objm25VpW3DSpV2EPnst-_lFZdBeqMVsSnaYcIK-d4it8e8UW5U0sWDNK02Mw_bUgFIBmTipZ8TmuWkTc6FR9GQ/s640/blogger-image--1760492066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDixCWEp-LqwFaf8ENBMlistviVip3ebhnbs2_u85c_NZEBp9Objm25VpW3DSpV2EPnst-_lFZdBeqMVsSnaYcIK-d4it8e8UW5U0sWDNK02Mw_bUgFIBmTipZ8TmuWkTc6FR9GQ/s640/blogger-image--1760492066.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Cherub. He had the best time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVlDILaVs139jWC_1BV06xaTcwfVqGA0RLhZw-Z2bDUHg7NgTLed2AnbztADU_N3qf7sJiSLvBgybzlzVll9_zPZneIblUxjgHx1yL5tQAQZlauZM_kH9qyTANXrCIBUWMkIYcw/s640/blogger-image--537521831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVlDILaVs139jWC_1BV06xaTcwfVqGA0RLhZw-Z2bDUHg7NgTLed2AnbztADU_N3qf7sJiSLvBgybzlzVll9_zPZneIblUxjgHx1yL5tQAQZlauZM_kH9qyTANXrCIBUWMkIYcw/s640/blogger-image--537521831.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Climber. Climber was very good on the toboggan, but he was a fiend with the snowballs as you might be able to see in this collection of shots. No one, apart from Grandma, was safe. He got me a beauty, smack on the cheekbone as I whizzed down -which really hurt- but at least he gave me a slightly stricken apology when I climbed back up the top.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEM4q1-MDN973ycwM_aezGFcMFdoulruj8dOIoKv67JY47nEpR3ATh7LO_L5BhOBOzhB4WQu5VBQrORycc3EWbbvyYl5FoVzaMT7l_l_6LACDqJ_W3AgUw9coxGrmIG2g1X1e5g/s640/blogger-image-29289482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEM4q1-MDN973ycwM_aezGFcMFdoulruj8dOIoKv67JY47nEpR3ATh7LO_L5BhOBOzhB4WQu5VBQrORycc3EWbbvyYl5FoVzaMT7l_l_6LACDqJ_W3AgUw9coxGrmIG2g1X1e5g/s640/blogger-image-29289482.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In point of fact, the only person who did not get a photo of herself on the toboggan was my poor sister-the-photographer. Ain't it always the way. So here is a collage of the terrific bus we took to the mountain top, just so you can see that my-sister-the-photographer was also part of the snowday fun. Hi sis!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRbqX2rotj6Pfjto1GxICrI1HnreS7ekJQ_Vp0v5a0sCuprjpwBW2UOTgVbGMDGHYGRGA4sQviMX_1giO0q-5s9fsstIphe60w551c0JwAY9f3q2asgcfCVGE_Bc3Yjz99By2Ng/s640/blogger-image--438802085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRbqX2rotj6Pfjto1GxICrI1HnreS7ekJQ_Vp0v5a0sCuprjpwBW2UOTgVbGMDGHYGRGA4sQviMX_1giO0q-5s9fsstIphe60w551c0JwAY9f3q2asgcfCVGE_Bc3Yjz99By2Ng/s640/blogger-image--438802085.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-21190376759315569972014-06-14T21:41:00.004+10:002014-06-14T21:41:59.555+10:00Queen's Birthday<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14417688825/" title="8 Jun 2014 9:17 am by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="8 Jun 2014 9:17 am" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/14417688825_94b20b0f1a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I think it's very ace of QEII to hold her faux birthday celebration on my actual birthday weekend. That extra day-off in June means our group of Glampers <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Glamour Campers, absolutely no roughing it in this establishment) </span></i>can escape to Craft Camp at <a href="http://www.sewjourn.net.au/" target="_blank">Sewjourn</a> for four whole blissful days. And because my fellow Crafty Campers are such awesome and generous women, they treat a birthday girl very royally indeed. <b>Much </b>more than the boys at home would have.<br />
<br />
Here's how they did it: <br />
<br />
They gave me the Princess Room, ie the one with the big bed and no room-mates.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14416550124/" title="8 Jun 2014 9:31 am by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="8 Jun 2014 9:31 am" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/14416550124_85b4928ed6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I don't have a picture of it, so here's one of Jenny and Kate discussing darning.)</span></i><br />
<br />
They put up birthday decorations : streamers in the studio and balloons in the house.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14231310920/" title="6 Jun 2014 1:20 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="6 Jun 2014 1:20 pm" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/14231310920_8e75cbb3fb.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
They made me a birthday cake. I haven't <u>not</u> made my own birthday cake for many many years now.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14231095438/" title="7 Jun 2014 4:31 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Jun 2014 4:31 pm" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/14231095438_d14a512468.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Not only that but they all chipped in for a massage voucher which I duly redeemed on Saturday afternoon. After which I had a lovely, lovely bath in the Sewjourn clawfoot. Bliss.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14231095578/" title="7 Jun 2014 3:51 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Jun 2014 3:51 pm" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3902/14231095578_dc81089617.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
(My fluffy pink onesie was the perfect article of clothing for Crarf Camp; warm, comfortable, snuggly and tres chic. I don't care what Susan M. says! She said <i>No.</i> And she shook her head at me.)<br />
<br />
The gels also entertained me with their witty, erudite and frankly hilarious company.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14417897025/" title="6 Jun 2014 8:56 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="6 Jun 2014 8:56 pm" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/14417897025_ea49ffaa0c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
They only required me to cook once for the entire weekend. (I made poached quince and pear, with raspberries for added tang, and a delish golden syrup pudding.) The rest of the time they took turns at whipping up delightful meals and desserts. That's when they weren't offering up tea, wine, G&Ts or delicious snacks.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14231247767/" title="7 Jun 2014 8:59 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="7 Jun 2014 8:59 pm" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/14231247767_e4942d14fb.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
They inspired me with the things they created. Jenny and Susan M. definitely took the prize for the most prolific crafters, but everyone was making wonderful and clever stuff.<br />
<br />
They encouraged me with my own endeavours, which were:<br />
<br />
(1) A Merchant & Mills shirt-dress in some light blue linen given to me by my Mum in a recent de-stash. I felt a little like Wee Willy Winkie when I wore this, but have since washed it, and hope it may come to feel less night-shirtly. Possibly if I add a belt....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14416545764/" title="9 Jun 2014 2:59 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="9 Jun 2014 2:59 pm" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14416545764_88b5f51977.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
(2) A tunic that started life as <b>Dress A</b> from <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Stylish-Dress-Book-Yoshiko-Tsukiori/9780804843157" target="_blank">The Stylish Dress</a> book. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yqvq9eqeb6SHp1ApouhmMZJvRr3fT0JlRSmGHHJ994CexuP74ZDdKtM9SUQEpNudArG5s5L9GtSscKsrG5mWEWmFKvRAGeRIm3M58EFUR3AuVKGqocs7EFKdoURSwTYbXdDZig/s1600/Picture+41.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yqvq9eqeb6SHp1ApouhmMZJvRr3fT0JlRSmGHHJ994CexuP74ZDdKtM9SUQEpNudArG5s5L9GtSscKsrG5mWEWmFKvRAGeRIm3M58EFUR3AuVKGqocs7EFKdoURSwTYbXdDZig/s1600/Picture+41.png" height="320" width="193" /></a>I had made it up at home over summer but when I tried it on I was
horrified. The book illustration looks nice enough on this charming waif, but it made me look frumpy. And like I was wearing a tropical sack. At first I toyed with putting darts in to shape the dress a
bit more, but then I decided to make it tunic length.. <br />
<br />
I also decided to add pockets because: very useful things, pockets. The purple batik came from a tap students who had also de-stashed in my direction. I'm really pleased with how it came up in the end.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14231093160/" title="9 Jun 2014 1:50 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="9 Jun 2014 1:50 pm" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14231093160_4ab3d06199.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
(3) A self-drafted skirt in a soft purple suede-like fabric. I used the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sew-What-Skirts-Fabulous-Fabrics/dp/1580176259" target="_blank">Sew What! Skirt</a> book and designed my own pleats.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14231244227/" title="8 Jun 2014 11:09 am by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="8 Jun 2014 11:09 am" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/14231244227_a95a274570.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Such a good book, I think I've learned so much from it. The skirt is not <i>quite</i> right around the waist & zip area, so could possibly benefit from a little topstitching to help it sit flat (it's been under-stitched but it's not quite enough) and a little bit of jiggering with the facings, which all got too complicated when sewing on the daisy ribbon. But I love how the design came out and feel pretty pleased with the sense of accomplishment I have from having designed it myself within the guidelines. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14416412782/" title="9 Jun 2014 10:12 am by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="9 Jun 2014 10:12 am" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/14416412782_2a333b6120.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
So our weekend was a lovely creative, productive and also relaxing time, and we were sad to say good-bye to each other on Monday. Thanks again to all my fellow Campers: <a href="http://peasoupoftheday.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/restorative-weekend.html" target="_blank">Susan</a>, Susan M, <a href="http://craftastrophies.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kate M</a> and Kate C, Magda (who turns out I didn't get a photo of, sorry love), <a href="http://deminimismater.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/craft-camp.html" target="_blank">Julie</a> and Jen. And love to <a href="http://secretsuburban.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/home-again.html" target="_blank">Janet who couldn't join us</a>, but who was in our thoughts the whole weekend.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14231043199/" title="9 Jun 2014 3:08 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="9 Jun 2014 3:08 pm" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/14231043199_22f23ff35b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Thanks also to my boys for getting on with their game while I was away. Came home to a clean house and a cooked dinner, and lots of hugs. A birthday weekend fit for a queen.Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-10213131702544947452014-06-05T22:38:00.000+10:002014-06-05T22:38:29.766+10:00Twenty Years.Last night the whole family went out to dinner to celebrate the fact that Fixit and I have been together for twenty years. (I think this means we must have started going out when we were <i>children</i>, because twenty whole years can't possibly be right! Not when I'm still this young.) The actual anniversary <a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2009/06/fifteen-years.html" target="_blank">(of the party where he was brought along to be 'set-up with someone'</a><a href="http://stompergirl.blogspot.com.au/2009/06/fifteen-years.html" target="_blank"> and that someone totally got to give him their phone number by the end of the night)</a> is on Friday, which is also my birthday, but I am nicking off early Friday morning to Craft Camp for the long weekend. (Best birthday treat I could have, Craft Camp. Fabulous company, food, drink and crafting, plus a bath and a massage planned. I am only sad that we won't be joined by a treasured member of our clan this weekend, owing to family circumstances.)<br />
<br />
Anyway. We had a lovely time out at a local groovy Vietnamese restaurant last night. The food was delicious and the kids were excellent company. Impressively, Cherub was able to spot yet <i>another</i> poisoning attempt on his life before it came to pass, and politely-but-firmly declined the waitress' offer of chocolate or strawberry topping on his plain vanilla ice-cream. These would-be assassins must be so frustrated with Cherub's vigilance.<br />
<br />
And twenty years, hey? Twenty really good years: lots of laughter, lots of kindness, lots of pleasure in each others' company. Annoyances and spats, yes, because living with other people brings that in its wake. (And men can be so annoying.) But always there for each other through illness and adversity and challenge and change. We never got married and set it out in public that we would do this, but we have. And best of all we can share the love with our two gorgeous boys, who light up our lives every day. So Happy Anniversary Mister Fixit. Here's to the next twenty xxx.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stompergirl/14349262115/" title="4 Jun 2014 6:40 pm by stompergirl, on Flickr"><img alt="4 Jun 2014 6:40 pm" height="374" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5079/14349262115_6e13313c95.jpg" width="500" /></a>Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com3