tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311912082012-02-01T18:30:06.198+11:00Tap-dancer, mother of the Climber (10) & the Cherub (8), and girlfriend of Mr. Fixit.Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.comBlogger6621100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-74531433189077330662012-01-27T21:09:00.000+11:002012-01-27T21:10:34.464+11:00

The 11th Annual Festival of Climber started with presents in the morning... ... followed by pizza, cricket and birthday cake in the park with friends and family. It continued on the next day with a trip to a shopping centre for a fun-filled choose-your-own-present adventure with his Aunt Bronwen,  followed by a trip to the Muppet Movie with me.  That night his Grandma came to stay at our

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-3196304478154219872012-01-23T23:04:00.000+11:002012-01-24T10:40:53.932+11:00

We've been to see The Show! Twice!! ( In case that makes no sense, this is what I'm talking about)   We took Nell and the kids to the opening night.  Here we all are, looking pretty excited! The show was lots of fun and both times Alan's tapping went over a treat.  So proud!  Considering he learnt from scratch, I'd say he did a good job with his technique, but the main thing was how

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-68829695364715048652012-01-14T00:13:00.001+11:002012-01-14T00:35:33.138+11:00

We've had a little holiday! I took Climber and Cherub with me to Sydney, to stay with my Mum.  She was a wonderful hostess, feeding us, taking us on expeditions and generally spoiling us. Cherub, in particular, enjoyed her house, being blessed as it is with an enormous big bathtub and an inclinator for getting up and down the stairs.  Big fun for a small boy. Day 1: We had a lovely flight up; no

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-10717477635630543842012-01-04T14:20:00.001+11:002012-01-04T14:37:48.148+11:00

I know, I know.  I am late.  It has been the New Year now for 4 days, but unfortunately Melbourne got hit by a heatwave for 3 of those 4 days, and if you've been reading this blog for a while you'll know that our house is disgustable in the heat. As, indeed, am I.  The computer room is the worst of the worst, and only my children went in there voluntarily.  So we put 2012 on hold for a few days

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-41046193244670875422011-12-30T10:53:00.000+11:002011-12-31T11:46:40.246+11:00

Now that we're all on holidays, we need some exercise!  The boys and I are very used to a lot of daily physical activity: me with my tap and the boys with their crazy term-time schedule.  We miss it if we don't get it.  As for Fixit, he is supposed to lose 12 kilos in 6 months. I seriously do not know how he will manage this, as I watch him hoe in without any moderation to the various Christmas

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-89054086432182297362011-12-27T20:06:00.000+11:002011-12-27T20:13:41.246+11:00

Both kids were awake at 3-ish [for a toilet break] and the Cherub woke again at 5-ish [for a stealthy rummage in the Santa Sack break, which was overheard by sharp-eared mother and resulted in confiscation] and then we all came to at about 7-ish and the boys brought their booty into our bedroom.  I think the out-of-focusness of this shot exactly reflects how tired I felt at this stage.  Actually

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-34078222739821713012011-12-24T23:05:00.001+11:002011-12-24T23:05:17.026+11:00

I did some baking for our contribution to the 2 family feasts we're attending tomorrow. (Peppermint creams - they'll be dipped in chocolate tomorrow- and Fairlie's shortbread) We watched the finale of So You Think You Can Dance (Season 8) all the way to the end despite the fact that the boys were flagging by about 9pm.  The idea was to have them fully tired when they went to bed so they'd

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-59553120137698177562011-12-22T12:37:00.000+11:002011-12-23T09:21:15.050+11:00

(and death to Uncle Jim!) I say! Have you ever read Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome?  If you haven't, you jolly well ought to.  The story is set in the 1930s and follows the adventures of the four sailing-mad Walker children and their boat Swallow on holiday in England's Lake District.  For two glorious weeks their mother lets them camp - on their own - on Wild Cat Island, where they meet

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-37292507355194345812011-12-19T23:46:00.000+11:002011-12-20T07:57:47.549+11:00

Confirmation that my tap school has grown in size came at the end of the year when I realised I needed to hire an outside hall to hold the Christmas Concert. So we lugged some chairs and my tap boards over to the local primary school and set up there on Saturday morning. My goodness it was nice to have a big space. Plenty of room onstage, offstage and in the audience.  The concert itself went

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-74430308846151914352011-12-18T09:08:00.000+11:002011-12-18T09:11:32.575+11:00

The Spirit of Christmas flew past my house on Friday and left some goodness in my letterbox, in the shape of 2 very generous multi-shop vouchers.  Suddenly our Christmas/January is not looking so tight. If you were thinking the Spirit of Christmas was a jolly fat man in a red suit, you'd be wrong in this instance.  Turns out it's a blogging, facebooking group of kind-hearted generous awesome

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-40917538739236404292011-12-15T19:38:00.000+11:002011-12-15T19:40:32.320+11:00

(A work in progress) Santa letters written and posted. (The kids had a great time running around in the magic forest they've set up in City Square this year, really nice) Christmas cards written and posted. (As I was addressing them I found the  Christmas letter I sent last year, and it turns out I write the same stuff every year, just the kids' ages and grade levels change.  Oh well. 

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-49519005123915123862011-12-12T19:12:00.001+11:002011-12-12T21:41:43.814+11:00

What's up? Our Christmas Tree, that's what. (Official note: It was Climber's turn this year to put the star on top of the tree.) I think because we purchased it earlier in December than usual we were able to get a smaller and therefore cheaper tree.  The man who sells it to Fixit every year always gives us some bonus plant seedlings, so we are now growing eggplant, thai basil and

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-50521696937439964382011-12-11T21:23:00.001+11:002011-12-11T22:32:35.923+11:00

On Friday we went to the end of year display for the boys' gymnastics classes. We got to see the kids working through each of the various pieces of equipment and a little floor routine as well.  It was most impressive. The boys absolutely adore doing gymnastics. They've done about half a year and their progress has been amazing. Climber is a superstar at the uneven parallel bars, owing to his

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-76197099014171338192011-12-06T11:14:00.001+11:002011-12-06T12:53:23.910+11:00

When my blog goes quiet for a while, it is most often because I am worrying about stuff.  I need a clear head to write blog posts and apparently have not had one for large chunks of this year.  I have already mentioned that there have been family worries, but my latest quiet patch is more due to my worries at home.  Not that there's anything truly bad going on, it's just stuff that makes me

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-25960210231340321772011-11-19T21:23:00.001+11:002011-12-14T22:49:29.722+11:00

Phew, I don't know where that week went either.  Well I do, it was full of my car breaking down and needing expensive repairs to the engine's cooling system, of Climber going off to School Camp for two nights (he came home exhausted having enjoyed the activities but not the lack of sleep) and of my excitement at receiving glowing reports from the Spicks and Specks Show as they smashed their

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-34325176309475305552011-11-12T21:30:00.001+11:002011-11-12T23:00:56.715+11:00

Yesterday, Nell and I were very excited to attend the dress rehearsal for the Spicks and Specks stage show.  For those who don't live here I should explain that Spicks and Specks is a much-loved and very funny music quiz show on national television, which, after 7 years, and to widespread dismay, is coming to an end.  However, the cast are about to go on tour around Australia with their farewell

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-75679965133813999132011-11-07T13:21:00.000+11:002011-11-07T14:35:51.654+11:00

Our school had its annual fete yesterday and I, for all intents and purposes, missed it.  I am surprised to find how much I mind this, especially given the reason I missed it was because I went away to Bendigo for a very enjoyable overnight stay with some super-lovely girls and a nice happy baby, and saw the 200 Years of The White Wedding Dress Exhibition which was ace. And actually, I did make a

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-24325490427578273792011-10-27T12:24:00.000+11:002011-10-27T13:58:19.604+11:00

You know, if I was going to offer advice to my kids about what they should look for in a partner, it would be this: Choose someone who treats you well.  Sure, you can be led by whether they knock your socks off with their charm or looks or wit, or the fact that you have a whole host of mutual interests, or even by what they do for a living.  But if they don't treat you well, with respect and

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-27511792405312440122011-10-18T23:11:00.001+11:002011-10-18T23:11:25.018+11:00

My tap school has been performing at the Open Mind Fiesta, which raises awareness about Mental Health, for the last 5 years. We were delighted to be asked to perform again this year in the new location in High Street Preston.  We took to the stage at 1.30ish on Sunday and we were a hit, if I do say so myself.  How could we not be, we had the unbeatable combination of adorable children and

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-87846681291408382522011-10-13T12:08:00.004+11:002011-10-13T13:24:59.603+11:00

Hello.  My house is full of my extended family til Monday, I am doing an extra job as well as my normal teaching, school is back on for my kids as are all their extra-curricular activities; in short, it's a bit of a madhouse. Can't read anyone else's blog let along write my own, so here.  Here's some Dalek art for you.  When Cherub focuses on something, he really focuses on it. He was

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-16381911916208609792011-10-10T11:38:00.002+11:002011-10-10T11:38:59.799+11:00

So I've missed posting about the Cherub's birthday by a week, but what with school holidays and now my sister and her kids staying with us, I just haven't had any quality time on the old computer.  Anyway, my baby is now 8, which is quite big really.  See? I think he had nice celebrations. The weather was bad so we couldn't do the pizza in the park he'd requested, so instead we had Nell and

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-65454929832596961622011-10-03T22:44:00.000+11:002011-10-04T13:51:31.071+11:00

The September Holidays means going to the Royal Melbourne Show for us.   As ever, our rules for the Show are: 1. Get there early, go home early.  The later you stay at the Show, the uglier it gets, frankly. 2. If possible go with friends.  (This year we hooked up with my friend Jenny and her girls.) Jenny's girls are standing here with Fixit and Cherub, Jenny seems to have avoided my camera,

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-72584092917227045442011-09-25T14:59:00.000+10:002011-09-25T17:42:12.320+10:00

All the kids, even the boys, were told they had to wear make-up for the school production: foundation, mascara and red lipstick.  Climber was not unduly freaked out by this, accepting the explanation that their features needed to be seen clearly under stage lighting.  It was a fun and interesting exercise putting it on him; like all people new to make-up application, his instinct was to screw up

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-11701625051481644922011-09-22T16:51:00.000+10:002011-09-22T16:51:46.523+10:00

Hi, I fell down the costuming black hole last week and I've just climbed out.  Twelve neck-ties and 2 dresses later, plus a pair of dance pants for my boy.  Which doesn't seem huge but that's on top of our already crowded life.  Anyway.  Grade 5/6 Production; tonight's the night.  Climber is that excited.  The showbiz bug has finally hit that kid, much to my stage-mother delight.  This was the

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-39564796420392095832011-09-15T23:14:00.000+10:002011-09-15T23:16:04.491+10:00

Climber's soccer season finished last weekend.  For their last game one of the dads made a banner for the teams to run through.  You can see in this photo how much the boys loved it.  After the game we gave our coach and team manager thank you presents, and Fixit had to be the speech maker for this, except the coach kept forgetting to just let us thank him and kept trying to 'coach talk'

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-69380633759297450922011-09-13T14:33:00.002+10:002011-09-13T14:35:11.325+10:00

The thing they don't tell you about Craft Camp is that while those Craft Camp companions of yours are seducing you with their excellent cooking, fine company and luxurious accommodation, they are also teaching you skills.  What's wrong with that, you might ask?  Nothing except now you will be one of the very few parents from your kid's school class Who Can Sew, so next thing you know you'll be

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-21554846569041815462011-09-05T10:09:00.004+10:002011-09-07T22:43:26.233+10:00

I've just returned from a 24 hour sojourn at Sewjourn with a gorgeous group of women. I didn't sign up for this one because it was a Friday to Sunday booking and owing to tap I can't get there till late Saturday. But then the girls said why not come for just Sunday? which eventually became why not bring your sleeping bag and kip on the couch Saturday night? and that just sounded too good to

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-48930295284530238922011-09-02T13:31:00.005+10:002011-09-02T14:42:09.377+10:00

Team Crarf Camp, aka Suse and Janet, has invited me for another gatecrash this weekend. Luckily Mr Fixit is a very nice person and does not mind me deserting the family, even though it will be Father's Day and technically you'd think he'd assert his right to a nice long motorbike ride in this gorgeous spring weather. I'm off Saturday afternoon, and am trying to get organised. Meantime, round

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-3408351864768322922011-08-29T20:53:00.005+10:002011-08-30T11:22:08.281+10:00

This old passport photo of me, taken when I was around 21 years old, recently fell out of a box and the boys found it. I remember absolutely hating this photo when it was taken; I think we all hate our passport photos, don't we? But now I look at it and think gosh, look at that sweet young thing with her fresh dewy face. (From memory this was taken in England for a visa into what was then

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-87908168281080687292011-08-26T12:06:00.005+10:002011-09-05T12:50:36.378+10:00

A Book-Week costume for the Cherub this year was relatively easy. He knew what he wanted to go as (Severus Snape) and therefore all we needed was a wand [check: we have about a dozen wands in our collection now], a cape [check: already on back-order from when I made this one, and not too hard a sewing project, although I was sewing it up till just before dinnertime yesterday] and some long black

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-11811171032703543142011-08-24T22:49:00.005+10:002011-08-24T23:10:49.457+10:00

Officially, my Dad did not want a fuss made over the significant birthday he just celebrated. As a fully paid-up member of Workaholics Anonymous, he really didn't want anyone at His Work to start thinking about how far past the official retirement age he is. But he seemed pretty happy with a family gathering, and a good time was had by all. Above, you can see Dad with his siblings and their

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-15475691944168744762011-08-20T21:04:00.002+10:002011-08-20T21:45:18.890+10:00

I thought I was getting my blog mojo back on, but I was wrong. Nell had a gentle whinge about the lack of posts and I said I know! and blamed it partly on my little handbag camera being broken, which is true, but let's face it I'm also spending too much time on facebook and words with friends, and plus, our life is just busy! Take today. Look how tired my poor Cherub looks, first ever class

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-18305383494859689402011-08-10T11:51:00.004+10:002011-08-10T13:38:36.244+10:00

I admit to having a limited attention span when it comes to crafting.This means I tend to choose short but reasonably challenging projects so I don't get bored but I pick up skills. Recently I've been trying to contribute to a knit-a-square for an orphans' blankets scheme, and have actually completed one square, but the second square is taking a ridiculously long time because I'm bored now and my

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-36179289356537885602011-08-02T13:14:00.006+10:002011-08-02T16:59:39.753+10:00

The Cherub tripped and fell at school, grazing his hip and knee and his poor little nose. I think the nose injury means he now looks like a koala, but he gets miffed at me when I say that. The week before last he had a nasty cough and the school rang me to say he was feeling off-colour and did I want to collect him? Then the nurse said to me, in all seriousness, He's not one to make a fuss and

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-34797526095657186372011-07-28T13:12:00.004+10:002011-07-28T14:09:57.428+10:00

So what with the school hols/ visitors/ back-to-school madness I have only felt like I've got enough time/energy /brainpower to blog as of today. It is highly likely I'll start flooding Le Blog with catch-up doings now, but the policy I've just decided on (subject to change) is to blog one thing at a time.Today I want to talk about Harry Potter, so fair warning to anyone who is not into him! (

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-77282929415291322022011-07-15T11:56:00.006+10:002011-07-15T12:29:30.170+10:00

It's a little bit crazy at my house. Good crazy, mind. House overfull sort of crazy, toys everywhere crazy, having to say the same instruction over and over again crazy, kids on top of each other crazy. But it is really nice to spend time with my sister and her kids, proper chill-out time, not just me minding the kids while she works.We've had a family catch-up with some aunts and cousins that

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-3066132906551079062011-07-06T16:29:00.005+10:002011-07-06T23:13:17.052+10:00

Cold, wet and windy school holidays: what ARE you going to do to entertain and wear out your children, hmm?What we did was put them through their paces at the Tap & Hip-Hop Workshop at Miss Caroline Tap Dance. They had an ace time, and sat around at home quietly for the rest of the afternoon! Perfect.The kids started off with a 45 minute tap class with me, Miss Caroline. We had just one

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-40901782214404869662011-07-04T21:28:00.003+10:002011-08-10T13:44:11.127+10:00

The children are home on holidays for the next two weeks, and what with outings and the way they like to hog the computer, posting may be scarce from my end. Next week could be even worse, as we are expecting my sister and her kids to stay. All of which means I ought to put down the doings of this last weekend while I have a chance. So. Friday Night. Fixit went out with some mates, and the

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-72911227376368958522011-06-29T13:18:00.004+10:002011-06-29T13:59:35.677+10:00

Two-weeks-shy of a year ago, they knocked down the house next door to us. Since that time, we've been putting up with living beside a building site, as the great brick McMansion went up. It has been pretty annoying, all the noise from heavy machinery, all the banging and swearing, all the commercial radio blaring away from the tradies' cars or ghetto blasters, the stench when they periodically

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-68914890136462756792011-06-26T12:00:00.004+10:002011-06-26T12:57:40.486+10:00

Basil went for a little illicit wander out into the neighbourhood yesterday. He returned safe and sound, but the family stress when we can't find him is high. As you'd imagine.Climber's soccer team is in the bottom 3 of the league. This means that they are getting thrashed most weeks, which is a little dispiriting, but at the same time we are enjoying getting to know the other families,

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-70768463300530828812011-06-21T22:38:00.003+10:002011-06-21T23:10:39.276+10:00

Remember I saw a great big rat in our backyard? Well, Fixit took apart the compost bin and discovered a rat's nest with 6 baby rats in it. I was a big help while this was going on, coming as close as I dared (ie. not very) to watch and then running away half-screaming half-laughing if I saw a single bit of movement. When the mother rat suddenly poked her head out of the ground and ran towards

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-47948352702769247072011-06-17T18:52:00.002+10:002011-06-17T19:07:40.338+10:00

For me, the Chilean Mine Rescue began and ended with notes: a tiny crumpled piece of paper that emerged from deep beneath the ground, telling us that the 33 miners were alive and in the shelter... ...and an unfurled sheet for the underground camera held up by the 6 rescuers who’d gone down to help the miners back to the surface: Mision Cumplida Chile.And in between was the rescue shuttle, painted

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-51107671701426651702011-06-16T11:30:00.010+10:002011-06-16T12:45:38.388+10:00

Despite having had a broken night's sleep due to a very bad nightmare, the first thing Cherub said on Wednesday morning, in a high-pitched blend of excitement and nervousness was: Concert tonight! And once we got through the normal daily routine; breakfast, school, home again and dinner [early], the Hour arrived and it was time to head out to the theatre. We were the second to arrive, Cherub

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-16010383632936238432011-06-10T22:46:00.005+10:002011-06-10T23:07:01.814+10:00

The anti-inflammatories are working a treat. I think every day he tripods less. The limp is less pronounced too. His fur is growing back, which considering how cold Melbourne has been lately must be much nicer for him. I don't think any cat enjoys the cold and wet, but with his bare back I think he was really feeling it.When he first came home he was completely sooky, but he has regained some

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-28458700673873299632011-06-08T17:56:00.003+10:002011-06-08T18:30:49.781+10:00

So I said to Fixit and don't forget the boys will want to give me something for my birthday.And Fixit got a pained look on his face and said but I never know what to get you.So I took pity on him and rattled off a few suggestions, so that he'd have some options, both for the boys' present to me and his own.I said: maybe some hair accessories, or some purple socks, or some nice pens/stationery.

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-76983272070530681302011-06-07T22:30:00.003+10:002011-06-07T22:49:20.029+10:00

He's been counting down the sleeps, and today was the day. He told me that when the roll is called at school in the morning he's been answering with [x] more days till my plaster comes off! instead of here or present. Today he told me he said it's today! when his name was called.He said the saw they used to take the cast off was not so much tickly as buzzy. During the sawing he made a sort of

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-83316343271865351212011-06-05T20:37:00.004+10:002011-06-05T21:27:06.883+10:00

There's been a planning error: my birthday is scheduled for a Monday this year. Frankly, I'm not quite sure how the schedulers thought we were going to manage any celebrating at all, what with the kids and Fixit being off at school/work all day, and then the after-school tennis and me teaching 2 classes in the evening. I mean, I'm sure it won't be all drear. I assume the boys have taken my

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-14717066112661004252011-06-01T12:25:00.008+10:002011-06-01T22:23:31.195+10:00

The Good...• Cherub won the Caught Being Good Award this week, serendipitously on one of the few Mondays of the year that Fixit was also there at Assembly. The award commended Cherub's positive attitude in always doing his best even with a broken arm. I must say that I think kids are ace. If I had a cast on my arm I reckon I'd whinge about what a pain in the neck the cast was, how much I hated

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-91724085114395829432011-05-27T13:03:00.002+10:002011-05-27T13:15:53.046+10:00

The Climber is a great one for leaving little messages, and he doesn't restrict himself to random bits of paper either. In the last week, I have found a memo on my phone:As well as an 'appointment' on my calendar:He also sent me an email from school:I've sent little replies to him too. I think this is a beautiful habit of his, and I hope he never grows out of it.Cherub received a note last

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-54559591112293593572011-05-25T11:47:00.006+10:002011-05-25T16:31:31.029+10:00

Seeing as Mr Fixit's fixiting skills didn't quite extend to repairing the touchpad controls on our broken microwave, I headed off to buy us a new one. But (and I'm still not sure why) instead of driving straight to the nearest K-mart or Target, I somehow decided to have a look at a nearby large factory outlet for electrical goods. And having stopped there, I proceeded to purchase a microwave

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-23767100336167702242011-05-22T21:18:00.004+10:002011-05-22T21:33:55.983+10:00

... with a group Shim-sham-shimmy, on the steps of Parliament House, never mind the rain. Fun.(I'm in the purple coat in case you couldn't already tell and you can *just* see Climber between me and my friend in the red coat, wearing grey trackies and a dark greenish hoodie, plus my old purple tap shoes.)And just for good measure, Climber discovered he could wing down the steps. I love his

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-21579317912553396372011-05-21T21:00:00.004+10:002011-05-21T21:43:33.079+10:00

Anecdotally, the two most common lies told to susceptible first time tourists to Australia are:(1) there will be kangaroos hopping down the main streets and(2) it is dangerous to walk under eucalyptus trees because koala bears (also known as drop-bears) could fall on your head.Whilst I have actually seen kangaroos on urban streets, it is a rare sight in the inner suburbs. The last time I did see

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-29256026406636456202011-05-16T13:38:00.006+10:002011-06-08T18:28:02.182+10:00

Q1. Did you watch the Pirate episode of Doctor Who? And if so, did you sit on the couch or did you need to get Inside a Box, Under a Doona like Cherub?He ended up on my lap and made a lot of creeped-out groaning noises, but if you suggest to him that he's maybe too young for the show he denies it strenuously. I only let them watch in daylight so they don't have nightmares.(Lots of people tell

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-132931119651043402011-05-12T12:09:00.001+10:002011-05-15T19:32:36.381+10:00

Turns out Cherub's small buckle fracture was also a Salter Harris fracture, ie there was damage to his growth plate, the cartilage at the end of the bone that controls the bone's growth. This means Cherub is now the proud owner of a full cast and will have to wear it for the next 4 weeks. They gave him a choice of colours too, he rejected my suggestion that the purple cast was pretty awesome.

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-4403469495403999222011-05-10T10:53:00.003+10:002011-05-15T19:33:05.556+10:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } DSC_6838, originally uploaded by stompergirl. According to Cherub, the doctor's assertion that wearing a sling would prevent kids in the schoolyard from being too rough in Cherub's vicinity was untrue. Heaps of people banged

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-35699871950419059222011-05-08T16:44:00.002+10:002011-05-15T19:41:15.236+10:00

The boys gave me a rose scented bath-bomb & some loveheart chocolates (Climber; spent his whole $6) and some rose hand-cream (Cherub, spent some of his $6 and went to the canteen with his change). Both boys are to be congratulated for choosing well and not buying anything that said World's Best Mum on it.There was no sleeping-in or eating breakfast in bed. Instead we hauled ourselves to the

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-11590553807890072552011-05-06T18:51:00.006+10:002011-05-21T22:19:01.586+10:00

Dear Mavis,This Sunday will be your kids' first Mothers Day without you. I know, I know, that Mothers Day is primarily a retailer-generated celebration (buy Mum an expensive present to show you love her!) and therefore not to be taken too seriously, but it is so very all-pervading at the moment. Your poor boys can't help but notice it.I was looking after your big boy earlier in the week, in

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-85885476640460000112011-05-02T21:33:00.000+10:002011-05-02T21:33:01.868+10:00

Apparently there is a theory linking violence in soccer-fans to the high levels of frustration caused by the small number of goals scored per game. That's as may be (did they also study the socio-economic backgrounds of violent soccer fans, hmm?) but if it were true then at least the families at Climber's first ever soccer match were in no danger of being beaten up on the way out.  A grand total

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-75167854407809414672011-04-29T12:56:00.003+10:002011-05-15T19:33:51.996+10:00

Well, no actual arrows, but here are the slings in our life. Cherub is back at school although yesterday he only lasted half a day. Fair enough. At first he thought the sling was a nuisance and asked if he had to wear it. The doctor said it was a good idea, if only to let other people know to be gentle near him. By the end of that first day Cherub was really feeling the weight of his

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-81762540857402251962011-04-27T15:10:00.002+10:002011-05-15T19:34:15.061+10:00

It was the first day back at school this morning and guess what? Poor Cherub fell off the play equipment before the bell rang and [a] winded himself (very frightening for him) and [b] broke his wrist.Ten and a bit years parenting and we've got our first broken child! And, as Astrid so rightly put it, we all thought it would be The Climber, what with his innate urge to leave the ground far behind

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-64673988587384742302011-04-24T23:22:00.003+10:002011-04-24T23:42:50.373+10:00

More Easter baskets! Even though you know that a bit of disappointment is not going to kill your children - and might possibly teach them a bit of fortitude - it can sometimes make you feel mean or sad when you have to tell your kids No. As in: No Climber, you can't do an extra day of tennis clinic this holiday even though you really want to come back tomorrow and do the Easter Egg Hunt and the

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-86963206834747020362011-04-23T22:21:00.001+10:002011-04-23T22:33:52.572+10:00

On Good Friday I made some Choc-mint Slices and some Mini Lemon Meringue Tarts for the family gathering that afternoon. (The gathering was lots of fun and my sweet offerings were a smash) On Easter Saturday I made some Easter baskets.  One each for the boys so they can, as requested, have another Easter Egg Hunt. (We had the inaugural Egg Hunt last Easter and it was a smash.  PS If you

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-68025487231070674052011-04-19T15:17:00.001+10:002011-04-19T15:18:53.478+10:00

At various times of the day, Climber will disappear to the trampoline, armed with two plastic wickets from a beach cricket set. He will then proceed to have a lengthy battle, using the plastic wickets as light-sabres, with an Unseen Opponent who is clearly highly skilled in the use of The Force. (That is a Star Wars reference just in case you were wondering. Surely no-one was wondering though.

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-2669277090875089292011-04-18T22:52:00.003+10:002011-09-05T12:42:10.473+10:00

My latest Sewjourn sojourn was shared with Jenny & Astrid (aka the Mothers Group Girls), Nell, and some other lovely friends (including Ali-who-used-to-live-next-door); a most excellent group to spend 4 days of crafting, eating and relaxing with. Every craft camp I learn new stuff. I was talking to someone recently who asked if we had someone who "led" the retreats but it's really not like

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-36664033980092046702011-04-14T23:02:00.001+10:002011-09-05T12:43:19.884+10:00

Aaaargh. I'm soooo behind on my blogging. First there was craft camp, then when I came back there's been school holidays/cat care and plus I was a little bit sick for a day or two. I really want to do a post about the gorgeous craft camp, but I need photos of some stuff I made, and two of the items -fleece pants for the boys that they wanted to wear straight away - are now malingering in the

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-77555812357863990992011-04-07T13:52:00.003+10:002011-06-08T18:26:46.501+10:00

Basil's recovery continues apace. Mostly he lies around in the suitcase or a box, getting lots of zzzs. But if one of us comes to sit on the floor next to him, he wonks over to sit on our laps.If we [thoughtlessly] sit on the couch he deadset thinks he's going to jump up there to sit on our lap. He has nothing - nothing - in his hind legs at the moment, can barely balance on them and yet he

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-74801576379179492412011-04-03T16:52:00.001+10:002011-05-15T19:36:33.568+10:00

Apart from the fact that he is not very interested in eating actual food, Basil is on the mend.  He is getting plenty of nutrients via the oesophageal feeding tube so I'm not too worried about the lack of eating; although if he could manage a bowel motion I'd feel he was really getting back to normal.   But he is still on a morphine patch, which is, as my nurse-friend puts it, very binding. 

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-87582360288815655372011-03-31T13:16:00.002+11:002011-05-15T19:36:33.577+10:00

The kitty is home. He looks a mess, he has a shaved back and leg, two separate sets of stitches on some ouchy-looking wounds, a feeding tube in his neck (makes getting meds and nourishment into him easier), a few bandages; he's filthy and he's already trying to pull the sutures out. But he knows where he is and he is happy about it.  So am I. I have to keep him confined for 6 weeks to help

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-72142345759353186522011-03-28T10:43:00.000+11:002011-05-15T19:36:33.585+10:00

The family went to visit Basil on Sunday and as soon as he saw us, Basil started talking to us. I do speak a little Cat, so I'll tell you what I think he said: Family! Where have you beeeeeeeen? I'm all broken! I want to come hoooooooooome. Then he lay there soaking up the patting and loving and he purred for us. Oh my God, he purred. I nearly cried. It was so heartening. He's on a

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-60664111932957819362011-03-27T21:01:00.004+11:002011-05-15T19:36:33.594+10:00

I had this very bad lead-up to the Merri Creek Fete performance yesterday, because I was so strung out about the sick kitty and therefore not fully able to keep all my balls in the air, so to speak. A morning's phone call from the vet saying Basil would need a blood transfusion and that that would cost an extra $700 sent the stress levels sky-rocketing.  Then I realised I had arrived at the Tap

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-59469823949979533582011-03-25T12:38:00.002+11:002011-05-15T19:36:33.603+10:00

I was handed the whole box of tissues as I walked into the specialist's reception today, the prospect of maybe having to decide between paying an unmanageably large amount of money or telling them to put him to sleep having reduced me to rubble.  The part of my mind that was saying come on pull yourself together woman was also wondering what I'd be like if I was faced with a potentially terminal

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-26272268341361090742011-03-24T12:56:00.001+11:002011-05-15T19:34:50.440+10:00

We knew it was not a good sign when we arrived home from our school's Harmony Day Picnic at 7 o' clockish and there was no kitty tripping us up and demanding his dinner. And when he still wasn't home by bedtime, after I'd called and called, (he always comes when we call him, always) the alarm bells were well and truly ringing. I must have been sleeping with my ears straining for the sound of

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-11853647007112237632011-03-20T21:39:00.007+11:002011-06-11T23:16:30.379+10:00

Today we had another great performance at the Collingwood Toy Library Fair.All the kids were superb, and are, I think, starting to look like a very professional little troupe of tappers. Cherub's class are able to do their number without my help ...... and Climber's class of 9 and 10 year olds are very impressive indeed, whether they be beating out an acapella number or a traditional

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-84987308523840597792011-03-17T14:28:00.005+11:002011-09-05T12:39:56.521+10:00

... tried really hard to pack light. No seriously, this is Not Much Luggage for a 2 night stay. Really. (Clothes, toiletries, bedlinen, towel, fabric, sewing machine, sewing toolbox, camera, handbag and food/drink. Phew.) ... made an apple pie for dessert. It also ended up being breakfast for some campers the next morning. ... had a bath. Ahhhh! No photos of that though. ... found that

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-39492346446999080002011-03-09T19:56:00.004+11:002011-05-15T19:39:02.744+10:00

Grief is a strange thing, isn't it? I left the school assembly in tears this Monday because Mavis' son won the Caught Being Good Award and I so badly wanted to tell her. And last Saturday I found myself googling my step-father because I felt sad I'd never hear him barking my mother's name if I rang up their house. And my grief is I think small grief, nothing compared to how it must feel to

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-39232215854716185992011-03-02T14:39:00.002+11:002011-03-02T16:41:20.422+11:00

I think my step-father would have approved of his funeral.  It was funny, irreverent and unsentimental, like him.  The various speakers described his not inconsiderable public achievements and his love of a good argument, his enormous interest in humanity and his complete lack of any aesthetic appreciation whatsoever.  My step-sisters behaved themselves but apparently the fact that my Mum spent

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-45257502595030059192011-02-24T22:36:00.001+11:002011-02-24T22:38:31.101+11:00

Monday, as you know, my step-father died.  But our life still went on, so in between phone calls and stuff, the boys had to go to tennis and then I had to go off to teach tap. On Tuesday, Climber had his school swimming carnival.  He made the final in every event which is awesome, and squeaked a ribbon for 4th place in the butterfly.  I'd really thought he was going to do very well this year,

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-74622474489819882332011-02-22T07:24:00.000+11:002011-02-22T07:24:02.121+11:00

My step-father died quite suddenly yesterday.  All things considered it was not a bad way to go, he had toxic shock from an infection but died peacefully with my Mum by his side, and has I think been spared long years in a nursing home with a failing mind.  He was part of my life for 20 odd years and though I was not particularly close to him, I was fond of him and liked him a lot.  My thoughts

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-33715851992993307692011-02-20T17:30:00.003+11:002011-02-20T20:27:37.101+11:00

Nell bought the boys a Doctor Who magazine pack, complete with some badges and a bow-tie, which were immediately snaffled by Cherub.  We then had to find him a collared shirt to wear with the bow-tie - I don't think he's ever worn a collared shirt before - and as he admired his reflection in the mirror he commented I look like an important person. Quite. We harvested our very first eggplant

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-11014932480281488442011-02-16T13:39:00.006+11:002011-02-16T23:51:56.672+11:00

Over a coffee two of my girlfriends were discussing the effectiveness of lipstick therapy, ie. going and buying a nice lipstick to make yourself feel better.  And later that week I ran across a normally very sporty looking adult tap-student of mine wearing a pretty blouse and some bright lipstick, who explained to me that being in Italy for the Christmas holidays had inspired her to make an

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-68115762710608833602011-02-14T22:52:00.004+11:002011-02-14T23:01:41.834+11:00

We're not heavily into celebrating the Day of St Valentine at our house, but after the kids had left for school I was overtaken by a sudden urge to .... defrost the fridge.  Because srsly: Look at it... But once the fridge door was propped open and the towels put on the floor, I had another urge; this time to bake some heart-shaped biscuits for Mister Fixit. When they were baked and I began

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-59664069881970635192011-02-08T13:47:00.006+11:002011-02-09T12:33:19.865+11:00

The morning after the night before (at Climber's friend Ari's house for a superb dinner which culminated in Cherub walking out the delighted new owner of Ari's old outgrown Harry Potter broomstick), we awake to find Climber in our room, clutching an envelope.   Following very closely behind him is Cherub.  Mummy, says Climber, what is Ari's address? I tell him the street name but can only

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-13047601422231149642011-01-29T22:02:00.003+11:002011-01-29T23:13:48.717+11:00

Things that have been happening round here.  In no particular order. Climber received a new bike - with gears! - from my Dad: one that my [workaholic] father had actually bought for himself, thinking he might do some riding, and never unpacked from the box. The bike is a leeetle bit big for Climber, but he is riding it very well, except if he has to stop suddenly he leaps off the bike sideways

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-13954970707040545952011-01-26T23:54:00.002+11:002011-01-27T00:10:42.198+11:00

What with one thing and another, I haven't really recorded our Mothers Group holiday the other week.  We had a great time.  Three families: ours, Astrid's and Jenny's, crowded into a 4 bedroom, two-storey beach house in Rosebud.  Noisy!  Well, when the kids were up, it was anyway.   Especially when they ran round playing their favoured game of Harry Potter, shouting Expelliarmus! or Petrificus

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-73168617192385226242011-01-24T11:22:00.000+11:002011-01-24T11:22:50.039+11:00

The Climber turns 10 today.  Best ten years of my life. We're having pancakes for breakfast & some friends and family round for cake this afternoon. Last night the boys and I looked through the [very sketchy] baby diaries, which made them both keel over laughing. The fact that Climber used to say Ya-ya-bishey and we didn't know what it meant caused great hilarity. As did the fact that

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-61410909700312145972011-01-21T22:48:00.001+11:002011-05-15T19:38:19.965+10:00

Today was Mavis' funeral.  We took Climber & Cherub, because they knew Mavis well and because we thought it would be good for Mavis' two boys to have some friends there.  I'd had a chat with my boys yesterday to prime them for what they could expect, and they were terrific, but of course sad.  Indeed, Cherub started weeping heavily as soon as the service opened with Mavis' favourite song, Dancing

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-42191666742220663672011-01-18T10:54:00.005+11:002011-05-15T19:37:31.407+10:00

This morning my friend Mavis died peacefully in the hospice with her devoted sister at her side. She was 46 years old. I'm glad her suffering is finally over, because this last year has been awful for her. She never really let on though, she was brave and full of hope and chirpy through so much of it. But I will miss her.I'm not sure how her two young sons will cope, frankly. Since the

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-84295849585105094812011-01-07T23:27:00.001+11:002011-05-15T19:38:19.973+10:00

We had a beautiful 2 day stay with my Aunt and Uncle at Barwon Heads, where we discovered the wonderful surf beach at Ocean Grove, possibly the best beach for boogie-boarding ever.  The kids' faces as they caught those long waves all the way to shore were a perfect picture of happiness and exhilaration. Tomorrow morning we are heading off for the much-anticipated Mothers Group holiday in Rosebud

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-15878294119652644232011-01-05T18:43:00.003+11:002011-01-05T21:44:43.859+11:00

On the face of it, we've had a very lazy time post Christmas, lots of pyjamas-till-noon (on my part anyway) but we've managed also to do a few things. (Lorikeets in the neighbour's massive plum tree.) Fixit, who is on holidays for the next month has been on a 3-day motorbike ride with the Bike Nazi and either side of that has been deeply engrossed in fixing up his bike. He has also repaired

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-42789113226497965232010-12-31T16:55:00.000+11:002010-12-31T16:55:14.687+11:00

It's the last day of 2010! And it's also 40 degrees HOT! I can't possibly think well enough in this sort of heat to do any end of year round-up. Beyond saying I'm pretty sure it's been a good one with some bumpy bits. Our plan for the last day of the year is to do as little as possible and to stay cool! Fingers crossed the cool change comes in at a reasonable hour. Meantime:   Happy New

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-84860468351843351782010-12-25T21:21:00.000+11:002010-12-25T21:21:29.263+11:00

The tree, midnight, Christmas Eve. Our bed, 6.10am, Christmas morning. Our kids NEVER wake up that early usually. The poor cat could hardly keep his eyes open. Thankfully, the boys went off to play with their toys, so Basil, Fixit and I re-settled for some extra zzzzzz-s My aunt and uncle's backyard, after a sumptuous Christmas lunch. Happy chillun. I'm off to Sydney in the morning to

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-18700566671909762912010-12-24T22:10:00.001+11:002010-12-24T22:12:08.908+11:00

The Advent Activity for today was nice and easy : Hang up your stocking and leave something for Santa.  That's not much is it?  But today was also spent knocking up some choc-coated peppermint creams, some more Christmas shortbread and some spinach & haloumi fritters (with yoghurt & tahini sauce) ready to be taken to the Christmas lunch tomorrow.  We also squeezed in a visit to the

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-23210074512557725262010-12-23T21:45:00.000+11:002010-12-23T21:45:59.198+11:00

Today's Advent Activity was the only one to have been greeted with fists-punched-in-the-air enthusiasm: Play A Game of Backyard Cricket. It was also the only Advent Activity to have ended with both children in tears.  A combination of starting too late in the day (Mister Fixit's illness required a chest x-ray which hijacked the afternoon; he's on antibiotics now and a follow up x-ray next week

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-5436727469781058282010-12-22T21:50:00.002+11:002010-12-23T21:48:43.291+11:00

The Advent Activity for today was Play A Family Board Game. The kids couldn't decided between Jenga (Climber's choice) or Junior Monopoly (Cherub's choice) so we played both.  It wasn't the whole family playing though because poor Mister Fixit is sick, proper sick with temperatures.  He complained today about my lack of kindness and sympathy when he's feeling so terrible, and I know I'm

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-20881536592768560932010-12-21T23:49:00.001+11:002010-12-21T23:51:42.522+11:00

Our Day, Advent Activity #21 First, we made the shortbread early.  We used this recipe again, and I have to say the boys found it pretty tricky trying to cut shapes from the piping consistency dough, but if you can overlook the wonky edges, the end result was delicious!  As Cherub held his tray up for the photo, he said, proudly,  I'm a chef. Second: We went to a friend's great big Christmas

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-61303678015308821552010-12-20T19:03:00.003+11:002010-12-20T19:08:53.853+11:00

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-10283469246784767712010-12-19T21:19:00.001+11:002010-12-19T22:56:11.203+11:00

Today's activity was to make a Christmas wreath for our front door. We decided to try rosemary for the greenery, then I cut up some red felt for some colourful leaves. I primed Fixit at the start of the month that he'd be required to twist some wire into a round for this particular task, as I didn't want to be accused of not telling him important stuff till the last minute... Anyway, whether

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-8030371453617201502010-12-18T19:38:00.003+11:002010-12-20T19:16:15.139+11:00

It's been another wonderful year of tap with the Kids' Classes, and today we capped it off with our end of year Christmas Party and Concert. It is a low fuss affair by dance school concert standards, but I think many families actually prefer this. This year, in rather ambitious fashion, I tried a joint routine with my four classes. The first time they ever did it all together was today's

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-23858636105694656032010-12-17T22:20:00.003+11:002010-12-18T07:13:52.914+11:00

First, it was the last day of school, then as soon as the bell rang for hometime (at 1.30) there were two parties - Climber went off to a birthday party for one of his classmates, and Cherub and I went to the park for his class' End-of-Year get-together.  Then it was home to pick up Fixit and some stuff, then off to the Tap Hall, via Supermarket and pizzeria, to set everything up for tomorrow's

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31191208.post-61239972475357740652010-12-16T20:37:00.003+11:002010-12-17T17:03:10.986+11:00

Here are the boys hard at work. I thought I'd show you the handmade goodness inside. I knitted these washcloths using the patterns from knitdishclothcorner: on the left is Lily and on the right is Pearls. The little bags have our handmade lemongrass soap, which Jenny and Astrid and I made a few weeks ago.  (Actually it was mostly Jenny but Astrid and I were definitely there for moral support

Stomper Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04038937073264645029noreply@blogger.com5