Hungry Hungry Hippos

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! Hope you see in the new year safely and may your 2007 be filled to the brim with excitement and all things smiley!
We had a lovely Yum Cha style tea, too much food for our bellys, so pudding wasn't till a few hours later. Lots of time to fill in with games and general mucking about!





We tried to get the girls to have a nap today, but the only person who slept was... wait for it... drum roll please.... Dave!!!! Not one of the girls slept, typical isn't it!!! Anyway I got to crawl in to bed a little later and took my nap after they were all up and running about with Dave. Elizabeth and Lucy went to bed around 8 and Megan and Jessica went after the first lot of fireworks on the telly. They enjoyed their night up, even though we didn't have popcorn because of the huge tea we ate! So now Dave and I are just awaiting the new year to start and then we will be off to bedie byes!!

So from My Family to Yours, us and our lot to you and your lot, I hope you all have a safe and wonderful 2007 and thanks for visiting my lil' ol' blog in 2006 and hope to see you again as I put down my thougths, ideas and humdrum of our household.
Take care, hugs and all that jazz :)

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Trains, bikes and a little car ride...

For Christmas we gave Lucy a Thomas the Tank Engine set, that we had stashed away since April when it was purchased in a Clearance Sale. Now all the girls have their own set and I look forward to the day when all 4 sets are up and running!! Anyway, today Dave set it up for the enjoyment of all! It has 2 levels and the top track runs through a tunnel in a giant Thomas.









Then a little later in the morning I went and did the grocery shopping. I found a pack that contained some rice paper so we had some rice paper rolls for lunch and they were very yummy! I also got so Yum Cha bits and pieces for our New Years Eve tea before our "Night Night", where the girls get to stay up later and eat pop corn and lollies and watch a movie, plays some games etc. Also bought some rice vinegar and we will give some sushi making a go through the school holidays.

It has been a warmer day today so after Lucy's sleep we took the girls and their bikes, in an attempt to get Jessica to ride one without training wheels, which she can do but refuses to pedal when she can just free-wheel. We went up to the 'grassy spot' and while Megan and Jessica rode the other 2 just ran about. All the girls had turns riding, to some degree, and even Dave jumped on Megan's, to squeals of delight!





At the moment Megan is playing her new Playsation game. Dave just turned it on and away she went, when did she get so grown up and learn stuff like that!!!!

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Around home and not much else

Dave put in the sprinklers for the front garden, for the patches that were being missed. We sat by the window, on Elizabeth's bed, and watched Daddy hard at work and then getting wet and muddy. He has done a good job and we will see the results with some of the plants staying alive in the future!!
Dave also took Elizabeth to Big W, to spend another voucher, and got some MORE Christmas lights, some wrapping paper and also came home with a pressy for me, the new Bill Granger Cook Book. Love Bill's recipes, very quick and easy, so looking forward to making something out of it. Yum

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Ick-ness almost gone

and a huge yay to that! Today I haven't felt as drained and clogged up, just a bad earache that a panadol helped me get thru.
Today our day was spent clearing out bits and pieces in the garden so Dave could take a load to the tip. This afternoon we went to Bunnings Hardware, to spend a voucher we were given for Christmas, and bought some more bits for the sprinkler sysytem so Dave can expand it and/or make it better. The rest of the day was filled with cricket watching and the girls playing, either mucking about or on the computer.
Hope your day was just as nice and full of non-ick stuff :)

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Still full of ick-ness

but we will get there :)
Allison and 2 of her day care kids came to visit us today. Was nice to have them here and the girls enjoyed having people to play with.
Not much else to share, so hope you are well and smiling!

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Ick

Is how I am feeling today :) Very ick.
It was nice to have a visit from Allison this morning and then Uncle Samuel and Louise this afternoon. The girls went VERY feral at the arrival of the treasured Uncle Samuel and poor Louise was in the firing range too! I think they liked it, well most of it lol.
Not much else to share, just ick-ness, which I am happy to pass on to anyone!

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365 Sleeps to go

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! I hope you have all had a lovely day full of fantastic things!!!
I will share a few photos with you that tell you about our day, but first to some of our family traditions. Christmas Eve we drive around and deliver Christmas presents to friends. We do the Secret Santa thing and drop the present off, knock on the door and run like crazy people back to the car hoping that we won't be caught. The girls have turns too, although last night was rainy so it was a matter of who went when. After that we look at Christmas lights before heading home. So last night we had fun running around, in the rain, delivering pressys and looking at lights. The girls were in bed around 9.30-10pm and then I made a chocolate ripple cake for today and got some things ready.
So to today... I awoke around 6am to go to the loo, Megan was already awake, so she got up and woke the others. We had shut the loungeroom doors so they had to wait for everyone before we went in to see what Father Christmas had left in their sacks.

Patiently waiting, Excitement growing!

Excitement released!

Pirate Jessica

Pirate Megan

Lucy's new T-shirt

Elizabeth's new t-shirt at the start of the day

Elizabeth's new t-shirt at the end of the day lol


Lots of things to entertain them till lunchtime, when Mum, Dad, my brother, Reddrick, and his partner, they live in Townsville, arrived for lunch. We had a feast, cold ham and turkey, roast lamb and beef, roast potatoes, new potatoes, carrot, corn, peas, gravy, potato salad and salad. Then pudding was pav, choc ripple cake, Christmas pudding, custard, raspberries and fresh fruit. Like I said a feast!!
Then, after lunch, we opened the pressys from under the tree. That took an age too!! Lots of lovely stuff! My pile contained, from memory, a big Freddo Frog from Elizabeth, Socks from Jessica, a Fifi Forget-me-not tin with lollies from Lucy and a Little Miss Neat figurine from Megan. From Dave I got a picnic bar, a box of Heaven chocolates, a mango, socks, bra and undies, a packet of BBQ samboy chips, a hairclip, Cole Mountain DVD, a bath pack which has lotions, a massaging pillow and a hair wrap, a scrapbook album and a hose nozzle squirty thingee (THANKS DAVE). From Daves Mum (HI GRANDMA!!) I got some, oh so lovely, Elizabeth Arden moisturiser (THANKS AGAIN!!), from my secret santa (thru an email group) I got some incense, drawer sachets and a diary (THANKS SECRET SANTA!), from Allison I got some yummmmmmmy ribbon and buttons (THANKS ALLISON, I had wanted those buttons for ages!) and I also scored some soap, vouchers, cash and chocies. I think thats it, what a lot of wonderful things!!! Spoilt!!!
The girls have loved everything!! I am sure tomorrow will be more of the same with Uncle Samuel and Louise coming to visit.
Elizabeth and I have colds, she with a runny nose and me, well I can't stop sneezing. Hoping that these tired girls have a big long sleep in in the morning! Night all, hope it was a fun day for you, it was for us!

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2 Sleeps to go

made some little Christmas puddings this afternoon, with the help of Dave, to give as pressys for the neighbours. I don't like dried fruit but they do look yummy and are very, very easy to make, took us about 10 minutes to make all this lot and some more!!



Tonight we had a lovely birthday tea, Noodle boxes, followed by cake, yum. Even left some for you to share! I have had a lovely day and was given some lovely gifts, thanks to all who made it wonderful!

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3 Sleeps to go

Woo hoo! I have finished my shopping and Dave has just dashed off to return a DVD to Target, Jessica had that one in her sack last year, so we are almost done :)
Today we had a great time at Allison's house, thanks Allison. She had gingerbread men to decorate and then our girls made an angel with Allison's Mum, Rose. They ate so much it's a wonder they didn't pop!!

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4 Sleeps to go

Well, I opened this post almost half an hour ago. We heard a siren outside and it was great to see the Fire Brigade were out and about giving the kids lollies and stickers. We didn't know if we would see that living here, in the suburbs lol, so the girls all woke up, Elizabeth with some help ;), and rushed out with smiles from ear to ear! So now they are back in bed having had a lolly each.
Bringing you up to date on the last 2 days, I walked Megan to school yesterday and came home declaring I was too hot! Then went back to school at lunchtime, with the car this time, and picked Megan up. We went and got some lunch, shopped for some Christmas presents then went to find a carpark.
Her Drs appointment went well, all the test results came back clear so we had to pickup some medicine that will soften her ummm stool (where on Earth did that word come from to describe poo??!!!) and hoping that might push out anything if it is blocking her up. If that doesn't work then we just wait and see if she grows out of it. So we had to wait an hour for the pharmacy to get her medicine so the long and the short is that we went to Scrapilicious to fill in time. Was lovely to catch up with Miss Mel and Bev was in there too, so it was nice to see both of them before the shop closes on Saturday.
Today we went out first thing to get some more pressys, groceries and fruit and veg. Dave has a little (hehehe) list of things to do tomorrow and then we are complete apart from some bits and pieces I need to get for Dave. Tomorrow I'm taking the girls to Allison's. She has invited us to join the Christmas party she is putting on for her day care kids, thanks again Allison, so the girls are looking forward to that.

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6 Sleeps to go

I have to add that the photos of the Christmas lights are just one side of the house, running down the driveway. We have lights along the front of the house, along the top of the garage and along the back of the house too. Lots ;)
This morning we all went to the school's church service, was a nice morning. Then home for morning tea, some mucking about in the garden and then Dave went and picked up Jessica. She has now completed her first year of school and is looking forward to being in Prep next year! Megan has only the morning left and she will be finished Grade 1 too. Off to the hospital just after lunch so thinking I might go in straight after picking her up and don some more Christmas shopping, almost done but not quite.

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7 Sleeps to go

Woo hoo!
Well the day started with a fire alarm, while I waited to talk with Megan's teacher. So we had fun waiting for the Firemen to come and put out a fire that started with a toaster blowing up!!
The rest of my morning was FULL of cleaning before Dave came home at lunchtime and informed us he was on holidays!YAY! He had gone to work and was granted his wish of having the rest of the week off, so roll on Christmas!
Both Megan and Jessica have had their school reports and both were pleasing. Much to be proud of :)
Tomorrow morning the school has their Christmas Church service so will be attending that and looking forward to seeing Megan and Jessica's classes perform some items. Tomorrow is Jessica's last day and Wednesday is Megan's. On Wednesday I have to pick Megan up at lunchtime to take her in for her Dr's appointment, hopefully with some answers. So it's not long till school holidays! YAY.
Dave finished his Christmas lights yesterday and Santa even came out of hibernation and is now sitting in the garden. Hope the photos are clear enough for you to see him.

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8 Sleeps to go

and some more pressy shopping out of the way, on the home run now!!
Allison, in reply to your comment, I hadn't used a photo of Jessica as I didn't have a good one. She never seems to be around when the camera comes out and is such a poser, without even trying to pose, that I only need to snap a couple of her to get a good one. But with the Chirstmas photos I have been cutting of hats, antlers or heads instead of getting a good photo. So today I took some more and got a good one of Jessica to share.
So look out everyone this Rudolph is ready to fly!!!!!

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9 Sleeps to go

It is getting exciting!!
Jessica had set her heart, or rather stomach, on pasta for tea last night, so we went to La Porchetta and she had her favorite gnocchi and we shared my small pizza. She yabbered the whole time and has made enough noise to fill the void of not having her 3 sisters around! We then went to see the play. They all did a wonderful job and it was very funny to watch. Any mistakes that were made seemed scripted and it was a fantastic night out. I didn't get any photos of Dave or Megan as the camera was reliably unreliable and the battery was flat when I pulled it out! Filmed a little of it, 1st tape ran out, as did the 2nd, before the play was finished. But hoping that work will do copies of their taping and we will get a copy. We got home around 10.30pm and we all went straight to bed!
went and picked up Elizabeth and Lucy this morning, they had a lovely time, and then came home for lunch. Lucy decided she didn't want to sleep so we packed the girls in the car and tortured them with some Christmas shopping! Finally have everything ready to post off, sadly I think the parcels to NT will be a little late but oh well!
Dave is outside fixing the globes that need replacing and finally putting up the last of the lights, so hope to have some photos of all the lights soon.
Night

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10 Sleeps to go

Busy busy, but just thought I would pop in, say Hi, before Jessica and I head out to find something to eat for tea, she said her brain isn't working so she can't tell me what she wants, and then go see Aladdin.
Megan and Jessica both had fun at the beach, got wet and were very tired. Jessica had a sleep for me, yay cos it meant I got one too! We dropped Megan off just after 1 so she is going to be a tired little vegimite after their play finishes :)
Nite nite and is that a bell I can hear ringing in the distance?? Not long now!!

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11 Sleeps to go

Just a quick post in amongst the busy-ness!
Our new santa, he is a "peek a boo santa" and lifts his hat as he sings.

And showing off 2 lovely cards I received, first one, through Julie Love's card swap, is from Kelly Rodgers and the second is from my Net friend Melis :)



School Beach day/picnic for my school girls tomorrow. Am dropping the other 2 off at Mum and Dad's before going back to the beach, hanging out and picking up Megan and Jessica, leaving sometime after lunch, coming home for a nap (I HOPE), then dropping Megan off at the theatre, where Dave should be already, then heading back there to see their play at 7.30. Exhausted already ;)

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13 Sleeps to go

although Coles were scaring people today, their sign said 12!!!
Yep, did some grocery shopping today,ick, and then went back later and bought a new animated santa toy from Target. Dave heard it in one of his phone calls today and has called me naughty so Santa might not bring me anything but I got me a new toy so I'm already ahead ;)
Jessica loved her full day at school and isn't showing signs of going to sleep in a hurry so it can't have worn her out to much! The weekend will show otherwise though! Friday the whole school are going to the beach for their school picnic. So the Kinder kids get an extra day of school as well as this full day. I think I will take Megan and Jessica home sometime after lunch though, its the same day as Dave's work performance so I'm hoping they might have a sleep before we head out again. Dave has to be there by lunchtime and Megan sometime in the arvo. I'm only taking Jessica to see it so Elizabeth and Lucy are having a holiday at Mum and Dad's. The play starts at 7.30 so it will be a long day to end a long week.
Took a closer photo of our Angel. Would you believe that she is the only Barbie still intact with all her limbs??!! I made her to top the first Christmas tree after having Megan, so she must be 7 years old now. Her dress is a scrap off an old towel, was the only white material I could find at the time. The things you do when you have no money!!! I think she has done a wonderful job and still looks beautiful!!

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14 Sleeps to go

and the tree is a looking PRETTY GOOD!! The girls had fun decorating it this morning and here it is in all it's glory:

This morning Dave stayed home while I took Megan in for her Ultrasound. Not sure of the results but the Drs were pleased with what they looked at. From the hospital we went to get some breakfast, I had fasted with her so both our bellies were rumbling. Then we went to Scrapilicious. The shop is closing down next week and they have had a sale of all their stock. So today was the start of 40% off and I got some things and was very happy to hear the total ;) I am thankful to Sarah and Mel for their hard work and all that they have done at the shop and I will miss going in and browsing through their lovely stock. Now to find scrapping stuff online, ick! I love to see the products and to have a touchy feely before I buy.
Tomorrow Jessica is going to school for the whole day, in preparation for next year. As I put her to bed I asked her what I would do all day as I hadn't had 2 girls in school all day before. She said she wouldn't be there long and not to forget to pick her up. I don't think that will happen in a hurry ;)
Megan and Dave are at rehearsal again tonight. This week they have them everynight but not sure how often Megan will go. Dave is in Launceston tomorrow and coming back in time for rehearsal before going back up North on Wednesday and back again for rehearsal. Their production is on Friday night so I am sure the excitement is building for all of those involved.

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15 Sleeps to go

It's beginning to smell like Christmas. We went and picked up our pine limb tonight and the lounge room now has a hint of pine in the warm air!! Should have photos of it decorated tomorrow for you :)
Hope you have all been nice today cos he IS watching!!

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16 Sleeps to go

"Excuse me Dear but I have run out of extension cords"!!! Yep Dave has more lights than power! He put some more up last night and is currently outside putting up more and commented that he still has 3 boxes left. He is loving the 'mock' shutters, as it gives him something to run the lights around, but there are 2 houses, we can see the rooftops of thru the lounge window, who have soooo many lights that they whole house is covered and we can see it and it delfated Dave's lighting enthusiasm, only slightly though seeing as he is out in the heat putting up more lights!!! Very thankful for my Super Man who loves Christmas lights :)

This morning we spent out shopping, the girls all bought presents for each other. So we have that task complete a week ahead of every other year!! They are now all wrapped and awaiting a Christmas tree to be put under. Hoping to get some pine limbs from Dad soon so we can put together a tree. We also went to visit Father Christmas and had a photo taken of him and the girls. They were all really good and Lucy sat on a chair rather than his lap but all went well ;)

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17 Sleeps to go

Those reindeer are being pampered for their big day, so make sure you have plenty of reindeer food waiting for them.

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18 sleeps to go

I put up some more Christmas decorations today, they are slowly making their way out of the box and hoping to see the bottom sometime soon, at least before Christmas!
Hope you have been good cos you never know who might be watching ;)

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Happy Anniversary Us!!

Yes, today is our 9th wedding anniversary. We bought some noodle boxes for tea and have enjoyed them with the girls. Feeling a little tired now though, too much good food in my tum lol.
Took Elizabeth to the speech therapist this morning. She had lots of fun playing the talking games with the lady. The ST thought Elizabeth is mildly delayed in things like 'f' 's' and 'sh' sounds but was advanced in things like the 'l' sound. So the end result is we will be going to some group sessions as of April and continuing thru the rest of the year either one on one or in more group sessions and ending with a pre-kinder group at the end of 2007. So we will see how all of that progresses.
Spoke to Bron this arvo, twas really nice. She graduated from her Bible College course last Saturday and is back down this end of the state. Looking forward to catching up with her once things settle down for her, I don't things will ever settle down here lol. Things are getting busier by the day! Had an invite to a morning tea in the mail today. Is for all the volunteers at school for next week. So added that to the ca lander which is filling up daily!

Oops and forgot to add, don't tell him I forgot lol, Dave had his work soccer game today. He organised one last year and was such a success they did it again this year. Anyway Dave's team won for the second year in a row. Yay Dave, love ya ;)

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Its been too warm today

Yes the washing got dry but it was a little too warm for me. Will be glad to see the cool change come thru!
Megan and Jessica were both in a special school assembly today. Their classes both did items and Jessica got to announce her class item. Elizabeth, Lucy and I didn't get there in time to see Jessica's but we saw Megan's. When we picked Megan up there were quite a few mums coming up and telling Jessica what a good job she did, so its nice to know she does have it in her. Megan is off at rehearsal with Dave tonight, she is very tired so we will see how she goes. The play is on next Friday night so they will be busy till then.
Tomorrow morning I have to take Elizabeth to the speech therapist. Told her that I would be taking her to a Dr, she asked "what for". I said "to hear you talk". She asked "what do I talk about" I replied "anything you want to". She then said that she would talk about her toe. I ran over it with the trolley at the fruit shop yesterday. So I look forward to hearing what her and the Dr have to say ;)

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Holiday... WHAT HOLIDAY!!!

Today has been non stop washing, just as well it has been a gorgously sunny day that everything got dry... well sadly they got dry as it meant I had to fold it all up which added to the amount of time spent on washing, ALL DAY!!
So our holiday... Wednesday, our flight had a little turbulance so that was fun.
Thursday was spent on trains, walking or shopping. Found 3 scrap shops, none of which was rave-able but all had enough to make me purchase a few things. Went to a factory outlet and bought some Christmas pressys and made it back to the hotel in time to take off my sweaty shoes and socks before Dave returned for the day. After a shower and a change of clothes we walked some more before finding somewhere to eat.
Friday we checked out of that hotel and I left Dave at the hotel where his conference was, and went to the train station to wait for Dave's Mum to arrive. The station is now the location of a Factory Outlet too. It had only opened the day before so I spent an hour wandering around the shops before meeting Daves mum and then we both ventured around again. Bought a few bits and pieces before Dave rang to say he had a little break for Lunch and he came and met us. He left and then we went and walked to our new hotel and checked in so we could off load the shopping. Then Grandma and I went and looked at the wonderful Myer Christmas window(s). Dave rang as we were finishing so we waited for him, with our luggage, before dumping our bags and doing some more shopping and dinner. Took Lorraine back to the train and then Dave and I had a final wander thru the factory outlet.
Saturday we caught a tram to the showgrounds and hit a toy warehouse with full force and ended up filling a suitcase! From there we trammed back to leave all our purchases and then headed out to Bridge Road for some more shopping and lunch. Vegged out a little when we got back before heading out again to Southbank and Crown. Got some tea and watched a movie . We saw 'The Guardian' which was a good movie just I hid thru the water/storm bits ICK! Left Crown to find that we weren't sure where we were and after waiting at the wrong tram stop for a while we saw we were heading away from CBD so walked to the correct stop before heading home.
Sunday we packed our 3 bags, had bought one with the others packed inside, and checked out. We caught a taxi to the Factory Outlet near the airport and spent some more time browsing and shopping before catching another taxi to the airport.
So as you can see the holiday was spent mostly walking or shopping and boy oh boy am I tired!! Most days started around 8am and finishing around 10pm or so and most of that was on my feet. Missed the girls terribly and although we didn't get 100% of the time together it was nice to shop with Dave :) Spending time with his mum was priceless and I enjoyed having her as my shopping buddy (thanks Grandma!!!!!!!!!!).
Today has been flat out and I even got a much needed nap, which I am thankful for and felt so much better for, as I put all 3 girls to bed but Jessica didn't snooze. Dave is currently outside putting some Christmas lights up as he has felt a little bit of a challenge as over the road have theirs up. He and Megan are off to rehearsal tomorrow night and he purchased tickets, for their play, today at work so its all go!
Can't think of much else so hope your not asleep from reading, although if you were you wouldn't be reading this bit so I don't know why I wrote it but I have so now I will just shoosh up and say Night... Night ;0)

Oops, PS#1: Forgot to mention I found a WONDERFUL shop in Melbourne http://www.kikki-k.com.au/ Worth a looksee!! YUMMMMMMM diddly Yummmm!
PS#2: On A Current Affair tonight they inteviewed the family and little girl with EB. So if you don't know much about Epidermolysis Bullosa then click on the link on the side of my blog. Megan was born with it but is a zillion times better than ever predicted and you would never know she might have led a life like the other kids with EB.

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