Christmas 2010

Our tree. This was just our presents - it was twice as deep as this by the time everyone (Mum, Dad, Charlie, Gus and Andy) had arrived. And, of course, most of it was for the kids! I'm still trying to sort out storage issues.

This may be my last blog post. I am of a mind to close it down as the year closes. It will still be online for awhile while I put all the posts into a book so I don't lose them, but there will be nothing new.

I am finding I have less and less spare time and little inclination to spend it blogging. The limitations in the layout of Blogger drive me nuts, so when I do have spare time I'd rather spend it creating something that looks better in less time. I am also having reservations about the amount of detail about our lives is publicly accessible.

As few readers as I have, I know there will be some who panic at the idea of no Bubba Updates. Don't worry. I am going to do email updates instead, and I'll post photos on Facebook every now and then. I have also put 2007 Bubba Updates into a hardcover book and had it printed. If you so wish I'm pretty sure anyone can order a copy of the book from the website - I'm not sure how, but if you're interested let me know and I'll investigate it. I plan to put 2008, 2009 and 2010 into books as well - that is what I will be doing before I close the blog for ever.

P.S. You are still allowed to email / facebook me and nag me for photos when I get slack!

Only 4 sleeps

I realise I have been a bit remiss lately. The last time I posted was over two months ago. A lot has happened since then. New house, new kinder, new childcare, new school, new jobs, new friends - as Euey said 'not another new thing, everything's new'.

Oh yeah, and Gus took me to U2, the kids and I saw a scuba diving Santa and it flooded - really really flooded!


It is nearly midnight with only 3 1/2 sleeps to go 'til Xmas. I should be in bed. Our life is crazy right now. I head off to work in the morning, leaving the kids with Will. I get home at 5:10pm, having driven the long 5 minute drive home, and Will walks out the door to start work at 5:30. He drags himself home to bed somwhere between 3am and 5am, then gets up again at 8:30am to look after the kids while I head off to another less-chaotic work day. It's not usually this crazy, but heading into Xmas a lot of people want taxis so Will's working every night.



So, the reason I actually decided to write what was meant to be a very short post tonight was to note down a few things the kids have said in my absence over the last few days ...

Aoife, while eating twisties (orange coloured chip thingys): Look Dad, I keep one hand clean because I might need to pick my nose.
Euey: Yeah, you don't want orange in your nose.


Background: We always tell the kids that a little bit of everything is good for them.
Aoife: We always have a little bit of everything.
Euey: No we don't, we always have a lot of dinner!


While I was at work the other day I rang home and Will told Finna 'Mum says hi' - he smiled and said 'Hi Mama'. (Getting good at those 2-word sentences!)

There will be Chrissy photos soon!

Ev's B'day (Day 1 cont.)

No barbie in the park I'm afraid, but we did make her a chocolate sponge with chocolate cream. And put sparklers on it so she didn't have to blow out ALL those candles!

Phillip Island Day 1

We're showing Will's mum, Lil and 'ickle sister Ev around Aus at the moment - they rocked up as a suprise to wish him a happy 40th. We headed down to Phillip Island to have a bit of time on the beach and a gander at the penguins. We got rained out the last couple of days, but got in a good day at the beach first.

Critics be silenced. Bubba Updates is updated.

Family

Can't write. Will's making me watch a horror movie. Here are pics for you Lin!

Insults

Euey has this game. Will started it, which I'm sure no one will be suprised about. Will whispers something in Euey's ear and Euey comes and tells me. More often than not it either makes me go oooohh gross! or Wiiilllll, you can't get him to say that! It is most hilarious when Euey doesn't quite get the translation right.
Euey has now passed the game onto me, so I have to tell him insults to tell Will. That's what he requested tonight, as we lay in his bed having a good-night cuddle - Mum, can you tell me something funny and I'll tell Dad?

And so it began ...

G whispers and Euey repeats perfectly: Your mother is a hamster
Will replies: Your father smells of elderberries
G whispers and Euey repeats: Put a sock in it Pom
Will replies: I'm no Pom!
G whispers and Euey repeats: All the same to me, you all eat potatoes

And all was well in the world, until we swapped beds and it was Will's turn to let the insults fly ...

Will whispers: You're a convict
Euey repeats: Mum, you're a convent

After the laughter subsides ...
G replies: I'm no convict
Will whispers: Yeah, you're worse than that, you come from religious stock
Euey repeats: Yeah, you're worse than that you come from delicious stock

School

Euey received a big letter today, from his new school in Shepparton. I thought tonight would be a good time to open it, because Aoife and Finian were already asleep. Had I known his reaction I would not have given it to him on a night when Will wasn't here (footy finals you see).

Inside was a green envelope with a star attached and a letter. I read the star: This is a special gift for you to wear each time you come to school to see us. Inside was a name tag. Wow! ... Wow! he said when he saw it. Can I try it on? It had sparkles on it, Euey's favourite.

Next: the letter. First I explained it was from his Buddy and that his Buddy was a friend who was older than him and had been at school for a long time, so he could always ask him for help. Dear Euan, I began - How does he know my name? He interjected. After some explanation about how I'd told the school we were moving and that he would be starting there, I continued. Dale's letter was lovely. He loves dogs, so they have something in common already and Euey wants to take his favourite little toy puppy to show him.

Euey was quiet for awhile after I finished reading, thinking I guess. I used the time to tell him that we would be visiting his school lots of times before he started, so he could meet Dale then. I want to start school when we get there, he said. I have a mate. He doesn't even know me but he's my mate! Then he looked down at the name tag. Can I wear it aaaaalll night? Please please please please??

Two problems to deal with. First, the name tag. Sorry Darling, it might prick you, let's put it beside your pillow. Okay (sad face). Next, starting school. Now, you won't start school straight away, you have to finish Kinder first. You'll start school after Christmas.

Christmas? Christmas? He jumped up and started bouncing on the bed. Christmas, Christmas, Christmas Christmas!!!! Realising I'd lost him I kissed him good night and started to walk out. Mum, he said, ceasing bouncing with a serious face. Mum, I've got a GREAT idea. Let's put the sparkly name thing with my jocks, I never forget my jocks in the morning!

Dress up party

My kids LOVE dressing up. It is not uncommon for spiderman and a princess to come shopping with me. So a dress up party? Well, that was just heaven!

Tired Little Pirate, Loony Ben 10 & Queen Bee.

In anticipation of Father's Day

DON'T READ THIS POST UNTIL YOU HAVE READ WILL'S POST on

Life Through a Daddy's Eyes

When I got home from Aoife's ballet - yep, me at ballet, weird huh? The things you end up doing when you have a daughter who's favourite things are shoes and handbags - preferably in pink! - anyway, a little after I got home, just after Will had left, Euey sidled up to me. Mum, he says, all tickled pink, I did a good trick. What was it? I ask a little nervously. I forgot to hide Daddy's father's day thing from kinder, but it's okay, I told him I made it for you. And I didn't let him see inside the card, only the outside. *Proud smile*.

A few hours later, when Will got home, Euey came running again. Mum, Mum, is it Father's Day yet?

Euey grew a daffodil

Will's words

A lovely little Irish exchange took part in our living room last night, just before Will and Euey left for Father's Night at Kindergarten.

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Euey (watching tv): Dad, come and look at these gun things!

Will (walks in): Oh yeah, tanks.

Euey: You're welcome.

Will: No, I don't mean thanks, I mean those things are called tanks.

Euey (looks confused, like there is no difference between those two words).

Will: Hang on .... George, I need your help here!

Finian

Finna is a right little chatter-box these days, he even gives Aoife a run for her money. Poor Euey and I sometimes just sit mute staring at the other 3 as they natter away, wondering how they manage to fit so many words into their day.

He has several words ...

Dada

Mama

Nana = banana

Na-naaah = look at me, look at that, what is that?, take this please, I want that and countless other useful phrases.

Nee-oww = the sound a cat makes, he changes the tone to match Sarabi perfectly.

Jeh or Jeh-Jeh = Gen

He also grunts to mean 'yes', growls when he is being scary or is angry at me and makes sounds that very closely resemble words, parrot-fashion.

He can sing Twinkle Twinkle and ABC perfectly in tune. When he sings Twinkle the words are usually da da da, but when he sings ABC a lot of the letters are recognisable, especially aaah, bee cee dee and aaash, eye, shaaa, kaa, la la la la dah.

He can sign:

more - flat hand to chest

milk - one hand grasping in and out

water - one finger pointing to mouth

finished - hand horizontal and waved back and forward

Twinkle Twinkle - 2 hands up and grasping in and out (he makes this sign when he wants us to sing the song as well as when he's singing it, and he also makes a perfect diamond shape as he sings).

He is still the chirpiest soul I've ever met and very independent. He often carries a 'blankie' (muslin baby wrap) around and always takes one to bed. He sucks his thumb. When he's tired he'll plug his thumb in, grab a blankie if one is nearby and climb on someone's lap or lie on the ground. If you ask him does he want to go to bed he grunts yes.

He gives kisses and cuddles freely and plays tricks all the time. He has his Daddy's sense of humour. He takes his little back-pack to childcare and insists on carrying it and walking all the way in. He follows Aoife and Euey around a lot and loves joining in their games. They call him a loony little munchkin (a title inflicted by me I'm afraid) and tell everyone he's the 'craziest' in our family!