My boys are stars!

I hate how schools are trying to fit everyone into a box! i have bright, beautiful sons! Alan is a genius. He has a grasp of the universe,science and inventions that is beyond me yet his teacher can only drone on about how behind he is in his spelling (....have you seen my husbands??)
Jay is an organized, conscientious boy yet he struggles with large social scenes and avoids school plays etc. And why is this held against him?
As a parent we walk a fine line with pressing for achievement yet loving our children either way and encouraging our children either way! I don't want to have a dim outlook on their future but it's very important to me to let nature take it's course in their lives with minimal pressure.
Jeez, some days I want to go back to homeschooling. I don't want to see my kids sad and dejected at 3 o'clock at the end of the school day. I don't believe that the school years are just to be survived. Learning is a way of life and discovery one of life's greatest pleasures. I don't want to see their fires burning out over spelling words and disinterest in Aboriginal art. This cannot go on!

My latest scrapbooking pages

It's time for Africa

Man, this would be an awesome time to be there again! Oh well, best seat in the house right in front of the telly.
The launch concert was so much fun, not to mention Sharkira who IS OUTSTANDING! What a gifted performer! So much raw talent without any hang ups.
And that theme song....Wow! Brilliant!

We're spending the long weekend (Queens Birthday) getting our soccer fill. We have in house Chilean, Argentine and Brazilian fans in the Hernandez family. We're going for Germany and Australia!! It's gonna be fun!

Athletics Carnival at school

Freezing, windy day but we got out there and had tons of fun! In Jay's words "When I came, I thought it was Heaven." He loves his sports! Alan, not so much but he still had a go at everything. Hayden even had a run during a cute preschool race held at the end. He took off on the track but then realized I wasn't right behind him so came back to get me!

Look at that crazy bunch. Jay and his class mates! Good to see him settling in though. ;)

Finally made it to Taronga Zoo!

Taronga Zoo Pt2

Weetbix kid

Back to the land of the living

I had all these awesome thoughts to post when we got internet back up and running but the moment I open a post I go blank which should explain my lack thereof. Without internet though. I seem to be getting an awful lot done. Hmm, maybe just because it coincided with beginning my studies. I passed the 2 first assessments by-the-way!! They weren't hard but I did have to write a lot more than I'm use to and ....think! I also wasn't quite sure what they were expecting from me turns out I was spot on just using my common sense.

We finally made it to Taronga Zoo on like the last day of warmth. Kids enjoyed it so much. I loved it too! It's so well laid out for a relaxing family day. Here are a few pix:
OK I haven't yet got those pix from Shane's computer so here are a few from Dad's Birthday taken with Alan's camera.

I love this one of Hayden with his Nana and Pop.

Had a lovely family dinner while Anne and Clare were visiting from Adelaide

Shane's studio

life goes on

Well, I think it's about time I post. I'm not sure what's holding me back, sometimes I wish I could just spill it and let the chips fall where they may...sigh.
The kids are in the midst of school holidays and so far it's going well. We've been out to do a number of holiday activities including a hike in a nearby reserve as well as just relaxing at home. Jay is turning 6 today!

Which makes it 3 years since we've been back from Africa. What a distant memory and so much has happened since then. We had another baby (Hayden), moved house 4 times (ugh) Shane started his career in photography and me...hmmm, gained and lost 30kgs (when pregnant) and concentrating on giving the kids a good childhood, reminding myself that they only have one, and I am possibly a step closer to finding something I want to study to eventually get a job that finds a good work/kids/life balance. Firstly it was a carer, then because I really enjoy interior design I thought I'd dabble in that and now I've found a number of jobs near home in Business administration that only require part time in school hours. So I'm enrolling in a year long Business Administration course to prepare me for a good chance a good paying job like that, that enables me to still be with my kids before and after school yet still contribute to our growing income needs.We'll see how we go with that.  

Some more gems

Window of opportunity

Scrapbooking