School Holidays

Somebody up there obviously loves us...

I really thank GOD for the school holidays. With Alex commuting and up in the wee hours of the morning to get ready for work, I had to "pick up" on all the tasks he usually helps with at home- mostly the driving of Letitia to school in the mornings and getting her ready etc.

We have had an easy week this week to wind down from the aftermath of Alex's first week back to work. When he wakes at 5.30am...my entire chanclan wakes. Good for a farmer's wife but really damaging for me especially when my girls expects breakfast on the table by 6.30am. So far, we've kept it real "quiet" and they've slept in to their normal 7am.

We'll be off to Brisbane in a few days to attend a wedding as well as have family time with...family and friends. HUGE car trip but hope the girls can cope with it as they are bigger. This is their **th trip in the last 4 years and we have the logistics down to a routine. We need the car when we are up there so the drive is a must.

3rd Swim Lesson

Swim Lesson
Originally uploaded by The Chan Gang.

"I am happier in my lessons now!" I still cannot manage to keep my bum from floating away. All the tide from the kids keeps me shifting on my seat. I am happy to go to my teacher, Kerrie for a session of "kicks".
We think she is the sweetest looking thing in togs. Taken on her 2nd Birthday.

Happy 2nd Birthday Mathena

Mathena's 2 NOW!
Originally uploaded by The Chan Gang.

Into "Doperty" of Wiggles, loves dressing up and very confident. Our baby is now two. Sigh!
Wearing a dress made by her grannies.

Mathena's First Swim Lesson

Mathena's First Swim Lesson
Originally uploaded by The Chan Gang.

My 23 month old is swimming....
Here's little Mathena before she had a little "dip" accident. Poor thing! Trauma on her first day at swim school.

Her swim-nappy kept her bum up and head down...we all nearly had a heart attack ourselves.

Farewell Ee-ee Audrey

Italian Dinner
Originally uploaded by The Chan Gang.

It's been a great 2 weeks having another person to enjoy my kids with. Dear Ling2, you are indeed a God sent and we truly appreciate your love and care for our family. We only hope that this has been the holiday you wanted and set out for... and we apologise for the "terrors" my little ones graciously shared with you.
Have a safe trip and thanks again.

Ivy, it was nice to have met you too!

The Search is OVER!

Alas! Alex has made final "details" with a North Sydney company. He'll be due to report to work on Monday (19th) and I will be downgraded to a 5 day/week single parent for the next few months.

It's been a WILD ride to say the least. Alex has been blessed with a 100% interview response for all his "expressed" interests and towards the last 2 weeks, have had a few choices to compare and decide on. Again, I am only awed with his level of detail and dignity throughout the process. Recently, doors have been opening and the phone has been ringing to get Alex signed up. The recruiters are all very keen to have him on speed dial (which is annoying for us as we ended up having near nothing time at home with him).

We (the girls and I) will miss him heaps. Mathena will have noone to climb on and I will be hitting the road a lot more with being "James". I thank GOD that we came up ok and have not suffered too much trauma throughout. Alex is more than ready to jump into work. I am foreseeing pretty tired nights/weeks/months ahead...

Thanks for your well wishes and love...

My cousin is leaving tomorrow night with about 37kgs worth of goodies from our beautiful land of down under (chocolates and household stuff mostly). I wish I can squeeze into her bags.

Busy Week Ahead

You wanna know how our days will be like ahead?
Saturday 3rd:
Alex away whole day on a Men's thing at church. I get to drive Letitia to her dance with Mathena on board. My cousin arrives at about 8pm in Sydney, Yippee!
Sunday:
Father's Day here. Have huge breakfast planned. Pancakes and Strawberries, bacon, eggs etc. Cooking for next door "parents" as well. Then Church and lunch by Belmore Basin with fish and chips.
Monday:
Letitia has presentation...which I haven't prepared. To talk about Watoto African Children's Choir. Classes at night for the parents.
Tuesday 6th:
Alex heads to Brisbane for interview. Letitia has a playgroup meeting in preparation for just in case we have to put her to public school next year. After that we send her back to school.
Wednesday:
Alex returns in afternoon but have another interview in Sydney on arrival. Mathena's make-up class for Gymbaroo at 10am and Letitia's make up dance class at 2.30pm. Planned to go out for dinner with friends while cousin baby sits.
Thursday:
The girls are back swimming. Mathena's first EVER lesson (photoes to follow).
Friday:
We plan to make a trip to Canberra to visit some relatives and stay overnight.
Saturday 10th:
Stayed another night in Canberra...had a nice catch up time instead. Hope to arrive home before dinner. All kids activities reshuffled.
Sunday:
Got home by 1pm and had lunch out. Church or sleep in?
Monday:
Letitia's class and school photoes day. Classes at night for the adults.
Tuesday:
Letitia school and we veg out...to Sydney maybe?
Wednesday:
Touristy stuff...we haven't really done much have we?
Thursday:
Kids at swim school.
Friday:
My cousin leaves... Sniff!