Our Christmas lights.

It is hard to take photos of your Christmas lights due to the flash wanting to come on and I am not familiar with the camera enough to shut the flash off, but this gives a little bit of our lights, we got the lights and put them up for the kids as a surprise while they were at school and they came home and got excited about it and then one of them said, "Where is our Santa?" We thought we had done such a good effort, nothing major but enough and then they all got on the bandwagon at how we did have to have Santa near the door so lucky for them I was going shopping the next day with a friend and in target we spotted this grand man who goes up and down the chimney and he was originally $79.95 reduced to $39.95 so who could resist that bargain and the kids just lit up when they saw him, Zay had him out the box and everywhere before Tim could look at what it was all about but once he was up and in position he certainly belongs there. I love the stars above him, they are my fav.

Well it sure is great having the kids home on holidays, we achieved lots of cleaning and sorting on Wednesday but since then it has been messy and appointments so I hope to get cleaned up more tomorrow. Keelan goes to his Dad's tomorrow till next Saturday and Trin has a Birthday party for a few hours so the little ones and I can get busy around here.

Last Saturday night my Girlfriend and I went Perth for our 25 years school reunion, we had an absolute blast, so much fun catching up with everyone again and partied till 2.30am boy my feet were sore for a few days, lots of standing and chatting in heels, makes you realise how little you do go out and get dressed to the nines. One of our ex teachers was there, he has recently retired and he said we were the tightest, closest bunch of students St Norberts have ever had come through, the teachers found it really hard if they told someone off, the rest of us would stick up for that person and get cold towards that teacher, it certainly did reflect that on the night too as the guys made sure we stayed in our group and no one got left anywhere, one guy did 3 car loads from the pub to the casino just to make sure we stayed together. They sure are the greatest of friends even after all these years.

Karina and I had a few days in Perth after that enjoyed a great break, I got all my Christmas shopping finished and lots of other extras I have needed for a long time, things you can't buy here, glad we don't live in Perth or I think Karina and I would do serious damage to our bank accounts on a weekly basis. It was a lovely break away and we thoroughly enjoyed a break from Mum duty.

With Christmas around the corner I have some more house cleaning to catch up on and some cooking to do next week and then we will be ready. It is very low key for us this year, Mum and Dad are coming to celebrate with us and Keelan is away with his Dad, so it will be nice to be home and let the kids enjoy there day here for a change, the last few years we have been away or having to travel Christmas Day so I look forward to just a casual day.
Well take care, I will share some pics Sunday of the kids that I took at the beach yesterday, it has been so long since I have taken pics of them that they have grown so much.
Trace.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Well today this house has taken on the flavour of Christmas, yes the Chrissy tree is out the shed for another year, the wreath is on the front door and after a lengthy trip to Bunnings with Zay and Hubby, the outside of the house is looking like Christmas with lights up and they have been on. The kids are so excited they found it hard to get to sleep, as it is sinking in now that Christmas is just around the corner.

I was so happy that my list was getting smaller but in a matter of days it has grown again, it seems I am not destined to be as organised as I would like to be but hey there is nothing like chasing your tail. Trin has a pirate day planned for school on Friday so I have the costume for her, picked up a bargain on Saturday morning at toyworld as they are clearing out their costumes, beauuutttty, they are off to the park and will play pirate games etc. Her dancing rehearsals are going well but she has nearly sprained her ankles lately, 1 on Friday and the other today, so I am trying with all my might to keep her contained. I now have to glitter one costume and find a hip hop costume on Wednesday when I am going with a girlfriend to our nearest regional centre to shop. Hope to find more variety. Today she was getting worked up about not wearing stockings as she is getting teased by a boy in her class about her hairy legs, plleaaazzzz she is 7, give her a break, she was getting really worked up about it so I had to get the dance tights for her concert out and let her wear them and have replaced them this arvo. All this just adds to the cost but I dont want him to pull her esteem right down, even driving there she was fussing about a hair that had stuck through the tights, far out poor chick, I just told her he is certainly not Mr Perfect so ignore his comments. We got called in to be an audience and watch their hip hop dance for the concert, it will be so awesome on stage, they did a really great job today and I am proud of Trin, she has picked up hip hop really quick.

So life is really flat out here for the next 2 weeks and more things roll home each day tying up some more time, Rainee had back to back birthday parties on Saturday and she has come home today with another, Trin has full dress and dance rehearsal on Saturday, Keelan has his Triathalon on Saturday and then he has to get ready and fly straight off to a birthday sleepover well camp out really on a farm for a survivor birthday party. Trin has photos in costume on Sunday and Keelan has to be picked up later and we have been invited to catch up for Christmas drinks. I am glad Tim has a couple of early days home during the week as this is when we need to get extra things done here. I can see that I will have to get lots of things organised earlier next year as it just gets too hard trying to fit everything in now. 4 Sleeps till Nana arrives, boy we can't wait to see her, it has been 7 weeks since we seen her and Dad arrives next week, thank goodness Mum can step in for me with the dancing or I would not be able to make the reunion. I will really enjoy her company for the next week, seems it gets longer between seeing each other all the time, Zay is just bursting to have Nana and Grandad here. I will need a load of tissues next Thursday when Keelan has his Graduation Mass, I can't believe Primary school is over for my first born. Well best be off to bed, Trin has a little prayer morning for Parents first up in the morning so I have to be organised.
Take care
Trace.