Chaos for Christmas

Despite planning to have a calm and organised Christmas this year, the last minute rush is on. We finally had the cabinets for the kitchen, vanities and laundry installed yesterday. We will not have the stone tops for about a week. In the meantime, I have no other water source other than the bathtubs. It just freaks me out a little to see wheat-bix scraps floating in my bathtub, but it is the only place I can wash up until the taps are all connected after the bench tops go in.

It is also the tooth cleaning spot, handwashing area and hair-wetting place. Sounds delightful hey?

I can't wait for it all to be finished and have a specific designated area for everything. Anyway, I have posted a few pics of the progress and will post more as they are completed.

This is the back wall of the kitchen. There is still a cupboard to go in, and the microwave and steamer oven go where the cavity in the wall are, next to the fridge.

This is the other view of the kitchen. We are having chocolate brown stone benchtops, with a rich red glass splashback behind the oven side of the wall to warm the colours up a little.

This is one side of the laundry. White stone bench tops are going on these. My washing machine/dryer are built in to the othe side of the laundry.

This is the vanity in the guest toilet. The sink is resting on the top at the moment, but it will have stone mounted on the top first and then the sink.

Reluctant country chick!

During previous years, this was the time of year when I used to get excited to see all the store catalogues and pour over the newest and latest Christmas gift ideas. They were delivered to all of suburbia, and I loved it.

Today as I checked the mail, I was mortified to pull out the Christmas catalogue for this area. Two of them. "Rural Post" and "Farmer Direct." Neither looked very glamorous. Apparently farmers don't wear make-up and heels. Residents of our neighbourhood are meant to wear rubber boots and tool belts. I feel like I am being forced to fit a mold.

Being surrounded by boys, I am hanging on to the last threads of femininity. Now this?

On the front cover of Rural Post, the promise of great Christmas gift ideas tempts the reader to continue. Now, call me ungrateful, but if anyone followed the suggestion of the magazine and purchased me a 'hawk bird scarer' (the modern equivalent to a scare crow), I may just peck their eyes out.

I am also in the market for a new car, but preferably one that has a roof and doors. I could almost imagine Andrew trying to get away with this.

Anyway, my point is. Yes there are farmers nearby that may legitimately need some of these things, but I am still a girl and I am reluctant to let go of my womanhood for the sake of practical solutions.

I vote to get impractical junk mail. Civilised society is not that far from here.

Besides, I have Christmas shopping to do for 'non-rural dwellers,' so I will kindly recycle the farm mail and venture into the 'big smoke' tomorrow for some real shopping!

Forced fun

Bailey and our family were invited to his end of year football celebration at Springwood pools on Saturday. The older boys were complaining about having to go and hang out with the 'little' kids, but we insisted they come and we all spend some time together.


A few hours later, it was apparent they were miserable and having no fun at all...

Fanning the fire

You know the weather is warming up when the scramble for pedestal fans begins. The boys love to have them blowing directly on their faces as they sleep. As we don't have the ducted air installed yet, these fans have become a valuable commodity. I went into Mitchell's room the other morning to find the fan he had used the night before belted to his bed with his good belt and then locked through the buckle with a combination lock. Desperation!

He thought he had outsmarted his brothers until Josh dismantled the fan into pieces to untangle it from its locks and then re-assembled it in his own room.

I did tell them that an open window cools a room as well, but I think they enjoyed the challenge of winning a fan for the night. Now I have bought more fans, I am guessing I will see open windows and redundant fans!

Chain gang

On Saturday we made a quick decision to start putting grass down. We were so fed up with the dirt and dust in the heat and mud when it rains, so we rallied the troops and started work. Not long after they started, I looked out the window and saw the boys all in a row and thought it looked like our own chain gang, so had to take some pictures.

They all worked really hard, but Jordan and Mitchell kept going until 9.30pm with plug in lights so they could see. Josh and Bailey opted for an early night.

Funny that.

"Wilson chain gang"

Andrew on his 'digging toy' and Josh scooping up bits he missed.

Green, green grass at long last.Thankfully no more of this in the front garden! (M looking anything but 'girlie' in Bailey's footy shirt covered in mud.)

Guilty Pleasure

Well I know I have been missing in action lately but we had been back from our Queensland holiday for three days when Andrew called me and told me the conference he was going to 3 days later in Hawaii was meant to be for spouses too. Apparently he was the only one going without a partner. He had to book my ticket right away, so there was no time for thinking about it. He had called his Mum and asked her if she would mind watching the boys for the week which she kindly agreed to, so I started re-packing the cases.
I felt a bit concerned about how the boys would feel about me going away for the second time this year without them so when I picked Bailey up from school I carefully began explaining to him how Dad was meant to bring me along and how he hadn't realised and how Dad would feel lonely if I didn't go because he would be the odd one out. At the end of my speil I asked Bailey if he was ok with me going, to which he replied, "I don't care, I'm not paying for the ticket!"
How did they get so independent. I guess I was looking for an "I understand, but it will be tough" or an "I will be counting down the days" or something.
Needless to say they survived fine without me... even though we missed our return flight and had to come home a day later (unintentionally I swear).
I had not initially been very excited about going because I felt a bit rushed and pressured with other things happening, but I ended up having a great time, met some lovely people and had a good break. I also scored a new camera while we were there, so hopefully the quality of my pics will improve..as soon as I can work out how to use it.

Dreamworld

I know this is becoming old news but thought you may like to see the tail end of our Queensland holiday. After survivng Fraser Island we thought we would keep the adrenaline flowing with a day at Dreamworld (on the Gold Coast). Bailey was excited to be tall enough to ride on all the rides. I think his excitement to be able to go on all the rides his brothers could go on made him forget that they were potentially quite terrifying.


Bailey trying to trick me that he was sick...I had kindly offered to be the bag/sunglass/ hat holder while they all went on the rides. It only worked for one ride then Andrew saw through it and we got a locker!
I was a bit concerned about Andrew smuggling the camera on to this ride, but he ended up with this shot which I think is pretty funny of the boys heads.
We had a fun day. My favourite part of the day was seeing the IMAX movie called "Space Station" narrated by Tom Cruise. It was spectacular. The kids hated it and kept whispering to me that they wanted to leave. They need to live closer to Grandpa Otterson and be indoctrinated about all things celestial. I loved it somuch I ordered a copy for me and one for Dad. If any of you get a chance to watch it, it truly is amazing. Back to the bumper cars hey?

Opposites attract

For all of you that know Andrew and I, it will be no suprise to hear me say that we are opposites. I am kind of uptight at times (I choose to call it conscientious) and Andrew is more laid back. I like rules. Andrew likes to avoid them.

It is always interesting going away and spending so much time together. It takes me a while to unwind and Andrew likes to encourage me along with a few hair raising adventures. It's kind of like resigning yourself to the feeling of iminent death. You give up all control and hope for the best. The more Andrew sees me freaking out, the funnier he finds it. I have to be calm and poker faced regardless of the situation.


I would like to share one holiday experience with you so you know what I mean.


While in Queensland we decided to take a day trip accross to Fraser Island (one of our favourite spots to visit). The ferry takes your 4WD accross from the mainland to the island. It is a sand island which can only be seen by 4WD. When you buy the pass, you are given tidal charts and it is explained to the visitor that the beach frontage can only be passed safely two hours either side of low tide. After these hours you need to take the inland road which is much slower to travel, but not covered by the sea. The last ferry off the island leaves at 5.30pm.


I thought we should plan our time very carefully, mapping out what we wanted to see, estimating the times and deciding which road to take so we neither missed the ferry, nor drowned.


Andrew just said "Liesa, RELAX."

On the car ferry, on the way accross to Fraser Island.

The island at low tide. (Note the width of the beach)

Swimming in Lake Mackenzie.

Choney, (Josh Ziesel's sister who holidayed with her family with us) and I on the Island.

Several hours later we had enjoyed some amazing sights on the island, including the beautiful, clear Lake Mackenzie, the boys had done some swimming and all was well. We began our journey back down the island and Andrew began to realise that we were running out of time. It was four hours after low tide, so waves were closing off the beach front, but if we travelled the inland road we would almost definitely be stuck on the island for the night without any supplies.
"Let's just try the beach" he said.
I could feel knots in my stomach and a big "I told you so" trying to escape, but I put on my nonchalant expression and hoped for the best.

I took some video above of the earlier stages of the drive back. By the end of the hour long stretch of beach we rounded the corner of the island and there was no land left. We could see the ferry, but we had to drive through waves at least a foot deep to meet up with it.
I don't have video of that stage, as I was too busy freaking out!
The boys and Andrew loved it and have just reinforced their belief that they are all invincible.

Reality check at 35!

Thanks to you all for your birthday wishes. I had a lovely day, despite a large part of it being spent in a car travelling from Coffs Harbour to Noosa, Queensland. Andrew arranged a cake and some nice BIG number 35 candles for me in our hotel room. He is so smug that I am a little older than him.

This is the first birthday picture taken.. probably the more acurate representation. Trying to remain composed while kids are jumping all over you... Jordan not wanting to be in the picture etc...

Andrew made us take another one.

I have come to realise that at 35 you are not young enough to have soft, beautiful skin however you are not old enough to escape breaking out. You are young enough to enjoy the outdoors with your kids, but too old to look good in a swim suit. People don't look shocked when I say I am the Mother of four (This one really hurts!)
It is a time for a reality check. I am very luck though to be healthy and happy and to have wonderful family and friends. These are the things that count.

I am falling in love.

I know I have already posted about our birds, but this morning for the first time I hand fed them. It was such a buzz to see them getting tame.I just love those birds.

Finally it's not about the house!!

Well, it has been another busy week. Friday night 21 Sep. I was asked to teach a cooking class at church. I decided to do 'A year in chocolate' and made recipes for each month and demonstrated a few of them. I included all my favourite recipes including my version of the Ferrero Rocher which I call the Ferrero 'no-share.' It was a lot of work, but it seemsed to go well. I am cured of chocolate now. These are white chocolate baskets with chocolate mousse. April's Easter recipe.For October (halloween) these are chocolate mice, made from dates with almond ears. (Could be used for tricking kids...I don't know many who would opt for dates over other lollies.)

Andrew came home from his work trip to USA on Saturday morning (22nd Sep). The weekend flew by and then he was off again Monday morning to South Africa. He got back Friday morning (28th sep-Jordan's birthday) and will stay home until Wednesday and then leave for a brief trip to China. I spoke too soon in my first blog when I said Andrew's travel has slowed down! We should have bought a house near the airport. It takes about an hour to get to the airport without traffic. On Monday morning it took 2 hours. The traffic was horrendous and we thought for a while that Andrew had missed his flight. We left home at 7am and I didn't get back until mid-day.
Later that afternoon Craig and Kate Anderson came over for a visit with their two gorgeous boys. It was nice to catch up with them. They are visiting from Perth for Kate's sister's wedding and I was pleased that they could spend the time to come and see us.

Craig, Kate, Benjamin and Samuel.

That night, the boys started their new Summer sport (Oztag) which is kind of like 'touch football.' Mitchell and Josh play on the same team and Jordan plays on a different one. Bailey is an unhappy spectator. We will try to find something for him to do during the Summer.

On Wednesday Mitchell was competing in the regional athletics carnival in the 800m at the Sydney Olympic Stadium. He made it through last year too, but it is still an awesome experience to run on that track. He did not progress through to State level, but I am proud of him for trying his best. He never gives up and I love that about him. Bailey scored the day off school too because we had to leave home at 6.45am to get Mitchell there as his was the first event. Bailey was great in support.

Too hard to see clearly, but Mitchell's name was up on the big screen.
Mitchell is the maroon shirt in the middle.

Thursday night the two youngest boys were involved in their school concert spectacular. It is the major fundraiser for the year and they have been rehearsing for weeks. The theme was showtime under the sea and Mitchell was a surf life saver and Bailey was a band member for their classes rendition of 'Yellow submarine.'

Mitchell, my cute little life saver!

The following day (Friday) the same two were both selected to represent their school in rugby league in a gala day for the district. They were in different teams, (Junior and Senior) but played at the same place. Their teams did really well, Mitchells team were beaten in extra time in the grand final and Baileys team won their grand final. Bailey was thrilled to be playing amongst the older boys. The team has to be selected from kids 10 years or younger. At 7 Bailey was by far the youngest selected and the only 2nd grader, but he was in the starting team and didn't have to have any bench time. (What they didn't know is that he has been playing since he was 3!)

Mitchell's team with their teacher.

Bailey with mouthguard smile and team mate.

From the fields and went to Emma's house to drop Bailey off to go on a trip with them to the beach for the long weekend. (Emma will post pics for that.) Straight from there I went to the airport to pick Andrew up and then back home to make Jordan a birthday dinner. (He is now 15!)

Jordan cutting his birthday cake.

Jordan and Josh have been involved with a youth camp during this weekend. They had to hike 15km through thick bush on Saturday. We met them at the other end and they were thoroughly exhausted. So tired they opted to go to sleep rather than watch the Wallabies in their world cup clash against Canada. Tired!

As part of the camp, we had the fireside at our house last night complete with bonfire. It was a good opportunity to burn some dead branches and logs, but ended up being huge. I am sure at the heart of every teenage boy, there is a pyromaniac waiting to be unleashed. It was a bit of a challenge to avoid the bonfire turning to bushfire as all the boys crowded round with burning sticks, but it all ran smoothly. We had 5 of the youth spend the night, then they have all gone to a wave pool for the day today. Finally a moment to catch up.

All things that move

My boys are so happy to be able to get their hands on things that move. The people who owned the land before us left a run down, old truck behind. It has become Jordan's pride and joy. He has been able to get it going and is becoming quite the mechanic.
I did resent having to put 'actual money' into the thing the other day when I had to buy some new tubes/pipes of some sort which Jordan needed, but after more consideration decided it is good for him to be doing something productive and having fun learning a new skill.
I had a giggle when Jordan asked me how much it would cost to have it repainted.
Jordan took me fo a drive in it the other day down the back of the property and we had a laugh about just how bad it is. It can go in first or second gear. Third, fourth and fifth are aspirations at the moment. I am sure he can do it. He is so much like Andrew when it comes to making things 'go.'
All of a sudden, sitting in the passenger seat I felt really old.

Jordan's beast


The boys have been wanting me to see their tracks they have made for the motorbikes too. I ventured down yesterday and had another chuckle as Jordan showed me how they had planted plants around the edge of the track. (Transplanted from another part of the garden.) He went on to explain that he had planted them in a 'horse-shoe design' to make it look good. I have a brown thumb so it is reassuring that Jordan likes to garden. There is plenty to be done.

So that is where all the gardening tools went.

Part of their home made motorbike track. (Complete with garden feature)

More of the track in a horse shoe design.

I just find the whole thing quite humourous. It keeps surprising me that they are just such stereotypical boys. Dirt, rock, motors, digging, and the need for a bit of praise from their Mum. I love it.

Early morning bird feeding

Now the weather is starting to warm up, we are attracting a range of beautiful birds to our property. The sounds are beautiful, (with the exception of the cockatoos). This morning Andrew came into the bedroom and asked me to get some food to feed the birds that had landed on the verandah. We didn't have bird seed, but un-popped, popcorn kernells did the trick, and they stayed for ages.