Bailey's Gold Principal's Award

I know the last few posts have been about Bailey, but that is because he has been a clever little man lately! Also, I am still way behind on what they have achieved this year, so this is a bit of back tracking.

Anyway, at Bailey's school you have to recieve 3 gold awards to be entitled to a Gold Pennant from the Principal. You can recieve gold awards after other minor awards, but they usually take a few years to accumulate.

Bailey received his last month and I was invited to a special assembly to see him receive it. Another proud moment!

Bailey's Grand Final Win!

I will let the pictures tell the story...

Bailey is jersey number 4




Bailey scored a try from this run and the following photo is of his team mates hugging him as the referee awards the points.
The moment the final whistle blew
Realisation sets in!

Another rugby post

I have been missing on blogger because my life is rugby 4 nights a week, YM the other night and rugby all day Saturday. I sometimes get frustrated with the amount of time it takes up, but it keeps the boys busy and happy. It is during this time of the year that all work to our house stops and I live in my car.

Ok, so it is another rugby post, but that is what we do!

It is almost the end of the season, with our last game tomorrow. Bailey is the last man standing for the first time in our family and he is excited to have all eyes on him. He is playing in his Grand Final tomorrow against a tough Windsor team and because all of his brothers have been eliminated from their competitions we all get to be there to watch him. Go Bailey!!

Mitchell and Josh had great years too. Mitchell's team was eliminated in the semi finals but he has been training with the Penrith Panthers junior development squad this year after being selected by them last year and Joshua was the steam roller for his team, playing first division in the toughest rugby league comp in Australia.

I can't remember if I told you all that Jordan started playing in the men's rugby competition at the start of this season. He and Andrew played on the same team for half of their games this season. It was strange to see! Jordan played in the men's second side and played off the bench in the first side (Andrew's team). Jordan played really well all season and was the goal kicker for his team as well as the top try scorer. I keep telling Andrew that he has someone to carry on the family name now and he can retire??? We'll wait and see!

This was a recent photo taken of Jordan in our local newspaper. He got a bit of stick from his mates over the "teen sensation" comment. I was proud of him though!

All ears!

Andrew was unfortunate to be at the bottom of the ruck in muddy conditions on Saturday, when one of his team mates slipped and stepped on his face. The boot grazed his face, but caught on his ear and tore it, leaving it a real mess.
We ended up at Nepean hospital where a plastic surgeon performed microsurgery to try to repair it. He has 26 internal and external stitches. Maybe time to retire the boots??

STRUTH! Ruth is 70??

Ruth, you aren't just an Aunt
or a Great one at that;
but you mothered our Father
when he was a lad.

You helped and supported
when he grew up and married
and kept right on helping
our Mum, who was harried.

You giggled at letters
for motor bikes and money;
laughing them off
and finding them funny.

You've been at our weddings,
(the nephews and nieces) and
rejoiced at our babies
and loved them to pieces.

When we made the trip back
and stayed at your house,
you spoliled us some more
with your kindness and scouse!

What a wonderful Aunt
you have been to us all.
We're so lucky to have you,
so send out this call:

"Happy Birthday Ruth.
We wish we were there.
Please have a great day
and know that we care!"

We have so many lovely memories of times with you and Gordon, including the one in the photo above at your house in December 2006. We hope your day is great and you have lots of friends and family to share it with you.
With love from Liesa, Andrew, Jordan, Josh, Mitchell & Bailey xx

A big Happy Birthday to Karen too. We hope you have a lovely day with your Mum. x

Skills and Drills with the Waratahs

On Thursday night I took the boys into Woollahra (Eastern Syd), to Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club for a promotional night for the Waratah's sponsors, who happen to be our business bank.
Andrew was able to get passes for the Mitchell & Bailey to train with them. This was exciting for the boys as they watch these guys on TV every week, cheering them on. Pretty exciting for me too being the rugby chick that I am.
I only had my phone camera so the shots are poor, but I wanted to share my excitement. Ok, I would have probably still gone, even if the boys weren't there!

Mitchell reluctant to pose for a photo when there are better things to be done.

Mitchell & Bailey's backs.

A little Hairy

With the big boys off on trek, I got to do some activities with the two younger boys. We missed Jordan and Josh, but it was nice to get some quieter time to be with Mitchell & Bailey.
One night we ended up with the boys learning to plait. It was their suggestion. I was a very patient 'dummy' for them and by the end of it, they had mastered a basic plait. I'm still a way off letting them do my hair before a night out!

Mitchetty Mitch (better known as Mitchell)

Mitchell has brought a smile to may face more than usual lately. I have really been enjoying his company and his increased maturity...now he is 13 and all!

I love that Mitchell can talk to me about anything and often confides in me. I love that he is a deep thinker. I appreciate that he is as much of a neat freak about his wardrobe as I am.

Tonight Mitchell remembered that he volunteered to make the cake for his church class this month to celebrate the birthdays during the month. I drove him to the shop to choose what he wanted. When we got home, he mixed it all up and then came in and asked,

"Mum, where is the thing you put the mixture into to make it look like a cake?"

That made me laugh.

"A cake tin?' I suggested.

After finding the tin, I inspected the mixture which had a few visible lumps of butter and told Mitchell that next time he should soften the butter a bit before mixing it in, to which he replied,

"I know Mum, but this is Mitchell Wilson, not Gordon Ramsey!"

Well, I'd rather the lumps of butter any time!

He is such a funny boy.

"Bagachuting"

I went outside to investigate what the squeals and laughter were about, and found Mitchell and Bailey had placed a spare mattress, a cushion and a football tackle pad on the ground beneath our deck. They had tied together about 10 plastic bags which they were planning on using to slow their descent from the free fall from the top of the deck. Of course they wanted the camera to record their attempts. It kept them busy for ages!

This then progressed to stair jumping! I was probably more concerned about them damaging my camera than the thought that they may actually hurt themselves. They are pretty hardy...the kids that is, especially when I looked at these pictures and realised Mitchell was wearing his 'Ugg boots,' which are not exactly renowned for their foot support!

This reminded me of a funny quote I heard once. "Boy defined: Nature's answer to that false belief that there is no such thing as perpetual motion."