Is it Electric*

I went to bed last night feeling awful. Aches and pains, bad head, sniffly, sneezy. I didn't sleep too badly.

When I woke up this morning I came down and sat at the breakfast table with everyone but wasn't ready to eat. I had a couple of pieces of toast and then felt sick so left them and went back to bed.

Moo went for a walk with Mrs Royal, Drew and Garfunkel. Huffle watched football. The boys played on the Wii, had baths.

We went out for a walk this afternoon to the beach. Had a play on the park, scooted, walked and then went for fish and Chips. The boys are in bed. Moo is not 100%. Huffle is very tired. I still feel achey and snuffly. We are watching a Film with English Choclate.

Hope to write more tomorrow. Photos from today tomorrow too.

 

*referring to the fence I crawled between on the beach.

 

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My friend 'Bucket'*

I was enjoying my lie-in this morning until the phone rang at 8am. I knew I wouldn't need to get up to answer it as one of the boys would do it. Small was talking on the phone and by the sound of his voice I knew it was someone he knew. It was in fact Huffle, ringing to say that he wasn't sure if the strike had been called off. I rang the school and it was open today, apparently it was all sorted by 6am this morning. Bleary eyed, I dragged myself out of bed and started Small's breakfast and lunch. Moo came down wondering who had phoned also.

We managed, between us, to get Small off to school on time, though we weren't sure the bus would be running. Smallest was feeing much better today and back to his cheeky self. Moo and I had breakfast and then I went off to my knitting group and Moo and Smallest played, did homework and cleared some of his bedroom.

I was feeling groggy today. I nearly forgot my knitting, I lost my keys, my sock, which should have been knitted on four pins ended up on two!!! What a Wally. I had a good time at knitting and next week we have decided to knit slippers. Guess what everyone will get for Christmas this year? I managed to knit quite a bit.

When I came home we all had lunch and Smallest showed which toys he had decided he didn't want anymore. I made several piles. One for Garage Sale, one for the bin, one for EBaying and one for Small to check through before I put it in the Garage Sale pile. We cleaned his floor and organised everything else. His room looks lovely now.

Moo and I played Scrabble while Smallest did some of his Lego and then when Small came home from school (a lot of people didn't go in today), they and a snack and got ready for swimming lessons.

We were early for swimming and Small had his lesson first. Just him so they added the next group into his class. He worked really hard swimming backwards and forwards, up and down and up and down.

 

Smallest had his lesson and was with the same girl as last year. I asked him late what the boy was called who had his lessons with him. *He said his name was Bucket. We couldn't stop laughing. I wonder what his name really is?

Bucket, Smallest and their swimming teacher

Small and his teacher's leg

We came home - the boys were very tired. Today it has rained all day. On the way home from swimming it was raining and foggy and dark. Horrible conditions to drive in, especially when I drove through a huge pool of water which covered the car but couldn't remember instantly where my windscreen wipers were! It was a horrible journey.

Huffle was home before us. He had prepared dinner. We all ate. Huffle and Moo played Table Tennis while I blogged and the boys watched YouTube Mario!

The boys went to bed. Huffle and I played Table Tennis - he beat me several times. Moo and I played and she beat me! Poor Famfa!!

Everyone is tired. I have a sore throat. Moo has a cold. Smallest is still coughing. Small has stinging eyes from the chlorine at swimming. Smelly is nicely washed and dried and ready for a full nights sleep with Smallest.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 12* WOW!

 

 

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Who will wear the robe today?

Smallest came in 5:30 this morning because he had lost 'smelly' (his favourite bed time elephant he has had forever). Huffle said "I'm sorry, I'm not getting up to look for him, it's nearly time to get up, try and sleep without him or look for him with your torch". He didn't find him until later tonight!

Huffle went off to work. The boys went off to school. Smallest is still not well but his temperature wasn't high, maybe a little low but he said he felt okay.

Moo and I had a quick game of Table Tennis then she went off for a walk with Mrs Royal and I did a workout for an hour. I worked hard and did 10km on the bike and just a mile on the Eliptical. (The reason I only did a mile was because Drew rang me and the only thing I could carry on doing whilst talking and not huffing and puffing was cycling). I also got to watch an episode of 'How I met your Mother' as the whole series is on Netflix so I am watching them from the beginning. Moo came home and brought Mrs R with her and we had coffee and toast and a good chat. Moo and I got showered and went out.

First we went to Bulk Barn and got Porridge and Pudding Rice for Small. Yesterday we attempted to make a rice pudding but as I poured the milk over the rice, I noticed small black things floating. Turns out it was weevils. The rice was in an air tight container. When we went to Bulk Barn I mentioned it to the helpful lady there. She said an air tight container wasn't the best as it encourages moisture. The weevils came from the rice and just 'appear' if left too long. Eeeuuuugghhh that's disgusting. I only bought a small amount as I didn't want it happening again.

Then we popped into the phone shop and asked about my IPhone. It has been losing its sound and won't always switch off. It is under warranty and they suggested I visit the Apple shop, so I made an appointment for next Tuesday at the bigger Mall so Moo and I can shop at the same time. She needs to fill her 2nd case up that was full of food and presents. We felt we needed a coffee and stopped off at the cafe and had one and a cake (well we did earn lots of extra calories this morning). Thanks to Mrs Spice for telling me about an app called My Fitness Pal I now log all my food intake and exercise and it tells me how many calories I have for that day.

After our cake we went to the Care and Share shop and bought 3 books for me, a Canadian scrabble dictionary for us all, a book and a bean bag for Smallest for his birthday. Good pickings today. We drove back and popped into the library (without the kids) and picked them up some books. We got Small some 'how to draw....' Books and a joke book for tomorrow (strike day) as it is supposed to be raining! Smallest and I drew Dragons.

We came home, put things away and then moved the Christmas Tree out onto the porch. Good job we didn't do it yesterday, it was so windy it may have ended up in Drew's garden. We got pine needles everywhere including in my hair. We cleaned up the mess, the boys came home from school and then Moo went out for a walk with Mrs Royal and Drew. She has been complaining of achey legs (I wonder why with all this walking and table tennis!!).

Moo hugging Fraser

The boys played on the Wii and I made pizzas and watched another episode of 'How I met your Mother'. Can't believe I didn't watch this when it came out. Moo came home, Huffle came home, we all ate dinner. The boys watched TV. Moo, Huffle and I played Table Tennis and I beat him. REALLY REALLY this time. Properly beat him. Ha ha ha. I got to wear the King Robe! And when when we played again he had to wear the robe to play Moo! PAH!

Winner winner chicken dinner!

The king in action

The boys went to bed. Smallest still feels unwell and very hot and yet his temperature is low. 'Smelly' has a bloody head from Smallest's nose. Small has a hurt leg and a twisted foot from dancing in Gym. Tomorrow they are having baths in Epsom Salts (including Smelly) - that'll sort 'em!

Get Well soon NoCustard.

 

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Get that Grurmer Thing!*

2am and we were woken by the smallest person in the house having had a bad dream and crawling in to bed with us. Then for the next ten minutes he coughed like a seal. Finally he went back to his room, I gave him water and a cuddle and he settled down. However I could still hear him coughing for ages after. When he got up this morning, I could tell he wasn't 100%. He had one red cheek but was pale and he had poorly eyes.

Small went off to school. Smallest's friend (Blur) mum rang to see if Smallest wanted to play this morning and I said they could play here because she had them at hers on Saturday. As soon as his mum had dropped him off, he jumped up on to the work surface and tried to get a biscuit out of the glass jar (it was 9am). Moo was shocked and made him get down. I don't think Smallest was feeling in as silly a mood as Blur was. They went from Table Tennis to Wii to TV to playing in his bedroom within the first 20 minutes. They were like whirlwinds!

The kids attacking Moo while she was limboing under their lightsabers!

Moo and I tried to ignore them and let them just play (noisily) and we took all the ornaments off the tree and wrapped them and boxed them up. All Christmas decorations are now down except the baubles in the front Urns which are frozen! We will have to wait until the 10* this weekend to thaw them out.

The boys had a falling out and Smallest said Blur didn't want to be here anymore so I took him to DayCare (while I was getting ready they were friends again!). I dropped him off and came home to get Moo and Smallest. We drove to a doctors about 20 minutes away who are taking on new patients. We sat and filled in four forms. Apparently, the system here means that they decide from our application forms if they might want us to be their patients. Then they ring us and we have an interview. We can then decide if we want them to be our doctor and they decide about us too. Phew, complicated way to get a doctor. Also I think we are tied in for about 2 years. Anyway, they will ring us in about a weeks time (or they won't ring us and that means they don't want us!). We passed a lovely tree trunk we have seen before with Bears carved into it. Smallest wanted to show Moo.

We had lunch at the White Feather Country Store which is always an experience. Plenty of opportunities to People Watch. Moo was very pleased with her bagel in a plastic basket and Smallest loved his Bacon Beard!

After lunch we had a look around the shop and then Smallest went on the park and sat on the tractors. When we were at the doctors earlier it was really warm and yet at the park it felt like minus 10. It was really exposed and cold.

We came home. Smallest sat on the sofa with his blanket and watched the TV. Moo and I had a scone and played a game of scrabble (she won). Smallest had a slight temperature so he had medicine and I contemplated taking him to the doctors. He played on the IPad for a bit while we waited for Small to come home.

Moo and I played Table Tennis (she beat me!!!). Smallest's temperature came down slightly and the boys and I played on the Wii while I cycled. Moo sewed on more badges and watched us. Then we got dinner. Huffle came home. Today we had our chestnut soup (yum) and omelette.

The boys are going to bed early tonight as their eyes are like little peep holes. We have just found out that the school is on strike again on Friday. So both boys off! Their swimming lessons start This Friday so at least they will have something to do!

EDIT. We have just had a call from the doctors. They have approved us to be interviewed. Smallest and I go next Monday. Huffle has to ring tomorrow and see if he and Small can get an appointment when convenient. YAY.

* Smallest and Blur were shooting Moo with the lightsabers and Moo was running away. Blur shouted "quick Smallest, get that Grurmer thing (meaning Moo), then he called her PurpleShirt.

And my favourite photo of the day.......

This is a story about how Chelsea in New York are getting wifi so that residents and tourists can get the Internet. YES, NOW WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF NEW YORK. We were amazed at how little wifi there was available when we were there. Did I mention we went? Need some pictures?

Somewhere between Central Park and Guggenheim

Water Hydrant

Central Park reservoir

 

A church next to Guggenheim

Sunshine on buildings

I think this was in Bryant Park.

 

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Do you want me to press your big button?

Moo and I went on a mission today once the boys were gone. After our breakfast we drove to the Toyota Garage as my car had been recalled AGAIN. The letter said it would take 2.5 hours so we asked if they could 'shuttle' us to the shops. The shuttle service was somewhere else and he said it would only take an hour so we had a coffee and sat and watched the News. It took less than an hour (and was cleaned) so we drove to the shops. We were looking for Winter Boots for me that had super support for my poorly foot. Walmart had nothing. Winners had nothing. So we drove to a local Mall - we used my phone sat Nav again and she got it all wrong. We were in the place we wanted to get to but she was telling us to go out and turn right and then left - silly Siri!

First we went to The Bay where I found a lovely pair of Red furry boots which didn't give an awful lot of support and a pair of Pink and grey boots which I really liked but they weren't in the sale. I asked her to hold them for me for the rest of the day and we tried another shop. They had lots but none in my size.

We stopped for lunch of a bagel and an orange juice. Then we went to another shoe shop and found the same ones as the pink ones (but black and white) for $20 less. I ummmmed and ahhhhhed for ages and tried lots of others on. In the end I bought the Black and White ones with the intention of trying them at home with my insoles. My feet really hurt me today so it's hard to tell if they are any good or not.

We came home via a supermarket to get some veggies to make tonight's soup. Then we went home. We had just enough time to put the shopping away, have a drink and play a game of table tennis before the kids came home. Small did some homework and Smallest played and helped us make the soup. We made two soups. Carrot, Tomato and Spinach and then a Roasted Chestnut.

Huffle came home. We all ate. I took Small to Cubs. He made an elastic band shooter, a key ring, talked about badges and had a story read to him - The Jungle Book. Next week he gets Invested and we all get to go. Smallest watched TV until bed.

I came back, played Table Tennis with Moo until HB skyped. Stopped to talk to her and Huffle and Moo played. It was nice to catch up with HB as we haven't spoken for some time. We caught up and chatted about Uni, Christmas, Family etc. I went and picked up Small from cubs, he loves it. Moo sewed his badges on his uniform the other day and I found out today that one of them is on the wrong arm. He also came home with a new badge and a woggle. Moo put him to bed and read to him. Huffle, Moo and I played Table Tennis and I went on the Eliptical - I could only manage a mile!

I soaked my poor feet and we watched Cake Boss - The next Great Baker.

I forgot to add a photo the other day of Moo finishing the Baileys Trifle.

I think she liked it.

 

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Got a beanbag?

Poor Huffle, had to get up so early to get to work. He woke me but not intentionally, and then I heard Small getting up. luckily I was already awake because he forgot to get me up. The temperature was -7 and the ice was on the inside of the sun room windows.

It was tough getting into the school routine again. Small had his breakfast and went up to get washed and dressed, lunch was made. Smallest was not at school today so he watched TV while Small and I ran around. Moo stayed in bed but not for long as Small decided if he had to be up then so should she and he naughtily woke her up.

After we waved Small off to school, Moo, Small and I had breakfast. We played table tennis and I did a mile on the Eliptical and a kilometre on the bike - hard work but I am trying to get back to doing five km a night again.

We got ready and went out with the intention of going to the Glow in the Dark mini golf. It took a while to get there and when we did it was closed. The man said it opened at 2pm and it was only just 12. We went to the Irish Pub for lunch. Moo and I had a lovely creamy Butternut Soup and we all played Hangman while we waited. We attempted to go to a beach with a park but my sat Nav took us to an industrial estate and then said "prepare to park and walk to your destination". We couldn't see the lake, there was a huge high bank between us and the beach. There was fencing all along and no way of getting through (well we couldn't see one). Also we were not dressed for walking in the snow and cold. So we decided to go home, however on the way we passed some shops and persuaded Smallest to go in with us. We were looking for a beanbag for the boys bedrooms. We found a few but nothing quite right!

We came in briefly for a hot drink and then went out in the front garden to build a snowman. The snow was definitely not the right kind for building snowmen but we tried and we worked hard at building a hump that didn't really stick! Then we started trying to add to the boys wall (or fort).

Small came home and helped us for a while and then they played in the Jungle Gym while Moo and I prepared dinner.

Moo and I played Table Tennis. Small and Moo played. Huffle came home and we ate dinner. Small blogged and Huffle and Smallest worked out which TV channels we watched so he could try and reduce our TV package. More table tennis was played between Moo, Huffle and I. The boys played indoor football and then watched YouTube - someone else playing Mario Bros. They are hooked at the moment.

Moo put the boys to bed. I soaked my feet as they are really hurting me today. Huffle played with the computer - that's him AWOL till bedtime.

Huffle had a 'not bad' day today - lots of catching up.

Small had a good day at school apart from recess when some other people tried to knock down his and his friends snow fort! Smallest is back at school tomorrow and looking forward to it - Me too.

When Huffle went up to kiss Smallest goodnight he said this "right you can go now Daddy because I'm saving a cough for when you go so you don't catch my germ". Ahh bless.

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Snowpiphany

A waffle and fruit breakfast was thoroughly enjoyed before a long walk in the forest.

Smallest made his into a bird

TODAY'S SNOW INDICATOR and our tree

Snow pants, snow jackets, boots, thick socks, hats, gloves, scarves were needed although it wasn't really that cold, especially once we started walking. The forest was beautiful. It was just the right kind of snow to have a snowball fight, so that's what we started with.

It was good fun

Then we started our walk. Instead of the cyclists we normally find in the forest, there were cross country skiers. One was even pulling their baby behind in a kind of ski bottomed wagon.

It was quite a long walk and the boys complained a bit, but it was worth it.

We were following a certain track and every now and then we would stop to throw snowballs again.

Or take photos of the trees

It was a beautiful place to be and by the time we eventually got back to our car, we were hungry and tired. We drove home and the boys built the beginnings of a snow fort in our front garden (we thought it was the Great Wall of China). In February it is the Hamlet's Winter Carnival. One of the competitions is a snow sculpture. The boys have started theirs early and hoping it stays cold enough not to melt.

We had a lovely Roast Dinner, Aunty A skyped and we took some of the Christmas Decorations down. The boys took their trees down and I carefully packed everything away. We still have the main tree and decorations but I'm not ready to get rid of that one yet.

Table tennis was played between Moo and Small and me, and then Moo went for a walk with Drew. Huffle and I played a few games of Table Tennis while the boys played on the computer. Then Huffle and I went on the computer while Small had a bath (school tomorrow) - Smallest 'entertained'. Then Smallest had a bath and I showed him old photo albums of when he was a baby.

Huffle and I deleted loads of photos from the computer, I tidied up my craft room and eventually Moo came home. She sewed on badges on Small's Cubs top and a swimming badge on Smallest's towel. Huffle and I played more Table Tennis.

The boys went to bed, we had our tea and Huffle got hit on the head with a flying photo frame. Then Smallest came down after he poked his eye on his cover!? I am going to post this before anyone else gets hurt. Night night.

 

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