New School Shoes

Today was the day we went school shoe shopping.

Each year the children need new trainers and leather school shoes and I take out a loan to pay for them. It is always funny to see Sarah with her narrow long feet and Matthew with his wide feet. Luckily we have an amazing shoe store 'Athletes Foot' and they keep a record of our previous purchases.

So now we are half ready for school, on January 24th.

It was a lovely morning out with the children.

Today is a day for relaxation, a little watching cricket and some fun together.

Sarah is home!

Our wonderful girl is home and had a good time. "The weather was horrible with rain showers, the food was horrible, the sleeping was horrible," but beneath all the horrible she had a good time.

Sarah won the sandcastle challenge, creating a dragon protecting its egg, managed to body surf a big wave and also won a challenge of lying flat on the floor with a cup of water resting on her forehead and managing to stand up without using her hands and keep the cup on her head. Well done sweetheart.

At pickup Bronwyn, the principal, came over and gave me a huge hug and congratulated me on being so brave all week. We had a great laugh together. The staff were wonderful and caring and now we can breathe a sigh of relief until next year.

We made it!

Today is Friday and Sarah comes home.

I didn't have to go and fetch her from camp (either for herself or for me). I am so proud of us both.

At 2pm (just in case she is early) I will be at school waiting for the bus to arrive at 3pm. I can't wait to give her a big hug.

To everyone who is Irish and those who wish they were!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Top of the morning to you all. Elizabeth and I wore green shirts to university today and I had on my green headband and Celtic necklace. Ivan wore his green shirt and is on his way home to share a Guinness with Dad.

Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and comments regarding my previous post about Sarah. The wonderful news is that her principal emailed me to say she enjoyed yesterday's activities and was all smiles at breakfast. What a wonderful school my children attend. To have a personal relationship with the principal that she is prepared to email me and let me know how my child is doing is a credit to the school and to her personally. Way to go West Moreton Anglican College!

Is is better to let go or to hold on tight?

I do not know the answer to the above question.

Today I had to make one of the hardest decisions in my life and now almost 8 hours later, I still don't know that I made the right decision. Sarah has school camp this week and unlike most of her peers - Sarah hates school camp. Her normally high 'separation anxiety' kicks into hyper-drive and her stress levels reach extreme proportions.

Today I made her go to camp!

My head (and society) tells me it is better to let go, to prepare her for life, to teach her to stand on her own feet and deal with the discomfit of being away from home and the experiences will make her strong.

My heart and my soul tell me that my head and society is WRONG! I feel so strongly that I should rather be protecting my child. She needs to grow up, but in providing her with the basis of protection, love and strength of family, she will one day have a foundation on which to leave - when she is ready.

Sarah cried as I pried her out of my arms. She sat in the front seat of a bus, alone and forlorn, her friends walked past her to sit at the back and she sat alone. Her face and her eyes pleaded with me to 'save' her and I let her go. I held strong to the dictates of society and my heart bled.

I cried, I cried when her principal asked me how she was? I cried and said that I didn't want her to go, but I still sent her on her way. Even now I am crying, I want to drive the 2.5 hours up the coast and fetch her. Maybe, she is fine and it is just me who is suffering? I do not know, all I know is that more than anything I wanted to hold on tight and I didn't.

Is it better to let her go or to hold on tight? Maybe someone knows, but I don't!

Now it starts!

Uni begins for the year tomorrow. I am quite excited about the beginning of lectures. My first course tomorrow is Australian literature and one novel and two short stories into it, I am quite enjoying the selection.

Wednesday is going to be the big test for me as it is the Writing fundamentals course - the one I am least looking forward to.

Thursday is Gothic literature and there is a lot of reading for this course, luckily I have read most of the novels and Elizabeth did the course two years ago, so will be my sounding board.

Tonight, Matthew has been a gem, sitting doggedly helping Sarah with her Math homework. Now Sarah doesn't enjoy Math at the best of times (it is Matthew's favourite subject other than IT) but his patience with his frustrated and annoyed sister has been wonderful.

He also gave me his English assignment to edit/proof-read and I was so thrilled with the quality of the document. His language was advanced and eloquent. Very well written. Given the previous years of struggle I have had with him in this area, it is wonderful to see his maturity kicking in. Well done Matthew!

Elizabeth had her first day of uni today. It was a long day from 10am until 4.30pm and she has decided that Ivan may no longer travel on Mondays; that way she can get a lift into and out of uni with her Dad.

Tonight we are facing potentially heavy rain (again - of course Ivan is away) and I managed to worry Mom and Dad with my frustrations of coping with things on my own. Sometimes it just gets to me. It is however, nice to know they are always here for me. Of course I also have two and a half grown up children to help, so it is really not too serious. Anyway lets hope that all is well.

That is me for the evening, signing off to watch some TV, to read and get some rest before my big day. Oh yes, I also fitted in a visit to the gym today. 30 mins on the treadmill - 150 calories and 5 mins on the rowing machine - 50 calories. Then I enjoyed 10 mins in the sauna - maybe no calories but very relaxing.

Softball Sarah

Joy today was watching Sarah at another Softball game. Granny and Granddad came along to the home game to support Sarah and I think they both enjoyed the game.

Sarah batted really well, scoring twice for her team. She was caught out on first base on one occasion, but in doing so, the team got another runner home. So it was a good sacrifice. Unfortunately, they lost to St Pauls 14-10, but the result did not reflect the fantastic game played by all the girls.

The Joy of today was watching my lovely little girl who has always hated sport, flourish and enjoy playing with her teammates and improving week after week.

Go for it Sarah.

First Day of School for 2010

Boo Hoo! First day of school, we don't want to go back to school.

Matthew started Senior school today and Sarah had her very first day of Middle School. It was a big day for them both. We took our annual height photo and it will definetly be the last photo where I am taller than Sarah. Next year I will be in the front of the group.

Sarah and Matthew had beautiful new-style school hats as well and they both looked really smart.
The best part of the day was picking them both up and Sarah's first words were: 'I love Grade 7' and Matthew's 'It was great, I wasn't bored.'

They both liked their teachers and came home enthusiastic about school. Matthew helped Sarah organise her folders and timetable and they both completed their first day of homework without a complaint. A good start to the school year.

Ivan is back at work tomorrow and Elizabeth and I are heading to the gym after school drop-off.

A great day - well done children.

Sarah's presentation night and graduation

Sarah performing with concert band at Presentation night.

Sarah with her prizes for the Mavis Reath literature competition.

Sarah at Grade Six (Junior school) graduation. The Middle school principal welcoming her to Grade seven for next year.

A wonderful moment to share with Sarah, Well done sweetheart.

Matthew's Middle School Graduation

Matthew and Madeline gave their final speeches as Middle School Captains at the Graduation ceremony.

Matthew receiving his graduation certificate from the principal Ross Switzer.


The two school captains and the Middle school Principal Bronwyn Gagliardi cutting the graduation cake.

I was a very proud Mum, sharing this day with my son.

Our Son Matthew

Matthew in the new mascot outfit that was purchased with funds raised by the Year Nine students, as a gift to the Middle School.

Last night it was Matthew's presentation night, he was awarded a prize for his service as Middle School Captain and also as the oldest student had the priveledge of passing on the candle of knowledge to the youngest Grade Seven student.

It was a wonderful evening with the highlight being Matthew and Madeline announcing next year's Captains.

Well Done Matthew.

What a girl!

My amazing daughter Sarah received an envelope at school today regarding School presentation night. When I picked her up we opened it and these are the opening sentences:

Dear Sarah,

I have great pleasure in informing you that you are to receive the following awards on Presentation Night:

Mavis Reath Awards for Literature - Years 4, 5 & 6 Poetry
and
Mavis Reath Awards for Literature - Years 4, 5 & 6 Short Story.

My talented girl has won not only the poetry award, but also the short story award, which had to be 400 words or less (Sarah's was exactly 400 words). She entered her poem 'Circus' and her short story 'The Picture'. These competitions are judged not by the class teachers, but by a recognised poet and writer. So this achievement in winning both categories is even more impressive.

Sarah I am so proud of you. Your creative talent is amazing. Well done! See below for the poem and story.

Circus
by Sarah Adair 6S

Red and white stripes of the Big Top
Jumping, catching, flying, landing
Acrobats on wires, large trampoline
Flexible people want to be seen.

Lion tamers, elephant riders
Little French poodles riding bikes
Candyfloss, popcorn, peanuts and more
Everything you can buy from the stall.

The Ringmaster calls in the clowns
Funny faces, big floppy shoes
Smiles painted on chalky lips
I love the circus and all its tricks.

Droopy eyes in the car
Dreaming of being a circus star.



The Painting.
By Sarah Adair 6S


A light stroke of a paintbrush is all it takes to bring a painting to life. The dots and lines covered the canvas in rich, earthy reds and browns. The people that stood before the famous piece of art in the gallery didn’t understand the new painting.
“I don’t understand why the artist painted such a little kangaroo?”
“It doesn’t even seem to belong in the painting.”
The little kangaroo felt even smaller and sadder as he heard these comments.
“Five minutes to closing time,” the speaker crackled.
The little kangaroo watched the people leave the gallery and the lights slowly dim.

A sigh crept around the gallery as all the figures stretched and groaned.
“I hate posing all day for those art critic snobs” said Lisa Mona.
“That’s not a smile, well what would they know” said The Scream.
“Well at least they don’t call you small” said the tiny kangaroo.
“Hush Junior, don’t talk to strangers” said the sun, peeking from behind Uluru. “We are far from home in this cold, wet land. Don’t annoy the locals.”

“Locals, who are you calling locals?” screeched The Scream.
“I don’t know why they have let dotted riff-raff into the Louvre” whispered Lisa Mona.
Everyone leaned out of their frames to peer at the strange foreign painting that now hung in the gallery. Junior tried to hop behind the big mountain, but fell out of his frame.
“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed The Scream.

Poor Junior felt sadder than ever, he was so far away from Australia and all alone in this new place.
“Don’t listen to them,” said Vinnie Gogh, “I don’t.”
Junior decided explore to escape the comments that made him feel small. Hopping from room to room, he met many famous sculptures and paintings. Some were very friendly and some were just plain rude.
Junior realised that he had been hung with some very special paintings and started to feel a lot bigger and more important.
Junior wandered back to his painting.
“Oh look Spotty’s back,” snickered The Scream and Lisa Mona.
Vinnie Gogh said, “Leave him alone, he is far more important than you think. He represents his whole country. We are all from here.”
Suddenly, Junior felt a whole lot bigger and better. He hopped back into his painting as the sun lit the gallery.
“Thank you,” he whispered before the visitors came to stand before him once more.

We have all the bases covered.

I have the most amazing and talented family. I am proud of each and everyone of them, just for themselves for the lovely children that they are. I am proud of their sense of honesty, decency, love of others and the pride that they take in themselves.

Today I am writing with a little more pride than usual. I ask you to check out my beautiful Sarah's blog 'Vesta Mini-Magic' http://vesta-mini-magic.blogspot.com/ she has written a wonderful poem called 'Circus' which she is going to enter into the school poetry/writing competition. Also the story called 'The Painting', both of these entries, she wrote yesterday. An amazing girl.

Then this morning I received a phone call from Matthew's mathematics's teacher. She said that she had Matthew in her class and he needed to tell me something. Of course I just panicked, what had gone wrong!
It wasn't that anything had gone wrong, but rather that he had received his results for his entry in the National Math competition that he sat last term. He competed against Grade 9 & 10 students (he is in grade 9) and received a DISTINCTION, placing him in the top 16% of the country's math students for his age group. I tell you I was completely blown away. Math has never, ever been my strong suit, and here is my son completely acing the exam.

So with my amazing Professor (Science) husband; Elizabeth our Ancient History expert; Me the writer and poet, Sarah - the musician, artist and writer and now Matthew both a school leader, amazing comedian and Math expert - We have it all covered!

Concert Band Eisteddfod

In January this year, Sarah joined Concert Band at school and today participated in the Silkstone Eisteddfod. They played two great pieces and were awarded a gold award for their efforts. It has been lovely to watch her skill improve and the whole band grow and develop. This is the most junior of the West Moreton Anglican College bands and a great starting point for all the budding musicians. I enjoyed watching and listening to them perform - well done Sarah.

Sarah practising beforehand and after the award ceremony - standing with Mrs Kennedy - the Music school receptionist and behind the scenes lifesaver.

Anzac Day

Today is Anzac Day in Australia (for those non Australians - it is our Memorial Day to all those who have given their lives in war, especially the huge sacrafice paid by the 'diggers' (soldiers) at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, Turkey, during WW1)

As Middle School Captain, Matthew was asked to represent his school along with all the other leaders in our local Ipswich parade. This is quite an honour and we were so proud of him.


The Senior Captain's leading West Moreton Anglican College and all the other schools in the parade. Matthew turned when I called him, as he marched by.

We then all attended a memorial service in the local park. It was rather warm (30c) so much so, that a few of the soldiers were fainting in the heat as they stood to attention. I am sure many of them had been up since long before day break to also attend the dawn services. St. John's ambulance service worked really hard providing water and relief to many people.

The service however, was moving and beautiful and as our local RSL (Returned Services League) motto says - 'Lest we forget!'

My Beautiful School Children.

This year WMAC did sibling photos for the first time.

It was so good to get one of Matthew and Sarah together.

School Camp

School camps are always a tough time in our house! Not only is it really hard for the person going on camp, but for all of us left behind, we feel as though part of the family is missing, as though we are not complete.

This year is Sarah's Grade 6 camp for 3 nights and 4 days, the longest she will have been away from home. They are going up the Sunshine Coast to 'Luther Heights' and although the camp is supposed to be one of the best, it is going to be a tough week, with rain and winds all week, due to Cyclone Hamish bearing down the coast.



SARAH AND AMY.

Sarah and Amy both hate the idea of camp, so will look after each other, sharing a bunk-bed and partnering up on the bus. I hope you have a wonderful time, little one, you will be in my thoughts and my prayers while you are away. I have asked your Guardian Angels to watch over you.
Be safe and I will see you on Friday!

Yes it is broken!

Instead of this.....

We have This!
Matthew has a fracture in his wrist and will need to be in plaster for the next four weeks, missing the rest of the season of cricket. He has only managed 1 match because of the rain this February.

We went up to school to support the team for an hour or so, but that is the end of his season.

What makes me proud?

I have been very blessed in my life by my amazing children. Each of them is uniquely gifted and have provided me with so many opportunities to reflect on the blessing that they bring to my life.

As an expectant mother, I always knew that I would love the child that I carried, but I never knew that I would be so proud of them. I did not think that I would look at them as individual human beings and be honoured to not only know them, but to be able to claim kinship with them.

Today it is Matthew's turn to make me proud. It all started last year, when one Sunday night he informed me that he needed to write a speech. I flipped as I thought he had forgotten a homework assignment. As it turned out, he needed to write and deliver his speech as part of his application for the position of Middle School Captain.

Matthew's speech was amazing, it was filled with humour and delight and he managed to deliver it in the most amazing manner. He had staff and students in the palm of his hand and outshone so many of the other candidates. Voting took place and after a very long wait, he found out at the end of last year that he had achieved the honour of Captain.

Today was his official induction into the position and during a lovely ceremony he spoke with eloquence and confidence, giving his oath of office, smoothly without even referring to the paper provided.

Our family is so proud of this amazing young man, he is on the verge of adulthood and carries himself with dignity and maturity. He has also managed to retain his wonderful sense of humour and also just be our Matthew.

I am proud of my son for giving something a go! For deciding to make a difference, not by moaning about the situation, but by standing for election and deciding to be the School Captain that he wants to be.

I am proud to be his Mom, well done Matthew, I love you.

Day of Blessings - First Blessing

Today Matthew and Sarah had their first full day back at school for 2009.

Our Sarah is in her final year of Primary School and is now the 'big' kid on the block! She has a substitute teacher for term one, as her teacher is taking long-service leave. She will have a male teacher all year, first with Mr Morrow and then Mr Sternberg. Her new teacher seems very nice and although her very best friend, Amy is not in her class, she had a really good day.

Matthew arrived at the car bubbling and joyful, having met up with friends at morning tea and lunch and seemed really happy with most of his teachers.

2009 is going to be a busy year for both children, with Matthew hoping to play cricket and of course all his duties as Middle school captain. Sarah will be taking flute and piano lessons and is hoping to participate in concert band. She is also trying out for softball this term, so I think we are all going to be really busy.