'Twas the week before Christmas.

We took the kids into town on the train to go to the Myer Centre and see the Christmas windows :) This was the one photo mum's point and shoot took before it died a dismal low battery death. They talked non stop the entire way - we had a great night :)

Hope everyone is having a great crazy week that the lead up to Christmas always guarantees to be. So far, I've got crafty but haven't cooked. We can't rush these things you know. Besides, my mother seems to be heading up the Women's Weekly test kitchen everytime I go round there so somehow I don't think there'll be a shortage.

Peace be with those that still have to go to the shops. I put on my camouflage and war paint to attempt Target yesterday and nearly went two rounds with a little old lady after she stole my carpark I'd driven round for 25 minutes to find. Those senior citizens in their little Corollas can get feisty I tell you!

Itchy and Scratchy.

Whilst sorting through enough artowrk to sink a battleship, I came across this colourful number of Cassidy's.

Or Itchy, as she is now referred.

She watches Isaac intently when he practises his writing - it's a common activity in the shower when they write on the fogged up glass,

Cassidy has mastered I, C, and H and will often write an assortment of these and say" that's my name".

How ironic that if often comes out as Ichi. She writes it with a flourish, similar to the mark of Zorro. If Itchy doesn't describe her, I don't know what does.

And here's the original Itchy and Scratchy...Cass-a-dass and Brianna Marie :)

A spanner in my works.

Being quite proud of my organisational genius folders for the kids, I was not expecting this little end of year curve ball.

And that's just Isaac's pile.

Then of course there's my husband who likes to make "tsk tsk" noises and smirks at me in a passive agressive kind of way if I move to throw anything out.

Please.....someone supprt me in my quest not to have our house buried under patty pan collages....I feel so aloooonnneee......

Backlog on the blog.

I know the "two weeks till Christmas" signs at the shops are there for the sole purpose of instilling panic in shoppers. They work. The guilty feeling is rising that I should be cooking something Christmassy by now.

Instead, I have been writing cards with the kids for their classmates, buying presents for teachers, making plates for end of year parties, sorting through endless scrapbooks and craft projects and finishing up my last sessions for the year.

Steve also took me to Mackay to visit our good friends Gary and Caireen and Airlie Beach for a few days. Another suprise that I inadvertantly ruined before the event :) but was a lovely few days of calm amongst the chaos that is two weeks before Christmas.

We had Isaac's end of year party today. Needless to say - we are so proud of our boy. Grade one, here we come!

Such a spunky shepard.

Whispering sweet nothings to his little woman :)

And onto the backlog....missy moo's concert.

She was rather excited prior to the event - "my tummy's funny

mum and I can't eat my dinner" :)

Let's get this show on the road.

Isaac was chief videographer.

Looking like Steve's clone.

She giggled, laughed and grooved the whole way through.

There's my mum!

Giving the crowd what they want.

Bringin' it home.

Too. adorable. for. words.

Snapshot-o-rama.

I seem to be doing a lot of bulk posting lately! Here's the events of a busy week in no particular order.

1. We are so proud of our boy. After a long struggle with bed wetting at night (he's still worn pull ups until recently) he is now staying dry. Steve made a deal with him that when he stayed dry for five nights in a row he could start sleeping in the top bunk (obviously with him wetting the bed, changing sheets on a top bunk in the midddle of the night was not something we were willing to do!)

We had dared to hope that after having his tonsils out that being dry may follow, as he now sleeps quietly and peacefully with no signs of sleep apnea.

He was as proud as punch when he helped Steve put the ladder up the other night.







2. I drove down with Mum and Em earlier in the week to meet little Sophie Elizabeth; the beautiful new daughter of Shell and Chris. Oh, my ovaries. Why must they smell so good?

Aunty Kate's first cuddle with Sophie.

The Amazing Mummy (thirty hours. Nuff said.) and the Handsome Daddy.

3. We put up the tree tonight. For those that are near and dear to me, yes, I am breathing into a paper bag to deal with the large amount of paper doily angels and paddle pop stick stars that have taken pride of place between my beautifully colour co-ordinated decorations. Steve delights in my horror every year and gives the kids helpful tips about "how that spot right there in front" would be a great place for their latest school/kindy creation.

IlovemychildrenIlovemychildrenIlovemychildren.

4. Tonight we sat in our brand new theatre. The carpet went in yesterday and the lounge arrived today. We sat there and listed to the Eagles dvd (yes, the Eagles. I'm a closet groupie. Steve was unsure wether to go through with the wedding at the start, but he's converted now and loves them too).

We kept looking at each other and smiling. It's so hard to believe it's finally done! So - movie nights at our place guys...we also have groovy popcorn cups :)

The back row is raised - Steve's idea :)

I'm so proud of Steve, he did an amazing job. If anyone wants a home theatre, give him a call. He's really good with speakers and projectors and stuff :)