Christmas present

All I wanted for Christmas from my boys was for them to fix this ceramic ball that Ben brought home.

It was such a shame, he brought it home wrapped in newspaper but it didn't survive the trip on the bus.

Ben sat down yesterday and patiently glued for an hour or so. Once it's dry he'll put these two halves together. 

Ice hockey

Both of my boys are playing ice hockey now and loving it!

Sewing task

This is what met me at my sewing machine last weekend. 

Love that I have to sew the pockets on well, with an underline. It was also an opportunity to ask how do you spell...

Ninja

Ben has taken to dressing in ninja gear. Ski mask, swimming goggles, protective gloves for hygiene. 

He particularly likes to do it at night and tap on a window outside. 

Last weekend this is what appeared at my sewing window when I was sewing on some binding. 

Andrew loves rock climbing

Andrew climbed to the top of just about every rock we saw. Just because he can. 

Ben's door

I do love that Ben still writes notes for his door. He's set up a gym "jim" program in his room.

We go in one by one. He lolls back on his bed and gets us to do push ups and sit ups and more till failure. Then he kicks us out of his room and waits for the next sucker!

Ice skating

I've been taking Ben along to ice skating lessons twice a week during these holidays. Yesterday the teacher said he's ready for the first two tests.

On hold

When I sort out Ben's clothes I plunk them in a basket just inside his bedroom door. I noticed this morning he's made a sign - clothes on hold (more room needed in closet). He's always been fantastic at knowing when to use brackets!

Ice skating lessons

Ben has been giving Andrew ice skating lessons. Ben's been taking the lessons and then teaching Andrew.

Yesterday at the theme park

We're on holiday - 21 of us in a huge house. Yesterday we went to Movie World.

Chaws

Ben's made himself a 'chaw' book. So whenever I ask him to do something he writes it in this tiny notebook first. So glad were paying the big bucks to send him to school - maybe one day he'll learn to spell!!

Scooter

Granny has bought a scooter. Here's the boys having a whirl. They love it!

New cactus

Here's the new cactus - Boogle - long may he live.

Cactus

Granny bought Ben a cactus a year ago. He called it Snem and overwatered it for a bit, then it was upended a few times, then forgotten. It died, and Ben's been keeping the remains of Snem on his bedside table. Tucking him in this week I saw Snem and made the mistake of saying it was Snem's skeleton. Ben's bottom lip trembled and he got a bit teary. Granny bought him a new cactus today, so all is good again. Here's a pic of the skeleton...

Spring fair

It was the spring fair at my kids' school last weekend. I didn't see much of it. Just the ice cream stall and its never-ending queues! One of the mums had a great idea - she asked the kids to do the labels, with a big emphasis on pictures to help the littlies.

Treat others...

Love the back of the plate Ben decorated this week, best of all, it shows he's been half listening to me over the years! He's written - "Tip: Always treat others as they would like to be treated. "

Ben's plate

Ben went to grannies' after school this week and spent his time decorating a plate. Here's the front - lots of animals. Love the turtle.

Andrew's birthday

We bought Andrew sky runners for his birthday. They finally arrived and he's been practicing walking in the park across the street and even up the hill at the end of our street!

Andrew's new present

Skyrunners