Whats going on here?

Natural learning at its best......... (would you look at that, one would assume Gameboy is learning something here..........he sure looks like he is doing something other than playing games)


He is actually munching on some smarties he found hidden away for a special treat.

And what is Zak painting..........


....None other than his mama's new elastic that she bought for her new skirt she is sewing....ahem thats mine!......Oh shut up mum, you can always buy some more.....WELL..I never!!!!!


He seems to think that if he gets in own outfit made, his mama is going to let him trot off to Sydney with his sisters for Supa-Nova next month. Supa-Nova is a big nerd/geek fest, where people get to dress up and pretend they are their favourite anime or game character for the weekend. They basically hang out and be a bunch of nerds together in a gamey environment. All of my girls are going and they are very excited. They have been wanting to go for years now, I so rudely took them off to a festival a couple of years back and something came up last year as well so they missed out.

Oh well, he can only dream now, can't he? For now he is having great fun, creating and dressing up. Its been raining the past few days so we have been stuck inside. At least he is keeping himself amused!

Happy Journey Rupert

Its been a bit of a sad week down our way this past week or so. Some things I'd rather not talk about here, but one thing I will.

Last week we lost our little pet rat Rupert, he was a much loved little guy and totally turned me around when it comes to shrieking at the thought of rats. Rats make beautiful pets. They are so gentle and clever and worm their way into your heart before you know it. Even people who pulled faces and ran when at first confronted with Rupert ended up taking to him, it was very hard not to.

Rupert passed away in his sleep, curled up in his little blanket, he is very sorely missed by all of us. He had been acting rather strangely the past few weeks so we were fairly prepared that something was wrong. He was escaping his cage on a regular basis and wanting lots of cuddles and attention. We buried him in our garden and planted some little shrubs as a little memorial for him.

If you want to know if we will get another rat, I have to say NO, its too heartbreaking, they do not live long enough.

For now, if you have time please go and read Ruperts Post from a while back, there are lots of pictures of him there. Happy Journey Rupert! We miss you little man!

Macro moments!

Yeah Yeah Yeah, I know I don't normally stoop to this stuff but really. There I was about to hop in the car and it was really really windy and all, and I saw this bee! Could not help myself, thought I'd try the Macro setting on my Canon (You know the little one that fits in my purse! LOL) Not bad considering the the fact that nothing would stay still!

Awwww! Cute little bee!

What Not to Do.....

When you have just eaten at one of those all you can eat restaurants and your parents have pretty much let you go for it..........

Oh dear! Someone looks a bit sick!

But then Gameboy and Mr Yakka (with a little help from mummy) decide to step up!

Not to be outdone, Aunty Maureen jumps on for a ride!

C'mon Gameboy, show us what you've got!

Oh Okay! He gets it!

But Oh dear! What is wrong with Zak?

You can get by with a little help from your friends!

Up you get!

And just when this lot thought they had gotten away with standing at a distance.....

Grandad let one rip and everybody ran for the hills!
So they just got a bit of that exercise afterall!

The Middle Wife - very funny story!

So, its been the usual madhouse down here of late. We have had to deal with the good, the bad, the very sad and the ugly! Starting to pick up now and I hope to get back to my blogging in earnest. For now I would just like to lighten the mood with an old email I just came across in my inbox, written by an Anonymous second grade teacher! We all need a laugh now and then.

The Middle Wife

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.

When I was a kid, I loved show and tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show and tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl called Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater. She holds up a snapshot of an infant. "This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday!"

"First Mum and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mums stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord". (She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.)

"Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mum starts saying and going, "Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!" Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. "She walked around the house for like an hour, "Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh" (Now this kid is doing an hysterical duck walk and groaning...)

"My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got Mum to lie down in bed like this." (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.)

"And then POP! My Mum had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like pssshhhhew!" (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)

"Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push, and 'breathe, breathe'. They start counting, but never even get past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said was from Mums play centre, so there must be a lot of toys inside there."

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I'm sure I applauded the loudest! Ever since then, when it's show and tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another "Middle Wife" comes along.

Pig Flu and a Craft Update....

Pooh and Piglet, compliments of the email rounds.
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In the past three weeks I have managed to almost finish this cross stitch. I have completed a fair bit more since taking this picture and hope to finish the whole thing by the weekend. Depending on how long the back stitching takes. Fingers crossed XXX



I have also been doing a bit of knitting........ This will be bed socks.......

This turned into...........

This..........

This turned into a Heanie
(I did not take a picture of the finished product yet
But here are the bits)

These lovely fabrics turned into a skirt for me!
I still need to hem the bottom and sew on the lace which turned out to be a bit of a drama for me as I did not buy enough lace. I went out and bought some more but its different and Im not sure if I like it. Maybe I will attempt to finish it today.

Now Im off to do some housework, lessons with the kids and then hopefully some craft in the afternnoon! Have a great day everyone!

Okay! Lets go with cute instead of funny!

Miko sings..........

"On top of old smokey.............
All covered with cheese..........."

"I lost my poor meat ball.........."
When somebody sneezed........"

"It rolled off the table, and under a bush
And then my poor meatball.....Was nothing but mush!"

"He he! I'm so good! Hey?

But hang on! Whats this? An intruder...........
TBF? Who is this you are hugging? Kiss for Miko?"

"Zak? Who is that baby you are holding?
I AM THE BABY HERE!!! HEY!!!!!"

Miko! Meet your little brother, he is only 4 weeks old, please be gentle!

Ahhhhh! Yes! It seems we had a little visitor the other day! Miko's mama has had another litter of pups and this little sweetie dropped by for a very quick visit. He did not like being away from his mama, Sasha. Isn't he a darling? He looks so much like Miko but he is the quiet one in this litter, not like somebody we know, who likes to sing, back chat and be a little brat! Oops must run, somebody is causing a fuss outside and annoying Bella, I wonder who it might be? Hmmmmmmmmm..............

The confusing Pet

The year was 1993 and SB headed out to the local RSPCA (Animal rescue centre) to adopt a new dog for the children. They had never owned a dog before so it was to be a big surprise for the girls.

The Bookfairy who was 3 at the time had no idea and was happily playing away with her toys when daddy walked into her bedroom with the new family member. There was much squealing and jumping to be heard and I ran into the room to see what all the excitement was about.

" What is it honey? What is it?" I asked. She could hardly contain herself as she jumped on me screaming "Its a Fangaroo! Its a Fangaroo!" (Kangaroo) " Really? Well that would be nice, but actually I think its a puppy!" Recognition slowly dawned and without missing a beat she started all over again......."Oh mummy, a puppy? We got a puppy! We got a puppy!" Victory dances ensued!

Captain Underpants!

So I promised funny stories this week and after a sleepless night I was thinking I would have to give it a miss today! I am trying to visit everyone who joined in so was not sure how I would wing it!

Never fear! Captain Underpants was here!

Zak in his usual smart ass fashion just waltzed in, in his underpants (well actually a pair of speedos) topped with a nice warm jumper! He was toting his little Captain Underpants noise maker (For those unfamiliar, Captain Underpants is the star of a children s book series that is very popular with growing boys! Lots of potty humour!)

It kind of went like this..........

Tra La La (He stands rigid and singing along turns his face abruptly to one side)
Tra La La (He turns to the other side)
Tra La La (The Head swings forward, very serious stuff)

It then makes a croaking noise a bit like a frog for several beats! (He thrusts his hips to the front and jumps forward hands on hips, then does the same backwards)

At the last ribbit with lots of oomph he suddenly thrusts to the back aiming his butt at his poor mother!) (Oh it turns out, that last bit was not a ribbit but a very loud fart noise! Go figure!)

What can I say? It was such a funny sight, that he was lucky not to get a tap on that backside, his mother and brother were too busy laughing.

Fun Monday (again LOL) Yes its really it this time! - Funny Stories

Okay so we all know I'm always late these days, what can I say? I'm busy Okay? No? Well, too bad, I'm here now! And since I am the hostess of Fun Monday this week, I promise you, I have profusely apologised to myself for my tardiness and been duly forgiven! (The forgiveness was totally in the bag before I even thought of it!)

So where were we? Oh yeah, Fun Monday, I wanted to hear all your funny, cute or silly kid or pet stories. And do you know what? I found myself, (after leaving it till the last minute/day where I was running around like a mad chook trying to do everything else under the sun) that I could not make up my mind just which funny story to tell you all!

So what was I to do? Well, I thought since my blogging skills have been so remiss of late, I might just tell you a different one every day! So I hereby challenge myself to do just that! I am going to attempt to write a story each day this week to share with you. Considering the amount of pets we have around here, not to mention all the kids, well, I should be able to come up with something!

Now for those of you who only frequent this blog on Mondays I would like to send you off to read these oldies but goodies. Warning, they are not for the feint hearted, when my kids wanna get embarrassing or funny, well, lets just say they do it in a big way! (WARNING: Put your drink DOWN NOW!) One of these posts has made me the recipient of complaining emails in the past and demands for new keyboards! I hereby take no responsibility for you spitting on your keyboard! You have been fairly warned!)

Zaks Surprises Cameragirl

Gameboys helpful Day

And now for a more recent story. Like Saturday evening, when Karisma was supposed to be getting all dolled up to go to a party! So where was she? She was out the back, net in hand, trying to catch those bloody Psycho Chickens!

So in my usual fashion, I had gone out the back to play with the dogs for a little while as they get quite miffed if I don't. I was kicking the ball with one foot for Bella, scratching Maxi's belly with one hand and trying to keep Miko amused with the other as she HAS to have ALL of mama's attention ALWAYS! Bella was whinging and sooking as I was not kicking the ball fast enough for her liking, Miko was trying to leap on top of Maxi and bite her, to let her know it was ALL her turn to play with mama, when I happened to glance sideways and notice, not one but TWO of those damned chickens standing there all cocky like and watching me through the fence FROM MY GARDEN!!! (As my two year old nephew would shout "OW WUDE!")

I remember thinking to myself at the time! Stay calm! Its okay, get the net (which I had to resort to the last time one of them was in there) and quickly catch them and put them into the coup! Well, easier said than done!

Faith......Are you speaking about mwah? Ow Wude!

What ensued for the next half hour or so, was me running around like a lunatic, at first quite calmly but then quite frantically screaming! "Come here you little horror or you are going in the pot!" Cameragirl was yelling out "That's not nice MUM! Your awful!" So anyway, I managed to catch no 1. who I think was Faith, she put up quite a fight once I had her! I quickly pulled her out of the net and under my arm to calm her but she was not impressed. SB quickly came out with the scissors and clipped one of her wings so she could not fly over the fence again!

Henrietta....It wasn't me! She lies!

So then I turned to my (once upon a time favourite) Miss Henrietta. She, the little madam was having absolutely none of it! How Rude yourself! She was thinking I'm sure! She gave me the royal run around and then flew up onto the hammock support which is next to the garden. She turned around and started telling us what for! I swear she was being cheeky! So SB reached up to shoo her back towards me and what did she do? She promptly flew all the way across my head, over the garden, over the neighbours fence and yard and landed in their swimming pool! NICE!

So now I had to go next door (the neighbours are new by the way, Ive never met them) and say most politely! "Hi, sorry for interrupting your evening, but my chicken just flew over the fence and landed in your pool. Do you mind if I go and fetch it?" The fellow who was yakking on the phone at the time, looked at me like I had suddenly grown two heads at first and then his eyes kind of grew wider as he declared "Oh, I did hear something hit the pool a few minutes ago! Sure go around, I'll meet you out the back!" The whole time I was thinking by now Henrietta was a goner, he took ages to answer the door and let me in.

So we go out there and there she was soaking wet, feeling sorry for herself on the deck next to the pool! Did she give in? NO, of course she didn't, we still had to chase her and I got her in the net. She then jumped out and ran across the yard, thankfully she could not fly as she was too wet. The cat was sitting there licking it's chops and getting ready to pounce just as I caught her, again! I thanked the neighbours and ran home with one very wet, very sooky chook and SB clipped her wing as well. He then suggested I might as well get the other two out and do them too! (But I want to go to the party honey.....Do I have to? YES! Damn! So in I go and attempt to catch Drewcilla, We all remember her right, Miss Psycho chicken the first, she was not having it either and promptly flew over the fence into the vegie garden! Are things starting to sound familiar here?

Drewcilla........the bitch witch!

Well, her, I managed to catch a lot quicker, she is nice and fat and a bit slower. She also happens to know the drill! She is always getting into the garden and has become used to me picking her up to go back to the coup. So she was clipped and in she went, which left no 4. Hope. Now Hope is normally quite friendly but since everyone else had put up a fuss, she was not going to disappoint me either! She started running around in circles screeching, and so did the rest of them! What a surprise! So I managed to NET the wrong chicken FOUR times. And was at breaking point, when I finally got the right one! Damn them chickens for all looking the same!

Hope.....(There might be hope for me, if she forgives me!)

So Im sure you can all imagine I was more than ready to go to that party! I really needed a drink! But no, I then had to come in and sort out all the food for the dogs, get ready, go down the shops and pick up some food to take to the party and drop TC at work! I did get there eventually! And yes I finally got that drink! We came home early though as we had to pick up TC on the way home.

Bella.....Mmmmm Chicken for dinner? Oh please mama, go on.......
Miko.....Oh puleeessseeee mama, look I'm singing you a song, rooorororororrroooooo!!!!

Advice to all! Put a roof on your chickens yard as well as their coup! They are a royal pain in the butt to catch! Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention, that while I was busy making an ass of myself running around getting cranky, everyone else was standing back laughing and the dogs were trying their utmost to come and help! I tell you, by the end of it, I was sorely tempted to let them!

HAPPY FUN MONDAY EVERYONE! THANX FOR PLAYING!

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT POST AND GO VISIT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO JOINED IN THIS WEEK! LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!!