Baker's Son

BIRTHDAY MADNESS

2012-01-14T23:19:00.001+10:00

Okay, these pictures are not the clearest, but Justice and I went to the park for Chantal's 18th birthday party (she turned 18 yesterday). There was cricket (where Justice fielded like lightning) and then T-ball, where Justice got a single and then a home run off a bunch of teenagers! He was pretty chuffed!

It is crazy that Chantal has turned 18! She began working for us a few days a week after school when she was starting high school, and now she is preparing for study at a school of design as well as for a music certificate at TAFE... Craziness! After the park, we went and met up with THE BIRTHDAY GIRL for dinner at Fasta Pasta (where we had also gone with them after Justice's lego party). I really can not believe all these milestones! She will start pre-prep this year! TIME FLIES....

(A candle in the pasta because they did that on Justice's birthday)

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!

With all this celebrating after a full night's work, you can understand why we had to forego the ROAR game... but we will get to one later this year...

CROCODILES GO SNAP...

2012-01-12T23:27:00.000+10:00

Our bestest little friend is turning four and had a birthday party at the coolest park. Check out the cupcake cake her mom made! AND the bread that Will made for her (she is bread mad!) Justice was the oldest one there, but he still had a ball because he loves her like a sister. And because sometimes it is nice to be the one tall enough to reach...

EVERY DAY'S A HOLIDAY...

2012-01-01T22:57:00.003+10:00

Justice and I dove right into a 2012 of fun by attending an opening weekend matinee of MARY POPPINS at QPAC in Brisbane. Since the Monday was a public holiday, this meant I was still going to have a day off to laze around (AKA do the laundry, dishes and shopping which are always waiting at the end of the week)...

We had middle row second balcony seats, with a great view. The show was VERY impressive (even I felt wowed by the folding house set, magically appearing bed and Mary's bottomless bag!) I must admit, I am actually not a fan of the movie (I am a bid Julie Andrews fan! just not that one flick...) but I LOVED the musical! This was Justice's first introduction, as he has not seen the movie or read the books, but he loved it!

The giant umbrella, the amazing colours, the final flight - all the magic was there!

DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED!

If you aren't fussy about where you sit (and there isn't a bad seat in the place) C Reserve tickets are just $45!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000+10:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!I can hardly believe that another year has come and gone...

Time seems to be constantly flying by, but this year especially got away from me...

Just look at how much our little one has grown!

Yes, we have let him do these since he was tiny... the kid is remarkably responsible!

Christmas at the McPhails

2011-12-25T22:12:00.001+10:00

There is just nothing like Christmas! I have been especially grateful these past two years for the weekend Christmas - with the public holidays on Monday and Tuesday we have been treated to a decent break!

This year we enjoyed a quiet, restful Christmas at home. Will and I found ourselves both up early Christmas morning, but there was no sign of Justice stirring so we caught a nap. I woke a little later with Justice, but Will was out for the count after the ordeal of the Christmas Eve bake (stohlen, cakes and breads galore!). We finally woke him at 6:30 because the leg of lamb was done (and we made that just for him). We opened our gifts together around 7PM.

We go simply on the gifts, but they were still a big hit! Justice got Kahootz movie making software and the new TinTin game. I got a Glee DVD and a webcam (so I can Skype!) Will got headphones so he can use his computer uninterrupted...

Our puppy cat Merlin is always right in the middle of things. These awesome Christmas jammies say: Naughty or Nice on the back (with a check next to naughty!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Christmas Craft

2011-12-19T22:59:00.000+10:00

We made the EASIEST Christmas craft with Sharona today! Applesauce ornaments! Applesauce and cinnamon! They smell AMAZING and look so great on the tree! We're in the home stretch! THIS WEEKEND is CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas Dinner

2011-12-10T22:33:00.001+10:00

Tonight we hosted our Christmas dinner for The Just Loaf. We invited our staff and some valued customers and suppliers. As it was a Saturday night (our only night off) in December (the busiest social month of the year!) we only had a small group, but it was genuinely lovely.

We chose a locally situated upscale restaurant - we couldn't choose a customer's place obviously, so I picked a restaurant I had chased in the past because it seemed in line with us. (Its a young family business.)

We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived to a festively set table in a private room, with customised menus! The food was delicious and the company was great. Will and I were both so pleased with the entire thing, I am pretty sure we'll be there again next Christmas!

THE GRADUATE

2011-12-01T19:01:00.006+10:00

The teachers...
Ms Holloway

Ms Way

Ms Rose Cooper

After competing in Battle Bots for robotics this morning, and then performing a demand matinee performance of the school musical at lunch time, my son graduated from junior school this afternoon.

GRADUATED FROM JUNIOR SCHOOL!

Will and I attended the little ceremony shortly after the musical ended (Will did get to see it!) I just can not believe it!!! He is getting so BIG!

HE'S A STAR!!!

2011-11-30T22:33:00.000+10:00

JUSTICE STARRED IN HIS JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL

He played Spider, the leader of the "baddies" and HE WAS BRILLIANT! Yes, he's mine, and I am supposed to think that - but seriously - he knew and remembered all his lines, he had great inflection and just really nailed the whole thing! I was SO proud!

I took a few pictures of his costume before he was microphoned and took his place...

and a few pictures during the show (so a bit hazy)But I had the perfect seat to get this one inbetween acts...

Isn't he a gorgeous scary spider?! The best part was they sold out and had to add a matinee tomorrow for parents who couldn't get tickets (they only had 1000 seats) so Will may get a chance to see it too!

Forget the Cup - BABY BABY!

2011-11-01T23:31:00.001+10:00

HE'S HERE! 1/11/11 How cool is that?! All is well!

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A HALLOWEEN BASH...

2011-10-31T23:30:00.009+10:00

Justice and I had a blast at a Halloween birthday bash yesterday! I met my friend Fiona when her eldest and Justice went to pre-prep together. (They also started prep together, and we have managed to stay friends through all the classroom and school changes since...)

Larissa and her sister have those birthdates that collide with summer holidays and Christmas parties, so this year they got an early joint Halloween bash! SO FUN!

Fiona organised awesome games, including bobbing for apples, the donut on a string...

Everyone brought lollies to share, and in the end an entire wheelie bin was overflowing with lollies to be divided up between the crowd (I volunteered to help with that part?!)

The cakes were amazing, the costumes were great - and I love seeing Justice have the chance to re-connect with old classmates. VERY fun! That's another great Halloween done. Well, except that our carving plans were sabotaged by customers (ie I had to go in and help rathher than stay home and carve) with too many rolls - seeing as tomorrow is Melbourne Cup Day!

PLAYING HOOKY

2011-10-24T16:50:00.003+10:00

Ok, in Australia we don't "play hooky", its "chucking a sickie", but I hate that phrase! Either way, I kept Justice home from school today. We made our way into the city to see the Queen. Yes, The Queen. I'm Australian now, you know? And still cheesy enough to think that the visit of The Queen is significant enough to encourage my diligent son to skip school. If I had had classes I would have chucked a sickie too, even though its the last week before exams... To be honest, we waited a long time, and I am so sunburned that its nearly frightening, but Justice was right up on the barrier and never complained. (Unlike the scores of children around us!) We saw the Queen, and she came by us by car a little later. (Justice snapped a picture of "the wave"!) Afterwards we went for a quick swim, rounding out a truly lovely day. I am looking forward to summer holidays. Not the heat, but the looser day schedule. I am sad to say that I now have my third bad Australian sunburn. (But three in eight years is pretty reasonable - particularly for my albino self!)

THE GREAT EIGHT

2011-10-22T22:44:00.002+10:00

Well, Justice turned EIGHT today! EIGHT! Can you believe that?!

For his eighth birthday he had a lego birthday party.

He was allowed to invite eight friends to the lego education centre (in the city centre) for a MIDIEVAL MADNESS birthday bash...

At 2:30 they began with some dancing/ role playing games and then... they were set free on tables and tables of lego
fantasy, castle and knights legos were everywhere...
some of the kids worked together
some found dragons

and some great creations were born!

then the guests got together and built with these GIANT rubber legos

making a throne for the birthday boy...who managed to blow out all of his candles ~ so hopefully his wishes will all come true!

We can not believe that you are already eight!

AFTERNOON TEA

2011-10-16T14:40:00.000+10:00

I put together a baby shower for my dear friend Sharona, she is due at the end of the month with her second.

We had an afternoon tea theme, so the favours were tea cups with "welcome home baby" house shaped tea diffusers and the wishing well was a GIANT tea cup.... The only thing bigger were the balloons!

We had a great turn out and a good time playing cheesey baby shower games like "the dirty diaper" game and "bun in the oven". OF COURSE we did the baby socks game - its my favourite! We also had scratchies and prediction cards...

We enjoyed cakes and fruits and juices and conversation - it was a really lovely shower!

GOOD LUCK SHARONA!

BABY BAPTISM

2011-10-09T22:32:00.001+10:00

Justice and I were lucky enough to attend the baptism of a friend's gorgeous little baby girl this weekend. She was so sweet throughout the entire ceremony, it was lovely.

We went to their house afterwards for a delicious lunch. I have a great new potato salad recipe if anyone needs it!

Justice Paints

2011-09-16T14:38:00.001+10:00

You wouldn't know it, but he has a distinct lack of enthusiasm for art. He did a great job on this Turtle Dreaming poster for his oral presentation on an aboriginal dreaming story.

CONVERSATION ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM SCHOOL

2011-09-14T16:58:00.002+10:00

Mom, which do you think is bigger: heaven

or space?

Ummm... I haven't thought about that before. Which do you think is bigger?

Yeah, probably heaven because He could just add more rooms to heaven if He needs to.

Oh, yeah. That makes sense.
He could just make more rooms for people when they get there if they need them.

Maybe you get your own room, or maybe I might be with you.

I hope you are with me. I would miss you.

I don't think you miss people in heaven, you're just happy.

Oh, OK.

****TIME PASSES****
What sort of window do you think God has?

Definitely an arched window.

(What I love is that he has a view of heaven and it is a giant home: JOHN 14:2)

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

2011-09-03T18:27:00.000+10:00

GUESS WHICH TALENTED BOY HAS A LEAD IN THE SCHOOL MUSICAL!!!

MY Parenting in question...

2011-07-14T16:41:00.003+10:00

Monday night Justice absolutely would not get to sleep. He doesn't often do that, and I have endless respect for parents of kids who won't go to bed. I happily admit, I would lose my mind if that was the case in our house.

Tuesday was the first day back to school after two weeks of school holidays. After about an hour and a half of Justice being awake, filling a water bottle, using the toilet, asking crazy questions, I was ready to crack. I have been SO sick, for what feels like ages... actually, it started on the 18th of June so it has been ages! Anyway, I cough and cough and toss and turn, and I only get five hours sleep on a perfect work night. So I was getting pretty ropeable because I just wanted to go to bed...

AND THEN IT DAWNED ON ME... maybe he was worried about something at school... he has been struggling to come to terms with his dislike for his art teacher, and some nights we have a long talk about that - how we won't like everyone in this life and we have to just get through it...

So FINALLY I asked if something was bothering him. And the answer was "Yes".

BUT I was instructed that I could not say, "That's in the future, you don't have to worry about it right now". Verbatim, those were my instructions. I agreed and then came full disclosure:

"I am worried about when I take chemistry in high school".

Which is when I realised my little boy knows me inside and out. My immediate reaction? "You're seven, what are you worried about that for?!" However, I am proud to say that I refrained from my immediate impulse and instead gave it some careful thought.

I let my son know that I hate science and maths, but I still got a 96 in high school chemistry, and I let him know that we got to mix up things and make them explode. (We also made candy canes at Christmas. I have no love for my high school, but there were definite perks to such a tiny school. In hindsight...)

Anyway, Justice wanted to know if he HAD to take chemistry, and I let him know it depended on what he wanted to do after high school. (He still wants to be a professor of medicine, so he will defnitely have to take chemistry). We then got into a long detailed discussion of university vs TAFE.

And then I am glad to report he went immediately off to bed...

My little man!

And actually, he starts high school in 2015, so maybe he's on to something with this planning ahead thing.

BIRTHDAY BASH

2011-06-19T17:31:00.005+10:00

I had an absolutely lovely time celebrating my birthday with Sharona this Saturday

(we're the 26th and 28th of June)

We invited a bunch of girlfriends to a dinner party at a nearby golf club.

I know the chef, so he gave us the use of the function room - it was just us!

The food was amazing, the creme brulee was exactly right - and the company was fantastic!

We talked and laughed and played a silly game and just enjoyed a delicious girl's night.

Where did the year go? It feels like we were just up on the mountain celebrating!

Mr Popper's Penguins...

2011-06-16T20:09:00.003+10:00

We called and set up a chance to go see Mr Popper's Penguins and have lunch with our friends The Bakers. (Honestly, I thought it was adorable!)
I can't believe these kids have known eachother for nearly four years already...They had another set of friends along, so he was surrounded by cute girls... and you can see how much he minds!

EIGHT YEARS

2011-06-02T20:47:00.002+10:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

THAT TIME OF YEAR

2011-05-30T17:44:00.013+10:00

AUTUMN HAS COME TO QUEENSLAND...

Here, we call it winter. We are always talking about either winter or summer. As soon as it turns chilly (cold enough that less than half the population wears shorts) you start hearing that its going to be a cold winter, or a long winter... living here in sub-tropical Queensland, I miss the snow, and air so cold you can not comfortably draw breath, the sting of the icy morning burning your lungs... I miss them because if those were coming, then people would be enjoying the sweet chill of autumn before the real winter cold. Instead, this is pretty much as cold as it will get until it is hot again.

There is majesty in where we live. I regularly watch rainbow lorikeets in my front yard, yellow crested cockatoos perch on top of the street lights, vibrant green tree frogs latch on to the side of my house...

But I do miss the joys of four actual seasons. Here we just pretend. It is either summer or it's not...

Which is why I love this one tree on our street so much. This is our bright spot of autumn in a sub-tropical town. That is why we visit it every year...

Time to make pumpkin soup and maybe even turn the heater on...

The Bronzed Aussies

2011-05-29T14:02:00.006+10:00

THE CHALLENGERS...

Team Australia came in third at the Asian regionals of the Louis Lesaffre Cup. This makes them the challenger team for our leg of the competition. One challenger team will be selected to go on to the finals in France next year.

Some of the teams had been training for years for the event, and the pictures I saw were pretty impressive. I am so impressed with how they went, and so glad that Will is home! He still has to recover from the smog, but he is back! The challenger team will be selected live on June 21st.

WHILE THE CAT'S AWAY

2011-05-27T13:09:00.005+10:00

Actually, it is Will who has been away, coaching Team Australia.

In the meantime, Justice and I have been slogging away at paperwork and deliveries, completely ignoring housework, and having lots of interesting chats.

Wednesday night we saw a pre-screening of Soul Surfer and we loved it!!!

It led to some amazing conversation, and I felt so aware of the way that Justice is growing quickly into his own skin, and how he has always been someone with a set and definitive view of the world and his role in it. I feel like time is flying by with this little man-child, and I am trying desperately to enjoy every minute we can!

TEAM COACH

2011-05-20T13:31:00.000+10:00

Will is coaching the first Australian Team to ever enter The Coupe Loius Lesaffre. THE baking competition, which is the deciding step for the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie. While he treks off to the regional finals in China (held in this awesome building), I will be holding down the fort alone. But rest assured, if they make it through, I WILL be accompanying the team to Paris next year. Louvre, here I come!

Happy Mother's Day Weekend

2011-05-09T02:45:00.005+10:00

Friday we went into the city as a family to collect Will's visa for his trip to China. The office was closed, and we'll have to go back, but we did enjoy dinner at a Southbank restaurant right on the river. A family dinner out! That never happens!

On Saturday late afternoon Justice and I went into Brisbane to the Brisbane Arts Theatre and saw a performance of The BFG. It is my favourite Dahl book. If I had to pick a favourite...

We had a marvelous time, the performance was excellent, the cast was warm and available afterwards in the charming little courtyard. The "autographs" were all of the characters names. The Royal Air Force guy was Justice's favourite by far. He was hilarious...

And the building was absolutely charming. There was an article about its 75 year history, which included the tidbit that Geoffrey Rush performed there while at uni in Brisbane.

Mother's Day I slept as late as my body would allow, went out for take away for lunch, and then napped until Will had to work.

I think I was awake about three hours all day. PERFECT!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend as well!

BOOK WEEK

2011-05-04T06:49:00.004+10:00

Its BOOK WEEK again... another costume to put together...

This year Fiona is going to feel like I was channeling her creativity
(but I swear Justice came up with it and he never had a chance to see the 2010 pics of Larissa)
(Well, I did show him this morning)

We went more ORIGINAL book than Tim Burton, but I did assemble a spool sash as an homage to Depp's awesome costume... Unfortunately, Will is away and there is too much on my plate, so we did not have time to make our own amazing hat, but we will save that project for another day.

Luckily there's a costume shop right near the school and they had a decent hat...

We're more excited about the teapot though...

HAPPY EASTER

2011-04-25T23:40:00.009+10:00

Chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs... YUM! AND a five day weekend?!

I LOVE EASTER IN AUSTRALIA!

For Easter, Justice seems to have found a much desired Nintendo DS XL...

we haven't really seen him since...

He currently has one game - Lego Indian Jones 2.

(Another, Spyro: The New Beginning will be waiting in the PO box after the holiday weekend.)

He is so excited, as I swore I would never condone such an expensive little game console,

but the fruits of ebay and an Easter drive up to Toowoomba this year finally changed my tune.

So, Justice has a DS and is VERY open to any Lego DS games you might be looking to offload...

We have been taking the Easter weekend very easy, with Friday off,

Saturday full of hot cross buns but only two wholesale customers open,

Sunday a trip to Toowoomba, and today just hanging around home

Justice and I started our home unit on Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery today.

I was shocked when Tara told me that she had never read it! Please comment so I know if anyone else has/ has not. When I ordered the series from bookdepository.com (great prices and FREE WORLDWIDE delivery!) I saw that Brett Helquist had illustrated one of the Bunnicula subseries. I wonder, does this mean Melissa has read it ?!

I ordered the whole series from bookdepository, and then I added the Indian in the Cupboard trilogy, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwieler, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, How to Eat Fried Worms, Dear Mr. Henshaw and Bridge to Terabithia.

I am so excited for Justice to read all of these favourites of mine, I keep forgetting to leave time for HIS favourites... he is VERY into Roald Dahl... but I have not bought any of those.

We're a library family overall...

I AM taking him to see the play of The BFG on May 7th at the Brisbane Arts Theatre(rescheduled from Thursday because I was stuck with too much homework)...

It will make for a lovely start to Mother's Day weekend...

HAPPY EASTER

Scientificate...

2011-04-10T19:24:00.002+10:00

My little one wanted to figure out when the largest shadows are cast...

He had a tape measure, a recording pad, a stick, a timer and a hypothesis...

At two hour intervals the length of the shadow was recorded...

he just has to write it all up in his science book...

for home, just because...

Is anyone else wondering if he is really only seven?

CROSS COUNTRY - second time's a charm...

2011-04-06T19:19:00.001+10:00

Well, since it didn't rain today, the school was able to hold the rescheduled cross country event...

Can you figure out which house we're in? (I'll give you a hint, it starts with grr....)

GRRRR.... EEN!

CARB LOADING

2011-03-29T19:17:00.000+10:00

We were lucky enough to catch up with Sharona and her little one for dinner tonight. We went out for pasta dinner so Justice could carbo load - tomorrow is his cross country day at school!

ORANGE SUNDAY

2011-03-13T22:16:00.004+10:00

GO THE ROAR!

Justice and I were lucky enough to make it to the A-League Grand Final

where (our team) the Brisbane Roar faced off for the final title and trophy.

WHAT A GAME. The two that we attended this year ended in tied scores. So when the 90 minute game ended in a nil all score today, I turned to the kid sitting next to me to confirm that since it was a championship game someone HAD to actually win.

In the first extra inning 15 minute half CCM scored two goals. By the last three minutes of the second fifteen minute extra inning, we still had not scored. People left to beat the crowd... And then we scored! Even better, in the final minute we scored with a head bump and tied everything back up! FINAL MINUTE... Whew!

In a penalty shoot out the Brisbane Roar crushed the Central Coast Mariners 4 to 2.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS....

This is amazing, as last year the Roar finished second from last in the league.

I have some fears that this has given Justice unrealistic expectations as this is the first year we have followed any professional sports team closely, and the results were rather amazing. Having said that, BEST FINALS GAME I have ever been to!

WICKED

2011-02-16T18:32:00.004+10:00

WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!

I head back to uni soon, and Justice has been back at school a few weeks, but before things get really crazy busy we snuck in an afternoon of fun. I pulled Justice out of school early today and we headed off to QPAC to see a matinee of WICKED.

It was absolutely wonderful and I am so thrilled that we made this happen!

We definitely enjoyed ourselves -

and a set which includes a giant dragon never hurt with this little boy!

What an absolute delight!

YEAR THREE

2011-01-24T18:47:00.003+10:00

Justice shot up a few inches this summer and just seems really big!

WHOO HOO, Year THREE!

We have some mild apprehension this year, as our little man is in the top portion of a composite class. The extension he recieved last year will not be naturally present like it was, but the school does not have a Year 3/4, so here we go with Year 3 in a Year 2/3 classroom. I have reservations, but fingers are crossed!

2010 Books (Yes, A List - because I love Yisba, she inspires me!)

2011-01-18T19:37:00.003+10:00

I read my friend Melissa's blog and she has been busy listing... and I was inspired. I think that because I read so much (but sadly, with law school, no longer a book a day - Tragic!) I do not often recommend books to people. I love recommendations, but I am always reading, its not much of a time commitment... After reading her blog, I have decided to make a list of the last dozen or so books I read. Pretty much the ones I read most recently and did not hate... I read 261 books this year, but unfortunately there was a fair bit of mindless trash on that list... (but not so much on this one)

A Gathering of Memories – Charles Pinches which explores memory and argues that our forgetfulness contributes to the fragmentation of families, nation, and church, the three structures that preside over memory's territory.

Jesus Died For This? A Satirist’s Search for the Risen Christ – Becky Garrison. A funny book which is satirical of Christian’s, not Christ or Christianity (for the record). Each chapter entry attempts to ask that same question: Jesus died for this? He died for consumerism? For the crystal cathedrals Christmas program? For church smart alecks? For fundraisers? I really liked, but maybe did not love, this. It was different and written in a look at this, and I don’t care if I offend you kind of way…

Everybody Wants to Change the World: Practical Ideas for Social Justice - Tony Campolo and Gordon Aeschliman. It is a book of practical ideas for responding to the needs of others and is really insightful, well written and I found heaps of sensible, compassionate suggestions.

The Life You Can Save – Peter Singer, which is a compelling and convincing argument about how we have an immediate responsibility to act now to end world poverty. I sincerely believe that if everyone read this we would all be compelled to change the world for the better and would accomplish amazing triumphs.

The Surrendered - Chang-rae Lee. WOW. Just WOW. Grim, but lyric.

To Love Honour and Betray (Til Divorce Do Us Part) - Kathy Lette. The laugh out loud one-liners and quintessential Aussie-isms made this a fantastic read!

The Lonely Polygamist - Brady Udall. It's possible that this is a guilty pleasure book. Its a tragicomic about a man with four wives and twenty-eight children who flirts with infidelity. The characters are particularly well drawn.

Innocent - Scott Turrow. Twenty years later, Rusty and murder again. I loved loved loved Presumed Innocent. And I also loved this follow up.

No Time to Wave Goodbye - Jacquelyn Mitchard. The sequel to The Deep End of the Ocean is not as believable, compelling or special. But its like a nice visit with old friends to read the characters grown and changed... I DID love LOVE her Cage of Stars which I read at the beginning of the year (I am a library reader, it will not always or usually be brand new books on my list). Even though there were serious Mormon errors, the story and the conflict was profound. It dealt beautifully with mortal forgiveness and accountability and... actually, you HAVE to read it.

Room - Emma Donoghue. Glad I read it, wouldn't read it again. Would definitely recommend it. It is fierce motherly love in that book!

We Need to Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver. This is terrifying and brilliant and I loved it, as I also loved Testimony - Anita Shreve (I also read her Change in Altitude this year. YUCK)

House Rules - Jodi Picoult, another I loved, its not as powerful for me as The Pact but I admit I am a devotee. She has only struck two wrong notes for me, and I read those to the end anyway.

Shutter Island, Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, The Given Day and Moonlight Mile - Dennis Lehane. I love Dennis Lehane. Combine the brilliance and the story telling with a whole lot of Boston (except Shutter Island) and its amazing! I even loved the movies of Shutter Island, Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone. That doesn't happen... Moonlight Mile follows up on Gone Baby Gone twelve years later and is even more devastating and powerful!

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters - Elisabeth Robinson. Because it made me think of Tiff, but I did love it!

Australian Books I enjoyed-

Tomorrow When the War Began - John Marsden. Trying to get into more Australian books, I read the series.

The Spare Room - Helen Garner. Laughing during cancer therapy? SOLD!

Tirra Lirra by the River - Jessica Anderson.

The Tree of Man - Patrick White.

I read all of Peter Carey this year. Oscar and Lucinda is still my top pick!

Series I Keep Up With (this is my truly mindless entertainment)

Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Underworld

Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan (Dead Witch Walking, etc)

Shannon McKenna's McCloud Brothers

Iris Johansen's Eve Duncan

Lori Handeland's Phoenix Chronicles

Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar

Authors I read anything by:

Lisa Gardner (ok, The Perfect Husband sucks, but everything else has worked for me! particularly The Neighbour)

Barbara Kingsolver (whose Bean Trees remains my favourite book of all time, but lately? hit or miss for me...)

Anita Shreve (seems like I love or hate them)

Jodi Picoult

Elizabeth Berg (this women is lyric and beautiful)

Kelley Armstrong

Jacquelyn Mitchard

John Irving

Harlan Coben

Okay, so as a end of year (or beginning of the next) list its not all that comprehensive, but I made an attempt. Does anyone want to read a book with me? I would love a book club, not that I have any free time... Lets read something and catch up for a chat!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T19:33:00.001+10:00

THEN

AND NOW...

Happy New Year

from the McPhail family!

HOPE 2011 IS MARVELOUS!

Grandma and Grandpa

2010-12-26T19:28:00.002+10:00

Will's parents came over for lunch on Boxing Day.

Justice always loves seeing them -

especially at Christmas when Grandma makes him jelly (jell-o).

Its especially lovely to see family at the holidays.

We're enjoying the Christmas on a weekend -

with the public holidays Mon/Tues we'll get a decent break!

Christmas Day

2010-12-25T21:18:00.000+10:00

When I tell everyone what an easy kid Justice is, I think they take it with a grain of salt.

But seriously, he’s such a great kid.

This year, we opened our Christmas presents around 6 Christmas night.

This was because Justice didn’t ask to open anything until then.

He kept very busy all day, and I read a book, took a nap, watched a video with Will...

However, Justice was THRILLED with his goodies!

Thank you Aunt Suzi for the hex bugs,

Uncle Jim for the bad guys Lego castle (the bad guys are dragons, so preferred),

Aunt Tara for the Indiana Jones game,

Aunt Iris for the Lego racers,

Aunt Sharona for mancala

and everyone for their warm wishes!

~~~~MERRY CHRISTMAS~~~

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

2010-12-24T23:36:00.001+10:00

Each year, Justice and I put our tree up on December 1st

and then Will puts the star on the top

Each year, Justice and I blast the air conditioning and drive around a few nights looking at awesome Christmas lights while listening to Christmas CD's
(this year it was Glee's Christmas and Sarah MacLachlan)

For a few years now, one of these nights we bring along the gorgeous Chantal.

Chantal and Justice 2010

For the past five years, I have taken Justice into the city to the Myer Centre and he has ridden the Christmas Santaland train.

Year 2006 2007

For the last three years, Sharona and her family have made this trek with us

(they visit Santa there as well)

2008 (Sharona's family 1st came!)

2009

2010 (yeah, he's getting big!)

This year, Justice and I went "elfing" on Christmas Eve -

we dropped off a few little gifts for some families we love.

This has been a wonderful Christmas season - I have really been in the spirit.

Maybe its not being cut open hip to hip like I was last year,

but I suspect its the COOL rainy weather -

I know flooding is to come, but I have enjoyed the rain all the same!

~MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE~

CHRISTMAS TIME VIEWING...

2010-12-12T17:55:00.003+10:00

What do you like to watch at Christmas time?

We start the month off with The Polar Express. I LOVE Scrooged and Gremlins, they are seasonal must sees for me. With Justice I usually watch Home Alone because he LOVES it. (How old am I? I first saw it at the movies with a boy in high school!) We watch Die Hard some years, and once in a while Bad Santa hits the small screen. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the Dudley Moore Santa Claus: The Movie. I almost always watch The Santa Clause, but only the first one if I can help it. And Justice and I usually rent a few new release kids Christmas movies - this year we saw The Search for Santa Paws. I love watching the old Christmas claymations especially, and keep my eyes open for the Charlie Brown specials. They are all pretty hard to find these days though. What movies are on your screen this season?

Christmas Party

2010-12-08T13:22:00.002+10:00

This year I decided to host a Christmas get together for some of my girlfriends. Nibblies and smoothies and a Christmas show no one would have seen (except Sharona who watched it last year with me).

So I invited the ladies to watch Forgotten Carols at my place.

I did a simple but thematic menu (red and green all the way - even the smoothies and pizzas) and had a great time. (But next year we're having egg salad sandwiches as Australians don't know what they are and they're a running joke through the show...)

We did a gift exchange of a wrapped Christmas DVD - I wrapped up Gremlins because I LOVE that movie and watch it every Christmas season! (Tara, I also wrapped up Its A Wonderful Life in case anyone forgot their movie). I think that a girl's Christmas night will be a new tradition.

First of December 2010

2010-12-01T23:06:00.004+10:00

As usual, I put togther the tree last night...

while Merlin supervised...

so tonight we could decorate it...

didn't Justice do a great job?!

start: 7PM

finish: 10:30PM

(we take tree decorating VERY seriously here!)

Orangutan Showcase

2010-11-09T12:52:00.003+10:00

Justice's new school is marvelous. Ever since he started there they have been learning about endangered animals, primarily focusing on orangutans. The class has done informative presentations about destruction of habitat and palm oil farms, including educating their schoolmates about what foods contain palm oil. The art classes have involved paper mache (a giant orangutan) and painting (images of orangutans). English involved writing a persuasive essay about a bid by a company looking to clear out a forest. They learned about gibbons and heaps of other endangered animals, traveled to an endangered animals park and had to present an oral persuasive argument to the class... It is a wonderful, comprehensive learning project exposing the kids to real issues and incorporating their new knowledge across the range of subjects. I have been very impressed, and even more so today when we were invited to a showcase of the work the kids have done. The class did fundraising and managed enough for the school to fund fifteen orangutans. Isn't that amazing? I am so thrilled with our school change!

HALLOWEEN ON TAMBORINE

2010-10-31T12:06:00.007+10:00

My friend Heather invited us to a Halloween party last night. She really laid out the welcome mat,
And imported delicious American naughties for the occasion...

And also put together great party bags...
There was so much to do!

First, let me just say that I LOVE jack-o-lanterns and I was so excited when the invitation said that the party would begin with pumpkin carving! Its only the past few years that we've been able to find these pumpkins in the shops at Halloween as Australians tend to just sell and buy pumpkins that are tasty to eat and the value of a carved masterpiece has not really caught on...

Watching someone manage to carve the top off in such a way that it fell INTO the pumpkin was HILARIOUS...

He asked, "What do you do if it falls in?" and we had no idea... of course, we were laughing too hard to be understood, but has anyone seen that happen? Too funny! Anyway, at Justice's request I did a castle, and as you can see he was quite proud of our masterpiece...

It DID turn out pretty well, I think...

and so did the ghost one that I did...and even the third one I carved, a more traditional face...The problem was that my hostess was a carving genius, complete with a knife sheathed to her side and an entire assortment of files...Her sister was pretty amazing too...We ended up putting out a really impressive display on the steps... But those ladies are in a league of their own! WOW!

Our hosts...

The gorgeous invitation said that a costume attempt was required, and there was a caution on the bottom that if you did not attempt, a costume might be supplied for you.

(I thought that that was a brilliant invitation to dress up!)

Dinner was lamb Asado, a lamb roasted over a spit.

Even this seemed pretty thematic when you walked in the back and confronted the view...

Heather arranged a little scary corner haunted house

in the dark stone corner around her water tank -

complete with a giant Death and a fog machine for effect! People were invited to camp over in the back yard, so she decked that out too!

(Its rare that you're happy with the red eye effect)

WHAT A GREAT HALLOWEEN PARTY!

Thanks so much Heather, we had a blast!

Halloween party continued...

2010-10-31T11:58:00.000+10:00

Some of the costumes...

And then - he was SEVEN!

2010-10-22T23:52:00.002+10:00

JUSTICE'S BIRTHDAY IS HERE!!!

I don't know how it happened, but Justice has just turned seven... SEVEN...

We celebrated primarily last wekend with a sleepover birthday- two friends spent the night on Saturday and we went to dinner and then I took the three soccer-crazy boys to the Brisbane Lions home game. Where we sat sixth row centre field between the two teams. I do not know how I scored such great seats, but the kids thought we were rock stars!

VERY EXCITING!

We celebrated today with pressies -

thank you Grandpa America, Aunt Suzi & family, Aunt Sharona & family and Grandma & G'Pa!

We also had dinner out with Sharona and Keala. (Thank you!)

It was a wonderful day to celebrate such a great kid.

Our little man is getting so big so quickly!

Too Busy to Blog...

2010-10-05T11:58:00.007+10:00

I know I always say I am time poor, and I have good intentions about returning to letter writing, but truly, we are crazy busy at work... and after that, its family, school, baking groups... life is madness... things settle down at the end of November and I am going to blog more faithfully, write letters (even if its the only one you get all year) and scrapbook... Really, I am... after a week of napping!

(scroll down though - because I back dated a bunch of August/September posts)

School Holidays...

2010-10-02T12:56:00.001+10:00

I had this week off as well, so Justice and I have been "hanging out" when I am not plugging away on my million group projects...

It did keep raining and raining, so we have been to the movies with friends (Despicable Me) and been to the movies together in our pj's with a $5 voucher (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and seen a 3D movie with some free passes (Legends of the Guardians) and rented some movies... Yes, I am SO imaginative!

We did also attend this "wood" workshop on Wednesday where Justice made this birdhouse out of the new "Kid Wood"... Our Toys R Us is very cool during school holidays, running free workshops and competitions...

Two solid weeks of rain during the two weeks of school holidays... this just doesn't happen in general, and to span the whole school holidays is cruel... It makes me especially grateful that he went to sports camp last week!!!

Girl's Night

2010-09-25T23:58:00.001+10:00

We haven't managed to catch up in months, so we

ducked out for dinner and a movie tonight... Very fun... Thank you ladies!

When it rains...

2010-09-23T16:51:00.000+10:00

IT HAS POURED all week. Some school holidays... Unfortunately, I am still in classes this week. Fortunately, Justice has been able to go to sports camp... He is doing fencing, AFL, soccer, rockwall climbing, ball games, cricket and SIXTEEN other sports! They cycle through seven different sports for a half hour session Monday - Friday. They don't let you take photos - but from these pics outside you can see that he LOVES sports camp!

SPRING FAIR 2010

2010-09-17T16:11:00.008+10:00

Today was the last day of term, and so the SPRING FAIR was on... there was face painting, and fund-raising for the orangutans, there was sumo wrestling AGAINST A TEACHER and a bunch of rides - a swing, a slide, a ferris wheel - and Justice class' HAUNTED HOUSE!

I skipped contracts and spent the day with Justice... very fun... NOW we have two weeks of holidays which can never be as fun as the last day of term 3!

Australian....

2010-08-21T23:51:00.000+10:00

Its compulsory voting in Australia - but still, I voted in my first federal election... so, of course no one actually won... Typical.

Guess what Justice wants for Christmas...

2010-08-17T23:54:00.000+10:00

Remember that song?

PLAY DATE

2010-08-09T23:24:00.002+10:00

Justice had a day off school today (Logan Show Holiday) so I skipped Torts and we went to Funky Monkeys and met up with Lenore and her three youngest... Justice had so much fun playing at the center and I got to catch up with Lenore, which made skipping class a little less silly...That's his serious face...

See -- a lost front tooth!!! Three days ago...

Again in the tree...

2010-08-08T00:17:00.009+10:00

20062007
2008
2009

2010

There are a few things I am reasonably consistent about...

sparklers for New Years and this tree in winter are among those few...

Look how much he's grown...

if you have time, scroll down, I filled in the blanks with a few backdated posts

(starting June 26th...)

Thank You!

2010-07-30T00:13:00.000+10:00

Thanks Dad! Justice loved the GIANT lego box from Grandpa America! 1601 pieces means he will be busy forever - and I will have lots of lego to pry out of my mangled feet...

Lots to catch up on....

2010-07-25T20:58:00.003+10:00

So, I have several posts to do about the past few weeks. But I think someone has lost the camera/ computer cable. This someone had better find it, as I have lots to say and photos to go with it...

In the meantime, PLEASE check out Justice's portrait shoot the images are available only for the next three days. (Just click on Justice on the menu screen.)

BIG NEWS

2010-07-15T00:35:00.001+10:00

THE BIG NEWS IS...

After a great saga, we have made the sad decision that a change of schools was essential.

Justice is now attending Kimberley Park State School

where he is in the composite Year 2/3 class.

Every classroom at KPSS is multi-age, with either two or three grades. So there is also a 1/2 and a 3/4, the kids always have the opportunity to learn with either younger or older children, depending on what they need.

KPSS has a gifted curriculum as a standard available learning route. They have all the resources that Justice needs, without any of the painful hoops. And because there are a few other girted children his age, he won't feel singled out. He is doing about 80% of his class day with the third graders, and specialist lessons (PE, dance, art) with the 2nd graders, as well as handwriting (3rd graders do "running writing" - what happened to cursive?)...

We have really high hopes and feel very positive about the change. Justice has not been stretched by the academics at our old school. He is such a bright, inquisitive kid, and a shockingly fast learner. This new school is much more aware and appreciative of gifted learning styles. YEAH!

To celebrate the switch, I took Justice to Anaconda for some rockwall climbing after school. Three dollars well spent!

Last Days of School Holidays...

2010-07-10T23:59:00.001+10:00

Its nearly time for back to school, which entails its own dramas (see future posts)... after Justice went to a birthday party of one of his best school mates, we met up with Sharona at the new favourite park... Why do we love it? Well, there's a digger...

but most importantly, IT HAS A FENCE which makes going to the park with a 2-year-old infinitely less stressful!

Glow Worm Caves

2010-07-09T23:39:00.001+10:00

" I wish I was a glow worm, a glow worm's never glum...

Cause how can you be grumpy, when the sun shines out your bum... "

No, he doesn't love these girls... (Yes, that's a Scooby sweatershirt) Fiona and I got together as much these school holidays as we have all year... We went out to dinner for my birthday, went and saw Eclipse, tried to see Shrek 4 (long story, we did see eachother if not the movie at the same time) and finally we took the kids up to Mt Tamborine to see the glow worm caves. Which are cold. And dark. And maybe not perfect for Miss Kaitlyn, but Justice and Larissa seemed pretty interested, and I love hanging out with Fiona. Even if it is while looking at bugs...

Afterwards we went to the used book store and had lunch at a diner... Does it get any better?

Does this make me a soccer mom?

2010-07-03T23:51:00.001+10:00

School Holidays - Soccer Camp

June 30th - July 2nd Justice had morning soccer camp at Coomera Anglican Collge (what a gorgeous school) with Viva Soccer (which did his after school soccer in term 1).

The perks:

1)He had the greatest time and is really developing team habits and soccer skills.

2)Soccer is a sport this overprotective mom can live with...

Sharona's 30th

2010-06-28T00:10:00.001+10:00

Justice and I went out to lunch yesterday afternoon for Sharona's 30th birthday.

(We arranged a luncheon for around 20 at the Windaroo Tavern.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARONA!

OVER 30...

2010-06-26T23:55:00.003+10:00

I had a really lovely birthday! Well, fast forward through the working 4AM - afternoon. Justice and Will walked into town while I was working, and I came home to yellow roses (still my favourite) and the latest Glee soundtrack (yes, I admit I am a Glee-k!). We had Chinese food and watched the 80's Karate Kid.

After the video Will went to bed, and Justice climbed into bed at 5 to read a novel (he is SO mine!) so I could get dolled up and head out to dinner with a group of girlfriends. We drove up to Mt Tamborine for dinner. It was the third annual Mt Tamborine Scarecrow Festival and we thought that it would be fun. We had dinner at The Bavarian Grill Haus, which is gorgeous, and the food was delicious! We had the best time, heaps of laughter and great conversation... By the end, we even loved the beer wench.

When Lenore finally found us we moved on to another restaurant where I shared an amazing dessert platter. Dessert platters and birthdays are the perfect combination. We even saw a partial eclipse... It was an incredible night. I am so grateful for the friendships I have been building. This year I really feel connected to this place in a way that I haven't before, and I know that that is due in large part to the friends I have made...

Seven Years Ago...

2010-06-02T19:40:00.000+10:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Just a little busy...

2010-05-25T17:29:00.005+10:00

We have been a bit crazy busy.

Justice is half way through second grade. Can you believe it? He is doing really well, although he has to do an advanced maths curriculum at home to try to keep him challenged. He is playing Auskick (AFL) this term and will probably do soccer camp over the next school holidays (three weeks off from June 21st).

I am limping through the end of semester. Exams June 16th-21st. Then four GLORIOUS weeks off!

Will is crazy busy between the bakery and his new role as Vice President of The Southern Cross Baking Group. He is also a director on the BAA, so he is finding himself stretched very thin.

Our seventh wedding anniversary is next week. Not that we'll have a chance to do much, but it will still come. Where does the time go?

This weekend Justice and I went into the city with Sharona for Law Week. The Brisbane Magistrate's Court was open to the public Saturday for a "look behind the scenes". We had the chance to serve on the jury for a Work Place Health and Safety trial regarding Jack and Jill at Mrs. Humpty's egg factory. Very cute. (I have some photos to add to this post later...)

I hope that all is well in your corner of the world!

These Days...

2010-04-24T17:40:00.004+10:00

We have had it so easy with Justice.

Yes, it was a doctor visit ridden pregnancy. And a rather less than lovely emergency cesarean experience.

Justice himself, though? So easy.

He slept through the night the day we brought him home from hospital. He slept twelve hours a night and still took four hour naps in the afternoon. He started talking early and walking late, so I was able to know both what he wanted and where he was - who can say that about their young toddler?

These days he is such a busy little person. He is invested in Auskick this term (AFL), he is still determinedly learning Ju Jitsu. He is still playing guitar.

He is six and a half years old and in second grade. He is challenging himself to learn the periodic table - and by this I mean number, symbol, name, state and group (what is an alkaline earth metal people?!). It has been so long since there was any baby in my baby!

I have so many friends expecting or currently experiencing that painful wonder of a brand new baby.

I'm jealous. I wouldn't trade where we are now or who he is now for anything, of course I wouldn't... but the time really is flying by...

FIVE YEARS AGO...

2010-04-22T11:15:00.000+10:00

Justice was 18 months old!

Loving the Laundry!

2010-04-15T10:27:00.006+10:00

So, who says "No one loves laundry day"?

My one day off each week is usually consumed with ensuring my family is not forced to trek naked through the streets.

Justice is not a fan of laundry day because he has to haul all the dirty clothes downstairs to the laundry room.

Will is not a fan of laundry day because I hang wet things all over the house and he feels like he's married a vagabond.

I am not a big fan of laudry day, since it feels so overwhelmingly endless.

BUT, someone in this house loves laundry day!

Wish List...

2010-03-30T11:12:00.000+10:00

Justice would like to set the record straight, chocolate bunnies are great, but if you're looking for an idea for Easter...

First Term of School ends...

2010-03-28T10:43:00.000+10:00

Justice had an excellent first term. He enjoyed Ju Jitsu on Tuesday nights,Kaleidoscope after school Wednesdays for the last four weeks of term,

and Viva soccer on Thursday afternoons. He is still studying Japanese at school and taking guitar lessons during the school day on Mondays. He is very busy, but thriving (and wanting to also learn five million other things and take horse riding lessons)...

Well, Justice won the trophy for his age group at soccer's conclusion. THE trophy as in there was just one. He is so thrilled! Its an OUTSTANDING ATTITUDE award. (Everyone also got a medal for their participation).

He also did fabulously at Kaleidoscope, winning this award for his flower pattern...

He's so clever! We have two weeks off school now (I even have one week off) although hot cross buns will keep us busy over the Easter weekend, we will actually get Good Friday off.

A DAY OFF!!! Wow. HAPPY EASTER and school holidays!

In The Wars...

2010-03-22T19:38:00.004+10:00

One of these things is not like the other... Justice has been in the wars a bit lately. Monday after soccer practice we went to grab some chicken for dinner. He was fine when I picked him up, but ten minutes later in line at the shop he told me his ear was itchy. ITCHY. It was giant, bright red, nearly purple and bordering on Dumbo ear proportions...

The normal ear...

The Dumbo ear...

We went and bought antihistamine, but two hours later when it was still swelling and itchy we went to the doctor. I was reasonably sure it was a mosquito bite, as Justice is allergic and they generally get pretty impressively swollen, but this one was ridiculous. The doctor ended up prescribing an oral steroid. Combined with the antihistamine and the topical cream I bought, it was back to normal by Thursday morning. It was pretty funny, but a very sad sight.

(Yes, he went to school like this, I told him it was his listening ear)

Today Justice finally lost his second tooth.

By lost, I mean I took it out. The replacement tooth is already two thirds grown in and hasn't been able to move properly forward because the baby tooth was still there. It was quite loose, so after more than a month I finally made Justice try to get it out. The try himself part was apparently quite painful (due to all reports/tears)... in the end I just bent it forward myself and it came straight out. Hopefully the adult tooth sets forward; his baby teeth are so lovely and straight, I have high hopes...

My First Interesting Class...

2010-03-11T12:10:00.002+10:00

I had my first interesting class. How pathetic that it was a computer lab about how to locate and access relevant cases and legislation. Yes, I am a nerd. But also, this is the first lecturer who acted like we should be expected to learn quickly and have existing interests, strengths and knowledge. Of course, he also said he feels all lawyers are (deleted), that he would never like to be a lawyer and that the Parliament is like a bunch of school kids. Maybe I like him because he reminds me of Will. He was the youngest law lecturer ever here, and definitely the most engaging one I have this term. And its computer lab... I know you're laughing!

You're not as brave as you were at the start....

2010-03-08T22:45:00.001+10:00

I love this song. Isn't it amazing how a single lyric can make a song for you?

Waiting for Godot...

2010-03-05T15:07:00.002+10:00

Have I already bored everyone with how much I adore that play? Or how profound I find that line in Colvin's song?

I am attending my first day of ON CAMPUS law school! Very very exciting... well, except for the very, very boring lecture from a well meaning but condescending lecturer.

Now that I am studying on campus alongside others I am reminded exactly how annoying stupid questions can be. That phrase "There are no stupid questions" is TOTAL trash...

Example QUESTION: Where is the proof that she used the product (in a contract law lecture reviewing a landmark case)?
ANSWER: This is a brief summary of the case decision - they would not have made a decision if she could not substantiate her claim. This is not a review of the claim, it is a review of the decision. As stated five times before you asked your question.... AHHH!

Now, I have enough time between my two lecturers to get a lot done. But not much to get done as it is week one. And not enough time between to leave... I have gone through the course outline and class schedule for every one of my courses and updated my day planner extensively. I have read for tonight's and all of next week's classes. I have added a statistics class even though the very idea makes my skin crawl... So now I am suffering through the hurry up and waits...

Hence the Godot...

I am relieved to be on track to actually finishing my degree (studying on campus is the only way I can do that) but now painfully aware of how blissful my off-campus no stupid questions studies really were... Besides, I am the only adult, fully dressed person in my afternoon class. Really. Studying in beach country in Australia is VERY scenic...

In case you were wondering. My official first day Wednesday was sunk by a sick little man, but today has been smooth sailing. I am headed for the wig!

TERM 1 Thursdays

2010-02-18T20:33:00.003+10:00

Justice has joined up for soccer camp Thursdays after school.

He is very excited.

Today was the second day and he was the goalie!

p.s.I love these soccer boots because even when they're all on the field, dressed identically, and wearing hats

(which I made him remove for the cheesey soccer picture) and far away, I can still tell exactly which one is mine! GO FLOURO!

Tuesday Nights are Fight Nights

2010-02-18T20:18:00.010+10:00

MARTIAL ARTS...

Justice did a Ju Jitsu trial when it began for the term Jan 28th. I sort of thought we would play around with trials of karate and judo as well, but he loved Ju Jitsu straight away. Last night was his fourth lesson.

He is definitely getting the hang of the striking, although some of the rolls are still in progress. Its pretty aggressive, so I just count myself lucky they pull their punches...

I think that developing a skill slowly and progressing through levels will be particularly good for Justice who is usually good at everything and sometimes finds attempting things difficult if he believes there is a chance he might fail... This way he continually learns and has to get better slowly instead of mastering it in one go...

Everyone has commented how martial arts are great for kids because it builds concentration and respect, but those are two areas Justice doesn't particularly need growth. For us it is all about the object lesson that some skills take time but are still worth obtaining... Now, if only I can figure out how to do the belt knot without assistance!

A Car Update

2010-02-17T18:54:00.000+10:00

Despit the weekend's events, in actuality our car is pretty reliable. Will bought it brand shiny new 9 years ago, and its always been good to us. Except when its not. When its not, its always something pretty big.

Except that the mechanic kept the car three days, tried everything, and it never played up. The timing belt and drive belt had been due, so we went ahead with that while they tried to make the car re-break down without any success. So, $1200 in maintenance later, I might very easily still need repairs... Yuck.

I LOVED the rental car I drove in the meantime though... I am a passionate fan of four doors! If anyone wins the lottery, I would like a Nissan Tiida. And a manicure. But mostly the car...

Will's 34th!

2010-02-13T20:40:00.000+10:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Justice cleaned the benches as a service gift for Dad.

Today was Will's 34th Birthday! We had plans, Justice was going to come into the bakery with me and then we would all go out to lunch at Windaroo Tavern after we finished work at the bakery.

At 4AM we began deliveries, including one downtown Brisbane which never needs Saturday delivery. At 6, after I made the delivery, the car was dead. The instrument panel completely dropped out as I was driving into the city, and the car simply would not start. I called RACQ (equivalent to AAA) to find out my membership had lapsed. On hold for 30 minutes, I ran out of credit on my mobile. After recharging the phone's credit, I had to renew my membership and pay a surcharge since I needed assistance right away (instead of 24 hours after rejoining).

I had to call Sharona and have her collect Will as I still had two deliveries planned, and I had the only bakery keys (both sets) with me.

The RACQ guy came and diagnosed the problem as the fuel pump. He bashed on the fuel line but nothing happened. The guy organised the tow truck (and of course in dowtown Brisbane I was outside of the free towing radius of my home mechanic!) and left. As he pulled to the next set of lights, my instrument panel suddenly lit up. The car turned over! I waved him down like a mad woman, and cancelled the tow truck. The plan was to try and drive it to my mechanic, or at least until I broke down again, hopefully within free towing range...

Will and Sharona arrived and took off with the - now late- deliveries. I drove into the mechanic without incident. Then Justice and I walked into the bakery to work.

After a 13 hour shift Will got to go home. Happy Birthday! We didn't make it to lunch, but I did cook up some lamb cutlets...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL! Sadly, we obviously are still suffering from our special occasion curse.

These Days...

2010-02-05T21:24:00.003+10:00

Our handsome son. Lock up your daughters in 2010! He's only getting cuter...

FIVE YEARS AGO

2010-02-03T20:58:00.005+10:00

Can you believe it?

Its been five years since we were in the States (Denver Zoo).

Five years since Justice met his honorary Grandma Cheri.

Five years since I got to see one of my favourite roomies ever.

Five years since Justice met his Aunt Bridgette and Uncle Jim.

Five years since I hung out at Joe's Crab Shack with Suzi and family!

Five years since we went to Seven Falls with Tara and her kids...

Five LONG years since we saw everyone! I MISS YOU!

I Miss Becky

2010-02-02T19:19:00.005+10:00

I am reading the 13th Eve Duncan book QUICKSAND and remembering when Becky and I waited for the 3rd book so anxiously back in 2000. As great minds think alike, we both bought it the first day and mailed it to the other. It's rare to be so in sync with someone you met in such random circumstances. I wish I had a picture to post, but we were friends pre-digital and my scanner hates me. I will always treasure the trip we took to Seattle for my birthday and our Vancouver get away. That was my first truly self-indulgent experience, including spa, exclusive salon, 5-star hotel and all the trimmings... I haven't lost many people in my life, and perhaps I feel her absence even more keenly for that reason.

FIRST DAY Year 2

2010-01-27T20:14:00.000+10:00

Justice started Year 2 today. His class is composed of only a few classmates from last year, so lots of new faces... We're hoping the year ahead is a bit more challenging for him.

Back to school on Wednesday....

2010-01-25T12:03:00.000+10:00

I can hardly believe that the summer has already ended! Tomorrow is Australia Day and then Wednesday we are back to school. Justice is very much looking forward to the second grade. He genuinely enjoys school. He is very proud to be a Rivermount student.

The campus, situated on an old dairy farm, is really quiet and serene. While we do sometimes worry that he still finds school so "easy" (and has the report card to prove it) we like how holistic the campus is. He enjoys swimming, guitar and Japanese lessons in the course of his school week along with the "easy" academics. Hopefully Year 2 will give our six-year-old future professor of medicine a few challenges!

ICE SKATING

2010-01-16T20:08:00.003+10:00

Justice spent the morning at one of his favourite homes playing with his friend Charlie. As if Charlie weren't cool enough in his own right, he also has a horse, a treehouse fort, a trampoline and the coolest mom and sister who build giant mouse trap type marble track structures...

While I was working Justice played at their house this morning. Once I finished I headed to their house and then the lot of us set out for the ice skating rink in Acacia Ridge. I had reservations since Justice had never been skating and I didn't know how he would go, and because I still am not off some restrictions for my tum and ice skating is definitely not allowed. (Even though I pointed out you usually only fall on your bum.) Anyway, turned out Justice loved it, and he did pretty well! Obviously my genes are not terribly predominant...

Luckily he had Charlie's mom showing him what to do...

The Tooth Fairy Outing

2010-01-15T19:58:00.000+10:00

Justice had two friends over this morning, and we all went along to see Tooth Fairy where we met up with two other moms and their four kids (two school age friends and two cute toddlers)... For a mother of one, it was a very busy morning. However, there was a certain amount of scenery which made the cute movie acceptable (ie he took his shirt off). Afterwards we all had lunch at the food court and then I took the three boys to play and ride scooters at the park...

I can't believe its the end of summer!

As Good as a Holiday....

2010-01-11T11:45:00.006+10:00

I have come to realise that whoever said change is as good as a holiday did not own a bakery, go years without time away or watch their husband do twelve and sixteen hour workdays...

We've been up to some big changes lately (but for the record, we would prefer the holiday...)

First, Justice. He has grown like a weed! (Considering we have had three weeks of rain and the garden weeds are taller than me this really is saying something.) He is starting SECOND grade in two weeks. He learned how to swim in five days this summer. He is still intent on being a professor of medicine. He spent two nights each week this summer working through the night with Will. He is such a BIG six....

The bakery. While we are still committed to the wholesale change we made at September's end, we have started trading Saturday mornings. Bread only from 8 - 12. We have also picked up some new customers, including a city restaurant which is a fair drive, but could be a really solid account.

And me,

I grew it out for two full years, can you believe it? If I can make it thru the summer and the rest of the year without cutting it all off again it will be a GIANT shock!

CHRISTMAS in Toowoomba

2009-12-25T23:28:00.000+10:00

Justice chatted the whole drive up to Toowoomba, he and Will watched the mile markers to chart how close we were getting...

He was so happy to get there (it was a surprisingly quick drive this year) and after lunch we went out to the tree and opened MORE presents! AND more Bakugan! Yeah!

Okay, and then MORE presents....And after eating a rainbow of jelly (jell-o) Justice played Miner Max as he has the past few years... He likes to make Grandma help him with the tricky levels... Justice and GrandmaThe McPhail Men - its not a great picture, but you can see how alike Will, his dad and Uncle Wayne all are... Justice may be the next generation McPhail man, but he stands out from the crowd! My side is exerting some dominate genes I tell you...

Justice and Uncle Wayne

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

CHRISTMAS at home

2009-12-25T22:08:00.005+10:00

As usual, we woke up late-ish Christmas morning (there is no dawn rise inherent in this family) and settled down to breakfast (Froot Loops - a HUGE break from routine) and stockings.Merlin really is like the cheeky toddler we never had in Justice.

In our house, it was the cat who could not wait for Christmas! We found him literally climbing the walls trying to get to his stocking.After the ultra-naughty breakfast, we sat down to watch Justice open his presents...He lucked out with some much requested Bakugan (thanks Uncle Wayne), a coin album (thanks Sharona), a new and loudly redone Uno game (thanks Grandpa America), underwear (which were requested - believe it or not), requested books (Bakugan again) and a surprise Hot Wheels race track.

Christmas Eve in Windaroo....

2009-12-24T23:05:00.001+10:00

Christmas Eve and Will had to get to bed early... Because I have been slow to recover I haven't been driving much, which means Justice and I missed one of our Christmas traditions - Usually we crank up the air conditioning, blast the Christmas carols and drive around looking at Christmas lights.

To make up for missing out, this year we went to the Kaiser Road Christmas Eve. The neighbourhood is SERIOUSLY in the spirit, and on Christmas Eve the road is closed off to traffic, Santa drives down the street in a firetruck handing out lollies and everyone walks down the middle of the road admiring the lights and enjoying the Christmas spirit. I love all the people barbecuing in their garages and on the lawns - it really celebrates the summertime Christmas! We saw some great houses and even ran into some old friends... FUN!!! We may have to seriously consider making it an annual destination....

The Life and Times of Our Christmas Tree

2009-12-19T01:19:00.000+10:00

Justice and I decorated our Christmas tree December 2nd.

After careful consideration we decided to skip the lights

so Merlin could not Nation Lampoon himself...

We put it up on the 1st (like usual) but then I was too tired to decorate it...

However, it was UP on the 1st, so we were not behind schedule...Merlin loves resting under the tree during the day.

But at night he becomes convinced that the tree is actually a giant climbing post we constructed for him to play on. So we go to bed with the tree looking something like this...

And wake up to this.... So Justice has an extra job this month - redecorating each morning!

MYER CENTRE

2009-12-17T21:15:00.001+10:00

Each year that we have lived in Beenleigh Justice and I have taken time in December to drive to Garden City and jump on a bus into Brisbane where we visit Santaland at the Myer Centre. Last year we knew the head elf, which meant a serious dicsount on picture prices, so we invited Sharona and family along (since it was Keala's first Christmas!). This year we all made the trip in together again. We didn't brave the Santa line (Keala is at the age to dislike a bearded stranger and Justice has never been a fan) but the kids rode the train together and then we all went to the packed food court for lunch. Its a quiet little tradition, but fun. There has been a lot of work on the bus line, so the regular bus now stops at King George Square instead of the Myer Centre, but the quick walk meant we also saw the City Christmas Tree. VERY FESTIVE at the Queen Street Mall this year!

Bella's Disco Birthday Party

2009-12-11T22:10:00.000+10:00

Justice got a chance to see some of his classmates during the summer break because his "favourite girlfriend", Bella, had a disco birthday party. Dancing, the limbo, glow-in-the-dark bracelets and good friends - does it get any better? Justice had a blast - and we got the chance to see some great Christmas lights on the way home!

Last Day of School

2009-11-27T19:55:00.001+10:00

Today was Justice's final day of Year One. In January he will officially be a second grader. Can you believe it?

At the end of year assembly, after the school donations to charity and the announcement of school captains, Justice received the Head of College Award for his class. We are SO PROUD! The assembly was followed by a breakup party and gift exchange game. (Justice scored some M&M's.) I just find myself wondering, where did that year go?

School Carols Night

2009-11-25T21:28:00.000+10:00

Its the end of the school year, so even though its November, its time for the school carol's night. Justice's class performed The ABC's of Christmas and learned sign language for their carol. He received his completion certificate for Year One. Time sure flew by this year! Will had to sleep so he could work another sixteen hour shift, but I hobbled along to see Justice's Christmas concert and the fireworks show afterwards. Christmas celebrations with all the 4th of July heat and fanfare - I am slowly adjusting to life down under!

Larissa's Party

2009-11-22T17:35:00.004+10:00

Justice has been friends with Larissa since pre-prep last year, and they have gone on to attend Rivermount together. More importantly, I have been friends with Larissa's mum Fiona since then (hey, she laughs at herself, loves the smurfs and doesn't mind my sense of humour - what's not to love?). Last night we even went and saw New Moon... in the Star Cinema, which seemed like a great idea because you have to be over 18, so we expected no teenlets... We didn't figure on the fact that they serve booze, and drunken twi-moms are just as hilarious and annoying as teenlets when Taylor takes off his shirt.... I was laughing SO HARD at some points I nearly pulled something!

Anyway, this year Larissa was lucky enough to have a birthday bash. I still am not driving (the joys of slow recovery!) so Sharona and Keala took us out to the house (and got to stay and play). There was poolside fun, egg and spoon races (she cheated and boiled the eggs!) and a scavenger hunt complete with water balloons. If they can just figure out which beast wee'd all over the cubby house (and strike them from next year's guest list) all will be well. Fiona made the coolest cake! Happy Birthday Larissa (next week)! And a huge THANK YOU to Sharona and Keala!

I'm no Twi-Mom

2009-11-16T19:42:00.004+10:00

Okay, I totally read the Twilight saga and sort of loved it. Well, I really liked it. Its great to see a fellow church member blowing the world away. Its nice to see even the young kids I had working for me reading big fat books. And I enjoy any reasonably good series, it keeps me busy.

And the movie, while slightly painful, was very true to the book, I just felt very old. On the plus side, it featured heaps of places I love from trekking around behind Deanna in her stomping grounds and working on The Queen of the West and The Columbia Queen (both sailing for different companies when I worked on them).

Anyway, I even admit I have tickets for the not yet released New Moon.

But at the end of the day, I am no Twi-Mom. And it seems madly frustrating that people act like Meyers created the paranormal romance genre and others are only poor substitutes following in her footsteps.... PLEASE, people.

I have been reading Kelley Armstrong's series since long before, and if anyone asks me for a recommendation, and they seem the sort (not everyone finds this stuff entertaining) I would never be real comfortable recommending Twilight to someone because the heroine is at times whiney, beyond self-depracating and often tedious.

But Bitten? Well, that starts you on the road of a great entertaining series!

And Steff, sorry for the mystery. I meant to make some obscure housewarming email that would make it make more sense... I just got waylaid by my life...

Taking it Slow?

2009-11-13T21:47:00.004+10:00

I love to read. I check out more library books in a week than one card allows, use two different district library systems and utilise cards for both Justice and I at both. I read compulsively and pretty much anything. And honestly, I thought that this recovery time would mean that I just read more and more...

Instead, I find I am unable to read more than a few chapters at a time. I don't do this. When I open a book, I read it cover to cover. Its my system, its been my system for years, and I'm used to it. While I will occasionally keep one book upstairs and one down, otherwise I read at least a single book cover to cover each day. Now either pain, pain killers, too much time or something weirder means I have started three books in the last two days, left them each in different rooms and haven't gotten far with any of them. And I WANT TO - these are good books...

For instance, I am eight pages into Mina Ford's MY FAKE WEDDING, which actually maybe I shouldn't read now because laughing is toxic for my recovery... and I can NOT believe I haven't read more... Listen to this....

I'm not saying I'm perfect. Sometimes, I can be a right cow. I've been known to do wees on people's toothbrushes when they annoy me. I'm morbidly fascinated by news of terrible tragedies in the papers. Quite often, I don't wash up for a week. Oh, I have my faults all right.

And crap taste in men is fairly high up on the list.

I am one tragic cow when it comes to choosing a partner. For a start, I was born with wonky Gaydar. I'm a serial fancier of gay men. Show me a rampant homosexual male and I'll try and get off with him. ...

I've reeled, dazed with shock, from every relationship I've had the misfortune to totter into. ... I've taken so much crap I'm a prime candidate for toxic shock. ...

I've done relationships and I prefer cake. ...

Then I met Jake.
And suddenly the world became a happier, shinier place.
Jake, Uberbloke, graphic designer and driver of gleaming red Surrogate Penis, smarmed his way into my life just over a year ago...

I cursed myself for being a jelly spined wimp who could never refuse an invitation. ...

This prime subject wasted no time in engaging my left breast in lengthy conversation about his favourite subject. Himself. ...

I hoped my boob was listening in case there were questions later...

You know, you just know, that this is hilarious to me. And I am bored, doing nothing but trying to get well. And I put it down... After reading a book every day since 1994, WHAT is this? In a week I haven't finished ANYTHING....

Anyway - just checking in to let you know I'm still kicking seeing as its Friday the 13th and all.

Mom Needs a Loan...

2009-11-12T20:00:00.000+10:00

Twenty teeth he won't get paid for...

Bargain price of $100 for the one I want.

Why did we teach him maths?

The Latest

2009-11-11T17:12:00.004+10:00

Not that this is timely or important, but it took ages and thus deserves a mention.

For his birthday I cleaned out Justice's room.

All the toys and books and clothes are for use now (or in the near future) and the "baby" things are gone... (Ok, this did tie in with the garage sale, but still, it looks like a big kid's room). Merlin loves the changes to the dragon room, too.

Part of the reason I am posting this is now that I have had surgery I have kicked Justice out of his room. The bed is the perfect height for me to get in easily (ours is a bit high).

So I am very much enjoying the clean orderly state of things.

The Gory Details:

I went back to the hospital outpatients clinic today, and they had to remove some staples.

Which look exactly like staples - its very disconcerting -

and now the wound has to be left partially open and get packed daily.

Doesn't that sound lovely?

The nurse will be coming to our house every day for two to three weeks to repack and redress my disgusting guts.

Will and I keep joking that I would bankrupt us in the US, but its actually the sad truth.

I am so appreciative of a medical system that means I had this operation, a hospital stay and now rather intense and comprehensive follow up - for a total now of around $45 (which was for nine prescriptions). I am not unaware of the higher cost of taxes here - but in the US with state and federal income tax, sales tax, property tax - well, you can't be surprised that the government gets around 60% in the end... We pay through the nose here but its more upfront - and we know what we are getting in return. Comprehensive medical care with little to no cost. No wonder people are trying to sneak over all the time.