If

I have been tagged by both Shel & Jenn for this post and I'm not sure where to start. I've been pondering over it for a couple of days and am still not sure what I actually want to write about so I thought I'd just bite the bullet and do it and see what crap comes pouring out.


The obvious one first - If I'd actually applied myself in highschool instead of spending my days smoking behind the science block and sneaking out at night I may actually have a job that I love, instead of one that I barely tolerate just so the bills are paid each week.


If I hadn't made the choice to follow the boy I thought I loved many years ago, I would never have met the wonderful man I do love today. And the thought of not ever having met this wonderful family that we've created is almost too much to bear.


If we'd decided to keep the very first house we'd ever bought instead of selling it off prematurely we could be retired and living on a tropical island, spending our days drinking Mei Tai's & lolling about in hammocks. Yeah, okay maybe not but it is something we regret.


If I'd continued attending lectures instead of dropping out, I would be a primary school teacher now. Wow. Scary.


If I'd asked to change piano teachers instead of giving up because one teacher gave me the creeps (here's looking at you, grubby old Mr Brown), I might be able to play more than "Chopsticks" and "The Rose".


Righto Jodie, Ellie, Little White Dove, Claire & Red Haired Girl - here's the rules.

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. List 5 things that could make your life very different should it come true.
3. Tag 5 other people.

Now off you go...

Monkey in the Jungle

Matthew had his school concert on Thursday night - dear Lord, it was breathtakingly cute. 100 prep kids all dressed in various costumes, singing and dancing to Bindi Irwin songs was more than I could take. I believe I even shed a tear. Gosh, I forget how little he is sometimes and expect so much of him.

10 points though to the reader who can pick Matthew in this photo. If you are really lucky, I might even send you a homemade, real live, tangible present in the mail since that seems to be the done thing these days. Go on, try me. You just never know...

..

Karate Kid

Matthew started Taekwon Do lessons last night. He's been asking for a long time now to be allowed to have a go but I've been reluctant. I wasn't sure that a Martial Art was the most appropriate sport for an arthritic child given it is fairly punishing on the joints but Matthew's physio has given him the go ahead, so here we are.

So now we get to meet Sporty Matthew. He's suddenly developed a keen interest in sit-ups & push-ups and thinks he has been given a licence to perform swift kicks to his little brother when he's being a pest. God help us all.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

T & I survived Matthew's first official birthday party - you know, the kind where the kid gets to select the guest list and invites all sorts of strange kids you didn't even know they talked to, let alone hung out with. Anyway. The first lesson we learnt, and which I shall be so good as to share with all of you who may be about to embark on the same journey, is that parents are not afraid of doing the good ol' "drop and run". Consider yourself warned. We found ourselves well & truly outnumbered as 7 minature superheroes began tearing around the backyard. It was a little like watching spider monkeys on speed. Thank god for beer, I say.

Nevertheless, a good time was had by all. There was only one split lip and a few other minor injuries to report - nothing we could be sued over, I don't think. :s

Batman & the pinata.

All hell breaks loose as the pinata busts.

Ze cake.

He tells me he had his hand over his mouth so he didn't blow the candles out accidently. Awww.

The smashed cake.

Some of the heroes in a quieter moment - perhaps reflecting on crimes fought & won?

He's 6

Gosh, it feels like only yesterday he was a tiny little nestling, now he's my big strapping school boy. Time certainly does fly.

Happy birthday Biggest Boy. It's been a wonderful 6 years... :) xx

How to spot your husband in the throws of a mid-life crisis

He'll come home with one of these:

Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to update his life insurance...

Pirate Party

Matthew went to his best friends 6th birthday on the weekend. BF's dad put A LOT of work in to this party - so much so that when it is my turn to provide an elaborate party for the boy in 2 weeks time, I fear he will be the laughing stock of the school yard. (Aside: good thing it was a pirate party - eye patches are the one thing there is no shortage of around this place...)

Meet the pirates:

Pin the eye-patch on the pirate

Fishing for treasure maps

Small pirate captured by big, drunk, bush-whacking pirate

Climbing across ladders spanning large, crocodile infested creeks.

They also had an open fire for the kids to toast marshmallows, a treasure hunt in a snake-infested gully and a home made pirate ship to decorate. The kids had a ball.

For Matthew's birthday I planned on throwing the boys in the backyard with a pinata & a lolly hunt and calling them back inside to have cake at some point before loading them up with lolly bags and sending them home to their parents. I may need to review my plans... help please?

A little trip down memory lane

Love that eyebrow - he still gives it to me on occasion.

We stumbled across some old photos of Ryan last night that we'd forgotten even existed. Awww, so cute.

I really ought to get the boy a photo album so we can admire his pictures more frequently. The poor kid suffers badly from "second child syndrome"...

6 Random things

I was tagged by Ellie to write 6 random things about myself.

Here are the rules ...
1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Right, well lets get started...

1. I have never lost a molar tooth naturally. All of mine were pulled before they were ready by my dentist to stop my over crowding problem.

2. I have moved house 13 times in the last 10 years.

3. The longest I have ever lived in the same house is 2.5 years (current house)

4. I once pierced my ear with a safety pin – no ice.

5. There are a pair of suicidal ducks that race out in front of my car at the same time & same spot each day when I’m on my way to work.

6. I once set my hair on fire trying to light a cigarette when I was drunk.

Okay, I'm tagging (sorry girls...) :

Jenn
Little White Dove
Sarah
Ruth
Car
Red Haired Girl

The blog list sucks

Why does mine never update reliably?