Calendar Capers

Everyone seems busy. We are no exception and I have not been around in 'blog land' for a while now. My calendar has been fluttering with the comings and goings and my camera shutter has too...


we had rain...



and chased some storms




Master B took part in an Asia Day at school




Miss B made her first communion

 

We met the Indian Pacific Christmas train very early one morning to sing with Adam Thompson again




here comes the train




hello Adam!




Santa was there too!




there was a Christmas night for families where I work

 

we took part in the Broken Hill Christmas Pageant with the Girl Guides

and the Scouts

My daughter and I donned our Girl Guide shirts for the last time
this year and helped to sell candles at Carols by Candlelight



and we have ALL enjoyed catching up with friends

Once I threw in report writing, presentation nights, Christmas parties, morning teas, Primary school graduations, family birthdays and just plain old everyday life, it has certainly been a full couple of months.

Merry Christmas to you all and may your calendars be filled with friends, family, fun and photo opportunities into 2016

Kate xx

Linking with Wordless Wednesday over at My Little Drummer Boys

and One Mother Hen at Open Slather

 

Christmas With Us

 

Christmas dawned early and bright here, with much excitement and joy. This was also mixed with a croissant breakfast and food preparation for the feasting before the family and friends arrived.

 

We laughed, shared, ate, drank, played with new toys, danced, sang, created memories and remembered those not with us this year.

 

preparing the chicken shwarma for the spit, thanks Jamie Oliver for the inspiration!



teaching Pop

 

"What do you call a penguin in the desert?"

 



cousin time



how all good Christmas lunches should end!

 

 Here's to 2015  xxx

A Conversation

Every year the local Ulysses club organises a Toy Run collecting donated toys for less fortunate children. They are coming to our school this week to collect any donations so today we went shopping...

On the way to the shop there was a very interesting conversation in my car which made me realise that the idea of not 'having' things is a very abstract concept for my children. Master B said that he thought giving toys was a great idea but wondered where the toys went as there was probably not anyone who would need it in our town! In my line of work I know this is not true and it got me thinking.



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My children are not over-indulged but they do not want for anything. They have the basics and more. I do not want to take things away so how do I foster compassion in them while a less fortunate life is not their reality?

I have been doing some thinking and while there are many options for sponsorship, donations of money and goods or time, especially at Christmas, I would like this to be relevant to my children so I think that helping other disadvantaged children in Australia is what I would like to pursue.

It is certainly food for thought, especially as I did not realise that, even though we talk about those less fortunate, Master and Miss B do not really understand or relate this to themselves or their community. Thanks to Mr Google I already have my eye on The Smith Family organisation as they are Australia’s largest national education-oriented charity, supporting disadvantaged Australian children to participate fully in their education and giving them the best chance at breaking the cycle of disadvantage. They run learning support and mentoring programs to help children in need to fit in at school, keep up with their peers, and build aspirations for a better future for themselves. Education is something very close to my heart and part of my children's reality as well.

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Do you volunteer with your children or support any causes along with them?
Have you had conversations with them about what we can do?  
What do you think is the best way to foster compassion for others less fortunate?

I'd love to hear what you think!

Kate xx

It's almost Christmas...can you feel it?

The last few weeks have been a little bit crazy but things have calmed now school is over for another year. One of my elves had their hard work acknowledged with an award at presentation night, the other elf had the honour of escorting Santa in his sleigh in the Christmas pageant. There have been work parties, Christmas parties for groups we are involved in, school concerts and get-togethers with friends. My calendar is exhausted (& so am I) but we are so lucky that we have so many friends, workmates and family who want to celebrate 2013 and the season with us!
It's starting to look a lot like Christmas here....

little elves decorating the tree

 

baking...cranberry bread

gifts for the special teachers we were lucky enough to have this year

 

my favourite decoration

Santa sacks at the ready, cards up, presents under the tree. I think we are prepared!

the WHOLE family is getting in the spirit

We are looking forward to some of our family arriving soon and the anticipation is rising. The food is in the fridge, the pizza oven in clean and wood chopped and presents are wrapped and under the tree (some are hidden too!)
There will be lots of small children, great food, laughs, sparkle.
I hope that all my blogging friends have a very merry Christmas too. Looking forward to more in 2014!

Kate x

P.S. this picture was shared by a friend of mine and it sums up how exactly how I am feeling today! Merry Christmas xx

The Next Chapter

 After much anticipation and excitement we finally got to see what was left in our Santa sacks and just what those parcels under the tree with our names on them contained.

Then we got down to the business of feasting and Christmas cheer...

 

 We toasted those who could not be with us...

 

 We roasted in the wood oven out the back...

 

 

 



The family sat together, cracked crackers, laughed at bad jokes, wore silly paper hats, complimented the chefs and generally enjoyed the meal and the company.



 

 

 

 

A lot has happened to my family in 2012, some exciting, some happy, some challenging and some just bad!

 

Here's to 2013 and all that it may bring... 

 





Start on January 1st with an empty jar. Throughout the year write the good things that happened to you on little pieces of paper. On December 31st, open the jar and read all the amazing things that happened to you that year.~pinterest
Via Suzie's Daily Quotes

I have been playing along with Fat Mum Slim's Photo-a-day which is a great way to help remember the joy in the little things and to appreciate those things which we sometimes take for granted (you can see my pictures on Instagram).
I also like this idea of using a jar to keep a record of the good things that have happened to look back on at the end of the year.
 
Are you good at recognising and appreciating the little things?
Do you have a way of celebrating them?
 
Happy New Year ♥
Kate x