Hi Cathy

Yes, we are getting into a routine, Izzy has netball training and Ally has Tae Kwon Do on a Tuesday, they started swimming lessons today so it feels just like back in the UK, rushing around from one place to another!
They didn't enjoy their swimming much though as the other children are so much younger than them, they are obviously well ahead of the UK when it comes to swimming and sport here.

Izzy only has a tiny part in the play as a reporter holding up a fluffy microphone but it still sounds like its going to be good fun, its a big thing, the Wakakirri, held over Oz, in heats and semi finals, the school that wins gets on national TV!! So, its been quite intense since she started at school, I don;t think she has done much work yet Ally on the other hand regularly gets 3 pieces of homework a night so he's not impressed!!

I am so proud of them both, they are doing far better than we are, kids just get on with things better, don't they

Sam[/QUOTE]
Hi Sam how did last night go? Hope Izzy enjoyed herself. Did they let you take any photos. Its great when schools dont mind photos being taken, I know a lot of them now dont let it cause of all the pervs etc out there. Sounds like the kids have settled in really well which is great, it makes you feel better dont it. Regards Corinne x

Babe have sent email again. x

Hi Corinne You're probably right - the market will eventually go one day - but i guess at the moment it's still a crowd puller. I know other places still do coach trips to Romford (especially at Christmas time).
My last 3 shops have been done with Tesco's online....We had problems with our car which are now sorted - but i quite enjoyed having it delivered and i thought it was worth the £5 delivery charge as i actually spent less money with my orders...as i bought just what i needed. Might become a habit to use it now....

Hi Sam how did last night go? Hope Izzy enjoyed herself. Did they let you take any photos. Its great when schools dont mind photos being taken, I know a lot of them now dont let it cause of all the pervs etc out there. Sounds like the kids have settled in really well which is great, it makes you feel better dont it. Regards Corinne x[/QUOTE]


Hi Sam, i hope it went well last night as well.

I agree Corinne - shame nowadays that things like photographing your kids are prohibited. We went to Splashlandings at Alton Towers earlier in the year and i didnt think & took our camera into the waterpark. I was just about to take a picture of Jared when the lifeguard came up and told me to put the camera away. I hadn't even thought about it really....just natural impulse to want to take pics of my own kids!

Exactly thats why I started to do it, it stops you picking up the things you really dont need so the delivery charge is money well spent. Up till Monday its free delivery too. Excellent. Good to hear your car got sorted although it cost you a few bob. We are in car dilemas at the mo, I have a Citron Picasso for me and the kids (5 seats) and Mark has a little Citron C1 that he uses for work (only 4 seats). We are going to have to change my car though as we wont all get in it at weekends. Mark wants to keep both cars and if we do go out as a family just take both cars. I dont think its cost effective what with the price of petrol etc now, but we are reluctant to waste more money on a car when we know that we are not planning on being here this time next year. Will have to weigh up the pros and cons I suppose.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KERRY (KEZZABIRD) FOR TOMORROW!!!!



HAVE A GREAT DAY!
CATHY, ANDY, EDEN & JARED
XX

Hi Sam, i hope it went well last night as well.

I agree Corinne - shame nowadays that things like photographing your kids are prohibited. We went to Splashlandings at Alton Towers earlier in the year and i didnt think & took our camera into the waterpark. I was just about to take a picture of Jared when the lifeguard came up and told me to put the camera away. I hadn't even thought about it really....just natural impulse to want to take pics of my own kids! [/QUOTE]
I know its terrible isnt it when you just want to photograph your own family but are worrying the whole time you are snapping away in case some one comes up and has a go at you. Mind you if the boot was on the other foot I wouldnt want people taking photos which included my kids without me knowing. What you got planned for the long weekend? Its Regatta week here on Mersea so theres been loads of boat races round the Island. It finalises on Saturday with a big fun fare and awards etc, if weather is ok may take kids down, although I have been warned its 3 quid a ride. May just bribe them with candie floss instead as I dont really like travelling fares, I just dont think they are safe. There is also a big firework display at 9pm on Sat night to finalise the Regatta which should be good. Will have to see if I can stay awake long enough!!!! he he. Going back to your question about getting bigger with each pregnancy, I did sprout really early on, by 8 weeks you could see my bump clearly. Seem to have equalled out now though so will have to see, I was my largest so far with Harvey (my second) and smaller with Jo (my third) he was also the smallest baby in weight and quickest in delivery time from beginning to end (6lb 10oz and 3.5 hrs beginning to end)!!! You never know if it does decide to come on Xmas day I may still get my Turkey in!! he he.

I haven't seen the free delivery offers with Tesco's?! must be missing something somewhere!
Yep, our car was a pain! we've spent £1000 in the last fortnight getting things repaired. Wouldnt mind so much if it was a newer car!
Still, fingerscrossed that's it now.... I forgot once the new baby arrives you'll need another seat in whatever car you have! They'll be quite a few of you then! I do know what you mean though, the reason we bought a 6year old car last october was because we weren't expecting to now be here still....if we'd known we'd still be here we'd have spent a bit more than the £3000 we did spend - and perhaps would have saved money on repairs - although you can never tell when things are going to go wrong with a car can you? Just dont buy a renault scenic

I know its terrible isnt it when you just want to photograph your own family but are worrying the whole time you are snapping away in case some one comes up and has a go at you. Mind you if the boot was on the other foot I wouldnt want people taking photos which included my kids without me knowing. What you got planned for the long weekend? Its Regatta week here on Mersea so theres been loads of boat races round the Island. It finalises on Saturday with a big fun fare and awards etc, if weather is ok may take kids down, although I have been warned its 3 quid a ride. May just bribe them with candie floss instead as I dont really like travelling fares, I just dont think they are safe. There is also a big firework display at 9pm on Sat night to finalise the Regatta which should be good. Will have to see if I can stay awake long enough!!!! he he. Going back to your question about getting bigger with each pregnancy, I did sprout really early on, by 8 weeks you could see my bump clearly. Seem to have equalled out now though so will have to see, I was my largest so far with Harvey (my second) and smaller with Jo (my third) he was also the smallest baby in weight and quickest in delivery time from beginning to end (6lb 10oz and 3.5 hrs beginning to end)!!! You never know if it does decide to come on Xmas day I may still get my Turkey in!! he he.[/QUOTE]

I never realised it was Regatta week where you are. You never see those things advertised around this way do you? Sounds good though. I think the weather's meant to be nice - so it'll be great if you take the kids along.
We're seeing one of my bestfriends on Saturday, she lives in Billericay - so
me, Andy & the kids are meeting up with her, her husband their two children. Their son is 3 1/2 and their daughter 17months - so there's only 2 months age gap between her & Jared so they'll play together nicely. I think we're planning on going to one of the nice parks around their way and have lunch out so that'll be nice. Sunday we haven't decided exactly what to do yet but we wont stay in if the weathers good, but on the Monday we have Andy's niece & her boyfriend that are over from Perth coming over to us...

You'll have to start getting organised for christmas with the kids pressies etc soon....just incase baby does come early! I had everything bought and wrapped etc by about the 10th Dec when i was pregnant with Jared. Good job really seeing as he was born on the 15th - and they didnt let me out of hospital until the 22nd because of the 2nd operation i needed and that blasted pre-eclampsia i had. I would have been in a panic otherwise!

Just had my sticky beak!!! Great blog update, sounds like you have been mega busy. Save me a seat in your pimms area!!!! he he he Sorry to hear about Duncs bump, hope he gets better real quick!!! OMG what a sorry state our OH's are he he hehe!!!!!

I never realised it was Regatta week where you are. You never see those things advertised around this way do you? Sounds good though. I think the weather's meant to be nice - so it'll be great if you take the kids along.
We're seeing one of my bestfriends on Saturday, she lives in Billericay - so
me, Andy & the kids are meeting up with her, her husband their two children. Their son is 3 1/2 and their daughter 17months - so there's only 2 months age gap between her & Jared so they'll play together nicely. I think we're planning on going to one of the nice parks around their way and have lunch out so that'll be nice. Sunday we haven't decided exactly what to do yet but we wont stay in if the weathers good, but on the Monday we have Andy's niece & her boyfriend that are over from Perth coming over to us...

You'll have to start getting organised for christmas with the kids pressies etc soon....just incase baby does come early! I had everything bought and wrapped etc by about the 10th Dec when i was pregnant with Jared. Good job really seeing as he was born on the 15th - and they didnt let me out of hospital until the 22nd because of the 2nd operation i needed and that blasted pre-eclampsia i had. I would have been in a panic otherwise![/QUOTE]


I know, I have got some of the adults pressie already, the local chemists on the Island got took over by Boots so sold off all their stuff really cheaply, got some great deals on named perfumes and aftershaves so sorted loads of people out for 130 quid!!!! I was well chuffed. The kids are in the process of clearing out toys and books for the charity shop, since they were all packed away for Oz they got used to not having them to play with and have not been fussed about playing with them since we have been back, so they dont want them anymore. Not going to get too much for them for Christmas as it goes to show they dont really need it. Its just us as parents who want them to have everything!!!! I have bought them all a digital kids camera as they loved Kezza's Alex's and constantly played with it. Went to Costcos one day and they had them for 30 quid including the VAT which is a bargain as they are nearly 50 quid in the shops. Will just get them a few small bits and pieces to go with it I think and loads of sweets etc. Harvey's into joke tricks and lego at the mo so he will be easy to buy for, Millie is a girlie girl so she too is easy, Jo has all Harv's hand me down toys so he is a little harder. Will start at end of Sept I think, not long till Xmas though, only about 18 weeks which will fly by!!!!!!!!!!!!

We said the same thing this year, we wont be getting the kids as much as we normally do. Eden has one of those kids digital camera's too - they are great. Kids are so lucky nowadays. We're going to buy Eden&Jared a joint present this year as well - one of those portable DVD players. Eden made friends with a little boy on holiday and he had one, and boy did it keep the kids quiet a few times with them all sitting on the ground watching Nemo etc! Thought it would be handy for when we eventually move...for travelling & for wherever we might live initially. Jared has lots of toys that he doesnt play with anymore - he's into cars and balls so he'll be easy to buy for this year!
Anyway, better go - Andy's at home today so i think we're going to pop out for a bit!
talk to you soon
take care
Cathy

Hi

Show was fabulous, all the kids from all the schools had worked so hard!

Izzy's school didn't win sadly but they did get the silver award and also the award for the best entertainment and best teamwork behind scenes. We didn't get in until 11.30 pm so the kids were shattered this morning!

I didn't realise what a big event it is, all together 900 schools across the whole of Australia take part, there are even categories for country and outback schools that can't get to a venue, they can send in their entries by DVD, so it really does give everyone a chance to compete. Also there is a great emphasis on reusing, recycling etc so it is not just down to which schools have the most money.

Unfortunately we could not take any photos or video anything, they say this is because of privacy laws but I reckon it may have something to do with the DVD they will make of the evening and sell via the schools!!

But it really was a good night, we really enjoyed it.

In case anyone is interested the website is www.wakakirri.com

Sam

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KEZZABIRD, HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY AND AN EVEN BETTER EVENING!!!!!!! Love Corinne and Gang xxxxxxxxxxxx

Thats great news Sam that all went well, shame about you not being able to take photos/videos but at least you will be able to buy one. Had a look at the web site, looks like great fun for the kids, its a good incentive for them to do, is it a yearly thing? Regards C x