Day Thirty One

Today I returned home to find two peas in a pod snoozing on Nana's lounge! In just two sleeps the pair will be starting pre-school together. Time to get used to being big kids, and no more naps at Nana's .. on Thursdays or Fridays at least!

Day Thirty

Back to school! Today was Bella's first day of Year Three! I can hardly believe it, my baby is getting so big! After weeks of anticipation and stressing, she lined up happily with her friends and waved goodbye without any fuss. She is happy with her new teacher and even gets to sit next to her best friend. Her only complaint: "The teacher said no whistling in the classroom!"- I guess she'll have to keep those Ragged genes under raps!

Day Twenty Nine

This afternoon we braved the heat at Rose Cottage to watch Uncle Vinnie and Jason play in their band. Jada and Rhys were the sole occupants of the dance floor and probably good thing as they ran, jumped and twirled, there wasn't much room for anyone else! After two and a half hours of solid dancing in 30 plus degrees; the kids retreated to a much deserved cool down in the pool!

Day Twenty Eight

After a big day at the Numeralla folk festival; the girls enjoyed a quiet game of barbies at Nana Helen's house. They made quite a good set up, complete with bar, lounge area and beds. They only disagreed when Jada insisted on putting a vintage red jogging (yogging) outfit on her Barbie which Bella said was much too hot for the weather in Barbie town! "Quick Jada pretend your doing something" Bella said as I took the photo!

Day Twenty Seven

I just had to take of photo of Bella's bookmark! It resulted from dining at the central cafe with uncooperative friends who refused to let us pay! After failing to sneakily shove it in to Trevor's pocket they decided to give it to Bella, who happily took ownership! We have decided to put it towards her first horse riding lesson (which sadly leaves little change), but until then she is keeping it safe in her book .. talk about cashed up bogans!

Day Twenty Six

Happy Astraya Day!! Today we had a great day with the family spent in true Australian style! It began with a family bowling match in which Mum whopped all our as*ses! (she still has the touch!) We then had a visit with Harry and hung out in Uncle Ricky's man cave. He taught the kids how to play pool and we listened to Lee Kerneghan while watching cricket. In the afternoon the kids were back to the pool while the adults hung around the BBQ and listened to the likes of Paul Kelly and John Williamson. The kids are now watching the fireworks from the verandah .. we're just missing that old rocking chair!

Day Twenty Five

Today we had a busy day; we had two of Bella's friends sleep over last night and Jesse and Riley were here too. So with six kids and two pugaliers I quickly dismissed the thought of going anywhere and made Dad put up the pool! This kept them entertained for the most part of the day as they got in and out, in and out... In the afternoon I got in some practise for my one stop nail shop by painting all the girls nails an array of interesting colours! Tonight we got to have a quick cake and cuppa with Poppy Garry to celebrate his 55th birthday! Bella and her friends have moved on to stay at one of the other girls houses (phew!) so Jada got to help blow out the candles all by herself!

Day Twenty Four

Guess Who?! For the past two days the kids have been playing a vintage Guess Who game that was given to them by a work collegue of Mum's (apparently my parents work friends think we need their old sh*t to entertain our children, and they could be right!) Even Jada and Riley have picked up on how to play and what questions to ask; "Do you have facial hair?" "Do you have glasses?" etc Except in their case after the question is answered they have to get up and go check the other players card to confirm they are telling the truth, "yep you've got glasses!" Riley says! The four year old mentality clearly needs to see concrete evidence! I have even had a go myself and have enjoyed re-uniting with some of my old favourite characters, Frans, Maria and Max!

Day Twenty Three

Today Dad and I took all the grandchildren to see The Muppet Movie. It was great to share a nostalgic part of my childhood with the kids and see a decent movie with them for once. Dad enjoyed the star spotting throughout the movie and I like the parody musical numbers. Although the Muppet Babies will always be my favourite this was a great movie .. Ma-num-a-na Doo-doo-doo-do-do!

Day Twenty Two

Finally the re-building of house is taking shape! Today Trevor and I called in to check on the progress. We now have two half bathrooms, half a laundry and fit outs inside all of the wardrobes! Its still hard to tell what the place will look like, but just the prospect of it being finished in the near future is exciting enough! (Oh and that green wall is yet to be tiled white, if you were questioning our colour scheme!)

DayTwenty One

Today we travelled back to Crookwell (kids in tow) to attend a hungi that was being held by Jodie and her new Kiwi husband Terry. After stopping at a quaint little cafe in Gunning called "The Merino Cafe" the kids and I were all fussing in the car passing around cans of drinks and food. Bella mentioned in passing that she saw a sign that said "Crookwell", "Yes that's where we are going" I responded. About 10 minutes down the road Trevor turns to me, "Oh no, we missed the turn!". After some back tracking we finally made it to Crookwell! The kids had a great time playing with their cousins and Jodie's dogs. This photo is of Bella, Kimberly (Trevor's cousin Erin's daughter) and Jada.

Day Twenty

Today we travelled to the small country town of Crookwell to attend the wedding of Trevor's cousin Jodie. The ceremony was beautiful, set in a lovely garden full of willow trees and flowers. The reception was quite entertaining, with some unlikely characters at our table keeping us laughing throughout the night! In this photo you can see Trevor front and centre trying his best to catch the garter! Although I might not have a ring yet, its nice to see that he's keen for his turn at the alter!

Day Nineteen

Today we travelled to Cooma to attend the funeral of the great Frank Syrch. Afterwards most of the extended Miners family congregated in Mum and Dad's backyard. It was a classic family gathering with lots of kids, music and food! We sang Happy birthday to my Aunty Simonne who was celebrating her 50th Birthday the next day. My favourite part of the day was probably listening to my cousin Mick play the guitar with my Dad after everyone had gone home, it was a nice way to end the day. 

Day Seventeen

Today the girls and I made a much overdue visit to the library. As much as I would like to say that they were excited about borrowing books, they actually just whinged about when I would take them into the toy section! Being the boring nerdy mother that I am, I made them choose some books before they could choose a toy! Predictably Jada chose a book titled "My Baby Sister". We have read it about five times already, and it is making me miss my childcare days, when I got to read to children all day long. 

Jada has already developed an aversion to me snapping away at her with my camera but loves to get ahold of it herself and take some pictures. All through the story she was taking shots from different angles, but they all had the same subject .. the baby sister!

Day Sixteen

Today Jada, Bella and I went to my optometrist appointment (the joys of school holidays!) The kids were actually  quite well behaved and made the appropriate "Eww" noises at the photos of my eye ball. They even helped me to select some new glasses. Bella being the fashionista that she is recommended any frames that were purple, pink or multi-coloured. The pair of 80's inspired Ray Bans that I liked were immediately shut down. In her best Rachel Zoe voice Bella exclaimed "God Mum, you look Dad when he was little!" Against Bellas' better judgement I went with my gut and got them anyway (even a sweet old lady came in and told me how much they complimented me.. I wonder when she last had her prescription renewed?!) .

Tonight at Nana Helen's house the girls pulled out the old photo albums and had fun looking at Daddy and Aunty Mars when they were little. We found the photo that Bella was comparing me to, but sadly Trevor was a spoil sport and wouldn't let me publish it online ..even though I can't share it,  I do hope that I look as cute as he did in his glasses!

Day Fifteen

This photo is of an overtired, overdosed on  food additives Jada! It seems of late that certain drinks and coloured foods do not at all agree with this child! 

She has also developed a new attitude that is mimicked from a precocious loud mouthed southern belle named 'Mackenzie' (from the TV reality show 'Toddlers and Tiaras'). Her favourite quotes include "No way, there ain't no way!", "No I'm sorry, I'm not doin' that!" and "You are drivin' me nuts" all said her best four year old Texan drawl. If her imitations were not so accurate and her smile not so infectious, I'd be calling straight for the other TV reality star .. The SuperNanny!!

Day Fourteen

Before heading home today we made one last stop at the beach to collect some shells. Jada and Riley who were told not to get wet, slowly slowly made their way further into the water until they were soaked to the waist! Bella and Jess found some more pretty shells, and in my pursuit to get a good photo, I tripped backwards over a sandcastle .. much to my family's amusement! The boys were keen to rush home to get to the wetting of baby Harry's head ..  so a wet day to be had for all! Goodbye Coast!

Day Thirteen

Today we had a busy day at the coast. We spent the morning swimming at Broulee then onto shopping at Moruya, finishing with a night at the show (which Jada couldn't quite grasp the concept of and kept calling "the theatre"!) This photo was taken of Bella and Jess who patiently humoured their younger siblings by going on all the kiddy rides; all the while waiting for a turn on the "water walking" experience (or "claustrophobic death trap" as I would have named it!) The girls hopped into a large rubber ball through a small zipper and waited to be blown up with a leaf blower (highly hygenic of course). Once on the water the girls had a ball trying to stand up and spin the balls. Jada and Riley of course wanted to join the fun .. luckily we convinced them that you had to be five to have a turn!

Day Twelve

Today we drove to the coast to spend a couple of nights with my sister Bree and her family. Jess and Riley were very excited to have the kids at their beach house and couldn't wait to show them the shells that they had collected at the beach. All the kids were very inquisitive, commenting on the colour, shape and texture of the shells. The next day Bree and I bought the girls some pretty little jars to collect  their shells and take them home. It was refreshing to see children usually preoccupied with iphones and Nickelodean take an interest in the outside world!

Day Eleven

Today was a lazy day spent at home. And by lazy I mean that my children dressed themselves! I told Bella to pose for this photo; "stand up and show me your style" I said. Jada also promptly got up and began looking her up and down "where mum? where's her style?" she asked. I'm still wondering the same thing .. at least the colours match I guess .. !

Day Ten

Tonight as my Dad was having his usual rant at the dinner table and filling us in on all the latest ATO goss, he suddenly announced: "I got something for Blaine today .. or it might be for Bella". He then went into his bedroom and returned holding a 200 piece Pokemon puzzle. He proudly boasted that he bought the gem from an ATO colleague for the bargain price of $3. I couldn't help but wonder.. Why on earth is someone who works at the Tax Office going to the trouble to sell a puzzle for $3?? And what was the look on the passengers faces as my Dad sat on the bus on his way home carrying a 200 piece Pokemon puzzle?! Moving on, Blaine and Bella were equally excited. Blaine's thoughts immediately turned to how much he could re-sell it for (his fathers son, clearly) but Bella wondered when could she start the puzzle and who would help her? Soon after dinner she got started sorting the pieces. Now Mum and I are thinking.. What could we send Dad to work with tomorrow that he could sell to an unsuspecting Public Servant?!

Day Nine

 

Today we looked at bathroom tiles, walking away with half a shop of samples .. still undecided! I'm starting to think that we should have listened when people told us not to renovate! Not helping is the fact that we both have very specific tastes that couldn't be on further ends of the design spectrum. Trevor prefers modern, practical and very matchy. I on the other hand, prefer a much more shabby/chic/country/homely feel. While we are doing our best to compromise (he gets to design the ensuite while I do the main bathroom), trying to envision these two tastes coming together may result in somewhat of a liquorice allsort house! At the end of the day it will be OUR house, and that's what's important.

Day Eight

Everyone's wild about Harry! Four years waiting for a new cousin was obviously too long; we can't get enough of this little man! He has that beautiful newborn smell when you press your nose to his head, and is just so tiny and precious you can't resist kissing him every 5 seconds. He better enjoy it now because if he turns out like his father was as a child .. well, let's just say we might not find him as endearing in 5 years! Haha! Love you Kenrick! xx

Day Seven

A beautiful sunny day in Newcastle made for a picture perfect wedding! I managed to squeeze into the red dress that Mum had fixed and Trevor also looked pretty handsome in his new tie! We had a great time at the wedding singing and dancing, it was a great night and the bride and groom looked so stunning and happy. My Mum and Sister both said I look like my Nana Valerie in this photo, I only hope I can be half the lady that she was. 

Day Six

 

Nothing like a 5.00am departure to get going on the road! Off we headed to Newcastle to see the beautiful Mr. and Mrs. Tilse get married. Not one to waste a good holiday relaxing, Trevor had the Commodore booked in for a service at Campbelltown at 7.30am! All the way on the Hume Highway we were followed by a Bobby T* look like! This Bobby T overtook when we did and stayed close on our path all the way to Sydney .. much to mine and Trevor's amusement! He even gave us a little flash of the lights when he finally turned off!

*My cousin Lindsay's Nissan X-trail that she purchased from our old primary school teacher (think high knee socks and transitions lenses) named Bob Townsend. Her new car then affectionately became known as "Bobby T"

Day Five

The things a mother will do! About to iron my dress to take away to a destination wedding tomorrow; I was horrified to find that some of the stitching at the back was splitting! Too much pavlova over Christmas was clearly pushing the boundaries of this dress! Enter Mum, who obviously wished that I had found the problem when it was daylight, but was very resourceful and found some sort of miner's torch to aid her! Problem solved and dress fixed! (Thanks Mum!) Just hope that it holds out until after the wedding.. I guess I'll have to skip Maccas at Sutton Forrest tomorrow!

Day Four

Prince Harry has arrived! My brother Kenrick and his wife Kathy welcomed their first baby at 8pm last night: Harry Kenneth Stephen Winchester.The first male Winchester to carry on the family name, the first grandchild to hold the Winchester surname infact! Bella and Jada were very excited to meet him and Jada even got a hold! What a better way to start the year than with a new baby, we can't wait to get to know him. We think he looks just like his Dad .. but way cuter!

Day Three

It came! It came! After weeks of waiting for my Mum's EBay purchased Christmas present it finally came (only 2 weeks late!). This doll is a vintage 'Baby Dear' doll inspired from the original Golden Book of the same name. It was made in 1960 and came from Illinois, America. My Mum who is enchanted by all things babies had been watching it online for some time. She was surprised and immediately in love upon opening the box. Jada was equally excited and immediately put it in her new pram. We are still undecided if the baby is a boy or girl or what to name it. We all hope that we have another Winchester baby in our arms VERY soon!

Day Two

So there appears to be a reoccurring theme with Jada as my subject again! Bella stayed at Nana Helen's last night and is staying again tonight, so Jada and I had a nice relaxing day at home. After watering some plants in the back yard she decided it was her turn with the hose! She managed to wet everything within her reach; including puppy, the trampoline and me (hence the look of joy on her face!). She even managed to top up the pool which was clearly far less interesting than spraying with the hose. After turning the backyard into a scene from Titanic she finally persuaded me to put my swimmers on and get in the pool with her. Two nights in a row now she has fallen asleep while I've been "blogging" (said in my best Will Ferrell voice) .. I think we've found our new routine!

Day One

Thinking it would be a good idea to put my new camera to use I have decided to join the blogging world and chronicle my year in photos (most likely with some lame cliche comments attached). You can expect this blog to feature my children and extended family (including the new addition- our incorrigible puppy Andy-Bendeguz Thurling) and our home renovations which so far have only been home demolitions.  

So they say that what you do on the first day of the year will be a prediction of how your days will be spent. Today we spent most of the day in the back yard with family, playing in the pool and eating copious amounts of food. We finished it off with more festivities; a second birthday for my gorgeous four year old Jada who had the misfortune of being born the 28th of December and has since been subjected to camping birthday parties complete with homebrand jelly lollies, a frozen cake out of the esky and flies aplenty. 

That being said.. I think it's going to be one cracker of a year!