We have a couple of kids for a sleepover and so we all went up to the rock.  My kids had to show their friends their cubby house in the bush (when we play golf, the babysitter lets them play in the bush.  Good, healthy outside fun!).  Our local golf course weaves through the many rock formations, and it’s a beautiful spot.

We climbed a few rocks to search for tadpoles in the pools of water.  We were out of luck (a bit early for them yet)…thank god as I’ve had my fair share of tadpoles/half frogs in my house!  As we were walking, climbing over fallen trees and crawling through bushes we found some big rabbit holes.  I warned the kids not to get too close in case they did an Alice and fell into Wonderland (I think my humour was wasted on the younger two).  Then we had a picnic and counted caterpillars as we sat on the green fairway.

All in all, it was a beautiful day with the sun shinning and no wind.  I even had a ball.  It really is worth it to take time out to do something special with you kids, as they will remember it forever.  I know I still do when my folks took us to the rock.  Even if it only was for an hour, kids will remember it like it was a whole day.  They need these good memories to take with them into adulthood.  It says I was loved. Ditch the DS on the couch along with whatever other computerised gizmo they have and get outside, ride your bikes, walk along the beach…it’s all good.  Time rushes by fast enough, cherish the time we have with them while they are still young.  Yep, I’ve said my bit now lol!

How funny is this?

My daughter wanted to watch Masterchef on TV (some bigger kids at her school were doing a Masterchef night and cooking for their parents…Ithink thats what brought this sudden interest on) and I told her she had to go and have a shower.

By the time she got out she wanted to watch it but it had finished. I don’t think she believed me as she stormed off stomping her feet.  Anyway my hubby got up to do something in the computer room, next to my daughters room and suddenly burst out laughing.  I had to go see and this pic is what we found stuck to my six year olds door!  She was asleep in her bed, and obviously not impressed with me.  Oh I’m so looking forward to the teenage years – NOT!!  By the morning she’d forgotten about it, of course, hugs all round and a new sign appeared on her door:  ”NO BOYS A LOOD”.

Kids…they crack you up.

We had our annual Mothers Day at our local golf club last week to help raise money for our babysitter.  It was a brilliant day with 70 people who came to enjoy a three course meal, stalls, free entertainment by the Hyden Choir and lots of door prizes and raffles.

It was a big day and wouldn’t have been possible without the hard working members of the club (there are only about six of us – less who actually play golf) and the other special people who came and helped even though they don’t have anything to do with the club.  Lets just say one lady made all the chocalate cakes and sticky dates for the dessert…and what fab desserts they were!  Where else could you go for $25 a head…yes just $25 for a three course meal, punch and entertainment etc.  On top of this we all made extra cakes, slices and goodies for our cake stall.  (which is always a big hit with seeding around the corner) We raised the much needed funds to keep our little golf club going and from all reports everyone loved the day.

Well done ladies, and I hope you all enjoyed your Mothers Day!

I got lots of little hand made gifts from my darling kids, who had to wake me up at 6.30 so I could open my pressies.  Then my daughter said she’d make me a cuppa and my son came running in, saying he’d make my breakfast and he was shaking a box of Cornflakes (I was hoping for pancakes!)  They are so sweet!

Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made.

Charles Bean, 1948

ANZAC DAY – Lots of things to remember.

I think of my great grandfather Richard Hicks, whom my father was named after, and his brother in law Gordon Benham who both served.  I have posted Richards recommendation form for the Military Medal he received in the First World War.  My brother, who is in the army, now has his medals and looks after them proudly.

It’s hard to imagine what they went through, I guess shows like The Pacific try to emulate the war and to give us a glimpse of the hardships they endured and the losses they encountered.

I sit at my desk in my comfy chair, hot coffee at the side, and children playing happily (for once), feeling safe so I find it’s hard to imagine the feelings these brave and scared soldiers had, many of them so young.  So I will do my bit this weekend to remember them all.

My daughter had her first game of hockey yesterday and is still keen to keep playing, so that is great.  She’ll be seven in July, so she’s getting an early start and it’s lots of fun for her.  Kids don’t seem to feel the pain like us.  I can remember feeling very unfit running around yesterday…but that said we managed to win 4 nil.  So it was a great day for our A and B grade teams both winning.  Go girls!!

I love being back at hockey, being apart of a team and having a blast with the girls…and it’s nice to get a win under our belt.  (I’m playing for the Karlgarin – Hyden club…the KHats)  We had a home game on Saturday which is great, I only had to drive 55km but we play some towns that are further away like Narembeen, Corrigin, Kukerin and Bruce Rock which is 140 odd kms away, so it makes for a long day.

Oh.. and yes, Mac’s fringe is crooked…she decided her fringe was in her eyes and gave it a trim…I think it will be a while before its even close to her eyes now LOL.