My baby

Well, the time has come. Nick and I no longer have any children in their twenties. On 19 th. May Adam is going to turn thirty. How did that happen? I remember so clearly his birth. I remember only the good bits.. The best good bit is the day he met Eva. Even though you are off on your travels, I hope our love is coming through to you loud and clear. Have a 'wee' dram on us on your birthday. We will celebrate when you return. Nicole still hasn't turned 30 yet. She is still waiting for you to come home. Happy Birthday to you. xxxx from Mum and Dad. See you soon.

Jekyll and Hyde

I found this gem from Bethany [7] written for Hannah[5] her sister. I don't think she gave it to her. Sometimes you shake your head in amazement at what comes out of kids heads not long after world war three was happening with the very same person. Love the blessing!Bethany is going through a very interesting time with me . She is testing me out constantly. Seeing how far she can push the boundaries. Very interesting times to say the least. It makes me think how it must be for grandparents taking on the parenting role full time. Maybe I need to go back to parenting school. Somehow I don't think much has changed since her Mum was her age. Never a dull moment. Love them all to bits. P.S. In case you can't read it . dear Hannah you are a good sister I bless you a fantastic life when you grow up. if you have any children I hope they are as helpful as you are. Love Bibby

Had to share this with you.

please don't dribble on me

Not sure what pearls of wisdom Ryan is passing on to Lucy

Today I had a flat out day with grandkids and catering. I picked up Ryan, Bethany, Ella and Hannah from school and commenced to fly through the catering I had to deliver to Riverton. I was running an hour behind most of the day. I managed to cut up a pile of fruit for the kids and took it outside to the girls to see what they were up to. They had been coming in to ask some very odd questions . One of those questions was "What can we pick up a dead bird with?" and "We need some cardboard"They had been digging a hole with a garden trowel after they found a dead galah in the garden. They came in asking where they could find some flowers. I was intrigued but didn't have time to go see. Rachel came home to pick up the kids and went to see what was up in the back yard. She beckoned me to come and look. This is what we found. The bird was buried in a very shallow grave. The cardboard was used for the headstone . The flowers surrounded the grave and a "lemon"?Ella was walking around pretending to cry. It was so funny. The weird things kids do to amuse themselves. But you know that it is great to have them here and making their own fun. i love them dearly. Meanwhile Ryan kept asking if we had any Harry potter movies or games. He has read the entire series in literally days. It was a priceless day. Charlotte is recovering nicely from her tonsilectomy and her adenoids removal. Lucy is very happy to be looked after by us now which is great. We treasure every moment. Thanks for the loan of your kids.

HAPPY 5TH. BIRTHDAY HANNAH.

The time has come at last for Hannah. She turned 5 0n last friday. She has been at school since the start of the year, soI felt she was already 5. She is still a young 5 but is doing so well at school. She is reading and writing and is certainly keeping up with even the year one kids. She is a reception student. Last week the school had an open night we were able to go and visit the kids classes. We have 4 grandchildren at the same school so we had to get our skates on. We were able to meet the teachers properly and look at their school books. It blew me away how well they are all doing. They are all respected by their teachers. It is the same as when our kids were at school. The flash backs we were having were incredible. They were all proud to show off their work even Ryan our nearly 10 year old. It is a fantastic school. They are lucky to be able to be there. We are proud of our kids and their children they are a credit to the school community. it was a buzz.

End of the heat wave

It was Bethanys choice to have her 7th. birthday at our home. It was a glorious day. Sunny skies and only 22 degrees C today after suffering through 15 days of above 35. Thirteen days were above the old 100 degrees F. Rachel spent last weekend in Melbourne so we had the children for a few days, their Dad a couple and Nicole for odd nights and looking after Sophie for me. We had some unexpected visits to the hospital for my Dad to have some tests done.They are trying to find out what is wrong with his throat ,gullet etc. Long story . Hopefully it will have a good ending. It is unbelievable to think it is already Easter weekend. Eighteen months have flown by so fast since Adam and Eva have left to travel the world. We can't wait for them to return. it is hard to believe they havent met Lucy yet and she is already 9 months old. they will have the rest of thier life to get to know her.Lee and Paul have been gone a feww weeks already and are in Vietnam at the moment but soon to go to Japan.I can't imagine what julie is going through with both her kids gone for so long. We still manage every now and then to talk to Adam and/ or Eva every now and then. Thanks to Skype for the free calls. Happy Easter to all. Happy birthday to Bethany who is 7 but says she is 10.

Update of family photos

Lee and Pauls Farewell

Happy Families

Megs and Paul showing the dental work they had done.

You would not have any idea how long it took to get everyone together in this photo

Three Little Pigs

Oh my god! They are leaving for how long?

What's Up?

Hot! Hot !Hot!

Our longest heatwave in history or at least recorded history has happened today. Since Monday last week, that is 3rd. of March we have had 8 consecutive days over 35degrees. We will not see it dip below that for at least another week, except for overnight.It is amazing how you get used to it To conserve energy and maintain hydration is the go. We have had 12mm of rain in our city for the year. We are in a drought and our main River Murray is not flowing below Blanchetown.. You may wonder why I am blogging about the weather. I saw Adam and Eva are constantly having 5 and 6 degree days in Scotland and raining. It seems to go down to 2 or 3 every night. For those of you living in the northern hemisphere where you are having fierce storms believe me I would rather have what we are having. Ah well we are living through history making times as far as climate change seems to be occurring. I wonder if in years to come if our kids in their 30s now will look back on this time and laugh at the fact that the world is changing and out of control or is only a hiccup like the ice age we were supposedly going through in the 70s. We need to heed all the warnings of the scientists of the world and change our own habits and help others to be aware of what they can do to help. Look for the links on the side for Rachel and Nicoles blog and see what they have to say. They are better informed than I am.

Ah! Grandkids

Mondays are my favourite day. It is the day I take Rachels 4 children to and from School, childcare etc. .Sometimes I also get to pick up Ella as well. Today was one of those days. Hannah and Ella are as thick as thieves at the moment. Coming home on way home from School the girls were having a conversation in the back seat it went like this and I quote " how did you learn to talk?" Answer" I learned to talk from the show the teletubbies" the answer to that was "so did I" Well I burst out laughing and so did Ryan. Anyone who has ever heard and seen that show would know that would not be how you learnt to talk. Nicole... Ella knows that you have been eating chocolate she looks in the bin to see what you have been eating. You know how I know. She told the woman in the book shop. Nothing is sacred. Just a tip from me put it in the green bin outside she is not tall enough to see in there. out of the mouth of babes. I love Mondays

Weddings

We have had our fair share of catering over the last few months. February has been particularly busy. we have catered for 3 very different weddings . All have been in the country which is lovely. I felt I had to blog about todays though. We catered for 37 on a houseboat. He supplied the hot finger food ...he has a mate that works for Bidvest. They supply pre -made food. You know the kind... very salty very fatty and leaves a yuck taste in the mouth. We are food snobs I decided today. We are used to making our own food so we basically were the hired help to heat and serve this food. Well, people were asking us what things were and what was in it. Didn't really enjoy that part of it. We have standards we are proud of. We supplied and served a few platters of our own prepared cold finger food. The house boat wedding was great. They married on the banks of the river. It was very pretty though very hot it reached at least 36 in Gawler. As we started to prepare the food for the platters all of a sudden I started to feel very sick. We were moored at the edge of the river and every time a jetski or speed boat flew fast the boat rocked.. not violently very gently that was the problem. . I held it together just but everytime I put my head down to do something that feeling overcame me. It really was very casual and they only celebrated with their best friends and family the way it should be.The photo I have supplied is the gift they gave to their guests and to us. Say no more.

Christmas Videos

Christmas at Rosalies

Boxing Day

It has been a while

We have been to Sydney since I last blogged. We had a ball. We originally booked to go to help look after Nicole and Raff's 3 children while they attended an I. T. conference. The plans changed but we went anyway.

We finally climbed to the top of the Harbour Bridge after meeting lots of well travelled international tourists who had done "The Climb" and were surprised that we hadn't done it considering we lived in Australia. It was well worth the expense and was such a great experience. Nicole and Raff also did the same while we looked after the kids.

We took them to Lunar Park which was a bit ordinary. The kids enjoyed it and there was a wicked merry go round. It was the first time we have baby sat Lucy who was 4 months old at the time. She was great.












Photo: The family enjoying lunch with a million dollar view.

It rained on and off for a good part of our 5 nights in Sydney, except when we went to Taronga Park Zoo. We have been before , but to go with young ones was fantastic. It was hot!

Sorry Adam this is what Rufus looks like

The lead up to Christmas was frantic as usual. Rachel and I had a heap of catering jobs small and large which took a fair bit of juggling with me working more hours and with all the functions the grandchildren have with School, kindy and childcare all celebrating in the same week. Thank goodness for Nicole helping out as well with the kids.

The annual Christmas pageant was attended by all of us along with Julie, Lee and Tobias. It was great to watch the kids faces. With 7 grandchildren around we know we are alive. It is sooo much fun to be involved with them.

The child care that Sophie and Charlotte go to celebrated end of year with a Twilight family picnic at the school. It was a wonderful night. To watch the older siblings faces watch on as the little ones sang and danced for us was priceless. It was well attended by parents, grandparents and staff. It was such a good feeling being there. We have a lovely community here in Gawler.

We are so lucky as are the kids. Ella had her ballet concert. Wewere able to attend her evening performance.

The funniest thing was seeing her fast asleep on the way to the concert. I wonder how many others did the same. It is a big day. Hence the photo

Our christmas dinner this year was on a cruiser on the River Murray. We left from Mannum after an hour bus ride from Gawler. It was a 2 storey modern boat, with 2 kitchens and berths for 10. We had 50 of us on board for a 5 hour cruise. It was all put on by our wonderful bosses. The night would have to be the most relaxing Christmas dinner we have ever had. Food was constantly put in front of us. It was great and the start of the bulge again. I have just lost 6kgms . Oh well it is Christmas.

Next was Carols by candlelight in the park in the city by our river. Nicole and Raff opted to stay home this time .

It is way too hard with a baby. We loved spending that time with Rachel and her cherubs, as they were that night. Even if the fire works were yucky according to Sophie 2.5 years old. Sophie says "me no love fireworks". It is always a great lead up to Christmas. We are constantly missing Adam and Eva at these family events.

Charlotte was 3 on Christmas day . She celebrated with a party on the Sat before. That was great to see her enjoy her" first" birthday party. She is a crackup that one.

Christmas rolled on with the most glorious weather. It was held at my sister Rosalies' this year. The sad part was no great grandpas attended . They both decided not to come . The kids were all fantastic of course.We opted not to buy presents this year for nieces and nephews but instead to donate to a charity of our choice if we wished. Boxing day is the day our kids and grandchildren receive their presents from us. This year the winner was a Wii for Rachel's kids ...mind you I think Rachel was most excited ...and a cubby for Nicole's kids. Rachel and the kids have been saving up for a Wii for sometime. They had saved $100 towards it. When Ryan saw their present he was so excited and he came straight up to us and offered to give us the money they had saved. That was so thoughtful for a 9 year old. But that is Ryan. I told him he could put it towards a holiday we are all having in Queensland in October. The children are very thankful for what they receive. It all comes down to good parenting! It has been a wonderful year. Everyone has been well in our immediate family, although my dad and Nicks' Dad are not well. Can't believe 2007 is nearly done with. Even Ryan our 9 year old grandson said that Christmas came quick this year. Merry Christmas and a healthy , safe New Year to all who read this.

Even we were Elfed

We had to get in on the act
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1410744401


Merry Christmas

Here we go again

I had my 6 month checkup with my doctor last week. Because I had some fast growing lesions that proved to be carcinogenic removed 6 months ago I need to be checked regularly. He found this inocuous spot... looks like a pimple on my calf muscle that he found this time and another on my face. I am going now to have them removed. Hannah is home today and wanted to come and watch until I told her he would sew me up with a needle and thread. She said when I was growing up sunscreen wasn't invented in the olden days. She is right. We had zinc cream only and didn't like applying that because it always got in your eyes when we got sweaty. Must go now...... I am back now. That was very sore today. I feel a bit down because I also got results from blood tests today and my Cholesterol level has only decreased slightly from9.6 and it is now 8.5. I have had elevated levels for years and seriously have been working on trying to get it down. He said no more, its not working and I need to go on tablets. Bugger to that! I hate taking pills but the alternative is I may not see our grandchildren grow up.

Birthday Girl.

Hi to Adam and Eva , Happy Birthday Eva for today. Can't believe you have been away for 2 birthdays. It has certainly flown. We all hope you are having a great day where-ever you are. Have a drink for us. I was going to give you your present but you already have him Love to the both of you. Hi from all of the in-laws.

School Holidays

Lucy embarrased to be seen with us

At the top of the lighthouse Lucy at 3 months

I was very lucky to be out and about with Nicole and 5 of our grandchildren on Monday. We travelled to the Port to the Maritime Museum. It was an interesting morning for the kids. Except Lucy (now 3 months old) all she wanted to do was sleep and feed. We do have some great sources of information in Adelaide for a fairly reasonable cost. Ryan was excited because he found his family name on the ships registers. The passenger lists for ships coming to S.A. are available on the computers set up at the museum. His family member on his dads side came out here from Hamburg in 1855. Ryan was pumped about that. It was great to see he has an interest in his heritage. Thanks to his Nanny who has compiled a family tree. All the children were fantastic and we were able to spend time with them as we didn't have the youngest two with us. They were happily in childcare together. We also climbed the lighthouse at the wharf with great views over the Port and Adelaide. It was great to be with inquisitive kids. To have the chance to do this all over again as we did with our own children is one of the joys of our life.To top off the day we visited Rachel at work to see where she goes on Mondays , the kids loved that as well. Thanks for the loan of your kids guys.

Time to catch up

It is certainly time to catch up with what has been happening over the last couple of months. We have been backfor 3 months since visiting Adam and Eva in Europe . It seems like forever ago. We always are glad when the football season is over. It seems to take up most weekends for 6 months. We will around until Jan09. No long trips overseas until then. I need to stay home to work to cover our shop manager who is leaving to have twins. She is on maternity leave. Oh well we will be able to do some work on our home and garden. We are in a serious drought situation here so we all need to rethink what we use water for. We will try and have a weekend off every now and then. We are going to Sydney with Nicole ,Raff and their 3 children for 5 days in late November. We are going to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge can't wait for that. I have been lucky enough to be able to go to a few school functions. That is a great advantage of working part-time. I was able to help the staff for an Indonesian cooking session with Ellas class. Our girls and Paul also had a stint with their children. I really enjoyed it. The photos are of book week assembly. On Saturday we hosted our dinner party post dated for my birthday. Before that, earlier that day we watched the football grand final between one of our local teams and a Victorian team. The team happened to be our sons' team that he follows. They haven't won a flag for 41 years. It was exciting to say the least as they won with a resounding victory. I called Adam throughout the game to help him have a little bit of the action, they were not able to see the game in the middle of Germany. They are off travelling again. Lucky Buggers! Back to the dinner party.

Photo:Adam and Eva snuck home for our dinner party

We had a great night catching up with Sue and Steve(Evas parents), Sue and Bernie(friends from a long while back) and my sister Julie. Rachel our eldest gave me the dinner party as a birthday present . What a present it was! She prepared all the food from pre dinner nibbles to even supplying some delicious chocolates. The food was divine to say the least. WEedidn't have to pay, to prepare to cook or to serve. She cleared the table between and cleaned the kitchen. She wouldn't cook for us the next night though. Rachel, thankyou for the sentiments you expressed also. Nick and I are so blessed to have such thoughtful kids. We are always able to help them when they need us and that is returned by them 10 fold. it was a great time that we had thanks also for Rachel for choosing our wine to compliment the food and for also supplying them as well. I keep waiting for the bill.We went for a huge walk today along the River Torrens linear park. It was a beautiful day . It is always fantastic when we can spend time together. Even after 35 years together.

A wonderful moment from a grandparents life

Bethany , our eldest daughters second child is of many characters check out Rachels blog . She is 6. On Mondays I take the children to Kindy, School and childcare and pick them up at the end of the day. Last Monday they all stayed for dinner which was great. Later as we crawled into bed we found a note from Bethany. It said"Papa rules Nana rocks keep smiling" with a picture of herself. It brought tears to both our eyes . The fact that she felt that way and the fact that she put it on our bed was wonderful. Kids don't always say how they are feeling about their relationship with us as grandparents. We are just there for them. I called her next morning to say thankyou for the note, saying that it made us feel special. She came back with "you are special Nana". Thanks Bethany.

The Cure

Wow! Rachel and I headed to the Cure concert last night wondering if we would know a lot of their material. She had been trying to catch up with his later cds. I hadn't done such research. From the moment they opened at 7.45 they played non stop except for two encores until 11.00 pm. It was visually one of the most exciting concerts I have been to. The lighting effects were stunning. A huge stage in our biggest venue was apt for the show they put on. The floor space was covered with a mass of bodies dancing and screaming to every song. By the end of the night they had covered all the oldies and a lot of new tracks. The music and guitar work was incredible if not ear splitting at times. Robert Smith still looked the same. Still wearing black. They have been around 30 years and haven't toured for 7 years to Australia. He didn't say much. One of his utterances was that we were f....ing miles away. He doesn't like flying. The money spent for Rachels birthday was well worth it . The crowd was an interesting mix. Not as much black as I remembered from his first concert many years ago. Back then he was the goths domain. Someone was actually wearing pink. I just sat there thinking how much Adam would have enjoyed it. If you can catch them in Europe somewhere do it. A big thankyou for Rachel for letting me come. It was the best.

Rachels'Surprise

Our eldest daughter turned 33 on Wed !st.August. On the Monday two days before her birthday I organized for them to come to our home for dinner for her birthday. That night I had to drop something off to her place when I walked in a very excited Ryan (8 years old) pulled me aside and told me he had organized a surprise party for his mum. He had already started ringing people and had a list of who he wanted to come. After asking him a few pertinent questions like where was he going to have it, what food, what time and what about a cake . . think he realised that a little more planning had to occur. He was sooo excited. We had quite a lot on the next few days with catering and working. He said he had called Andrea (his best friends mum) and she said perhaps he had better let me know what he was planning. First he thought I could have it at my house we could have an icecream cake and it would be after school. Well it started off very simple. I want to be 8 again. He said he was going to go shopping with his mum for food .

Because I was working until 3 that day we decided to have it at their house, I don't know what money he was going to use or how it was going to remain secret.We decided to enlist the help of Nicole for some food. I ordered a cake no time to make one and cooked some bits. Rachels' friends bought some food with them as well. I decided to have it at my place then so I could do stuff so it was a surprise. Rachel cottoned on something was going on. She thought it was at their house so she tidied up. After school they went home to get her presents telling her they had to go to my house for something. They raced inside making everyone hide in the dining room to shout surprise. We waited and waited and she didn't come inside. I went out to get her she was laughing. She made the appropriate sounds and faces to show it was a suprise much to the delight of the kids. It was a great party and we are so proud of Ryan for thinking up the idea and wanting his mum to celebrate her day with a surprise. It was all his idea. At 8 and doing that, imagine how he is going to propose to his girlfriend in years to come. He is a very thoughtful lad and I am proud to have him as my grandson. They shopped for presents as well with their dad. I think it was one of Rachels best birthdays. She is so lucky to have those kids. I also appreciate my workmates as they shoved me out of the door at work so I could race home to get there before everyone else . Happy Birthday Rachel and next time maybe a few extra days notice would be good. It was funny to have more kids than adults at an adults party. That would not have been Ryans ulterior motive I don't think. photos to follow