Getting to Know You

Took us a little while to decide whether or not to have an Exchange Student from china. But we took the plunge when Oliver came back from a business trip to China and we thought it might be a good experience.

The kids particularly have been really looking forward to our 'student' coming. I wasn't sure if having her for the whole 3 weeks would be a good idea. We did have the chance to just have her for a week and a half. Anyway - we found out that Oliver would be away for the 3 weeks the student would be here - so we decided to have her for the whole time.

Well, the time was here before we knew it and Fanny arrived on Tuesday of this week.













I love Fanny. I feel like I have known her all my life. Emily was the most excited to have her in our home. Here they are together working on an assignment that Fanny had been given from school.













Then Cassie, Emily's very good friend from church, joined us on Friday. She will also be staying with us until the end of July. As you can imagine - Emily is having a blast.














I think life's going to seem way too quiet when Fanny and Cassie leave at the end of the month.













Perhaps we should try for a couple of more kids when you get back Oliver.

I Love Lucy

When our family were living in NZ - we had just had our 3rd child, OJ. I remember one evening, not long after OJ was born, discussing whether or not we would have a fourth child. I was thinking there was probably another one waiting; Oliver wasn't so sure. Anyway, the decision was kind of taken out of our hands, because as we were having this discussion, I, all of a sudden felt nauseous, ran upstairs and threw up. I was already pregnant with Lucy.

Lucy has been a character ever since she came out! She has really made her mark on our family and we love her to bits. But talk about a girl with her own mind.














Anyway, today was 'get your flippin bedrooms tidy, day'. Emily, 12 and already a working woman, wasn't around as she was babysitting a neighbours children. Joseph had his room done in about an hour and a half. OJ wasn't too far behind - he was done in about 2 hours. Lucy was painfully slow. I was so tempted to go in and do it for her. But I figured she would never learn to pick up after herself if I did. So I left her to it.

She would flit around the house, get drinks, chat with her brothers, tease her brothers, complain she was hungry - even fold the towels and laundry for me, as a 'surprise', which was wonderful. But getting her to do her room was almost impossible. Anyway, after about 5 hours - she had done a fairly decent job, so I went in and we finished up together.













Lucy and OJ decided to sleep in OJ's room tonight so they could play Uno. So I went in to her bedroom to put a toy in her drawer under her bed. And there I discovered her little secret.

If you're going to be sneaky enough to shove everything under your bed and in your bedside cabinet - why let it take 5 hours?

Father's Day

This is how Oliver's day began. The best treat we could give to Oliver for Father's Day is to let him sleep in.













We were all very excited about Father's Day.
The kids had made cards for their dad and they had practised some silly songs to sing to him. They had made him a lovely hot chocolate and a pink lemonade (so he had options). He had a lovely, sticky breakfast bun and it was all delivered to him on a nice tray.














Unfortunately, before Oliver got to enjoy his tasty treats - disaster struck.

One of the kiddies accidently knocked over the tray that was resting next to Oliver.

This picture was taken when some of the stuff had already been cleaned up. But you get the idea!!













No point in crying over spilt milk (or hot chocolate and lemonade). We still had a lovely morning :o)

HEY LAWALS - TURN THE TV OFF

I always really look forward to the summer break. I love the choice I have to lie in or to get up. I love it that I don't have to make pack lunches every morning. I love getting to chill with the kids. As we say in England - a change is as good as a rest.

But love my kids as I do - their squabbling drives me a bit nuts.

So I thought about what the problem could be. TURN THE TV OFF came the reply.

I was letting the kids watch way too much TV. In my mind I was justifying the fact that they need to relax. But I was finding the kids were arguing more and more.

I think the TV was making them brain-dead and cranky - but guess whose in charge around here! So I decided to make the terrifying decision to tell my kids - TURN THE TV OFF!!!!!

During school time, we only watch tv Friday evenings and Saturdays. And so I decided that I needed to cut down the 'tele' watching and see if my nice kids would re-emerge. And they did. I don't think tv is a bad thing. I have some very fond memories of cuddling up on the sofa with the whole family, watching a great film. But too much of anything.......

Anyway, we've had a great couple of days. Limited time watching tv and limited time on the computer has definitely improved the atmosphere in our home.

Just played Monopoly for 3 hours with Lucy and OJ. It was a really good game. One minute OJ had loads a' money. He was even giving it away because he felt sorry for us. Then he had no money - and was complaining that he had given us some and wanted it back. It was hilarious. Lucy is completely prideful ;o) She was skint at the beginning of the game, constantly begging for money and complaining about losing - and then she became the richest. She would dance around the room singing this 'I'm in Moneyville' song whilst kicking her legs like she was on Broadway. Of course, she wasn't giving any of her money away!! Safe to say I am definitely the most humble Monopoly player in the family :o)

A Day at the Zoo

What a pleasant day it has been today. From everyone busily helping me get the picnic packed this morning, to getting home and crashing - I have loved every minute.

We saw some freaky faces











Lucy literally had a staring competition with a lizard.
I think he liked her!
















And we did get some great tips on hair do's.

They Made it Through the Night!!

Well I was pretty impressed that all 3 of them made it through the night.

I personally like sleeping in my dry comfy bed. Emily slept in my room last night. It was nice to have some special time with her. Whooped her at UNO though!!

I'm so glad my kids enjoyed their camping experience.

Wonder how long it will last??