Merry Christmas Pt 1

Here's the Christmas entry. As we all know, so much happens on Christmas day and I actually took about 100 photographs on the day (don't ya luv digital cameras). I've condensed them down to 20 or so, here goes. The day started with Daniel being the first to wake up, lucky for us it was about 0645, not too early. He was the first to check out what Santa left from his cookies and milk. There was much discussion as to what to leave him, Oliver was adamant it must be milk and Daniel wanted beer, the milk won in the end as we thought Santa shouldn't "drink and ride".
Daniel was allowed to open his Santa stocking as we waited for Ollie to get up. Ollie woke up at a about 0730 and he too was allowed to have his stocking, then it was breakfast all round. It was the quickest breakfast in history as the Santa sacks were still sitting on the lounge with the "big ticket items".



The boys were very impressed. Santa was very generous and thought that the boys were old enough this year to have special pressies, the main being a watch each.

Merry Christmas Pt 2

Eventually, after each Santa present had been extensively examined, we moved on to the presents under the tree. The boys gave each other electric tooth brushes.
There was much laughter when Daniel opened his as Ollie and I thought it was a good idea to put his in a shoe box and disguse it. Daniel opened his present and thought he was receiving a pair of Birkenstocks (not what an 8 year old boy really wants on Christmas Day). When he opened the shoe box all was revealed and Ollie thought it was hillarious.
Epi and Carol arrived and Daniel gave them a very special present he made at school. It was a parcel full of goodies like a Christmas decoration with Daniel's photo, a family tree journal and some huckaback sewing (I'm sure that is not how it is spelt, but it is pattern sewing that a lot of kids do in primary school).
We then went to Stephen and Jennelle's for Christmas lunch. First order was presents under the tree at their place with Daniel, Henry and Oliver all handing out the presents under the watchful eye of Stephen.

Merry Christmas Pt 3

We handed out the presents in the traditional "Wendy" way, which is one at a time so everyone can see who received what, no moving on until the present has been fully opened and appreciated. There was much hilarity.



Then it was time for the boys (young and old) to play some serious Playstation games. Henry had received a game that they all could play together and compete against each other, it was great.

Merry Christmas Pt 4

Then it was time for lunch, thank you Jennelle and Stephen, it was delicious. We had prawns, ham, turkey and yummy baked potatoes.

Some members of the family had time for a little kip!
Here's my gingerbread house. Just before Christmas Helen and I went to a gingerbread house making workshop and here is my creation. I'm already drawing up my design for next year!
We had a very tasty chocolate pudding for desert and then it was time to go home.
The boys were ready for bed, wearing their new pyjamas of course.
What a wonderful day, we are very lucky. Hope you all had a great 2006 Christmas too!

ROAR

I went to the local shops with two boys and returned with two cheetahs. We walked by the Santa seat and the Elves were offering free face painting. Well, neither boy was interested and politely said "No thank you" and we walked on only to find that two of Ollie's friends, Bryn and Lachlan, had their faces painted. Of course the boys wanted it done now so after we'd done the shopping we had to stop back at Santa and have the painting done, two cheetahs, just like Bryn and Lachlan.

Meet Spotty and Angus.



Daniel isn't smiling in this photo because apparently cats don't smile.

Something to do

I was looking at Heather Bailey's blog the other day and she had a little project featured that quite took my fancy, a flower pin. I quickly raced up to the patchwork shop before it closed for the holidays and bought the ingredients, some pink wool felt and a yo-yo making kit. If you'd like to compare her creation with my interpretation, have a look at her blog called Couch Flower.

It's gradin' again ............

Yesterday was the end of another term of Karate for the boys, it was grading day!!! Daniel has been learning more in depth kartas and he has been trying to master the warrior karta. His next karta to learn is the ninja karta, sounds scary. Anyway, he passed his grading and is now a blue belt. Oliver did his grading and passed and is now a 3rd degree orange belt. Thank you Wayne for taking them to karate every Sunday morning and allowing me to have a couple of hours at home alone.


The photos that Wayne took inside didn't turn out again, maybe we should read the camera manual.

Presentation Day

Today was the boys' school Presentation Day. It is an annual event which runs a couple of hours and our school hires the local high school's hall. Wayne and I both went along to watch the proceedings, in particular Daniel performing with the String Ensemble and Oliver receiving an award. The first item that featured a Harding was Daniel in the Stage 1 Choir, they sang two songs "Summer Heat Shuffle" and "Shoo Fly / Get That Fly".
Then it was Ollie's turn to receive his award. We knew that he was receiving an award, but we didn't know what it was for. It ended up being for Computer Studies. He walked very confidently on stage and stood big and tall and smiled very proudly after he received it.

Then it was Daniel's turn to perform as part of the String Ensemble. They have come so far in just 18 months and they sounded fantastic. They performed 4 pieces with the final one being "Jingle Bells".
Last but not least, it was Ollie on stage again to perform with the Kindy kids "Monkey in the Teapot". They were very, very cute and typical Ol was front and centre, couldn't miss him.
I won't bore you with the other bits, they weren't important anyway .... just joking!
P.S. Sorry about the quality of the photos, the camera was having a hissy fit, it was a little dark inside.

Chrissy Drinks with friends

We had a wonderful afternoon yesterday catching up with Victoria & Brett and Dominic & Louise. I work with Victoria and we used to work with Dominic. Dominic has since moved on to greener pastures so he kept reminding us! We did lots of talking and lots and lots of laughing in a great bar in North Sydney. This time of year is fantasic if only because it gives you an excuse to meet up with friends. We chose the perfect time, arriving at the pub just after lunch and leaving just before the Sunday evening rush. Where were the boys you may ask .... thanks to Uncle Stephen, Aunty Jennelle and cousin Henry they were being well looked after. We came home and had bacon and eggs for tea. What more could you ask for?

Brett, Victoria, Wayne, Dominic and Louise

Daniel's Piano Concert

This afternoon Daniel performed in his piano concert. His piano teacher, Alana, holds a concert twice a year at her home. Daniel performed two pieces "Seaside Stroll" and "Money Can't buy Ev'rything!".
He was presented with a certificate for "excellent note reading and counting and outstanding improvement in all areas".
He really enjoys piano and Alana is a lovely teacher.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It was the weekend to put up the Christmas tree and decorations in the Harding household. The boys were very excited, but we still had that yearly question to answer "Where are we going to put it"? We've squashed it next to the TV, I hope we can live with it like that for a month. The decorating was all done by Daniel and Oliver and it looks fantastic.
Wayne's job was to put the spire on the top of the tree.
Finished!

We couldn't forget the Santa signs outside.