Assertive Annette - That's my new name!!!!

Another pupil free day about how to engage our students - but what about us?? Today I sat through 2 workshops that were not engaging at all. While the information was interesting, I did not feel engaged at all and could understand why students would misbehave. I felt like it!!

I also went to one about effective communication in school situations. Here it was highlighted to me just how submissive I really am! Well that's the end of me being submissive (at least for today), I'm being assertive.

With this in mind, I ditched my next two workshops (of which I didn't choose) and decided to go to one that I really wanted to go to! Pivot animation. I was feeling rather pleased with myself as I walked into the workshop I wasn't enrolled in, that was until they gave out the certificates of attendance - of course I didn't have one there. Mine would have been where I was meant to be. Opps! Hey, I'm being assertive here, I reminded myself and asked Felicity (one of the facilitators) to go and see if she could get mine from the other room. She went, but the doors were closed so she will find it and bring it to me at a later date.

At least I did what I wanted and bucked the system. Pretty impressive for me I think!!! (I'm sure it was Katrina's influence)

Back to the grind stone tomorrow! Have a great first day of the term!

Deb Ball

Just like the majority of my Saturdays, today was a dancing day. this time of the year is very stressful for the dancers as we head into our 3 major competitions - Mid year Feis (gives you an idea of where you are ranked in the state), followed by the State Titles and then the Australian Titles. So poor Tara's legs were aching so much from dancing today that she was in tears. Our day started at 10am with Declan's class. Then Tara, Daniel and declan had a teams class, followed by Ardal and Emilee's Intermediate team class followed by Cherree and Emilee's Senior Teams class. After teams it was Tara, Daniel and Ardal's Solo class followed byEmilee and Cherree's Solo class, the time now being 4.30pm. But no there is still more - Tara and Daniel had another 1 and a 1/2 hours for a 3 hand choreography for the State and Nationals.

We then had an hour to spare before we were required back to prepare for a display for the Pipe bands Debuton (can't spell) Ball! The children looked fantastic as they danced an eight hand to the bagpipes (not so easy). During Emilee's performance as she did a huge front click, Emilee slips of her toes and lands on the floor, she gets up, smiles and bows. Well done, Emilee!

Daniel and Tara dance like troupers - even though Tara's legs were absolutely killing her.
Ardal dances half of his performance and while focusing on the fact that Emilee slipped over and he didn't want to - forgets his dance and bursts out laughing as he tries to pick up the dance.

I'm so proud of my children. They dance all day, and all night and still come out laughing!!!
Declan has just stirred in his sleep and asked his Dad to dance for him cause he's to tired to do anymore today!

Sorry to bore you with my dancing day, but it definately plays a major part of my life! Anything for my children.

Out of the mouths of babes!

I don't really have much to update today, so I'll give you a snippet of my conversation with Declan last night as we drove into Caboolture to collect Emilee and Ardal from the train.



As we drove along, Declan was telling me what all teh trafic signs meant. "Mum you can't go any faster than 100." "It says 80 now so you better slow down". "That street is Peel". I was very impressed with his knowledge of the signs.



As we got close to the road work near McDonalds, Declan piped up. "I know why your not allowed boomerangs near here. They might get lost near the trucks!" What do you mean Declan, I asked. Look that sign says- No Boomerangs!

Declan was pointing to














Great thinking Declan!!

Rainy Days

Rainy Days are definately sleeping in days and that is certainly what my children have done today. Tara is still fast asleep at 9.30am. Make the most of it, because when school returns we are back to rise and shine early.

The boys are lazing around playing on the old game cube, since Cherree has borrowed the Wii. And I'm playing on the computer - One of my favourite pastimes. I was actually considering getting them all up to clean the house, but have decided I like the piece and quiet.

So I wonder what I'll get done today! I let you all know tonight!

Have a lovely Rainy Day, and Thank God it didn't rain yesterday!

Under 16's Play Date

Thanks for the fun filled day at Deb's with fabulous friends. I really appreciate the fact that I am part of this truly amazing bunch of girls! And thanks once again Melissa for allowing me to have the thrill of driving a new car!

Feeding the cows, was very interesting. Declan was petrified at first, but soon relaxed as long as the cow didn't come to close. Emilee enjoyed playing with the younger children - she's not quite sure that she enjoyed Double Caitlyn's jumping on her back! Tara loved the jumping castle and playing with Caitlyn on her bike. Declan enjoyed some time with his friend from Kindy - Blayne.

That was the finish of my wonderful day! I went to pick up my external hard drive with all of my work from the last 3 years. First the guy brought out to me a device that looked nothing like the one I took in. "That's not mine" I replied, "unless you put the data onto a different drive". "What did yours look like?" My heart sank, OMG! I described it to him, and he told me oh that's right yours is still with the data recovery team in Brisbane. "Then why did you phone me and tell me it ws ready on Friday". After a lot of discussion, the boss was phoned and it was discovered that the casing had been changed on my drive, but this one was the right one. I paid for it $97.50. I then asked if I could check that the data on it was all there. They plugged it into their laptop and as I had presumed, the files had not been recovered. Only 5 files there instead of about 50. I asked to have my money refunded until they fixed what I had asked for. I explained to them that if they had of sent it away as asked last Monday, I would have it back by now and ready to work, but instead it looks like I will be waiting a while, and I'm not paying for anything if they don't retrieve the files!!!!! I'm so frustrated - MEN, who think they know more than women when it comes to technology!!!!!

On the whole, I really did enjoy my day. Ardy was cooking dinner for the family when I arrived home, and now they are all in the lounge room together watching T.V like little angels. I really love all of my children - even LIAM!!!

I've done it!!!!

Well today is, of course, a dancing day, but I managed to convince Ardal to take the children. My promise was that I would clean up the house if he took the children to dancing. He agreed since really the house cleaning is part of his home daddy jobs!

I actually had other plans that he was totally unaware of. I tidied the lounge, dining and kitchen in a matter of an hour and then jumped into Cherre's car and headed off to Blossies. It took me ages to decide on some paper for my butterflies. After about 1/2 an hour to get 10 pieces of paper I headed up to the counter. For some reason my bankcard wouldn't work, and I felt like such a dill, but I was reassured it wasn't due to insufficent funds. I raced to the bank where my card worked fine and then headed back to pick up my purchase.

I hurried home to put on the dinner for tonight (Another one of Ardal's jobs). Once that was underway ( I decided on using the crock pot, so I didn't have to do too much except throw everything in and leave it), I was able to get started on painting my frames. While waiting for the paint to dry I cleaned my bedroom in between coats.

Well tonight I finally put two together. I love them!!!! Probably not that even or even Straight!!!!, but I can live with that. (Ha, Ha, Ha!- I think.)

What do you think???

Oasis!

Driving a nice car was such a pleasant change today, as I drove Melissa, Cadence and Suzanne up to Suzy's Oasis party. What lovely company. It took us no time at all to get there, probably due to the fact that we never stoppped talking.

Suzy and Gavin baked up a treat! I don't know why Suzy was stressed she did an awesome job. The house is amazing, considering it wasn't that long ago that it was a simple farm house. Well done, guys!

I must say, I was very impressed with my two little angels (Declan and Tara), who played so beautifully with the other children and really did stay out of everyone's hair. Sorry about your deck, Suzy!! At least he wasn't sick in Melissa's car.

I managed to get to the butcher's in time to pick up my 1/4 cow. It is enough for 30 meals in our household, so will last us just over a month when I throw in a few chicken and fish meals. I love the way my butcher vacuum seals everything and makes us bundles to feed 9. Definately worth the money!

I didn't manage to get to the IT shop to pick up my hard drive. They believe they retrieved all of my data. I hope they did because it is all my work for the last 3 years including all my smartboard activities that I have made. I guess I'll find out Monday when I'm $97.50 lighter.

Looking forward to Monday's play date at Deb's. See you all then!
Annette

What a bargain!!!

I finally got around to changing my background. I scrolled through and through the backgrounds and when I finally chose one I liked and downloaded it, it was the same as Toni's. So back I went and chose another one. Great taste, hey Toni!!

Today I decided I should actually spend some time for myself. So I headed off to the op shops in search of photoframes to copy Toni and Deb's butterfly pictures. I think I scored some very good bargains. I got all these frames for under $25. I can't wait to get started, so hopefully Toni will remember to bring the butterfly punch so I can get to work! These will be part of my Christmas presents for my family. I'll post some pictures when I complete them.

I am so looking forward to tomorrow's outing. I love getting together with all of you girls. Tara and Declan are excited about their trip to the farm.

See you all there!