Happy 4th Birthday Alex

Who can believe our little boy has turned 4? We certainly can't.
Happy Birthday sweetheart.

The party

Boy, what a day. Phew! Alex had his first real kids birthday party today. Sure we had celebrated his birthday before. Last year was a lonely dismal effort since we were new to the country and knew one no one, but previously we had had relaxed and lovely get togethers with family only. It was usually a sumptuous luncheon put on by my parents. Alex would have fun enjoying the company of all who loved him, but he wasn't really old enough to understand that he was the reason for the good table cloth to be thrust from it natural habitat - in hibernation somewhere in the back of Mum's linen cupboard.
But over the past year Alex had been invited to a number of parties and had cottoned on somewhat to the whole idea, and requested a party for this year.
I have previously written about this moment and the anguish it had caused, me... the social phobe- but I must say....I do believe I might have pulled it off. I survived and I am thinking it may actually have been a success - as stunned as I am to admit it - we had a social occasion and I didn't suck at it!!!!
So now, the details....
It was very difficult to take photos while flitting here and there, so I apologize for these less than enthralling tributes, but you get the general idea.
The party had a train theme, hence the home made banner shown in first snap. I ordered 20 blue and yellow coloured helium balloons (Thomas colured) and scattered them around the living room as a surprise to Alex in the morning. Each kid took one home at the end and the guests enjoyed playing with them - and popping them (sigh).
We had Alex's train table set up in the living room so the kids could play with it while we waited for all the guests to turn up, that was a good idea and kept them entertained long enough. After that we had a game - so easy to set up and fun for the kids. "Treasure Island" Ashley called it.
We simply stuck pictures on envelopes. Gave one envelope to each kid and asked them to find the same picture that was shown on the envelope, somewhere out in the garden (obviously each child had a different picture). When they found their matching envelope, they also found an engineers hat and train whistle. They were so excited to find their "surprises" - and the train whistles weren't that noisy. It took the kids outside and they then played on the playset, kicked balls around and blew bubbles at the bubble table I had set up. We had drinks and snacks out there until lunch.
Lunch was easy; sausage rolls, home made pizza fingers, chips, veggie dip, fruit, donuts, biscuits and brownies, and salad baguettes for the parents. The kids weren't really interested in eating, they were busy having lots of fun. It was difficult to draw them way form their playtime so we let them play a bit longer than planned.
After lunch we played another game. It was an adaptation of pass the parcel, which apparently is a uniquely Australian game. We called it Deliver the Cargo. We totally hammed it up, decorated the first layer of paper like an actual parcel, brown paper, address and real stamps (if only real postage was only 10 cents). There was a note from Sir Topham Hatt, (from the Thomas the Tank Engine show) asking all engines to help deliver the cargo, let the package go around the track (circle of kids), the music will stop at the correct address, pull off one layer of paper to deliver the cargo - signed Sir Topham Hatt! It was a bit above the kids. They were SO excited to know what was in the parcel, and when or if they would get a turn at. Some were getting upset with the thought that they might just miss out and otehrs didn't understand that the game continued even though they had had their turn, but we got there in the end. Each unwrapping of a layer of paper revealed a small wind up toy - each one was different . Alex went last and got his wind up toy and another note from Sir Topham Hatt- Thanking everyone for their help in delivering the cargo - "You have all been really useful engines (of course) accept this as a token of my appreciation". Alex then unwrapped the last layer to reveal a packet of choccie frogs which were handed out to everyone. Everyone was stoked at their prize and were interested to see each others prizes and how they worked when they wound them up.
Then we had a pinata, which saw the excitement reach fever pitch. With each kid armed with a bag they pounced on the ton or so of lollies that fell from the pinata once it had broken. After that the parents had a laugh watching some of the more determined kids belting the absolute begeebers out of the seemingly empty pinata laying on the ground, making ensure no lollies remained inside - their efforts proved fruitful.
Lastly we had the predictable cake and sing song, present opening, goody bag distribution and farewells. Once all the guests had dispersed we were left with a great pile of debris to clear away before we could collapse into a heap.
Alex had a great time, and you know what - we did too.

The play gym

Well at last and just in the nick of time, the play gym area was created and the equipment put together. Here are some before, during and after pics for your perusal.
The box of sticks, which were to become the playgym, suggested one allow 7-14 hours to construct this set. That is enough to scare off most sane people, which is probably why they opted to misleadingly write HOURS, rather than the actual amount of time it takes to construct, which is DAYS. Ashley took a week to put it together, and that was going at it all day and half the night. But as you can see, it was well worth it- we got it for a steal anyway. Furthermore, it is so solidly put together...it ain't going no place.
Ashley even dug a pit at the bottom of the slide and filled it in with leftover bark chips to make for an extra soft landing. The play gym was a real hit at the Alex's party. It is hoped that the kids spend many hours playing here over the years.

snarly

A friend, also a blogger, recently referred to me as "Wonder Woman". Yes, I have probably been over doing it lately, but wonder woman I ain't and never will be. I joked to my friend that I could never carry off the wonder woman suit, but it goes much further than that.
Have you ever heard Wonder Woman, or any super hero for that matter, whinge and whine because they were at the beck and call of others. Did you ever hear them plead for some respite from the burden of saving the world from first class baddies. Have you ever known Wonder Woman to ever have a bad hair day or to have asked her friends whether her arse looks big in the wonder woman suit. No? Me neither.
In fact, I basically struggle through each day trying not to bite someone's head off, and keeping it together. I struggle for think space and quiet. I would like to be a better Mum and give my kids fun times all the time, but I don't do that enough. I get depressed when I have nothing to do, and wallow in reflective purposelessness; not knowing how to fill my days. When I do have something to do- some kind of project- I get so excited that I do it all in record time; not enjoying the process, but becoming machine-like to get it done quick, why...I don't' really know. I am an efficiency freak, which annoys the hell out of most people who have had to ever deal with me. I have high expectations of myself and am let down often. And don't let me get started on the body image thing. If anyone ever suggests I even try on a wonder woman style suit, I would be recommending they stick it where the sun don't shine - give me a daggy, over-stretched cardigan any day!!!!
So, as you can see.....I am not wonder woman, although I thanked my friend for the undeserved compliment....but I think Cantankerous Crusader is probably more realistic.

how true

We have the "old-fashioned" style telly in our house, not that it is watched by the adults very much - it is kinda hard to watch it through your eye lids, but perhaps it is a also a sign to TV programmers, that perhaps they should think about some more engaging shows. Over here there are over 50 channels, most of which is the same program on a number of channels and a large proportion of rubbish. PayTV is so over-rated.

Speedbumps cartoon. 

Tease

We got this HUGE pile of dirt delivered yesterday and I spent the whole of yesterday afternon shovelling it into the backyard. My shoulder is aching a bti this morning, but not enough to deter me from continuing on today.
I WANT THIS OVER WITH!!!! 

the site

We are FINALLY getting to that backyard. I apologise to all who want pictures of the newly painted house, but I am going to wait until the garden is finished to show the whole WHAMMO! effect.
I will say that we did refrain from repainting the house its original (and might I say, ugly) "over-laundered daggy Y-fronts grey/white" with the "duck poo" coloured trim and instead went for something ummmm....shall we say, fresher.
We think it looks pretty nice, and many people have asked us whether we had installed new windows, but they were simply repaired and painted - no need to be spending $10, 000 when a $50 can of paint and a $3.00 tube of sealant can do the trick (not that we had $10K to squander on such luxuries).
We still have a fair bit to go until we are finished, but we feel that the light is now at the end of the tunnel.
A large truck is coming tomorrow morning to dump the equivalant of 18.5 cubic yards of top soil, which we are spreading over the backyard and partly out the front. We are really excited that this area is now going to be worked on; everythig that has been done since spring has been leading to this point.
It was 37 degrees in Vancouver on Friday and 34 degree on Saturday, but we don't care...we want to get it done. And you know Aussies-we are as tough as old boot leather.
I know I am just leading you all on, teasing you without the ability to see the result, and I could be setting myself up for a vote of disapproval once it is all said, done and revealed. I guess all I can say is that we will have done it all ourselves, so don't expect some designer landscape job. Speaking of designs, we dont' have one yet...well sort of. Just another thing to work out. The whole choosing of Canadian plants is going to do my head in, so I will need some expert advice there, I think.
Anyway, as soon as possible, I promise to unveil the fruits of our labour.

Angus' cut of the bargain

Olivia was sprung sharing her popcorn with Angus, who had obviously called for a her to "pay up, big time" for all the taunting she has inflicted upon him over past months.
I call this photo an "act of tolerance", because Angus knows that sometime you have you bear some pain for a whole lot of gain.

Apparently not.

Apparently it is not too much to ask God to releave the experience of retail shopping hell and direct us to a viable solutions regarding outdoor play equipment. Fancy that!
We stumbled across a site supposedly offering 50-60% off play equipment - "Sure", I thought, but had a look anyway. But the site was for a liquidations company. This is the set we got - NEW - for $220, can you believe that!!!!!
And no, we didn't have to pay some ridiculous shipping cost to get it in from The States; the liquidators was right here in Vancouver. Ashley went over there on his lunch break and brought it home in his car. I am a little amazed really. These sets were suppose to retail for at least $699.
Thank you, Amen.

Is it too much to ask?

For days now, I have been searching the internet and classifieds for some kind of well priced outdoor PLAY EQUIPMENT!!!!
It shouldn't be this hard, but it seems this activity has become my life - damn it.
Why does everything cost an arm and a leg (sob!!). Oh Why, oh Why, oh Why.
All I am looking for is a climber/fort, with a slide and a swing. Yes there are other options, but I think this combination would have the greatest longevity and promote good opportunities for creative play.
I have seen one by Step 2 "naturally playful playhouse/climber with swing extension", which looks perfect, but it is out of the price range. And there are some little tikes ones but of course, the suitable ones cost the earth. Other than that, there toddler sets, which will offer challenges for mmmmm.... maybe 40 seconds.
So please Lord, bring an end to this cycle of retail shopping hell, so I can move on to more enlightening and peaceful things - I don't think I can take it any more.

more horror stories from the hardware store

This morning Ashley asked me to go to the local hardware store and get him a new hammer and some sand paper. (Shudder, pasty white face, anxiety chest pains, hot tears) "Sure", I said smiling through clenched teeth.
So Alex, Olivia and myself bundled into the car and off we went. It was just before lunchtime, so chaos was not yet reigning, or so I thought......
My plan was to go in, grab the stash and get out as quickly and as quietly as possible, with minimal damage; much like a thief might plan to hold up a bank. In the early stages the plan was going well. We had managed to infiltrate the building. The most direct route to the hammers was found. With the hammer stash secured, we vied our next target. The sand paper was quickly located. There was now only one obsticle between us and the get away car - a solitary cashier. Unfortuantely that is when the plan went to hell.
I had to wait until this one cashier was done serving 5 others before me and also those requesting information on the constantly ringing telephone. First Alex and Olivia ditch the shoes and ran hysterically around the aisles; then they rummaged through some large sharp edged metal thingys, which made an absolute racket when they whacked themup and down on the shelves.
Then it was my turn - finally. Halfway through the debit transaction the phone rings again and the guy leaves me hanging "don't you care that you shop is being ransacked", I screamed in my head. Then Alex wanders over "come quick and look", he says pulling my arm. "I can't right now", I responded in a terse tone, "I am in the middle of paying for this stuff".
"Olivia took her pants off", says Alex. Bugger the stuff! I dropped my bag and ran.
Olivia had indeed taken her pants off and her nappy (diaper) and was found standing at the display of toilets chanting "poo....wee". NOOOOoooooooooooo!
I did manage to reach her in time and no "damage" had been done, if you know what I mean. Oh, it was sooooo embarassing. I dragged her clothes back on and shuffled the two of them off to the car. I don't think we can show our faces in that shop AGAIN!!!!
Oh bugger. Ashley, you'll just have to go there yourself.

Shop of little horrors

I guess you could say we brought it all on ourselves....
Ashley and I did the unthinkable today. We took Alex and Olivia to the store after spending the entire afternoon running non-stop at a birthday party - 2 tired and sugar high little kids are neither a good starting point nor a good combination in any circumstance, but locate the scenario inside the gigantic box-like mega hardware store, well.... It just adds a whole new level of crazy to the mix.
We required several items from the mega hardware store; a mail slot, some pipe, garden edging, butterfly screws, rubbish bags, window trim and who knows what else.
On a normal day is not uncommon to see me shuddering upon entry to those god forsaken stores, but I can never usually remember exactly why I loathe those joints so much. They have everything you are ever likely to need - right? But the mere mention of the mega hardware store is enough to reduce my face to pasty white, induce anxiety provoked chest pains and my eyes to produce streams of hot tears.
There are mega ladders at these mega hardwares stores, so staff can climb up to reach an item placed in the upper stratosphere of the mega shelf. These ladders have wheels and a punchy note warning "do not climb". That is it - a sign - nothing else. So of course, a their earliest possible convenience Alex and Olivia (pre-readers) are either climbing the mega ladder or pushing it into some carefully constructed display of light bulbs.
These mega stores also have tools, as you would expect - hammers, axes and hand saws, all placed at the convenient toddler taunting level. Note: nothing makes the mega store staff come off their "break time" with greater enthusiasm and in greater numbers than seeing a 2 year old wielding a hand saw.
The mega store has trays and trays of open topped nails, in all different sizes that little hands LOVE to sift through and grab as you walk on by. It has rows and rows of LOOOOOONG aisles so kids can run off screaming down them just as someone walks through with a big old mirror.
They have things on spinny racks, which, if spun fast enough sends dozens of garden gloves flying north, south, east and west. They have interestingly decorated and shaped bottles of poison- at little kid level- so they can make believe it is a drink.
They have bulk vinyl on a roll so kids can pull it to see how long it is, and teetering piles of rugs and mats just asking to be jumped on and spilled all over the place. And lets not forget to mention the fountains, ponds and water features, which always seem to have something handy nearby, so kids can play "does it float or does it sink".
So while Ashley was tripping over his own tongue and drooling over all the man goodies (like every other man at the mega hardware store), I had been reduced to a chook with its head cut off in the attempt to replace deconstructed displays, remove objects from tiny hands and intervene before one disater turned into another.
Ragged and traumatized, I followed the kids to the check out- Olivia with a roll of garden edging wrapped around her head so she couldn't see, but still singing an incoherent song. The sales woman, (who had witnessed the glove flinging contest) strides over and says in a cheery and very annoying voice, "Oh look! Who is having more fun in the hardware store- "Mom" and Dad or the kids?" "Well, it certainly isn't me", I snarled.
She laughed, it made me feel better.

Showered

After waiting over 7 months for our tax return, we are finally able to get to that quagmire come dust bowl out the back and put in an actual garden and replace the "holiest" of gutters. Amen!

COLD!!!!!!!

This one is for all the Australians having a whinge about how cold they are. Some of them have even had to put on a jumper.

The lack of sympathy continues.....

Arrrr Matey

Alex went to a pirate party today - shiver me timbers.
He refused to wear the given costume at the party, but was happy enough to put it on once safe at home and away from the prying eye of the unaquainted. I am sure Alex will really appreciate this picture on the blog in years to come!!!!
The party was held at a park near the local beach, and the whole park was utterly swamped with people.
For Alex it was a little overwhelming, and he didn't really interact with anyone, but he said he had a really good time despite his hand remaining glued to my hand the entire time.
Olivia, our brave little soldier, came along too. And when Alex became to over-whelmed to participate in a game I encouraged her to take Alex's place, which comforted Alex enough that he soon joined in with her.
The party was really good. The host family put so much effort into planning activities and exciting things for the kids to discover and take home with them.
I have started to hand out invitations for Alex's party at the end of the month. I am REALLY nervous about it. I would avoid hosting such a thing, but Alex requested a party and I could see no good reason to refuse. He says he wants a "Train party", so this is the over-riding theme. I wish I had an extraverted friend who could help me, but I don't, well not here anyway.
I just want Alex to have a good time, and to feel comfortable about the day when it is upon us.
We are avoiding inviting the whole pre-school class due to the over-whelmed thing Alex experiences; maybe only 5-6 friends, and their siblings if they tag along.
I have been doing some research on the internet about 4-year old parties and have some ideas, but it is all a bit much really - some people go to incredible, and quite frankly excessive lengths making huge elaborate props and scenery, which only makes me wonder where they are going to store all the junk after the party is over.
So if anyone has any great, fun, unfussy, but creative ideas for a train themed party taking place in our home, I would REALLY appreciate them.

listening to...

I am listening to some James Blunt - "Back to Bedlam" right now. It is good stuff- solid songs, great voice and interesting lyrics - check it out.

The Athlete

Ha Ha Ha, what a joke!
As you know....we have been painting the house. Ashley prepared it while I painted it, (except for the area I couldn't reach). It was great. I got a real work out from it and have felt fantastic all week.
I had been wondering how I could get myself out of the physical slump that has lingered since the shock of my first Canadian winter. I recommend painting the house - although it might not be for everyone.
Well, not wanting to let this new energised me wane and evaporate into not so thin air, I thought about re-joinging a gym. Yes...re-joining. An Australian friend recommended a gym that also happened to exist here in my town. I looked into it, but the Canadian one has no creche (typical) - what is it with Vancouver services and their failure to acknowledge the needs of potential customers? Don't they realise that their client base would improve significantly if they provided the minimal means for women to actually attend their services i.e a free minute or free arm. This particular service claimed that its 30 minute workout was designed for busy working women and "moms" - I guess they just don't need the profits. GRRRRRRR, it is soooo frustrating. (SIGH), but I digress.....
Once a week I have taken Alex and Olivia to the local indoor swimming hole for a play in the kiddie pool. They really love it, and it only cost $2.50 a visit. And since I recently went to the excruciating effort of purchasing the most abhorrent of all garments (bathers), I thought I might as well use 'em.
Last night I fired up; determined to go. The pool opens at 6am and closes at 10:15pm, so one can't really fall back on that convenient old adage that "time prevented me of going".
So there I was, standing at the waters edge at 9:15pm, ready to take the plunge and plow through the water like a torpedo just fired from an enemy warship.
Many may not be aware of this, but it was my childhood fantasy to become an olympic swimmer - the next Lisa Curry (scoff!!). I did actually attend the local swim club whenI was in years 6 and 7. I trained there four nights a week, but it was just a pipe dream really.
Straight off the bat I did 4 laps of breast stroke, revelling in the fact that I was keeping pace with a man in the neighbouring lane - ok he was pushing 70....err....it was a motivating factor ALRIGHT. All in all I managed to do 10 laps of the pool on my first attemp; in a variety of strokes I might add. Pitifully I exited the water at 9:30pm, a full 15 minutes after my hopeful and exuberant entry.
As I staggered back to the change rooms, my heart was working at such a frantic rate that I thought it might splatter hard up against the adjacent wall, if not for my rib cage to contain it.
By the time I started walking to my car a terrible thirst appeared and thoughts of blackening out invaded my almost static mind ("Captain, do you read me.... we are losing transmission... over"). When I finally reached the couch, in the ego-saving privacy of my own home, I collasped in a heap with my feet nesting on a pile of cushions, in the hope that the blood would pool back into my oxygen deprived brain. After a short while I declared to all who cared, that I thought I might just throw up.
YEAH........I am thinking of doing it again tonight.

the power of the game

I think I have been living in a bubble my whole life.
Yesterday I went to the mall in Richmond to collect my watch; it had been in for repair. It was about 2pm and the first day of the school holidays.
I was walking casually around, just looking at stuff and taking in the strange energy that usually resides in such places; where many people mingle and mix unknowingly, and mostly unwantingly in the true sense of contact.
From around the corner came a thunderous multi-voiced roar, and what followed was equally bewildering and altogether intriguing. People who had been strolling without a care only seconds before, erupted into a gallop of panicked proportions, sprinting for what appeared to be their lives and disappearing on mass to somewhere around the corner, though in the direction of the thunderous roar.
I too quickened my pace, although I felt no need to sprint, I was merely interested to know the cause for all that commotion. And there is was.....
A throng of perhaps 150+ people, huddled around half a dozen large TV sets facing out from and around a sports store. It was one of those moments that I regret not having my camera, for there was every visible race, gender and age represented there. Asians sitting among caucasians cheering for Italy together; others booing Italy in light-hearted mirth; muslims in the hajib jumping up and down while recounting the action over a cell phone; Punjabi teenagers punching the air; old men sitting transfixed, wide eyed, beaming; others wandering past with confused looks of interested curiosity, stopping to watch the jubilation on every face rather than the televised game, like I was. Then the crowd exploded into a deafening fever as Italy scored its second goal in as many minutes, to claim victory and its place in the World Cup final.
Alex was a bit shaken by the noise and wanted to leave immediately. He didn't understand what was going on, but I picked him up and showed him the TV and the soccer and explained the situation.
I still don't think he really understood why so many people were enthused by a game of soccer on the TV. Or why this game in particular brought so many together, captured their imaginations and interest on this day. I had to wonder at that myself, but if a simple game of soccer being played thousands of miles away between two teams, neither of them offering local representation, can have such a drawing and bonding effect of all those around them, then maybe the World Cup should be an annual event - why do we have to wait four years for such promising scenes as these - and I am not referring to the soccer.

baseball season

Fastball season is almost over. I actually thought it was over last weekend when a pile of people rocked up to last Sunday's game, which concluded with much (albeit largely uninspired) cheering, which was heard at oddly random intervals, as if speeches were being made. But alas, they were at it again on Monday, although the usual teenage girl players were absent. In their place were some burly looking heavy weights, and older gals strutting their stuff in a mixed game of "slowball", which (for the uneducated - like myself up until quite recently), is equivalent to the Australian softball.
Why am I mentioning this game at all, especially for those who knew me in high school and knew just how crap I was at this game... well we live right next to a ball park. "Our" ball park has two "serious" pitches, like the one pictured, and a number of laughable ones, which are usually occupied for the little tackers and t-ballers.
Most of the time when people see that we live next to the the ball park - and I mean RIGHT next to the ball park, they question us about the noise. But it hasn't bothered us in the slightest; we hardly hear a thing down stairs. Upstairs we are used to the frequent and almost rythmic pinging of ball on metal bat as the girls practice their swing.
Every week night, and especially the weekends, cars fill up the parking lot. People come with their lawn chairs, eskies (they don't call them eskies here though) and coffee, of course!!!! The crowds and fans are vocal and lively; they bring a certain positive energy that is lost during the winter when no one but the puddles frequent the game's car park. I will miss ball season when it ends - and you would have NEVER heard me saying that 20 years ago!!!!