What are those rabbits up to ??!

On Tuesday Allen picked up some "supplies" for us and left them in a bag in our room. He then took Jasmine and Xaviour to young mens/ and young womens. While they were gone I did what I always do and cleaned up after tea then got the little ones ready for bed and cleaned their toys up from the day of playing, while I was doing this I could hear peels of laughter coming from our room. I was wondering what those two little rabbits were up to but their laughter was so cute I couldnt stop laughing at them from the other room. Finally after hearing a ripping sound I decided to investigate what they wre up to. Gabriel had found ALlens "stash" of condoms and was frantically ripping them apart from each other and Niamh who was watching this was laughing at him as well it was such a funny sight to see a 2 year old ripping these apart and scattering them all over the floor hehehhe. I wonder why we spend so much money on toys whenthey get as much fun from a pot from the cupboard and a wooden spoon and a paint brush with some water to paint with. Or..... just a packet or two of condoms.

kids back at school

Well I know its a bit late but yes the BIG kids are back at school for the year woohoo!!! The only change was that Xaviour started high school this year :o) We went to the school the week before they started and I picked up their books paid their fees and got a new jumper for Jasmine. I had managed to get the majority of Xaviours uniform in Town but the jumper for Jasmine had to come from the school.

They are both enjoying being back at school and Xaviour has been great at getting his homework done as soon as he gets it. So here are some pics of them before they caught the bus on their first day back.

How hot?!

Last week was just too hot! Even here in Tassie were it just doesnt get that hot during summer got to 39.6 here in Westbury infact it was 40C in my neighbours kitchen EWWWWWW! We bought the kids a small pool for Christmas just for cooling off in its ony waist height on Gabriel so its not that deep and its 15 feet wide, we spent a bit of time in it last week as well as trying to keep all the animals cool the kittin spent the whole day sleeping under the table. The dog spent the day in the shade under the deck and unfortunantly 2 of our 3 chickens died.

It was very hot so hot that this poor koala came into a back garden looking for relief, its super cute, aslo shows you that even the local wildlife found it too hot!

Victorian Fires

Its been an upsetting few days for me with the fires in Victoria. With now over 80 people confirmed dead and 700 homes lost, the devatstation of whole towns. The pictures are sad and the flames hights and speed frightening. I like to think Im prepared for an emergency if it happens, we all have back packs with enough food and water for 3 days (thats how long the emergency services ask you to have). We have a change of clothes, wind up torch with radio and siren.We also have other bits. They sit in the linen cupboard ready to grab, I always thought we would never have to use it but the more I see on the news with fires in one state and floods in another it makes me realise the importance of having these packs. SO Ive put here a list of what to pack if you decide to make one up you may never need it and I hope you never do but lets be smart and be ready... just in case.


Food and Water
(3 day supply of food & water per person
when no refrigeration/cooking is available)
 Protein/Granola Bars
 Trail Mix/Dried Fruit
 Crackers/Cereals (for munching)
 Canned Tuna, Beans, Meat, Vienna
Sausages, etc (“pop-top” cans might leak/
explode & Jerky can “flavor” other items)
 Canned Juice
 Candy/Gum (Jolly ranchers can melt &
mint gum might “flavor” other items)
 Water (1 Gallon/4 Liters per person)
Bedding and Clothing
 Change of Clothing (short and long
sleeve shirts, pants, socks, jackets, etc.)
 Undergarments
 Rain Coat /Poncho
 Blankets and Emergency Heat Blankets
 Cloth Sheet
 Plastic Sheet
Fuel & Light
 Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps)
 Extra Batteries
 Flares
 Candles
 Lighter
 Water-Proof Matches
Miscellaneous
 Bag or Bags to put 72 hour kit items in
(we use cheep back packs and it holds everything make sure there is one for EACH member of the family)
 Infant Needs (also when you have kids try and put in a toy eg a stuffed aniaml, if you have to leave fast they will be upset and may need something to cuddle )
 Can Opener (or get tins with the pull tops on them)
 Dishes/Utensils
 Shovel
 Radio (get a wind up one )
 Pen and Paper
 Axe( you can get a very small saw instead which is made of wire and rolls up very small)
 Pocket Knife
 Rope
 Duct Tape
 First Aid Supplies
 Toiletries (roll of toilet paper—remove
center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock
bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc)
 Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer,
soap, shampoo, dish soap, you can also have baby wipes they are great and you can get small packets)
medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen,
children’s medication, etc.)
 Prescription Medication (for 3 days)
Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)
 Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage
Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts)
 Insurance Policies
 Cash
 Credit Card
 Pre-Paid Phone Cards
• Update your kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to make sure
that: all food, water, and medication are fresh (not expired), clothing fits, personal
documents and credit cards are up to date, and batteries are charged.
• Small toys/games are important too as they will provide some comfort and
entertainment during a stressful time.
• Older children can be responsible for their own pack of items/clothes too.
• You can include any other items you feel are necessary for your family's survival.
• Some items and/or flavors might leak, melt, “flavor” other items, or break open.
Dividing groups of items into individual Ziploc bags might help prevent this.

I hope I never have to use mine but it can't hurt to have ..... Stay safe

more photos

This is Gabriel having some fun with my camera the little monkey!

Gabriel and Niamh playing together

Niamh watching Gabriel play on the drum

Ohh yes this was the cake that Allen made for my Birthday I know it looks super wierd but thats what he wanted it to lok like. It still tasted good :o)

This is Lisa isnt she just glowing! Shes engaged to Shane (see next picture) I cant wait for them to get married!

This is Shane he's so sweet and is going to be a good dad check out Niamh she just climbed into his lap :)

Niamh and her talking dog she loves it, she got it for Christmas from Grandma :o)

Awww see she loves it! She wont share this with Gabriel she screams when he picks it up.

Gabriel and Niamh eating chocolate frogs and trying to watch Nemo at the same time.

Niamh and her "blankie" she wont sleep without it even when its too hot!

Bath time again its a nightly event not always with bubbles they tend to eat them hehehhe

ITS TOO HOT!

Man its been hot here for the past few days! The kids have spent the past 2 days in and out of the pool (its only a small one don't freek out). The animals have been too hot poor shadow our little dog was too tired and hot to bark yesterday. It got to 39C yesterday which is unheard of in Tassie (thats 102 F) we might get the odd low 30's but yesterday was disgusting! The little kids are having a really hard time trying to sleep even with the airconditioner on, I put the fans in the little kids rooms just to cool them off. Gabriel didnt go to sleep till after 9.30 last night which was painfull for everyone, Niamh went down ok but the heat kept waking her up and at 4am she refused to go back to sleep so I stayed up with her till 5.30 am before she went back to sleep.

It was also way too hot for our fethered friendsthe chickens with 2 of them dying yesterday afternoon, the laying pen was that hot that it cooked all the eggs they had laid! So now we have 1 left with a hope that a friend can get us a couple more soon. Its going to be hot again today 35C. Im trying my best to keep the plants alive with late night watering in the vegie patch. Hey it could be worse I could be in Melbourne where its been 40C and over! EWWWWWWWW!

windy days

Today has been SUPER windy I even had to rescue the washing that was being blown of the line! Needless to say we wont be going swimming in the pool today :o)
Ive got heaps of pictures to put up which I'll do when I find all the right bits... Allen was busy last night installing a security alarm for the house we are very.... wary of our new neighbours and the company that they have been keeping so to be on the safe side we know have an alarm. The house is very quiet right now with Gabriel still napping and Alen and NIamh sleeping on the bed, yep Im getting heaps done while there is peace :o) I also finally got a chance to watch "The curious case of Benjamin Buttons" last night and yes I did cry.. not that its a surprise I cry in the huggies adds. I was very pleased with myself on Tuesday afternoon when I went to have another round of blood work done the guy got a vain first time he was very gentle I didnt even feel it which is great for me with my arms. Gabriel sat on my lap the whole time and said "ouch" really softly tome and said "it's ok mummy" and rubbed my hand it was so cute. I have another apointment with Alister next month so we'll see how the results read then.
Jasmine and her friend Elsbeth have been having a great time at the university this week during the science expo it finishes today and they have both had a great time and learnt heaps of new stuff.