LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU Yes Corey and I have found ourselves to be the entertainers when it comes to watching the Grand Final for Aussie Rules. This year we had 7 families here for the day. We did it last year and they kind of all invited themselves back for this year. Most of our circle of friends live in town whereas we have no neighbours and acres for the kids to run around on. It was a good day with too much wine and a great tea to top it off. Everyone pitches in and brings a salad or dessert and we cook up a BBQ. With each family having 3 or 4 kids there were plenty here. The weather was beautiful on 34 although with the wind and the heat the kids were exhausted running all day. It didn't end here till 1 in the morning with all the guys. I think I snuck off to bed at 11 and still paid for it the next day. (actually yesterday was a bit of a weary day to I must admit). Corey still can't figure out how the 5 guys left managed to finish off all that scotch!! Below are some photos of Chayse with his beloved Sascha doing what I felt like all day, lazing around...

Well the boys have enjoyed the holidays so we are all happy. I was dreading them thinking 2 weeks with 4 boys HHMM. I've found that holidays can either be hard work with winging kids that are bored or fun if you schedule something every day. Nothing big or expensive mind you. Like yesterday by about 3 o'clock they were just starting to get to each other so we jumped in the car and headed to the park for a play. Grabbed them an ice-cream on the way home and the mood was very uplifted when they got home.

Today I needed a day at home to catch up on all those dreaded chores. We played a game of soccer in the sun and they are now all having a turn on the X-box. They think this is great as it usually only goes on every now and them on a weekend. Tomorrow we are meeting my mum for lunch and a day out. HHmm only Thursday and Friday to get through and Friday is show day here so we should be set. Yes I can survive 2 weeks home with a house full of boys, although one day last week Chayse and Brodie each had a friend come over for the day. 6 boys!! How will I ever survive when they all want one each and I have 8 ????????

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DREAM COME TRUE

Sunday the 6th of July was my eldests 8th Birthday.Chayse Alan-John (AJ after his 2 pops). We've been away for a wonderful family break to celebrate hence this post is late.

My Dearest Chayse,

You are my everything! You will never know the love you bought to my life. After years of IVF and many tears your father and I had virtually given up and were so over the roller coaster road. We didn't know what else to do. We only knew we wanted you. We woke up one morning in Penang on a holiday, looked at each other and just cried. No words were needed, we were

exhasted from wanting a baby.

After many more attempts one day I had the surprise of my life. I was expecting and found out just before I had to be at work. I waited all day to tell your dad. I wrapped up a babies bib that said "I LOVE DADDY." Your dad cried and smiled sooooo much when he realise. I will never forget it.The pure joy and excitement we had can't be put into words. We had never been happier than on that day (of course until we met you.) You amaze me, inspire me and dazzle me daily. You are the most kind hearted child who would give away anything to make others happy and go without yourself.

I'm so proud to be your mum and know that you will grow to be the most beautiful person because of your generous nature.

Thank you honey for making my life what it is those 8 years ago.

See I told you that night you were so special and that you were going to have a wonderful life.

Happy Birthday my sweet darling heart and dads AJ.

We love you bigger than the world

Love mum XXX

80 cents HITS THE HEARTSTRINGS As a mum of four boys I am very big on the boys learning that it's good to give. Too me personally Mothers Day means more than my birthday. I guess it's because it's a day made to spend with my kids and being that my birthday is on New Years Day it's a can't be bothered day. Besides no restaurants ever open that day so we can go out for tea etc. Yesterday was the yearly event where the boys take their pocket money to school and buy the mums a gift from their stall. The boys were super excited and spent so long wrapping their gifts (in Harry Potter paper). After they were done Chayse came and showed me his parcel then gave it a little shake. I could hear coins and he said " I've included something extra this year. I put in 80 cents of my pocket money so you can go out and spoil yourself. I want you to buy something really special for yourself" Tug Tug the heartstrings were pulling. I had accomplished my job. He has appreciation. (smile) Chayse is such a generous boy. He's always making sure everyone else has things before him, even if there were only 3 lollies he would go without. As for Brodie. That boy just can't keep a secret. "You really need some new shampoo, don't you mum?. Maybe in a blue bottle would be nice. Why don't you wait and see if anybody gives you some in a big bottle on Mothers Day before you go and buy it " he says holding a large wrapped bottle in front of me.

Chayse my full time worry wart.

WHEN WILL YOU MAKE ME LEAVE HOME?????

(I only want to take one thing with me)

Chayse approached me in the bathroom this morning and asked me "what age will I be an adult ? "

I replied "when you are 18"

"Ohh" he said "so I'II have to leave home by then and get my own home won't I. Well how long away is 18 ? Sascha won't be very old then will she?"

"No silly " I said. "you can stay here as long as you like love" We're not going to kick you out. You'll just want to go one day and find your own house. (well let me get through the teenage years first then we'll re-evaluate that comment)

"Mmm Hmmm" he said still looking down. "Well who gets to take the dog with them when they go?"

Aahh now this conversation is beginning to make sense...... See I told you she has control of him!!!!!!

I had to say "well maybe you'll all have your own dog by then" (no way known I'm having more than one dog at a time) "and you can all take one each with you."

Please please please let children forget everything we say as I really didn't mean that. it's just to keep him happy. I can't ever imagine an empty, quiet house again. I don't suppose it ever really will be.

a boy obsessed with a girl !!!!!!!!!!!! , waiting at the window......

SASCHA

( this one's for you Emma)

The only female companion in my house and she still sides with the boys. This is our puppy Sascha. Well to us she's still a puppy even though she's 6 months old. She has been trained in that time though so that was a plus. The boys got her on the Easter weekend and love her to bits. Chayse is actually becoming quiet obsessed with her. First female in his life and she already rules him Hmmmm. He sleeps sitting up and waits for her to come to his window at night. It's getting quiet bad. The boys are getting up early and getting through breakfast and making beds etc super fast to go out and play with her before school. See I've lost them already to a female. Ugghhh...........