The Kids Are Awesome

We had parent teacher meetings last Friday. Lillian is still of an age where its pretty much all about developing social skills, but because we had to skip him straight up into Senior Kindy Thomas is another matter and I was eager to find out how he was coping with a more structured day and its academic components. Likewise, Jane was concerned with how he was doing socially in a class where 75% of the other pupils are boys. Older, bigger boys at that.

Turns out, all is well. Very well even. The teachers are extremely happy with every aspect of his academic efforts, and he is also doing well socially. The only thing they said was that he is easily distracted (except during art). He is four years old, so that is to be expected.

Meanwhile, Lillian's teachers couldn't say enough about how much they enjoy having her in the class. So social and happy, with so much personality and energy. However, she is apparently sometimes stubborn. She is two years old, so that is to be expected.

So when all is said and done the kids are awesome. Of course I already knew that, but its always nice to have a less biased opinion as opinions of one's own children always seem to be formed in a 'forest for the trees' situation.

And I would also like to say a few words about my newest baby, courtesy of 'Black Friday'. The Friday after USA Thanksgiving is THE biggest shopping day in North America. It is insane. If we were going to be here for another year I would start setting aside money now to buy as much 'stuff' as possible during next years sales. Basically, everything is at least 25% off, and stuff they really want to move goes for as much as 75% off. Even online retailers get in on the action.

Anyway, I did my research and when the 'Black Friday' sales hit and prices dropped by 30% I swooped, getting an early Xmas prezzie, a Samsung n220 netbook. Slim of profile and deep green in colour. This baby enables me to suck down coffee and fee wifi at my local coffee shop while waiting for the mechanics to finish with the car. Which, not coincidentally at all, is the way I wrote & posted this blog entry. The real God-send will be the coming trip to Australia. One thing about the n220 is that it has an amazing battery life, up to 11 hours depending on the type of use. On the flight over, I suspect its going to see a lot of use playing Wiggles and cartoons for the kids.

Halloween

I do love Halloween. So much so that I started decorating the house on the 1st of October and It took the rest of the neighborhood a couple weeks to catch up. On the approach to the house visitors were greeted with these…

The porch itself looked like this…

Jane - rather wisely - gave me a budget, which I – rather surprisingly - came in well under. All I can say is that the dollar-shops over here are GOLD for holiday decorations. Most of the stuff in the pics was dirt cheap, and all of it is now packed away in tubs for the return to Australia. Next year will probably have the most decorated house in all of Canberra. Actually, Halloween next year may be a bit rough on the kids. They have really enjoyed these last two Halloweens. Lillian spent the fortnight after this year asking if she could put her costume on and go trick or treating again. I’ll have to try and arrange for *something* with the rest of Charlton st. Fortunately, it’s a fairly small street. And while we are on the topic, here is what Birmo has to say on the subject of Australia and Halloween…

Time-for-a-fair-dinkum-halloween-party-cobbers

Anyway, we started the evening by taking the kids up to the Governor General's (GG) park, where the GG - dressed as a pirate complete with tin-foil sword - was greeting visitors (that is him in the 2nd picture) before they embarked upon a scary pirate-walk to collect their bag of treasure. 

We ran into something at least as scary (and amusing ) as pirates on the walk home. Yep, Dame Edna.
















Upon our return, Jane and the kids went out trick or treating while I took door-duty. I gave out 8lbs of candy between 5:30 and 9pm, and would have needed at least double that if we had been closer to the main street. By the time it was all over the kids were exhausted, and Tom fell asleep in a chair downstairs before being carried up to bed. Of course now they expect candy after dinner every night. Sometimes they even get it.

Christmas Gift Ideas

The holiday looms, and feelers both subtle and not so subtle regarding prospective gifts have already been detected. So for all those interested, here are some suggestions complete with helpful illustrative links...

For Me...
Dvd - Facing Ali
Dvd - When We Were Kings
Book - The Looming Tower
Book - Counselor: A life at the Edge of History
Game - Pitchcar Extensions 1 or 4 only
Gift Certificate - Defiant Gaming

Note - I really don’t need any more t-shirts. Unless it is very cool, please don't get me a t-shirt.

That said, these are very cool...
http://imvotingteaparty.com/
http://controversy.wearscience.com/

For the Kids...
You cannot go wrong with either Lincoln Logs or Lego (not Duplo)

For Jane...
Any thoughts I may have in this area are being hoarded for my own use.

And now, here is a recent picture I really like of Thomas and I in a tree at the Governor General's park. Even though we were all of 5 or 6 feet off the ground, he was extremely happy to be up in a tree.

An October Conspiracy

We have a cunning plan. Come, join us…

 First, we need leaves, lots of leaves. Ah, this is perfect.

Next, we pick up the leaves.

 And then we… THROW THEM IN THE AIR!

Success!