Olympics at Home

While the world is focused on the Olympic games in London, our little school in Copacabana hosted their own games on Friday.  "Countries" were represented by the students.  Metals were handed out.  Clara and some of her friends from the High School came to assist with the games for volunteer credit.  In the end, Denmark came away  with the most Gold Medals.

Neo and friend - Olympians for "France"

Zoe in the hurdles

Tristan participating in the Olympics

Clara was  honored at a Mayorial Reception for participating in the door knock campaign for the Red Cross.  Other schools also raised money and were invited.  Copacabana was the only primary school that raised money for the Red Cross via a cake sale.  The Copa representatives are up front with the Mayor.  Clara is just behind.  Her friend Matt is wearing red.  An article appeared in the local paper with a group picture as well.                                                

Mayorial Reception for student Red Cross Door knockers  

Clara's school had crazy hair and dress up day.

Clara started working on her hair at 3:30am

Tristan has been chosen to participate in the Mathematical Olympiads held at his school.  The problems he is asked to complete are not simple.  Here are samples from the website.  In the latest competition, Tristan had 3 out of 5 problems correct.  I didn't do as well.  Here's one problem:  Find the sum of the DIGITS of the first 25 odd natural numbers.

Copa school held their sports carnival on the Friday prior to the Mini Olympics.  All students ran the 100 meter.  Those who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd ran in the time finals.  Tristan and Zoe also ran in the 200 meter races.

Neo is proud of his 3rd place ribbon

Neo in the 100m race.

Winter School Holidays - 2012

School in Australia is 4 terms x 9 - 10 weeks with 2 weeks off between terms.  The children have just returned to school for Term 3.  Our Winter Holidays were close to home.

On Monday of the first week, Clara had her cast removed.  YAY!   She had her first Physical Therapy (called Physio here) appointment that afternoon.  On Friday, she had her first Hydro Therapy appointment, back at Gosford Private Hospital, where she had her surgery.

The cast is being cut away.  The saw only
rocks back and forth.  It's attached to
a shop vac to remove the dust.

Clara in Hydro Therapy

Zoe and Neo created new stuffed animals with Stufflers.

We went to Wyong Fun Festival.  The boys are eating Fairy Floss!

Dave at the Surf Club Cafe for our Saturday morning coffee
and Whale Watching.  We've enjoyed seeing several migrating
Whales this winter.  Some viewed from the house.

Blankets to snuggle in
at the outdoor cafes in winter.

In Winter, the outdoor cafes are still outdoor - with portable heaters and blankets.

The following Monday we went to Sydney to see Narnia Exhibition (Clara stayed home to rest her leg).  Neo made a shield.

Neo with his shield.

Narnia!

 We also went on the monorail for the treasure hunt.  It was a lot of fun.  We discovered more about Sydney by participating in the treasure hunt.  Dave told me that the monorail has been sold and will be dismantled soon.  Another good reason to have ridden the Monorail.


Because the monorail is elevated, it provides a different perspective for viewing Sydney.  It stops right outside of the 2nd floor of Queen Victoria Building (QVB) - a very posh address for shops in Sydney's CBD.  Dave had recommended we see it.  There's a statue of Queen Victoria out front - and her dog as well.  

Sushi restaurant we discovered (yummy) due to the treasure hunt!
Neo loved the conveyor that brought the dishes around.

Inside Queen Victoria Building
Tristan liked the havaianas vending machine :)

Promotion for The Dark Knight Rises
The car used in the movie

We took Clara to Powerhouse Museum and Paddy's Markets on Wednesday.  We enjoyed dumplings in China Town.

Friday, we saw BRAVE in the movie theatre....$56 for 1 adult and 4 children - which was a special rate.  The movie is great!  I highly recommend it.

Queen Victoria's little dog Islay
He was painted many times by her.
He now collects money for deaf children.

Term 2 Ends - 2012

This is the final week of Term 2.  The children are officially 1/2 way through their school year.

The kids had "crazy hair day" at school.  Neo and Zoe got into it.







Copa School's P&C held a mini fete (fair) at the surf club.  It was from 11 - 2pm on Sunday.  Clara volunteered to do face painting, and earned credit through her high school.  Nice!  Tristan won chocolate prizes in a coin toss game at the fete.  Zoe helped me make and hand out popcorn.  Neo went in the bouncy castle 3 times, played the coin toss game, and played with friends.

Saturday was the 5 Lands Walk (MacMasters Beach to Copacabana to Avoca to North Avoca to Terrigal).  Copa school again participated by making art for the event.  Tristan made Icarus.  Zoe made Medusa.  Neo made a gold face.

On Monday 25 June,  I had the honor of driving Tristan and a delightful and accomplished year 6 student (Emma), to the 2012 Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition.  Tristan and Emma were chosen to represent Copacabana School because of their speaking ability.  The competition comprised of 2 parts: a 3 minute prepared speech, followed by a 1 minute impromptu speech the students had to present 5 minutes after hearing the topic.  There were 6 schools represented.  One winner was selected to go to the next level of competition. Tristan did very well and he looked great :)

We received the school reports from each of our children.  All are doing quite well in school.  We are very proud of their accomplishments.

Start of Winter 2012

June 1 is the beginning of winter.  We have been enjoying our fireplace as the nights get cold.  The days have been quite stormy - lots of rain - 5 year record set for amount of rainfall in Sydney over 24 hour period.  It's been raining for days.  But not today :)

We saw our first migratory whales from the balcony of our home.  We have moved the 2nd table into position to be close to the fire and be able to view the ocean.  I spend a lot of time here.

The children continue to be active.  Tristan represented Copacabana Public School at the Brisbane Water zone Cross Country.  He enjoyed the day and ran well.

.

Zoe is playing soccer.  The fields are quite muddy, as you can see.  Zoe is really enjoying soccer.  They are playing better week by week - both as a team and individually.

We were able to see Clara's stitches for the first time - eleven in total.

 Top pic: with stitches.  Bottom pic: without stitches.

Yes, her cast is PURPLE!  It sure looks blue in the picture.
She has returned to school (happily) and her friends used white out to write on her cast.  She is finding it tiring to be in school all day.  I drive her to and from school each day.  Eventually she'll take the bus again - but not yet.

A week ago Sunday, Clara was off for a walk on the beach.  As she was running down the public stairs, she twisted her ankle and fell.  She got herself back up the hill and home, hopping on one leg.  We put on ice packs and administered ibuprofen for swelling.  She said it didn't hurt.  We propped her foot up overnight to help ease the swelling. 

Monday morning, Clara was up and dressed for school - hopping around in the kitchen trying to get ready.  I told her she wasn't going to school until the Dr. had seen her leg.  She said it didn't hurt and was put out by my need to take her to the doctor.  Her appointment was for 12 noon.  When doctor saw it, he said he needed x-rays and wrote the referral.  (That's the way medical is done here - many different shops provide many different services).  We went to the attached pharmacy (also a separate shop but in the same building) and rented crutches for Clara.

We waited at x-ray for 45 minutes.  While the x-rays were being taken, I stood behind the technician in the box.  I could see the images.  I asked if that was her leg - because I could see the fracture.  Yes....digital image.  She has a spiral fracture on her left fibula.  

We drove back to our GP with the x-rays.  He took one look then referred us to a specialist - appointment on Wednesday. The assistants wrapped Clara leg with a back brace.

Wednesday we met the Doctor.  He observed that the ligament was damaged and recommended surgery.  Dave and I agreed.  He wrapped her leg with a new back board.  Surgery was scheduled for Monday.

On Thursday, I took Clara to her school so she could see her friends and take a science test.  We told school she would be out the following week - at least through Thursday (since she was scheduled to get out of the hospital on Wednesday). 

Monday we went to Gosford Private Hospital at 9:30 for check in.  I forgot the x-rays so Dave brought those to me.  I stayed with Clara as long as I could.  She was seen by a nurse who took her blood pressure, weight, pulse.  Waited in a 2nd waiting room.  Then to pre OP where she was given a gown.  We waited there about 30 minutes for the Anesthesiologist to see her.  He explained what he was going to do - light general and also local block.  A few minutes later, they wheeled her into an annex to the Surgery Theatre.  There an IV was set up for Clara - the worst part for her.  She received a medication that "made her feel a lot better about the place" according to the Anesthesiologist.  He put more medication in and gave her an oxygen mask.  Then he gave a local shot to her leg.  Followed by an ultrasound to find the nerve.  The needle he inserted to install the block was amazing.  A pulse was issued and her toes responded at the same rate.  Amazing.  Clara was totally unaware of these events.  After a few more minutes, the Specialist came in to verify the signature on the forms, and mark the correct leg.  Shortly after, she went into the operating theatre.  There she was asked to move to another cot/table.  She was able to respond.  Then they changed oxygen masks and I was asked to leave.

Knife to skin was 11:35am with the entire procedure taking a little over 1 hour.  Dr. showed me this image on our meeting following.  I said she'll find it more challenging at airports.  The doctor agreed that could be the case in the US, but not in OZ.

I was not allowed into post-op until she had responded.  She was still unconscious, when I did come in.  After a few minutes, she was awake enough to be taken to her room.  They keep the suitcase and crutches with the patient - it was placed on the bed with her.  She had a private room.  It was shift change, so the nurses were unavailable.  When Clara asked to use the toilet, I helped her in and held her drip bag for her.  When the post op nurse came into the room, she was astonished - "Where's the patient?"  She wasn't supposed to get out of bed until the next morning.  Oops!

They set her up with pain meds - see below.  She said she accidently gave herself a dose when she rolled over the controller in the night.

On Wednesday morning, she was seen by the specialist and the physiologist.  She was instructed to keep her leg elevated until her appointment next Wednesday. I spoke with all the doctors and agreed to collect her after the other children were out of school.

She was happy to be home - and we were relieved to have her home again.  She has not complained about pain and seems comfortable with ibuprofen.

Mother's Day Extravaganza

This year's mother's Day Extravaganza was extra special for me because Neo was in the front row and sang into the microphone - 1 word - "referee".  The song K, 1 and 2 sang for the moms and other guests was lots of fun for the children to sing and the moms loved it.  I had difficulty getting my camera to take a video, but I finally got it together at the end of the song.

The time at school was very nice.  We enjoyed scones with jam and cream together.  Following the presentation the kids showed me what they do in technology and then made flowers out of patty pan papers and Popsicle sticks.

Easter Long Weekend

In Australia Easter public holiday includes Good Friday and Easter Monday, which makes a 4 day weekend. It's also a very popular time to go on vacation as the schools are on term break. For us, it was a time to relax and enjoy the holiday destination we live in.

Good Friday was also my birthday this year. Dave made an omelet for my breakfast. Zoe made and decorated a layer cake. We went to the beach for a swim. It was a lovely day.

On Saturday we went to Somersby falls. A destination we always enjoy visiting.

Dave and Tristan in the shade of a bottle tree.

On Easter Monday we went to Mt. Penang Gardens, a place we've never visited. The gardens were gorgeous. We especially enjoyed the water feature, the bamboo varieties, and the bottle trees. Stone sculptures from an art competition had found a home in the Gardens.

Dave with one of the stone sculptures in Mt. Penang Gardens

At the end of our garden tour, Dave suggested we have lunch at the WaterFall Cafe which overlooks the water garden of Mt. Penang. It was a beautiful location, and delicious food.

The Move

The new house we moved into

After 19 months in MacMasters Beach, we finally moved to Copacabana! We found a lovely house with a fantastic view of the ocean and the Copa "bowl". Each of the children has their own room. They are thrilled. Dave has to share. ;)

We moved on Saturday 17 March. I had arranged for the movers at 1pm, the new refrigerator and washing machine to be delivered from the store. Also a mattress was being delivered from a different store for Clara. A lot going on.

We had signed the lease 2 weeks prior to moving day. House keys were to be available for pick up from the real estate office in Terrigal at 8:30am. Dave and Tristan left early and arrived before the office opened. I received a call about 8:35 with the voice in the background stating "No, holiday house keys are not available for pick up until 2pm". Dave sorted that.

By 8:50, I received a call from the delivery driver for the washer and refrigerator. He was going to bring the appliances up the hill to the house, just waiting for us to come with the keys.

We finished loading my car, and started the drive around the lagoon to Copa. On the way, Dave called. Clara answered and explained I was driving. The 2nd time he called, I was nearly at the house. When I understood the refrigerator was going to be left in the garage because they "couldn't get it in the house", I parked the car in the road outside the house and flew out of the car screaming "Put my refrigerator into the kitchen!" The delivery team said they couldn't. I suggested going in via the back gate. They said it wouldn't fit. I suggested we measure, but they declined saying they had many more deliveries. They promised to come back on Monday to put it into the house.

I found that the washing machine, while delivered to the laundry room, was not out of the box and not installed. I was not pleased. And Dave had paid them $45 cash for not delivering!

The children had not seen the house before move in day. So they wandered around looking at everything and eyeing up the rooms. Then we went as a family to determine who would live where. They unloaded the 2 cars and began sorting their treasures into each of their rooms.

After I installed the washing machine, we decided to get 2 more car loads from the old house before getting pizza for the kids for lunch. We arrived at the Macs house at the same time as the movers. They were an hour early. They were ready, so they began the process of loading the truck. It took nearly 2 hours to load the truck with all the furniture. The also moved the landlord's furniture into it's original positions in the upper part of the house.

While I stayed with the movers, Dave had taken his car load over to the new house and fed the kids pizza. He came back to the Macs house just as the movers were finishing. When I returned to the new house with my car load, the movers were right behind me. The kids helped to unload the moving van, taking in suitcases, blankets, and couch cushions.

The movers were able to get the refrigerator into the kitchen. It was narrow enough to get through the gate when the box was off. But they lifted it over the railing into the master bedroom and from there into the kitchen. After the movers left, about 4pm, the rest of Saturday was spent settling in.

Sunday Dave and I took turns driving around the lagoon to the Macs house for more car loads of stuff. Monday morning, I woke up at 2am, drove over to the old house and cleaned the kitchen. I was back at 5am to see Dave off to work. After walking with the kids to school, I went back for more cleaning. I also had several car loads of stuff to bring around yet. On Tuesday I cleaned the whole day too. Tuesday afternoon, I turned in the keys.

Wednesday at 10:30 I met the manager for the final inspection. She said everything was fine except the furniture would be looked at by the owner on Thursday. On Thursday I claimed our bond with the Bond Board. On Friday, the Manager said the owner wanted $200 for the furniture, plus replacement pool hoses, and a new window where the lawn service mower had thrown a stone.

It's been 2 full weeks since I filed for the Bond. We'll find out after Easter if we get it returned or if I'll be dragged into Tribunal to settle it.

Debut & Induction

Our artist in Gosford Art Gallery Gardens.

We are always very proud of all of our children. On special occasions like these, we are especially proud.

Clara had her first painting debut in the Gosford Regional Art Gallery on 16 February 2012. Her artwork was chosen from 300 entries into Central Vision. In all, 80 artists were chosen. There were 14 secondary high schools with entries from all over the Central Coast of NSW.

Clara with her painting (the lizard above)

We went to the Opening Night activities. On the evening, awards were presented to those who won in different categories. Clara was awarded the "Highly Commended" award. She was one of the youngest recipients. Most of the other award winners were in the higher grades. The top award winner was a fellow Kincumber HS student formerly in year 12. Unfortunately, Clara's name was misspelled on the entry forms submitted from school.

Tristan with other elected Student Representative Council Members.

Tristan was elected to the Student Representative Council for his classroom at Copa PS. He was inducted into his leadership role in a ceremony on 20 February 2012. Dave took the day off so he could attend.

Tristan will be attending Student Council meetings throughout this school term.

Tristan and Dave after the ceremony

Bye Bye Pinkie Pie

Bye Bye Pinkie Pie

"My Little Pony"

Since 2 years of age, Zoe has loved "My Little Pony". At that time, the ponies had long flowing manes and tails. She earned ponies as incentive during potty training. She also watched many Pony stories on DVD. The ponies had many wonderful, animated adventures with Zoe. In 2009 the tooth fairy gifted her the smaller ponies (as pictured). By 2010, the larger ponies were all given away. Recently she decided she's too grown up for ponies. After she bundled them away, I kept them for a couple of months, to see if she might like them back. She insisted she was done. I hear the pages in the book of life turn as this chapter closes.

The 2012 school year started on 30 January. Tristan is in year 5, Zoe in year 3. Clara returned to high school and year 9 on 31 January. Neo and I spent our last week together. This was a long chapter in the book of my life, now closed. Many tears were shed.

Neo's first day of kindergarten.

Neo's first day at "big school"

Neo was very proud and happy to begin kindergarten on 6 February. He enjoys being in "big school" like his older sibs. Neo is in Mr. Baker's class. He has a wonderful year 6 buddy, Will, who has been keeping him company during lunch and recess. They have already been bringing home readers. He's doing very well.

Tristan is in Mrs. Drennan's/Mrs. Wilson's class again this year. Last year, Mrs. Drennan gave birth to her first child at the end of Term 2. Mrs. Wilson took over teaching the class for Terms 3 and 4. This Term, Mrs. D teaches 4 days/week while Mrs. W teaches 1 day. Next term it will be Mrs. D 3 days to Mrs. W's 2 days. In addition to 2 teachers, it's a blended classroom with years 4 and 5. At the Meet the Teacher evening, I discovered there is much to juggle and the curriculum is packed.

Mr. Baker and Neo

Zoe is in Mrs. Walter's year 3 class. Mrs. Walter's is new to Copa school. Zoe is happy with her class and doing well.

Zoe celebrated her 9th birthday with a sleep over party hosted 4 February. They swam in the pool. Made some crafts. Cracked open a pinata. Watched a few movies. Stayed up too late giggling and talking. Then got up too early to giggle and talk some more.

Zoe hosted her first sleep over party.

Clara was thrilled to find out she had her three top choices for Selectives: Visual Arts, Marine Biology, and Photography. These Selective Courses run 2 years - years 9 and 10. She is preparing for the High School Certificate at the end of year 10. She will go on to earn her Higher School Certificate at the end of year 12.

I chocked back tears as I gifted Zoe's ponies to the 5 year old daughter of a special friend. I've been told the ponies adventures continue. :)