The year that was ... and the year that will be

For those of you who missed the post on the facebook page, my infants have been abandoned for most of this week. This does make it a little hard to write about them. I thought I would write anyway. Just in case you were wondering what has happened to us.

The girls got me a super awesome cookie jar for Christmas. (Amazing op-shop find. I don't think I am supposed to know that, but I think it makes it even cooler).

"Whoo. Whoo. Whoo stole the cookies from the cookie jar?"
(It actually says this).

Despite the fabulousness of a cookie jar that talks and is an owl, I am not keeping cookies in this jar. Instead I am using it as a "Year of Awesomisation" jar (Pixie made me call it that). Basically the idea is that every day you write something-that-made-you-happy/a-nice-memory/something-that-you-are-thankful-for onto a slip of paper and you put it into the jar. At the end of the year you can look back and see all the great things.

So far I have written most days.

Pixie has pointed out very smugly that she did this last year, but no-one else did it with her. She lasted for two days.

Tink keep asking what the "rules" are. She wants to be sure she is doing it correctly.

Buglet grunted. She is happy for us to amuse ourselves, but has no interest in taking part.

You can't blame a girl for trying!

In the spirit of positive reflection, here are 14 things we accomplished in 2014 ....

1. We all survived the 30 insane weeks of me working full time and studying part time with assignments due almost every week.
2. The girls (respectively) survived their last year of lower high school/first year of high school/last year of primary school.
3. I was admitted as a lawyer.
4. I painted my bedroom.
5. I cleaned out my walk-in-robe (this is worthy of it's own mention. I also considered cleaning out under my bed as being its own thing, but I refrained).
6. My pond is finally in, complete with water feature.
7. I was admitted to practice as a lawyer.
8. This blog came into existence (and Kris' Angels).
9. I went on my first real holiday in over 10 years (no children, no Guide stuff, and no work ... well and only 1 facebook message to the office).
10. I became an auntie again ... four times!
11. I recruited three new Guide leaders to my unit.
12. Buglet spent her first year helping to teach at dance.
13. Tink was on the student council.
14. Pixie was a faction captain.

And we survived all the usual life things that happen.

Right ... now on to 2015's challenges!

Happy Friday everyone xxx

Dear Universe, Take That!

Dear Universe,

The Pixie is right. Life is awesome, because we are awesome. Ok, she might only apply this to herself, but I am claiming it too.

This week we have survived:

1. Two exams (Buglet);
2. One high school application test (Pixie);
3. Two oral assessments (me);
4. A week of classes (me);
5. An in-class performance (Pixie);
6. An interschool soccer carnival (Tink);
7. Two after school interschool soccer games (Tink); and
8. Interschool netball (Pixie).

I should also mention its been an insane week at work and in my personal life, and it has also only been a four day work week here in WA.

I don't care, I am calling it. We are awesome! Tired, but still claiming awesome.

I have also discovered my darling youngest daughter has a favourite article in the UN Declaration of Human Rights. I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I am proud of her.

Driving the girls to school every day this week has had some advantages!

Buglet: We're doing World War II in history. Every time he says six million Jews died it makes me sad.
Me: And what makes it even sadder is genocide is still happening. Do you guys know what genocide is?
Pixie: I do! I do! Wait. I need the right voice *deep voice* Human Right 3: The Right to Life.
*stunned silence*
Pixie: What? It is
*proceeds to sing human rights UN song. Stops abruptly*
Pixie: My favourite is number 15 the right to copyright.
Me: I beg your pardon.
Pixie: It is one. It might not be 15, but it is my favourite.

I haven't quite been to work out which one it is she actually means, but I am working on it. I suspect it is Article 19, but if anyone you enough to form an opinion please let me know!

Just to let you know, Universe, I have also have wonderful people on my side. So you can't squash us that easily. This week has been dedicated to all the people who have provided food, driving, ears, and a shoulder to cry on.

And I did get those flowers.

Love,
Cath and the Entourage

PS This is not a challenge. Let's call it a tie. xx