Another Exciting Award

Yes, I know, I've been absent from my blog for sooooo long! Busy, busy, you know how it goes. Part of that busy-ness was my eldest son's school awards night. He is in his 3rd year of secondary school and has won an award each year. The last 2 years he won a class award, but this year he took out a school wide one! He won the Julia Guilard award which consisted of a personalised letter, a book and $50 voucher for school supplies. Not sure what he won it for exactly but it was something like overall excellence. A very proud moment indeed. :-)

2011 - A Reflection

Welcome to 2012! I have to say that 2011 was pretty kind to my family, I hope it was to yours too.

• Health wise we all fared pretty well, with only a handful of minor illnesses, no major injuries and I believe NO trips to the accident & emergency department - now that has to be a record!! 
• Work wise DH has had 2 jobs & I started a job very close to home, with a good amount of hours, family friendly & no arrogant boss and a million security cameras watching my every move.
• Money wise we have done OK. We took our first ever cruise, which also meant our first ever overseas trip. We also spent some time on the Gold & Sunshine coasts in Queensland for a winter escape courtesy of the National Karate Championships. 
• Schooling has been great for the kids, with both ending the year with A's, B's & C's. C's are where you should be, B's up to 6 months ahead, and A's are 12 months or more ahead, so I'm very proud of them. DS #1 won the academic award for his class this year also. 
• As far as hobbies & sports go, we did well there too. I finished 39 cross stitch projects and a few other crafty things. The calisthenics team I coach and perform with came runners-up at our last competition of the year, which was exciting. DS #1 has kept up his computer game addiction, and improved - and stuck with - his tennis. DS #2 is the reigning state kata champion, and almost took 3rd place at the nationals. He continues to enjoy his karate and does really well at all the tournaments he competes at, placing in kata at every one except the nationals.

So that wraps up 2011 - I'm looking forward to an equally rewarding 2012!

New stash, and school reports.

I'm not even sure how I came across this pattern, probably some enabler on a message board somewhere! There were a few other tribal designs, but this one caught my eye as I like butterflies and could imagine it done on some striking fabric with bright variagated thread. If you'd like to check out the designs, I bought it from a UK company called Sparklies. (The tribal butterfly design is now #1 on their top sellers list)

It's the end of another school year and both kids have now had their reports sent home. Both did really well, with DS #1 getting the academic effort award for his class, a merit certificate in 4 subjects (I don't really know what he had to achieve to get it) and 8 A's, 4 B's & 4 C's. DS #2 got 7 B's & 11 C's. (FYI: A= well above expected standard -from what I can tell 12 months ahead- B= above expected standard -6 months ahead- and C= at expected standard)

Awards Night Update

Well, I'd like to be able to tell you the awards night for DS #1 went smoothly, but it was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, nothing to do with us! On to the good stuff first though, DS got the award in his class for academic effort, and a girl in his class got the one for academic achievement. It appears they gave one of each award for each class in each year level. (There's about 9 classes of year 7's this year) As for the musical number, apparently he came in a count early (which I didn't pick up on - neither did anyone else) and was mortified. I keep telling him he has only just started to play, and already he was chosen as one of 4 trumpeters to perform and he has done so well picking it up. Oh, and while talking to his French teacher afterwards, we found out he got 101% in his recent French exam. Much like the 11/10 on Junior Masterchef, I'm not a fan of anything more than a perfect score, but apparently there were bonus questions, which makes it OK.

Now, for the memorable part. If you are in the least bit squeamish, then you should.....
B
A
C
K

A
W
A
Y

N
O
W

Ok, you have been warned!

During the year 9 awards, I noticed a lady and her son (probably about 10-12 years old) get up really quickly and try and make a fast exit. Thankfully, they were close to the middle aisle, but as they got up, he projectile vomited down the aisle. Without going into detail, you can imagine it wasn't pretty, with us all packed in like sardines. Then to top it off, he slipped and fell while exiting! Comical, if not gross and sad. Then another kid, trying to escape the aroma, slipped also! We had what you'd call the perfect viewpoint, just out of reach, but close enough to catch all the action. Some of the teachers jumped in and took care of it, all while the awards kept on coming. Now THAT's mortifying!

Awards Night Tonight!

DS #1 has his school awards night tonight. Learning to play a musical instrument was part of the curriculum this year, and he chose the trumpet. After picking it up really well, he has been selected to participate in a musical number with a small band tonight. Not only that, but he will be picking up an academic award, not quite sure for what, we’ll have to wait and see. Proud mum will be there with video and digital camera in tow!

On the stitching front, I've finished the Christmas karate bear design that will be an ornament for the karate instructors. The last class for the year is Thursday, so I'll wash, iron and finish it tomorrow. Will post a pic then.