Book Week 2012

We had the Book Week parade today. You all know the drill...come dressed as your favourite story book character. Till decided she wanted to be Pippi Longstocking. Harry thought he'd make a pretty good Hiccup. Here's the low down on how their costumes came together...

In a former life, Till's dress was a pair of overalls found at the op shop. I just chopped off the legs and sewed on the wide bright fabric hem. The purple top she already owned and the socks belong to me. Ben made a special wire headband for her plaits. I made several attempts to plait her hair onto the wire, but after much cursing, Ben took over. He got it first go - I didn't even know he knew how to plait. Is there nothing my guy can't do?

Harry wore brown trackies and a green top from the op shop. Ben drew the dragon design on the front, made tiny holes and threaded  "shoelace style" the leather string through the top. I bought the fur vest from eBay. That very cool belt came from the op shop, as did the fur-lined leather jacket that Ben cut apart to make Harry's fur boot covers. Doesn't it come together well. Now that Harry is done being Hiccup, I think a haircut might be in order!!!!!

And now to start planning for next years Book Week Parade....

Friday :: Active Afterschool Hockey

I think of all the sports Harry has taken on recently, hockey just might be one of his favourites! He's keen to take up tennis as well, but seriously, at this point in time his week is full enough! 

Thank goodness it's Friday folks - we have had a CRAZY busy week. I'm feeling completely under the weather with what started as the flu but is now the cold from hell. I can't imagine smelling anything ever again! And I'm tired....SO absolutely completely weary. Bring on Spring (but not hayfever) I say.

Here's hoping you and yours are well. Wishing you a relaxing weekend xx

All Day Active

I'm interrupting this weeks 'Active After-school' blog roll to bring you...drum roll please.... Wednesday's ALL DAY LONG active moments. You see, today was the school Athletics Carnival!

Till had a blast. She took part in everything from the three-legged race to the tunnel ball. Harry went in EVERY event possible. He should sleep like a rock tonight.

Please note the sea view in the background. Ah, some of us do it tough! Can you believe the whole school march? Sure takes me back to my childhood. I don't think many schools run this old fashioned event at their carnivals anymore. Such a shame - I think it's great! Just the thing for strengthening house spirit.

Yep. She's holding the fourth place baton - Good going Till. Those little legs served you well. She even made the final heat!!!!!

And of course I can't finish without saying...Gooooooooooo PHILIP house (See that shield? WE WON OF COURSE!).

Tuesday :: Active Afterschool Netball

Would you look at this little cherub! It's all about the purple bib darling! She has netball in her DNA. Oh nothing to do with me. No, no - that talent comes directly down the line from her father's side of the family tree.  Till's Ma was a netball champion you know!

And here is Master Harry. He rather enjoys the good old game of netball. His mother still doesn't get the gist - but she's learning (from behind the lens). Run. Don't run. Run here. But NOT there. Don't run with the ball? Huh? Say, GA what? WA Who?? Does 'C' stand for cool? I'm confused. Oh well, they seem to be having fun!

NB. I know he needs a haircut...but this Friday that handsome boy of mine is dressing up as the viking character Hiccup...and well, Harry takes this "dressing-up stuff" pretty seriously......one must look a little disheveled to play the part apparently!

Monday :: Active Afterschool Table tennis

You can't believe how much sport is on offer here. Harry and Till participate in an after-school sport activity almost every afternoon of the week. And the best part? Well apart from being physically active, they are exposed to a wide variety of sports, learn a range of skills in a non-competitive environment and have a whole lot a fun with their mates. It's all about participation folks - no fancy pants uniforms or trophies needed, right!?! It doesn't matter how big or small you are and whether you are naturally skilled or not - all are encouraged. Yep, hands down, this is the most inclusive sports program I've ever come across. And amazingly, we pay nothing for it - YEP (you're in shock right now, I can tell). But truly it's FREE!

I never played out-of-school sport when I was a child, so I think these guys are pretty lucky. Their Mum just may be the 'un-sportiest' person you could ever meet! But as you'll see over the next few days (let's hope it doesn't rain), Harry and Till are not following in my footsteps!!!!!! Follow along as I reveal to you what these two munchkins get up to after school.

Here are the photos capturing Monday's after school action....

More Blue Skies Ahead

It's official...we won't be leaving our beautiful island paradise at the end of this year.  Lucky for us too, we aren't ready to face the real world just yet. Our (or should I say 'my') extension application to stay on for two more years has been granted (phew.....what a nerve wrecking process THAT was...and I swear, I'm done with interviews for life). To say we are thrilled is an understatement! So now you have more time to come and visit us!

Starstruck

The film crew from the ABC TV program 'Four Corners' were recently on island producing a report about a plane accident which occurred here back in 2009 (follow that link to read more).  A complete re-enactment was created and quite unexpectedly all of us were involved, despite the fact that we weren't actually living here when the disaster took place. Being that Ben is actively involved in the VRA (Volunteer Rescue Association), of the four of us he had the biggest part to play. In the role of "Shannon", a past VRA member who no longer resides on NI, Ben got to be on board the boat that made the treacherous trip out to sea on that dark stormy night to pull the survivors from the sea!  

So what part did Harry, Till and I play in this dramatic staged re-creation? Well we were the concerned by-standers of course. It was our job to stand on the pier looking really nervous, concerned and forlorn, followed by obvious relief and admiration when the boat returned carrying the survivors! The camera man focused on Harry quite a bit, so we've decided he is quite masterful at looking worried! He'll be trying out for NIDA any day now! Make sure you keep an eye on the TV guide so you can witness our skillful acting!!! Being that we are a TV-free household, we hope someone will record the program for us.

But not to make light of what happened on that dreadful night almost 3 years ago, the events that occurred were horrendous. It is a miracle the pilot and all passengers on board the plane live to tell their tale. Poor weather and visibility prevented the plane from landing on Norfolk's runway and low fuel supply meant the pilot couldn't journey on. The plane hit the sea, filled with water, then broke in two and sank. The injured passengers floated in the rough open sea for 90 minutes before they were found. Between the six of them they had only three life-vests, and to make matters worse some of them couldn't swim.

I can't even begin to imagine how terrified the passengers must have been. Just witnessing the re-enactment was nerve wracking. I felt quite worried watching Ben's boat being lowered by crane out of sight into the rough sea below to then speed off in total darkness! Once back at the pier, a brave lady actor jumped into the rough swell to show how one of the passengers was dragged onto the boat. I was so afraid for her, I almost needed to shut my eyes! Throughout the whole re-enactment, the sea was far from what I consider calm and the water at this time of the year is cold.

Of course the real hero's are the men and women of Norfolk who helped that night. They put their own lives on the line. If it hadn't been for their quick reaction, I doubt this story would have such a happy ending.

NB I'm sorry these aren't the greatest photos - I had to keep out of the way of the camera crew and if I'd dared to use my flash I think they would have thrown me to the sharks (although I confess I took just a few with the flash when I was certain the camera's weren't rolling).