I think Riley may be ambidextrous.

This morning I noticed that he had two little drawings on his hands. (He's into drawing on things at the moment..including my TV cabinet grrrrr)
Anyway, so he's got two little stick figures, one on the back of each hand. Each have a head, two legs, a mouth and eyes.
That's the thing though, they are remarkably similar, which got me thinking, could I do that? No, I don't think I could. His two little pictures are obviously drawn with different hands, and yet they are the same, one is not wobblier than the other.

So, I think he might be ambidextrous.

What do you think?

What a lovely weekend!!! It's amazing how such an 'ordinary' thing such as rain, can make everyone look a little less stressed. Of course, rain here is not so 'ordinary', given that we have been in drought for the past decade, but even so, it's as though the drops not only wash away the dust and fill the dams, but also washes clean people's worries and fills them with hope. I know for me, it just feels like a breath of fresh air. Certainly by no means a victory dance, as there's no likelihood of the drought being 'broken', but all the same, such a refreshing feeling to drive down our dirt tracks without leaving a cloud of dust, and seeing fresh green tips on fire-charred trees.

Last week was a little bit crazy. Jackson has been battling an ear infection for the past three weeks, and after two doses of AB's, I got fed up with our local GP's and booken into our ENT specialist. Lucky I did too, as on Monday morning, the day of our appointment, my poor little boy woke up with blood staining the inside of his sore ear :( Normally this would bring on a pretty major panic attack on my part, but luckily I knew it would only be a few hours till we see the specialist, which is shorter than the time it would take to see a doctor if I took him to the ER here in town! He's been on some AB ear drops for a week now, and is all better, but now wearing plugs even in the shower to prevent it happening again.

On the weekend I took the boys to the ANZAC parade, which they loved, and taught them about how our soldiers fight in the war for our freedom, and that we must feel proud of them for what they sacrifice for us. Gez went to Myrtleford with the Wangaratta 4WD club, and led a team of volunteers from ACT, fencing for farmers who were affected by our recent fires. It is a devestating task, meeting the property owners and seeing how they are still coming to terms with the loss they suffered, and even more devestating to know that even though so many generous people donated millions of dollars, the money is only reaching some geographical areas, some categories of people, and those who are missing out the most, are the farmers. They do not qualify for funding because they are a business, because thier houses didnt burn (only thier haysheds, machinery sheds, livestock, fences and machinery) or because they simply live in the "wrong burnt area" (other towns are getting better support)
I went over with the kids on Satuday afternoon with meat and homemade salads to feed the team of generous people who gave thier time to lend a hand. The kids enjoyed being out 'camping' (we stayed in a cabin lol!) and toasing marshmellows. Must remember to take the more often overnight!

I'm working tomorrow, which is usually my day off, so i'm going to be tired by the weekend:( On sunday we'll take the kids to the footy, so will make sure to post some pictures of our outing!!

till then,

Charli xox

Well, you just never know... most likely not though, as my Jackka has always been slightly uncoordinated!
Today was his first day doing Auskick footy, and It actually went pretty well. I must admit that I was not pleased about this. I thought that footy was much too rough for my liking, and that I didn't want to be involved in the 'scene' that I thought came with the 'whole Aussie rules thing'. (I had envisaged cliquey, footy mad parents screaming at thier own kids, and bagging out others)
It was with great trepidation (seriously) that I let Gerard sign him up last month, after heaps of begging, and guilt trips from the boy, including "but Muuuummmm, Allll the kids in my grade play Auskick" (oh yes, they really do start early!)

Anyway, $70 later, we have a 6yo boy who's signed up for a season of footy training, and proudly toting an Auskick backpack, football vest, cap and football of his very own. In fact, cos Gez paid for his registration online, we also got four tickets to a football match in May, so that should be interesting as 'non footy-mad' parents!! (will let you know how it goes!)

The footy clinic actually wasn't so bad either :p There were plenty of mums I knew there this morning (the first week) and apart from Jackka being put in the wrong group to start with, he did really well, kicking and hand-balling with the other kids. Definitely not the best, but of course I don't expect that, but not the worst either. I was worried about this, as Jack has shown very little interest in playing ball even as a toddler, and he doesn't have very good ball skills at all!
So, he may surprise us I think. My brother was pretty ordinary at sport as a child, and loved it as he got older, so Jack might be like that too?
In the meantime, as long as he has a great time, makes new friends and learns new skills, I'm happy as Larry!!

Here are some pics of my big footy boy! (I think if you click the pics you can make them bigger)

'Til next time,

Charli xox

Ok, so I have mentioned in the past couple of posts that there has been heaps going on. I've been desperate to post about it all, but have just been FLAT OUT lately, I've worked the past two friday nights, as well as attending a hens weekend, my sister's 16th and a wedding...whew i'm exhausted!! (luckily on a week's break now)

On top of all that, my manager's position at my work has been abolished, meaning that she will not have her job at the end of june. On top of that, they have handed the management of my department over to another woman at work. I'm pretty nervous about it all. In some ways it would be ok, as annie, the new lady is very organised, which my current manager is not so much, but Annie has no background in Social work, and I have some concerns about the way she will run my department.
My job is not at much risk, and I am happy to continue on and just see how it goes, but the other day, mum came in and told me about a job in a town about 25mins north of our home. (I travel 35 mins east at the moment) The position is less hours, which would be a huge blow to our budget (hence the money saving) but it would mean that;

A/ I would be home before and after school for my boys (that's the best reason) and
B/ We could start Theraputic Foster Care
C/I would not be so worn out

I put my application in yesterday, so will fnd ut in the next fortnight. I'm a little nervous about getting the job, as there are some risks and drawbacks amongst the good things. One of them is obviously the money thing, (we will struggle) but also it means ry will have an extra day in daycare. The position is only 12mths, which is a bit of a risk, as my current position is permanent, but i'm going to try and negotiate 12mths leave without pay so that might fix that problem.

I think while it is scary staring a new job, getting this would be a good thing for me and my family, but if I dont, well at least I am lucky enough to have a secure job at present.

Wish me luck!!

Charli xoxox