Lego exhibit

I am finally catching up now having figured out how to get the posts that won't upload on to the iPad and off my phone. So
From a while ago...

On the public holiday Derek found a Lego exhibit for us to go see. It was produced by a bunch of afols (adult fans of Lego - this is what they call themselves). And while there is very little Lego in these picture I promise that's where we were.
So apart from the afols there were also a bunch of aswn (adult Star Wars nerds)or mwtduipvs(men who take dressing up in public very seriously) this is not what they call themselves. These are acronyms I coined for usage for the likes of such. I think they call themselves the rebel alliance? And to be allowed in their club you have two meet two criteria, apparently.
1. Don't talk about fight club... Oh no wait that's something else.
1. Talk very seriously and participate to a high standard in an online forum and
2. Have a professional grade costume
I thought maybe looking like the character you were dressing up as was important but Derek tells me no. I questioned - Would a 4ft woman be allowed to dress up as a wookie if she had a good costume and could talk the talk. He wasn't sure. I'm 5ft st least and am not about to spend thousands on a hairy carpet to test the theory

So here some storm trooper let Elliot hold the gun!!! Seb dressed especially in his Lego tshirt.



Traumatized by the storm trooper Tristan would not stay - he just couldn't tell if he was a good guy or a bad guy



So we compromised - it's like a Santa photo!

Look at those light sabers.



Recovering from storm trooper and the rebel alliance.



The local member was standing a little away from the aswn. No body was having their pictures taken with him , so I went over and pointed out that next time if he wants more action he should come dressed as chewbacca. I though that was a great marketing tool. Clearly more people in the pine rivers shire wanted to meet and greet aswn than local politicians. I'm not sure he will take my advice on board but it was solid.

written from here


- I wrote this somewhere

Catch ups

Seb got an award at school! First one for the year. It was for trying hard at being responsible for his own learning and listening carefully during discussion time - I was so proud of him - he has been putting in a big effort in this area. His teacher and I have been on at him
About it and he has risen to the occasion. He still struggles to not get distracted but he is trying.

Lo fi holidays

We told the boys at the start of the holidays that there would be no screens while we were on holidays, we were determined to be present and enjoy our time together. Camping for two days first up meant they didn't even ask cause there was no electricity and then we had so many other things to do they didn't ask, once! It was really worth it.


We played monopoly


We bought and rode bikes


Here's a picture of me on my first ride feeling pretty unsteady.


We searched rock pools for treasure


And flew kites.
Don't get me wrong the kids watched TV and we went to see a movie. Bt it was so nice to be off grid and present and not distracted by technology.


I wrote this somewhere

Holidays part 1

We did it, we went camping, granted it was two nights at a time but still we slept in a tent, all of us.



Look carefully you can see Derek with Tristan on his shoulders pushing a wheelbarrow of trees and wood for a camp fire


Our campsite, fire prepped


Fire blazing one morning it was about -3, we weren't sufficiently thermalled rookie error. The boys hadn't seen frost before so that was fun and we got to have another camp fire in the morning.


Sebastian has inherited a love of fire from his aunties


And here is some porridge I cooked whilst camping! I was pretty proud that I cooked something in nature!!

I wrote this somewhere

Holidays part 2

A seaside house at bargara. Ocean sunrises everyday, sea eagles eating crabs on the rocks, rock pools, kite flying, no technology, books read, bike riding






It was hard to take eating breakfast there every morning





All the boys looking at the rocks. There was a coral reef offshore so the sea never whipped up to more than a glassy pool. With the cane fire burning behind us it made for some spectacular sunsets.