Learning a new skill

Something I hadn't had a chance to post yet.

This year for Christmas Rat_girl got a fishing rod, a pink one at that, and a tackle box filled with goodies.  She has been obsessing over Concrete_mans fishing rod for ages and constantly asking when she can go fishing.  So we gave her the rod and took her fishing.

We went a few days after New Year...now let me just add I'm not big on fishing I can't even remember the last time I fished.  We weren't overly prepared, well this insn't true I had food, drinks, sunscreen pretty much everything but I forgot the chairs, the insect repellant AND we had no idea where we were actually going...then add to that it rained!

But we got through it and now we know a few things to make next time more enjoyable for everyone!

First stop, the side of the Barron Rive (i.e CROC central, thankfully didn't see any)

Waiting, waiting..got a few bites, not just mozzies, but lost them in the snags. I reckon there would be plenty fish if you had the patience....ummm we didn't!

Next stop a little further down at the beach, was a popular spot.  But due to the high tide, Rat_boy and I couldn't get down to the beach it was too dangerous to walk over the rocks.  Next time we'll come from the other beach

Finally the waiting paid off, given it was on Concrete_mans rod but she was holding it and she reeled it in, she screamed at the sight of it but was excited!

What I now know I need for next time to make it a more family friendly fun day out, firstly remember the insect repellant!!!

But I'm on the look out for a cheap 2 man tent that we can set up on the beach for Rat_boy to play around in and sleep in if he needs to, lots of sand toys, chairs and yeah something to take home any fish that are takeable (so not a word HAHA).  That way we can pull up some sand near the water, plant the rods and she can go between rod and playing and she won't get so bored.  Atleast that is the plan anyway!!

2010

Well it's only the 2nd day of the New Year and I'm miserable.  I have no idea why, I'm just completely down in the dumps.  I don't want to do anything or be around anyone and I really have to force myself to talk to anyone, even my family!  It's sad and I hate feeling like this but I can't seem to pull myself out of it.

So to try help my mood, today the kids have a swim in the little kiddie pool in the back yard...it's very hot at the moment..so it's good for them, they seem to be like me and don't cope with the heat so well and need some cool down time occasionally, wish I could fit in with them!

Later on Rat_girl and I made some cake mix cookies with mini M&Ms...I'll put the recipe below, so ridiculously easy and can be quite cheap to make also.

Cake Mix Cookies

1 x packet cake mix

60ml of oil (I sometimes find this is a wee bit too much)

2 x eggs

Any add ins you want

Mix together then add your add in's.  Roll into walnut size balls place on a lined tray and bake for about 12-15mins.  Oven I think about 150/170c.

Today we used homebrand vanilla cake mix (cost less than $1) and mini m&ms.  I've also made them plain with no add ins.

Chocolate cake mix (again cheap one) with some rice bubble and dusted with some icing mixture before baking.

The options for add ins are endless really.  And you can use this for any packet cake mix you like and very easy for the kids to help with.

Christmas Eve & Morning

YAY the final Christmas blog.

Don't get me wrong I love Christmas but I also love when it's over.  I like to get back to my normal eating habits, no more junk and also the clutter of Christmas once it's over drives me insane...I don't mind everything in the lead up but afterwards I almost can't stand to look at it.

So anyway this was our Christmas Eve and Christmas morning

Christmas Eve both in their Christmas jammies and both looking and smiling at the camera.  Rat_boy was extremely tired and on his way to bed.

Photo taken by Rat_girl, her santa table.  Milo and Christmas goodies for Santa and some water and fruit and veg platter for the reindeer, all her idea and doing.

Santa has been!!  Mind you only a few presents are from him the rest were hiding in the back room from the Southern Counterparts

Christmas morning, the present opening frenzy begins!

 Thanks Nan! Such a big rat.

 My lame attempt to get her to eat her Christmas breakfast, Christmas tree egg, santa and bell shapped toast.  Didn't work!

 This is what she looked like all Christmas day.

 And the finale to Christmas my first ever home made pav.  Apparently I nailed it.  I wouldn't know I hate the stuff...blurgh but now that I've made 1 Concrete_man expects it more often.

 And finally a couple days later all packed away.  I love these boxes from Big W very cheap even before midnight sales.  I also got a big wrapping paper one that has lots of little nooks and crannies to stors cards, tags, ribbon, tape etc..it's massive!

 Labelled LOL love my label maker!

That's it Christmas is over now until next time.  I have so many idea and plan for next Christmas I probably need to start in January!

Oh 1 last one, my present from my sister in law

Summer Daze and Fresh cut grass

It's been so hot and humid lately that by the afternoon the kids are just feral and painful.

So each afternoon while concrete_man has been away I've put a little water in the kiddies pool and let the rats play.  Rat_boy wasn't too sure about it to start with but now each after noon he goes a little nuts when he sees the pool.  It was especially great this afternoon after both had had a few tantrums and screaming fits it helped to bring normality (I use the term loosely) back to the house.

I swear just looking at the pictures cools me down, the water is so cold!

One of my favourite smells is the smell of fresh cut grass, but I believe it smells even better when you have cut that grass yourself.  I always thought that mowing the lawn was a mans job, but after the first time I mowed a lawn (4 years ago) I realised just how satisfying and relaxing it is, not to mention it's an awesome workout.  I mean I'm outside in the fresh air, I have a friendly little willy wagtail that follows me the whole time, I'm sweating it out, I'm alone with my thoughts, no one bothers me and unlike when I clean the house, the lawn stays mowed for more than 10 minutes.  I love it, I can't believe that before when I lived alone or when concrete_man was away I would pay someone to mow my lawn.

Even the 4 legged rats love it...I tried to get a shot of her rolling around on her back but she spied me!!

The only down side I guess, is the sunburn...yes yes I know, I can remember to lather my kids in sunscreen but never myself.  Oh and that fact that generally after I have mowed the first strip the dogs like to 'christen' it...!!!

Photo update

Rat_girl cooking some nachos that were delicious...but she still didn't eat them :-S

A couple of bday cards I made, "2yo lady bug" "10yo Ben 10"

Just before the end of the term we were allowed in to watch the kids, it was painful!! I completely understand why we aren't allowed in normally.  I felt quite embarrased as pretty much all the kids behaved except for Rat_girl and her BFF.  However I did notice something (** the person reading this that knows her BFF please close your eyes now), Rat_girl was actually doing her best to participate in the class but her BFF was constantly trying to tickle her, cuddle her, grab her etc and it was very distracting.

All that aside it was still very cute!

Rat_boy rather chuffed that he can now sit on his own!!! And play (annoy) his sister more!  Just a few days later he learnt to crawl, now just over a week later he is sitting himself up and pulling himself to his knees.  SO very close to standing himself up!

Helping Mummarat

Giveaway - test to see if I have any reader I guess!!

This year was my first year ordering Chrisco and it was so exciting when the boxes arrived.  Oh and if anyone is keen for next year, I'm an agent so yell out.

Right so for the giveaway if anyone is reading this, I'm going to throw up photos and lists of what I received, a winner will be randomly selected from anyone that posts a comment with receipe ideas from what I received.

An extra entry into the draw  if you become a follower of my blog.  Don't forget to make sure there is a way for me to contact you.

As you can see Rat_girl was very very excited...

And when all the sweets and treats were right on top of the box she thought it was Christmas that DAY!!!

So here we go, sweets and treats

Snacks, breakfast and beverages

Cans, jars, past, rice, dressings, noodles etc

As for the meat this is what we got

1 kg of chicken breast

2 x 500g Prime rump steak

500g bacon

500gm pork loin steaks

1.6kg celebration ham (thinking glazed ham)

500gm lamb forequarters

500gm beef schnitzel

500g Porterhous steak

2 x 500g Mince

500g Pork Sausages

500gm BBQ sausages

1.5kg Roast Beef

PRIZE is a gift card from Coles/Myer