Eisteddfod

Highly commended! 

Chocolate Winterfest, Latrobe

In recent weeks we've had storms, gale force winds, power outages and other typical Tassie winter weather. On Sunday it was snowing when we left home but a (mostly) sunny day down on the coast for Chocolate Winterfest...

Shmoo and Loo were busking as part of their performing arts class. The 5 kids sang at 4 different venues for half an hour at a time (and then we had another half an hour to get to the next venue and set up).

  

Oddly enough, I was so busy chasing a sick and teething toddler and moving from venue to venue that I didn't end up with any photos of chocolate. But we did manage to find a few minutes to indulge in some tasty treats at the end of the day after the boys were done singing. 

Concert, Carols and Christmas Lights

Shmoo and Loo had their final 2 performing arts performances yesterday. The first was a Christmas family concert and The OH had to act as a fill-in Santa.

Then it was on to the Latrobe Christmas parade and carols where Shmoo and Loo performed with their TPAC group. Beanie even got up on stage when the mayor called all the kids up to sing a couple of Christmas carols!

 

After that, we took advantage of the late night and did our annual tour of the Christmas lights on the way home. We saw lots of lovely displays, like these homes in West Ulverstone.

Vintage Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner

 

The other day Shmoo's singing teacher kindly gave him her old vintage Electrolux vacuum cleaner. He is in heaven. I don't think Santa's going to be able to beat that :) We don't know much about it but will hopefully be able to track down some info on it for him.

End of Year Events

We've had the ECIS Christmas BBQ. The kids had lots of fun. Loo got his face painted (a fire-breathing dragon); and Shmoo and Beanie even joined him on the jumping castle (although Shmoo did wear his ear muffs).

 All 3 boys performed with their performing arts classes in a Christmas concert at an aged care home. So, so proud of them all. Shmoo was quite nervous but did beautifully once up there. I didn't think Beanie would even get up there but Loo held his hand and, unprompted, helped him with his props and actions... what an awesome big brother!

Photo Catch Up

A few photos from the past month... 

Shmoo's 8th birthday while B and I were in Melbourne. They celebrated with a visit to Anvers Chocolate factory where they enjoyed chocolate fudge and ice cream. 

His favourite presents were Lego and a DIY vacuum science kit. 

And then Beanie knocked over the clothes airer, landing on top of it, and got 5 stitches in his cheek. Apparently my brave boy sat perfectly still with no fuss for both the anaesthesia injections and stitches. I had to see the GP the other week and she said she was amazed that he was so calm as she thought she was going to have to send him off to hospital to get it done. 

 

While I was away they also visited an open day for a community garden in Devonport. 

Since we've been home Shmoo and Loo both performed in the eisteddfod (Shmoo's first time, Loo's second). 

And on Friday night we celebrated the winter solstice with a little bonfire, marshmallows and damper. 

School's In

Okay, not so much us but mainstream schools kids are once again in classrooms here... which means we start getting busy again with the 'extra curricular' activities that only run during term.

 

Beanie's back at ECIS. And the canvas that Loo helped make last term is up on the classroom wall.

 

Swimming lessons again (as well as karate and performing arts).

And today, Beanie was so delighted (don't you just love a 2yo's joy?) when his penguin backpack arrived in the mail. His big brothers have their own bags and Beanie has been longing for one too so you can imagine his excitement when I presented him with a catalogue last week and asked him to choose a bag.

Performing Arts

Shmoo Bear

Performing Arts - Clowning Around

 

At an extra 3 hour special 'school holiday' performing arts session. Kind of funny that our (homeschooled) kids were the only ones who showed up.

Eisteddfod

Loo Bear had his first Eisteddfod performance this morning. So proud of him. He sang 'Warm Kitty'...

And then it was off to his ECIS session...

Back to School

And so it gets busy again. Now that the mainstream school year has started, we're back to squeezing in swimming lessons, performing arts classes and community playgroup around our various regular appointments and playdates. On top of that, it won't be long before Early Intervention starts up again for Beanie and Loo (it'll be Loo's first time attending).

The boys' performing arts teacher is very keen for them to participate in the Eisteddfod this year (reciting a poem in costume). It will be a great opportunity for Shmoo and Loo, but... my stomach churns at the thought of the inevitable meltdowns that we'll get from Shmoo. I know it's important for us to keep nudging him, encouraging him to at least have a go at these things. It doesn't help that I can empathise a little too well - being an extremely introverted child and having to do the Eisteddfod every year was terrifying!