Errmmm...

Should I be concerned? At work there's been three people diagnosed with swine flu - two of them in my team and one of those two sits at the desk next to me.

The first team member to be diagnosed found out last Friday, I think, and then the guy who sits near me let us know this afternoon (he's been off work the last two days). I've done some reading up and it sounds like there's a good possibility I've been exposed. I have a bit of a sore throat at the moment, but there's every chance that its just my inner hypochondriac escaping!

In other news, Chickie had his 7th birthday party and it went well. I had an initial panic with the RSVP's - only having a couple by the date I'd asked for replies. So I invited four extra kids (from our mum's group), one of those was a maybe due to a netball game (she ended up not coming) and another got sick the day before. All except one of the school friends that were invited ended up RSVP'ing yes. The one that didn't had his own birthday party at pretty much the same time (Chickie and at least one other of our guests were invited to that one too). Then at the party itself we had one that had RSVP'd yes, do a no-show. Not a problem in the end though, as one of the mums had brought her other child and they were going to go do some bowling while the party was going. So I invited her to be part of the party too. The kids had a great time I think.

Next year though - a maximum of three friends over for a sleepover I think. Or am I mad for thinking that I can handle four 8 year olds overnight?

More Chickie-isms

Driving home from getting Chickie's hair cut (finally! He didn't want it cut before as he wanted Anakin hair), we were listening to the radio. We heard a snippet of an interview the breakky crew did with Kevin Rudd (Australian Prime Minister) where he was talking about Twitter.

Chickie was asking what they were talking about and I explained how some politicians liked to use Twitter and our Prime Minister was one of them. Chickie made a surprised noise and said...

"Wait... you're telling me our Prime Minister is a politician???"








--
Thanks for your kind comments about our break-in too. We have the insurance almost sorted and should have a new TV and the games replaced soon. We also now have a (very very loud) alarm system in the house. I'm concerned about Chickie a little though. He's having nightmares a bit and is resisting going to bed - often not going to sleep until several hours after he's put to bed (which I'm sure doesn't help with the nightmares). Anyone have any suggestions for relieving some of the anxiety about it all?

Violated

From dictionary.com:

–verb (used with object), -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.

1.	to break, infringe, or transgress (a law, rule, agreement, promise, instructions, etc.).

2.	to break in upon or disturb rudely; interfere thoughtlessly with: to violate his privacy.

3.	to break through or pass by force or without right: to violate a frontier.

In my world it means our house got broken into and our TV and Wii/Xbox games got pinched.

As things go it was a relatively minor burglary. Only the TV, games and a few Wii related items were taken. The computers are all here, Chickie's DS was still in it's docking station and it looks like it was a quick in, rustle around lounge room, computer room and my bedroom - then out again. Insurance will likely cover what was taken.

On the other hand, when they were in the bedroom they went through my drawers. My underwear drawers... ick. That feels like a real violation. I suppose they were looking for jewellery, but the light in the bedroom doesn't work and my beside chest of drawers is probably the only place they could really see properly. So, lucky me, got her knickers strewn around the bedroom.

One thing I'm quite nervous about is the fact that they didn't take any of the computers or laptops. We're computer people - we have a lot of computer stuff. While they may have thought the TV was the best option for now, what if they want to come back for the other bits and pieces that they couldn't carry? When J suggested he stay home tomorrow and get the paperwork and other bits and pieces sorted out, I was thrilled. I thought I'd sound silly suggesting it, but obviously J was thinking the same thing. The police officer who came round said she's done this job for 3 years and has only seen repeat break-ins about 3 times, so it's not a common thing. I still feel a lot more comfortable with J staying home tomorrow though.

One thing I'm angry about though, is Chickie's lost a bit of his sense of security. He went to bed saying he was scared, so I lay in his bed with him just cuddling him and talking about nice things. He then started talking about how his tummy didn't feel good, so I got J to take over and sit with him. He's asleep now, which is good. TV's and games can be replaced - I'm more angry they've scared my son.

Grrr... thieving bastards...

Oh my aching shoulders...

J, Chickie and I have been doing karate for a while now. We all have our yellow belts (J and I have our orange tips even) and I'm only a month or so from grading for my orange belt. J's a little behind me because unfortunately he's been sick a couple of times. I'll probably hold off grading until he's able to go too - not only because it's fun to practice together, but I'm not the most coordinated person on the planet, so a few extra lessons for me will definitely be useful!

During the school holidays GKR Karate often has special lessons and other fun events on. This week they've opened up the Sensei (teacher) classes to everyone. I went along to one last night and omg! Those guys are fit!! The Sensei from our dojo was there and she barely broke a sweat - she looked as cool as a cucumber while I was a puddle of sweat. The class went for an hour and a half - though it felt like I'd been there for 5 hours before we got a drink break. I think I downed about a litre and a half of water during and after the class (mostly after).

It was a lot of fun though. Seeing how well the moves can be performed, when the black belts do it, is amazing. It was also good to see that even the teachers mess up some of the moves sometimes (it warms my little uncoordinated heart hehe). The Sensei taking the class also performed one of the black belt katas. That was so cool to watch. I wonder if I'll ever be able to reach that level. It's certainly a looooong way from here though.

Anyway, I think my poor little achy shoulders deserve some TLC - so I'm off for a massage :)

Crisis averted

Well ok, I'm being dramatic - but I'm relieved.

Chickie's in first grade at school, in a grade 1/2 combined class. He's supposed to have one teacher on Mondays - Miss S, and then Mrs D teaches the rest of the week. Well, since school started in January, he's had Miss S a total of once. Every other Monday has been a substitute - and usually a different one each week. It's not really Miss S' fault though - she's also the Junior Primary Principal so she's very busy with that.

The last few weeks though, I've been wondering how the heck he can get any consistency with an arrangement like that. I've no real idea how it's impacting the class to have someone different every Monday (if you ask Chickie what he does at school, it's either 'craft day' or they sat at their desks and stared at each other for several hours lol!)

I've talked to another parent (she and her son do karate with us too) and she's been quite concerned about the effect on her son - she says he gets very naughty on Monday afternoons. I haven't noticed that with Chickie specifically, but since this parent often volunteers in the classroom, I'm inclined to think her concern is valid.

I was getting to the stage where I thought it was time to talk to Mrs D or someone! - but today Chickie came home with a note saying that Miss S would be replaced by Mrs P, from next term. I'm glad. Nothing against Miss S of course, it's just that I can't see how effective it can be to have a team teaching arrangement with one member being different every week!

Oh and in other good news - I won third prize in the easter raffle at work yesterday. The box of chocolate is huge!!

lolcats strike again!

From icanhascheezburger.com...

I start work at 7am, so this is me when the alarm goes off:

Chickie did it!!

Woohoo! My little boy is officially a yellow belt! We're so proud of him.

He concentrated pretty well during the grading (his concentration is not normally great so I was a bit worried about that). He did get a little over-excited at times and had to be reminded to wait for the count, but overall I was very impressed.

We went out to dinner to celebrate last night and had a Viennetta (ice cream 'cake') for dessert. He's very pleased about it all (well that and the various ships he's made out of Lego). He seems to be a little excited about learning some new moves.

So we're all yellow belts now... though J and I are halfway to our orange belts (but we have a lot of work ahead of us!).

Oh my aching back...

I have spent ages on the floor, with Chickie, putting together a Lego Star Wars Hyena Droid Bomber ship. I'm really not Lego oriented. Really really not...

Chickie's earned it as part of our push to work on his reading. We had a parent - teacher conference a week or so back and Chickie's reading is really not where it should be. I figured he wasn't great at it but I thought it was ok. Turns out... no.

We were doing his readers and his 'word walls' but good grief, it was a struggle some days. Focus is really not an area he excels in sometimes. So we worked out a reward system. The Lego ship was an immediate reward to get to the next level. He'll have smaller rewards for each level and then another larger one when he gets up to where he should be.

I'm hoping that focusing on his reading might also help with his focusing at karate. He's actually going to try for his yellow belt this weekend. I have no idea if he'll get it or not, but I have to say I'm very proud that he's prepared to try. He could have actually tried when J and I got our yellow belts last year, but I think he was afraid to give it a go. He's often reluctant to try new things. Believe it or not, he finally tried jam for the first time last week - and decided he loves strawberry jam sandwiches!

Wish us luck for Sunday. I really don't care if he gets his belt or not, but I have to say it would be a huge boost to his confidence if he does.

Too... hot... to... think...

Today it got to 45.6 degrees people! That's 114 degrees F.

And some parts of the state got to 47.5 (117.5F)!!!

What is going on?

The a/c at work did a beautiful job - it's always too cold in there but today - perfection! Chickie's school, on the other hand, isn't coping so well. Here they are, 2 days into the new school year and they're being advised to either stay home the next few days or only come in the mornings, as their a/c isn't coping. Luckily J has tomorrow off anyway and I'll have my usual Friday off, so that won't be too difficult to manage.

Anyone in the North Hemisphere want some heat? Would be more than happy to pass some on to you!

OK

I'm no longer the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything. I am now greater than that :)