Oh, what a night!

December again, and it's time for the annual school Awards Night. I am certain the mosquitoes spend the whole year preparing for the night's feast. I also know that the children and their teacher's spend hours preparing the performances. The quality was quite high this year, a vast improvement on some years. Samara's class rock and rolled to Splish Splash. Seven year olds dancing with each other is always an entertaining sight. Christopher's class sang a couple of songs, one from Africa, and one from the Torres Strait, as they have been exploring other cultures this term.

An additional surprise was that both our delightful children won Quiet Achiever Awards! Samara's was a little expected, she has had an outstanding year of progress, and we have been thrilled with her effort. Christopher's was even more remarkable, coming out of the blue. He's a bright boy, but has always been a bit restless and spontaneous for the classroom. One of the things he's gained from his involvement in the Youth Choir is an increased attention span, and it's starting to really show! As I said to him (and the grandmothers I spoke to on the phone afterwards), "Wow! You managed to be quiet and achieve, at the same time!" I am simply bursting with pride at the moment :)

Above is a photo of the kids with their prizes - gift vouchers for a book store. We will have a very nice time spending those! The blurry guy in the blue shirt is Paul Lucas, the Deputy Premier of Queensland. The kids were impressed with his title. He donates quite a few prizes to the school each year.

Christopher enjoying a slushie at the sausage sizzle before the formalities.

Samara, cute as a button, even with tomato sauce on her cheek. She was much admired by a friend of mine who only has sons.

I am very annoyed at the 'wall of text' that is this post. For some reason my paragraph breaks are not showing today, and I am too lazy to figure out why. Oh, and Grandma, if you are reading this today, the photo will be taken tonight, once the tree is decorated for a background.

It has been an exciting week for little old me. Last weekend Darling Hubby's work Christmas party was held at the Marriott, a taste of five star living that will linger for a long time to come. The party had a seventies theme, which I was at first very dubious of, but on the night the theme turned out to be inspired. People wore everything from mini skirts to safari suits and kaftans. Inhibition was checked at the door (though not in the stereotypical, can't face your coworkers on Monday kind of way), and we all laughed through a wonderful night of music, memories (though not so many for the younger crowd) and disco balls. It has to have been the best party I have ever been to, and when going home meant an elevator ride, city lights and exquisite sheets, with room service eggs benedict in the morning AND NO KIDS, well, need I say more? Perhaps I should just say thank you so much to Grandma and Pop, who are fabulous inlaws and enabled us (and particularly me, a worrywart, very attached mother) to enjoy a grown up evening. Thanks G & P!

Let's just say I am looking forward to next year's Christmas do!

Monday brought a new joy. I am published! An article I wrote and emailed to a local parenting publication, Brisbane's Child, has been accepted and came out in this month's edition. And they are even paying me! So now I am thinking that I had better start making a little more time for my writing and see where it can take me. It's all rather exciting, really. Today a short article in a local rag, tomorrow the next Kate Granville or Lian Hearne!

So, as you can see, I am a bit giddy at the moment. I am sure I'll return to earth soon, probably to a mountain of laundry and unswept floors.