Plumbing - after hours

You literally can't even make stuff like this up. We got home from a kids birthday party in Bullsbrook this afternoon and there was water all over our driveway. It had been raining quite a bit the last few days so I wasn't surprised, but what did surprise me was that it was all randomly in one spot, when it hadn't been raining for hours. I kind of thought yeah well that's weird went inside. A few hours later I came out to put something in the street bin and not only was the water still there, it was rippling in the middle. Definitely something wrong. Sooo I go and check the water meter and sure enough, it's spinning... there's a damn burst pipe - UNDER the driveway, with a home open looming just after lunch time tomorrow. AUGHHHHHH.

So - I called our local plumber, no answer (they actually got back to me the next morning, they had a family birthday and didn't have the phone with them. They are so lovely!), the Jims plumbing for our area, not available... by this stage I was losing my damn mind - this NEEDED to not only be fixed, we needed for it to be not at all noticeable the following day. WELL, after one more call, oh did they deliver. Mick from next door came out and started digging up the driveway to find the leak, the kids went next door to Sammy's and Doug and I helped with getting the bricks out. The plumber arrived within an hour (all the way from Kenwick - yes they were still local, the owner lives in Brabham, this dude was on call), found the fault immediately, dug it out, repaired it and tested all of the pressure quick smart, then filled the hole, compacted it and repaved the driveway. I absolutely thought I could not be happier, until Sammy had dinner ready for us too! We have the absolute best neighbours and that is the only sad bit about moving.

But I still can't believe it happened today of all days. Fingers crossed all goes well tomorrow.

ESPS Discos - Round 2 2022

Tonight was Joseph's turn for the disco, we spread them across two nights as we are such a huge school and break them into four sections, two grades in each.

So glad he is happy to be here, we have certainly come a long way.

Oh look it's Madeline living her best life and attending all the discos tonight as well cause mum is here and on duty.

What a life. Must be horrible.

I love that these two love each other. ❤

Not us sneaking Madeline's mate through the canteen entry so she could come and hang out with us again... 

Her sister is the same age as Joseph so they would have been waiting outside anyway until it was over.

Plus there was the added bonus of getting to hang out with one of their mates who is a grade below.

Joseph had a great time with his mates, until he had had enough of being sociable and went and sold drinks through the canteen window with one of the P&C mums.

Well - all done for another year, good times had by all. ❤

ESPS Discos - Round 1 2022

Madeline had her school disco tonight and oh my gosh what a party! I love her cute outfit, I find myself wondering on the daily why she gets to be so much cooler than me?

I especially love the little braid with the flower beads, even if it did take me forever to do and was a pain the butt. She's so flipping cute.

She and bestie Ella got settled in and had the time of their lives...

Including stealing my phone from my pocket to take selfies. She had to deal with me being there as I am part of the P&C and we run the disco.

I love that we manage to get one of these pics each year - these four girls were in kindy together and have remained friends ever since. That was 7 years ago and I feel like they are growing up way too fast!

As the night went on it got super dark in the undercover area, the only light they had was the light coming out the canteen window and a set of fairy lights hung around one side of the undercover area and they loved it! They danced around to the weirdest music... I was actually blown away at what they were getting into - The Never Ending Story and Running Up that Hill (obviously wayyyy too many underage kids are watching Stranger Things, heck no would I let my kids watch it) but they all knew Never Gonna Give You Up as well? So odd. They were fully moshing and screaming along to the lyrics. Good times.

It certainly was an awesome night and I am so proud of the P&C for making it happen!

We even got to use our Winter Wonderland decos again as it was the same theme! Classic.

Maddie's motorbike ride

This little daredevil just had her first ride on a motorbike when a lovely friend of ours delivered on a long awaited promise to take her out one Sunday after church. Being that she had just had her birthday it was perfect timing and they went for a half hour spin around his neighbourhood.

She came back full of smiles and adrenalin ready to do it all again at the earliest possible opportunity. I love her so much. She is everything I ever wanted to be and I get a front row seat. 

Relief Society Christmas in July activity

Just got home from one of the best RS mid week activities ever - Christmas in July. I went with my friend Merja who absolutely understood the assignment - we were Christmas as all heck! Her in her ugly sweater and me in my Christmas pyjama top with jeans.

We absolutely would have won best dressed if there was a competiton.

We did Christmas crafts (making candy cane decorations for the tree) and had a gingerbread decorating comp. It was so funny, lots of laughter while we got to work. 

Our finished product. Quite obviously the best of the evening, but alas, we did not win.

Doesn't matter when you've had that much fun making it though.

Best part of the evening though, was absolutely the Christmas Gift Game. Everyone was asked to bring along something preowned (could be new if you wanted, but something already at your house!) and wrap it ready to give. All the items went into the middle of the room and then every persons name was put into a bowl - three times. The game went along that the first time your name was picked you could choose a gift from the pile. The second time, you could choose from the pile again, or swap with someone who had unwrapped something you liked better. Oh my word, it was so hilarious to watch and some of these women were straight up ruthless! They swapped over and over, but I was very happy with what I ended up with after my second swap - a mini diffuser kit. I can't wait to try it out.

The decorations were lovely and it was such a fun night. 

Merry Christmas in July everyone!

A good reminder

Sometimes you see something at just the right time. I often struggle with knowing people make a conscious choice to leave the safety of the gospel, often lashing out and attacking the church, it's people and it's beliefs. 

This quote hit me right in the feels, a timely reminder that we are all just doing what is best for us. 

Malinda's birthday cake

Sometimes (on the very odd occasion) I like to bake cakes for other people. A friend from church had her 40th yesterday and I offered to make her cake... then thought oh my goodness what have I done? haha.

I went with vanilla (this recipe here), cause I swear every birthday cake you ever have at a party is chocolate and I wanted it to be different. Must admit I didn't even ask her what she wanted, just went with it. Thankfully she seemed happy. I got this new cutter to make all the cakes the same level from the opshop this week and can confirm it works a treat! Look at that!

I had my little personal assistant balance it on her lap on the way to the party and was very grateful for her assistance. It made it there with no problems at all and I was so relieved.

I actually love it. The plan was to do the pink a little more pale originally to have it looking rustic, but then I decided to get in there with gold accent pieces and gold leaf on the sides and I thought it turned out great!

Gold leaf was a lot more expensive than I expected and I had to stick it to the cake with tweezers piece by piece.

Happy birthday to you Malinda!