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The holidays are now over :( and all the kids are back in school. I couldn't help but take a quick photo of our last holiday activity. Every post Christmas sale, I try to buy a 1000 piece jigsaw for us to piece together as a family. It's great fun and often involves the kids and me sitting down together and sorting and laughing our way through colours and shapes of haphazard pieces. This year's cat was relatively easy, completed finally by the Superteen whose competitive streak had him sitting in front of piles of jigsaw at all hours of the night and day in his determination for finality. Ah, it's the thing that memories are made from!
Remember that backyard renovation that came to a stand-still?
Well, in the interim, we have decided to grass it. Mind you, it's only half done, but you get the idea.
As for the top level...that is still under discussion!
Nothing gets done quickly round these parts!
Yes, I am the daggy one who has the flag on my car!!!!
And how's this for great overseas wear???
The plans are still in motion!
1) London.....booked!
2) Paris......booked!
3) Italy.....not-so-booked!
Now, if anyone can tell me a good apartment or hotel in Rome that is reasonably priced but fairly central....please let me know....quickly!
I love my son, I really do. He's smart, sassy, social and has a wicked sense of humour. And I really enjoyed talking to him. But now that he's a teenager, our conversations has taken on a completely different turn. They go something like this:
Superteen: Mum, can I go to the city with my friends?
Me: No.
Superteen: Why not?
Me: Cause you are too young and the city is a big place with lots of unknowns.
Superteen: That's not fair....my friend *insert name here*'s mother lets him go.
And then there's this one:
Superteen: Mum, can I catch a bus to the(far away, major) shopping centre?
Me: No, I don't think so.
Superteen: Why not?
Me: Cause you are too young.
Superteen: That's not fair....my friend *insert name here*'s mother lets him go.
And one of my personal favourites:
Superteen: Mum, can I walk to (the next suburb over) McDonalds?
Me: No.
Superteen: Why not?
Me: Cause you are too young and it's a long way with a whole section of river.
Superteen: That's not fair....my friend *insert name here*'s mother lets him walk there.
Yes, there seems to be an unending theme of me thinking that the Superteen is too young and him telling me what other parents let their children do. Now, don't get me wrong, I realise that in many ways I am probably over-protective....my kids tell me that all of the time. But I do wonder about the wisdom of the decisions that other families make.
Sometimes, it seems to me that some people offer their kids a whole lot of freedom that does not sit comfortably with me. Kids riding bikes on busy roads, kids waiting around at night times in dark places for pick-up rides, kids being trusted to walk streets and shopping centres, often on their own. Perhaps it is because I've worked with children for a lot of years and know that despite what they seem on the outside, they are still children on the inside. And at the ages of 13, 14 and 15 this is legally still the case as well. I also understand that while parents are particularly vigilant with their first child, by the time their third or fourth one comes along, there is a much greater understanding and ease that comes with parenting.
I also accept that I cannot 'cotton wool' my teenager forever. In a few years, he has to be trusted to drive a car and heaven help me when that happens! Imagine the worry that I'll do then!
So I am getting better. I have now consented to him walking to the local shop (ok, it's a 7 minute walk with no major roads to cross) and am allowing him to go off on his own to shop, while I am in the centre. I'm even agreeing to 'dates' with the new girlfriend.
But inside me, there is always that worry for his safety. Mobile phones are great though and I have a new piece of armoury in my parenting arsenal. If he nags me about going somewhere or doing something that I am not comfortable with, the solution is simple. My response? 'Ask Nanna! If she says it's ok, then I agree, too'! Works every time!
This recipe was given to me years ago by a friend and is one of the best and easiest cakes to make and impress your friends with. I made it last night and took it to the new year's eve party that we went to. It is great for those gluten intolerant people (check the other ingredients before adding obviously for gluten products) although is tasty for everyone to eat! Be warned though...it is very rich and full of calories!
Chocolate Jaffa Cake
Ingredients:
2 large oranges
250g almond meal
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
1 teaspoon bi carb soda
2 teaspoons orange liqueur (optional although I've never used it in this recipe).
Method:
1) Cook whole oranges in water for 2 hours, simmering. You can do this the night before making the cake if you like. Drain and let cool.
2) Chop cooked oranges and blend (skin and all!).
3) Beat eggs and sugar in a bowl until fluffy.
4) Add other ingredients.
5) Line cake tin with paper. Bake for about 80 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius (I baked in a fan forced oven at 170 degrees for a little over an hour and then turned the heat right down as it was virtually cooked, so check your oven after the first hour to decide!).
Chocolate Icing:
Melt 250 grams of dark cooking chocolate in a bowl over boiling water. Beat in 300ml heavy cream until smooth. Cool for it to stiffen slightly. Spread over cake. Keep in fridge. This cake only lasts a couple of days so best to eat quickly.
One of the joys of travelling seems to be the accommodation. The concept of where to stay seems to fall into two mindsets...either you view it as just a place to sleep (as you are really there to see the city, not the inside of a room) or you see it as a part of the whole experience.
When travelling with four people...two being very vibrant children....a tiny hotel room on the other side of the world somehow does not seem very appealing. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that said hotel rooms can be magnificent. But when you are on a budget, it is only one option of quite a few.
Apart from hotel rooms, we have considered backpacking (too sterile for kids), B&Bs and apartment rental accommodation.
Who would have thought that finding somewhere to rest your weary head could be such a dilemma! Firstly, the costs can be anywhere between 'cheap as chips' and 'Omg! The taps must be solid gold'! Times that by 4 cause most places make you pay per person and you end up with one heck of a tummy ache!
Then there is the whole bedding situation.....a double (as in 'bed') or a twin (as in 2 x singles). And what if you want both? Can these be linked somehow by an adjoining door or do we have to take a cut lunch to see our kids on the other side of the building??
And let's not think about payment. The thought of money exchange in foreign currency makes my head swirl!
So, at present, we have finally settled on some accommodation. We have booked holiday apartments for two cities. In Italy, however, we think we will grit our teeth and book quad rooms in hotels! Scary, I know but the idea of concierges who speak a little English explaining to ignorant Aussies like us how to get to wherever somehow appeals! (OK, we have little French, too but I do remember a few basics from high school...surely that can't be too bad!).
So the plans are in motion. Stay tuned for details....just in case we end up in a stable! Lol!
