Sep 16, 2008

What the kids have been up to


The day Gabe got impatient... You just can't expect a boy to wait when there is water and bubbles RIGHT THERE!


Okay, sorry. I know I used to be such a good blogger! And though I haven't slumped to the likes of Aimee {Taylor} Hada who hasn't posted since February {maybe she has by now, I stopped checking a few months ago...} I know I am no where near my usual pace. I just have been REALLY busy {read on, I'll tell you} and I have lost a little of my zeal -what with having to update 2 blogs. And I just refuse to let the quality of this blog slip... -you know? I am just not going to post to post. When I print this out into a book, I doubt I will be relieved that I posted 3 times a week for 10 years! I don't think we will need THAT much information about ourselves!

Anywho... let's see, where to start... Oh, I fell down the stairs yesterday... that was cool... I broke the already broken phone {Gabe threw it from the loft down to the tile below a few weeks ago. That's been a fun new game he's discovered} and I think my elbows, which caught the brunt of my weight, will never be the same again. I was worried I was going to be on some type of Aussie Rescue 000 show where Laine had to dial the emergency number when Mommy couldn't get up. That was a doozy, I think I'll put some effort into not doing that again...

Laine has started all sorts of new lessons, in a move that has further complicated my life and schedule, all for the better though... right? She and Gabe started swim lessons on Monday. Laine loved it, and I thought my water-boy would too, but scaredy-cat boy superseded and he screamed and white-knuckled me most of the time...

Laine also started piano lessons, which has been fun but time consuming with having to make her practice. Her teacher is this British guy that was so genteel and proper over the phone. From our convos I was picturing a man in a tux, sipping tea, James Bond -but more refined and not quite so rough around the edges, you know?. They went a little something like this, "Ah yes, Mrs. Riley, just ringing to confirm Laine's premiah lesson shyehdyoould for this afternoon at 3:30 sharp" and then he signed off with a "playsiyuh" -which is possibly why today when I thanked Laine for helping me, both times she replied "it was my pleasure Mom"...

Anyway, so we arrive at the house last week for our premier lesson, again, expecting the tux and the tea with the pinky finger. Instead we step into our time machine and are heading straight back to the 70's. The house, though pristine, looks like the picture perfect 70's manor and Richard himself is dressed Halloween party style 365 apparently. He comes complete with one of those 70's cotton candy mullets, you know, super fluffy and lethal. He sports one of those thin mustaches too. He is a crack-up. I wondered how Laine would do with a male teacher, it is so fun to sit and see how your child interacts with other adults! It is good times to see him instruct her and watch what she does with his instructions. I think she is really liking it, and she love music so much.

Oh, BIG news, you remember the whole swing-set debacle of aught-5? WHELL... I was gabbing to some friends about it at the time and then one of them happened to see a sign for a FREE swing set in her neighborhood and rang me up a few days ago! I raced over to the house to see if they still had it and they did! We went last night and dismantled it and hauled it home and Ben put it together this morning. You'll never believe, but is is the EXACT same swing set as the other one. So yeah, crappy, an eye-sore, and dinky. But it did come with the 'slippery dip' {slide} -which not all do you know... And it was better than nothing since we {read: Ben} didn't want to invest in such luxuries when we are here temporarily {even though we should be here more than twice as long as the longest time we've ever spent in any other place, seems pretty settled to me...} But, you know, the kids don't know the difference and they are ecstatic about their new swing set so I'm happy.

We got to go to Bondi beach again last week, oh man, I love the beach. And Bondi is without a doubt one of the most fantastic beaches I've ever been to in my life. It is really warming up here, so it was nice to enjoy the sun and just play in the sand with the kids.

Our other big news is that we got to go to see a symphony -AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE! I am kicking myself harder than I ever have that I didn't bring my camera! I have caught several glimpses of it over the last few months, but usually while in a car, so I totally screwed myself over that I forgot it for this time. I will post the complete story later, when I find the cable to my phone that I did manage to get some shots with.

Okay, just a few items of TCB:

1. Okay, maybe this is a stupid thing to say, but I feel moved to bring this up. Many of you blog stalkers may be afraid because of the 'ol sitemeter posted down at the bottom. You wonder if I've discovered you lurking behind those trees.... I should just take it off of this blog, I honestly haven't had time to check it in about 4 months -so you're secret stalking has not been and is not going to be discovered, so stalk away. And whatever you do, DON'T leave a comment!

2. I've noticed that many of you haven't noticed there is a new button for HOTGP. Keep your old one for all I care, but I think this one is a little better, so if you feel so inclined to switch it out, help yourself to the new code. Thanks!

17 comments:

Mel said...

Nat thanks for your comments on my blog! I totally agree on the bragging comment. My favorite blogs are the ones that are REAL!! I didn't mean that you couldn't talk about your kids bad days or your bad days or funny days, those are my favorites! I just know I have heard some people don't like blogging becuase they feel like it is just a brag fest. Anyways that is just where it came from. I love your blog! You guys always make me laugh and I need that!!! Last night we went with Katie and Kristine to VCP, it was so AWESOME and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Katie will do a post soon on it! Happy day in Australia!!

Amber said...

Okay, Okay I am coming clean. I am a total blog stalker. I don't know if you remember me but we went to high-school together. My name then was Amber Hoard. I'm not quite sure how I stumbled across your blog but you are soooo funny that I can't stop reading. Okay, I feel better now. My blog is private but if you so wish to visit just drop me an email and I will add you to the list.
simplesayings@gmail.com

AnneMarie said...

Please, please take a picture of Laine during her piano lessons! I have to see 70's British guy:)!

Shauna said...

yes please take a picture of the fluffy mullet/pencil stache, please, please....

also the new button is really cute.

Karmann said...

I just love reading your words! You make me smile when I am having a bad day. I hear your voice as you are telling things and it makes me miss you!! I definitly want to see the a pic of the piano man and home. You did an awesome job of describing him to a T. That is what I love about you! I am happy you got the swing set and that the kids have one to play with! I still crack up thinking about that post back a few months ago!

Stacey Lau said...

Love the piano teacher! Christian started lessons too, and WOW is it a job to get him to practice. I fell off my chair during the part about the symphony at the Sydney Opera House. No big deal, just one of my life dreams! You're so lucky!!!!

Gaengy said...

Love Gabe jumping in the tub fully dressed. Sorry about your injury on the stairs and the broken phone. Loved hearing about Laines piano lessons. Can't wait for my own personal recital. Thanks for the entertaining post. Love all your descriptions of all that is happening!

Flinders Family said...

I was totally at USU the same time as you ('99-'02) and that must be why I recognized Ben too. Where did you live??? I lived in Rich hall I think for the first semester and then moved over to Valley View Dorms because I had a lot more friends over there. Then I moved to Glenwood where I met Tim and we got married a year later. I worked at Convergys, of course, but also at the Scrapbook Station that was next to the Taco Bell there. Good times! Love Logan! So, that's my life story! So what brought you guys to Australia? You are so adventurous! I don't know if I would be so good to follow my husband around the world except for a vacation!

Todd and Jenn said...

Hey Natalie. I was just about to post on my cousin Becky's blog and I saw your comment. I'm not sure you remember me, but Jason Taylor is my brother. The recipes on your food blog look so yummy. I'll have to try some.

Ashley said...

Sorry to hear about the fall. Hang in there with Gabe and swim lessons. Louk bawled the first day-- hysterically. They suggested I go immediately to the front desk for a refund. I looked at her and said, WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW! And he did great. I found he responded better to a male instructor. I told him it was daddys friend.
...Calling out the stalkers. Glad that's over with :)

Kate said...

Ha ha, you are so funny. Where to even start:
-I am so glad you were not on Aussie 000...and sorry about hte elbows. i fell down the stairs 2 years ago...i forgot how bad it hurts
-The lessons...I can't wait to see this
-And opera house, sounsd SO FUN!

Ashleigh said...

What are you talking about . . . not enough to post and are you making fun of 3 posts/week?! Please take a picture of Laine (and her teacher) at piano lessons. I recently injured myself and had the similar thoughts though mine were I hope Addison is resourceful enough to drive us home because I'm not going to make it. Thanks for teh brillant update.

Choa!

Flinders Family said...

SO my next question was going to be how you put together that Jason and Jenn were my cousins, but then I just saw Jenn's comment. This world is getting way too small! I'm sure I met you if you hung out with Jas at all. We are very close and he is one of my very favorite people ever. He has the cutest wife ever and they are expecting their first in February. Their blog is linked to mine under The Taylor Family. And then, there are the rest of the TGP guys too. You didn't grow up with Jason did you?

Allison and Noah Riley said...

Hey Nat!

Thanks for the birthday wishes... you Aussies beating everyone else to the punch. Well done.

Well, no cake for me this year - unfortunately I'm having a "big girl" birthday (read: in NC and SC on business all week. OVER the weekend.) but I'll probably treat myself to two desserts or something. On the company card, of course. :)

And if I was eating cake, it would probably be me using your recipe from Laine's 3rd birthday. Yes, it was more than a year ago. Yes, it made THAT much of an impression! I crave that cake.

The Wells Family said...

The kiddos are still as cute as ever! I wish that we lived closer so that i could enjoy your daily humor more. :) I still laugh about the swing set story. You always can make anything fun.

BTW..the pic of your family on the previous post was so great. You look so beautiful and I really like your hair.

And thank you so much for all of your advice on moving. I have thought about you SO much since I have moved. Your example has been great.

xoxo

Todd and Jenn said...

How could I forget Consumers First. I actually worked at AAA so after everyone at Consumers First signed people up I got to deal with all the problems afterward. I think the last time I saw you was at our wedding. You and Ben lived in an old house by the U.
We live in Sandy now. Todd runs his families furniture stores, Lofgren's and By Design, with his dad so we'll probably always be in Utah. Your blog is so funny, and your kids are adorable. Living in Australia sounds like an adventure. I'm glad you got the update on Jas.

Nicole said...

You make me laugh! I'm glad you posted again... you were slacking a bit:) PS... where us Aimee Taylor's blog??

 
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