Goodbye, Tonsils!

Well, it was an early morning for us all today - Richard got Marshall up and ready and off they went to the hospital. Meanwhile, I was organising the other 3 kids and taking them to creche before heading to the hospital myself. When I arrived I found my beautiful boys sitting on the bed getting preped for his operation ~ he had special numbing gel on his hands and arms and was wearing a very small blue hospital gown!

He was such a brave boy when he was lead into the operating room and made us all smile when he sucked back the gas, finally falling asleep. Off iI went, back to his room, to wait with an anxious Daddy! After about 50 minutes I was allowed into recovery to collect him. My brave little boy alternated between cuddling and crying but when he finally had his dummy in his mouth (and the spare one in his hand!!) he was a little happier.

We had a little sleep together on his bed and Marshall managed to eat half a sandwich, some hot dog and chips for lunch, followed by the required jelly and ice cream for dessert. Dad was the hero because he'd taken in our portable DVD player so Marshall settled back and watched B Movie...for the thousandth time!

Sadly, that's when I had to leave him to collect Xander (who had made a beautiful card for his little brother and can't wait to give it to him), Amelia (who kept on walking around the house searching for him) and Nathaniel (who knew nothing was going on at all!).

Daddy is staying the night in the hospital with Marshall so will be able to update everyone when he gets home, sometime tomorrow morning. We also have lots of photos of Marshall before and after the operation, and even some he took of Mum and Dad!


P.S. The title, 'Goodbye, Tonsils', is a special mention for Gran, who never throws anything out!! While Richard and I were searching the bookshops and online for books about hospital stays and operations, Gran searched her house...and found a Little Golden Book that had been mine when I was young. A perfect book to read, even if the fashion had changed a little bit! Thanks heaps Gran!!!

Word 2007

I have just purchased some software!!! This is a proud moment and deserves a blog entry. Word 2007 lets you add blog entries direct from a word document which is kinda cool. I am just testing this out as I don't think you can do photos. Never mind I love gadgets!

Melbourne Museum

Still school holidays so we had to fill the days with some activities. The Museum is an old classic and always a cheap day out, $12 for the whole family. The current big exhibits are insects alive and the human body. The musketeers loved being so close to some huge spiders and bugs, Dad not so sureOf course the dinosaurs were a hit and something that Xander has been talking about for ages.

They have an excellent kids section where there are loads of things to touch and play with. The amigos could run about by them selves and experiment. Nate wasnt so sure and slept through the whole thing. The following photos are supposed to be measuring their height but they turned out more like mugshots!

Our Family Portrait

Here's a sneak peek at the family portrait ~

And one of the kids ~

And one of the Donnelly's ~

Oh, one more picture... the original portrait from 20 years ago!!!

Monster

Marshall drew this a while ago but I only just got around to scanning it. I think we all agree it's a very scary monster.

Xander falls for Commercials!!

Richard and i just had the best laugh we've had for ages!! After such a busy day and late night yesterday the kids are all down for their rests. Marshall, Amelia and Nate are sleeping and Xander gets to watch TV in our room while he has some quiet time.

He just walk out and the following conversation ensued:

X~ "One day can we get the 'Amazing Go Duster'?
Mum ~ "No, we have a duster already."
X~ "But it's the fastest way to clean books and shelves. Stop laughing at me!!!!"

So, score for the ad company, but unfortunately for them Xander doesn't have a credit card!!

(PS If you're interested in buying one
http://www.drdynamics.com/globalshop/goduster/default.asp?tag=SEMG&gclid=CNvt9Lbag5ECFRk0awodSEJNGg&bhcp=1)

Family Portrait

Saturday morning and the Donnelly family get together for the last time for a while for a reunion of the seven children. 20 years ago a similar photo was taken and Fran came over especially from Perth for the re-shoot for Mum's 70th birthday present.The Musketeers and all the other children were very well behaved and watched proceedings until it was their turn. What a motley crew. Every one scrubbed up a treat and we are all now waiting with baited breath for the results. Watch this space.

More haircuts

Off to Phil & Millys for more family hair cuts. We are having a Donnelly family photo next weekend and it's also back to school for everyone so the shags had to go!Marshall slipped away with Beccy for a while and the result is clear to see!

Growing pains

Nathaniel and Amelia had their usual health centre appointments yesterday and got A's all round.

Nathaniel
- Weight 14.1 Pounds (6.395kg)
- Height 62cm

Amelia
- Weight 28.1 Pounds (13kg)
- Height 88.5cm

Marshall
- Weight 16kg
- Height 102cm

Xander
- Weight 19.5kg
- Height 110cm

Fozzys 40th

On Friday night we set all went to a party to celebrate Fozzy's 40th birthday. The house was full of kids and as a real treat Xander and Marshall got to run through a sprinkler. This is strictly banned at the moment because of the drought but the house had water tanks and used recycled water so we could turn it on.

Dette unfortunately had a surprise of her own just before Phil walked in and fell down two steps into the sunken lounge. OUCH. As we all know Dette bruises pretty well but this is a cracker, beaten only by the Fiat on leg incident.

The morning after

I guess we are getting old. We went to Mark and Tim's for NYE but after partying for 4 hours we hit the road and got home by 11.30. A quiet drink after putting the kids to bed and that was enough for us.

The next morning. Everyone is still tired and we all need a new year to get over it.

Happy New Year!

It's a cool 32 degrees to welcome in 2008! At least we have a reason to be drinking lots!!