March 2011

 Autumn Greetings from Australia

G’day folks, I hope you and your lovely families are happy, healthy and well. Did you make any New Year Resolutions?

As you know from the media coverage, it has been a tough start to the new year in Queensland and things are slowly getting better. I could say ‘normality’, but that would not be quite true. The state of Queensland and key areas of the City of Brisbane has irretrievably changed. Whole lives have either been directly touched by human tragedy, or homes and work life turned up side down. And so a new normality is being established and a proud spirit of community too.

Our Christmas festivities seems a distant memory in view of recent events, but as it is my favourite time of year, I shall start the blog with our Chrimbo shenanigans, if only to restore my equilibrium to its usual happy state.

Last Christmas was very special as my mum flew out to spend the festive season with us and luckily avoided all the nasty snow that enveloped Blighty by mere hours.

  

    

The Chisslet’s had a wonderful week of fun and nonsense at school before breaking up for the summer holidays.

   

And they got to meet Santa several times before the big day came as they were soooo good last year (cue choking sounds) First up the Suncorp Family Christmas Party at the Plantation.

  

The Chisslets had a great time ‘making’ their first ever Christmas Cake together, which really added to their sense of anticipation.

       

In between the showers we ventured out to (slip & slide) around strangers gardens to view the most glorious fairy light displays. As usual I let my inner child roam free, seduced and bedazzled by all things shiny, bright and musical. I didn’t want to go home, bah humbug to the owners of these wondrous sparkly confections, whadday mean you need to go to bed!

 

As is my want at this time of year I went out on the lash with the girls. I behaved myself – mostly. I even sang the Slade Christmas anthem at the annual MOPS Christmas dinner. The video is hilarious.

 

We headed into the City on Christmas Eve for some festive fun, before joining Phil in his office for another impromptu Suncorp Christmas party. We saw some something rather unexpected during a refreshment pit stop near the town hall!!!!

 

    ????

Lol, I still wonder if it survived the flood!

 

 The party was good fun, Santa made an appearance and the Chisslets got even more presents, lucky things. Sadly I forgot to charge my camera battery and so I couldn’t take many snaps. The caterers did a fabulous job, with a generous banquet of exotic finger food and champagne for the ‘olds’ and sweets, cakes and chocolate fountains of all different persuasions for the ‘little people’. Weather (on the whole) behaved itself and so the view of the river from the balcony was spectacular. Ultimately for me the icing on the proverbial cake was to share this privileged experience with my mum.  

Christmas day was fabulous as usual with the Chisslets excitement and enjoyment making all the effort worthwhile. Thank you for all the lovely gifts and cards folks, your thoughtfulness and generosity is respectfully and graciously appreciated.

  

  

 

 

In between Christmas and New Year we hosted an informal party at Chez Chissell. I think the photographs speak for themselves, but the ‘video’ captures the hilarious shenanigans spectacularly

       

   

  

Christmas Karaoke time girls

  

  

  

We kicked off our New Year’s Eve celebrations with a Champagne breakfast party in Park. We caught up with Steve and Hazel to share in little Molly’s first birthday celebrations. The weather was perfect and the company was sublime.

 

 

 

Despite the Floods, & mum and I managed to get out and about, indulging in  some essential retail  therapy & seeing ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ with the Chisslets, at the flicks.

 

 All too soon though mum headed back to Blighty and has left a big whole in all our hearts Please come back again soon mum? xxx

At the end of January the school holidays came to an end and the Chisslets began a new academic year at school. However this year (to much anticipation) Ryan joined his brother and sister for the very first time and is loving being a Preppie.

    

He is coping well and adapting to his new structured routine. Although he is no longer keen on the idea that he must attend every (week) day and cannot stay with me anymore. I am really pleased to assist the teacher in his class regularly, which makes both of us really happy. Phil took the day off work to support Ryan during his first ever ‘class swimming lesson’ which made the day extra special for him.

  

Also, Phil’s brother Steve flew out from the UK to see us, together with his gorgeous daughter Renee (sibling to the lovely Zaria whom you may remember from the blog previously).  The Chisslets were thrilled to meet their new cousin for the very first time.

  

  

    

   

 

 

  Thank you so much for coming out to see us Steve. It was truly special to meet our little niece Renee. Come back and see us again very soon xxx.

On the 14th February Phil and I celebrated our thirteenth wedding anniversary and our ‘Valentine boy’ Conor celebrated his 10th birthday. Where have all the years gone????

       

Last weekend the Chisslets ‘Cleaned Up Australia’ with the Scout Pack Leader Chil . Ryan was allowed to participate to his delight and the children felt genuinely proud of their efforts - very community spirited.

Well that is all our news for now folks! Keep sending us those lovely newsy messages and snaps of your wonderful families. Good luck in keeping your respective New Year and ‘Lenten’ resolutions.

Best wishes for a happy and peaceful Easter

Love and much respect Mr & Mrs C xxxxx