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G’day lovely people across the globe can you believe it is March already? I am staring Easter in the eye and yet it only seems a heartbeat ago that I was planning for Christmas. So how has the New Year been treating you and your loved ones? I know the weather has been iffy at times on both sides of the globe. I should not complain as we had the best weather yet, over the Aussie Chrimbo season. It has been quite a while since my last blog update, November 2012 in fact. As usual lots has been happening at Chez Chissell and here is a brief overview of our shenanigans. 
Mum flew over in time to escape the Blighty snow and join in with all the festive fun with the Chisslets including school functions like the anti-bullying play featuring naughty pixies and a variety of characters from Christmas folklore. We also attended the Redland City Community (outdoor) Christmas Carol Concert which featured an impressive performance by Mirusia followed by a firework finale. Another ‘must do’ over the silly season is of course a tour of the amazing fairy light displays across our neighbourhood.
The annual Suncorp Family Christmas Fun Day was a big hit with the Chisslets too and the weather was scorching. We all dived in the various pools throughout the day and the BBQ spread was the best one yet.
Suncorp Christmas Fun Day at the Plantation waterpark in Gumdale. I cried with laughter watching Phil and the Chisslets tumble around in this! The video footage is hilarious
The lovely Lucia and children came over for a festive play date
And we had fun cruising along the Brisbane River on Christmas Eve to check out the delights of the city and my personal favourite, the Myers Christmas window.
There was a incredible sand carving on display near the Riverside Pool area on the South Bank. It was really intricate piece of Christmas whimsy that survived the overnight rain showers.
In the evening after high tea and phone calls to rellies in Blighty, the Chisslets and I indulged in our annual Chrimbo Karaoke spectacular and then we retired to bed to eagerly dream the night away in anticipation of what Santa may have brought each of us.
Mum and I must have been very good girls this year as Santa Phil brought plane tickets for both of us to fly to Sydney for the New Year's Eve shenanigans. As you can imagine Sydney Harbour was crowded with visitors but we managed to tick off most items on our must see list including a cruise around the harbour. Sadly the Opera House interior was railed off from the great unwashed, as the Lord Mayor was hosting a celebrity charity bash inside. It was Kylie fever everywhere, just like my last visit - Mardi Gras and ONJ’s concert in March 2012.
A very excited Granny. Hello Sydney, we are here so let’s get the party started!
We were worn out by the end, but ecstatically happy too. Kudos to mum for coping so well and accolades to Sydney for throwing such an amazing street party. A huge thanks to the Philster for being so thoughtful. What a great way to herald in 2013 xxxx 
Phil and I supping our Pimms at the Brisbane International Tennis Centre. We even had a brief encounter and chat with Andy Murray who was returning from training at one of the outdoor courts. The Centre is very smart and modern, another fabulous gift from the Philster xxx 
It had been truly wonderful having mum over to share treasured moments of ‘our’ life in Australia and I valued the times that we shared just the two us nattering about everything and nothing over steaming hot lattes, exotic smoothies and naughty but nice cakes.
Over the summer holidays the Chisslets had fun with the usual round of play dates and trips out and about. We really were blessed with great weather. It was a shame mum had to fly home and Phil had to go back to work.
Ryan thrilled to be at QPAC to see Hairy McClairy.
The Chisslets having great fun in the State Library and the Science Centre in the Queensland Museum on the South Bank. It was lovely to meet up with daddy for lunch too. We caught up with many of the holiday movie flicks over the holidays too.
The Chisslets solving the clues to find their way around the Bellingham Maze followed by a round of crazy golf. The Botanical gardens were a treat too and we will definitely go back to view it properly, alas it was getting dark and the mozzies rather bitey. 
For Australia Day, we took the Chisslets to see Peter Pan at QPAQ followed by a celebratory dinner. Sadly it rained heavily that day and all the usual outdoor South Bank celebrations had to be cancelled. We did see the Diggers firing canon salutes across the river though. Who knew the relentless monsoon would prove to be the start of more flooding across Brisbane and all the way up to North Queensland.
The Chisslets headed back to school at the end of January ready to start a new academic year. We are lucky that the Chisslets love their school very much and old friendships were renewed and new ones forged. The Chisslets are thrilled with their new teachers and have signed up eagerly for various extra curricular activities. Conor has joined the Tennis and Art Club, Olivia is learning to play the French horn and has joined the school Glee Club. Ryan has after school swimming and gymnastics. Between the before school/after school sessions and helping out in Ryan’s new class too, I am kept on my toes. Thank goodness Phil covers the evening shifts with all the Scout related activities.
As you know, February is an extra special month for the Chissell’s across the globe. Phil and I celebrated our fifteenth wedding anniversary and Conor celebrated his twelfth birthday on Valentine's Day which is also shared by his young cousin Renee. Two of our other dear nieces Alanna and Vanessa celebrated their respective sixteenth birthdays in February too. Congratulations girls and thanks for making me feel old! Thank you all for all the lovely anniversary, birthday cards, messages and pressies. We are all so very lucky to have such great a family and friends. 
A birthday tea for Conor and his besties
We recently took the Chisslets to Gumnuts Farm and Horse Riding Resort in the Gold Coast hinterland. The weather was perfect for an afternoon of horse riding and as an unexpected bonus they were invited to learn how to milk a cow, crack a real whip and throw a boomerang correctly. The Chisslets were thrilled with the whole experience. Phil and I appreciated the beauty of the location and quiet time together whilst the Chisslets were off on their hack. A truly sublime day all round.
Fruit juice and damper to round off the day
Our thoughts are now turning toward the end of term one and the Easter break. We are very excited that Penny will be arriving from Blighty on Friday and Conor will be attending the ‘rite of passage’ Year 7 School Camp on the Gold Coast.
Even though the weather was glorious over the holidays, we were less inclined to bathe in the sea as strong currents and high tides meant these mean critters were everywhere!
How big are these jellyfish, yikes! 
Among all this fun and mayhem, we also remembered the dearly departed friends and colleagues whose anniversaries occurred recently. May they R.I.P. confident in the knowledge they will never be forgotten. xxx
Wishing you all a mild Spring/Autumn from across the miles, with love, respect and affection, Mr and Mrs C xxx
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