Anzac Day

Well today was Anzac Day and it was the first time Jack and Kate have been to the parade. Our neighbour is in the army and they wanted to see him march. It was a fantastic day! The diggers, the horses, the old vehicles, the flags, everything. I would love to sit down and have a beer tonight but I'm still on the antibiotics so so much for that. I was so proud today that there was such a big crowd and of all the old diggers from all the campaigns and of course of all the kids out there watching. Hopefully today will be remembered by my kids as a great day.

Postcards from the West

Here's a pic of Kate reading a postcard from Nana and Poppy who are holidaying in Western Australia. The boys love getting the postcards read to them at night time. Nonna read this postcard to Kate lunch time yesterday. Kate had speech today and is really vocalising a fair bit. Had the police around last night. The neighbors over the road were drunk and doing burnouts outside their house. Four other neighbors also rang the police and when they came (police) all of us (about 6) stood out the front of our place and told the police what has been happening the last couple of years. The silly fool actually blew up his diff while he was doing a burnout. They started to abuse the police (2 Sergent's and a snr constable) so the police told us that they were going to do lots of drive bys and if anything happens again to ring them straight away. They booked them for parking on the footpath. Anyway it will still be an expensive exercise to get his diff fixed silly fool. Well must go I'm cooking a roast pork to dinner with lots of roast veges (plus corn and capsicums etc.).

The Day After

Today we went to Reef HQ and the the The Museum of Tropical North Queensland. The kids had a ball, made some drawings and did some dancing finished off with a trip to MacDonald's. Well the stout is going off quite nicely, looking forward to that. I'm going to pack up the tent this arvo cause it looks like rain here. I'd like to mow the yard tomorrow. Could be a rough trip to Palm tomorrow as well. I need to go and do my tips so I'll blog soon.

Cheers Droopy.

Easter

All 5 of us have been camping in the backyard for the last three days so we're all a bit tired. I'm leading the footy tips at school at the moment but not for too long I think. Sunferries want me for 3 shifts this fortnight starting this Friday going to Palm. Interesting! Any way I'm cooking a beef Pie with puff pastry on top for the Kids. Here's a pic of the Pie. It was delicious!

Pic of Jack is at the International,

Pic of Kate is obviously at home at Easter,

Pic of Will decorating me while I'm pretending to be asleep.

Well Donna is at a Lions meeting and the Kids are asleep so I'm going to brew a Dockside Stout for winter.

Cheers Droopy.

Easter

No Current photos of the kids but here's one of lady. She's starting to get some long legs. I'm in a NRL tipping comp at school and got seven picks last week on a wild card which doubled my points. I went from 37th to 2nd. Tommorrow we are all going to the island for lunch with Jan, Granma and Grandad at the International. Hopefully we will be able to go a bit more often if it works. !!! I'm taking the camera so hopefully lots more picks to come. Kate's been doing really well at physio and school. She took me the other day as show and tell. Each afternoon Kate and I have been having a long swim together. The water is starting to get a bit cooler. We were thinking of going camping over Easter but I think we might just set up the tent in the back yard. Donna bought the kids baskets for them to line as nests for the easter bunny to leave their eggs and presents in the other day so that will be our project for Saturday. Have the raffles at the cowboys on Sunday for the CPLQ but of course I'll be doing that by myself, Jan says she'll come and help if I want. It would be nice if some of the other parents might help once in a while. We only need to raise another $5000.00 to get the trial wheelchair for Townsville, we (mainly Donna) have already raised $13000.00 so we'regetting close. Well have a big day tomorrow so I'm going to catch some sleep. Blog soon.

Cheers Drewpy.

Kids Asleep

Kids are asleep but all is well. Had a big brekkie of bacon and eggs this morning. Here's a couple of pics. One of Will on my bike and one of me working on the

'fools gold' charter. I'm just trying to finish as assignment so I'd better keep going. I'll blog soon.

Not working tonight

Well I'm not working tonight and just doing some study for my teacher aide course while
I'm waiting for the rugby union between Aust and South Africa to start. How unbelievable is it about Steve Irwin and Peter Brock? Took the kids down to the strand this morning and Kate walked for miles, the three of them crashed when we got home. Did the voting thing today Lindy got back in by the looks of it. Kate should be getting BOTOX this week Wed, Thurs, Fri. Had the first swim of the season yesterday after spreading some mulch water was 25 Deg. Today Kate and I had a swim, She chucked a tantrum when we got out. Still to cold for the rest of the tribe yet.

Been Busy

Been really busy the last few days with the kids sick but Kate has come good at least. No new pics to show and I should hear about the job soon (I hope) I have decided it's time to sell the motorbike and buy a duelcab 2wd ute. The kids are starting to need to be in two places at once.

Cheers Drew.P.

What A Week-End

Wow what a week end,
Donna and I took the kids to Sherrif Park,The Billabong and Maze Mania. They just love it and so do we. Kate's wheelchair was modified for her growth last week as she was falling out of it. She has new blow up tyres of the front wheels now so it's much nicer ride for her now. Received a call about my job interview on Friday it'd down to me and another fellow but they can't interview him till next week so I'm still a bit confident. Will has been sick with a cough etc but is coming good now. Our neighbor came home last night from East Timor haven't seen him yet but looking forward to having a beer with him.

Cheers Drew.P.

Another Day at the Park

Took the kids back to the park Sunday morning. They didn't stop for about an hour! I haven't loaded the Pics onto the computer yet as it crashed on Friday Night as I was trying to do an assignment. Lost some photos but that's about it! Had a story in the local community paper the 'Sun' last Wednesday - Front page too. A lot of people we've never met have recognized us out in the public and talked to us about the story. It's the biggest and best reaction to a story yet! It's all about the lack of services in North Qld for children with CP and the hardships of local families. The photo of my wife Donna, Kate and myself was the one on the front page of the newspaper and taken by Brian Lynch from the newspaper. The photo's of Jack and Will on their bike at the park Last week.

Cheers Drew P.

Big Weekend

Big Weekend this weekend Cultural Fest is on, Grandad's birthday on Saturday and the Cowboys are playing but I'm working. Not for long hopefully as I have Job interview on Wednesday, can't wait! Not much to report but really looking forward to a weekend with the family.

Cheers Drew P.

Day at the Park

Took the boys to the park on Monday and shot some great pics, they just love the park. They rode their bikes etc. around and kicked the footy for ages. Kate spent the morning at SEDU (special education development unit). She's gone to the dentist today for more fillings after her last episode of CVS (cyclic vomiting syndrome). The off to the doctors for her regular checkup. Spent my day at my teacher aide placement in special ed yesterday. Just love it but it's such a full on day. I have an interview next week sometime for my job application so I'm a bit excited about that. I'm working tonight on the boat so another late night. I'll do up some more pics from the park soon!

Cheers Drew P.

Day Of Needles

Friday saw me Finish off my root canal work at the dentist with a permanent filling then off to the Red Cross for a blood donation of plasma (first time) all went well while the kids were at school/daycare. Headed off to work that afternoon for a rough trip out on the boat. Worked all weekend without anything to report, So I'm pretty tired tonight. Kate vomited Sat night so we were worried another bout and a trip to the hospital was coming, but my wife quickly gave her her medication and she slept all night and woke up fine. Applied for a job last week but haven't heard anything back yet.

All My Kids From Clockwise Top Left
Jack, Will, Kate.

Today I Blog

Tonight I sit at the computer and read blogs of ones in the current conficts around the world. I cannot begin to wonder what it would be like to live in war! Five years ago I sat pondering with my wife about our (her) pregnency, discussing the possibilities of having a child with a disability. My wife is 6 years my senior and our thoughts were of Down Syndome and we decided not to have the tests because it wouldn't change the fact we were having a baby and if that's what was going to happen, then we would just get on with it. I did not know of, or anyone with Cerebral Palsy (CP) at that time BUT I sure know a lot now! I come across many people and everone has a story and this will be mine. From the daily pleasures and hardships we all face, to the absolute mindblowing situations my family have to put up, with just to give my daughter (and her 2 brothers) as normal a life as my wife and I fight for. But that's another post!