Surprise bedroom reveal {Happy Birthday Jack}

Everyone loves a surprise right? Yesterday the husband and I worked our butts off to organise a special surprise for Jack for his birthday. 
(And for those concerned about me and recovery, I was a good girl and did no lifting and stretching). 
Since he was turning 10, we decided it was about time to do an update on his bedroom - change it up from a little boys room to a tween room. I spoke to Jack not too long ago about updating his room and him and I spent ages going through pictures and making a board in Pinterest of things he liked. 
Check it out HERE. 

He had his heart set on one particular room so I told him we could do something similar. This was the room he wanted.

And this is the room he got:

  

 

 

And so I'm left with one ecstatically happy Jackasaurus.

I'll be back another day for a quick "if Kylee can make it anyone can" tutorial for Jack's wall hanging.

Getting my Susie on : Cake of Win

Anyone see that pic I posted on Fb of the ice cream cake that was just awesome?
If not, here's a refresher.

So because biting off more than I can chew is how I roll, I was determined I could and would make this cake. Next time I'm buying one of those Peters ones because by the time I'd bought the fifty billion Kit Kats and two 2lt tubs of icecream I'd spent double what an ice cream cake costs and that doesn't even include the time spend making the damn thing. See the crazy shit that Mummy guilt makes you do?

So this is how it went down.

 Two very happy little boys. Mummy guilt, all worthwhile.

Come on, you gotta admit, it did look all kinds of awesome.

While the husband's away, the wifey will play - Day 1

So pretty much bang on 24 hours ago, I walked away from the airport with 2 hysterical children and the third one who I suspect may have some sort of narcissistic complex going on as he found his siblings crying so amusing. So yeah, that was fun.

The night started nicely enough with dinner with friends before heading off for the husband and the son of some friends to catch their flight (for those not in the know, he's jetsetting to India for a Wedding).  It was all downhill from there. Check in took almost an hour and a half. Try amusing 3 tired kids in International departures. Honestly you can really only look at good ol' Aussie souveniers like Sheeps Placenta in a tube for so long. So Daddy checks in, comes back to us and it's all smiles and hugs. Then the reality hits in of what's happening.

 So eventually I'm free of the airport and the crying quietens down to snivelling, so me, in my wisdom, decided to distract the kids I'll open the sunroof. So I say "Hey guys, have a look at all the stars and the moon (it was a full moon) and see if you can see any planes". Cue hysterical crying again because I said "planes" and planes remind Mr 9 that Daddy has gone away. Sigh. Was a long drive home.

So after having to endure all of that last night I decided that I needed some pampering today. So today we had PJ day...all freakin day. I'm still in my PJs as I type. How awesome is that? Bogan, but awesome. I've also decided to reward myself with a few other things.

See this crap on the bench left over from dinner. Yeah well it's after midnight and it's still sitting there. Take that anally retentive husband.

And see this bed. I'm gonna sleep on the right. Actually screw it, I'm sleeping sideways right across the whole damn thing. And no children allowed. It's mine, all mine. Mwhahahhahhahaha.





A girl could get used to having no husband around. :P

A photo a day - Swimming...sorta

37 degrees in Melbourne
$15 blow up pool from a $2ish type shop
3 happy kids
PRICELESS

A photo a day - Be alert, not alarmed

Ahhh no, screw that.    

Be alarmed.

A photo a day - And school goes back

The big cheesy grin on Liam's face is comical since just two seconds before he was refusing to get in the photo and cracking it about me walking him into school.

A photo a day - A bit of fun in the sun

Jack enjoying a quiet moment at Werribee South beach

A photo a day - In holiday mode

All ready for sleep. Surprisingly enough they went straight to sleep and didn't muck around.

A photo a day - Goodbye Uncle Marc & Jade

The last goodbye for a while as Uncle Marc and Jade are moving to Perth :(

A photo a day - Brotherly love

Cute but less than five minutes later I was telling them off for fighting. Boys eh? Who'd have em?

Memories, like the corners of my mind

Misty water colored memories...
*shudder* Enough of that, but on that topic since my "Go live, 365" was reduced to a "Time waste did I what, 87 is all I got" here's a snapshot of everything that the Brodrick's have been up to in 2011.

JAN 2011

"I just got peed on by my daughter. It's all good for her as she has spare clothes. I've got to walk around in 30 degree heat with 4 layers of pissed on clothes"

Ah yes, that Fauna Park was a barrel of laughs. NOT








"My heart goes out to all the flood victims in Qld. The footage is just unbelievably devastating.
Please stay safe xx"
Please take the time to have a look at this link. It will give you a real understanding of the devastation that was caused. Queensland Floods - Before & After



"First open for inspection day today. 
Fingers crossed some people turn up"
And turn up they did. Six groups in the first inspection. I was pretty chuffed with that.

FEB 2011

 "OMFG. My house is flooding. I have a river running through my garage. The street is completely flooded. If the rain hits us hard again I'll have to start moving stuff."

In case you can't tell from the pic, that's my garage floor completely flooded. Yes I know it doesn't hold a candle to the devastation that Queenslanders went through, but still quite shocking for us all the same.

"WOW I must have pleased the gods. In the one week I've managed to sell my house, secure my land and land a rental property"

That says it all really.

QOTD courtesy of Liam after being told off for playing with my glasses.

Liam: Do you wear glasses Mummy cause you can't see very far?

Me: Yes Liam

Liam: Can all old people not see very far?

MAR 2011



"Has just completed 7 laps straight (with 2 carrying a child) to make 10 laps" at Relay for Life.
I love this image. When all the flood lights go out all you can see is the hope and remembrance candles forming a ring around the oval and a sign of hope projected on to the cliff face.



Bwahahhaha. Ripper QOTD brought to you by Liam.
Liam: What is Sunday school?
Me: It's when you learn about religion.
Liam: Imogen? Why do I want to learn about my sister?

"Is going to see Carl Baron tonight. Be jealous bitches"

Best comedian evah.

APR 2011

"RIP Laura Franks 105 What an innings. I'm sure the old girl will be kicking up her heels and throwing back the hard ones. Look out upstairs – I don't think you know what you're in for"

Brian's Grandmother passed away at the grand old age of 105. I only met her a few times when she visited Australia, but she was a classic for all the wrong and hilarious reasons.

"Is off for a romantic night in the city. 

Big love to John for looking after Gigi" 

View from our window at Crown Metropol Hotel. Highly recommend it - gorgeous room, great service. Shame both Brian and I where really sick with the flu. Gotta wonder what the room cleaners thought when they saw the billions of tissues in the bins. LOL

To our beautiful, loud, adorable, drama queen, ballerina, squealer, cuddle bunny, epic tantrum thrower Princess Imogen – Happy 3rd birthday baby girl. We wouldn't have you any other way. Love you all the way to the moon and back xx

QOTD (whilst on a car trip) courtesy of Jack.

Liam: Mum, Jack's using string to clean his teeth.

Me: Jack where did you get the string from?

Jack: I found it on my sock.

LOL so gross it's funny

MAY 2011 




"Finally after all my whinging and carrying on, we have a sold sticker"
I'd been waiting for the photo opportunity, that is all LOL

I can hear Brian cooking something that sounds suspiciously like bacon and eggs. What a lovely husband. He's probably going to be late for work but he's still making me breakfast.

What a great start to Mother's Day

JUN 2011

FML. Why the hell is everything 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Now I have no gas because Tru energy apparently don't supply gas to this area. So tell me who the hell we've been paying for the last 4 months. Oh and TRU Energy's computers are down so can't help today. So no hot water, no heater and no cook top. Excellent . Just f'ing excellent.

Oh yes, that was a fun week. We ended up with no gas for 10 days, Brian was away in Sydney, Jack has gastro, Imogen was so constipated that she was projectile vomiting. Yes there was fun to be had by all.

 "Ahh the best thing about sitting at home relaxing...leggings can be pants. Hope to Christ that no one comes to the door though"

But only at home - ever. No excuses.

JUL 2011
QOTD courtesy of Imogen: I asked her what she wanted to eat and each time the answer was "Herms". I couldn't work out what she meant so I asked her to show me and she went to the cupboard and got the Italian herbs out of the cupboard and yelled at me “See I said herms Mummy" LOL

"Is talking the kids on a magical mystery tour today. Of course it's my child that falls over in the dog poo"

We ended up taking the kids to Stanley Park, Mt Macedon then on to a playground in Woodend.

AUG 2011

I'm now the proud parent of not one but two seven year olds. Happy 7th birthday my Jackasaurus. Love you to the moon, the planets, the stars and even to Nan and Grandad's xx 

My baby boy is 8. Where did the time go. Happy birthday Lipm. Love you all the way to the moon and back xx 

Using your celebrity slim shaker to make a full cream milking with chocolate topping and ice cream = epic weight loss fail

SEPT 2011

"What a beautiful wedding. Margaretta looks gorgeous. So over the moon for them"
Brian and I had the pleasure of being there to share in the Wedding of one of my oldest friends. 







"Was almost involved in fisty cuffs. LOLing at the thought of me in a brawl"
No word of a lie - I was almost in a punch on - in the car park of Werribee Plaza no less. Can't get much more bogan than that LOL

OCT 2011

"OMG Johnny Ruffo is the shittest of shit. How embarrassment"

Yes for those that know me, they know of my X-Factor fetish. I watched it obsessively. Why though, I don't know when people like this clown constantly got voted in.

"To my amazing husband: today after 18 years together and 10 year married I still love you more than anything. Happy anniversary xx" 

Yep, 10 years this year and what a way to spend it - child free on the Gold Coast.

NOV 2011

QOTD goes to my friends son:
Elijah (to Liam): Do you know my Grandma's name?
Liam: No
Elijah: It's Joy. Like I'm not having any joy packing up these blocks
LMFAO, poor child comes to my house is apparently my slave

"All Boganed out. Night peeps" Jacqui's hen's night was as Bogan as they come thanks to Bogan Bingo. Brilliant night had by all.





QOTD courtesy of Jack (in front of his after school care leaders):
Jack:Mum are you wearing bras today because it doesn't look like it?"
Man they must have laughed after I left.

Dec 2011

QOTD today goes to Imogen: 

Imogen: Cheese mummy, cheese – whilst holding her drink out to me. 

Me: Cheese? What do you mean cheese?

Imogen: No cheeeeese

Ah she means cheers LOL

"Is all primped and preened and ready to go" 

A biggest, hugest congratulations to my bestest friend in the whole wide world on her wedding day. The day was spectacular, even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits. So happy for both you and Mark.

"One child has woken up with croup and the power has just gone out. Lucky it's Christmas day and the kids couldn't care less" Merry Christmas everyone.

So that brings us to the end of 2011. So what's in store for 2012?  

Only time will tell.