Ok.. so I *do not* have the swine flu (at least I'm making that assumption) but omg am I unwell.  I will return when I am reasonably sure I'm not gonna kick the bucket.  

On Sunday we went out for an afternoon drive.  We haven't really done that much in the few years so it was nice to be out without a particular destination.  We took the highway out of town (which quickly turns into a 2 lane road) and meandered towards the mountains.  We didn't actually go TO them though... 3 small boys + mountain pass road = fail!  We wandered through a neat little country 'town' of about 600 people, met some very amusing cows who were quite social as long as we didn't get TOO close, and found a quaint little roadside shop selling fudge, hand made jewelry and handmade fancy soaps, plus coffee.  Although I suspect if you hung out for a chat and bought a piece of fudge, you'd score a cuppa for free ;)    

It's a good thing we went Sunday... because Monday was overcast, and that night is when the skies opened up.  And boy did they.  It started raining Monday night I believe.. and didn't stop until Wednesday night.   Although it really hasn't *stopped*.. more slacked off for a breather,  it's drizzling out there now.   There's more to come over the next day or two it appears :(    Most of South East Queensland is a total disaster, even our little backyard was a lake.  Hubby rang me from the city ... businesses are underwater, main roads are flooded, cars are floating at dealerships.  Just ick.   Here are a few photos of the local area (pulled from news sites, because no way am *I* venturing out into that muck to get pics myself :P) 

This is the Brisbane river eating a local jetty/dock.   The photos below are from L to R:  a submerged car in  a suburb near us, the city business district where my dearest is working right now, and an intersection in our suburb (about 3km away from us).  So as you can see from all that.. I am SO staying put at home, and I do believe Merry will miss his first day of Kindy tomorrow since more rain and possible flooding is being predicted.

 

Yesterday was one of our Extra curricular days with the homeschool group, and the first one with Mr. Merry in kindy.  Wow, having only as many kids as hands certainly made the day a lot more relaxed!   Merry is totally loving kindy (Aussie version of preschool, only totally play based) and has one of the same carers that Frodo & Sam had 3+yrs ago when THEY went to this kindy, so I know he's well looked after which makes me able to relax more.   Good thing too, because I'm sure I've posted how I hate driving into the city before?, and this meet up is right on the other side of downtown.   (this is Sam playing the drum at their music & creative movement class, he really enjoyed the instruments!)

Here's Frodo doing some streamer dancing.. they also had a dance class with a brilliant youngish male teacher that worked SO well with the kids (especially considering it was a group of kids from grades K-3 with a couple of rowdies.. including Frodo)

The boys (and me!) also had an introduction to Japanese class that one of the other mums put on.  Her husband is a native speaker and she speaks it very well herself.  The kids learned how to say 'my name is XXX' and the word for bubbles (dang, I've forgotten it!), plus some of their favorite foods.    Next fortnight she is planning some basic origami with the kids in addition to the language intro.   She did a great job of making it fun too so I'm looking forward to it!

About a week or so ago the boys & I planted some new seedlings in our little potted veggie patch and I'm pleased to say they are coming along great!   This pic is our peas.. there are several plants in there.  I took it from a few metres away so that I can compare it as time goes by and see how much of our 'trellis' they cover.  The trellis is just inexpensive plastic mesh from the garden centre nailed to the fence posts :)

Have a look at these little lovelies... They are.. or I should say WERE, Tigerella tomatoes.   I stepped out this morning and picked about 5.. then took the scissors to my lettuce & asian greens (see photos below :D) and we had a lovely salad for lunch.  What's really interesting about these?  When we moved in here about a month ago, they were nearly dead.. I was sure they'd never make it!  But something has caused them to really perk up and they have TONS of new growth (I have 4 plants of different varieties) and new flowers & fruit.  It's going into winter here, such as it is, and they show no signs of slowing down.

These are my asian greens, basil, spinach and some parsley.   The asian greens got a bit of a hair cut this morning as I mentioned earlier, so they are a little less bushy now :P  I think that basil is about done for.. it's getting a bit geriatric anyway, so I think I shall chop it back, along with some of my parsley and make a batch of pesto *drool*  The last pic has lettuces, pak choi and a few totally mad parsley plants that are destined to join that basil in the blender.  

After such a busy week, we are spending this weekend totally at home.   Then I think tuesday we have a free group workshop at the large garden/hardware store with some other homeschoolers, and thursday is our long awaited Reptile presentation from these guys!  Sam is going to be absolutely rivetted.. he LOVES lizards and critters.   You can be sure I'll post photos of the day!