THE POWELL CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
This year the Powell family has decided to fling itself into the 21st Century by creating a "Blog" to share the news instead of chopping down trees to spread the word at Christmas time. We were watching Grumpy Old Men the other night and had a quiet chuckle when they spoke about the dreaded Christmas Newsletter. To all the Grumpy Old Men or Ladies in our lives, please don't read on from here.
2005
The new year started off quietly in the Powell house, as quiet as it can be with a 2 year old and 2 month old. Fran recovered well from the birth and we were making changes and modifications to the house to adapt and live as comfortably as possible. Caleb was a noisy sleeper, so much so that we ended up moving out of our bedroom and into the lounge room to get some quiet. Why wasn't he in his room we hear you ask? Simple, our 2 year old daughter Kayla wasn't the greatest of sleepers so we had to make sure she wasn't woken up by the constant feeds and therefore our room was it. Why not put him in the lounge room we hear you ask again? Our old cat Emma has the run of the house, and new babies and cats don't mix. So it was just easier for us and it was like going on a holiday waking up in a different room that you are not use to for a few weeks. Kayla and Caleb are both thriving and keeping us on our toes. Kayla has a busy life planned next year. Playgroup with Caleb on Mondays, Tina on Tuesday mornings, 3 Year Old Knidy without Caleb on Wednesdays, Swimming on Thursdays and who knows what she will be up to on Friday. They will both be very busy indeed.
The new year started off quietly in the Powell house, as quiet as it can be with a 2 year old and 2 month old. Fran recovered well from the birth and we were making changes and modifications to the house to adapt and live as comfortably as possible. Caleb was a noisy sleeper, so much so that we ended up moving out of our bedroom and into the lounge room to get some quiet. Why wasn't he in his room we hear you ask? Simple, our 2 year old daughter Kayla wasn't the greatest of sleepers so we had to make sure she wasn't woken up by the constant feeds and therefore our room was it. Why not put him in the lounge room we hear you ask again? Our old cat Emma has the run of the house, and new babies and cats don't mix. So it was just easier for us and it was like going on a holiday waking up in a different room that you are not use to for a few weeks. Kayla and Caleb are both thriving and keeping us on our toes. Kayla has a busy life planned next year. Playgroup with Caleb on Mondays, Tina on Tuesday mornings, 3 Year Old Knidy without Caleb on Wednesdays, Swimming on Thursdays and who knows what she will be up to on Friday. They will both be very busy indeed.
HOLIDAYS
This year we went on 2 holidays. In January we went down to Nannup for some peace and quiet after the traumas associated with Caleb and Olivia's birth. We stayed at the Blackwood River Cottages and we were able to kick back and relax for a week in a lovely cottage by the river. We had a few challenges, Kayla had to make a few adjustments to sleeping in a bed. So much so that she decided to sleep in the car one day because she didn't like the bed. The possums at night kept us awake and made us appreciate the well behaved possums in our back yard. Nowhere near as noisy. We were able to catch up with Andrew and Camille in Balingup, Rob and Jodie in Bunbury and of course Chris and Louise in Nannup. In July we were also able to spend a few days down south. Stephens friend Jeanette in Donnybrook always said that we could stay if they went away for a holiday. So we took up Jeanette and Daves offer to house sit for a few days. Well, the house was great however the weather was terrible, Kayla and Caleb didn't sleep well due to colds so we were amazed that we got anything done. We always love popping into Bridgetown and having a look around. Kayla was so excited that we were staying in Donnybrook because of the apple trees. So much so that we had to have a photo of her taken next to an apple tree. The thought of going on another holiday in the not so distant future isn't looking promising and in all reality, a holiday with a 3 year old and a one year old isn't much fun.
STEPHEN's WORK
Stephen had a wonderful year working with a great bunch of year 2 students. This year he had his level 3 teaching status and was lucky to be placed with a fellow teacher who was interested in teaching both classes collaboratively. Both classes combined to be one by the end of the year. The work load was reduced, Stephen was less frazzled and the children loved having 2 teachers instead of one. In 2006 Fran is returning to work at the Tax Office. She can't wait! She will be working 4 days a week. Stephen on the other hand has reduced his hours to a day and a half. He has managed to stay out of the classroom for the year working as Learning Support Coordinator (A role he doesn't really know what is involved) and his half day level 3 time working with staff. Tuesdays will be hectic with both going off to work and we have the wonderful Tina looking after Caleb and Kayla until lunchtime. Financially there won't be any great gains but we will write these years off as nonprofit financially but profitable in terms of family and home (We hope).
CLIPSON CRESCENT
There have been very few changes to the house this year. The garden is getting more and more established with never ending weeding. The rain this year has certainly been a bonus for Perth, but we just wish the weeds would lay off. Luckily the bush, block setting allows us to hide these little sins. We had the house valued after discussions re: suitability for 2 adults and 2 children in the future. We were most impressed with the value however we didn't like any of the options for moving. So we are looking into extending just to give us that little bit of extra space. This is a long way down the track. So watch this space.
STEPHEN's WORK
Stephen had a wonderful year working with a great bunch of year 2 students. This year he had his level 3 teaching status and was lucky to be placed with a fellow teacher who was interested in teaching both classes collaboratively. Both classes combined to be one by the end of the year. The work load was reduced, Stephen was less frazzled and the children loved having 2 teachers instead of one. In 2006 Fran is returning to work at the Tax Office. She can't wait! She will be working 4 days a week. Stephen on the other hand has reduced his hours to a day and a half. He has managed to stay out of the classroom for the year working as Learning Support Coordinator (A role he doesn't really know what is involved) and his half day level 3 time working with staff. Tuesdays will be hectic with both going off to work and we have the wonderful Tina looking after Caleb and Kayla until lunchtime. Financially there won't be any great gains but we will write these years off as nonprofit financially but profitable in terms of family and home (We hope).
CLIPSON CRESCENT
There have been very few changes to the house this year. The garden is getting more and more established with never ending weeding. The rain this year has certainly been a bonus for Perth, but we just wish the weeds would lay off. Luckily the bush, block setting allows us to hide these little sins. We had the house valued after discussions re: suitability for 2 adults and 2 children in the future. We were most impressed with the value however we didn't like any of the options for moving. So we are looking into extending just to give us that little bit of extra space. This is a long way down the track. So watch this space.
ANNIVERSARIES
This year was marked by many anniversaries. We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary in April. We also remembered Olivia's passing in July and the day we were told in August and the moment Caleb and Olivia were born. Each annerversary was touched by sadness however we got through them well and paid tribute to Olivia's memory yet we celebrated the life of our wonderful boy Caleb. Thank you to all our friends and family who supported us through this difficult time.
ILLNESS
This year has been a shocker for illness in the Powell House. Stephen has calculated that he was sick with a variety of illnesses over 18 weeks. Kayla and Caleb were also infected by a variety of illnesses. Fran managed to keep going throughout. As a result Stephen lost 9 Kilograms without trying. We think his miraculous weight loss was due to a combination of the illnesses and less alcohol due to financial constraints! Not a diet that we would recommend.
This year has been a shocker for illness in the Powell House. Stephen has calculated that he was sick with a variety of illnesses over 18 weeks. Kayla and Caleb were also infected by a variety of illnesses. Fran managed to keep going throughout. As a result Stephen lost 9 Kilograms without trying. We think his miraculous weight loss was due to a combination of the illnesses and less alcohol due to financial constraints! Not a diet that we would recommend.
FINALE
2005 has been a relatively uneventful year thankfully and we hope that you have discovered a little more by reading this Blog. Stephen,Fran, Kayla and Caleb send you all butterful kisses and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
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