the new member of the family

"Bender"

yes he is named after the futurama robot


Is the new addition to the family. He is a Borador, which is a border collie x labrador. So far he is settling in nicely. He loves to play with all the family, especially Belle.

We hope they will be great friends.

new mw

Education for the future

With the recent decision to change schools for both emily and hannah, it has been a rewarding and exciting journey. One I was not sure to take, but so glad we did.

If no one has seen the doco " Shift Happens" it is a fascinating piece of info, of statistics for education in the future.

As I sat watching it, it brought me back to my day at primary school, and how so much has changed and rightly needs to change for one to survive in todays modern world.


Computers / Technology. This area is a huge difference. In primary school I would never have known what a email was, or the internet in general. probably not even a computer. Today, kids are taught from prep all these things and more. Interactive whiteboards are now in place, due to health issues. I remember the projector screens and chalkboards. School reports and newsletters are now online to see. The schools have their own websites and emails.


Environment A big focus is now towards schools having environmental programs put in place. Children are taught of water saving, green gases, recycling etc. Em and han's school have a worm farm, chook pen, and a frog pond. The schools themselves now are rated on their energy stars. I remember eating outside for lunch. This is no longer the norm, to prevent rubbish in school grounds. Buckets are now put under the taps to save water.


Languages, Kids are now taught from prep a LOTE. I remember learning german from grade 7. em and han will be learning Italian.


Health sunsmart policy, if you don't have a hat you can't go outside. Being aware of bringing peanut butter to school for kids who have nut allergies. What kids bring in lunchboxes. kids free fruit day on fridays. Bullying programs are now in place.


Out of Hours school care program. before and after school,



Grade 6 buddy in prep. I don't rember having one or being one.





Canteen, would never have had sushi rolls. Kids have alot more healthy choices today.


Society in general has changed,and will continue to change.It is a generational cycle. It will be interesting to see when our kids have kids, of what the education system will be like then.

I Did it

Phew....... its all over.

The melbourne marathon and a piercing.

The marathon was an amazing experience. I would recommend to anyone that they should try it. The atmosphere alone was exhilarating. having people clap and cheer you on , you felt you where in the olympics. Although I did not run the full 42kms, I managed to run 32kms and walked the rest.
It was a fantastic learning curve for next year. Yes I am already thinking of it.
It was very inspiring to see all types of runners and abilities especially, the lady who was 77 and decided to do her first marathon. herself and the 3 other older runners who had run all 30 marathons, was a great focus to get to the finishing line.

The first person to cross the line was at 2 hours and 33 min. I was along way behind and finished in 5 hours and 25mins.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Husband Mark who has been a great support along the way. It has not been easy on him with my training , but without him I would never have been able to get there, So thanks Marky.

Also to my kids who have helped me along the way too. It was great that both Emily and Hannah told both their teachers and friends the next day that " Mum won a race ". I hope it has inspired them, that you can acheive anything.

Thanks to all the friends and family who gave lots of encouragement and well wishes, it was great.

So my next run is alot shorter in distance. 8km run at the maroondah hospital. I am hoping to do that one in under a hour :)

As for celebrating the marathon, apart from eating alot of chocolate I went and got my beauty spot pierced. What I was nervous about seemed silly as it didn't even hurt.

I am looking forward to been able to take it out and put a nice diamond stud in it. It seems abit chunky at the moment.

Now i will have to think of something else to do...... perhaps a tattoo?


cheers

To pierce or not too pierce......that is the question ?

Having turned 30, ok I am now 31, has made me evaluate a List of things I would like to acheive in my lifetime.

One of many, is to get a piercing, other than the ones I have in my ears.

Having Dabbled on the decision for awhile,

my first reaction was to get my nose pierced, so I Jumped on the net and researched the topic.

Firstly I was amazed with where on your body you can be pierced!! With Bits and pieces I didn't know you could be.

This got me thinking that perhaps a nose piercing is not for me.

I know I don't want a piercing that is overally big, in a spot that I couldn't fathom, ugly for me,or leave a huge scar, when or if I become bored of it.

This is when I came across the Beauty spot.

What a gorgeous little stud to have in your upper lip, and is something just that little bit different.

Having now decided this is the one I want, and researched the procedure, I now have to pluck up the courage to get it done.

I have had countless offers from friends to come with me to get it done, for support

but the biggest hurdle for me to overcome is the pain issue. This seems really silly to me, as I have had 3 kids, and what could be more painful than that.

So I am now at the cross roads. To pierce or not to pierce.........

A quick update for the melbourne show. Em and Han enjoyed the melbourne show. They reached the showbag decision at the end of the day. It was a hard choice but both decided with a little bit of Marks help on the Hubba Bubba, Wizzfizz, Sunny boy, and big bang. Hayden had his first showbag too which was the bertie beetle, Aah I still remember them when I was a kid.

After visiting the displays, animals, rides etc, we asked the kids what they enjoyed the most.

The showbags was the hit. ... not much changes from when I was a kid :0

the stevens family

Welcome to our first stevens family blog. Having seen and heard of the blogging scene, we have decided to dabble into the unknown.Also it is a great way for us to keep up with family and friends who we don't get to see very often, the ongoings of our family lives.

Being new to this please, excuse the drabs and dribbles and spelling mistakes.

Our latest news to date for each family member is as follows.

Mark, is currently very busy with his training for a big squash tornament to be held in Oct with his brother Craig. The winner receives $100 plus all of the glory. Good luck to them both, and keep you posted as to how it goes.

Emily an Hannah, are busy with the school holidays. the biggest excitment, plus for me bribes if they don't do as they are told is the Melbourne Show. The amount of hours and lists they have written down as to what showbags they want has been our main topic of conversation at the dinner table. Hubba bubba ,winx seem to be the favourites. Will keep you posted as to the final outcome of the show bag decision.

Hayden is well busy being Hayden. Being one and able to walk now, has not only being challenging for him but for me as well.Haydens latest craze is to help call Belle our dog inside from the back door. He even has the action of hitting his thigh whilst calling her in. very impressive.

Terrie, As for me I am almost to the end of training for the melbourne marathon. With only 13 days to go, I am looking forward to eatings lots of calories. Being the 1st to hopefully many, it has been a rewarding yet challenging journey,one I was not expecting with at times ready to give in.I certaintly have alot more respect for the athletes, especially the ones who have children. Will let you know how I go and being my first I just hope I can finish it.

Cheers from all of us from the Stevens Family