Happy Mother's Day

The magic of love noone can never deny.

Taylor with JPC Munchkin Maestros, 30 Apr 2009

Taylor Tamowicz, with the John Paul College Munchkin Maestros under Ms Gundi Kariks.

He started learning to play the violin in Sept 2008, 2 weeks before Term 4.  He initially wanted to learn the piano but couldn't get teacher.  Then one day came home from school and said he wanted to learn violin in Yr 3. However, there's a teacher available for violin so he took that on first.

When the schoolyear started this end of Jan 2009, he was joined into the JPC Munchkin Maestros.

It’s his first performance on 30 April 2009. He wasn't happy though because his older brother Alexander wasn't there to watch him due to school assignments. The same group will be performing again during Mayfair next Friday.

A public performance at SeaWorld Gold Coast with an overnight stay coming up by the end of the year which all the kids are excited about it. 

ANZAC Day 2009

ANZAC Day 2009 (w/ 202 Squadron of AAFC) The Video

Foto slideshow

Alexander Tamowicz with 202 Squadron of Australian Air Force Cadet during the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corpse) Day Ceremony on 25 April 2009.

It was the first time the said squadron's involvement at Springwood Park, in this very historical event.

It's the day commemorating what these fine men (Australians and New Zealanders) fought together in 1917 at Gallipoli, gave up their lives to have our young Australians FREEDOM which we all enjoy to this day. These same young Australians - the would be leaders of  TODAY...TOMORROW!

How We Survived the Term Break

Taylor                                         Matt           

Last summer, I happened to have a quick conversation with a stranger in a Kmart checkout, quoted 'that it’s far more expensive keeping kids at home than at school'. Put my breaks on and into a deep thought analyzing what just been said.

And then tonight I perused into a blog  and quote: ‘I probably didn't notice because I have all FIVE of my kids home ALL DAY LONG for Spring break. Two weeks. fourteen days. Lots and lots of hours. Not that I don't love my kids, lo...’

'Not that we don’t love our kids around us…' Over and over again, the same line as for everyone.

Right! How do we keep our kids away from boredom during their school break whether it is a week, 2 weeks, or summer? It is every parents predicament for whatever situation they’re in. There’s no race, color, marital status under this condition.

My 13-year-old son and 8-year-old son had been to the movies (Monster vs. Aliens) on their 2^nd day of Term 1 break.  During the week, had a friend slept over and they went to the bowling alley and watched the movie ‘Paul Blatt’.  Playing the Xbox, laptop, bike ride, and watching DVDs at home wasn’t enough to keep them away from the number one killer of all time -  BOREDOM.

Alexander 

Camping in the Family Room, playing the XBox.

I managed to get my 13-year-old son to re-do his Maths contract in preparation for his upcoming exams in Term 2 while my 8-year-old son into reading his borrowed books from the school library and practice his multiplication. 

Some days, the three of us went for 1 1/2 walk to the forest and less than an hour in the oval (which hopefully can do it during school time.) Correction! My 13-year-old rode his bike in which my 8-year-old felt left out or more so felt incapable in riding his bike. Though he can...it's more of me scared of him going downhill. I can't help being over-protective because he's so prone to accidents when he was younger.  My 13-year-old been riding a 26' bike since he was 5 1/2 years old...in downhill... Unlike my 8-year-old, just confidently rode his bike over a year ago.

The second week of the term break brought my 13-year-old friend again for another sleep over. This time they were contented to stay at home playing on their school laptop, Xbox, played hide-and-seek, and watched DVD ‘Australia’. It was raining outside that hindered them to go for a bike ride.

But the deal before having the friend around was for my 13-year-old to vacuum the house and his bedroom, cook breakfast/dinner (he loves doing it) though hopeless in keeping the kitchen clean after use as you can see...

while my 8-year-old to clean up his bedroom.

Bottom line I suppose, as long as we’re there to keep them safe and happy, can’t ask for more. The Term break is coming to an end in 4 days time, and we all survived it.

AAFC - Recruit Course, 2009 Mar

Trials & Tribulations: Hormones or Simply Plain Being Difficult

I had to work on Alexander really hard to make him finally agree to join Australian Air Force Cadet (though been planting the seed since he was in Yr 4). A bit of the battle cause he claimed his friends get to say what they want to do and not to do. On top of that:

Alexander: "Mom, you're not exactly a perfect mother." A typical shock on my part.

I replied: "Okay, why?"

Alexander replied: "Well, you make me do things that I don't want to do. My friends get to say what want to do and not want to do."

I replied: "Were you exactly a doting son who follows everything without complains? Did you make it easy for me so I can fulfill the role of a perfect mother?."

I added on: "Fair enough, did it make you a lesser person for doing things you claim you don't like? Cause the rewards in the end as you know was all for your benefit: Autralian Youth Choir International Tours twice to Europe; Vienna Boys Choir for a whole school Term missed; McDonald's Youngstar Award Achiever; being able to swim 900km due to your Junior Squad Swim training; joined Nippers, Tennis, Basketball...by the way the trips especially were the things you liked to do."

Alexander: "Yeah, I did things I want to do...BUT.."

I said: "This is the only way I can help you for your future. Your father is not exactly fit and we're old already. Do you want to graduate without a job security? And, it will develop your character, personality, discipline, intitiativeness."

"However, in my case...I see him saying 'NO' to something he hasn't tried yet and not knowing well the pros/cons."I put him to AAFC basically for discipline, initiativeness, leadership, obedience/recognition of authority, and other aspects of personality development, ...the CAREER OPPORTUNITY was just an added bonus that I found out later on.

It is a very important stage that he gets through this AAFC until graduation to/after UNI and enjoying it.

Like any parent who only wish the best for thier children. As for me, this was the only way I envisage on helping him curve his future...the rest is up to him to whether to follow that path or not.And the rest is history....hoping to God Alexander will do the right thing.

As of now, can't say...it is still in the process of TRIALS...

My Family 2009

imikimi - Customize Your World!

My Family 2009

imikimi - Customize Your World!