Graduations one and two

Two afternoons spent in two hot school gyms - at least number one son's gym had air conditioning - watching hundreds of lovely teenagers try to co-ordinate walking and shaking hands and taking their folders while trying not to smile too much.



The college graduation was excellent; such clever children. It's a public (state) school but is very strong academically and really encourages the smart ones. The boy who was dux had an incredible list of what he'd achieved and the kids just applauded him to the skies - both my husband and I said afterwards that at our state schools in the 1980s it would not have been such a rousing chorus of approval for academic achievement.

Number one son got a really good end of year result and cleared the score he needed to trigger his conditional offer for engineering at university, which is exactly what he wanted! We are so proud of him because he set his mind on a goal and worked incredibly hard.



I held it together mostly, except he sat next to and walked up next to Thomas, who was his best friend from ages 4 - 10, largely because their surnames start with the same letter and on the first day of school they sat next to each other! And here they were, nearly 13 years later, alphabetised again. Thomas went to a different high school so they're no longer best friends, but happy to chat and share a laugh. It really did hit me with a hammer blow just how much time has passed.



Number two's graduation from high school was way more relaxed - no future careers depending on grades for this lot! He did very well too, his marks were good, and he did receive one individual award - for Personal Achievement in International Cuisine!!!! He really did love that class, it would surprise no-one to hear. But, as he pointed out, he did four years of high school in three years, which makes him super smart by anyone's calculation, and he certainly had a crackingly good time.

Trip around the world baby

Sadly not "It's a trip around the world, baby!" as an early christmas present, but a scrappy trip around the world baby quilt for a pregnant lady here at work. It is made entirely from leftovers from other projects, which is suitable, as she is very good at recycling and sustainability.

Held up by  number two son inside, because it has been obscenely hot and smokey. There are a lot of big fires to the east, and when we get an easterly the smoke rolls in. The air quality is officially 'hazardous' and Australia had its hottest ever day this week. Roads to the coast are closed and likely to be so for some weeks off and on due to active fires and trees on the road ... all a bit depressing. Luckily I have so much work to do that I'll be in the office pretty much every day until the end of January, so at least I'll get airconditioning.

This quilt turned out very pretty and cheerful. And won't show the stains!!! Babies, hahahaha....

Another melilot

I said I made two melilot shirts - the pink one without a collar and here is the green one with a collar. I made this one first and it's a bit tight around my swollen left arm.

I think I prefer without a collar, although it might just be that this one was the tester and it is a bit sketchy on the sewing. It's a printed rayon from Spotlight which drapes well and I love the colour - but it was an absolute bugger to work with. Slippery as anything and some of my cutting was decidedly dodgy.



Oh god more classy clothing shots. I am not into standing elegantly looking off to the side with my ankles crossed in the indie-pattern approved manner. However, this shirt is better than it looks - the length and shape of it is great on me - and very comfortable. I think I'll make more! Pattern winner!

Visitors

My brother and his wife came to visit us last week as part of an Australian extravaganza that included Elton John in Melbourne! I don't know how exciting Canberra was in comparison, but we had cheese and beer, so all good.

We went to the opening of a Reg Mombassa exhibition, which is a blast from the 80s and 90s that my husband loved.



We went out to Tidbinbilla to do a nature walk, which was very depressing because there is NO water. The dams and ponds have just about dried out, and the bush is tinder dry. There's not even any moisture in the soil, and you can see why the country is about burning down at the moment. Canberra has had several days of thick smoke haze and it's horrible.



This photo is over the stream where number one told his brother there were turtles and then when he bent over he pushed him in. No chance of that now - there's not any water just dirt and grass. We went to Costco (no photos, because really) and they did a bit of shopping, watched a bit of TV and played a bit of cards. I tried to leave work early with limited success...it was lovely to have them stay.

And another formal

Number two son went off to his year 10 formal on Tuesday. In the Australian Capital Territory School system you do seven years of primary school, four years of high school and two years of college so there are formals at the end of high school (year 10) and again at the end of college (year 12). It is very exciting for the 15/16 year olds, and they all looked super gorgeous.

Number two decided to rock an H&M grey suit, hawaiian shirt and one of his dad's ties (which he had picked out as a christmas present a year or two ago). We went round for pre-drinks to one of his friends' place (alcohol for the parents, thank you very much) and saw a dozen of the wee glamorous creatures. They don't wear dinner suits or formal gear by and large, just suits, although one young man looked very spiffing in a three piece with waistcoat and pocket chain. The girls were mostly in slimline full-length dresses and looked just lovely. Yes, he is much taller than his dad.

Number two had a great time, danced a lot then had an after party at another friends' house with a heated pool (!fancy!who are these people?) so they all had an unscheduled midnight swim. Today he's going into school to practice their performance for the final assembly tomorrow, which is followed by Pool Day, and then high school is finished except for the graduation next week.

December!!!!!

Where is the time going? I have spent the last few months organising a conference that will be in the second week of January, and it is starting to speed up and get a bit serious. It is all perfectly under control (or as much as it can be) but the reality is starting to kick in, and it's only going to get worse.

In the meantime normal end-of-year things go on. Last week was the Year 12 formal for number one son. He wore the same suit as for his Year 10 formal, and a new shirt from the Zara sale rack. He looks super spiffing, and he said he had a great time. Yesterday he went to play Laser Tag and today he's off to his usual dungeons and dragons Tuesday. I am not sure how much of a holiday he gets before he needs to Find a Job, but apparently there are a few things in the pipeline.



Handsome son and daggy fat mum. And we are inching towards kitchen renewal with benchtop and cupboard samples! There are forty shades of white, I should have guessed. We are comparing them over sunlight and natural light and artificial light but honestly? We don't really care and whatever we pick will be uninspired. White, off white, natural white, bright white, arctic white, soft white .... aaaaaargh.