Clan Laubscher

Andreas and I have recently returned from a short trip to nz.

In addition to seeing precious family, we got to view our house in one piece for the first time. She is desperate for building work and a lot of love but oozes potential. It is very difficult being back in sydney whilst she sits and waits. Regular lottery ticket purchases start now!

All of the kids continue to drain and infuriate but as parents we hang in there for the sporadic surges of love, affection and amusement they bring. Just the other day the pre-school teachers asked the children “What does a dentist do”? Elmo whipped up his hand and answered “he does crack”. One can only think this response came from the memory of Otis cracking his tooth some time ago, resulting in its removal but what must the teachers think?!

Mitchell has been cast for the lead role in his school production. It’s a play of several Chinese myths. I can’t wait to see him in action.

Following in her big brothers new footsteps, Ursula was recently accepted on the books of an acting-modelling agency. Her gregarious persona and love of the spotlight should lend her well. At 16 months, you’re never too young!

Ursula has also started her first swimming lessons and the compliments from the teacher and other parents was almost embarrassing. She is a definite water baby and swimming rings around her more experienced pool mates.

Elmo is currently at the “verbal diarrhoea” stage of childhood. His interests seem to have (finally) moved away from trains. Dinosaurs, monsters and cooking cakes now seem to occupy most of his thoughts.

Otis continues to assert himself when necessary, and even when not. He, too, has re-commenced swimming lessons and is NOT enjoying it one bit (nor are any of the other pool goers who are subjected to his tantrums). And nor am I (who has to take him along). But we’ll persist and hope for an improvement.

Andreas is attending short courses in photography through the ACP. His current class teaches the students how to develop their own film - a refreshing change from digital.

We recently moved from our old house in Tempe to a new build in St Peters. We’re still renting. The move to NZ date is up in the air currently as quotes arrive in to make the NZ abode habitable. A few tough decisions ahead. Why can’t we just have it all?!

It’s been a long time coming and the day finally arrived for our new home to journey over a mountain range to our land in Masterton!

Day one and I landed just in time to see the first storey (in two pieces) come down the street at an obscene 3.30am. She landed gracefully and was left to stand overnight.

The next morning was a case of joining the two halves together - a rather amazing sight to witness. Stilts were placed to raise her up and the holes for over 100 piles were dug underneath by the 10-odd workers. Insulation was inserted under the house to help protect us from those chilly NZ winters.

Day 3 (today) saw the top storey arrive - again in two pieces. These were joined and the roof apex craned onto the top. Bracings for the piles were applied.

Tomorrow marks the lowering of the bottom storey onto it’s piles where it will sit for generations to come.

A massive crane arrives on Monday to lower the top storey onto it’s mate and viola - one grand old home in her new location.

The tragedy here is having to wait until April 2011 to move in!

Christmas, anniversaries and birthdays (almost) are done and dusted for another year. Here comes February!

We spent 6 days in NZ - just long enough to wander over to our paddocks to survey the bare land one last time before the house is placed. Our little red robin trees that we planted the Christmas before have grown about a metre. A ways to go yet for any real privacy but it’s a healthy start.

The kids were thoroughly spoilt by Nana and Grandad. And it was great to catch up with old school friends who stopped by from Auckland and Germany. A cuddle with my nephew was also a highlight of the trip.

Mitchell flew back to Sydney with us and we’ve had the pleasure of his company for a month. The place won’t feel the same when he leaves. I jokingly said to Andreas the other day that you know you are getting old when your eldest son reminds you of guys you used to date.

Elmo is 3 years now and we’re all but begging to get him out of nappies. Not only is that 6 nappy changes per day less for us (out of approx 18) but (more importantly) it means he can progress and enter preschool.

His language at the moment is a real treat. I took him to the Dr the other day and upon completion of the examination Elmo flew out of the office (a packed reception of patients waiting) and paused for me at the building exit. Several “C’mon Mum”’s later as I was waiting to pay were followed by a very stern “C’mon Mum or you’ll get a BIG smack”! A brilliant shade of red flushed face from neck up.

Otis turns 2 years old today. His nature can be summed up in two words - adorable and cranky. One or the other, there is no in between with Otis. If he isn’t making you laugh out loud with his looks or his laugh, he is making you wish child abandonment were legal, but only until he becomes adorable again.

Ursula can now stand unaided and has launched herself onto the couch a couple of times. She kindly removes any need to set a daily alarm clock, waking and rousing the household just prior to the sun rising. She also does a cracking impersonation of a resident unfed animal constantly scouring the floor for anything she can put in her mouth and devouring any bits of food that the boys care to drop. Should they not leave her any, she isn’t shy at muscling her way in and just taking from them what she wants.

Tomorrow we’ll be celebrating/commiserating our last Australia Day here. Those who know me may have heard me knock this country once or twice but it’s all just friendly sibling rivalry and meant in good spirits (mostly, with the exception of rugby union). Australia has been so very good to me. It is here that I found my husband and produced some pretty amazing kids. The climate is supreme and the friends we have made are once-in-a-lifetime kind of people. I think I “speak” for all of us when I say that we will miss alot about this place. But new challenges await. They say that the only thing you can rely on in life is change. And I read my 2010 horoscope so I remain pleasantly optimistic about the year ahead!

This time of year always seems to fly as we approach the festive season. For our household, birthdays and anniversaries are also on the radar just because life isn’t hectic enough. And we have been recently spoiled with visits from loved ones.

Mitchell and Dad have been and gone. I was so proud of Mitchell to finally take the plunge (so to speak) and fly alone. He loved it of course - much to Nana’s disappointment; she no longer is needed to be the escort.

This most recent trip of Mitchell’s was certainly the best one yet. On his past holidays to Sydney I’ve either been heavily pregnant (and not much fun) or have just given birth (and stressed to the eyeballs). But as the family is now established and we all know our routines, Mitchell and I had an opportunity spend good quality time together and enjoy each other’s company. The highlight for him was most likely the arse whipping he gave me at ten pin bowling.

During Mitchell’s visit it was unfortunate that we had a whooping cough scare with Ursula. That saw us come home early from a farmstay we were all enjoying but we’re heading back there again in January (when Mitchell comes for an entire month!)

Dad got to see his grandsons again and also meet the lovely Ursula. Unfortunately, the farewell evening dinner of Indian did some unpleasant things to Dad’s system which ended the trip on a bit of a flat note but he’s back home and back to usual health.

Given Mum missed out on the recent visit, we surprised her with an early birthday present of a flight over. She arrives next week and staying for a few days. I’m very excited and I’m sure Mum will find her daughter much better company this trip.

My studies have gone on hold now the time is here to organise the house relocation from Woburn to Masterton. It’s still slow going on dealing with overseas contractors but the deadline to get house from A to B is set in stone for March 2010. So it’s happening!

Andreas has a fairly significant photo shoot coming up that he is prepping for. The website is still in development but should be ready soon.

I’m looking forward to the company shutdown over Christmas. A break will be most welcomed.