Crazy that no matter how I plan or how prepared I try and be, things don't always work the way I had intended.

Take this new blog for example, its Sunday night (the only time I have to write this entry), its now 11pm and my early night is not going to plan. After many hours of frustration and issues trying to upload my photos I gave up and just emailed them to myself (5 at a time), then saved each one..... individually....... grrrrrr. But I'm finally here and ready to do this, for as long as I can keep my eyes open.


So lets go back, we moved here to Tassie, we've had some super fun times,


The tribe

 Spending our days with all the cuzzies, running through sprinklers, camping, swimming, climbing, hiking.

There's been lots of love and laughter and of course (when you get 13 cuzzies together) lots of tears, arguments, tantrums, and disagreements) And that's just us adults, you should see how the kids behave.

  We've celebrated Ashleigh's 9th Birthday and Baptism. We've set short and long term goals (all of which are still on the drawing board) and settled in quite noisily to my big sis's house with her little Tribe. Okay little is definitely the wrong word.

Ashleigh on her baptism day with her Uncle Joe

My kids began at their new school, I began at Uni studying Enviro Science, the whole time being able to witness the home-school education that my nieces and nephews were having.


So in the short time we have been here, some major changes have already occurred. First I've dropped my studies back to Part Time (which I now realise was the best decision I ever made), to make way for major decision number 2 - to pull my two kiddies out of school and begin home-schooling them also.


This decision is one that I question daily, have I made the right decision? Am I capable to school my children? Am I prepared?

And daily I am convinced that yes, I have made the right decision. Sammy wont achieve his potential through the public system, a classroom of 27 children (a composite class) where his teacher believes his handwriting is at a grade 4 level not a grade 1, and this is somehow a disadvantage. How his perfectionate ways are holding him back when he should be allowed to achieve a standard of work that he feels is 'a job well done'. Yes it may take a bit more time as everything does at his age, but to spend that extra time and effort to perfect his work is a part of him that myself and his sister definitely do not possess, its just him, his little way of being the unique little Sammy that we love.

As for Ash Pash, she was always a great little student, never an issue. Her maths skills are awesome for her age and both her and I are excited to progress in this area with more vigour than she ever has before. I am constantly amazed at just how quickly her little mind can figure out and understand Maths equations. Two days ago while having lunch I did a pop quiz, beginning with addition and subtraction of complex numbers, all that she knew quite quickly, so I push on to Algebra, I could see her little mind working hard as she supplemented symbols for numbers and came up with the correct answer every time.

Her Writing on the other hand, now that definitely needs work, she's just messy, she writes so fast and seems to take no care in the writing that it comes out as quick as her mind thinks it, whereas Sammy's writing, although three years behind her, his is much neater and done with such precision that her will rub out any mistakes, though due to this he does not enjoy writing. We will definitely need to work on both of their writing to make sure its neat and tidy while still being enjoyable.

So my little family have been able to spend a few awesome days learning in an environment that they would seldom experience at school.

 

 Sammy on our snake spotting day at the wetlands

 

our classroom for the day

Every Wednesday is excursion day where we get together with the other home school families in the area for different activities and outings. If we don't meet up with the group we still have our own day out, Hiking and studying at the Catarac Gorge was our first Geography study session, not to mention our physical activity for the day. We also went snake spotting at the wetlands a few

What an amazing place for a swim

days back which turned out to be very productive and an amazing way to spend a warn Tassie day.

So my days are filled with children and my nights with Maths and Chemistry. Sunday nights I have reserved for this blog which is why I am still sitting here at 12:24am trying to figure out why my laptop is having evil moments and not allowing me to add any more photos to this blog.

I apologise for the construction of this nights entry, I did have a set format but as most things tonight that too seems to have been flushed down the loo :)

Till next time, have a great week and study hard :)












                                                                                                                                                              

How Life Changes

Well considering its been three years since my last blog, I guess I can officially say that I am terrible at keeping on track with things, well in the past. Now things have changed and this blogging will become a regular enjoyable interest. (well here's hoping)
An update I guess is needed, so here we go.
We have moved to Tassie...... Yeehaa!!!!!!!!!!

Yeehaa, we have arrived, Ash n Sam
with their cousins Chelsea and Archie

Finally.
Years and years of yearning to move here and we have finally made it. It all happened very quickly. One day I was talking to my big sis about following my dreams and studying in an area that has always interested me, next thing I was applying for University Of Tasmania and making plans in case I was accepted.
Which I was :)
So our two week holiday that we had already planned turned into so much more, planning and organising, doubting and excitement, more doubting and excitement.
We have now been here for a month and have loved every minute of our newest adventure.
I definitely think of home a little, how can I not. We made the move here when everything at home was perfect (or pretty close to).
The kids were both settled in a great school and loving it. Sammy had just finished his first year and had made a good bunch of friends. Ash was growing in her character and had some very close friends, two especially that she has found it hard to leave behind. Ash had been having regular weekly hospital visits and is finally walking with flat feet, a long process of night casting and full casting for months (she is still in night casts). Her Physio and paediatrician are amazing and I now need to take the necessary steps to ensure she receives the same great treatment here.


The kids had their swimming school that they have attended for years, a school that I believe were the best (no bias there). Shawns Swim School for anyone back home who wants an awesome swim school :)
They had both begun piano lessons with an amazing teacher and amazing man, Adam Howes.

Sammy had started Little Athletics at Werribee and I saw an amazing program with amazing little athletes and amazing trainers that Sammy could access. His Athletics has become his greatest love and interest and in such a short time he had (and myself) made some amazing new friends. One in particular that he just adored and wants to keep in contact with. When I watched him and a couple of these close friends, I visioned his future with these boys... great buddies, relay team, always on each others heels and keeping each other going with their competitive love for the sport and each other.

I do hope he finds the same love and enjoyment and friendships here.

Sammy with little zoe
Jan 2016

Alex my bestie now has a beautiful little girl Zoe, whom we are going to miss dearly. Saying goodbye to her before our holiday, knowing that we may not return was one of the hardest things Ive had to do.

We had our karate, we had our mates, amazing mates who I miss terribly, we had mum and dad there which is always a huge comfort. And most of all our Dog Jazz. She is staying with my dad till we move all out things over here. (we are currently staying with my sister and her family until we move). Our family is missing a member with our puppy being so far away and we are all missing her terribly.


So we have left all that behind, something I would never have done if my sisters and brother in laws and 11 nieces and nephews weren't here. Nothing else could have made me leave it all behind and start anew. But we have and we are here and we are excited to begin a new life here, make new friends, form new bonds, become members of a new community and new clubs. 


This space will now become dedicated to documenting this new change, this new lifestyle and all that it entails. As I have made the decision to home-school my children and study part time at Uni I will now be blogging our daily - weekly learning's and excursions, our progression and our failings and everything in-between.

Ash and Sam on our first home-schooling excursion.
26/02/2016 lookout duck reach trail

Right, where to start, once again as with most things in my life, I begin with a desire and then next thing I know months have gone by with nothing to show. Hopefully this time I can keep this blog thing going for longer that just the one entry :)
My main intention for beggining my blog last year was to keep track of my weight loss and healthier lifestyle, figuring that by blogging all, there was no hiding or being slack.
Happy to say that my initial intention is no longer needed as I am a healthier, fitter, slimmer me ... YAY.
I guess I'll begin again with today.... one on my usual trying, challenging days. My little three year old boy Samuel Dettmer (thats what I call him when hes being naughty) has morphed into a little green, googly, prickly monster, (which has become a common occurance for him).
We moved into our new home about 6 months ago, my best bud has moved in with us till she finishes uni at the end of the year, so for now my two lil ones are sharing a room ..... bad, bad, bad in soooooo many ways. Bed time was always strictly 7pm and was never an issue till now. Most nights they are still awake at 9- 9:30pm. I blame this for Samuels rapid morphing. Most days he is very sweet and soooo helpful (thats what I tell him), and always gorgeous and cheeky but then there are the days like today where I want to hide in my room with the curtains closed and a big bucket of ice -cream.

Like right now, I had to run outside to grab his half eaten shoe off the dog because once again he has left them laying around (something I remind him of everyday, actually 3-4 times a day would b more acurate), that now takes his eaten shoe total to 4 in the last two months......... wheres that ice-cream???
Here is my little monster looking all cute and precious.

 I have been looking into day care for one or two days a week, for my own sanity as well as his. I am in two minds about this. His paediatrician believes that its necessary to help teach him how to play and share a little better, and I'm starting to believe that a little absence from him will help me be a better mother (better tempered that is). Then I think of the other mothers out there who really do need a break, those with more kiddies, or children with some kind of special needs, in any area, those that really do need that constant supervision and monitoring and I feel ungrateful and selfish.
He certainly is a little character and of course I wouldnt ever want him to change. He is very strong willed and stubborn (another trait picked up from his Auntys :) )
   

I do remember when Ash was young and I was having a trying time with her. One day I said a fervent prayer for more patience...... and I was blessed with Samuel :)         I usually find myself looking at rental properties in Tasmania on days like today, knowing that somehow everything would be a little more simple if I could pop in and have a vent and lil chat to one of my sisters.                                                   Other than Samuels crazy day, my lil Ash has been an angel (it does help that she was at school all day), she seems to put her lil angel wings on when Sams being a ratbag, offering to help me where she can, even promising Sammy something sweet like one of her party lollies, or a stamp if he behaves, she always manages to calm my whole mood down.                

 So we will see what kind of day tomorrow is, Sammy will go straight into my bed tonight and Ash into hers so hopefully Ash can at least get more sleep and wake refreshed for school, they are off to their dads for the weekend which is awesome, the timimg couldnt have been more needed or appreciated, I might have a sleep in, late night, some much neede girlfriend time and of course a day at the surf beach, soooo excited, I'm like a little kid waiting and hanging out for the weekend parties and activities :)

So it starts

Right, so I've finally decided to start a blog, though still trying to figure out how this all works, I think I'll be calling my big sis soon to ask her for a few tips.
I guess I'll start with a bit about myself. Toni Dettmer, 30 years young and a single mother of two beautiful little kiddies, Ashleigh -5 and Sammy -2, who at the moment is distracting me and pulling me away from getting this done by shoving dvds into the dvd player. Okay so now hes sorted with a crayon and chugginton picture, should keep him busy for all of 5 mins.
I'm currently living in Werribee with my folks though mum is looking to move to Tassie so I will soon be moving back over to the Peninsula so the kiddies can be closer to their dad and his family, excited for the change though a little apprehensive about pulling Ash out of school and starting somewhere new. I didnt cry when she started as a preppy this year, she had a friend in her class and was so excited. I think Im gonna blubber though when she starts a new school mid year, knowing noone and taken out of her comfort zone.

My  two lil rascals

Always wanting to be the centre of attention, a bit like her Auntys.

So apart from writing about my kiddies, my main reason for creating this blog is to keep a record of my weight loss over the coming 6 months, I have a goal to loose 15 kg in that time and figure by writing about it all on here, I would be more motivated to put my head down, butt up and work really hard, no hiding now from my big sis. =)
Last year I did well and lost about 11kg but have since have slipped back and put on 6kg in the last past 5 months. It all ends today (the putting on weight part), and also starts today, a healthier, happier life. I will be eating as healthy as possible, 5 times a day, smaller portions.. blah, blah, blah you know the drill. oh and of course excercise everyday, rain, hail or shine, which shouldnt be too hard considering most of my excercise will be indoors for a while. Mum had a hip replacement not too long ago and is still a little more immobalised than usual, so till shes back in full swing I cant expect her to be able to watch the kiddies while I go off and excercise... so its the cross trainer all the way for now.
So Day 1 has been okay soo far, the eating has been good but no excercise as yet, I'll make sure I get some in tonight. Little Sammy has a party to attend later today so I have to b very good and keep my eyes and mouth away from all the yummy kiddie food.
Signing off for today xoxo

This is the only photo I could find of me at my current weight though its hard to tell, actually I'm probably about a kilo heavier now, but stay tuned for more sexy shots.