It's time to get extreme.

Today has been a big day at Chez Waffler, no, scrap that, today has been a HUGE day. Today my wee little Petal spread her wings and flew straight out of the nest and into a Prep class, her first day of full time school.

Le Artiste commenced Year Four but with the calm, cool demeanor of a seasoned pro. Well he is eight you know.

But there have been no tears, just smiles, old friends, new friends and the promise of lots of activities to keep their hungry little minds busy. All in all an excellent start to the new school year.

So this all got me to thinking, what lies ahead for Mama Waffler ? Well how about some extreme sports ? Now you may be forgiven for thinking, gosh Waffles, that's a little...urm...extreme don't you think ? But let me fill you in on a little detail that most of you don't already know. Back when Le Artiste was about two years old and Petal hadn't yet arrived on the scene, I decided that I was in a bit of a rut. I thought that I should try something new and challenging. Knitting ? I hear you suggest. Perhaps a spot of pottery ? What about painting your toenails red instead of pink ? Well yes, all good and valid suggestions, but no, I decided to take up rock climbing.

Why rock climbing ? I don't really know, I just thought that it looked like fun. Surely you've thought the same whilst watching a person dangling by their fingernails from the edge of a cliff.

Anyhoo, off I tootled to the indoor rock climbing centre, booked myself in for private lessons with a fairly easy on the eye instructor (ah yes, I am a mother but I most certainly am not blind), and began scaling rock walls. Yes I'll be the first to admit that as I hung from a rock wall which was parallel to the floor, with my instructors hands on my derriere, I did take a minute to wonder what on earth I was doing. But overall I really enjoyed the experience (no, not JUST the instructors hands on my derriere) and had a fabulous day when we finally went on an outdoor climb. Even the abseiling was fun.

So, now that I can cross rock climbing off the list I have found some other prospective sports which I am sure are just perfect for a 30 *ahem* something mother of two.

Base Jumping - Putting on my Super Girl costume and leaping off a tall building, praying that I remembered to put the parachute on under my cape.

Cliff Jumping - Putting on swimmers....oh...hang on...swimmers ? No scrap that one, anything that involves swim wear is waaaay too out there.

Free Running - Umm, running, freely, kind of, I think, with the odd back flip off a building and some monkey climbing that would make Donkey Kong proud.

Ice Climbing - Just like a rock, only icy.

Kitesurfing - Balancing on a board and flying an enormous kite whilst jumping over waves and dodging sharks, stingrays and deadly jelly fish...oh oops, swimmers again, no good.

Sand boarding - Balancing on a board and flying down sand dunes whilst avoiding sunstroke, scorpions, snakes and the odd camel.

Snow Kiting - See Kitesurfing, except colder due to the, ah, snow. The plus side for snow kiting over kitesurfing, no swim wear, unless you are crazy extreme and possibly a little bit deranged.

Now how on earth one decides between such fabulous options I just don't know, perhaps I'll go and have a little hit of Wii virtual golf whilst I mull it over. Extreme ? You bet I am.

A few words for my son.

Dearest Le Artiste,

It would seem, at the grand old age of eight, that you have been blessed with keen powers of observation. Unfortunately you have not yet mastered the art of tact, so I thought now would be the perfect time for me to share some words of wisdom with you.

Here are ten comments/questions that no woman or girl EVER wants to hear. At the moment your giant brown puppy dog eyes may save you from a womans scorn, but in later years, if you don't heed my advice, you may need to learn to dodge oranges and raspberry slushies.

1. Are you turning into a man ? You are growing a moustache.

2. Ewww, grosse, I can see your knickers.

3. Woo hoo, show us your knickers *snigger snigger*.

4. Is that hair coming out of your nose or is there a spider crawling around in there ?

5. My bum's really small, but yours is very big.

6. How old are you ? No, REALLY, how old are you ?

7. Did you go to the hairdressers ? You look like a tiger.

8. Would you like to marry/go out with/ come on a date with me ? 'Cause Jessica/Olivia/Bertha already said "No."

9. Would you like a vacuum cleaner/toaster/lawn mower for your birthday ?

10. Wow, your mum/sister/Aunt Mabel is really hot.

I hope this advice serves you well.

All my love,

Mummy xx

And the winner is.....

With an air of anticipation but surprisingly little fanfare (where is that little drumming man when you need him ?) Miss Petal reached into the really, REALLY big yellow bowl and drew out the winning name for my giveaway. And the winner is.....

MS COPPER PATCH

2nd runner up is Amy Paul from LIFE WITH SOUL

3rd runner up is Cathy from M.E

Congratulations gals, I shall be in touch with all of you. Oh and for those of you scratching your heads and saying "Well that's lovely, but what does a runner up receive ?" Well, um, I would love to show you, but they're *ahem* not quite finished yet. For Amy and Cathy I will be sending off a wee ink and gouache illustration, one is a sweet little girl, the other is a pretty friendly looking pirate lad.

Thank-you to everybody who entered the giveaway and left such super sweet comments, you really are a rather lovely bunch of Peeps.

A Lovely Little Award

It is to acknowledge those that have a blog

and spend endless hours ensuring that other bloggers

get feedback on their blogs by leaving comments,

adding themselves as a follower or

dropping by just to let you know that there are people out there.

The super sweet Thea over at Do I Really Wanna Blog has given me my first ever little bloggy award, and isn't it a pearler. I must confess that I do like to leave a little trail of waffle comments in my wake. I think that it's nice to acknowledge another blogger's words and images, especially since I know it can feel a little disheartening to see a big old 0 comments at the bottom of your posts.

There are quite a few people who I think should receive the 'You Are My Sunshine' award, but before I list them, I would like to thank each and everyone of you that has left a lovely comment over the last six months.

Firstly, I would like to mention Cindy from BugandPop, who has been popping by right from the get go and regularly leaving some kind words. Thanks Cindy, you're ace.

I would also like to mention : LolaNova

Rick who is Awesome, but whose blog is currently archived

Melanie @ KimonoReincarnate &

Jodie @ MummyMayhem

Thanks Peeps, you really are my sunshine. x

100th Post and a Giveaway to Boot.

Prepare for the fanfare and pull out your leftover New Years Eve poppers y'all. This is it....my 100th blog post in this little patch of Blogland that I like to call my own. Who knew I had so much useless information to prattle on about ? Um...actually...I think one or two people may have had a fair idea, but do we listen to those who put their hands on their hips and say "We told you so," No, we do not.

I thought my 100th post would be the perfect opportunity for my first ever little giveaway. Sadly this will not consist of gold bullion or a new home decked out in naff but no doubt expensive furniture. For you, my dear reader, is something much more personal and well...sort of useless...but darn cute nonetheless. The ever-so-clever Ms Loobylu gave away some gorgeous tree ornaments just before Christmas, and I was so taken with these little darlings that I rushed online and picked up some wooden Dolly bases for myself.

There's something about little pieces of smooth painted wood that makes me smile. I like the way they feel in my hand and the gentle tapping noises they make when Le Artiste and Petal play with them. This may possibly make me a little strange, but I have an inkling that there are many other wooden toy lovers out there, am I right or am I right ?

So here she is, my little gift to you to say thank-you for stopping by and reassuring me that I am not, in fact, just talking to myself.

Now to the giveaway part, it's super easy, all you have to do to be entered into the draw, is leave a comment. Make sure you leave your email address if you don't have a link back to your blog and pop back in next Friday when I shall announce the winner. Too easy right ?

And who knows, I might even have a couple of little runners-up prizes.....a set of super sharp steak knives ? Well you'll just have to wait and see.

Thank-you Peeps, without you all it would just be...well, me. xx

New Year. New Look.

Well hello Bloggersphere and welcome to the fine old year of 2010.

Were you watching the days drift by and wondering if perhaps Waffles had been abducted by aliens or fallen into such a deep hole at the beach that she really had miraculously ended up in China ? Had such occurrences taken place I would gladly and with much enthusiasm regale you with my enthralling tales, but the truth is far more sedate I'm afraid.

I've been sticking my fingers in my ears and shouting "La la la, I can't hear you," when the kiddies games have turned from fun and frivolity to stir crazy, wet weather housebound chaos.

I have learned that The Wee One likes me best when he can use the tops of my legs as a human springboard. Who knew I was so bouncy ?

I have discovered I am surprisingly adept at snowboarding....as a Wii character. And a dab hand at archery. And don't even get me started on my ice-skating routines, it's amazing how good you can be when you don't have to use your legs. Although I have a sneaky suspicion that punching the air and hollering "Cop that," when I beat my children may possibly not be setting the best of examples about winning graciously and keeping ones ego in check.

I've been reading, books, ahh yes, the simple pleasures that were taken for granted pre-children.

I've been enjoying the company of my relatives whilst lamenting that the weather faeries picked now of all times to shroud us in clouds and drench us in rain. It's always the way, is it not ?

And I thought it would be nice to give the little blog space an overhaul, a fresh start for the new year and my looming 100th blog post. One hundred posts, goodness me, it feels like only yesterday that I was setting up shop and greeting you all for the first time.

Anyways, Petal has come over and is presenting a perfect demonstration of circular breathing whilst talking, fascinating to behold but rather distracting when one is attempting to string together a sentence or two.

Until next time Peeps, may your shoes be sparkly and your Barbie not lose her hair.