A NICE EVENING OUT

Had to do a quick update before heading off to China! The camera has been collecting cobwebs the past few weeks, but it came out on Friday evening for St Martins annual Art Show. As usual the works were amazing and the evening was delightful. Steve has opened the show each year and in the past children haven't attended - but we attended to that this year and it was opened up to the students to attend the opening as well (as it should be in my opinion as the contributors to the show are the kids!).

The girls love to dress up for functions and this was no exception - check out Baie's hair, amazingly done by NAN, yes me - hair is so not my thing, but Baie thought it was groovy and stuck with it!


And front on with her gorgeous face and friend Maddie.
Tulle and Rori listening very intently to Daddy's speech.


And Baie with Daddy - time to leave the cocktail party and head to their favourite Italian restaurant where they are always treated to a special gelati.

And the reason for the show - Tulle's contribution to the exhibition which was named "Flight of Fantasy". The kids had the opportunity to make something within that theme and all together made beautiful mobiles.So this will be the last update for a few weeks but I'm sure there will be plenty after we arrive home.

Catchya then xxx

THINGS YOU FIND WHEN UNPACKING.....

Just over a year ago our old mate "Mate" died. We were all so sad and missed him very much. The girls in their innocence wanted to write stories about Mate and as I was unpacking a box of "stuff" came across their stories.
MATEY DOG
Matey Dog died because he was sick and old. I loved patting him and Grandad was talking about it cos he died. matey Dog liked to play throw. I loved Matey dog and now he died and that makes me sad and it makes Nanny sad. Matey Dog is my friend and then Allan takes his collar off and then he puts it back on all the time. Matey Dog and Me by Rori Perryman 06/08/08.
MATE'S LIFE
One day nanny and Auntie Tracy went to Melbourne to get a little puff ball what was a puppy. nanny went home and Grandad got a surprise. they called the puppy Mate. He got older and older and older until he got sick. the next morning he died. He lived for elevan and a half years. mate always came to say hello when we got to Allendale and he wagged his tail. Mate loved to play chasey and loves playing fetch and loves going to the beach for fun. mate loved to eat food too.
True story by Tulle Perryman 06/08/08.

MATEY AND ME
Matey Dog's life.
Me and Matey were good friends.
Matey and Me are still good friends.

Met us every time
Amazing dog
Terrific friend
Excellent

I have known Matey for eight years. He was four years old when I was born. When he was younger he went fishing with Grandad every day. He liked the old boat Ruby H but he didn't like the new boat, I think it was too noisy for him.
By Baie Perryman 06/08/08
This is a true story.
Never did get Robbie's story!!



He was the perfect family member.........
Loved a chatHad good manners

Always looked forward to Christmas - mmmmmmmm left overs for a week!


Go for a stroll and a play in the puddle.

I'm not sure what he loved most, a toss up between our family, the back of the ute, the beach, food, tug o war - the list goes on!
I know one thing, he was never far from Allan and what ever he was doing at the time.


Behind him...
Between..........
In front.........
Underneath..........
Right there...........
As close as he could get.....
On the run.........
Yep, right there.........
Actually, I think I do know what/who he loved the most....

It was his best mate the dog whisperer! Allan is a natural with animals, especially dogs and I think they know it. Mate just loved Allan and was happiest when he was with him :)

I'm so glad the girls wrote their precious memories of our Matey Dog and I found them and could reminisce and enjoy the memories.

SHARING SOME NICK NEWS

By the time you read this Nick will have completed his transfer of bone marrow - we pray pray pray that this is what it takes to place Nick into remission.


He has gone through so much to get to this stage......read on parts of the recent update from Sandie.

Hi all

Today is day -3 and Nick has already undergone two days of chemo, he experienced some light headiness after each lot of chemo managing this with bed rest. It it hard for him to just lay about but thanks to a great game (as described by Nick!) he has stayed relatively immobile.

He had his first Total Body Irradiation treatment today, this will occur 2 x daily for the next 3 days. The treatment itself doesn't take very long but the setting up takes about 20 minutes and he must remain in a static stable and rather uncomfortable position for the duration. One redeeming thing is that he can watch a DVD during this time.

When he returned to the room he was feeling very hot, but had been advised that this would be a result. After a period of time he wisely decided to get back into bed, then felt cold, so I covered him up and he has been snoozing ever since. We had been advised that he would be very tired and that it is best for him to sleep as much as he can - so he is doing just that. I suspect that the continual TBI 2 x daily will take it's toll.

He still continues to harass the nursing staff with many of them threatening to quit:) Fortunately they give as much as they get and have certainly got his number! They remain diligent and full of information and answers if/when we have any concerns or questions.

I can't tell how much we have appreciated your ongoing encouragement, contact and support during this journey, we know we have a few more bumps ahead of us but knowing that there are so many people putting their positive wishes and energy out to us gives us strength.

much love to you all and please keep in touch as we need you all

Nick Sandie and Sophalina xxxxxxxxxx

NASH CAN..............

Sit.....
Kneel...........

Crawl.............Stand up..................

And Walk...............

And he thinks he's the most 'cleverest' kid in the world!!

So does his Dad..................

Did I mention Run? Well that's where he's at - gotta run, walking just ain't fast enough!!