Ummmm Ahhhhh!!! ELFELFA!!!!!!

Last night he got into the bubble gum ball jar! And he ate one! And blew bubbles! Naughty Elfelfa!

What Elfelfa the Elf Helper did next...

Last night he helped Ben with his hearing homework! Which resulted in Ben being super motivated to beat Elfelfa's best score! Yay!

Elfelfa the Elf Helper

This Christmas we thought we would try something different from the usual rotten potato threats! Because we know how well that worked! 

So this year we have enlisted an Elf on the shelf to help. Our elf arrived in the mail yesterday after days and days of anticipation. Saying the boys were busting to meet him was an understatement!

Once we had him unpacked we needed to give him a name and the boys decided on Elfelfa the Elf Helper. We were standing near our Alfalfa grower at the time! I explained the rules to the boys and we registered our new elf online. We printed our adoption certificate and perused the Frequently Asked Questions page on the website. The boys were pleased to know if they accidentally touch him they can cleanse him with cinnamon to refresh the magic and Mum and Dad were pleased that if the elf is in the same position as the night before it just means he is happy there! Phew!

 Then in the morning they woke up and found Elfelfa the Elf Helper riding the boys favourite monster truck jump! They went off! And the magic of Christmas has been re-invigorated for another year! The boys then raced around cleaning their rooms and doing their jobs to ensure they get a favourable report tonight. They got a little freaked out when Ben swore he saw his head move and then they all witnessed either his head move or his eyes move!

Then Ben sat down quietly to do this:-

 This is a picture of Elfelfa the Elf Helper.

And this is a picture of Santa! The bottoms line says The Rickard's believe in you. Awwwwww!

Engineer In Training

Ben's homework this week was to plan, build and appraise something that would be useful or a gift. Ben being Nathan's son designed a bomber. Complete with egg carton jets and juice bottle cockpit.

When I read this I hear Nathan! It was completely written, designed and constructed by Ben but it speaks volumes to me about how much Ben and indeed the other two boys idolise their father. It also speaks volumes on the level of Ben's confidence! I love how the only way it can be further improved is to put a pilot in it! I also love how it rates a 10 out of a possible 5 stars! Gosh I love this kid! When he brings the actual construction home I will take a photo of it because it was quite impressive!

7, 8 & 9

This time of year is my favourite! Because when people ask me how old they are it comes so easily off the tongue. 7, 8 & 9.
I also get "Are they triplets?" A Lot! No! No, they are not! They are however very close in age!
And at this moment in time I can tell that Ryan has just had a growth spurt, Ben is due one which will be closely followed by one for Matthew! Which all in all result in a larger food bill! 
And Nathan and I wouldn't have it any other way!

In the blink of an eye....

The time of our lives

 I was organising our Fiji photos ready for printing and enlarging last night when I was struck by the thought that the whole trip to Fiji was the best time of my life so far! Big call, I know! But it combined so may vitally important ingredients. Firstly, Nathan and I had been planning it for over 10 years. Secondly, I spent 10 days thoroughly enjoying my family. We had nothing but quality time together. I am fairly certain there was not one cross word spoken by anyone. Thirdly, it was like our wedding day except less stressful and no less meaningful. Finally, we were carefree, happy and healthy. I am only now just realising how truly special an experience it was.

Another bonus I discovered was this picture. This pic wasn't an initial favourite but after scouring through all of them this was the one I picked to get enlarged, not because it has the best composition or the most aesthetically appealing but because we all look so unbelievable happy!