I'm on the final countdown now...seven days until the kids go back to school.  A bit sad in a way, because my baby starts high school this year, but still, at least things will be quiet for just a little bit each day.

This holidays has been quieter than usual, or is it just that not having so many kids at home makes a difference?  LOL.  Oh well, love em or leave em, they are mine and I have to grin and bear it!  Makes me sound like some crazy woman, but you be locked up in Alcatraz and have only the demon seed from hell for company and see how sane you are!  Seriously though, they are good kids, just can't seem to get on in the same house or breathe the same air in peace.  I has to get better, right?

Well, christmas has come and gone again....and I was right - Santa died a quiet and peaceful death on Christmas morning.  He will be mourned for a long time.

Now that all the hullabaloo has died down, I find myself spending long periods of time wondering what my new year's resolution for 2007 shall be.  I have been very good about keeping them for the past five years or so - finding more me time, not taking crap from anyone anymore, teaching the kids the value of a dollar - so I have been thinking hard about this next one.

I think that I have hit on the idea, the thing that I need to change more than anything else.  No, not losing weight (although that'd be nice), not giving up smoking or drinking (coz I don't do either), not being a better person (do I need to be?).  Nope, this new resolution is a ripper for me.

My new year's resolution for 2007 (drumroll please!):

TO TEACH MY CHILDREN TO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THEY HAVE.

Sounds simple, huh? You think?

Already plans are formulating in my brain...limits on gift spending, making do.  I have come up with adopt-a-sheep, instead of birthday presents, sponsoring an australian child, community service programmes to investigate, recycle and repair and donate programmes for less fortunate kids...my mind is brimming with possibilities.

I fully realise that I shall be the most unpopular parent in Australia once this plan goes into action, but I think getting a letter from BaaBaaRaa the sheep will be better than a cd, spending time fixing up a battered bike and seeing the look on some other child's face and really having to think about what you want for your birthday for under $50 will be character building for my kids.  And if I come out at the end of the year with one donation under the wishing tree freely given with love and compassion, I shall call that a victory.

Cya.