So proud today

So proud to be a part of the Law/Gallasch family, proud to be a husband and dad and extremely proud to be a Murray Bridgian. Today was a day off for our family, no work, no school. Instead of lazing away this Sunday keeping cool my amazing wife used her magical FaceBook powers to gather together much needed townships affected by the recent South Australian bushfires. Finally I am proud of my father in law and mother in law who will be dropping off the remaining goods so they can go to those families doing it toughest.

I am super proud of my amazing wife, her efforts enabled us to take a full people mover to where it was needed most. Our first stop saw soft drinks, water and cordial passed on to families doing it tough and to the volunteers who are trying their hardest to help. I am super proud of my two daughters, Miss 12 and Miss 9 who stared out the window as we passed by black paddocks and houses that had collapsed due to the chaotic horrors of fire only days before. I am extremely proud of the people of the town I live in and the close by towns who have raided their pantry or transferred money so we could do a quick shop today for all of those necessities you don't know you need until fire steals them from you.

I didn't fight the fires. I didn't rally together the efforts. I was able to drive that overloaded KIA to where it was needed and help load and unload all those donated items. I tell you what, the drive home was far lighter and easier than the one this morning.

Thank you Law/Gallasch team! Thank you Country Fire Service and Metropolitan Fire Service firefighters and staff! Thank you to all those amazing people who have donated to help. A specially thank you to my beautiful and amazing wife and daughters for keeping my faith in humanity strong. You have huge hearts and I love you so much.

The Laws go to the movies - Does Jumanji take it to the next level and how adorable is Abominable

Today was super hot in South Australia so where better to take the family but the local cinema. Our local, the Cameo was showing Jumanji The Next Level, sequel to Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle. So in what is supposedly Jack Black's final fling on the big screen did Jumanji take it beyond level one..?

Honestly I found the film to be really good. It was entertaining throughout with only a few words that caused Miss 9 to question their appropriateness. The characters were similar from the first (Welcome to the Jungle) but with enough of a change to continue the entertainment. If you liked the original remake then you'll enjoy this one as well. Are these films better than the original Jumanji..? Perhaps not better in my opinion but different enough that I have not spent the whole time focusing on what was done better in the original and where the remakes shone out. All I can say is watch all three and enjoy all three for the fun films they are.

While the day went on and only seemed to get hotter my brilliant Queen Miss H came up with the wondrous idea of pizza and a DVD in air conditioned comfort. Mummy of the year last holidays took the girls to the big screen to see Abominable, a Dreamworks animation about the yeti. Master 13 and I missed out, but at the time I was not too worried. Upon hearing all the fun and adventure in the movie from our girls I was suddenly keen to watch and disappointed I'd missed out. Thankfully the whole family was happy to see what Abominable had in store for us and I was glad to see it had heart, laughs and loads of family focused fun.

Jumanji The Next Level - Four irreparable consoles out of a possible five

Abominable - Four and a half dandelions out of five

Memories of Mum

Christmas Day is always one of mixed emotions for me. With three kids growing up so quickly we are hanging on to the magic of the silly season. The innocence of kids and their pure and creative imagination in my opinion generates the magic of Christmas. It helps that we have younger nieces and a very young nephew to make sure that the magic stays alive for many years to come. Sadly my family lost some one special on Christmas day ten years ago which of course has made it difficult to completely.

The day after Christmas I headed to the local cemetery today with my daughter by my side. It blows my mind to think my daughter was born three months after mum passed away. I loved this afternoon chatting with Boo about all the wonderful memories I have of my mum... Keeping the magic and the memory alive...

A challenging time as fires burn

Australia is under attack and it is Mother Nature who is on the front line offensive... The fires in New South Wales have been in our thoughts and prayers but it was the scrub blaze that has sprung up in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia that has affected many loved ones. Family have needed to evacuate as things have gotten very much too close for comfort. Even now the fires in that area just won't go out, erratic winds are causing havoc and it is an utter nightmare for the brave souls that are there fighting.

My fingers, toes and everything else are very firmly crossed that things will settle down and that everyone can have a safe Christmas and New Year but there are already many who are mourning the loss of family, a business gone, not having a home or worried sick not knowing... The not knowing is the worst torture...

Sadly there is little to no cool and calm weather in sight. As we all prepare for the chaos of the silly season let us all spare a thought for those suffering while the fires still burn.