November 25. Day 330. The Claus are out

Sunday is meant to be the day of rest but that certainly wasn't the case this morning. Well before 7am, the Claus were out. Thousands of Santas lining up at South Bank for the annual Variety Club Santa Fun Run.
I guess at this time of year the bloke in red has to work pretty much around the clock and he can use all the helpers he can get.
The fun run raises funds for children's charities and today the people of Brisbane responded. There were Santas being carried on Dad's shoulders, Santas in prams, Santas in wheelchairs and even a blind Santa with her guide dog. My prize for the cutest Santa went to two-year-old Josie.
It was a great display of the real Christmas spirit not to mention a chance to dress up and have a bit of fun (if your idea of fun is running five kilometres in a Santa suit in a Brisbane summer).
I've said it before that charities now need to find new ways to make a connection to get people to open their wallets and this one has really hit the mark.
These Santas already delivered a gift to children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to live, laugh and learn. Ho, Ho, Ho.

November 4. Day 309. Cheerleaders

Chef, nurse, teacher, cleaner, You know the score. As a mother, you have to be a jack of all trades (and I fully confess I am not a master of any).
But as I see it, one of the most important jobs is cheerleader. You are always there on the sidelines encouraging, motivating, screaming your appreciation. The game may be lost but your commitment to the cause never waivers. Win or lose, you love them unconditionally. You are the mascot for team MyKid and you take that job really, really seriously.
I admit I can not do a back flip like the members of the East Coast Allstars who were putting their cheerleading skills to good use in the pools at South Bank today. But I would bend over backwards and tie myself in knots for my cause.
Given my enthusiastic but unattractive cheerleading, I was full of admiration for these young people.
The teens from Newcastle were in Brisbane for yesterday's 2012 cheerleading Australasian Majors at Chandler where they picked up two seconds.
They didn't let the fact that the competition was over and the prizes had been awarded stop them as you can see from this photo of 15-year-old Siarn Williams.
Which kind of made me wonder. Who is cheering on the cheerleaders?
Don't worry, the kids told me. Siarn's mum is just over there