5th January

Today was spent comforting a sick little boy who has a mouthful of ulcers.  We all had a horrible night last night as Xav spent the majority of it miserable, crying and writhing around in frustration at the pain in his mouth.  I was woken at 5.30am to the sounds of him vomiting, and lucky there was a towel in close reach otherwise I would have been wearing it.  I'm hoping that the ulcers are the extent of the illness and it doesn't develop into hand, foot and mouth that is being currently shared around our group of friends.  Xav had it about 18 months ago, and I was under the impression that you normally only got it the once, but google has since told me otherwise.

Grace and I have been playing nurse all day, whilst Xav has layed on the couch alternating between watching play school and napping.  He's managed to fit in a few bowls of jelly and custard, (nutritional no?) but was rather peeved when his favourite mango sorbet irritated his mouth and so he couldn't eat it.  Grace has been refreshing a cold washer for his head, making sure he is drinking lots of water and playing with Xav's hair, on his request.

Grace has spent the day amusing herself whilst I did all the washing (nothing better than getting all your washing done, dried and put away on the same day) cleaned out our room, finished organising the study and a general clean up.  She does have a slight obsession with board games at the moment, so the day was scattered with games of trouble and guess who.  We also made a beautiful crusty loaf of bread to accompany the mostly organic roast pumpkin soup we made for dinner.  It was beautiful, and the bread was even more delicious as it was topped with butter that the kids and I made yesterday - Yum!

Xav perked up towards the end of the day, even venturing outside for a play.  His appetite never really returned though, but he was happy to suck on ice so must be on the mend.  Tomorrow will be another quiet day at home, which I am actually really enjoying.

~~The ulcer on one side of Xav's tongue and another under his top lip~~

2nd January

Today was a big day.  It was the day we excitedly went shopping for school supplies, for my big school girl who starts in 4 weeks time!  Gosh, seems like only yesterday that Grace's feet were still tiny and chubby.  The only restrictions the school puts on the school shoes are that they are covered and not covered in branding.  I tried to talk Grace into some nice runners, but she was adamant that she wanted "proper" black school shoes.  She either wanted the granny style or the mary-jane style, so when we found these Grosby ones on special for $20.00, they were the winner!  They even ticked all my show criteria boxes (flexible sole, removable insert, soft leather and non-slip base), so everyone was happy!

Grace was also insistent that she would not be wearing shorts, but she had agreed to skorts.  Once out shopping, we came across some little navy cotton skirts with built in shorts that she HAD to have -  so the skorts were declared all wrong and she is over the moon about getting to wear a real skirt.  Next we just have to get her school shirts, hat, bag and some big hankies for this emotional Mum.  

1st January

I've decided to give the "January Photo a Day " challenge a go for the 3rd year.  Photos's won't always be great quality as I'll be taking them with whatever camera I have on hand, but I'm aiming for a pictorial story of January 2011.

First up....



Grace playing with part of the Christmas nativity scene and some of her own little dolls.  The yellow one is her "Star Child" that her pre-school teacher made and gave to her for her 5th birthday, and the orange and blue angels are ones the kids made at their Christmas party.  Grace spent ages making up little stories for all the dolls with, of course, the baby in the manger being the main attraction. 

Watching and listening to her imagination at work is beautiful. 

Family Dramas

After watching very minimal TV over the last few years, I was out of the loop on all the drama's.  Trude suggested that I'd probably like Brothers & Sisters, so I figured with my few months off I'd watch the series from start to finish.  3 1/2 weeks ago I started series 1, and yesterday I finished the last episode of series 4.   There are 24 episodes per season, and I've watched all 4 - do the math.  That's a lot of hours.  I've gobbled up every episode decadently, and greedily wanted more.  I'm actually quite happy it's all over now though, you know you've become a little too addicted when you start dreaming about the characters.

I've spent many a night, curled up on the couch once the kids are in bed watching back-to back episodes about the Walker family - and loved it!  There is something very satisfying about watching an episode and knowing that the next one is right there waiting for you.  I have had some very late nights, forcing myself to go to bed around midnight, knowing that the kids (read: Xav!) will be up raring to go at 5.30am.  Duane's happy I've finished, as finally he can watch something else of a night.

I love the family dynamics of the show, and although I come from a family of 5 siblings and now it's not all like the "Walker's", I would still love a big, close family to banter with over the dinner table.  I want to be Nora and have all my grown up children around (including the husband, but minus his mistress!), guzzling wine and sharing secrets.  I know it's not real life, but how cool would it be!

So that's what I've been spending my spare time doing lately.  Now that's over, I've got a stack of books that I'm going to delve into and get back into some craft projects.

Anyway, tomorrow is the day I've been holding out for the "big talk."  After approaching the idea of throwing number 3 in the mix back here, Duane told me to just wait till the end of the year and we'd work it out then.  So, I've waited patiently and not mentioned it since, biding my time for the end of the year - and it's here tomorrow!  I've got it all worked out in my head, with reasons and comebacks for any of his questions.  I highly doubt he has changed his mind though, still happy and content with just the 2, but I'm ready to put my proposal forward and hope he says yes.  Wish me luck........

Christmas Eve 2010

The kids are tucked up in bed after a busy day of preparing for the big event tomorrow.  All the shopping was finished on Wednesday after a mammoth 9am-7.30pm (with a couple of hours break at home) shopping trip.  The morning was just me, tidying up the loose ends and grabbing some extra stocking stuffers.  The kids joined me in the afternoon so they could purchase their presents for each other and also for a present to put under the K-mart wishing tree.  The night ended with yummy burgers at Grill'd after a play in the park.

Today we baked, cooked and prepared all the food for our "cold meat & salad" picnic that we were planning tomorrow, weather pending.  We roasted chickens, cooked roast beef, made trifle, chocolate log, coleslaw, potato salad and real mayonnaise.  The kids were busy with zip lock bags of milk arrowroot biscuits and mallets.  Then they got all sticky and gooey as they made copious amounts of mis shappen truffles.

The last of our advent calender notes were opened tonight, with instructions to open 1 present each from under the tree - carefully chosen by me.  Surprise, surprise - everyone got a new pair of Pj's!  The kids were in matching Christmas patterned boxers and singlet, whilst Daddy got a stunning pair of red boxers and I got some spotty Pj pants and singlet.  After a bath we headed out in the rain to view Christmas lights from the shelter of the car, however one house was way too magical to miss and so we braved the rain to see it.  The kids were enthralled with all the trinkets and the amazing train set set up in the garage. 

Grace was upset as she wasn't sure how she was going to be able to fall asleep once she got home, she was too excited about tomorrow.  The

excitement must of made her sleepy though, as she fell asleep in the car on the way home.  Which left Xav all alone to ponder the big questions.  Duane and I were a little taken back when we heard "So, is Santa real or 'tend (his way of saying pretend)"  coming from our alert little 3 y/o.  Hoping that he won't need therapy for his parents lying to him, we answered "Of course He is real sweetie"

Once home, Grace was carried to bed and it was up to Xav to get everything ready for the special visitor.  The reindeer food that they had prepared at school was scattered throughout the front yard and a plate of truffles and biscuits was left out for the fat guy.

I love Christmas with the children.  It is so much more exciting and magical sharing with such innocence and belief. 

Merry Christmas xx

~~Santa has been!~~

The Wiggles

I've never really been into the 4 old skivvy wearing entertainers.  I mean, they've obviously got a knack with the kids, and seem to be making a squillon dollars out of dancing and singing their way around the world - but I guess I was turned off by the over saturation and excess merchandising that also comes along with the hype.  I'm not really into young kids/toddlers being head to toe billboards for their latest obsession and also the ethics of marketing to such a young age groups.  Anyway.

 We have an old Cd of theirs floating around the Ipod, and the kids often want it on for outside dancing concerts.  It's not bad and I may or may not have been caught singing about hot potatoes once or twice.  The kids do know who the wiggles are, thanks to being plastered all through the children's area of Dreamworld and I also did take them a few years back to a free concert they were doing at the theme park, which Grace enjoyed.  Xav however wanting to be fed the whole time, which was difficult in a "standing room only, squashed in like sardines" environment and also having to watch a barely 2 y/o. 

So, when Duane called me up to say that one of his work mates had won 4 tickets to the Wiggles and we were all going, there was apprehension mixed in with excitement.

I could think of a million reasons to pass on the tickets.  The Entertainment centre.  LOTS of children, possible screaming ones.  Driving to Brisbane in potentially bad weather. Watching a bunch of old men dancing around on stage whilst singing about their "Big ref car".  Not really my idea of fun.

But, I sucked it up cause the kids were excited and had concert fever after their own little foray into the world of drama last week.  I think they actually thought they would be one stage too.

We got the kids a Dvd out last week, so they could brush up on words and actions to all the songs.  They spent the week getting their "Hot Potato" and "Dr Knickerbocker's" down pat. 

Sunday came and as predicted the trip up was wet and somehow in the bags packing efforts, the critical element that would keep us dry for the long walk from the car to the entertainment centre was left on the kitchen bench.   So, it was a wet whinging run (me, whingeing), as we tried to dodge all the other smart people, who came prepared for the weather. 

Once inside I was overwhelmed with the amount of crap merchandise that was being spruiked.  It looked like the Wiggles had thrown up all through the lobby, with hoards of parents and kids pushing and jostling for the best chunks.  Finally, after getting through the crowds, we did a quick toilet stop (funny there wasn't a big line up for the toilets, but then I guess most of the ticket holders were still in nappies!) then found our seats. 

I sat there waiting for it to start, cause that would mean it would be closer to ending.  The kids were a little in awe of the amount of people pouring in and asking "When are they starting?"

Finally, after a big lead up and introduction to everyone else, the 4 skivvied dudes came out.  The kids & parents went wild and I have to admit I may have been caught up in the hype by now.

They really seem to be nice people, who genuinely connected with the audience.  The kids love them, and the Mums all seemed to have a special spot for Sam.  At one stage, all the Wiggles main people (the 4 guys, the dog, the dinosaur, the captain etc) went through the audience shaking hands and talking to the kids.  We were lucky enough to have Jeff (apparently the kids favourite now) and Sam (I may or may not think he is mildly attractive) come visit our aisle.

The rest of the concert was pretty good.  I couldn't believe how into it my kids were and they danced, sung, screamed and laughed the whole way. Watching them have so much fun and absolutely LOVE the experience, was worth it all.  Xav was so disappointed when it ended, he had is groove on and was ready to keep on partying.  They spent the car ride home talking about their favourite bits and asking "When can we go back?  It was so much fun" 

I'm inspired now to amp up the live theatre/concert visits and expose them to a wider variety.  There are some great kid friendly productions on at the GC arts centre over summer, this year it's Beauty & the Beast.  Grace will enjoy that, so I'll take her along.   Xav might not be as excited over that, so I'll find something equalling enthralling for him. 

Blog Housekeeping

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am changing to private over the next couple of days.  It's something that I meant to do ages ago, then I thought I had but once I checked I hadn't.  So, I think I have everyone that e-mailed me then, and they should have already received invites.  If you haven't, and still are interested in reading my boring, sporadic dribble, email me at dpenney@virginbroadband.com.au

Kirsten xx