Author: Suzanne Robinson

Categories
3 years and beyond Potty Training Pre-School Uncategorised University Study

Don't leave mummy

The moon night light
Mooney Mooney - The moon night light

Yesterday the girls were great, we got to pre-school and they just waved goodbye and off they went to play with some other kids. I was so pleased that they were happy and content to just leave. The other week they were a bit clingy, so was very happy that this stage has passed, or so I thought.

Today the girls were so all over the place. I thought this might end as soon as they see friends and new things to do. I was wrong.  The girls did not want to get in the front door of the school, go in without me, or even want to let me go. Julia was in tears, and so was Lillian. Lillian started first, she was a mess. A lovely staff member helped me out so that I could leave. I told the girls that they can make me a picture. This seemed to calm them down for a bit. I made my way to the door, and then I heard Julia cry and get upset. I kept on walking. It was hard, I wanted to stay, but this is their school day and my day off to get things done. If I stayed it will just make leaving them at school so much harder.

I was amazed at the difference in them from yesterday and today. Other parents today were having the same issue, so at least it is not just my kids. It might be down to the weather. While driving to school today the girls noticed that it is darker and looks like we are going to have a thunderstorm, Julia was getting worried as she did not like thunder or storms. I told her that it will not be a worry; she will be inside all safe and sound. She was still worried. Lillian then said, “Don’t worry Julia, I will look after you”. How sweet is that, what a nice little girl Lillian is to offer that for her sister.

The weather yesterday was sunny, hot and just lovely. I managed to do 3 loads of washing and have them all dried on the line. The girls came home from school and wanted to go to the park. I was a bit worried that we might need to stop home for a toilet stop before the park, however the girls were insistent that it was o.k. I thought I would take them at their word, but was still worried. I did have change of clothes in their school bags so that will just have to do. The girls asked what the building was away from the playground. I explained that this was the toilets, and if you need to go, just tell me and we will all go. I mentioned that if one needs to go, we all need to go. I did not want to leave one playing in the park without me supervising. I am worried that someone might just take a child while I am away looking after the other. If that happened, I would not know where to start looking or what to do.  We were good, Lillian told me that she need to go to the toilet and started to run towards the toilets and I grabbed Julia and we ran off to catch up with Lilly.  They waited for me to help them and both went to the toilet on the big toilet. I was so proud and happy that they are doing this. Well done girls.  Also that evening Lillian insisted on using the big toilet rather than the potty. Currently they have steps to get to the big toilet, however they are still a bit small and need help to get up.

Yesterday picked up “Moon in my room”, that I ordered for the girls. It is a moon that you hang on the wall of your room and it is powered by batteries. This moon goes through all the phases of the moon, waxing and waning.  It looked great; however I need to get the batteries for the remote control. The girls were so excited to have mooney mooney, (that is what they call the moon), in the room.  I must see if we can get it to work tonight so that they can have mooney mooney again as a night light.

So today is a day of tidying, and sorting and hopefully some exercise. We will see if I get that done, but the tidying is of utmost importance as the place is a bit messy and would like it to look nicer. Tonight will need to do some study and reading for university as there is a lot to do, also have confirmed that there is an exam, however it is open book so that is a good thing.

I hope that the girls will have a good day at school and that they have found things to do and friends to play with. It is so hard when they are upset when you drop them off. How do you handle it if your child/children don’t want you to leave? Do you find things for them to do at the school; do you stay for a bit and then leave? What is the best thing to do? Send your comments.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond Potty Training Pre-School University Study

Don’t leave mummy

The moon night light
Mooney Mooney - The moon night light

Yesterday the girls were great, we got to pre-school and they just waved goodbye and off they went to play with some other kids. I was so pleased that they were happy and content to just leave. The other week they were a bit clingy, so was very happy that this stage has passed, or so I thought.

Today the girls were so all over the place. I thought this might end as soon as they see friends and new things to do. I was wrong.  The girls did not want to get in the front door of the school, go in without me, or even want to let me go. Julia was in tears, and so was Lillian. Lillian started first, she was a mess. A lovely staff member helped me out so that I could leave. I told the girls that they can make me a picture. This seemed to calm them down for a bit. I made my way to the door, and then I heard Julia cry and get upset. I kept on walking. It was hard, I wanted to stay, but this is their school day and my day off to get things done. If I stayed it will just make leaving them at school so much harder.

I was amazed at the difference in them from yesterday and today. Other parents today were having the same issue, so at least it is not just my kids. It might be down to the weather. While driving to school today the girls noticed that it is darker and looks like we are going to have a thunderstorm, Julia was getting worried as she did not like thunder or storms. I told her that it will not be a worry; she will be inside all safe and sound. She was still worried. Lillian then said, “Don’t worry Julia, I will look after you”. How sweet is that, what a nice little girl Lillian is to offer that for her sister.

The weather yesterday was sunny, hot and just lovely. I managed to do 3 loads of washing and have them all dried on the line. The girls came home from school and wanted to go to the park. I was a bit worried that we might need to stop home for a toilet stop before the park, however the girls were insistent that it was o.k. I thought I would take them at their word, but was still worried. I did have change of clothes in their school bags so that will just have to do. The girls asked what the building was away from the playground. I explained that this was the toilets, and if you need to go, just tell me and we will all go. I mentioned that if one needs to go, we all need to go. I did not want to leave one playing in the park without me supervising. I am worried that someone might just take a child while I am away looking after the other. If that happened, I would not know where to start looking or what to do.  We were good, Lillian told me that she need to go to the toilet and started to run towards the toilets and I grabbed Julia and we ran off to catch up with Lilly.  They waited for me to help them and both went to the toilet on the big toilet. I was so proud and happy that they are doing this. Well done girls.  Also that evening Lillian insisted on using the big toilet rather than the potty. Currently they have steps to get to the big toilet, however they are still a bit small and need help to get up.

Yesterday picked up “Moon in my room”, that I ordered for the girls. It is a moon that you hang on the wall of your room and it is powered by batteries. This moon goes through all the phases of the moon, waxing and waning.  It looked great; however I need to get the batteries for the remote control. The girls were so excited to have mooney mooney, (that is what they call the moon), in the room.  I must see if we can get it to work tonight so that they can have mooney mooney again as a night light.

So today is a day of tidying, and sorting and hopefully some exercise. We will see if I get that done, but the tidying is of utmost importance as the place is a bit messy and would like it to look nicer. Tonight will need to do some study and reading for university as there is a lot to do, also have confirmed that there is an exam, however it is open book so that is a good thing.

I hope that the girls will have a good day at school and that they have found things to do and friends to play with. It is so hard when they are upset when you drop them off. How do you handle it if your child/children don’t want you to leave? Do you find things for them to do at the school; do you stay for a bit and then leave? What is the best thing to do? Send your comments.

 

Categories
University Study

University has started for 2012

I logged onto the university website last night to discover the course content was all there.  This now means that I need to start downloading, reading and researching to make sure that I stay on top of it all. After reading the course outline and skimming all the lectures to get an overview, I think this course is going to be very intense. Formulas, theories, matrixes, and much more that will take some doing to remember.

I have also noted that there appears to be an exam at the end of the course, 2 hours to be precise. Did not realise there was one and as I am an online student will have to travel to campus to do this exam if we have one – have enquired to the lecturer to confirm if we do have one as in some literature it says no and some says yes. I have also asked if there are other areas where I might do this exam rather than travelling into the campus in the city. No answer yet, but only asked late last night.

In case you all did not know, I am nearly finished a masters in project management, I have 3 subjects left to do. This semester I am studying: Project Process Planning and Control. I am rather worried that I will not do well, however this worry is not taken seriously. Every semester I have the same freak out. I will not do well, I will just pass, I might fail, and some other scary thoughts. However at the end of the semester I get a distinction and no one finds that wonderful due to fact that it keeps on happening.

I think the family and friends would be more shocked if I passed, however getting good marks is now an expected outcome (which I think is just strange, but nice). I would like to maintain my good grades as I feel that would help in employment and roles in the long term also will impress people; however I am not great at formulas, calculations or things of that nature. So I think this semester I have to concentrate on reading more, understanding the formulas and theories that are important and seeing if I can recall them.   If asked in an exam about a formula or theory I am afraid I might mix it all up and not get it right, or reference the wrong one.  I find it hard when there are so many to choose from. Why is it that a course does not tell you what are the standards and we can just learn the core, and if you want you can cite extra examples if you wish.

So as long as I pass that is fine with me. After this subject I just have 2 more to do, and as I am doing 1 subject a semester, my last subject is next year, first semester of 2013. Graduation will be in November of 2013 and I am looking forward to it so much. However to graduate you have to get through the subjects this year. Wish me luck, lecturers start on Monday the 5th of March and it is all done via Skype. I have to hope that I have kids in bed by this time or it is not going to work.

Are you studying? Is it something that is a passion or for a work related role?  If you have kids how are you fitting it all in? I try and do most of it in the evening and now kids are at school that will help also.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Dressing up

Do your kids love to dress up? My girls were busy wearing all the necklaces they could find, they put on the doctors outfit and also hats and anything esle they can find. Must make sure that I get a box that has more things for the girls to use in dress ups. What have you organised? Any ideas for things in a dress up box?  Send in what you have done for your kids?

Dressing up
Dressing up

Categories
3 years and beyond

No Boys

I have been asking the girls how their days at school were and who did they play with? The girls listed some of the kids at school, girls and boys and I said it sounds like they had heaps of friends to play with, this comment was met with “We don’t play with the boys mummy”. I thought that this was a bit sad, but obviously a phase. Maybe it is boys germs. I remember I did not like boys for a while either, although my best friend at school was a boy. I must have just not liked certain boys.

This got me thinking why little girls decide that boys are not worthy of friends or playing with.  Is it the bigger kids that help form this opinion? Is it just the fact that they feel more comfortable with other girls? This cannot be entirely correct as the girls love the boys next door and really enjoy playing with them.

I think it is nice that the girls are developing a network of friends and playmates at their new school, I am just curious about this phase of disliking boys. Is this in built into girls and boys. Do boys suddenly say they don’t want to have anything to do with girls. Yuck girls germs and so on.   Is it peer pressure or socialisation that causes this phase? Or is it just a matter of being a little girl and figuring out how things work, a right of passage in friendship and figuring out the genders.

I was a tom boy as a kid and still sort of am. I do get dressed up and wear dresses but not all the time, and actually rather prefer pants and jeans. I do like getting glammed up, however as I stay at home mummy looking after the girls there is not much need to get all dolled up to go to drop kids at school/shops. I did like getting dressed up for the office and meetings, however there is none of that in my current world.  The girls seem to be girly girls, which is great and fine, however I am constantly looking for something pretty for each child to wear. I hand them something practical like a t-shirt, or long sleeve top and it gets handed back with the words, “That is not pretty mummy!!!”  The girls do get dressed up for special occasions and parties however if they are just going to get dirty and play, why not be in comfy and practical clothing.

This line of difference is very obvious in the toy section of any department store or shop. In the section supposedly for girls it is wall to wall pink, dolls, babies and all things that will have little girls trapped in the kitchen or the house. The section for boys is much more interesting, building blocks, science and other games that use the mind and don’t trap the person into housework chores.   As you might have guessed I have not purchased any of those things for the girls. They do have dolls and some stuffed toys as dolls. However they don’t have a kitchen/sinks/vacuum cleaner/broom and brush. We have given the girls a mixture of toys, building blocks, planes, trucks, cars, prams, doctor kit and so on. They have girly toys if they have to be labelled as such and they have other toys that will help develop other areas of their brain and interests.

Currently I am very curious about why girls go through this hating boys. I know I did it and thought that they were just silly. I used to scare the boys off by saying that I would kiss them. This worked as they did not want girls germs, until the boys decided that they now liked girls, then I ran away.  This is the other concern that we will have to worry about. When boys like the girls. This is a long time off, say 10 years from now, so we have plenty of time until that happens.

Have you as a parent been curious of this development in your child? I know it is all normal, however still curious about why it happens.  I have looked online and only found information about toys, gender and other things. Nothing is addressing my question. I will keep on looking, and if I see anything that is helpful, I will post it here. If you find anything that might help send it my way.

This is an interesting article: Gifted Girls – Many Gifted Girls, Few Eminent Women: Why?

Categories
3 years and beyond Uncategorised

There's a bee in my ear mummy!

The girls were in bed and hubby was finally home. He was in the living room having his dinner. Then a huge blood curdling scream came from both girls. We both ran to their room. I was dreading what we would find. A kid who has a bleeding head? No, Julia was traumatised due to a bee that supposedly worked its way into her ear.

The bee that annoyed Julia? Well we think it was a mozzie... but she told us we were wrong!
The bee that annoyed Julia? Well we think it was a mozzie… but she told us we were wrong!

Julia kept on yelling “Get the bee out of my ear!!!” “Have a look, get it out, I can still hear it”.  While Julia was carrying on, Lillian was screaming and crying all the while holding bummies up to her ears just in case a bee flew into her ears. For those that don’t know, bummies are Lillian’s teddies. There are 2 of them and both are called bummies. It was very hard to take Lillian seriously when she had her teddies at each ear. She looked so cute and funny, however she was getting annoyed at us nearly laughing, we had to look serious and not laugh at this major issue.

Lillian was demanding that we take Julia to the hospital, but said as hossitpol, I explained that this was not needed. Daddy checked Julia’s ear and it was fine. I checked Julia’s ear and it is fine. She did not accept this until daddy pretended to get the bee out of her ear.

I think what happened was due to the window being open, so I closed the window to make sure it did not happen again. Maybe an insect flew near her head, or a mozzie and she freaked out. They are very tired due to running around and being at school all day. Now the bee incident has made them very upset.

While we were talking to Lillian she covered her ears to be on the safe side with her teddies. She eventually put her face down on the pillow at the end of Julia’s bed (yes still wanting to share a bed with her sister) she had her teddy protecting her ear.

After many kisses and cuddles, both girls finally put heads down and I was able to get out of the door and back to dinner.

A word of warning, be careful of dangerous bees before bed time.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond

There’s a bee in my ear mummy!

The girls were in bed and hubby was finally home. He was in the living room having his dinner. Then a huge blood curdling scream came from both girls. We both ran to their room. I was dreading what we would find. A kid who has a bleeding head? No, Julia was traumatised due to a bee that supposedly worked its way into her ear.

The bee that annoyed Julia? Well we think it was a mozzie... but she told us we were wrong!
The bee that annoyed Julia? Well we think it was a mozzie… but she told us we were wrong!

Julia kept on yelling “Get the bee out of my ear!!!” “Have a look, get it out, I can still hear it”.  While Julia was carrying on, Lillian was screaming and crying all the while holding bummies up to her ears just in case a bee flew into her ears. For those that don’t know, bummies are Lillian’s teddies. There are 2 of them and both are called bummies. It was very hard to take Lillian seriously when she had her teddies at each ear. She looked so cute and funny, however she was getting annoyed at us nearly laughing, we had to look serious and not laugh at this major issue.

Lillian was demanding that we take Julia to the hospital, but said as hossitpol, I explained that this was not needed. Daddy checked Julia’s ear and it was fine. I checked Julia’s ear and it is fine. She did not accept this until daddy pretended to get the bee out of her ear.

I think what happened was due to the window being open, so I closed the window to make sure it did not happen again. Maybe an insect flew near her head, or a mozzie and she freaked out. They are very tired due to running around and being at school all day. Now the bee incident has made them very upset.

While we were talking to Lillian she covered her ears to be on the safe side with her teddies. She eventually put her face down on the pillow at the end of Julia’s bed (yes still wanting to share a bed with her sister) she had her teddy protecting her ear.

After many kisses and cuddles, both girls finally put heads down and I was able to get out of the door and back to dinner.

A word of warning, be careful of dangerous bees before bed time.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond

Headache go away

Today was the day kids were at school and I wanted to get heaps done. I wish my body would have been up to speed with my plan, have had a nasty headache all day. Have taken pills but to no avail. While at home, I managed to tidy up the lounge room, kids room and our room. Did a couple of loads of laundry and changed our sheets. Girls sheets were done yesterday or Saturday, feels so far away now, but they were done on the weekend at some point.

I thought about going for a sleep, however I am that tired that I thought I would sleep through pick up for the girls, so did not do that. I watched some of my shows and then finished some things off and had to pick the girls up. Since getting the girls from school it has made my head ten times worse. The girls are little trouble makers. Running out to get in the paddle pool, taking off and not coming when called, not eating all their food, playing and not having dinner, ignoring me, being violent to each other, hitting, biting, and just plain terrible. Both girls are finally in their bedroom playing waiting for daddy to come home to say hello before we have dinner.

I did plan to have more done so that I can maximise my time tomorrow. I think I will hope that I feel better tomorrow and get stuck into something I want to do. Even as I speak the girls are screaming, crying and yelling at each other. I fear that they are over tired and they are just going to be terrible before they finally pass out. I did go in and see who was hurt due to high pitched screaming before, Lillian was bitten by Julia due to Julia not getting her way at the tea party. OHHhhhhhhh gosh, I am so over this. I just want to have dinner and go to bed.

Thinking about dinner, I feel that I should go and get dinner made, eat it, and go off to bed. Maybe an early night will help things.  I will put James’ dinner in the microwave.

Hope your day was better than mine.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond Potty Training Pre-School

Social butterflies

Saturday the 25th was a big day; the girls had two parties to attend:

1. A birthday party for a boy at pre-school.

2. A goodbye party for their mate Mia, who is living to live in Germany.

The girls were very excited and I realised that the centre of the universe is going to be Blackheath or at least close to it for a while. Both parties were in Blackheath and as the girls had now started school in Blackheath this is probably going to be more frequent. That is fine with us, however it was just strange that the two events were on the same day. We are never that busy really and both parties were for the girls not us, us parents were just the transport.

It was sad that their good friend Mia was leaving and it was nice that she came along to the birthday party as well. All the kids go to the same pre-school.  The girls had an excellent time at the birthday party, they loved decorating their cupcakes and playing games with the other children. We filled out Mia’s friendship book and hope that we get a letter from her soon.

After the birthday party we all went to get some lunch, ended up getting fish and chips and going to our land to have a picnic. So that was impressive. After we went home had a quick rest, and then off to the next party. The girls made a necklace and bracelet for Mia. It had her name and theirs on the necklace with hearts and the bracelet had just Mia’s name.  Very cute and they were very proud to show Mia their handy work.

We stayed for a while at the goodbye party; however the girls were so tired, ended up falling over to often and getting upset. Happens a lot when they are tired, both the girls did not want to go, but we had to they were exhausted. So we said our goodbyes and made our way home. Gave them some dinner, and milk, and off to bed. We did not hear any noise out of their room after we put them to bed, very tired indeed.

The girls were very good and managed to have the whole day out without nappies and had no accidents, aside from rest time.

Today we went to kids kingdom and the girls for the first time went there without nappies. Lillian told me she needed to go to the toilet and I took her. She was great and very grown up. I asked Julia if she needed to go, she said no. After the kids played, we went off to Woolies at Leura to get some shopping. We were at the checkout waiting to pay and Julia said, “I need to go to the toilet mummy”, I rushed to the end of the shops, and the toilet had a queue. I then went to the other toilet and there was a queue there as well. I asked Julia if she could hang on. She said, “Yes mummy”. I was hoping that she could and we would not have an accident. The lady in front of me offered for us to go first, I thanked her as it was very nice of her to offer. Julia was good, and hung on until we got to the toilet. Clever girl, and then we washed hands and headed off to find daddy and get the shopping to the car.

I am very impressed with the girls and not wearing nappies anymore. I think they understand that they need to hold on and have the ability to do so more now.  I am just an impressed mummy at such a wonderful thing, maybe the end of nappies soon?

Daddy, the girls and I danced to music, they played with their doctors kit (ended up taking the doctors kit to bed, plus a teapot, in case they need to make some tea), and then they were off to bed.

Lunches are made for school tomorrow and have a house to get cleaner or at least tidier tomorrow as well. What have your social butterflies been up to? Is school filling your social calendar with parties? I think that we will have more functions to go to, which is good. Hopefully we will expand our network and meet more people.

Categories
3 years and beyond Feeling Frumpy

A rave about ramps

What is it with ramps that take you to the footpath? If you have a pram it gets stuck. This is not helpful when you have to get off the road due to traffic. I don’t understand why these have not been made so that any pram/wheelchair or say anything on wheels can access it first go, not after 2-3 attempts.

I really don’t understand why they are not easier to use. Also when you have traffic everywhere, 2 kids in the pram you need to get off the road quick smart. Having the ramp not easily able to glide over the wheels and allow you access to the footpath is just annoying to say the least.  Has this happened to you or anyone you know? Have you been annoyed at this? Or is it just me?

I am sure that prams are not the only things that have encountered this issue. What about wheelchairs and trolleys?  I just had to share my annoyance with this. As we have had some sunny days, I have taken full advantage and gone out with the pram. This allows me to get some exercise and the girls love it as they can touch plants and see more.

All that needs to be done to fix these ramps is to make them meet the concrete at the street and have a seamless; I wonder why this is never done in the first place?

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

Not hungry

Since the girls started school, they have been off their food. I have offered all sorts of things for dinner and nothing or the bare minimum gets touched. Sandwiches and lunches are coming back not eaten. This brings me to question: “What are they eating? And who’s lunch are they eating?”, because they are definitely not eating what I am giving them.  I do know that I need to have new choices for them, however this is limited by a vegemite and honey sandwich diet and extras are left and never touched. Both girls eat a good breakfast, weetbix. Maybe I need to reduce that so that they eat lunch and dinner.

I feel that the girls are just too busy to eat? So many things to do and see, don’t have time to eat. Is this it? It makes me wonder, when they come home they say they are hungry. So I give them something before I give them dinner, say a yoghurt and then they don’t eat anything after this. Very annoying. I have had screaming temper tantrums telling me that they are hungry and they are not tired and please mummy I don’t need to go to bed!!!!

Before you think I am a big meany poo. I gave them several things to eat and nothing got touched. I thought that they might not be that hungry so left it for ages on the table so the girls could go back and pick at it. I feed them some milk in the hour before bed and they still carry on that they are hungry. I have taken this as a delaying technique and if mummy thinks we are hungry we can stay up. Told them that if they did not eat the sausages, cheese, and beetroot then they are not hungry and it is bed time. Lillian was falling asleep in my arms tonight and also yesterday. There is no way that they are not tired. I suppose Julia and Lillian are trying to convince me otherwise, cheeky monkeys.

Does your child not eat if they are too busy or involved? I suppose that this will sort itself out, when the girls are hungry they will eat.  I need inspiration for more lunch box ideas and dinners for the girls. If you have any thoughts, send them my way. We can all share and benefit out of others ideas.

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School University Study

My time to relax

After the girls were dropped off to pre-school, I headed off to return books to the library and check the mail, now the errands have been done it is me time.

I had some lunch, relaxed while watching a show by not being interpreted by the girls, very relaxing I must say. I am getting very obsessed with the new show “Revenge“, it is very interesting. Every character seems to have their own agenda for revenge or something sinister. Then I focused on creating a pattern for new pants out of Lillian’s favourite pajama pants. I have made them a bit bigger and going to add pockets. I am going to make them look unique so keen to start sewing. I am hoping that my new pattern will be good. I am starting off with just 2 pairs of pants to make sure my idea works, then if all good, I will make more. Pictures to come when I have a completed project.

It was very nice to be home alone without any pressure, any demands and to just be. I sat in the quiet for a while. I did do some washing, but there is still lots more to do. However that can be done tomorrow, as there is no urgency on anything currently, and as the weather is terrible for drying I don’t want to have baskets of wet washing to dry.

University semester starts on the 5th of March so I have spent some time checking the university student site. I have done my introduction via the online forum and have looked at other student and staff introductions. I am keen and also a bit concerned about this semester as the unit sounds hard and complicated. I am enrolled in Project Process Planning and Control, so I think it is going to be heavy on theories and data. However, after this subject I only have 2 more to do, so have to get through this one o.k, to continue on. One side of me that is keen to start study as it gives my brain an outlet other than being a mummy, but the other is concerned about the subject and what this semester involves. I am on the countdown to finishing so that is exciting but still feels so far away.

After looking at the uni course I had another “Revenge” to watch as it is so addictive. Then off to pick the girls up from school. They had a great day. Still they could not tell me what they did, however I figured out that they painted, and went out to play until it rained again, and played with puzzles. This week they have been very clingy when I drop them off, they don’t want me to leave. I just hope it gets better as today Julia wanted me to pick her up and cuddle her around the school. I know that is nice, however I am trying to make my exit not to stay there.

It was very nice to have this time to myself. I am hoping that tomorrow I will make time to start sewing the girls new pants. The test batch. I am sure it will work, just need to make sure that the sizes for the girls are correct. I have measured and will add the new measurements into the pants project.

Hope that you all had time to have some me time. What did you get up to?  It was nicer weather, but still rainy so not much you can do in this weather.  What was it like where you are?

Categories
3 years and beyond Family Feeling Frumpy Pre-School

Week 2 of pre-school and time out

Week 2 of pre-school is here and went well, although it was a rough start. The girls did not want to get ready and made it hard to get out the door. Managed to get there on time in the wet, so that is a great start I thought, and finding a park was even better. This school run is interesting as I have never been a parent of children in school. Although they are only in pre-school it has the same timing as a school day. Now I will understand when school holidays are. I never knew as it was not important. Now I will know when they occur.

Both girls were shy this morning and needed coaxing to get into the doors at school. It was a bit upsetting as they did not do this last week. I think it is still all new and it is a learning curve as it is only week 2, so not expecting that much. I left the girls when one of their friends came in, their mate Mia is great, they like her so much. However this little girl is moving back to Germany with her family in a week so the girls will not have that friend to play with. I am hoping that we can get an address to send letters so that the girls can keep in touch.

When I dropped the girls off, there was a boy who was super excited about his upcoming birthday party this Saturday. He is turning 5. He seemed to be inviting everyone. Was not sure if we were on the list and thought we would not be, the girls only started at the school last week, so thought he was talking about his other friends. Upon collecting Julia and Lillian, I found that he has invited them and in-fact the whole class. It is nice that the girls have been asked to a party for a classmate. Must RSVP to his mother to make sure she is aware of numbers for the party. Now, what to get a 5 year old boy for his birthday?

The weather here is still terrible, nice sunny day and then terrible storms. It has not stopped raining all afternoon. I managed to get some tidying done, sheets on beds changed and some washing done. However, would have liked to have done more. Tomorrow is my time, I am pencilling in that time for me and my projects.  I am feeling very fat and frumpy so must work in some exercise tomorrow. I need to see if I can get up earlier to incorporate it into my day as by the time that everyone wakes and I get stuck into things, it never gets done. I really would like to be doing more exercise, however with the early morning idea, I do like my sleep so that is why this has never happened for any great length of time.

My mum and step dad came to visit. They were going to be staying for a couple of days but have had issues with their caravan and it is at the mechanics to get fixed. Issues with the wheel and axel, not good and I hope it gets reparied soon and cheaply, or at least not as expensive as it might cost. The girls were surprised that Nana showed up to pick them up from school. Mum and I asked the girls what they did today at school, and they were both very silent.  Both girls only told us that they did not play with the puzzles. So what did they do?  I think they were so busy that they cannot remember what they got up to. They had all their lunches come back from school, must have been too busy to eat as well.

Mum and my step dad bought the quilt blankets that they both made the girls. The girls loved them and insisted on having them on their beds tonight. They really enjoyed looking at the panels and finding all the things that are on the quilt, dogs, cats, Dora the explorer, flowers, letters, numbers and many other things.

As the girls picked at their lunches at home, I just gave them something light for dinner with milk. I don’t think they would have eaten a planned dinner after I spent time preparing it and I was not in the mood for doing it or eating it if they did not. Lillian curled up on the lounge piece she dismantled and she looked so tired. I asked if she was tired and she nodded and said yes. The girls never admit to being tired, so she must have been exhausted.

They went to bed about 6.30pm and probably went to bed about 7.30pm. They should be plenty rested for their wake up call at 7am tomorrow morning.

What do your kids/children get up to at school or pre-school? Do they tell you? I think it is odd I get the answer, “I don’t know”, I really think that they are so overloaded with new things, and people to play with that they just forget. I am just finding it interesting that you can never find out. Must ask the school tomorrow what they get up to.

Categories
3 years and beyond Family Katoomba and Weather Pre-School

A bit grumpy

Lunches are made and are in the fridge. Week 2 of pre-school starts tomorrow, yippee another 3 days off (not full days, just a school day) for me to get some things done and for my time out. I am really looking forward to it.

This weekend was busy for me. I was tasked with looking after the girls (Not like this is different from the status quo anyway) as James had to work on a presentation for his work.  It was very disappointing for me, as I like the fact that daddy is available on weekends to be with the girls and to help out.  I know it was work and it does not happen all the time so that is something to be grateful for.  However it got me thinking.  Why is it o.k. for the husband to lock himself away at the computer all weekend just due to a presentation for work? I mentioned that when I have urgent projects or things I need to do for university, I don’t get that amount of time to do any of my work. I have to do it all at night, not during the day when you are at your best.  I did mention this to James and it was met with I could always get an extension on an assignment if I need to. He cannot get an extension for a work presentation.

To top it off, Lillian was so unsettled Saturday night that she was screaming and crying and was a mess. I ended up taking her to bed with me, the girls call mummy and daddies bed the “big bed”. She snuggled up to me and wanted to hold my hand and cuddle me. She was so upset. James went in at first to calm her down. He thought that worked, but when he left she was hysterical. When I first came into her room she said there was a thing coming in the window for her. I told her that she was safe and all was o.k. probably did not help that there was a house down the road having a party and playing doof doof music. The beat was vibrating on the girl’s floor. I was just thankful that Julia slept and I only had to deal with one upset child at a time.

So Saturday night I did not sleep the best, as I had a little girl trying to snuggle into me, which was very nice and wonderful, however it makes you get in all sorts of different positions that cannot be good for your neck or back. Hoping that tonight I will have the bed to myself aside from James.   I was so tired after dealing with Lillian in the bed and getting up early for Julia. I organised breakfast for the kids and me, and after we were all fed, I told James that I was going back to bed. It was nice that was o.k, as I knew he was still doing his presentation. The girls played nicely with each other. They played in the backyard due to sunshine at the time, and watched Tangled, the new film about Rapunzel. The girls are so invloved in the story that Lillian was calling herself “Tangled” and Julia was calling herself “Gene”. I suppose this is a nice change from Fiona and Shrek. So I should not complain to loudly as it was nice to have that nap this morning as it was much needed.

James’ presentation is complete and I hope it will be a success on Monday.  The weather here has been crazy all weekend as per during the week. I took the girls swimming at Springwood on Saturday; it started out as a nice sunny day.  When we got in the car to drive to get lunch for everyone there were black clouds, and it poured down.  Today it did the same thing, however it was not blue skies, there was sun and clouds and it did the same thing. Thunderstorm this afternoon and now another one while I write this, thunder getting very loud and the lightening is like flash photography.

Does any mother/partner get annoyed when it seems like that when you ask for the same thing you don’t get it? I do not begrudge James getting his presentation done or letting him have the time to do it. I just feel that he could have come out with all of us for a little family time. He likes the job, and I like him having the job, plus he is good at it. However, I am not sure why you cannot spend some time with the family during the day and then get back to the presentation later in the day or work on it during the evening. It would tire out the kids and also then we could leave him alone to get his work finished.  I will use this to my advantage though, next time I have a major assignment, he can look after the girls all weekend.  I think that is fair, don’t you?

Categories
3 years and beyond Feeling Frumpy Katoomba and Weather

A walk in sunshine and rain

Woke up to nice sunny, hot weather, about time I hear you say. It feels like the rain has set in and will never leave.  Very worried about autumn and of course winter. Living in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, it gets very cold. If it continues this wet weather we will be in for a cold and wet winter. This is not something I enjoy. I love summer, but not when it is wet and gloomy. So as it was sunny and warm, I made the most of it.  I organised the girls to get in the pram, packed us up and I walked into town, well Katoomba that is.

As I have been meaning to do some exercise, it was nice that the weather was so nice.   So all 3 of us were out and about for a walk, well mummy was walking and huffing and puffing some of the way. It is hard to push the pram with it all stocked with 2 little people on board now. I suppose this helps with the exercise, so I shouldn’t complain.  We finally got to the shops, I dropped of daddies shirts at the cleaners, then we went off to check the post office for a parcel we are expecting went to the bakery and purchased cheese and bacon rolls for the girls, then off to Coles to get some shopping.

On the way back the pram was packed up well with all the shopping plus the girls. It was getting black and dark. There was a big black cloud getting darker and darker. We heard loud thunder and I thought I had to speed up to get us home. I had a bit of walking to do. The whole idea now of taking the pram seemed like a stupid idea. How will I ever get back in time.

I managed to get down Station Street and if you know that street it is all downhill. I jogged with the pram all the way down that street. I was trying to make up some time to get us home quickly. However that did not help a great deal, just around the corner from the house it started to rain, thunder and lightning seemed to be getting worse and felt very close. I was trying to keep up with the jogging but could not, ended up fast walking. This was met with sadness from the girls as they liked me going fast and really enjoyed the speed. Pity it was not something I could keep doing. Maybe after more sessions jogging or fast walking I could do that, only if the weather would permit.

We managed to get home, wet and I was so exhausted. I got the girls out of the pram, put the pram under cover, and opened the house. Made sure all windows were closed and then raced outside to get the clothes off the line.

Have you ever been caught by the weather? Has it made it difficult if you had kids with you? What did you do? I did think of getting a taxi or bus, however you would have to wait for that and the likelihood is that the rain would have been worse by this stage. After we were all indoors it bucketed down. I also learnt that there were weather warnings for hail and severe thunderstorms in the area. We were very lucky to get home when we did. If I had known that would have happened, I would have taken the car.  Although every time I do and it ends up a nice sunny day, I kick myself for not going out and exercising and enjoying the weather while we can.

Categories
3 years and beyond Katoomba and Weather Potty Training Pre-School

Too Easy

The girls successfully have completed their first week at pre-school. They both had a great time, however Julia took a bit of work to get organised in the mornings to get out the door. Julia decided that she did not like her shirt, shoes, did not want her hair brushed and dealt with this by falling down in the hallway screaming and crying. Once out the door and at school she was fine. I am thinking it is due to the new schedule and the change from childcare to pre-school. I could be wrong, she was doing this before, and so it could just be a stage.

Today was the first day not at school this week so we all went to playgroup. It was a wonderful change in the weather to have blue skies and sunshine and currently still do. Crossing fingers it lasts more than a day. Due to the good weather, I have done about 3 loads of washing, clothes are on the line and we all walked to playgroup. Well, mummy walked the girls were in the pram. Although the girls are big enough to walk, it is easier to take the pram. The girls end up getting tired and I cannot carry everything with me. When we go, I bring their potties as there is only one toilet, what to do if someone is in it and one of the girls or both need to go? So I take our own. Better to be organised.

The other mums were asking me, and the girls how they went at pre-school this week. Anna asked Julia and Lillian, and then Lillian said, “It is too easy”.  I thought that was very funny coming from them as this is the first week at the new school, however on Wednesday the teachers were giving them tasks to learn about the colours or at least see if they know them. Both girls know all their colours so it was no big thing for them. They were also asked to put a pink block tower back together once the teacher took it apart.  They had water play, painting and collage. So at this stage it is possibly easy. Not sure what else is in store for them this term, but I am sure there will be other things that they have never done, that won’t be “too easy”. Or maybe it is for them, who knows, we will see.

Yesterday Julia wanted to put her seat belt on in the car all by herself, and gets annoyed when it does not happen. She ends up twisting the straps so it makes it impossible to get it clicked in place no matter who long she struggles with it. She gets in such a mood that I cannot show her how to sort the straps out. She does not want me to touch it as that is considered mummy fixing it and she wants to do it. She yells, screams and cries, “I want to do it, me, let me!!!”, however you cannot just stand there for hours waiting for a seat belt to be done up. Lillian the other day has figured it out.  It does not help that she says proudly “I did it”.

The new pre-school fosters independence which is good, but as Julia had this breakdown with the seat belt 3 times yesterday I was so over independence. Just let me do it, so that we can get going. It is a pity that the mood she gets in she will not listen to what I am saying, I am happy that she tries to do it, however I need to show her how and then I am happy to watch her do it, but not when it is all wrong and never going to work.

Both girls are now able to get in and out of the pram themselves. They can put their seat belts on and Lillian can take her’s off as well. Julia can put it on but has some trouble getting it off, this will change in time. It is nice that you can tell the girls to go into the pram and get their seat belts on and they do. Very relaxing indeed.

Let’s hope that school is “too easy” for the girls, and they do well. This might change when they move to big school in 2014, or at least to harder concepts at the pre-school.

Does your child want to do things by themselves? Is it easy for them or do they struggle? Are they doing some things better than others? How do you manage with the child/children trying to do things themselves when you need to be out the door for an appointment? I usually take over if I need to be somewhere and deal with the tantrums and screams.

Categories
3 years and beyond

No butterfly in a glass of water

Lately the girls seem to be curious about all creatures and insects. Julia and Lillian have a fascination for catching butterflies.

I have repeated and told both girls to be nice to creatures, leave scary ones alone and to just watch things to see what they do and to learn. However as you will see by reading on, it has not sunk in. While in the kitchen organising their dinner, Lillian proudly came in to show me something. I was busy with plates, and food so it took me a while to look down. Lillian kept on saying, “Mummy, Mummy look!!” I finally looked and saw that she had a butterfly in her fingers. I was shocked and also privately amazed that she managed to catch it with her fingers. Both girls have been running around the backyard trying to catch one, however never thought that would ever happen.

I then explained that it is cruel to have taken the butterfly out of his/her environment and they needed to put it back as soon as possible. This was met with, “Mummy I wanted to put it in water”, I then explained that this was not what butterflies want to do (This idea of putting the butterfly in water is probably due to going to pick flowers and putting them in water). They are much happier outside where they can fly around. I am very sad to report that Julia and Lillian fought over who was going to take the poor insect outside and then tore it’s wing. I had to take the poor thing outside and hope for the best. I was very upset, and used this as hopefully the last example of why they have to be nice to things and to not hurt or injure creatures. I told them it is very cruel and would they like this done to them? Both girls said no and were upset.

It made me think that it is probably just the age of the girls, getting more involved in their environment and surroundings, becoming more curious, and being told to not touch or leave something alone makes them want to even more. This amazement is not meant to hurt and the fact that they want to get so close to the new creatures is just wonderful, just a pity that they are too keen and at times clumsy, that it ends up not the way you had hoped for. I know I did similar things as a child, but it was never nasty or hurtful, this is why I know that it is the age and it is all innocent. It is just a matter of instilling the values of protecting animals.

Does your child do the same thing with insects, or little creatures? The twins are still learning and don’t know not to do things, for example, that butterflies will not want to be put into a glass of water. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for this sort of thing? I currently just explain what has happened, why it is good to just observe and enjoy the insect in their environment. What have you done with your child/children? What did you get up to as a kid? Did this happen to you?

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

Valentines day and day 2 of pre-school

Happy Valentines Day everyone. I hope you have a nice day whatever you end up doing. This morning it was a saga getting the girls organised for day 2 of school, well actually it was hard with Julia especially. She decided that she did not want to go to school, she wanted to stay home. Everything ended up being an issue. Cuddle me, carry me, no I don’t want that shoe, Lillian has my clip and just heaps of crying and whinging. She fell on the floor and just made the whole getting ready 10 times harder.

I managed to sort it out, calmed her down a bit, put shoes on her, brushed her hair, gave her a clip and she put it in her hair. Finally we were all in the car and off to school. Phew!  However Julia had cried so much that her face was red and spotty. I hope that she looks happier when we get there. I don’t want the school to think that she needs to come home. Today I am busy cleaning up the house as we have a babysitter for tonight, as James and I are going out for dinner. Really looking forward to it.

I am looking forward to wearing my new skirt and dressing up a bit for a night out without kids. Just relaxing thinking about that. Oh well, must be off to start the tidying up process.

Let me know how your Valentines goes? Did you get romanced? Get some time out? Or just had a great day with the family?

 

Update: We ended up going out for a very nice dinner. The girls were happy with their babysitter and played, doctors, tea parties, hairdressers, watched some tv, had some food and milk and went to bed. Lillian’s hair was braided when I woke up and it looks so lovely. Must learn how to do that.