Happy Birthday my wonderful girls. Today you are are five.
I cannot believe it has been five years already. Mummy is very proud and impressed by what big girls you are.
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Today You Are Five
Category: 4 years and beyond
I grew up in North Queensland, Hervey Bay to be precise. My childhood consisted of playing outdoors, cycling on my push bike, swimming, snorkelling and outdoor activities.
Summer is my favourite season and I adore the heat, so why do I now live in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains? Where most of the time it is wet, freezing, cold, gale force winds and just miserable. There is a small window where it nice; warm or hot that you could think it was summer but for me it never lasts long enough; and sometimes we never get a summer and it feels like it is constantly winter!
I have been in the Blue Mountains for over ten years now and has the environment rubbed off on me? Do I still yearn for the beach, the sun and the all round great weather?
Well the answer is Yes, I still long for the beach and all that goes with it. You cannot change how you grew up and what you long for.
I’m sure that you think that the mountains cannot be so bad. It does have some great things going for it:
- Great air to breathe.
- Outdoor spaces to play in and to use. Walks, climbing and parks.
- You can see stars that you will not see in the city or in built up areas.
- Greater value for houses and real estate, allows you to get a foot hold in the property market.
- Live closer to nature. Surrounded by national parks and nature.
- Experience four seasons and sometimes just one. In October 2012 we had deep snow and it was freezing (see image gallery below). It did not snow in winter but waited till Spring to do this.
- Cooler in summer compared to the city. This is great if you like the heat but don’t to get too hot.
- Feels like we live in tourist central, this gives us more choice and infrastructure to our area.
One of the main reasons that I am in the Blue Mountains is due to my hubby. He cannot stand the heat and deals with the cold better. So I love the heat and I hate the cold. In summer in Katoomba the temperature is warm and sometimes hot but not as bad as it would be in the city. This is a good compromise, however I wish it would work better for me in winter.
I brave the freezing cold for my hubby, how nice of me. What have you done for your partner?
What is so wonderful about the beach and warmer weather?
- Better climate to allow more activities to happen year round rather than just certain times of the year.
- Makes me feel great and energised.
- Love the salt water.
- Love the smell of the sand, sea and the idea that the days seem endless.
- Due to better climate more outdoor activity can be had.
As I write this I am in my hotel room on the Gold Coast. It has been a lovely hot day and just enjoyable weather. I can smell the sea air and it just makes me feel good. Feels like home. I am pleased that I am getting my fix for what I long for, and hope that I can repeat it soon.
The mountains has great qualities also, the fog that makes it so appealing. The trees that change colour in autumn and look so pretty in their reds, browns, and yellows. I know the whole dynamic of the Blue Mountains would change if it was constantly warm and sunny. There would be no curling up in front of the open fire and snuggling with your hot chocolate or skinny cap or maybe a glass of port.
Mind you I do like these things in the mountains, but I hate the cold, and cannot stand dealing with the layers of clothes that is needed to stay warm.
I have decided that I don’t like winter and never will. I love and hang out for summer, summer holidays, Christmas and spending time at the beach, pool and just being outdoors.
What are your thoughts? What is wonderful about the mountains or the beach? What is your favourite?
Note: This post was written to enter the Problogger Competition to win a trip to South By Southwest in 2014 courtesy of Virgin Australia. Wish me luck and hope that I get considered.
I grew up in North Queensland, Hervey Bay to be precise. My childhood consisted of playing outdoors, cycling on my push bike, swimming, snorkelling and outdoor activities.
Summer is my favourite season and I adore the heat, so why do I now live in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains? Where most of the time it is wet, freezing, cold, gale force winds and just miserable. There is a small window where it nice; warm or hot that you could think it was summer but for me it never lasts long enough; and sometimes we never get a summer and it feels like it is constantly winter!
I have been in the Blue Mountains for over ten years now and has the environment rubbed off on me? Do I still yearn for the beach, the sun and the all round great weather?
Well the answer is Yes, I still long for the beach and all that goes with it. You cannot change how you grew up and what you long for.
I’m sure that you think that the mountains cannot be so bad. It does have some great things going for it:
- Great air to breathe.
- Outdoor spaces to play in and to use. Walks, climbing and parks.
- You can see stars that you will not see in the city or in built up areas.
- Greater value for houses and real estate, allows you to get a foot hold in the property market.
- Live closer to nature. Surrounded by national parks and nature.
- Experience four seasons and sometimes just one. In October 2012 we had deep snow and it was freezing (see image gallery below). It did not snow in winter but waited till Spring to do this.
- Cooler in summer compared to the city. This is great if you like the heat but don’t to get too hot.
- Feels like we live in tourist central, this gives us more choice and infrastructure to our area.
One of the main reasons that I am in the Blue Mountains is due to my hubby. He cannot stand the heat and deals with the cold better. So I love the heat and I hate the cold. In summer in Katoomba the temperature is warm and sometimes hot but not as bad as it would be in the city. This is a good compromise, however I wish it would work better for me in winter.
I brave the freezing cold for my hubby, how nice of me. What have you done for your partner?
What is so wonderful about the beach and warmer weather?
- Better climate to allow more activities to happen year round rather than just certain times of the year.
- Makes me feel great and energised.
- Love the salt water.
- Love the smell of the sand, sea and the idea that the days seem endless.
- Due to better climate more outdoor activity can be had.
As I write this I am in my hotel room on the Gold Coast. It has been a lovely hot day and just enjoyable weather. I can smell the sea air and it just makes me feel good. Feels like home. I am pleased that I am getting my fix for what I long for, and hope that I can repeat it soon.
The mountains has great qualities also, the fog that makes it so appealing. The trees that change colour in autumn and look so pretty in their reds, browns, and yellows. I know the whole dynamic of the Blue Mountains would change if it was constantly warm and sunny. There would be no curling up in front of the open fire and snuggling with your hot chocolate or skinny cap or maybe a glass of port.
Mind you I do like these things in the mountains, but I hate the cold, and cannot stand dealing with the layers of clothes that is needed to stay warm.
I have decided that I don’t like winter and never will. I love and hang out for summer, summer holidays, Christmas and spending time at the beach, pool and just being outdoors.
What are your thoughts? What is wonderful about the mountains or the beach? What is your favourite?
Note: This post was written to enter the Problogger Competition to win a trip to South By Southwest in 2014 courtesy of Virgin Australia. Wish me luck and hope that I get considered.
Categories
Gold Coast Trip
Tuesday night we got a hotel in the city so we could be closer to the airport rather than staying at home and having to have a 3am wake up call to enable us to get a 10.10am flight. So rather than waking at 3am we all woke at 6am so better all round really.
The kids loved staying at a hotel the night before our trip actually happened, it was an extra treat. We got up and and I got the kids organised as we were all still very sleepy as Tuesday was a big day and the kids did stay up very late and therefore were extremely sleepy the next day.
All of us managed to get dressed and sorted and we got our bags and put them in car, and we were headed off to the long term parking, so all on time and schedule. Hubby was happy about this.
We got to the airport early and we all looked around, we had breakfast although there was a big fuss due to not having WeetBix, one kid had pancakes and the other had apple. Not great but better than nothing. Maybe they can have WeetBix for breakfast today? Crossing fingers and toes the hotel has this available.
After we had exhausted our adventure walk around the domestic airport we went to where our gate was for our plane and hung around there for a while. Kids were getting a bit bored so we went and looked at some more planes.
Yes we are now on the plane! We are all excited and kids even more so! I love take off.
The flight was fun, the girls had activity books that grandma gave them so they would have something to do while on the plane. We also made sure that they had their water bottle and teddy to cuddle for the trip.
At about 20mins out of landing the girls started asking, “Are we there yet?”, “When are we going to land?” Gosh I did not know that these questions would still happen in the air? Oh well, at least it was not long to go.
We finally landed and got our bags very quickly and then onto the hire car.
We got to the hotel, the QT Gold Coast and it is just fab, very quirky and funky. Just lovely and what we needed. The room is a lovely king suite with ocean views, love it and want to stay here forever!
Gotta go and have breakfast and then off to Dreamworld for a fun filled day with the family. More later.
Categories
Octo Success
Yesterday was the twins 5th birthday party, they are not five yet, but we will be away for their actual birthday so wanted the girls to have a party with their mates before we leave on our holiday.
Two days before their party hubby and I stayed up late to get all organised and sorted.
The day before the party I spent most of it in the kitchen, making fish biscuits otherwise known as sugar cookies, vegan cupcakes for those who cannot eat the cake and then later that night I made the cake. After 1am or later, the cake was finished, I was pleased with it. It looked like Kwazii Cat, so that was an achievement.
A week before the day of the party we checked what the weather was going to be like and it said 90% chance of showers, gosh not good. We are having the party at a park and they don’t have undercover shelter.
What would we do if this forecast was correct? Not sure really. However this was not to be, the weather was sunny, hot and just great. The only thing that was a bit of an annoyance was the wind picked up a little bit but it was not gale force winds so cannot complain about it.
We had a great turn out and the kids were super happy to see all their friends and our family and extended family friends that joined us to celebrate the kids turning five. It was a nice day and fun was had by all. Today it has been overcast, cooler and threatening rain. We were very lucky that we did well with the weather.
I wanted to make sure the kids had fun with the food as it was an Octonauts party, and got some inspiration from another blogger on my post about Octonaut Party Preparation.
We changed the name of certain foods for a bit of fun.
Jaffas were called crab shells, snakes were called electric eels, other lollies were called worm tails. Apple juice was whale wee, orange juice was octopus ink, and water was called sea water.
It was very funny when kids were asking for more whale wee and sea water. Hilarious actually!
The labels were done by using Avery Labels. It was made even easier by their online template to make sure it prints fine with your images. So easy to use and worked a treat.
If you need to do labels, this is ideal. For the rectangular labels we used L7109 Avery Labels and for the round labels we used L7102.
When we printed we used the best photo for the quality and for the paper type we chose glossy photo paper. They came out brilliantly.
One of the mothers that came along did some water bombs with the kids and they were a hit.
Kids were exhausted and happy after their day at the park and the party. We came home with some family and had a cuppa tea and kids unwrapped presents. The girls were very surprised as they have finally got the presents they have been asking for.
A successful day. Hubby and I were so tired and collapsed after dinner with a glass of wine. Phew another party done for another year.
Are you planning your child/children’s birthday party? Or is it your partners/wife/hubby’s?
It is a big job but pleasing when it all works out well. Send in your comments.
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Mummy’s Magical Bed
Why is it that mummy and daddy’s bed allows the kid to sleep without problem, whereas their bed makes them cry and get upset. Maybe my bed is magical? Maybe it is just the fact that they can cuddle mummy or daddy?
Lately I have had a body wake at midnight or at the exact time I am choosing to go to bed and then I am usually up all night dealing with the upset and sick child. Yes poor little bums they are. I think this is the cause of my sore neck, sleeping in an odd position due to accommodating an extra body.
I was hoping that I might have a sleep without the extra person joining our bed, but that was not to be. One of the girls is still a bit out of sorts although feeling better than before, but being in mummies bed seems to make her stop coughing and sleep so soundly.
What other magical properties does my bed hold? Bigger so more room to stretch out and make no room for mummy! Cuddles and love from either parent, yes that is nice but hard to cuddle snoring child all night.
Do you have a magical bed? Do your kids wiggle their way into your bed at night? Send in your comments.
Categories
Mummy's Magical Bed
Why is it that mummy and daddy’s bed allows the kid to sleep without problem, whereas their bed makes them cry and get upset. Maybe my bed is magical? Maybe it is just the fact that they can cuddle mummy or daddy?
Lately I have had a body wake at midnight or at the exact time I am choosing to go to bed and then I am usually up all night dealing with the upset and sick child. Yes poor little bums they are. I think this is the cause of my sore neck, sleeping in an odd position due to accommodating an extra body.
I was hoping that I might have a sleep without the extra person joining our bed, but that was not to be. One of the girls is still a bit out of sorts although feeling better than before, but being in mummies bed seems to make her stop coughing and sleep so soundly.
What other magical properties does my bed hold? Bigger so more room to stretch out and make no room for mummy! Cuddles and love from either parent, yes that is nice but hard to cuddle snoring child all night.
Do you have a magical bed? Do your kids wiggle their way into your bed at night? Send in your comments.
This post is by Robert Barlow, he has some great suggestions and tips on how to store decorations and equipment. It is great timing just before the Christmas season, if I follow this list, I will definitely be more organised.
The holidays! A series of events where the world seems to transform. Your room, your house, the street and your workplace are suddenly festive, covered in the beautiful the interesting and the gaudy. Whether designed to scare, amuse, amaze or shock most people love decorations. Until the day after the holiday, where you’d better pull the things down and find a place to put them in a hurry. Here are some suggestions.
Bag ’em cover ’em and box em
The holidays! A series of events where the world seems to transform. Your room, your house, the street and your workplace are suddenly festive, covered in the beautiful, the interesting and the gaudy. Whether designed to scare, amuse, amaze or shock most people love decorations. Until the day after the holiday, where you’d better pull the things down and find a place to put them in a hurry. Here are some suggestions.
Bag ’em cover ’em and box em
Dust has a knack for getting everywhere and covering everything. So you might want to consider a couple of layers between the decorations and the outside world. You don’t want things getting damp or dusty. Get a simple storage bag or furniture cover and coat the inside of the box in it, then close it and tape it up. You might not think you need it, but nothing is more depressing than pulling out mouldy stockings and stripped tinsel.
Simple even labelled boxes
This might seem simple but surprisingly few people figure it out. Get some uniform boxes from a storage company, decorate them differently for each holiday and leave them, organised by holiday and slightly separate from each other, that way when you need them you can go find them and move them in a simple logical manner. For added ease, labels, simple, effective, inexpensive, and definitely underused.
Placing and location
Understandably you probably have quite a few things you need to store, but it’s important that you put your holiday things somewhere that you won’t have to elbow your way through them, but also won’t be too hard to reach when you need them. To that end you should keep your holiday things to one side of everything else, and put them in a logical order. If at all possible leave a small space to one side of the holiday boxes, so that when you’re done with the first holiday you can fill the space, leaving easy access. At the end of the year there should be some space at the other end, fill it with the first box of next year and reverse the order.
Take the easy way. Hired Storage
The simplest and easiest option. Load everything into boxes, rent out a storage space from Fort Knox Sunshine Coast. For when the attic is too dusty, the basement is too hard to haul from and the things inside are too delicate or awkward to risk being pushed out of the way while you’re getting something else. Just put them in storage, take them out a couple of weeks before the holiday in question and put them back when you’re done. Cheap, simple and logical.
Festivities are important, Holidays are a time when the family, friends, even people you barely know, come together in the name of good will and decorations are a big part of developing the atmosphere. Don’t let a few little irritations get in the way of enjoying them, just follow these simple steps and you can cut down on your holiday stresses.
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Off to Sand and Sea
I’m a very lucky lady indeed. I was fortunate to win a blogging competition and thanks to 1stAvailable.com.au we are all off to the Gold Coast for a family holiday. Well, part of it is a holiday and the other part is that I am finally attending Problogger 2013, yes my first and much anticipated blogging conference. I cannot wait!
The twins have been on a plane before but don’t remember due to being three months old at the time. This time they will remember and enjoy the whole experience. While at the Gold Coast my little girls will be turning five and they are super excited to be going to the beach for their birthday. Yes what a great mummy I am….well I am taking the thanks for this one, why not, right?
Do your kids jet off for holidays? Have they been well behaved on planes or has it been a bad experience. Flying to the Gold Coast is a small flight and we will only be in the air for about an hour and half. It will not be like we are flying to America or any other greater distance, so at least that is a plus.
I am keen to see how they like the airport, the plane and the whole experience. Do you have tips and tricks to help travelling with kids? Why not send them in. Many families have planned or are about to plan their summer travels so it might be a good time to find out some key things to do or to not do.
Excitement at our house is growing day by day. Our tickets for travel have been booked, accommodation sorted, and car organised. Now need to make sure that I have adequate professional clothing for the conference and nice summer gear for all to maximise our time in sunny Queensland.
Any advice for what to wear at a blogging conference send them in. I am aiming for professional but casual, also it needs to be comfortable and something that has natural fabric so does not heat up too much. Maybe a dress, or something simple so that I can just slip it on.
As a former Queenslander I am keen to be on a beach in the sun and to just relax for a bit. Bring it on. Currently the Blue Mountains is very cold, windy and just icy so a warm climate would be welcome and luxury.
One glitch that has reared its head is sickness. I am ill and now have one child sick with tonsillitis again…let’s hope that the other does not get ill. We only have two weeks to be all better before we jet off. So off to the doctors for sick kid today and to make sure that we all stay well for the weeks ahead. Crossing fingers and toes that we all o.k for our trip.
Have you planned your summer holidays yet? If so are you getting excited about it? My girls are telling everyone and are so happy that we are off somewhere different.
Categories
Self-Cleaning House?
Do you feel that you are not yourself? Do you have moments that you just feel like you are going through the motions and are just mummy and not you! Well I have those moments and it has been happening more and more lately.
The house is a mess, hubby is not happy, I am not happy about it all. However I only have certain amount of hours while kids are at pre-school to get it all done. If I need to go to the shops or stop off somewhere the hours are less for time at home.
Just to give you an example, the first week of the kids being back at pre-school after holidays, I managed to tidy some parts and do some food shopping, go to the post office and get some laundry done and put away, I know I was pleased. However I still need to give all rooms a full once over and need to go through the kids toys to remove broken toys, toys that are too young now and give to charity, and remove things that are not played with anymore. We don’t have a lot of space and need to reduce what we have; also the kids are soon to have a birthday and then soon there will be Christmas so need to create room for new things to enter our lives.
I do understand that most of the house is my responsibility but when is it seen that this is what I do or like to enjoy on my only waking hours by myself? Why is it that at some point being a stay at home mummy you are viewed that you love or at least like housework? I will let you in on a secret, I have never liked housework ever! I hate housework and do have other things I want to achieve while I am kid free. Do you want to do be doing other things other than running around like a mad woman cleaning and organising? The plan is to have the house more organised so it allows me more time for me, whether it be for nothing, sewing, or just blogging.
Why can’t I have a self-cleaning house? They have self-cleaning windows so this is not a great stretch. Maybe all things will be programmed with a memory and then automatically be returned to their rightful place in the house. In this ideal world there would be no need to tidy up it would all be automatically organised for you. Now that is my ideal, what do you think? Wonder when technology could catch up and have this happen….I don’t see it in my future maybe the kid’s future?
Do you do the majority of housework in the house? Is it hard on you and just expected? Does your partner notice the changes that you have made in the house or the things that you have done? Is your input appreciated? Would you like a self-cleaning house, I know I would. Send in your comments.
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Motivation Needed
Do you struggle with motivation. Sometimes I do. Especially when not 100%. I have been getting better but still feel very tired and in need of more rest. As I sit here and write this I am thinking of bed, but also all the things that need to be done today. Tidying, laundry, and of course food shopping is a definite must. What about you, do you have days or times where you just feel flat and would rather be resting? Maybe it is my bodies way of saying yes you need more sleep.
I’m off to get my much needed coffee and to charge up the energy that is left and can be added to in the body currently. A shower always helps me to feel a little better.
Categories
Keeping Mum
I have sorted the twins birthday presents and have been quite happy about the purchases. The girls have randomly demanded to get the same toys that I have organised for their birthdays and both have no idea. I keep on telling them,”We cannot afford it”, “Maybe for Christmas” and “I have already organised your presents and those are not it” Little do they know that they are getting some of the things they want and are asking for.
A while ago, one of the girls after watching a film, took me and shook me and said, “Mummy, I gotta have the doll, You gotta get me the doll, the doll in the shop!” I was not understanding what doll. She then yelled at me, “The doll with the pretty dress, you know in the SHOP!” I explained that this is not the way to ask for something and again repeated that she is not getting it as her presents are already organised. (We have got the doll but she does not know this)
Today, after watching Toy Story 3 both girls demanded to be taken to Kmart to purchase Toy Story dolls and toys so they can play like the kid in the film. Both children told me that they did not want or need anything else and will not ask for other toys, and just wanted Toy Story characters. Again, little do they know that mummy has already organised plush dolls that are all the characters for the film.
I must say it is hard to keep a straight face knowing that I have the toys they want and how desperate they are to get them. I am inventing all stories under the sun why we cannot get them for the girls. The delightful thing that is making me happy is knowing how excited and happy they will be once they unwrap the presents that they don’t think they are getting. I’m getting excited.
Have you found it hard to not spill the beans? Have you managed to keep your kids in the dark about presents that they have been dying to get? What things have been told to keep the secret or make it believable that the toys cannot be purchased. After I had organised the Toy Story dolls the kids would not stop hugging and carrying around the Toy Story characters in Target. I had to physically remove them from the box and make them put it back. It was so hard to not say, don’t worry you will get it for your birthday. I kept my cover and was a bad mummy, saying that we could not buy them as they were too expensive.
Has your child been excited when they open their presents? Were you more excited to see their faces? I know I cannot wait. Send in your comments.
Categories
Wednesday is Friday
The twins go to pre-school three days a week and Wednesday is their last day. So I have it in my head that Wednesday feels like Friday. I don’t need to make lunches for the next day, we don’t have to be anywhere really on Thursday so my brain has decided it is Friday, although it is not in reality. Do you do this? Or is it just my crazy brain doing weird and wonderful things?
I am realising that Wednesday as Friday cannot continue as the twins go to school next year so Friday will be returned to its original state as the official rest night and then Saturday is the day we can fall in a heap. Unless we are crazy enough to organise sport or some other activity on this sacred day of doing nothing! Or at the very least family time and our own adventures.
Since I have this idea that Wednesday is Friday it sometimes does not occur to me immediately that hubby will have to go to work or has to get up early. I then remind myself it is just me and it is an actual work day and the rest of the world knows it is Thursday not a weekend. Strange I know!
Has this ever caught you out? Maybe it is due to having too much on the brain at one time? Merging days here and there sometimes happens even if you don’t have kids; being busy can make days feel like others and a week feel longer or shorter than in reality it really was.
I know next year will be a rude shock with five days of sending kids off to school, however that said I will be grateful for the extra time to get things done for the house and for me. What days do you mix up? Have you had those moments when a Wednesday feels like Friday? What day is your Friday? Send in your comments.
Categories
Large family small house
We live in a small house. It is fine and suits our needs. However we do require more space for the kids, more storage as this house has none (this makes it terribly hard as we want to keep some things but need to remove items to make a small house more liveable), and as a growing family we feel that we would like to have more room.
I know other people make do with a small house, no storage and just what we have and have more than 2 children. We are lucky that our house is affordable and we are lucky that we are able to live in an area that is cost effective for us. That said, yesterday there was an article about a family who has 15 children. Yes you read that right. 15 kids, I’m not sure that I could do 15 but if that is what makes you happy and you are able to sort it all out that is great. However I do believe I might have a breakdown if I was in charge of 15 children. At times my two test me to my limits so cannot imagine how 15 would push my buttons.
Maybe I am not the right person to ever have 15 children, and two is just right for me? I have considered having another so that would make it three and who knows it might be three and four if I am lucky to be blessed with another set of twins. Who knows it could happen, not sure but you never know. I planned on having one child before and I got 2. I was very lucky to have the twins as my first kids, just amazed and delighted with how it turned out.
After reading the article about the family with the 15 kids, it stated that they are in the same house that they moved into when first married. The husband has only added an extra three bedrooms to their original two bedroom cottage. So me and the hubby wanting a bigger place with space and storage makes me sound entitled to more but not deserving. We only have two kids and there is two adults. Our house is fine for us but not sure how it would be with more children if we were ever so lucky to do it again. (Not happening at the moment)
It makes me feel greedy that we want a bigger space, when a larger family is in a house that is not that much bigger, well a little as it has now five bedrooms and we only have three; However in the article it mentions that they still only have one bathroom and toilet. We are lucky that we have one main bathroom with a toilet and a second toilet in case someone is in the main bathroom. This is a great addition as there have been times that we really need this, I cannot imagine having to share with 15 kids, this I feel would be a challenge.
I have also looked at what this large family have done with the space they have and it makes me feel grateful for what we have. We don’t need much more in the scheme of things. It would be nice to finally be building our new house, but we are well, happy and fine in the one we have at the moment. So other than wanting the start of the new house to happen soon, not having the bigger house is not a big deal really, just a bit of a pain with not having places for things. What do you think?
I’m sure it is what you get used to and I don’t know if I could get used to it. Could you? Do you have a large family? Send in your comments.
My girls are nearly five years old and they are very good however have been at each other like nothing else lately. It seems that if one is playing with something the other takes it, one might be happy doing something and then want me to help them. I do a bit and then they get whingey when I say I need to go off and do something else. One child gets upset and wants cuddles all day and parts of the days or most of them have been taken up sorting out squabble after squabble. When it is like this nothing can get done at home and then mummy is drained and exhausted. Does this happen to you?
Is it the age I ask? Most friends I speak to have the same problems but these friends have children of different ages. Having twins is difficult as both kids want to do things at the same time, and as a parent that does not have help, it is hard to be in two places at once (I am sure it would be the same as a single parent). Do you have twins or triplets? Has this happened to you at this age?
My girls are so close and love each other to bits, however it gets nasty very quickly. Is it due to the closeness? Or just the fact that they are always together that they get annoyed at each other? I know it just simple sibling rivalry however it does wear on my patience and sometimes my patience does not hold up at all.
As you might have guessed when they are tired and hungry the behaviour gets worse, like most peoples would, so not a big surprise there. So what do I do to curb this type of behaviour?
- Tell them that they cannot hurt each other – The child that has hurt the other I take them away and put them in time out.
- If the twins are fighting over toys, I take the toy in question away from both of them.
- I give them warnings and if they continue their bad behaviour I separate them.
- I explain that if they don’t behave then they will not be allowed to go to the park, or somewhere nice as a treat.
- Put it in their context, ask them if they would like to be treated the way they have treated their sister. The answer is always “No!” Then I mention that if you treat people horribly they will do it back to you.
- Tell them that mummy wants them to be nice and good to each other, I don’t want them hurting or upsetting each other. They seem to understand this and are good. (Well for a bit that is)
Part of the upsets have come from the fact that they are more independent and want to do more. As you can imagine, some things are fine for the twins to do and others not. If it is dangerous I will not allow it. If I can , I have them help me, for example chopping up vegetables for dinner that is fine, as long as I am there to supervise.
Is there more chaos in your house lately? What techniques have worked for you? Do you have twins or triplets and encountered the same behaviour?
Did you manage to figure out a way to get peace in your household? How did you do it? Send in your tips and tricks to us so we can all learn.
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I’m Exhuasted, Are You?
My girls are nearly five years old and they are very good however have been at each other like nothing else lately. It seems that if one is playing with something the other takes it, one might be happy doing something and then want me to help them. I do a bit and then they get whingey when I say I need to go off and do something else. One child gets upset and wants cuddles all day and parts of the days or most of them have been taken up sorting out squabble after squabble. When it is like this nothing can get done at home and then mummy is drained and exhausted. Does this happen to you?
Is it the age I ask? Most friends I speak to have the same problems but these friends have children of different ages. Having twins is difficult as both kids want to do things at the same time, and as a parent that does not have help, it is hard to be in two places at once (I am sure it would be the same as a single parent). Do you have twins or triplets? Has this happened to you at this age?
My girls are so close and love each other to bits, however it gets nasty very quickly. Is it due to the closeness? Or just the fact that they are always together that they get annoyed at each other? I know it just simple sibling rivalry however it does wear on my patience and sometimes my patience does not hold up at all.
As you might have guessed when they are tired and hungry the behaviour gets worse, like most peoples would, so not a big surprise there. So what do I do to curb this type of behaviour?
- Tell them that they cannot hurt each other – The child that has hurt the other I take them away and put them in time out.
- If the twins are fighting over toys, I take the toy in question away from both of them.
- I give them warnings and if they continue their bad behaviour I separate them.
- I explain that if they don’t behave then they will not be allowed to go to the park, or somewhere nice as a treat.
- Put it in their context, ask them if they would like to be treated the way they have treated their sister. The answer is always “No!” Then I mention that if you treat people horribly they will do it back to you.
- Tell them that mummy wants them to be nice and good to each other, I don’t want them hurting or upsetting each other. They seem to understand this and are good. (Well for a bit that is)
Part of the upsets have come from the fact that they are more independent and want to do more. As you can imagine, some things are fine for the twins to do and others not. If it is dangerous I will not allow it. If I can , I have them help me, for example chopping up vegetables for dinner that is fine, as long as I am there to supervise.
Is there more chaos in your house lately? What techniques have worked for you? Do you have twins or triplets and encountered the same behaviour?
Did you manage to figure out a way to get peace in your household? How did you do it? Send in your tips and tricks to us so we can all learn.
Categories
Daddies Sleep Over
Daddy is in Melbourne for work. He is there all week. The girls are telling people that daddy is having a sleep over. When asked where, they respond, “In Melbourne”. This was mentioned at the Chemist on Monday when I had to get one of my kids some medicine due to being unwell. I then told the lady at the chemist that he is there for work. She laughed and said it was a cute way to explain why he was not there.
Well to a four year old, daddy is having a sleep over in Melbourne. Due to daddy flying to Melbourne the twins are getting more and more excited about their sleep over at the Gold Coast that will be happening in September. Mummy is getting excited too, so it is not just a kid thing.
We have been talking to daddy via the iPad and the computers so that the girls can see and speak to him. The girls saw the fire flashing at the Melbourne Crown Plaza as daddy is staying close to it. They were disappointed it did not explode, and kept on waiting and asking daddy, “When will it explode???”
Have you or your partner/husband had a sleep over somewhere else for work or for something else? How did your child explain why they were not home?
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My plants think its spring
The last week or so I have noticed it is getting warmer. Don’t worry it is still cold and icy at times and it is still winter but not as cold as it normally is this time of year. As it is still officially winter it should be cold and the plants should not be flowering or acting like it is Spring or any other time of the year.
My garden thinks it is Spring and this is a terrible thing! Things are all out of whack, the plants that are flowering normally flower in our yard about mid to late August and at the latest September. It is July, yes it is nearly August and it is only a couple of days till the first day of August but for us this is early.
Is your garden blooming with flowers or buds waiting to open up with wonderful colour? Mine is. Check out the pictures I took today.
You will see that the blossom tree has actual blossoms on it. I know it is hard to see but it is exciting. The one above once covered with blossoms smells like honey and it is a delight to have at our house. Makes everything smell amazing. I just hope that the wind goes away. I hate it when my blossom tree does flower and then the wind carrys the blossoms away, it does not last long.
Is your garden thinking it is Spring? Or is it just mine? Send in your comments.