Tag: mother

My Babies Are 4

Today my twin girls are four. I cannot believe it has been four years but it has. They are such little adults at times, and of course still little girls who are still learning things and finding out about the world. They were born so small and are still compared to other children their age, but this is probably down to genetics and the fact that they are twins so they are small compared to having a singleton. Below is a picture of me with the girls soon after they were born. Look how small they both were! Lillian had a bit of jaundice so she was a little darker than Julia.

Mummy and the girls on the 27th of Sept, 2008. Julia on left, Lillian on right.

We celebrated with the opening of presents, and then got organised to go and see Madagascar 3 (the girls call this film the animals) at the movies. The movie was a hit as well as the birthday presents, after the film we came home to cupcakes and the girls wanted daddy to put their dolls house together

The girls were lucky to receive:

A Doll’s House and the furniture that went with it
Wooden food, cake, eggs, milk bottles and the like
Card games with some windup toys

Both girls were asking for a dolls house and little did they know that mummy and daddy had organised one for their birthday, thanks to Aldi. Aldi is the place we purchased the wooden cake and other food toys, plus all the other furniture to go with the doll’s house. Aldi is such an amazing shop to purchase toys from. They are wooden, well made and just such a reasonable price. The girls were daddy’s assistants to help build the dolls house, however sometimes the screws got dropped and the child responsible would not know were to look for it, so not great at assisting but was trying to help.

Finished Dolls House - Now the twins can play! — Finished Dolls House – Now the twins can play!

We have organised a party for the girls at a local park so they can celebrate their birthday with friends. This is to happen Saturday but the kids have been a bit sick but on medicine and getting better, so by Saturday they should be much better than they were. Currently it is raining the weather is not ideal for park outings, however the report for the weekend claims it will be sunny so crossing fingers and toes that is correct as we don’t have an alternative. It should be a fun party, it is to be a teddy bears picnic so fun for the kids, just need to finalise games to be played and sort out the cake.

The journey with the twins has been an amazing one and I must say it was not as bad as I thought it would be with twins as my first children, but there have been times that are very testing to say the least. Currently the girls are testing my patience and now being four I am sure will present us with new learning curves. Other than the standard issues I am very proud of the girls and what they have grown into. Both girls are very smart, happy, healthy, energetic, got a great sense of humour, and just very nice and good spirited.Below is a picture that shows them currently so you can see the difference from when born to now.

Fun at Playgroup. Picture was taken a couple of weeks ago and wanted to have a nice one for today that they are 4 but it has been a trial to get one. Maybe tonight I might have better luck.

I have tried to get a nice picuture of the girls together today but have gotten angry faces, both girls put their hands over their faces and so on. Not wanting pictures today. It did not make me feel good as I try and take a picture every month on the 13th to have a record of how they are growing and changing. Have you had your kids be silly and not want photos taken? If so is it just a phase? Or is it a sign that I am taking too many photos? Happy Birthday to all people that are celebrating a birthday today and if you are twins happy day also!

No Pictures Please - Angry Face! — No Pictures Please – Angry Face!

Tags Aldi, Aldi Australia, birthday party, daddy, dolls house, Madagascar 3, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, my girls are 4 today, my girls are four today, my twins are 4, my twins are four, presents, went to the movies

3 years and beyond

Power of Nursery Rhymes

Thatched roof in Hungary. Image by Zyance

Last night we were all watching one of the episodes of the BBC Mastercrafts series, they showcase how an average person learns the following skills:

Stonemasonry
Weaving
Stained Glass
Blacksmithing
Thatching
Green Wood Craft

The BBC Mastercrafts series is rather interesting and I must say that I thought it would be a boring documentary series but it very entertaining. It takes 3 average people that have never done anything remotely like thatching or blacksmithing and plunges them into the life and the learning of this field. So if you get a chance check out this show.

We have seen Blacksmithing, Thatching and the Green Wood Craft episodes, but it was the one to do with thatching that caught Julia’s attention. She was amazed that they were building a house out of straw. I did explain that it was only the roof that was straw and thatched roofs are sturdy and fine as long as put on in the correct way.

Julia was most insistent that this was not good, and should not happen, “A house should be built out of bricks as it is safer!” according to Julia.

This got me thinking of the power of nursery rhymes. The story of the “Three little pigs” has left its mark and convinced Julia that straw was not the right choice for a house. It might be blown down by the big bad wolf she said. She has a point. If a child is presented with these types of stories, then sees a programme showing part of the house being built with straw, what is she to think?

As I said I did try to explain but I don’t think she understood. She was annoyed that they were being so silly with their building materials and explained that we will not use straw for our new house (we are hoping to build a bigger house soon so she is giving us ideas for the new place).

Have you had parts of nursery rhymes or other stories come back in conversation with your children? If so what was it about and what story was your child referring to? Also if you have a straw roof beware of the big bad wolf. Send in your stories.

Why not continue this discussion on our twitter or facebook pages.

Tags BBC Mastercrafts, brick house, daddy, disney, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, Silly Symphony - The Three Little Pigs, straw roof, thatched roof, the 3 little pigs, the three little pigs

3 years and beyond

Spring Fun at the Park

Today was such a lovely day, warm, and no cloud in the blue sky. So after school I took the kids to the park. They rode their bikes, played with friends, rolled down the hill and just ran around like kids do. It is so nice that spring is here, such great weather to be out and about. Check out the lovely pictures that I took of our fun day. Have you found the nice weather helpful for activiites, I do. Send in your comments.

Tags after school activities, going to the park, great weather for outdoor, kids love the park, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, playing at the park with the kids, taking bikes to the park for the kids

Recipes

Chips with Crunchy Cheese

Post author By Suzanne Robinson
Post date August 29, 2012
No Comments on Chips with Crunchy Cheese

This is courtesy of my nana (the girls GG). Nana makes chips and then sprinkles some parmesan cheese or if you have not got that, just add some plain grated cheese.

In my pictures I have used carrots and pumpkin cut into chip shapes, but you can use potatoes, sweet potatoes or anything that will serve as a chip. I put the oven onto 180 degrees Celsius and it is 356 in Fahrenheit. It took about 15mins or less depending on how thick you have the chips. I had mine thin so it cooked in record time.

I know this is not a fancy recipe; however it does jazz up some chips and make them a little different. I have tried it with the girls but have had no joy as yet, so I will keep on trying.

Tags adding cheese to chips, home cooked chips, making your own chips, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy

News

Weighing in

There has been a call to weigh kids in school to tackle obesity. I for one don’t think this is a good idea. I feel that it would point out kids that are already sensitive to their weight and having issues. These kids don’t need the further pressure of this at school.

I understand it is an issue with kids and adults, however just weighing kids and monitoring this is not going to help. Changing your lifestyle and what you eat will have much more of an impact, and I am sure that this will be hand in hand with any programme that is developed.

The choices and what is eaten in the home should be looked at also. Kids rely on their parents to pack a healthy lunch and if the choices are not good, then they eat what is given to them. It is a learnt behaviour. Parents need to be tough and say no.

I know it is hard with kids asking for treats and chocolate, but the more you offer the better things like an apple or yoghurt the more the child will know that this is the only options available. Every now and then the girls have a bit of chocolate or a treat, but it is a sometimes food.

In the article about weighing kids in school it mentions that: “They (the researchers) said it appeared that problems could be avoided by taking measurements privately and confidential results.”

Making sure to weigh kids in private is the ideal, as I would hate to think it would be done in public with all other kids to watch. All you need is a bad group to make fun of someone or a group of kids and the whole idea of this would fall flat.

As stated, I don’t like the idea of this and believe it is an issue for the family to look after. Why do the schools need to infer in the child’s weight now? I know they are trying to help but I feel it is intruding and it is something that is best dealt with as a family unit. Would this information of your child be shared to other schools or universities? And let’s not stop there, would the data be kept for this individual, and impact the life of this person due to the findings?

Would you want your work to weigh you? I am sure you would not. Maybe this is the tip of the ice berg and we will see employers weighing their staff in the future? Will it be an insurance issue to make sure that all employees are a certain weight and fitness? Who knows? Send in your comments.

Tags bad idea to weigh kids at school, Call for school weigh-ins to fight fat, daddy, Kate Hagan, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, obesity, overweight kids, sydney morning herald, weighing kids at school, will employers want to weigh their staff too?

3 years and beyond

Junk Room No More!

Do you have a room that is not really the junk room but ends up becoming one? Well we did, we spent some long needed hours to get it fixed up today. Our so called junk room was the computer/spare room. We need to create more room and get the bed organised for guests.

My Mum and step dad were able to take the kids for the day and this allowed us to get busy on the house and especially the spare room. Hubby and I moved book cases out of the room to give us more space. We have chucked, some are off to charity, and we tidied, all in all a very productive and positive day.

So now the room is not a dumping ground for things we have no idea what to do with, and we are left with tidy work desks, a place where you can walk on both sides of the bed (I know this is normal in other places, but we needed the space for storage before, now it is all clear – it is going to be so easy now to make this spare bed), and the part that I am very pleased about is we purchased a light shade for the room. It looks lovely and just works so well in the room.

Hubby wanted to go to the hardware shop, but upon arrival we realised it was closed. We arrived at 3.30pm and it closed at 3pm. He thought it closed at 4pm so he was annoyed about this, until I thought lets go and see if there is a light shade we like at K-Mart. Bingo, K-Mart had the light shade we loved and only for $10, $14 for the bulbs and we were off home.

It was a blessing that Nana and Opa could take the girls today; we never would have gotten all the things done today if the kids were in the house. It was nice to focus and spend time doing it rather than getting interrupted constantly. I do love the kids, but you do get more done sometimes if they are elsewhere. The girls had a big day out with Nana and Opa, they went on a long bush walk (rated as easy but it was not that easy – a lot of stairs so girls were good to walk it all), then off to a park, then on to Nana and Opa’s for lunch and some films. I must say they were very sleepy when we came home.

I will post a picture of the light shade tomorrow when it is better to take a picture. Currently it is 9.40pm at night so hard to do, and while I am writing this post hubby is playing his shooting computer game, so turning on the light will cause angst I guess.

Do you have a room where stuff goes to rest and never sees the light of day again? It is easy to do; you get busy, need to clean up. You move whatever it is to another part so it is out of the way and it gets forgotten about. The problem lies when you have to go through all the mess to have a functional room again. What room was your issue and how did you fix it. Send in your stories.

P.S. Now we are ready for Grandma and Granddad to come and visit. Currently I have not made the bed, as I want the sheets to be fresh for their arrival in a week or so. They are coming before the girl’s birthday and party. It will be nice to see them, and the girls are so excited. Hope they like the new room.

Tags changing your room around, daddy, grandparents take kids so you can clean, http://www.kmart.com.au/, hubby, junk room, k mart, kmart, mom, mommy, mother, mummy, parents tidy up house, spare room, tidying

3 years and beyond

Chocolate Shop Not So Sweet

Post author By Suzanne Robinson
Post date August 25, 2012
No Comments on Chocolate Shop Not So Sweet

We all went to the Blue Mountains Chocolate shop (this place has a giant Easter egg, not sure how they made it so big, it is huge) to see a demonstration and to have of course chocolate and for the girls to play in their playground. Upon arrival it was nice and they had many chocolates to choose from, some of the things there were just very interesting. You can purchase a Chinese lucky cat chocolate, mice/rat chocolate and of course kangaroos, koalas and so on.

Before the presentation we decided to get something to eat and drink, the girls had baby chinos and a chocolate kangaroo, daddy had a cake and ice chocolate and mummy had a small hot chocolate. The kids were whinging and nearly in tears over the baby chino (who knew this would have such a reaction) and did not want to have other items either.

It was like going to this chocolate café was the worst thing we could do as parents and how dare we! (Well that will teach us to treat the kids) Will they speak of this to future therapists, “My parents took me to a chocolate shop, and I did not like the drinks and had a terrible time?” In actual fact, the girls ate the poor chocolate kangaroo in record time, Julia was wearing a lot of the kangaroo on her hands face and Lillian just chomped on until there was nothing left of the cute adorable yummy looking chocolate marsupial.

After this we headed over to where the presentation was happening, the presentation consisted of a lady emptying moulds of chocolate creations and looking to see if they were fit to be sold in the shop. All chocolate creations that were removed from these moulds were put back into the hold melting chocolate to start again, even the shiny ones that looked good were put back to start life again.

Many dolphins ended up joining the melted chocolate and this made us all laugh. The dolphins were in a sea of chocolate. This was a hilarious thought for the girls, and they giggled for a long while after it was not that funny. I am not sure what we expected for the demonstration about creating or making chocolate for the shop, however removing and putting the creations into be melted again was not it. Maybe a talk of what they are doing, and a bit of background might have been nicer.

I do understand that some of the pieces that they created might not have met with their quality checks, and that is perfectly acceptable, however when you are running a business smack bang in tourist central you give your customers a little more than what we got today.

The girls forgot about the drinks and were high on the sugar rush from the kangaroos, and off we went to play in their outside area. It was a lovely sunny day and we made the most of it. Have you gone somewhere new and was disappointed by what happened compared to what was advertised. All in all, it was a nice day out and we all went somewhere different. Send in your stories about places or things you have done that did not live up to the expectation.

Tags blue mountains chocolate, chocolate cafe, dad, daddy, father, kids being upset at good things, kids miserable when you take them out for a treat, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, outing with the family, when things don't live up to expecatations

Music Reviews

Big Rock Candy Mountain

Mummy to Twins was lucky to be sent a copy of the latest CD from Catherine Britt and Jay Laga’aia, “Big Rock Candy Mountain” to review.

So what type of songs is on the new CD I hear you ask? Well, the songs are the greatest American folk songs. Some tracks are ones that you don’t hear often, like “Home on the range”, “Don’t fence me in”, and “Little Liza Jane”.

The music is pleasant, upbeat and just a joy to listen to. Catherine Britt in “This land is your land” is reminiscent of Dolly Parton; well I think she sounds similar. I quite like folk songs especially when they are done well, and the vocals and music is just so tight.

Jay and Catherine work well on a cd together, there is not one song that they share vocals however they do their own songs. The listener does not notice as each song blends seamlessly into the other. It all just works so well.

My girls were very active today so thought a dance to some music might help them get some energy out. It was a good idea, as they danced like mad little things to “Skip to My Lou”, and “Campdown Races” and have sung and invented lyrics to “Yankee Doodle”. With the banjo playing in Campdown Races the girls did some interpretive dance and just jumped around laughing.

If you wish to have a CD that you can listen to as well as the kids this is it. It is great to have something that is not just for kids, could be for both. I also like the fact that it introduces kids to these songs.

Below is the breakdown of the tracks on the CD and who sings them:

1. Don’t Fence Me In – Catherine Britt
2. On Top Of Old Smokey – Jay Laga’aia
3. Skip to My Lou – Catherine Britt
4. Camptown Races – Jay Laga’aia
5. This Is Your Land – Cathering Britt
6. Deep In The Heart of Texas – Jay Laga’aia
7. Big Rock Candy Mountain – Catherine Britt
8. Home On The Range – Jay Laga’aia
9. Little Liza Jane – Catherine Britt
10. Oh! Susanna – Jay Laga’aia
11. Red River Valley – Catherine Britt
12. Yankee Doodle – Jay Laga’aia
13. You Are My Sunshine – Catherine Britt
14. Clementine – Jay Laga’aia
15. Casey Jones – Catherine Britt
16. Down In The Valley – Jay Laga’aia
17. Cotton Eye Joe – Catherine Britt
18. I’ve Been Working On The Railroad – Jay Laga’aia
19. John Henry – Catherine Britt
20. Polly Wolly doodle – Jay Laga’aia
21. She’ll Be Coming ‘Round The Mountain – Catherine Britt
22. Buffalo Gals – Jay Laga’aia
23. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Catherine Britt

So as Molly Meldrum always says, “Do yourself a favour” and check out the CD, get it, play it and enjoy. You can pick up a copy of Big Rock Candy Mountain at the ABC Online Shop; they deliver it so no need to leave the house.

What is your favourite song on this CD? Do your kids love dancing to your songs? Send in your comments.

Tags A review of Big Rock Candy Mountain, ABC, ABC online, ABC Online Shop, American Folk Songs, Big Rock Candy Mountain, Catherine Britt, Dolly Parton, enjoyable music for parents and kids, Jay Laga'aia, listening to music with your kids, Molly Meldrum, mom, mommy, mother, mummy

News

Period Tax a Joke!

Why are pads and tampons considered a non-essential item? Ask any woman or girl who has to purchase these items and they would not be able to live without them. Try and think how your life as a woman would be affected without having pads or tampons, I don’t want to even think about this terrible idea.

Clem Bastow wrote in her article, “Why we should be angry about periods” that the government considers these sanitary products non-essential and they require us to pay the GST. I for one think this is just ludicrous and stupid. Women don’t choose to have their periods it just happens; it is not like you can stop it at will.

You have to wonder if this wisdom or decision was created by a man. If women were involved, why wouldn’t they have said, what a silly decision it was and is. Purchasing tampons and pads is expensive and apparently could be cheaper.

Below is a quote from Ms Bastow’s article that sums up the position of the tax on sanitary products:

“The Howard government introduced the GST on July 1st, 2000, and included in the items that would carry the new tax were pads and tampons – “non-essential” products, according to the stellar minds at Howard HQ. Flash forward to 2012, and pads and tampons are still being taxed as a non-essential item. (There is no GST on frangers, in case you were wondering.) I harangued both the Howard and Rudd governments about this nonsense tax and received witless replies from both; I haven’t bothered contacting the Gillard government because I assume the response will be the same. But when a supermarket chain uses removing the “period tax” as an advertising angle – and even that was four years ago – that was also shrugged off by the government; you know something’s still rotten in the state of tampons. Anyone for a bleed-in at Parliament House?”

Should we as women complain in numbers to parliament or local members to have this changed? I think so. Why is it that an essential item is considered non-essential? Is it to make more money off us? Do men or others see purchasing these products as a choice, you get it or you don’t? Well I hate to break it to the decision makers, having periods every month is not a choice it is nature and sanitary products are essential and should not be taxed. Send in your comments.

Tags Clem Bastow, daily life, girls, GST tax on sanitary products, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, pads, period tax, periods, sanitary products, sydney morning herald, tampons, Why we should be angry about periods

News

Judging Family Size

Before I got pregnant, I thought I would have one child, then after about 2 years or so, have the second. This was not to be, as I had twins for my first children, so good for me as no second pregnancy for the second child. In the news there has been talk of a lady with ten children and pregnant with quintuplets. I think having ten children would be challenging as there are times that just two drive me up the wall, so cannot imagine what ten would be like, and adding another five to the mix would make things very busy indeed (busy is probably an understatement).

Some of my friends have more children than myself and they range from 1 kid, 3 kids and 5 kids. Not everyone is content to just have two children or one, some love the idea of a larger family. We are content with our little family. However that said, do you think people judge you for your families size? I do know that I have asked people who have one child if they might do it again, and sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes no.

The reason for the no answer mostly is that they are content with having one and did not realise what one child would demand. With one child you can focus all money and energy into that child, also another reason is the mother does not want to do it again and would really like to get back to her job, life and assemblance of being the person she was before she became a mother. If you do it again, you have at least another 5 years of things you need to put on hold, well that is if you are not having help.

The yes answers are nice, and sometimes it is yes but we need to wait until we have more money or the first child starts school, or something along those lines. All fine, but it is really the families decision and not mine or others. It is up to you what you decide and do, it is your family after all.

Other reports about the Melbourne lady who is having quintuplets is she is in her 29th week and about to have the babies any day now. I hope that all goes well, all the babies live and hang in there. I do understand what it is like to have babies in intensive care and it is not fun. We were lucky that we had our twins at 34 weeks and 2 days, our girls were well considering and were only in care for about 2 weeks. So good going all around. Sending positive vibes for her.

With a larger family I am sure that she will have adequate help but it will be hard, but if she has managed all those children, I am sure she can do it. I hope that the media respects her privacy and allows her to get on with things without intruding, not like what happened in the US with the Octomom.

What are your thoughts? Do you have a large family or a small family? Do people constantly ask you why or when will you have another child? Is it annoying? What are your answers to such questions? Send in your comments.

Tags already has ten children, intensive care, judging on family size, large family, larger family, Melbourne woman pregnant with quintuplets, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, no one’s business but yours about your family, octomom, pregnant with quintuplets, small family, woman already has 10 children

University Study

Missed the Meeting

No Secret Meetings So Study Is Needed. Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net. — No Secret Meetings So Study Is Needed.
Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Tonight I had my online lecture as per usual; this week is only week 3, so early days of semester 2. You would think that it is just getting to know terms, what you are supposed to be doing and figuring out what to read and so on. Well that is part of it; however it is like everyone has met up months before to transfer knowledge and skill to these lucky few that have made it to the meeting.

I for one was not at this mysterious rondevu, and I wish I was invited. The lecture notes online speed past at break neck speed and comments at the same pace, it is a different language that is being discussed. I have to pay attention to fine detail and even then, I am unsure of what is being said. Legal slang is a hard one to master, and I am sure it will come to me, but I hope it will happen before the end of the semester.

Have you found meetings, educational lectures, or even some conversations are like you missed the memo or the previous conversation completely, the issue with mine is that I have been online for all 3 lectures and still feel like this? Maybe some subjects have this clever way to make you feel stupid? Or just not speaking the same language?

More reading and research is in order if I want to feel like the party goer that can have legal conversation with ease. Students tonight were quoting cases, now that scares me! Quoting cases this early, are they closet lawyers? I always fancied myself as a lawyer, but not sure that I would get very far. I suppose it is early days, as it is still week 3 anything can happen. It can can’t it? I will understand everything that I read and master this course to gain a HD (High Distinction). I hear you laugh, but I will give it a good go!

Do you feel out of your depth sometimes, well I do. Especially when it seems everyone has secretly had meetings without me. Why do these students know more than me! Tell us your stories of this happening to you; when have you suspected that others have met secretly and left you out? Was it university, work or friends? Send in your comments.

Tags law, lawyers, mom, mom studying, mommy, mommy studying, mother, mum, mummy, mummy studying, out of my depth, secret study meetings, university, when you start a course do find that everyone is talking a different language

3 years and beyond

Daddy the Dinosaur Slayer

Post author By Suzanne Robinson
Post date August 12, 2012
No Comments on Daddy the Dinosaur Slayer

Not as scary as it is an Origami Dinosaur. Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The girls have been telling me that daddy kills dinosaurs, not sure when he finds time or where the dinosaurs are, but they are convinced he goes off and slays them. It is good to know that daddy is keeping us safe from the evil, threatening dinosaurs.

On top of ridding the world of more dinosaurs the girls have told us that there are naughty bears that need to be gotten rid of also. Who knew? I didn’t and glad to think that again daddy is making the world a safer place.

I was concerned that if daddy was killing bears as well, that he might hurt or harm their beloved teddy bears. This concern was met with, “No mummy our teddy bears are nice and the others are naughty and need to be killed”.

It makes me wonder, do the girls tell others about daddy’s extracurricular activities?

Does the other person nod politely and get told about how daddy fights the bears or the evil dinosaur?

Is this what the teachers get faced with? I hope they keep a straight face, as sometimes it is hard when faced with such funny creative stories.

Do you have some tall stories that you find just hysterical? What are the best ones? Send in your stories.

Why not continue this discussion on our twitter or facebook pages.

Tags clever stories, colourful stories, creative stories, daddy, Daddy is a dinosaur slayer, Daddy the dinosaur slayer, kids making up funny stories, making things up, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, tall stories, vivid imagination

3 years and beyond

Elusive Alone Time

Alone Time, Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Why is it when you want to be left alone no one does? Yes it is very annoying, and frustrating. I have a lot to do, namely reading for university and would like to do some stuff for the blog and who knows, maybe something else.

We decided to go out to lunch and then a drive, it was a day of constant, “Mummy, can you do this, Mummy, can you do that” Oh……a nice nap or quiet time under a tree would have done me today.

When I do finally get time alone, my head, shoulders, and neck hurt and as you might have guessed that then leads to a headache. This also means that I am exhausted and just in no mood to do anything, very annoying and frustrating actually.

Do find that you have periods like this, that nothing gets done and you are feeling very frustrated within yourself? I am feeling like that at the moment, I know things will sort themselves out and all will be fine. Currently I am just hanging for kids to go to bed, that time cannot come soon enough.

Today has been good and bad, I have had sooky kids which at times was nice and bad, the nice part was the cuddling the bad part was not being able to put a child down to go and do something like get a glass of water or maybe have a lie down.

I have organised a bath for the kids and they have more ice boats so hopefully after this they will be very sleepy and ready for a nice big sleep. Off get the ice boats, pj’s sorted, and towels, hubby is watching kids in the bath. Finally some time with just me!! YES a small win for today!

Have you had a good day today? Were you able to have some alone time? I am now sitting with a glass of red wine while I type this and feeling a little better about the day, as it is now night time and kids will soon be snoring and in bed (well I can only hope).

Do you have tips or tricks to make you get more alone time? Have you a timetable with your partner/husband to make sure that each one gets alone time? Send in your comments.

Why not continue the discussion on our twitter and facebook pages?

Tags alone time, annoyed at no alone time, frustrated getting no me time, is there a schedule for alone time send in your comments, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, no alone time, when I do have time I have a headache and am exhuasted

Film Reviews

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Post author By Suzanne Robinson
Post date July 31, 2012
No Comments on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Yesterday a DVD of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast turned up in the mail, plus a lovely book for the girls, as I have one need to get another as there will be arguments – I will buy the second book, I was amazed and did not think a book would come as well. (I was tickled pink to have it all arrive, Thanks to Disney, Mango and Mums Lounge). Mummy to Twins is a contributor to Mums Lounge and was lucky to be asked to do a film review.

The girls and I made a huge makeshift bed in the living room and curled up to watch the film, Here is the link of the review of Beauty and the Beast on Mums Lounge. Do like this film? Is it your favourite? Send in your comments.

The staff at Mums Lounge are busy toiling away to bring us a new site, it will be live soon, so stay tuned!

Tags beauty and the beast, children watching a film, disney, mango, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, mums lounge, parents watching a film with kids, this is mango, watching a film with your kids

News

Cheap Shot at Olympic Shooter

Post author By Suzanne Robinson
Post date July 28, 2012
No Comments on Cheap Shot at Olympic Shooter

Today I read about Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, a Malyasian shooter that is representing her country at the London 2012 Games.
The controversy is that she is 8 months pregnant, and I think we should all just stop having a go and support Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi on her goal to become an Olympian.

Shooting air rifles is not harmful, it just puffs a bit of air, and there is no recoil for air rifles compared to the standard rifles. As there is no major or immediate danger, the unborn child is in no harm, so what is the fuss about. One person I spoke to says of people who shoot air rifles, “Are they really doing anything?” , this is due to the quietness of the rifle – so not only is there no injury after using this type of rifle, it is also much easier on the ears.

To participate in this sport, you need to be calm, have low blood pressure and focused. These behaviours are of great benefit to the unborn child, and yet another thing that will not harm him/her. I hope that she does win now to quiet those that criticisd her. I am cheering for you! Go for gold! (I know you are not in the Australian team, but I think what you have done is great)

Why can’t we give this athlete a break and just let her enjoy her time at the Olympics and focus on her sport, not focus on the criticism of her being pregnant. Send in your comments.

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Tags a Malyasian shooter, air rifle, cs monitor.com, csmonitor.com, London 2012 Games, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, Olympic shooter, Olympics, pregnant and sport, shooting, sport shooting, Stephanie Hanes, target shooting

3 years and beyond

Cloak of Invisibility

When the girls are in their room for compulsory rest time, they have been trying to get up to mischief without us knowing. At first we had no idea; however it was brought to my attention weeks ago with a weird thing moving under a red blanket. The reason I noticed it was something caught my eye; I was in the dining room doing some sewing and noticed the movement under the blanket. After a while, Julia’s head popped out to then say, “Ta Da Mummy it is me!”

The husband at the time was in the computer room and he was of course mesmerised by his computer so did not notice the toddler creeping under a blanket in the hallway, the door was open to this room and the girls must have thought the “Cloak of Invisibility” just like in Eric the Viking, was working its magic, however his was not much for keeping him invisible and like the girls we can see them.

For weeks after the first incident, they have been using their blanket for coverage to go anywhere in the house unnoticed, and it has worked. Maybe we are just busy at what we were doing or just tired. Sometimes I take a nap while hubby spends time at the computer or doing other things. It was only a week ago that he got up from the computer to go and get another drink when he found both girls with blankets on their heads in the hallway. He actually bumped into them! They foolishly told daddy that they were off to get more snacks. After that we were wondering how many trips they had made to the kitchen unnoticed?

Although they are naughty little girls for doing this and not staying in their room, you have to admire the thought process and the creative thinking to figure out this plan of attack. Again, Julia was trying her “Cloak of Invisibility” and I caught her out. As this was a tactic that has worked in the past, knowledge must have been shared with Lillian and they are both doing it.

Do your kids invent weird and interesting ways not be seen? What is the strangest thing they have done? And did you notice or not until it was too late? Send in your stories.

Tags Cloak of Invisibility, daddy, Eric the Viking, mischief, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, naughty, not staying in bedroom, rest time

3 years and beyond

Productive Day

Today has been a very productive day. While the twins are at school, I have gone to get a check up, organised paperwork that needed a JP to sign it, gone for a walk, and had lunch. Just need to go out to the chriropractor and then off to pick kids up.

For my walk I went around the oval 6 times and did a little jogging in there as well, although it was mostly walking. I read that if you do jogging as well as walking you burn more fat. So we will see. If you would like to know, I walked for 37mins and 43secs and burnt 290 Cal. It felt good to be out in the sun, breathing the fresh air and to be walking by myself. It is nice to not have kids at your side and to worry about, very relaxing indeed.

My day does not end after kids are picked up, we are off to the child care board meeting. Well I am, the girls are getting looked after by some of the staff. The twins love going there as they can catch up with friends that they don’t see as often and also to see much loved staff members. It is good that we are going as they have been asking to visit.

Now off to have a cuppa tea and sit down in front of the television for a little do nothing time. Send us an email of what you have been up to this lovely sunny day? Hope that it is sunny where you are.

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Tags did a lot, kids at school, me time, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, pleased that I got a lot done, productive day, walking

Sewing

One pair done another to go

Post author By Suzanne Robinson
Post date July 25, 2012
1 Comment on One pair done another to go

Hi All, I have finished one pair of the pink pants for the girls, but had to cut the sides. My sewing machine cannot handle little cuffs and I could not get it on to sew it, so thought that would be a good solution. Now need to edge the sides of the cuffs where I had to cut, and do the second pair of pants. The jobs left for the other pair of pants is to put the elastic in, and hem them.

Do you have any sewing or craft projects you are working on? Do you want to share your triumph in pictures or just let us know. Mummy to Twins is keen to hear about what you have been up to, send in your stories.

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Tags kids pants, mom, mommy, mother, mum, mummy, pink pants, sewing