My little boy is super obsessed with cars, Monster Trucks and actually anything on wheels.
Anytime I go anywhere in the house I either trip over a car, see a car or I’m picking one or a handful to put away. Cars are everywhere!
Cool convertible – Toy car
Lately, Alexander has been telling me that there are girls and boys cars. He’s been asking me which one of his cars is my favourite, I then say, the purple, gold or red one and then get promptly told, “No this is not your favourite MUMMA!”
He’s also telling me what my favourite colour is and invariably it is pink…. I don’t like pink and my favourite colour is blue and all the shades of deep-sea blue to purple colours.
He then gives me a car that he is willing to let me play with and then says that this is a girl’s car.
I’ve been telling him there are no girl’s cars or boys’ cars, there are just cars.
Girls and boys can have any car they wish or that they really like. The toys or cars you play with should not be determined by your gender.
It’s interesting that this is a recent occurrence and a sad one I think. He is separating things into girls’ and boys’ sections and believes that only boys can play with certain things and the same for girls.
When the twins were little I exposed them to all sorts of toys,trains, train tracks, cars , trucks,DUPLO Building Blocks, LEGO and so much more. Hubby and I believe that kids should be exposed to all different things, and toys shouldn’t be put in a category of girls or boys, there are just toys for kids.
Kids are drawn to what interests them and we have gone with this, but have made sure we expose all our kids to teddies, prams, cooking toys, building, outdoor toys and everything in between.
Two nights ago he had his Mac Truck from the Cars Filmsand he is able to open each side to allow smaller Matchbox /Hot Wheel Cars to be transported inside (It is like a car transporter). My little boy who is a few months of four years told me there is a girl’s side and a boys side. Really???? Why is this so?
Now every time he says it I say that cars are cars and can be for everyone. Not ones for boys and not ones for girls, just cars.
It is sad in my opinion that this is happening, it is terrible that kids pick up on differences and they are now translating it into reasons that girls and boys need to have different toys.
I suppose my upset and shock is that the sexism is starting early, but it is how you deal with the comments and what you say to direct this new belief. As a mum who is a proud feminist and believer that girls can be whatever they want and do whatever they want, I will be making sure my little boy understands that girls can have the hotted-up monster truck too.
Has this happened to you? Suddenly you’re dealing with being told what girls or boys can do from your toddler?
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If they are a few years away from entering big school or otherwise known as primary you might want to expose them to some concepts to give them a better start.
My little boy Alexander is still three but in a few short months will be four, and next year is his last year in childcare. Childcare runs a preschool program and he’s learning so much more each day.
How is he so close to going to Big School? Mind you he is keen to go to school like his big sisters, however the same year he starts Kindy the twins will be starting high school…yes I will have kids at two different stages!
I’ve partnered with Get Ready for School Australia to share their great resources to help your little people get school ready. Read on to find the 15% discount…yes what a helpful thing to have!
Bark is keen to learn with Get Ready for School Australia too! Alexander loves his new kit too!
“The Get Ready for School Australia program focuses on playful and meaningful learning activities that build a love of learning in your child – in the familiar surroundings of your own home. And they need little or no preparation.”
I have a super great discount for my readers, you can get 15% off!
Enter the following code: Alexander15
Benefits of Get Ready for School Australia
Builds confidence
Helps parents with everything they need to help their child get school ready
Spend quality time with mum/dad learning
Have fun learning with everyday items that you have at home
The Get Ready for School Australia is personalised for your child and follows the school curriculum
Alexander is still learning to write. He loves colouring in and holding pens, pencils, and textas, he is also figuring out what hand he wants to write with. Currently, he is favouring his left hand.
I read to Alex every night and he likes to read me the story from the pictures in the book. It is very interesting hearing his view of the story, however, sometimes it doesn’t match the book at all and is hilarious!
Stay tuned for more posts and videos about our progress with the Get Ready for School Australia kit. Get one for your little one that is about to start Kindy soon, they make sure to personalise the pack for your little one.
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Is it more than lots, and actually more like thousands or maybe millions?
Well, possibly not millions but fees like it could be? Or looks like millions of digital image files.
If you have been wanting to put all your beloved and treasured photos into a photobook, then I have a great deal for you.
I’ve only done two photobooks and both were for the twins first year and birth. However, never kept it up or done one for Alexander (horribly mum moment, and needs to be rectified).
Creating photo books is a great way to showcase some great family moments and treasured images, plus having a book to share with family and friends is a nice present idea as well.
Photobook Worldwide has wonderful photo books to choose from and an array of other products too, prints, cards, canvas, home decor, calendars and so much more!
The below code is for a free 6″ x 6″ simple book on the Photobook World Wide App – Available on the Apple Store and Google Play
SUZANNEPBWW
– Applicable for a Free 6″ x 6″ Simple Book.
– Redeemable only on our App.
– Shipping not included. (You’ll need to pay the shipping on this deal)
– Valid until 31st December 2019.
In the Photobook Worldwide App, pick the 6′ x 6′ Simple Book, then click next and start creating your book!
Once you have selected all your photos for your photobook, then you can enter your discount code.
You can also use the below code to save 70% off your purchases on the Photobook Worldwide Website.
SUZANNE70
– 70% OFF Sitewide*.
– Redeemable only on our website.
– Valid until 31st December 2019.
* Offer is not valid for Flush Mount Albums, Lil’ Photobook, Photo Tiles, Baby Clothing & Kid’s T-shirt.
I’m currently working away at creating my own photobook and will feature what I did, what I created and how I found the process on a follow-up post.
I’ll post soon about my book that I finally create about Alexander’s birth and the first year.
I hope you like discounts and it helps you get some fabulous presents for you, family and friends.
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I’ve not been well and finding it difficult as I keep on thinking about sleep. My bed keeps wanting me to keep it company and as I’ve had a few days of horrible headaches I totally agree that rest and sleep might be a very good idea.
Aside from not being well, I have nearly a week to organise everything for the twins 11th birthday party. I don’t understand where the time has gone. You would not think they are babies anymore and just looking at them you will see tall kids that are lanky and seem to be getting stretched out – they are in the lanky phase of growth before full set puberty sets in.
Puberty might not have happened but you would think it was due to the moods and craziness that is happening at our place.
Not only have I been trying to keep up with the kids’ events at school, one main one was seeing them dance in the school’s entry into the Wakkarki Dance Competition. All the kids did such an amazing job and it was many hours of practice from the kids plus a very long day and night of the show. I was very proud to see the kids do such a great uplifting performance and it was a wonderful feel-good story of acceptance and making friends from all different backgrounds.
The performance for Wakkarki was at Riverside Theatre in Parramatta and the kids left school at 10.30am and didn’t get picked up by parents until 9pm that evening. We arrived home well after 11pm and I don’t think they got to bed until after 12am as both kids wanted a shower to remove makeup and thick hairspray from their hair.
This week the twins are having another late night due to both singing at the Opera House with school and Wednesday to Friday last week went to Canberra with the school. Yes, the busyiness hasn’t stopped!
Making lists of what I need to do and getting a coffee at the same time.
Last weekend the girls had basketball training, their basketball game and then a birthday party to attend. The next day was Father’s Day and lunch with the family and a hike with daddy. Phew….. plus other things that they get up to after school too!
This is not to mention wrangling a toddler to care and to entertain as well. Oh and being sick too. I was feeling okay and on the mend until the twins got ill a week before they went to Canberra….thank goodness they got better and was able to attend their excursion to the nation’s capital, if they couldn’t go I am sure I wouldn’t hear the end of it, and also as we had paid in full it would have been an expensive non-excursion.
I’ve upped my vitamins, been to the doctor and am now on antibiotics. Not sure that the drugs are needed but over being sick and feeling horrible all the time.
I am going to bed with a million things on my mind. Getting things for the cake, wrapping presents, organising party bags for the twins birthday party, finalising the list of who’s coming, cleaning the house for relatives that will be over soon to celebrate with us, things I wanted to do but can only think about sleep or attempting to keep my eyes open.
In an attempt to stay energised I had two coffees the other day, and I fear this was a horrible mistake. I was still extremely tired but couldn’t go to sleep. I lay in bed thinking of all the things I needed to organise and are yet to do, and yes this stressed me out and still made me not able to sleep.
So now I am not doing two coffees, I have only one in the early hours of the morning. I fight the urge to have another as I know this will cause me to be staring at the ceiling and getting frustrated about my lack of drive due to being zapped of energy due to a cold or the flu… not sure what it is but only know that I hate it and want it to go away and never come back.
Have you had a very busy time? Are you still going through it? Has it coincided with you getting ill? If so how did you manage?
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I’ve been busy looking after everyone, doing everything and taking everyone everywhere.
Oh, and not to mention getting a cold, then the flu and now sick again.
I just want to sit and be looked after for a change; get dinner made by someone else, allow me to sleep in, maybe have others do the housework for a change.
I have been wondering for a while now, when is it my time to be looked after? Why am I the one that does everything?
I am more than a wife and a mother, I have dreams and ideas too, plus I haven’t changed who I am due to having kids. Actually, there have been THREE BIG CHANGES: I have no money, no time and I’m always tired.
I know that being a mum doesn’t make you less of a person but lately, it feels like you get overlooked on every level. When you are sick you still have to solider on, when you’ve hurt yourself you have to still do everything too.
Maybe it will be another 20 years before I can finally have a break? I do have young children and one is not even in school yet.
Being always on is tiring not only physically but mentally draining.
Maybe the thoughts about the lack of identity or being at other’s beck and call have surfaced more due to the school holidays…where there has been not a lot of moments to be left alone to hear myself think.
It could be that being a Stay at Home mum to three kids is now my role, however, I would like to be a mogul to my ideas.
Do you find that you’re overlooked due to being a mum? Do you find that things are expected of you and you are never asked? If so, I know how you feel.
I think this is why I’ve been researching drool-worthy holidays. A holiday that will mean mummy will get some much-needed downtime, pampering and an experience that will be fantastic for the whole family (One that means that I don’t have to make beds, cook or clean).
Let me know if you are over giving all to everyone and not getting much back? Having moody pre-teens, of course, doesn’t help.
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Everyone going through the motions of life. I am drooling over an exciting adventure, maybe a holiday somewhere amazing!
Do you feel like you are plodding along?
Just getting by with things? Not really being happy or sad, but just okay?
Lately, I’ve been wanting to go do something exciting. A trip away, an adventure or just something different than than the everyday.
My days consist of the following:
Getting kids to school
Picking kids up
Looking after kids
Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, trying to tidy and then sort out messes that I have just cleaned.
Transporting kids to events
Taking kids to playdates
Taking kids to parties
Entertaining kids at home
And probably much more that I have forgotten to add to this list
Do you go through the motions with things and then realise that you are bored, you are craving something different and new? I know I am.
A holiday somewhere warm would be ideal right now!
I’ve been feeling like a robot on autopilot, more accurately a zombie robot that is craving sleep and some serious downtime.
My days seem to be the same, nothing exciting or unusual happens. Well, I must say that hubby had a car accident that has meant that his car is now a write-off and is the reason for our new car purchase. This incident was different but not as exciting as it was a setback and hard due to being down a car.
We’ve had other setbacks with hubby being out of work for a bit last year and earlier this year…living off savings that are meant to be spent on the new house was not great but we were thankful we had money to live off as the result of no money in saving would have been even worse, we could have been homeless.
I’m craving a break from my everyday rut of being a mum and carer to all. I enviously wish I had a job like some of my friends that flew them to exotic places in the world for work. I know these working mums miss their kids and family and I would too, however being at work and in a different environment would be so exciting to me at the moment.
Everyone going through the motions of life. I am drooling over an exciting adventure, maybe a holiday somewhere amazing!
Bring on the international travel for work (Note to any brands that wish to send me somewhere amazing, I would love to go, Fiji, Paris, New York, Disneyland, Japan and more… bring it on! – Oh and if the family can come along that would be a bonus. Yes I know I am craving a break but the kids would be upset if they missed out)
Some things I’m doing to help me feel little less like a zombie:
Exploring new areas of where I live – travelling down new streets, trying new cafes and restaurants, and going for a walk somewhere different.
Saving for something special (dreaming of a holiday away)
Getting a bit of exercise – I like to go for a walk and find this helps me.
Listing to an inspiring podcast or reading something that chances my perspective.
I think the issue I have is that it seems like nothing changes and each day is a carbon copy of the one before and so on.
Do you feel the same? Or do you have periods where you are just doing things and not even knowing what you are doing until it is done? For example, you drive somewhere and be on autopilot during the drive.
Let me know what you are doing to break the feeling of just going through the motions?
I do believe that we get in ruts and need to break them. Shake things up… now I’m sounding like Taylor Swift…shake it up, shake it up!
Maybe feeling like this is part and parcel of being a stay at home mum? Or the primary care giver? It does feel monotonous at times.
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One kid hasn’t been well, the other kid is now telling me she isn’t feeling the best and the youngest is constantly having accidents and hurting himself.
It seems like a horrible joke that everyone wants to be ill at the same time!
Why does everyone get sick in winter and nearly at the same time???
Winter this year was a rude shock. It actually started a week early and was so cold, freezing to be precise. Icy winds, some snow fell but never settled and the heater has been going nonstop. Oh and not to mention the winter woollies are making an appearance – Multiple layers, beanie and scarf.
The kid that wasn’t well had to be taken to the doctor due to a horrible temperature and fever that was getting worse. Initially, I thought that she was over the worst of it but it wasn’t getting better, the doctor then told us that she had an ear infection and needed antibiotics.
This kid that hasn’t been well and not eating a lot and has dropped a few kgs. She is also fighting me on drinking Hydralyte, the reason I want her to drink this is due to the fact her joints are sore and she is finding it hard to walk. Electrolytes in the Hydralyte help your muscles and therefore will help her feel better when walking, also eating more will help too.
She is eating toast and drinking water, so I hope her food intake will pick up soon. She has no temperatures and seems so much better than a few days ago.
Her attitude is there and she is telling jokes so I know she is on the mend.
Have you noticed that your kids are getting sick now that the cold weather is upon us?
I was going to get us all the flu shot but need to wait until everyone is well to do so.
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What do you do on your birthday? I suppose the natural thing to do is to celebrate with lunch, dinner or a few drinks.
My birthday was last Monday and I did none of the above. Why do you ask? Well, I organised to get a health check that required me to starve myself and take a horrible concoction to clean my bowel out. Rather yucky to say the least.
I could have moved my appointment to a different day but then I would be waiting longer and worrying about getting it done. I just wanted it all done and over. To not think about it. To have an answer to my concerns.
So what test did I have done? Well, it was a colonoscopy. This is when they put a scope up your bum to look at your bowel to ensure that you don’t have cancer.
When I went to book in at the hospital the lady suddenly went to the month of May. I instantly thought, of course, it has to be around my birthday. I foolishly got the paperwork earlier and was umming and erring if I should do it. Once I decided to get it done I couldn’t find the paperwork, so of course had to get it re-sent. This meant that it ended up being in May and coinciding with my birthday. Not good at all!
Why did I get this horrible thing done to me? Firstly two of my best friends died due to cancer and it started with bowel cancer. For the last three years and while pregnant I noticed some odd things, however, they couldn’t do some tests due to being pregnant.
For example, having 3 months of constant diarrhoea when pregnant was not good. After having my third child I’ve had some odd things occur, not going to the toilet easily, having issues going or still having diarrhoea. I went through a lot of things that it could possibly be.
Am I sick? Am I stressed? (possibly), Is it something I’m eating? Is it IBS? Or something else? Could it be a blockage? Would this be the beginning signs of cancer or something else? Is it polyps? I had no idea! It was driving me crazy.
I did the blood tests, and the poo tests and all came back fine and not abnormal. However, I still had some odd symptoms that were worrying.
I’m a mum to three young children and if god forbid I did have something wrong I hope it was found early. Early detection means that you can get it zapped, cut out and you have the best chance of beating it.
So my birthday as I said was not fun it was rather horrible not eating. Then when the clock hit 5pm I had to take a disgusting and horrible solution called, Glycoprep. Just in case you have no idea what this tastes like, it is super salty and you have to drink 3 litres of this liquid! YEP 3 litres and it made me feel SICK!!!!!!
I was supposed to be finished this fluid by 7pm, but I ended up finishing up at 9.30pm, yep not great but I did drink the whole 3 litres.
If you ever have to drink this horrible salty solution you will find that it is so hard to drink it quickly. Well, it was for me. The more I drank the harder it got.
Fast forward 2-3 hours and I had to urgently go to the bathroom. The idea of the solution is to clean you out, and when I say to clean you out, everything is exiting your body extremely quickly!!!! Not fun and pleasant at all.
Basically, I should have just taken up residence in the bathroom.
With the frequent visits to the bathroom (the bathroom is not heated), not eating, drinking all the fluid I still had to get through I was super cold. In fact, freezing! I ended up with a beanie, scarf, jumper and blanket over me when not in the bathroom.
I ended up finally going to bed around 11pm and had to put on about 100 blankets and the heater on to keep warm. It took me ages to get warm.
Finally, it was the next morning and I could only have water until 8am after 8 I was not allowed anything… yes nothing. I was so tired, hungry and over it all.
Waiting at the hospital
My appointment at the hospital was at 10am, this was not when I went in for the procedure. I went in and got a checkup (blood pressure, questions and answered some questions. Finally got into a stylish gown and paper shoes.
I was then told to wait in a waiting room (there was no clock in this room but it felt like I was there for hours) with a warm blanket and a tv. I was then joined by 3 other ladies. I was the youngest person in the waiting room. One lady asked me why I was getting it done, I told her due to some strange symptoms and my close mates dying, it was my preventive strike to ensure I was okay.
Maybe I didn’t need to do it. I know I didn’t get a test to say that it was needed but after other weird things that I experienced the doctor thought it might be a good idea too.
I also had no idea if my dear friends had any symptoms that they thought were odd. If they did have something did they think it was due to something else? If they did have symptoms if they got them checked out, would they still be here? This is a question I cannot answer or ever know the answer to. They are not here anymore.
I miss my wonderful friends so much. I wish they had done a preventive strike and found it before it was too late.
Finally, it was my turn to go and meet the doctor, all the nurses and of course the anaesthetist. I was worried and nervous. I did have to make sure they knew who I was due to the doctor thinking I was another patient. (Scary) Apparently, the surgery list was mixed up. So glad that I was vocal and told them who I was.
The cannula was super painful and has left a HUGE bruise, I was awake one minute and then waking up in recovery next. The doctor came to see me after I was given sandwiches and 2 cups of orange juice. You have no idea how good it was to eat and drink again.
My huge bruise on my hand from the cannula
The news from the doctor was that there are no signs of cancer and all looked good and normal. Great news. Maybe my issues could be IBS or that I need to have less milk or a food allergy? I have no idea… I am just very happy to know that it is not cancer.
I’m writing this post to urge you to be aware of any changes in your body, any changes to your health. Get checked, stay on top of your yearly checkups, skin checks, blood tests and more.
I know my 46th birthday was not ideal, but I look at it this way. This test is helping me have more birthdays.
Due to the fact that I couldn’t eat or drink on my official birthday, we are having a do-over on the weekend. I’m really looking forward to going out with the family to celebrate. Plus eating some yummy food is a bonus after not eating on my special day.
Image from Bowel Cancer Australia
“15,604 Australians are told they have bowel cancer each year, including 1,413 people under the age of 50.”
Get tested. Be proactive. Be Healthy for you and the family.
Image from Bowel Cancer Australia
I hope sharing this experience helps you get tested and see that it is not something that just affects older people, many people that get diagnosed with bowel cancer are young.
Image from Bowel Cancer Australia
You can find out more about tests on the Bowel Cancer Australia Website and you if you wish you can order a screening test online or by calling 1800 555 494.
“A highlight of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 19 June 2019), when Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia through the purchase of a Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbon and apple themed fundraising activities.” (Bowel Cancer Australia Website)
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So you might pick up on a theme with my wish list. I really, really, really want my shed otherwise known as mummy’s office to be finished. Currently been a project since May 2018 and when I think about it, it was meant to be complete for Mother’s Day last year. However, it is not finished and I have no space to do some of my creative projects, so I thought if that was done it would be a great gift and allow me to do more for me and of course the blog.
I did throw in some other expensive ticket items and this was to make the shed option look like the better alternative. Just to let you know that there is not work happening to fix said shed due to working and being super tired when he comes home.
I do have my birthday this month and also our wedding anniversary. We have been married now for 15 years and together for 7 years beforehand (so total together years are: 22), I purchased some rose plants from BigW and keen to learn that the flower for 15 years married is the rose, so this will be a nice addition to the garden.
Due to financial constraints it has been tough and we have not been spending a lot of money on things. Hubby was between jobs late last year and we had to put a lot of things on hold, including the new house being built, which is rather sad due to the fact we so desperately need the space. Knowing that we didn’t have a lot to spend I thought that finishing my shed would be the smartest option as it will make me super happy, allow me to work and hopefully earn more and also move some items out of the house and free up much needed space.
What are you hoping to get for Mother’s Day? Have you dropped hints to everyone about what you really want? Let us know.
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Fun online classes for mum – Get the all access pass
The other day Alexander was watching some songs on YouTube.
One of them was the Firefighters Song for Kids from Bounce Patrol Kids. The song was catchy and the video was bright, colourful and Alexander loved it.
However the thing I couldn’t stop looking at was the fact that the only woman firefighter was dressed in a dress and thigh high patent leather/shiny boots that had a heel. (See the video below)
A dress and heels are not for firefighting! Women should wear pants, boots and the same outfit the men wear!
Why are women showing girls that they need to dress like this to fight fires? Firefighters don’t wear this and women firefighters actually wear pants and the proper boots like the men do. It’s a basic uniform for the job.
I know it looks glam to be in heels but you are fighting a fire and boots with no heel would be best.
Oh and lose the dress and just wear the pants and uniform for all firefighters please.
Show girls that they don’t have to be different and the candy for people to look at, no sparkle needed. The video was fun and having this female firefighter in pants and boots like the men wouldn’t have detracted from the video at all! As you can see I am rather annoyed at this video and the representation of women and how it will impact girls.
Why is it 2019 and there are still such alarming differences for how girls and women are being portrayed? This is not acceptable and should looked at with more care. Young kids are highly impressionable and doing this just reinforces the fact that a girl needs to be in a dress and wear high heels, which is not the case at all.
This firefighter is wearing a better outfit to fight fires. Why can’t the woman be dressed the same?
Just in case you wish to know what firefighters wear here are some images taken from the Fire NSW Website:
I don’t see any dresses or heels do you?
Have you been appalled at how girls are getting shown in video clips and other media? Do they always have to wear skirts? Dresses? Why do dress ups for girls always have a sparkly skirt and dress option? Why can’t they have pants like the boys outfits do?
Let me know what has caught your attention and why it annoyed you?
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Have you told someone your thoughts or plans? Did they like them or think it was terrible and in their words, “SHIT”
Well, I have grand plans for things this year and some have been poohed poohed and made me feel terrible.
I kept on coming back to the same idea and thoughts and then realised, this is my idea, my baby, my creation, my work, my money invested. Not someone else’s.
If you keep on coming back to the same ideas and they will not go away, you owe it to yourself to give it a go.
Trust your instincts, believe in you and keep on going until you achieve what you want. Who knows, you might be hugely successful. You don’t know what will happen if you never try.
Do you find that you have an instinct on what will work and what won’t? Have a feeling about a person, a situation and know what to do. I do and I need to trust my gut more and more.
So for all the mums that have projects and ideas that they wish to achieve, trust your gut, your instinct is good. Believe in you and just achieve your goals with small steps.
Surround yourself with people that understand your vision, support you and motivate you to achieve.
Sign up to online forums, facebook groups and face to face meetups are great. Don’t give up!
The people who are closest I find seem to have more resistance to success and find issues in your ideas. If your idea is super successful I am sure they will be happy and want to share in the glory.
Power on all those with fabulous ideas. Be a powerhouse, be successful, work for a better you, a better outcome for family (More money helps everyone and also a happy mum means a happy house).
Let me know what you are working on and I can help cheer you on and support you.
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How are you going? Are you surviving the school holidays? I have had moments when it has all gone to hell and I’ve wanted to run to the hills and not come back for a while.
However, even with the annoyance and angst, I’ve been trying to embrace the holiday spirit and my mantra for this year…be happier.
I’ve been spending more time with the kids and family, hence why I haven’t posted recently. Sorry for the lack of updates.
I have been taking the kids to parks, movies, organising play dates, parties, sleepovers, I got tickets so kids can do some science at the local botanic gardens and much more!
One thing that is doing my head in is the arguments and one-upmanship between the twins. It is really annoying, exhausting and frustrating to say the least. Are you in the same boat with your kids?
Do you find that a good stiff drink is in order after a tumultuous session with the kids not hearing anything you say? Oh, and when no one answers your questions, even when they are right next to you!
Even with the frustrations that holidays bring it has been relaxing and happy experience. We have spent time with friends and family and also managed to have a sleep in on a few days (So this is a win in my book).
Alexander had his birthday party and is now a three-year-old. He was very happy that his two mates from childcare could come to his party, and it was so adorable to see all three of them play in the park with each other. Three cute little people taking walks and chatting and playing amongst themselves, they were super busy doing important playthings.
I still cannot believe the girls will be entering grade 5 soon, they are getting so grown up and soon primary will be finished for both of them. Only this year and next and then they are off to high school.
Hope you’re having a good break and spending some fun time with family these school holidays. If you are having painful moments like me, I hope that they don’t last long or you can get a break for a bit.
Coming up next on the blog is are my tales of helping two ten years old’s with their new Harry Potter LEGO sets, it was a long, exhausting, frustrating and at times rewarding experience. It really ends up as a tale of woe from all sides. I’m sure all mums and dads that have tried to assist a child with LEGO will understand the ups and downs of this fine line you walk between taking over or just helping.
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Happy New Year! It is rather amazing that it is 2019. A year full of new plans, hopes, dreams and hopefully exciting times.
My word for 2019 is “Happy”
I noticed that the twins were wanting me to be happier last year, they even sat me down and had a chat about how they want me and daddy to be happy.
Celebrating the new year and new possibilites.
Mind you we have been going through a rather trying time of late. Hubby lost his job a few months before Christmas and due it being a bad time to be job hunting everything has been put on hold until 2019. And my grandmother the girls (GG) died so that was very upsetting and sad too.
I’ve been running around like a headless chicken organising and doing for everyone but not me. So no surprise that I am not the happiest person, oh plus no one helps out. When the mere suggestion of help is said to any child all I get is screams and yelling about how “I don’t want to do that!”, or “It’s not mine, so why should I have to pick it up??”
Geez, I don’t want to do housework either but I do, and nearly 99% of items that I pick up are not mine either!
2019 is going to be a year of change and making things easier on me and teaching the kids that I am not a slave. I am sick of doing for everyone and not getting anything back, and of course, I am intentionally injecting happy into my day, life and family.
The twins spent a week with my mum and step-dad and came home today. They have been short tempered, yelling at me and grunting or getting angry at everything.
One kid decided to ask for my help with one craft activity that she got as a Christmas present from school. She was happy and keen to set it all up and then couldn’t find a key part of the box.
She came to tell me that she couldn’t find it, and I said that I had tidied up their room to welcome them home ( I gave each kid Harry Potter bed sets and had washed them all to have them on the beds for when the girls returned, I tidied their room and sorted out their clothes too – they are all folded in a basket ready to be put away). I told this kid that I originally found the box in the corner of the room shoved at the end of the cupboards so maybe it had fallen out.
To look for this we needed to move things and that was met with screaming and yelling at me. She then yelled at me that it was on the desk and that is where she remembered leaving it. I told her to look at the desk and behind it, in case it had fallen out and was on the floor.
Being happy with friends and family helps with you being happier too, that is unless they don’t listen due to being pre-teen kids!
Her looking skills were the following: staring at the desk and yelling and not moving anything! Did she think that the missing item would just magically appear? It possibly might fly out and announce itself to her.
I, of course, was rather annoyed at the tidy room now becoming messy again and was also interrupted at finally putting fresh sheets on my bed to help out a kid that was yelling at me.
I then explained that I spent a long time getting her room ready and getting all the clothes folded and the room tidy. I know she was unhappy and annoyed she had lost something but I was trying to help her.
No one saw it my way and everyone now thinks that I was being horrible by getting angry at the said child.
My reaction is that I am STRIKE!
No one values anything I do
No one helps
I get yelled at
People can fend for themselves
I don’t get paid or treated nicely, and I am very over the silly and horrible behaviour.
So my word for the year is maybe not great for today, but I am now Happy in my bedroom with a cool drink working on my laptop.
Maybe this is being happy, well for a little bit.
This might allow the family to appreciate everything I do.
I’ve told Hubby and the twins that I’m not cooking, cleaning or doing laundry. If someone wants something they need to sort it out themselves.
I wonder how long it will be before I get the “I’m Sorry Mummy!” “Please help me with this, or cook me this or do that”
How is your first day of 2019 going?
Oh, by the way, Alexander hurt himself and needed mummy so I had to deal with that and then magically the other child found the missing item that was lost. A very sorry kid still wanted me to help her with her project and I thought it would be nice.
The twins cooked their own dinner, although there were moments and a major injury (not with food or the stove but due to someone hurting their head on a cabinet).
Now kids are in bed and I can finally return to my work and some much needed quiet time.
I do hope that your first day of the year was better than mine, although there were some nice moments but some annoying ones too.
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Toddlers are busy creatures; they cannot keep still or stop moving.
My little toddler is having so much fun with his weird and wonderful adventures, it is hard to keep up!
Playing superheroes at the park with Super Bark the Dog!
He has been to space and loves being a superhero.
Mummy has also taken various trips to the moon and other planets too! We are frequent visitors to outer space, maybe there is a frequent flyer card for travelling so far? I’m sure I’ve collected millions of frequent flyer points by now!
On top of his normal diet, one thing that allows my little space explorer to keep on going is the energy he gets from his NAN A2 toddler milk drink.
NAN A2 toddler milk has some essential vitamins and minerals to help support my adventurous toddler needs, and lately, he has needed extra due to a growth spurt.
Having a cool drink of NAN A2 Stage 3 Toddler Milk
As you can see Alexander has been super busy with his cars, at the park and going to space with mummy.
My little boy has been super hungry and has wanted more of everything! Giving him a sippy cup of his NAN A2 toddler milk drink means that he is getting some essential vitamins and minerals he needs.
The toddler milk helps me as a mummy to make sure he gets what he needs. I find that he sometimes eats lots and then goes for days not eating anything at all. NAN A2 Stage 3 shouldn’t replace a varied diet. It’s specially formulated for toddler’s that may not be getting all the energy and nutrients they need from their food.
Alexander can’t go anywhere without his cars and Bark the Dog. Playing cars on the driveway is hours of fun!
If you also have an active space explorer or superhero, I would recommend NAN A2 toddler milk to help them get any extra energy they might need for more amazing adventures.
As a parent, the NAN A2 Stage 3 toddler milk is so easy to prepare, and you can take it anywhere, why not on your next space exploration.
Alexander loves his NAN A2 Stage 3 Toddler Milk, he flies into space to rescue the tin.
This post is in collaboration with NAN A2 Stage 3 Toddler Milk. The fab team at NAN sent Alexander some NAN A2 Stage 3 Toddler Milk to test out.
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Currently, I’m reading “The Joy of Doing Just Enough – The secret art of being lazy and getting away with it”, By Jennifer McCartney.
Basically, it’s a way to not do too much – Do less and stop worrying about all the other stuff you should have done or might have done.
So in a nutshell, do less shit.
I am a person who does more than they should. Goes the extra mile and of course, take on too much. It’s expected, isn’t it? You are capable, educated and have time so why not? Do what you can for the kids, others, and more.
However, there is a time where you need to say NO. Step back for a bit to focus on you.
I like the idea of re-adjusting your way of thinking to do enough to keep everyone happy and to have more time for you.
Doing too much and being on all the time means that you are unhappy, you get sick more often or your cold/flu never goes away!
Downtime allows you to recharge your batteries and to fully rest.
I LOVE this list above, not 10 things as it is too much, although 8 is just enough. Perfect actually. Maybe others might point out no list at all is even more perfect!
Also, the point about anything can be spoons and that Orange Juice can work instead of milk, these made me laugh.
I think everyone is programmed to do so many things that you have so much to do that you will never sleep EVER again!
If did all my to-do list I would never sleep. What about you?
It would be wise to farm out some tasks – like cleaning, cooking and the yard work to free up some time and allow the hubby and I to stress less and to spend more time with family. However, we are not made of money and therefore this is not an option and only a dream at the moment (I am working on some ideas that might be worth a bit of money and you never know….I might be the next successful author – You can only hope right?)
Doing enough for you and others is as Jennifer McCartney says is The New Unicorn Latte.
A Unicorn Latte,in my opinion, is a mystery, not real and therefore might never happen.
However, there could be Unicorn Latte’s out there (Just because we have never seen a unicorn doesn’t mean they are not real) and if this is indeed true, you can embrace whatever you wish this unicorn to be. You can mould your own Unicorn Latte (Sounds weird but you get the idea).
Creative, driven, passionate and so forth…and of course if you decide that you say no to some people or decide to take breaks for your health/creativity or family then that is perfectly fine.
The magical Unicorn Latte, the unicorn is sparkly due to the high amount of caffeine they constantly consume.
This Unicorn Latte can be whoever they wish to be…it is the magical power of being a unicorn that allows you to be super mysterious and all-knowing. I think that the Unicorn Latte needs it’s own superhero theme music and voice. It could be like a guru that you seek knowledge from.
“Sorry I can’t as I just sought guidance from Guru Unicorn Latte and there is too much negative energy and I will have to decline. Thanks anyway”.
The Unicorn Latte could just be a way you would like to act and therefore follow the way of the Unicorn Latte & Teachings and then apply to your life.
I’m sure it is not just me that feels like you are racing everywhere and not getting much done. You have little time for you and what you would really like to achieve and then you wake up and do all the crazy racing around again. Yep, our frantic lives are on repeat.
Jennifer said that lazy people live longer. I was wondering if this was indeed true, and it seems it actually is:
“Laziness works. And the simple way to incorporate its health benefits into your life is simply to take a nap. A study of 23,681 Greek adults in 2007 found that those who took a siesta lived longer.” (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/05/live-long-lazy-britain-oldest-man)
Have you been feeling like you take on too much? I know I have. When I have said no to things it has allowed me to rest at home for a change.
Everyone is scattered thin and it is not just an issue for parents with young children. We work longer, are always on call with our technology and stay up later and then have little to no sleep.
It is a very basic concept, rest, take care of yourself so you can take of others and do what you can in the time you have to get things done. If it is not urgent it can wait.
Now I’m going to bed for a much-needed sleep. I am still unwell and need to rest.
C’mon go to bed if you are still up and look at your schedule and Say NO to people to find more time for you. Less stress is a better outcome for everyone.
Thanks, Jennifer McCartney I’m enjoying your book and seem to be smiling most of my way through it and at times re-reading parts as you have great points on doing less.
AND NOW BED.
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I cannot believe it is nearly November. Yep, the year has nearly ended. It will soon be Christmas and New Year and then our little boy’s birthday.
It is all happening with super speed. Although the world and the days seem to be magically whisking by I am slowly plodding along. Why do you ask? Well, I have indeed gotten sick yet again.
Sick seems to be the constant battle of mums, and indeed me this year.
I now have a cold or possibly the flu! My body hurts and at times throbbing. My head is sore and so is my throat.
Constantly tired and wishing that I could stay in bed. Sleep and rest seem all hard to obtain with a busy house and three kids.
It would be so wonderful to just rest and for others to get everything done. To be able to sleep in and to not be disturbed would be fabulous too!
I’m zapped of energy, needing sleep and just unwell.
Cold and flu tablets don’t seem to be helping. Maybe more sleep will help?
Do you find that due to being the mum you are always ill?
Do you get whatever the kids bring home from school or childcare? I know I do.
If you are indeed sick like me I hope that you are getting some much-needed rest and family are helping.
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This is not a new problem but one that has annoyed me for a long time.
How about you????
Is this an issue that makes you angry?
I bet it does…. if it annoys you then I want you to get behind my movement to Bring The Drawstring Back!
As you might have guessed it really frustrates me and makes me very annoyed.
Pants and shorts that look like they have the drawstring cord but it is an illusion. Yep all fake, nothing works. Cord and string just for show.
In fact, they just have a few bits of cord hanging to allow you to tie in a knot and not an actual bow, and due to no actual drawstring being in the waist of the pants or shorts there is no ability to pull them tighter.
You might not think this is a major issue but it is, especially when you have super skinny kids that have no waists and need everything to be tighten or taken in.
It could be a conspiracy against all people that wish to adjust their pants and not show their bums or undies.
The twins were tiny from the word go and of course have been small with everything and it is hard to get them anything that fits without getting a smaller size to ensure it actually fits around their waist. However, due to the fact that they are growing, I need the length but the waist size for bigger sizes seem to get enormous and therefore falls off my skinny little people.
When Alexander was born he was 1.2kgs bigger than one of the girls, now this is significant but he is still the same as his sisters. Being a good size for a newborn hasn’t helped the fact that he is going to be a skinny minny like his sisters.
He has an itty bitty waist and needs to have outfits with an adjustable waist or tighter elastic or at the very least a drawstring that is there and actually works.
I’m sure I’m not the only one that is over the fake drawstring phenomenon.
Why are manufacturers doing this?
From a customer perspective, it is horrible. You buy a pair of pants and they cannot be altered to fit you…. stupid actually!
From the seller’s position, having drawstrings mean more time to make each item and therefore each item will cost more. I’m sure they are still super cheap to make in a Chinese factory and sell for a huge profit.
Personally, I hate having no drawstrings on pants. Especially for kids, and on my PJ”s too! (I seem to have a whole bunch of pajama pants that are just falling off me and yes you guessed it, no drawstring!)
I think we should email, phone and tell all stores to put back the drawstring! Will you stand with me?
#bringbackthedrawstring
I did try and create a change.org petition however I couldn’t due to not knowing who to list as the person, organisation, or group that can make a decision about my petition.
Not having drawstrings is an issue that affects many shops and it is not down to one. Therefore this area of the form was left blank and I couldn’t create an online petition.
Note: I have had to change my pajama pants I was wearing during writing this as they are constantly falling down, yes its a look I just don’t want. I could magically fix all pants that do this, but why would you want to? Why can’t I just buy pants that have a usable and working drawstring?
The issue is real and affects millions of people. Tell the clothing stores you shop at that they need to bring back the drawstring!
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Hello Fresh Australiasent us a box to test out. I’ve never used Hello Fresh, known anyone that has, or had a chance to experience their food… well that was until now.
We were excited to give it a go and see if all the hype and advertisements lived up to reality. Spoiler alert: Hello Fresh is beyond amazing and more!
Due to Father’s Day, we have been making some fabulous creations all from the help of the Hello Fresh box.
I would highly recommend getting a Hello Fresh Box to make dad an amazing, healthy and yummy meal.
It has made me not wonder what will I cook for dinner tonight… as it is already sorted.
The box came with everything that you would need to cook any of the meals that are listed on the recipe cards.
Some of the meals that we have had are:
Caribbean Chicken & Coconut Rice
Nonna’s Beef Taco’s
Lamb & Spinach Shepherd’s Pie
Chicken & Bacon Pesto Pasta
My little masterchefs helped me make Caribbean Chicken & Coconut Rice. It was so fabulous.
Food packs are in brown paper bags that have matching colours to the recipe cards. The bags fit neatly in the fridge and
Nearly 100% recyclable packaging (love the fact that Hello Fresh is focused on looking after the environment)
I’ve been super impressed with the quality of Hello Fresh’s food and how simple it is to create gourmet meals for the family, that I have signed up as an affiliate.
Below are the affiliate links for Hello Fresh. I know not everyone is in Australia so I’ve got links to the USA, UK and Canada to help you out.
A HUGE thank you to Hello Fresh for sending us a lovely box of yummy meals to test out. We loved it and will be getting another box soon.
Lamb & Spinach Shepherd’s Pie with added cheese on top.
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