Note: I was so taken with the quality of Vuly and how Vuly trampolineskeep kids active and healthy. I’m an affiliate for Vuly, if you purchase any Vuly products from these links I get a little commission.
Keeping your kids entertained during the school holidays takes a little bit of imagination, creativity and (let’s face it) a dose of good luck!
Although our family tries to take regular outings to museums, theatres and even putt-putt – it’s not possible to do this every day. During our days at home, my kids need a little extra inspiration to stay away from computers and screens.
To my absolute delight, the kids spent hours outside enjoying their new trampoline. In fact, they simply loved it… and as a busy mum, so did I!
Whether it was challenging one another to jump the highest, or creating their own little tricks and gymnastic routines; the Ultra Medium Trampoline was a holiday hit.
There were countless occasions when the kids came running inside (laughing and out of breath,) asking me to judge their latest acrobatic feats! The trampoline also offered a fun way to include other kids from around the neighbourhood in our family’s holiday activities.
Personally, what I really love about having a trampoline is that I can be inside doing whatever I need to, while the kids are outside having fun in a safe environment.
For those parents who aren’t sure about the safety of trampolines, you need to take a look at Vuly Play. This Australian-based company prides itself on their state-of-the-art safety features and design quality. Vuly says they take safety seriously – and I tend to agree.
The Ultra Medium Trampoline includes a self-closing woven net ensuring kids can’t mistakenly jump out and has a true weight capacity of up to 150kgs. In addition, the springs of the trampoline are fully enclosed, with the entire trampoline designed to prevent contact with poles or any external parts of the structure.
My kids spent countless hours on the trampoline without any bumps or bruises!
Given Australia’s changing weather conditions, it was also important that our trampoline was made to last. Fortunately, the team from Vuly Play have thought of this too – and their trampolines are designed to be extra durable.
The Ultra Medium trampoline has been galvanised for rust resistance and has also been tested for performance in wet weather. Vuly trampolines have also undergone extensive testing to exceed Aussie manufacturing standards – and are easy to assemble with zero nuts or bolts. Our trampoline has already weathered a few storms, and it still looks brand new!
Note: Vuly sent us an Ultra Medium Trampoline to test out. The kids are obsessed with their new trampoline and hubby and I are pleased that it keeps all three kids occupied. Thanks so much, Vuly Play for sending us this amazing item.
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Last Thursday (16th of January 2020) I took Alexander to see the stage show of “The Snail and The Whale”, the show ended on the 21st of January.
The stage for the show The Snail and The Whale at the Opera House.
I wanted to expose Alexander to more theatre and something that would be just for him and not his sisters.
I purchased the tickets and then decided to get the book of the Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It is an award-winning picture book, and like the rest of their work, it is fun and has wonderful pictures.
Alexander told me that there is a fire truck on stage.. not a real one, it was a toy. Alexander loves fire trucks.
Alexander takes a while to warm up to new books and when I originally got him Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man he took a year for him to become interested and then obsessed with Stick Man, and this followed with the Gruffalo, Zog the Flying Doctors and I thought it would continue with The Snail and the Whale.
The book of the Snail and the Whale was given to Alexander for his Christmas present and he was interested but lost interest after about 2-3 pages. I read it to him nightly and we managed to the end a few times. I thought I was winning as Alexander didn’t know that he was going to see the stage show of the same book.
I had no idea what the show would be like, but thought it might follow the book. It did, but with the injection of Father and Daughter characters that told the story of the snail and the whale.
The snail was represented by a stuffed toy and also some wooden models, and the whale creativity came into being after the cast maneuvered the bed, bookcase, and armchair to create the whale.
There were a few times where they wanted audience participation and some pantomime fun too. The kids were busy yelling, screaming and laughing about where the daughter was hiding and to great glee pointing out where she was hiding to the Dad.
I think that this show was just the right length for my little boy, however, there were moments that Alexander seemed more taken with his seat and straddling the armrests like he was a gymnast and balancing on the top of the seat before it gets put down. (these are the seats that rise up if you are not sitting on them. He thought this was rather entertaining.
Alexander waiting for the show to start. We were getting excited to see The Snail and The Whale.
For my little boy, he loved the action and the fun of the kids yelling to the actors, and some of the story. However, I think he is a little young to take in the story, it needs to be more action-packed for my little person.
I did note that other kids of similar ages sat very well and were not doing tricks on their chairs like mine was. Maybe it was his age, maybe it is just getting used to the theatre or needing to have a show that is more action-packed for my little boy that he was a little bit fidgety. I am not sure…. but I think it was a good experience for him to be there.
Mummy and Alexander enjoying the harbour
So what did I think?
I thought that the way they brought the story to the stage was interesting with the inclusion of the Father and Daughter characters, but for little kids maybe it was too much dialogue. I know it is based on the book and the words and some parts were directly taken from the Snail and the Whale, however maybe for future it could be more visual and action-packed.
I liked how the cast involved the audience with some dancing and games, and of course when the kids were yelling at the cast about where each person was extremely fun (Alexander loved this and couldn’t stop laughing and smiling at me during this section of the show).
Before the show, Alexander and I had a drink and a bite to eat at the Opera Bar. He had honey toast and bacon, while I had a coffee and some toast.
Relaxing at the Opera Bar, Sydney.
Alexander was very happy after food, if he doesn’t’ eat regularly he is a very grumpy person. Having a happy and fed kid before a show at the Opera House was key.
Enjoying some bacon before the show at the Opera Bar, Opera House, Sydney.
While we were eating at the Opera Bar, Alexander noticed the water slide on the top of a cruise ship that was in the harbour. He was super excited about it. He then told me, “Mumma after the show we are going on the slide”
The cruise ship that Alexander wanted to go on. Geez, I just got tickets to a show at the Opera House and now this kid wants to go on a cruise.
I then tried to explain that we cannot go on this water slide. He said, “We can Mumma!” I said that only people that paid to go on the big cruise ship can go on this slide, and said that maybe one day we can go on a cruise and then we can play on the slide.
The slide Alexander wanted to go on..however, it was on a cruise ship and we were not passengers.
After seeing The Snail and the Whale there was some free play at the Opera House. There were heaps of pool noodles with connectors for kids to push and to attach into wooden holes. Alexander loved this. He spent ages connecting noodles together and even moved things together to attach different groups together.
Free creative noodle play at the Opera House.
I think Alexander loved his time in the city and I hope that he enjoyed his theatre experience.
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The idea came to Susanna after she saw how much time her eldest daughter Alexandra (5) was spent in front of a screen.
Now her two kids, Alexandra and Rocco don’t want to play with the iPad and favour the Rainbow Patch PlayBook.
The Rainbow Patch PlayBook comes with its own tote bag to allow you to take it anywhere and perfect for the holidays.
The Rainbow Patch PlayBook fits easily into the tote bag and allows you to take it with you everywhere.
The Rainbow Patch PlayBook is compact and doesn’t take up much room at all. Great for small spaces.
Did You Know?
“The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently found that young kids are spending over 20 hours per week doing screen-based activities”
This caterpillar is a multi-purpose page, learn to open and close many items and tie knots or bows.
The Rainbow Patch PlayBook is interactive, creative and has such stimulating activities for kids. Each page helps develop fine motor skills, like opening zippers with the rainbow zipper page, hanging clothes on the line with the clip pegs, tying knots/bows, opening and closing buttons, opening and closing clips, and opening and closing velcro.
Counting with the new Rainbow Patch PlayBook – This page has beads that count up to 10
“As a working mum of two little girls, I’m always on the lookout for screen-free activities that are fun, engaging and most importantly encourage independent play.” Susanna Polycarpou
Having fun with the rainbow zippers – Kids can open and close them, this helps with their fine motor skills.
What I love about the Rainbow Patch PlayBook:
It is very creative
Allows kids to be hands-on and to try things
It helps kids to get better with fine motor skills, opening buttons, tying laces/bows and lots more.
Is extremely well made and will hold up with the heavy-duty play from toddlers
Bright colours
Compact and able to take away on holidays or in the car – Ideal to keep kids entertained in the car…no iPad!
The monkey ate Alexander’s car… be careful what can happen with the Rainbow Patch PlayBook.
Pick some fruit and add it to your basket.
Did you know that monkeys eat cars??? Well, they do!
This quality playbook for kids is a fabulous present for Christmas, Birthdays, or just because. I’m sure your little one will love it as much as Alexander does.
Rainbow Patch playbooks are suitable for children aged 3+ and are available for purchase online for only $69.95. New fill-in pages are coming soon to the website.
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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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Alexander loves LEGO and has really wanted to play with his big sisters LEGO sets.
However, these LEGO sets are for big kids and have super tiny to extremely little bits that go with any of the kits I have purchased (Also due to having a lot of LEGO and not a great system in place the LEGO is stored in a draw and easily accessible by the twin’s little brother).
LEGO Jr Incredibles 2 Underminer Bank Heist Set
The twins are eight years older than their brother so as you might imagine they are doing more complicated things with their LEGO creations than he is, although he would love to give it a go.
I have noticed that he seems to be very good at not putting any little piece in his mouth or elsewhere so that is a plus and decided to see how he would go with the LEGO Jr Sets.
Finished Incredibles 2 Set all ready to play with
Superheroes are a big hit and the Incredibles Films are a firm favourite with Alexander and also the twins. Having a kit that features the “Underminer Bank Heist” from The Incredibles 2 was a good idea.
Alex was keen to open his new LEGO set and kept on wanting to build it. I helped with opening up the box and assisted him in building the kit. It came with Mr Incredible, Mrs Incredible (Elastigirl) and the Underminer. You also can build a bank vault with breakaway door and a street scene with wall and buildable streetlamp, plus an Incredibile vehicle and Tunneler machine with spinning drill bits. Some parts needed mummy to help and others Alex was able to click the bricks into place.
My little boy is a little young to do it all himself but enjoyed the process and playing with the set once finished.
I was very pleased once the set was complete and it matched the picture on the box and instructions. However, a three-year-old toddler didn’t care too much for accuracy and ended up dismantling my hard efforts on making sure it looked picture perfect and created his own game with Mr Incredible and the Underminer, oh and loved the fact that he got another car with the kit too (he is obsessed with cars).
The underminer and Mrs Incredible (AKA Elastigirl)
Alexander will be 4 in January and since he is really into building with LEGO I’ve organised more LEGO Jr kits just for him.
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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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Last Sunday was a horrible day. The twins were driving me mad, not listening and just acting up. Alexander was needy and wanted mummy so I was with him for most of the day.
During the times that he wasn’t with me, he wanted to play with his sisters. His sisters decided they had other ideas and playing with their baby brother wasn’t one of them. Geez now more crying, carrying on and just screaming. Really… this day is going well!
The Cushie Step Up all set up
My little boy decided to strip off and run into my room. Oh boy, I really need to get him out in case there is an accident.
I only left him for a minute or two and returned to my room. When I entered he was on my bed rolling around in the sheets giggling.
To access the room I ended up stepping in poo! Yep, you read that right. I had stepped in poo and then realised that my sheets needed to be changed, the floor needed to be cleaned and also the toddler and I needed a shower.
I managed to clean everything up all the while rather annoyed and angry that my little person didn’t use the potty. He is so good and then sometimes just decides to go wherever.
This day was repeated on Tuesday but ended up with poo in the yard and right near my car. If I left it, you can just imagine the disaster getting into the car in the morning. So I did the right thing and removed it. My little nature boy is happy outdoors and when the call of nature strikes he is happy to go wherever. This at least means it is not in the house, but still means I need to clean it up.
After I finally cleaned up the outside accident I then discovered that my little boy was top to toe covered in poo and there was another two surprises waiting for me inside. Yep fantastic! More cleaning on the floor, me, him and then a bath and a wash for me, and finally clean clothes.
The Cushie Step Up is in the spare toilet
As said, he is doing so well and most of the time goes to the potty. I have set up the spare bathroom with a special Cushie Step Up just for my little boy. He is getting on it but I think it will take time to get used to it.
I was told that he might prefer to go to the big toilet like everyone else and hence why he is not wanting to do poo’s in the potty. I thought maybe this is right and hope with the introduction of his own area in the bathroom it will mean that he is using the toilet like his big sisters.
Maybe this is payback, my mum said that when I needed to do a poo I would hide behind the lounge and laugh at her, all the while she was trying to get me to get out and to not do it. Possibly a karma thing that has come back to bite me.
How are you dealing with potty training? Are you having success? Or is your little person liking to be at one with nature like mine?
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As a parent when you see that your child might be getting ready for toilet training, you get excited. I never thought that I would be so happy with this milestone.
I obviously need to get out more, but the thought of no nappies for our little boy is so exciting! All you parents will know exactly what I’m talking about.
I have been trying for a while to get Alexander interested in going to the potty or using the toilet, however, all of my efforts ended in him screaming, crying and not wanting to sit on the potty or the toilet. If you heard the carry on you would swear I was killing him, or at the very least torturing him with horrible instruments of cruelty, but I just wanted him to sit on the potty.
The potty in nature. He started to use it outside and I found it easier due to him wanting to strip off due to the hot summer days.
Due to his reaction to sitting on the potty or the toilet I was at a loss on how to get him interested in going on the potty.
Late last year he seemed interested in my undies, he said, “Mummy you are wearing blue undies” I then asked if he had undies what colour would he like? Alexander then replied, “Red Mumma!”
I then raced out and purchased red and blue race car undies, superhero undies and Paw Patrol undies.
Alexander was taken with wearing the undies but not with taking them off to go to the toilet. Many pairs of underpants ended up back in the wash due to this issue.
However, on the 1st of December 2018, he wanted to sit on the potty all by himself. Finally, he sat on the potty and actually did something.
Yes!
I was so happy and ecstatic due to the fact he finally wanted to do it. Maybe he now knows that the potty will not hurt him or gobble him up. I couldn’t contain my excitement and rang everyone to tell them the good news. (Very interesting that this is newsworthy of calling the whole family, but I’m sure you’ve done the same)
So what does a very excited and happy mummy do? I called everyone to let them know. I know, who does this? I was so pleased and happy about this exciting milestone.
Not only was Alexander starting at the same preschool the twins went to, but he was also on track to be nappy free for a February 2019 start. I was getting concerned due to the fact he wasn’t interested.
He seemed to be fine with doing a wee in the potty, but if it was a poo this ends up in the garden or somewhere else you don’t want poo to be.
I’ve been encouraging Alexander with Stickers on his potty, his chair and for him to keep. He loves his monster and dinosaur stickers.
My little boy is a nature lover and loves to be naked and running around using his feet (no shoes) and not being weighed down by clothes, undies or even a nappy.
Although he is doing very well and letting us know when he needs the potty sometimes he gets distracted and has an accident.
What I’ve been doing to help
Having the potty accessible at all times
Reminding him to go
If he doesn’t go, I stop what we are doing and say that he needs to go to the potty and then we will play with the cars, or watch the show he is watching.
Also if my little wishes to do another game or play outside I say, yes but only if you use the potty first. He is a good boy and goes on the potty as he is keen to do the game or go to the park with his sisters.
I did think it was interesting that he just got up and used the potty on his own. I thought he was not going to be ready for preschool. However, I had the same thought with the twins. The girls did get it a little earlier than Alexander but all of them were ready for preschool so that is the main thing.
One thought I had when the twins were little was that they would be 18 and still not potty trained. Do you do this too, create alternate scenarios that will never happen?
I tried and tried to get them interested and nothing worked. The thing that helped the twins was positive peer pressure. They saw one of their mates use the potty while at a play date and were so taken with the idea that they did it when we came home, the twins were 2 and a half at this point.
So as you can see my thought about the twins being 18 and not toilet trained was not to be, and thank goodness for that. In the thick of it all, you do wonder if it will ever happen.
Basically kids potty train in their own time, and the more you try, the more you can stress the kid and it leads to not wanting to go.
Relaxing and not pressuring your child to use the toilet/potty. It will happen eventually and I know you might not be happy about the timing or not doing it when you thought it should happen, but it will happen.
Don’t worry your house will soon be nappy free like mine will too.
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Last Friday the 12th of October was HUGE! Actually massive.
The twins went to another cub camp and to get them where I needed to drive about 3 hours….Yes, you read that right, 3 hours.
The girls ready for camp
Let’s just hope that 3-hour drive is it not like the 3-hour tour in Gilligan’s Island.
Gilligan didn’t have GPS and I do so there is a vast difference and therefore the chances of getting lost are rather slim.
However, sometimes my stupid GPS decides to direct me to streets that it shouldn’t and does cause confusion. Read on to have a HUGE giggle at my epic fail.
I do have an idea of where we are going and hubby has camped at this site as a scout when he was younger. Due to prior knowledge of the area I have been told that it is easy to miss the turn-off and if I do, I will need to go around again and this can be painful!
So we need to keep our eyes peeled. I really don’t want to miss the entry to this place and have to go around the highway and roads again for another go.
I’ve already survived the twins packing for camp and all the silly behaviour that came with it. Their bags are in the boot of my car ready for our huge journey to the campsite.
Not only do I need to take two kids to camp on a long car trip, but I also have to pick up Alexander as I will not be able to pick him up tonight due to being hours away. So the girl’s little brother will join us all in our adventure to the campsite.
I have learnt one thing from a previous camp, I must feed them dinner. The girls last camp I assumed that they would get fed dinner, however, this didn’t happen. The organisers did feed them supper (snack) but it wasn’t dinner.
On our way, we will stop off to ensure that all kids are fully fed and happy before they will be finally dropped at the campsite for two days of fun.
I have to pack a bag of drinks and food for Alexander so that if he wants anything all is sorted.
I’m hoping that Alexander doesn’t scream all the way home as has happened before. I hope that daycare has tired him out and the adventure of the long trip will keep him busy.
EPIC FAIL: Remember I mentioned I would be fine as I had GPS to help me find the way. Well this didn’t happen. In fact Google actually directed me to a street that is no where near the camp and managed to do this twice. Yes, I know how silly to be directed to the wrong place once but twice! The second time around it made it sound like we were actually going somewhere different, then low and behold I ended up in the same stupid street that is not where I needed to be at all.
It was not just me that did this, there was another man taking his kids to the camp and he did the same thing I did, but to his benefit he only did it once. I did yell a bit and say a few choice words but was rather concerned as the kids and I were super early and due to not knowing how to correct this navitagion failure I was worried I would be very late now.
This other dad and I looked at the map he had, one mum that was already at the camp called me and helped me out over the phone. Due to this extra help or brains trust, the kids and I and the other family managed to find the campsite and where we needed to be. I wasn’t that late and in fact only added an extra 20 minutes to my journey and to my amazement there were so many others arriving after us, so that made me feel better.
I must say I might share more in common with Gilligan than I would like to admit.
Last Friday was officially the last day of the school holidays aside from the weekend, as Monday the girls go back to school.
Yep, term 4 starts soon! How cool is this?
Not much will go wrong on Monday morning, right? Totally tired and exhausted kids from a full weekend away and having to get up earlier to go to school. I hope they get up and get organised okay.
Oh, and did I mention that we have had non-stop rain, and it is not stopping this weekend. In fact, it might be really heavy rain on Saturday.
The kids are camping in tents and will get very wet. I am sure that all the nice sorted clothes that went of dry and clean will come back all soaked and covered in mud. I just hope that they manage to put it all in the garbage bags provided so they don’t get everything super wet.
Another massive win is one of the other parents are able to take the twins home, so this saves me dragging Alexander to another 3-hour drive to pick them up on Sunday.
Have you had massive days during the school holidays? What did you get up to that required a HUGE drive with the kids too?
I am looking forward to things going back to normal next week with school returning.
Update: The twins had a wonderful time at camp. They came home very wet with everything in their bags wet and muddy as I expected. It has taken me two days and I think I have finished the washing. Phew…. but I know that there is more to come when I tidy up other rooms and change the sheets for everyone. The washing never lets up.
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I had an early morning swimming lesson for Alexander and had to get him dressed in his swimmers and swimming nappy.
It all sounds so simple, doesn’t it?
Well, it wasn’t!
Hiding so he doesn’t have to get a new nappy or fresh clean clothes.
My first task was to take off his clothes that he was wearing. He didn’t like this at all and fought me.
I finally got his clothes off and then attempted to put on his swimming nappy. I was not liking my chances as the clothes previously was an ordeal.
It was even worse with the swimming nappy. He tossed and turned, threw himself backwards and every time I tried to get a foot in the nappy he moved it out.
Blocked at every turn! I then thought to try and hold one leg in the nappy and try to do the other side, but he wriggled so badly that he then turned over and tried to go back to sleep on the change table.
Geez, I had to get him dressed and take the kids to school. I didn’t need the drama of not wanting to get his swimmers and nappy on.
Alexander did tell me he wanted to go swimming and then said no, but I had already told the swim teacher we were coming and had previously missed two weeks to him being sick.
We had to go today and I couldn’t do anything if I wasn’t able to get him dressed.
After a lot of angst, annoyance and huffing and puffing, I finally got him dressed in his swimmers, nappy and shoes and socks. He refused the jumper and by this stage, I was over it.
I know it was freezing today but I had to leave the house and to struggle for the next 30mins to put a jumper on a toddler that he will take off instantly in a few minutes wasn’t worth it.
We were quickly all in the car, I put the heat on and we were off.
The car told me it was 2.5 degrees with the icy symbol. Great, it’s even colder than I thought it was. I hope Alex would be warm enough and also keep his shoes on until we go to the pool.
It was a saga getting him dressed and organised for swimming but it was similar to get him changed too. We warmed up in the hot shower but it was hard for him to get warm and he was clearly shaking due to being very cold.
I got him dressed as fast as I could but he still did his best to push back! I managed to keep the clothes and nappy bag dry and was lucky to balance it on a chair.
Finally, we were both dressed and ready to drop him at care.
I got home feeling like I had been in battle and it was longer than a few hours. My battle had worn me out and I just wanted to have a rest and recharge before it all starts again.
Kicking, stopping me with his hands and feet and then head-butting. Is a few tools that my active little person is using to get his message across.
I’ve been calming him down by stroking his head, letting him rest and talking, having cuddles and then trying again.
It’s so difficult when your toddler fights you when all you wish to do is to make sure they are warm and don’t freeze or simply change a nappy.
Have you experienced this? What worked for you?
Sometimes it is like my little person is possessed by a demon and is just acting crazy. I know this is not right but it gives you an apt description of who it feels and looks when it is happening.
It’s obviously a tantrum and brought about by frustration. Maybe he decided he didn’t want to go swimming and would like to stay at home. I am not exactly sure, but he was excited to go.
Let us know if you have had these tantrums with your kids?
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What is another word that would mean highly obsessed?
I am not sure there is one… but if there was, it would be perfect for my little boy’s insane love for the Minions.
The Minions are Alexander’s favourite film and characters at the moment.
He is extremely obsessed with the Minions! More like to an insane level.
One day Alexander wanted to see the Minions movie. I got the movie and put it on for my boy. He couldn’t stop grinning and he was so happy.
Now it is the film we all must watch. A film that is on constant repeat.
He grabs the remote otherwise known as the Mot and says, “Minions Mumma, sit down Mumma!” I have now lost count of how many times I have seen this film.
A screenshot of the Minions being silly.
Due to seeing the Minions film for what feels like a million and one times, I have decided to introduce the other Despicable Me films.
Alexander was not a fan at first. The minions took too long to show up in the Despicable Me film. Mummy had to fast forward to the bits where the minions were as my little boy was screaming “Minions Mumma!”
On a recent trip to the shops, I saw all these Minions Party decorations. Thank goodness Alexander was at childcare at the time. I do think we need to organise a Minions party for him next year, well that is if he is still so obsessed!
The twins are so over the minion fascination and really don’t want to watch the film at all. This, of course, means one little boy gets so upset and has tantrums to ensure he can watch his favourite film.
Alexander is loving his little Minions figurine.
Do your kids have a film or show that they watch 100% of the time? If they don’t watch it will it cause a meltdown?
Have you tried to get your super obsessed child to watch something else? Did it end well?
Or did you end up watching your child’s favourite show due to the complaining?
The girls were super obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba. They were fans of Muno and Foofa. So as you can imagine this show was also on constant repeat too!
To make things a little easier for me I tried to introduce some other shows to the kids.
I had Fawlty Towers available and put an episode or two. The twins loved it and kept on asking me to put on the angry man that jumps up and down. OH good, finally something else other than a kid show and cartoons.
When the twins, hubby and I went away to the Gold Coast in 2013 we were at a winery. There was a play area with an old phone. One kid was pretending to be Sybil Fawlty and the other was Basil Fawlty.
One was on the phone just saying, Oh I know. Oh, I know….. then she said… Basil! Basil!
An older lady came up to me and asked if the kids were fans of Fawlty Towers. I explained that I got sick of watching kid shows and put it on to break up the viewing and annoyance I was facing due to seeing the same shows all the time.
Fawlty Towers doesn’t have bad words, no one swears, there is just a lot of slapstick and fun. There is some innuendo but if you don’t get it, and are too young it is not that bad.
Maybe Alexander would love Fawlty Towers too? I did start the twins at an older age, so I think it might have to wait.
What show or shows are you watching on repeat currently?
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Taking dirty clothes off a toddler to hopefully replace with new and fresh ones.
Getting said toddler dressed in new clothes to leave the house.
Putting a jumper/jacket on the toddler is also a nightmare that ends in him screaming and carrying on.
Not to mention trying to give him a bath or shower. This is a real issue too!
My little boy does the same actions. He looks tired, cries and makes sure that you are looking at how sad he is.
I must say that all the things I have been trying to do are good. Keeping Alexander clean and tidy, making sure he is in clean clothes, and making sure that he gets a wash every now and then.
You might think from his crazy reaction to me being a caring mum that I am torturing him. Screaming at the top of his lungs I am sure might make the neighbours think something horrible is indeed happening, but it could just be me trying to put pants and shoes on a child to enable me to leave the house.
Now that the weather is cooler it is essential that everyone has jumpers and jackets on.
You might think that it would be obvious to a child that it is cold and therefore a warm jumper would be a good idea. Well, you are wrong!
Alexander has fought and fought so much that it is next to impossible to put a jumper or jacket on him.
I managed to put what I could on him and then decided I couldn’t lose another hour of my life trying to get the jumper on him.
Some days I’ve just given up. A little bit of dirt on clothes is not the end of the world.
A toddler will only get dirtier so what is the big deal. I just need to pick my battles.
If it is important for him to look good then, of course, fresh clothes is essential, however, if we are just playing in the garden or the park and it is a fight to get him changed I am not bothering so much.
Now I suppose all the other mums out there will think I am doing him a disservice and I should make sure he is washed and in clean everything at all times. Well, I cannot do this and have tried, but according to the world of a two-year-old boy, this is torture and therefore only happens when he lets me.
Do you face this guilt about clothes, baths and more? How crusty has your child gotten before you have succumbed and made them take a bath? I think my little boy did a week without a bath but I did manage to get him washed with a face washer on his face, feet and hands.
Alexander hates the wind and lately, it has been super icy.
If it is extremely windy he shouts at the wind, “NO WIND STOP!”
I have told him that no matter what you say to the wind you cannot control it. I really wish you could just tell the wind to stop and it would.
When Alexander is loud and being naughty I tell him to be quiet and try and use a whisper voice to show him. He then raises his voice to a new booming level and screams, NOOO! MUMMA!” , then has the hide to scream at the top of his lungs, “SHSSHHHHH MUMMA!!!!!!”
I’ve also realised that when he gets a bit naughty and loud he is hungry. It must be his blood sugar level dropping and his personality just changes. Once he has a bit of food he is happier and just so much better behaved.
I had to be somewhere the other day and thank goodness I packed a few mandarins in the bag. Without this quick snack, he would have screamed the place down, and this was a nice quiet government department.
If Alexander is tired, hungry or bored he can throw the biggest tantrum. He is also scratching and hitting his sisters and hubby and me when he acts up.
I do know that part of it is frustration that he cannot do certain things and sometimes get left out when the twins have their friends over.
One technique that I do with the kids is getting down at their level and try and remain calm.
It is a hard task when the kid in question is having a full on fit but I do my best. Sometimes my little boy is so exhausted I just get him ready for a nap even when he really is fighting it. He goes to bed quite quickly if he is this tired.
Sometimes the horrible tantrums and fits of annoyance are down to the fact that I will not let him take a much-loved truck or car to childcare. (He lost some the other day and was so upset about it I have decided no more toys from home leave with him when he is at care).
I’ve tried giving him only two choices for clothes but that has not worked out very well. It seems to work best when his favourite red shirt and pants that have characters on the knees are clean and ready to be worn. Aside from this, he suffers me putting inferior items on him.
The twins did not have such temper tantrums and only got interested in the colours of the clothes and were perfectly happy to be dressed as long as it was either purple or pink. They each had their favourite colours.
I suppose Alexander is doing the same with preferring red shirts and pants, however, I don’t have a lot of red items. Maybe this needs to be fixed? I need to purchase more red clothes.
Alexander is wanting to do more things on his own and being more independent, it is a pity that some things are a little tricky to do and therefore I still need to help him with. For example, he wants to walk across a busy street on his own (I, of course, carry him as he likes to run everywhere), feed himself even though he makes a huge mess and much more.
One thing that is very different from the girls is the fact that he yells, screams and makes so much noise. At times I think he is hurt or not happy but most of the time he is happy and playing. Different personality is one thing I need to remind myself of, and being a boy might be part of it too.
Do you struggle to get your toddler dressed, bathed and in a car?
Do they fight you? Is your child having more meltdowns lately?
I must say that it feels like a fight to get anything done.
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Saturday the 15th of July I took the twins to see Frozen on Ice. This was a great treat on the weekend before school went back. It was the night time show and due to this, it would be a late night.
Hubby was looking after Alexander and the girls and I were off to a night out. A night for just the girls, which my kids were very happy about.
A post shared by Suzanne (@mummytotwinsplusone) on
They love their brother but like the fact that they get to spend some one on one time with mummy.
We left super early and it was lucky that we did as later we ended up having issues with traffic and finding the parking station. (more about the parking issue later)
In the car, the kids and I played eye spy. and then a game they created about finding colours of cars. It was all fun until I decided to try and find a purple car. Yes, these are rare and therefore the kids decided it was all too hard and they took a nap. Oh well at least I had some quiet time before the show happened and the madness of parking and trying to find where we were supposed to be.
I got to the venue with an hour to spare but that was soon whittled away to about 20 minutes or less due to roads being closed. Yep there were road closures which meant that I could not get access to P6 parking station and my GPS kept on telling me to go back, but it had no idea that the roads were closed. Due to this stupidy, I ended up getting directed back to the same spot twice.
Yep there were road closures which meant that I could not get access to P6 parking station and my GPS kept on telling me to go back, but it had no idea that the roads were closed. Due to this stupidy, I ended up getting directed back to the same spot twice.
Due to this stupidy, I ended up getting directed back to the same spot twice. You can imagine my annoyance at this and not knowing where to go to get to where I needed to go.
On my second pass at the same place with the road closed I decided to continue straight. I had no idea where I was going other than away from the P6 parking station but just had to keep on going.
I was worried that I would be late and not make the show. Would I ever find this elusive P6 parking station?
I was annoyed that I was 1 hour early and now I might be late and miss things.
There was no way to stop to get directions as there was so much traffic that this was impossible.
My bet paid off and I saw that there was a sign to P6 parking. Phew!
I kept on going and followed the signs and hoped that there were no more road closures.
We managed to get to the venue with enough time for a quick toilet break and to get the twins an Olaf mug with shaved ice.
Julia with her Olaf cup and waiting for the show to start.
Then it was announced that the show will be starting soon and we had to find our seats. Geez…. I was lucky that we did not leave later.
Stupid road closures.
I initially thought that we would be there too early and have heaps of time with nothing to do. How wrong was I.
An announcement was made and we had to make our way to our seats. The show was going to start soon. How exciting and very happy we got there in time.
The lights went off and the show started. The kids were super excited and we all had a fabulous time, and yes we all did sing “Let it Go” and more.
Frozen on Ice was a great family show for kids. You can dance, take photos, sing and have fun. Perfect for little kids and adults too.
The show ended at about 8pm. By the time the kids and I walked to the P6 parking station it was about 8.30pm. We didn’t have dinner and promised kids that on the way home we would eat something but I didn’t think it was going to be so late.
On the way to the show, Julia said the following.
“Mummy, do you think Alexander is still awake?”
Mummy to Julia, “No it is too late for him, he would be asleep by now.”
Then Julia said this….
“Well Mummy if Alexander is awake Daddy has failed!”.
Geez, this is a bit harsh I thought.
But I was so sure that Alexander was fast asleep, and hubby was busy watching a show or doing something on his computer without interruption. You will learn how wrong I was soon.
Anna and Elsa at Frozen on Ice
On the way home I stopped and got dinner for all of us and then we got back in the car for a huge drive home. The kids slept nearly all the way home.
I got home at about 10.30pm or could be later.
I opened the door to reveal Alexander running around and playing. He was excited to see me and said, “Mumma!”
Then Julia looked at me and said, “See, Alexander is awake……”
I then saw hubby in the kitchen looking like a wreck.
He had the baby bath on the counter tops and had just finished giving him a bath and changing his clothes for the millionth time so I was told.
At about 6.20pm Alexander had started throwing up and did not stop. Hubby had not had a chance to sit down or even get himself dinner.
Hubby then gave me a blow by blow description of what went on and how horrible it had been.
I did feel for him and it is horrible when kids are sick, especially babies. However I have been faced with three kids throwing up and also myself at the same time. Yep and being the only one dealing with it all. Not fun at all!
When the twins were little they got sick like Alexander and I had to manage with two babies being sick and then me also getting sick too!
I did sympthaise with him but I told him that he should be grateful it was just one baby this time!
Hubby did a great job and held down the fort in trying times.
So this sickness did not stop until Monday morning. Anything we gave Alexander he threw up.
Monday morning he woke and was just looking limp. He was very floppy and not well.
I tried to get water into him but he guzzled it and then it all came back up. Oh shit….. not good.
I then limited the amount in his sippy cup to try and make sure he kept it down. This worked for a while and then he passed out on my lap. He was snoring and just so tired. Not good at all. So limp still.
A doctor needed to see him to make sure all was okay. I could only get into the local doctors at midday and that for me was not quick enough. I was getting very worried about him.
I got organised and packed a bag and took Alexander and myself to the hospital.
On the drive there he screamed and carried on. He was upset. He was still not well and mummy was taking him somewhere!
I got to the hospital and the lady could not hear me well over his screams and just had to ask for name and date of birth due to him being screaming mess. I waited only a few minutes and then saw the triage nurse. He was lovely and asked about what had happened. I told him what had gone on.
Alexander had his immunisations the Wednesday before, Thursday he was good, Friday he went to daycare and then Saturday night he was sick. I did explain that hubby thought it was related to a bread roll that he fed him as it happened quite quickly after he ate this food. I was not so sure, as the other kids were not sick from the same bread rolls.
The triage nurse took blood for blood sugar levels and then other things. He weighed Alexander but only with me being on the scales with him due to the fact that he was so upset and still screaming (he screamed for at least over 2 hours).
My little boy in hospital. He was not well at all. I am so thankful I took him to get looked at.
His weight on Wednesday the 12th of July was about 11kgs. His weight on Monday 17th of July was 10kgs. He had dropped 1 kg not even in a week. (Note: I had his 18mth health check yesterday (27th July) and his weight was 10.3kgs so not great but at least he is putting the weight back on).
The triage nurse said that his blood sugar levels were very low and could be dangerous. Shit really! Oh no!
He found us a bed in emergency and said that they need to see if Alexander’s levels can be increased while we are there. Patches were also put on the back of Alexander’s hands in case a cannula was needed (this was never used and the patches numb and have a form of anesthesia so that it does not hurt the babies as much).
Alexander was given a lemonade icy pole ice block. He loved it and ate most of it. However he did try and eat the foam cup the nurse made to catch the drips and cried when some of the ice block fell on the floor.
One nurse gave him some diluted apple juice but he did not want this.
Another nurse tried the hydralyte ice blocks but Alexander did not like the flavour.
One nurse Alexander loved. He had a real way with kids and Alexander thought he was funny. After being in emergency for about three hours Alexander had calmed down a bit. He was not great, but had not thrown up.
They did give him a tablet that dissolves in his mouth to help with the nausua. The cool nurse came back and he wanted to see if Alexander’s sugar levels were going up.
I asked the nurse what Alexander’s sugar levels were when we were in triage? I was told that they were 2.2, and this nurse said that is extremely low for a baby or anyone.
After the second test I asked what the levels were? They were 3.3, and this nurse seemed happy that they were going up. He did say that they are still low.
The doctor came to see us again and said that he is happy that he is calmer, and is looking a little better. They did not need to run any further tests and I just had to try his sugar levels up.
The nurse told me the following:
Low blood sugar can cause people to go into a coma
Babies and young kids cannot store the sugar so need a daily amount to keep their levels up.
If things changed to come back immediately.
I left the hospital and it got me thinking. If I had waited till midday to see the regular doctors would he have been even worse? Would he have gone into a coma or maybe had something else happen? I don’t know and it is a scary thought. I am just grateful that I took our little boy to the hospital and got the help we needed.
I do know to give kids food and drink and when they don’t want either it is hard, however I was not thinking about blood sugar at all. This did not even enter my brain that this could be an issue. It makes sense though.
Due to Alexander not eating and drinking his system was really needing sugar.
I got a whole box of lemonade icy poles and he as been eating with honey on bread.
Alex with his big sister Lillian. Lillian was not well and having a day off school. Alex was much better and getting cuddles from his sister.
At the time of writing this post he is much better and back to his usual self. His appetite has come back and he is making up for the lost days when he did not eat.
Now this is frightening and it could have possibly happened to my boy. His levels were 2.2 when we came to the hospital and seeing these numbers, and what can happen sent a chill up spine.
The illness ended up being a terrible episode of gastro, and that I later learnt that Alexander picked up from childcare.
Alexander was much better Tuesday the 18th but the bug hit me too. This past weekend Julia and Lillian have also been sick but with the twins it only lasted 24 hours. The only person that has missed out is hubby.
Blood Sugar levels are super important when ill
I know that you need to eat and drink but if a child refuses to do this the blood sugar drops. My kids are not big people, and also don’t weigh a lot. If they drop any weight they get hit harder I think.
Making sure that your little ones have something to help put the sugars back is ideal. Here are some suggestions:
Store the hydralyte ice blocks in the freezer. They can keep and then you have them handy.
You can buy the hydralyte drink premixed and you can keep in the fridge. This puts back the sugar and electrolytes so great when not well.
If your kids don’t like the flavour of the hydralyte ice blocks you can always use a lemonade icy pole or any flavour that means they will eat it.
Honey toast or adding some honey to drinks.
I don’t like giving kids too much of one thing and I am big believer of moderation in relation to sugar. However if you have not eaten for a while you need it.
I hope this helps create awareness on what could happen.
A HUGE Thanks to the lovely and quick staff at the Blue Mountains Hospital. We are super lucky to have such great health care in Australia and I am very grateful that Alexander got looked after so well. So a big thank you to you all!
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The baby/child in question is annoyed, upset and in pain and likewise so are the parents. Oh and other kids who live in the same house.
Our little boy is teething again and it has taken a toll on everyone.
Mainly our little boy is affected but all of us have suffered from the following:
No sleep!
If you did get to sleep you are woken by screaming and crying from the baby.
Once up and dealing with the crying baby he is upset at you and not letting you help him.
Once up and trying to soothe him dealing with a very upset child that does not know what he wants due to being so much pain.
Hubby nearly falling asleep in a business meeting.
One of the girls nearly having a nap in maths class and the other girl has just been very tired and annoyed.
As one kid today said, “I would rather be sick than have an upset baby” Oh so true.
My little boy has been upset and unwell all week. This photo was taken on the 30th of May. He is getting more teeth and this makes him sick, throw up and just not want food. At least he was drinking water.
Although I don’t want to be sick to just have a happy baby, I understood what she meant.
Our little boy is not coping with teething well at all. On the 7th of June he will be seventeen months old, and every time he has gotten teeth this has happened.
He gets multiple teeth at the same time and due to this suffers very badly with the pain.
His reaction to this pain is to hit his head into the floor or to try and smack it on teddies, objects or anything actually.
I have been trying to reduce the pain by giving him painkillers, however last night he was spitting it all out and not wanting to open his mouth to accept any.
How can you help someone if they don’t allow you to give them the medicine.
Finally at about 11 pm or later he allowed us with some tricks up our sleeves to give him some painkillers. Once it kicked in he was a little happier and more calm.
Phew!
No more screaming in my ear. I really think his constant screams could make me go deaf.
I know he is in pain, I know he does not understand.
I cuddle him and try and console him the best way I can. However it is hard when he squirms like he does not want to be on my lap at all.
He acts like he cannot get comfortable. He really does not know what he wants. The only thing that he would want, would be the pain to go away and to not come back.
Have you had issues like this with your kids when they were teething? Are you going through this now? Let us know what worked for you.
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Today I found out that Julia had drawn over one of her gum boots with pen. As you can imagine, I was not impressed and told her so. I also explained to both girls that people don’t draw on shoes. I was not happy and it was really one of the last straws in a very frustrating day.
Kids are not doing anything they are supposed to, they are both very naughty, destructive, and hurting each other. Both girls are in a time out in their room, well mostly for rest and crossing fingers they will sleep, or at the very least stay out of my hair for a bit. I am so over it and need some me time.
As I was not sure how to remove pen from a gum boot, I tried toothpaste, with no luck. I then tried NapiSan Vanish and that has done a great job. There is still some fine pen marks but it is hard to see. You will see in the picture that the right shoe looks clean and sparkly, the left one is dirty and after a soak with NapiSan Vanish I am sure that it will be as sparkly as the one on the right.
the one that I soaked looks nice and clean, compared to the dirty one. Now to clean the other boot and to do the same for Lillian’s.
So if you want to make your gum boots sparkle, I would highly recommend putting some NapiSan Vanish in a jar/bowl, and mixing it a bit with warm water. Scrubbing it onto the boot, and then soaking it to do the rest. I used a big saucepan to soak the boots. Up to you, with what you have available.
Happy cleaning. If you have any ideas or tips to clean other things that kids might ruin with texta, pen or other ways, send them in.
Note: I have not been paid for this rave about NapiSan Vanish, I just thought it did such a great job, it was worth sharing. So if your little one decides to draw over your boots or theirs, you can soak them and they should hopefully be as good as new, or close to it.
and actually anything on wheels.
