tomorrow is a new year, yes really.

It's the last day of 2011 and to be honest I'm both shocked and in denial about this. Where has the year gone? How can it actually be the end of the year? It's not even the fact that we're not going out anywhere flash. The last 3 NYE's I've been pregnant and really where's the fun in going out when you're tired, peeing every 5 minutes and can't drink alcohol. I'm quite accustomed to spending a quiet night at home. It's more the fact that this year has gone too fast. I found out I was pregnant (again), went back to work, put my two older ones into full time daycare, bought and moved into a bigger house, pulled the kids out of daycare, hubby changed jobs, and we had a baby (again). It's been a busy busy year. And 2012 will be the first year in a while where we won't be having a baby. The days have all kinda rolled into one another. Christmas totally snuck up on me, and NYE well, surely it's not here already. Sadly though it is... 2012 is tomorrow?? Eek!

I've decided to make a couple of resolutions for the new year. I don't normally do resolutions so we'll see how these ones go.
1. I'm getting organised again. I used to be the queen of organised but recently I've felt like life is getting on top of me. I've forgotten more birthdays than I care to admit, I've been late for or gotten lost getting to multiple events. I've left things off my shopping lists, forgotten basic errands like dry cleaning, post office drop offs, bought half the things we needed at the chemist like the syringe but not the medicine??? Yes life with three under 3 is hectic but I'm not coping with being so dis-organised. There was a time I could find something, passports, receipts, instruction guides etc in an instant. I knew where recipes were, where all the kids clothes, specific outfits and toys were. Now it's a case of look til you find it. For everything. Must change this STAT!
2. To continue losing weight and do something for me. I lost 8kg with WW but stalled a bit the closer Christmas got. After 3 years in a row of no alcohol and limited good food well I was determined to enjoy this year. I'm sure I've put on 5kg with all I've eaten, I'm too scared to get on the scales, but I've enjoyed it so who cares right? Start again Jan 1 with the rest of the world!!
And lastly
3. To budget better. We will be on one wage all year so there will be no choice but to be organised and budget. We want to go on our first family holiday so I must find a way to stretch that into the budget. Little Miss will be one in August so once that's happened we're gonna head off somewhere. No idea where yet, but somewhere!

So yes I have a few resolutions to keep, wish me luck! And happy New Year to all!!

SNAP happy

Christmas 2011 has been and gone, and like many first dates, sadly it's left me feeling rather let down. All the anticipation, all the preparation, all the excitement, and for what? I'm left with overtired kids, over flowing bins, a fridge bursting at the seams, too many toys and no idea where to put them. We had a fabulous Christmas and boxing day, lots of family, lots of food, lots of presents, a few drinks and a few laughs. My brother took great delight in taking the piss (so to speak) out of me as I tried to host hot lunch for 18 adults. It ended up being alot of work and thank goodness for family who stepped in, as without the team effort we would have been ordering pizza for sure. Lunch was a hit, we all ate, drank and were merry. The kids ran riot, eating a lovely diet of chips, lollies, cake, pink chicken (ham) and chicken (turkey) for 2 days straight. Not much day sleep was had as the excitement was just too much to handle and as a result we're still enduring many tantrums. Sometimes it's a bad thing to have such routine driven kids. Present opening was a blur or ripped paper, discarded gift tags and piles upon piles of presents. Fark knows where we're gonna put all this stuff?? I honestly cannot tell you who gave what to my kids and am embarrassed to say I am going to have to ask. Monkey Man ripped everything at great pace and with sheer delight, bearing in mind this is the first christmas for him where he's really understanding the whole present concept. Funnily enough he will tell you that 'Santa brings Thomas' as every gift he got was more of that bloody blue train. He also tantrummed when there was still gifts under the tree and he was told he couldn't open them as they weren't for him. Missy Moo was very overwhelmed by all the people, the noise, and clung to Daddy most of the time, him or Nanny (my Mum). I was avoided as I was clearly the scary, stressed, sweating one trying to get the vegies cooked so we could eat before NYE. We have a reasonably big house but there were alot of people in my little kitchen! Little Miss just took it all in, watched the goings on and occasionally cried when people stuck their heads right into her face. Why people think babies like that I'll never know? Would you like it if someone stuck their head right in your face? I doubt it.

Overall it was a lovely time, and I am grateful for our health, happiness and blessed to have wonderful people in our lives. I am a little sad though, as once again there is no photos of my kids and I on the day, either of the days. That was my little baby's first christmas and I don't have a photo of us together. I just wish that someone would occasionally grab a camera for me and take some pics. I host these events as a. I enjoy it and b. it's easier with my young kids to stay home in our environment. I don't have to worry about a car packed to the rafters for a day out, my kids destroying anyone elses property and their beds, clothes etc are all at hand if and when needed. My daughters were christened earlier this year and there is no photos of us together. Christmas has been and gone, no photos of us together. And no photo of my family of 5 from either event. Family and friends tease me about being obsessed with professional photos but it really seems to be the only way to get these photos. It sux to have to pay to have these moments captured. I'm seeing everyone's Christmas photos go up on facebook and I can't bring myself to post mine as I'm so disappointed with the few I managed to capture. Our kids will only be young for a short time, and they grow and change so much. It would be nice to capture more of that on film, if only for prosperitys sake.

Am I totally vain to think this way? How do I change this?

only 2 sleeps to go?

This morning bought me the realisation that there is only 2 sleeps to go til the fat man arrives, eek! Santa not only brings gifts with him but most of my family too. I love christmas, I love seeing kids faces when they open gifts, and I love getting everyone together. One side of my family doesn't get together often enough which is a shame really considering we usually have a ball when we do get together. Hubby's family is all overseas so we don't see them much. The prep that goes into hosting Christmas, is fairly intense and I'm still a novice at it all. It's such a busy time and I must admit I'm starting to feel very stressed. I have mountains of gifts to wrap, despite thinking I hadn't bought THAT much?? Do they multiply when you're not looking or what?? We have a monstrous train table to assemble and from all accounts, its not an easy task. I foresee alot of swearing and arguing over that task, and I am also fairly confident that we will have to assemble something, if not multiple somethings, each year, also with lots of swearing, name calling and arguing involved. Santa needs to drop his elves over the week before christmas so some other sucker can do the assembly. I have a house to clean and baking to do, with two toddlers under foot. I'm gonna attempt my first ever christmas ham, served hot. Anyone know if pizza hut delivers on christmas day?? Last minute bits to grab from coles and/or woolies depending on who has the shortest queues. I thought I was being all organised and domestic goddess like by booking an online grocery delivery for early christmas eve. Only problem is all the ingredients I need for previously mentioned baking are in that order. . . soooo no baking til tomorrow. oops. I also keep remembering gifts I haven't bought, people I've forgotten despite my numerous lists and more than I will admit to trips to the shops. I did a layby at a large toys store, thinking that would be easier and very organised of me - another attempt at being a domestic goddess. I had to queue to pay for layby, then queue again to collect, and then I only had half the lay by handed to me and was given attitude when I asked where the rest (giant train table) was. Seriously, whats with the attitude of the young these days? I almost gave myself a hernia trying to get the bloody train table in the car by myself whilst many men walked past, looked at me and kept going. When I got in the car kids christmas carols came on and I swore, alot, as I flicked find other music, ANYTHING but bloody Jingle Bells. Monkey Man insists on 'jing bells' being played multiple times whilst Missy Moo demands 'gigi' (wiggles) at the same time. Who wins? Whoever shouts the loudest basically.

Does it get easier as the kids get older? Will I ever learn my lesson and start planning gifts, buying gifts from say July onwards?? Please say yes, please?

online shopping is taking over!

I gathered the troops and rushed to the shops this morning with intentions of finishing a few more christmas gifts. I was having an internal panic, worrying about queueing for the carpark, getting a carpark, worrying about the shops being really busy and worry about getting everything done with 3 small ones in tow, and all before sleep time. We drove straight in, parked easily and the busiest place in the whole centre was the post office. I fueled the kids up with donuts and milkshakes and we too joined the queue. Overall the whole experience was painless and *ahem* almost enjoyable. The kids were really good although Little Miss will not sleep in the Baby Bjorn so she was awake the entire time. We received a few comments re 'having my hands full' but the shopping centre we went to is often frequented by big families so I'm assuming I wasn't the only one copping double takes and comments....

So I'm wondering where have all the people gone? This time last year, and every year before in fact, that there was traffic reports on the radio about carpark queues, there was stories on the evening news of the chaos in stores, the queues at check outs.... Venturing to the shops at this time of year was a suicide mission, enter at your own risk!! This year? Well everyone is home waiting to receive the parcels of online shopping they did, thats where they've gone! I did alot of shopping online and if I hadn't been waiting for payday on the 15th of Dec I would have done more. I will be more organised next year!! Online shopping is taking over, you can't deny it. Everyone is doing some form of shopping online. Heck, I've even done my christmas grocery order online and booked delivery for xmas eve. A few more things to get and I'm all done, and hey whatever I don't get now well it won't matter will it?

I might even consider taking the kidlets with me another day to get a few more bits and pieces, and I just remembered I forgot ice cream on the grocery order, and well I can't be having that!!

it's too early

With 3 young kids we've had many many early mornings, in fact if we make it past 6am we celebrate. Years ago I would have cried if you'd told me that 6am would become my normal wake up time.... Accepting such an early start to the day took some time and I am still filled with jealousy when a friend mentions their 8 or 9 am start time. Being up so early has its perks though, washing is usually done and out before most people are awake, baking can also be done and if we ever went on a road trip or holiday then the early start would be a must. I guess, at 4 something am as I write this, I wonder when is it too early? Missy Moo went through weeks of 4am wake ups, would need two day sleeps to cope which made going anywhere during the day next to impossible. Before that Monkey Man woke at 5am for months! Gawd we thought that was bad enough and then bam! 4am became the norm?!?! Missy Moo appeared to have turned a corner sleep wise and was doing 7-7, sometimes later (!!) consistently. Hubby and I only talked about it on Saturday. And we clearly jinxed it because Sunday and this morning were back to 4.30am!! Dammit! This morning is extra special as my hubby has gone away for work AND Little Miss is awake too. So it's now 5am, I've been up for an hour already, given panadol, hugs, a feed, water, pats and sssh's and I'm sitting on the hallway floor between the two girls rooms. I dare not go back to bed. A. As soon as I lay down someone will cry out again and B. I'm close enough to get to either of them before they make so much noise they wake up Monkey Man. Two awake at this time is bad enough, 3 and I think I'll have a champagne breakfast.

At what time do you think 'it's too early!!'

star light, star bright, first star I see tonight

A little girl passed away last night. She was only 23 months old, which is 6 months younger than my Monkey Man. I simply cannot imagine what her family are going through right now. They've been to hell and back over the last year, their baby suffered a rare degenerative mitochondrial disorder which finally took her life last night, peacefully while in her mother and fathers arms. I found out about Stella star's passing while I was doing christmas shopping in Target today, and I promptly burst into tears. I sobbed actually. The thought of anything like that happening to my monkeys set me off over and over again, no matter how much I tried to compose myself. Little Miss was having one of her many cat naps in the pram and despite knowing I should leave her to sleep, I picked her up and cuddled her tight. Right there in the check out queue in Target, with tears flowing down my face. The sadness was just overwhelming. I rushed to daycare to collect my bigger monkeys and we came straight home. I watched them playing, squealing, laughing and said a little prayer to myself, thanking the heavens for my healthy happy children. Tonight I will count my blessings, kiss my sleeping babies and dream of their futures. My heart breaks for Stella's family, her baby brother who will never remember his big sister and her devoted loving parents who will never forget her. Stella touched so many people during her short life. Her Mum blogged about her illness and their wishes and hopes for their baby. My facebook feed is filled with sad messages and prayers. Many never met Stella but so many knew of her and her battle, and so many are saddened by her loss. RIP gorgeous girl, the world is truly a better place for having you in it, even though it was only for a short time. xxx

be prepared

Yesterday, Monkey Man gave me a bit of a fright and we went for our first ride in an ambulance together. At the time it was serious but I have to admit the thought did cross my mind as to whether it was appropriate to take a photo of him. Decided no, it was a bit too japanese tourist. Anyway, a high temp saw him turn into a non-responsive toddler and off we went to the Childrens Hospital. When his temp was 38 and he was a bit lethargic I called Health Direct for some advice as I am a massive believer in not wasting the time of resources like GPs and hospitals. Health Direct put me through to the ambulance service based on the answers I gave to their questions and I really felt like it was all spiralling out of control and things were getting a bit melodramatic. I'm pretty sure if you listened to the recording of my 000 conversation I said the same thing. Paramedics arrived, did a few tests, his temp was now 39 and he was happy to lie there and let them poke and prod him. So unlike him. At first the paramedics said I should take him to a GP as he wasnt well but certainly didn't need hospital. I felt so silly and kept apologising for wasting their time. Next thing, Monkey Man crashed, was pretty much non-responsive so the paramedics said he was going to hospital. He sat completely still all the way there, staring into space, pale as a ghost. Very un-monkey man-like behaviour!! His temp was 40.8 by the time we got to hospital and he was a koala, wrapped around me and determined to be cuddled. All 16kg of him. Panadol was given, tests carried out and it appears nothing serious was wrong with him just a raging temperature. Once that calmed down he was happy and was soon owning the emergency room. There was a fishtank which by the way fixes everything. He coloured in - I kept that for his memory box. We were finally discharged about 9pm and he was on a steroid high, chatting away in the back seat and in awe of christmas lights on the way home. My kids go to bed at 7pm on the button so have rarely seen actual nighttime so when they do its a bit exciting for them. I'm so selfish depriving them of dark skies, stars and night air.... Anyway, today he is much much better despite not a great deal of sleep last night. All fingers, toes, eyes etc here are crossed for a better night and some sleep for all of us.

In all the panic I called my Mum and asked her to come from work. My husband was interstate, yay! I then called a friend to come and sit with the girls til Mum got here. It was approaching dinner/bath/bed time when all this happened, the most full on time of the day. I barked a few orders at my friend and ran out the door. I'm a control freak at the best of times but to walk out and leave my girls with a friend, well that was hard. I trust her completely but the organised freak in me was having a hard time accepting that someone else could handle it. And I thought all the way to hospital... 'oh no, the towels are in the machine, so there is no towels in the kids bathroom', 'oh I didn't fill the bottles up will they know how much to put in them?', 'will they know that Missy Moo likes the cheese slices but not the cheese sticks (at the moment!) and when she asks for cheese that what she means?', 'do the girls have clean PJ's in their rooms?', etc etc etc. The girls are in similar sized nappies at the moment and both packs are next to each other in the bathroom, will they know which ones are which? This is all stuff that as a Mum, I know, I don't have to memorise it, I just know. I realised that my house and the way I run things are not that easy for others to just pick up. So, in true girl guide manner, in the spirit of being prepared I've made mental notes to make some changes, labels in the linen press, labels on the nappy packs (which I did today), pre-packed nappy bags at the ready just in case. I have their blue books together and at the ready and always have my medicare card in my wallet. I usually have supplies in my handbag should I take that instead of a nappy bag, snacks, hand wipes, emergency nappies and dummies... not much in my bag is actually for me to be honest?? I already have their clothes in drawers in seasons, and outfits together in said drawers - this is more for hubby who would dress Missy Moo in the weirdest combinations. And I must get a whiteboard so I can scribble notes for anyone stepping in. I'm sure there are some other things I can do to help anyone that may need to step in. With 3 kids I dare say that won't be our last trip to hospital or the last in an ambulance, although I'll be very happy if the next are a long way away.

judgey judgey!!

Tonight we watched the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fasion Parade.... wow, those women have some smokin hot bodies!! It's easy to sit here, eating my cornetto, and judge. Statements like 'wait til they have kids' came to mind, and then I remembered people like Miranda Kerr have had kids! GAH!! damn you and your perfect bodies to hell! LOL And by the way, how do they walk in those heels or never get wedgies (front or back) is just well unimaginable.

Judging other people is a terrible habit and we all do it. Alot won't admit it, but we all do. Mothers seem to be the worst at judging each other. Why can't we all just support each other?? Today I heard of a mother being told she was 'one of those mothers' after she posted a Santa photo of her kids on facebook. Her youngest was a little upset in the pic, as are most little kids but the pic was still adorable, and an all important memory for mumma and child. In a truly gutless way, this woman sent her judgement via a message rather than posting her thoughts on the wall for all to see. That right there tells me she knew what she was saying was wrong. That and the fact she started off with 'don't take this the wrong way'!?!?!? There is never a good way to say that, and if you're going to start off with that, then perhaps its best you rethink or bite your tongue. My Mum taught me if I had nothing nice to say, then not to speak at all. I'm getting better at this as I get older and it's certainly a case of practice making perfect.

I've seen a couple of similar discussions online recently between Mums, usually always about parenting choices. Hell I had one 'friend' tell me to pull my Missy Moo out of daycare as she went through a seemingly never ending run of illnesses. Turns out she thought MM went 5 days which was her reasoning for her instruction but really that shouldn't matter. If I choose to send my children to daycare then that should be my choice and not really a matter for anyone else. If I want to hold off on toilet training Monkey Man til he's ready, if I want to hold off on introducing solids to Little Miss for a bit longer, if I want to put her in the bath seat rather than try to hold her in the bath with two splashing and jumping excitable toddlers by her side, if I choose to let my MM climb and stand on the lounge, and fall off over and over again in an attempt to make her learn then thats MY CHOICE!!! You may not like it, just like I may not like or agree with some of your choices but honestly, deal with it.

My teenage niece made a comment on the weekend about a lady she'd just met. We were at a party, the ones where you buy stuff and this lady bought a few things, totalling $20. She told the party host she would have to pay another day. My niece got on her high horse and stated (in a whisper type way) 'as if you don't have $20, go get your wallet and pay up!'.... I cringed inside hearing this. For some people $20 is the difference between milk and bread for the kids and being flat broke. For whatever reason she couldn't spare the $20 for a few days, the host respected this so why couldn't others?

And on a side note, my daughter may be a gymnast in training. Last week she flipped off our king size bed. She insists on getting up with me while I feed Little Miss, and I tell her over and over to move away from the edge as she will fall, to sit down as she'll fall off. Well after a few near misses, where I've caught her by the waist of her PJs, an arm or leg, it finally happened. She fell, stunt man style head over heels and landed flat on her back. It's a long way down and she screamed and screamed. There was no injury, perhaps to her pride, but I'm sure she was ok and within 3 minutes she was asking to get back up again?? Today she fell off the lounge, despite doing the same thing last week. Do they ever learn? These toddler injuries may well land us at hospital soon but I'm a big believer in not babying my kids. From an early age when they've fallen I've encouraged them to get up and try again, reassured them they're ok and to try again. Maybe I've created the bravado in my kids? My grey hair increases by the hour while their confidence sky rockets. *smile*

Next time you hear a Mum tell her toddler 'you're ok, hop up'... don't feel sad or sorry for the child. They're getting taught a valuable lesson and chances are they've fallen over the same way 25 times already that day. And next time you think a judgey judgey thought, think about it for a bit before you say something... your judgement could be enough to make someone smile or cry.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

My little Monkey Man went on an adventure today, with Nanny and his uncle and aunty... they went on a train to the city and went to the aquarium. By all accounts, everyone had a good time and there are some great photos to remember the day by. Apart from finding Nemo and Dory, the turtles were a big hit, and the giant lego creations on display also a big hit. Nuggets were rejected as there was too much going on to concentrate on eating, it's hilarious to watch seagulls eat your rejected nuggets apparantly. And despite the no-climbing signs, Monkey Man did his thing and climbed all over everything. There is also photos of this.

So today was girls day out. I have lovely visions of future girls days out... I imagine girls days out at a later stage in time as us getting lunch, our hair done, a pedicure, some retail therapy etc etc. Today, I took my 4mo and 16mo out and we went for needles and grocery shopping. Needles, not noodles. What an idiot I am! We waited half an hour to see the Dr, despite me making a nurse appointment?? See the Dr, he explains that he needs to see all babies to ensure they are well before having their needles. Fair enough, I am cool with that, and only a little pissed off now that I had to wait half an hour rocking the pram with my foot and showing Missy Moo animal and number games on the iphone, explaining to her that not every letter of the alphabet is representative of 'BALLS'. He then walks over to the pram, looks at the girls and tells me yes they are well enough to have their needles. Ok then, I could be a Dr if thats all thats involved?? Another ten minute wait to see the nurse who spends most of the appointment telling me how her 2 kids were 2.5 years apart and how it was so hard and I've really got no idea what thats like. I simply nodded in disbelief and willed her to hurry up. I was tempted to pinch Little Miss in order for her to scream so we could make a speedy exit. Thankfully the needles got a scream going from both girls and we were able to exit, hastily.

Whisked both girls to the parents room to feed Little Miss... this involved locking Missy Moo in the play area with a bottle of flavoured milk and Hi-5 on the TV - yay for decent parents rooms occasionally! Got a bottle into Little Miss and went to move the girls from pram to trolley when a smell filled the room. I figured it was Little Miss so popped her up on the change table and stripped her off to find nothing, it was Missy Moo. Re-dressed Little Miss, strapped her into the pram and launched Missy Moo onto the change table. Well that smell was a poonami, all over her and her clothes. Her lovely clean clothes were now covered in mess, and of course I had nothing with me for her. It's been a while since she disgraced herself in public and it's the behaviour I would expect from my 4mo, not my 16mo. So I had no choice but to strip her off and go buy her some clothes. God I hate when that happens, and it seems to only happen at the end of a pay month when you're budgeted to your eyeballs and counting down the hours til payday. I had a lady in a clothes shop trying to sell me the most expensive outfits, when all I wanted was something to stop her flinging her naked legs out of the pram. It's almost like she was saying 'heyyyy you! look at me, I'm naked here!!'. Found some clothes, dressed her and up and into the trolley she and Little Miss went. We went off to do groceries, old ladies commented on how cute the girls were. I silently willed them to look past Missy Moo's non matching and horribly cheap and nasty ensemble and the pikelets she was shoving into her mouth. I wanted to assure them she WAS dressed decently when we left the house and yes I do feed her despite her eating like she's starving. And yes I will pay for said pikelets when I pay for the 55 million other things in my trolley. Don't look at me like I'm a shoplifter. The perfectionist in me was dying inside!!

Both girls had mild reactions to their needles, were unsettled and cranky, and ended up with a dose of panadol. Given the tantrums, poonami and bad moods, I'm glad I didn't take all 3 for needles by myself. Neither really slept much during the day, and Monkey Man returned from a big day out tired as well after no day sleep. Thank god Mum stayed for bathtime to give me a hand as I really did need it that night. And in hindsight maybe it wasn't a good idea to attempt 2x needles plus grocery shopping with the two girls in tow. I should have at least done the groceries online. Live and learn hey!

ETA: this was written on Thursday and I thought I had published it, clearly I didn't.

the saga of a santa photo

Today was Santa photo day. And we weren't the only ones with this idea. An hour and a half we queued for. How ridiculous is that?? I am still in denial that we did in fact queue for that long. I've never been much of a queuer and the odd time I have done it, there was alot of alcohol involved. I wish there was a sign like at theme parks, you know the ones at rides that say 'an hour wait from this point'. If we'd known we'd be waiting that long we would have turned around and tried again another day. Hubby took Monkey Man off to the play equipment and the girls and I joined the queue. Little Miss catnapped in the pram, like the perfect baby she is, nawwww. Missy Moo was ok til about half way through the line and then decided she wanted out of the pram. She was happy to be held or to stand at my feet, and have the occasional jibberish conversation with the toddler behind us in the queue. She was even waving and yelling 'santa' so I got my hopes up that she might be ok for the photo. Monkey Man ran in and out of the centre, wanting to see the baubles on the rockets (trees) and yell at the pirate (santa), all with hubby in close proximity. We finally get to the front of the queue, yay! Monkey Man runs up and climbs up, sitting perfectly waiting for his photo. We may or may not have promised milkshakes and pancakes AFTER the photo if he was a good boy. Missy Moo, well here is when she well and truly cracked it and was not sitting anywhere near Santa. Hubby made the quick call to get in the sleigh with Santa and Monkey Man, and I loaded Missy Moo and Monkey Man onto his lap, dropped Little Miss in Santa's arms and quickly moved out of shot. The photography assistant, santa's elf, whatever she was called, god bless her, she tried so hard. She blew bubbles, she tickled me (don't ask), she danced, she yelled, she tickled the kids legs with a puppet and no matter how hard she tried, none of the kids would smile. She did get a smile out of Monkey Man a couple of times, and even Little Miss but in those shots by husband looked rather 'special'. It's kinda ironic that it was harder to get a decent shot of my husband than it was of the kids?? I yelled, I made animal noises, I danced, I laughed and generally made a tool out of myself but nope, not a smile to be had. Once the kids decided enough was enough, they both started to climb down and even Little Miss looked like she was climbing down! Action stations to get the girls back in the pram and catch Monkey Man as he disappeared into the food court at a rapid pace. We went off for a food court brunch, the kids put banana bread, chocolate milkshake and chips all over their nice clothes but they were happy so who cares right? And after such a long wait they could have whatever they wanted. I still can't get over the fact that we waited that long???

Tomorrow we're having Monkey Man's mothers group here for christmas lunch. I am very disorganised at this stage but thats ok, it will all come together in the end. 8x 2 year olds running around here sounds like a busy afternoon! I love seeing these kids all together, it's been lovely seeing them grow up together and I can still see them all sitting on the lounge together or laying on the floor together, way before they were mobile terrors. Mental note: try to get a pic of them all together tomorrow... should be interesting.

I've been a bit slack with my blogging recently and do feel a bit guilty about that. We've been to a wedding, I've been out for my brothers birthday, took the kids to a wildlife park with my brother and sister in law, today I went to a body shop party... it just feels like life is very full on. I know it's the silly season and I should expect it but its just hectic, and sometimes a pause button would help. Hubby has survived solo bedtime with the kids two Saturdays in a row! It really is the most full on time in our household so kudos for him for surviving. My Mum I think it was, said to hubby 'so you're babysitting on Saturday evening?'. I was very VERY quick to point out he is parenting, not babysitting seeing they're his kids. I seriously hate it when Dads are referred to as the babysitters. ummm no, they're his kids so he is simply parenting, same as I do every day.

One of the Dads is dressing up as Santa tomorrow so expect more tears from Little Miss. *sigh*

a picture perfect christmas

I love christmas. I love decorating the tree, I love listening to carols and christmas inspired music, I love presents under the tree, wrapped prettily. I love to take the time to find wrapping paper and cards that don't have the word 'Merry' or snow on them, not a fan of either. I start thinking about gifts for my children way before I should. I love to spend christmas eve wrapping presents while watching Carols in the Domain. I hope to instill some traditions in my kids, and am already planning some for next year when they're a bit older. I love to buy them new PJs for christmas eve, and pretty outfits for Santa photos, christmas and boxing day and any other days we go to christmas type events.

The trouble is, I have a picture in my head of how Christmas is going to be and have done so ever since I became a Mum. The perfect tree, decorated by well behaved children who giggle and squeal with delight when certain decorations are pulled from the storage box. We nibble on home made delights while doing this task, photos are being taken, carols are playing and everyone looks perfect, clean and tidy and super cute. My house is spotless in the background of these photos and the kids talk about how much fun they had putting the tree up. All very hollywood movie, minus the snow.

My reality is however, very different. The tree went up with the assistance of two bounding, bouncing toddlers. They kept handing us stem after stem and it was an effort to keep up with them. Tinsel was strewn everywhere, wrapped around ankles and necks, baubles bounced across the room, glass ones put back in storage for another year, fights broke out because that silver bauble is different to my silver bauble. This was really just the beginning. I had to vaccuum the tree spot we created once we moved the furniture to its new temporary home. I couldn't get the blind back down after I raised it to vaccuum the window sil. I had to vaccuum again around the tree once it was upright as it's molting leaves. Might need a new one next year? Both kids were almost buried alive under the 6' tree at least twice, and this was before it was actually 6'. The kids didn't understand the whole 'hang the decoration' concept and kept shoving baubles and stars into the branches of the tree, and getting most distressed when they fell to the floor. Missy Moo sat and licked glitter off a star, and I'm still seeing glitter in her poo nearly 5 days later. Monkey Man wanted to be lifted to the top of the tree to shove more decorations in, and watch them bounce to the floor... 16kg weightlifting anyone? Once I'd put a bauble on the tree, one or both kids would then pull it off. We didn't nibble on home made delights, nor was there any music apart from the Thomas The Tank Engine theme music playing over and over as the 4 hour DVD had finished in the other room. There was no photos as I was either erecting the tree, decorating it or wrangling a toddler or two, or all of the above. Hubby gave up about 5 minutes into the process and decided to clean the garage at that exact time?? Little Miss sat in the bumbo and watched this comedic performance and smiled like mad, and then promptly threw up all over herself.

My beautiful tree is imprisoned behind a playpen to protect the kids from further glitter ingestion or pulling the tree down on top of themselves. Nothing whatsoever to do with protecting the tree from the kids, no not at all.

Was it picture perfect? Far from it, in fact it was slightly stressful at times. Will I always remember it? Abso-fcukin-lutely!!

It took some searching but I think I've found outfits for all 3 kids for the different days they need them. I'm still terrified to take them for Santa photos but screaming or not, there will be a Santa photo! Christmas here won't be picture perfect by a long shot, but we will enjoy the company of family and friends, a few presents, good food and a few drinks. My first in 3 years where I can eat, drink and be merry instead of early stages of pregnancy and battling with heat and food and drink I can't eat. I will wrap presents on christmas eve, and enjoy it. And I will count my blessings that this year means two toddlers to manage, next year there will be 3 to wrestle baubles from and cage out of my tree!! Remind me of this when they're causing havoc and I'm tearing my hair out. Next year will be 'interesting'.