L O V E
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Lotsa stuff
My brain is in a muddle - not sure the reason, could be sleep deprivation, could be change of season, could be that the kids are up and down in their moods.
But anyway, in a muddle I am. Here's a glimpse...
Ants are still here - not in the droves they were but still see the little critters in my pantry. They make my skin crawl. On the positive side my pantry is pretty organised now.
I have signed up to do the 16km Walk for CHCH. I am pretty unfit - this could be a disaster! I have been out walking most nights, and the distance wouldn't worry me if it were on flat land, but NO we get to hike up 4 volcanoes/hills/mountains. Worth it for my friends and family in Christchurch. Still can't believe what they are going through down there, I think they are all heros for getting themselves and their families through it - so suppose I can walk the walk! As a group we have raised $2200 + just under 2 weeks to go.
Loving that I can heal Rangi's hurts with a kiss.
I did it again - took both kids to the supermarket. Must have had a momentary lapse in sanity. It sucked. Rangi performed BIG time. A marathon of tantrums! Oh and joy of joys, one the preschool Mums that I really don't know at all was there to witness a few of them - awesome!! Bless the kind woman who offered to help me to the car with my groceries while I tackled Rangi and tried to hold his hand, 4 bags of groceries and Bubble (by the way Bubble was a star, my amazing helper). I told lovely woman I was fine (which surprisingly I was), but I could tell her offer was non-judgemental and it made my day a little brighter.
This morning I did my grocery shop online = bliss!!!!
Is it ok to lie to children so you can get them to tell you the truth??? Probably not eh?! Bubble going through a "story-telling" phase. In an effort to get her to tell me the truth I said "Is that what I'm going to see when I check the camera I have in this room?" She spilled the truth and I left the room feeling a little worried about my techniques. Gave Jean-Claude a good laugh though.
Both kids loving helping in the kitchen at the moment. The other night instead of shooing them away I let them help cut up the vege. They seem to like having a big job to do.
We have2 1 pet praying-mantises. It hangs out on the box-seat by the back door. Its weird little head following us as we go in and out the door. He is a kind of browny colour which I'm guessing is due to them growing up on the wooden seat. As a kid I remember catching them and putting them in jars with a paper lid (with holes in) - seems so cruel now. Bubble has named him Tim.
Rangi has been coming into our bed every night for the past fortnight I think. Trying to get him back to his bed doesn't work. He has teeth coming through so I guess that could be the reason (Yep - he's 2 and a half and still has 4 teeth to come in, and they are near the front of his mouth, weird). Now he thinks he owns the bed and had a huge tantrum at me the other morning shouting at me to "Get out". Think it is time to get him back to his bed at all costs.
What games do your kids play? Bubble likes to play teachers, Mums and Dads, Princesses and Princes, and.......Old People. The last one cracks me up. Where do kids come up with this stuff? The big kids from next door come over and all 5 of them hobble around and talk in "wobbly" voices.
My kids love to sing and dance. Am trying to find a dance class I can take Bubble to that doesn't cost an absolute fortune. We really want to encourage the things that interest them, sad that money has to play such a big part in us being able to do that or not.
I'm turning into the "Radio Guy" (if you are from Christchurch you know what I mean), not putting him down at all. Always loved to see him around the city. But I have some good tunes on my ipod which I play semi-loud while out walking, have to keep reminding myself not to sing out loud (cause I'm such a terrible singer!) and not to break into dance (am also a terrible un-co, no rhythm at all, dancer). There are some good songs about at the moment!
Am loving my walks.
Wee bit over the daily argument my two kids are having at the moment. It consists of Bubble yelling PINK and Rangi getting mad grumpy and pushy yelling BLUE back. Goes on and on. Not sure how this one will be solved??
Okay, that's it.
Love from me...
But anyway, in a muddle I am. Here's a glimpse...
Ants are still here - not in the droves they were but still see the little critters in my pantry. They make my skin crawl. On the positive side my pantry is pretty organised now.
I have signed up to do the 16km Walk for CHCH. I am pretty unfit - this could be a disaster! I have been out walking most nights, and the distance wouldn't worry me if it were on flat land, but NO we get to hike up 4 volcanoes/hills/mountains. Worth it for my friends and family in Christchurch. Still can't believe what they are going through down there, I think they are all heros for getting themselves and their families through it - so suppose I can walk the walk! As a group we have raised $2200 + just under 2 weeks to go.
Loving that I can heal Rangi's hurts with a kiss.
I did it again - took both kids to the supermarket. Must have had a momentary lapse in sanity. It sucked. Rangi performed BIG time. A marathon of tantrums! Oh and joy of joys, one the preschool Mums that I really don't know at all was there to witness a few of them - awesome!! Bless the kind woman who offered to help me to the car with my groceries while I tackled Rangi and tried to hold his hand, 4 bags of groceries and Bubble (by the way Bubble was a star, my amazing helper). I told lovely woman I was fine (which surprisingly I was), but I could tell her offer was non-judgemental and it made my day a little brighter.
This morning I did my grocery shop online = bliss!!!!
Is it ok to lie to children so you can get them to tell you the truth??? Probably not eh?! Bubble going through a "story-telling" phase. In an effort to get her to tell me the truth I said "Is that what I'm going to see when I check the camera I have in this room?" She spilled the truth and I left the room feeling a little worried about my techniques. Gave Jean-Claude a good laugh though.
Both kids loving helping in the kitchen at the moment. The other night instead of shooing them away I let them help cut up the vege. They seem to like having a big job to do.
We have
Rangi has been coming into our bed every night for the past fortnight I think. Trying to get him back to his bed doesn't work. He has teeth coming through so I guess that could be the reason (Yep - he's 2 and a half and still has 4 teeth to come in, and they are near the front of his mouth, weird). Now he thinks he owns the bed and had a huge tantrum at me the other morning shouting at me to "Get out". Think it is time to get him back to his bed at all costs.
What games do your kids play? Bubble likes to play teachers, Mums and Dads, Princesses and Princes, and.......Old People. The last one cracks me up. Where do kids come up with this stuff? The big kids from next door come over and all 5 of them hobble around and talk in "wobbly" voices.
My kids love to sing and dance. Am trying to find a dance class I can take Bubble to that doesn't cost an absolute fortune. We really want to encourage the things that interest them, sad that money has to play such a big part in us being able to do that or not.
I'm turning into the "Radio Guy" (if you are from Christchurch you know what I mean), not putting him down at all. Always loved to see him around the city. But I have some good tunes on my ipod which I play semi-loud while out walking, have to keep reminding myself not to sing out loud (cause I'm such a terrible singer!) and not to break into dance (am also a terrible un-co, no rhythm at all, dancer). There are some good songs about at the moment!
Am loving my walks.
Wee bit over the daily argument my two kids are having at the moment. It consists of Bubble yelling PINK and Rangi getting mad grumpy and pushy yelling BLUE back. Goes on and on. Not sure how this one will be solved??
Okay, that's it.
Love from me...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
You can lead a boy to the toilet but you can't make him wee
I told myself I was going to take the same approach for toilet training Rangi as I did with Bubble. Wait til he is interested and just go with it. But Bubble so wanted to be a big girl. So wanted to wear knickers - she even yelled (yip YELLED) it out to Santa at a Christmas parade...I want knickers please Santa!! It was a breeze. Out of nappies to knickers, and I can count on one hand the number of times we had "accidents", and most of those have been as she has got older and is too busy to go. Oh, and no night time issues - ever, just said she didn't want to wear a nappy to bed anymore and that was that - lucky eh!?
But Rangi...hmmmm Rangi. He wants the undies, but that's where it ends.
Bribery does NOT work with him. He soooo wanted a lollipop, just had to wee on the toilet. He was excited, super excited.
He wee'd all over the floor at least 5 times this morning, huge puddles (how can he have that much wee?). He changed undies so many times. I kept super calm - really! I think he just isn't ready.
But I am a bit disappointed. I would love him to be out of nappies.
And I cringe slightly when this topic comes up - not with my good friends, I am happy when it is going well for them (btw - this has nothing to do with any recent conversations ;) ). But rather by "those" people - usually strangers or older family members. And this shouldn't bother me...but it does, a little bit. As Mum's we don't get many pats on the back. No boss handing over a pay rise, or a performance appraisal. No "thanks for all your hard work on that project, have the afternoon off". I know I am doing a good job (most the time - well I think there is more good than bad anyway), but if I am honest there is something about that feeling you get when someone tells you how well you've done.
Anyways, that won't be happening for quite some time in the toileting department. We have decided to not push the issue. To continue with our original plan. No point trying to get him to wee in the loo when he obviously just doesn't understand his body yet. And I will make an effort not to take any comments personally or think less of myself should the topic come up again. I'm gonna say, yep that's my 2 and a half year old son in nappies, sucking on a dummy, eating McDs, watching TV... :)
How's the undies vs. nappy issue going in your house? (promise not to be jealous or defensive!!!!!) Oh, and if you have any suggestions about toilet training boys I would ♥ to hear them.
But Rangi...hmmmm Rangi. He wants the undies, but that's where it ends.
Bribery does NOT work with him. He soooo wanted a lollipop, just had to wee on the toilet. He was excited, super excited.
He wee'd all over the floor at least 5 times this morning, huge puddles (how can he have that much wee?). He changed undies so many times. I kept super calm - really! I think he just isn't ready.
But I am a bit disappointed. I would love him to be out of nappies.
And I cringe slightly when this topic comes up - not with my good friends, I am happy when it is going well for them (btw - this has nothing to do with any recent conversations ;) ). But rather by "those" people - usually strangers or older family members. And this shouldn't bother me...but it does, a little bit. As Mum's we don't get many pats on the back. No boss handing over a pay rise, or a performance appraisal. No "thanks for all your hard work on that project, have the afternoon off". I know I am doing a good job (most the time - well I think there is more good than bad anyway), but if I am honest there is something about that feeling you get when someone tells you how well you've done.
Anyways, that won't be happening for quite some time in the toileting department. We have decided to not push the issue. To continue with our original plan. No point trying to get him to wee in the loo when he obviously just doesn't understand his body yet. And I will make an effort not to take any comments personally or think less of myself should the topic come up again. I'm gonna say, yep that's my 2 and a half year old son in nappies, sucking on a dummy, eating McDs, watching TV... :)
How's the undies vs. nappy issue going in your house? (promise not to be jealous or defensive!!!!!) Oh, and if you have any suggestions about toilet training boys I would ♥ to hear them.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Prayers for Japan
Kind of seems unbelievable to be watching another country going through devastation while Christchurch is still in survival mode.
Prayers to Japan, and for all those with friends and family there.
Dear Mother Nature - wanna give us a break???....please!!
Prayers to Japan, and for all those with friends and family there.
Dear Mother Nature - wanna give us a break???....please!!
Friday, March 4, 2011
In case you were wondering
what the worse way for me to start my day, it is:
To not get any sleep (or very little, always over-exaggerate).
To have a mini Buzz Light Year jabbed into to me with Rangi mumbling "...and beyond"
To have Rangi sneak into bed at 4 am and spend the rest of the morning wriggling and kicking.
To have Stanley the amazing watch dog bark his head off at 2 am
To walk half dazed to the pantry to be greeted by an infestation of ants. Hundreds of the wee bug-gers, and now I feel like I am covered in them even though I have "dealt" to the majority.
To realise I will have to cancel yoga today as instead I get to pull out everything in the pantry.
To know that all I want to do is crawl back into bed.
Oh and to ring my husband and blame him for ALL of it - even though it is not his fault. He must be wondering what the heck is going on with his crazy wife!!! Apology will follow shortly (after I have my coffee!).
And to see when re-reading this post that it is not in chronological order...normally I would change it, but really it is just a reflection of my muddled morning brain.
Hope you all have a good ant-free Friday :)
To not get any sleep (or very little, always over-exaggerate).
To have a mini Buzz Light Year jabbed into to me with Rangi mumbling "...and beyond"
To have Rangi sneak into bed at 4 am and spend the rest of the morning wriggling and kicking.
To have Stanley the amazing watch dog bark his head off at 2 am
To walk half dazed to the pantry to be greeted by an infestation of ants. Hundreds of the wee bug-gers, and now I feel like I am covered in them even though I have "dealt" to the majority.
To realise I will have to cancel yoga today as instead I get to pull out everything in the pantry.
To know that all I want to do is crawl back into bed.
Oh and to ring my husband and blame him for ALL of it - even though it is not his fault. He must be wondering what the heck is going on with his crazy wife!!! Apology will follow shortly (after I have my coffee!).
And to see when re-reading this post that it is not in chronological order...normally I would change it, but really it is just a reflection of my muddled morning brain.
Hope you all have a good ant-free Friday :)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Take 3
I have written two posts about the terrible Earthquake that rocked my home city last week. But I have a heavy heart and soul and my words were not enough to describe my feelings or to do justice to what my family and friends are going through. I am also aware of how easy it is to over sensationalise - I do not want to do that.
Anyway, this is my third attempt - maybe this one will get posted??!!
First of all I need to say that I feel blessed to have come up to Auckland when we did. My family has been saved twice from these disasters. If I indulge in the what ifs, I can say that had we stayed my husband could quite possibly not be here as his office was destroyed (no one was in there in his place thank goodness). But we were here and I am thankful.
I am also feeling guilty that I am not there to help my friends who are going through tough times. Not sure what I could have done: dig, cook meals, offer a bed and shower and laundry, look after kids, a shoulder to cry on, give hugs....
I am so proud of my family and friends. They have been brave, they have helped out where they can and they are surviving through trying times.
My husband rang me last Tuesday to let me know what had happened. Panic set in and I rang my Mum, she had been in Opawa at the time of the quake. She had tried to comfort some high school girls (sisters from Heathcote) and tried to get them back to their home. I am proud of her for doing this. She did not get home til 6.30 that night after 5 and a half hours of driving in a war zone. Her wee work car was put to the limit as she drove through water and 4WD territory. She is safe, but I think the realisation of what she had been through did not hit her til days later.
Dad was fine, he was at home in Rangiora which is relatively untouched. Stressful times as he waited for Mum to get home, but he knew she was safe.
I had a phone conversation with a friend that I will never forget. The distress in her voice as she could not get to her son (5 years old) and had no idea how he was. Thank God he was fine, but I can not imagine how she must have felt in the time she waited to have him back home with her.
Many friends have lost their homes. Some have relocated. Some are working hard as Police and Firemen doing a job I do not envy and am so thankful for people like them. I am also thankful to their families who have to carry on while their husbands are off working - such a sacrifice they are all making.
Up here we feel quite helpless. We have offered for any of our friends and family to come and stay when/if they need a break. We are donating where we can. We are praying. And we are sending our love.
I saw several shooting stars this weekend while we were away camping. I made a wish on each one for our family, friends and all of Christchurch.
The one thing I am doing to help is the Walk for Christchurch organised by Gail. It is ONLY 16km. Best I get training!!! If you would like to join us send an email to Gail: geegeedomdivas (at) gmail (dot) com or if you would like to sponsor us please check out the website. All money raised will go to Red Cross for Christchurch. Click the button in my side-bar for more info.
I hope and pray that all those who you know and love in Christchurch are safe.
Anyway, this is my third attempt - maybe this one will get posted??!!
First of all I need to say that I feel blessed to have come up to Auckland when we did. My family has been saved twice from these disasters. If I indulge in the what ifs, I can say that had we stayed my husband could quite possibly not be here as his office was destroyed (no one was in there in his place thank goodness). But we were here and I am thankful.
I am also feeling guilty that I am not there to help my friends who are going through tough times. Not sure what I could have done: dig, cook meals, offer a bed and shower and laundry, look after kids, a shoulder to cry on, give hugs....
I am so proud of my family and friends. They have been brave, they have helped out where they can and they are surviving through trying times.
My husband rang me last Tuesday to let me know what had happened. Panic set in and I rang my Mum, she had been in Opawa at the time of the quake. She had tried to comfort some high school girls (sisters from Heathcote) and tried to get them back to their home. I am proud of her for doing this. She did not get home til 6.30 that night after 5 and a half hours of driving in a war zone. Her wee work car was put to the limit as she drove through water and 4WD territory. She is safe, but I think the realisation of what she had been through did not hit her til days later.
Dad was fine, he was at home in Rangiora which is relatively untouched. Stressful times as he waited for Mum to get home, but he knew she was safe.
I had a phone conversation with a friend that I will never forget. The distress in her voice as she could not get to her son (5 years old) and had no idea how he was. Thank God he was fine, but I can not imagine how she must have felt in the time she waited to have him back home with her.
Many friends have lost their homes. Some have relocated. Some are working hard as Police and Firemen doing a job I do not envy and am so thankful for people like them. I am also thankful to their families who have to carry on while their husbands are off working - such a sacrifice they are all making.
Up here we feel quite helpless. We have offered for any of our friends and family to come and stay when/if they need a break. We are donating where we can. We are praying. And we are sending our love.
I saw several shooting stars this weekend while we were away camping. I made a wish on each one for our family, friends and all of Christchurch.
The one thing I am doing to help is the Walk for Christchurch organised by Gail. It is ONLY 16km. Best I get training!!! If you would like to join us send an email to Gail: geegeedomdivas (at) gmail (dot) com or if you would like to sponsor us please check out the website. All money raised will go to Red Cross for Christchurch. Click the button in my side-bar for more info.
I hope and pray that all those who you know and love in Christchurch are safe.
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