First Cricket Injury

Last night at cricket training the last exercise involved the boys throwing a frisbee to each other. This was to, I suppose, improve eye-hand coordination. Teddy is apparently LACKING in this coordination and instead worked on his head-frisbee coordination. Spot on. Last night he had one HELL of a goose egg but the bag of frozen corn brought it down before Ted got home from work - Ted was crushed. He really wanted to see a good war wound. Teddy was really upset about getting hit at first, in fact he was actually worried that the kids at school would tease him about having a bump on his head. I informed him that not only would they not tease him - this would actually make him their god. We'll see.

This morning, alas, the bruise isn't that impressive. The swelling is still pretty nice. Here is some evidence, er um, pictures of the damage. I think you'll agree that it's not terribly bad, but enough for his mom to take pictures and post on the Internet.

When Ya Got it...Flaunt it!

Just had to share this little video I took of the girls. I just started playing Christmas music yesterday and Connor insisted that she needed to dance. Which of course meant that Tessi had to get up and boogie too. Until the inevitable collision which leads to tears, of course. But they are cute.

No Lie Needed

It's a bonafide miracle. It didn't rain. I am utterly shocked. If I've learned one thing about Australia is that in Sydney at least, it rains...all...the...damn....time. However, not today! So no one knows about my filthy house...except all of you reading my blog. Thank God there aren't that many.

New Plan: Lying, Lots of Lying

None of these ladies coming today read my blog so I feel fairly safe in stating this. There's NO way I can let people into my house and there is too much filth to clean before 9am. So I'm going to embrace a more morally flexible thought process. I'm going to lie like there's no tomorrow.

"My husband is home ill and can't possibly have a housefull of screaming kinder around. There's a park right near the mall, we can go there and if it rains pop into the shopping center and eat lunch in the food court."

I like it. I really do. Since Ted will be home for about 5 minutes at 2pm to grab the car and go to the dentist it's not really a complete fabrication. Just mostly one. Yes, that works. There. I'll work on cleaning a bit later...maybe, unless I can keep coming up with these pearls of half-truths.

We Make Plans and God Laughs...

Today is Connor's last Kindergarden Orientation. A few weeks ago I set up a little play date afterwards with a few of her friends. I thought it would be fun if we all went to a park afterwards with the girls lunchboxes, had lunch and the girls played. I said if it rained we could meet at my house. Fun right?

Now it's turned into this "THING" About 8 or 9 girls, including kids I don't know at all. That's fine, the more the merrier. But yesterday I didn't clean up at ALL, too much running around and I checked the weather and it seemed good for today. Just checked the weather now and yes, you guessed it. Showering drought on and off all day. Now a WHOLE bunch of kids, including ones and their mothers that I don't know, coming to the house...this should be FUN.

Off to clean furiously now.

Yes! The Weekend is Over

When you are a mom the work week takes on a whole new meaning. I love Monday mornings, just love 'em! Friday? Eh...not so much. This weekend in particular....very, very glad it's over. Ted's tooth has been killing him since Wed. so all through the weekend he was utterly drugged up just to not be in gut-wrenching pain. Friday and Sat. night Teddy had a friend stay over. The boys were good, it's just that I have to be on duty a few more hours than normal and that's never good.

Saturday's cricket game started off with of course...pouring straight down drought. Ted stayed home so I had the kids and was following a friend because she knew how to get to the oval. Which was good because not only was the oval not in the place it said it was on the map - it was actually named something else entirely. Hey Rand McNally! You got a booming business opportunity over here! Correct maps will sell MILLIONS over here. Hell, I'll buy 3 or 4 just for the fun of it!

The rest of the day and yesterday had a bunch of drought, whiny children, an outright rude 8 year old and general misery in the house. I managed to escape for a bit on Sat to go to a craft warehouse sale. Hey, who cares if Ted was in pain, right? Yeah, not one of my better wife moments. Sorry about that.

But today is a new week. A glorious Monday. While the rest of the planet sits and grouses over the start of another hum drum week I say, "Yeah verily! It is MONDAY, let us REJOICE!" 3 Children in school, a husband going to the dentist and me embracing some silence. You keep your Friday Happy Hour, I got Monday Quiet Time.

Happy Friday All

It's been a fun parenting week so I'm adding another line to my DOCS folder and not take Connor to Lifestart - just straight to school. It's bug day and I don't want to chance her missing it...yeah, that's it. This way I can be home when the phone call comes,"Could you please come help us with Connor, she's attached herself to the ceiling and won't come down" To which I'll respond, "Just put Tessi on a chair, she'll be happy to swat her down with a broom" No really, she will, I promise. I gotta get a picture of those two in mid-brawl...if it wasn't so loud and painful, it would be utterly hilarious. There is just someone really humorous about seeing screaming faces with sparkly bows on top of their heads and hands on their hips.

Actually, I'm tired, bone tired and just want to sleep for a bit. Nothing's wrong, it's just been a long week in the trenches and I just want to curl up for a bit. Teddy is having a friend sleep over tonight and possibly tomorrow night so I need to catch up on my rest a bit. Both of these boys, while extremely likable, are not known for their complacency. Then again, none of my children are known for that either. Hence my being tired. It's a vicious circle.

Australian Drought My Tush

Weather for the week from the Morning Herald

WednesdayRainMin: 18°C Max: 24°CUV: Extreme
Thursday
UV: Very High
FridayMostly sunnyMin: 20°C Max: 24°CUV: Very High
SaturdayWindy with showersMin: 18°C Max: 23°CUV: Very High
SundayPossible showerMin: 16°C Max: 20°CUV: Very High
MondayMostly sunnyMin: 16°C Max: 23°CUV: ExtremeTuesdayPossible showerMin: 17°C Max: 20°C

It started droughting last night and it continues through today. I understand that west & north of here are really suffering. I really feel for them. But Sydney? Not so much. People from Seattle would come here and complain about the rain...seriously. We can not plan our class year end party at a park because everyone involved knows it will rain. Even though we're in a drought.

So today the girls and I will head to the shops for morning tea before their swim lessons...which are indoors. Yes, I am chuckling a bit at the irony.

Kindy Open House Week 2

Also known as yet another learning moment for Cecelia and why it's important not to procrastinate. If this doesn't teach me....I swear, it's hopeless.

Connor's BFF is coming over early this morning and I will be walking the girls to the open house. I will also have Tessi and Teddy too - really should be ok, it's not that far and once we're around other people, eh, it'll be fine. The catch is that I have to go to the office and make copies of an announcement about our class year end party, turn one into the secretary's desk, get the copies back to Teddy's room and on his teacher's desk with a note asking her to stuff them into the Year Two's backpacks. The rooms and office are several buildings apart with kids who will be desperate to get away from me. THAT'S the fun part. If I had done the stinkin' memo over the weekend and made the copies yesterday while the girls were in school....well...I think the rest is best left unsaid.

Thank God I'm bringing lamingtons (chocolate, coconut tea cakes) to the Kindy morning tea - that should keep the girls at least slightly in line.

And So Begins Another Week

I've come to love Mondays, I really do. The beginning of a new week, almost a big Life Do-over. Today is going to be a good one. I have to stay home instead of my normal activities. Connor has a make up prep-for school program so I have to be around to ferry her to it and back to preschool. That means that I'll have about 3 hours combined today where I can decide what to do. Woo Hooo! Be still my beating heart!

Since we're at less than 40 days until Christmas I hopefully will use this time wisely to work on Christmas projects I have going. I doubt I will, but I'm hopeful about it. Tessi doesn't have speech therapy tonight so I don't have to worry about dragging the kids to that and Ted is working late and going to his office basketball game. He needs to help redeem the company honor as last time they were beaten 32-20. No, that's not a typo. I can't even really make fun of it too much - it's just too shameful. Geeks playing basketball is hilarious, Aussie geeks who know nothing about basketball playing in an office tournament should be outlawed. Really, at some point you really have to wonder what is the point?

I will be trying to figure out some stuff to fill the day. I have a meeting scheduled with Teddy's principal after school starts this morning to try to convince her that we need to advertise a bit more for the school. I think we're in danger of becoming too small. We'll see what she thinks - hopefully I can convince her that I'm more than just the crazy yank.

Teddy Continues Quest to Drive Me Barking Mad

Last night at the dinner table Teddy looks up and says, "Oh by the way, I forgot..." immediately I start glaring and start to reach for the bread knife. I figure I get hit him with it and not cause too much damage. "Um, I have to turn in my library book tomorrow. I got a note saying it was overdue and I have to take it back or pay for it" Which is reasonable...unless you know that he had Library time LAST Thursday which means he waited a week to tell me the night before it was due that the book is lost. Even less reasonable when you know that he was ABSENT from school last Thursday with a fever so this pearl is from TWO weeks ago. Better yet...he can't remember the name of the book. Only that it's brown and has a gecko on the cover.

So it begins. He looks everywhere. By that I mean he walks into a room and says, "Nope, it's not here" I leave to go get my hair cut and leave Ted to search. Insert eye roll and uproarious laughter here. Come back. No book. Only now Teddy is frantically looking because Ted has explained the HE has to buy the book, not us. No joy. He goes to bed. In the morning we start again. By we I mean I as I am actually looking underneath things for book - I use this as another opportunity to point out the merits of cleaning out one's room every millennium...which is in turn ignored.

No book. It's gone. Teddy bursts into tears and laments downfall of western society as he is forced to pay for everything in the world. I sob too - -just to hide my laughter. Go to school and walk to library, librarian not in yet. I ask Teddy's teacher to help look and quest becomes a school matter. I leave a rather morose Teddy.

Pick up the prince after school and hear, "Mom, we don't have to pay for the book. I forgot to tell you that I already returned the book a while ago" I turned to 2 women standing next to me, interrupted their conversation, " Excuse me, if I kill my son in front of you, would you be willing to testify in court that I didn't do it?" Having met Teddy before they both agreed readily. One mother on the jury and I swear to GOD I would be carried out on their shoulders.

Connor's First Transition to Kindy Day

At Normanhurst Public School (NPS) they have 3 events called Transition to Kindy for all the upcoming Kindergarden students. Connor dressed in her school uniform - which I was told to do by other moms, but apparently I'm the only one who got the memo. Grrrrr. No matter, Connor LOVES her uniform and begs to wear it...constantly.

We went to the open house and Connor colored pictures and sang songs. She had a wonderful time. It was a little overwhelming with noise and kids she didn't know. She ended up sitting by herself for a while just to escape the noise - but it wasn't anything that was noticeable to anyone else. The co-ordinator from Lifestart Early Intervention was there to observe and she felt very positive about the school and how they will be able to help her.

Tessi joined in the fray too, there was no chance of holding her back. She did get very mad though when I made her put the scissors down. Tessi with a weapon...yea right....whatever...

Let me make one comment though, this really struck me yesterday. I felt a little sad and more than a little jealous yesterday when I looked around the room and saw that most other parents in the room got to see their child coloring and doing craft. I didn't. I watched and saw my child working to manage her temperament, manipulate her fingers and work to control her dexterity. Connor was able to to respond to some of my verbal cues to help keep her focused on work and she tolerated a peer using a light touch on her hair. I wanted so much just to see her coloring and nothing else.

But before I get accused of not being happy about her accomplishments, let me say that I am. She did beautifully yesterday, she really did. Up until I made her change out of her uniform at home and then she blew apart. Thank God I was able to appease her with red butterfly hair bows.

Only in Australia, I swear to God

Last year at my daughter's preschool they had a traveling farm come visit. The guy brought baby ducks and chicks, a goat and some other farm creature. It was cute and the kids all liked it. This kids were allowed to hold and pet the animals. Not a bad idea so they thought they'd do it again. Only this year it's not farm animals. Nope, it's bugs.

No, that wasn't a type, it's a bug show. They are bringing scads of bugs, including one of the world's largest cockroaches, which is apparently a native to Australia. Open your hand and look down, it'll fit just barely inside your palm. The kids will be able to hold them if they want to.

I have to pay $20 : that's $10 per girl, to have them walk into the room and have Connor go screaming through a window. Remember, this is a girl that goes running sobbing from flies. Tess isn't scared of Beelzebub himself but even she will look twice at this one.

The only good point about all of this that I don't have to be there. They promised to take pictures if Connor should actually touch the bugs but I'm not holding my breath. All I'm expecting is a bill for the window she goes through.

Ahhhh, the Sound of Silence

Teddy stayed home sick yesterday - thanks Ted, in fact he woke up at 4 am with a fever. Obviously that meant I was home too. Soooo, I did 5 loads of laundry (even took down off the line and put away 4 of them), cleaned the kitchen, swept the back patio, swept entire house, packed away clothes and toys, cooked dinner, picked up girls from school and entertained angry sick 8 year old - angry because he had to miss the mini fete at school.

So today? Not a damned thing. I'm going back to bed now and resting up. Not feeling guilty about it either. So there Martha Stewart lovers! I'll clean something up later. Right now leave me alone.

Be Careful of What you Wish For..

...you may get and man, will you be sorry.

Yesterday Ted stayed home sick with a very sore throat. Connor decided to take the new stickers her Aunt Mickie sent her and put them on my new yoga mat. At swim lessons Tessi decided she could only wait her turn for her lesson while sitting on my lap and trying to fall to make me catch her...for 30 minutes.

I wished for a day at home so I could get the pig sty straightened up. I'm getting it. Teddy now has the sore throat and a fever to boot. Today is the Year 6 mini fete at school so Teddy is missing games, the white elephant stall and lollies, cakes and candy. As you can imagine he is taking it very well. I think the next door neighbor will be coming over to get an explanation for the sobbing.

I told Ted that if he got the children sick not even dental records would be helpful in identifying his body. Looks like I have to start digging the hole in the back yard. Off to get my shovel! In the mean time, I may break into my Christmas present stash and see if there is something the prince would like to play with until he's better.

I Blink and it's Wednesday

Story of my life. After Halloween and Teddy's cricket game I dashed out the door to my girls weekend away and come back Sunday night right back into the fray. Nothing terribly bad, it's just that I feel like the last 3 days were gone in a second. This does not bode well for the upcoming holiday season - time just does not run it's normal course during December.

I did make it to yoga last night and survived without getting my arms wrapped up like a pretzel. I really am enjoying yoga and wish I could do more but unfortunately the instructor is not willing to rearrange her class schedule to fit in with my children's school, cricket training, swim lessons and speech therapy sessions...how rude.

Still waiting to hear about the election results in the States. If nothing else, it will be nice for the campaigning to be over. I do love that about Australia - election talk over 2 weeks is just unheard of. Certainly beats 2 years!

Happy Halloween!

We went to the best party last night and I'm proud to say that some of the best decorations were the ones borrowed from us. Not all, Pip had an amazing amount of her own. Thank you Pip for letting us crash your party, it was fantastic!

The kids had an incredible time. Aussies don't use the porchlight rule so it does make it tricky to know if a house is participating or not but kids had a great time running around from house to house. Pip also has a trampoline in the backyard so when ever a flash of boredom hit that solved the problem. It was so nice to out somewhere and not have my kids be the loudest ones there. The girls did fantastic. They really did. Some meltdowns but nothing out of the ordinary. We knew though we had pushed our luck too far when at 9:30 (2 hours past their best time) both girls were standing and sobbing, "I want to go home" Ted and I were having so much fun we could have stayed longer but that whole nasty parenting thing kicked in. Teddy was having a good time with his friends and sneaking as much candy as he could.

Now we're getting ready for an 8 am cricket game...ugh...this is going ot be ugly, but after that I'm going to spend the night AWAY with some friends for a little girls getaway. YEA!!!!