Polly Dolly

 I'm trying very hard to try to be positive about our forced vacation. Tonight will be the first time in six years Michael and I will be able to get dressed up and go out drinking together. Either he has been away, we haven't been able to get a babysitter, I've been pregnant/breastfeeding. It hasn't bothered me really. But while were childless and semi homeless were going to attempt to live it up.

My poor hubby is so bored he just asked me if he could polly dolly with me. Then I had to explain to him how it works.

So Monday night we went to a wedding so we have our wedding appropriate outfits, except my shoes did not make it, so flats it is!

I couldn't find my actual dress but this is the closest I could get to it. Mine is a city chic frock black top and pink ruffles. Very fun.

I have limited make up and jewellery but I'll be cracking it all out!

Were staying in the one and only pub in Capella so at least once were done drinking and dancing I can stumble upstairs.

I would like to be at home watching the fireworks with my little men. Eating lots of snacks and playing games. I'm putting it on my list for next year. 

 

If you haven't played along, like my hubby, head over to see the lovely Danielle and her Polly Dolly 

 

So Sad.

We are officially flooded away from home.

 Michael and I went to Mackay for one night for a wedding. That was Monday. Now its Wednesday and were still away. I miss my beautiful boys and there smelly cuddles and funny stories. We are stuck in a little town an hour from home. Mum is at home with my boys. I have never cried so much in my life as I have in the last two days.

I know I should be pleased were safe the boys are safe Charlie has enough nappies and formula. But I'm not pleased. I'm cranky. I'm upset. I'm childless. This is the third night I've been away from them. I've never before spent a night away from Charlie. I spent one night away from Jack when James was born. I spent 2 nights away from them both when Charlie was born.

I am never leaving them again. I'm going to follow them when they leave home. I will be that awful mother in law that is hanging around waiting for grandchildren to be born and then telling my daughter in law how to do things.

I miss this squidgy little man and his sloppy kisses and his mum mum mum ing. I'm going to kiss his skin off when we get home. Expect a few more posts from me like this in the next few days. Its going to be a crazy way to start the new year.

Ah Kismas!

I had a marathon present wrapping session on Christmas eve. Mostly because I insisted on wrapping everything like a crazy person. I made Michael put everything together then we wrapped it all, so much more fun on Christmas morning!

Christmas eve is our Wedding anniversary so you would think we would be celebrating in style with a romantic dinner, nope we had red rooster. Quiet night in just the two of us. Nope we wrapped presents til midnight. That's what happens when your anniversary is Christmas eve.

We may or may not have gone a little over the top with the presents. We have spoilt kids I admit it.

The boys love having their Nanny here. I don't mind it either.

Charlie got a frog baby. He loves to smooch and cuddle it. Cute!

Our little rock band, Charlie will be on vocals. Once he can sing.

We live in central Queensland so we expected it to be hot and hot so why not hire a slushie machine? Just because we were stuck inside and it was raining we still put a decent hole in it.

We had a drunken afternoon while the little boys slept and Jack played with his new mega box of Lego, followed by left overs for dinner and a Christmas movie. We still have some unopened presents. Next year just one Christmas lay by.

Dilemma

image

These four men are the some of the most important people in Jacks life.

Jack my 5 year old has asked for a Bugatti Veyron for Christmas. For those of you who don't know that is the fastest road legal car on the market. Brand new its worth about 1.7 million. Why do I know this? Because Jack knows this.

So when I found out that Top Gear Live was coming to Australia and there are tickets to the show still available I knew instantly I wanted to take Jack, especially since it falls around his 6th Birthday. Awesome present hey?

Then I stared figuring out the logistics of it. Flights to Brisbane $300. Decent tickets to the show $300. Accommodation, food, public transport etc etc $500.

A bit much for a six year old? I know he'd absolutely love it and he'd remember it for ever, and there's only so long he's going to want to go places like with his mummy, but then what do we do when he turns seven?

We always said we didn't want to raise spoilt miners children. I seem to be losing the line of what is miners son and what we would do if Michael had a normal job.

Then what about poor James the middle child who watches as much Top Gear as Jack does. How do I explain that he's being left behind?

I don't know when or if Top Gear would come back to Australia, or if Jack will still be interested in a year so really this is our one chance to do it. 

Oh dear! Talk about first world problems!

Give me your advice and thoughts, should I just suck it up and do it or moan forever about missing out?

New Year New Decade~ Revisited.

Remember this?
Well its almost the end of 2010 and its time to check if I've kept to my resolutions.

No. 1. Get a job. Well yes I guess I kinda have ? Although I don't leave the house, we have managed to pay off our debts and the extra money I make babysitting a few days a week sure does come in handy sometimes.

No. 2. Pampering. Kinda. I did make it to the beauticians a few times. I've had my hair done more than once. I've bought more clothes this year than I think I ever have. Does that count? Maybe I need to put that on next years list.

No. 3. Show the boys new things. Defiantly succeeded! Apart from our recent trip to Sydney where we took the boys to the beach, museum, zoo, aquarium, china town and their favorite, the taxi rides. There was also a few other trips, bowling, water slides, reptile land. I don't know if this counts but Michael seems to watch a lot of discovery channel with the boys, puts me to sleep but I'm glad they are learning about gross stuff.

So how was 2010 for you? Did you stick to your resolutions a little, a lot? Tell me everything!

Oh My

So I started looking at some old pictures and I've started cluck cluck clucking.

Again.

Oh dear.

I'm not planning on doing anything about it.

Look above. You understand why?

I do not want to go through another pregnancy, I hate being pregnant.

Look above. You understand why?

What I am cluck cluck clucking about is that moment you see your new baby for the first time, the newborn cuddles, the way you smile at everything and nothing with a new baby, the joy of watching your husband watching your new baby. That smell that can't be replaced or replicated by a scented candle. Introducing your new baby to the world, people smiling at you when your baby cries.

I'll be over it in a week but for now I'm off to look at bump pictures and newborn pictures. Oh and cancel the discovery home and health from our pay TV channels, to many birth shows are making me something something.



Aawww

Jack and his gorgeous prep teacher Alana.

 

Jack and Karen the best teachers aid I've ever met.

Last Friday was Jack Jack's last day of school for the year, last day of being a prep kid.

I never thought I would get so attached to his teacher's, I'm such a cry baby and once Karen gave me a hug I started bawling, and so did she, I'm really going to miss them both next year, if were still here in 2012 I'll be requesting James get them.
 I feel so blessed that he had such supportive, fun, amazing teachers. Jack doesn't like being centre of attention and can be quite shy with strangers (don't ask me where he gets it from!) but it didn't take long for Alana and Karen to get to the real Jack and it took less time for Alana to figure out she was going to have to push the limits with this boy, and now at the end of his first year of school he has finished all the reading for grade one and is now reading books that are given to kids in grade three. If we hadn't had such good teachers that were willing to do the extra work to get him more and more to read and do then he probably would still be reading so well but he wouldn't have been recognised.
I still remember my first teacher and I'm willing to bet money Jack will too.

I can't believe it

It was three years ago and I still can't believe it.

 The day we moved into our new house, and there were people everywhere and someone left a permanent marker in reach of the 2 year old, and then the 2 year old was let outside.

Look at him, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth!

You would have undoubtedly read about my overly clean, extremely stick to the rules, never been in trouble kid (his teacher told me he didn't get in trouble once all year, nerd). Well when he was two he hit the terrible stage, it only really lasted one day but he made a good day of it.

These are pictures of our white commodore that we'd had for only 12 months that my darling sweet Jack decided to make his with permanent marker.  

Front door still drawn on, back door after Michael scrubbed metho-ed for over an hour.

Not a single panel was left un drawn on not even the fuel cap!

I completely forgot about this until today when I was looking for something else. I showed Jack these pictures and he didn't believe me that he did it, if I wasn't there I don't think I would have believed it either!

So to all the mummas with toddlers who feel like they are stuck in the terrible two's, it does get better. Eventually.

Photos Baby!

How funny is this picture. After fourteen months we finally have some family photos of the five of us. Nice photos of the five of us. One of my lovely playgroup mummas is starting up her own business as a photographer and I think she's amazing. She tried to convince me to let her do it for free. Michael and I told her we don't roll thay way.

Anyway will show you the nice one's after I post out my christmas cards (yes I realise I'm leaving it very late!)

Tomorrow maybe it's time to show the world our black christmas tree.

Christmas Holiday Activities Part 2

Blue ice cubes? Yes Please!

Ok so I didn't channel Belinda Graham with this one I out and out stole it. I hope she doesn't mind!

Its defiantly summer and I'm trying to find things to do to cool us down and keep us happy, a little food dye and a water makes frozen crayons!

The boys before they started to look like lost members of the smurf family

I admit it, I joined in!

Jack made the earth, love it.

This was a fun activity that Charlie got to join in with the boys, he's so desperate to be a bit older and join in.

It wasn't even 10am and the ice cubes were melting so quickly there was blue and green liquid running everywhere!

Note to self don't leave the baby with a stack of food dye ice cubes, I couldn't help but laugh and take a photo. Oh brother!

Christmas Holiday Activities Part 1

James gave up using his hands, such class!

I'm channelling Belinda Graham with this one. I was watching old episodes of Jon and Kate + 8 the other day and she made the little kids edible play dough. I knew I wanted to do it straight away, so I did. It worked out pretty good, next time I'll refrigerate it before letting the kids have it. Thanks to the ridiculously hot and humid weather it sort of melted as they were playing it with it. Definatly not for clean freak kids like Jack, he wanted to wash his hands as soon as he touched it.

Jack made a ham and cheese sandwich and wanted me to take a photo of it

So if your interested here's the recipe:

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup honey

1 cup powdered milk

I added about half a cup of flour to make it easier to mould.

I had my two big boy and one extra little girl and this was more than enough to play with and eat.

My big boy with his serious face



I'm Back In The Game!

How crazy is it that I've lived without having a blog or internet most of my life. Two weeks internetless and I was pulling my hair out! We've had a pretty full on couple of weeks and its only going to get more crazy! Love December!



Anyway I have sixty loads of washing to fold while Cyclone Charlie is napping, see you all tomorrow! I feel a late night of catching up on blogs coming on xx

Ah Holidays, I miss you already!~

As always when we go away I didn't take photos of the important stuff, but I did try!

We got very touristy, sculptures by the sea, Taronga Zoo, Aquarium, bondi beach, powerhouse museum, monorail, ferry (or six), lunch in China town. Do I need to go on?

Anyway we went to Sculptures by the sea with my Dad and his lovely wife Robin, got no photos of them (I'm hopeless) but did get some funny ones. I love this panel van, Michael and I actually agree on one thing and that that a panel van must be part of our family one day, so I had to get a picture of Michael with this very well made sculpture. 

Cheese anyone?

I dressed the boys in bright shirts so not to lose them, I still lost Jack a few times, but only because he was in the middle of a sculpture, I still freaked out for a minute!

Jack adopted Robin, he told me he'd like to live next door to her and didn't really let go of her hand the whole time. Was so unbelievably cute.

On Monday we kept Aunty Isha from work and took her to the Zoo, James was not impressed by anything can you tell from that face? It's taken a week and a half but he's finally over the sniffles and he's now returned to his lovely self. I took some photos to keep us busy while we were waiting for the seals to show us their stuff.

On Wednesday we went to the Aquarium, about half way through we found the kids area that is interactive. This touch screen James is in front of was a interactive colouring in sheet that you could email to yourself once you were done. I think Michael and I had more fun than the kids did.

After we were done looking at fishes, sharks and turtles eating squid for lunch, the boys were starving so of course we had fish and chips for lunch. The boys didn't realise but it still felt very wrong!

After we were done sightseeing and catching up with friends and family we headed to Orange on the train and you know what never again will I book us on there. I thought the boys were a good age but 4 hours in one spot is hard with a carriage full of older people asking to be moved away from your noisy children. Oh dear.

Anyway so while we were there Michael caught up with some old friends and I got to go out for dinner with some of my oldest friends

My beautiful friends and I, kindly taken by a stranger in the restaurant. I'm the one towering over everyone else, can you see why I get called 'big girl' ??

It was one of those nights. Michael and I doing duck lips. Trying to be teenage girls is defiantly not for us!

Twice in a week I got my hubby all to myself with no kids, thanks Nanny for staying home with them while they slept so we could party like a young childless couple. It was such a funny night. I wont share anymore pub photos as they are terrible!

Ok enough of the holiday. Tomorrow back to reality and boring posts about boring mining town rubbish. I know your jumping out of your seat aren't you?

Date Night

While we were on our awesome holiday my beautiful sister baby sat my tired and sick children so Michael and I could have a night out just the two of us (first time since I turned 24, Jan 2008!).

She organised a lovely place for us to go and paid for it. So off we went to Darling Harbour to the Helm Bar. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes good food, cool people and tasty cocktails, oh and the view wasn't too bad either!

So we sit down share some bubbles and out comes this. A seafood platter for two mussels, prawns, scallops, bugs, oysters, I can't even remember what else was on there! I only had my phone on me but I knew I'd want at least one picture of it.



We had such a good time we talked about a sea change, literally. A big move somewhere we want to live not a big move because of a job. We want to do it in a few years but after a few days in Sydney it hit home we'd really like to move sooner rather than later. I know we'll need to do a few things first but it's defiantly brought it front and centre in our brains.

After a few gorgeous cocktails(ever had an espresso martini?) we headed across the bridge to the casino before I knew it it was 2am and we were in Kings Cross eating kebabs and pizza.

Best Date Night Ever!

Polly Dolly

So when I read this weeks polly dolly I have to admit my mind went straight to S Club 7. I know how sad is that?

Anyway a few years ago (ok maybe like 10 or 15 years) I remember they did a film clip where one of the pretty blonde things wore this awesome jumpsuit and I wanted one. Badly. Unfortunately as I've always been a big girl a jumpsuit is really not for me, but if I was going to do it this is how I would. Extreme. 

Can you see me walking down a red carpet in this? No me neither but it would defiantly make one of those best/worst dressed shows.

To play along with Danimezza and everyone else that loves a good jumpsuit head here.

Were back!!

Well after the best holiday we have ever had were home.

How yucky is it to get back to reality after two weeks of bliss.

Today Michael is back to work, Jack is back to school, and I am back to being a housewife. How very boring.

Michael and I had some big conversations while we were away about doing something really drastic and moving across the country and starting fresh closer to family and friends that we dearly miss. I almost had Michael convinced until we had to get on a bus at 5.45pm in the middle of Sydney on a Thursday afternoon. It was just a bit to crazy for him. I'm still working on him.

So I should be washing up and unpacking and sorting out the house but my computer was calling me and after two weeks I guess I can be on holidays for one more day : ) Just a few photos I'll be back tomorrow with more and a few stories from our awesome holiday!

I love this photo of James. He is inside one of the sculptures by the sea at Tamarama.

My three Giraffes at Taronga Zoo.

My two big boys on the ferry on the way to Darling Harbour.



Sleep is for the weak!

This week my baby has been so out of sorts. He was in such a good routine forever so this week has been rough on everyone.

By Wednesday I was feeding him lunch at 10.30am so he could eat before he fell asleep. Obviously I was still not quick enough. I handed him his bottle like I do everyday but instead of him walking off to his bed he layed on the floor drank some and passed out. This was before 11am, he usually doesn't go to bed til 12.30 so this completely threw me. Poor kid.

I did put him to bed but first just a couple of photos.

Thursday. Passed out on Dad's lap. Poor Dad couldn't move his leg.

You know my kids are sick when they sleep with this blanket. My mum made this blanket for me when I was little and for some reason I always pull it out when my boys don't feel well.

Poor Chalie bear. Thankfully today he seems better. Just before we go away for two weeks and completly ruin his sleeps! Oh well!

Jean Paul? Yes Please!

How cute are we? Michael and I now smell the same. I smell like a beautiful woman with a great hourglass figure, and Michael smells like a very buff man with a funny looking package. Thank you Jean Paul Gaultier

I feel very out of the loop this week, I seem to have lost time to do things, maybe because I am looking after extra kids at least 2 days a week. I just don't seem to find time in the day for much else. Jack has been taking the bus to school so I've missed out the mum chat before and after school, and I have been at home with kids so we've missed playgroup. I missed a Halloween party yesterday because no one invited me. I don't think it was done with any malice, I think I was just forgotten. I still feel like the school kid who was the only one in the class not invited to the birthday party. 

I've lost my online time as well somewhere I seem to spend half an hour online but never get done what I planned to.

Anyway enough whining, were off on our big holiday on Saturday so hopefully when we get back I'll be back in the swing of things.