Goodbye 2011, hello 2012!!

I must say that I am looking forward to the new year. We have more swimming classes planned, Massey papers, Round the Bays, a 10th wedding anniversary and a summer and autumn to enjoy. Bring on the good times :)

We're all going on a Christmas holiday

I decided that the boys needed to have their Imm's before we headed off on xmas break. Kieran was still musing bitterly upon this event on thursday.... and friday.... but luckily this seemed to have been relegated to the past on Saturday morning. It was an absolute scorcher of a day...not ideal as we were walking to Lydia's house to collect Playcentre key, then going to Playcentre to collect my Celtic Woman xmas cd, K's xmas cd, and K's sunhat, then walking back to Lydia's to return the key... then walking back home!! Suffice it to say that I was wondering if the hat and cd's were worth it with slowpoke seal dragging at my heels for the 3.5k walk. However Louisa gave us a ride home and returned the key to Lydia so that was a win, and we even left home a mere 5 minutes late... sans my hairbrush, but still on time. The car behaved beautifully, the boys likewise with a lovely 2 hours sleep from then and we got to Kerikeri around 3pm Christmas Eve.

From that golden day the weather only deteriorated sadly. However Christmas day was an exciting one, and sunny, as the boys opened their presents chock full of excitement! We got the boys some BIG cars, I got an IPAD and Chris got some roleplaying books. Then we headed off to the beach house in Russell for the rest of the day. There were lots more presents and plenty of food followed by some sandcastle building and shell hunting afterwards. Much later we dragged two knackered little boys off to Kerikeri. We chilled out on Boxing day before heading off to the Warehouse. I staggered out some time later with swimming shorts ($6), 2 sunhats, socks, moisturiser and ungvita cos C is cutting YET ANOTHER tooth, then headed to the beachhouse the following day. This time we hit the beach first, and K ran in and out of the waves while his brother built sandcastles. As Chris was co sandcastle building I perforce had to gallop up and down the beach and in and out of the waves. Good times. Our last day in Kerikeri was Sue's birthday, and Blair made Gordon's sage pressed belly pork.... while I made Frangelico trifle....mmmmmm so yummy!!! Then we headed off on the 30th at 10:15 where to our surprise we saw a policeman and Jenny and Sue and Kingsley all pulled over on the side of the road with Jenny being spoken to by a Police Officer. In the very same spot Chris was pulled over 3 years ago lol. The boys were very good and there was very little traffic. So that, and a 1 hour snooze from the boys made it an awesome trip! And we are home, and all is good!

Twas 2 days before Christmas

... and all through the house frantic packing ensued, without a doubt! Chris had today off so Chris walked up to the local shops to get the fixings for chocolate shortbread and onion marmalade. I cleaned kidlets, dressed kidlets then scrubbed out the bathroom...finishing just before Chris arrived home. Once the ingredients had been procured, Kieran and I began baking! Cameron was a big help, licking the beaters for us lol. After the bread and shortbread had been baked we set off on a train ride to Henderson and the great present expedition. We paid off the laybye on the presents, collected them up and bought presents from mum and Mike. We finally staggered home at 1:30. C was asleep after tipping chocolate milk all over himself and the stroller...sigh. Chris staggered upstairs shortly after we got home for a nap, and even Kieran conked out on the couch...lol, I felt so alone hehehe. Anyway, onion marmalade has been made, dinners have been served, boys have been bathed and popped into bed.... and I am off to bed too. Tomorrow I have to pack our clothes, collect the Playcentre key so I can retrieve K's hat and my xmas cd's, return home to Chris having packed the presents in the car, and then we shall away. There is something wrong with the hib of the left front wheel atm, it screams like a stuck pig when going round corners (hence why the train ride to Henderson). The mechanic assured me it would hold for the Kerikeri round trip... but it does mean we won't be able to get to Palmerston North. I have had to contact Massey to see if I can skive out of the contact course...and the mechanic is struggling to find a replacement from the wreckers (cost:$300)... if we have to buy parts... it'll probably cost more than we paid for the car!! Fingers crossed anyway!! Boy, I can't wait to see the boys face on xmas day!!!

Twas the week before Christmas..

and all through the house

2 boys were rampaging with Bandit's toy mouse

with shrieks and a screaming the house did ring

while mummy's jewellry box was ransacked for bling.

The pirates then morphed into circus artistes

while their exhausted mum felt slightly piste

as she cleared up the treasure, and toys and dug

out some lunch before getting a huge hug

So two lovely boys and happy relaxed mum

settled down for a xmas singalong (C hummed!)

Playcentre Christmas

And it was a blast! We took along a glazed ham and sausage rolls and waited for the animals to arrive. Yup, playcentre had arranged for Old McDonalds travelling farm to attend for an hour. The lamb and kid running around the playcentre grounds delighted the kiddies, as did the calf, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, rat, guinea pigs and piglets. But best of all was the pony ride... K had 3!, C one. After that was lunch followed by Santa, who brought the boys a book apiece. The weather was cloudy but warm, with frequent appearances of blue sky, just right! A most excellent time was had by all - just awesome!!

Kieran's Kindy Concert..

Aaaaah the first kindy concert - our hearts were going pitter patter as we arrived and seated ourselves. C was a bit discombobulated as it is the place we normally have Mainly Music - but he adjusted. Our sweet angel arrived, escorted by myriad other children and clutching a length of rope. He did a wonderful job, waving happily to us throughout the show and belthing out Away in a Manger with the verve of a born performer. After the show he slithered into the seating row to check that we had enjoyed it. Only the mention of missing the shared morning tea was enough to send him scuttling after the others. I was particularly pleased with his costume. He originally wanted to be a star and my heart sank, however we were able to amend this to Angel. Hunting through the opshop scored me some white sheeting for a dollar, $4 for angel wings and $2 for the halo. Woot. Costume sorted. I washed ironed and sewed a simple tunic costume for him and he looked ADORABLE!!!!

Sculpt 6k

A while ago Erin suggested we do the Sculpt 6k. I thought it was a great idea and laid down my $40 for the privilege of heaving my sweaty carcass around the cbd. Alas the months just flew by and the intensive training I had assume I would underfo never eventuated... Don't get me wrong, long hilly hideous walks were undertaken... but nothing that would see me loping lithely and gazelle-like across the finishing line. Then to make matters worse Chris flew to America - the DAY BEFORE the event. Who the hell was gonna look after the kidlets. Luckily Rache was a lifesaver and I leapt into Erin's car pretty damn early sunday am. Weather was cool and cloudy, with a gentle rain at the end - nice for overheated walkers. And I did it. I did the 6k's in 62 minutes and 32 seconds. I have now resolved that I will do Round the Bays in March 2012 - cos I am DA BOMB :)

Fly away, fly away, fly away...

Saturday dawned, and Chris began to "anticipate" his flight to Banjo County, USA lol. We headed out to swimming - an hour early. Yup, Chris was very keen lol. To kill time we swung by Toyworld and looked at all the (many, many) toys. Swimming went well and eventually Chris headed off Statewards...as for me, I anticipate having a lovely clean house for a week or so before mayhem ensues again :)

Goodbye Movember, Hellooooo December!

At last!! The filthy 2-tone pornstar mustache is going, going, gone!!!!! WOOT! Chris grew the filthiest nastiest moustache I have seen in quite some time...shudder. He even made threats about keeping it after Movember... he was obviously deluded! As "Movember" passed my fear of the unnatural thing huddling on Chris' upper lip, and my fervent desire to see December 1st grew apace. Finally, utmost jubilation on the first day of December when the razon was unpacked and the Mo was removed.... for another 11 months.......

Gunman in GlenMall

Who woulda thunk it??? There I was at the Plunket coffeegroup and I get a text to say my friend isn't coming as a gunman fired on someone in the Glen Eden shops....a 1 minute walk from the Plunket room. Police sirens then erupted around the area so obviously it got sorted quickly... how odd!

Election Day and Santa Parades

Today was fun. Despite Chris being deathly ill with Flu, Bronchitis and ulcerated tonsils (Yes, all at the same time!!!) he insisted on coming out to Henderson to do some Christmas shopping. There was a faint hope that we could manage to get to Alex's 5th birthday. Alas no. We left leaving too late and our car was trapped by Santa parade preparations, so we decided to stay and watch the Santa Parade before fleeing home so Chris could collapse back into bed. Kieran cavorted upon Chris's shoulders while I hoisted the Heffalump high. The boys LOVED the parade, K wanted to go back and "watch the parade again mummy!" Many christmas presents were purchased and wrapped and happiness ensued. Staggering home Chris fell into bed exhausted, while I played with the boys and made a moussaka. Surprisingly Kieran ate all the moussaka, while Cameron barely touched his. Luckily Cameron's tooth has finally cut through and his poor little bottom is beginning to recover. On sunday I had forgotten it was Nicole's 2nd birthday. I had thought it was the following weeks - whoops!! So this morning we raced out to the Warehouse, bought her present, and K's Xmas present to Cameron too. The party was lots of fun andf the boys had a blast. K had a rainbow face painting, and C was a black cat. We then strolled home and C had a snooze while K made us some xmas wrapping paper :)

Le vomitorium....

It's been a week of sickness in our house :( Cameron began vomiting late Sunday afternoon. K began vomiting on Tuesday night - completely scotching his first week of long kindy sessions, aaaargh - and then I fell ill on Wednesday and Chris had to stay home while I spent the day in bed. I was substantially better on Thursday however, even managing to take part in the Playcentre Zumba sessions that I arranged. It was great!! So apart from the endless loads of filthy, vomit besmeared washing that we had to do - and thankfully some sunny days - life has come back to normal...this is good as we were really worried that we were not gonna make it to the long anticipated and planned weekend away in the Coromandel!

Coromandel Capers

Some time ago Michelle suggested that about 10 of us hire a house for the weekend. The Coromandel was decided on as the venue and a house selected :) On friday I headed off to Playcentre where the boys made personalised teatowels. Much happy paint splashing later it all turned to custard and Cameron had an epic (and very rare) melt down. I had to leave playcentre a bit earlier then planned. I got in the door, grabbed his bottle and hastened upstairs with the sobbing, writhing one. Six minutes later he was asleep, still sobbing gently.... poor little baby. I took advantage of this quiet time to pack the car. With Kieran's able assistance it only took twice as long as it should have :) Cameron awoke a few hours later, was fed, and then both boys, their lunchboxes and assorted paraphenalia were loaded into the car and we drove to Akl Uni to collect Chris. Once collected we set out on the longest trip up the Southern motorway that I have experienced in quite some time!! And it was only ten past 4!!! Despite this the trip went really well, with K enthusing about "our Coromandel holiday" every few minutes. We saw some horses, sheep and many, many cows, and arrived at the house at 7pm. K burst out of the car and dashed into the house in search of Michelle, Colin or Ros. Sadly, AirNZ had grounded Colin in Perth :( Despite this the weekend went swimmingly - literally! On Saturday monring we headed out to the beach. K had an absolute blast. He chased waves into the sea, ran away from the rolling ashore, flung sand at the water and sprinted up and down the beach. We found a scallop shell and a gulls egg too. After this we retreated to the pirate playground which both boys deemed acceptable. Much swinging and sliding, and creeping ensued. We headed off to the house and located the pool complex. K was very excited by this. We were back for maybe half an hour when the pleas for a swim began. Once there, at the UNHEATED outdoor pool, Chris cravenly sat at the steps holding K while I flung myself into the chill waters, We swam for about half an hour, me towing boys around the pool and swimming by myself. By then 2 little boys had turned blue and begun to shiver so back to the house for lunch and snoozings we went. We then had many many many sessions of "ping pong" where the boys chased down the balls. Then Chris and K went off for a hike with Michelle and co. They had a blast and K did some spot counting on Shannon the dalmation lol. Answer: lots! That evening we had a pizza night, a game of cranium and some star gazing through Richard's telescope. K was allowed to stay up until 9:30 so that he could see Jupiter and it's moons through it. On sunday we headed down to the beach again and K climbed some rocks and found 3 starfish which were tossed back into the briney deep. We also found a sea urchin (intact), many dismembered urchins and another scallop shell. We also managed to have a session in the spa pool the previous day which K reminisced about at length. Once back at the house we packed up, enjoyed a lovely lunch and then headed out at 12:40. C was asleep by 12:46 and K by 12:52. K was asleep until were were on the Auckland motorway, and C woke at New Lynn. An awesome weekend, with brilliant weather, fantastic people and good times. I can't wait to do it again.

Minuting Mayhem

It has been the week from hell, with many many sets of minutes to type. 2 meetings on Sunday afternoon and then another on the Thursday afternoon. I was franctically typing away in any free moment I got, knowing that the Coromandel weekend was coming up fast. I must say I am losing interest in minuting fast - it is a pig of a job lol. In other news I have enrolled in papers for semester 1, 2 and next year's summer school. I now have to send off my amended student loan forms. My summer school folder has arrived and I have begun going through it and reading the set texts. I am looking forward to the contact course in January too, especially the 6 hour drive on my birthday!

Gunpowder, treason and plot

Kieran and Cameron have now decided they like fireworks - thank goodness, as November 5th rolls around fireworks will be going off until New Years!! Playcentre hosted a Halloween/Guy Fawkes party which the boys thoroughly enjoyed. Then we headed to Michelle's Halloween party, on Guy Fawkes Night the following night. There were Dalmation's dressed as cows (complete with udder), ghosts, zombies, astronauts, knights and bees....lots of bees. K scampered around and had a blast. His brother scampered about for half an hour then curled up in Michelle's spare bed and slept til we left - after 9pm! K was thrilled that he was allowed to stay up so late to watch the fireworks. And after the party Michelle gifted him with the inflatable bat, skeleton and pumpkin he had been admiring all night! I foresee an even more exciting time next year!!!

All Hallows Eve...

This year was the first that K really "got" Halloween. We discussed costumes 6 weeks out and settled on a Pirate theme - very exciting. C was a little more problematic but we eventually settled on Pirate's Monkey theme. I scoured the op shops hoping to find items in navy red and white that I could cannibalise for the costume. I managed to score a black sash for 20c but that was it! However the local $ shop came to our aid with a hat, bandanna (useless!) and eyepatch for a total of $5. On the day K was supper excited. I got the boys dressed after dinner - a dinner interrupted by Trick or Treaters - and we headed out around the Circle. We met up with Esteban dressed as Superman and did the rounds of the houses, knocking on doors and thanking people as we left. K had an absolute blast. Isabelle and Maddie were also out - Isabelle made a great cat lol. The amount of lollies in the bag was eye boggling - probably because a door would open and the home owner went "Oh LOOK at the little baby MONKEY!!" C became very deft at hiding the hand with the lollipop in order to beg more treats. K ran the whole way, and I got to carry the fat little monkey. Afterwards Chris got to bath the sugar hopped boys and I fled across the road to go to Zumba with Isabelle :) It was a great night.

Snip Snap

At last the day has dawned.... the day that Kieran got his first big boy haircut!!! We headed down to the hairdressers at 9, planning to get the mopchop just prior to Playcentre. K bounded in the door and practically flung himself onto the chair. He has been very excited about getting his first Big Boy Haircut. He was such a champ too, sitting very still, while keeping up a lovely conversation with the hairdresser. It came out a bit shorter than I was expecting but he was thrilled. It was amazing how he turned into a big boy in under 20 minutes.... where did that sweet little boy go. We then walked to Playcentre where he showed off his new haircut and everyone was very impressed.

And I will walk 100 miles....

Sadly my car resembles a slug at the moment, acceleration is lacking and lets saying getting onto the main road requires a gap worthy of a mac truck so I have time to get enough acceleration going. Having got the contact deets of an awesome local mechanic off Ruth I booked it in to be fixed. This is somewhat more exciting than one might suppose. the mechanic lives by Parrs Park - a decent walk away. I drove K to kindy then headed to Mechanic's. I then walked back to the kindy as C was doing Mainly Music in the centre. It was a good session. It ended at 10:30, 2 hours before K was due to be collected so i walked over to Nakita's and visted baby Dylan. I then hurried back to collect K, having lost track of time and then we walked home. It took 40 minutes. Collapsing at home I got C into bed, feeling very jealous then made K's lunch before tricking him into a nap....Once all were awake we walked back to the mechanic as the fuel line thingy had been repaired. The car took off like a racehorse!! So pleased, and only cost $50. Needless to say I was knackered by the time I got home and Chris wa told to get takeaways for dinner lol, which he dutifully did.

dropped off car

Splish Splash

One of K's kindy teachers is English. Upon hearing K carolling his delight that he had home made gingerbread in his lunchbox she asked for the recipe. K instantly said that he would make her some. Lol. Anyway my swedish gingerbread recipe needs two days to sit in the fridge so dashed home and mixed up a batch. There are swedish gingerbread recipes that call for butter and cream - not mine. Anyway 2 days had passed and we were all up early thanks to "Fang" Seal. I whipped the gingerbread out, K cut the stars and we popped it into the oven. Shortly afterwards K grabbed his crotch and screamed "Poo! POO!" In the course of dashing upstairs and partially averting disaster - another occurred.... I burnt the gingerbread. Luckily we were up at such an ungodly hour that we could get another batch rolled out, cut intp star and train shapes and baked... to perfection. The weather has been pretty good this week too, lovely and sunny. K has started requesting sunblock and we walk as much as possible :) After all, feet are cheaper than petrol! On friday we went to the pools with Kym and Isabelle. K and C ADORED the pools and only tried to drown themselves several times apiece. It did remind me why I don't take 2 small boys swimming when neither can swim. Afterwards we had a picnic behind the falls restauarant and then headed back to the train station. We had some time to wait so I showed Isabelle the Zen garden by the train station. She liked it so much she came back on the weekend with Pascal :)

You say contact course, I say family camping trip

Had a look at the dates for the contact course in January and it runs Tues-Thurs. Seriously, what is wrong with a Monday start people? Chris, when presented with the option to stay in Auckland with the boys or to accompany me to Palmy, discovered a fervent desire to view Palmerston North hidden deep within his soul. Have been looking at motels ($160 a night for 3 nights - yikes!) and am trying to find a campground as a cheaper alternative. Look boys - our first family camping trip! A cheaper camping venue was found and booked for a mere $75 per night for kitchen/toilet cabin. Right next to pools, miniature railway and the campground has a playground - win!!

Flapping flags

Kieran, aided by me, has discovered the excitement of flags. We bought a special scrapbook to stick flag pictures in, and used the laptop to do a flag alphabet. His favourite flag however, id the magnificent Cymru Dragon. Yup, it's the Welsh dragon all the way for K. We even bought a welsh flag to go on the car. After it blew off and was retrieved I mended it and hung it on the boys bedroom wall. This morning much excitement ensued as a parcel arrived from England. K was especially excited by the flag placemat, and we looked at the English flag, and about a zillion others lol. K was so excited he insisted on taking it in to Kindy for show and tell. Being quite multicultural they were very pleased to have it, and all the children happily pointed out their national flag. K's is apparently the Welsh flag lol. I prepped Swedish Gingerbread the other day, and we shall bake it tomorrow morning, before K heads into kindy. After a week of hideous nappies, and awful nappy rash C's bottom has cleared up and a tooth has emerged. The nightly awakenings during this period have ended also. Now if only K would stay in his bed! My new swimsuit looks very nice, I shall have to buy another that is 2 sizes smaller for after Xmas!

Bunnikins and Chairs

My boys are growing up so fast! Kieran helped Chris make pickled onions this weekend, helping to peel the onions, stirring the vinegar and chatting away to his dad the entire time. Heartwarming :) I opened up Kieran's christening presents and he is now using his Bunnikins bowl and plate, as well as his christening cutlery set. We bought a table second hand a week ago - cheap at $80 - and needed some more chairs. Scored two on TradeMe again, 2 for $11.50. I feel positively thrifty!! I also went to Spotlight looking for plastic tablecloths - big mistake. Could not find the tablecloths, and the rolls that you cut lengths off were $16 a metre... a metre!!! I went to local dollar shop and got 2.5 metres for the princely sum of $12.50 instead. Also went to the local OpShop looking for scarves etc for K and C's pirate costumes. Not too much there sadly. I fear I will have to check out the Salvation Army Opshop for bright scarves, and head into the Warehouse for some plain white tee's and a black fabric pen. Then all can marvel and my mighty rending of Ye Olde Skull 'n Crossbones lol.

La la la la la la

OMG I am going stircrazy. Ages ago I had sent in our details for Working for Families. Hadn't heard any more from them, so after prompting from mum called them up. I had forgotten that we had decided to be paid annually! It was pretty awesome tho, and paid for the cats teeth removal, Chris final part of the root canal and Kieran's swimming lessons. I have signed him up for Saturday classes starting October 29th. K is very very excited. Sickness has plagued Chez Seal recently, resulting in K getting a blood test to ensure nothing was wrong. But it just turned ot to be this awful flu! To cheer up my morose boys I made a special treat of pastry scraps and ferrer rocher chocolates. The boys LOVED them!!! Lazybum refuses to walk on our hard tiled floors, instead he saunters, jogs and even runs on the trampoline - funny little boy! Chris and I took the boys to Ceramco Park the other day, and C got to go on the flying fox for the first time (held securely in his father's arms I hasten to add) - and he LOVED it. The boys play together more, and incite each other into mischief - grrrr. And, bonus, C is now consistently sleeping through the night...until he has another tooth coming thru - cos then it's all over rover!

Nudie Rudie in the house!

Today dawned warm and sunny, and we are 2 days vomit free from the Cameronbear. Delighted, I poured a shallow bath for the wee beast to cavort in while I pulled the laundry out of the hot water cupboard and popped it into the boys cupboards....imagine my horror when Cameron's ululations drew me into the bathroom and I saw the faecal devastation he had wreaked upon the bathtub. C got popped into the shower, then cavorted naked through the house while I scrubbed down the bathroom and bleachd the tub and toys. We then headed outside to enjoy the rest of the morning...which went remarkably well, with mad cavorting on the trampoline. We hit the playground after we picked up Kieran and both boys dealt mayhem on the slide, swings and sundry playground equipment. Once home the CBear had a snooze and then Chris offered to sit with the boys to give me a break... C was barely tucked in bed when K shrieked his anguish to the skies, informing me that a poo was coming.... so showers were run again, faeces removed post haste to the toilet, and the bath bleached...again. Some break!!

House inspection time again

Monday will be a day at home making sure that the house is in good shape for Tuesday's house inspection. Boo. Good thing Chris mowed the lawns on Saturday as it is a rainy Sunday today. Cleaning and scrubbing, and wiping, and wailing when I turn around and see the boys busily undoing everything - these are the days of my life. I did however get Kieran to wash the garden doors and C to scrub the floor with the scrubbing brush. Aaah good times are when the boys fight over who gets to wash the floors lol.

Moon Festival & Daylight Savings

BOO to daylight savings I say!!! I sauntered into the bedroom last night and told Chris that I was going to change the clocks. "No, it's on SUNDAY!" came his emphatic bellow. Shrugging my shoulders at the vagaries of men, I let it go. Oddly enough, Chris was caught by surprise this Sunday morning lol. We dashed out to Lincoln Rd as Esteban was having his 5th birthday party at 10 pin bowling. K was very excited - never having been before. He thoroughly enjoyed it and we may go along on another Sunday morning and have a play. Yesterday, in the glory of the sunshine we bundled the boys into the car and headed out to New Lynn for the FREE Moon Festival. It was great. It was FREE! And did I mentioned, FREE. There was a teacup ride, a pirate ship ride, colouring in, and a bouncy castle.... all FREEEEEE :) K loved it, and (proud mummy moment here) he went on the pirate ship ride all by himself! I was so proud. We watched chinese dragons, and Foo dogs and drumming and stilt walkers and dragged outselves away at ten to 5.... K protesting vigourously the whole way home. Yup, he enjoyed himself!

Jumping the Shark

Making the bed has always been something that the cat enjoyed... mightily! Now the boys have realised that writhing about in/on fresh bedding while your parents flap the sheets above and over you is a good thing too lol. The mink blanket that went on this week features a shark and the boys enjoyed pretending to be minnows being chased by 2 large sharks lol. I have also been creating 2 photobooks for the boys in my copious free time lol. They are being done via Snapfish, and I will be collecting the albums from KMart next friday. K has been invited to two birthday parties this fortnight - Lenka from Playcentre/Kindy next saturday, and Esteban's party - at 10 pin bowling in Henderson - on sunday. It is all very exciting for K! We had to dash out and buy a NZ Rugby ball as the perfect 5th birthday present for Esteban. Chris finally got the last part of his root canal done on friday - yeehaa. But boo, alas another tooth needs some work. Once the car is sold both Chris and Bandit can have some work done on their teeth lol. Today is a gorgeous sunny day and much merriment has ensued!

Yaaaaaawwwwwwn

Well, Chris is still sick and is talking about seeing a Dr for some antibiotics. K is 3 for 3 in the poos in toilet stakes and my nights have been a living hell. Both boys have been running a fever and the upshot of K's dr appointment was "unspecific virus". In fact, our appointment was so late we met Chris coming into the Dr for his apptmt - and he trotted out with antihistamines, antibiotics and some hope that the pain would begin to fade lol. Which it has, praise be! K was thrilled that daddy was at the Dr's and scampered busily about - the very picture of an ill child head:desk. Neither of them present as obviously ill, more's the pity so I always get the sceptical looks before temps are taken.... then there is a change in 'tude, let me tell you :). I have been busy busy busy this week trying to get on top of the housework again as it slipped while I was ill - odd that! I spoke to K's kindy re another long session and the kindy is full up so another session seems likely only at the end of the year. This is ok, as we are close to year end anyway and K is enjoying his sessions. Cameron is a little sweetheart, even if he has been a sad, feverish little bear! Both boys have dropped off to sleep accidentally through the week, and C has been popping TWO naps into his day - definitely sick!! In addition to sleepy, feverish little boys I have been doing meetings/minutings which means that my evenings are chocka as I try and get everything typed up. K was quite excited that we were driving into Daddy's work to look at the sky scrapers lol. Nights have also had their element of excitement....really exciting as Cameron vomited all over his bed, bedding and self Thursday night so there was a lot of scurrying about by his parents, and hell night as I awakened at the slightest noise, fearing more vomiting. Friday then became rather interesting. Dropping to my knees I gave thanks to the weather gods for giving me a hot sunny day and knocked out 4 loads of washing. Vive le clothesline! I called to cancel Playcentre - boo (including that evening's AGM). K could have gone but I could not go with him, as I predicted that young master C would have an early nap. Sure enough he went down for 2.5 hours at 11. K decided that he wanted to make some biscuits. C was very excited to watch the mixing part of the process and happily licked sugar/butter mix off the beater, before pointing at the bottle in a meaningful fashion. Quite insistently I may add! After running about hanging out clothes, and washing clothes, baking bread and putting biscuits in to bake, I turned around and poor K was asleep on the couch. Literally 5 minutes later C awoke, merry as a grig. And then poor K woke up, and wet himself... too much water before his unplanned nap, poor boy. However he has done SO WELL using the toilet - my little champ. And then, since the weather was so nice I dragged the boys out in the stroller... we dropped C's miniscule sample of wee off at Medlabs (Dr's want to check if he has a urinary infection), posted letters and banked cheque, dropped into library, stopped at the 4square and picked up yeast etc and then strolled on to Nakita's. K adores visits to Nakita, and since she is ready to pop I thought we should seize the moment! We left at 4:30 and came home via the library playground where my boys cavorted in the slide and had a blast. We dashed in the door at 5:25 as the sun began to sink under the horizon and I sprang into action to get dinner sorted. It was a fabulous day.

2 up, 2 down

2 adults still down sick that is, and 2 little boys practically throbbing with health, vigour, energy and the desire to GO OUT AND DO STUFF. It's alright for Chris, who gets to laze around in the office then stroll into the house dispensing compliments re bead necklaces and faecal accomplishments, but I am the poor sod who must deliver an activity that sucks energy faster than they can produce it.....Luckily today was a playcentre day (after an abysmal night- thanks Kieran!) so they played, cavorted, painted, slid, made bead necklaces, did collage, ripped into playdough and then ran/crawled like maniacs through the sandpit. Suffice it to say that I walked through the door at 12:30, prepped C's bottle, got all of us into the shower and then we all went to bed at 12:45 and slept for 2 and half hours this afternoon. After that I bolted out in the car to buy a fortnights worth of nappies for C, and night time nappies for K, got some pre-reading gear, got some car stickers for the cupboard door and staggered back home, knackered. K pleaded with me to come and help him in the toilet after we got home. He was still in his pullup nappy (as he had had a nap), and I was thrilled when he produced both a wee and a poo. He was thrilled too. Obviously ice cream is the carrot du jour for my little donkey. We ordered Hell's Pizza for dinner - first time in 6 or 8 months! and K did the most gambolic little pizza dance when Chris opened the door to the delivery man :)

Giraffe ears and cabbagey bras

Despite not having breastfed for 4 weeks I think I may have a blocked milk duct... so tucked a cabbage leaf into my bra. No joke, it does work! Decided to accessorise the cabbage with giraffe earrings and drove K to kindy. C was devastated that we didn't take the stroller. I announced we were off to kindy and he dashed over to the stroller and tried to climb in over the side... an exercise doomed to failure as he's not tall enough.. thus the devastation. As I have only 40% lung capacity back I wasn't! On Monday Emma was going to come and visit. TYPICALLY I succumbed to some stupid 24 hour virus and spent all morning and most of monday afternoon asleep while my poor frazzled, also sick, hubby stayed home from work. The herculean task of minding the boys was enough to doom the poor man. Despite dragging himself into work on tuesday he was banished home by his manager. And on wednesday he hardly left his bed. Luckily I was able to struggle on after my massive snoozathon on Monday. It helped that Tuesday was K's long kindy session too! Happily I now just have a deep hacking cough to ensure I don't indulge too much in the drug known as "sleep". After kindy today I took the boys to Nakita's for a quick visit. K loves visiting Nakita and had a blast. However it did mean that C was desperate for his nap when we got home. I dashed inside, rustled up a bottle and C bolted up the stairs... he was asleep in under 6 minutes lol. While he was succumbing to Morpheus's song I heard K pad quickly up the stairs and into the toilet, follwed by hand washing. He does very well with wee in the toilet, and we have promised him an ice cream for every poo in the toilet. Today, he delivered! I was thrilled and called Chris at work so his son could relate the thrilling details.... there were 4! It went SPLASH SPLASH etc. Heeheehee. K is interested in learning to read. As tomorrow is payday I am going to check out some learning to read/preschool prep books at the local $2 shops and get him a few. I pulled out the easel and chalks and the boys and loving it. C especially loves K being at Kindy as he gets to happily draw without interruptions lol. Just finished reading Patricia C Wrede's latest - is the sequal to 13th child and it is the awesomesauce! Cameron only summoned me to the bedroom at 5am today - normally this is around midnight or 2am so I was thrilled. I would have been more thrilled had I been able to sleep - deep hacking coughs kept me awake much of the night sob sob. Scrubbed out the bathroom and toilet while Cameronbear splashed in the tub this morning, so you can imagine my angst when K ran upstairs saying he had wee'd... I sent him into the bathroom - tiled floors rather than carpet - and went downstairs to mop up. No wee. Came back into the bathroom and K's wide eyes stared at me as a puddle of wee circled his feet. It was my fault for telling him to stay put I guess, he did try to exit the bathroom, but I had visions of wee footprints across the carpet and chided him sternly. Sigh. Then Cameronbear launched himself at his potty as I unrobed his nethers to deal with a real stinker of a nappy. The bathroom tiles, and a towel, took yet another hit for the team. I squalled like a Siamese in a rainstorm, and sulkily cleaned the floor again while K lolled in the bath and C hopped up and down like a deranged baboon - teething almost always means a blistered bottom for Cbear... and yowsa, today's was a beaut. It was no surprise that the warm water was anathema to his blazing bottom!

There's a Rugby World what?

And for a month and a half? Oy!

Glorious Day

I had such an amazing day today. It was another warm sunny Spring day and we just rocked. We headed out to Playcentre at 9:15 - a little late, but never mind and the boys just loved it. At one stage they were sitting at the piano "playing" side by side. It was too sweet for words. Once home they noodled about and then cuddled in the garden while they ate ice cream. The ice cream was a reward for Kieran doing his first poo in the toilet and for Cameron taking his first 5 steps. K then followed this up with another effort - yay for my boy. Cam had a nap afterwards and Chris arrived home just before the little bear awoke. We headed out to the library and picked up a kit to teach children french. Fingers crossed! Then we headed to the playground and enjoyed the last of the day. After dinner, I tried to bath Cam but he dashed over to the potty and firmly parked his bottom on it while brushing his teeth lol. That 8th tooth is almost visible now! Happy splashings ensued and the boys are now happily snoozing, with Bandit snoozing upon K's bed, and we have had such a happy, laughing, loving day. I love my life :)

A day of firsts....

Today dawned bright and sunny and I leapt into action.... by the time 8:20 rolled around I had done a load of washing and hung it out, fed and dressed the boys, washed the dishes and we were ready to hit the road. K was dropped at kindy at 8:35 and C and I headed home to wash the floors and move furniture for Kinect purposes. It took freaking ages! Sadly, just as I got the floor by the door washed, C crawled in, paws muddy from where he had been busily digging up a pot. Within seconds the clean floor devolved into a sea of mud.... he was booted back out into the sunshine with his toys (and the doors shut this time) while I got back down on my knees and scrubbed the floor clean.... again! Luckily I had Les Mis blasting away so grumpy howls from outside didn't distract me... after all, Bandit has a perfectly good catdoor, and doesn't need the garden door open 24/7 lol. At 11:30 C pounded on my legs and shrieked like a bansidhe... his signal that he is tired and wants to sleep. I had NO CHOICE (dang it) but to collect K early from kindy. He had baked a scone and nestled it against his chest for the ride home. You should have heard the shrieks when he ate it all, and didn't share any with his baby brother. Yowsa. C was promptly tucked into bed and was asleep by 12:30.... and slept for 2 hours - nice! K stampeded up the stairs and delivered his first poo into the toilet. Much fuss was made and congratulations proffered :) Isabelle and her brood came over around 3ish - finding us at the playground, and we then had our kinect playdate... C then topped off the day by walking 5 steps - all by himself! Proud mummy moment :) The boys have been playing together so nicely recently, although this devolves on K's part in the evenings... You can definitely tell which child had the nap - that's for sure!

Bunny and Teddy and Peter the Lion

Monday was going to be visiting Emma's - alas, the packing up prepatory to the movers coming exciting than expected so we will be doing that next week instead. We headed out for a nice walk instead and enjoyed the sunshine/lack of rain. On Tuesday it was K's long kindy session - and K is now on the shortlist for the long Wednesday session - may it come soon! On Wednesday the kindy is having a photo day. Naturally K went dressed to the nines...in a Lightning McQueen jacket and tatty jeans lol. The Spring weather so far has been glorious - 3 lovely sunny days, lots of washing done, and plenty of outside time for the boys. On wednesday we sauntered up to the library and visited the pet shop. Both K and C were entranced by the budgies. I would almost have caved and suggested we buy a bird to Chris if Bandit and his "sharp sharp teeth" were not around lol. We hit up the $2 shop for balloons and an inflatable globe to teach K some geography, then headed off to the playground and blew bubbles. I also started teaching K how to sound out letters/words as the first step in reading. Cameron has not been idle. My delightful little bear is cutting tooth number 8, and is now descending the stairs with all the grace of a prima ballerina, then ascending them, then descending them, then... you get the idea lol. A new entrant to the Bedtime Buddies Team was sourced from the Op Shop... a tatty lion. K named him Peter the Lion. I have no idea why lol. So we are a happy bunch here at Chez Seal, except for Chris, who is apparently STILL jetlagged. Meh, I just say he's using any excuse to skive off the chores!

Father's Day is upon us!!

And I celebrated by sleeping in. In my defense Chris rose at 6am... and I had spent the evening getting boys bathed and in bed. A present filled with manly treats awaited Chris, along with a cup with photos of the boys on it. Both the boys had made a card for Chris at Playcentre and K wished Chris many happy Father's Days. We had been plannign on going to MOTAT but the weather was rather iffy. Instead Chris and K headed up to the shops and bought snacks and hired dvd's. We watched Gnomeo and Juliet which was surprisingly good! Isabelle and her tribe came over for a bit as she had fleabombed the house. Then later in the afternoon, when it was nice and sunny I offered Chris the choice of cooking his Father's Day dinner or wrangling the boys. The boys and I hit the playground and had a grand old time, while Chris turned a roast chicken into a meal fit for a king! Happy Father's Day sweetie!

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

He's been missed....he'd been home 30 minutes and the house was a tip..... I heard him arrive but was tucked between 2 snoring boys. After 20 minutes or so I extricated myself and dashed downstairs to see my sweetie. Moments later a matey bellow echoed from the top of the stairs where Cameron announced that he'd like to be carried down to see his daddy, if you please mummy!! C was extremely pleased to see Chris, even more so when the fascinating suitcase was opened and clothes tossed in a heap on the floor. C surfed the laundry like a pro! But once more exciting items were pulled out his attention was diverted... and this was when K tiptoed down the stairs and dashed over to his father for a cuddle. Excitement ensued, Cars themed Duplo was sighted and swooned over, then fought over, bags were caressed, Gap hats were worn, clothes oohed over and then breakfast was eaten and we headed out to Playcentre, leaving Chris to get back into the groove of things (ie play games on his pc lol). Once at Playcentre we found K's lost bag...one of the Playcentre girls had found it on the road by PC, recognised it and brought it back - yay!! Now C can use it while K has a spanking new Cars bag. Sadly, the recently purchased Spiderman bag will have to wait in the wings until needed again. Once home the boys cavorted around their father until he had a nap... then we woke him as I was heading out to a PC meeting at 5:30 and we were planning for Chris to stay up with the boys and get then to bed.... well, Chris was asleep at 4, and the boys had to come with me. They didn't appreciate the break in routine, were grumpy as hell, and tired to boot. I was very grateful to get home at 7:30!!

Spring Showers

Winter is over!!! And Spring is here, complete with Spring showers :) However, we did venture out of the house - kindy after all, and a trip to the playground was also attempted. K and C were in high spirits which was all to the good. They are greatly anticipating their father's return tomorrow morning. The dual ear infections have cleared up nicely and sleep is settling into a recognisable pattern. Poor K had nightmare tonight though, he woke every 40 minutes or so with shrieks - which his brother happily ignored lol. Eventually I pulled him out of bed and had a cuddle in our bed as I investigated the cause.... apparently he had been having nightmares about "mummy putting the puzzles away".... hmmmm. I told him if he had a bad dream to come to see me rather than shrieking in bed and tucked him back in after a long cuddle. 10 minutes later a Lightning McQueen pyjama'd figure dashes weeping into the bedroom. I was a little surprised, especially as he recounted his nightmare of his teeth falling down his throat. Lol. More reassurances, and he slept fairly well (very excited to see his daddy) after that.... naturally he slept in the following morning hahaha.

'Tis the last day of Winter...

And, as if to celebrate, rain is falling. Luckily it's just a light drizzle. Had a proud mummy moment yesterday when C, who happily sits on his potty to have bubbles blown, did his first wee in the potty :) Yes, I know it's tragic but if I can prevent having to change filthy nappies as long as I have with K it's worth it!! And C now happily scampers onto the potty and gazes expectantly at me - so unlike K who screamed blue murder when I tried to sit him on a potty when he was 2 lol. They sure are different!!

Say Hurray for Op Shops!

We took a stroll in the warm sunny afternoon - K hacking up a storm next to me, C chilling in the stroller. K decided we needed to stop in at the op shop and we walked out with 3 Bob the builder toys, 2 Thomas the tank engine trains, a waterproof jacket for K and a book on nature... for $3.70 - ie all the cash I had on me lol. I was quite pleased with our haul lol. I am currently reading Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series - sort of a hybrid of the Scarlet Pimpernel and Jane Austen novels. They are quite amusing, although at book 6 (featuring India of all things) my interest is waning... there are 9 books in the series. I want to reread the Laurie R King Sherlock Holmes & Mary Russell series - it is excellent.

We were planning on going to the beach yesterday as it was warm and sunny (hard to believe we are in the last month of winter!) but the boys deep hacking coughs put me off. It was just as well really, as K's behaviour degenerated, with 3 timeouts in a 20 minute period.

Study time

I have enrolled for my summer school paper. The course starts in November and ends in February and there is a contact course in Palmy in January again. Chris has planned to take much of Jan off so this is perfect. I expect the boys will be seeing Grammy and Grumpy sooner that they could imagine. I have no idea if I will stay on campus or find a motel room - we will see! The letter arrived today confirming my enrolement so all I need do now is apply for a student loan to pay for the paper - yeesh, $660 for a paper is quite expensive!! Still I like Massey, especially extramural study :) I especially like having the folders delivered to me so I can glom all the info at my own rate. In other news both the boths have an ear infection - left ear for both. I almost didn't take them to the Dr's on Thursday as I thought I was overreacting....hmm, apparently not! K loved his trip to the Dr's and informed me that the Dr was using the stethoscope to listen to his heart and lungs. They are loving their medicine lol so that is something to feel cheerful about. K is doing amazingly well in toilet training - he now tells me when he needs to go, and gets on the toilet by himself. C has joined in the fun and happily clambers onto his potty too. I fear this is driven more for the desire for bubbles than a wish to be a big boy. Chris will shortly finish his Germany leg of the trip, and head to England.

Stairward ho

An exciting moment today - Cameron came down the flight of stairs, all 17 of them, backwards. And, unlike his father, no falling of any kind was detected. Speaking of their father we received a Skype call from Germany. The boys screamed in delight to see their disheveled, just awakened papa, and have obviously been missing him. Chris raved about German food and has OBVIOUSLY been enjoying himself FAR TOO MUCH lol. Had an awesome bonding moment with K when we walked past some Impatiens flowers and saw their seedpods were almost ripe. I showed K how to squeeze them so the pod pops opens and curls up, just like I used to do when I was small. He had just as much fun as I remember having :) K is now taking himself to the toilet before his bath in the evening - he is such a good boy, if a bit sickly at the moment... and it appears that his brother has the same little cough and fever - dangnabbit!!

Queen of clean

Now this will come as a surprise to anyone who has ever visited my house but I have cleaned like a demon all Sunday... can't think why lol. Sadly the lounge looked like a troop of baboons had hosted a wild party in it and the rest of the house wasn't much better. It is MUCH cleaner and tidier now and you could eat off the floor, in fact, Cameron DID eat off the floor. Amazing how much tidier a house can be sans husband. We headed off to Emma's today and had a fantastic time. K was devastated to leave, but both boys were knackered after many hours of relentless activity and fun. They are now both asleep at 7:20pm. Man, I am da bomb :) Emma is awesome, I am just gutted that it took us so long to get to know each other - boo. I have been researching schools for young master K, and also a French playgroup as I desperately want him to start getting a second language - one more useful than Maori or Afrikaans.

On saturday we went to the Playhouse theatre for lo, the Gruffalo was playing. K loved it, especially as the Gruffalo came and sat in the seat in front of him! I was quite excited to learn that th Gruffalo's child is coming next year. Apparently it is on in the UK at the moment. We headed out to the North Shore on Saturday after the show to collect a toilet seat with step and handles for K. I was very pleased to get it at such a cheap price - $13!

He's flown from the land of the mist and snow...

...well, ok it was a lovely sunny day when Chris left, but the sentiment remains true. We celebrated Daddy going to work in an aeroplane with pizza and then the boys were bathed and popped into bed. I anticipate more questions as to Chris's whereabouts tomorrow though Kieran seems more interested in telling me about how he had 5 farts in a row lol! The result of which was a shriek a few minutes later that the poo was shouting to come out.... well it may have been shouting but it changed its mind if so. As you have gathered Kieran is going great guns with using the toilet. We only have nappies on at night, and have done extremely well, with only 4 accidents in the whole week, with those happening when he has been caughtup playing. I am really impressed with him, especially as I would never has chosen winter as the ideal toilet training season! The week went well, we had some lovely sunny days, so I managedto get truckloads of washing done and dried so I could get Chris packed. I also decided to walk K to Kindy on thursday...and walked home with C in the stroller, woke C at 12:10 and raced off to Kindy to collect K. We had a picnic at Ceramco playground, and a play...and jeepers C LOVES slides, then headed off to the library. By the time I got home I had walked over 11000 steps, over 6km. On friday we walked to Playcentre. Sadly K whined and wailed and made the walk there a right pain in the ass. Naturally he morphed into an angelic child as we reached the Playcentre gate. Typical! Both boys enjoyed running around in the sun and playing in the sandpit. However the session was too much for "Sandflinger" Seal and he fell asleep in the stroller - causing the loss of his water bottle. Much sadness ensued. Once home I tried to collapse but the boys wanted feeding and entertaining. I dunno, the youth of today! At 5:15 I heard that Chris was delayed so grabbed the stroller and bolted up to the fish and chip shop, cunningly phoning in my order before I did so hehe. Boys thoroughly enjoyed both the walk and the fish and chips. Sadly I managed to somehow lose Kieran's kindy bag, annoying as his OshKosh braces adn lightning McQueen socks were in it. I shall have to take K to Henderson on Wednesday to choose a new one. Sigh.

Snow? In Auckland? Yup!!

And my god it has been super cold!! Today however it is wonderfully sunny, yet cold - a diamond day. However I am thrilled as I needed to get all the washing done so Chris is sorted for his Germany trip. It feels like sacrilege to run the dryer on such a day but it has to get dry lol. Kieran's kindy also called today and said he can have his Tuesday session expanded to a 9-3 slot. Currently he is in a 8:30 to 12:30 slot. This is very exciting as it means Cam can get put down for a sleep and now be rudely awoken. Last night was so cold we had the heater on in the boys room, but nor ours lol. The cat decided he absolutely had to join Cameron in there. Mind you the cat has been wafting around all week, miserable with the cold weather. Emma visited us on Monday and K was over the moon. Then we baked a chocolate sponge so he was extremely happy. On Tuesday we made Lamingtons. Personally I disagree violently with the statement that home made lamington's "are much better than bought ones." The ones I buy from the bakery are superb, while my effort could cause birds to remain ground bound! This afternoon we will walk to collect K and visit the playground by the library, and have a picnic. I popped C in the bath when we got home today and saw his toenail was all black with blood. He dropped Lightning McQueen on it yesterday and cried and carried on. I didn't realise until today that the car landed only, and entirely, on his big toe. It is quite obviously painful, poor little chicken! I shall make hamburgers for dinner tonight, as last nights risotto with broccoli, peas, bacon and carrot was not that much of a hit with the boys....Chris liked it though!

Mmmmm MOTAT

Despite the sun battling with constant showers and a breeze fresh from the arctic (we even had hail) we headed off to MOTAT with the boys. I was going to take them on Monday with our free voucher (SCORE) that let Auckland City families in free but thought it would be a good thing to do with Chris as his departure draws nigh.... And golly K was so so so so keen to go. He made a little book, ran around like a maniac, checked out the trains and vehicles and the model train then we finished up on the virtual reality ride. It was Journey to the Centre of the Earth. He loved it!!! We have decided that we will visit again when Chris gets back from his business trip and buy the annual family pass since the boys love it so! K got especially excited when he saw the Massey Ferguson tractor that Sir Ed took with him, as there was an episode about it that featured Sir Edmund Hilary's voice on children's tv. He was really excited when he saw "Snowy".

Sweet dreams are made of this....

Yup, Cameron is being sleepbroken, now that he is all healthy again. Chris kicked the process into play and endured a hellish thursday and friday night. Cameron's night wasn't much better either lol. However last night went much better with only 1 2am awakening. As I am picking up night duty from here on in I hope the trend continues. At the same time we have cut breastfeeds to just 1 a day and will wean Cameron for good when Chris returns. As it is sunday we are enjoying our new tradition of buttermilk pancakes - yum!!

Those sneaky p**'s - warning: may upset those of a delicate constitution

We are day 2 into toilet training. It all began on Friday morning when I held up a pair of Toy Story undies and asked K if he wanted to wear big boy undies like all the other Children at Playcentre....or a nappy like a baby. Once his enthusiastic, nay - fervent, agreement had been procured I cunningly added that I was so thrilled that he was a big boy who didn't need nappies. Once at Playcentre I told him if he didn't have a sit on the toilet, to check that sneaky poos and wees weren't hiding in his bottom, and therefore wet his pants we would have to GO HOME. He practically leapt at the toilet lol. Yup, that kid LOVES Playcentre. And that night he had his first wee in the toilet, and in fact, all day! Boy must have an iron bladder!! The trend continued today although he did wet himself. This however was due to the neighbour's boy coming over (for 2 hours!! Aiiieee) and K being too reluctant to take time away from play to go to the toilet. No harm done, a quick wash and he was back on the road again. He seems quite excited about being a big boy who wears big boy undies now. My cunning plan of making sure the nappies don't feel that comfy is working better than I ever imagined! I will let Kindy know that he is toilet training and with a bit of luck we will have many a dry day - yay!!!! I have also bid on a potty and toddler toilet seat on trademe. The auction closes on Monday night and I hope I am the successful bidder :) Chris has however made our evening conversations more scatalogical than I ever dreamed possible, cheerily telling K that his fart was "a little poo shouting to get out." Yup. Good times. And you just KNOW that this little gem will be trotted out at a time to cause me maximum embarrasment - don't you!

The feet are made for walking

More exultation is occurring at Chez Seal..... Cameron is starting to walk. This is very exciting. He has a wicked crawl on him, even if he does swing out wide with the enthusiasm of his motion. Now he shrills at us to hold his hands and walk with him. K is getting into it all too, with demands to "help Cameronbear walk!" I must video this. C was initially quite dubious about entrusting his safety to his brother's hands (with some justification I must confess) but now is very happy. After our delightful experience of Hand, Foot and Mouth, and keeping the boys at home for a full week in case K contracted it K was happy, no delighted to return to Kindy. He dashed in the gates bellowing greetings to all, naming them as he did so. And ever since his return to Kindy I get a quick hug and am able to bolt out the gate. What used to be a 15 minute palaver now takes 4 minutes. WOW. So some good came of hand, foot and mouth after all. He is loving Kindy, just having a blast. The weather has been unseasonably warm for winter - so warm my mulberries are fruiting (they are the size of nailheads - tiny!! But not too shabby as it was this tree we bought to celebrate K's birth) and my guava tree has produced its second crop (of 1 fruit) for the year!! Lots of sunny, not too cold days has meant picnics and trips to various playgrounds - great winter weather for all of us. They boys have naturally been enjoying the delights of the trampoline and life has been good to us all. I told Chris there was no point in buying a trampoline in late autumn as the boys would not get a lot if use from it. Shame on me I was wrong. And when the boys are not leaping like loons the cat is esconsed upon it. Having friends over tomorrow. It will be good to see Kym tomorrow. Sadly she wants her toddler toilet seat back so I shall investigate Trademe for something for the boys. Time to start C on his toileting journey and his elder brother can come along for the ride lol. Chris now has firm dates for flying to Germany. He leaves on Sat 20th, but in the evening so the boys will get to see the Gruffalo play with their daddy - yay for the boys! He will be back in September after being away for 12 days.... should be interesting to see how we go on :)

Fortieth frivolity

No, not mine, though Chris saw fit to yammer on about how our 40th's aren't "that far away" Speak for yourself matey, as I am a woman I get to be 36 for another 15 years lol. Nope this glorious natal celebration was Colin's. We headed out on a glorious sunny day, the boys stuffed themselves, played like maniacs and passed out as soon as they had been bathed. It was AWESOME! And Colin, who had cooked the most delicious ribs - Happy Birthday :P

Big boy bed

It has been exciting around Chez Seal, let me tell you. First up, we finally got Chris's truck WOF and Registered and it can now be SOLD. Cue leaps around the room squealing with delight. Alas, as my car needed to be registered also the cost of our fleet of vehicles came to approx $400 - OUCH! We then had the excitement of Kieran's big boy bed being dropped off. We are getting the loan of it for a year - by which time we can buy him a new one - and it is red, just like the toddler bed. K cavorted like a mountain goat on crack when he saw it. Note: I have never seen a mountain goat who has ingested an illegal drug of any kind... but his antics would certainly seem appropriate. K helped ferry all the parts upstairs and nearly wept with disappointment when I said we had to wait til daddy came home to put it together.... yes I could have done it, but I do try and let the boys and their daddy have special moments together. Anyway, Chris whipped out his secret ninja bed puttatogethera skills - mad skillz those - and the bed was up in a trice... and K was over the moon. He loves his big boy bed... and his 14 month old brother loves his little red toddler bed.

Sammy/Bob/Si the Builder....

Alas the days of glorious sunshine have come to an end. Wednesday was cloudy and cool, later freezing thanks to the wind and today we got the rain, oh yeah. Lucky us!! Hopefully tomorrow is fine so the boys get a train ride tomorrow - fingers crossed anyway. Wednesday was going to be my catch up with Suzie day but then I heard that the builder was coming at 8am to redo the vanity in the bathroom. He walked through the door and was met with a cheery "Hello Sammy!" I still have no idea who Sammy is. Builder then intro'd himself to K as Bob the Builder (and Si to me) and was then closely supervised by Kieran until I dragged him off to Kindy. Cameron was also very interested in the dismantling of the cupboard and had to be forcibly removed several times. The day went well though, I made pumpkin, oat and carrot bread, pizza bases and chocolate shortbread. Collected K from kindy, and boy was he in a froth of anticipation to see the builder!!! Isabelle and co came over that afternoon and cavortings ensued. Last night Cameron made up for his apallingly sleep free night on tuesday and slept well, waking 1x for water. Alas he woke at 5am and wouldn't go back to sleep. He is cutting another tooth - and hating it!! He went to sleep at 9:30am, and I had to wake him at 12:15 to go get K from kindy. We visited Nakita - K loves visting "his Kita" then headed home. C enjoyed another nap at 3:30, awaking at 4:40pm, just in time to step outside and see the ambulance on the road outside. K was wriggling with excitement (we were the only ones on the footpath), gloried in the lights and siren being put on just for him, and danced with delight when allowed to explore the back, and being placed in the drivers seat..... good times for a little boy. Tomorrow Henderson and juggling awaits!

Mmmmmm sunny!

Day 4 of sunshine - what will I do with myself!!! All my washing has been done and most of it is dry - this is absolutely thrilling for winter as I really try not to use the tumbledryer. As the weather was so gorgeous, and as K had enjoyed the trip to Ceramco playground so much yesterday, I baked some dried cherry scones, gathered some other bits and pieces and told K we were going on an adventure when I collected him. He was absolutely thrilled to bits. It brought back memories of mum taking us to all sorts of places after school - Noordhoek, Tokai forest, and all sorts of places that were off the beaten track. I remember how much I enjoyed that and thought it was time to give my boys those memories too. Once home C had a sleep while K and I made quinoa patties for dinner. This time we had silverbeet, cheese and carrot. They were very nice! I also made chocolate shortbread as the boys are very fond of it... all 3 of them. Isabelle's 2 came over and had a good time on the trampoline, and then played the kinect game. There was leaping and shrieking and much waving of paws.... I love the Kinect lol! On friday I plan to take the boys into Henderson to watch a juggling show.... I think they'll really enjoy it!

I love the sunshine, I love my squeaky boys!

3 days of beautiful sunny weather!! In the middle of WINTER! Daisies are growing under my washline. This is awesome! I have lost a library book - unread even!! and will have to pay $25 for it.... sigh. But today I managed to scrub some of the lounge floor, all of the kitchen tiles, sort my Kiwisaver, do 2 loads of washing and hang a load out, swing by Suzie's to sign cheques, hit the library and be home by 1:01 so C could have his nap. Once the wee one awoke we headed out to Ceramco Playground at 2:45...and left at 4:30. Awesome day, truly awesome.

The boys were happy and wriggly and wonderful wee creatures to be around, even if C is having restless nights due to YET ANOTHER tooth coming through... and Kieran sneaking into my side of the bed as soon as I head out to sleep next to Cameron.... I even had a suspicion that K was sneaking into the room, waking C, bolting back to his bedroom to hide (cue machiavellian laughter here) and then dashing into our bedroom once I had vanished off to deal with Cameron.... Alas, my suspicious mind was in the wrong....

I found a jesters hat lying on the grassy verge on the hill that I drive up a few days ago. Well, I had noticed it a few days ago and after 3 days decided it was fair game. I washed it, soaked it in napisan and washed it again. The batting had come out of 1 horn but apart from that it was in awesome shape. K loves it, and it now a treasured part of his dress up kit. He calls it his octopus lol.

Bust your booty

Man, the boys were lucky there are no orphanages near us after their behaviour tonight. Appalling, really appalling. Anyway, the week has been a good one. Chris has confirmed dates for his Germany trip and will NOT be able to take the boys to see the Gruffalo - woe woe. Monday was a mucky and messy Playcentre morning and I tidied up the house in the afternoon. You would not have been able to tell however!! Tuesday was Plunket, Wednesday I took K to visit Nakita after kindy and he had a blast. Thursday was another good Kindy day for K and a time to relax for me.... Friday was Teddy Bears Picnic at Playcentre. It went really well, despite me being the one co-running it :) I am slashing my Playcentre days to just fridays going forward... the house is always a tip after the weekend and so Monday is always stressful. The weather was gorgeous this weekend and so I did truckloads of washing - 7 loads!!! The boys romped on the tramp(oline) and enjoyed being out of doors. Chris gave me my xmas present early - the xbox kinect - and the dance game. It is SO MUCH FUN! Chris was rolling on the ground wheezing with laughter as I did the adventure game though. K has gotten into the swing of it too, and the pair of us flail madly at the air like rabid, crazed weasels. He could not resist picking up my camera and filming it. Needless to say those videos will never see daylight. I broke Chris... if only the Spanish inquisition had had the Kinect... they would have ruled Europe far sooner!! Poor Chris is hobbling around having damaged his knee with his white water river rafting leaps :P - and they weren't even particularly LARGE leaps! I shall ask Chris for a Zumba game for xmas and shake my booty even more!! Looking forward to this week. Tomorrow is a free day as Emma's house is a plaguepit at the moment, so we shan't go and visit her. Tuesday-Thursday K has kindy EVEN THOUGH it is school holidays - YIPPEE! Vive le kindy! Friday I may take the boys somewhere exciting, although this is weather dependent. Have found out about a juggling thing on at Henderson Mall - so guess where we will be at 11am Friday... maybe even a train ride to boot... we'll see. We were going to go to the Zoo on wednesday but this fell through. Probably all for the best as the Xbox took all the cash we had lol. And I will be training for my epic 6k walk in December hehehe.