8 years

I can't remember the last time I got flowers from my other half but our 8 year wedding anniversary this week seemed to do the trick. I picked him up from work on Tuesday afternoon and almost lost control of the car when I spotted them in his hands. To be honest, I had a feeling there might be flowers as we had nothing else planned in the way of celebration. I remember our anniversaries and the money we would spend on each other before we had kids. So different these days. Now, with me not working and limited babysitting options it was so much easier and less stressful to keep things as simple as possible. This year it was cards, flowers, our favourite Thai takeaway and a relaxing night in.

Oh, and as if 8 years of marriage didn't make me feel old enough, when I tried the upload a wedding photo from the dvd our photographer gave us, the disc was so old that neither one of our computers could open the images. Most of the photos are sitting in a huge album in our wardrobe anyway. Will have to dig it out and scan (that's right - scan) a few of them at some point. 

Snapped

Since I have hardly any photos of myself with my two little ones, I decided to step out from behind the camera last weekend and let my other half have a go at working the DSLR. He didn't do too badly actually. A few over-exposed shots that saw me looking like a ghost (delete, delete) but then he managed to snap a few little goodies.
With those extra kilos of baby weight still hanging on I can't say that I'm totally comfortable having my photo taken (which is probably why I hide behind the camera most of the time). But, I realise that my kiddies need photos with their mum as well so I am making an effort - once in a while!

Taste of Summer

Today seemed freakishly warm so we wandered down the road for some gelato. I am happy to say that I resisted the overwhelming urge to order myself a double scoop and instead managed to scoff some from my other half (pistachio and Tiramisu in case you're wondering. Double Yum!). Little Miss of course was not quite so generous. Can't say I blame her. The gelato was soooo good!!

Strolling home, we stopped at a neighbourhood playground so Little Miss could burn off some energy. Unfortunately the thongs she wore (against my advice but, oh well - live & learn) annoyed her to no end  but she persevered long enough to have a go on every piece of equipment at least a dozen times. I sat and watched. Don't think I was used to this sudden burst of Spring time heat.

Wasn't long before Little Miss also ran out of steam and ended up making her way home - on her Dad's shoulders. I, of course, was carrying the scooter, a few shopping bags and wheeling the pram. Isn't it funny how having kids makes you capable of defying the laws of physics? I am always amazed at how much I can carry without it landing in a heap on the ground.

Happy weekend everyone. Who else is enjoying the gorgeous Sydney sunshine?

   

Number 96

I can only hope to be this fabulous at 96! Even though she complains that she can't remember a thing,  she can still entertain the socks off my two little ones! Little Miss loves nothing more than a sing-a-long with her whilst the Little Man is absolutely fascinated with her white hair. Completely and utterly mesmerised in fact.

Last week they helped her celebrate her 96th birthday and I couldn't resist snapping a few (ok, more than a few) precious moments they shared.

My two little ones and their Great-Grandma.

Saturday. Spring.

Some pesky winter mould had wreaked havoc in our house so on Saturday I escaped with the two kiddies and left my other half to deal with the situation. Sun was shining, it was a perfect spring day and little Miss wanted to ride her scooter down to the local shops. Great idea. So I thought!

By the time we got to the end of the street I could tell she was exhausted so we ducked into the local Anime shop and after spotting a tiara that she wanted (and was told she couldn't have) I could sense that grey skies were closing in (of the 'Mum-I'm-too-tired-to-ride-my-scooter-home variety). Not want I wanted to hear. Especially since I had a quick trip to the supermarket I still needed to make. 

 

After heading off a tantrum I ended up trudging home with baby, Bugaboo, grocery bags (in Bugaboo), Little Miss on Bugaboo wheely-board (which I hate by the way. Makes walking for me so uncomfortable as it constantly slams into my feet) and scooter - also on Bugaboo. Sheesh!

And, after all that, the mould situation was still being treated (Little Miss's room was well hit) so we packed her up and sent her off to the in-laws for the night. 

Someone forgot to put the trunki in the car though...

The old me...

I want my old body back! 10 months into motherhood (second time round) and I'm struggling to lose those last few kg. I can't believe that when this photo was taken 7 years ago I actually thought I was fat! What on earth was I thinking (and what was I wearing)?!!

I still have those pants. They no longer fit but they are there in my wardrobe as a constant reminder of how I should have appreciated what I had at the time. Serves me right I suppose. To fit back into these I am really going to have to get movin' and ditch those snacks sitting in my kitchen cupboard at the moment (so long licorice bullets). This was the body I had for most of my twenties, before my metabolism saw the thirties coming and before growing two little humans (who were definitely worth the wait weight)!

I want this body back. It's 6kg away. I am giving myself till the end of Spring to find it again...

Bad Babar

This little elephant came home with us from the library last week and all I can say is... Well, actually I was speechless for a while after reading it to be honest. I have read more books to kids in my career as a teacher than I care to remember but Babar is definitely one of those 'special' ones. See for yourself....

Looks harmless right? Nope, Babar should come with a warning: 'please do not operate heavy machinery or care for small children while under the influence of this elephant'. This page alone almost put me to sleep. 

Oh, I just hadn't the energy to keep track of these characters but I needn't have worried. Little Miss diverted my waning attention to this page. Now, apart from your traditional fairy tales, when do you ever see a nice little bit of violence thrown in to a kiddy book? Apparently when a certain monkey mistakes a dormant snake for a stick - an eye for an eye and all. Old lady biten = dead serpent. That monkey should have known better if you ask me.

Moving along, as I came to the end of the story it was clear that I needed to be paying more attention as there was a valuable lesson to be learnt. Never, ever, ever throw a lit match into an ashtray as it's guaranteed to hit the nearest flammable material (in this case, a waste paper basket) - and then you're really in trouble. See, there's always a moral to the story!

And, as I closed the book on little Babar (and hid it under the pile of other stories on the shelf) I was left with this image in my head. Now, I leave it with you...