We have always had an ‘open bed policy’ but now the boys are bigger, our current rules are:
- We need to check the time. Dad gets up just after 3:00 am so if the time is nearly there, the following rule doesn’t apply, we’ll just wait. (Very important when it’s the middle of winter)
- Child must help me find the spare mattress and make up a bed next to my side on the floor
Recently, Foal had a bad dream and suddenly appeared next to my side of the bed. This is what followed:
Dad’s alarm did its thing, Dad got up and left.
Foal rolled over, So did I.
We both stretched out.
Foal asked, “Where are you going?”
I replied, “Nowhere!”
His retort, “Yes, you are! You’re going to sleep!”
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Idiots and Fools
People fascinate me.
Take the neighbours for example. Not the good ones, I’m talking about the strange ones. There’s mum, dad, five kids, a mean dog and some bloke who stays there on and off. I’m not sure how he’s a related, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, but he’s an idiot!
Guess what he did today. He bought all the kids out into the backyard and told them to run around and scream. I think it was some sort of competition to see who could be the loudest. Now I could understand if he wanted them to burn off some energy but he actually joined in!
He declared himself the winner and then got cranky when the kids wouldn’t shut up. Seriously, who in their right minds encourages children to make a noise? Fool.
Another example is the silly driver from yesterday. Dad was about to reverse parallel-park and he actually did all the right things. You know, indicate, pull up alongside the car in front and then reverse in. Stupid woman behind us obviously doesn’t know the procedure because as he’s started to reverse, she’s planted her hand firmly on the ‘warning device’. He stopped, looked at her and then carried on. She did it again. I’m not sure why because our car was nowhere close to hitting hers but to make her feel safer, we both yelled at her to MOVE!!! Not that she needed to but she finally did.
The really funny thing about that whole incident was when the silly driver hit the ‘warning device’ she was alongside a friend of ours. The friend got a fright at the noise and yelled out, “MOVE” too. She had a few more choice words added though…
Take the neighbours for example. Not the good ones, I’m talking about the strange ones. There’s mum, dad, five kids, a mean dog and some bloke who stays there on and off. I’m not sure how he’s a related, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, but he’s an idiot!
Guess what he did today. He bought all the kids out into the backyard and told them to run around and scream. I think it was some sort of competition to see who could be the loudest. Now I could understand if he wanted them to burn off some energy but he actually joined in!
He declared himself the winner and then got cranky when the kids wouldn’t shut up. Seriously, who in their right minds encourages children to make a noise? Fool.
Another example is the silly driver from yesterday. Dad was about to reverse parallel-park and he actually did all the right things. You know, indicate, pull up alongside the car in front and then reverse in. Stupid woman behind us obviously doesn’t know the procedure because as he’s started to reverse, she’s planted her hand firmly on the ‘warning device’. He stopped, looked at her and then carried on. She did it again. I’m not sure why because our car was nowhere close to hitting hers but to make her feel safer, we both yelled at her to MOVE!!! Not that she needed to but she finally did.
The really funny thing about that whole incident was when the silly driver hit the ‘warning device’ she was alongside a friend of ours. The friend got a fright at the noise and yelled out, “MOVE” too. She had a few more choice words added though…
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Mother's Day 2011
This year’s was fantastic! I did the usual and gave Cub and Foal $5 each and off they went to school. Unfortunately, the Mother’s Day stall ran out of stuff but promised they’d restock for the next day. Foal’s money was also stolen so I gave him some more money. And off they went again. The Mother’s Day stall ran out of stuff AGAIN! What a shame…
Dad decided he’d take the boys to the local shopping centre on Saturday because he also needed to pick something up for his mum. So far, so good…
Dad bought me an electric frying pan,
Pup came home with a present for himself – a donut maker,
Cub chose a chrysanthemum, and
Foal was empty handed and in a filthy mood.
Apparently Dad and Foal had a bit of an argument and they ended up being really angry with each other. Once we’d sorted out the confusion, Dad agreed to take him back to the shop on Sunday. This time was a success. Foal chose the most beautiful, handmade glass dolphin figurine. It was such a thoughtful gift because years ago the two of us were lucky enough to see a mother dolphin swimming with her baby. It’s one of my favourite memories but I was surprised that he remembered the experience.
A family friend flew up from Melbourne to visit for a week and she arrived on Sunday. The mothers in the family decided we wanted to go out for lunch and that’s what we did. No cooking or cleaning. Bonus!!!
All in all? The Best Mother’s Day ever!!!
Dad decided he’d take the boys to the local shopping centre on Saturday because he also needed to pick something up for his mum. So far, so good…
Dad bought me an electric frying pan,
Pup came home with a present for himself – a donut maker,
Cub chose a chrysanthemum, and
Foal was empty handed and in a filthy mood.
Apparently Dad and Foal had a bit of an argument and they ended up being really angry with each other. Once we’d sorted out the confusion, Dad agreed to take him back to the shop on Sunday. This time was a success. Foal chose the most beautiful, handmade glass dolphin figurine. It was such a thoughtful gift because years ago the two of us were lucky enough to see a mother dolphin swimming with her baby. It’s one of my favourite memories but I was surprised that he remembered the experience.
A family friend flew up from Melbourne to visit for a week and she arrived on Sunday. The mothers in the family decided we wanted to go out for lunch and that’s what we did. No cooking or cleaning. Bonus!!!
All in all? The Best Mother’s Day ever!!!
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Lessons My Mom and Mum Have Taught Me
1. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. (An everyday thing)
2. Don’t make me come back there. (Especially important in a long car drive)
3. I don’t care who started it, I will finish it. (Ditto for the long car drive but also important for everyday life)
4. Wear clean underwear in case you get run over by a bus. (Or… in case I throw you under the bus because now I’m cranky)
5. Don’t chew with food in your mouth (Oh! Sorry, I meant ‘talk with food in your mouth’ and yes, I’ve actually said that)
6. Talk with your mother, not at her. (She’s your safety rope, are you hers?)
7. If she’s not a current part of your life, honour her memory because without her, you would not be here.
8. If she is still a part of your life, call her or give her plenty of hugs. (She seriously deserves them.)
9. Compassion is everything.
10.So is dignity.
I have 2 mothers, one dead and one living – I love them both. (And no, they never met -sadly)
2. Don’t make me come back there. (Especially important in a long car drive)
3. I don’t care who started it, I will finish it. (Ditto for the long car drive but also important for everyday life)
4. Wear clean underwear in case you get run over by a bus. (Or… in case I throw you under the bus because now I’m cranky)
5. Don’t chew with food in your mouth (Oh! Sorry, I meant ‘talk with food in your mouth’ and yes, I’ve actually said that)
6. Talk with your mother, not at her. (She’s your safety rope, are you hers?)
7. If she’s not a current part of your life, honour her memory because without her, you would not be here.
8. If she is still a part of your life, call her or give her plenty of hugs. (She seriously deserves them.)
9. Compassion is everything.
10.So is dignity.
I have 2 mothers, one dead and one living – I love them both. (And no, they never met -sadly)
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Massive Knots
Well, Foal has finally progressed to shoelaces! I know, he’s 8 (nearly 9) and really should have passed that milestone years ago but (and I stress the but) he’s very stubborn. We’re talking about a child who is an angel at school and then has the massive possibility of turning into a demon at home.
He’s the same child who takes most of winter to convince to wear a jumper and the same child who takes the most of summer to get out of it.
Anyway, he finally decided that he did not want to be the last one in his class still wearing velcro-tab shoes! (Bonus!!! Especially since his shoes were already falling apart and we haven’t even reached the end of the first term yet)
So, we bought him shoes with shoelaces. Then he had to learn how to tie them. I’m a girl, so I was taught to make a cross, tie, then make butterfly wings and then cross and tie them. I showed him the same way. He almost fell over he was laughing so hard!
Him: I can’t make butterfly wings.
Me: Yes. You can, it’s not that hard.
Him: No, I’m not calling them that. What about bunny ears?
Me: I guess that works too...
So we did. He’s pretty much got the hang of tying shoelace. Now he just needs to work on undoing them. Guess what massive knots I’m off to undo…
He’s the same child who takes most of winter to convince to wear a jumper and the same child who takes the most of summer to get out of it.
Anyway, he finally decided that he did not want to be the last one in his class still wearing velcro-tab shoes! (Bonus!!! Especially since his shoes were already falling apart and we haven’t even reached the end of the first term yet)
So, we bought him shoes with shoelaces. Then he had to learn how to tie them. I’m a girl, so I was taught to make a cross, tie, then make butterfly wings and then cross and tie them. I showed him the same way. He almost fell over he was laughing so hard!
Him: I can’t make butterfly wings.
Me: Yes. You can, it’s not that hard.
Him: No, I’m not calling them that. What about bunny ears?
Me: I guess that works too...
So we did. He’s pretty much got the hang of tying shoelace. Now he just needs to work on undoing them. Guess what massive knots I’m off to undo…
Sunday, 10 April 2011
10 things I want a bored scientist to research
Scientists get paid ridiculous amounts of money to research “stuff”. Some projects are worthwhile, some are fantastic and the rest? Well, they’re just a waste of money. Just in case, those scientists run out of potentially stupid projects, Here’s my list of suggestions:
What is the exact purpose of head lice exist? See my previous post.
Why do mosquitos exist? Again, I’d like to know their exact purpose and how they benefit the planet.
Why do mosquitos make that sound? You know, when they’re about to launch an attack. They'd be more successful if they were quiet.
How can one cicada sit outside my window and make so much noise? If it is to drive me crazy, it’s working.
Why does a 2 cm wide spider think it can take me on and win? Especially when I am actually trying to relocate it and it starts jumping at me. I have a shoe and will use it.
Why do spiders spin their web in a walkway? After the 10th person has walked through the web, doing the spider web dance, the spider should work out that maybe it should move.
Why do ants think they are welcome to set up home in my bathroom? There is no food in there, just water and cleaning stuff.
Why do flies appear as soon as human food appears? There aren’t any here yet but as soon as I start dinner, they’ll turn up, begging to come in.
Why don’t flies get the hint until the fly spray shows up? I just have to put the can on the counter and they disappear.
Why am I pre-occupied with bugs? Again, see my previous post…
What is the exact purpose of head lice exist? See my previous post.
Why do mosquitos exist? Again, I’d like to know their exact purpose and how they benefit the planet.
Why do mosquitos make that sound? You know, when they’re about to launch an attack. They'd be more successful if they were quiet.
How can one cicada sit outside my window and make so much noise? If it is to drive me crazy, it’s working.
Why does a 2 cm wide spider think it can take me on and win? Especially when I am actually trying to relocate it and it starts jumping at me. I have a shoe and will use it.
Why do spiders spin their web in a walkway? After the 10th person has walked through the web, doing the spider web dance, the spider should work out that maybe it should move.
Why do ants think they are welcome to set up home in my bathroom? There is no food in there, just water and cleaning stuff.
Why do flies appear as soon as human food appears? There aren’t any here yet but as soon as I start dinner, they’ll turn up, begging to come in.
Why don’t flies get the hint until the fly spray shows up? I just have to put the can on the counter and they disappear.
Why am I pre-occupied with bugs? Again, see my previous post…
Saturday, 9 April 2011
War on Bugs!
So… What did you do today? Even if it was watching paint dry, or the grass grow, I bet it was more fun than what I did. I had the wonderful maternal task of delousing the boys. (Why is it the mum’s job? Because it’s the dad’s job to polish the car.)
It always starts with the note sent home from school. You know, the one that starts, “Dear Parent / Caregiver, The presence of head lice has been detected in your child’s class…” I’m normally pretty diligent but with the weather cooling down, I figured I could take a break. And in my defence, I hadn’t seen any for quite a few months.
According to the information, there’s no need to rush around vacuuming and washing bedding because they don’t live for long but nobody seemed to know exactly how long. Do you know how long lice can survive away from the warmth of its host? I do because I did an experiment a few years back. I managed to ‘rescue a pair’ who were too busy playing with each other to notice that they had been relocated to a plastic cup. They survived for at least 24 hours. I reckon that’s more than enough time to hide and wait on pillows, chairs, hairbrushes and hats!
With the eldest being in school and day-care for over a decade, I am not a stranger to these bugs. And naturally, I’ve tried nearly every product that is available. Countless shampoos (both natural and chemical), that really cool zapper comb that promises to zap any bug it comes into contact with (until it choked on Pup’s hair and promptly quit its day job), and of course the conditioner and comb method. The conditioner and comb method are my preferred method of declaring war on those things. (Why do they even exist? They don’t seem to serve any purpose at all.)
I have often been tempted to just shave their heads, but, for some reason, they aren't to keen on that idea. (Something to do with image and how silly they would look.) So, for what it’s worth, here are my tips.
It always starts with the note sent home from school. You know, the one that starts, “Dear Parent / Caregiver, The presence of head lice has been detected in your child’s class…” I’m normally pretty diligent but with the weather cooling down, I figured I could take a break. And in my defence, I hadn’t seen any for quite a few months.
According to the information, there’s no need to rush around vacuuming and washing bedding because they don’t live for long but nobody seemed to know exactly how long. Do you know how long lice can survive away from the warmth of its host? I do because I did an experiment a few years back. I managed to ‘rescue a pair’ who were too busy playing with each other to notice that they had been relocated to a plastic cup. They survived for at least 24 hours. I reckon that’s more than enough time to hide and wait on pillows, chairs, hairbrushes and hats!
With the eldest being in school and day-care for over a decade, I am not a stranger to these bugs. And naturally, I’ve tried nearly every product that is available. Countless shampoos (both natural and chemical), that really cool zapper comb that promises to zap any bug it comes into contact with (until it choked on Pup’s hair and promptly quit its day job), and of course the conditioner and comb method. The conditioner and comb method are my preferred method of declaring war on those things. (Why do they even exist? They don’t seem to serve any purpose at all.)
I have often been tempted to just shave their heads, but, for some reason, they aren't to keen on that idea. (Something to do with image and how silly they would look.) So, for what it’s worth, here are my tips.
- Use a really good quality comb.
- Any conditioner will do, and make sure to cover all the hair. It slows the bugs down so you can actually catch them.
- Get rid of all the nits you find. If you don’t they will hatch and you will have wasted the day.
- Make sure you have a really strong light source. The sun cannot be relied on to stay shining bright. Just as soon as you spot something, the sun will disappear behind a cloud.
- Even if you think that speck is dirt, remove it. Rather safe than sorry because if you think those nits are small, wait until you see baby lice.
- Add some tea tree oil to shampoo and wash out the conditioner. Then comb the hair again thoroughly.
- Add some tea tree oil to a spray bottle of water and douse the child’s head with it before and after school. I also recommend combing the hair when the child gets back from school. Early detection never hurt anyone, except the bugs.
- Keep checking their heads and don’t make plans for rest of the week or guess what you’ll be doing in about two weeks time.
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