Well I have to say I'm glad this weekend is over. Elisa decided to start spiking temperatures on Saturday, and has been a miserable little rag doll ever since. We're wondering if it's her molars coming through, but can't be sure as she doesn't seem to be too worried about her mouth. It could be any number of winter viruses, but then again, she doesn't have a cough or particularly runny nose or anything either. She doesn't have any other symptoms besides being off her food and just wanting constant cuddles. Well that part I like - usually it's Daddy that gets all the cuddles, but I've been getting my fair share this weekend too. As for sleeping, she's way tired all day, and will have several naps, but come night time (Saturday night especially) she would awake every 20-30 mins crying for me. She ended up sleeping with me, and Daddy got sent to the spare room. I think we were lucky to get a couple of hours sleep all up, but she was definitely happier to see me beside her whenever she woke, and that seemed to comfort her quite a bit. Sunday night was better, and I think she's on the mend now. Fingers crossed. I'm supposed to be Mother Help today at Brooke's Kiwi Kids from 12-3pm. With bubby as she is, we'll just see if I stay or not. Somehow we have to make the most of the sun today too, as bad weather is supposed to kick in for the rest of the week. Ugh - another week indoors.
Oh, some brighter news though - I booked our plane tickets for the girls and I to go down to Christchurch at the end of the term. We love visiting Nana and Poppa on their little farm, and Brooke is SOOO excited already. We would have liked to go down earlier in the term, but with all of Brooke's activities (gymnastics, swimming, Kiwi Kids, Playcentre etc), it just made sense to wait till that was all over. You watch, we'll be on the count down already. Two whole calendar pages - must seem forever for a 4 year old.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
What's she trying to say?
Woohooo! I've finally sorted my blog background and elements. (Thanks BTW to the fabulous Shabby Miss Jenn Designs who sent me a gift certificate to her amazing store!) I didn't realise it would involve so much technical jargon to decorate a blog, but there you go... I still have a couple of bits to add on, but I'm happy with it for now - SOOOO much better than the standard blog templates. Ok, enough of that.....back to our regular programme...
So I was having a shower the other day. As usual, I had forgotten to turn on the extractor fan prior to jumping in, and the room was now quite steamy. Half way through my shower Brooke comes into the room (because apparently kids just can't let you shower alone). I ask her to please turn on the extractor fan for me, and she leans closer to the glass door with a suspicious look on her face and says in all seriousness "Why, Mummy what did you DO?!"
ROFL - that one had me laughing for days. Here's the layout I did about her rock climbing activity. I still haven't figured out how to directly link a photo, but you can click on the Sweet Shoppe Gallery link in the side bar for a better view of this layout.
So I was having a shower the other day. As usual, I had forgotten to turn on the extractor fan prior to jumping in, and the room was now quite steamy. Half way through my shower Brooke comes into the room (because apparently kids just can't let you shower alone). I ask her to please turn on the extractor fan for me, and she leans closer to the glass door with a suspicious look on her face and says in all seriousness "Why, Mummy what did you DO?!"
ROFL - that one had me laughing for days. Here's the layout I did about her rock climbing activity. I still haven't figured out how to directly link a photo, but you can click on the Sweet Shoppe Gallery link in the side bar for a better view of this layout.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
What a blast!
We had such a good time rock climbing today. (And by "we" I mean Brooke and Aron). The whole facility was just fabulous, and there were so many themed walls the kids could choose to climb (and a ton of 'regular' walls for the adults). Brooke did really well, climbing right to the top of a couple of the walls. Aron, while not quite as confident, still climbed a good distance then would let go and allow the automated belay system to lower him to the ground. A couple of school holiday progamme groups came in while we were there, and things got a bit crowded for a while, but the kids never had to wait long for any of the walls to free up, and pretty much climbed continuously for over 2 hours. Elisa was ready for a nap as soon as we got there, but didn't sleep with all the noise and activity around her, and was mostly happy to sit and watch from the pram with her blankie.
I thought it was excellent value for money. This is one activity I would like to have a go at myself, and we will definitely come back and do this again as a family. It's been years since I had a go rock climbing.
Here's Brooke climbing the beanstalk, the Empire State Building (King Kong is at the top just out of view) and the Snakes and Ladders Wall.
Credits: Photo frames by Sylvia Laupitz (Fotosusu)
I thought it was excellent value for money. This is one activity I would like to have a go at myself, and we will definitely come back and do this again as a family. It's been years since I had a go rock climbing.
Here's Brooke climbing the beanstalk, the Empire State Building (King Kong is at the top just out of view) and the Snakes and Ladders Wall.
Credits: Photo frames by Sylvia Laupitz (Fotosusu)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
She's onto it alright...
For those who aren't aware already, our Brooke is a wee bright spark. I know, I know, all parents say that about their kids, but the things this girl comes up with just blows us away sometimes. I'm keeping notes of the little conversations we have, and the funny things she says so I can scrap them into a mini album at some stage.
Like last night for instance. It was bedtime for the girls, and I was in the study. Brooke comes in and says she doesn't want to go to bed. The conversation went something like this:
Brooke: I'm not tired. I don't want to go to bed.
Me: It's 7.30pm sweetie, it's time you went to bed.
Brooke: But I don't want to.
Me: Honey, each person needs to get just the right amount of sleep each night so that they can be happy the next day.
Brooke: Then Mummy you should go to bed at 7.30pm too!
She's onto it I tell you.
As for Elisa, she's a switched on little kidlet too. She just has to see Brooke or I do something once, and she's all over it like a pro. Just yesterday I was collecting washing from the bedrooms. I'd picked up one of Brooke's shirts, and dropped it at the bottom of my bed while I grabbed the rest of the washing. Elisa picks it up and brings it to me. Casually I tell her I don't need it right now, it needs to go in the wash. Immediately she turns tail (with shirt in hand) and takes off at a fast toddle towards the lounge. She heads straight for the internal door to the garage/laundry, and throws the shirt at the base of the door. (This is where we throw laundry items temporarily until the next person goes through to the laundry, and takes the clothes with them. We also have laundry hampers in the bathroom). I was totally taken back by her doing this. I had no idea she even knew what I was talking about, let alone the fact she knew where to put it!
Elisa is also at the stage where she just loves to do whatever Brooke is doing. They'll play hide and seek, and she'll hide in exactly the same place Brooke last hid in, staying quiet and still for ages, until at last an excited little giggle pops out, giving away her location. If Brooke is colouring in, Elisa wants to colour in. If Brooke is baking, then Elisa has to be up on the bench stirring and pouring too. At 20 months old, she is such a delightful kid, and the two girls play together beautifully.
Tomorrow my friend Linda and I are going to take the kids rock climbing at Extreme Edge in Panmure. Check out these photos - how cool is that!
I bet Aron and Brooke will have a ball. Yvette is going to meet us there so Ryan can do some climbing too. I'm sure Elisa and Logan will be happy enough running around on the gym floor.
On another side note, we were supposed to have listed our house for private sale this week, but have just been lazy and done nothing. I really should get onto it and write up a sales blurb and post it on TradeMe. Ugh...maybe tomorrow...
Like last night for instance. It was bedtime for the girls, and I was in the study. Brooke comes in and says she doesn't want to go to bed. The conversation went something like this:
Brooke: I'm not tired. I don't want to go to bed.
Me: It's 7.30pm sweetie, it's time you went to bed.
Brooke: But I don't want to.
Me: Honey, each person needs to get just the right amount of sleep each night so that they can be happy the next day.
Brooke: Then Mummy you should go to bed at 7.30pm too!
She's onto it I tell you.
As for Elisa, she's a switched on little kidlet too. She just has to see Brooke or I do something once, and she's all over it like a pro. Just yesterday I was collecting washing from the bedrooms. I'd picked up one of Brooke's shirts, and dropped it at the bottom of my bed while I grabbed the rest of the washing. Elisa picks it up and brings it to me. Casually I tell her I don't need it right now, it needs to go in the wash. Immediately she turns tail (with shirt in hand) and takes off at a fast toddle towards the lounge. She heads straight for the internal door to the garage/laundry, and throws the shirt at the base of the door. (This is where we throw laundry items temporarily until the next person goes through to the laundry, and takes the clothes with them. We also have laundry hampers in the bathroom). I was totally taken back by her doing this. I had no idea she even knew what I was talking about, let alone the fact she knew where to put it!
Elisa is also at the stage where she just loves to do whatever Brooke is doing. They'll play hide and seek, and she'll hide in exactly the same place Brooke last hid in, staying quiet and still for ages, until at last an excited little giggle pops out, giving away her location. If Brooke is colouring in, Elisa wants to colour in. If Brooke is baking, then Elisa has to be up on the bench stirring and pouring too. At 20 months old, she is such a delightful kid, and the two girls play together beautifully.
Tomorrow my friend Linda and I are going to take the kids rock climbing at Extreme Edge in Panmure. Check out these photos - how cool is that!
I bet Aron and Brooke will have a ball. Yvette is going to meet us there so Ryan can do some climbing too. I'm sure Elisa and Logan will be happy enough running around on the gym floor.
On another side note, we were supposed to have listed our house for private sale this week, but have just been lazy and done nothing. I really should get onto it and write up a sales blurb and post it on TradeMe. Ugh...maybe tomorrow...
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy Birthday Dad!
You know, some people are just blessed with great parents. I think I put my Dad up on a pedestal when I was little more than a baby, and he's still up there. He is such a great example to me, and I did this layout for him not too long ago.
Happy Birthday Dad! I was going to give you an airfare ticket to Canada, but the boys beat me to it I see. Gee, my little handmade gift isn't going to look so impressive now huh. Thanks guys! LOL. Just kidding! I'm so happy for you Dad, and Regan and Andre? You guys ROCK! :D
As usual, I've been scrapping away, and have done a few more pages:
It's school holidays now, and Brooke has REALLY been looking forward to going down to Nanny & Papa's by HERSELF (ie, without Elisa). She's been counting the days. So....she'll go down on Monday, and then Emerson will hopefully come back with her on Thursday for a few nights. DH has the week off too, so will no doubt be catching up on odd jobs around the house.
Speaking of the house, we're going to put our house on the market and try to sell it privately. If it doesn't work that way, we'll go with a real estate agent at some later date. We're just reluctant to give them all the money for doing not really much more than we'd do ourselves. For those not in the know, we want to sell this house and move to a better school zone for Brooke. Prayers for a quick sale would be appreciated....
Happy Birthday Dad! I was going to give you an airfare ticket to Canada, but the boys beat me to it I see. Gee, my little handmade gift isn't going to look so impressive now huh. Thanks guys! LOL. Just kidding! I'm so happy for you Dad, and Regan and Andre? You guys ROCK! :D
As usual, I've been scrapping away, and have done a few more pages:
It's school holidays now, and Brooke has REALLY been looking forward to going down to Nanny & Papa's by HERSELF (ie, without Elisa). She's been counting the days. So....she'll go down on Monday, and then Emerson will hopefully come back with her on Thursday for a few nights. DH has the week off too, so will no doubt be catching up on odd jobs around the house.
Speaking of the house, we're going to put our house on the market and try to sell it privately. If it doesn't work that way, we'll go with a real estate agent at some later date. We're just reluctant to give them all the money for doing not really much more than we'd do ourselves. For those not in the know, we want to sell this house and move to a better school zone for Brooke. Prayers for a quick sale would be appreciated....
Friday, July 4, 2008
More layouts
What do fireworks say about me?
The "From Our Blog To Yours" challenge at SSD got us to do this little quiz since they are celebrating Independence Day:
I think it's telling me I'm a bright spark ;) Hehehe
What Your These Fireworks Say About You |
 You are focused, single minded, and intense. You don't let others see your intensity often, and when they do, they are quite surprised. You burn brightly, but you also burn steadily. You have the endurance to get the one thing you desire most. |
I think it's telling me I'm a bright spark ;) Hehehe
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Most memorable birthday
Wow, I don't post for a month, and now it's twice in one day.
The blog challenge at Sweet Shoppe was to say what our most memorable birthday was. I guess I would have to say my 30th. DH and I flew to Rarotonga for a much needed holiday, departing right on my birthday. Because we crossed the international date line, he reckoned I had two birthdays, and was now actually TWO years older than I was yesterday! To this day he still says I'm a year older than I tell everyone.
The blog challenge at Sweet Shoppe was to say what our most memorable birthday was. I guess I would have to say my 30th. DH and I flew to Rarotonga for a much needed holiday, departing right on my birthday. Because we crossed the international date line, he reckoned I had two birthdays, and was now actually TWO years older than I was yesterday! To this day he still says I'm a year older than I tell everyone.
Mother daughter time
Oops! Has it really been almost a month since my last post? LOL - see when you're not used to doing a blog, you kind of forget about it.
It really hit me this month how close Brooke is to going to school. Only one more term at Playcentre, then she's off with the big kids. I don't think I'm ready for her to be gone from me for the better part of every week day. I love having her around, and she's such a good kid. I love how patient she is with Elisa, and how she plays with her and runs around after her all day. I think Elisa and I are both going to miss her when she starts school.
So, realising that our days together are precious and numbered, I've decided this term to really concentrate on spending quality time with Brooke, doing special things, and things SHE wants to do. These last couple of weeks, we've done more baking, scrapbooking together, singing, reading and playing games than ever. And we've both enjoyed it. I guess all it really takes is a change of mindset. Instead of feeling irritated because the dishes are still waiting, or the laundry isn't folded, I just think "Hey, I'm building memories here. Soon I won't have her home to do this - the rest can wait". And you know what? Brooke has told me about half a dozen times this week alone that I'm the best Mummy in the whole world. I've had hugs coming out of left field, and in her prayers she says thanks for the activities we've done together. Awwww....it does my heart good to see her so happy. Not that she isn't happy anyway, but you know what I mean.
I've done lots of layouts this month. The challenges at Elemental Scraps and Sweet Shoppe are great, and at the end of the month you either get store credit or a discount to their stores when you've done a certain quota. Yaay! Anything to keep the scrapping budget down :)
(If you click on each layout, it'll give you a close-up view). At some stage I'll get around to linking them to my scrapbooking galleries....one day...
It really hit me this month how close Brooke is to going to school. Only one more term at Playcentre, then she's off with the big kids. I don't think I'm ready for her to be gone from me for the better part of every week day. I love having her around, and she's such a good kid. I love how patient she is with Elisa, and how she plays with her and runs around after her all day. I think Elisa and I are both going to miss her when she starts school.
So, realising that our days together are precious and numbered, I've decided this term to really concentrate on spending quality time with Brooke, doing special things, and things SHE wants to do. These last couple of weeks, we've done more baking, scrapbooking together, singing, reading and playing games than ever. And we've both enjoyed it. I guess all it really takes is a change of mindset. Instead of feeling irritated because the dishes are still waiting, or the laundry isn't folded, I just think "Hey, I'm building memories here. Soon I won't have her home to do this - the rest can wait". And you know what? Brooke has told me about half a dozen times this week alone that I'm the best Mummy in the whole world. I've had hugs coming out of left field, and in her prayers she says thanks for the activities we've done together. Awwww....it does my heart good to see her so happy. Not that she isn't happy anyway, but you know what I mean.
I've done lots of layouts this month. The challenges at Elemental Scraps and Sweet Shoppe are great, and at the end of the month you either get store credit or a discount to their stores when you've done a certain quota. Yaay! Anything to keep the scrapping budget down :)
(If you click on each layout, it'll give you a close-up view). At some stage I'll get around to linking them to my scrapbooking galleries....one day...
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