Life as a Goff: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

D Day. Oliver's 1st Day of School

2012-01-31T06:02:00.001+11:00

Today is D Day. I am having kittens. I have to think positive. I am worried how he will settle in. Worried he will cry at drop off. Worried about him not making friends. Worried about if he will like his teacher. Worried that the other children will be mean to him. Worried he is going to be one of the youngest. Worried we should be holding him back and worried I bought the wrong bloody lunch box.

I have to think of the positives and stop worrying I know but my Dad always told me when I was little that the things you worry about never happen so I hope he is right.

So my little boy is finally getting what he wants. The opportunity to learn to read and write and to explore the world. I am getting to spend some one on one time with little Felix and I may even have a tidier house and definitely a lot less noisy.

Cross your fingers for us all and be thinking of us.

School Day is Approaching

2012-01-27T16:17:00.000+11:00

The first school day is fast approaching for my little man. A couple of times I must admit that I had been counting down the days until he starts but now there is only 4 more sleeps to go I am cherishing my time with him. I hope he enjoys it and has a good time.

New Years for 2012

2012-01-17T13:50:00.001+11:00

Happy New Year Everyone. I don't do new year resolutions very well but I have a few goals I would like to try to stick to.

Finally shed the last 5 kilos and maybe a few more if possible.
Be more organised.
Keep on top of the household chores so it never gets on top of me. That also includes encouraging my 3 children to pick up after themselves. {yes, hubby is included in my 3 children, I didn't have another baby over Christmas and he is the worst culprit really as he is old enough to know better}
Save more money and spend less money uneccessarily like the last hair product that the hairdresser encouraged me to buy which I haven't used.
Go on a family holiday at the end of the year
Do more exercise. {I got a skipping rope for Christmas}
Get all my photos developed. I have done one photobook with momentos current sale.
Do a photography course to understand how to use my camera properly rather then just point and shoot.
Get my cupboards sorted and storage sorted.
Read more books and spend less time watching TV and surfing the internet. {have read one book so far}
Have some time out for me every now and again. Whether it is a facial, pedicure, hair cut, or just for a walk on my own.
Spend more time with just hubby and I. We don't get much one on one time these days.

Quote of the Week

2012-01-13T21:59:00.000+11:00

My big boy starts school at the end of this month and after going out shopping this morning for school shoes and sports shoes he came home and we had this conversation:

Oliver: Mummy what sport will I play at school?
Me: You will probably do a bit of everything. A bit of tennis, a bit of soccer, swimming etc
Oliver: what sport was it that Daddy said I would have to move to England if I played well?
Me: Oh Soccer?
Oliver: Yeah. I don't want to play that.
Me: Oh why not?
Oliver: Because I don't want to move to England
Me: Oh Daddy was only joking. He only meant you would have to move to England if you wanted to play soccer as a job because you can earn good money. But you can earn good money in Australia as well playing it. Also, you could play soccer for fun and not to make a living. That is OK too.
Oliver: Oh OK. Well, I might play it then.

PS How cute does he look in his school uniform?

Strawberry Santa Hats

2011-12-14T18:12:00.000+11:00

How cool are these Santa hats? I am going to take these to Oliver's Christmas concert tomorrow night I think. They are so easy to do. Just cut the end off the strawberry. Dip the end that has been cut in melted white chocolate and then dip in some white coconut. Using the mini marshmellows, cut them in half and top the strawberry with one marshmellow.

And the winner is.

2011-12-12T16:10:00.000+11:00

And the winner is Kirsty S. Congratulations on winning the Tefal Fresh Express machine. Please email me as soon as possible so you can have some fun with your new kitchen appliance before Christmas. Kirsty's entry was taking swedish meatballs for her plate of choice to a party. Thank you to everyone for sharing their tips. I have 3 more parties this week that I need to take a plate and the swedish meatballs are on my list.

Thanks once again for Soup for this give away.

Preschool Graduate

2011-12-07T20:49:00.000+11:00

My big man graduated from pre school this morning. How proud was I of him. He even got up and spoke in front of all those strange people. I don't think I could have done that.

Please Bring a Plate and a Give Away

2011-12-05T21:02:00.000+11:00

It's definitely the silly season here in our family. It has gone crazy with the functions we have but unfortunately it's mainly for the other people in our household and not me {even the 1 year old has more fun then me}. I have even had to knock some invitations back as I just can't keep up and we are on a 3 week holiday soon. Every function we attend, we are required to bring a plate. So I got out the Tefal Fresh Express that I am testing out thanks to Soup and had these two dishes preped and in the oven in 10 minutes. Seriously!

Vegetable Slice

1 zucchini (grated)
1 carrot (grated)
3 mushrooms (grated)
1/2 capsicum (didn't grate very well so had to dice manually)
6 eggs, mixed
1 cup of cheese (grated)
1 cup of self raising flour (sifted)
1/4 cup oil
salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and cook in a lightly greased tray for 30 - 40 minutes on 200 degrees celcius.

Potato and Leek Gratin

40 grams butter
4 leeks, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
sea salt and cracked black pepper
800 grams sweet potato, peeled and thinly sliced
800 grams potato
2 tablespoons of olive oil
300 grams of cheese (grated)

Melt the butter in a non stick pan with the leek and garlic and salt and pepper. Place the potatoes in a bowl and mix with the oil. Layer the potatoes and leek and top with the cheese in a 26cm X 34cm baking tray lined with non stick paper. Cover loosely with aluminium foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for a further 30 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Serves 6 - 8.

Both of these dishes were prepared using the Tefal Fresh Express and it was so quick to prepare using this machine. Literally, done in 10 minutes and I then had to just sit back and wait for them to cook.

Now for the fun stuff. Who wants to win their very own Tefal Fresh Express machine. You can have one of these little beauties in your hot little hands before Christmas if we make this a quick game.

All you have to do is leave a comment here and tell me what your favourite dish is to take to a Christmas party.

** This competition is open to Australian Residents only. Entries close Sunday 11th December 2011 at 5pm Eastern Standard Time.

Dear Santa

2011-11-27T21:21:00.000+11:00

Oliver and Felix are getting these for Christmas in their santa stocking. They look so cool. I had to get them. Felix will probably not know what to do with his but will soon get the swing of it once he sees his big brother using it. They are are for firemen to wear on their backs filled with water which then comes out their fireman's hose. I want one for myself. I bought mine from Toys N Tales but I am sure you can get them elsewhere. They are only $20. Bargain and great fun for a hot day like today.

Tefal Fresh Express

2011-11-25T22:24:00.000+11:00

This gadget I have been testing out is a real hit with my eldest. He loves using it. I'm not sure why he loves it so much but if it makes him continue to eat healthily then I am not complaining. He is usually a pretty good eater anyway so I can't complain. It does however, create a bit of fun and excitement into the ritual of preparing lunch and dinner instead of using the quiet and boring grater. It has been used daily in our house this week. I have used it for so many things and will share some of my recipes with you next week. I have grated and sliced cucumber, zucchini, carrot, apple, cheese and potato. I am sure {correction, positive you can as I just checked the manual} you could use it to slice and grate beetroot, capsicum, hard boiled eggs, cabbage, nuts, onion, chocolate and probably loads more.

And good news for those with a dishwasher, it is completely safe to get cleaned in it so no more loads of washing up.

If I could change one thing of the machine, I would include a cone to dice as I seem to use that quite a bit.

I am off to make a vegetable slice now while Master F is asleep so I will share the recipe with you next week.

Be sure to keep an eye out for my free give away coming up as this is something I think you all need in your kitchen cupboard especially as there is no cost involved. Think of it as an early Christmas present from me and Soup!

WillySpheres

2011-11-24T10:27:00.000+11:00

How cool are these? I just put this in my shopping cart for me {I mean Oliver} for Christmas. You have probably seen these before. I discovered them last summer but was too late to purchase them to enjoy them so they were first on my wish list for this Christmas. I can't wait to get my hands on these willyspheres but I do believe I nabbed the last one. I also think they are the only stockists in Australia.

You can see them in action here and you will be amazed at how quirky and brilliant they are.

Tefal Fresh Express

2011-11-22T21:22:00.000+11:00

I am not one for unwrapping a package and then sitting down to read the instructions before I start using something. I want to get into it straight away and use it. So that I did with this Tefal Fresh Express.

It was so easy to understand what it's purpose was and how to get it together {though sometimes the gadgets didn't fit in properly the first time but that could be because I was doing it wrong}. I had an audience with me when I used it for the first time {my son and my friends daughter} who wanted to get involved and it was completely safe to allow them to help me as long as they didn't try to stick their fingers in when it was going. Having said that, I did stick my fingers in {accidently} and there was no blood. At all luckily.

The first time we used it, we grated carrot, sliced cucumber and grated cheese and it was so so quick and easy. It probably only took 10 seconds to do both things. The carrot was grated with restaurant quality and the cucumber was sliced nice and thinly. The cheese did not grate as quickly initially as we were using the fine grater which wasn't suited. As soon as we changed to the coarse grater, it flew through the machine and the children were happy to sit and eat every single piece of salad put on their plate. RESULT.

The worst part. The cleaning! But I am not much of a cleaner. At all.

A Give Away

2011-11-22T13:15:00.000+11:00

I have been asked to trial this Tefal Fresh Express machine thanks to Soup and I am lucky enough to give one lucky reader one of their very own to keep. Stay tuned for my reviews and more details to win one of your very own, just in time for Christmas.

I've Been Busy

2011-11-21T21:14:00.000+11:00

My boys are sure getting older and therefore keeping me on my toes. This time of the year is always hectic but my god, it just seems to be getting busier with children. Between school orientations, doctors appointments, Christmas shopping, having family time, play dates, birthday parties and adding into the equation Christmas parties life is busy. Oh and don't forget swimming lessons, overseas visitors and the general day to day activities.

We have decided to send Oliver to school so the uniforms have been ordered and now that we have made the decision, I know we have done the right thing for Oliver. Alot of research now indicates that it is not always beneficial to hold your child back if they are ready to start school. Three school prinicpals looked at Oliver and all agreed, he is ready to start. He is wanting to read and learn so we have decided to bite the bullet.

Felix has been to the doctors more times then I like to remember. He has had hand, foot and mouth disease which is rife in Sydney at the moment but one incident two weeks ago made me realise my little baby is going to have to be one tough cookie. Practising his running skills down our drive way, he was leaning against the gate waiting for his command from his big brother to 'ready set go' and he fell over. As I walked up to assist him, I realise some metal wire we had against the gate had stabbed him in the ankle. I panicked as I had to pull the darn thing out. I raced the poor guy up to our doctor to make sure they could assure me that everything was alright and I wasn't a bad mother.

With some tender loving care and hugs and kisses from his Mummy, he recovered pretty well. He wouldn't walk on it for a day and then had a limp for about a week but now he is back to normal and hopefully we can avoid the doctors for a while. {though we are off there on Friday for his 18 month immunisation shots. ouch}.

Apart from that. Life is pretty good. Christmas is coming and shhhh don't tell anyone but we put the Christmas tree up on the weekend.

Happy 18 Months

2011-11-05T07:46:00.001+11:00

Your sleeping so so much better. Daddy puts you to bed at night now. Sometimes you wake, sometimes you don't.
You are starting to say some words but not loads. Ta, Bye, Go Go Go, Bus, Mum, Dad, Nan and then the rest is babble.
You have hand foot and mouth virus at the moment and are very very clingy
Your eye teeth are coming through at the moment so your dribbling better then the Australian basketball team. Soon you will have 2 more teeth. I predict days. At the moment, you have 10 teeth. 2 of those only came through weeks ago.
You have discovered textas and drawing. Unfortunately, you think drawing on paper is boring and much prefer to draw on tiles. Thank god it comes off.
You also discovered painting. Hand, feet and body painting to be exact.
Playing with duplo and matchbox cars is your favourite thing. Oh and water.
Your little mate Joey {and Alex} moved to the Gold Coast. Boo hoo
We had a little holiday in Port Macquarie
You recognise a lot of your body parts and point to them when you are asked to
You love love love books
You are no longer breast fed! Woo hoo. One day I forgot to feed you and you survived so I stopped offering it to you. Every now and again you had a little feed but nothing for about a week

Conversation of the Week

2011-10-25T20:33:00.000+11:00

{Me and Oliver having a conversation about my grand mother about her name and general stuff}

Mummy: my Nanny's name was Doris
Oliver: but where is your Nanny?
Mummy: um.....
Poppy: she is in heaven. That is where people go when they die
Mummy: she went to heaven in a little row boat {you know the song...clap clap}
Oliver: Did she really go in a little row boat Mummy
Mummy: Yes
Oliver: But how did she get there?
Mummy: in a little row boat
Oliver: but if she was dead, she wouldn't have been able to row the boat so who rowed her?
Mummy: oh I get you. The angels rowed her
Oliver: Well, wouldn't she has been better to go on a sailing boat?

Pumpkin and Cous Cous Salad

2011-10-24T21:58:00.000+11:00

This is a hit with hubby who is anti salad. He loves it and always polishes off any left overs. We had a BBQ on Sunday with the family and oh my god, what a glorious day. Being on a diet is great at this time of the year as the salads are so easy to eat.

Here is the recipe. Apparently it is a rehashed Donna Hay recipe.

1/2 kg of pumpkin
1 cup of cous cous
2 handful of beans
300 grams of natural yoghurt
handful of chopped mint
2 teaspoons of ground cummin
1 tablespoon of honey

Chop pumpkin into bite size chunks and cook in a 180 degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes.
Place the cous cous in a bowl with 1 cup of boiling water and leave. Blanch the beans in some boiling water. I usually throw the beans into some boiling water for 5 minutes. Add the the pumpkin with the cous cous and the beans {minus the boiling water}. Then in a separate bowl, add the yoghurt, mint, cummin and honey and mix. Add this to the other ingredients and eat. It is yummo delicio.

Photo Shoot

2011-10-21T10:18:00.000+11:00

I have been craving for some family photos for a long time now to put on display. We are finally getting some done this weekend at Balmoral Beach by this wonderful photographer and I can't wait. It's been a long time coming and how apt to get them done where we were married.

I hope the sun will be shining for us.

To start school or not

2011-10-19T22:15:00.003+11:00

When I walked through the doors of Oliver's pre school earlier this year, I was asked the million dollar question "Is he starting school next year?" as they were trying to decide what room he would be in. I was quite unsure at the time and just told them to assume he was. I had no idea. I still don't really. I change my mind every day and week. I wish they wouldn't leave it up to the parent to decide if they want to start their child or to hold them back. If we were still living in England, Oliver would have started school last month. That's scary really to think they start school in England so much younger then in Australia potentially.

As the months went by, Oliver was showing more and more signs of being ready to start school. I can't imagine having him home with me another year and not being bored. I already keep him busy and we do not have one single day at home. Morning or afternoon already. The only time we are at home is when his brother is sleeping and he is on at me for something different to do. I am completely running out of ideas.

So, this last 4 months or so I have actually lost sleep thinking about it. Worrying about it. Whatever we decide, I will wonder if we made the right decision. If we hold him back, I will wonder. If we start him, I will wonder. Every person you speak to has given me their point of view. Some people's are stronger and some are very pro holding back. Especially the woman I was talking to at swimming lessons the other day. God, she basically made me feel completely crazy for even considering to start Oliver at 4.5 years old. Probably because she held her child back and her decision was right. I don't know.

Then you speak to other people who tell me you need to look at the individual. Forget their age for a minute and forget he is a boy. Some of these people are school principals. A blogging / forum friend was even telling me recently that she read an article about the trend now becoming that holding children back has no real benefits and often they skip kindergarten altogether and go straight to Year 1.

We have attended 3 school interviews and all principals have said he is more then ready to start and would be happy to have him at their school. That makes my heart sing. Knowing my little boy is ready for school. But then I second guess myself when I remind myself that he is going to be one of the youngest. That is the only real reason why I am considering holdimg him back. I was the youngest in my year and it didn't worry me at all. After all, someone has to be the youngest. So why should I be that concerned?

But should I hold him back for this reason only? Because he will be the youngest. Is that a real reason to hold back? He is emotionally ready. He is socially ready. He is attentive. He listens to instructions and he wants to learn. He gets frustrated when he can't read. He keeps asking me what things say and asks me if I could sit down and teach him to read. I don't know how to start with teaching someone to read. Plus, I don't have the time. So if he is like this now, what is he going to be like in 6 - 12 months time?

We went to our first orientation today. The first of many as we are considering 3 schools and they all are having orientation days. He was so good today. Mummy was so proud of him and it so hard to imagine my little boy could potentially be a big boy at a big school in a matter of months.

So I THINK we have made the decision to start him at school. Why go against what the principals and his pre school say just because he is a May baby? A school teacher friend of mine did warn me that some principals will tell you that the child is ready because they need to get their numbers up but I already know that these schools don't need to get their numbers up.

So now {if I don't change my mind}, we have to decide which school! Oh man. This is hard work. How do I choose a school?

PS. It must be this time of the year as I have come across a few posts regarding school recently.

Sleeping 4 weeks on

2011-10-17T10:11:00.000+11:00

It's been 4 weeks since I had that horrible car trip to Tresillian with tears running down my cheeks worrying if I was doing the right thing. I remember driving there and looking behind me at my two little boys. One who knew where we were going and was very excited as Daddy was taking him to Luna Park as soon as he had dropped us off. The other, had no idea and seemed happy enough. At the time!

All my worrying was for no reason. Things are going really well and in fact, we could have probably not gone there in the first place but we needed that initial help. Hubby puts Felix to bed now and gets up to him if he wakes at all. Sometimes, we are lucky and he puts himself back to sleep. Sometimes, he sleeps through but wakes around 5.30am and won't go back to sleep and some nights we have shockers. Every night is not a shocker though and he still has not fed overnight so that in itself is a great achievement. He also puts himself to sleep. Sometimes he does need encouragement but it is so so much better then he ever was. I can see light at the end of the tunnel now and I am so proud of my little man.

I am so pleased we went to sleep school as I think we would still be doing what we are doing. Learning to sleep is a life skill so we are finally on the right track for helping Felix with this.

I would go to Tresillian in a heart beat and I wouldn't wait so long next time {if there was a next time}

Diet: Week 1 {again}

2011-10-16T22:03:00.000+11:00

I am back on the diet again. Starting today. I have had too many caramel cheesecakes, slices of banana bread and freddo frogs and I have slowly started to put on weight. It was OK before as I was still breast feeding so my diet could cope with the extra points but now I am down to 1 feed in 24 hours so I need to start to realise that the extra points are not going to Master Felix but to my hips instead.

So today, I have registered for Weight Watchers again. I aim to lose 7kgs before Christmas. That is more then I got down to before so it is going to be hard going and I probably won't get to it but I am certainly going to try. I do have to try and find some time to exercise though. I might have to invest in a skipping rope.

So wish me luck!

How cool is this..... Personalised House Portrait

2011-10-13T14:17:00.000+11:00

How cool are these personalised house portraits? I saw them on a website I go to often to buy gifts for family and friends living overseas but I had never come across these before until I saw someone else talking about them.

I am thinking of getting one for my mother in law for Christmas and I might even get one for hubby for Christmas.

You can buy them from here

Our Week at Sleep School

2011-09-26T13:48:00.000+10:00

I really didn't know what to think sleep school at Tresillian was going to be like. I had heard stories about it and one only days before I was due to go so I was a bit hesitant and reluctant to go. So much so, I nearly rang up and cancelled. I am so glad I didn't though. It was weird and strange but I {think} we had success.

I arrived on Monday morning with 3 other mothers and their babies. Actually, there were 12 mothers all up but only 4 mothers in each ward. We were the ward with the oldest babies. Actually, Felix and another little boy were 16 months old and they were the leaders of the pack. Well, suppose to be but Felix definitely was not the leader. He missed his brother. You could tell. He walked around looking miserable and didn't like me leaving his sight. All these strange people and not only that, they were making him learn to sleep without Mummy as the aid.

I kind of felt a bit lost to start with. Not having one on one support that I thought I would have. There was only 1 nurse to help all four of us so if every child was crying at the same time, she had to race around and spread her wings. After a while, Felix did kind of become their number one priority as he was hard work. He listened to instruction very well but just didn't know how to get himself off to sleep. The poor guy was in boot camp that is for sure as we had a number of issues and when I think about all his issues, he has really done well.

All the issues were:

Getting rocked to sleep
Feeding overnight
Taking a couple of hours to get back to sleep
Playing with boobs as a comforter when feeding or going back to sleep

I can happily report that we are still working on the sleeping through the night but he is not being rocked to sleep and he is not feeding overnight. He still does number 4 but only when he is feeding and that is once in 24 hours.

Here is a blow by blow report

DAY 1
We arrived and met the other Mums. Filled in all the paperwork and were shown our rooms. For the day sleeps, we were all told to just do what we normally do at home to let the bubs feel a bit more at home. So I rocked Felix to sleep. {hopefully for the last time}. 7 o clock arrived and it was bed time. It took me about 40 minutes to get Felix to sleep. I needed assistance. It was definitely not control crying and I was so pleased as I was not comfortable with this. Felix woke overnight and it took 40 minutes for him to resettle. However, we had the first night off and it was up to the nurses to do the resettling. RESULT - No rocking and no feeding.

DAY 2
He only slept for 1 hour during the day and therefore by 7 o clock, he was ready for bed. It took me only 10 minutes to get him to sleep. He was the first one asleep and I was beginning to think this was too easy. Oh was I wrong. He woke 1 time overnight and it took me 1 hour to get him to resettle. RESULT - No rocking and No feeding.

DAY 3
The days got progressively worse. It took 40 minutes for me to get him to go to sleep. Actually, I needed someone to help me get him to sleep. I was hungry and getting emotionl and so tired. I spent the evenings in my room and read and then fell asleep early as you live on little sleep. Not only do you hear your child crying but also the other children. Not that I heard much of the other children, Felix was the worst of them all. I couldn't help to compare him with the other 16 month old but it was silly too as Felix's sleep issues were far worse before we went and the other little guy had been to Tresillian 4 times before. Felix woke overnight and it took 1.5 hours for him to resettle. RESULT - No rocking and no feeding.

DAY 4
The worst day of all. It was hell in fact. It took 2.5 hours for him to settle overnight and I was advised by the night nurse that perhaps I should consider having help at home so Felix was in his own environment. She said he was too emotional and clingy to have positive results. I can't afford to do this and was feeling really down. Nothing would work to get him back to sleep. If I left the room, he would get upset and if I stayed there, he would just lie down awake and not go back to sleep. I guess he was worried, I would leave him. I was outside his room in tears wondering what the hell to do and finally the nurses got him to sleep just by shhhing him and telling him to lie down.

DAY 5
Time to come home and god, I didn't want to. Well, I did so we could be in our own home in our own bed with our own belongings but god, I was so scared of what to expect. I thought I would put a mattress on the floor in Felix's room and sleep in there if need be. That evening, he was hard to get to sleep but finally, I got him to sleep. He woke at 4am and I struggled after trying to settle him down for an hour. By this stage, all the sleepless nights were catching up on me so I went into Alastair and told him it was his turn. Felix did exactly what he was told and laid down and went to sleep. Score!

Every night since, Alastair has done the bed time routine and Felix lies down without too much of a fight. He goes off to sleep within 20 minutes. He does stir overnight but with a stern 'lay down and go to sleep', Felix does. I can't believe it. So all along, it has been me putting him to bed that has been the problem. I guess for the last 16 months, he has been rocked to sleep and fed overnight so he is expecting that from me every time.

I feel like I am letting Felix down. Being his Mummy and not being able to help him get to sleep. The nurses told me Felix had a lot of issues to start with so he has come a long way. I must admit, I am enjoying not having to get up to Felix through the night now as Alastair has that job now. He can be the sleep deprived one. Though we are almost there. We just need to get him to sleep through the night.

Sleep School

2011-09-16T13:46:00.000+10:00

For the last 16.5 months we have struggled with sleep in our house from Master Felix. God love him. I just thank my lucky stars he is so cute. In fact, sleep seems to be getting worse. Since last time I wrote, he has slept through the night again so I think that comes to 5 times in whole entire life. The other 500 and something times, he has made his way to my bed and some point in the night. I am tired. I am sore and I want myside of the bed back.

I asked for help from the professionals. It's taken 6 months to get it. I have been so patient and counting down the days and now my time has finally come. I go to Tresillian on Monday. Now I am scared. I hope my little man can cope with it. I love him to bits and I love the cuddles but I would prefer them at a more appropriate time. Not at 4am like it was last night for 1.5 hours.

If I put him in the cot. He goes berserk. If I leave the room. He gets even more upset. So we still do the rocking and patting thing. I think he has self settled 5 times in his life. Probably my fault just as much as his but now we are both in a bad habit and we need to get out of it. I can't blame reflux and wind anymore, can I?

Please wish us both luck and be thinking of us next week. We are there from Monday to Friday. I hope my big boy can cope without me.

Kiddies Kraft

2011-09-05T22:26:00.000+10:00

My little Mr Maker made these the other day. Three little aliens using paper cups, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and anything else you can get your hands on.

For Alastair... from Oliver and Felix..... For Fathers Day

2011-09-01T22:05:00.000+10:00

It's a key ring

This is the drawing. It's Daddy and Oliver driving a car transporter

And I ordered it from here

Another of Felix Dancing

2011-08-23T18:48:00.000+10:00

I am Loving.....

2011-08-09T13:20:00.000+10:00

These crotcheted knit tops for spring and really affordable from Target. I think I am going to get the coral one.

Felix Dancing

2011-08-08T07:42:00.001+10:00

Here is a clip of my little dancer while fireman Oliver tries to save everyone from the burning fire.

15 Months

2011-08-05T07:46:00.000+10:00

You are running. A lot
You are babbling on and on and on but not saying anything I can understand yet
You slept through the night. 3 times. The first time was the 1st June
The second time was the 28th July
The third time was the 1st of August. I hope we are on a winning streak
If not, we are off to Tresillian next month
You are still getting breast fed but not as often
You are still fussy with your food but are eating better
You still only have 8 teeth
You have an infectious laugh
You love wresting with your brother
You love having books read to you
You have discovered climbing and you therefore have a few injuries
You love pushing the lawn mower around or the shopping trolley
You hate staying in your pram and the shopping trolley
You had a terrible fall into the book shelf and hurt under your nose {see photo above}

Crying over Spilt Milk {I mean onion}

2011-07-28T12:27:00.002+10:00

My Mum never ceases to teach me a few tricks of the trade whenever I see her. Her latest lesson was how to cut an onion without your eyes watering. Seriously, no more goggles or other treatment. You simly follow the instructions below and you won't have to wipe one tear away.

1. Cut the onion in half from end to end leaving the bulbs on and the skin

2. Peel away the skin and cut the onion in segments but not cutting off completely

3. Then cut the other way so onion is diced up

4. Voila! No more tears

Sweet and Sour Pork

2011-07-26T00:00:00.001+10:00

Last week I made sweet and sour pork and it was yummo and ever so easy. I even made it on a school day when everything is hectic at 6pm and everyone is tired, including me. To make the sauce, you just mix the following together and add it to already cooked pork, capsicum, carrot, onion, celery, pineapple and whatever else you want to add.

1/2 cup pineapple juice

2 tbls brown sugar

2 tbls tomato sauce

2 tbls brown vinegar

1 tbls cornflour

Serve with rice and Enjoy!

Meatballs

2011-07-22T10:08:00.002+10:00

750 grams of veal and pork mince

1/2 cup milk

150 grams sourdough bread {crusts removed}

1 carrot

1 small onion

1 egg

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 bunch mint

1 tsp dried oregano

SAUCE

30 grams butter

1 tbls olive oil

20 grams of anchovy {drained and chopped}

25 grams capers

1/2 tspn dried chilli flakes

1 bottle passata

1 can tomatoes

100 grams of kalamata olives

Soak torn bread in the milk. Grate carrots and onion in the food processor. Add to the mince, bread and eggs. Mix in the cheese and herbs. Mix well with your hands and shape into balls the size of golf balls. Place in the fridge for a while to set.

Fry in bathes until brown {3 minutes each side}. Drain on kitchen paper. To make the sauce, heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the anchovies and cook until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to simmer and then pour over the meatballs. Cook for 30 minutes in a 200 degree oven. Serve with pasta and extra cheese.

* These are the meatballs cooked in the Army challenge on masterchef in 2010.

AWOL

2011-07-21T12:26:00.000+10:00

I've been missing in action from blogging for quite a while now. Almost 2 months in fact. I have really enjoyed being away from the computer and spending more quality time with hubby in the evenings. I mean, we usually just sit and watch television but at least now, I can concentrate on the TV show and not half heartedly. Masterchef and The Block being on every night, doesn't leave much time for anything else. Truth be told though, Felix broke the computer and I quickly lose interest surfing the web when you can't see the screen properly. The picture above is what it looks like. Mister 14 month old dropped it on the floor not once but twice. So now, our new laptop is locked away when he is around so my internet time is limited.

I have really enjoyed not being around though. Life does exist without facebook, forums and blogger!

Dear Oliver {4th Birthday}

2011-05-24T05:52:00.001+10:00

Dear Oliver

Today is your birthday. Your 4th birthday. I can not believe it. You are growing into such a good big brother to your brother. He adores you and understandably so. Although you take things from him, you do look out for him. You worry when he gets too close to something that he shouldn't and do something that he shouldn't. I hope you keep doing well at your big brother duties. Becoming a big brother did not really faze you too much. You weren't put out and were very patient when Mummy had to feed or help him get to sleep.

You had to grow up a lot and learnt to become a little bit independent. You toilet trained around 3, you learnt to dress yourself and discovered how good tv was. You never used to watch it but now you certainly make up for it. Your favourite shows are Chuggington, Roary racing car, Play School, Thomas the Tank Engine and the most recently discovered shows The Octonauts and Peppa Pig. You will watch TV in any position other then sitting on the lounge.

You are doing well at school. You started going 2 days a week not long after you turned 3 and it was great for you. You absolutely adore your teachers and they seem to adore you. They have only nice things to say about you and that is lovely to see. You love learning. You have learnt to spell your name and write it. You have learnt to count to 40 something {even though you used to leave out 15 but now you have it sorted}.
Your still blonde and I love it. The longer the better but Daddy makes you get it cut. I can see some dark hair making it's way through so my bet is, that you won't be blonde forever. All the same, you will be a cutey pie, blonde or dark. You do love getting your hair cut though. I am not sure if it s for the treat afterwards.

You got slapped cheek and a terrible ear infection which caused you so much pain and left you deflated. one morning you slept in so I knew you must have been sick as you normally wake at the crack of dawn. I am envious of these people whose children sleep in. Instead, Daddy and I have to take it in turns to sleep in.

You seem to becoming fussier with your food. You like roast potato {otherwise known as chips}, rice, pasta and salad. Gobnaise and crumble {schnitzel}, rissoles and fish are other hits. I have trouble getting you to eat any cooked vegetables though and often our disagreements are about your eating. I am sure now you are 4, you will get better, right?

The outdoors is your favourite place to be. Anything outside, you love. You love going to the park, the faster the better on the swing. You love throwing and kicking the balls, riding your big boys bike, running and jumping on Maddison and Danielle's trampoline. Swimming though, I think takes the cake. There is no stopping you when we are at the beach. You have no fear. Your doing well at swimming lessons and are in with children a year older then you. Your starting to learn to breath and even learning the concepts of butterfly.

Art and craft is what you love doing as well. You can't get enough of it. I am not allowed to throw any boxes, paper, toilet rolls out in your presence as you get cross with me. So when your at school, I de clutter. You definitely take after your father. You started to learn to do proper drawings and this one is one of your first ever drawings {it's a boat}. You also did rainbows and trucks and have now moved on to people.

Your very inquisitive and ask lots of questions and your not happy until you get the right answer. God help me with your homework please. Your always learning and wanting to learn more. You love reading and are starting to recognise letters and numbers.

You stopped having your day sleep when you hit 3. You could have stopped earlier only I was heavily pregnant and tired so I often needed to have my little day time sleep so you had to have one. Which of course meant, you didn't go to sleep until 10 o clock sometimes but it suited me.

Now, your in bed at 7.30 and you sleep sometimes on a good day until 6.30. I wish it was earlier but hey I can't complain. You use to require a lot of help to get to sleep and now you need none and you only ever wake if your ill or had a bad dream. Just recently, you woke crying and calling out to Mummy and since I was already awake feeding your brother, I heard you say "i wanted that Postman Pat". So when I went into you, I asked what happened to Postman Pat. In your bad dream, I had deleted all your favourite shows an Postman Pat was one of them. Such a bad dream, wasn't it?

Grandma came to visit us in February and you enjoyed seeing her as it has been 2 years since we saw her last. We went on our first real holiday for a while to the Sunshine Coast with her and we all enjoyed it especially you. On many occasions, you stayed in the pool all day. Seriously!

You love to cook. I can't do anything in the kitchen without you looking over my shoulder and helping me out. I hope you keep it up and want to keep cooking when your older. Dancing is another thing you love to do. You really know how to wiggle those hips, you really enjoy it too.

You are generally a happy little guy and pretty well mannered most of the time. You are definitely starting to come out of your shell and enjoy role playing at the moment. I love you to death my little man. My two boys make me so happy.

Happy Birthday Oliver. I love you so much. Enjoy your day with you little family of 4.

Felix's Homemade Quilt

2011-05-23T12:15:00.000+10:00

My Aunty Lyn made this rocket quilt for Felix. I love it. Especially since it was homemade.

Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup

2011-05-20T06:38:00.001+10:00

1/4 cup of olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/2 tbs finely grated fresh ginger
1kg butternut pumpkin, deseeded, peeled and chopped
500 grams of sweet potato, peeled and chopped coarsely
1/2 tbs ground cummin
4 cups of vegetable stock
1/2 cup of water

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium - low heat. Add the onion and cook stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the ginger and cook for 2 minutes. Add the pumpkin, sweet potato and the cummin and cook, stirring for 2 minutes or until aromatic.

Increase heat to high. Add the stock and water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium - low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the pumpkin and sweet potato are very tender. Set aside until cool. Blend until smooth.

Season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy! Yum Yum Yum

Peter Bracher's Eggplant Meatballs

2011-05-17T20:21:00.002+10:00

This recipe was in the Sunday Telegraph magazine courtesy of Matt Moran and his brother in law, Pete Bracher.
Ingredients

Rissoles
1.5kg eggplants (aubergines)
500g minced lean lamb
3 eggs, lightly beaten
salt and pepper
plain flour, for dusting
extra virgin olive oil, for pan frying
juice of one lemon

Gremolata
1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley
1/2 clove of garlic
100ml of olive oil
60ml of lemon juice
salt and pepper

First, prepare the gremolata. Pick the leaves from the parsley, then use the pulse setting on a blender to mix the parsley, garlic and olive oil until combined. You could also do this in a mortar. Add lemon juice to taste and season with salt and pepper.

Preheat the barbeque to it's hottest setting or place a chargrill pan over high heat. Frill the whole eggplants for about 15 minutes until blackened, turning as required. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly and then peel the skin away from the flesh. Place the eggplant flesh i a sieve to drain as much liquid as possible, then dice finely and place in a large bowl.

Add the minced lamb and beaten egg to the eggplant and season with salt and pepper. Mix together with your hands, then form into walnut sized balls. Slightly flatten the balls with your hands, then dust lightly with flour.

Heat some olive oil in a frying pan over high heat, then carefully add some of the meatballs, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the meatballs for 7 - 8 minutes until golden brown, turning occasionally. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Repeat the process until all the meatballs are cooked.

Squeeze a little lemon juice over the eggplant meatballs and serve with some gremolata.

** I did not bother adding the garlic. I also did not have enough eggplant. I probably only had 600 grams. It made 20 rissoles

Verdict

Yum Yum Yum

Felix's Birthday Cake

2011-05-11T20:24:00.004+10:00

It was my first attempt at making a child's birthday cake. Usually hubby takes over but this time it was my turn and I did it on my own. Nothing original about it. You have probably seen the design a number of times over and over again but not by me!

My Mother's Day

2011-05-09T05:51:00.003+10:00

I love my boys. I love my home made gifts. Check out my homemade bracelet. I had a fantastic day. Being a Mum is so worth it.

Happy Birthday Felix

2011-05-05T11:17:00.001+10:00

This is Oliver's first year letter if anyone is interested.

Dear Felix

It's hard to believe that this time a year ago you were born. You were such an easy baby at first. You were a brilliant feeder, loved it in fact and still do. Everytime you woke, you would feed and then fall asleep for a couple of hours. It was so easy. All the midwives loved you as it made for an easy job for them.

A week after we cam home from hospital, we moved house. That was pretty stress free for me as I had so many people helping us and you probably didn't even notice the move. Actually, I am pretty sure you didn't notice. However, the easy baby wasn't as easy anymore. I blame the reflux and the fact that you are Oliver's brother. He wasn't easy either but you seem a whole different kettle of fish.

You haven't slept through the night. Sometimes I get so tired, I don't even notive that I have got up to you and bought you into my bed. You still love to feed pretty constantly and the two times where I have got baby sitters in to baby sit you because I was going on a date night' for a couple of hours, you have woken hysterical and I have had to cut my night out short. Luckily, I wasn't far away.

Introducing solids was pretty easy. You took to everything so easily and wanted to feed yourself early on. I think you watch your brother and get tips from him. Sometimes now, you just want to feed yourself everything and refuse to eat anything otherwise. It does my head in. Really does my head in. I am struggling to get you to eat anything but I guess I could blame teeth. You seem to be getting a lot of teeth now. It took you months to get your first one. I think from memory you were over 9 months old. But now, you have 8 teeth and you have some more which I can see are starting to come through.

Crawling started early. Around the 6 month mark and walking was at 10 months old. Something I was not expecting. You were just on the go very early as you love to follow your brother around all the time. Watching him is your favourite past time. You instigated tackling him too. You love to get him on the ground and have a good rumble and tumble after a bath. You both crack up laughing and it is good to see.

I love having two little boys. You are both going to get up to so much trouble with your brother but I love seeing it. Your favourite things are playing the piano, buses, tv remote controls and telephones. You have a fascination with toilets. You throw everything down there and I even found our telephone down it once.

If I was going to say what job you would do when your older because of what your up to, I would say you will be a plumber. The toilet thing just is probably your favourite thing and I can't get passed it. That or being outside doing something.

You hate being strapped into anything. The highchair. The pram. The car seat. The trolley. You will get out of it all and it drives me bananas. You have fallen off Oliver's bed and fallen out of the high chair. Both times you were ok but god you gave Mummy a fright.

You hated the car seat. So much so that it scared me taking you anywhere. Once we went to Daddy's work, and it should have taken 90 minutes maximum but it took us over 3 hours. I would always sit in the back with you to try to calm you down but the only thing that would make you happier was moving you forward facing. That helped a little but I think the reflux probably was the biggest blame.

I felt sorry for you with the reflux so I spend a lot of time rocking you to sleep. You usually self settle yourself to sleep during the day but by the time night time comes, I just want to spend some close time with you and I rock you to sleep.

Your definitely Mummy's little boy and I love it. If I am around, you want to be with me. If I am not there, you are OK and have fun. I love it when you laugh, you have a great bubbly little laugh so different to Oliver's. You have lovely bright blue eyes that I just can't get passed. And that hair is going to be as blond as Oliver's.

We definitely enjoy each others company and we try to make the most of one on one time we have when Oliver is at school. We keep busy during the week with various play dates with Maddison and Danielle and Alex and Joey. Also, the babies from mothers group but that is not as often. You have been swimming and you love it. You even love the waves at the beach.

You are my little ray of sunshine that makes me happy. I love that I have two little boys. Happy 1st birthday Felix. I love you. Daddy loves you. Oliver loves you.

xxx

Sunday Night Soup - Broccoli and Stilton Soup

2011-05-04T12:52:00.004+10:00

Sunday night is now going to be get your own through winter. What I mean by get your own is, everyone 'should' fend for themselves and get their own dinner but I don't mind if it is an easy meal and have left overs for lunch. So now, Sunday night is officially SOUP NIGHT. The trouble is, you need bread with soup and LOTS of it. Not good for losing weight. Oh well, better cut out that other bad stuff like chocolate.

So here is the recipe for Broccoli and Stilton Soup. It was yummo and so quick and easy.

Ingredients

1 leek, chopped

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 potato, chopped

1 whole broccoli, chopped

2 zucchini, chopped

75 grams of stilton cheese

4 cups of vegetable or chicken stock

1/3 cup of cream

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan and saute the leek for about 5 minutes or until soft. Add the broccoli, potato, zucchini and stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for roughly 15 minutes, stirring every now and then.

Remove from heat and set aside to cook. Blend through so it's nice and smooth. Add the cheese and blend through again. Return to saucepan and lheat through. Add cream and stir to combine.

Serves 4.

Verdict

Me - Hit, Hubby - Hit, Kids - didn't try it.

Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T11:48:00.003+10:00

I am off to the Royal Wedding later today. Jokes. I wish I was off to the Royal Wedding but alas, I will be snuggled up at home under a blanket and sipping champagne and can use the toilet whenever I want unlike the guests who have to wait around for 5 or so hours.

But how I wish I was going to the wedding. What would one wear to a royal wedding? I have come up with my virtual outfit. Though I totally love it, I know it is not really suitable for such a wedding.

Instead tonight, I will be wearing my winter pyjamas. I did think about getting out the old wedding dress but I doubt it would fit me. Plus, it is stuffed in a box somewhere.

I am excited all the same.

What would you wear to the Royal Wedding?

The Day my Marriage went Amiss

2011-04-28T11:45:00.003+10:00

It was Anzac Day. A beautiful sunshiney day. And it was hubby's birthday.

We were on holiday at my Mum and Dad's. While Sydney had lots of rain, we had lots of sun and fun. We were down at the beach every morning having fun and ice cream. Felix was enjoying himself. Oliver was having a ball. I was enjoying myself and hubby was having a blast.

Sandcastles, swimming, and ice cream was hot on the agenda every day for all of us. We were happy little family and then it all came tumbling down, kinda. Hubby realised his wedding ring had come off in sand or the water. He really does not know. It was time to head up for lunch and the tide was coming in so it was totally impossible to find it. He tried for a while but it was like finding a needle in a haystack as he really does not know when he lost it. He was shattered. I didn't realise how shattered he would be.

He lost a bit of weight when I was on the diet as well so he had noticed that his ring was a little lose {as is mine} so we were trying to be careful. But not careful enough.

A friend of mine suggested something beautiful to do. Throw my wedding ring in the ocean with his so they will be together but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I think an insurance claim is in order now but until he finds a replacement, he is a single man and completely lost.

Things could be much worse so we won't cry over spilt milk.

Pumpkin Risotto

2011-04-15T13:35:00.004+10:00

I've never made risotto before nor eaten it so I thought I would give it a whirl. It sure tasted nice but I guess doesn't look the best.

Ingredients

2 cups of arborio rice

5 cups of chicken stock

60 grams of butter

1/2 onion

700 grams of diced pumpkin

olive oil

1/2 cup of parmesan cheese

300 grams of chicken

handful of baby spinach

salt and pepper

1. roast pumpkin before hand

2. preheat oven to 190 degrees

3. Place rice, stock, pumpkin and onion in an ovenproof dish and cover and bake for 40 minutes

4. While rice is cooking, add a little oil to a fry pan over a medium heat and cook chicken

5. Remove rice from oven. Stir the chicken, parmesan, butterm salt, pepper, and baby spinach through continuously for 5 minutes or until risotto is creamy.

Which is Which

2011-04-13T14:53:00.000+10:00

It's amazing how similar my two boys are when I look at photos of Oliver at the same age. I can't get over it. I wonder if they will look the same in years to come. What do you think?

Dead Easy Simple Chocolate Cake

2011-04-12T13:18:00.005+10:00

Easiest Chocolate Cake Ever

Oliver did most of it on his own except the measuring of ingredients

He enjoyed licking the beaters, spoon and bowl

And had to fight Daddy for it

Ingredients

113 grams of margerine melted {or 4 ounces}

1 cup of self raising flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

2 tablespoons of cocoa

1 cup of sugar

2 eggs

pinch of salt

1. Heat oven to 180 degrees

2. Mix all the dry ingredients together

3. Add the eggs, margerine and milk

4. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes

This cake is lovely with an orange icing. To make that, just add 1 cup of icing sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of butter and 1 tavlespoon of orange juice.

Delicious.

PS Poor Oliver can't handle wearing dirty clothes so we had to change half way through cooking the cake as he was covered in chocolate.

Ruby and the Dodo

2011-04-11T21:06:00.000+10:00

As I was searching and searching for the ultimate first birthday present for Master F, I came across these cute house lanterns from Ruby and the Dodo which I fell in love with instantly. I don't think Felix would feel the same though. What do you think?

For Felix's Room

2011-04-08T17:00:00.000+10:00

I am finally getting my act into gear and getting Felix's room sorted out. My mother in law asked me to get him some prints for his room on her behalf so I had fun searching and searching. Actually, I got really tired of it because I couldn't find the perfect ones that he would grow into until I stumbled back in printspace and found these new prints. Love. Hope he likes them as much as his Mummy does.

Vegetable Muffins

2011-04-08T06:06:00.001+10:00

This is my first attempt at healthy eating for Felix. See below for the verdict on if it was a hit or a miss.

Ingredients 2 cups of self raising flour

2 grated carrots 1

large chunk of pumpkin, grated

5 tablespoons of corn

3/4 cup of grated cheese

1/2 cup milk

3 eggs

60g melted butter

Grate the vegetables or finely chop what ever you choose to put in. I put capsicum, carrot, pumpkin and corn this time but would have loved to have some bacon in them as well. Add the sifted flour in with the vegetavles and stir so the vegetables and cheese are covered in flour. Make a well and add all the wet ingredients {milk, eggs, and melted butter}. Stir so all ingredients are combines. Dollop a spoonful of mixture into some greased muffin tins and cook in the oven for 20 minutes on 210 degrees celcius.

Result: Oliver - miss. Me - hit, Felix - miss the first time. hit the second time

White Chocolate Cheesecake

2011-04-07T12:15:00.001+10:00

I have never made a cheese cake before but when my sister asked me to make one on the weekend, I accepted the challenge. I mean, if my other sister who can't cook to save herself could make one at Christmas time then surely I can make one. And that I did. It was dead easy and delicious.

Ingredients

12 Cottage Cookies White Chocolate and Macadamia Nut Biscuits

300grams of raspberries or mixed berries

2 tablespoons of boiling water

3 1/2 teaspoons of powdered gelatine

180 grams of white chocolate, chopped

2 X 250 grams of cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup of caster sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

185 grams of evaporated milk

Line base and sides of a 6cm deep, 22cm round springform pan with baking paper. Arrange biscuits , in a single layer at the bottom of the pan. Top with half the berries. Place boiling water with the gelatine in a jug and whisk until the gelatine has dissolved. Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt chocolate for approximately 2 minutes but stir and check every 30 seconds Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla until smooth. Gradually add in the evaporated milk, chocolate and gelatine mixture. Pour into the pan. Scatter with remaining berries. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until set.

Bon Apetite

Food Food Food

2011-04-06T11:51:00.002+10:00

Felix is a shocker when it comes to eating. He wants to feed himself. No if's but's or maybe's. I am sick of feeding him the same thing everytime so he must be sick of eating the same thing. His diet currently consists of toast or bread with honey or vegemite, cheese, grated carrot, hot cross buns, oranges, apples, muesli bars, sao biscuits, slices of other fruit and not much else.

If I offer him something new and he doesn't like the look of it, he throws it on the floor without even trying it. Sounds very much like his Daddy and his big brother who neither like change.

It's getting on my goat and I am sick of wasting so much food. The only time he will let me feed him with a spoon is if I trick him and mix pureed apple into his mush. So he ccould be having beef stew mixed with apple or spaghetti bolognaise with apple. But hey, if it all goes down the same way right?

So I am on a mission to find some child friendly, no wastage, healthy food options for my fussy baby. Oliver is the same. Drives me bananas.

11 Months

2011-04-05T05:43:00.001+10:00

You still only have two teeth but you are dribbling for the England soccer team

You walked for the first time.

You are walking full time now.

You have a fascination withe toilet and love to throw anything down it.

You still have not slept through the night.

You have graduated to 1 sleep a day every day now and it is working a treat.

You self settle a lot better during the day. Sometimes night times are a challenge.

You got baby sat by your Nanny for the first time at night. And it could have gone better.

You had a full day apart from Mummy {except for feeds} and you survived. So did Mum.

You like to feed yourself most of the time but are very fussy with what you eat.

You drink water from anything but can't get you to drink milk from anything.

You are babbling a lot more but your favourite word is still 'Dadda'

I swear you have said Oliver and brother

You are starting to play with your toys properly {including the shape sorter toys}

You like to put everything in your mouth

You follow your brother everywhere

You like the outdoors especially going on the swing

What April means to me....

2011-04-01T02:21:00.000+11:00

Birthdays and lots of them. We have over 10 birthdays in April between both families. It's a very expensive time for us and a bit of weight gaining with all the birthday cakes.

My Dad is having an eye operation. Just a day procedure and nothing to worry about but his my Dad, I am bound to worry.

It starts to get cold. Not as cold as UK whether but cold enough. The trees lose their leaves and we crank the heating up.

I have to start organising the two important boys in my lives special birthdays.

A Purchase for Felix

2011-03-24T10:32:00.000+11:00

Etsy

This is going to be for Felix from my mother in law. She didn't buy anything for him when he was born so she has given me money to do what I want with it. Fantastic! You can't get any better then that. Shopping with someone elses money. Love it.

So that is what I am getting.

What makes me Happy

2011-03-23T14:12:00.004+11:00

Happy Children.

Fun in the Sun.

Catching up with Friends.

Dinner cooked for me.

Free Wine Samples.

Organising Holidays.

Shopping Online.

Home grown Vegetables.

A long soak in the bath.

Getting my Nails Done.

A Tidy House.

Nice Fresh, Hot Cup of Tea.

Some Time to Myself.

Lying on the Couch at the End of a Long Day.

Etsy.

Fresh Clean Sheets.

My Obsessions

2011-03-08T02:54:00.000+11:00

Shopping for Party Dresses

Home Made Pizza on the BBQ

Saving Money

Photo Frames. I want them all over my house

Sleeping. I need more of it though

Drinking Tea out of a real teapot

10 Months

2011-03-06T13:37:00.000+11:00

You got christened

You had another holiday on the Sunshine Coast

You learnt to clap your hands

You got two teeth
You still are walking along the furniture
You have stood unsupported a couple of times
You learnt to say Dadda, Mumma, Nanna {and I swear Oliver}
You like to feed yourself
You went on an aeroplane for the first time
You still don't sleep through the night
You laugh {alot} and it is infectious
You love to tackle with your big brother
You have only had one day sleep sometimes. Uh Oh
You give lovely kisses

I Heart

2011-03-01T09:04:00.000+11:00

Road Trips
Dressing Up

Champagne

Weddings

Staying at Posh Hotels

And I am indulging in all these things in March. Can't wait.

Creepy Crawlie Spiders

2011-02-28T14:33:00.005+11:00

Normally I am not scared of spiders. Until recently. It all changed when I was doing the school run last week and now I can't go anywhere before checking to see if there are any spiders. I look under the toilet seat. In my shoes. In my hand bag. Anywhere. I jump so high if I get startled by what I think is a spider. I jump so high I think I could compete in high jump at the Olympic Games next year.

First, we were driving to Felix's christening and as I stopped at the traffic lights I put the sun shade down to apply some lippy. I freaked. There was a spider there. I froze but continued driving until I got to to the church and then my sister was given the job to get the spider out. It was already dead. I don't know how it died but I didn't really care. Sorry. I shouldn't be like that but it could have caused a bad accident.

Second incident happened a week later. I had strapped Oliver and Felix into the car and was reversing out of the drive way to get Oliver to school. Out of the sun shade, I saw these legs

appear and then go back into hiding. It couldn't be could it? I jumped out of the car {which was blocking any cars from going around me both ways but I was not moving}. I had to get the spider out. Dead or alive. I didn't care. I eventually got it out. But I just have a fear of them now. It couldn't have been a coincidence could it?

I am now too scared to get in the car without looking under the sun shade now. What if I have a nest in my car? My heart can't really handle being startled like that again. What if I do have one and I see it and cause an accident.

Anyone got any tips on how to get rid of them?

Felix's Christening

2011-02-25T15:14:00.000+11:00

Our Holiday in Photos

2011-02-22T13:43:00.005+11:00

Swimming at the Beach

Eating Ice Cream

All Knackered Out

Nice walks

Yummy Food

Fresh Seafood

Spending time with the whole family

Walks by the beach

Australia Zoo and other day activities

Swiming in the Pool

8 Months

2011-01-05T13:49:00.003+11:00

You experienced your first swim in the pool
You experienced your first proper swim in the sea
You celebrated your first Christmas
You went forward facing in the car seat for the first time
You learnt how to wave
You crawl {non stop}
You want to stand up all the time. Especially in your cot
You think your damn good standing up on the furniture
You still have not slept through the night
You had your first swing
You are doing well at finger food. Even an arrowroot biscuit
You still don't have any teeth.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T06:41:00.000+11:00

I'm on holiday and sitting on a beach hopefully enjoying the sunny summer weather. So unlike the day we are having here in Sydney at the moment, rainy and stormy when I wrote this post.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Christmas Craft: Paper Chains

2010-12-22T07:33:00.000+11:00

What you need:

Paper
Scissors
Stapler

Self Explanatory. Cut the paper. Roll it up. Staple. Join to another piece of paper and keep going.

Hang on the tree.

Conversation of the Week

2010-12-20T06:46:00.000+11:00

Oliver's Daddy arrived home from work a little bit later then normal one evening. He raced to the front door and said:

'What time do you think this is. You were supposed to be home at 5 o'clock not 40 o'clock'

Christmas Craft: Lanterns

2010-12-17T02:17:00.000+11:00

What you need:

Cardboard

Scissors

Stickers or other decorations

Glue, tape, stapler

Fold the carboard in half and with a ruler, draw 5 evenly spaced lines so that your child can cut along. Decorate the lanterns with stickers, pictures, drawings. Whatever. Roll up and stick together with a staple or glue or tape. Attach a handle made out of cardboard, like so. Hang on your Christmas tree.

Laugher's Birthday Celebration

2010-12-16T14:09:00.004+11:00

Oliver woke up on Monday morning and declared to me that it was his teddy bear, Laugher's birthday and we needed to have a picnic. Perfect. I said. We're off to the pool in a minute with your aunty. Let's have a pool party. We wait for his little brother to wake up from his nap, pack our bags and head to the pool. We arrive and Oliver shouts "Mummy, we forgot Laugher". Oops.

So, I tell him we will make him a birthday cake when we get home. He forgot. Thank god. But then asked for cake on Tuesday and Wednesday and finally by Thursday, I gave in and we made cupcakes for Laugher. We even had a candle and sang Happy Birthday.

I asked how old Laugher was and he said he was 2 so we need 2 candles. Oops. I only have 1 candle Oliver. That's OK, he said. Laugher was 2 last week, he is 1 this week.

Oh to be 3.5 years old again.

Diet: Week 15

2010-12-13T14:59:00.002+11:00

Well, it's not week 15 but I have lost track. My scales have been broken for the last 2 weeks so I have been unable to weigh myself. What a lovely surprise this morning I got when I weighed myself thinking it was going to be higher then the last time I last weighed in thanks to my wine and my new love of chocolate paddlepops. I was pleasantly surpried though or maybe it is the new scales. I aim to lose another 800 grams before Christmas and then maintain that over myNew Year Holiday. Wish me luck.

This weeks Weight Loss: 400 grams
Total Loss: 12.6 kgs
Loss to go: 2.4 kgs

Children's Christmas Craft: Part 2

2010-12-07T03:13:00.001+11:00

OK so it is probably not the best craft idea to do with a 3.5 year old but we did it anyway. Let me say though, Oliver was totally Mr independent when it came to doing this craft from go to wo.
First, start by drawing a circle onto a piece of paper. Cut it out and then fold it in half and keep folding until you can't fold anymore.

Cut pieces out of the side of the folded circle like so.

The unfold it all to discover what you have made.

A snowflake!

And Oliver holding up Mummy's snowflake.

Happy 7 Months Old

2010-12-05T02:58:00.007+11:00

You can sit unaided for a long time now without falling over

You are trying desperately to get yourself into the sitting position

You are still trying to crawl with arms and legs but you are getting by with rolling and commando crawling
You fell off the bed by doing just the above thing :(

You had your first Santa photo

You went to your first Sydney beach and felt the water

You still haven't slept through the night but you want to, don't you?

You squeal heaps

Your left hand has met your right hand

You are no longer wrapped when you sleep

You love eating your toes and fingers

You still don't have any teeth

You blow raspberries and lots of them

You had your first real sickness of other then a cold. A viral infection

Quick Hubby Come in Here

2010-12-03T09:55:00.002+11:00

Oi Hubby. This is what you can get me for Christmas. I think I have finally decided. It's called the Brandi in black. It's time to move on from the nappy bag and the crappy old crap that I have been carrying around for the last 12 months. I want to start dressing and looking nice instead of looking like a Mum. A tired one at that.

Or if you think I may actually need a longer strap to cross over my body when I am juggling two children, you can get me this one.

Both are from here. But you better act quick, you don't want my Santa present to not make it in the post in time.

Frankie Rose

2010-12-02T15:38:00.002+11:00

How cool is this? My good friend is featuring in the latest Shop 4 Kids magazine out this week. She is such a talented little sewer and I didn't even know it. I love this little loveheart onsie / romper she has featured. You can check her out here.

Childrens Christmas Craft

2010-11-30T14:52:00.002+11:00

What you need:

air drying clay
christmas cookie cutters
paint and brushes
pva or craft glue

What you do

Roll the clay
Cut shapes out and pierce with a whole so you can tie string through it later
Leave overnight to dry
Paint
Glaze with PVA glue or something similar
Tie to the Christmas Tree or use as gift tags {we will do both}

One happy toddler = one happy Mummy

Have you done any Christmas Craft? What? I am planning on lots more so stay tuned.

Diet: Week 14?

2010-11-22T14:38:00.002+11:00

Weight watchers went and changed their point system just when I was getting the hang of it. I couldn't believe it. It is taking a while to get my head around it all again {and adjusting all my saved recipes but that is another story}. Once upon a time {last week} I was allowed 26 points and now I am allowed 43 with an extra 49 points for treats. Wow pretty good hey. The only downside I see is all the bad things have gone up in points. Like wine and chocolate. And bread. The upside is, fruit is all zero points. Just in time for summer. Great news I saw.

Weight Loss this Week: 700 grams

Total Loss: 11.8 kg

Loss to Go: 3.2kg

Image

Conversation of the Week

2010-11-17T07:43:00.003+11:00

On the weekend we took Oliver to the shops to choose his own sheets. There wasn't a lot to choose from and we tried so hard to sway him to go with something different. He could have gone with dots, stars or a plain pair. That is how I described them to him. Dots. Stars. Plain. He chose the plain pair. They were a hideous green colour so we tried to get him to go for something different. He was adamant he wanted them. Even a temper tantrum was brewing if we said no he couldn't have them.

So off we went to the check out and paid for them. Fantastic. A hideous pair of green sheets are now adorning his bed. Thankfully, covered by a nice bedspread.

Last night when tucking him up into bed he said to me with all seriousness, "Mummy, why did you tell me these sheets were plane sheets when they don't have any aeroplanes on them?".

Uh oh. I now understand my error and I won't make that mistake again.

Etsy Christmas Cards

2010-11-16T05:38:00.000+11:00

I am in the Christmas spirit and have started shopping and working out my wish list. Below are my favourite Christmas cards. I have ordered the 3rd one and if your quick like me, you can get it for half price.

Have you started your shopping yet?

Merry Christmas

Little Birdie

We Three Kings

Fabulously Merry

Merry & Bright

Diet: Week 13

2010-11-15T06:44:00.000+11:00

The scales broke. Can you believe it? 3 month old scales breaking. And oh my, wasn't I in trouble. Hubby blamed me for not keeping the receipt. I blamed him for being so obsessed with his weight loss and weighing himself 20 trillion times a day.

This week was successful for both of us. We have both hit double figures for the weight loss. Hubby 10kg, me 11.1kg.

I am getting nervous about Christmas though.

Loss this week: 400 grams
Total Loss: 11.1kg
Weight Loss to go: 4.9 kg {before Christmas. Hopefully}

On My Wish List this Week

2010-11-12T15:50:00.004+11:00

Earrings

Pot Holder

Tea Cup Cosy

Conversations of the Week

2010-11-11T05:47:00.001+11:00

Oliver: I didn't have very long in the bath then did I? Probably just 1 hour.

*****

Oliver: How many children do you have Mummy?

Me: Two. You and Felix

Oliver: No. You have 3. Me, Felix and Daddy

*****

Me: Do you want spaghetti for dinner tonight?

Oliver: Is there some left?

Me: Yes, Mummy and Daddy are having it for dinner tonight too

Oliver: Are you allowed to have spaghetti for dinner?

Me: Yes, why?

Oliver: Do you have enough points?

{I am currently on weight watchers and therefore counting points}

Diet: Week 12 {I think}

2010-11-09T09:59:00.003+11:00

Forgive me for I have sinned. I didn't follow my diet for 3 weeks as I was away on holiday for 1 week and it threw me out. I don't have any excuses. I just enjoyed myself and then it took me a while to get back into counting points. Simple.

I was going so well, losing weight every week. Sometimes over 1kg. So imagine my horror when I stepped on the scales when I returned home and had put on weight. 1 whole kilo. How can I put on a kilo in a week. Easy I guess.

So this week I am strict with myself. I have to be. I managed to lose 500 grams this week but I need to get rid of the other 500 grams plus some. So good bye chocolate and wine.

Happy 6 Months

2010-11-05T01:34:00.006+11:00

You went to your first birthday party

You had your first holiday

You do a real belly laugh now

You love sweet potato

You went to the beach for the first time

You tasted sand for the first time

You got on all fours and held yourself there

You had your first long car journey {and weren't too bad}

You had a nurse come to help Mummy get you to sleep

You roll and roll and roll {both ways}

You had yoghurt

You put your feet in the sea

You were introduced to Eddie {your comforter}

You still haven't slept through the night

You sit up {and then fall down} for about 10 seconds

You get on all fours and want to get going {but then fall down}

20 Years

2010-11-02T20:52:00.000+11:00

I don't get out very often anymore with two little boys to tend to. The last time was an alcohol free night out to the movies with two of my closest friends. Last weekend I caught up with 64 school friends who most of them I have not seen in the last 20 years. We had a little reunion and it was such a blast. Like old times.
The drinks were flowing. Even for a breast feeding Mummy like me. I had so much fun. I was so relaxed and not once worried {or rang home to make sure everything was OK}. Luckily for me {and Felix}, he didn't need feeding and coped without his Mummy.

Everyone said I was still the same as I was at school. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Good and bad I say. Bad that I haven't changed much. Good that I haven't aged much!

20 years was so long ago and so much has happened. I got a degree. I got a good job. Moved overseas. Got married. Had two children. Bought a house. Moved back to Australia. Some people had died. Some people were divorced, single, child free. But god we all had fun.

Now, to get ready for my next night out. The girl in the middles wedding. It's not until March though.

Diet: Week 9

2010-10-19T14:43:00.002+11:00

I have found my weakness. Lollies. I never knew I even liked them. I bought a packet of lollies for Oliver to eat after swimming lessons, but he doesn't like them. I tucked them away for a rainy day. I forgot about them until I went looking for something and came across the lollies. They are all gone now so at least I don't have to worry about them now. I've broken up with them now {and moved on to chocolate again}.

I am still enjoying my diet and better still, I am still losing weight. I have my 20 year school reunion this weekend and I wanted to lose 10kg by then and I have achieved that. Yeah ha! Now to Christmas to get the rest off.

This weeks loss: 1.3kg
Total Loss: 10.9kg
Loss to go: 4.1kg

Twins? Or just Brothers?

2010-10-12T02:03:00.000+11:00

Can you spot who is who? They have the same clothes on at a similar age but 3 years apart. Which one is Oliver and which one is Felix? Can you tell or do they not look anything alike?

Diet: Week 8

2010-10-11T01:56:00.000+11:00

This week I didn't feel like I did so well. I managed to eat chocolate every day {within my daily points though} but I just didn't get a chance to do much exercise. I still managed to lose a bit of weight though and that is the main thing. I have also managed to score a new wardrobe thanks to my sisters who were spring cleaning. All the clothes are so new and so outside of my budget. Think Gap, Cue, Esprit so I am one happy mummy who is working her way to being a yummy mummy.

I reached my 2nd mini goal this week. I have 2 weeks for my 20 year school reunion so I want to get a bit more off between now and then. I don't think I will be able to get too much more off but I aiming high. 2kgs. Wish me luck.

This weeks loss: 400 grams
Accumulated Total Loss: 9.6 kgs
Loss to go: 5.4 kgs

Happy 5 Months

2010-10-05T12:10:00.003+11:00

You started laughing more

You started sleeping a bit better

You moved into your big boys cot

You started solids

You still have not slept through the night

You roll both ways now

You hold things

You kind of took a bottle {but not well}

You love watching your big brother

Your hair is starting to grow

You still hate the car seat

You like my blowing raspberries

You love me singing "I wonder what your name is"

You still manage to make your way into my bed at night

You like going forward facing in the baby bjorn

You love the big boys bath with your brother

Your mouth discovered your toes

You love to put anything in your mouth, mostly your fingers

Diet: Week 7

2010-10-05T11:01:00.002+11:00

Week 7 was a succesful week. I had chocolate every night and wine a couple of times and still managed to lose some weight. Every now and again, I want to give in but knowing I have my 20 year school reunion in 3 weeks is keeping me on the ball. And I would love to buy new clothes but I have to wait until I have lost all my weight. All the pretty summer dresses are calling me though.

I have been told I am losing too much weight too quickly but I don't know what else I can do. I am not going over my points but I am using very very close to them all.

This weeks Weight Loss: 1.9kg

Total Weight Loss: 9.2kg

Left to Lose: 5.8kg

Diet: Week 6

2010-09-27T10:20:00.003+10:00

I had no exercise this week. Well nothing to write home about so I was a little worried about what weight loss I would have this week, if any. Last week I was told I was losing weight too quickly by weight watchers so I made sure to use all my points. This meant I had ice cream, freddo frogs, smarties and a packet of twisties.

I have now lost what my 4.5 month old son weighs. The goal is to lose what my 3.5 year old weighs.

This weeks loss: 900 grams

Accumulated Loss: 7.3kg

Weight to go to reach goal: 7.7kg

Cheesy Swirls

2010-09-21T14:32:00.003+10:00

Donna Hay, thank you. This recipe is courtesy of her but it is so good for fussy eaters. My son is going through this stage at the moment. It is so easy to make even he helps me and I know the recipe off the top of my head, I have made it that often.

To make the dough, you need 2 cups of sifted plain flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 cup of buttermilk. Mix it all together on a floured board, roll out. Put whatever ingredients you like. This one was just cheese and tomato paste.

Roll up and slice. Place on some baking paper and brush with egg. Place in a 200 degree celcius pre heated oven. Cook for 25 - 30 minutes.

And voila!

It's delicious.

Other fillings you could try are - any pizza filling, ,vegemite and cheese, chocolate.

10 years ago today

2010-09-20T10:01:00.000+10:00

10 years ago I was single. I was enjoying the festivities around Sydney as the Olympic Games were being celebrated. I remember my boss at the time scheduled a very serious meeting for his group to attend. He said enjoy the Olympic Games as you will probably never experience them in your city again for a very long time but just remember to get your work done.

So enjoy I did. I attended a number of sporting events. A number of parties also. I even met my husband to be. This time 10 years ago. I was drunk. He was drunk. Who would have thought 10 years ago when I met him in Martin Place that he would become my husband. He would encourage me to move to England. Buy a place. Sell a place. Buy another place. Move back to Australia and have two gorgeous sons.

Time flies when your having fun.

Diet: Week 5

2010-09-19T22:19:00.002+10:00

5 weeks down and I am really feeling so much better. Though I am living in the same clothes most of the time as I really do not want to buy new clothes until I have dropped a load of dress sizes. I am really looking forward to some new clothes and feeling good in them.

I have a 20 year school reunion next month and I really want to wear a dress that I have in my cupboard and never been able to wear.

I had a few special treats this week and still managed to lose weight. I am thrilled and definitely feeling the results. I am so happy.

I have been told I am losing my weight too quickly but I can't possibly eat much more. I am eating loads and still having treats so not sure what to do. I really think drinking loads of water is helping me lose weight too.

I have just over 3 kg to go to get to my 2nd goal weight and I hope to achieve that before the end of October. Fingers crossed.

This weeks loss: 1.4kg

Total Loss: 6.4kg

Weight to Lose: 8.6kg

I'm a Modern Mondeo Mamma: Review 6

2010-09-17T20:56:00.002+10:00

I can't get on with the voice recognition. It all seemed to work smoothly when I had my hand over but I have not seemed to get it right once, yet. It is not doing anything I ask of it and in fact, it doesn't even ask me anything. I press the button to start voice recognition and it beeps at me and then I hear nothing. OK OK, I know I am not the most clued up when it comes to technology so it could be something I am doing. However, I am sure I am doing exactly what the salesmen showed me.

It all seemed like a good idea at the time but really, it is pretty unnecessary and something that is bound to cost a lot of money down the track to get it fixed when something goes wrong with it.

I do like the big screen on the dashboard that shows all the necessary information, they are all lit up so they are easy to see and read while still driving the car. How much fuel there is in the car. How many kilometers to go before I run out of petrol etc, the information is at my fingertips.

How I rate the car in week two? It's not bad. I think I prefer my own car though. I like being up high. I do want the parking sensors though. How my 3 year old rates the car? I prefer Mummy's car.

I'm A Modern Mondeo Mamma: Review 5

2010-09-16T16:08:00.004+10:00

I was given the impression when I collected the car that the car was keyless for locking and unlocking the car. I was told I could keep the key in my pocket or at the bottom of my hand bag. Excellent I thought. So I have kept it at the bottom of my hand bag for 2 weeks. My father was with me the other day and we thought we would test this great accessory. However, when I got more then 20 metres, the car still was not locked! So I am not sure if I was misinformed or if I have to be more then 20 metres away but all I do know is, that the car hasn't been locked properly. Luckily, I realised this eventually though. Or perhaps it is my inability to work gadgets properly.

So, the convenience of having the 'key' at the bottom of the hand bag is not all that convenient as you still have to dig around looking for it to lock up.

My 3 year old, however, was very impressed with the ability to see the sun through the roof. I don't really see the benefit of having a sun roof though. I have never had one so I guess what I don't know won't hurt me. Or am I missing something?

Last Week I met an Idiot

2010-09-15T07:10:00.000+10:00

Fridays is usually running my errands that I can't handle doing with a toddler in tow. You know the errands that require long queues before you get served? The post office is the worst place to take Oliver. Too impatient and too many distractions. So I get in the line. Wait 10 minutes before getting served. All I wanted was a stamp to send a large letter. I get served. The woman says it is $1.80. I open my purse and there is no money. Hubby has taken all my small change. The cashier tells me to go and get my money and come back to the front of the queue with my cash and she will give me my letter which had already had the stamps put on. So I did. Sweet.

I went on my merry way happy as Larry. Next stop the newsagent. Another queue. I wasn't quite ready to line up in the queue yet but it kind of looked like I did. A man came along and just stood right in front of me. The woman behind me commented. I just ignored it, went and got my magazine and then jumped behind the woman to get in the queue. She asked me if I wanted to go in front of her. My reply "No that is OK thank you. It's a good job I wasn't ready to hop in the queue before isn't it". Well, he turned around and had a go at me for jumping the line in the post office. What a looney he was. I shouldn't have bothered but I explained to him exactly what happened.

I was astounded that this man had such a problem with me as there were other people also doing the same. People who bought packages that needed to be addressed and sealed. Business people also. And people with passport applications. What an idiot. He obvisouly has nothing better to worry about then people going to the front of the line. The lucky guy.

I'm A Modern Mondeo Mamma: Review 4

2010-09-13T20:56:00.003+10:00

I have written a lot about the special features of the car and not a lot about the car itself. As the driver, I sit in luxury. The car is very comfortable, easy to adjust and even has heated seats. Nice and toasty like an electric blanket. However, the passenger seat is not as automatic but they still have the nice warm seats as well. Just brilliant on a cold, rainy day like today.

My husband sat in the passengers seat for the first time on the weekend and although he is not a very tall man, his head was almost hitting the roof. A small sacrifice to make though in order to get heat. Also, there are two temperature settings which is just the best thing since sliced bread. My husband likes the cool settings and I like the warmer settings so we both get it just the way we like it.

The boot space is huge. It just swallows the huge pram that I have to cart around and all the extra baggage that comes with having two children and piles and piles of shopping. Not to mention that I can fit two car seats across the back seat and a medium size adult can sit along side them. It really is a family size car and could easily fit all the essentials required for a family holiday.

Although the car is very fuel efficient {diesel car}, I found it really frustrating trying to get fuel on the weekend. Two service stations later, I finally found somewhere that actually sold diesel but then I waited in a queue for 10 minutes to find the petrol bouser that I waited at didn't have diesel. After owning the car for some time, you would work out what places to go to and what ones to avoid. Just don't let your car run too low when trying to fill up like I did.

My pros this time. Defintely the hands free phone. My cons. There is no satellite navigation. I still have to rely on my trusty street directory which is a shame. I did think a top of the range car would have this over a lot of other things.

Diet: Week 4

2010-09-13T09:55:00.000+10:00

I wish I started this diet months ago. I feel so much healthier. I am drinking loads more salad, fruit and drinking bucket loads of water. Even if I am not losing weight, I feel better. I am definitely losing weight though. I feel lighter, I look a bit lighter and my clothes are definitely not as tight. I always compare my weight loss to carrying a bag of potatoes and how heavy they are and then realising that I am no longer carrying that much around with me everyday.

I even had treats this week. Wine. Chocolate. Home made scones. I did count them in my points though. My parents are visiting this week so it will be hard for my Mum to not be able to make desserts.

This weeks weight loss: 1.3kg
Total Weight Loss in 4 weeks: 5kg
Weight Loss to go: 10kg

I am a Modern Mondeo Mamma: Review 3

2010-09-10T09:15:00.000+10:00

The rain was falling in old Sydney town on Saturday. I mean bucket loads and this fantastic Ford Mondeo turns the windscreen wipers on automatically. Yes, you heard right. There is no need to try to watch the road plus find where to switch the wipers on or get the right speed. They come on at the exact level that is required to drive safeld depending on the amount of rain falling on the screen and the speed you are driving. How good is that? Then they turn off when required. However, when I was driving the car on a beautiful sunny day, the wipers came on.

I love that everything is so easy and quick to turn on if not automatic. Some functions like making a phone call, changing the temperature or changing radio channels are done through voice recognition. That's right. There is no need to press any buttons, you just talk through your requests and the car does it. Since becoming a mother, I have trouble juggling my life and concentrating on more then two things at once. So when my toddler is whinging because he wants to be at home already and my newborn baby is crying because he doesn't like his car seat, I don't have to worry about too much because the car does everything for me, except drive the car of course.

My pros so far. So many automatic functions allows two hands on the steering wheel. Cons so far. A European car has the indicators on the wrong side of the steering wheel so I am forever turning the wipers on. My 3 year olds pros so far. He gets to listen to his nursery rhymes on CD. His cons so far. We have to give the car back.

31 Photos in 31 Days:

2010-09-09T16:50:00.000+10:00

Day 26: Not happy

Day 27: Deciding what to Play with

Day 28: Playing with Play Dough

Day 29: Staring at eack other

Day 30: Mess in the Play Room

Day 31: Water Painting

Lust Have Item

2010-09-09T03:26:00.000+10:00

Felix wants this for Christmas. He does, he told me. Honest. I just can't find it here in Australia and postage from the UK is probably going to cost me thousands of dollars.