How do you get a 3.5yr old to stay in bed???
This one is doing my head in.
I have all the right solutions for wearing them out - ball play, balloon play, outdoor play, tickle play, food play ... the list is endless.
And yet, I cannot get my little man to simply close his eyes and drift sweetly off to sleep. The whole getting to sleep process can take anywhere from 30 - 120 minutes depending on I don't know what!!
Across the room, his little brother, 21 months younger, is sleeping soundly. Totally programmed for lights out, eyes closed and off to sleep usually within about 2 minutes. Just like his mummy :D
So, help me if you can, I'm feeling drained......
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
86400 seconds ... it's just enough
I love Saturday mornings and I especially love Saturday mornings in Cairns in the middle of winter.
This morning has been so wonderful. I dutifully headed off to work at 7am. 1 client, 2 classes and 3 hours later I met up with my boys on the Red Arrow walking track in Whitfield. It was just fantastic. F1 greeted me with Hi Mum, I'm so glad you're here and Z2 with a mouth full of 'choc' started telling me about the 'panes' he could see taking off and landing at the airport below. (Choc is a perfectly acceptable low G1 energy replacement when trekking outdoors :).
They had made their way right up to the second lookout, which is hard work for the average Joe, let alone Daddy and two tiny boys that may or may not be willing participants. They were enjoying the view through binoculars when I arrived, so we all sat and took it in. Now when F1 is so happy he doesn't know how to express himself he says "hey Mummy, I've got a birthday party for you". This is the most exciting thing he knows so that's how he tells me things are great. Things were so great this morning he was breaking out into spontaneous renditions of Happy Birthday song complete with hip-rays in chorus with Z2. I love that.
Their delight at this seemingly very basic outdoor experience was amazing to me. There was nothing about it that wasn't a hit. Every tree they passed, the scrub turkeys they saw, even the gum tree stump that F1 had a sit on. And what makes it a hit with me is that now F1 is sound asleep, affording me valuable time to catch up on the basics of life. Z2 took a power nap on the last leg of the downhill, so he's somehow recharged his batteries and is ready for round 2. But that's ok. I would love the rest, but it's nothing compared to the joy these little guys bring to my life.
And I have 86400 seconds everyday to drink it in and enjoy!
I think it's just enough ...
This morning has been so wonderful. I dutifully headed off to work at 7am. 1 client, 2 classes and 3 hours later I met up with my boys on the Red Arrow walking track in Whitfield. It was just fantastic. F1 greeted me with Hi Mum, I'm so glad you're here and Z2 with a mouth full of 'choc' started telling me about the 'panes' he could see taking off and landing at the airport below. (Choc is a perfectly acceptable low G1 energy replacement when trekking outdoors :).
They had made their way right up to the second lookout, which is hard work for the average Joe, let alone Daddy and two tiny boys that may or may not be willing participants. They were enjoying the view through binoculars when I arrived, so we all sat and took it in. Now when F1 is so happy he doesn't know how to express himself he says "hey Mummy, I've got a birthday party for you". This is the most exciting thing he knows so that's how he tells me things are great. Things were so great this morning he was breaking out into spontaneous renditions of Happy Birthday song complete with hip-rays in chorus with Z2. I love that.
Their delight at this seemingly very basic outdoor experience was amazing to me. There was nothing about it that wasn't a hit. Every tree they passed, the scrub turkeys they saw, even the gum tree stump that F1 had a sit on. And what makes it a hit with me is that now F1 is sound asleep, affording me valuable time to catch up on the basics of life. Z2 took a power nap on the last leg of the downhill, so he's somehow recharged his batteries and is ready for round 2. But that's ok. I would love the rest, but it's nothing compared to the joy these little guys bring to my life.
And I have 86400 seconds everyday to drink it in and enjoy!
I think it's just enough ...
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
How many reasons to be grateful....
Everyday I am grateful that my 20 month old wakes me at 5:05 and leads me to the kitchen to prepare his milk, and then once drunk insists on engaging me completely in matters of toy cars and plastic snakes when I really am supposed to be getting ready for a client at the gym at 6. And I am grateful every evening that my 3.6yr old cries out Mum just before he falls asleep and wants a final cuddle to help him settle, just when I want to relax into a good dose of Jenny Brockey on Insight or do a daily de-brief with Stu.
And why am I grateful? Because their existence is pure joy. Their being in my life adds value that I never knew was missing until it arrived. Because I am one of the luckiest people on the planet to have two beautiful, healthy, happy little boys that love me; and a loving partner who is the most incredible dad; and to live in a country that is safe, and liberated, and free from slavery, extreme poverty and that poor and depraved side of life that unless you've actually seen it, as an Australian it's impossible to believe exists.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to spend some time in Asia and see first hand what is extreme poverty. I was overwhelmed by the smells of asia, especially around the marketplaces in Thailand and Jakarta, and I was confronted by the site of broken people begging in the streets. On more than one occasion I had small children pushed on the ground in front of me to beg.
Today I was reminded of how lucky I am as I listened to Geraldine Cox, founder of Sunrise Children's Villages in Cambodia talk about her work with the extremely poor children of Cambodia. Geraldine is an extraordinary lady who works to change the lives of children born into poverty and destined to a life of begging, often involving violent maiming or disfiguring of the children (think Slum Dog Millionaire), slavery or prostitution. Her stories are confronting and moving and often unbelievable, and at the same time totally heart-wrenching.
As I tuck my little ones in tonight and kiss them off to sleep I am even more grateful than usual because me and my beautiful children do not have to consider life such as that described by Geraldine of her children. There's nothing quite like a little contrast to bring clarity. And I am grateful for Geraldine Cox who does what she does and through this has given me in some small way an opportunity to participate in making change in the lives of the children of Cambodia.
If you don't know of Geraldine have a look at her website http://geraldinecox.org/. Perhaps you will be moved to participate as I was today, to contribute in some small way to making one child's life in Cambodia a little better.
And why am I grateful? Because their existence is pure joy. Their being in my life adds value that I never knew was missing until it arrived. Because I am one of the luckiest people on the planet to have two beautiful, healthy, happy little boys that love me; and a loving partner who is the most incredible dad; and to live in a country that is safe, and liberated, and free from slavery, extreme poverty and that poor and depraved side of life that unless you've actually seen it, as an Australian it's impossible to believe exists.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to spend some time in Asia and see first hand what is extreme poverty. I was overwhelmed by the smells of asia, especially around the marketplaces in Thailand and Jakarta, and I was confronted by the site of broken people begging in the streets. On more than one occasion I had small children pushed on the ground in front of me to beg.
Today I was reminded of how lucky I am as I listened to Geraldine Cox, founder of Sunrise Children's Villages in Cambodia talk about her work with the extremely poor children of Cambodia. Geraldine is an extraordinary lady who works to change the lives of children born into poverty and destined to a life of begging, often involving violent maiming or disfiguring of the children (think Slum Dog Millionaire), slavery or prostitution. Her stories are confronting and moving and often unbelievable, and at the same time totally heart-wrenching.
As I tuck my little ones in tonight and kiss them off to sleep I am even more grateful than usual because me and my beautiful children do not have to consider life such as that described by Geraldine of her children. There's nothing quite like a little contrast to bring clarity. And I am grateful for Geraldine Cox who does what she does and through this has given me in some small way an opportunity to participate in making change in the lives of the children of Cambodia.
If you don't know of Geraldine have a look at her website http://geraldinecox.org/. Perhaps you will be moved to participate as I was today, to contribute in some small way to making one child's life in Cambodia a little better.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
We love you Drandpa ....
So Drandpa is of course Grandpa, according to F1, and we are spending the weekend on his farm about 90 minutes out of town. You've got to love it - cool crisp mornings and evenings, heaps of green for the kids to run wild in, a few cats and dogs, cows in the nearby paddock and plenty of fruit dropping from the trees to substitute for tennis balls and throw around. Plus Drandpa is doing all the cooking so mum and dad actually get the night off. I really do love it here.
Being removed from the stressors of daily life is a hit with me too. We could have stayed home this weekend cos we've both got plenty of work to do, both for business and around the house, but the unexpected and untimely death of our cat from a snake bite last Monday reminded me that life is about now. The work will still be there, and it will still get done, on Monday, and it is important to make time to for the family.
I was reminded of this when I came across a friend yesterday morning before we left town who was clearly stressed with the demands of her own business. At least once a month for the past six months I have extended the invitation to this friend and her husband and son to join us for a weekend outing - swimming, beaching, community playgroup, friday night barbie etc. Every time she has declined with the reason being that either the entire household is sick or Dad's away on business and it's all too much.
Now I can face the fact also that perhaps she's just not that interested and just doesn't want to come, but I don't actually think that's what it's all about.
Her son was pretty happy to run into me and rapid fire with questions about where F1 was, as he was not with me, obviously keen for a catch up and a play. And I was saddened to think of all the opportunities that might be being missed not just by my friend but by her son and her whole family.
What's my point. Well, I can't do anything about my friend and her commitments and priorities but I can take charge of my own. So instead of echoing those sentiments and sticking my head down and bum up and neglecting my family as my business takes priority, I turned the natural order on it's head.
It's been the most rewarding two days. My hubby is happy - he spent 1 hour today, during a 3 hour visit, with his mum at a nursing home, helping her to eat her lunch. He is happy because today she has been nourished not just with food but with the energetic attentions of her two beautiful grandchildren and the warmth our little family brings to her world. She can't express much at all these days, suffering from advanced motor neurone disease and frontal lobe dementia and now possibly also parkinsons, but you can clearly see the joy in her eyes and occasionally a real and spontaneous smile when we spend time with her.
My kids are happy. They adore Drandpa. He's very strict with them - there is absolutely no throwing stones in the fish pond - but he is also playful and fully into letting them explore the gadgets in the shed and around the house, that I wouldn't let them near in a pink fit. They also get to see mum and dad relaxed and happy and spending time with each other and with them, and I can tell this makes them happy.
Drandpa is happy - he is baching it out here on the farm and any company is good company, especially our lively little crew.
And I am happy. The world turns, chaos abounds in all four corners of the globe and the news of the world is tuned into all that is miserable, and yet I am happy. I can't change the world, the misery will continue. I can only change myself. And by releasing my control for just a few days I have found a sense of peace and relaxation this weekend that is rare in my life.
The time that matters is now. I try to do the best I can with the knowledge and resources I have available right now and in that I find peace.
I was privileged this year to hear a guy called Bruce Sullivan speak. He said that we should try to make every interaction we have with people make that person feel special. Leave them wanting more.
It's a great way to approach life.
So as my beautiful little Z2 comes to call me to dinner, I am reminded again of how special and wonderful my life is and the pure joy that I have the privilege to breathe in every day.
We love you Drandpa ...
Being removed from the stressors of daily life is a hit with me too. We could have stayed home this weekend cos we've both got plenty of work to do, both for business and around the house, but the unexpected and untimely death of our cat from a snake bite last Monday reminded me that life is about now. The work will still be there, and it will still get done, on Monday, and it is important to make time to for the family.
I was reminded of this when I came across a friend yesterday morning before we left town who was clearly stressed with the demands of her own business. At least once a month for the past six months I have extended the invitation to this friend and her husband and son to join us for a weekend outing - swimming, beaching, community playgroup, friday night barbie etc. Every time she has declined with the reason being that either the entire household is sick or Dad's away on business and it's all too much.
Now I can face the fact also that perhaps she's just not that interested and just doesn't want to come, but I don't actually think that's what it's all about.
Her son was pretty happy to run into me and rapid fire with questions about where F1 was, as he was not with me, obviously keen for a catch up and a play. And I was saddened to think of all the opportunities that might be being missed not just by my friend but by her son and her whole family.
What's my point. Well, I can't do anything about my friend and her commitments and priorities but I can take charge of my own. So instead of echoing those sentiments and sticking my head down and bum up and neglecting my family as my business takes priority, I turned the natural order on it's head.
It's been the most rewarding two days. My hubby is happy - he spent 1 hour today, during a 3 hour visit, with his mum at a nursing home, helping her to eat her lunch. He is happy because today she has been nourished not just with food but with the energetic attentions of her two beautiful grandchildren and the warmth our little family brings to her world. She can't express much at all these days, suffering from advanced motor neurone disease and frontal lobe dementia and now possibly also parkinsons, but you can clearly see the joy in her eyes and occasionally a real and spontaneous smile when we spend time with her.
My kids are happy. They adore Drandpa. He's very strict with them - there is absolutely no throwing stones in the fish pond - but he is also playful and fully into letting them explore the gadgets in the shed and around the house, that I wouldn't let them near in a pink fit. They also get to see mum and dad relaxed and happy and spending time with each other and with them, and I can tell this makes them happy.
Drandpa is happy - he is baching it out here on the farm and any company is good company, especially our lively little crew.
And I am happy. The world turns, chaos abounds in all four corners of the globe and the news of the world is tuned into all that is miserable, and yet I am happy. I can't change the world, the misery will continue. I can only change myself. And by releasing my control for just a few days I have found a sense of peace and relaxation this weekend that is rare in my life.
The time that matters is now. I try to do the best I can with the knowledge and resources I have available right now and in that I find peace.
I was privileged this year to hear a guy called Bruce Sullivan speak. He said that we should try to make every interaction we have with people make that person feel special. Leave them wanting more.
It's a great way to approach life.
So as my beautiful little Z2 comes to call me to dinner, I am reminded again of how special and wonderful my life is and the pure joy that I have the privilege to breathe in every day.
We love you Drandpa ...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Magic of Bubbles and Balloons
OK, so the balloons and the bubbles you have to fork out for at the supermarket, but it is so seriously worth it. A couple of dollars and you've got yourself the tools for hours of endless fun with your kids.
As a fitness trainer, I'm just in love with the idea of the balloons too. There's quite a bit of research around to suggest that they stimulate movement patterns and develop strength, balance and agility. Take a look here at this very scientific study done by PTA Global:
I think you get the idea. Kids love simple stuff and idea of keeping a balloon up in the air rates pretty highly. We had fun at our house this morning blowing up giant balloons and then letting them go and watching F1 & Z2 chase them hopelessly around trying to catch them. It was the source of enormous laughter and fun for those of use that walk to 2 lets, but for our 4 legged pal Deco, it was unfortunately a morning of terror. Especially when it was decided that tying them up and sitting on them till bursting was the way to go. (Dogs don't love it).
The bubbles are great too. More is better and learning to blow them is such a challenge with the little ones. I bought the bulk pack that I think are intended as party prizes, but it means that I always have them on hand in a crisis and I can almost guarantee them as a cure for tears in almost every situation.
So, with the little ones get with the B's and bang about having a ball with balloons and bubbles!!
As a fitness trainer, I'm just in love with the idea of the balloons too. There's quite a bit of research around to suggest that they stimulate movement patterns and develop strength, balance and agility. Take a look here at this very scientific study done by PTA Global:
I think you get the idea. Kids love simple stuff and idea of keeping a balloon up in the air rates pretty highly. We had fun at our house this morning blowing up giant balloons and then letting them go and watching F1 & Z2 chase them hopelessly around trying to catch them. It was the source of enormous laughter and fun for those of use that walk to 2 lets, but for our 4 legged pal Deco, it was unfortunately a morning of terror. Especially when it was decided that tying them up and sitting on them till bursting was the way to go. (Dogs don't love it).
The bubbles are great too. More is better and learning to blow them is such a challenge with the little ones. I bought the bulk pack that I think are intended as party prizes, but it means that I always have them on hand in a crisis and I can almost guarantee them as a cure for tears in almost every situation.
So, with the little ones get with the B's and bang about having a ball with balloons and bubbles!!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Feel the beat
OK Hot Mummies - find a container, give it a lid or cover it with something, get some chopstix and start banging. How much fun can a little boy have with a drum? F1 was beside himself with delight this morning banging out the beats with his chopstix. He has the good fortune to have been given a lovely kids drum for a birthday somewhere in the past and today he put the chopstix to good use. A few got broken, but it doesn't matter. Self expression was the highlight and I'm a happy mummy!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
3, 2 1, ... Blast Off
I have spent the past month collecting every toilet roll, paper towel roll, cardboard box and pipecleaner that has come into our house, and unknowingly saving it for today.
This morning Stu took off early for a round of golf and I was supposed to get a sleep in. Well I did, till about 6:45, hurrah, and then we were all up and ready to go.
I am not creatively inclined when it comes to doing stuff with the kids, but I am taking on the challenge. So inspired by F1's recent fascination with all things astronautical I decided that we would make space ships.
What a fantastic way to spend some time. F1 & Z2 were so inspired.
We had pipecleaners of all colours, aluminium foil, sticky tape, egg cartons, carboard rolls and random pieces of plastic which all came together nicely in two spectacular rocket ships that kept the boys amused for hours.
One rocket ship now sits poised for take off as a sleeping F1 dreams of astronauts and moonlandings; and the other is sitting on the launch pad downstairs, where it will undoubtedly get some air time tomorrow. I am proud to say that the vita-weet box car we made last week is still sitting with great pride on the dining table; steering wheel intact, though the spoiler has gone missing and the paint job has taken a beating.
It doesn't have to be expensive to keep kids amused and engaged, it just requires a little effort and a bit of thinking with the box instead of inside it. Let your mind open and give your kids space and time to create without worrying about the mess. It will get their creative juices flowing and you will be so proud ... and probably have some fun too.
This morning Stu took off early for a round of golf and I was supposed to get a sleep in. Well I did, till about 6:45, hurrah, and then we were all up and ready to go.
I am not creatively inclined when it comes to doing stuff with the kids, but I am taking on the challenge. So inspired by F1's recent fascination with all things astronautical I decided that we would make space ships.
What a fantastic way to spend some time. F1 & Z2 were so inspired.
We had pipecleaners of all colours, aluminium foil, sticky tape, egg cartons, carboard rolls and random pieces of plastic which all came together nicely in two spectacular rocket ships that kept the boys amused for hours.
One rocket ship now sits poised for take off as a sleeping F1 dreams of astronauts and moonlandings; and the other is sitting on the launch pad downstairs, where it will undoubtedly get some air time tomorrow. I am proud to say that the vita-weet box car we made last week is still sitting with great pride on the dining table; steering wheel intact, though the spoiler has gone missing and the paint job has taken a beating.
It doesn't have to be expensive to keep kids amused and engaged, it just requires a little effort and a bit of thinking with the box instead of inside it. Let your mind open and give your kids space and time to create without worrying about the mess. It will get their creative juices flowing and you will be so proud ... and probably have some fun too.
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