The emergency bag!

(guest blogger)

Well this week I finally did it... 

After 3 ½ years of parenting, keeping an emergency bag in each car fully stocked with nappies, clothes, shoes, hats, bottles, drink cups, sunscreen, bum cream, toys, and goodness-knows-what-else for each kid...

I finally needed the emergency bag!

Because of course, I always carry the monster bag with everything I need anyway, so for 3 ½ years I haven’t actually needed the emergency bag... until this weekend.

So this weekend, I left the monster bag on the kitchen bench, and took off to another town to visit Grandad.  I realised due to a bizarre series of events and car-swapping I had no emergency bag either.  No matter, we were cool.  Then I went on a whim for an overnight visit at my parents’ house in another town.  2 ½ hours from home I connected the dots and realised I had used the last nappy and had absolutely nothing for the kids, not even a change of clothes.  AARGH!

Never fear, a quick trip to the shops sorted nappies, milk and toothbrushes, and I figured nothing else mattered.  I put the kids to bed in oversized clothes I scraped up at mum’s place and chucked everything else in the wash.  Voila – sorted.  The only thing we REALLY missed was a security teddy, but after so much time playing with the grandparents, my little boy was so tired he went to sleep without. 

So now I ask myself the question – knowing I will survive happily without it - can I ditch the emergency bag idea, or is it a sensible “Be Prepared” precaution?  Do you carry everything everywhere you go, nothing, or something in between?  Let us know!

Kids...we love them through and through...

Oh what a week!! When your kids are sick and you have to spend the whole entire week quarantined to the house; how do you stay sane?

By the end of my "I can't do anything but hold you" week; I was very thankful when the weekend finally rolled around but it also made me realise a few things:

1. I like my dedicated work days (tiny human day care days) where I can wholly concentrate on my work and do what I need to do during those days.

2. I like my dedicated "tiny human" days; where I look forward to spending the whole day with my special little guy knowing I don't even have to turn the computer on if I don't want to (ok I do when he's sleeping tehe)

3. If I don't get Point 1 and Point 2; well it's not pretty.

I know; sickness happens; kids get sick and there's nothing we can do about it; I whole heartedly accept it although it doesn't mean I have to like having a child permanently attached to my waist all week.

I know I know I sound wingy but the real reason I wanted to share my tail of woe last week is that I do have a saving grace that I wanted to share with everyone and no it's no vodka ;).

It's a little book called "I love you through and through" and even after a terrible day with the small people in our life when I read this book at the end of every night; I am only filled with love and appreciation for my special little guy.

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781405240772/I-Love-You-Through-and-Through (Thank you book depository)

I came across the book during my week long stay at Sleep School where I met an incredible bunch of women including one lady in particular who mentioned this book to me. She was at sleep school for her youngest who wouldn't sleep plus had full time care of her disabled toddler; this book helped her stay sane.

So when times get tough just remember that you love their top side and their bottom side, their insides and their outsides. But most of all we love them through and through...yesterday, today and tomorrow too :) 

Share your thoughts on how you stay sane when the kids are sick at home.

Sunshiney Goodness...

Out and about...in the yard!

What gorgeous weather we have been having; so we decided to get out and about...in our own backyard.

With all the rain we've been having the weeds have literally taken over our yard and all our gardens; some nearly as tall as me (eek). It’s also super annoying whenever the cat or Koby or well anyone goes outside they always come back with those “sticky prickles” all over them; something had to be done!

So sunscreen, hats and gloves on; we started the massive task of weeding and the funny thing is we all started to really enjoy it. Koby did his best to help with the weed pulling in between throwing pebbles and chasing our cat Mr Sooty; who is becoming the best “baby sitter” ever. If you ever turn around and wonder  ”where’s koby?” just look for Sooty; that’s where Koby will be.

So with about 20% of the gardens weeded we had a family excursion down to the local nursery to pick out some new plants. It was a great way for us as a family to spend the weekend; outside in the fresh air; tending to the garden and accomplishing well overdue tasks.

NB: The only negative; I seemed to have forgotten to sunscreen my entire right arm; which by the end of the day was a bright lobster red while my left arm a lovely pale sunscreen covered colour; oh dear!!

Sunday Markets

With $20 in my pocket; one bright red arm and Koby strapped into his pram we ventured down to the local Ferny Grove Markets. Wow!!! So many great bargains to grab, loads of plants and those yummy little tiny pancakes. We picked up a $4 book of “Games to play with toddlers” (I have the predecessor “ Games to play with babies” and it’s awesome), $3 swim suit for kobys swimming lessons in great condition and for $10; a toy bus packed full of mega blocks.

We took off from there on our way to the Mitchelton Farmers Market; this time rather than take the pram I thought I would let Koby practise his walking; with a quick stop at the atm. But would you believe all 3 places to withdraw money on Blackwood Street were all empty; so with a quick walk through the markets; meeting various puppies; we went home empty handed.

Swimming classes

Do you take your kids to swimming; do they love it? We’ve been going every week since Koby was 4 mths old and he loves it. He loves it so much he has turned into a spectacle due to how crazy he is in the pool! All the other parents have quite dignified kids who do all the correct moves and manage to leave the pool with most of their hair nice and dry; unlike me who is completly soaked through from Koby’s insane splashing which is while I keep him at arms length.

With the warmer months coming I have to say it’s a relief to know that Koby is so confident in the water and we are looking forward to our holiday at Caloundra and enjoying the sun, sand and sunshine.

Where are you taking the kids this xmas; share here with other parents.