It's Showtime, Baby

We went to the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Saturday - as guests of the new Samsung Galaxy Note. 


During the day we visited almost every animal known to man, including this heck of a cute goat, who we creatively named Billy the Kid - he slayed me. I wanted to keep that little kid. Tiny cried over Billy the Kid. The Doctor adored Billy the Kid. And Matt stood there like the Tin Man. He did not find his heart. Until I forced a cup of baby goat food into his hand and I damn well made him feed the baby animals. 


Finally we had to wean Billy the Kid from our tender-loving-care, and walked on to see ducks tumbling into ponds, chickens hatching, sheep headbutting other sheep, alpacas being judged, a cow doing a wee, and other amazing sights. 


We watched skaters shredding the rad at the Monster park. We had our portraits done at the Samsung stand (more on that laterz) - where I learnt I have a massive nose and huge, superhero like chin. Fist pump! The Doctor had a parrot on his head. We watched the pooches getting preened. 


And then I won worst mother of the year when I declared we were not, under any circumstances going to be getting showbags. Harsh, I know. Well the Doctor was so dirty at me, when we asked if he had had a good day he replied: "Not really," and then slunk off like an emo six year old. He didn't talk to me the whole drive home. 

An Ugly Photo Of My Feet

We've hit the frog and toad, and we're out of town for Easter. But not before I tipped a chair over that fell onto my foot. A full throttle blow that continued to bruise throughout the day. Poor, poor me.


Please drag out the world's smallest violin. 


I'd planned a weekend full of running/walking - wogging (walking x jogging) until this accident has left me like a limp biscuit.


Anyhoot - poor me aside. It's so nice to be in the country air. Gives me a chance to further brainwash Matt into letting our little family move to the country. Life in the country is good. Slowed down. No traffic jams. No hither and thither. Country air. Life is good. 


I'm going to soak up this weekend - soak in the heat, the goodness, and the chocolate. 


Happy Easter my friends. I hope you have a safe and happy time with friends and family. 


PS - another apology for my ugly foot shot. I know, I know. Poor form PMM.

Tiny Goes To Rio (Tinto)

Yesterday I decided to take the smalls on a last hoorah to celebrate my final-day-of-very-long-weekend-spent-being-very-lazy-at-home.

Hop or Rio? The Doctor voted Rio. Tiny voted Hop. And then she decided on Rio Tinto, and was hell bent on heading to Rio Tinto until we gently explained it wasn't really a destination she'd dig on (boom boom!) unless she wanted to wear a hard hat.

And apparently she did not want to wear a hard hat. Rather, she'd prefer to wear:

3 x skirts

1 x dress

2 x tops

1 x net

Yep. A net. She really wanted to wear this net to the movies.

I am pretty darn liberal when I let my kids choose what they want to wear. But I stood there and started imagining walking into the cinema with this small child with a net on her head. I had to tell Tiny there would be no net wearing today. Save that for when Daddy wants to go out in public. He LOVES it when you wear nets out in public.

And Rio? We really loved Rio. Despite having to sit in the very front row, and damning the critics and their miserly star allocation. We three all loved Rio! And luckily Tiny's vision wasn't obstructed with the net.

A (Really) Long Weekend

Five days at home seems so luxurious.

I've been back working for eight months now, so this time with my little family feels like stolen time. Ultra good for the soul. Perfect for recharding the old batts.

We've hung out together, I've sort of tidied, I've baked (and misread the recipe and inadvertently doubled the butter in the brownie recipe FAILWHALE), we've gone walking, we've played frisbee, we've egg hunted, we've tidied bedrooms, we've chatted, we've cuddled, we've stayed up really late, we've caught up with DVDs, we've curled up on the couch. We've had such a beautiful time.

And we've still got two days up our sleeves. Aye carumba. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Of Eggs. And Chocolate. And A Distinct Lack of Sleep.

Tiny missed the memo that informed her to sleep in. Actually, to sleep at all last night.

We were unceremoniously roused from our slumber at from around 2am onwards. Thanks Tiny. Thanks a bunch. I love it when you scream and go beserk in the fog of darkness. It's such a hoot. And then you keep going. And I feel like going beserk myself.

The Doctor woke early this morning totally ecstatic that the Easter Bunny had been. Once we all surfaced from our broken-slumber they went a-hunting through the garden. Man I love watching them. Cute attack.

And for the rest of the day, we hung out at Matt's dad's place and lunched with him, went for a walk. Tiny threw herself on the footpath. I stole the Doctor's scooter for a ride.

Tiny has been eating her 'Easters' all day. Hidden in the privacy of her little house, she has hidden her basket full of eggs, and has left a trail of foil all over the house. You can imagine what a winning combination a very tired preschooler, and a heck of a lot of chocolate is. WINNER.

And that folks was Easter Sunday. It's a wrap.

But what about this big bunny? What did he bring you today?

Easter: What Do You Do?

We spent our Good Friday, gardening, hanging out together, and best of all, playing frisbee.

The smalls both declared they hated fish. They wouldn't eat dinner.

I'm watching Glee and a bit bored. I think I'll put 'Once' on and enjoy Glen Hansard instead.

I'm thinking of starting a new little project. One that can lay unfinished for a couple of years.

Tomorrow my eyebrows are being restored to their groomed good selves.

I wear my PJ top as daywear. No one needs to know.

I can't wait to hunt for eggs on Sunday.

This is not me. I'm not a man. But I do have similar socks.

What are you doing this weekend?

image via History of Ultimate Frisbee

Big thanks to Molks for rescuing me tonight!

Mix Master Easter

I have not done one single speck of anything in preparation for Easter. EEP! I haven't bought any eggs (except for a packet of Crunchie eggs that Tiny managed to devour), we have no plans, and I always get a bit stressed because Easter means being organised. I don't want the smalls to eat too much chocolate, so I'm going to look for some clever alternatives to distract their attention from chocolate eggs.

I spied these eggies in the window on our date night. I can feel some Easter craft coming on. This weekend the little peeps and I might crack out the craft box, and get, crafting.

In The Sunshine

I got sun-fattened on the weekend. Like a cat sitting in the warmth, I lapped it up.

We were lucky to be invited to spend a blissful day at the Hunter Valley Gardens on Sunday. It was such a fun day, and is the only day of the week where the four of us get to spend together. I loved that. Lolling about in the sunshine with Matt, my smalls tearing off to a jumping castle, to an Easter egg hunt, to race in an egg and spoon race, a sack race - it was that blissful and reminded me that simple things are so good.

Afterwards we wandered through the gardens by ourselves. Last time I imagined I was Marie Antoinette. This time I took myself to Tuscany.

I smelt a rose that took me back to my childhood, in my grandmother's rose garden, that smell, so intoxicating. I can even smell it now. A real old-fashioned rose.

And then I stumbled upon a willow tree. When Matt and I were first engaged, and dreaming up our wedding, we agreed that we'd get married somewhere with a willow tree. I love willow trees. We didn't get the willow tree, but if we were into renewing our vows, well we'd be underneath this willow tree.

We were treated to a show by Crocstars, and the kids got to touch a crocodile, a snake, you know, the usual. Pretty fascinating, and that underbelly of the croc, so soft!

There are some great things happening in the HVG these Easter holidays (I've put the links here!). So much to do to keep the smalls happy and busy:

- Easter Long Weekend Egg Hunt

- The Dinosaur Petting Zoo

- the whole Easter program is here

But seriously, no matter what time of year, I love these gardens - they are magical. All year 'round there is something to look at, to explore, and wear out the small people!

High Tea? Crafty Minxes?

My sister, Sarah, over at Calico & Ivy has whipped up a delightful ladies afternoon.. Oh me, oh my! If you've not already seen it, Kelly Doust of The Crafty Minx fame will be hosting a decadent high tea and Easter crafting extravaganza (or eggs-travaganza if you want me to be cornball to the max). Aye carumba! How lovely does that sound...? It sounds delectable to this little pottymouthmama!

There are limited places so you'd better get in quick!

Date: Sunday 10th April, 2011
Time: 2-5pm
Address: Calico & Ivy, 10 Birchgrove Road, Balmain

Phone: 02 9555 9909 to make your booking!

And On The Weekend

We enjoyed a crazed choc-fuelled egg hunt.

My parents are embracing renovation madness (with awesome and inspiring results) and so it was that the Doctor was able to dig for dino bones. Here are his finds. Don't tell the museum because my parents house (and all their new renos) may be dug up for more dino bones.

The Doctor rode in the go-kart my grandfather made for me, yikes, must be about 20 years old!

My Dad called me Johnny Cash.

Tiny slept. Momentarily. And then woke revitalised and ready to rumble. Until she finally went to sleep in someone's arms.

And my Mum and Dad celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. GO L*O*V*E!

I Am Back:: Hasta La Easter Eggs, Baby

I am back having eaten approximately 679 Easter eggs. This week is going to see me exercising them off in a gruelling systematic weight loss regime of crazy-dance-a-thons and chasing kidlets to the park. Uh huh. That's the word on the street.

We're back from visiting my Mum and Dad in my hometown of Tamworth. Yeehaw.

It's so sad to be back in the rush of the city. But we're back. For better or for worse. At least for now. Until I can convince Matt that a move to Tassie is where it's at. Or somewhere where the pace of life is at least a little less manic.

How was your Easter? Do tell!

They Fell In My Mouth

It's bad news here but some Easter eggs accidentally fell in my mouth. Just don't tell the kids or they'll be walking around with their little mouths wide open.

That little hand seems to sweep in rapid-fire, makes the kill, and gets out of there pronto.

Good Boy Mum!

My eyes are about to pop out of my head. I just rang the Karitane Hotline (Tresillian only do up to age 2). I need me some sleep. I need me some sleep something chronic. I am like a swinging pendulum, one minute delirious, the next way-too-serious.

Tiny has some serious questions to answer. In particular, why the aversion to sleep? Why no day sleeps for three days? Why no night sleeps? Why why why?

Up 'til midnight and she still has energy. Enough energy to throw herself down on the floor and tanty like it's 1999.

I don't give a brass razoo about chocolate eggs. I want the Easter bunny to bring me a big, fat sleep. A big one. A huge one.

Despite the fact Tiny is driving me stark raving bonkers she still makes me giggle with 'Good boy mum!'. Here she is, herself going slightly bonkers, her latest faux happy facial expression.

We're A Little...Er.. Easterlerious

Are your kids hopping mad? Or maybe it's you that's eggscited? How many corny gags can I fit into this eggscellent first para? Do you like cheep cheep jokes?

We've gone more than a little plum loco.

For those who are interested: No. Tiny is still not sleeping. And we've gone a little loopy.

Masks from Spotlight. Because they seemed like such a good idea at the time.

Getting Stuffed

Today I had the incredible idea that I would make the smalls a bunny each for Easter. I'd been looking on the internet for colouring-in stencils for kids, and stumbled across the perfect bunny to stitch.

So here is my prototype. Pretty darn wonky, but the Doctor already lays claim to him.

Ignore the dishevelled ear. Ignore the pure wonkiness and uneveness. He could be cute. If you squint your eyes really tight. He could be. And we could be heroes.

The funniest thing is, my mother-in-law misheard me and thought I was making our real-life rabbit a stuffed bunny.. I mean I have done some kooky things, but.. well, I don't even adore the real-life rabbit. He ate my handbag for goodness sakes. He ate my favourite handbag. My handbag that even had its own name (Keith Richards). And the damn rabbit ate it. He's not getting anything from his mate at Easter. Nothin'.

Easter-licious

Looky looky! Naughty Jess from Teddy Bear's Wednesday very generously sent me a Momma Chookie. So I found Momma Chookie some cute little pink eggs. On Easter Sunday those little eggs will hatch into some of these for the smalls. They are so darn cute and plump!

The Doctor and I have been busily arranging an Easter area (unfortunately for Tiny, she's been trying to eat the eggs. They're wooden. Not very tasty. Unless you're a borer.)Tiny and the Doctor have been colouring in and drawing and it's going straight to the pool room. Or the wall in this case.

What are you doing to get yourself Easter ready?

Meeting New People

Today the two smalls and I went to the park. I was meeting a friend who has children a similar age. We started chatting to a new mum who had just moved into the area. I asked for her phone number as we were about to leave to go to our next 'thing'.

It's my new thing. I've met so many mums in the park and never asked their number for fear of looking like a dork. It's something that I have occasionally regretted. Particularly because I am not exactly heavy on friends who live close by. Today I asked for her number. I am crazy like that.

On yesterday's post front, I'm not feeling particularly lonely/sad, it's just that I always do think about that proverb. My family is incredibly supportive, they just don't live conveniently next door (and they are interested, yes! they are). But sometimes it would be good to have other offers of help. I always feel a pang of envy when I hear someone say, 'oh blah blah is looking after the kids so I can clean the house.' Silly to feel envy about cleaning the house, but without two smalls - pure luxury!

And as an aside, wouldn't it be interesting to remove the stigma of being lonely or asking for help, if everyone started talking about it? It wouldn't be so shame-inducing!

The Doctor and I have been working on some Easter decorations. I've let him be the Cruise Director, so we made a HAPPY EASTER! poster. It's an eclectic array of drawings, painting, stickers and cutting and pasting. I quite like how it's turned out, and it's fun to sit with him and let him direct it. Tiny had a wee bit of work on this one too.

PS - there's a giveaway over at Fat Mum Slim's giving you the opportunity to win your own Jumi shoes.

Kiddie Craft:: School Holidays

here's Tiny flirting with the camera on our way back from our holiday

So we're into our first round of school holidays. After spending four fantastic days with my parents (and my sister and her family) we're back to the humdrum of life. This means the Doctor has spent plenty of time around plenty of people, and has now returned to hanging with his mama and little sister. Matt's sadly back to work (come home, we miss you!).

First up this morning, two fresh batches of playdough. Yum. I like just squashing this in my hands, warm, it feels sensational. Beats a stress ball any day.

I'm enjoying the freedom that comes with holidays. Even though we're at home. No having to wake Tiny up in the mornings (she's an 8am kinda gal). No crazy dash to down breakfast. No mad tussle to get out the front door for pre-school. No bad traffic (well hardly a speck). I like it. I even like not having sewing on so that I can just roll into my evenings, tonight I'm planning for some on-couching hand sewing. Ah yes, just the way I like it.


What are your sure-fire ways to keep a cruisy holiday cruisy? Do tell!

I'm Back. And 20 Kilos Heavier.

Ahhh Easter, how we love you so. If only I wasn't prone to eating so much chocolate. I've finally overdosed and am on the search for anything salty to tame my taste buds. I'm sure though, I'll be ready for more doses of chocolate later in the week (like I need it).

Ahhh Easter, if only you could have given me some self control, rather than chocolate. I'd quite like that. The ability to say, no I couldn't possibly eat my 50th Easter egg. Or no, no, thanks that first piece of Easter cake was delicious, I couldn't possibly go another. Or even, no one glass of wine is plenty for me. If only.

So now our little family is coming down off the chocolate-y high that is Easter. After a wonderful weekend away visiting my family, driving home in the rain, bumper to bumper in traffic, curling towards the city, thoughts turn to normal life, and oh how I pine to escape again, once more out of the city.

Hello egg lovers, how was your Easter?


PS - I do believe I only have 9 (!) entries to the GEORGIE LOVE SUPERSONIC BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY. Yowsers. Where is everyone? Want to enter? It's super dooper easy. And chances of winning at this stage are ridiculoulsy good. 1 in 3 punters are going to win at this rate. If you know what's good for you, enter now (pictured above is one of the three gorgeous prizes - this one is a ridiculously cute wooden bead bracelet from Dick & Dora)!

POSTED!

Yikes. Christie is probably going to knee-cap me with her thimble for being incredibly tardy, but I had a brain block, got stage fright and essentially, was just very disorganised.

But folks, I finally, well I should say, we finally got our Great Mail Swap posted (and we've already received a gorgeous lil letter from Charlie!).

The Doctor has been singing Happy Easter to us to the tune of Happy Birthday for the last couple of days. He knows someone fluffy with a cute tail brings something sweet on Sunday. We're off to visit my parents in Tamworth.

Have a wonderful Easter with your families. Peace out.