Date night = great night

 images: Joe Frost's current exhibition at Watters Gallery 

My Mum has been down helping with the kids while the school holidays are on.

It's been such a huge help - she cooks, cleans, entertains, declutters, gardens, weeds, and so much more. It's so nice coming home to my Mum.

And as a bonus - Matt and I have been able to go on a couple of date nights together. SCORE!

The first date was to see Taken3.  And then a really below par, horrible meal at Miss Chu that made me feel cross.

The second date was last night - an art exhibition opening, followed by dinner at iconic low-brow Bill  & Toni's. And it was awesome. No expectations, just hanging out looking at art, and then a quick and cheap meal together, chatting. It was gold. 

Now I'm thinking we need to have at least one date a month for the year. I know this is a great thing for our relationship, so we gotta aim high! 

So my ingredients for a most excellent date night are?

- an activity that gives you something to talk about: an exhibition is ace, a movie is great, or even just people watching
- follow it up with dinner/coffee/something so you can sit and chat about what you've seen
- I am a cheap date. I like simple things, and fancy things are not for me. My favourite meal out would be an awesome burger. And a beer. And plenty of conversation. And then maybe a gelato. 

I asked some friends what their secrets to a good date are:

1. 'A dude.'

2. '500gm personality
450gm attraction
Add a sprinkle of class, chivalry and a touch of humour... 
Stir well with great location...
Garnish with a couple of cocktails...
Then leave for 2-3 days to settle...
However you'll know well before that if the recipe worked...'

3. 'Mojitos.' 

4. 'Dont be a tightass.'

5. 'A: Free Babysitting with no end time B: Actually that's about it.'

6. 'A good bottle of wine, dinner out, no dishes, no children and no time limits... I'm also totally in to dumplings, beer and a movie!'

7. 'To have a date in the first place hahaha...'



What's your secret to a great date? 

Cholesterol Happy Brownies (Sp)

Matt got told a few months ago that his cholesterol levels were not good. Not good at all. 

Not only was this bad news for him, it was bad news for me. Firstly, you don't want high cholesterol. Secondly - I need to bake. 

I looked up what I could do to help him get his cholesterol in check. He started exercising at least five times a week. He reviewed what he was eating. We feel like we've got this stuff figured!

But baking? How could I still bake when Matt was fighting bad cholesterol?

Enter Flora Pro-Activ. The good news? I've switched it in instead of butter, so I can still bake, and Matt can still enjoy my baking! Hoorah!   

This is a super simple no-fail brownie recipe that I love. And because you've been so good dear reader, I am willing to share!

Lexi's No-Fail Double-Choc Double-Happiness Brownies

180g Flora Pro-Activ, melted

3/4 cup cocoa

1 1/2 cups castor sugar (or brown, whatever takes your fancy)

a teaspoon of good quality vanilla extract

4 eggs, lightly beaten

100g sifted plain flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup of chocolate, chopped

small pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 160C. Line a brownie tray with baking paper. 

Mix Flora Pro-Activ and cocoa in a large bowl. Once combined add sugar, vanilla and eggs. Stir through remaining ingredients. Pour into prepared tin and bake for 25-30 minutes until quite firm, but moist (I like mine a bit gooey, so I take them out a little early - when the top is quite firm). Allow to cool in tin and cut into squares. Dust with a little icing sugar. Serve with a strong coffee. All will be well.

What is cholesterol? Even if you think 'Oh I am too young to have high cholesterol!' - you should get it checked. Click over to learn the difference between 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol.  

* This is a sponsored post. Very occasionally I will do sponsored posts - when they resonate with me, because maybe they'll resonate with you too. This is my honest opinion which is why I can blog openly about it.  I wanted to share. 

Son Bypasses Sitting Father For Mother Washing Up:: Discuss

Tonight the Doctor was sitting next to Matt on the couch. Matt was relaxing. The Doctor got up, walked to me in the kitchen and asked me to count his pocket money. 

I was washing up the dishes and cleaning the kitchen.

The pocket money was sitting on the coffee table - less than a metre from Matt. 

The Doctor completely bypassed Matt - doing nothing on the couch, to ask me, doing something in the kitchen, to count his money.

What is with that?

Discuss. 

Do You Know Your Own Skin?

Do you check your skin regularly? I am guilty - I don't, and I should. 

My beautician told me a few months ago that I needed to go and get my skin checked - she saw some skin changes near my hairline on my forehead. 

After watching these videos, I've booked an appointment with a skin specialist so I can get checked properly. It might be nothing. It might be something.

I was silly in the sun when I was younger - and I should be more savvy. 

I'm going to take Matt with me too, so we can both get checked. I'll report back with the findings. 

Renewing Our Vowels

Holy toledo. No one ever told me that marriage was so difficult. 

There now. Someone's said it. It might as well be me. 

Hardest thing I've ever done. But also one of life's most rewarding.

Today we're celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary. I don't know how we got here, but we did. Go us! And without even an itch.

Who knew seven years could fly past so quickly? 

Happy Anniversary lover - I'm so glad we're stuck together. (And sorry I lost your card. I put it somewhere *special* - and now can't remember where that place is. I will find it!)

The Legs. They Are Talking.

We spent a couple of hours at a beautiful local park on Sunday. We had a mission of climbing trees. So off we went.

The tree climbing lasted all of about five minutes - when the kids decided that they were too scared, and I decided that they needed to spend more time in the country.

We then went on an adventure through the gardens, scootered, and Matt and I enjoyed some time sitting on park benches, on the grass, and just next to each other semi-chatting, mostly watching the smalls and enjoying being outside on a perfect Spring day. There's something to be said for comfortable silences.

We're now just one week shy of the school holidays. I've got some ideas on how to keep the smalls entertained during the two weeks - have you got plans?

Burning Sausages. And Other Number One Hits.

I was being some kind of gastronomic genius in the kitchen tonight, cooking Tuscan chicken for Matt and I (that I picked up from my butcher already marinated - hello - I outsource, what's it to you?), and the kids culinary favourite... Sausages.

Simple task. Yes?

Er. No.

I got involved in some shopping of the online kind (Australian retailer FYI). Can you see where this is going?  I checked the sausages a number of times to ensure they had the right sizzle factor. And indeed they did have the right sizzle factor - in fact they were just at the right time to take them off - but instead I thought "Hey - they'll be really good if I leave them for another two minutes." So I did.

Approximately seven minutes later Matt looked at the kitchen and went "Holy cow". Or something like that. It was filled with smoke and my perfectly sizzled sausages were transformed into perfectly cindered sausages. Just. Like. That.

The next 7.5 minutes involved me cutting off the charcoal pieces so that my children would actually eat something instead of the nothing they would have preferred.

The chicken on the other hand was a complete hit.

Tell me I am not alone in burning dinner. I informed Matt that if I didn't from time to time burn dinner, no one would appreciate when I didn't burn dinner.

True? False? Don't care?

PS - Did you know there's something called the Burnt Sausage Sea Cucumber? Nope, me neither. Until I googled images for burnt sausages. Here ends our lesson. Class dismissed.

Let's Pretend I Am Dead

I am lying on my sofa doing my tax. I know, I know, you are wildly jealous because anything to do with a pile of invoices and an Excel spreadhseet is akin to an aphrodisiac. It's hot.

But not as hot as being a mother. Because you take the heat, every flipping day. Parenting is hard. But I'm going out on a limb. Mothering is harder. So much is expected of us.

A couple of weeks ago when I got home from work - Matt proceeded to ask me some pretty... silly questions. I can't remember what they were specifically, however if he said: "Where are all the spoons?" - it would make sense. They were those kind of questions, and I had just walked in the door - and he'd been home all day. So how the Hector would I know where the flipping spoons are?

So right then and there I launched a new game.

It's called : "Let's Pretend I Am Dead". Mattel are probably getting the patent ready as I type.

The rules to this fun game are quite simple. Let's pretend I am dead, and you have to forage for the spoons/towels/whatever it is you're looking for by.your.self. And don't ask me for any assistance.

Did you get that the first time around?!

It's a fun and interactive game, where I get to walk off in a huff and lock myself in the bathroom. Until you find the flipping spoons/towels/whatever it is you're looking.for.by.your.self.

It's so fun - the whole family can play.

Has anyone else noticed this? I feel the weight of the household on my shoulders for the most inane matters.

As a mum, I have to do so much - and it's just expected of me. And it's not ok! And for the record, it's not just Matt asking me for things. Bake a cake for the school! Do canteen duty! Volunteer for an excursion! Do reading!

I hate to tell everyone and break the illusion. I am not Superwoman. WonderWoman. Or any other large-undied superhero. I'm plain old Lexi. Stop asking me to do things for you. Stop asking me where the spoons are. I think I'd struggle with it all even if I was a stay-at-home mum. How are we expected to do it all?

We can't. I can't. You can't. Let's pretend I am dead. Just for 10 minutes of silence in the shower - let's just pretend I am dead.

Let's Pretend I am Dead is out now. Please pay funds in to my PayPal account so I can go live with Pixie Skase in Majorca. That'll do nicely. You can visit me at Christmas time.

hot image via here

Take This Waltz:: Date Night

My Mum and Dad are looking after the smalls for the weekend - Matt and I drove back together on Friday, and I must say, life feels very empty without the little peeps.

So last night we went to the movies. Old school date night. We're fancy and crazy like that. I wore Matt's jumper and my Chucks. Hardly dressed up, but goodness, it was so nice to hang together and not have to worry about our littles.

Anyone who follows PottyMouthMama on Facebook knows that I love Michelle Williams. I never ever watched Dawson's Creek, so I only know her from Heath Ledger love and a great selection of indie films.

'Take This Waltz' is a beautiful demonstration of Michelle Williams.

I felt like I was part of the movie. It's beautiful and raw, sad yet very funny, and it will make your heart ache.

Plus there is the deliciously talented eye candy of Luke Kirby. Say hello to Luke Kirby. His sparkly eyes are tres magnifique (this photo doesn't do justice to the magnificence that is Luke Kirby).

But back to the movie. So, so good. I want to see it again. Visually it's a pleasure. And ever since walking out Matt and I have been talking about it. It was that, that good.

Have you seen any good movies lately?  Next on my hit list is Hysteria.

Tides Are Changing

Last time I wrote about the juggle of life - of working, of parenting, of wife-ing, I received a comment from a helpful anonymous commenter that "you chose this and you should suck it up". Clearly that wasn't verbatim - but it might as well have been.

Needless to say, I shut up about talking about family life - and since then I've shied away from sharing family life.

But the thing is, I think that's what most people can relate to.

This term brings another new change for our little family. A new and fresh load of guilt for me to either drown in, or choose to swim to the surface, flap about and save our souls. I'm choosing the latter.

Recently Matt was announced a semi-finalist in the Moran Portrait Prize (bravo Matt!), and within the same week he scored a really, really great job. It had been a long distance between good things for us. It's been a tough year, despite all the hilarity I can muster, it's stretched us to our limits trying to make ends meet, and trying to juggle the mundane.

The flip side was this.

Tiny goes to preschool Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
Matt's job is going to be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. 
I work Tuesday - Friday.
The Doctor goes to school five days a week.
Can you see the gap there? The gaping big hole in our week?

Luckily I could switch my day off. So I did. I'll be hanging with Tiny on Thursdays now, and joining the hordes battling Monday-itis.

By design we both work part-time so someone is home with the kids. That is our choice. We chose to have less of an income because family life is the priority for us. And now things are shifting, and we've got to shift with them, and move, like sands through the hourglass.

We've got Tiny going to a different preschool on Fridays - which weighs heavy on my heart. Her current preschool couldn't take her for another day, so I see this as a test. If it doesn't work - we will have to shift again. We'll change things around, switch things up. And I still need to find a solution for an afternoon school pick ups.

I wish I could ask someone at school to pick up my kids one day a week. But since I work - I haven't really struck up any relationships with other mothers to go out on a limb and ask. And it's a big ask, isn't it? To ask someone to take my children home once a week. Is it? Isn't it? I don't know. I've lost perspective now because this change feels so immense for us. I feel the distance even more acutely I think because I am at work. I leave early and don't get home 'til late. The distance and disconnection between work life and family life can be spectacularly damning.

The whole idea that it takes a village to raise a family is an awfully romantic notion. But Matt and I are playing dual-triple-quadruple roles of Mayor, Town Crier (that's me), counsellor, worker bee - we are the village people.

I wish things could have stayed as they were. They were hard, but we had our routine. The smalls had one of us. But I guess this is an evolution of our family life.

This is not a pity party. This is me grappling with what to do next. What's our next move?

the image is Tiny and her cousin P's culinary adventure in the garden this morning. They were cooking. Boy, those little girls, they love to cook.

Of Death and Blogging

The big news here is that my computer has died. It's died party people. Well for now at least.

So there's your reason why I've been blogging sporadically.

I have to divert Matt's attention - point and say: 'look, look over there' - and while he's distracted trying to determine what I am pointing at, I grab his computer, hack into his mainframe, fire off a few tweets, read my emails, and then quickly give him back his computer.

It's a sad and sorry state of affairs.

What's a gal to do but go to bed early and re-read The Great Gatsby, and get some beauty sleep?

You can find me on Instagram though (@pottymouthmama). Until I figure out a solution to my dead computer problemo.

image via here. Someone really, really loved their computer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVER!

Today is Matt's birthday. 


In celebration, I will probably jump out of a cake. I am totally understated like that. 


Happy Birthday lover. I'm glad we've finally settled on the fact that I am the funny one. 


image via here

Stuff. On My Bedside.

I have a mountain of stuff on my bedside table. Actually, a lot of it is Matt's stuff, because I decided we were swapping sides. Why? Because every single night one of the smalls would come in and wake me up. Every night. I got so exhaustipated that I said we had to do a "side exchange". Much like being an exchange student in a foreign land, I am now sampling the delights that are the other side of world bed. As part of this exchange I have inherited a whole stack of Matt's books, art catalogues and reading matter. 


On his side are some disinfectant wipes that are still there since Tiny had the vomiting lurgy. And another stack of books and some dust bunnies. It's a home interiors photographic dream, quite frankly. 


But back to my side. I have my nightly must-haves. Hand cream (this Aesop hand cream was gifted to me sometime again, and my goodness, it is certainly one of my favourites). And Blistex. I HAVE to have lip balm on before I go to sleep. Or I can not, will not go to sleep. I know. Go figure.


It's all part of my nightly ritual.


I also have a stack of newspapers next to my bed. I still read the news old school. I like the smell of newspaper, I love a broadsheet, and I keep those weekend papers there for the week so I can suck out the marrow of the news for the week. 


I am crazy like that.


What's on your bedside? 

Fairies. And The Like.

A few million years ago, when I worked doing PR for a big department store, I had a friend in one of the book buyers. She used to gift me books that she didn't want. It was a happy relationship. I love books, and I loved chatting with her.


Let's fast-forward a few years, to two nights ago, when Tiny asked me if she could look at my fairy book. I didn't remember telling her I had any fairy books, but I remembered, way back in my brain's archives that that book buyer had gifted me this awesome fairy book many years before. I went trawling through our bookshelves and found it. I'd never actually read it - except to know it was about fairies. 


Tiny was in fairy heaven. 


But not only that, it's a book about fairies AND fashion. Tiny's two giant passions. 


To illustrate this even further, just prior to Easter, Tiny was walking around the house saying something like: "I'm a fashionista for Easter". I have no idea where this came from. But she'd been brainwashed by something or someone and was living Karl's dream. 


Last night Tiny - after about 76 tantrums, finally crawled into bed with Matt, to be calmed into a sweet four year old bliss reading Fairie-ality. 


And then she finally went to sleep. She's so beautiful when she's sleeping. 

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.

Some Snaps: Some Week

I have had a crazy busy week and feel as though I have whiplash as a result.

Early to work, late home. Oh man - I have never felt so blitzed. Well I have. But not for a long time. Totally spent. I have barely seen the smalls and Matt his week - and that my friends takes the wind out of my sails.

Date night was Monday night and it was one of our best ever. Without doubt, date night was the highlight of my week.
Matt and I even held hands. ZOMG! WTF!

Outrageous I know. A PDA on date night. Well, around these parts it's mandatory.

Do You... Tattoo?

Once Tiny asked to see Matt's 'tutus'. It took a moment for him to realise she was wanting to see his tattoos.

I've flirted with the idea of getting a tattoo. But only momentarily. I think I'd get sick of it, and I just don't think it's for me. And basically, I am just a big scaredy cat.

But I like tattoos on other people. Well - content and placement dependent.

And then there's Tiny - who gets felt tip pens and scrawls tattoos all over her body, then rocks up to pre-school - hey guys she's done her own ink. She doesn't need to wait until she's 18. She's forging paths for other only just turned four year olds to make their mark.

I've seen this floating about on Facebook. It's kind of funny - and true, non?

Do you have a tattoo? If so, what is it of?

And Then.

I was planning to write something profound today.

About revelations.

Epiphanies.

About life's little hopes, glories and joys.

About how this New Year is going to be oh-so-much better than the crummy one we just left behind.

Except I've forgotten everything I drafted in my head.

Instead you're going to have to make do with these snaps taken from our last few days. I am still relishing my time at home, on holidays.

A few days ago, I foolishly got sunburnt.
We made a massive sand castle/fortress at Balmoral on New Year's Day, while everyone else was hungover, we enjoyed those first few hours of 2012.
After a sweltering day, we managed to sneak in a swim. Well Matt, the Doctor and Tiny did. I chickened out and thought the water was too cold. Tiny is convinced she can swim. The Doctor is enjoying swimming. He never wants to get out of the water.





How is your Summer faring?

Trawling Through Old Folders

I've been delighting in going through old photos on my computer. Relishing in how small  the smalls were, and those chubby little cheeks. Oh MY !

Despite the advantages of digital cameras, it's a shame that I don't print more photos. I really, really love looking at old photos.

I've even, back in the day, started albums, beginning at the time Matt and I met, however, I have only gotten into the first few months of the Doctor's life. Yes. A little behind on that front.

Truth be, I haven't even done our wedding album, and we've been married over six years. Oops.

Do you do albums?

This photo was from the front page of The Daily Telegraph, obviously a few years ago - pre-Tiny, pre-PottyMouthMama. It was some story about how mothers don't spend as much quality time with their children as the dads do, as the mamas are too busy multi-tasking and juggling life.  

Tangent finished.

What are you up to?