Operation Carindale

We drove to Carindale, got a decent park and piled out of the car. In through the sliding doors we proceed to be greeted by our first obstacle - the travelator. Caleb does not really like these. He wants to hold the hand that is holding Zali's hand plus the backpack. I turn contortionist and manage to get everyone's hand while still holding the bag and my balance.

7 seconds after we walk away from the travelator, Zali spots some low lying power points and runs off to flick the switch. Standing my ground with Caleb waiting by my side, I wait for a little girl to appear realising Mummy is leaving. Nope. Little girl realises only few steps to run to get back to travelator and takes off there. Meanwhile Mummy thinks, hmm, this standing my ground business is not working, better get her and keep going.

Where is she? Hmm, ok Caleb can you see her? Looking over the top of the massage shop/stand I see a few people gathering near the travelator and I think, self, I bet there is a little girl over there. Holding Caleb's hand I quickly walk over and there is Zali looking innocent holding an older ladies hand. 'She's mine' I say and reach for her hand. Lady replies 'she was standing at the travelator!' 'She run to play with the power points a minute ago' I said without thinking.

The look of dissatisfaction from both ladies for losing my child was one thing, but the look of shock when I mentioned her 'playing' with power points was when I realised maybe I should have shut my mouth, said thank you and walked away. Instead I said, 'she likes playing with switches'. Oh crap. Walk away Mummy, just walk away.

With one hand each we walk away calmly (with Mummy well aware that said older ladies are still staring in shock) and head to the next travelator towards the hairdresser. Hope they aren't on fast dial to Child Services.

Regular travelator activities - Caleb is hesitant, has to grab my right hand, Zali ready to jump and play and has no fear, Mummy trying to wrangle both plus bag. At the top we manage to exit safely before Zali prepares to leap on the downwards trip.

I half walk/half drag her a few steps away so others don't walk over us. The hairdresser isn't quite open so we head down to the toilet. Zali stands still, then sits in defiance. C'mon, let's go. Grunt, lays down in the middle of the walkway. She is such a drama queen. She kicks off her shoe, then happily picks it up and runs over to hand it to me. Few more steps towards the toilet and she turns back to original place of crime. Thankfully that is short run and she comes back when I open my arms for a big cuddle.

I *carry* her to the toilet and Caleb does his business. Out we go to the hairdresser and we get in pretty quick. Haircut goes well, Caleb is loving the water spray and 'spritzing' anything in sight (that word is purely for Liz!).

We walked down to see the fish swimming in the little pond under another travelator. Zali wants more travelator play and turns to go back. Commence drama queen tanty again. I let Caleb walk to the fish a few metres away and wait for Zali to come. Thankfully she doesn't made a noise when she plants herself on the ground, no screaming kicking crying type thing, just a grunt as her bottom touches the ground. She comes over and wants a cuddle then happily watches the fish swimming.

After I secure two $2 coins we keep the Wiggles ride busy for two songs. We hop off and get a balloon each from the Westfield enquiry desk and start heading to the car. All is well until Zali sees another ride. On her bottom she sits. I had to pick her up when another boy wanted to actually get on the ride. I held her around the belly and headed to the final travelator.

Hold my hand Caleb (who is on another planet with his new red balloon), but he shakes his head. *Then* he realises it is travelator time and shites himself. I had stepped on the moving metal and couldn't reach him, so a lady behind says she will hold his hand. All good. At the bottom I put Zali down to reposition everything and pick her up properly.

Sigh. She darts straight back to the upwards belt and puts one foot on. Said foot starts moving up and slowly disappears from the other foot. She does the *splits* then falls on her bottom. I try to grab but too late, we are doing a loop-the-loop ride of travelating. I sing out to Caleb to stay there and we will come back down.

Still on his other planet and waiting patiently, when he hears me he gets a fright seeing me on the moving metal with Zali so another lady turns back and accompanies him up. At the top I hold Caleb's hand, carry Zali and hold on to our bag with a spare pinky, and on the moving metal we go again. I didn't let either of them go and head straight to the car - do not pass go, do not collect $200.

We arrive home safely and have a freshly cooked apple and blueberry muffin and cold water while Mummy sits down. Phew. Would you believe all this was in one hour? If that isn't enough to make me feel incompetent, not sure what is!

Honestly, I think *my* family should have a reality television show. Or is there enough comedy on the screen already? Are you surprised I generally don't take my angels to the shops? However I totally understand that a huge, brightly-lit, brightly coloured cave would seem like a never-ending, thrill-a-second playground to a little person. The whole world is adventure.

Enjoy your adventure!

Poo-ma

Yes, the poo-ma has been suffering. Or in adult talk - computer. The stifling heat has been upsetting my poor little computer. It was shut down for a few days. Which means I am shut down for a few days. Cripes, you don't realise how much you depend and rely and *need* some things until they are gone/unavailable/heat-stroked.

I am behind in my to-do list and that makes me a little antsy and a little cross.

Today. Today is a *great* day.

Over at Carindale today Zali had a haircut. Not that she knew it. I had planned to have her slept and fed and happy for said event, however she had no desire to sleep. We headed over, did a few jobs and arrived at the salon a little early. No sooner had I said her name than her big blue eyes had been covered by heavy eyelids. Unbelievable.

I didn't even get to read 4 pages into some old New Idea when the lady came for us. I picked Zali up from the pram and carried her to the mirror. We decided I would sit first with a cape and then she would have a little cape and the hairdresser would commence Project Trim while Zali snuggled into me. Commence, yeah right.

She slept through the entire haircut!

Do you think you could sleep through a haircut while you were turned and adjusted, with a hot pink comb and some bling-ed up scissors scooted around your scone? Unbelievable.

Enjoy this great day!

Why?

If I hear '...why?...' a further 2539 times today, I think I will lose my marbles.

Fangs

For. Pete's. Sake. Teething sucks.

I realise cracking huge and vicious teeth through precious pink gums would be extremely painful and a long road of agony.

But it is also extremely painful listening to your little girl crying her little heart out. She is totally and thoroughly miserable and is having a terrible time at nights and her (and mine) sleep is suffering. Even with a mouthful of Bonjella and some panadol, she is a mess.

Poor dear.

Hmmmm

Today has gone much faster than yesterday. I think it is because I am in a ryhthm and knowing what websites I want to read, then I want to link to more, so the time is slipping away.

I got home about 6pm last night, crikey it really sucks up your day. We had a very romantic family dinner for Valentine's Day - chook and chips! It was nice to be with the kids though and not worry about cooking dinner. They were very excited to see me which is lovely. When I said I am going to work this morning, Caleb says 'why?' But he also asked 'why are you wearing a bra, why?' Hmmmm.

Jill - winning the challenge on the Cybercrop I get a $10 store voucher! Noice. CHA 2008 is a killer, so many nice lines coming out and they are so delicious and delightful and I want way too many! Arrgghh. I think I will have to be strict and narrow it down to Basic Grey, Making Memories, Heidi Swapp, Sassafrass Lass, erm, yep. Is that strict? Hmmmm.

I am heading over to Scrapbook City on Monday night for DisneyNight. Kerri and Leisa went to CHA and are bringing back products. DisneyNight is a look-at-all-these-nice-new-products night, and they have food and drink and lots of giveaways. I hope they have the brands I love the most (above) and I hope I get some giveaways - gifted scrapbooked makes my heart aflutter!

One of Adrian's staff said to me today he thought Adrian was 35-40 years old. Cause he is wise and knows so much and is the Senior Leader. I said he had better not be thinking I was 35-40, you know, for his own safety! He said '27?' Nice boy - he will definitely go far!

I know it is a long time till knock off for me, but I am excited about checking our post box on the way home. I have my fingers crossed there will be my Creating Keepsakes magazine I got for Christmas from Telfers (well, I got a subscription and I am waiting for my first one to arrive). Oh no! Drat it - I just remembered that some person who is short and likes investigating has been in my car and done something unknown with my mail key! Doh! It went missing another time, and I was just about to pay for a new one, and Adrian found it in the car. Wahoo, I thought, I will look after it better from little fingers. Hmmmm. I think I need it on a extra large keyring that sings when I clap or something.

Due to the quiet and due to being up from 12.30am to 2am with Zali, I could really go a nap right now. Zzzzzzzz.

Hard at It

Here I sit, getting ready to surf the internet for a while.

All is calm here at my reception relief position. I have things under control and remember what buttons to press to control the phone. It is a computerised system, so it ain't your basic pick up the receiver type thing. Actually, I should say I have things under control will the phone isn't ringing! No, seriously, the phone is cool, I just like it better when it doesn't ring.

Had a jumbo coffee from the cafe downstairs, so now I am floating, but did just get a quick toilet break in - phew!

As a wonderful surprise the girls here have left me a Valentines Day gift! Wrapped in clear cellophane with a big red bow is a small bottle of champers and a box of red and gold love heart chocolates! They made a little pink loveheart card. How sweet! Maybe working on Valentines Day isn't that bad after all. They offered to put the champers in the fridge so I could have it later. Cripes - I would be laying across the desk and giggling on the phone if that happened. I kindly said I could wait, thanks very much.

Okey, I want to look at some scrapbooking galleries, check out some stores, find out some gossip and enjoy this quiet time!

Yay

Very exciting - I won at the Cybercrop at Scrapbook Savvy over the weekend. They just announced the winners this evening. In their words:

So here's our winners!
(as chosen my myself and the DT, using a ranking system)
Challenge 1 - Trish
Challenge 2 - qld scrapper (sara)

and . . . .
Challenge 3 - gail

YIPPEEEEEEE! I have never won before. Rock on!

Okey, off to do a few bits and pieces then bed time. I have a whole day of work tomorrow. And Friday. Cripes, my butt is going to be sore at the end. Sitting down for two whole days, that is tough.

Oh, the bit about me being tired? I slept for over two hours this afternoon. Woken by the sound of knocking at my door.

The carer from the school bus and Caleb standing there! Holy! I had slept right through and didn't even here the bus - and it even beeps! I felt so bad. I apologised profusely and said I was asleep. I am normally standing at the garage waiting and waving. Ooops. Will set an alarm next time, just in case!

Sponsor?

Yawn. Crikey I have been tired lately. Had a nap yesterday before I picked up Caleb at Little School. Wasn't in bed too late. This morning Adrian's alarm went off at 4.30am cause he had a (flasho) hire car to drive up to Kingaroy for the day for work. I couldn't really get back to sleep then.

Caleb and I left Little School and headed over to the Wesley Hospital. Our appointment with Kathy from Second Skin was 3.30pm and we made it in plenty of time. She was very impressed with the improvement in use of Caleb's right arm. He spontaneously lifted it to aid his left hand, he tried to hold a squishy ball, he pushed down a tiny jack-in-the-box type toy and used the right side to point. It was all fabulous.

This next splint will include a hand piece. It is time to open up his hand and get more movement happening. Same arm piece as now, but the second piece will slip over the hand like a glove and go up to below the elbow. I am thinking that it will be lots of fun trying to get this on his little hand! The middle of the year is when it is renewal time for the splint, so I have until then to source some funding from a charitable organisation. The last few times the Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland have applied for funding, but the lady who did that has changed jobs. Kathy suggested I contact some people and see how I go. If anyone knows of companies/organisations who offers support I would appreciate you letting me know. I am thinking of contacting rotary clubs and lions clubs etc, which I will write to soon.

The cost price for this new Second Skin splint is $1240. They last for approximately twelve months and the price includes the visits to the specialist who flies up from Sydney to run a clinic on Tuesdays.

Time for a nap before the little noisy critters get home.

Monday

One thing I do need to do is work out how to photograph my scrap pages better. Anyhoo, I finished three challenges from the two Cybercrops over the weekend.

First one was the sketch challenge for Crafting in Style. I love the colours for this one, plus I hand sewed for the first time on a layout! The chipboard title has a sewn border of turquoise thread. It was fun and quiet relaxing to do. Will definitely be doing more sewing. The cheeky photo of Zali was during a little photoshoot of her birthday clothes. She was 12 months old - gee her hair has gotten a lot curlier in six months.


This 'Love' page was the first challenge at Scrapbook Savvy. You had to scrap about the things you love and use products - something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. I sat down just before to do this (thankfully their uploads go until midnight tonight!) while Zali was asleep, and the light blew in the office. Grrr. So I grabbed a few things and scrapped this on the kids blue plastic Ikea table. Actually, I must have done it quick cause she still is asleep! Yay. This is a photo from May 2006 when little Finn was a new baby. Awwwww.

For challenge three you had to make a small Valentines Day gift using recycled packaging. I used a small plastic box that held white rub-ons. I covered it and made 8 cards with different reasons why I love that big hunk of grumpy called Adrian.

Very happy to get a few things done. Was aiming to complete the whole six challenges, but yesterday I was a little unmotivated and played around on the computer and had a nap and breakfast with my cute friend Kerry.

The kids came home mid afternoon and walked straight in to find a wee present. Grandma and I found dolly strollers at the markets for $2 each. Hey big spender! Grandma set them up with their favourite doll each, and they love them! Both the kids do circles around the house and follow each other if they 'stroll' into another room. Caleb has been using both hands and does really well holding on to the handles.

I think I might have time for a cup of tea before my princess wakes up and my prince comes home on the school bus. Love your Monday!

Quiet

I have had a nice quiet 24 hours. Adrian took Caleb and Zali up to Nan and Pop's place late Friday afternoon. Adrian was heading up that way to help erect a new shed with David and a few other blokes at Sheree and David's Crows Nest block on Saturday. I scrapped all night - I had such a fun time!

I slept in this morning (well, 7.15am is a huge sleep in for me!) and then did the usual groceries etc. Then I scrapped again, had a nap, an easy dinner which I didn't have to share and came back for more scrapping and computer play.

I plan on making the most of tonight and doing a scrap challenge or two for a Cybercrop at Crafting in Style and Scrapbook Savvy. They each have three challenges and if you complete any of them and upload to their gallery, there is a $10 shop voucher available for the winners. Got to be in it to win it. I thought I would have a go this time, not so much to win but I am finding it a lot of fun. And really liking that I am getting some of my (squillions) photos scrapped.

Even though the quiet is very nice, I do miss my little munchkins. Especially the hugs and kisses. Pop sent through a few photos tonight of them playing today. Thanks Pop. Here's a cute one of Miss Cherry Lips.

Enjoy a wonderful weekend. I am!

Dear ...

Dear Caleb and Zali,

I have decided that I do not like Thursdays. For the second week in a row, after tiring days at Little School and kindy, you have been too tired to go to sleep and obviously too tired to listen. After morning tea and Hi5, with lots of yawns, it was nap time. Or should I say that was my plan (putting your best interests and well-being first), but not yours.

Let's just scoot through the next few hours, this is a family show and I need to keep calm.

2pm is when you both fell asleep in the car. As per last week - you had better sleep for at least two hours or I do not think my sanity and patience will be rebooted in a shorter period of time.

Love you both dearly,
Your Mother.

Wet

Holy Sheet, Batman! The clouds certainly released their contents this afternoon. We had water puddling on our covered back verandah. The backyard was a pool. The blue plastic shells are chockers with fresh water (better keep the kids out until I scoop that nasty little spider out!).

The rain was pouring over the guttering and pooling in the front bay windows between the security screens and window. The only place for the overflow to go was *in-the-freakin-house*! Holy Sheet! The water builds then comes out everywhere, we put towels on the sill and on the carpet for some protection. They are saturated within minutes are are doing a towel swap to keep sucking up more water.

Lets just say that we are a little limited with our drying utensils at the moment. Which was confirmed when Adrian, while getting the kids in the bath, calls from the top of the stairs this evening 'What am I supposed to use to dry the kids?

I saw some 'proof only' copies of professional photos of my very dear friends Mel and Brent's wedding. They are gorgeous and you can see the warmth, happiness and fun radiating from the prints - the photos tell a great story of the day (and to a scrap addict that totally rocks!). It was a very fun, relaxed, loving, happy and beautiful day. Lots of good memories belong to that day. I love guys.

Keep dry, turn on your lights, and for pete's sake . . . . slow down. Thanks for tuning in to Gail.FM76

Are You Comfy?

The other day after I spent three hours trying to get my, erm, angels to sleep. I started making lunch, cooked up some pasta. Then they were going to be going to sleep, I was determined. Since cooking pasta takes a few minutes, the kids sat in their seats waiting. Whingeing.

After a few minutes, I asked Caleb what Zali was doing. 'She is hiding, Mummy' he replied. My thoughts were, crikey, what is she doing now. This is how I saw her . . .

'Zali is hiding!' Caleb repeated. 'No, honey, she isn't hiding, she is asleep' (wahoooo).

So, do you reckon she looks comfy or what?

I carried her upstairs and she rolled over and went straight back to sleep. I get downstairs to sit with Caleb while he eats. I don't want it, he says. I'll go to sleep too. (Wahoooooo). I walk with him upstairs and he jumps straight on his bed and is asleep within a minute. I put the lunch away and can feed them later. All is good. They slept for two hours. (Wahoooooo).

Um

Since we are on the eve of a new school week, I thought I would find some first day of kindy/little school photos to share.

Zali was first off the rank. Daddy took her so I didn't get any photos. She had a great day, two hours sleep and ate most of her food. She was happily playing when we arrived for pickup and raced over when she saw me. This blurry shot below is Zali, mid-dash to her Mummy. Next, check out her activities for the day!




I stayed with Caleb waiting for his bus. He was so excited, he could hardly sit still! Evidence is below! He had a great day and the teachers gave good feedback.

The lady in pink/purple is the new carer on board. We got Lynette, our same driver as last year, and she is accompanied by this lady. She seems very nice so far. The bus returned our (little) school boy home after 3.30pm. The door opens and there is smiley Caleb, very happy to see us waiting, he is always greeted with big waves and smiles and loves it!

Time to stick down a few photos on my scrap page and then it is snooze time for this black duck.