Evac!

Crikey there has been a *bit* of rain around! Was able to finish my jobs early to enjoy the wet and cool weather as it should be enjoyed . . . in bed! Me and Griff snuggled under the blankets - how can a baby take up 2/3 of the bed? I am sure he will start stealing the blankets soon. After he went to sleep I picked up my new Julia Morris book . . . couldn't get through one page before I started nodding off. Great way to spend a morning - naps are the best!

I was woken after lunch by the home phone ringing, my mobile ringing and my mobile ringing again. As I stumbled downstairs to find out what was going on the home phone rang again. Turns out the creek at the back of Caleb's little school had jumped its banks and they were evacuating. The school was trying to call to inform me of the situation, the buses were all requested immediately to get the kids and so the bus driver was trying to let me know. After talking to the bus driver, the Husband called because the school had rang his work trying to get him (he was in a meeting as usual). My response to the calls . . . 'sorry, I was asleep'. Oops.

I had to laugh when Caleb came home on a different bus. He was happy and going with the flow, thankfully, and wanted this new bus back - he must have enjoyed it. As well as having his bestie Sophie on board, their other classmate Zac was on board too. Why the different bus (and this is why I laughed) . . . his bus got stuck in the water at school!

Have you had a Cookie Cake?

Remember I mentioned I baked? Here it is all plated up ready to head off to 'skills for school' playgroup at the CP League. L-R: Custard Craison biscuits, Raspberry and Macadamia Blondies & Caramel Struesel Slice. The went down a treat and there was a few joyous moans of 'yummmmm'. A few too many raspberries were tossed in with Caleb and Zed helping but I have improved with the other two dishes coming out better on this second baking adventure.

My birthday presents - I got the bracelet and most of the beads. If you squint you will see my three little babies at the top of the picture - two of them kicking their heels up - they were my Mothers Day presents.

Jewellery seemed to be the theme. Some from Sheree and family, the black flower set I found (they were from the kids?) plus a spare $20 slipped in from Sheree bought me a sweet little Cath Kidston journal - I love me a notebook!

I have wanted a cookie cake ever since Mrs Fields had them on display in a glass box on their counter. Never justifiable. If a girl can't get what she wants on her birthday, well . . .

The embarrassing part was the ordering. What is your name? Gail. (Enter other details here . . . ) then . . . Do you want writing on it? Yes. Happy Birthday (cough cough) Gail. I had a bit of a laugh and told her I had to order my own birthday cake. Pretty embarrassment!

The funnest shot is Caleb blowing out my candle. Not sure if he blew it or vacuum-sucked it! He loves birthday cakes and candles and these days he can blow just wind, thankfully, instead of spitting more than blowing it out. Noice!

A real treat for the day? A surprise delivery (I was told in the morning that it was coming) via courier from Toowoomba from my sweet sweet Mummy-in-law (and I reckon Teagan might have been involved!). She decided that having to cook dinner on my birthday wasn't right . . . in my delivery was a delicious chicken pie, cauliflower & cheese sauce (both these in pyrex style dishes ready for the oven), chunky beef and noodle soup AND . . . . a *trifle* (which she knows I love!) Adrian whipped up a nice pot of mashed potato as well. My goodness - how great is that? Extremely thoughtful. These two extremely *thoughtful* ladies have been so good to me recently - they rock! Mm-wah!

Mum gave me some of my Pandora beads but surprised me with my favourite chocolates. Rwoar! Would anyone like one?

Note: do you actually think there are any chocolates left?

HB

Happy Birthday to .... Me!!

Lots more to share (tomorrow). Going to bed.

2 words

to describe today. Tired. Burn.

Very tired. Very very. Have had late nights. Am awake throughout creeping around the house on our creaky floor boards for blanket adjustments for the kids so they don't become little icicles and then try and climb in to bed to snuggle with me to warm up. Perhaps a toilet trip for young lad wearing undies to bed, of course I would need one myself while I am up. Griffy has had rough nights with his teeth, which I think is looking up and he is a little more like himself. Generally early to get out of bed. This morning was awake around 4am and couldn't get back to sleep. Some days it isn't possible to have a nap for a bit of catch up.

Burn. My eyes are burning from the tiredness. My back is burning from the heat pack I currently have on it. My back is burning from the pain I suffer after 'breaking' it during the week. Me? Drama Queen? To add to that I stood for most of today baking - great for a sore back.

I decided I had had enough of baking and cooking dinner and said I was tired and my back is very sore. Zali, the little dear, wanted to see my back when I said that, 'show me your back Mummy'. She held up my shirt and looked at my back for a while, 'it's ok Mummy, after your bath i will put a band aid on it, ok?'

Now is Saturday

Participating in the ScrapBoutique Cybercrop this weekend. First challenge was a speed scrap. It was based on a sketch provided and could only use blue and green. You only had one hour to make it, photograph and upload to their gallery. Phew! Here is mine: (a little two year old Caleb)


Shortly I will begin the 'Liz card challenge' and the 'Liz sketch challenge' and the 'Kate challenge'. Lots to do but this little black duck is pretty tired after a few hard nights. Will see how I go and perhaps share other pages.

What a beautiful Saturday! Not a cloud in the sky, lovely temperatures and no real wind to report. A beautiful day for a wedding . . . lucky for Sarah and Brad who were married today - big congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy marriage. My friend Kate (Sarah is her little sister) would have looked *stunning* in her bridesmaid dress. Very much looking forward to seeing the photos.

Enjoy the weekend!

Today is Friday

Quick run into Kmart to get a two pack of Dora the Explorer undies (on sale this week) for Zali as her toileting has been fantastic. Somehow a block (or two) of Cadbury chocolate (maybe Top Deck and Peppermint) was accidentally slipped into my bag. On closer inspection of my purchase at home, I realised this mistake and was *horrified*.

Humour and the Memory

If only I had the camera handy and it was appropriate to capture the moment. OK, lets be real, I would have done it if the camera was handy. I would have foregone the 'appropriate' part for the sake of humour and the memory.

This morning Zali fell off the swing.

I was rocking the swing and she happily sat in amusement, laughing at me tickling her little pink 'piggies' and blowing kisses and basically mucking around with her each time she swung forward. Griffy was sitting in the baby swing gnawing on the plastic harness in his own little world.

I had committed my arms to the 'push' movement as Zali lifted off the seat slightly . . . so when I pushed the swing I, really truly, did push the swing . . . right out from under her. (gee, I can't help but laugh as I write this) The swing kept swinging and she flew up and straight back down. Flat on her back she looked up at me with a look of shock. It all happened so fast, but the reality set in quick and she let out a few tears and cries . . . from the surprise of it all, she wasn't actually hurt. After a quick hug (and Griff looked sideways in her general direction then kept gnawing away) she was back on the swing for another push - see, all good!

It would have been hilarious to watch in slow-mo!

The other little incident involves Vegemite. Man, I am already sniggering.

Once upon a time there was a little girl sitting on the carpet watching the Wiggles. Her beautiful (imagine Snow White) Mummy had made her crispbread with cheese and Vegemite. Sitting next to the little girl was her precious baby brother, who was equally impressed with the movement and noise he was watching on the big 'box'. The birds were chirping outside and the sun was glittering down. A charming day in the world of make believe.

The beautifully stunning Mummy called out a warning to the little girl 'don't leave your biscuits near the baby, he cannot eat them' as she continued to tidy the kitchen.

Luckily the timing was spot on. As the baby boy toppled over from his sitting position on the carpet, his beautifully stunning Mummy re-entered the room to sit on her jewelled throne and sip Lipton tea from the delicate rose coloured china. As fast as Cathy Freeman she somersaulted through the air to the baby's aid as the little girl called 'he's got my biscuit!' You see, as the small man toppled over, he went in the same direction as the plate holding the last (open) Vegemite crispbread.

As the beautifully stunning Mummy saw her precious baby and the damage, she was viciously torn between right and wrong (oops, I mean 'memory keeping'). Should she remove the crispbread stuck to his eye like a patch or run for the camera? The dilemma was unimaginable.

She chose to take a quick mental picture - his perfect porcelain skin, one gorgeous blue eye, an unsure expression. The Vegemite was like glue sticking to his eyebrow and upper cheek to hold the crispbread like a diamond shaped patch on his right eye. Very cute and very funny.

The little girl lost her last biscuit but happily returned her focus to the Wiggles. The beautifully stunning Mummy removed the edible patch and, between giggles, removed the Vegemite from the baby's face. All was good once again.

Note: no child was hurt in the making of this Australian fairytale.

Milestone

A special 'big' birthday today. How sweet it is to have two little people singing Happy Birthday to Daddy at 6am - how could I not join in at the 'Hip hip . . . .' bit.

The fact that we got little sleep last night as Griffy's congestion made for a thoroughly disturbed night, plus the little Miss came in at 2am to snuggle (and was like a cold popsicle), didn't really matter as the new day had started with a song and lots of smiles.

Love him. Well, love them both. Well, love them all actually.

Bits

Today has skipped along a little too fast. Out this morning to do a few jobs . . . over to Milton, quick stop at East Brisbane and then a drive-thru coffee while heading to Wynnum. Back home before lunch for some Wiggles watching and dancing. A nap. More Wiggles watching and dancing. Cooking dinner while Griffy danced around in the Jolly Jumper. We did our 'walk around the block' at 5pm and by the time we got home it was a smidge bit dark. Dinner and feeds. Baths. Cuddles. Stories. Cleaned kitchen. Back to Griffy who has runny nose and the congestion is upsetting his sleep. Internet playing. Back to Griffy who has runny nose . . .


Update blog. Last thing is wrapping some presents and writing in the card. Better get to that now before the little Griff is disturbed again.

nap

The kids didn't sleep today. They went to bed pretty quick tonight, asleep as soon as their stubborn little heads hit the pillow. I am tired as I couldn't have a nap. I *need* a nap!

Poor little Griff is still hurting. The two teeth are coming down further (very slowly) but he also has a bit of a cold with runny nose.

Found out today a friend is having her second baby in August. That is great news - congrats!

My friend Meagan, who I am sending out a cheerio to as her birthday slipped by at the end of April, looked absolutely gorgeous today in a navy dress. She doesn't normally 'do dresses' (snap to that!), but she looked very girly. Needed to mention it again, so she can feel the lurve.

Cuppa time.