What a load of rubbish!

Elijah has an obsession. A very unusual obsession. It's a trait of SPD. Obsession over certain things. When he went to the doctor - somewhere he hates - the doctor gave him a urine sample container (clean one!!) with jelly beans in it. Elijah carried that around with him all day; taking them out, licking it, putting it back... and in the end it was a sticky mess - but he wouldn't let go of it.

He's had an obsession about the garbage truck for a month or so now. He absolutely freaks out if he sees one, and tells me we have to go home so he can stand on the trampoline and look at it. It's nowhere near our house. On garbage days (kindy morning as well), he is anxious to go home to get on the tramp and watch for it. He jumps on the tramp for AGES, waiting for it to come by our house. If he hears a truck of any kind up to 2 blocks away, he freaks out, and bolts to the trampoline.

It baffles me. I don't understand it, I really don't. Why the garbage truck?? Somehow, seeing the garbage truck drive past, pick up our garbage and drive away, is one constant he feels he can rely on, and somehow this is something that controls his world. I'm still shaking my head... I don't get it. Oh well... I am not supposed to get it I guess... whatever makes him happy. I dread the day when we miss the truck or have to be out on garbage day - he will not be a happy camper.

9 years have gone by....

... and I love you a thousand times more than the day I married you.



It was the best thing I ever did. You have made my life so rich, so happy and so complete. Happy 9th Anniversary sweetie.

*giggle*

Mop asked me this morning how many anniversaries do we (Daz and I) have. I explained about wedding anniversaries - then our "going out" anniversary. She looked confused, so I explained in simple terms, "It was when Daddy and Mummy became girlfriend and boy friend."

The eyes gave it away. The big blue parts of her eyes were sparkling, they were betraying the giggle that was being stiffled down. Her mouth formed into a smirk before exposing her teeth as her lips stretched into a huge grin.

I have never felt so old in all my life.
I teased her, I giggled and said girlishly "Mummy had a boyfriend"
She laughed and laughed.

Daz and I looked at each other and smiled. Yes, once upon a time we were young once. Before the days of bills, mortgages, children, marriage - were were young and carefree. We went to the movies, we went out for dinner, we went parking... :P

I guess to a 6 year old, 31 is ANCIENT!!

He sure can express himself #1

Today I had take EJ to the doctor to get some forms signed for receiving Carers Allowance. EJ has a phobia of doctors. He was really quite anxious about the whole visit, but I told him that the doctor wouldn't touch him - which was true.
So all day yesterday and all this morning he kept saying to me, "He won't touch me, he won't touch me." ... almost like a self calming mantra. No son, he won't touch you.
So we get to the Doctors, and our new doctor is a big tall African man with a warm wide smile, and sparkling fun eyes. He says hello to EJ - and EJ says "Don't you touch me!" The Doctor thankfully has an amazing sense of humour and laughed heartily. I settled EJ onto a chair in the office and gave him my PDA to play a game on. The doctor mostly read the forms and filled them out. Every now and then he would interrupt EJ to see if he could do something. EJ would stop playing and would do what the doctor said. Towards the end, EJ must have been getting sick of being interrupted, because he looked up from his game, smiled sweetly at the doctor and said "You are very rude!"
Again the doctor laughed loudly, and gave the boy some lollies. I however was feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, and wished that I asked for an assesment on tourettes as well! :)

We are getting somewhere!

I am so amazed at my son.

BEFORE THERAPY/DIAGNOSIS.
Me: E, you can't hit your sister. That was very unkind. You have hurt her!
E: *SCREAM* I DON'T WANT TO! I DON'T WANT TO! NO!! I DON'T WANT TO. *rant, rant and more ranting* - insert meltdown right here.

AFTER:
Me: E, you can't hit your sister. That was very unkind. You have hurt her!
E: *Looks at me, very upset - doesn't utter a word, then runs to his bedroom to calm himself down*

This is a miracle!!
He knows he's about to blow his top, he doesn't want to, so he goes to his room, sulks and sooks for a bit, calms down and then comes out.

He also said a COMPLETE sentence. The words were in the correct order. It was a long sentence - and he said it RIGHT!! That speech therapist is a genius!! He's getting it!!! :)

His kindy teachers have commented on his changes as well - he now initiates conversation, he listens, he asks appropriate questions. This is an area he has struggled in - conversation. He's getting it!! :) I've noticed this at home too.

It's so good to see all the effort being put into him actually working - and making him a happier little man!!

New lyrics in the spirit of Christmas

Daz came into the room chuckling and held out this piece of paper. Mop has been writing song books lately with old favourites, and sometimes made up songs. This time she was writing Christmas songs - and this is an old hit with kids - though with somewhat unusual lyrics. (Translation below)



"Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
On that farm
The easter ride
In the one thou
sooped slay"

HEY!

Ahhh... this girl is full of amusement for her parents lately!! This just adds to the joy we experience in having such a beautiful, clever and creative daughter - we get to laugh at the funny things she does.

She's so irresistably cute!!

A lesson on reproduction

Mop bought home her writing book along with a note from her teacher saying that she wanted to finish her story that she had started in class. Fair enough - so I send Mop on her way to finish it. She comes out half an hour later proudly with her story for me to read.
I start "Once upon a time there were two mated butterflies..."
Mated. What on earth is that?? Is that a breed that I don't know about?? I asked her, "Mop what are mated butterflies?"
And in a tone of voice that said uh.. DUH MUMMY, how come you don't know this, you are after all ancient... she begins to explain.
"It's when they get married and have babies."

Ohhh... THAT mating.

I had to bite my lips and cheeks as I read the rest of the story to not laugh at it and make her feel self-conscious. I want to take her seriously at all times... and laugh my head off when she isn't looking!!

All things great and small...

Tonight Milly showed such a deep compassionate side to her. While she was eating her dinner, she fell backwards off her little kindy chair. I went over to her and picked her up, comforting her. I picked up her chair and to my surprise I found underneath it, squished so it's insides were out but not completely dead - this little critter:



Now to me, this is one of my most despised insects. Cockroaches and these little ferals. EARWIGS. *shudder*

Anyway.. back to my story. Milly had squashed this earwig who happened to be passing at the time of her falling off her chair. It's little legs were wiggling and I told Daz who was in the kitchen, what Milly's accident did. Milly stared down at the ground, horrified. "ANIMAL!" she cried "ANIMAL!!" she bent down close to it, "ANIMAL!" and she burst into tears. She must have known that it was hurt and she caused it. I pulled her into my arms and she wailed on my shoulder about the animal. I took her into the bathroom so Daz could dispose of the critter. "ANIMAL!!!" she kept crying as I washed her hands and face, and changed her clothes, put a new nappy on.... she was really upset about it.
I had to think of something!! "The earwig has gone now to play with it's Mummy and Daddy." Milly looked at me as if she didn't quite believe me. Thankfully Mop came in and backed up my story "I put it outside Milly, and it's gone to play." Milly went to inspect the scene of the accident, and saw that the earwig was truly gone. She cheered up and ran off to play.

What a precious little girl with such a compassionate spirit. To me it was just an earwig - but to her every life is important, all things great and small.

It's over!

I'm excited! Uni for 2009 is over!! SUMMER HOLIDAYS! WOOOOO!!

Don't get me wrong, I love uni. but I am totally over my subject and the feeling of that research assignment looming over me. I have researched, I have written, I have submitted it and now I am free for 4 glorious months!

I have plans. Plans that involve long tender moments with my sewing machine. Plans that involve Christmas preparations! I'm looking forward to the break. It will refresh me and I know by February 2010 I am going to be well and truly enthused about the next subject and ready to go!

The only thought I have now of uni, is what subject shall I take next year? :)

Kissing me softly..

Today I have been working on an assignment, pretty much non-stop. My little fairy girl approached about 2 hours in, and stood beside me. I took my eyes off the screen and looked down at her. Today she is running around in a nappy - it's too hot for clothes. Her big blue eyes stared into mine, and she lifted her arms up. I scooped her up and sat her on my lap. She looked at my assignment as if she was reading it. I kissed her shoulder - how soft her skin is!! I rubbed my face into her tummy, inhaling her baby smell and loving the feel of her soft skin on my face. I kissed her chubby cheeks. I nuzzled her neck. She pulled back and looked into my eyes, the twinkle in her eyes coming before her smile. "Silly Mummy!" she said almost affectionately. She slid off my legs and ran off to play with her big brother.

*Sigh*

She's growing so fast.
I miss her.
One day she isn't going to let me kiss her tummy and cheeks and rub my face into her. One day she will shove me away impatiently and exclaim she is too old for this. But for now, I am going to enjoy her baby skin and her little chuckles when I nuzzle her cheeks and tummy. Then I'll have to wait for Grandchildren to do it again!

So this is Christmas.

Blog This challenge # 24

Little Skipper pressed her hands together with glee as she sat in her bed, waiting for Mummy to come and say goodnight. It was Christmas Day tomorrow and the excitement and anticipation of the day was almost too much for her. She felt like her whole body would burst because it could not contain the thrill. She felt her toes tingling and she wiggled her legs, trying to shake out the restlessness. Her throat constricted as she swallowed a squeal that rose to let the world know that she was excited! Mummy came in and sat on her bed and stroked her head gently, trying to calm her, trying to relax her.




“Goodnight sweetheart” she whispered above Skipper’s head as her lips pressed her cheeks. Little Skipper nestled into the soft mattress of her grandparent’s spare bed and pulled the sheet up to her chin. It was too hot to sleep with anything else on. The window’s didn’t open and the little miner’s cottage room was stuffy and warm.
Mummy gave Skipper another kiss and rose to leave. Skipper moved her legs over to where the warmth of her mother remained. The sliding door that separated the bedroom from the living area was left ajar to minimise the noise of Christmas preparations. Skipper stared at the ceiling while hearing the wrapping paper being cut, the sounds of pleasant chatter, the smell of Mum’s cheese straws that Pops particularly liked at Christmas. She turned over in her bed and peeked at her brothers; both were fast asleep and snoring gently. Skipper threw back the sheet and tiptoed to the sliding door and peeked out of the gap with one eye. Her green eyes were wide and absorbing as she watched her family prepare for the day ahead.




Nanna was busy stuffing each stocking of all the grandchildren, regardless if they were going to be there tomorrow or not. Mum was arranging gifts all around the Christmas tree, stacking them up carefully. I could see the lights on Nanna’s Christmas tree blinking, reflecting their lights off the vintage ornaments. Pops was sitting in his chair, legs curled up, eating peanuts and watching the goings on quietly as he did.




Skipper crept back to bed; all was as it should be. Tomorrow would be a wonderful day. Tomorrow morning she would be taken to church for a Christmas Day service where they would celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then, after what would seem like an eternity, they would go home and Nanna would begin making the Christmas lunch. Crispy roasted potatoes, roast chicken and of course the Christmas pudding! Nanna would set out more nibblies on different tables around the living area. Nuts, lollies, toffees, Christmas mints would all be in silver or glass bowls. Skipper looked forward to eating Mum’s cheese straws the best. They would melt in your mouth and so morish!




The rest of the family would trickle in from the city during the morning. Aunts, Uncles, cousins – bringing with them cheer, excitement and an energy that would warm Skipper’s heart. They would all sit down together at Nanna and Pop’s large dining table, laughing, chattering, smiling at one another, making jokes and teasing one another.
After lunch, when the lunch was eaten and the dishes all done, Nanna would sit by the fire, and read the Christmas story from the bible. Skipper would be taken back into an ancient world she could barely fathom. How on earth did Mary have a baby without a doctor to cut it out of her stomach? She would will her Nanna to hurry up, because it was nearly 1:30 and she hadn’t opened one present yet!! Then one by one, Nanna would be “Mother Christmas” and would give the grandchildren their stockings. Skipper would sit at her Mummy’s feet as she eagerly pulled out the contents of her stocking. What treasures would be in there this year? A torch, a doll, chocolate coins, soap, hankies? Then after the stockings were well and truly emptied, Nanna would hand out the other presents, making sure everyone had a present to open. These were the bigger gifts and this was the time that Skipper would get the gifts her parents had bought her.




Skipper flipped over onto her stomach and felt sleep claim her tired little mind, and she drifted to sleep with a smile on her face; Christmas Day was Skipper’s favourite day in the whole year!


22 years later, Skipper opened her eyes sleepily and tried to focus on the clock. 6:10am. Hmmm... she thought sleepily, why am I awake at this hour? Then it hit her, and her eyes widened with excitement. It was Christmas day!! She looked over at her sleeping husband who looked peaceful and quiet. She pressed her lips onto his shoulder gently and he stirred slightly. “It’s Christmas” she whispered. “Mmmm..” was his reply and he turned over to go back to sleep. Skipper stared at his back for a moment then decided that she would get up. The only day in the whole year that she is up and at em’ before 7am! She peeled back the quilt and crept out of bed, closing the door quietly behind her.




The house was quiet and cool – she crept into her children’s bedrooms to see if they were awake. Mop’s lashes rested on her cheeks and her breathing was slow and deep. Her thick hair was spread out over the pillow and she clutched her teddy. EJ’s face was planted into his pillow and he didn’t move a muscle. His hand dangled off the bed and twitched slightly. Milly was sleeping upside-down but deeply, her cheeks rosy, her breath sweet. No signs of life there, so Skipper went into the kitchen and began to mentally prepare herself for the day.




The kettle went on and Skipper began to prepare the special breakfast she had prepared for her family. Chocolate berry filled croissants, a summer fruit platter and an apple and strawberry juice.
Skipper double checked the menu and time plan she had made for the day. The ham was ready to go into the oven, with the little dish of glaze ready to coat it in. The vegetables she had chopped the night before were sitting in a big bowl of water, ready to roast for the roast vegetable salad.
The white plates with the silver rim were piled on the bench, ready to go onto the table after breakfast had been cleared. The new white table cloth was pressed and fresh from laundering. The new white and silver organza was ready to spread out over the top of the table cloth. Silver and white ornaments sat on a long platter with silver painted pinecones that had been rolled in opal glitter. The name place settings were silver letters with glitter and the names of her guests on them. S for Skipper. D for Daz. Her silver and clear rhinestone napkin rings twinkled in the early morning light. Each little silver gift box that had been packed with little goodies would replace the Christmas crackers this year and would sit on the plate, hopefully delighting all who sat at the table.




Her thoughts went back to when she was a little girl. How many of the traditions were long gone as she set her own family traditions for her own family unit. Morning church was now a thing of the past – her church didn’t have a Christmas service anymore. There was no way her kids could handle opening all their gifts in one afternoon – it had to be spread out of all of our sakes. Mop can’t physically bring herself to open a gift and toss it aside – she wants to examine it, look at it, read it, work out what to do with it, and if possible have a play with it. It’s her parents that have to hurry her along. Skipper smiled, as she drank her coffee.
She couldn’t wait for the family to wake up! There was so much fun to be had! The fun had really begun on the 23rd of December. That night is when the stocking are opened, to try and draw out the present opening. One of the gifts in the stocking is a tradition that Skipper has started for her children – a Christmas ornament for the tree. This means that when the kids leave home, they will have their own box of ornaments for their own tree.




The 24th of December is when we spend time with the in-laws and they can spend the evening enjoying the children and watching them opening their presents. Then first thing Christmas morning, before breakfast, the children would get their big present. This year Milly has a cubby house, EJ has a bike and Mop has a big box of Leggo. They would then get a little while to play with their gifts while the table is set and the croissants warmed.
After breakfast we then would make our way to the Christmas tree, one that is filled with memories and very special ornaments from our first year of marriage, our first child or from a special friend. Each ornament different in it’s own way. The lights would twinkle, but not flash as the air conditioner would move the tinsel slightly.
Then instead of the ordered one gift at a time as she did as a child, the kids will grab any gift and give it to the person that it belongs to. There is loud chatter, excitement, directions to keep their toys on their side of the room so they don’t get mixed up and lots of wrapping paper!


After the presents are opened, no doubt Skipper will look at the clock, and totally flip out because she is starting to prepare the lunch 45 minutes later than she had intended. The kids would enjoy their gifts, and Daz will be in charge of putting batteries in and constructing the toys. Skipper would then spend the rest of the morning preparing lunch.
Laid out on the coffee table would be the rocky road that Skipper makes annually, fruit mince slice and Mum’s cheese straws – in loving memory of her dear Pops that passed away Christmas time 7 years ago.
Christmas carols would be piped through from a Christmas radio station online and all of Skipper’s favourites would be playing gently. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Oh Holy Night, I’ll be home for Christmas and many more. Sometimes, much to everyone’s amusement, a death metal version of Silent Night would play. Christmas isn’t Christmas without at least one dodgy death metal style Christmas carol!
At noon, her guests will arrive. This year it will be Granny and Grandad and Mum and Dad. Skipper’s brothers are doing other things this year, so it will be a small and intimate affair. They would all sit at Skipper’s long table – the same long table that used to be in Nanna and Pop’s cottage many years ago. The candles would flicker, the decorations on the table will glisten, and the food would be demolished off in no time. Skipper’s Dad will overeat – he loves her cooking and tends to eat it even if he is full.
After lunch, the dishes are left and the family will all gather around the Christmas tree once again to exchange gifts. By now the kids will be totally over opening presents, thankfully Skipper’s family are understanding and don’t take it personally.
Then Skipper is able to kick back and relax and watch her kids enjoy their Christmas presents and the company of her guests. Mum can you open this? Mum can you help me with this? Mum how does this work? Mum.. Mum.. MUM!!

So this is Christmas...
Skipper smiled softly as she placed her empty cup on the sink. It’s still her most favourite day of the whole year!

Weekend in Stansbury

This weekend we had an amazing time with friends of ours, camping at Stansbury. We arrived on early Friday evening - our friends had arrived earlier and were all set up already. The kids were thrilled to see each other and were off in no time riding around the park as if they owned the place. They dissappeared off to the playground, leaving us to set up in peace.
We ate dinner then took a walk down to the beach after dark. The water was warm and delicious!
The next day we pretty much vegged. We hung out in the campsite, took the kids to the beach, went to some beachside markets - the girls got a face paint while I got myself a bargain: check it out - $8!!


Daz and T-man went fishing and did some manly bonding. Bought back a squid, which Daz seasoned delightfully, and T-man cooked up perfectly. Yummm!! I hung out with R and we watched the kids pretty much run themselves ragged all afternoon! After an unfortunate accident with my embroidery cottons (E accidently knocked them all out of the box) we took the kids down to the beach to have their final swim and play, then put them to bed.

Once the kids were down and settled, the adults had a magnificent feast of roast beef and veggies, choc caramel bavarian, and of course, our tradition, a cheese platter. I was very full after that. We all gasbagged, laughed and had an amazing time. Poor R seemed to be eternally nearly choking on her coke or snorting it out of her nose in fits of laughter!

On Sunday we packed up and headed to Port Vincent and I took a few photos of the kids for the Christmas cards for this year. After the shoot, we had to fly home.

We had an amazing weekend and it was so relaxing. I have to get my head out of the fuzz and into my study - I have an essay due on Friday!!! :o!!!

Here is a sample of the photos I took to use for Christmas cards - I'll put more up on my craft blog later on if you want a squizzy.

Early memories

I originally decided that blogging was a way I was going to reach out to my children if something ever happened to me. Daz knows that if I die, this blog is to be printed, bound and given to each of my kids, so that they would know what I was like with them, when they were little, and the little stories that Mum's store away for future telling. I know this sounds morbid, but this is "just in case".

So this story is part of that purpose.

Today I want to share with you my earliest memories. I remember living in my Nanna and Pop's house. This was around the age of 2 - same age as Milly-moo. I remember the purple bedroom that was mine and Mum's. Purple walls, purple quilt cover - not bright purple, a lovely soft lilac-purple. I remember sitting on the itchy couches that made me feel like I had prickles in my legs. I remember the nasty dog that bit me all the time - horrid little chihuahua - need I say more? I remember the huge backyard! I remember walking around underneath some shade house with Pops looking at potted plants. I remember Nanna's legs in the kitchen, she wore skirts alot. I vaguely remember floral flowing skirts.



I liked pink. I've always liked pink. I always will!
I liked reading, playing with my dolls, making cubby houses and having tea-parties. In fact there is a photo of my Mum, sick as a dog being pregnant with Pete, with me in a cubby house having a tea-party with me. Talk about being a devoted Mum!

I remember living in our very first house - when Dad joined our family. I remember the cubby house Dad made me out of wood and railway sleepers. I remember the fruit trees that were EVERYWHERE in that place. I remember the sandpit sitting underneath a nectarine tree. I remember throwing stones at the fence to make the dogs next door bark. I remember Dad playing in the paddling pool with me. I remember sitting in the bath, while Mum watched me play. I remember being swallowed up in big red fluffy bath towels and dried off. I remember telling Mum that I was going to pour water into the Tupperware cup until it reached the roof. I remember my first lesson in gravity happened that day while I was in the bath. I remember being scared of the black part of the toilet bowl. Not sure what it was to this day, but I hated it and I hated sitting down on it. I think I used to wee on the toilet mat because I didn't want to sit on the toilet where the black thing was. I remember when my first brother was born and Granny came to stay with me. I remember she gave me Tiffy - a brown dog/rabbit looking thing that became my special soft toy. Tiffy slept with me every night until I married.

I remember Dad laying in bed with me reading to me in all kinds of accents and funny voices. I remember Mum standing in the doorway laughing until she was crying. I remember Dad would oblige when I would say "Read it backwards Daddy!" Not only would he read it backwards, he would read every single word backwards. "emit a nopu ecno" It sounded like a bizzare language, which I found hillarious! Mum would request American accents, Irish accents, Scaaawtish accents... and Dad would do it, and the stories took on a whole different level of hillarity!



I remember the time that Mum opened a tin of corn and it has spoiled and the smell!! YUCK! I didn't eat corn for 20 years after that without complaint! I remember my Aunty Janet telling me if I stepped on a crack a monster would come out and eat me. Yeah thanks for that.. I didn't step on cracks for ages!! I remember Dad helping me learn to ride a bike. It was yellow and very little. It ended up being my brother's first bike as well.



Lots of memories. But these are just some of them. Some of who and what I was when I was a little girl.