Tahlia was asking me in the car on the way home today, how do babies come out of thier mummies tummies.
I took a deep breath and replied, they push them out. I'm big fan of the "need to know basis" parenting style, give only the neccessary and age appropriate information!
She thought about this and then asked - but how? While i was trying to form an appropriate answer to this question, she said, "Oh, I know, like this" and then gave quite a good impression of a lady giving birth!
After this, she said, I wish i had a baby.
Daddy replied from the front seat "no you don't, if you did you'd have to get up the middle of the night to look after it"
Tahlia's reply? - Well daddy, you know, the daddy can get up TOO!
I have trained my daughter well!!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
How Long?
I'm just wondering how long it will be before darling Zac does'nt have to completely strip in order to go to the toilet. It's driving me insane.
Especially at the shops, i get some pretty strange looks. He doesn't wait to go into the stall to start stripping. He just stands in the general area and off come the clothes. I am left standing there with a pile of clothes looking like a dill.
It's a bit gross too, he takes of his shoes and everything, so he's walking around on the bathroom floor with no shoes on, you never know what's on those floors!
I should point out that he is still at the sitting down stage at the moment. I have yet to introduce the concept of standing up peeing. I just can't face the mess yet. We have enough problems without adding peeing all over the bathroom to the list!
Especially at the shops, i get some pretty strange looks. He doesn't wait to go into the stall to start stripping. He just stands in the general area and off come the clothes. I am left standing there with a pile of clothes looking like a dill.
It's a bit gross too, he takes of his shoes and everything, so he's walking around on the bathroom floor with no shoes on, you never know what's on those floors!
I should point out that he is still at the sitting down stage at the moment. I have yet to introduce the concept of standing up peeing. I just can't face the mess yet. We have enough problems without adding peeing all over the bathroom to the list!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
pull my finger
My darling husband has taught my kids the old - "pull my finger trick" (you pull thier finger and they..er..pass wind)
We had grandma in the car today and Zac from the back seat says - pull my finger!
Grandma looks at him quizicaly as I pull his finger.
He says - oh no, you're too late! I laughed my head of for about 3 hours!
I then very embarrassingly had to explain the whole thing to grandma. I think she'll be having a few words to Daddy about this one.
We had grandma in the car today and Zac from the back seat says - pull my finger!
Grandma looks at him quizicaly as I pull his finger.
He says - oh no, you're too late! I laughed my head of for about 3 hours!
I then very embarrassingly had to explain the whole thing to grandma. I think she'll be having a few words to Daddy about this one.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Who's the Boss?
I'm trying to work out just who is the boss in our family.
I have a horrible feeling it is the tantrums of a certain three year old boy.
There are some days that we dance around zac trying not to annoy him so that he doesn't explode into one of his world famous tantrums. Although thier frequency has reduced of late, thier intensity has NOT!
One of the things that makes it worse is that Tahlia is absolutely terrified of Zacs tantrums. She does whatever she can to placate him, which usually ends up with her being in trouble too. It turns into a huge disaster with one family member screaming and another two in tears.
Another thing that makes it worse is being in public, or worse, in the car. The "ignore and it will go away" school of thought just doesn't work in these situations. Not with Zac anyway, it did with Tahlia, she was a softie!
I think we're just going to have to wait out this joyfull stage, ignoring wherever possible, placating without it being obvious we are doing so, and praying alot. We must be doing something right I guess, at the beginning of the year we were on about 5 tantrums a day, now it's more like five a week.
I have a horrible feeling it is the tantrums of a certain three year old boy.
There are some days that we dance around zac trying not to annoy him so that he doesn't explode into one of his world famous tantrums. Although thier frequency has reduced of late, thier intensity has NOT!
One of the things that makes it worse is that Tahlia is absolutely terrified of Zacs tantrums. She does whatever she can to placate him, which usually ends up with her being in trouble too. It turns into a huge disaster with one family member screaming and another two in tears.
Another thing that makes it worse is being in public, or worse, in the car. The "ignore and it will go away" school of thought just doesn't work in these situations. Not with Zac anyway, it did with Tahlia, she was a softie!
I think we're just going to have to wait out this joyfull stage, ignoring wherever possible, placating without it being obvious we are doing so, and praying alot. We must be doing something right I guess, at the beginning of the year we were on about 5 tantrums a day, now it's more like five a week.
Monday, May 28, 2007
boys will be boys
Two very funny boy stories. The first one I actually read on another blog while i was randomly clicking the next blog button. Of course i forgot to actually write down the name of this blog. So if you recognise this story as your own, please let me know so that i can link it to your site, which was very good BTW.
A little boy was sitting in the bath playing with the family jewels. He looks up at his mother and asks "are these my brains", she replies, "no darling, not yet!"
I think this was actually a true story - i can certainly imagine it happening. The next incident happened this morning.
I had just got out of the shower and zac was doing his usuall - "I kissed your bottom" thing, he has a fascination with bottoms at the moment. Then he looks at me and says.
"can I see your wee wee mummy?" I reply that it's just there and point. He says "did you lose it?" HA HA HA
A little boy was sitting in the bath playing with the family jewels. He looks up at his mother and asks "are these my brains", she replies, "no darling, not yet!"
I think this was actually a true story - i can certainly imagine it happening. The next incident happened this morning.
I had just got out of the shower and zac was doing his usuall - "I kissed your bottom" thing, he has a fascination with bottoms at the moment. Then he looks at me and says.
"can I see your wee wee mummy?" I reply that it's just there and point. He says "did you lose it?" HA HA HA
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sibling relationship
I am so proud of my kids. They have a really wonderful relationship as far as kids go.
Don't get me wrong, they spend a fair amount of time trying to injure each other, physically or emotionally, but a larger amount of time is spent being incredibly sweet to each other. A few illustrations.
Yesterday I took Zac shopping for a few things, he was not in the "shopping groove" so we stopped for a milkshake. The shop happened to be next to a florist, he looked over and said "I want to buy some flowers for Tahlia" How cute.
Most afternoons we have a fight over who will collect the mail. It seems to be some high status thing at our place? The last few days though, it has been very cute. Tahlia says - zac, you can collect the mail today, he replies, thats ok, you can get it, she says, no really, i want you to get it, he says, oh, thankyou very much tahli.
I've been unwell the last few weeks, and been having afternoon naps after Tahlia gets home from school. Usually this would be interupted every five minutes or so with requests or whinges or fights, but the last couple of naps have been really long. I wake up in a panic because the house is quiet, and have walked out to find the pair of them cuddling on the couch watcing tv.
They really do look out for each other and are very aware of things being fair between them. Too sweet. We must be really good parents!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong, they spend a fair amount of time trying to injure each other, physically or emotionally, but a larger amount of time is spent being incredibly sweet to each other. A few illustrations.
Yesterday I took Zac shopping for a few things, he was not in the "shopping groove" so we stopped for a milkshake. The shop happened to be next to a florist, he looked over and said "I want to buy some flowers for Tahlia" How cute.
Most afternoons we have a fight over who will collect the mail. It seems to be some high status thing at our place? The last few days though, it has been very cute. Tahlia says - zac, you can collect the mail today, he replies, thats ok, you can get it, she says, no really, i want you to get it, he says, oh, thankyou very much tahli.
I've been unwell the last few weeks, and been having afternoon naps after Tahlia gets home from school. Usually this would be interupted every five minutes or so with requests or whinges or fights, but the last couple of naps have been really long. I wake up in a panic because the house is quiet, and have walked out to find the pair of them cuddling on the couch watcing tv.
They really do look out for each other and are very aware of things being fair between them. Too sweet. We must be really good parents!!!!!!
Friday, May 4, 2007
canteen and other things we do for our kids
I recently had my second shift on the school canteen/tuckshop. It was something I dreaded for weeks. Why would i volunteer for a job that involves three of my least favourite activities - housework, cooking for kids, and retail?
There are three answers to this question.
One is Mother Guilt. I am not a decent mother if I don't do all those little things that mothers "should" do.
Two is pure selfishness, yes, it's true. I get a little buzz out of knowing that i am doing something that only a few others do. I am making a difference at the school. I am involved, making a sacrifice....
Third is that i love my daughter too much not to do it. When she heard there was a vacancy at the canteen, she was SO excited. I simply had to fill it. She gets a thrill everytime I'm on canteen, and for that day I am the perfect mother, i even buy food for her friends.
This third reason should be the most important I suppose, but for me, i have to admit, number one comes in first. I really should do something about that.
There are three answers to this question.
One is Mother Guilt. I am not a decent mother if I don't do all those little things that mothers "should" do.
Two is pure selfishness, yes, it's true. I get a little buzz out of knowing that i am doing something that only a few others do. I am making a difference at the school. I am involved, making a sacrifice....
Third is that i love my daughter too much not to do it. When she heard there was a vacancy at the canteen, she was SO excited. I simply had to fill it. She gets a thrill everytime I'm on canteen, and for that day I am the perfect mother, i even buy food for her friends.
This third reason should be the most important I suppose, but for me, i have to admit, number one comes in first. I really should do something about that.
Vomit
Charming topic i know, but it's something i feel the need to record for posterity.
My kids have very different reactions to vomit, and i find it quite funny. Not at the actuall vomiting moment mind you, but in a "you'll look back on this and laugh" kind of way. This has come to mind because both of the kids threw up in the last week.
First Tahlia. She is TOTALLY vomit phobic, to an irritating level. In her defense, her vomiting experiences started badly with a traumatic stay in hospital at 10 months due to severe gastro - quite scary. But now, all you have to do is tell her you feel slightly ill and she turns pale and runs a mile (this is valuable information!) When she herself throws up she gets very upset and carries a bucket around for the next three days just incase, and eats dry biscuits for the duration. If someone else throws up in her vicinity (like say - a car sick brother on a long trip!) she gets equally upset, and stays a good 10 metres away from the victim for days. When contained in the same area (like say a car) things do not go well and constant assurance and a lot of fresh air are needed!
Zac on the other hand is quite fascinated by the whole thing. He doesn't like throwing up of course, but he quite likes to inspect the offering afterwards. And if another member of the family should have the unfortunate experience of a bout of gastro, (quite a common occurence in our household due to a genetic predisposition) he will follow said sufferer to the bathroom, squat down and watch with great enthusiasm the entire process. Hilarious in hindsight, not so funny at the time.
so now you see why i had to relate my fun vomit stories. As a final note the ever inquisitive and rather insistent Zac would like to type something - so here is something from the mind of 3 year old zac
zxccvcvbngaasne'u
]yup[[[[\]shj.hgjgwgggyjkz
My kids have very different reactions to vomit, and i find it quite funny. Not at the actuall vomiting moment mind you, but in a "you'll look back on this and laugh" kind of way. This has come to mind because both of the kids threw up in the last week.
First Tahlia. She is TOTALLY vomit phobic, to an irritating level. In her defense, her vomiting experiences started badly with a traumatic stay in hospital at 10 months due to severe gastro - quite scary. But now, all you have to do is tell her you feel slightly ill and she turns pale and runs a mile (this is valuable information!) When she herself throws up she gets very upset and carries a bucket around for the next three days just incase, and eats dry biscuits for the duration. If someone else throws up in her vicinity (like say - a car sick brother on a long trip!) she gets equally upset, and stays a good 10 metres away from the victim for days. When contained in the same area (like say a car) things do not go well and constant assurance and a lot of fresh air are needed!
Zac on the other hand is quite fascinated by the whole thing. He doesn't like throwing up of course, but he quite likes to inspect the offering afterwards. And if another member of the family should have the unfortunate experience of a bout of gastro, (quite a common occurence in our household due to a genetic predisposition) he will follow said sufferer to the bathroom, squat down and watch with great enthusiasm the entire process. Hilarious in hindsight, not so funny at the time.
so now you see why i had to relate my fun vomit stories. As a final note the ever inquisitive and rather insistent Zac would like to type something - so here is something from the mind of 3 year old zac
zxccvcvbngaasne'u
]yup[[[[\]shj.hgjgwgggyjkz
names
ok, I'm not sure about you, but I'm heartily sick of this whole miss t master z thing. My kids have names. I started out not using them because of my slightly paranoid mother, when i told her about this blogging thing she said - you don't have to use your real name do you?? Well, i really don't think having my kids names on this blog is really going to hurt - do you? If you are a strange and disturbed person that somehow knows how to do me wrong because i used my kids real names on the internet - please don't, i don't need to be giving my mother another chance to be right!
ok, so the picking of childrens names is frought with danger - will they have bad nicknames, bad initials, too common, too difficult to spell etc. I also wanted names that had nice meanings, preferably hebrew due to our religion. So this is what we came up with - Tahlia, and Zachary.
Tahlia has no middle name, same as me and my mum, and Zac has his dad's middle name, same as my brother and my husband. We like tradition. So there it is, i get to use thier names from now on. YAY
ok, so the picking of childrens names is frought with danger - will they have bad nicknames, bad initials, too common, too difficult to spell etc. I also wanted names that had nice meanings, preferably hebrew due to our religion. So this is what we came up with - Tahlia, and Zachary.
Tahlia has no middle name, same as me and my mum, and Zac has his dad's middle name, same as my brother and my husband. We like tradition. So there it is, i get to use thier names from now on. YAY
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Grandma's Birthday
Well, today is Grandma's birthday, so at 7.45 I grabbed the kids, told miss t the phone number and off we went.
At this stage I had just got out of the shower, and the plan was for them to stay in the bedroom while i got dressed so I could eavesdrop, however she grabbed the phone, dialed, and ran out of the room.
I got dressed as quickly as i could, but by the time i found them, she was on the computer, and master z was standing there staring at the computer holding the phone in his hand. I grabbed it.
Luckily Grandma was still on the phone, although she had used her office line to ring my mobile to tell me to hang up the phone!
She told me what Miss T had said - Grandma asked if miss t knew how old she was and T answered!
no, but i know it's a big number!
oops, a few lessons on diplomacy needed here!
At this stage I had just got out of the shower, and the plan was for them to stay in the bedroom while i got dressed so I could eavesdrop, however she grabbed the phone, dialed, and ran out of the room.
I got dressed as quickly as i could, but by the time i found them, she was on the computer, and master z was standing there staring at the computer holding the phone in his hand. I grabbed it.
Luckily Grandma was still on the phone, although she had used her office line to ring my mobile to tell me to hang up the phone!
She told me what Miss T had said - Grandma asked if miss t knew how old she was and T answered!
no, but i know it's a big number!
oops, a few lessons on diplomacy needed here!
Monday, April 30, 2007
The screamer
This is a letter to Master Z, age three
Child, you are so adorable, but i swear, you have two personalities. Last night you woke us at midnight, screaming your head off. You lose all capacity to speak or think rationally. You demand to be held, then put down, then cuddled standing up.... Even when we do as told, you scream. Last night daddy was holding you, standing up, and you were insisting that he stand up! We don't know what to do with you, and we sure do hope you grow out of it!
Child, you are so adorable, but i swear, you have two personalities. Last night you woke us at midnight, screaming your head off. You lose all capacity to speak or think rationally. You demand to be held, then put down, then cuddled standing up.... Even when we do as told, you scream. Last night daddy was holding you, standing up, and you were insisting that he stand up! We don't know what to do with you, and we sure do hope you grow out of it!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
a trip to the hairdresser
My kids love having thier hair cut. And the hairdresser loves them too.
A few days before my brothers wedding we went and got wedding haircuts. They run up to the hairdresser (we are regulars) and announce that they are the flower girl and paige boy and need the best haircuts ever.
The hairdresser has a daughter the same age as miss t, so she knows that they like to be treated like princesses, so off she goes to the sink for a proper hair wash and everything.
Master z is particularly cute, so everyone also loves him, but his particular haircut thing is that he falls asleep practically every time (takes after his father). This time was no exception, fast asleep, and drops his face right into a pile of hair cuttings on his shoulder. All the hairdressers in the salon are called over to have a peek and remark on how adorable he is.
Meanwhile miss t is telling the hairdresser all the wedding details and how she is going to be the most beautifull one there (except for the bride of course) and having the time of her life.
I'm so lucky to have kids that like having haircuts, although it tends to be a problem when every time we walk past the hairdressers (twice a week or so) they ask for a cut.
A few days before my brothers wedding we went and got wedding haircuts. They run up to the hairdresser (we are regulars) and announce that they are the flower girl and paige boy and need the best haircuts ever.
The hairdresser has a daughter the same age as miss t, so she knows that they like to be treated like princesses, so off she goes to the sink for a proper hair wash and everything.
Master z is particularly cute, so everyone also loves him, but his particular haircut thing is that he falls asleep practically every time (takes after his father). This time was no exception, fast asleep, and drops his face right into a pile of hair cuttings on his shoulder. All the hairdressers in the salon are called over to have a peek and remark on how adorable he is.
Meanwhile miss t is telling the hairdresser all the wedding details and how she is going to be the most beautifull one there (except for the bride of course) and having the time of her life.
I'm so lucky to have kids that like having haircuts, although it tends to be a problem when every time we walk past the hairdressers (twice a week or so) they ask for a cut.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Two start with
No this is not a typo - I'm trying to be clever! I have two funny stories to start with!
1. This is about miss t. Dinner last night i had these crumbed fish and vegetable cakes, something they'd both usually eat. T looks at her plate, and the following conversation occurs between me and her.
1. This is about miss t. Dinner last night i had these crumbed fish and vegetable cakes, something they'd both usually eat. T looks at her plate, and the following conversation occurs between me and her.
does this chicken come from fish?
no honey, this fish comes from fish
you mean the fish that swim around in the sea
yes hon
I cant eat it. I am not going to eat it. we have to care for the animals and to eat this we have to kill it and this is not caring for animals
(I think to myself - here we go) I try the - God made the animals for us to eat so we can be healthy routine
NO - we have to care for them, and that means not eating them
honey, we can still care for animals and eat them, i care for animals and eat them. I make sure they're treated well while they're alive and that they're happy, and then i eat them. (yeah, i know, this last line was not well thought out!)
NO.....where does this hash brown come from?
(oh no I think, here comes trouble) From potatoes hon
Hmmmm, what about the carrot
from carrots
no, i mean, where does the carrot come from
carrots
(we then have this discussion about peas and corn)
are you lying to me just cause you want me to eat this cause its good for me. Do these things really come from themselves
(laughing my head off) Yes, i want you to eat them cause they're healthy, no i am not lying to you, and by the way fish is healthy too
she eats her vegetables and i sit there dreaming of ways to disguise animal products in her food, panicking about vegetarian meals, but then i look over and see her nibbling on one part of the fish, i raise an eyebrow she replies
the fish said it didn't mind if I ate this bit
as i related this story to my husband later that night we both fell on the floor laughing our head off
2. We were reading the kids thier nightly bible story the other day, and z asked to see a picture of God. Hubby explains that you can't see God but that he is all around us.
T adds, God is in my heart (it sounds more like Gawd when she says it but you get the point) Hubby and I lavish praise on this remark, which is like a red flag to a bull for z
Hey - she's getting attention, i need to get in on this action. So he pipes up and says. "and God is in my head and my tummy and my bottom and my wee wee" SO funny
3. ok, i know i said two, but that last one was short.
we were at the aquarium lately and z is running around madly excited as usuall. We come to the great barrier reef display and he yells -
DORY I can see DORY, look mummy there's lots and lots ofdories. Wheres nemo mum? NEEEEEEMO, NEEEEMO where are you??
as if on cue, the one solitary clown fish in the tank swims to the front. I mean, this is a big tank, it's actually quite impressive!
MUUUUUUMMMM - its NEEEMMO I FOUND NEMO!!!!!!
runs around shouting with excitement. This is the bit where i pretend he's not mine and stand back remarking to strangers how cute he is, trying to draw attention from the fact that he is at the same decibal level as the average jet plane!
In the beginning...
I'm writing this for me and my kids. I want a record for them of thier childhoods, what they were like, and what they mean to me. I wish I had started this a long time ago, they are now 6 and 3, but this will have to do.
First, an outline of what they are like now
Miss T, aged 6. The first thing you notice upon encountering her is that she is a remarkably good looking child. Not sure how this happened! Luckily, there is a lot more to her than that. I think her greatest strength is her social skills. Again, not sure how this happened, growing up with a mother with a mental illness, she didn't exactly have a good role model in this area.
Oh, she already has a steady boyfriend, they've been together for 9 months - seriously, they talk on the phone, go to each others houses, write love letters, give gifts, and.... so I'm told, frequently kiss. This worries me - what am I going to deal with at 15???
Miss T can make friends with anyone, within about 5 minutes. She adapts her games to thier interests, laughs easily, and doesn't boss people around. (cept for me of course). I think this is such an important skill and i'm really proud of her for it. On the down side, she doesn't do well on her own and needs constant input from others. This usually means me. This is slowly changing, and I have great hope for the future.
She is also quite a sensitive child, good and bad thing. She is loving and affectionate, and is just starting to understand how she can help others. But she doesn't cope well with criticism or rejection.
For a child who is constantly told how great she is, she actually has quite a lot of self doubt. She gives up on things quite easily, which really annoys me, cause I think in there is quite a brain. She remembers the most amazing things - if only she could apply this skill to her schoolwork.
There is of course a lot more to her than this, but I'm sure this will come out in the stories I tell over the years.
Ok, master Z. This one has two distinct personalities. Firstly he is the most gorgeous thing on the face of the planet. he randomly announces through the day that he loves me, his father, sister, grandparents etc etc. SO cute. He also loves attention. If you even crack a smile at something he does, he'll do it over and over trying to get a laugh.
Secondly, he's stubborn, and can throw the MOST impressive tantrums i've ever seen in my life. I mean, I've dealt with a fair few kids in my time and this is amazing! His stubborness comes out in many ways, but the one we are dealing with now is he refuses to go to the toilet. Don't get me wrong, the child is toilet trained. I think he's just on a power trip!
I realise I've written a lot more about my daughter than son. I think this is because a) she's older and b) he's just so much more simple to understand at this stage. what you see is what you get, i think a combination of age and gender.
First, an outline of what they are like now
Miss T, aged 6. The first thing you notice upon encountering her is that she is a remarkably good looking child. Not sure how this happened! Luckily, there is a lot more to her than that. I think her greatest strength is her social skills. Again, not sure how this happened, growing up with a mother with a mental illness, she didn't exactly have a good role model in this area.
Oh, she already has a steady boyfriend, they've been together for 9 months - seriously, they talk on the phone, go to each others houses, write love letters, give gifts, and.... so I'm told, frequently kiss. This worries me - what am I going to deal with at 15???
Miss T can make friends with anyone, within about 5 minutes. She adapts her games to thier interests, laughs easily, and doesn't boss people around. (cept for me of course). I think this is such an important skill and i'm really proud of her for it. On the down side, she doesn't do well on her own and needs constant input from others. This usually means me. This is slowly changing, and I have great hope for the future.
She is also quite a sensitive child, good and bad thing. She is loving and affectionate, and is just starting to understand how she can help others. But she doesn't cope well with criticism or rejection.
For a child who is constantly told how great she is, she actually has quite a lot of self doubt. She gives up on things quite easily, which really annoys me, cause I think in there is quite a brain. She remembers the most amazing things - if only she could apply this skill to her schoolwork.
There is of course a lot more to her than this, but I'm sure this will come out in the stories I tell over the years.
Ok, master Z. This one has two distinct personalities. Firstly he is the most gorgeous thing on the face of the planet. he randomly announces through the day that he loves me, his father, sister, grandparents etc etc. SO cute. He also loves attention. If you even crack a smile at something he does, he'll do it over and over trying to get a laugh.
Secondly, he's stubborn, and can throw the MOST impressive tantrums i've ever seen in my life. I mean, I've dealt with a fair few kids in my time and this is amazing! His stubborness comes out in many ways, but the one we are dealing with now is he refuses to go to the toilet. Don't get me wrong, the child is toilet trained. I think he's just on a power trip!
I realise I've written a lot more about my daughter than son. I think this is because a) she's older and b) he's just so much more simple to understand at this stage. what you see is what you get, i think a combination of age and gender.
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