HaPpY BiRtHdAy Boo-Boo and Dad !

Tomorrow, my dad and nephew Brendan share their birthday. We had a party on the weekend for them both and it was great. Dad had a delicious and very fattening double mousse cake! YUM! And I made Boo-boo's birthday cake this year. He wanted something Collingwood Magpies so I did a footy jumper for him. Oh 11 is how old he turned :)

So, Happy Birthday guys!!!

Dramas at pre-school....

Well, after some long thinking and major stressing we decided to pull Isabella out of her 'new' kinder and send her back to her 'old' kinder (where she attended 3yo kinder). Some of the issues we were having at the new centre don't look like ever being resolved, and after much discussion with the teacher, the council, and hubby we decided it was in Isabella's best interest to change.

The main issue we had was that the centre is actually a day-care centre first and foremost, and they run a kindergarten program in the 3-5yo daycare room. I was of the understanding that they emptied the room of daycare children while they operated the kindergarten... but they don't. So, effectively the majority of the children there are all in daycare while the 'sessional' kinder children arrive at their set times and 'join in'. Even though they have a teacher for kinder who is different from their carer it just feels like the children who are already there don't know the distinction between being at daycare or being at kinder. So as you can imagine, most of them are quite comfortable in their surroundings as they spend all of their day there.

Us sessional families (being the children who ONLY go to kinder sessions and not daycare) actually feel like we are at a huge disadvantage and are quite the minority group. Out of Isabella's class there are something like 20 kids who are in daycare and only 8 sessional. That is a huge difference and we can really tell the difference. We feel like intruders into the group! And we shouldn't be made to feel that way for kindergarten for goodness sake.

There was also hardly any structure. While the council set out guidelines for kinder teachers saying that they want the learning to be more child directed rather than too many organised activites, we felt that our teacher's interpretation of this wasn't what we were after. In the 5 or 6 weeks of term 1 we didn't notice any marked change in the way kinder was run. There was no new activities or variety and the tables all had the same activities on them that the daycare have EVERY SINGLE DAY. They didn't do a group story time - as the excuse was there were too many hyperactive kids from being there all day and they had lost their concentration. So therefore my child misses out on reading time because of the other daycare children who won't sit still long enough. There are quite a few other issues that worried me... not having snack time as a group, eating whenever they wanted to for however long they wanted. It just didn't feel like they were preparing these children for school in any way.

So needless to say, I am kicking myself for not looking into this further in the first place. But us parents were not told of the setup with the day care children. They all just presumed we knew! As I said to them, how would we know if we don't ever use daycare. So there are a lot of issues they need to sort out before next year or they will have the same problem of families leaving the centre. Already, 5 children have pulled out and gone back to stand- alone kinders.

This setup is great for those people who use childcare.... but we don't. So as a parent who chooses not to use daycare we actually feel like we are at a disadvantage going to this centre. Going back to a stand-alone kinder will be the best thing as all the children are on the same level... they all arrive and leave together. Isabella went back today for the first time and was right at home. She caught up with a few friends from last year and settled in perfectly. It is a huge load off my mind as I was really stressing over this toward the end of last term. Now to kick back and really enjoy Isabella's last year home with mummy before heading off to school!

Festival Melbourne 2006

Well I vowed to stay away from the city during the Commonwealth Games thinking it would be a nightmare! But after my sister spent some time in there she convinced me that the whole city was buzzing and 'electric'. We decided to take the girls in and spend the day. Isabella always loves going to the city, especially on the train. She likes to look up at the big buildings and see all the people and especially the horse and carts! So we slapped them up with sunscreen, packed a bag and wrote my mobile number on their arms (in case they got lost) and off we went.

As soon as we got off the train at Flinders Street Station we could feel the 'buzz'. The city was crowded but not uncomfortably. It was a good 'crowded'. Everywhere you looked you could see officals and volunteers with a huge friendly smile and always ready to help. They really took a lot of pride in their home city and they always had time for everyone. They must have hired ALL of the Victorian Police Department as there seemed to be coppers every where!

We made our way to the Alexandra Gardens where we found numerous stages, a huge circus tent, pavillions everywhere full of things for kids and adults to do. There were a lot of street performers - not the daggy guitar-playing singers or the like, but very interesting, modern performing arts. We decided not to go to the circus as it was more directed at older children so we went and watched a mime act - Mr Strawberry. I am not particularly taken with these freaky acts... but I must say he was quite enjoyable. I was impressed when he plucked a stroller out of the audience and balanced it on his forehead! Isabella and Alexandra loved him and after a good giggle we moved on to some of the other pavillions and Federation Square. Isabella wanted to meet Freddo Frog and she got some tattoos :)

We then headed off to the Arts Centre where they have made a 'beach' (minus the water). You could hire a free beach chair and kick back and enjoy the games on the big screen or the entertainment that was on the stage. It was great! The kids particularly loved the sand and we spent ages here. Isabella made a sand angel and Alexandra just dug holes :)

We went to McDonalds for a quick ice cream before heading back to the train. We got back home at 6pm and needless to say it was a quick bath and straight into bed for 2 tired chickens.

I was so glad I decided to go into town and experience some of the Games fever. Raelene has been to a few events and thought it was just the best atmosphere. I was so proud to be a Melbourne-ite and every cent that was put into the whole event by the government was worth every penny!

I have uploaded some photos from the day - there are a lot there as they are from both mine and Raelene's cameras. But some nice ones of Melbourne for those out-of-towners :) you can see them here.

My Sentences.....

1. I have a big....crush on my hubby!

2. I wish I was in.......bed (I have another headache)

3. I am so tired of.......getting headaches

4. I hate......liars and disloyal friends

5. I was just....changing a pooey nappy!

6. My boss is .......me!

7. This weather.......is better than the cyclones up north

8. My friends are........VERY important to me

9. I like to.....watch my kids play together

10. This morning I woke up and ....turned my alarm off for the 11th time!

11. I am very.......happy with life at the moment

12. My Bed is really.........my sanctuary

13.My Car is.....a vital part of life

14. My mum said that I should.....always say please & thankyou

15. My space is for......me to share with my girls and my man :)

16. When I get home......I check my messages and if I have any parcles!

17. My phone is....always ringing (funny about that!)

18. When I am in a bad mood I....am not pretty at all

19. My room is........messy. A bit of a store room I'm afraid

20. I want to get.....pregnant!

21. I wish I had a......winning tattslotto ticket

22. My computer is.........about a bees dick away from being thrown out the window in a fit of rage :)

23. The weekend was....exhausting.

24. When I get drunk I seem to get......really good at pool!

25. I am.......a mother, a wife, a sister, a friend, a nurse

26. I wish.....my family all lived closer

27. I love.....the way my girls make me laugh

28. I want.....a cup of coffee

29. I know....never to try reasoning with a toddler!

30. Love is....making everything ok again with kisses & cuddles

31. I need....more hours in the day

32. This is....a good time waster

33. I am tagging..... Abbey and Emma

Just sharing..

..my new ticker.



Although, I am sure I won't be a breastfeeding mama for too much longer :(

OH POO

Well, we didn't win the MBF funny photo competition. Oh well, at least we made it to the finals.

On a brighter note... Alexandra had another auditition today. This time for a tv commercial for carsales.com.au. But it all depends on who they cast as the 'parents' as to who they cast as the toddler. And all the people at the audition were all brunettes so my snow white blondie might look a bit out of place! LOL Fingers crossed......

22 Months Old !

Oh dear... Won't be long until Alexandra is TWO! Wow...my baby is growing just too fast.

Photos as usual can be viewed here.

This month things have plodded along just nicely. Alex is still talking like a big kid, and using her sentences more and more. Even though her talking is improving I just love the way she says some words.... Rainbow is "bimbo" and drink is "dork". It is so funny when she wears her pyjamas with the rainbow on the front. She goes running out to Daddy pointing at her chest saying "BIMBO Daddy! Look, BIMBO!" Got to love her!!
Her toddler-ism's are coming out now and the usual toddler issues like smacking, pushing and doing the wrong things for attention are well and truly established! Especially at playgroup where there are a lot of toddlers and they are all experimenting their newly found independence on each other! But it comes with the territory and our babies can't stay angels forever! LOL We have been implementing the 'naughty corner' routine and it is proving effective. Alex really hates sitting in the corner and while the minute seems to be the longest minute in history, it seems to work! Her behaviour certainly isn't an issue... But we like to think that the sooner we get on top of things the better. She is generally quite well behaved, especially when we are out so that is a good thing.

It is so lovely to see Bella and Alex playing so well together. They are already each other's best friends and they both love role model playing the best. With Alex often being the 'mum' and Bella the 'baby'. Hahahaa. I have been thinking about Alex's birthday (not long to go!) and was going to make her a Blues Clues cake. But recently she has taken such a huge liking to Dora the Explorer so maybe we will go down that route?

This month I have weaned Alex a bit more. She no longer has a feed before bed every night but it is more like every 3 - 4 nights. While it feels a bit sad, I have finally accepted the fact that my baby is a big girl now. She still loves her boobie but isn't as distraught about missing out at bed time as she used to be. And we now have a new bedtime routine of singing "Shine" on Isabella's bed right before bedtime so that is something she really looks looks forward to....because she gets to sing again! lol

I have decided to continue with Alexandra's swimming lessons, after my reluctance in the beginning. The teacher is accommodating for her level which is good. It is also great for the other kids too as they all copy each other and a couple of mums have made the comment that they prefer Alex goes first so their child copies! They have also affectionately nicknamed her Nemo! LOL But she has fun and that is the main thing. Isabella still enjoys her swimming, but certainly dancing is the biggest hit !

My sister came home from London this month. She has been gone for 2 years so it is simply lovely having her home. Isabella was extremely excited to see her and gave her the biggest welcome home cuddle. Alexandra was just thrilled to have a new person in her life to talk to! LOL We went up to Mum's property in Castlemaine (Country Victoria) for a weekend and the girls had a ball! They loved the animals - especially the ducks, and we spent all weekend in the pool. Being 37 degrees it was a god-send. The girls had some good quality time with Aunty Raelene and Aunty Tina :)

Well my weight loss journey has picked up a little... I have now lost almost 19kg :) I still have a long way to go but I am happy with the progress.

Curly Toes

Isabella had an appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon last week at the Royal Children's Hospital. When she was born we noticed her 2nd and 3rd toes on both feet were crossed. We have come to affectionately call these her 'curly toes' :) The doctors assured me that it would probably sort itself out once she starts to walk and her toes would straighten. Well evidently they haven't! The surgeon thought that it was one of those 50-50 cases. They would operate if I wanted them to, but at this stage they don't feel it is something that NEEDS to be done. He gave me the option of booking it in there and then and I was a bit reluctant to put her through the drama of an anaesthetic if it was unnecessary. I did ask if it will affect her later in life and he said that crowding in certain shoes might be an issue. I just don't want her to develop calouses or anything. I know the toes don't serve a purpose (apart from the big toe) so it is a really tough call. One he left up to me! He discussed with the registrar who was of the same opinion, but did want to see her again in 12 months time to see if there are any complications or the like. They said they would more than likely fix it then so that also left me wondering 'why don't we just do it now?'. So while it isn't causing her any grief we decided to leave it.
But you know, so what if Isabella has curly toes? At least she is healthy! Walking around that hospital makes you realise what really matters. Seeing all those sick and injured children battling along really puts a perspective on things. Makes you appreciate what you have even more!
Anyway... Isabella thinks her curly toes are so special and they make her giggle so much! She plays with them and makes them 'normal' only for them to POP back into place one on top of the other. She finds it hilarious! And funnily enough, I find Alex's normal feet odd to look at as I am used to Bella's 'curly toes' ! LOL

WELCOME HOME AUNTY RAELENE!!

Well finally my little sister is back on home soil! It was just so wonderful to see her again after 2 years! We didn't go to meet her at the airport as her flight came in at 7am and it would have been horrid getting the children up at 5am! So we waited at home for her to arrive, we made a huge banner for her too. Isabella just bolted to her when she arrived and jumped up into her arms! She has missed

her heaps. Alexandra was just thrilled to have a new person in her life and spent the whole night nattering away to her showing her everything she owned :) It was the first time Raelene had met Alex so it was a really special moment. Rick did joke that we should have borrowed one of our friend's kids and dress them in a dress to see her reaction ! It would have been so funny if not a bit cruel! Hehehee. Anyway, I am sure the next 3 months of her stay will fly so we are making the most of it. Isabella loves sharing her room with Aunty Rarrrleeen and doesn't leave her side when she is here :) She is already saying that she is going to miss her when she goes back to London... awww!

FINALIST !

I am so excited! I entered the MBF funny photo competition and tonight I found out that not only has one of my photos made it as a finalist... BUT TWO!
We were only allowed to enter a maximum of 5 photos. The finalists can be seen here: http://mbflife.com.au/funnyphotos/

There is a photo of Isabella & I on the first page, and then on the second page there is a photo of Alexandra in a baby bath looking at herself in the mirror. The competition is pretty fierce as there are some rather good photos, but at least I have 2 chances of winning! While a family holiday would be great... second prize is also a beauty! Hmmm.... digital SLR camera would be VERY nice!

Fingers crossed! We find out March 17th.