Puzzles

get completed quickly when:



the pieces sat on the coffee table and one picked up and tried to fit a piece every time he or she walked past :)

Love

the Kueh Lapis cake, a layed cake made with egg yolks from Singapore.
Simon bought it on his way back from Vietnam.

While Simon was away, I had to assume the role of the bad cop (normally his job).
I shouted at the kids more than ever (they seemed to be naughtier). I did not like being the bad cop!

I am glad I am the less shouty parent again :)

Impetigo and others

Before Sam had his first round of impetigo in Feb, we hadn't really heard of this skin infection disease (aka school sores) before. It was scary watching the little pimply dots (thought to be insect bites) on the inside of Sam's legs became blisters then open red raw sores when the blisters bursted. It started on the legs, spreaded to arms, back, and fingers and only cleared after antibiotics was taken and anti-bacteria cream applied (and off daycare for a week during a busy patch with work of course!). We were told to bath/shower in Phisohex for 2 months because it is very contagioius. Just when we thought it was all good, Lara was infected. Hers was contained in her nose so besides a little uncomfortable and off school for 2 days, it wasn't too bad. About 2 months later (in April), Simon found he had some suspecious itchy spots just before we saw the same familiar spots under Sam's arms AGAIN!! We didn't delay seeing the doctor and all of us got treated this time to make sure it is gone. (Please don't come back!)

Impetigo was bad, but life was not all bad in the last couple of months. I joined the gym and had been going a couple of times a week. The kids like to go with me on Saturday when I do my Pilate class. I had 3 fullbody massages already and a rare girls' night out (a friend's 35th). We had dinner and watched 'Les Mis' (yes I cried my eyes out!) We had some lovely time at the beach in April (who would think we could still go to the beach in April?) and have enjoyed some new playground outings. We eat out more as a family (when we are not contagious!). But yes life is busy!

January

2013 has gone so fast and we are already into the second half of February. Here is a short summary of last month. The baskets of clothes to be folded and put away can wait for a little longer.

Sam started at a new daycare on the 7th of January for two days initially. He didn't really like the daycare, maybe it's bigger than what he was used to. He cried every morning for about two weeks. Then something happened that made me decide not to go back to the family daycare. It didn't take long to get the 3rd day in the daycare that Sam still wasn't keen at that time. He stopped crying when I dropped him off in the mornings though, and started to mention some names. When I picked him up last week he didn't want to leave. I guess we have turned the corner with this one.

Lara had her 6th birthday party on the 12th of January. The mermaid girl I hired before Christmas cancelled on me a week before the party, luckily a replacement pirate was found for the day. I filled up nearly 100 water balloons two days before the party to save time but they all bursted in the heat. The ice-cream/jelly birthday cake didn't turn out very well either. On the bright side, Lara enjoyed the party very much, but Simon said we are not doing another party for 10 years!

Kids playing 'pass the treasure box' at the party.


Lara and Sam did Suzuki summer school during the weekend of 19-21 of January. Lara did the junior violin program and Sam the Early Childhood program. Lara's program was very similar to the one she did at Spring school. She had 3 classes a day. Lara enjoyed the enrichment classes where they played games on slowing down and multi-tasking. In the pictured play-in session, the kids all had fun playing violin while doing other things (like playing lying-down, turning around and around or kneeling down). Sam also enjoyed his lessons a lot. We will be doing it again next year.



Lara and I spent one special day during the school holiday just the two of us. We spent first half of the daye in the art gallery of nsw then watched 'The wind in the Willows' at Royal Botanic Gardnes.While we were at the Art Gallery, we watched a miming performace called 'Draw the lines'. It was funny and very creative using pictures from this year's Dorbell Drawing competition. Lara knew and loved the songs sung in 'the wind in the willows'. We both enjoyed the show and also plan to go back next year.

We bumped into a 'bubble artist' on the way to the Art Gallery. Lara loved the different shaped bubbles he made.


I worked a little during January but almost always had one or both kids with me. It was nice but very busy. Thanks to brother-in-law, we also had the rare chance of going out to eat at a Japanese sushi bar in Crows Nest without the kids one night early January.

School started on the 30th of January, I went back to work on the 31st of January. Life is even busier after that. And that was our January.

Christmas break

We didn't host Christams this year (only hosted a smaller family meal on boxing day) so there were minimum grocery shopping and food preparation during Christmas for me (yeah!). Chrsitmas was spent at brother-in-law's new place (he moved in 3 days before xmas) in Collaroy. It was a little different to the other x'mas we had as there were people from his girlfriend's family whom we did't know, come and go. Sam and Lara had lots of fun running around with another kid in the apartment, which already had over 20 people in it. It was raining so we couldn't spend time at the beach as planned. We did manage to go back to the beach a couple of days later and spent a nice afternoon soaking in the beautiful sunshine and breathing in the fresh sea breeze. We also spend a nice afternoon at this little picturesque beach called Bilgola and two other afternoons at swimming pools. When the days are hot, there is nothing better than spend it near water.

Recently

School started again so the days are pretty busy. Work was very busy in April therefore the lack of motivations to write anything down, not that there was nothing happening. Both Sam and Lara were sick. Sam had an awful, itchy rash all over his body and didn't want to do anything (or eat anything) for a couple of days, that was very unlike him. Lara also had temperature and was lethargic and off school sick. After that, Simon got Sam's rash and had temperature and achy hands for a few days. I also have this frustrating cough for a few weeks now. I got into 'coughing fits' at work sometimes, I coughed so much that I wanted to throw up and had tears running down my face. I think I'm feeling a little better today.

Mum was here for two weeks and left this morning. I took her for a traditional Thai massage last week for Mother's Day. Those tiny Thai ladies were very skillful at the massage table. When asked what strength I wanted, I said 'strong' thinking I can take 'tiny ladies'. But when they sat on me and dug their knees or elbows into my back, it really hurt. I had to ask them to ease off. Mum and I both enjoyed that hour of bliss.

I found I couldn't read some labels on jars recently and had my eyes checked out a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe my short-sightedness actually regressed/improved. Is this a sign that I'm getting old? The new glasses, after private health rebate will be close to $600!! I don't know if I should still have the laser surgery? (it will cost nearly $7000). Decision decision.

I spent a good part of my waking hours recently thinking about Lara's violin situation. Lara's young teacher went overseas for 3 months to further her studies, and I wasn't very impressed with the substitute teacher. I am afraid this might not be a one-off occurance. The teacher's boyfriend lives in France, and we already had her going to France twice in the 6 months we've been with her. This teacher-changing is interruptive. In the long term I need to find a teacher who stays, and that probably means someone older. I've made a couple of phone calls, but finding a teacher is not an easy task. Most Suzuki teachers in the area are either fully-booked or not experienced enough. I also have to be careful not to hurt anyone's feelings. This situation now goes into my 'monitor-for-now' list. Something to think/worry about later.

Too old to skate

I took Lara and her friend Annie ice-skating on Monday. I have skated regularly for a couple of years when I was younger and thought skating was like riding a bike - you never forget how to do it. Lara had done a couple of skating lessons so I thought it would be fun to go around with her as a holiday treat. It was harder than I thoguht looking after two kids who can't skate when I'm quite rusty myself. On top of that, I forgot that I'm a lot older now.

Lara was crying (her friend was faster than her so I tried to stay between them but I was too far for comfort for Lara) and in a haste to get to her, I fell down bottom first. Luckily, I didn't break anything and I was still able to walk, I got up with a sore bottom and continued skating. But by the time we finished and walked to the car park (I also managed to get a pair of school shoes with Lara afterwards so I guess the pain was not too bad), it hurt a lot more. That night I couldn't get up from a sitting-down position without some efforts and had to take pain-killers. I really worried I would wake up unable to walk, who will look after Sam then? Fortunately, the pain subsided the next day.

I forget that I am on longer the young 18 year old who could just get up from a fall, my older bones don't handle it too well. Maybe skating is not a great idea after all?

The Christmas bug

This Christmas happened in a big rush. We had two lots of family guests over, there always seemed to be people leaving and people coming. There was an extra guest, many shopping trips, and the cooking took some time. I was either in the kitchen or attendint to one of the kids and didn't even take any pictures. oh did I mention both kids were sick at x'mas?

Lara had diarrhea on Friday, vomited in the middle of the night and spent most of Christmas and Boxing day lying on the couch feeling miserable. Simon must have caught Lara's bug and also had diarrhea early x'mas morning. Sam had eczema on and off for two weeks before x'mas. A friend of a friend (a dermatologist) saw Sam on Friday and thought the eczema was severe and it needed medical attention. It prompted me to get to the doctor's at 5pm on Friday. I knew the itch bothered Sam but I dind't realise it was that bad and thought it would get better by itself. After taking antihistamine (kids Zyrtec), Sam did seem better. It didn't last long as he also caught Lara's gastro bug. He vomited over my new x'mas dress and three days later still vomiting. We had to change his bedding 3 times last night. I didn't think there was anything else left to be puked up!

At one stage (on x'mas morning) we thought we had to put off x'mas lunch! Luckily, besides the kids, nobody else got sick and Simon felt better. The good thing is we have enough food to last us for a long time so it's one less thing I have to think about.

Remote controlled cars

We stopped at a garage sale on the way home from violin lesson this morning. I bought 2 remote controlled cars for a grand total of $4. Simon never had remote-controlled cars as a kid and was thinking of buying one for Sam for Christmas because he was sure Sam will love it! Simon was very excited when he saw the cars. He recharged the batteries, put new AA batteries in and fixed the wheels. All these were done very quickly, much more efficient than, for example, when I asked him to change light bulbs in the house. He was nearly late for his massage because he couldn't wait to try them.

Simon and Lara spent some time outside trying the bigger car in the afternoon (they also played with the smaller car inside). I heard lots of laughter and screaming, they must be having fun. I had to do preparations for some work I had to do at night so I couldn't join in.

Zeb busy chasing the car...


Oh how do we get the car out?


As for Sam, he went outside to watch the remote controlled car after his nap. Was he interested? No, not a bit. I guess he's not getting remote control car for Christmas this year then!

Lately

I have been busy visiting childcare places, and confirming Sam's spots for this year and next year. Sam started in Lady D's family daycare 2 weeks ago. Because it is based in the carer's home, I hope this translates to less sickness (less kids). Lady D cooks a vegetarian lunch for the kids every day and she's been doing this for 21 years, Sam seems happy with her. Even though not all the days I want is confirmed, I feel comfortable that things are starting to fall into place. Work has been busy and with Simon started a new job, completing life's many activities just seemed a little rusher and harder. Lara has done 2 school orientations and I have booked after-school care and got some uniforms. There is still quite a lot to do before the year's end.



We had a few very warm days in the last couple of weeks but fortunately some wet days too. The new grass in the back garden is growing crazy with the the good combinations of rain and sun. We were told to let the new turf grow and not cut it for 6 weeks, but Simon had to cut it a little earlier in fear of breaking the lawnmower. The first cutting took him a long time. The rain hopefully will make the 9 new plants we bought last week grow too.



Wei-po came 2 weeks ago. The timing was good and wei-po helped with cooking, looking after kids, and household chores. Lara loved doing puzzles with Wei-po after dinner and Sam went to wei-po when food was served. Wei-po's flight home was delayed for 2 hours so she must be exhaused. We hope she visits us again soon.

Halloween 2011

Halloween landed on a Monday this year. I didn't plan anything because Monday was normally a work day. But life had a way of working itself out. My laptop power supply/battery stopped working and the new one didn't arrive until Tuesday, suddenly I had a couple of days free. We decided to join Lara's friend Annie for trick or treating.



Lara was very excited, she wore her 'wizard' cape and 'witches' hat (like I said we didn't plan to go so we weren't prepared). We walked around for about an hour and collected so much candies! It's funny how with candies in minds, walking up and down many blocks suddenly was no problem at all. We saw many fine displays of halloween spirits at Lara's first trick or treating, it was great!

Weekend walks

Now that it's warmer, we started taking more walks on the weekend. Rather than walking in the afternoons, we set off earlier (at 10am) last weekend to avoid the heat, but it was still warm. We stopped at a park first this time, Lara and Sam both enjoyed the swings, they can sit on it forever! On our walk this Sunday we also checked out houses, plants and gardens while we walked and bumped into a film crew shooting in one of the streets, but we didn't recognised anyone 'famous'. We had coffee and returned books to the library after the walk. A nice and relaxing Sunday, just how we liked it.

My 'harvest hub' bag

I've been using "Harvest Hub" for fruit and veg in the last 4 weeks on a friend's recommendation. I like that fact that it's a community co-op that buy fresh produce in bulk and in season. The produce has been good. A couple of the mandarins last week were dry (nothing beats our own on the tree!) and some of the potatoes seemed a bit old the week before. Generally speaking, most things were nice and fresh. You don't know what'll be in the bag so it's a surprise every time. The varieties had been great. The small bag ($17) has been sufficient in covering our weekly consumption of fruit and veg. It saves a lot of money because I go to the shops less often.

The picture shown here was last weeks bag. It had silverbeet, cauiflower, sweet potato, beans, grapes and rockmelon, among other things.


In this week's bag, there are:
6 small potatos, a small head of brocolli, 1/4 purple cabbage, 2 large carrots, 2 tomatoes, 2 onions, a small turnip, a bunch of corriander, a small avocardo, 3 pears, 3 mandarins, 2 oranges, 4 kiwi fruit, 1/2 pineapple, 6 apples (red varieties). The small bag will increase in price to $20 next week but it's still good value for money I think.

Mother's Day 2011

The week leading up to Mother's Day was tiring. Sam's ear infection came back and had to be on antibiotics again and Lara had a mysterious illness. She had a temperature on Monday night and kept crying but couldn't tell us what was wrong. Tuesday morning Lara was lathergic and didn't want to go to daycare but by Tuesday lunch time she was as well as if nothing had ever happened. I stayed at home with the kids and didn't go to work on Tuesday. For some reason, Lara was not well on Friday night either, getting up crying every couple of hours, still couldn't tell us what was wrong, sometimes she said she had nightmares, other times headaches. It was Samuel's turn to get up on Saturday night crying at 1am and 4am. We had a family gathering on Saturday but I really didn't want to do anything else just sleep and rest. The best part about Mother's day was that I got a good sleep in. We took the kids to the park after lunch and enjoyed the sun (& vitamin D) for an hour. I felt more alive after that.

Food poisoning and running nappies

Lara and I had food poisoning on Saturday night (I won't be having smoked salmon for a long time!). Lara barely touched the salmon (if she had any it would be the smallest bite), but still vomitted all night, I was worse with diarrhoea as well. Simon looked after us and didn't get any sleep either. We abandoned our original plan to go to the zoo and recuperated at home on Sunday. The vomitting must have taken a lot out of Lara. She wasn't too happy in daycare on Tuesday and Wednesday, crying, not participating and looking tired.

At about the same time, Sam was teething and therefore not a happy chappy either. He had increasingly running nappies and on-and-off nappy rash. He also started to get up twice a night (1am and 5am), usually because he had done a poo and needed change/feed. During the day, he whinged more and needed more cuddles. I had to pick Sam up from daycare early (2pm as supposed to 5pm) because he had very running poo. I took him to see a doctor that night and collected stool samples for tests on Thursday. After putting Sam on lactose-free formula and no purred fruit from Wednesday night, his bowel movement looks to be back to normal.

Needless to say, I'm exhausted and can't wait for the weekend to come.

Spider alert

Simon by chance found the spider near our back-door to be a funnel-web (it had fangs and was very aggressive, attacking the stick simon was holding) thus started the obsessive search for funnel-web burrows. On Sunday within a couple of hours he found and killed 20 spiders. On Monday he pored boiling water into the other spider holes on the ground because apparently that was the best way to destroy their nests. We are on the highest spider alert at the moment - Lara is not allowed in the backyard and I make sure I have closed-toe shoes on when I hang clothes outside. Zebadee is ok as dogs are not affected by spider venom. It's scary to realise that these world's deadliest spiders live so close to us. Simon cleaned outside of the house with a borrowed pressure cleaner ready for the pest spray next week.

While we are on the subject of spiders, there must be a spider nest under or near our car. I saw huge huntsman spider running accorss the front windscreen on at least two separate occasions. I know the spider was outside the car and it's not poisonous, but it didn't stop me from feeling anxious. I have to remember to spray our car regularly too.

Summer holiday 2011

We just came back from a short break at the Central Coast. We spent 3 days at the Entrace and an afternoon at Terrigal Beach on our way home. The apartment we stayed in (Sandy Cove) was only a short walk to the beach, and the memorial park. We watched the pelicans feed, relaxed at the beach and Lara played at 'Vera's garden', a very popular kids water playground. Sam does not appreciate the beach, so Simon and I took turns taking Lara to the beach. There is no timetables to keep and places we have to be. We let our moods and the weather decide what we do each day.

I wouldn't say this is a relaxing holiday (travelling with 2 kids under 5 was NOT relaxing). Sam didn't like his travel cot and cried for a long time before falling asleep on the fist night (he had no problem sleeping on the seond night). We got up early (before 6am) every morning, because the bedrooms are not dark enough and the kids just got woken up by the daynight. And the food could be better. However, we enjoyed being so close to the beach and walking around aimlessly while licking ice-cream. This holiday gave Simon a much needed break from work. It taught Sam to sleep in a strange place. It gave the four of us a chance to really spend time together. Being away refreshed and recharged us, it also made us appreicate our home more.

I am still going through the hundreds of photos we took and will post more photos later.

Friday swim

We arrived at Jenny's just after mid-day. We chatted while Jenny prepared Vietnamese summer rolls. Lara finished hers first and went upstairs to play and watch TV. It took some time for Sam to fall asleep and by the time we went into the pool, it was after two o'clock. Jenny had to leave to pick up the boys before 3pm and Sam got up and needed a feed so Lara had the pool to herself for half an hour. Sam went in after his feed and this time he stayed for quite a long time (maybe 20-30 minutes). The water was very nice, it cooled us down quickly. The swim ended with a glass of champaign(me) and nibbles (Lara). We got home at 5pm, I just had enough time to get dinner ready!

Camera found

This is the last picture I took on the camera before I lost it. It took me a couple of days to realise I lost my camera and a couple of days to go through in my head all the possible places where I could have left it. Calling the cafe I went to earlier that week yielded good result - someone remembered a camera found in the car park. I called centre management but the lady who found the camera took it home so they had to call her and get her to bring it back. The lady wish to be anonymous so I couldn't thank her, but I'm happy that I can take photos again. I could't take any photos of Lara's first bike ride to the park (luckily Sue took some). I couldn't take photos of Sam sitting on the sand at the beach for the first time. I have forgotten completely that I took this and other picture of Sam and am glad I didn't lose these photos.

The Tuesday ballet concert

This Tuesday the 7th of December is one of those funny days which everything happened at the same time. It had some wonderful memories but certain aspects of it I do not wish to repeat. To summarise the events, it contained the first day of a new job, a pair of lumpy and hurting breasts, a run-away dog, doctor's appointment, a fussy baby, a very excited 3-year-old and her first ballet concert and a sleepless night with temperature, vomitting and mastitis.

The highlight of the day of course was the concert. It started at 7pm, Grandma and I arrived with Lara just after 5pm to get ready. Lara's dance was in the first five minutes of the show. We had good seats but Sam cried as soon as the lights went off and music started so I didn't get to see the whole thing. We were all very tired and left at intermission (most parents with young kids did unless their kids performed in the second half). We didn't get home until well past 9pm.

We are very pround of Lara doing her dance in front of so many people, the most important of all, she enjoyed the experience very much.