Wordless Wednesday - things we don't need

In a time where we debate cloth nappies vs. disposable, do we *really* need disposable hand towels? I didn't think so.

Road tripping

So, what's your take on DVDs in cars?

If you know me you probably won't be surprised to hear (read) that I am not a fan. When I was a kid we did a lot of driving and, seeing as I'm near ancient, we did not have DVDs (or even CDs). We did have a tape deck, but I really don't recall ever getting to listen to 'my music' in the car. Of course that's because 'my music' was on records and those didn't work in the car ;-p

But I digress. When I was little my brother and I learned to amuse ourselves, beat each other up while strapped in, and continuously invent new ways to drive our parents crazy! The joys of the road trip!

Now I just got back from a 4 hour road trip (each way) with my 16 month and 3.5 year old, solo. That's right, Mighty Lungs, her big brother and I braved the roads on our own. And lived to tell about it!

The ride up was a bit more 'difficult' than the ride home. On the way up, Mighty Lungs thought it was great fun to scream. I don't call her Mighty Lungs for nothing. I did learn that if I passed back a toy she'd stop screaming. So i had an ample supply of toys up front and kept on passing them back. Sadly she'd burn them in no time. Food also helped. Suffice to say, that by the time we arrived at our destination she nearly had enough food and toys piled up below her to make a comfy ottoman.

Little Mr. Man didn't like the screaming either. Unfortunately, he thought she would stop if he screamed too...I stopped him in his tracks though, because 1) his screaming had no effect on hers and 2) I told him if he didn't stop, I'd pull the car over and leave his cars on the side of the road.

Of course it should come as no surprise that the next time Mighty Lungs screamed the little guy asked me to pull over. His answer, when I asked why was "Pull over so we can leave Miss Moo (AKA, Mighty Lungs) on the side of the road". Much to his dismay I explained that was not an option.

Little Mr. Man did manage to quell her screeches by pulling his boot off and on, putting his foot up and yelling out "Woody" (he was wearing Toy Story socks with Woody on them). Might not work on Saturday Night Live, but Missy Mood (that was a typo, but I think it might be her new nickname!) sure loved it!!

Little Mr. Man and I played a bit of I spy and talked about all the cool things we could see (in between Might Lung's screeching sessions). We talked about what we would do when we got to our destination. He amused himself with his toys and played nicely with his sister (again, in between her screeching & screaming).

On the way back there was little screaming and much more sleeping. No need for "woody", food or toys really. Both kids fell asleep for a good hour and I got to enjoy driving my new super duper car. I even listened to one of my CDs.

Much to my husband's dismay, this road trip did not convert me into believing that DVDs are needed in the car.

What are your thoughts?

Sibling Love

Confessions of the time poor

Ok, so truthfully, how long do you take before getting your baby/toddler from their crib?

Do you jump up from your comfy seat (or immediately drop the broom) as soon as you hear them stir? Do you wait for the rambling or gurgling? Or do you wait until they start shaking the crib and screaming?

Me, I've always taken the really slow approach. I figure when they're good and ready , they'll let me know. The same way they let me know about everything - by screaming (or talking REALLY LOUDLY).

At first, I thought that maybe I was being mean, that I should rush into their room and cuddle and lavish them with attention as soon as they were up. And then, well, my son started waking up at 5am. I didn't really like 5am. So instead of jumping out of bed, I would lie in my warm bed, doze in out of sleep, listening to him ramble.

My daugher is pretty much the same. And with only 1 nap a day, there's just not enough time to get everything done (and blog ;-). Plus, I rationalize my slow reaction time to allowing my children to practice talking. When they're done practicing they let me know. Just like Little Miss is now!

So next time, don't jump, finish your cup of tea or sweeping or your own nap. The kids will be fine ;-)

costco tales

OK, so I had a ridiculously fun & exciting time at Costco last week. Seriously. Before you judge, imagine not having access to one for 4 years. That's what I thought.

Now my exuberance *may* have blinded me a little bit. Just a little. In my defense, it is really, I mean REALLY frikkin' hard not to throw all the cute and CHEAP stuff for kids in my cart. I mean really really really frikkin' hard. OK, I think you get the point.

Maybe, just maybe I should've looked at some items a little more closely, but again, *in my defense* I only had an hour and half and I had to renew my membership in that time, so really, only an hour.

OK, enough of the excuses, the long and short of it: my son is currently sleeping in girls PJs. Again, in my defense, the jammies are blue & green and look (at least in the package) like they're boys. Until I dressed him for bed tonight. The shoulders are, well, a little pouffy. You know, 1980s gathering at the shoulder (or as my husband pointed out, maybe 1780s men's fashion). And, upon closer consideration, the design of the fabrics is decidedly, well, girlish.

Now, I am really not a fan of gender stereotypes. I think boys should play with dolls and girls with trucks. Pink looks great on most boys and blue on most girls. So, it's not that I have a problem with dressing my son in girls clothes, it's just that, well...to be honest, I can't stop smiling when I see him in these jammies.

Maybe it's because by the end of the day, he's so, well, passionate when he talks. He's so serious. And it's really hard to take him seriously with these puffy shoulders!! I would love to take a picture for you, but, he's asleep right now and I really don't think he's going to wear them again. It's just not fair. For me!! All I want to do is laugh when I see him....so methinks, in the morning I'll just tell him that they're too small.

Thankfully they won't go to waste as they'll be fitting Little Miss in no time.

In the meantime, I shall be a bit more careful when I'm at Costco next time.

Wordless Wednesday - My beautiful children

Feeling a bit sentimental. And really really really proud of my two beautiful children.

I've moved them from Sydney, Australia to Vancouver, Canada and they have been on their best behaviour!!

I'm sure this feeling of euphoria will come to a crashing end sooner or later, so in the meantime I thought it would be nice to celebrate them!

This picture is from a photo shoot we did about a month before leaving Sydney.

I can't share anything more recent as I believe the cord I need to transfer pictures from my camera to my laptop is in a shipping container that will arrive sometime next month (although I suppose I could start using my new iPhone 4 ;-)

Best kids in the world!

Haven't had a lot of time of late to think, let alone jot a line down here.

We have successfully moved to Vancouver, Canada from Sydney, Australia. In 4 short days, we test drove at least 4 cars, two of which we've had overnight. Checked out 2 preschools/daycares, finally got to see the house we bought (without having stepped foot in), got drivers licenses, put my name down on a VERY long list for an iPhone 4, shopped at WalMart & PetSmart but not Costco, hired a babysitter for 6 hours (sounds way more exciting than it was - non-child time was needed for mortgage talk and car talk) and probably a few more really non-exciting things.

All of that, and both my kids have been super duper! Seriously. OK, so we've had a bit of attitude from Little Mr. Man and Little Miss has been a bit grottier than usual, but really nothing more than what you'd get after a busy weekend. Plus, they've barely seen the inside of a playground, only had a few sniffs of fresh air and not one single playdate! Basically, it's been in and out of the car, in and out of shops and strange surroundings and unfamiliar faces. Hmmm, maybe they're just in a state of shock and the real effects of the move won't be for another couple of weeks??!!

Here's hoping that's not the case and I just have two of the best kids ever!