Grumpy

I was going to write a really bubbly enthusiastic post about all the cool stuff I have started for 1001 challenge. I started it and everything! Then I worked out I am too grumpy :( You think I would have known this before I started but apparently I didn't! So there you go. You will just have to wait. Maybe it will work for me tomorrow.

Random side note. I have recently worked out that having a vegetarian child means I put more vegies in stuff. I know, I know - I am a genius. Before you think I am a total ditz, what I actually mean is that I mix more vegies into stuff then I would otherwise, serve Aimee's then add meat for the rest of us. Tonight's example: The sauce etc for tuna mornae added lots of corn, served Aimee's, then added tuna for the rest of us. Considering my dislike of vegies this is probably working well for me!

The day after Sunday ... and our holidays

Click the button to join in with blogs tea & me for 'The day after Sunday' linky. If you don't like Mondays what better way to start then by sharing the special moments from your weekend? And if you do like Mondays this can only make them better!

I feel like a bit of a fraud joining in this week. The weekend just gone was the end of my holidays, so it has felt like 10 days of weekend! I do love this linky though, so I am going to join in regardless.

We started the weekend with Elmo cupcakes on Friday night for my cousin's birthday. Followed by a cousin sleepover. Saturday was some cruisey shopping and then the girls slept over at Daddy's Saturday night. Mummy's night out! Christmas in July with a few good friends (*disclaimer* I don't like shops using Christmas in July as a way of selling things, but I do think it is fun as a social thing or a fundraiser). Sunday morning we went out for the biggest brunch ever followed by a loooooong nap. We watched the Western Derby even though sadly I do not feel it was worth the effort. Not because our team lost, but just because I don't think either team deserved to win! (I don't follow the football. The girls do though so I try and watch if it is a Derby or a Grand Final. Only one Grand Final per year though. I don't believe in repeats! So if the game is disappointing I do seem to take it personally. When I have made such an effort. Yes, I might be a little egocentric). Finally, we finished our holidays with Harry Potter at the drive in. (And yes I know I said no more Harry Potter, but we did go! The girls were so excited!!! It was definitely a good compromise on the should they be allowed to see it at the movies issue).

So lovely, lovely weekend with family, friends and way, way, way too much food!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

I love staycations!

Yes, this is my weekly facebook "status" update, but re-reading they are all so nice and cruisy and happy. You can definitely tell it is school holidays and I had a week off work. Here goes ....

Two new Madeleine Wickham (aka Sohpie Kinsella) books and a new one by Monica McInerney. So much happiness. I ♥ the internet, online super cheap book sales and Australia Post! * Cupcakes AND clown fish. Feeling domesticated today ;) * Fabulous afternoon visiting. Think the girls might have been a little too excited about the Ikea trip though. Hmmmm ......... this might be my fault! * Sooooo stiff! Next time I will listen more carefully to David when he reminds us to stretch! * I really need to stop getting so easily distracted (reprised). * So very much excitement and planning in this house! * I ♥ picnics, The Maze, not (really) getting lost, new books, awesome home made presents, sleeping-in, Harry Potter, staycations, cupcakes and Ikea. I don't ♥ driving behind trucks and children being sick. * I may have eaten way too much and I may have got ice-cream on my top and in my hair ... Movie was fabulous .... almost as good as the company ;) * A couple of days of getting-away-from-it-all holidays! So much to read and so much napping to be done. See you on the flip-side peoples!! * North, south, east, west. Home is always best. Complete with my very loud daughters, housework to catch up on .... you know all the usual stuff :oP * "But I am the dad. I am in charge *pause*. When you are not around". * I ♥ cupcakes, birthday parties, the beach in winter, markets, new books, sleeping-in, holidays, garden ornaments, my (extended) family and board games * Christmas in July buffet for dinner last night (with fabulous company! Thanks peoples). Massive brunch today. The girls are all complaining of sore full tummies and we didn't even finish our meals ..... I don't think it we will be eating again today!!! * Still super full but much better after a decent nap. Now off to brave the enemy lair for a derby party :oP

Kids say the cutest things

The girls came home and had a fabulous time! Aimee in particular was very glad to see me. When she came to give me a cuddle last night she whispered to me that she always gets a little bit homesick when she sleeps away from me, not for home but for Mummy. We came to the conclusion that this was Mummy-sick and that it was ok, but that going away was still fun.

Erin came home and informed me in all seriousness that they had done things like brush their teeth, go to bed on time and remembered to say thank you to Nanna and Grandad. The first thing she did was tell me that they had said to say hello to me.

Reanna made me laugh though! Their Dad told me this one. She informed him that her sunglasses were better then his. He was highly indignant (he didn't tell me this, but I know what he is like) and pointed out his were real raybands and that hers were only copies. Reanna pointed out that hers were only $5 and his were over $100 and that hers looked just as good. Therefore the natural conclusion was that hers were better. Daddy was speechless. One day he will learn ;) And long may Reanna continue to think this way! At least until she is buying her own stuff!

I missed my babies and I am glad they are home :)

Loving It!

I am joining in the link up from Paisley Jade again. Remembering that no matter how bad things are there is always something in life to be thankful for. If you want to join in just click here or the button below!

This week I am loving ....

Baking with my girls cupcakes with bright yellow icing and clown (aka Nemo) fish with apricots and white chocolate.

Painting my house. It is amazing how much better it all looks every time I paint another little bit. The passage is now the sandy yellow of the main living area. It makes me smile every time I work through there.

The bright yellow wattle always reminds me of the station and my childhood and 'home'.

Our frangipani and banana trees growing so bravely. I am so excited they are still alive (all credit goes to the children, but I am still excited).

And finally my beautiful Erin! Who I think of every time I see something yellow :) (and of course my other beautiful babies ... but today's post is dedicated especially to Erin).

PS I love you

My children like to write me notes. Sometimes it is because I have gone out and they want to tell me something. Sometimes it is because they are supposed to be sleeping. Aimee in particular likes to leave me notes on top of a book asking me to please read it by the morning, because clearly that is what I want to do when I finally tumble into bed! Read yes, but not necessarily something picked by the 8-year-old. I made the mistake of letting them realise how quickly I can read their books and they are soooo disappointed if I don't!

But I digress. Next to my bed on top of my books is a favourite place for all of them to leave me notes. The other most favourite place in on top of my keyboard (I think they might be trying to tell me something). Or more conventionally, and for things not urgent, on the front of the fridge.

I am particularly proud of Reanna at the moment. She has done some stuff recently I am not too happy about (I may blog about this another time, but for the moment let's just say teenage years are rapidly approaching! Please wish me luck!). But she was grown up enough to leave me a note saying she was sorry and what she was going to do about it. So very, very, very proud of her for taking responsibility for her actions. I left her a note in return (I was out when she left me the first note). I could have just spoken to her, I do realise this, but I wanted her to have it in writing. A physical reminder telling her how proud I am of her and reminding her how much I love her even when she does do the wrong thing.

The girls have gone away with their dad for a couple of nights. This involves lots of note writing. I have been finding them all over the place. Ones asking me to call people or washing certain items, you know the types of things. Ones reminding me to look after the pets. Apparently it is the rabbit's day to have fresh hay and carrots and the bird needs fresh water every day. Who knew?! (I am ignoring the fact that my darling children have NO faith in my ability and focusing on the cuteness of them wanting to take care of their pets. Humour me on this one!). However what concerns me the most is the location of the pet note. It was in the fridge ... on top of a block of chocolate .... hmmmmm ... just hmmm ....... horrible children!

PS I love them!!!!

Day Zero

Sooo ... I thought it was about time to add some more challenge to my life, to expand my horizons and to add some more focus to my blog.

No, the real reasons are (a) I have always thought this would be cool to do and so I am jumping on the bandwagon - even if it is ages after anyone else; (b) I am more likely to do things if someone out there knows I am actually intending on doing it; and (c) I did actually think it was a good way to do some things I have been wanting to do and/or do some things that are a bit out of my comfort zone.

Plus as everyone knows - a goal is a dream with a date!

Oh yes, what I am actually doing?! 101 things in 1001 day challenge. If you look above I now have two pages! One is the challenge itself and one is part of the challenge (I will write about that later, but for those of you who just want to know now I think if you look at it, it is pretty self-explanatory).

There is a variety of stuff. Some things I have been talking about for a while. Some things I thought of (or had suggested) just for this. Some I should do. Some that are just for fun.

Wish me luck! And stay tuned for more updates. The challenge starts .... now! ( No real reason, it is just as good as day as any. And I haven't worked out yet when it actually finishes! I will get back to you).

PS If you read yesterday's post about my excitement over my 60th post it was also 30 at Two Mummy Ducks and 20 at Confessions of a Bookaholic so maybe it is just the week for exciting numbers. 101 in 1001 sounds like an exciting number to me! So maybe there is a reason for today after all ;)