A bit of this and a bit of that

Today was the last day of school for Adam and Kate.  Our six week summer holiday has begun - six loooong weeks of 24/7 quality time. I am so excited! 

I can't believe this school year is over, it has gone by so quickly.  This was the first year of their reception phase, one more year left and then they go to 'big school' (grade 1).  I was really nervous at the start of the year - new school, new teacher... but they have absolutely thrived and blossomed this year.  I am so happy with the school they are at, such great care. Look at their sweet school photo.  My big babies.  Can you believe they will be SIX years old next month. Can you believe I have been blogging that long!

I've been a bad blogger lately. And by 'lately' I mean the past year.  Oddly enough, I've found that having a baby really cramps your style and takes up a lot of your time.  Very tiresome. Luckily I am quite fond of the baby.  Not so much between 3am and 4am this morning when he decided it was time to play.  But besides then, I quite like him.  

(Last night I was so tired, that I eventually just lay on the bed and let him play in the room. I discovered this morning that he had a 29 second conversation with my friend's mother-in-law at 3:48am.  Oops.)

Speaking of babies, I thought of you all the other day. I went into the baby shop to buy new dummies (pacifiers), I knew it was time to upgrade to the next age - 18m+.  I am very fond of those dummies and have no intention to give them up until at least age 3.  I had a moment when I laughed and thought of you. I was looking for the bottle nipples/teats or whatever you call them in size 18m+ and was most annoyed when I couldn't find them. Until I realize that Good Parents don't have their children drinking from bottles at age 18m+. Unlike me. Whose twins only gave up the bottle at age 4. CALL THE PARENTING POLICE IMMEDIATELY. 

Max is now 18m+ and has officially entered the Terrible Toddler phase. I have been expecting it and like clockwork, it arrived as we hit 18 months.  Like millions of 18 month olds before him, he has suddenly morphed from sweet baby into headstrong, obstinate, wilful little kamikaze-pilot.  He is Very, Very busy and Very, Very headstrong.  You can't tell him anything, he knows it all.  And he can do it HIMSELF.  It is actually so interesting to see the difference between a first child and a last child. He is one tough cookie, he has to be with those two as siblings.

Although I am dreading the summer break on one level (nanny going on leave + no school = very very difficult to do a full day's work), I am also looking forward to the holiday vibe.  A break from the mad school rush in the morning.

Next year we start even earlier.  Lord knows how I am going to manage that.  

Besides that, work is fine.  Busy. But busy is good. Not complaining (too much).

In other news, it was my birthday last week.  I am now 42 years young. OMG, that sounds so bloody old. 42!!  How the fuck did that happen? Wasn't I 21 year just last week or the week before? 

I don't mind getting older, I don't really care about the number, and I really, sincerely do not want to go back to the angst of my younger years, but I have to say I am kind of taken aback as to how much I seem to be ageing physically.  Do you find you age in sort of big steps?  You look and feel the same for a few years and then suddenly you seem to age really fast. I feel like the last two years I have gotten a million new wrinkles.

I considered doing Botox briefly but that means I would not only need to find an hour extra in my day, but I would have to do other stuff like wearing make up and dressing up. And I don't think I can. At this stage in my life, I have FAR more important things to do than wear make up and uncomfortable clothes.

But!!  I have decided that I will make more of an effort with what I wear.  I bought TWO dresses recently (a big change from my standard uniform of shorts and T shirts), plus two kind of trendy-yet-comfy outfits.  I even wear earrings sometime!!  

BTW - that flip flop collection wasn't the only shoes I have, I do have others. I just don't wear any of them. I recently bought a cute pair of sparkly (flat) sandals for a business trip (to go with my new trendy outfit). I lasted until the airport. My feet went into absolute revolt. I was forced to buy an emergency pair of flip flops from a shop at the airport and carry the cute sandals in my handbag.  I tried. 

Anyway, that is my very boring update for now. For the 2,5 people left who still read my blog, thank you.  I am going to endeavour to do at least a few more blog posts within the next few days.

PS Husband is fine, am still quite fond of him.  

Comments

[Eva]

Happy belated birthday. I turned 42 3 months ago, and hear you on the physical aging thing. Though I blame it all on twin parenthood, not chronology.

[D]

Wow - A&K are already going to be 6 - time really does fly doesn't it! My birthday was Monday and I think I am feeling older this time - could be because I'm now a mom. I think that could be it!

[Rae]

Call the parenting police on me b/c our 4 year old still has her binkie/paci. And speaking of age, I can really tell that this pregnancy I'm 4 years older. WOW. BTW complete surprise to be pregnant. To many IVF's to count, ok only 6, adopted our beautiful son who will be SIX next week!! and then pregnant with 20 months b/w the two and low and behold here i am again ready to deliver any day. Oh yes of course i remember the 'just adopt and you'll get pregnant' but i've shut most of those people up with really?? I realized i just needed to have SEX to get pregnant.
Enjoy your blog for many years even if they have become more infrequent still fun to read when you post!

[It is what it is]

Wow, a mere 42, huh? I remember those days. Wait until you are staring down 45 (as I will be in May!).

Sparkly shoes are great...sorry yours were uncomfortable! That is why I advocate sparkly flip-flops! Like these --> http://www.funfeet.com/ (which I hope you can access from there).

[Typelittlea]

I have to admit what a typical American I am that I couldn't wrap my mind around that school is over for them now. Like DUH there is a thing called the equator, and um, people live below it.

So school is feb-dec? Here it is September-June. I think it would be really wonderful to have a summer Christmas. Though that would put my husband and kids' birthdays (June) and mine (august) in winter. No way!

[Stacey]

Your children are gorgeous!!!

[Diane Dawson]

Kate is wearing my daughter's dress! I miss that dress. Should have got it in all sizes :)

[Katherine]

Ava is about 2 weeks younger than Max I think (she's 18 months today) and she still uses a bottle. Don't ever worry about dummies - Zoe "gave" hers away at 2 just before Ava arrived and guess what, she started sucking her thumb once Ava arrived. Not great at all, she only does it when she's sleeping or holding her taglet but still. Ava absolutely refused a dummy, I tried and tried and tried but it was just spat out and guess what, she's also a thumb-sucker!!! Also only when she sleeps but talk about a tough situation, she even has a corn-like thing on her thumb from all the sucking, how gross is that!!! Will have to start painting that vile stuff on their nails, but they both sleep like such champs that I'm terrified to do anything to disrupt their sleeping.

[Debbie in the UK]

I could never be bothered to make my kids give up dummies or bottles. They just decided themselves when it was time ! I was far too lazy x They are now grown and perfectly well adjusted. (Hang on, gotta make a bottle for my 22 yr old son) Ha!

Poor you, six weeks of holidays! Arghh. I hated those times. Are you going away this year?

x

[MJ]

This is why I read you tertia! Its for posts like this that make me laugh out loud. I love how full of life you are and the updates ont eh fam. The last line bout hubster is my favorite!

[Krisitn]

Don't feel bad about the binkies. With my oldest, I finally had the "binky fairy" come and take it away when he was about 4 1/2.

[Vannessa]

This sounds so familiar! At 42 I suddenly have knee problems and my hands and elbows keep paining(could be from the computer though) and I am really battling to get rid of the baby weight.
Mitchell is now 16 months and also had to be a little toughie. He bullies B who is 12 now! Glad I am not the only one not in a hurry to phase out the bottles and dummies, though he is not that keen on the dummy anymore.

PS:(unashamed hussying for votes to follow) Please vote for Mitchell to win the Calora baby competition. He is so gorgeous I just can't resist entering him, but as a voting competition it relies on people voting for him. I sent you an email but, you know, I don't have as many connections online as many of the moms entering so, I'm sorry T, I'm using your blog comments. At least I am not like Canada Drugs above with their arb message!! Vote on http://www.calora.co.za/competition/mitchellmeiring. (You can vote every day too!!)

[Nikki]

Great to hear the update. Congrats for your 2 that are moving onto 'big school'.
If you struggle with Max and his terrible toddler phase have a look at this link. http://www.temper-tantrums.com/
Good luck with this phase and hope it doesnt last too long!

[Bajin]

Great update. Thank you! Am starting to feel the age thing kick in too... Who knew? Your children are adorable - love the pic of Adam & Kate - he looks so caring, holding her like that. Long may it last!

[Anne]

Oh my god, you've described my aging process perfectly! I swear, my facial wrinkles were in the discreet and barely noticeable category until my second child was born. In the past year and a half (she's a month younger than Max), I swear I have aged 10 years. I actually went out and bought some anti-wrinkle night-cream stuff--$18US for a little 3 oz bottle. I have succumbed!!! Ahhhhh! But Botox? No way. I want to be able to move my facial muscles! :-)

Glad to have you back!

[Heather]

I'm feeling your pain on the 18-month-old independant streak with our twin boys. Boy can they be stubborn about wanting their own way.

[Kids]

I love this wonderful article. Always the youngest is indeed the hardest cookie.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bDNMuA795U I always dread holidays. My hands'll always be full. With everyone around. i'm glad you enjoy it. Your kids look cute.

[abendmode]

You have to post here the very good post. Thanks for sharing with us. I like this post.

[Lisame]

Enjoy 42. 47 sucks!

I know you know this but I'm telling ya anyway. Your children are gorgeous!

[Nearlydawn]

Man, I know what you mean about aging all the sudden - the timing of this post couldn't be better in fact. I got a glimpse of myself yesterday and it scared me. My face had suddenly changed, had WAY more wrinkles, and looks much older. So weird. My guess is that it all looks the same to you until one-too-many changes happens and then WHAM! your mind catches up and does a reassessment of your face/body. :) My mind did a WTF? I'm sure of it. :)

About the shoes... I've had the same issue with not being able to go back to regular shoes. I've worn Clarks and/or Liz Claiborne sandles for so long that my feet refuse to allow me to wear anything that remotely encases them. I can't wear anything that has a back that comes up over my heal. It kinda sucks when I simply HAVE TO. Ugh. Blisters and all that nonsense ensue. Blegh.

[azlin]

i still read your blog :) been reading for hmm 6 yrs!

[Anjali]

I still read your blog, too! Your kids are adorable, and a great excuse to not blog!