Christmas Concert

All these christmas things around at the moment are making me have flashbacks of earlier times.
Here is a memory I have from my Grade 1 christmas concert (the same age as Miss Perfect now).

We had been carefully selected for our parts, I was performing on the xylophone, and had been practicing for weeks, even being allowed to bring the xylophone home to practice perform in front of the family. I was so happy, and could do it with my eyes closed, and even managed to stay in time with the other kids playing different instruments. I was positioned next to my 6 year old love of my life on stage. We were all very excited when the big day came, and were to perform in front of parents, grandparents (though, sadly not mine), siblings and friends.

Finally, performance time. Hooray! We all filed into the classrooms that had been set up and took our places. I looked out, saw all the faces, managed to pick out my family and froze (well, what were you expecting?). When I eventually got over my stage fright, I couldn't figure out where we were up to, so, literally, just started thrashing on the xylophone, making an horrendous noise, but just being so pissed off at myself for not being able to remember, that I couldn't stop. I remember the teacher coming and getting me, and literally dragging me off stage while I screamed and hollered.

Exit stage left.

You know what this particular memory has made me realise? that I have always been particularly hard on myself, no wonder it is so damn hard to change.

What break?

We went away last Thursday for 3 nights. It was a lovely break, but a distant memory now. I think we all needed it, and we had a fabulous time taking it in turns to laze in the hammock.

The squids had a great time too, even had their first fishing adventure (which lasted all of about 2 minutes 13 seconds before The Middle Man and Miss Perfect said they were bored). I got some nice photos anyway.

On the last day, MATH and The Middle Man went on their own for a piscatorial adventure. This once lasted a lot longer than the first, but no fish, so we had to buy fish and chips.

The day we got back, there was a massive storm that has devastated part of Brisbane. Luckily it wasn't too bad here, but only 15 minutes from here has been declared a disaster zone. My old bosses live in that area and I am wondering if they are OK. I could ring I guess...

Last night saw another massive storm with lots of wind and bucket loads of rain. No damage here, but I didn't sleep much as I am paranoid that a tree is going to fall on the house.

My employment endeavours continue to frustrate me. I am starting to wonder what is wrong with me. It is really hard, I've never in my life had this much difficulty gaining employment. I'd be lying if I said I was OK, it is really starting to affect my confidence.

I know you've been eager to see these...

Mmmm, I am really enjoying this cake so much

Even though I am three, my manners haven't miraculously changed overnight

Mesmerised by the rocket ship

It's not fair, I wanted a rocket ship too

Miss Perfect looking oh so perfect

Continues to be mesmerised

Now I am three

Mr Stubborn is officially three today. This morning we celebrated with the final crap in a nappy (he always manages to squeeze it into his night time nappy before I get to it). We made a deal this morning though that if he no longer craps in his nappy, I won't sing to him anymore. I am sure he had no understanding of what he was agreeing to though.

Well, we are officially caked out here. I think three lots of baking in three days is quite enough. I was pretty good today though and didn't eat any. My waist line thanks me ;)

Present wise he scored pretty well. Lots of new toys, and not much of that boring stuff, like clothes. He is really into the imaginative play now, so I bought some new things to aid that, he also got a really cool spinning top, like this but better as his actually hums. I was so envious when I was younger of my friends that had one of these, but now there is one to play with whenever I want :)
He unwrapped this this morning and was soooo happy with it. It has definitely been the favourite gift to date. That is until he received this:

Obviously not my child shown here, our model is much cuter :p (no offence young model) . It has lights and all sorts of wacky sounds that are rather cool. It is currently next to Mr Stubborn as he sleeps.

Well, three years down! It has been such a blur. It honestly feels like yesterday when I held him in my arms for the first time, and marvelled at his green hair (which wasn't really green, it was blonde, just covered in icky meconium).

Happy birthday littlest dude, thank you for choosing us to be your family.
xxx

Will try and update this post tomorrow with some proper birthday pics, I think I got some good uns.

Party Time

We had Mr Stubborn's 3rd birthday party this morning. I was clever enough to hold it at a park, so minimal clearing up. Uh-huh, I'm all brains.

This year he really seemed to "get it", and the delight on his face when he saw his cake was lovely to see (see pic below, very amateur).

Overall, he was thoroughly spoilt, and peeps were far more generous than they should have been. Thank you for spoiling our littlest man anyway.

The real birthday is not until Tuesday. I am looking forward to it, but know it will be bitter-sweet. I know that another baby really isn't right for us. Heck, I am in the light at the end of the tunnel - nappy free here except for night time. I don't want to be woken at various intervals during the night because someone needs feeding/changing/company. But, oh my, how I would love to have my own personal newborn about NOW to smell their delicious scent, to know that someone is totally dependant on me, to know that we have another person to grow. On the other hand, I just love the fact that my 3 have grown in to reasonable young people. They are happy, considerate (mostly), and full of love. I love that we have helped with that, and that we are helping shape the young adults that they will become.

Thank you Blackmores

Well, I've got to say it, I am hugely impressed with the Womens D-Stress formula that Blackmores produce. I have been taking it for three days, and already have noticed a massive improvement with my overall well-being. Things that would normally cause me to practically have a coronary are now minor issues.

The only side-effect has been bright yellow wee, I can cope with that.

Give it a try and see what you think, I'm converted :)

Lego Land

Miss Perfect had a trip to the Lego Education Centre today. I put my name down to be a parent helper, and was a bit miffed when I missed out. By all accounts she had a great time. They watched a video first, then got set two projects where she made two different sorts of cars. The final part was making a Lego movie. How cool!

Of course I made the mistake of telling The Middle Man where she had gone, so we spent a lot of today playing with our own lego. Actually, I made things and the boys destroyed them. We had fun.

I love Lego nearly as much as I am going to love my Playstation.

Please excuse the picture quality - this is from my phone