Another Longreach kindy kid

Here are some photos I meant to post back in term one. Jessica didn't get to start kindy until half way through the term because there weren't any places left. She had to wait until someone dropped out of kindy for her to get a place. We were delighted to recieve a phone call offering Jessica a spot at kindy. She didn't understand to start with because we'd spent close to 6 months telling her she wouldn't get to be a kindy kid this year but by the end of the day she understood that she would finally get to be a Longreach kindy kid and there would be no more hoping.
On her first day she didn't want her photo taken. I was a little sad. I wanted one of those posed kindy shots to put in her scrapbook. She wouldn't have a bar of it though. She was so excited to be a Longreach kindy kid, she barely said goodbye to us before taking part in the class. She didn't have any dramas and fitted in really well even though everyone else has been there for 6 weeks. She fitted in so well the teacher and the teacher aide had to keep reminding themselves that it was her first day/week and she didn't know all the rules and routines. It helps if your big sister was a kindy kid the year before.

Here are a few photos of her first day. First lot are her hiding from the camera. The second lot are her arriving at kindy.

MCN- Modern Cloth Nappies

I have bought two brands of MCNs and have been happy with both brands. I have bought Hippybottomus last year and used them with Hannah and now with Lisa. I recently purchased Spunky Bums. These have been fantastic so far. 

So just a little bit about my nappy habits before I begin.

I wash my nappies at night and hang them out to dry so they have all night drying time in case I need to use them early-ish in the morning. I usually wait until I have only a few nappies left before I wash that way if they don't dry overnight I still have a few to use until they dry. I have 12 pocket nappies. These dry really quickly. I have a huge supply of boosters that if I need a nappy that has been on the line over night and the boosters aren't dry (They take a while because they are 4 layers of cloth stitched together.) I have enough boosters to be able to get me through. I have all-in-ones and pocket nappies. The all-in-ones are pocket nappies too, they just have a booster sewn into them. I often add a booster too that why I don't get leaks. In the pocket nappies I generally put two boosters in. My girls have been big wee-ers during the day. I've only even had leaks when I have left it too long to change a nappy  and that can happen with disposables anyway. 

When I take them off the line I put the insert/s in because then when I'm trying to find a nappy I don't have to stress about the nappy being in pieces when what you really want is a quick change. When I get upstairs (if I have time and I'm not making dinner or dealing with a fight) I put the liners in otherwise the nappy would go on with no liner and result in more work for me. I then stack the folded nappy, complete with liner in the cupboard next to the change table.

I have recently started dry pailing my nappies. That is when you clean off the nappy of any soiled parts and give it a quick wash with pure soap if necessary, then dump the nappy into a bucket. I was a little unsure of this method when I first read about it. I thought it would result in really stinky nappies but it hasn't so far. I keep adding nappies to the bucket, with the booster taken out, until the bucket is full or I'm in desperate need of nappies. Then the whole process starts again. 

The following nappies are all-in-ones. These are from Spunky Bums. See link earlier in post. 

I have a selection of all-in-ones. I have velcro ones, 2 rows of clips and 1 row of clips. Probably my favourite is the nappies with the two rows of clips because they seem to be the most versatile. These would fit a baby from birth to toilet training. The  velcro ones go on just like a disposable. Just fasten the two flaps. These are fantastic for Dads because they just go on. No stress or worry about getting the clips right and they are time savers. Sorry Kevin. I know you hate it when women bag men. And the ladies know I have a wonderful husband. This is for the "other" Dads. 

This is one of the one row clip all-in-one nappies I have. I haven't had a leak from them yet but they seem to gap a little on the side which I can foresee problems in the future with a more active child.

This is an all-in-one nappy showing the pocket opening for the extra booster. You can't really see the sewn in booster and the booster.

You can kind of see the stitching in this nappy. This is the all-in-one.

The two clip all-in-one nappies. I think to start with people are a little unsure of the clips and where to clip the different parts for different sized babies.

The following nappies are pocket nappies from Hippybottomus. These have one row of clips all the way along the top and and second row on each side to about the half way point. The placement of these clips are excellent. I have been very happy with the clips and the elastic around the legs. I would suggest two boosters though.

Everyone should give MCN a go because they will save you heaps of money and save the environment too.

Menu plan and family fun times

What's on the menu at your house this week? In order to help me be prepared I've gone back to my weekly planning of meals.
Monday - beef Stir Fry
Tuesday- lasagna
Wednesday - crumbed steak
Thursday - Rissoles and vegies
Friday - mac cheese
Saturday- Pizza
Sunday- roast
I braved the shops today for a huge shop. We spend so much money at the super market every week. I am glad we have girls. Can you imagine the food bill for 4 teenage boys? Yesterday I went in for 2 items. Hannah entered the shop crying as did Lisa although I was carrying her so it wasn't so much of a drama. Hannah ended up having a lie on the floor tantrum. I was carrying two babies, a huge packet of mince and trying to make sure Jessica was staying with me. My mood was impaired due to lack of sleep. I'd slept on the couch with Lisa and had my best sleep from 6:30 until 7:15am. The poor little darling is teething and hasn't been coping well at night. It is amazing people have more than one kid when they have to deal with a teething baby. Oh gosh I hope this tooth comes soon. I don't cope well on no sleep. Oh, how I am looking forward to late night shopping or just shops that are open past 5pm. Needless to say I didn't have a terribly wonderful time at IGA yesterday which lead to my less than impressed mood for the rest of the afternoon. Sometimes I want to throw myself on the floor and have a tantrum. If only that would make me feel better.
So enough whinging and carrying on. Kids will be kids. Right?
Here are some super cute moments in our family life at the moment.

This play station was given to us by a friend of ours. All our kids have loved it. We don't know what it's called. We call it the roundy-roundy because the seat swivels around. Lisa had been so tired and just wouldn't go to sleep. I went to put the clothes away and found her asleep. How can anyone sleep like this? Even after 4 kids I am still amazed at the positions they get themselves into to sleep. Stupid me decided to move her to a more comfy location and woke her up.

 I had promised the girls that if one of them got all ticks on their job charts for a week I would buy them a paint set. Luckily for me I'd bought one during the Target toy sales. Hollie, yes shock, horror, was the one who got all ticks first. She had to wait until the weekend to be able to use the paints though. Here is Hannah having a little paint. Thanks for painting the a/c pipe too Hannah.

Now you want to see something super cute? What about a  toddler who's stripped off and only wearing a backpack? Here is Hannah at playgroup after she'd played in THAT water fountain AGAIN, had got her clothes wet and then decided she was too wet for clothes. I don't understand how kids can play in water then when they've finished  decide they don't like the feeling of wetness. What is with that?

The following lot of photos were taken yesterday. The days have been really quite hot although the mornings are still quite cold. Lisa started off in a tracksuit and finished in just her nappy. I was a little surprised at how chubby she has become. I knew she was the chubbiest of my little ones but I guess because it has been so cold we haven't really got to see all those gorgeous little chubby rolls. They are so beautiful. Not so sure about the funny facial expressions though.

I know it seems as thought the other children don't exists because this post is all about the two little babies. I will endeavour to post about the others next time. I do realise I haven't even posted pics of Jessica's birthday yet. I will leave you with some cute photos of Hannah I took while she was reading a book.

Busy Holidays

The holidays were very busy. We've had the last 3 days to recover. To sleep in, to slob about, to try to get the kids back to normal after the excitement of Gran and Puff-puff and Nanny. It was great to have everyone here for the holidays. The kids don't get to see their grandparents very often so it makes it even more special.

I've been wondering where my jolly jumpers are. Yes, that's right I had more than two. Couldn't find them. Went to Vinnies and they had this one. Lisa, as you can see, loves it. Pretty good $2.

The first time Mum came to visit us in 2008 she found out you could go to the Ilfracombe pool for free and as the pool here in Longreach was under repair/refurbishment the girls hadn't been to the pool since we'd moved. Hollie was just over two years old and she remembers that Nanny took her to the pool and asked if she could take them again. Yes, in the middle of winter we took Lisa for her first swim. It is an artesian spa so it was fairly warm, just like a kid's bath minus the wee. Lisa loved her first swim. Kevin took photos because he didn't want to deal with the cold upon getting out. Lucky him.

Tomorrow we start back slowing into the real routine of life. I don't know how Lisa is going to cope with her favourite person being away all day. She has been very spoilt for the last two weeks. Kevin starts back on a student free day before the rest of us get into school, kindy, playgroup and mainly music again for another term. 

I'm also looking forward to Hollie starting Auskick this term. I hope it's on because she's been looking forward to it all year. We are also starting the girls in swimming lesson again in preparation for the summer. It's going to be another busy term. Kevin said last year at Hollie's birthday it would be the last holidays he has until June. Well he didn't really get one and the next few holidays will be even more full on with a trip to Brisbane in September and a move to Brisbane in December. At least he gets them as holidays and the kids get to see their Dad a lot. Can't imagine what it would be like with a 9-5 job.

Birthday girl

 Hollie turned 5 on Wednesday. I still can't believe she is five. I know all mothers say it but where has all the time gone?
We had a very relaxing day. The kids didn't even wake us up for presents. They watched Mary Poppins instead. Such a treat to be able to watch tv hey?

Our family routine for birthdays is presents in our bed. A kiss from Jessica with her present for Hollie. A kiss from Hannah with her present.

Hollie's favourite present was the colouring/craft set we gave her. She spent most of her birthday colouring in.

Gran and Grandpuff arrived with more presents. One from them and one from Great Granny Weymouth.

We had Hollie's cake for morning tea along with a little party food. Hollie and I had made the cake the day before and Hollie decorated it.

In the afternoon it was off to one of her school friend's birthday party. Hamish is born on the same day but he is a year older. He even gave Hollie a present and she was lucky enough to win a game of freeze and received a prize of crayons and a colouring in book. Perfect. They sent her home with party bags for all the girls. This is the dress she wore to the party. It was a gift from Hannah.

The week before at school we took these cakes for Hamish and Hollie to celebrate with their friends. They will always have their birthdays in the holidays so we thought it was a good idea to allow them to celebrate with their friends at school. Miss O thought so too.

Jessica's last few days

On Monday we had a bit of a terrible day with Jessica. It was the Queen's Birthday long weekend here so Kevin was home to make the girls' breakfasts. As a treat on the weekend Kevin will colour the porridge for the girls. He grabbed a different container of food dye on Monday. We paid for it later in the afternoon.

Jessica as a 20 month old had a reaction to strawberry milks and on Monday we had a repeat of those reactions. Our poor little girl was possessed. That's what it seemed like. She was crying uncontrollably, rubbing her feet together, hitting the ground, screaming, kicking the floor. This went on for almost 3 hours in total. This is totally unlike Jessica. I was so distressed. My heart was aching. What it is about being a Mum that you just can't turn off, that you feel that pain? I was on the verge of tears. I couldn't take it anymore. Kevin went to the pantry and looked at the ingredients in the two different food colouring containers. We will be steering clear of colouring 122 from now on. Kevin threw the contents down the sink. Meanwhile Jessica had fallen asleep in the position below, just like the last time she had this reaction. My poor, poor little girl.

Sometimes motherhood can be so challenging. What am I talking about? It is ALWAYS challenging. Challenging but also the most rewarding and meaningful thing I'll ever do. How wonderful is Jessica? This morning when I said I needed to vacuum the floor - with my silly, dodgy, still unfixed vacuum cleaner- I asked Jessica and Hannah to clean the lounge room floor. Jessica worked very hard until the floor was clean. She didn't have to be reminded what was expected. I didn't have to get cross. She did the job and encouraged Hannah to keep picking things up in a nice voice. Oh, how lovely is that?

It makes me feel great. Makes up for the way I left Hollie at school this morning but that is another story. I'll leave that one for tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Here's to parents

You know being a parent is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. I don’t care what anybody says, it is simply hard. Staying at home all day with young children is absolutely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It is also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. People often say to me, “How do you do it? How do you manage with 4 kids?” I don’t know how I do it. I do it because there isn’t any other choice. As a mother you just do what you have to do.

A friend of mine had twins recently. Now there’s someone who you can say, “How do you do it?” to.  I am totally amazed by her.  She is feeding both of them and because they are small she has had to feed them more often. She is a first time Mum. Can you imagine the shock she would have had bringing them home? Can you remember the feeling of being overwhelmed when you brought your first baby home? Can remember the advice and the feeling of failure because you weren’t doing what was expected? The conflicting advice? (And I am guilty of giving unsolicited advice too. Sorry.) The goo - ing and gaa – ing that occurred when you first had the baby only to end when you really needed someone to help, to give you 10 minutes to have a shower or an hour to have a sleep? The complete tiredness from breastfeeding.  (Those people who say breast feeding isn’t draining surely had someone else supply the milk. It’s not only the getting up during the night but the physical drain of having to produce that milk.) So tired you can’t think properly? You remember that? I’ve got no idea how my friend is doing it.  Logically I know. She’s doing because she has to but even after 4 babies I don’t know I could handle it, that I’d know what to do. It amazes me what she is doing. I don’t even think she’s given a formula bottle in desperation. She is truly wonderful. She must be so tired and so drained.  I want to tell her it’ll get better but I don’t want to lie. It gets better but then the next problem will present itself.

Motherhood involves constant learning. I just don’t seem to be able to master it. Every one of my kids are different and they have each required different responses to situations. Hannah responds well to having her face in the corner of the naughty corner whereas Hollie is punished enough by just having to sit in it. Don’t send Jessica to her room as she enjoys the time alone in her bed too much. With the end of every phase of parenthood comes the beginning of the next phase with its own challenges. It is a wonderful experience this motherhood thing but gosh it’s hard. Some days when Kevin walks through the door after a hard day of being a high school teacher, I’d give anything to be the one in the work clothes but not this week.

On Tuesday I had to take Lisa to the hospital to get her cough and wheeze checked out. She hasn’t been feeding well. Her feeds have been short and the frequency has stayed the same. She’s lost weight which is a little scary. It may just be the different scales but 1.1kgs in 2 weeks is not good. 1.1 kgs is too big a difference for it to be the scales too. They have put her on antibiotics! I’ve never had a baby on medicine before. They also said her wheeze sounds like an asthma wheeze but they won’t diagnose that until they are 3 years old. She is worse in the mornings and evenings. The cold chill makes the wheeze louder. I’m just glad it was me there with her. My poor little baby.

So here’s to Mums and Dads everywhere. I hope you are all having a wonderful week and rejoicing in your wonderful and not-so-wonderful children. Here’s hoping you have wonderful friends like me, who looked after my kids and my ring ins while I took Lisa to the hospital and who provided morning tea and lots of chatting and mother talk this morning and made everything in life seem ok. Thanks. I don’t know what I would do without the knowledge that what I'm going through is normal, what my kids are doing is normal.

Here is Hollie last week performing her shark song on parade. She was fantastic. I'm glad I'm the Mum who stays home so I'm able to attend all of her school events. I'd hate to miss it because I'm working. Poor Kevin always misses out. I'm a very lucky lady.