Cookie Monsters and little helpers!!

We have a cookie monster in our house his name is Oli, he is 4, he loves cookies!! As soon as he wakes up he asks me for a cookie. He knows the answer and so now he says "mum when dad goes to work can I have a cookie?" He is difficult to refuse, firstly he is super cute, and secondly I love cookies too, so I understand his needs!!

Yesterday I was having an uninspiring day. Some things were happening that were making me a little nuts. I decided to make some cookies! Landon my 7year old was in a particularly helpful mood yesterday. When Landon is being a little helper life is really good. He has this amazing ability to change moods, he can always make me smile. He is cheeky and lots of fun. On days when he wants to help he does random things from giving me an impromptu back rub, to making all the beds in the house. The lovely part is he never wants anything for it, he feeds off praise, and kisses.

When I started making the cookies he joined me in the kitchen straight away, got out his rolling pin and became my little helper, once the cookies were made, all the kids became my little helpers and helped me eat them!!

Lucky Me!

Every now and then I get a feeling that things are as they should be in my world. The other day I felt it while I was doing a 'zumba class' of all things. I had this overwhelming feeling like I wanted to jump out of my own skin with excitement because I was loving my life in that very moment! Today I had it again. It was in the afternoon when all the kids were home from school and 3 of them were downstairs painting together. They were all really involved with their own little projects. Suddenly Sienna said in amazement "Noah, how did you paint that, how did you do it?" It was just a little thing I know but seeing her admire her brother, and seeing the three of them together just enjoying time with each other, made me want to jump out of my skin in excitement. I am so lucky to be a mum. Today in particular I am really feeling it!!!

My Pa

On the weekend we went down south to visit my dad's parents, Nan and Pa. They live right across the road from my favourite beach, probably because I think its our beach. We spent alot of time in the summer at Nan and Pa's. Dad taught me to ride my bike there, Pa and I would go for runs on the beach together. Sometimes our cousins would be there too and we would all hang out together. It has always been a real gathering place. Aunties, Uncles and family friends would visit,  nan would always have some latice slice or lemon cake or baked goodies to welcome with.

Yesterday we wanted to spend some time with my Pa, he has Alzheimer's, yesterday was one of Pa's bad days. He didn't know who I was. That is hard to see. I have all these amazing memories now that only belong to me. He doesn't remember running on the beach with me, or paying me 50cents to pick up the pine needles from his front lawn. He can't remember the stories he would tell me about my dad, like the time dad ran the wrong way in his first ever footy game. He can't remember the time he let me drive on my L's and I nearly crashed into a bus! He can't remember being at my wedding, or rocking my babies to sleep, (Pa could put any baby to sleep.) He doesn't remember the fairy candle holder I gave nan for Christmas, and how he spent hours glueing it back together when it smashed on the floor. He can't remember the cuddles he gave me and the times he said  I.L.Y (I love you).

Usually when I see Pa he has a moment where he will look at me with his sparkly eyes and give me a wink, and smile. Not yesterday, he didn't look at my eyes yesterday. When it was time to leave he stood up and I felt relief that he would finally recognise me even a little, I lent in to kiss him and he turned me and pushed me away. Ageing is cruel, it is hard for Pa, who cannot make sense of anything and even harder for the people left to care for him. My Nan is amazing, although she doesn't know it. She thinks she is failing Pa. She looks after him every day, he has been sick now for 7years and she has cared for him, and loves him even when he isn't the same man she has always known. My nan is strong, patient, kind, loving, selfless, nurturing, and humble. She never complains she only wishes Pa could be better, not so her life would be easier, but so he could be happy again.

It always insipres me to think of amazing women like my nan, who love to love, and never ever give up.

Yesterday my kids and I picked up the pine needles on the lawn. I know Pa would want us to, if he could remember how much those pine needles annoy him!!!

Cruising down the f3 in my Tarago!!

Growing up in a family of 5 kids, (my parents added another brother to the mix when I was 20, making it 6!!) we of course drove a Tarago. In fact, I think we may have had one of the first ever Taragos in Australia. It was a red toyota Tarago DX. I wrote about it in my journal when I was 8!! I even drew a picture of it. I remember so clearly the day we picked it up, we were so excited. There were 4 kids then, and we all got our own window, although the back ones didn't open!! We would beg dad "Turn on the back windscreen wiper please dad, please?" Then we would all turn around and watch as the wiper would go side to side and we would squeal and laugh in awe of our incredible car! As I got older I grew to despise that car! Dad had a disgusting maroon vinyl cover on the front hood to protect it from stones chipping the paint! I thought the cover was far more offensive than some paint chips!! When my friends would see the car coming they called it the spacca van!! I was embarrassed to be seen in it! The rear wipers no longer impressed me. I wanted desperately to just have a normal sedan like all my friends! I vowed I would never make my kids drive around in a tarago!!

When I was 30, and pregnant with the twins I got a present off my dad!! My very own Tarago!!! Maybe the best gift I have ever received! Not only does mine have a rear wiper, but it also has rear sensors, and even a tv!! My kids friends think our car is cool, and as there is no vinyl piece on my hood, I think it is pretty cool too!!

On the weekend we drove to the south coast to spend some time with my sis and her hubby, and to see my Pa. It is a 3 hour drive for us now. The kids are good travellers. Noah and Landon play in the back, and Laith is in the middle reading, the twins play their own games to pass the time. I took a little video of the twins playing one of their made up games as we drove down in our cool Tarago!!

The differences between Boys, and Girls!!

I am often surprised and amazed at the differences between boys and girls! Having twins, one boy and one  girl, it is impossible to avoid comparisons! It seems they were born one in pink and one in blue! They are both so typically their gender it often leaves me smiling to myself. From their little conversations with each other to the toys they are drawn to and how long they take to do things. It is quite entertaining to watch their little differences!

Oli puts on one outfit a day, just one! In fact he would be happy to wear one outfit for the entire week, if I let him!! Sienna changes her clothes on average, 4 times a day! There is no way in the world I could get her to wear the same outfit for two days, even if it was only on her for 5 minutes of the previous day!

When Oli does craft he usually lasts about 10minutes maximum. Sienna can sit cutting, pasting, glueing, drawing for about 1hour without moving!

Oli is hungry all day long! Sienna eats 3 meals and about 2 snacks per day.

Oli loves getting dirty, Sienna loves to be clean.

Oli loves playing with trains, Sienna loves to play with barbies!

The list goes on! The thing that sets them apart the most is singing!!! Sienna sings all day long, she sings to her barbies, she sings to her doll, she sings on her pretend phone, she sings on the toilet, she sings in the bath, she sings in the car, everywhere we go she sings. Her life is pretty much one really long disney movie!! I have been trying to get some of her songs on video for a while, she always sees me! So yesterday when she was on my bed singing to her doll, I asked if I could video. She agreed!! I'm pretty sure she is going to be a famous singer one day!! If not she will at least be a fantastic mummy!!

Valentines Day-Tucci style.

My girlfriend asked me today what my favourite topic to talk about is?? My answer was Love!! I love love. I love it because it covers so many things, my husband, kids, siblings, parents, childhood, past boyfriends! All of these things are filled with great memories. Today is Valentines day and I like to talk about love, on this day in particular.

Tonight my hubby brought home some Indian food and Maison for us!! YUM!! As we ate our dinner we decided to pick one person and say why we loved them. After we finished, that person would then pick another to talk about and so on around the table, we did about 3 rounds each.

I was surprised at how thoughtful each of the kids were, and how many things they found to say about each other. Landon said he loved Noah because he always plays with him, and never gets angry at him, and is the best friend in the whole wide world! Noah said Daddy is cool, and never gets mad and always reads bedtime stories to them. Mummy said Sienna always helps her with the house work, and tidies her room all by herself, and sings beautiful songs all day that make everyone happy. Laith said Daddy works so hard everyday at work then comes home and works hard to help mummy. Sienna said Mummy is so nice and always loves and cuddles her and and cleans up all the mess and cooks yummy dinners. Oli said mummy always gives the biggest cuddles in bed when daddy has gone to work, and makes cookies. Landon said Oli is cheeky a bit like he used to be when he was little, and he is funny and always makes everyone laugh. Mummy said Laith is always happy and helpful and responsible and works so hard at school. Daddy said Noah is an amazing drawer, and has a big kind heart and always looks after anyone who is sad. Mummy said Landon is funny, and never ever in a bad mood, he is a great helper and makes his bed perfectly almost every day! The list went on and on. Everyone was smiling and giggling when people said their name. It was a great night!!

A couple of weeks ago Dame and I were out of town my brother in law did a video of the kids saying why they love us. This is one of the best things I have been given as a mum!! Click on the link below, it is fantastic!!

A Good Old Tantrum!!

If you have kids, or know anyone with kids you also know about tantrums!! Luckily my kids are now getting to a stage where they don't have as many. I have witnessed some huge ones in my time though.

I am in the process of re-doing my bedroom, I just wanted to simplify it and make it lighter and brighter. I had bought a new white doona cover about a week ago, and yesterday, I was shopping for accessories and cushions (I am addicted to cushions) After about an hour of looking at homewares, I owed the twins some toy time, which involves them going to the toy section and telling me what they want for their birthdays. (in August) While they were looking, my friend who has 4 kids called, as we were chatting Sienna had lined up 9 barbie dolls in a row on the floor and told me I needed to buy her 3. My friend and I were discussing how clever kids are with their powers of negotiation. After much persuasion and a promise of sushi I persuaded the twins to follow me without any barbies! (small victory) However on the way out we saw a dress Sienna loved!!! The dress had a matching dolls dress. Sienna began begging and pleading with me! I am a sucker for anything I wanted as a child, or had as a child. I always wanted a dress that matched my doll, this one was reduced, I had a voucher and so I ended up getting it for her, Oli wanted a t-shirt that was also reduced and I felt like I couldn't get him nothing and Sienna a dress so to avoid a tantrum, I bought them both! As I was leaving the shop I realised they had just used their powers of persuasion on me, and won!!

Last night I set up the new doona, I have had it in a bag for over a week. I have been waiting for Dame's final word or final approval so I could keep it!! I had done some things throughout the week to help seal the deal!!! I was feeling like it was time to bust it out. I set up the bed with my new cushions and white sheets so he could get the final look before I opened it. He said "yep looks good." (also meaning I don't really care, or think we need a new doona) So I set it up. This took a very long time. I gathered items from around the house taking a cushion off Laiths bed, hanging a new picture up, taking down old art work, even changing photos in frames, rummaging through cupboards looking for throw rugs, and anything else I could use to pull it all together!! A BIG effort!!!

I call Dame in he has a look and says: "Don't you think white will be a lot of up-keep?"

What??? Why did he wait until now to tell me this? I ignore him.

An hour later we get into bed, lights out, long pause then he says to me "So I guess we are keeping the doona?" I jump out of bed in a fit of rage!!! Turn the light on, rip the doona off, pull the cover off the blanket, throw the blanket back on the bed!!!  Yes my own little tantrum, not my finest hour!!! Dame wakes up this morning and says you can keep the doona!!!!!! I say "Forget it. After all that I don't even want it now!!!" I the go to the cupboard and pull out an old doona, that is white on the back, I flipped it over and got almost the same result, for free!!

Kids or no kids tantrums are a part of life, they sometimes get us what we want, and at the very least they are always amusing!!!!!

'Picture Perfect'

Pictures tell a thousand words, or do they?  Being my wedding Anniversary yesterday, with no husband at home (Dame was away for work) I decided that the kids and I would have our own date night! I love taking my kids on date nights, but it is usually one on one! Besides MacDonalds, I don't think I have ever taken them all out to dinner on my own before. I take them shopping with me all the time, for food and clothing, and they are usually pretty good.

I had spent yesterday doing not a whole lot at all. I was feeling sorry for myself that Damion was away and due to being in meetings all day was non contactable. The twins had made cubby houses all over the house, in their room, the family room, my wardrobe. The house was a mess. When the big boys got home from school we all agreed to work together. Laith and Oli swept the driveway. Sienna cleaned her room, I cleaned the rest of the house. Landon and Noah, picked up a toy every time I walked past them, looking busy enough that they didn't get into trouble. The reward was dinner with mum at GPK's, (pizza)

We headed out at 6, the kids were given strict instructions to be perfect! They were not!! As soon as we were seated, Sienna and Landon started fighting and screaming about who was going to sit next to me!! Finally after threatening to all go home, and tears from both of them, I moved. When pencils and books were brought out to draw on, they fought over who had what color. When they got their dough to play with they  stuck it all over their faces, and ate it and banged it noisily on the table. Then when dinner came Landon decided to eat some chillies from the pizza and started screaming, and then spat it out all over the place. They were out of control. Everyone was staring at us!! I left exhausted, feeling even more in awe of single mummy's, and vowing NEVER to take them out to dinner on my own again!!

The great thing about pictures, my kids look perfect, and we all look like we are having an awesome night together.....which most of the time is true!!!

Love and Marriage!!

When I was young, like most girls, I spent a lot of time day dreaming about my wedding day! I had a list about what I wanted or expected from my husband. He had to be at least 2 years older than me, (I think this is because that was my parents age gap, and I figured it worked well for them.) He needed to be tall dark and handsome, he needed to have money, he needed to be funny, kind, a great dancer, good  at all sports, strong, brave, HOT, he needed to want to pash me anywhere and anytime. Romantic, affectionate, and pretty much perfect. Although I was married at the tender age of 20, I did a bit of dating!! In fact quite a bit of dating. So I figured I was pretty experienced when it came to choosing the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. I thought choosing was the hard part and once that was done I could sit back and relax and that married life would be just like a  really long awesome date!!

I was wrong!! Marriage is hard work, there is lots of compromise but it is also in some ways much better than I could have hoped it would be. Today is my 14th wedding anniversary, I think back to my list and I got a good one, except for the public pashes, the dancing, and the money, he has everything on the list, and aside from the dancing he is working on the other two!! He also has so many things that were not even on my list. Like the fact he is the best dad ever, he is slow to anger, he is forgiving, patient, humble, an amazing listener and completely self-less. These things are even more important than anything I wanted as a 20year old.

On friday night Dame had a work dinner in the city, we dropped the kids at mums, Timmy took some pics for us, and we headed out on our hot date!! On the way home we drove past the place Dame proposed to me, and it felt like it was just yesterday!! I am guessing the next 14 years will go just as fast, and I am confident they will be just as great!!