Minnie and Me

5 Tips for flying a kite with kids.

2014-01-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

I decided to write this after we had a disastrous kite flying experience on the weekend. I am not an expert but since Miss T was about 12 months old, I have tried quite a number of different types of kites. I love a good recommendation and in this instance if you are in the market for a kite, I am going to strongly recommend you get this one.

THE POCKET KITE

It is strutless, meaning it doesn't have any kind of frame making it super easy to whack into your handbag. It is compact for little ones to handle with no set up required and nothing to break. Miss T could fly The Pocket Kite from age two and a half and I mean get it into the air and fly it, on her own. Running along with absolute joy on her face. Burning all that lovely energy!

Here are some other lessons I have learnt in my mission to find a kite.
1. Don't buy a kite with a ridiculously long tail.
There is already enough string to get tangled up, you don't need the tail getting tangled too.
2. Do NOT get a stunt kite.
The ones with two handles. Kids want to be involved and holding the string is all part of that. It is way to tricky for them to wrangle two handles.
3. Is it windy enough?
You don't want disappointment, so check it is actually windy enough. A slightly breezy day usually isn't enough. Unless you have 'The Pocket Kite'
4. Make sure you have a great big space
And I mean a great space, a sports oval or mass of green grass. You will need to run a little on occasion so it needs to be a safe area for your kids and you to do that. the bigger the open space the better I reckon. be careful it's not too protected from the wind too!
5. Just get The Pocket Kite.

I think you get the picture.

Kite flying can be a challenge but it is worth it. Harnessing the wind and watching the kite bob and twist and turn is really cool. Hmmmm... Maybe that's just me. One thing I certainly know is that kids absolutely love it. Most days when it is windy we are never annoyed, we just can't wait to get out and fly the kite. the Pocket Kite.

Send it soaring!

Sammi

What's on your kitchen bench?

2013-11-04T13:53:00.000-08:00

Every night I clear the bench.
It is the hub of our house and is subjected to what we call the law of horizontal surfaces .
If there is a horizontal surface then it has stuff on it. That's just the way it goes in our house and other than the floor the bench is the largest surface.
It's almost like a large planet, everything gravitates here.
This picture is taken 20 minutes after we got up! Filled with the beginnings of the day. Fruit, cereal, cups, hairbrush, Ipad's, phone's, books, 13 page legal document, instruments, drink bottles.
Honestly 20 minutes ago it was completely clear but in the rush to get a caffeine hit and some food in the bellies of my babes this is what happens.
I clear it then its time for lunch.

The law of horizontal surfaces.....what is on your bench?

A bribe to subscribe!

2013-08-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Yup this is pretty much a bribe to subscribe!

All you have to do is share your favourite story/piece from my blog on your google plus feed
or just subscribe via email. It's that easy.
What do you get for your trouble?? You go in the draw to win the amazing book Buddhism for Mothers.

Last day for entry will be 21 September!

Enter from anywhere in the world!!!!

I received this book for Christmas from a good friend and I have not looked back!
It has been a revelation for me and I hope to share the love by giving away a copy! Call it Kharma if you will!

I sewed on a button!

2013-08-08T22:52:00.001-07:00

Yep. I really did. Sew on a button that is. I have done it before so it wasn't too much of a shock but it's been so long between buttons it really felt like quite an achievement.
What shocked me most is that I sat down for 25 minutes to wrangle with cotton until I had finished the job and felt really bloody chuffed! Chuffed to have completed the task I had for so long been avoiding and delighted that I had kinda enjoyed myself in the process.

Just so it's clear. It did take 25 minutes to sew on ONE button. (I am not even going to include a picture of the actual finished product because it is a little dodgy....)

Conversation = Apples for your soul.

2013-07-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

The stats suggest that women use on average 20000 words a day, I'd believe that!! In fact it almost feels like I have to meet a quota. That could be just me though? I really do love people and a good chat.
In my previous life managing a team in a large organisation, meeting my words quota was easy! I would see, greet, or just 'be' under the same roof of approximately 300 people! Now, I am not surrounded by hundreds of people but I do live in a great little community and meet some truly amazing people. Stopping to have a chat is just part of my day. Admittedly, I have also been known to go to playgroup drop off early in the hope of a natter with the other mum's!
Today, as I struggled to get out of the house in the late afternoon and in all honesty having a pretty unpleasant day with both girls unwell, I was greeted by the bubbly blond duo Paula and Rosie. They just so happened to be waking past. I have seen Paula in her house across the street ever since Rosie was a baby. She is running around and talking now. Oh and very very cute.
We immediately struck up a conversation about all sorts of 'mum' things, Paula even shared her story of the difficulties she had conceiving Rosie and just how grateful she was to have her. Suffice to say we chatted for quite a while across the front fence. Thanks so much Paula our chat was lovely, inspiring and exactly what I needed. It also made me realise that conversation with neighbours and friends means much more than meeting a quota of words.

To all of my neighborhood friends. You have fabulous listening ears and wonderfully warm hearts. See you all in the 'hood sometime for a good 'ol chat!

Paula and Rosie.

Need a remote control for your toddler?

2013-07-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

Meet Mr. Puppet.
He is a hand knitted pretty average looking little guy that has lost all of his spots and half of one eyebrow. He cost me 5 bucks at the Anglesea market about 2 years ago. He is also the best weapon against non compliant two year olds you will ever meet.
Where I fail, Mr Puppet succeeds.
When I'm tired. Mr Puppet picks up the slack.

The dreadful time between 5pm and bedtime has become the all singing, dancing, interactive, eats all her dinner, no tears, no tantrums, puts away her toys, gets in the bath, puppet show and you wouldn't believe the high notes Mr Puppet can reach that I can't!

I know what your thinking. Who has the energy to go to these lengths. Trust me. When you don Mr Puppet, energy is drawn from the depths of your toes. I think its the combination of seeing Tilly's face light up and having her do exactly what you ask. It's extraordinary. Almost, like having a remote control for your kid. It really is. Anthony and Minnie seems to enjoy the performance as well.

I am so frightened Mr Puppet will stop working I have started polishing up some other critters for my act. 'Cat'ney Spears, Leo the Lion finger puppet, The giant green dragon. Bye for now, I'm going to learn a new song and sew on Mr Puppet's lost eyebrow.

Tilly's Birthday - 3 Years old!!!

2013-06-30T02:28:00.001-07:00

Well what a day, it was an insectactular and buggariffic!!

Tilly is a bug freak, much to my chagrin. I don't like creepy crawlies, I absolute HATE spiders and can't say I am a big fan of cockroaches, millipedes, scorpions or slugs. But for the sake of Tilly, I will pretend to like them, I'll handle them, catch them, inspect them, buy books about them, hire a bug specialist to come to her birthday party and I WILL like them.

At her birthday party, I held a stick insect! I picked up meal worms and beetles and I kinda enjoyed it! I am beginning to respect these little critters.

Tilly was front and centre for all the mini beasts, arachnids and bugs of the world.

The stick insects were spectacular, snails and slugs super, cockroaches creepy and the spiders sufficiently scary!

Thanks to all who came to the party. We had a great time. Everyone got in to the bug and mini beasts spirit wrapping gifts in insect paper, buying bug cards, bug related presents, devouring snail cakes and generally having a great time.

Here is a couple of my favourite pics and follow the link to all of the days pictures. You should be able to save them in pretty good quality from here too.

A very big thanks to Tahnia for her photo's they are amazing.

>CLICK HERE FOR THE PICTURES<

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7hXtFWmdyB-WHFYaVNJalpUWU0&usp=sharing

Or copy paste above...

Minnie the little Star,

2013-06-09T19:39:00.001-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Minnie and I spent a glorious morning in Albert Park having a photo shoot for a company called 'Keep Me Cosy' www.keepmecosy.com.au

Jemima, the Director of the company met us in a local shop where I happened to purchase and fall in love with her pram accessories. I may have also been in awe of her resourcefulness, creativity and guts to be honest. She has made these products from scratch patenting the designs and has moved to getting them manufactured and distributed. She also has two little and terribly cute boys.
Thanks Jemima, we had a lovely time and are chuffed for the opportunity to be part of something so cool. A true Minnie and Me moment.

A Family holiday or Transferring the chaos!

2013-05-24T18:01:00.001-07:00

I read it somewhere. Transferring the chaos. It sounds exactly what a family holiday tends to be.
You know, long journey's wrangling toddlers, nursing infants, lugging bags, packing, unpacking, realising you left your bathers at home and paying three times too much for an ill fitting leopard print bikini.
Deep down, I'm a bit of a homebody. I think its because I like my creature comforts. Our coffee pot, shower, our bed! Plus I get anxious about stuff! Mainly since I became a mummy. At home, I know exactly what is happening around the house even if I can't see Tilly, I can hear her and identify what mischief she is up. Putting toilet paper in the toilet, jumping off the couch and smearing on my lip gloss all have very distinct sounds or silences attached to them. When you are on holidays its like I have to start all over again. There are balcony's to climb, a limited amount of toilet paper, sunscreen tubes
, unfamiliar electronic devices to poke at, cupboards to jam fingers. Its a constant don't do that Tilly, don't climb that, no Tilly. ARGGHHH Tillyy!!! You get a little on edge.

But as Tilly gets older the holidays seem to get better. Its really fun seeing her getting excited about things. We love it. Her only request was that we find Nemo on our holiday.

We found Nemo, Marlin, Gil, Dory and Crush. I'm pleased to say we didn't run into Bruce!
The best holiday ever. Chaos included.

My night

2013-05-14T14:16:00.001-07:00

Bed at 8:30pm
Settle Minnie at 8:45pm
Settle again at 9:30pm
Woken by security company at the shop at midnight.
Minnie woke at 1:30am - feed
Resettled again at 3am
Security company called again at 4am
Up with the girls at 6am
Lord bloody help me.

The Birth of Minnie.

2013-05-06T02:42:00.002-07:00

I never ever thought I wanted the birth of any of my babies on camera. In fact it was almost the opposite, but as Kelly and I were talking about the impending birth of Minnie I suggested she should capture the moment for us. I don't know what my exact words were, something about a 'bun out of the oven' but her face lit up, she may have even squealed a little bit with excitement.

We didn't talk much about how she would shoot the birth, I certainly had other things on my mind but she must have done some planning as the photo's were amazing. She captured moments that were truly incredible, the look on Anthony's face, the delivery of Minnie into my arms, her eyes opening for the first time. I really didn't even notice she was taking pictures, her moral support was an added bonus. The album she gave us is stunning and I cannot describe how glad I was to have made the brave choice to have her in the delivery room with us. Thankyou Miss Kelly.

A very Happy Mothers Day to you all!

http://kellyjordanphotography.com.au/your-very-first-mothers-day/ - some of the pics from that day.

Getting past bad punctuation

2013-04-23T17:11:00.001-07:00

and spelling and grammatical faux pa and anything else in life that doesn't really matter right now! Well I'm trying....

At work (eons ago) when I wrote a training manual or an email, an intranet piece or a proposal. I checked it. I double checked it. The communications person checked it.
We had a pretty picky bunch of readers who would enthusiastically pounce on a bad comma or dogdy spelling.The weekly newsletter distribution became a game to see who would inform us of an error first! But I guess it kinda mattered. My job was to get it right!
My 'job' is very different now, there are no KPI's, SLA's, Targets, PMA's, GOS or bonuses to work towards. There are no project milestone to meet and noone is running surveys to check my engagement levels! The goal is survival! It really is that simple. Anything else is a bonus. Rearranging the toy room, cleaning out my wardrobes, organising that annoying pile of paperwork keeps growing and growing. It drives me crazy sometimes not being able to achieve 'tasks'. A wise and wonderful women recently said to me 'keep the living areas in your home tidy and don't worry too much about the cupboards!' Thanks Lizzie. I'm trying not to!
So, when writing this blog , I get it all out in a few minutes. Do a very quick 'tidy' and then publish. I do cringe reading back on occasion but I'm getting over it. It does not matter. As long as the message is heard and everyone gets fed!!.

Oh and my cupboards are a complete shambles!

Happy Anniversary Hubby

2013-04-16T18:38:00.004-07:00

15 years is quite a long time. Come to think of it!
Anthony and I got together after being friends for a short time and performing together in the pantomime Alice in Wonderland, thanks Suebee for casting us!
I played the White Rabbit and Anthony played the Caterpillar. It was an all singing, all dancing type affair with a cast of mainly young and very young budding performers!

I was 22 and Anthony had his 21st during the final days of the show. See! A long time ago.

So much happens in 15 years and yet I don't feel any older. Its strange.
As in all relationships they have their Seasons. But we have had many many more Summers, Autumns and Springs than we have had Winters.

Our wedding day was this day in 2008, on the 10th anniversary of us getting together. Just to keep it simple! It was an eerie kind of morning, a thick fog covering the city before a beautiful warm sun appeared. I didn't have a coldsore for the first important time of my life and the day was more amazing than we could have ever hoped for. I love to think about it.

Happy Anniversary babe.

Our life together in numbers.

15 countries
392 hours of Star Trek viewing
5745 goodbye kisses
4 homes
1 Wedding
2 Beautiful children

Minnie moo.

2013-04-13T02:04:00.000-07:00

How is the little poppet going? Good question!
Aside from being totally gorgeous she is getting somewhere with the sleeping. She has a terrible little cold so I called Masada to check on what to do when the little one get sick.
Instincts tell me to be more lenient on the schedule but try and stick to it as best you can. Jane tells me that's correct, well sort of. Still same cot/sleep times but you can respond quicker with the grizzles and also settle for longer if need be. Lots of mums head back into Masada after babes get sick because allot of regression can happen during this time so we really need to stick it out.

Her day sleeps are getting less stressful (mostly) and nights are improving! She self settles (sometimes!) and has two feeds. She is up pretty early 6:30am, But this is what time Tilly gets up so she may as well too.

She is much happier and we can easily tell when she is getting tired now. She even has a very specific tired squeal. Loving her to bits. She will be 5 months in 2 days. I can't believe it.

These pictures were taken in my gorgeous neighbours garden by said neighbour. Thankyou Tahnia. Tilly searched successfully for snails whilst we chatted in the sunshine. Minnie cooed contently by our feet on the grass watching the clouds.

It was a perfect afternoon as it is always in that garden. Really and truly.

Holy shit is that me?!?!!!

2013-04-09T23:34:00.001-07:00

Wow. I just copped a glance of myself in the mirror when I was folding washing. I look absolutely terrible. My gosh. I have had a steady stream of visitors today too and seriously look like I've been dragged backward through a freaking haystack.
I had a shower today I promise you! Ok so it was at 5:30am. I was going to put on some decent clothes (aside from beach pants and a breastfeeding top) at one point but got sidetracked. I was also going to put on some makeup at one point but got distracted. I vaguely recall running a brush through my hair....or was that yesterday?
My guests today:
Penny, Tori, Aiden, Stella, Annie, chantelle, melinda, Leonie, Katelyn.
Hubby Anthony and my girls please feel free at any point to demand I take a minute to take a good look at myself!!!

Had a lovely day though people! Thanks for dropping by. Tomorrow is frock it Friday. Even though its only Thursday. Frock it.

Stress busters and keeping Tilly busy!

2013-04-06T01:33:00.001-07:00

I can't for the life of me remember the words to Minnie's lullaby! It's the 'ironic' lullaby from Mary poppins called 'stay awake'. It only has two verses but I stuff it up every time.
So as the self professed 'absolute worst artist' in the world, during some quiet time with Tilly I wrote or rather painted the lyrics and stuck them on Minnie's wall! It was a nice activity to do with Tilly and I'm finally getting the song right! Hooray.
I Had a tough morning settling Minnie and ran out of ideas to keep Tilly occupied, hey pasta painting! Great idea! I suppose we can make necklaces or something out of it??!!?
Now Minnie. Right. She really is improving. She is much happier when she is awake now, no longer needing to be cuddled constantly or grizzly in fact she started getting a bit grizzly tonight as it was close to a feed and it was strange!

Very Superstitious

2013-04-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have been apprehensive about writing about improvements in case we start taking backwards steps.
Ive been washing and drying the same pj's (for minnie) for the past two days because she slept quite well in them the night before last.
Ever fell like that? Its so ridiculous but you get it in your head that if you do the same thing, exactly the same thing you did the day before everything will be exactly the same. It never works though. Everyday is different but the rules stay the same. Stick to the rules. Don't stray from the rules. Arghh!! Its a little obsessive to be honest but I am convinced we are seeing some improvement for sure so I am doing my darnedest and sticking to the rules. (I may have been guilty of feeding when I should have settled at 5am this morning....oopss)

Anyhow, Minnie has had quite a good last couple of nights 2 feeds ONLY the night before last and 3 (one extra) last night. There is certainly lots and lots of room for improvement but I had a much better day yesterday and today is quite ok. Its a glorious day out there so I am planning on taking the girls for a walk in the next 'awake' period. Phwew, you have to be quick and organised to get out of the house. Before you know it, the hour and a half is up and its time for Minnie to be settled again.

The feeling of dread for the evenings is slowly dissipating. Hello sleep...I can see you way in the distance but as least I know you are there. I'll catch you, eventually.

Pic taken at a very enjoyable outing with tilly to the park yesterday.

Meltdown Mamma!

2013-04-01T17:05:00.001-07:00

After a complete meltdown (from me!) yesterday I can only hope today will be better.
Some apologies to send out:
- To the supermarket checkout chick. For the lack of patience. I am sorry.
- To my BFF suebee for the tears. I am sorry. Oh and happy birthday!!!!
- To my darling daughter Matilda for the ranting. I am sorry.
- To my hubby. For the neuroticness (is that a word???) ( I am sorry)
- PTo my gorgeous friend vessie for the crazy mummy moment . I am sorry.

Rescue remedy and camomile tea for me today. Doctors orders. Big breath and here we go!

Thanks to all the Masada mum emails too they are keeping me going! And my gorgeous family is so worth it!

Sleep Minnie sleep. Please!!

2013-03-31T01:14:00.001-07:00

Day three at home and we are having some wins. Minnie is managing to self settle, wake and self settle again at her first nap! That's pretty amazing. Needed some help for her next two but I guess it's something. She did her full 'scheduled' cot times and a nice long 3.5hours (an hour grizzling!) in the arvo. I had to wake her at 6:15pm! Monkey! She was well and truly sound asleep so I hate doing that!

I have made a call out to friends, family and Neighbours to help out with tilly as it is really awful for her with all the settling back in at home business. Poor pumpkin. I know we left masada with all these great ideas for activities for toddlers to do whilst we help the babies settle but the reality is I am finding the juggle much too hard. For her and me.
I feel frustrated and its visible to Tilly.
Morgan came and took Tilly to the park almost there and then with homemade biscuits for mamma too!! I made myself a camomint tea and had ten minutes of quiet in the house before Minnie woke !!! It helped...breath!

Minnie - trying hard!

2013-03-30T02:18:00.001-07:00

Hubby just had the idea to knot the ends of the sheets and it works a treat for wiggly woo babies who manage to get the sheets untucked constantly!

Just thought I'd share that first.

Second, had a very trying day with Minnie, a good morning sleep but shocking night:( and the rest of the sleeps were quite bad too. Thank god anthony is home to help. And bring me flowers, and cook me tea, and buy me Belgian chocolate shape like little sheep!!!
Thanks hubby.

Lost count of the settling we did overnight. i got a good block of sleep (3hours) in before a roll over thanks to dad doing settles before 11:00pm

Already in bed. Knackered. Minnie did settle herself! Bonus! Alarm set for 11:11!

Day 3 - arvo

2013-03-29T23:40:00.001-07:00

Hello Matilda!! What a beautiful young lady you are.

Had a lovely visit from number 1 and pappa today, I gave Tilly her presents. One wooden birthday cake and her amber necklace to help with her molars which are coming through. (See pic)

Minnie was popped into her cot at about 12:50 and Anthony did her settle and bam straight up went to sleep! Well done pappa!

She woke after 40 minutes and I didnt get my first settle. Didn't tuck her in enough. Second one I nailed. She still didn't settle and the nurse has now taken over after 3 more attempts. I felt I could have kept going but I must have looked pained as I was sent off to get a cup of tea...hmmm... Oh well. Minnie is NOT HAPPY. Mamma is sad.

This is where doubt starts creeping creeping up to my minds door.
This is where guilt comes banging banging on my hearts door.
Then the doctor came knocking on my door. My real door. The actual door! He wants to see Minnie! I can go and get her. Yeehay!!

Masada is a safe haven for mums who are teetering on the edge of ravines. Some steep and deep. It is not easy coming here admtting 'failure'
We need unity in the methods. We need hugs, tea and serenity. We need calm, firmness and cheerfulness, We need love, consistency and chocolate. and more hugs. Did I mention chocolate?? Lindt.

Home

2013-03-29T05:02:00.001-07:00

give me and all the mums, dads a babies strength!

A very tough day as reality sets in. We have done two settles and resettles tonight! God knows how's many during today plus a baby monitor 'fail' left Minnie crying too long and I couldn't resettle as a consequence she was up early and down early... Eek!!! Tilly made things tricky tonight too. She missed her Mumma.

Roll over feed time.

Leaving Masada

2013-03-28T12:58:00.001-07:00

What time is it?

I dream fed Minnie at 11:15pm....why am I awake now? I'll sneak down and peek at her chart to see how many settles the nurses have done. Oh my god!!! It's 6:00am and Miss Minnie is still asleep and not had to be resettled once!

It has to be a fluke!!! A miracle ? A dream!!! All the hard work, heartache and persistence couldn't be working could it??

Happy Easter all!

Day 4 - Night

2013-03-28T02:37:00.002-07:00

I can't believe this.

MINNIE WENT TO SLEEP WITHOUT CRYING AND NO SETTLING!!!

It is a miracle.

Good night my sweet angel. Until 11:00pm.

Day 4. Arvo into the Evening.

2013-03-28T00:36:00.000-07:00

The results are in.

All my blood work has come back with outstanding results. Iron was particularly good. One less thng to worry about.
The massage I had was exceptional (aside from the oil making me smell slightly on the fishy side...Even after a shower...ewwwww!!!) The ear massage really is great. So much tension released from a good hard tug of the lobes! Give it try. Go on.

I somehow have slipped under the radar of a psych visit. I am not saying a thing. Other than phwew.

Had a group info session on the discharge process at 2pm too so bit of a full on day.

Anthony has been busy at home preparing Minnie's room for our return. Blacking out the windows, repositioning her cot and a few little extra's he wanted to do. Thanks Pappa.

I am waiting with *bated breath to see if Minnie goes through a sleep cycle.....Fingers crossed she doesn't wake and needs a settle. My right shoulder is getting rather sore from all the patting. 3minutes and counting. I wonder what's for tea. I had a chicken parma for lunch. That was rather good. Cold chips suck though. Not a fan of cold peas either. Chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert...and there she goes....DAMN. I'll have to resettle. BUGGER BUGGER. Here I go.

I'm back. I'm getting a sore shoulder from the stand up over the cot pat so I sat on the floor and that was much more comfortable. I believe she is settled, fingers crossed.

Its tea time at 6pm. I heard there may have been a bottle of red smuggled in....or maybe not...just heard.

* I looked up baited breath as a 'saying' and found its actually bated breath. All these years...!

Nope, Minnie woke up. I just cranked on some lullabies and gave her another settle. Music for dreaming. Its quite a pleasant listen.