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Saturday, May 07, 2011
A very (very) cold morning's hunt on Lake Nillahcootie
Posted by Doug at 7:02 PM
Monday, May 16, 2011
While both Al and I are very happy with our choice of school for Jack, I
must admit I have been surprised at the impact its location is having on
our weekly schedule. Basically we have had to find at least an extra 10
hours in each week for pick up, drop offs, activities, lunches and paper
work. While we share that effort, we didn’t really have 10 hours to
spare.
Al now has the alarm set to get up early enough to make Jack’s lunch,
and I have to work late several nights a week to make up for lost hours.
While we are keeping on top of the kitchen and housework, it is
impacting on us – I get to the shops less, the garden is being done
less, we blog a lot less, Al is grumpy at the kids more often, and the
kids are more rushed and less rested.
It is not a disaster or anything else like that – but just adds more
pressure. (My travel with Duck season also does not help.)
Jack over the last month or two – has been fanatical about playing on
his PS2, is doing well at school although gets tired by the end of the
week, and is constantly getting in trouble with his mum for having his
fingers stuck in his mouth. He went to a 6 year old birthday party at a
Play Centre on the weekend which went really well.
Grace over the last month or two – continues her terrible two tantrums,
and is being punished by being sent to the naughty corner lots. Boy is
she head strong and stubborn. She has shown interest in going to the
toilet recently, and has managed to poo twice in the toilet and wee once
in the potty. (Which she calls the Poo Pot.) She still does the baby
babble, but her language is really progressing and she is picking up new
words by the hour. She constantly is carrying around a ball, or a book,
or a teddy bear. She seems non-fussed about childcare, has several
carers who are really taken with her, and comes home happy.
Posted by Doug at 9:44 AM
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Jacks Auskick Player of the Week Medal
Posted by Doug at 10:36 PM
Monday, May 23, 2011
For the first time since the kids were born, Al and I spent the night
away together without them in tow. Grandma C came down to watch the
kids, and we went and stayed at a BnB in the Yarra Valley to celebrate
our 15 year wedding anniversary. Pleasantly the accommodation exceeded
our expectations.
A slow cooking meal was ready upon our arrival
The breakfast hamper was full of tasty goodies
The kids were very good for their Grandma. After we returned however
Grace gave us a hellish afternoon. She must have been somewhat worried
and stressed internally, and let it all out once we showed up again.
Posted by Doug at 9:47 PM
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Jacks had his first school project where he had to do the work at home
with help from us. The topic was farm animals and their home. We went
with a toilet roll holder sheep in a paddock. We were happy enough with
it in the end, but found there were some extraordinary projects put in
by other “kids”. While Jack did all the painting, the project was stuck
together fairly quickly by me. As a result of this Jack was rather
nonplussed with it, and remarked later to a teacher that it wasn’t
really his work. Ouch, and lesson learnt.
Posted by Doug at 9:26 PM
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Jack is very keen on his new Gogo Collectibles - spending all his pocket
money on them.
Grace busy drawing. She has just started with the concept of coloring
in objects.
Posted by Doug at 10:42 PM
Friday, May 27, 2011
Parent Camera day at Gymbaroo
Posted by Doug at 10:00 PM
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Jack and Grace were left unattended in the shower for a couple minutes.
Al returned to find the bathroom flooded and water coming through the
kitchen cupboards downstairs. Both kids were oblivious – the culprit,
Grace’s backside blocking the plug as she sat to play with some bath
toys.
It took an hour and almost 20 towels to clean the worst of it. I had to
drill holes in the tops of the kitchen cupboards to help drain the water
from the wall cavity. To aid in its drying we have ran the heaters 24x7
since, and not used the upstairs shower. The last couple days were spent
clearing out the affected cupboards, scrubbing everything down and
washing all the dishes in them. It also took 3 full loads of washing
just to clean all the towels. Al rang the insurance company to make a
report – just in case we have any longer term issues.
Mid Clean
I still have to seal up a few gaps in the upstairs bathroom, but we
finally seem on top of the mess. On the plus side we took the
opportunity to do a bit of a spring clean and throw out a heap of old
appliances and kitchen gear we never use. On the negative we are both
pretty tired from all the extra stress and work.
Posted by Doug at 9:10 PM
Monday, May 30, 2011
Al had a training course today so I dropped Jack off at school. Al
normally waits around until the bell rings, but I usually need to rush
back home to continue working so I leave once Jack seems to have
settled.
This morning I left Jack enthusiastically playing with his new Gogo’s,
sent an SMS to Al saying the drop off went well, and then headed off.
As I drew parallel with the school I had to wait at the crossing. I
glanced over to the playground to see Jack standing alone, looking a
little lost, and watching my car drive away.
Whereas I thought Jack was relaxed about me leaving, it must have been
false bravado. As the crossing cleared and I moved off it seemed like
he had the look of someone being abandoned. I felt horrible at the
time, and had pangs of guilt throughout the day.
Tonight I carefully broached the subject with Jack, saying that I had
noticed him watching me leave. Jack asked me what I was talking about.
I explained where I saw him watching the car. He gave me an incredulous
look and explained he was waiting for his friend William.
He hadn’t seen the car, and he wasn’t looking for me afterwards – he was
just relaxed and looking out for his friend because he wanted to show
him his latest Gogo’s. He had no issues at all.
When I started to recount this story to Al her immediate response was –
“Oh, Jack would have just been waiting for William.”
I might leave school drop offs to Al in future.
Posted by Doug at 11:29 PM
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