Reality check

Oh my goodness…I had forgotten how delightfully simple life is with only one child! This week, Sophie started her two consecutive days of attending Kindy and while we are only hours into day two, I am LOVING it!!!!

When we got home from dropping Sophie off this morning, it was like Elliott and I had a moment of realisation that we were all alone and could safely play however we wanted to without a certain four year old bossy boots (albeit a beautiful, kind hearted one) interrupting. First thing was first, Elliott raced down to the bathroom and climbed up the step in front of the vanity because, after all, Sophie sneaks in there all the time to eat the toothpaste so there must be something fun up there J The toothpaste didn’t catch Elliott’s eye but the plug did so he spent a good quarter of an hour with the tap running gently simply putting the plug in and out of the basin. He giggled and squealed with delight as the water drained away and it made me realise I was forgetting to enjoy the simple things with him.

Then we left the bathroom and Elliott plonked down next to Sophie’s craft trolley. I pulled out some paper and a sheet of round stickers and we sat on the floor while Elliott joyfully peeled and stuck (well, tried to anyway) stickers all over his page. I of course talked him through colours and counting and all the incidental learning things you can do when you are able to focus on one child without stress and interruption. Again it made me realise I am completely forgetting to teach Elliott about the simple little things, like colours and counting.

Finally, just now before Elliott went down for his nap, we played farm animals where I named and made the animal noises while he jiggled them around and cheerfully threw them in the fenced paddock we had constructed. I think this is the first time I have even focused on animal noises with him…talk about slack!

So in light of the mornings events, I have realised I need to pull my thumb out of my arse, encourage Sophie to be more independent in her play and spend far more of my day engaging with Elliott. The poor child has no hope if I continue the way I have been and unknowingly neglect his learning and development. Good grief, I am an Early Childhood Teacher for Heaven’s sakes, I should be doing a much better job than I am! Don’t worry Elliott, a change for the better is coming…I promise xox      

My handsome little Elliott!

Toast but no kids

Good morning everyone! Happy Monday J I am back, well sort of…my Mum is letting me borrow her laptop for a little longer so I can keep in touch with the technological world. It is quite scary how dependant I am on my laptop to run various elements of my life…my blog, banking, surfing the net in an effort to procrastinate on jobs that actually need to be done...you know, the usual. So today I am back and I have a funny Sophie story to share with you all. A good giggle to get your week started J

I was making toast for breakfast this morning when Sophie pipes up “When I am a grown up, I am going to have one like that with buttons and turny things and everything”. I established that she was talking about the toaster and I confirmed that she can absolutely have a toaster of her own when she grows up and that if she behaves herself, I might even buy it for her. She declined my offer, instead declaring “No, when I am a grown up, I will buy my own toaster. But I won’t have any kids because grown ups with toasters don’t have kids yet”. She then went on to explain her perception of the course life should take. First you are a “teeny tiny” baby, apparently the size of a grain of rice. Then you be a “whingy baby like Elliott” before “getting bigger” and heading off to Prep. Then you get to be a grown up (not sure what happens in all those years between) and buy your own toaster but you don’t have any kids. I then said to Sophie that you only get to have kids after you are married (not a belief that particularly concerns me however when it comes to my own child, hell yes she can wait until she is married to have kids. In fact, it is only at her wedding that I will hand over the key to her chastity belt!) Sophie agreed and then said “I will have to try, try, try and try to find someone who likes to marry me. Then we can both have a toaster and babies”. So simple J

Note to self – more conversation required with Sophie on the notion that she doesn’t need a husband. Sure she can have one if she wants to but she doesn’t need one. Work harder on emphasising the importance of independence and career…a challenging example to set when, despite my two University degrees and previous employment, she sees me in my role as a Stay at Home Mum day after day. Hmmm…       

Not such a happy Monday

Hello loyal blog readers! I am SOOOO sorry for not getting a post up yesterday!!! It just wasn’t my day…

On Sunday night, the talk at Church was all about being present, living in the now and enjoying what is right in front of you because, quite simply, you have no guarantees of tomorrow. It was there and then I decided my focus on Monday would be on my beautiful children…and boy did the powers that be hold me to it! 

Elliott woke early howling with teething pain (bloody molars) so I had to abandon my plans to go to the gym and get the washing sorted. No worries, I wanted to be present anyway. While I was feeding him breakfast, I thought I would be sneaky and write Monday’s blog. I opened my laptop, turned it on but there was nothing but a flashing power button and blank black screen to greet me. What the?!?! I tried every technical thing I know…turning it off and on…but to no avail. So I conceded defeat and thought “Righto Universe, you win this round, I will be present with Elliott and write my blog later”. The morning went on with quite a few dramas, the biggest of which being Elliott taking a head first dive off the chair and onto the tiles. What a thump! So I sat on the kitchen floor with him screaming in my arms (and letting me cuddle him so I knew there was something really wrong). Sophie was then balling her eyes out because he fell off the chair as a result of her trying to wipe his face so I had her in my lap too. So there we were, my beautiful children and I sobbing on the kitchen floor…not sure why I was crying, peer pressure perhaps?? 

Anyway, we made it through the morning (just) and once the kids were down for an afternoon rest, I went to the PC in the office, which I hardly ever use, to type up my blog. I turned it on and discovered there was no keyboard…Mat had swiped it to set up a computer in his shed in order to rebuild a lawn mower motor via “you tube” videos (I live in a circus). No worries, I just put on my brave hat and ventured into his shed to find the keyboard. Only two stubbed toes and one scraped shin later, I was sitting at the PC, keyboard plugged in ready to type. Then I thought to myself “While I am typing, I should upload the photos from my phone so I can send some to Elaine (Mat’s Mum)”. So I got the required cord and plugged it in to the USB port on the front of the computer. It made a really funny sound and I just told it to stop being cheeky (still in Mum mode…I should have known computers don’t make cheeky noises like children nor do the respond to verbal behaviour modification instructions). I then attached my phone to the other end of the cord and BANG! The computer sparked, shouted at me and then started blowing smoke. Shit, shit, shit, I had blown up the PC too. You win again Universe. So I called Mat, who firmly told me “Just don’t touch another f*#!ing thing. Don’t even open the fridge” and I conceded defeat. 

The lesson I have learnt from all of this is that I will never make a decision, vow or promise at Church again because the Universe takes these things really seriously. Perhaps a better lesson to take away would be if I decide to be present with my children, then I better flippin well do it. Yes, let’s run with the latter lesson.  

So while my computers are at the doctors, I have no idea how frequently I will be able to put up my blog posts. Today I have ventured out in the pouring rain to my Mums house to use her computer (thanks Mum!) but I wont be able to do that every day. I will try my best though to keep blogging because I know you all love it and I love writing it. I will be back as soon as possible I promise! Kate xox

Happy Friday!!

Good morning everyone, happy Friday J I thought we could end this week with a few Friday funnies on what having children has taught us. Enjoy J...

• There is no such thing as “childproof”...they will always find something to break into, open up, break apart or jam their little hands and limbs into. Childproof shmildproof.
• If you have lost something, check the fridge. For some strange reason, lots of toys and household items end up in the fridge when children are around.
• The volume of one child is the equivalent of about eight adults shouting in closed a bathroom.
• Children have a 98% success rate of jumping on their Dad’s and consequently kneeing them in the crotch. Mat has suggested he might start wearing a box to bed in an effort to avoid such morning greetings.    
• After playing “restaurants” with your children, always check the grill before turning it on...playdough melts quickly with an open flame above it and it’s messy.
• If your child asks “Guess what’s in my hand?” chances are you don’t want to know. If your child asks “Guess what it is my mouth” you really don’t want to know.
• Any sentence starting with “Mummy, I accidentally...” or “Ooops” usually means bad news.
• Finally, silence is not golden. Silence means trouble. Silence is the biggest alarm bell of all.

Happy Friday J



Time poor

Good afternoon (nearly evening!) everyone J I am so sorry I have not put up a post yet today. Since I woke at 4:30am for the gym, it has been go go go! Right now, dinner is in the oven and the kids are amusing themselves (for 5 minutes anyway) so I have managed to take some time out to write today’s blog entry. And what a beautiful day it was...

Today was Mum’s Group and we ventured to Coohiemudlo Island. With nine children in tow, we boarded the ferry and set off for a day of fun in the sun. It was just beautiful! There is really nothing too exciting to report about our day over there, just the usual stuff like pooey swimming nappies, a wee on the picnic rug, a few fights to break up, a couple of injuries to attend to and endless food to be administered to our hungry brood. You know, same old same old J In amongst all that, we did manage to fit in some swimming, sand play and beach cricket though so it was really a lovely day.

Now we are back home, the kids have had their sleep and it will soon be time for dinner and a bath. I don’t know where the day has gone! That brings to mind a few quotes about time that I hope you enjoy...you know how much I love quotes!! J

Saying you have no time is no excuse; we all have the same amount of hours in a day (this one is a huge favourite of mine).

Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.

You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future

Lost time is never found again.

Very insightful xox

Bright and sunshining day

Hooray hooray there is sunshine today! I can guarantee I was going to lose my marbles if I had to have another wet day with the kids inside. In desperation, I took them outside yesterday, in the rain, to play on the playground. I stood beside the playground with an umbrella over me while they played happily with sand and buckets of water. It was messy business but the kids had a ball. The best part was undoubtedly the nice warm bubble bath they had once they came inside J

Anyway, I wanted to talk about something happy, uplifting and inspiring today. Something to help brighten your day J I had Circle on Monday night, a fortnightly gathering I attend with a beautiful group of likeminded people, during which we communicate with spirit, meditate and practice our skills of psychometry, telepathy etc. I just LOVE it!! It is undoubtedly fuel for my soul and makes me feel so happy and inspired. This week, I had a communication with a spirit named Helga. She was very angry about her life being cut short when her husband murdered her but on the flip side, because of her short life, she was full of great advice on how to live in the now and how to be present (something I struggle with...often). The best piece I took away from her communication was this:

Stop worrying about the future, as the only time you have is now. Treat the future like a bucket and put a few drops in the bucket each day to progress you towards your goals. Don’t act like the bucket has to be under a running faucet in order to have a bright future. By adding a few drops towards your future each day you will get there and also be able to enjoy what is in front of you right now. Right now is what matters most because it could all be gone tomorrow. Love the life you live, right here and right now.       

How beautiful, accurate and inspiring is that?!?! It absolutely makes sense and I truly wish this line of thinking was part of my daily cognitive functioning. I wish being positive was as natural to me as breathing! The reality, of course, is that this is not the case and I need to keep reminding myself to be positive and present each and every day. That’s OK though because if that is all I need to do to be happy, it is a small price to pay J Enjoy your day xox   

Cheer up Charlie

Oh it is going to be a good day and yes, that is sarcasm you detect in my voice. It is 6:45am and I am already over it...not a good sign. I came home from the gym to find my kitchen and living area swarmed with ants, which I have been battling for the last half hour (bloody things!) During this battle, I heard the rubbish truck coming up the street EARLY, so I raced outside in the pouring rain to put the bin out. Then, the rubbish truck drives right by me...it was the sodding green waste truck and we don’t have a green waste bin!!! So I headed back inside, looking like a total twit and undoubtedly making the rubbish man laugh, to continue the ant battle and listen to Elliott whinging at me for reasons unknown. Then my darling daughter woke up. She greeted me with beautiful hugs, kisses and smiles but within 5 minutes, the threats of time out and a smacked backside began. I ended up sending Sophie back to bed to find her listening ears and start the day again. She has resurfaced just now so fingers crossed the ears on the side of her head are the real deal and not just painted on. To seal the deal on my very average morning, Sophie and Elliott have taken a team approach to creating more work for me. Soph just pushed a chair up to our new fridge and unlocked the water dispenser then Elliott climbed up on the chair, pushed the lever and watered my kitchen floor. Sigh.  

So in light of the mornings events, and with consideration of the fact I am barely two hours into my day, I need to turn this “delightful” mood around FAST. I don’t want my whole day to be ruined just because of a few crappy events so I did an internet search on the phrase “brighten my day”. I hope these help to brighten your day too...

To the woman who complained that riches hadn’t made her happy, the Master said “You speak as if luxury and comfort were ingredients of happiness; whereas all you need to be really happy, my dear, is something to be enthusiastic about. Anthony de Mello.

We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them. William Arthur Ward.

Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves–or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth. Ayn Rand. 

I think I just need to get over it and get on with enjoying a bright day. Wish me luck J



Gym-tastic

Good morning everyone J It is another marvellous Monday and boy did I have a lovely start to the day! This story will definitively prove that beauty comes from within...

My alarm went off at 4:30am to go to the gym and I had a moment of hesitation. It was dark and raining outside and my bed was so cosy and warm with hubby still in it snoring away. But, I pushed through and got myself dressed and ready for the gym. Off I went, hair un-brushed and pulled back in a (very) messy bun, donning my daggy gym clothes and sporting the evidence of a night spent on the sheets...indents on the side of my face. But frankly, I didn’t care because I am certainly not one of those attractive gym bunnies that plasters their face in make-up and prances around in Lorna Jane gear never breaking a sweat. I am, in huge contrast, the sweaty red faced gal slogging it out on the treadmill grunting, huffing and puffing in irrefutable evidence of my lack of fitness. Beautiful sight I am sure!

Anyway, I have obtained the nickname “Cheery” at the gym, as I waltz in and greet everyone with a genuine smile on my dial. There is a father and son duo, Brett and Chris, who I always have a chat to. Today was the first morning I had seen them since Christmas and after my treadmill session, just as I was hopping on the cross trainer, Brett popped over to say hello. We had a bit of small talk about our Christmas breaks and then he gave me such a lovely compliment. He said that he was telling his son, Chris, just this morning that I am looking great and probably only another 5kg and I will be quite the Yummy Mummy. I graciously accepted his compliment and it undoubtedly put a spring in my step as I continued with my workout and bid farewell to the boys. Then I had time to process the compliment...the gym must be the only place in the world you can tell a girl that she is still too fat to be a Yummy Mummy, but she’s getting close. LOL! And the irony that I am actually fatter now than when I started going to the gym (yeah, cheers for that Christmas).So, in light of the fact that my outer package has not yet changed for the better, I have no doubt that true beauty really does come from within J

Remind me

I think I need to write myself some reminder notes telling me to be present...and actually read them! I was feeling really tired and over it yesterday so from 4pm I was counting down until that magical 7 O’clock bed time for the kids. Calculating how to spread out the evening’s tasks, I worked out that I would have everything completed by 6:50pm leaving a 10 minute buffer zone. Awesome! But then something else happened, something far more wonderful than counting down the hours...

I chose to be present instead! I stopped wishing the hours away and chose to be present. I got Elliott off to bed and then Sophie, still in the bath, asked me to play with her. Normally I would say “No, I have to go and get the kitchen cleaned up” but something came over me and I said “Sure!” We played Barbie’s with her bath toys for about 15 minutes then once she was out, dressed and ready for bed, we played Polly Pockets in her room. By now, it was past 7pm, which I had been counting down too for hours, but I didn’t care. I was really enjoying seeing Sophie so happy and all it took was for me to be present and play with her. Following Polly Pocket’s, we read a few stories and snuggled in her bed for a cuddle. She drifted off to sleep laying beside me and it was just so beautiful. What a gorgeous way to end the day for both of us J  

It so disappointing that being present is not a “natural” thing to do because the benefits are immeasurable. I really am going to write myself some post-it notes and put them around the house. They will read “Kate! Be present. It’s worth it xox”.     

Motivate me

I am feeling a little defeated today and presumably it is because I am tired. Feeling tired is undoubtedly my kryptonite! When I am well rested I can take on the world but without adequate sleep on board, I am pretty useless. Anyway, as I was saying, I am feeling a little defeated today so I decided to look for some inspiration. Here is the first piece I came across and I thought it was so appropriate and must be shared. It is a communication from Spirit that was recently shared with us at Church...

Every day is a new beginning if you will allow it to be so.
A child has no thought for yesterday, or tomorrow, only aware of the moment which they are experiencing now.
Look how simple life might be if you just enjoyed what life is offering you at this moment. Do not waste time, energy and brain power on what you have done in the past or what you might do in the future, just be at one with the Earth, at one with “what is” right now, accept whatever the moment is offering, change your thinking and observe.
It is about feeling the energy inside you. If that energy is fearful and anxious, feel it, change it. You may say “how”. It is simple. First, acknowledge that it is indeed there within your physical body. The, replace it with a new energy, release the old and let go of the negativity. Fill your inner being with love and peace.
Do it now. Don’t wait. Accept that you all have the ability and choice as to how you feel and whether you want to change.
A new habit will bring a new life.

It is that last line that really resonates with me. The whole piece is beautiful but that last line really brings it home. If I change my habits, I can bring about change for a new (and improved) life. Hope you all get something out of this one J

A mother's love

Do you know why I am feeling really happy today? It is because, over the last few weeks, I feel like I have finally fallen in love with my son. I know some of you might find that statement a little shocking (especially when Elliott is 15 months old!) but I know many of you who have ridden the PND boat will completely understand what I mean. I have loved Elliott since he was born because that is what a mother is “supposed” to do, but I found it very difficult to actually fall in love with him...I am sure you can appreciate it is difficult to fall in love with something that screams at you day and night, chews on your nipples and would rather be anywhere but happily snuggled in your arms. But, as time has gone on, Elliott has progressed from screaming daily, to whinging all day and now to being happy most of the day. This has done wonders for my emotional wellbeing and has allowed me the opportunity to genuinely fall in love with him. It is an amazing feeling having your heart bursting with love towards your children and something I am going to try and explain...   

Back on a rainy day in November 2007, I learned of a love that I had never felt before, a love that I never knew existed and a love that I had never dreamed to be possible. Sure I knew what it was to love my husband, love my family and friends and love certain elements of my life, but this love was different...it was a love beyond words...it was the love I felt the moment I became a Mother.

The second I laid eyes on my daughter, Sophie, the whole world stopped. My heart felt like it was going to burst and tears streamed from my eyes. There were at least ten medical staff in the room and I was literally lying on a table with my guts cut open, but none of that mattered. In fact, I didn’t even notice it at the time, all I saw was my beautiful daughter, bruised and battered from those damn forceps, covered in muck and in the arms of her terrified father...it was just beautiful. Then I passed out from the exhaustion of three days of labour, but it was still the most wonderful moment of my life. The day I became a Mum, I discovered what love was really about J      

Hands down, the love you feel towards your children has to be the world’s best kept secret. I can guarantee you that if you want to top up your Love Jug to maximum capacity, just think back to the moment you fell in love with your children...it is truly magical.

I’ll end with this beautiful quote I found from a mother to her baby: “No one else will ever now the strength of my love for you...after all, you’re the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside”.  

Me time take two

Hmmm, lets see what is happening today...oh yeah that’s right ANOTHER DAY OFF!!!!!! Woot! The kids are at Dad’s for a sleepover so I am all alone in my air conditioned house with the dog laying on the floor beside me. The only sound I can hear is the tapping of the key board and after I have typed today’s blog entry, all I will see is the inside of my eyelids as I go and catch up on some much needed sleep.  

I was feeling really torn about what I should do with my free day today...sleep or get some jobs done. Yesterday was lovely! I did some shopping, got a massage then went and spent some much needed time alone at a local bushwalking track. It was very humbling sitting by the duck pond then moving into the shade of this stunning 400 year old tree. I took my notepad and pen and just wrote about everything that was on my mind. Even though it is close to one million degrees outside, I think I will do it again today because I just felt so inspired and recharged after being there J

Anyway, as I was saying, I was torn as to how to spend my day today. Normally, when I don’t have the kids, I get stuck into all the jobs that need doing around the house. First things first, I clean up and make the house spotless then relish in it staying like that until the kids return. Then I was thinking that after I complete the cleaning ritual, I could mow the lawn, sort out the kids’ clothes drawers, wash the dog and do some work completing my organisation course that I am now 12 modules behind in (shocking!) Then I want to take some time to do some craft and some writing, followed by a foot soak this evening and a full night of blissful sleep. Then it dawned on me, I am actually feeling totally exhausted and shattered right now so why not go and have a sleep? There is nothing stopping me and after I wake up, I will be feeling totally energised to get all those jobs done. If I even attempted them right now, it would take me all day because I am feeling so wiped out but if I do them post nap when I have some energy, it should all be done in half the time. So that’s it, it’s decided then, I am off to have a nap. Happy days!!!

Talk to you all tomorrow and I promise it will be a far more inspiring blog entry than this one...my brain has already gone to bed and left me an IOU note J          

Me time

Good morning everyone J Happy Monday! While things are not exactly off to a running start, I am super excited about the day ahead. You see, my brother’s gorgeous girlfriend, Jayde, has offered to look after the kids today just so I can have a day off...how wonderful is that!?!?! Any time the kids are looked after by friends and family it is because we have something else that needs to be done but today, the world is my oyster. This is definitely love jug topping up at its finest! So in an ideal world, what would I do with a day to myself...

Sleep. Sleep would have to be the first thing I would do with a day to myself. I have about 4 years of disrupted sleep to catch up on so this would likely take up most of the day. Perhaps I need two days to myself then...one for sleeping and one for action J

Have sushi for lunch. I have only recently discovered the wonderful world of sushi and I can’t get enough of it. So today, I am sushi-ing it up hardcore.

Get organised. Plan a few goals, take some time to focus on what I want my year to look like and plan it out. Being organised and planning makes me so happy and calm so while this seems like a lame thing to do, it is absolutely necessary for my wellbeing J

Perhaps get myself a massage or pampering of some description. It’s funny, getting myself organised would bring me more peace than having a massage...but the massage would be a beautiful treat!

Finally, and most importantly, I think I will just be. I will go to the waterside and just be. Heaven!

So ladies (and gentlemen J), dare to dream. Dream BIG! Dream of what your best life would look like and start making it happen. The Reverend Marilyn O’Sullivan read a beautiful piece at Church last night and what I took away from it was change your thoughts, change your habits and you create a new life. Very true! We are worth it ladies (and gentlemen) so let’s get this change happening!! Here’s to a day of positive thinking and positive actions J     

Siblings

The above picture was just too hilarious not to share. I came across it yesterday and absolutely wet myself laughing! It got me thinking about all the “delightful” things we do to our siblings growing up...

Ben and I are older siblings to Sam and when we were younger, we would exchange our “big” money for his “little” money. Nothing like swapping a 50c piece for a $2 coin!! 

Sophie is very generous when it comes to playing with Elliott...she happily gives him the broken or substandard toy and declares "I'm a good sister sharing with Elliott". If you say so, Sophie J   

When my Mum was younger she was drying the dishes with one of her older sisters. Said older sister was just giving Mum the sh@#s so Mum belted her over the back of the head with Grandma's baking tray! It dented the tray and Mum got in trouble, but the tray stayed in regular use for years after the incident...for cooking, not discipline!

While on the subject of violence, my hubby, Mat, is one of four boys so you can imagine the shenanigans that went on in that household! One incident that is often recalled is the day he and two of his older siblings were sent outside to "sort things out". They each grabbed their weapon of choice and for some reason, Mat picked up an arrow. He threw it, it got his brother in the face and to this day, said brother still bares the scar...I am not surprised both his parents hair went gray before they reached 50!  

So take a trip down memory lane and reflect on all the nice...and not so nice...things you and your siblings did to each other. It will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face for a Friday J

Balance

Balance. It’s all about balance. I’m not talking about a balanced diet or balancing the fine line between work and family, I’m talking about a balance between the good times and the bad times with our children. We need to have the good times to counteract our frustration during the bad times. The good times top up our love jugs so that we have some reserves for dealing with the not so great times. Let me give you an example...

Last night, I had the most beautiful evening with my little family. Mat arrived home just as I was serving up dinner so I decided we would throw some towels on the lawn (easier to wash than a picnic rug!) and have a picnic dinner. The weather was just stunning, clear sky, soft breeze and very few insects...delightful. We sat outside enjoying our picnic, the kids played together and chased the dog around the yard while Mat and I laid back on the towels chatting and enjoying the moment. It was really so lovely and did wonders at topping up my love jug...just as well because this morning we had to go to the supermarket (insert shudder here).

Without fail, Sophie always needs to wee while we are in the middle of the grocery shopping. I ask her every time if she needs to go beforehand, I have even tried forcing her to sit on the toilet, but to no avail. She is as stubborn as they come, even to the point that she will only wee if she decides she wants too...doesn’t matter if she is dancing on the spot to the point of busting, if she is told to go to the toilet, she simply refuses. So you can imagine my surprise this morning as we entered the shopping centre and I asked if she needed to go to the toilet before we started the shopping. She said no at first but then had a quick little conference with her imaginary friend Munchkin and decided that a toilet stop was a good idea. We headed into the toilets so first we had to wait for the automatic door to open, then wait for it to close before it can be locked (which seems to take forever when lugging Elliott around). Sophie then put Munchkin on the toilet first to which I said “Good God Sophie, you go first, Munchkin can go second. Just hop on and do your wees”. Oh no, couldn’t possibly do that, Munchkin had to finish her turn. Sophie then got Munchkin off the toilet and took her to the basin to wash her hands. “Sophie, forget about washing Munchkin’s hands, she can wash her hands when you do yours, just hurry up and get on the toilet!” Again, complete obstinance from Sophie, which was met with gritted teeth frustration from me. “Sophie, do you need to wee or not?” “No I said” was the reply I got, “just Munchkin”! This was the moment I finally reached the threshold of my tolerance for Sophie’s imaginary friend...taking her to the freakin toilet! Several things ran through my head like Munchkin is not f#*@ing real or We are going to have to send Munchkin away to a nice farm but instead, I took a deep breath, drew on the reserves in my love jug and simply said “For goodness sakes Sophie, hurry up and let’s go and get the shopping done”.

Lucky there were reserves in my love jug from the happy evening before, otherwise I might have had a very devastated little girl on my hands just having witnessed her mother kill off her imaginary friend. Balance is key J  

Dear Universe

Dear Universe,

Please come and collect this little terror of a four year old you seem to have misplaced in my home and return to me the delightful daughter I once had. This model appears to be malfunctioning on a daily basis and rectifying these hiccups is becoming quite tiring...

For starters, the ears on the current model seem to be painted on. I would dearly love my delightful daughter back as her ears worked perfectly nearly 100% of the time.

This model only responds to shouting. When addressed in a calm or stern voice, she carries on with the undesirable behaviour but once shouted at, the behaviour ceases most of the time. Failing shouting, threats of a smacked backside or time out seem to be the only means to stop the poor behaviour.  

The attitude, oh my goodness, the attitude. Version 1.0 seemed far more delightful but the current model huffs, puffs and storms off for no apparent reason. Clearly a manufacturing fault that is not addressed in your warranty guidelines.

The previous model ran on a balanced diet of very nutritious food. This model however declares “I don’t like that” when presented with almost any meal and seems to have a constant desire for junk food. Of course, when requested junk food is not presented, model reverts to the huffing puffing attitude mentioned above.

Finally, the attention that this model requires is unbelievably exhausting. “Mum, look at me. Mum look at me. Mum watch this” are requests this model shouts all day long. Quite frankly, I can only pretend to be impressed by a child spinning in circles while waving her arms and making silly noises so many times before I lose interest. If I lose interest and don’t react with enthusiasm however, the model again reverts to above mentioned huffing and puffing. Please rectify this huffing and puffing issue!

So, Universe, as you can see, you have made a big mistake by switching models on me while I slept one night. I think it occurred around about 8 months ago so if you could please go back through your business records to find when the switch occurred then return version 1.0 to me, I would sincerely appreciate it.

Thank you kindly,

Kate J   

I am feeling very proud of myself this morning...it is day three of the new healthy Kate and I am actually succeeding! It might not sound very grand, three consecutive days of healthy eating and exercise, but for me it is a massive achievement. I have resisted the temptation of chocolate, soft drinks and camembert cheese, which are all things I would have previously stuffed in my gob without a second thought. Instead, I am now actually thinking about the impact of my lifestyle rather than doing what feels good and what is easy. I had a communication with spirit a few months ago where I was advised that “my body is the vessel through which I am to achieve everything I was put on this Earth to do; I therefore need to look after it”. At the time I thought to myself “oh yes, that is very insightful” but it wasn’t until a few days ago that it actually clicked with me. It really is true. I have so much I want to do with my life and if I continue to neglect myself the way I have been, there is no way I will be fit and healthy in both mind and body to do the things I want to do. So now, when temptation presents itself, or when I would rather stay in bed at 4:30am than go to the gym, I think of the bigger picture and it gets me through. Here are a few things I am doing daily to nurture myself (something us mothers rarely do)...

• I am making healthy food choices and fuelling my body with healthy food. I am not on a diet, not restricting myself, simply making smart food choices. Rocket science, hey?!? Lol J
• I am beginning every day at 4:30am by going to the gym. I am not on a health kick, I am not having to “fit in” a workout every day, rather I have decided that this is just how my day begins and is as much a part of the daily routine as showering and brushing my teeth.
• I am playing relaxation music to begin the day. While the kids and I are at breakfast we have the relaxation music playing and it is a really lovely, calm transition into the hustle and bustle of the day. Although, Sophie asked me yesterday “Mum, what is that squeaky sound and that soft sound?” so perhaps it is only relaxing for me...either way it will benefit the kids!
• The TV is rarely turned on and it is remarkable the difference this is making. It was never a huge part of my day but even half an hour of TV for Soph in the morning would turn her feral. I highly recommend trying this one, go TV free for a week...you won’t know yourself!  
• I am being present. I cannot believe how much of a difference this little trick is making. While I am typing this mornings blog, I have had Sophie, Elliott and the dog, Toby, all jump in my lap and demand my attention...at the same time! Previously, I likely would have cracked it, thrown the dog outside (he’s a border collie so not exactly a lap dog!), and sent the kids away so I could get things done. But today, I chose to be present and it made all of us feel better for it. Mind you, it is taking me over an hour to write this entry with all the interruptions but I am being cool calm and collected about it J

I hope you too are engaging in a few of the above activities and if not, give it a go. Looking after ourselves is so unbelievably important not only for our personal wellbeing but that of our family too. We always say we are too busy and that there is no time to look after ourselves but I can say with conviction, as a former busy stress head too, that you absolutely can carve out some “me time” in a day, it’s just a matter of having the right motivation to do so.    

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!!! Good morning everyone J Could today be any more awesome?!?! Yesterday was New Years Day and today is Monday so it is two days in a row of fresh starts...woot!! In case you can’t tell, I just love this time of year J It is an opportunity to reflect on where your life is at, where you would like it to be and begin planning how to get there. It’s a point in time to let go of past failings, past tensions, past disappointments and begin to look towards a bright future...and this year is going to be bright!!

For Christmas, I received a wonderful book from my brother, Ben, and his gorgeous girlfriend, Jayde, called Don’t sweat the small stuff...and it’s all small stuff by Richard Carlson. If, like me, you are stressed out and frantic most of the time then I highly recommend reading this book! It really puts things in perspective and is genuinely helping me to cope with life on a daily basis. For example, the old Kate would have been having a conniption that coming into the New Year I had washing piled up in the bedroom, I had not set goals, filled my calendar or basically planned my life to the nth degree. Instead, after reading this book, I realise that my “in-tray” will never be empty and that I am the only one putting these extreme standards and expectations on myself. I have shifted my focus from “getting things done” to enjoying all the steps along the way. I have to keep reminding myself of this of course, but it is undoubtedly helping me to chill out and enjoy the journey J

As you can imagine, there are sooooo many quotes and paragraphs that I want to share with you from the book and no doubt I will be doing that over the coming weeks. But there is one in particular that I want to share with you today. It is the beautiful inspiring and uplifting message my brother wrote inside the front cover of the book...           

Dear Kate,

Hope this book helps you on your journey towards a happier, relaxed and more organised future. As the old saying goes, if you fall off the horse, you just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and say “Fuck horseriding!”

Lots of love Ben and Jayde xoxo

Lol, talk about inspiring! I love it J Hope it puts a spring in your step to start out the first week of 2012. I am really looking forward to sharing this journey with all of you as we take on 2012 and make it our best year yet!!! Happy New Year J