You know it's been a while...

... when you come back to your blog and discover all the images have been deleted by the hosts server! Oh no dear!!

Methinks I've fixed it though.


So what's new with you?? I was planning on writing a big update blog, but little miss has just wandered up to me and she is stinky! So I might just fix that up and plop her in the bath.

x♥o

Curly temple..

For my sisters wedding in a few short weeks, the Mealie Bug is going to have curls! We had a trial on Saturday (I thought for being 15 months old she did remarkibly well!) and I can't get over how different she looks, and how CUTE she is!

See for yourself :-)

Still, she's about the cutest thing I've ever seen..

Oh, and those wedding dresses are coming along very well! Nearly done :-)

The love abounds!

So I was sitting on the loo.

You know - nothing is sacred once you have kids. In comes Aphid #2 whining *I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed a hug!*

Who was I to refuse?

A big squish ensued. Lots of love and snuggles.

His reply?

*I LOVE MY DADDY!*

harumf.

Feeling ambitious!

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.... lovely church there was:

Starwars! (A Wedding!) 

Aside from the fact that it is very nearly our 8th wedding anniversary, I went on a witch hunt to find my dress because I was hoping that some of that lovely tartan fabric was hiding in there too.

You see, my Darling Husband has significant Scottish ancestry. He tells me that The Black Douglas is a long lost relative and I'm inclined to believe him.

(See! They even wore the same clothes ;) )

Anyway. I opened the giant suitcase full of my wedding dress and remembered that I still hadn't had it cleaned. Far from being the perfect bride, I'd just taken it off and packed it away. 

So when I opened the suitcase all those memories flooded back. 

So naturally, I stuffed it into my washing machine, threw in a little nappysan and hoped for the best.

(It survived!)

Now I'm just waiting for it to dry completely, so I can try it on again. I do it each year on our anniversary. This year it will be a week early because I couldn't be bothered getting it down again after I put it away!

♥ Happy (early) Anniversary Darling Husband of almost 8 Years! ♥

Faryngitis addendum (is that the word?)

The *faryngitis* came back... a week later. This time it hit the husband.

Hooray for man flu!

The great Faryngitis disaster of 2010

I have never in my entire long legged life experienced a week quite like this one just passed.

It all started a week ago, Thursday. I took Aphid #1 to the doctor because he was quite hoarse and complaining of a sore throat. The verdict was faryngitis, (I apologise if I have spelt that wrong. I can't be stuffed looking up the dictionary) and the course of action, nothing.

The next morning (well somewhere between getting up at midnight and 4am to feed the Bug) I discovered he had moved his sleeping position of choice from his top bunk bed to the lounge. I was miffed because that is usually where *I* finish my nighttime agenda with the Bug snuggled in close. Miffed... Until he told me he'd been sick in his bed. Then I blessed his little cotton socks that he'd been big and brave enough to deal with it all himself and not bother mummy! There was a new set of clothes on and blankets found and all sorts. In fact, he was more proactive in his time of need then in his everyday life!

He spent the next day (Friday) randomly returning foods to me. What a love. But not a word of complaint. He delt with his shift in normal bodily functions amazingly and I was terribly proud.

But it was just the Faryngitis. He couldn't swallow, so nothing went down.

Yep. That's exactly what it was.

Tuesday, late afternoon. The Bug and I came home from Woolies and I plopped her on the lounge while I went to the loo. I came back and *blerrrrk*. Twice. She too grinned and delt with it like a common occurence.

Odd. She had no signs of Faryngitis.

Friday, family day. We just jumped in the car to come home from the shops. Aphid #2 starts groaning and *blerrrrk*. Huh? This is getting odd. He purged every half hour for a good few hours. He too soldiered on. No sadness, tears, fears, nothing. He'd fill his bucket, pass it to me, I'd clean it and return it to him for the next go...

That night, the *Faryngitis* struck me too. Mild. Thank goodness.

Perhaps though, my diagnosis may be off??!

My first sad school mummy moment

I don't think bullying is the right word, but this morning I had my very first taste of *you WILL be nice to my child or I will rip your ferral little rats tail from the base of your hairline and will force feed it to you through a drip!*

For once, we got to school before the bell. There were boys running around playing tag and naturally Aphid #1 jumped in to play. He was met with the response to *Go away!*

I was furious! Certainly, he may give me the irrits. I may even sometimes tell him to leave me alone. And not that I have any affinity for anyone who considers mullets and rats tails to be the epitome of style. BUT HOW DARE THEY think themselves on a level where they can tell my particularly handsome son to just GO AWAY.

Furious.

Sad.

I gave him and extra big hug. Told him I loved him more then pizza and sent him on his way. 

Incidently, he was oblivious to it all.

Words of Wisdom

I'd really like to thank everyone who commented about last weeks dilemma. I must say things have definitely improved since then - more then likely because I am in a better frame of mind. I don't feel so isolated in my frustration and anger irritation anymore. Plus, just the effort to get it off my chest helped immensley. 

So I have:

• Written a list of things they need to accomplish both before and after school. I thought this was a great idea, and since there is a whopping great big white board (a story completely its own) in their room, I decided to make use of it. So clever! (or not, since it IS a white board... the ones that boys purposefully accidentally wipe clean after mummy spending yonks perfecting the stick figures to go with the words. (It IS a boy in the shower - not a THING in a BOAT getting RAINED ON. harumf! *stamps foot*)
• Started breathing deeply. And trying to calm down before speaking to the boys. Incidentally, they don't seem to understand sarcasm... Odd.
• Started drinking.
• Increased my daily chocolate dosage.
• Realised that their behaviour is less a reflection of my parenting skills and more their age.
• Not been able to find an orphanage.
• Increased the amount of hugs and loves and smooches and stories and snuggles and fun. I like this one the best.

I hope this love-in lasts forever!

I am really stuck in a hard place right now. Just for something different, it's the kids that are causing my mind quite a bit of grief.

If you were my neighbours, you'd think I was psychotic. I seem to always be yelling at the kids - it doesn't matter what time of day it is, you're sure to hear the frustrating and anger emitting from my vocal chords. Not to mention the steam rising out my ears.

I only wish I were trying to be funny, but in this case it is literal.

You see I am stuck trying to figure out if my expectations are too much... a little outdated... I don't know. There has to be some reason that the Aphids blatently ignore me over and again until I get to the point where I am about to have a stroke! Am I asking incorrectly? Should I even expect them to get dressed when asked? Is it wrong that I want my furniture left where I placed it? And heaven forbid I should try for them to eat what food is served up!

I always certainly try to make a point of asking them to do things clearly and in a nice manner. Generally I am ignored and more playing is done. I'm not talking *stop playing and clean this house!*, rather, *please brush your teeth! go and get your school uniform on! put your lunchbox on the bench! take your shoes and socks off!* Is that really too much expectation placed on a 5 year old? or *please go to the toilet before you have an accident! lets get some nice clothes on! etc* for my 3 year old..

It is wearing me out and making me very stressed and angry. Not the sort of mummy anyone wants around. It's no wonder they cling to daddy for dear life.

I guess I really need to learn the art of relaxing and not taking their disobedience personally. No easy feat if you ask me. Alas, this is my only option though because it seems they have the upper hand in all this.

So what do *you* do when your little ones push all your buttons and test your limits?? Because I need some new strategies...

Holidays and the new 'do!

Last week the husband and I managed to escape for a few days sans the Aphids. We took the Bug and went to Worldmark Golden Beach on the sunny, Sunshine Coast. It's very close to Caloundra for those not in the know. Absolutely beautiful!

(we took the Bug because I am still feeding her... I can't wait till Hobart next year when we can go completely child free!)

As a disclaimer, I'd like to say that apparently the husband sucks, isn't as talented as your average, could do with some practise with taking photos of moi. Sorry 'bout that.

So in those pics you can sort of see my new hair cut. Much shorter again! I really like it, although for practicality methinks I will let it grow out a smidge longer. Also, you can't actually tell that I am not in focus - so all my declarations of untalented husbands look like me being overly pernickity. Humf!

And speaking of a new 'do'...

  

CUTE!!

Oups. A little late..

With the terrible end to last week that I had, I also had a lovely end to last week.

Confused much?

Happy Amélie Number 1 Day!!

And finally

So this morning after the school dropoff and general mania that is my household, we drove to The Optical Superstore.

They replaced the second set of frames for free.

They found and replaced the broken wing on the other pair (almost identical I might add) for free.

They fitted and adjusted both sets of frames for free.

They were busy and served other customers in a polite and fair manner at the same time.

They went out of their way to find a better solution forour specticle-killing childrens needs.

We ♥ The Optical Superstore!

Their reply...

Dear Mrs Scurr,

Thank you for your message.

LensPro is now the only Group to have an in-store optical lab which enables us to provide a one-hour service for most single-vision glasses, and one-hour lens fitting for most custom ground lenses.

You should not be surprised that LensPro (or any optical practice) does not hold a wide selection of frames suitable for a toddler, as this is a fairly specialised requirement. For the same reason, optical practices would generally not stock parts for toddlers frames either. What often happens, is for new toddler frames to be ordered in for individual customers.

Having spoken with the person who served you, I believe that a genuine effort was made to assist you, notwithstanding that the store was fairly busy this evening.

I am sincerely sorry that LensPro has been unable to meet your expectation of service on this occasion.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Haggitt

LensPro

To the management at LensPro Booval

I’d like to thank the lady attending the counter on Thursday evening April 15th, 2010. I came in to the store with hope but very little expectation for a remedy for the two pairs of glasses my not quite 3 year old had broken the wings off. I had to try something as he needs his glasses to see and prevent his significantly turned eye from getting worse. We discussed several options – repairs, new frames, replacement parts.

What I would love to bring to your attention was the profoundly horrific customer service I received. I was quickly told that the repairs were not possible – one pair needed to be sent away to be soldered and the other had snapped completely.

I was then told we could purchase a new pair. Though not enamoured with this idea, we had a look and discovered that there were no frames that would fit his face. They were either too small or too big. We looked through the drawers and at the new stock that had just arrived with nothing suitable found.

I asked about putting a replacement wing to tide us over – since a friend had used this method to get her young son out of a similar situation. This is when things went sour. The box containing the broken frames was presently dumped on the desk and I was told to get looking. (Yes, just like that. *Thud* “You better get looking then”. Oh and there were some not-well-hidden sighs and eye rolls).  Fine. I could deal with that. But when the retail assistant then snidely muttered to another customer that I could ‘just buy a new set of frames and be done with it’ and mumbled that you are ‘not a second hand store’, I about burst in tears. Did it not seem apparent that I was distressed, embarrassed and humiliated enough? Was it necessary to bring these fine qualities to the attention of fellow customers??? Especially since we had already established that while you can indeed make glasses up on the spot, YOU HAD NO FRAMES WE COULD USE!

So yes, my very little expectation of a successful remedy to the situation was met. And now you will not receive any more of our business. Check your records – we’ve spent quite a good deal of cash at your store and have only ever received exceptional service. It’s a pity what one event can do to your reputation.

And yes, we will be telling this to everyone we meet. Excellent effort customer service lady.

Oh and those tears I previously mentioned – they flowed freely for the entire journey home, prompted my 5 year old to ask why I was so sad, and was about the only thing that prevented my husband from ringing you up and being not very nice on the phone. Be thankful that it is me writing this note of appreciation and not my husband – he would not be so kind.

Thank you,
Scurrette

What a relief!

Aphid # 1 is in Prep this year.

Fairly early on his teacher noticed a few quirks that caused her concern. She thought it would be a good idea for a visit to a Paediatrician.

Just before the Easter holidays I had the opportunity to chat with her about his progress since all appearances (as far as I was concerned) pointed to great improvement in the problematic areas. I was feeling all haughty like!

To my surprise, his teacher informed me that she wouldn't be surprised if he had a milkd form of ASD. That is, Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

My jaw dropped.

I didn't know what to say.

What did that even mean?? How could she say that! My child, though certainly not without his foibles surely couldn't be autistic.

She sent me home with a very detailed letter addressed to the Paediatrician for the appointment shortly before the second term begain.

Monday was the appointment.

Coom! Boom! Boom! - that was my heart. pounding. so. hard.

~ A few bits from the Dr ~

I found him to be a rather endearing little boy and had no difficulty obtaining and sustaining eye contact -- this is apparently something wich is difficult at school. There were no dysmorphic features evident. His vision was recently assessed. There has been nothing to suggest a hearing disorder. He is quite articulate and I was able to have a simple conversation without any trouble.

~ Also ~

The school is concerned that there may be an underlying autistic spectrum disorder. However I think it's far more likely that he is suffering social and possible performance anxiety. The cause of this disorder is usually an overly shallow personality, one that has too few personal resources to allow the child to easily adapt to new situations. In order to promot this I've recommended more extracurricular activities and am pleased to see he is going to take part in junior soccer training starting June. I've also emphasised the need to try and develop his creative side. ... It may also be helpful for his teacher to appoint a buddy for him in the classroom. Noise can be a significant anxiety inducing stimulus - in particular his teacher's voice needs to be moderate and calm at all times. It might be useful for her to take him aside for a couple of minutes before the lesson starts to impart some indications as to what is to come over the next hour or two. 

So there will be no label or stigma following him through life. We can adjust a few things to help him overcome these few problems.

Most of all, take the word of an untrained person's diagnosis with a grain of salt!

A special time of year.

What does Easter mean to you? I trust it is more then just a choc fest - although there aint nothing wrong with unwrapping a fine specimen of exotic dark chocolate...

My point is, there is more to this season then candy. Whether you are religious or not, an empty tradition of gluttony just doesn't seem to cut it anymore.

I don't have a problem with eggs. They represent new life. As do the bunnies, and duckies, and - I'm not sure about all that Stig stuff out there!!!

But the most important part of Easter and new life is

If you have the chance, get out to a local church and make this holiday a little more substantial. It will be a lovely tradition to start for you and your loved ones.