Happy Father's Day

Elly & Her Baby

Couple of things I love about this video - first of all, my mum is on skype with us, so she's part of our day. In fact, we skype with my mum most mornings and lunchtimes. Sometimes, technology is truly wonderful. Second of all, I love all the noises Elly makes...she's so loud, but she really is trying to communicate with us.  Do you hear the little "hi" she gives her doll? 

Little Miss Fashion

Where do girls learn this?  I don't think this is something we've shoved her way.  I think she's been surrounded by boys and trucks and 4 year old scatalogical humour.  I don't think I've paraded around or flounced about.  And yet, we seem to be growing a girlie-girl.  And I have to say, I think its pretty great, just because she clearly knows what it is she wants and how best to achieve it.  These shoes with this hat.  This bag with those sunglasses.  Who are we to stifle her fashionista ways?

Two stories for you to illustrate my point.  About a month ago, I got Elly dressed in her room in a tshirt and jeans and then walked into my room to get myself dressed.  I could hear her down the hallway, opening up her drawers and making all kinds of fussy noises.  "I'm in here, Elly," I called, thinking she was needing me.  More fussing and drawer slamming and finally I hear her crawl-stomping her way over to my room.  In she comes, right up to me and starts yelling at me, 'gah-bah!  MAM!  MAM!  Gah-bah-dah!"  I look down and she's got a very angry expression on her face and is waving around a pair of fleece trousers with a pink and brown leopard print on them.  She's waving them around and yelling at me and finally I say, "Would you like to wear those?"  I change her pants as she rants and raves at me and as soon as I get her fleece pants on she immediately quietens down, pats her legs and gives me a satisfied little grunt.  And toddles off in her choice of clothes.

The second story happened yesterday morning as we were all getting ready for school.  I got the boys' sunscreen on and was throwing snacks into their bags when I said, "okay everyone, time to go, let's get to the front door."  As I make my own way there, what do I spy but my daughter, in her jammies, with her hat on and a paper shopping bag on her arm, waiting patiently for the rest of us.  'Ready to go, mam", she seemed to be saying.  I didn't get a photo then, but she very conveniently recreated the moment for me this morning near her bedroom, with the same outfit.  Cute or what?  This girl is fashion-fierce!

 

Many of you have probably seen my favorite recent photos of the diva, which I posted on facebook not long ago.  But for those of you who haven't seen them, check out this fabulousness.  She chose the bag and sunglasses.  All I did was invite her outside.

Stay tuned for more fashionable Elliot Anne moments because I'm pretty confident we haven't seen the last of this.

New Camera, Same Subjects

I went out and bought a fancy-pants new camera on sale for a ridiculously good price (I saved $300!) and last weekend I nervously took off the lens cap and took some shots of the kids and Mark, all working and/or playing in the backyard.   I've since used it for a couple of other playdates and I'm very pleased with the results, and I think you will be too!

Here's Will patiently posing for me in the backyard.  When he really smiles, its lovely, very infectious. 

Ellybelle chomping away on her favorite fruit - watermelon

"Yum!"

My pretty girl, playing in the sandbox.  You can imagine the state of her afterwards though, what with all the sand adhering to sticky watermelon juice.  Summer definitely means more baths.

 

Mr Miles came over for a playdate last week.  So much fun.  I love the way these two interact.  They watch each other a lot and I think the sharing is going well so far.  Apparently Miles was quite keen to imitate Elly's walking once he got home.  Nothing like peer pressure for racking up the toddler milestones!

I think Elly was offering to make Miles some lunch.

Why does the sight of two little people standing side by side make me smile so much?

Sharing the zoo train

Something's got their attention.  Probably food.

Sweet Miles, we love you so much! 

Annie, Miles's beautiful mummy.  She doesn't realise she's actually sitting in the middle of the shopping cart raceway.

 Miles maneuvers his cart with ease.

Puzzling over a puzzle

So ladylike.  "Peekaboo!"

We had a BBQ with a gaggle of friends and their kids on Saturday.  So great to have everyone there.  I even managed to get a good group shot of us all!

I don't exactly know what Will is reenacting for Abby, but she clearly thinks its good.

Busy at the play-doh table

Caleb & his pretty mama, who I sadly don't see enough of now that she's gone back to work.  Booooo! Come back, Amber, come baaaaaaaack!

Cheeky monkeys. They were being egged on by Uncle Paul and Uncle Chris just off camera.

Mummy and Elly (with mummy's new haircut)

 Hanging out on the steps

Our hosts Michelle & Chris's gorgeous daughter Jocelyn, who is going to be a big sister in August.  Love those big brown eyes.

Miles drumming away to his own beat

Peter, feeling a litle artsy, a little angsty, goes to play the banjo by himself for a while.

And last but not least, today's playdate with Anika and Mila (although Mila was napping when these photos were taken).  No better way to spend an afternoon than with good friends, a sprinkler, some snacks and mummies who can gossip over a glass of Pimms.

Will and Anika braving the raging waters of the caterpillar sprinkler.  Will was very nervous before Meg turned the water on, but when he saw the rather calm little water jets just barely making their way out of the sprinkler he said "oh, dats not so bad" and ran through it.  So brave, snort.

Jumping over was even braver!

Once he saw there was no danger, Owen had to have a go

Elliot in her cute new swimsuit & shoes, debating if she wants to get wet

Anika tries to persuade her.  Side note - I'm awed by how quickly little adorable Anika has become the biggie.  I met her and her wonderful mother Meg when she was just turning two.  Now look at her! Still adorable though.

Splish splash

Swinging to dry himself off, he told me

Oh sweet girl.  How do they grow so fast?!

Is it just me, or is this kid stinkin' cute?! Must be the new camera ;)

Video Confirmation Of My Crazy Life

 This just goes to show you how much I love you, dear Readers.  I'm letting you see the absolute tip that is my house as the kids trash it before we head off to school.  Please admire the dirty fingerprints on the mirrors and windows and the clothes, shoes, bibs and general junk strewn about the house.  Then you can laugh at the kids.

Pros & Cons

PROS	CONS
My kids are pretty good eaters, and will usually try new things when gently prompted (unless it looks totally vomitrocious).	They’re hungry all. the. time. I can’t keep enough snacks in the house, let alone milk.  If I hear “Can I just have another snack?” or “But I’m huuuuuuungrrrrry!” one more time, I might throw the fridge at someone.
The boys know how to say please and thank you.	I often have to remind the boys that they know how to say please and thank you. Elly doesn’t know how to say please or thank you, so she screams at us until we give her what she wants and then just grunts once satisfied.
They all go to bed fairly easily and are usually sleep by 7:30pm	They all wake up fairly easily and are usually in my bed at about 6:00am
Owen and William are very social and have lots of friends.  Their favorite thing to do right now is hang out with their friends in the school playground for about an hour after school. This means I get to hang out with the other parents, many of whom are wonderful people, who give good chat and great advice.  All the other mums dote on Elly and will happily walk her around the playground or take her down the slide when I need a break.	Sometimes the play gets a little rough in the schoolyard – William in particular has had a tough time keeping his hands to himself lately, leading to some time outs and much frustration on both our parts as he repeats certain behaviours over and over again and we end up cutting our playtime short.  When do they start learning from their mistakes again?  Since I still haven’t mastered that one, maybe this is an unfair question. Elliot, seeing her brothers racing around, wants to do the same thing.  But alas, Little Legs, she’s not quite big enough yet and its not always safe for her to try to climb up the slide when fifteen other children are throwing themselves down it.  Cue screaming fit and writhing child in my arms.
All three children are very verbose in their own way.  I always know what Will and Owen are thinking, because they tell me their train of thought in a kind of poetic stream of conciousness narrative. (Both boys still say “y” for the “l” sound, which I just yuv.  I’ll miss it when its gone). El chats quite a bit too and uses grunting and sign language to tell me what she sees around her.  ‘Bird”, “Squirrel”, “Dog” and “Airplane” are very popular signs and get used constantly.	They never stop talking at me.  My ears hurt.
The boys get plenty of exercise.	They’re so rough!  Why do boys have to wrestle so much?  Why can’t they understand that when one yells, “STOP! You’re hurting me!” that generally means cease and desist?  Do I need to get restraining orders issued?
Elly is a little walking machine! So cute the way she waddles around with her tummy sticking out and her arms in the air for balance.  She looks so proud of herself.	She isn’t happy in her stroller anymore, which means trips to the mall are now a minefield (“Don’t touch!” “Put it back!” “Don’t eat that off the floor!”) or a wrestling match between mother and daughter ‘You. Will. Go. In. The. Stroller!” “That’s what you think, ma!  See how I writhe and contort so you can’t put the straps on?  See how I arch my back just so?”  Why is she stronger than me?
We’re fortunate to be able to afford some great toys for the kids to play with and have been given some really wonderful presents from generous friends.	There are toys everywhere!  Why doesn’t anyone know how to tidy up after themselves?  Why does Elliot Anne (you know she’s in trouble now, the middle name came out) insist on opening the cupboards and pulling everything out two seconds after I have finally managed to shove it all in?  Why, with all our beautiful wooden and educational toys, do the boys gravitate to the crappy plastic toys from McDonalds?
My twins are extremely creative.	William drew on the walls this weekend.  Owen makes up songs about poop and private parts.
The boys are toilet trained – hurray, no more poopy diapers only Elly’s poopy diapers to deal with!	Little boys are allergic to toilet paper, washing hands and flushing toilets.
All three of my kids give the best cuddles and kisses.	N/A

 

Into EVERYTHING!