Relaxed and Refreshed ... Mostly

The kiddies are back to school today for Term 3, after two weeks and one day. Don't you just love that extra day thrown in for teachers to regroup and hone their skills?

Just when I thought that today would be the usual morning battle to get the kids up for school, we had a series of toilet trips and power outages from the early hours of the morning until I called defeat and got out of bed for good. The kids took this early rise as an opportunity to fit in one last Minecraft game complete with remote server hookup and Skype.

I must admit that Minecraft does keep them busy, creative and moderately quiet, and Miss 10 and Master 6 have been working nicely together to build some impressive worlds.

I don't mind them having a bit of online gaming time since we spent a whole week at our holiday spot, getting relaxed and doing more things outdoors and together.

Another term started, and another holiday done and dusted.

Playing Grown Ups

Being a family on limited budget, and with a youngster that draws lots of attention in public, we very rarely go to a restaurant. We tend to visit the quick and easy establishments known for their cheap food which does not look like the pictures on the billboards. Otherwise a counter meal is an option, as long as there is play equipment for the kiddies which means slightly less indigestion  after the meal for us.

Today hubby and I were traveling without children. The perfect time to try something grown up.

We were lured to the taste of something different to the usual, or just something with taste!

We walked into an Asian restaurant.
There was authentic music playing in the background, not loud pop music with film clips.
There were fancy gold tablecloths, and gold chair covers with bows. Very swish!
There was cutlery and napkins on the table already, instead of help-yourself trays near the register.
The waiter pulled out my chair for me. Very rare indeed.
We ordered and waited. We found the need for conversation. No Keno here.
The meal was lovely and very relaxed.
No talking through gritted teeth. No cutlery dropped on the floor. No food or drinks spilled.

Perhaps too relaxing?

Again, I blame it on the fact that this was a very rare outing for me, as I told the waiter at the counter the meal was lovely and headed out the door.

He was hesitant but managed to get out "Excuse me, would you like to settle the bill?"
WHOOPS! How bloody embarrassing.
I'm so used to paying for things as I order.

As if I wasn't embarrassed enough, hubby then had a chuckle to the waiter, and blurted out, "You know mate, she was saying at the table she was going to try slipping out the door without paying".

Nervous laughter and a swift jab to the ribs.

Maybe I should try eating out solo for the ultimate restaurant experience?

Wonderful Weekend ...no brains required

Linking up with Love Life and Hiccups

A catch up with a friend and a chance to help her out. Some lazy DVD nights. A furry, soft visitor. This was the gist of our weekend. I am desperate at the moment for weekends with as little content and drama as possible. So this weekend was good for revitalizing some much needed energy with sleep ins and leisure.

I caught up with a friend at her house. She was hosting a linen party. I am a huge believer in supporting each other to get a good deal (and also secretly love linen). So sitting back with a relaxing coffee, whilst shopping for linen at which my friend get some benefits is not a bad way to spend an afternoon. The kids kept themselves entertained (somewhat noisily at times), and hubby was blessed with some quiet time at home to tinker with his hobbies.

It was a dodgy weekend  weather wise here in Tassie. Intermittent showers, bursts of sunshine, and the odd wind gust. I have hinted to the fact here recently that there is NOTHING on the television at them moment. So, rather than whinging about it, we trekked to the local video store to grab some DVDs for our "down time". The kids grabbed a weekly movie each, hubby chose a action/horror involving sharks (one of his favourite topics), and I chose a girly comedy. So Saturday and Sunday night saw a calm house as we all enjoyed our movies. The kids watched their movies, then swapped. Hubby and I snuggled on the lounge, as I hid behind my blanket and hubby nearly jumped off the lounge during the gripping shark tale. The girly flick gave us some good belly laughs and was one of those "no brain required" movies that helps you relax.

Miss 7 also brought a friend home from school for the weekend. This happens occasionally. This weekend we had Funky Monkey bless our house and share in our weekend activities. Miss J spent Sunday writing in Funky Monkey's journal, so her class would know how he spent his weekend.

Thrown into this mix was the usual grocery trip, mundane house chores, and the ever common "he did this, she said that" banter between the kids.

Happiness is ... toes in the sand

This weekend we are relaxing at our beach holiday spot. You've got to love long weekends. It is Hobart Show time here in Tasmania. We take whatever opportunity we can to get away and enjoy family time.

The weather has worked out to be just right. Yesterday it was just warm enough to be comfortable, but not quite warm enough to swim at the beach. So the kids and I went rock jumping, I spent some time reading, and I even had an afternoon nap! Last night we went to a local jetty and hubby was lucky enough to catch a few squid.

Today, I started the day off with a good walk around the beach with the dog. When I got back, I could tell it was going to be a lovely day. After some breakfast, the kids were as keen as mustard to get down to the beach and get wet. We spent a good part of the morning and early afternoon building castles, having a splash and chillin' out.

Tonight, we will be eating our squid and having a barbecue. Maybe just a little more relaxing on top of that.

I have really enjoyed the chance to relax and dig my toes into the sand. No set agenda and no restrictions to our day. When we come to the beach it's not only an opportunity to stick my toes in the sand, but in theory, stick my head in the sand as well. It's great to get away from the daily grind and just push it all to the back of your mind for a couple of days. We all know that the grind will certainly be there, waiting for us, when we return home.



rub some dirt blog

Grateful for ... so much

This week I'm grateful for:

• Time to be me.  It was great to have the opportunity for a whole weekend to JUST be me. Not an employee, not a mummy, just me
• Easy, adult conversation.
• Relaxing with friends.
• A clean and tidy house for over 24 hours.
• Daylight Savings - looking forward to more daylight hours.
• Collingwood being beaten by Geelong.
• Tongue in cheek humour
• Snuggly kids
• Vegies growing in the garden
• Working with a great bunch of caring people

Linking up with lemon rhodes

Happiness is ... having the time to sit and observe

TIME

Something that I just can't get enough of lately.

We have just finished another school holiday, in which I took some annual leave in the 2nd week. We decided it was time to get away, do some family bonding, without the normal disruptions of life.

So, we went camping.

The weather was not ideal, but we tried to make the most of the situation.

One thing I discovered (and this was not new to me, but had been overlooked lately) is that without the distractions of TV, housework, work, computers, school, and other commitments, we had the TIME to notice things.

I had the TIME to sit and observe the kids playing and interacting. I found myself smiling more as I listened to their cute little conversations and antics.

Hubby and I both had TIME to relax. This is a win/win situation for everyone, because a relaxed parent yells less.

The kids had TIME to explore and also grab some of our time, which seems to get harder and harder.


I'm really looking forward to getting more TIME with my family.

Join me by linking up for Happiness is... at Rub some Dirt On It.

things I know ....

 I'm linking up for the first time with Yay for Home's. I have been watching other's contributing to this blog hop for some time and figured it was about time I jumped in.







The things I know this week are:

- If you take a week of annual leave, the week will go twice as fast as usually

- I'm really into the comforts of home, and feel quite spoilt after returning home from 3 days camping

- That it is really hard for 3 busy, working Mum's living quite different lives to organise a mutual time to catch up. But we won't give up trying.

- I can live without Internet Connection for 3 whole days!

- It is important to make the most of every situation. There is a huge difference in the end effects should you choose to look for the positive in things, instead of grumbling and wishing things were different.

- The people you choose to be with is important. If you surround yourself with good, fun-loving, positive people the mood is relaxed, the conversation is easy and the time is enjoyable.

Show Off Your Shot - bubbles

Today I am linking up with and then-she snapped. People who know me will know that I have a camera of some description on hand MOST of the time. Love, love, love taking photos! Can not have too many - Thank God for DIGITAL!

It would be quite correct to say that Master Three LOVES a bath, and doesn't mind a bubble or two.

He will tip ALL of our bath toys in and play until the water goes cold.

He is very sneaky though - he likes to splash which is breaking rule number 1.

He also likes to find things to add to his bath, whether it be some of Mum's shampoo, some Insect Repellant, some non-water resistant toys, a balloon .... anything is possible.

Master 3 is also a bath stunt professional and likes to perform tricks, swirling the water over the edge and seeing how much water will leap out when he jumps in from the bath edge.

Breaking rule number 2.

Something unique to Master 3 that I did not have to endure with my daughter (could it be a boy thing?) is how relaxed a warm bath can make him. And I mean relaxed! Every muscle ... do you see where I am going here? If you don't,then let me just say that Master 3 has had foreign objects, not usually welcome in the bath, on several occasions join him for a swim. Needless to say that hubby (who is not a fan of foreign objects) quickly lets me know my services are needed.

All in all... it was a doozy.

It was one of those weekends where we had committed to a couple of social gatherings, and then thought, did we really do that?

We tend to accept social invitations quite readily, and often eagerly. As we approach the date, however, we get the jitters. WHY? Because we have tried to pack too much into the weekend, because we are lacking energy by the time the event arrives, because one of us is on the verge of not attending through illness, or simply because we have committed to go but get nervous by who may or may not be there.

I wouldn't say that either hubby or I are big social butterflies. We REALLY enjoy catching up with friends and family, but more in a laid back, casual way. We both tend to seek comfortable corners and are lacking social confidence.

Then, there are the kids.
Really, only master 3 is the challenge.  Miss 7 has started to master some manners and social grace.
There are certain places or events we avoid taking master 3 to, as he tends to have a tornado effect where ever he goes.

On Friday night, for instance, we joined family for a counter meal at a local hotel for my Dad's birthday. We ummed and ahhed about taking master 3.
He was quite true to form unfortunately. Wanting to sit on the table or crawl under it, banging loudly and wanting to run around. I have to commend the staff who were still smiling as they guided him out of the gambling area and had to dodge him several times as they delivered meals. It usually ends in a hasty departure, a talk on behaviour and two anxious parents.

Saturday night we were to attend an aunt's 60th at a Golf Club. This had it own pros and cons. Other family would be attending but there were also friends of the aunt whom we didn't know. The club had been hired privately for the event and master 3 could move around a little with less restrictions than a sit down dinner.


For the first part of the night hubby and I did the usual tornado watch. Where has he gone, what is he into?
Master 3 managed to shock us BOTH with his good behaviour and I found myself taking photos in case it was a one event happening. There were balloons to play with, his sister and cousin joining in on the fun, a dance floor, music and dancing which seemed to really fascinate him.

A round of applause after each dance

Keen to watch but not eager to join in

We really did wonder where OUR child was, as THIS little boy was charming, entertaining (in a good way), and overall A WELL BEHAVED CHILD. It made for a surprisingly great night as we started to relax and enjoyed catching up with family and having a good chin wag and a laugh.

Master 3 and Miss 7 had a great time too, and I can proudly say they were a joy to have with us.

Master 3 managed to return to his normal self the next day. But now I know!

I know he has it in him to behave when it suits. He is showing some other behavioural improvements too. Just little ones and slowly does it, but I think he is starting to head in the right direction.

And I'm allowed to get excited by these developments ... right!