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...

♥ Sisterhood and the bestest of friends ♥

A little while ago, we had a Tea Party to take some promotion photos for our ladies ministry at church. It was a wonderful afternoon of celebrating sisterhood and the friendships that have evolved between young and old. (Shelley, your lack of presence was lamented by all).

To my most pleasant surprise, I was gifted a few of these shots on Sunday as I arrived for the morning service.

Don't they look FANTASTIC!!? I wish I had the pleasure of owning all of them!

A special shout out to 2 Little Bunnies for the photography. Highly recommended folks! In fact, I am hoping to use this talented lady for some of our own family shots in the future.

Vintage Beauties

It's Handmade Time Again!

I must confess that I absolutely adore being involved in The Handmade Expo.  Aside from having a day to sit childless (for the most part) with my besties chattering away, we get to see all the amazing creativity of others earlier then everyone else! See, while The Expo is open from 8 - 2 (THIS SATURDAY), WE get to arrive a little earlier to set up. And since we are just so efficient, we then spend the remaining time wandering around perusing what everyone else does. 

I love it!

Anywho, make sure you are at the Bundamba Racecourse this Saturday. You wont want to miss it!

You like??

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!!