Two Little Monkeys...

..bouncing on the bed.

First Day Nerves

There was a rumour going around that I'd been looking forward to this day. After three years and six days of twin-wrangling, I felt I deserved a couple of days a week to myself. I'd had the day on the calendar for months, and have been planning a whole lot of life to coincide nicely with it and the weeks to follow.

We've had a month of milestones and major life happenings for the small people in this house. First days, birthdays, and now this. I expected to feel a pang. I didn't anticipate the kick-to-the-stomach smack of emotion that I got as I drove away. They were excited, kissed me goodbye happily, didn't look back. I edged away feeling unexpectedly bewildered. My babies.

And I returned home, looked about vacantly and was suddenly overcome with exhaustion. A bone-tired exhalation and collapse.

So busy are we clearing the path and smoothing things over for the big stuff in their lives, we forget that they're the big stuff in our lives too.

My babies.

(They had a wonderful day, were dancing in a circle at pick-up time, and we had a hard time convincing them to come home. Tonight I feel OK again. And now I'm going to sleep.)

Fairies and Butterflies

I lay awake early on Sunday morning listening to the rain pounding on the roof. 18 children and their parents were due to arrive in a handful of hours for Stella's fairy party and Pearl's butterfly party, which I'd envisaged as a gorgeous sunny garden event. On the weather forecast app, the black cloud had not only raindrops falling from it, but a sparkly great lightning bolt. Marvellous.

But like in all the best movies, the clouds parted and the sun made its merry way through. 18 children and their parents arrived bearing an outrageous number of gifts. They were greeted by one little girl in bright red butterfly wings and another in purple fairy wings (bejewelled by a manic mother wielding pliers and a hot-glue gun at midnight the night before). They dined at a buffet fit for two winged princesses. Their faces were painted by the best niece-in-law that ever their was. The sun shone brightly, with not a lightning bolt in sight, so they moved to the back garden and decorated cardboard wings. Then they bounced and they soared and they danced on the lawn. And their mum caught up with friends old and new, many who'd travelled from Sydney and beyond, and felt grateful for special occasions that brought them all together to celebrate, and grateful for the two incredible little girls who gave them the excuse.

Most of the ideas for the food came from Pinterest. You can find the links to far better executed versions on my tiny board here. Meringue mushrooms? Why not.

1 + 1 = 3

 

6am wake-up. "Mumma, is it my birthday?" 

Yes, Pearl. 

"Mumma, am I bigger now?"

Presents in bed, special pink milkshakes at the cafe, painting and puzzles, a trip to the park, pizza out of a box for dinner (by request), and two small cakes for two sweet girls.

And now to prepare for the parties.

Happy birthday, my pair.

1 + 1 = 1

1 + 1 = 2

Sentimental

Aw, I'm feeling a bit sentimental tonight. Three years ago I was lumbering about like a pregnant elephant seal, putting things in a suitcase and making final preparations for the following day's scheduled induction. It didn't quite go as planned. But look what I brought home!

I remember during those final swollen, aching weeks feeling with absolute certainty that these babies were going to be easier out than in. Almost three years on, I still smile wryly at that one.

Sometimes...

..words can't do this pair justice.

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

Via Soulemama.

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

Via Soulemama.

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

Via Soulemama.

Bits and Pieces

We had 10 house guests on Saturday night, a Christmas in July celebration with very good friends and beautiful kids. The weekend before, another lovely friend and her babe stayed a few nights. In the lead-up to that, a colleague was here in our house for six days in a row, training the GM and I on some new software for work. And prior to that, it was school holidays and all the fifth birthday celebrations. 

It's been a busy July.

As the calendar turns, I'm feeling a change in the wind and the call of quiet. We're over the hump of winter, our first since making the big country move. It's been cold, we've burnt a lot of wood, but we've been fine - far finer than I feared we'd be. And just around the corner is spring and all it promises in the garden. One of the reasons for this move was to have more space to grow food. It's time to talk seeds and mulch.

I'm starting August with a glorious gift to myself, a day learning about photography with Tim Coulson. I'm only just a tiny, weeny bit excited!!!

And then, brace yourselves...and pray for me if that's your thing...it's time to toilet-train. I've been putting it off till the weather warms up and the trainees are wearing fewer layers every day. And frankly, I've been struggling to find the energy or will. But they are ready, practically begging for it, and we have an overseas holiday at the end of the year, so it's time. If anyone has ever toilet-trained twins, your advice is completely welcome.

So, next month we'll be staying home, drawing our focus in, perhaps doing a bit of pre-spring spring cleaning, clearing out some clutter (yes, this book is speaking to me) and giving the washing machine and disinfectant bottle a workout. 

And knitting. Always knitting.

Redressing the Balance

Lately, there's been a lot of whining in this space about the two-year-old terrors. 

I feel a sudden need to balance the reporting.

Because I fear it may have become lost in transmission just how much I adore this pair.

And how beautiful they are.

And, oh, how gorgeous the relationship they share.

How lucky for me that I am theirs and they are mine.

(Might I add, avoiding another horror mealtime by giving them popcorn for dinner on a picnic rug in front of 'Giggle and Hoot' certainly helps...)

H.E.L.P.

This is my 400th post. I had plans for a celebration-type thing. Instead, I'm here with a plea. Those of you who have a two-year-old or have ever had a two-year-old - better yet, TWO two-year-olds - I need your advice.

My first child wasn't much of a tantrum-thrower and, being number one, she had no-one to fight with. The pair, however, love to chuck a good wobbly, and fight with each other and their big sister and their parents over pretty much anything. Colour of bowl. Method of getting into car seat. Order in which shoes go on. You get the picture.

I'm a reader, so hit me with great parenting books you've come across, or links to websites, or just your own pearls of wisdom. They don't have to be twin-specific, though that would be helpful. And nothing too scientific, please. Just good commonsense advice, tools and techniques to help me get through the day with less screaming and crying and flailing of limbs and tearing out of hair (and that's just me).

I've googled a few titles that I think will help, but 'Parenting Through the OCD Years' and  'Knit Your Way to Sanity' haven't been written yet. I need something that sheds light on what's so bloody important about the purple spoon or the pink stockings (but not the pink stripey stockings, the ones with the flowers, unless they're in the wash, in which case the spotty ones...)

You can see the glint in her eye, can't you? And she's just half of the problem. A large half, admittedly...

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

Via Soulemama.

Work, Play, Rest

:: work ::

:: play ::

:: zzzzzz ::