How to do the school drop-off

This little one is getting very cute. So is her brother actually.

The other day D had an early meeting so I took them to school. I was an hour "late" but it was divine. 

I like to drive one way and D always drives another way.

I asked the kids - Babies, which way do I need to go? and Connor directed me.

You go this way, Mummy, and then there where you see orange, you go this way (showing me LEFT with his hand).

When we got to school, I opened the door on my side and he says, "Daddy doesn't let us get out this side" (the side nearest the road).

Clearly D has more rules than I do!

So I walked them through the gate and up to the building.

 

I started going through the door as I usually do and Kendra stopped me in my tracks.

Kendra You need to stay here and give us hugs, and then go.

Me What? I’m not allowed to come in anymore? 

Kendra No, Mummy. Stay there and then after the hugs, you go.

!

Cute but sad, all at the same time.

But she does like everything just so. Just like her father :)

Do your kids also have rules for you?  Are you still allowed to kiss and hug?

Kendra and her twin sister, and moments with Connor

I've been off from work for a whole week and I won't lie - it's been FABULOUS!

I had the holiday of course, and then a day's training, and then I've been home sick for two days with a cold.

I dragged myself up to fetch the kids from school both days since the drive there is exactly 1 minute, and that includes waiting at the traffic lights and stop streets. They loved it and so do I. I love Kendra running and jumping into my arms and Connor's shy little smile as he reaches for my hand.

I was semi-productive at home when not drugged by meds - formatted my 2nd Kindle book and that's with the Kindle-iser :), sorted through about 500 pics (still not the holiday ones because I'm going in chronological order, but they're next!) and decluttered in the kids' room a bit.

But all good things come to an end - I go back to work tomorrow and then it's weekend again.

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I bought some special dental floss for the kids from Clicks. Expensive as all gimmicky things are but they were delighted so maybe it was worth it for the little giggles.

Kendra pulled up a stool to the bathroom mirror and got a-flossing. She looked so pleased with herself that I grabbed my camera... and then we started playing... as we do.

 
When I showed Kendra her twin sister, she was tickled!


 








We tried with Connor but I had the 50 mm lens on and my arms are only that long!

 

Connor flossed too hard which is why he's showing us where it's sore.

This morning D brought Connor to our bedroom to get dressed while I supervised. Connor is not a morning person so he just climbed in and we carried on sleeping (!). When he woke again, he looked up and said to me, "ooh, Mummy, the light is beautiful!" That's my boy. Seriously, this is one of our most precious conversations - it brought tears to my eyes.

And then something else that made me laugh. We're working through one of those sticker books so I explained to Connor that some of the stickers have to go in specific places but the others can go just anywhere because they provide extra ones too. He says to D, "Daddy, these ones are random. We can put them anywhere" LOVE it!

They're at such a cute age at the moment. And I'm going to enjoy the equilibrium while it lasts.

How are you doing?

Finally, some twin romance!

When I was pregnant, my Dr C told us that his brothers are twins and his mother said after the twins were 3 months old, it was lovely because they played with one another and she didn't serve as their entertainment.

Well, 3 months came and went and I'm convinced that either 1) she lied or 2) 3 months meant 3 years.

Our kids are playing together SO nicely these days. Together instead of alongside.

They don't even come look for us in the mornings unless they're hungry.

Of course the flip side is that they FREAK out if they can't see their twin (like when one wakes and sees the other bed already empty).

Yes, there are glorious fights too but 99% of the time they are best friends who can play without us :)

they're looking at rabbits

Here are some of their chatter, the bits I can remember:

Just peeked in to check on the kids (they'd just been put to bed) and Connor says to me, "Mummy, I'm sleeping on my white pillow [a continental pillow which I still need to write about because it was the best baby shower gift ever] because I wasn't comfortable on my green and blue pillows".

Kendra earlier to Connor, "thank you my darling boy" (this is me!)

Kendra when she saw an old but rarely used ring on my finger, "Mummy! I like your ring!"

This afternoon after his nap Connor told me that Friday is the daddy, Brown bear (a water bottle they got when they turned 1 - my kids are winter babies, remember?) is the mummy and Aunty Angie Bear is the baby.

He took one of my baskets from their bedroom, put Aunty Angie Bear in there and when I was tidying and tossed Brown bear in the basket, he freaked. "Mummy, Brown Bear is NOT a BABY!" (turns out the basket was the crib)

I asked Kendra what happened last night and she says, "Mummy, it's a long story but I'll 'splain" :) (It was a very long story!)

It's scary when the kids pick up your verbiage.

Connor has started saying "obviously" which is a word I often use. I asked him something the other day, "have you done ____?" and he said,"obviously!"

Kendra told me today to say "righty ho". I said, "where did you learn that word, Baby?" "Daddy"

And then later today I said to Kendra, "will you please focus?" "What does focus mean?" "It means to concentrate on doing one thing til you're done" :) Time management 101.

Today Connor got an extra star for being very kind to his sister.

They got two balloons each at a party yesterday and this afternoon I wrote K and C on the balloons because I knew time was running out on the balloons' life cycles. Well, they were playing outside and one of K's blew off and popped on a branch. She WAILED.

I heard talking (I don't go running for every little thing) and eventually they came back inside.
Connor had 1 balloon and Kendra had 2.

When I asked them what happened, Connor explained that he gave one of his balloons to Kendra to cheer her up. Then he looks at me and says, "but I don't think it's working".

Oh my sweet boy. Then there was a bit of a love fest because Kendra told him again, "Thank you for giving me your balloon, Connor. I love you" and they were both hugging and kissing. I actually got teary :)

So today is Sunday but it's like a Saturday because we have a public holiday tomorrow - YAY! One extra day to get things done off my to-do list. About to tackle some computer stuff now, fun things like budgeting :)

How was your Sunday?

Our photoshoot and some conversations with Kendra

So we had our photoshoot today.

I tried to do the gray/ black/ purple thing but it was just too much schlep so we went purple. As a result I have a lot of clothes to take back because I just couldn't remember what K and C had in their wardrobes that was still unworn.

Of course I'm also 3.something kgs heavier than I've ever been. Shall I shock you? I'm only 3 kgs away from my "just before the babies were born" 32 weeks pregnant weight. Yes. I need to do something drastic.

I was all ready with my purple umbrella but alas, no rain. Although plenty of gorgeous grey skies so the most beautiful light.

I just had a look at the 302 pics I took (!) and even if we get nothing else that's good, I am SOOO happy with some of mine :)

The photographer was just lovely - she listened well (unlike the last Groupon lady) and very patient with my kids. She came prepared by printing out my Pinterest photoshoot inspiration board so we got some of those cute poses too :)

Here are some pics from my camera.

after chasing a peacock, D said something and they ran away. And yes, some people were working on a lovely Sat morning.

are you tired of these yet?



Kendra



the photographer showing my kids the pics she'd just taken



I just love taking pics of other people taking pics





I bribed them with lollies...



but they were only allowed to have them for about 5 minutes

MandyE, I had to get a pic or two in these chairs

D - he's smiling while watching the photographer take pics of the kids

So that was a million times better than the last one!

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(all these converstions happened in the space of about 1.5 hours today)

Me: Kendra, you must stop picking up things in shops and on the ground
outside.

Kendra: You do know I love those things?


Me: Kendra, what should I make for supper tonight?

Kendra: Spaghetti

Me: Oh, PASTA?

Kendra: No, spaghetti!

Me: Okay baby, but spaghetti IS pasta. In any event, I don't think we have
any spaghetti.

Kendra: In that case, I'll have peas!


Kendra finished her food but said she's too full for her veggies. Connor finished his food, veggies and so he got a mini chelsea bun.

I hear them talking.

K: Connor, please can I have a bite?

C: Go ask Mummy for your own one.

K comes into the kitchen.

K: Mummy, please can I have a chelsea bun.

Me: Kendra, you said you're too full for your veggies so there's obviously no more space for a chelsea bun.

K: There is.

Me: There is what?

K: There is space for a Chelsea bun.

OH man! Adorable.

But... still no Chelsea bun. I am not swayed by cuteness.


So how was your Saturday? Are you swayed by your kids when they're being cute?

PS I need to tell you a tiny bit about the parenting course D and I are on.

I skipped gym today to do this photoshoot

Today was Nanny V's last day with us.

Some of you have been asking how Nanny S is doing.

She is doing just fine!

Nanny S with the babies

Nanny V was 100% certain that she was the right one on Monday afternoon. The kids are comfortable with her, she is getting on and doing things and we are happy so far.

The best thing about having two nannies this week is my house is spotless. All my laundry is up to date, the kids have food in the freezer and all their ironing is also done. They even had time to do Easter crafts (cards).

On Tuesday evening S asked to speak to me in private and I thought, "oh dear, what now?" but turns out she just wanted to go get her fingerprints done at the agency so they could run a police clearance on her.

Well, of course you can go, said I.

It was really just a matter of going through the motions because you know if someone asks to go get a police clearance, absolutely nothing's going to come up.

And yes, today I got the email confirming exactly that.

So last night D and I wrote out a thank-you card for V and I started crying and crying as I read his words (he does have this effect on me generally) and then again as I wrote my bit.

I was quite fine up until that point, even when I packed all the presents for V's baby BOY in the gift bag.

Today I paid her for this week, leave pay, a very substantial bonus, etc. and I did her a very nice reference letter.

I told her yesterday I wanted to take some photos of her and the kids today and this is why I skipped gym.

It was SO totally worth it. Have a look (I'll have to put some more in a Wordless Wednesday post because there are some gorgeous ones, esp where she's standing behind me making the kids laugh).

Look at Kendra's face :)

hugs!

Connor and V laughing

and some more

I love this pic!

So after the photoshoot, I asked to speak to V privately, did my thank-you speech, gave her the presents, reference letter and cried. Oh my hat (as my Capetonian friends would say!).

We had all those punctuality challenges but V has been an excellent nanny to the babies and I trusted her with them 100%. They definitely would not be the kids they are if it weren't for her.

We're really going to miss her so much.

Conversations tonight:

Me So babies, this is V's last day. She's not going to come look after you anymore. Next week, S will be your only nanny.

Connor  No, V gonna ocme back.

(V and I exchange a look)

Me Tell you what, Connor. When V's had her baby, if you're good kids, we'll ask V to come visit us and bring her baby to show us. Okay?

Connor That will be nice!

We all packed out laughing. When did he learn to say "that will be nice!"

Then later I was hugging Kendra and she took my hair and pulled it onto my cheeks. I hate people playing with my hair in my face!

Me Kendra, stop doing that. It's very annoying.

Kendra Okay, sorry!

Again, what on earth?! Real conversations. Again I had to put her down because I was laughing so hard.

Do you like the pics?

Yes, our kids are in flannel winter pjs, just like their mother. In this house, we can't wait to get into our winterwear :)

What are you sleeping in at the moment?

Thoughts on a Sunday night

Last night I sat and typed out my 37 things list.

At one point I thought I'd never get to 30, let alone 37. But I ended up with 41 so some editing is needed before I post it on Saturday.

I also had a chance to look over my 36 things list and let's just say, I better go pay for someone's groceries or meal. Quick. I think I'll sneak up and pay for someone's lunch at work - that's going to be the easiest thing.

Otherwise, any ideas?

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We didn't go to church last Sunday because of D being sick. Our church is crazy big and there's a ginormous parking lot and lots of steps (clearly a non-mother designed the place :)) and I was not going to take the chance of one of my babies getting knocked down.

So today when we left them, Connor screamed blue murder.

He loves both of us but he screams for me in these situations.

Picture this - D & M running from the children's class as we hear, "Mummy! Mummmmmmyy!" echoing off the walls.

Oy!

Tonight he was EXHAUSTED and he was drinking his bottle in bed so I sat on his bed and was touching his face (or something).

He says, "Mummy, go. Please go" - if he wasn't so cute I'd feel terrible! But he's so earnest and I can see he just wants some time alone to think and be still :)

This pic was taken a few weeks ago - yes, he's cross because he was left alone while Nanny V bathed Kendra. Mandy, these are not the crying pics I was talking about. Wait - I'm going to do another Linky for crying/ tantruming babies in a week's time. :)


the blur is why I have to get someone to take proper pics of these two - I am missing out. Still, at least I have the memories and I can bribe him when he's bigger :)

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Okay, ad break K just screamed out in her sleep. D went to see her and she said, "where's milk?" D said, "it's the middle of the night - no milk" K then said, "but Connor's got milk" LOL These are the things that scare toddlers - being treated unfairly. Hahahha.

This is Kendra's new thing - the minute she sees me with a camera she hides her face. I've tried to say, "baby, do you know how cute you're being?" - doesn't make a bit of difference.

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I had a gooood shopping day today. Went past a bookshop to look for some stuff for the kids.

There's a particular brand of Christian book (too lazy to slink into the kids' bedroom to look it up - but email me if you want details) they love.

When they were just newborns, we bought Jonah, Noah, David and Daniel for them, and I got a couple extra for my nephew. My kids LOVE these books and we want to get all of them.

They run to me/ D and say, "read Jonah". I don't know if it's the whole "being swallowed by the big fish or the fact that the book goes, "God said go and Jonah said no (Connor loves that bit and then he says, "naughty" (too precious!)).

Kendra loves the David one. Good thing too.

Alas, the shop didn't have anymore of them but we will go back again (maybe on my birthday? :)) without kids and look through properly - you know there's no real browsing with these two trying to grab books.

Oh, the point of this story was there were some other good deals so I got some gifts for the fertility group ladies and of course some things for the kids, D, me and some other gifts to keep around for the random acts of kindness I like to do.

R950 worth! Somehow I just kept throwing things in.

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I had the best of intentions tonight.

I have a whole list of blogs to write. With pics and everything. And then Jayme and I emailed a bit and exchanged pinterest links. And that was the evening gone. I even went to get a BIG mug of tea and a cupcake to fully enjoy the experience.

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As we're on the brink of a new month, I'm determined to get my mojo back. Despite having only 2 full days in the office - Monday, Tues pm and Wed am. Oy.

I'm going back to my dance class on Wed (I've already prepped D) and I will keep a good attitude, listen to and obey God's voice, deal with things appropriately and make this a good week leading up to .... 37

What are you looking forward to this week?