Straight after gym, we were on our way to a Hi-5 concert, which both of the kids were looking forward to. We were going to catch a train into the city, but ended up driving in so we wouldn't have to rush. Got there with plenty of time for the kids to have a play and relax, which was good. The concert was fantastic - they both absolutely loved it, and Rocco looked like he was in a trance for most of it. When they ask the kids to shout as loud as they can, Jenna lets rip with this ear breaking scream - it always brings me to tears with laughter. I could just picture her as a teenage groupie fainting from squealing her lungs out!

On our way home we stopped for Mcdonalds - a very rare treat for the kids. Believe it or not, they still had energy to play. rocco didn't eat much before he wanted to play - usually they take 20-30 minutes, even at home. Found out 10 minutes later why - Jenna comes to tell us quietly that he needs a change - poo. He normally only does them at home, but after being out all day, he really couldn't wait anymore.

Thank goodness, Jenna finally got hers out right at bathtime - her favourite time to do it! Once they're naked and ready to go, she does it, so Rocco has to wait 20 minutes for her to finish. Just glad she did it, even though it wasn't the quality it was supposed to be, at least now she's not so bloated. After tomorrow, we will review the situation and ring the doctor on Monday.

After all that, Rocco still managed to muck around for half an hour at bedtime, but at least we have had two nights with the nappy staying on, and they are sleeping peacefully now.

We've had an aunty of mine here for the last week and a half and it has been interesting to stay the least. This aunty used to live with us when I was a little girl and in all honesty, nothing has changed with her. My memory of her when I was little was Aunty Glenda and ouzo at 11.00 (she would have been all of 20 then). Sure enough, the latest she started drinking was 12.00, and yesterday start  time was 10.00am. One day when she was cracking open another beer, Jenna says quietly to me 'she drinks a lot of those doesn't she?' What can you say? Luckily we weren't home a lot during the day so the kids didn't see it much, but I know it is probably something Jenna will remember her whole life.

Jenna was at a gastroenterologist last week to try and sort out a problem she has had since she was 18 months old. She has a lot of pain when she poos, and went from doing it 2-3 times a day to 1-2 times a week. the specialist says it is chronic constipation (although she does totally normal types of poo), and that it will take at least half as long as she's had the problem to fix the problem. It means laxatives for at least the next 18 months on a daily basis. I am very dubious about this. We have to give her enough so she gets diarrhea to start with and then back off to a maintenance dose. Jenna refused to take the first stuff (movicol) so we are on something else - started Tuesday afternoon and she has still only done one poo. If she doesn't have diarrhea in 5 days I have to call the doctor back, if it works, we have an appointment in 6 weeks. I really just want Jenna to be pain free, and not have to suffer a life of dependancy on laxatives.

Rocco has been great except for the bedtime business, still. Now he has to take his nappy off all the time. On Friday night I had gone in their room and smelt poo, but just thought the rubbish bag needed changing, so did that and left. 5 minutes later, out he comes with no nappy on, telling me he had to take it off because he had 'a bad poo in my bed'. Sure enough, in I go and there's the poo IN HIS BED! I could have killed him, it was so revolting. Lucky it was pretty solid and not a sloppy jalopy!

Anyway, minor things in the greater scheme of things, aren't they? We're flat out again for the next few weeks, so I am so looking forward to a few days off over Christmas,as we all are, I suspect.

We are so excited - she just wanted to get her uniform immediately - took a few times of asking to understand that we will leave it a bit in case she grows! rocco can't wait either - I kept telling him he would have to go to Nonna's if he didn't sleep, so as soon as I came home from work Friday morning all he would say to me was 'not me go to Nonna's, me go to school'. Very cute.

What's not cute is the fact that he is still a little bugger at bed time, and continues to take of his nappy before going to sleep! Sometimes he comes and tells me, but most of the time I only find out when I go to take Jenna to the toilet at 10.30. When he does come out, it's 'me no need nap, is dirt'. Thank goodness he is not wetting in the couple of hours without it - then I would be really pissed off!

The kids are still getting over whatever the hell it is they have had forever, and have been happy enough hanging at home in the afternoons. this has been great because I've been having filthy headaches all week, accompanied by a severe attack of sinusitis. It's times like that I realise how lucky I am to have such great kids - they understand and are fine to be left alone for a while so I can lie down.

This week will be a busy one, so it will make up for the lazy days of last week. Keep my mind off making work decisions for next year, too!

Anyway, off to sleep now, and hopefully wake up feeling better tomorrow - so over the headaches!

Hubby had the day off today - his work gives them a day off for their birthdays (what are they, schoolkids?!!!) He had to take his dad out this morning, then we went out bowling this afternoon. We had heaps of fun, but know next time to get Rocco a game for himself. We decided against it this time, because we thought he was probably that little bit too young, but we all ended up sharing our turns with him, which led to some 'fantastic' scores, I don't think. Jenna was a real sweetheart and shared with him almost every turn. They were so cute pushing the ball down the alley. One went so slow we didn't think it would make it!

Well, gotta get ready for my late night TV viewing - and for work tomorrow, I suppose!

Now today, the teacher wanted to have a chat about next year. She wants Jenna to go and be tested for the Artistic team. Um, a bit scary - we don't even really know that much about the higher levels, and she is only 4! I asked Jenna what she wanted to do - when she found out it meant she gets to do work on the high beam, she was very excited. Now we have to see how it all goes, and really discover how into gymnastics she is in the long term.

As for Rocco - can't say anything but NAUGHTY! He was up at 6.10 this morning, so we made him sleep today - he slept about an hour and 45. We spent the afternoon at the beach, where they were running marathons up and down the beach. Was he tired tonight? NO! He stays in bed for ages, then starts coming out - it's only then that I find Jenna's been getting in bed with him, and he's ok until she falls asleep, then he starts mucking around again. Didn't finally fall asleep until about 9.15 tonight! Honestly do not know what to do with that boy!

Don't know what I'm talking about - I'm sitting here with my brain shutting down, but I still don't go to bed  - gee, I wonder where he gets it from?!

As for Rocco and me - we came home, had something to eat, played outside for a bit, then slept the day away! So nice. Note to self: only stay up late when I can get a sleep in the next day!

Today was flat out as well - taking my mother-in-law all over the place to do her shopping, getting Jenna, dropping another oldie off, and then THE BEACH. I had promised the kids we would go this afternoon for a play. Jenna wanted to invite friends, but we ended up going by ourselves. We are so lucky to live so close to the water (about 15 minutes with traffic!!!). The kids packed their own beach toys, and were excited to go to a different beach than usual. The loved digging holes and dipping their feet in the water - only briefly as it is still freezing (I wasn't as brave as them!). They were so sweet walking along the sand together, holding hands and chatting. Rocco just adores Jenna, and was copying everything she did. Only stayed for about 45 minutes, but tomorrow is meant to be quite warm, so we are going to head to our favourite beach - the water there is only shin high (on the kids) for at least a kilometer, and is always so clean and clear.

Can not wait. Just hope the monkeys sleep well tonight, because they were well and truly stuffed tonight, but still managed to  muck around for a while! A nice weekend to all, I hope!

I've been lucky - Saturday and Today a friend of Jenna's took her out for the afternoon, so while Rocco slept, I felt like I was alone. Went insane cooking all day Saturday, and got dinner prepared at 12 today, so it only took 20 min to cook tonight - this meant we could go to the park later and stay until nearly dinner time which the kids loved.

Rocco has been so funny this last week - he has started calling his dad 'stinky gross bum' which is hilarious. when I was getting dressed on Sunday he came to ask me for milk - I told him to just let me do my hair and I'd be there. He left, then popped his head back around the corner and said 'nice bum' with a big grin. He's been super smoochy and his sense of humour has just gotten funnier. Between him and Jenna it's like being at a cabaret that does stand up comedy during intermission  - I absolutely love it.

I've gotten used to the 5am starts again, and back to the kinder routine. Don't really like the kinder attitude that comes home, but that's part of growing up I guess. Jenna's still my best girl with the biggest heart - just getting too old!!!

Oh well, better keep going - Survivor's on later and still have other stuff to do! (No matter how long it's been going and how late it's on, I still have to watch it!!!)

Took Jenna back to the doctors yesterday about her poo problems - now we have to see a specialist next month to check if there is something else causing her pain and difficulty, or if it is mechanical and will get better. She still has her swollen gland in her neck (it's been 2 weeks) - we're still leaving it and hoping it goes away. She's enjoyed her first week back at kinder, and has a big week planned next week - we do therapy with a boy Monday, then kinder, Tuesday is a friend's party, Wednesday is kinder and another party, Thursday her first excursion, then kinder and a VEG on Friday afternoon. As well as all that, I have to take my father-in-law to drs Monday and Tuesday, and my mother-in-law shopping on Thursday and probably Friday. Better get to bed early (as if - before 11.30 would be good).

went back to work on Wednesday - massive mess and stuff ups by work 'mate'. She's a total fool, and got in serious trouble with the manager while I was gone. She was supposed to train someone working with her, but just complained about him being slow, etc. anyway, she told me the boss said she could be charged with harrassment if she didn't stop - she must have said a lot more and often for that to be the case. Then we get another person to train on Wednesday - when I asked her if she could run through something with newbie, she wouldn't do it. A real pain in the *** - mind you, she's 46 with no children, no husband and no full time job. When I asked her why no f/t she said 'I just want to take it easy'. Another example - she asked me my son's name - when I told her it was Rocco, she flat out laughed in my face and said 'you're kidding, no way, that's an Italian name'. Um yeah, my husband is Italian!!!

anyway, I digress, a good week excepth for the fool. the kids had fun, half the week was cold and half warm, lots of park and play, and a day of cooking today. Rocco helped me make chocolate brownie muffins - he was so proud. they are delicious too!!!

Put him in his bed again, he started crying straight away. After putting him in 4 times, I closed the door properly, and didn't go back in. Heard him sobbing away for a while, then it was quiet. Didn't want to go back in in case he wasn't asleep. After a while, Jenna comes out to tell me she thinks Rocco's asleep now - in her bed. She put him in with her and put him to sleep, but then had trouble getting herself to sleep. She's such a sweetie!

Well, I better start getting up earlier in the mornings - back to work on Wednesday (I've had a month off), which means I have to get up at 5am again!!! Dreading the thought!!!

Have a good week!

Tonight he went to his bed, then the cot, his bed, Jenna in his bed, in her bed, back to his bed, in and out of bed while I was in the shower, until finally I sat on the end of his bed. He didn't talk to me or touch me, just wanted me there. Pretty cute though - got to hear all his bedtime conversations. Mostly revolved around cars, trucks, and both going boom (having accidents). The phone rang, and he sat up 'Bone, bone, bone'. Husband answered it, so Rocco lay back down and told himself 'Dad get bone, mum not get bone, dad get bone' then went back to car chat. Love his sweet little voice, but hope he starts getting to sleep a bit faster tomorrow night! Won't make him sleep tomorrow and try to wear the little bugger out!

Jenna has said a couple of funny things this week that I just have to share:

1. Did you know I have more fingers on my hands than toes?

2. On the train, she interpretted the symbol for not holding the doors open to mean 'no star jumps on the train'.

3. Not so much as what she said as what she's been doing - one morning they both got up (6.00 - we refused to get up until 6.30!) and kept themselves busy. Then I heard the stool in the kitchen moving and had to see what was going on. Jenna had gotten up into the pantry, got down the cereal - up pretty high - got them both bowls and spoons, and had everything set up, but couldn't open the cooked apple, so needed help. They were so sweet sitting at the bench together making brekky - unfortunately, they can't do it properly yet because they both have hot water instead of milk with their cereal!

God I love them, even when they drive me to insanity!!!

For the moment, the bedroom is really squishy - 2 single beds, a kid's wardrobe and the cot don't leave much room to manouevre. We've decided to leave the cot in for at least a few days so Rocco can have a bit of choice about being ready for the bed. He desparately wanted to sleep in it tonight, but after 10 minutes, decided the cot was for him. 5 minutes later he's calling again and really wanted to get back in the bed, so back in he went. Unfortunately, he decided that he needed me - he usually says 'bye mum' when it's time for him to sleep, but when I said goodnight to him and asked if his eyes were closed (key last words), he says 'not bye mum'. I caved and decided to sit on the end of his bed for a while, before pretending I needed the toilet. Little smarty pants - when I said I was going to the toilet, straight out he says 'back mum'! I left and didn't come back, so 10 minutes later - here he comes again. Put him back in bed quite a few times, before relenting and staying with him until he fell asleep (about 5 minutes after all that).

I know I could be creating a problem (re:him not sleeping alone), but I don't want him waking Jenna up, and there really is no space to be able to keep going in and out at the moment. Also, when we went away he had to sleep in a bed, and for the first three nights we stayed with him, then he was sleeping alone, so hopefully it's just a matter of adapting to the new bed.

Anyway, boo hoo - no more babies in the cot!!! We all love the cot - it's so big, comfy, nice and CONTAINED! It also means the end of nappies soon, and lots of independant little people running around, which are the upsides. Let's just see if he stays asleep all night, and whether he gets himself out if he does wake up (he usually does - probably only 10 times  in his life he's slept all night!).

All was good, until the tram driver stuffed everyone around. We'd gotten on with the pram and settled in (we are at the end of the line, so you usually wait a while for him to go). Another tram pulled up behind, so the driver told us all to get off as the other one would leave first. Off we get, with the help of a kind woman, only to be told by the other driver to go back to the other one because he was going to the depot. That was fine - Jenna got herself on the tram again, and the woman was helping me lift the pram on, when the driver started closing the door on us! We tried another time, then backed off. He closed the doors so he could move forward one metre! Poor Jenna - she was screaming her head off and crying - she got such a fright because she thought he was going and she was on her own. Because she wasn't sitting down yet, she hurt her back a bit as he jolted. We got on, and she calmed down, but halfway she started panicking about getting off - she thought that she would get off and we would get stuck on and she would be left behind again! Anyway, we managed to get off without drama, but I don't think they want to go on a tram again anytime soon!

The rest of the day was spent walking along the river, playing at the park, having lunch and being amazed that there are still kind and decent people around - we were going down some stairs, and a guy jogs out of nowhere, carries the pram down for me, then goes back up the stairs and jogs off. He wasn't even going our way, but came over to help. (I don't normally take the pram out, so I don't know if this happens to other people, but I was so happy and pleased to know that there are still decent people around!)

gotta go, Jenna's tram nightmares have begun!

Jenna seems to have been down with something or other since March - all started when she fell on asphalt at kinder and scraped her face up pretty badly (she was chasing boys and caught them on their bikes!). She is a fast healer, so that healed within a week, but we went away at Easter, and came back with a little sore under her nose that grew and grew...bacteria had got in under the original scrapes, and she developed school sores (staph or strep infection)! Then she's had almost a constant cold, which has now peaked into a severe virus, followed by ear infection, followed by monster goiter-neck!

Still, the little tough nut keeps on going! I'm so amazed by her and her resilience. She still worries more about other people, about making her brother laugh, looking after her grandparents, and whenever she has even the slightest scrap of energy, she's off doing something! Whenever I hurt myself, or feel sick, I just think - if Jenna can keep going, so can I!

The holiday itself - the best, most relaxing and reasonably stress free we have been on since the kids came along. I think it's the first time I have actually enjoyed myself with hubby in a long time. Lakes Entrance is a beautiful coastal town, with so much to do and see that is interesting for everyone. Of course, with a park across the road and an indoor pool on site, the kids would have been happy with just doing those all the time, but they had fun with the touristy stuff too - caves, seashell museum, beaches, mini golf, homestead with lake walks...

Swimming - I'm not so much a fan of swimming lessons. I don't want to pay for something I should be able to do myself. As such, I have been taking the kids swimming once a week for the last 3-4 months, and have slowly made progress. This week, swimming everyday - a massive difference in Miss 4's skills and confidence. She is a cautious girl, who doesn't do things until she can. In 6 short days, she began putting her head underwater, jumping in, trusting me enough to help her float, and even attempting to tread water and swim after jumping. We are so proud of her and can't believe what one week of full on swimming has done. Mr 2 is quite the natural, and came along well - of course, with ear infections still healing, we didn't want to put his head under too much, so didn't push him too far.

Anyway, a great holiday, but we were all happy to get home to our own beds. Mr 2 was asking about his cot every day - he loved the big bed, but was a little crazy in it unless exhausted. He likes to be contained at night! We stayed just long enough to really enjoy, and not long enough to get sick of it. A perfect place for a holiday - if you are in Victoria, Australia, or thinking of visiting, HIGHLY recommend Lakes Entrance as a great family holiday spot for families of all age groups. 

Anyway, check back in a couple of weeks for photos and adventures!

Poor little fella - at least he is not in pain now, and doesn't seem to be struggling to balance and hear. It's just quite gross, and he knows it - he asks for a towel for his pillow at night, as his pillow has been left with yellow and brown patches of dried fluid!

Let's hope this round of antibiotics fixes it, and that he does not become prone to ear infections!

First half of the day was spent on kinder duty - much to my daughter's delight - for the 3rd time in 4 weeks (on top of Monday library sessions!). As well as the usual (play, morning tea set up and clean up, disinfecting furniture, keeping an eye on my 2 year old), the student teacher had me making pancakes. 45 minutes later....

Home for lunch and an attempt to get Mr 24 months to sleep - gave up on that after 10 minutes - it was already 12.30 by then! Some time to spend together was hard to find - the afternoon saw us picking up a friend's 4 year old autistic son for a therapy session at our house. Between drills with him, dinner was made.

Once he went home, my 2 ate and the 4 year old had to get ready for a special person's night at kinder, while the 2 year old had a bath and got ready for bed. Not even 1 1/2 hours after dinner - both hungry again!

Both in bed now (lucky they go to bed reasonably easily and early) - time for me! And all I keep thinking - they're not even at school yet! Once homework, sports, more friends, school events are added into the mix...I think I might pack up and move to some isolated outreach of Nepal!

All worth it for the cuddles, kisses, jokes, laughter and fun we all have - I wouldn't really have it any other way!