Stop growing already!

For those not in the know, Tuesday was Carter's first day at Bayview Kindy! I had been looking forward to this milestone and the extra free time I naively thought it would give me, but also dreading it, not for his sake but for mine, sending my little man off into a world where he no longer needs his daddy to play with or help him do things, and the very beginning to 18 or so years of education.

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday, I did my best to slowly get him used to the idea of it all. "You're going to start kindy soon my son, and you'll meet lots of new friends", I'd say, to which he'd mutter under his breath, "But I don't want to stay there all by myself." Any sentence that I managed to slide the word 'kindy' into always got that exact response, which lead me to believe I was in for a few tears come first day of the semester. I was right... but wrong child haha.

Carter walked straight in no trouble at all, Louie just a half step behind. I had forms to sign so they just went off and played trains with the other kids like they had been attending all year. One of the teachers then offered to show us around but he wasn't interested, he was doing his own thing. After about 20 minutes he became a tad clingy, I think he could sense I was going to leave, but then he spotted the paint, and I didn't see him again 'til 3 o'clock when I picked him up. Instead the tears were falling from Louie's cheeks, he was having a ball, and he didn't want to leave his big bruv!

Wednesday was much the same, though Louie had cottoned on to the fact that only Carter stays there, so no tears thankfully. On Thursday we were lucky enough to have Laura come along to check it out, and it was cool having us both there to pick him up. That's when it really sunk in. The kindy is right next to Bayview Primary so at 3pm there are kids everywhere fleeing from inside classroom walls. What a sight it was seeing our little big boy running along side them, back pack on and all, jumping over cracks in the footpath, and off ledges, it actually made my heart melt, probably could've cried haha. It was at that point I wished he would just stop growing!




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We're pregnant!

We're not really, but I bet that got your attention though didn't it?! I have this weird policy when I write to not force it, it'll come when it's good and ready (or when i can be bothered to put it to paper ha) unfortunately for me it's arrival is at 2am when a decent nights shut eye wouldve been much appreciated! Anyway, I digress.

A few weeks ago wifey came home from work, later than usual, with complaints of Auckland's infamous wet weather traffic, and animosity towards her car stereo's lack of CD player. Following more light conversation, "Lets have another baby", she says just casually. My initial response was one of genuine surprise, we've always been fond of the idea of a younger one but hadn't yet had that discussion.

It got me thinking, and thinking more.. thinking so much my brain hurt, if my mind got paid double for working overtime I wouldn't have to go back to work anytime soon I tell ya! My logical side had all these adult-like questions.. How does one transport 3 little humans? Will 3 car seats fit in the back of my car? Do I need a new car? A minivan? Nooo not a minivan! What about walks? Surely I can't expect Carter's shorter than average legs to walk the same distance as mine? If I continue my SAHD status will I be able to handle another? I mean, I like to think I'm a good dad, but does that next step require even more superhuman powers? My creative side processed these queries and came up with a single answer.. She'll be right.

But the question that weighed heaviest on my mind.. Do I WANT another child?.. seemed to be the easiest to answer. Of course I do. I've always wanted a family, and I don't think I've ever put a restriction on how many members I think it should have, so as many as Laura fancied would suit me just fine. I feel for couples who struggle to conceive, and especially for those that can't at all, sometimes I can't help but feel a hint of guilt even though I shouldn't. When people see our boys, and their 19 month age gap, they often assume pregnancy comes easy to us, but that is not the case. We tried for almost 2 years prior to having our first born, and another 10 months before our second conception, so at first we did have those sad moments when we thought it wasn't going to happen.

Anyway, as a result of that conversation I guess you could say we're sorta trying, but kinda not, but maybe, or we'll just see what happens haha. With faces like these who wouldn't want more right?..




I'd love to hear from anyone with 3 or more kids, and how it's going for you.

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He's a boy

I have become very familiar with these 3 words since Carter came along, but even more so over the past couple of weeks. His intense hatred for having his hair did makes it difficult to counter the "ohh she's so cute" comments, and his lashes, which all girls seem to envy, don't help the situation either. So all I'm left with to attempt to make it obvious which team he's on, is how I dress him. And I dress him well. I spend more time getting the boys ready than I do myself haha. But seriously, by the amount of failed attempts by strangers at guessing his flavour, you would think I dress him in a pink bodysuit with pink angel wings on his back or something.
It did begin to irritate me a bit, mostly because I just couldn't see it, "how could people possibly think he's a girl?" I'd say to wifey, I couldn't for the life of me comprehend it.

But you know sometimes when something's right in front of you, you don't realise certain things, until something changes? You know what I mean, right? Well today Carter got his hair cut so i'll use these photo's to assist me with my explanation...




Like... I didn't realise his hair was THAT long before haha, I mean, now I see it, now i could easily mistake him for a girl, now it all makes sense!

So sorry to all those people who I've never met before and may never see again, for feeling anger towards you even though you never knew it and probably never will, hope you can forgive me lol.

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Toddlerock

I love music. I love it with a passion. If I could, I'd happily make babies with it and be a stay at home dad to them also. Bar family and friends, there is probably nothing I feel as equally fond of... nothing even comes close. I can't recall many early childhood memories, but those I can are only due to the fact that I've associated them with whatever song was playing, or in my head at the time (usually something by Michael Jackson haha). I remember particular rugby games we won by the songs that were playing during the 30 minute car journey to Kensington Park, I remember my first day of intermediate/high school by the song I heard coming from a teachers open car door as I strolled nervously past the staff carpark, and I remember the song I was listening to when I realised another reconciliation involving the parentals wasn't going to happen. I'm positive many people share my obsession, and why not? Music is so inspiring, soothing, and just has a way of making everything better.

So anyway, with the hope that our littluns inherit my infatuation, yesterday we went along to Toddlerock, an hour long sing and dance session for wee ones, just for a little nudge of encouragement, should it not be enough, a bigger nudge may be called for haha. It's the second time I've taken the boys, but they have been previously with Bonny, our child carer before myself.

The first 10 minutes or so at times involves some urging, but it's not long until they are eagerly awaiting instructions..




...then their faces light up as they attempt to snatch the balloons in the middle...




...what's cooler than that you ask? Hiding underneath of course...




...they also have a good play area which has recently been extended to accommodate its growing popularity...




...funnily, but not surprisingly, Louie's favourite part seems to be pretending to be asleep..




...haha gotta be mum's genes.

They have a ball, and Bonny still attends so they get to see her which they love. It's also another activity that involves leaving the house so it's sure to be doing them the world of good (not to mention myself!). If you feel it's something that may interest your offspring, checkout their Facebook page here for details. Like most classes of this nature, if you're a dad, prepare to be heavily outnumbered, there's 2 of us lol.

I just finished deleting my closing line "enjoy your weekend" as it just dawned on me that today is only thursday, a common side effect to not having a traditional job is never knowing what day of the week it is haha. Instead I'll close with an apology for the poor quality photos, and leave you with one of Louie at the Zoo last weekend for wifey's birthday!




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Bits & Pieces

It's just gone 12pm on the dot and both children are tightly tucked, and away with the fairies, post lunch drowsiness always results in a siesta the Spaniards would be proud of. I usually use this time (when I'm not unconscious myself) to tend to my duties as a man-wife, put a load of washing on, clean the kitchen and bathroom, floors etc etc etc.. All the real exciting stuff, but since it's been over a week since my last post AND I have already managed to whip our cosy dwelling into tip top shape, I thought a little bits 'n pieces segment might be a good time waster.

This past week has been eventful to say the least. Most importantly, on Wednesday afternoon some very close friends of ours welcomed their first wee bundle of joy into the world, a gorgeous little girl with an equally gorgeous name.. Elle Rose, so a huge congratulations to them, they will undoubtedly make awesome parents.

Just minutes after receiving the news of the new arrival and midway through replying via text, my iPhone screen switched to "Laura Calling" with the option to accept or decline, usually in this situation I would decline and call back post text messaging, but the time of the call seemed odd so I answered. Sure enough, there were tears on the other end of the line, accompanied by a few curse words, her car had broken down on the motorway during peak hour traffic! To add fuel to the fire, my own car had that day just been towed to our mechanic with a clutch problem, fortunately though, I had a friends car that I was able to fetch Laura in, but we weren't so lucky in avoiding another tow charge.

So all that carry on left the boys and I stuck at home, which meant i had to call upon my creative imagination, and what i came up with was this...




Haha, it was a hit for the first day, but then it became time to tackle travelling the old school way, walk. Normanton Reserve is just under a kilometre from ours (yet seems like 10 pushing an occupied double stroller uphill on the return journey) so we often pack a picnic and venture down there for an hour or 2..




...and even though there is a cool playground, Louie enjoys playing around this pole...




...naturally, Carter copies...




...so Louie's all like "betcha can't do the one leg!"




...and "look daddy.. I'm balancing on my head!"




...haha he was so proud.

Another couple we are close friends with celebrated their little girls 2nd birthday with a trip to Kelly Tarltons on Saturday so we took the boys along. They loved the sharks and stingrays and all the cool colourful fish, but I think even more than that, they loved jumping on and off the "moving footpath", the giant fish slide and crawling under seats lol...




I haven't visited that place in years, but the only thing that seems to have changed is the price.. $34 per adult and $17 for anyone over 3, considering it can quite easily be all over in 20-30 minutes I think it's a rip, still cool, but unjustified, taking into account you only pay $22 to visit a Zoo full of animals and under 4's are free. I'm not saying don't go, we all enjoyed it and fun was definitely had, but if you can, buy your tickets online here to save a few bucks.

Well anyway, that was a brief summary of our week, it seems I'm slowly running out of things to stimulate my little friends, any suggestions would be much appreciated so feel free to comment below!

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Just wing it

Ok, so I'm just going to come out guns blazing and say it.. I kinda have a knack for this parenting stuff, I possess an uncanny ability to turn a child's tanty (which our neighbouring properties could easily mistake for an exorcism) into laughter that if you could bottle, would make you a very wealthy person, I am to fatherhood what Dr House is to saving lives.. Ok well maybe only T.K from Shortland Street good, but you catch my drift.

There are 3 reasons why I think I have acquired this super power. Firstly, because I can be just a little bit weird, meaning.. if the wiggles had another coloured skivvy they needed filling, I would probably be a suitable candidate (and since red is already taken, I'd be Mr green wiggle). Secondly, who do kids get along with best? Answer: Other kids haha, I'm still very much a kid at heart so I love playing games, doing the crazy shake with Team Umizoomi, and searching high and low for clues with our handy dandy notebook. Finally, and probably the best explanation, is the fact that kids are just so easily pleased, they can find happiness in the simplest things, whether it be standing over the vacuum cleaner for a blow dry..




..or cooking colourful cupcakes in a cardboard box oven..




..busting rhymes with an upside down bowling pin..




..or getting a tad carried away with drawing clues in the handy dandy notebook..




..which wifey at first was not impressed with, but then laughed because it didn't happen on her watch haha.

I remember being a kid and the things that would make me happy, and all the silly things my dad would do. Basically i just try to recreate those fun times and hope my boys enjoy them just as much, because although being able to make a kid stop crying makes my new occupation easier, I still have lots to learn. So when I'm confronted with an unfamiliar situation, I turn to my remixed version of Nike's slogan.. Just wing it.


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More iPads please

"Daddy I want to play on the mypad"

"Here, you can play on my phone"

"But I want to play on the mypad"

"I'm just reading something important right now (Facebook)"

"But I want to play on the mypad"

"I'll be 2 seconds and then you..."

"But I want to play on the mypad right now!"

If i'm not having this conversation with Carter, i will probably be in a tug of war/screaming battle with Woowee, with the iPad playing the role of the rope. Now I'm not a parent who chooses not to let their kids enjoy the benefits of technology (each to their own), but I do like to limit the amount of time they spend in the digital world, especially when the portal they're using to enter it is MINE haha.

I'm a big kid when it comes to gadgets, pretty sure I slept with my iPad in hand for the first week (in all honesty it still sleeps under my pillow) and even took it to work with me, even though there was only 5 minutes of the day that I would actually use it. Yup, those were the days.. Louie was still serving his 9 month sentence inside, and Carter hadn't yet reached rehab qualifiable full blown tech addiction. Now, i figure the only way for us to spend quality time (iPad and I) is if I become a ninja..




I have a black leather case though so I should be fine haha. But seriously, we need another one, ideally another 3, so then I can hand mine down and enjoy the clarity of 'The New iPad', I floated the idea of an iPod touch for Carter's 3rd birthday, but this post is evidence that the 100 watt light bulb that magically appeared above my head, soon flickered its way to a miserable death.

On the subject of little humans and technology, I find it so amazing how quickly they learn, and how willing they are to learn, many oldies foolishly assume such a thing is beyond them, but what can be easier than a device that comes with no manual? Carter's first experience with an iPhone was when he was only a few months old, he latched onto mine with his gums and sucked it like a boob, needless to say that 1st gen model suffered water damage. Although now, 3 years on, not only has he realized it doesn't have milk inside it, but he could also school people 30 years his senior on how to use any apple product, and Louie is not far behind..





..he sits there quietly studying his brothers every move, figuring out which app is YouTube and where to tap to play videos, also waiting patiently for him to put it down so he can strike!.. Gripping the mypad in 2 hands, he Usain Bolt's it into my arms for protection, then says "round n round" twirling his finger simultaneously, which means he wants to watch Wheels On The Bus, one of his fav's.

Wifey and I don't buy into the notion that all this is not good for the children, like any other toy they play with, they soon get bored and put it down to shoot hoops outside, or ride bikes on the deck. We see it as a valuable learning tool, technology is only going to get more advanced, so i think the bigger the head start the better. In saying that, we don't condone using such devices as babysitters, spend time with your kids, make sure they don't call 'Siri' mum or dad, everything in moderation.


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