On turning 30

Today is the day – I am now 30!

The truth be told, I don’t feel any different to yesterday! Funny that. But I am honestly okay with saying farewell to my “carefree 20’s”. Not that my 20’s were actually carefree; I chose to start my first full-time job, graduate from University, leave home, get married, buy a house, have a baby, renovate a house, and have another baby during my 20’s! They have been wonderful years, but I firmly believe that my 30’s will be even better. Bring it on!

Today has been a lovely day so far. I had an unexpected sleep-in this morning – we all did! I woke up at 8am and realised the boys were still asleep! Once everyone was up, my 3 boys gathered around to give me my presents.

They got me a sweet cards, a digital key chain (yay! fun! I can’t wait to have a play with this!), a new watch and a pair of earrings:

Nice, huh?

From Mum & Dad, I got this beautiful pearl necklace:

Mum also altered this cigar box for me:

The pearl is so special because when I was a baby, Dad wrote a song for me:

Hannah, my little girl
Hannah, my little pearl
You’re a gift from heaven above
You’re a gift of God’s great love
Hannah, my little girl

And courtesy of my lil’ sister, I will be rocking my socks off (with her!) next Tuesday night at the Matchbox Twenty concert. Yeah! She also got me a huge crate of Coke Zero. She knows me so well.

Unfortunately I had to work on my birthday. But since I work from home, and since Rob is home every Monday, it wasn’t so bad.
Rob took Tyler for a Kindy visit today, so I went and had lunch with Mum during her lunch break.

I have actually been finding it hard to get any work done today, because I have literally had a constant stream of phone calls, text messages, emails, blog comments, forum posts and Facebook messages wishing me a Happy Birthday!! I swear, when I first logged on to start work this morning, the messages and notifications were just pouring in at a rate of knots! Not that I’m complaining – I feel very loved.
It’s been so nice to get birthday messages from family in Whangarei, from work colleagues at the office, and from friends who have moved away or overseas – I miss all of you guys!!

A HUGE thank you must also go to my very special scrapping friends who sent lovely messages, cards and gifts. Louise made me a gorgeous card, which has to be one of the most beautiful cards I have ever received. Thanks, Lou!

Janine altered this gorgeous tin and filled it with heaps of little cards saying “List ….”, the perfect gift for a self-confessed List Queen!

Annelie made me a gorgeous card which included a $40 voucher to spend at Scrapbooker’s Delight, where she works. I am going in there on Friday to redeem it, and to see her in action behind the till!

I’m really touched at the generosity and kindness of my friends. You are all very special to me.

There have also been cards & presents from relatives, including $50 from Rob’s Gran … I am busy thinking of ways to spend that!

My boys are cooking me a nice birthday dinner, which smells really good! There will be cake. Mmmm, cake. I am looking forward to a nice quiet evening with Rob, watching Prison Break, and drinking one of his legendary hot chocolates. Bliss!

I’m having a big party on Saturday night, which should be heaps of fun! I will have more photos to post after that, I’m sure.   You gotta love birthdays that last for more than a day, huh?

Pardon me, a parody?

It’s finally time to post the results of another Live Poet’s Society assignment. The deadline was March 20th, but we extended it because Teeni had some other important behind-the-blog stuff going on.

Last month, Teeni set me this assignment:

You must select any relatively well-known country song of your choice. Please post all the lyrics from the song or link to someplace where they are posted already, and then come up with a parody version of lyrics for that song. Difficulty – no mention of a wife leaving or a dog dying.

I decided to choose a Faith Hill song. I know she’s not strictly a country singer, having “crossed over” into the pop genre. But the bottom line is :: I’m not really a fan of pure country. Sorry, country music lovers!
Faith Hill, however, is a singer I do enjoy listening to. The particular song I have chosen is This Kiss, written by Robin Lerner, Annie Roboff and Beth Nielsen Chapman. It was Faith Hill’s first solo top ten hit on the US pop chart.
I hope it’s well-known enough, but if not, click here to listen (watching the cheesy video is optional).

Here are the original lyrics:

This Kiss

I don’t want another heartbreak
I don’t need another turn to cry
I don’t want to learn the hard way
Baby hello, oh no, goodbye
But you got me like a rocket
Shooting straight across the sky

It’s the way you love me
It’s a feeling like this
It’s centrifugal motion
It’s perpetual bliss
It’s that pivotal moment
It’s (ah) impossible
This kiss, this kiss … unstoppable … this kiss, this kiss

Cinderella said to Snow White
How did love get so off course
All I wanted was a white knight
With a good heart, soft touch, fast horse
Ride me off into the sunset
Baby, I’m forever yours

It’s the way you love me
It’s a feeling like this
It’s centrifugal motion
It’s perpetual bliss
It’s that pivotal moment
It’s (ah) unthinkable
This kiss, this kiss … unsinkable … this kiss, this kiss

You can kiss me in the moonlight
On the rooftop under the sky (oh)
You can kiss me with the windows open
While the rain comes blowing inside (oh)
Kiss me in sweet slow motion, let’s let everything slide
You got me floating, you got me flying

It’s the way you love me
It’s a feeling like this
It’s centrifugal motion
It’s perpetual bliss
It’s that pivotal moment
It’s (ah) subliminal
This kiss, this kiss … it’s criminal … this kiss, this kiss

It’s the way you love me baby
It’s the way you love me darlin’

I wrote a parody version of this song based on my love-hate relationship with a certain television show. I know, pretty shallow! But Rob will testify to the fact that I am being driven mad by the storyline on LOST. Completely mad. Crazy. It keeps me awake at night. So much so that I wrote this:

This Show

I don’t want another flashback
I don’t need another twist or turn
I don’t want to wait for answers
Baby hello, I’m “LOST”, for sure
But you got me watching each week
JJ, I’m forever hooked

It’s the way it throws me
It’s each unforseen blow
It’s ridiculous plotlines
It’s enough to scream “no!”
It’s that pivotal moment
It’s (ah) impossible
This show, this show … improbable … this show, this show

Jack Shepherd said to Sayid
How did Locke get so off course
All we wanted was a rescue
On a big boat, or good raft, fast oars
Sail us off into the sunset
So that we are “LOST” no more

It’s the way it throws me
It’s each unforseen blow
It’s ridiculous plotlines
It’s enough to scream “no!”
It’s that pivotal moment
It’s (ah) peculiar
This show, this show … irregular … this show, this show

I can watch it in the moonlight
On a laptop under the sky (oh)
I can watch it with the windows open
While the rain comes blowing inside (oh)
If I watch in sweet slow motion, it might make everything jibe?
It’s got me stewing, it’s got me sighing

It’s the way it throws me
It’s each unforseen blow
It’s ridiculous plotlines
It’s enough to scream “no!”
It’s that pivotal moment
It’s (ah) fortuitous
This show, this show … impetuous … this show, this show

It’s the way it throws me baby
It’s the way it hooks me darlin’

So there you have it. I’m definitely NOT a lyricist!
The assignment was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but I had heaps of fun doing it. Thanks, Teeni!

I also set Teeni an assignment – and you can check out her finished masterpiece here.

————————

For the next assignment? I decided that after setting 3 assignments for each other, we deserved a taste of our own medicine. So this time, we will be choosing one of the assignments we previously set for the other person.

I’ve decided that I’m going to do the one Teeni has just completed (choose 6 words from the dictionary at random and shape them into a sestina).
I knew it was a challenge when I asked Teeni to do it, but I’m quite excited about taking it on. I’m a bit of a closet poet, I guess. I used to write poetry all the time, but I haven’t written any for ages.

The flexible deadline for this is April 30th. Flexible being the operative word.

Remember, you are all very welcome to join in! You can choose any of the previous assignments set by either of us. If you do take part, please link back to this post (or Teeni’s). Oh, and feel free to take a copy of the Live Poet’s Society badge at the top of this post.

To nap or not to nap?

That is the question!

At the moment, Tyler is driving me a little crazy.
He is 3 1/2 and still naps most afternoons. I know. I AM grateful for that. But … he’s getting to the point where his bedtime routine is suffering because of the daytime sleep.

I’m sure all of you with older kids will understand what I’m talking about!

7pm is bedtime for both boys. Lately, Tyler has been making a bit of fuss after he’s been tucked in – calling out for a drink, or for another toy, or whatever. He is often still awake at 9pm. He stays in bed, but we can hear him talking, singing or playing for a LONG time. I remember Ethan doing the same thing just before he turned 3. The difference with him? He would FIGHT me over his afternoon nap. Tyler doesn’t really do that. He fights with Nana over his afternoon nap (because he loves being at her place so much and doesn’t want to miss anything!), but he will quite happily have a sleep here at home or at preschool. Because he is usually quite willing to have a sleep, we haven’t really considered dropping the nap. Until now.

For the past 6 months or so, we have been able to do the odd nap-skiparoo. Sometimes on the weekend, when we are out and about, Tyler will skip his nap without any problems. Lately, he’s been skipping his nap more often. When he does, he goes straight to sleep at night. Which is great. But we have been paying for it in other ways. In the screaming/crying/whining ways.

I just hate this stage!! The whole I’m-almost-ready-to-stop-napping-but-I’ll-be-horrible-to-live-with-while-I-sort-myself-out stage. It sucks! But I firmly believe that Dr. Christopher Green is a wise man when he says: “I favour the sacrifice of the already waning afternoon nap, believing the good night-sleeping pattern to be more important.”

Amen to that! Just give me the strength to get through this other part first.

As much as I will miss the 2 hours of peace each afternoon, I know the nap has to go. I know I’m lucky he has kept it up for this long! There is one other really good reason to say farewell to the nap: Tyler starts afternoon Kindy next term. No chance for sleeping on those days! I guess we still have the option of giving him a nap on the other 4 days if he NEEDS one.

Despite being driven bonkers by his irritability on the no-nap days, the kid is still utterly adorable. Here’s some proof:

From the mouth of Tyler …

Talking about what to get me for my upcoming birthday:

Tyler: Hey, I know! Would you like a Transformer for your birthday?
Me: No thanks. I don’t really like Transformers.
Tyler: Why not? I like playing with them.
Me: I just don’t really like them.
Tyler: Oh, okay then. How about a skirt? Would you like a skirt for your birthday?
Me: That would be nice!
Tyler: Okay, I’ll get you a skirt then.

While having cuddles in bed the other morning:

Tyler: I know what kisses are.
Me: What are they?
Tyler: Love.
Me: What else is love?
Tyler: Popping you on the head!
Me: That’s not very nice!
Tyler: No, I mean like this (gently pats my head).
Me: Oh, you mean “patting” me on the head?
Tyler: Yeah!
Me: What else is love?
Tyler: Being nice to people.
Me: You’re so cute, Tyler.
Tyler: Cute is love, too.
Me: It sure is.
Tyler: I love you.
Me: I love you, too. You’re very special.
Tyler: I know I am.

Yo, word up!

Word (wêrd) n. any sound or combination of sounds (or its written or printed symbol, customarily shown with a space on either side of it but none within it) forming meaningful element of speech, conveying an idea or alternative ideas, and capable of serving as a member of, the whole of, or a substitute for, a sentence.

It seems Ethan has inherited my love of words. I’m also extremely passionate about grammar and punctuation, but he doesn’t seem overly enthusiastic about such trivial things … yet. It will come; he just needs more time.

I can’t remember too many details about my scholastic life prior to age 8. Memories of my first 2-3 years at primary school are sketchy. But I am fairly certain that I was not learning about onomatopoeia, alliteration, metaphors, similies, synonyms, adjectives and compound words when I was 5 years old.
I am impressed to see what Ethan is learning at school, and even more impressed to witness his obvious enthusiasm for it.

He is a good little reader. Only now he reads everything he sees. EVERYTHING. This is not always a good thing!

At the moment, he is constantly pointing out compound words. He does it so much that Tyler has started to copy him. The other day while we were driving in the car, Tyler piped up with: “Mummy, is ____ a compined (compound) word?”
Tyler has no idea what a compound word actually IS, but it made me giggle.

Anyway, back to Ethan.
As I mentioned, he is all about the compound words. But that’s not all. Oh no. He knows that “er”, “ur” and “ir” all have very similar sounds. He knows about the silent “h” and the silent “l”. He knows about changing “y” to “ies” when making a word plural. He knows what sound “ph” makes. He calls “y” Mr. Pretender, and knows it can stand in for a vowel. He knows what a verb is. He knows what an adjective is. He understands word families. He recognises pallindromes (this is 99.9% due to the fact that my own name is a pallindrome, and I explained it all to him one day). He is (in the process of) learning that you usually don’t have more than 2 vowels in a row.

He still makes plenty of mistakes in his writing, but I like the fact that he is encouraged to spell everything on his own. The other day, he wrote a story at school about eating candy floss at the gala. He said it tasted “delishis”. How cool is that? He sounded it out. It looks right. That’s good enough for me (as long as he learns the proper spelling eventually, of course).

Every morning, while we walk to school, I test Ethan on his spelling. The kids all have “ring words” which are laminated tags on a key ring containing words that they have to learn how to spell. The teacher tests them each week, and then new words are added.

His current list includes words like:

chest
guest
suggest
thrill
skill
babies
because
helpful
afterwards

… along with some easier ones.

Believe it or not, he actually gets a kick out of having some harder words to learn. He enjoys the challenge. I think that’s pretty cool.

Ethan’s love of spelling also extends to writing.
Yesterday was a school holiday. I still had to work, so Ethan played and drew alongside me in the playroom/office. He wrote a bunch of little stories about going to the Easter show, and I received my usual pile of pictures and notes saying “I love you Mummy” and “You are so beautiful Mummy”. My favourite one from yesterday says: “To M. From E.” It made me smile.

It pleases me to see Ethan’s growing love of words.
I hope one day we can complete crosswords together. It would be nice if he asked for a Thesaurus or a Lexicon for his birthday. And I wouldn’t complain if he won lots of money at one of those Spelling Bees.

But most of all? I hope he continues to write.
I want to run out of storage room for all his little notes.
As he grows up, I hope he writes letters telling me that I’m a mean Mum (yes, I did that to my poor mother!) and letters telling me that he had a bad day at school (yes, I did that too). I hope he writes stories about things he’s done and things he dreams of doing.
When he leaves home, I hope he continues to write thank you notes to relatives after each birthday. I hope he writes about his aspirations in life. I hope he writes lyrics to songs. I hope he writes A-grade essays at University (if he goes).
When he gets married, I hope he writes beautiful love letters to his wife. I hope he writes heartfelt words to his children, telling them how proud he is of them. And I hope he writes the odd card to his Mama, to tell her that he loves her, and that she’s still beautiful, even when she’s really old.

Easter fun!

Our Easter weekend has been a whole lot of fun!

First and foremost, we have been focusing on the REAL meaning of Easter. Over Thursday-Sunday, our church organised and hosted a special Easter Celebration, including a locally made movie called “The Innkeeper’s Son” (which was written and directed by one of our members), an amazing Art Exhibition, and a Garden Cafe. I worked a few shifts in the cafe over the weekend, and Rob helped remove the paintings after the exhibition finished on Sunday night.

We have also been enjoying this gorgeous weather! I can’t remember an Easter so warm & summery. I guess because it’s so early this year. There have been plenty of walks down to the playground and swims at the beach. Best of all, we have enjoyed relaxing and spending time together … without worrying about work for 4 days!

On Easter Sunday, I set my alarm for 7am so I could get up and hide eggs in the backyard before the boys woke up. When they got up, I gave them these special “baskets” I made for them to collect their eggs in:

They were very excited about hunting for eggs outside. Last year we did an indoor egg hunt because the weather wasn’t as nice. But this year it was all outside (the way it should be). It was so cute watching them look together, helping each other. I hid all the eggs in “pairs”, with one being for Ethan and the other for Tyler (this way they would each have the same number of eggs at the end). Whoever found a hiding place first would call the other one over, and they would excitedly pick up the eggs and place them in their baskets.

About a dozen pairs of small caramel or strawberry eggs were hidden around the backyard, with the “big ticket” items in the letterbox — they each got a hollow Cars egg with a little toy included. They thought it was so funny that the Easter Bunny hid the big ones in the letterbox.

After the egg hunt, we read them the Easter story from their Kid’s Bible:

Both boys really understand the true meaning of Easter, and I love listening to their “version” of how it all went down. Usually it’s something like “Jesus was dead on the cross and God made him alive again. We have new life because he was dead for us.”
Yep, you got it!

Today we went to the Easter Show, as we do every year on Easter Monday. My parents and sister always come with us, and this year we also had my second-cousin Tyler (yep, another Tyler!) who is over from Canada at the moment.

I made an executive decision that we would all arrive at 9am sharp (opening time) to avoid crowds and heat. And although it was NOT easy getting out of bed at 7.30 this morning, it was definitely worth it. When we arrived at the Showgrounds, the place was practically empty! We didn’t have to wait in line for anything, and it wasn’t too hot. Perfect!

The boys really enjoyed the “Shrek the Third” stage show. It was great, with lots of cool songs. And of course they are both huge Shrek fans so they enjoyed themselves immensely.

After the show we checked out the Farm World, and then headed over to the Carnival area for some rides. The boys really wanted to go on the Dragon Rollercoaster (a pretty tame one). Rob decided to put them on by themselves! We gave them some coupons, and they waited in line together, holding hands. It was so cute!!

The ride itself was pretty fast and there were a few sharp jolty corners which gave Tyler a bit of a fright. Ethan was completely fine, but Tyler started to get upset after the 4th time around. He managed to last the distance though. I was proud of them for looking after each other and being so independent. Of course we were all standing right there, but I was impressed that they wanted to do it alone.

The Giant Slide is hugely popular and not to be missed, so they each had 3 turns on that (with Grandad and Daddy):

After lunch, it was time for the “Out of Africa” Circus! What a great show that was! Just amazing! The boys were extremely impressed with the African dancers/acrobats, the fire juggler, and the tightrope artists. Ethan kept asking how they could do it. I said they did a LOT of practice. “I don’t believe you!” was his reply each time!

We spent a bit more time wandering around the Market Place, and Ethan did another “Sand Wizard” picture. By that stage it was 2pm, and we’d been there for 5 hours. I was feeling weary! So we all decided to call it a day.
It was definitely another fun year at the Easter Show!!

I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter as well!

Good Friday

Fight Like A Girl

“Fight Like A Girl: The Power Of Being A Woman” is the name of a fantastic book I am reading by Lisa Bevere.
My BIL gave it to me for Christmas, and although it usually only takes me a few days to finish a book, I am reading this one differently. I am reading it s-l-o-w-l-y. I am trying to take everything in.

Yes, it’s a “Christian” book, but it doesn’t deserve to be pigeon-holed. It has good stuff in it that every woman needs to hear. So I thought I’d share a little with you.

I really enjoyed the section entitled “Breaking Through The Static” … it basically talks about having the power to change your attitude.

Here’s an excerpt:

———————-

For years I have heard many different and mixed messages about women. When I was younger I heard feminist leaders speak, but then there was always the static of their anger. As I grew I heard the voices of divorced women, and there was the noise of their disappointment, hurt, bitterness, and betrayal. In college I heard the philosophy of my sociology instructor, but there was the interference of her agenda. In church I heard the views of leaders, and frequently there was the static of religious systems. Each voice carried a portion of truth. These were true stories of hardship and injustice, of domination and loss. When I put these pieces together, I did not like the resulting picture or the options it presented me. I wanted something more. I wanted the dance. I wanted to smile. I wanted the city on the horizon.

As we journey toward the way things should be, each of us will travel from different places or perspectives, but it is imperative as women that we get there. In order to find our way, we must first turn off the ever-present static, for it dangerously muffles and distorts all we hear. This interference had become a constant in my life. What did the static say?

“Women are a problem.”

Have you heard this static?

Thankfully, over the years I have discovered that for every lie, there is an overriding truth: Women are not a problem … they are an answer.

You are an answer.

“No,” you may say, “I am not. I am a problem. You don’t know what my life has been like.” Quiet, listen, I am not speaking to your past; I am speaking to your future. If you believe you are an answer, you’ll approach life and relationships in an entirely different manner than if you believe you are a problem. Problems are negative, critical, and judgemental. Problems nag your life with their worries and fears. Oh, but solutions sound and feel very different. They are positive, hopeful, and life-giving in their wisdom. Answers comfort and slay fear with the power of love. If you believe you are a problem, sooner or later you will begin to act like one. Likewise, if you believe you are not intrinsically a problem but a solution, you will begin to act like one. Imagine what might happen if a whole generation of women got this. If they looked in the mirror each day and said, “I am an answer. I have the power to rock this world. I was created for good and not harm. I don’t need to roar, for I hold the power of the whisper.”

You are somebody’s answer. You are something’s answer. There is a problem out there only your presence can solve. There is a broken and wounded heart to which only you can administer healing. You are a voice to the mute. You are beauty amid desolation. You are not a victim; you are an answer.

———————-

Most of you will know that I suffered from postnatal depression. It was the darkest, blackest time in my life so far. But the subsequent recovery and healing awakened something in me which has completely changed my thinking and attitude. I am a much more positive person now. I never thought I would be able to think that way. But I had put myself in a box.
Now I can see that I was thinking of myself as a problem, not a solution. Today I know that I am an answer. It may have taken me almost 30 years to figure it out, but I’m so glad I did.

Our Saturday

At 10am on Saturday, we caught the ferry over to Tiritiri Matangi Island, a birdlife sanctuary just off the end of the peninsula we live on.
We went with our church Music Team, which I am part of. All up, there were 18 of us, ranging in age from 3 to 50-something.

The weather started off quite windy, but it soon turned into an absolutely gorgeous day.

We arrived on the Island around 10.30am, and walked over to Hobbs Bay:

This was our “camp” for the day. We set up our picnic blankets and had some morning tea, before 16 of us headed off on a hike up to the lighthouse:

Somehow Rob and Ethan got separated from the rest of the group, and ended up taking an alternative (shorter!) route to the top. I had Tyler with me, and he was such a trooper! It was a 40-min walk, but no toilet stops were needed, and I only had to carry him for the last 50 metres. Both boys walked all the way back again too! I was impressed!

On the walk, we saw and heard so many native birds: takahe, bellbirds, stitchbirds, wood pigeons, tui, saddlebacks and parakeet. The island is about 60% bush, and it’s just beautiful. So peaceful and untouched.

When we got back to the beach, it was time for lunch. A very cheeky takahe, ostensibly named Greg, spent most of his day trying to steal our food. He succeeded a couple of times, making off with one of Dad’s sandwiches and Catriona’s half-eaten apple!

After lunch, we had time for a swim before heading back to the ferry:

Getting dry after a swim:

Ethan collecting shells:

Tyler and Aunty Leah:

The ferry left at 3.30 and we got back to dry land around 4pm.

Then it was off to the rugby for our family! We’d already decided to go to the Super 14 game (Blues vs Force) at North Harbour stadium. Kick-off was 5.30pm. It was about 5pm by the time we drove in there, parked the car and walked over to the stadium. Just as we were about to buy our tickets, a guy came over and GAVE us 6 free ones! Woot!

It was Tyler’s first live game, and Ethan’s third. Of course Tyler wasn’t very interested in the game, but he loved the Blues’ mascot (who happens to be a Pirate).

Ethan, on the other hand, was really enthusiastic about the game. He watched intently, shouting “Go, Blues!” and constantly checking out the scoreboard (which was just behind us).

Unfortunately, the Blues didn’t do well in the second half, and we lost.
I really should have taken a photo of Ethan at the end :: lying face down on the grass, totally depressed! It was quite comical, really. I told Mum (who *feels* rugby losses quite severely) that he obviously takes after her! But then I heard her saying this to Ethan as we walked back to the carpark: “Come on, we just have to pick ourselves up, and carry on.” ROFL!

It really was a fantastic way to spend our Saturday!

Just Chillin’

Just Chillin’ is the name of the March kit from Scrapbook Essentials. As it’s now the 15th, I can share what I created this month:

SUMMER SUNSHINE

I wanted to scrap some pics from our Hahei holiday as “snapshots” of summertime. I just loved the cute popsicles & beach balls from the Imaginisce paper, so cut some out and grouped them together as fun embellishments.
Journalling reads: “Summertime! It’s my absolute favourite time of year, and this year (2008) was a gorgeous one. On our annual holiday to Hahei, the kids had a total blast, spending houts at the beach – swimming, playing in the sand, exploring and just enjoying the sunshine!”

JUICY

I wanted to highlight the red & yellow/orange colours of the nectarine Tyler is eating in the photos. Those colours seemed to contrast so well with the gorgeous blue sky and the matching Bazzill cardstock.
Journalling reads: “I just love these photos of Tyler at Lonely Bay. They show how gorgeous the weather was – blue skies, sunny days, not a breath of wind. Yummy fruit to make it totally perfect. Tyler adores fruit – and there’s nothing better after a big swim!”

YOU

Lots and lots of layering on this one, playing with different edges (punched notepaper edge & decorative scissors).
To make the butterfly, I used a chipboard butterfly as a template to cut a butterfly from Tim Holtz grungeboard, then painted, inked and doodled. Let me just say that I. Love. Grungeboard.
Journalling reads: “Little poser, you just adore having your photo taken. Today was no exception. Love this kissy face! Living it up in the summer time sun.”

ALTERED CD TIN

I had fun altering this silver hinged CD tin from the add-on kit.
I used the “Joyful Flowers” patterned paper as inspiration for the colours I used to paint my chipboard butterfly – pink, green, blue, brown and white.

Toilet Training

I actually don’t like the term “toilet training”. It implies that the parents need to “teach” their kids to use the toilet. But I believe children can teach themselves, in their OWN time.
Case in point: Ethan taught himself. He was 3 years and 4 months of age. It took 5 days (with only a handful of accidents). It was easy.

I know people who started “training” their kids at 18 months, and 18 months later, they were still taking a potty and changes of underwear/clothes everywhere they went. Fine, if that’s what floats your boat. But personally? I didn’t find that prospect particularly appealing.
I read a few books (as you do), and decided I would leave it up to Ethan to tell us when he was ready. It worked.

I assumed it would also work for Tyler. I can now say it has, to a degree. The difference with Tyler? He needed a very gentle “nudge”.

Tyler is almost 3 1/2. Over the past few months, we’ve “nudged” him a few times. Mostly because the child has 4-5 bowel motions a day (I know!!!) and we were FED UP with wiping his bum. Not to mention the number of nappies we were going through.

So every now and then, we’d pull out the Buzz Lightyear underwear, and give it go. But he usually couldn’t hold on for long enough to get to the toilet, and by the time he’d had one or two accidents, he’d get upset and beg to put a nappy back on. We didn’t want to make it a negative experience, so we followed his cues. There was always another day to try again.

This has been our very relaxed “system” for several months. Stop-and-start. He just wasn’t ready. I know lots of people were probably horrified to see an almost 3 1/2-year-old boy still in nappies. But I know my own child, and I knew that he just wasn’t ready. I also knew it would happen eventually. No need to stress!

This week has been a turning point for Tyler.

We started with underpants again on Monday morning, and he had a really good day. He had a few accidents, but this time, he was happy to “keep trying”. The next day, he went to preschool in underpants for the very first time. They were really impressed with his progress, which in turn boosted his confidence. Wednesday was his day at Nana’s, and he did really well there too. Thursday he was back at preschool, and he had NO ACCIDENTS! He even slept for 3 hours and his nappy (only for sleep time) was dry when he woke up!! He was SO proud of himself. Today we had one accident (#2’s, which he’s struggling with a little bit), but he’s still doing really well.

Obviously I can’t say that he is “toilet trained”, but he is definitely making huge strides. The best thing about it (besides not having to change his smelly butt and not having to buy daytime nappies!) is that he’ll finally be able to go to Public Kindergarten!
We got a call in October to say he could start, but they wouldn’t take him unless he was out of nappies. So we told them we’d call back when he was toilet trained. I think it will soon be time to call!

Today – for once – I am feeling confident in my parenting abilities. I was starting to doubt myself a bit, and my decision to allow my boys to train themselves. Mostly because it is so “frowned upon” to let 3-year-olds wear nappies. But now I know that it was the right decision for MY family.
I’m happy that I followed through on my “gut” feeling. And best of all, the whole experience (with both boys) has been a positive one. We haven’t had to bribe them or tell them off, we have just let them do it in their own time. And I feel good about that.