Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The End of the Year
- Caitie finished Year 5 in style, being sent up to the office twice for verbally fighting in class. She has now been told that the bully who has been driving her nuts all year is, from this point on, invisible. I told her to pretend this evil child does not exist, to ignore all things from her even if said in friendship. Here's to a Year 6 where I have asked that Caitie is not in the same class as her.
- Aiden finished Year 3 with a report on his Report Card that his a dreamer with excellent imagination and literary skills. His handwriting is appalling (thanks Uncle Wayne LOL), his concentration is nil and he gets aggressive when he doesn't get his own way...(sigh).
- Conor is gearing up for Prep next year and enjoyed going to see everyone in his new class. Bring it on!
- Obedience broke up with a bit of a whimper. The break up night was too quiet and I felt a bit dismal this year. Oh well. Bring on 2009 with plans for instructing Class 4 only and a new puppy!
- Agility broke up with a ton more fun. We had a pizza night with lots of laughter and joking. I look forward to going over the notes for the agility class and making it bigger and better next year.
- Christmas tree is up, presents are bought....Chrimbo is all go and we are on a countdown to Sydney! Woohoooo.
- I am working my tush off at the moment and the money is coming in awfully handy. I must say that Summer is fantastic weather for a dog groomer.
- And lastly, here's to a year full of good news, healthy animals, happy kids and booming business!
Cin
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A Family First
Its great to have a halfway decent photo of my insane kids and husband. We are always on the go so getting us all together, dressed nicely and without any major injuries visible is a plus. Mind you, the day before this pic, Caitie went swimming and came home the colour of a fresh young beetroot. Luckily it settled down over night.
I mentioned about the storms that hit us the other night. Well, here is a quick look at them through our camera. Today is particularly hot and humid so no doubt we will get some more weather through tonight.
Cheers,
Cin
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Too much...and a little bit of sanity returns

A few things to report. One that, looking back, is kinda funny depending on where you were sitting at the time. I mentioned earlier about Caitie's horrendous temper tantrums and how destructive physically, mentally and emotionally they are. Well, she got her comeuppance last week. Caitie had been horrid all week, tons of attitude, slyly being mean to her brothers, backchatting, tantrums, the works so I told her quite calmly she couldn't go to a friends house for a swim. That led to a complete meltdown with warnings from both of us for her to settle down. Eventually, her screaming tantrum got to Husband, who gave her a crack with a wooden spoon around the butt.
She then proceeded to stand in her bedroom and scream, at the top of her lungs, "Stop bashing me, I hate it when you bash me, you're always bashing me...." It took her a good half hour to settle down. I finally got her to settle and, as we were discussin her behaviour, I heard a car pull up...then a torch came through our front yard...then the knock on the door...
"Excuse me M'am, but we have had a report of a domestic disturbance, anything happening around here?" Nice young policeman he was. All I could do was be honest and tell him that my ten year old daughter had thrown a wobbly and was screaming at the top of her lungs. And do you know what the Nice Policeman did? He stuck his head around the corner and told Caitlin, "You're ten, do what your told!" I could have fainted. I then went on to explain that she had a meltdown as she had been horrid all week and I wouldn't let her go to a friends place. He was very kind and wished me a good evening...then said, quite loudly, "You're ten, you don't get to go anywhere!" I could have married him!
After they left, I burst into tears and hid in the bedroom as it was so overwhelming that one of the neighbours thought we were beating our child. After I came out, Caitie was standing there, dead white, eyes as big as saucers and whispered, "I'm so sorry Mummy." Finally she understood that screaming that out, which she does, will get her taken away from us. Eventually she asked me to stop crying cause I was scaring her. I think the lesson sunk in.
This week, she has been quite good. No complete meltdowns. A few minor squabbles, but nothing huge.
As I mentioned, we had the kids christmas carols last night. A great family night, which I thoroughly enjoy. Ok I had to drag Husband by the short and curlies but he enjoyed himself as we got to watch the latest summer storm roll in.
The storm hit soon after we got home. Caitie didn't get to sing as the storm was moving too fast and we all had to bolt. After we got home, we had the best light show. At one point, we heard the lightning sizzle through the air and then *CRACK* it hit only a few streets away.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Love hurts.....




Thursday, November 20, 2008
Please stay safe....
We thought we were in the clear until last night when another storm dropped onto us. It hit around 2am with all the subtlety of a freight train. Vertical rain, vertical trees.
Above is a screenshot of the storm as it came through Brisbane. The hotpink dot is where my family lives. And at last look, there are more storms building this afternoon...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Saturday Snuggles are the BEST
As I went to go to work this morning, Conor raced to the door and gave me a few kisses on the cheek. He is such a sweetie!
This is a typical Conor photo, those big blue eyes and that even bigger cheeky grin. He is so funny. Today he took me by the hand and we went into the boys bedroom. After leading me into their room he said, "Ta daaaa," with a flourish with his hand. "I made my bed!" Yes you did little man. Just don't do it again cause you are growing up tooooo fast.
He starts Prep next year, Aussie version of preschool, the year before grade 1. He still looks at me and says, "but sewiously Mummy," and I melt. He rarely chucks a tantie and when he does they blow over relatively quickly. Denying him my "friendship" works to clear the blues away and I usually get a "sowwy Mummy." Damn I am going to miss those w's when he gets his speech right.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The End of the Season
We are also entering his equally edible sister, Allabout Analise, the very pretty Pearl, head of the fun Police Titch and Super Muu. A very exciting show is planned thats for sure.
This weekend Noodle and I will attempt, once more, to gain her CCD title. Last trial she entered the ring with the enthusiasm of a toddler for the dentist, dragging her toes. Sod of a dog!

Sunday, November 9, 2008
Froggles are HERE!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
PMT and Growing Up Sane.
There has to be a better way than this ever growing cycle of anger? We had a doozy of a fight the other day which ended in my totally losing it. I found myself screaming right back at her, angry spittle being flung from my lips. And in that one moment of crystal clear insanity, I knew that I hated her.
Don't get me wrong, I love my daughter with all my heart and soul. I can't wait to see her grow into the person I know she is capable of. Her empathy toward other children is deeper than the ocean. She is a calming influence on the smaller children at Vacation care. She cares deeply for her littlest brother Conor. But, in those moments when she has lost all ability to listen to reason, has switched off and has gotten on the "Its-not-fair" carousel, I can't deal with her.
The whole episode left me exhausted, her emotionally shattered and my husband and I completely overwhelmed. As parents, it is our job to bring our kids up safely. Bit hard to do that when you just want them to stop screaming abuse at you. She actually ran through the house screaming, "You hate me, you've always hated me!" (sigh) So, together, T and I sat down and decided how we are going to handle these meltdowns. It came down to one simple fact. We are the parents and she is the child. At ten she is on the cusp of young womanhood but she is still a child and needs structure and direction. The rule is simple but it is ever so hard to enforce. What we say, goes and no arguments will change that.
We had the perfect opportunity to try it the next day when the arguments started from the topic of the previous day. She had to wear her brothers formal shoes as hers were too small. With six weeks left of school, I flatly refused to purchase a new pair when her brothers were the perfect size and almost brand new. "I want my SNEAKERS", began the familiar whine. I faced her and said in my calmest voice,"No, Caitlin." And the arguments began to heat up. She sat outside my door whining in her most annoying pitch. T went to argue with her and I stopped him. "No means No and you don't need to say anything else." It took half an hour but this time there was no throwing and no screaming. Just an acceptance. She gave up because we remained a united front. In that moment I was proud of myself, my husband and, strangely enough, my little spitfire. It may be a small victory but its a start.
Peace reigned for a small period of time...Hallelujah.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Aiden...my Nut child
When Aiden was five, we went to the beach. His sister and I were happily paddling when he came running up to me screaming. The conversation went something like this.
Me- Whats wrong?
A- A jellyfish stung me...
Me- Where?
A- On the face
Me- Why did it sting you on the face?
A- Because I was sniffing it
Me- (somewhat baffled) Why were you sniffing it?
A- Because I thought it smelt like people!!
Huh? Smelt like people?? Just what do people smell like??? Cold towel was applied and the swelling went down. My mirth, on the other hand, didn't.
The other night he came racing up to tell us, in an hysterical voice that there was a meteor that was going to hit the trampoline and kill us all. So we went outside to see this meteor.
Me- (looking upwards) Where?
A- THERE, THERE!!!
Me- Aiden...thats a star...
A- But it was coming closer and moving away and coming closer and moving away...
Me- Aiden... (deep sigh)... get off the trampoline....
He amuses me, amazes me and baffles me. Because one minute he can be acting so darn silly and the next he will spout information as to how cyclones are formed...or he can be cutting a chunk out of his hair cause he had a lolly stuck in it. Needless to say, he now has a #2 haircut....(sigh)...
Happy Parenting!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Too Busy!
So, updates- Of the thirteen kittens we have, three are needing homes, the rest are either moving on or staying with us. We have three new additions to our house. Muu is a chocolate tabby bicolour, Eva is a silver tabby and Jamieson is a chocolate tabby. Very cute the lot of them.
Aiden has his dental spacer in and is having it made bigger every day, poor mite.
I have started work as a dog groomer, a position I thoroughly enjoy.
And everything else is just going really well at the moment!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The first one was Caitie. Because she was at school, I had to choose hers for her and she adopted a cute, fuzzy lilac elephant called Farron, who trumpets and makes a raspberry blowing sound. The kittens love it and constantly try to beat it up.
Just this week, Aiden earnt his points so we went off to the toystore. Now Aidie is a funny kid, he has a wicked sense of humour, loves to make sound effects and has the quickest death fall I have ever seen. Pretend to shoot him and he literally drops to the deck *BAM*, gone, all over red rover. The kids entered a talent contest last year and they performed an air guitar solo of Dueling Banjos. Caitie had the serious guitar riffs and Aiden had the more playful banjo. I told him that all he had to do was make Caitie laugh while she had to stay serious. Well, he did ballet moves, high kicks, wiggles, bobbed up and down, the audience was in hysterics and I laughed so hard I snorted! They won the Judges Choice award. I knew that finding a toy to suit his personality would be a hard task.
And it took forever....the frog, NO,the bear, NO, the beetle, NO, the dog, NO, the horse, NO, the duck, NO, the monkey, NO, the birdie, NO, the sheep, NO...things were looking bleak. Until Caitie climbed up the shelves (thats my girl). Admittedly the staff refused to lend us a ladder to look at the top shelf so she improvised. Caitie was elbow deep in stuffed toys when she suddenly yelled, "Hey, there's alien Mushabellies up here!"
Down came the blue one, the pink one and then *BINGO* the red, three eyed, four limbed, purple tongued monster. It made a stupid sound, like gobbledygook and soundled exactly like Aiden! We had a winner...and Blapso joined our family...
Now thats two down and one to go, hopefully Conor will try to be more gooder in future (grin).
Cin.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Exercise is Supposed to Be Healthy...Right?
Ten year old Caitie took ten year old Teakaboo. Yes, I was pregnant with my first child when we had that litter of pups. The day I went into labour was the day the last puppy went. Talk about planned parenthood!
Anyway, I digress. Eight year old Aiden was on his bike as was four year old Conor. We had a pleasant walk, up to the end of our road where there is a clear area of Council land. It was here that I made the fatal mistake...I let the dogs offlead.
Now that in itself is not a problem. Nell is a trained dog, one qualification short of her first Obedience title and Teak will come when I give the "Get your furry butts back here" whistle. The problem was that as we walked, there became a rather pungent odour floating on the breeze. Being that its spring, I figured that someone had been a little too liberal with the Dynamic Lifter, an organic chook poo based fertilizer. Its just that the further we walked, the worse the smell became.
Eventually it was even too much for me, old Iron Guts. So, we left.......except the smell followed us. Hey, I figured it was because the breeze was blowing behind us. We leashed the dogs up and turned into a road that created a wind barrier.........and the smell got worse.
That was when Caitie started darting glances at the dogs and wrinkling her nose. It dawned on me that perhaps it wasn't fertilizer. I'm really not known for my lightning fast observations and stupidity seems to come natural to me, so I bent down and smelt Nell....and almost passed out. Yup, she had found some dead thing to roll in, so rotten that it had imbibed her with a wonderful perfume. SHE thought she smelt fantastic. I could tell by the saucy sway of the little minx's hips!
As luck would have it, I remembered to bring my mobile phone with me and called ahead so that husband could run a bath prior to us getting home. He was laughing when I walked in the house but soon started gagging when the stench assaulted his nostrils.
Having myself and two panting, hot, steamy, stinky dogs in a bathroom is no picnic....and to top it off, Nellie got the muck on her new Pretty In Pink collar....not happy Jan!
Cheers
Cin
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Stitches and Witches and Bitches OH MY!




Saturday, September 13, 2008
3 Fish and a Wee Kitten
Last Monday I had an absolute ball going out with a friend and his Dad to celebrate Fathers Day. We went deep sea fishing where I can proudly say that I threw up as many times as the fish I caught...I caught three! I generally don't get seasick but the waves were a little higher than usual and the world kept right on rocking. I'm sure that I produced the burley which made the fish come on in and get caught (hehehe).
On a kittlie note~ Our last litter for this kitten season has arrived. Pudd, our reluctant mother, suddenly turned into the Mother from Hell and tried to steal the nine week old babies into her nest. Because she wasn't showing, apart from some ginormous teats, we assumed that she was going through a phantom. Not so! On the morning of the tenth, Pudd went into labour, grunted her way through an hour of contractions and then turned just right so that I could watch her baby enter the world. The kitten took a little to come out so I got to see the little face come through the passage, poke a purple tongue at me and then, with a screech and a yowl, Leetamy Baron Von Mewsn entered the world, all 70g of red tabbiness.
The little man is struggling at the moment as he is a single kitten. He is really finding it hard to put on weight but we do have high hopes. Onelings, as we call them, spend so much of their energy trying to keep warm or find something soft to cuddle up with that it takes them so much longer to put the weight on. We have him on a heat pad with a teddy bear and just pray that he will come good.
Here's hoping,
Cin
Saturday, September 6, 2008
On a happier note...
A. went to the dentist on Tuesday to get his seperator bands put in so that it will make room for his dental spacer. Fang (hehe)has a pretty impressive crossbite which will be improved by this outlandishly medieval looking device. It gently (?) pushes the still developing top jaw apart by the application of a screw turning thingo. I can see me losing a finger or two to that boy! Well, the bands lasted until Thursday where we discovered he had lost one. Turns out he probably ate it but that was ok since that means those teeth are already seperated. Go figure!
We attended Smallish Bear's disco last night, complete with smoke machine and bubble blower. Much fun, especially doing the Hokey Pokey where "you put your daddy in, you put your daddy out, your put your daddy in and you shake him all about". It was in celebration of Fathers day tomorrow and raised funds for research into Prostate Cancer, a very worthy cause.
We followed this up with C and A's disco. Dropped two off, took one home. Smallish Bear was whingeing that he couldn't go to older siblings dance, suddenly stopped and said, "I'm gonna stop 'plaining now cause next year I can go to MY big school dance too!" Two seconds later, "See, I've stopped whining now." LOL, gotta love a kid who self corrects himself.
As time goes by...

Monday, September 1, 2008
Spring Glorious Spring! As my brother used to say, "Spring has sprung, the grass is ris, I wonder where all the bunnies is!"I love spring, it is a chance to welcome new life to the fold, the garden is glorious in all its profusion of colours, the grevileas are still flowering their fool heads off and the breeze blowing off the coast is now warm instead of bone chilling cold.Of course we love spring because it is kittening season too and we have started a wee bit early this year. Three of four expectant litters are on the ground and we are just in love with them all. Jigsaw, Peggy and Moo are all 7 weeks old now, running around causing havoc and threatening to break hearts left and right. Mouses wee tabbies have opened their eyes and will soon start to develop personalities all of their own. At the moment they are still too young to adopt pet names but that will come. Muddy blessed us with a litter of five beautiful babies yesterday morning. And being that she started at 3am, I am pleased to announce that the lack of sleep affected my naming judgement and we have... Darling Dimity, Bruce the Bold, Allabout Analise, Fergus the Brave and finally Little John. Told you I was barely lucid!

So a happy spring to everyone, I hope the season is well and summer comes in gently rather than blasting us off the planet!
Cin