Sneaky

You got to love how little minds think and how things evolve sometimes especially when it comes to making parenting easier. It all started about a month ago....

Our normalish bathtime routine involves the girls having a bath - with one adult supervising while the other adult does packing lunches, cleaning up dinner dishes, has a shower, work stuff or whatever... then once the girls are out of the bath the other adult comes to give a hand with teeth cleaning and getting them into their pj's.

More often than not this process in not a smooth one - there is either lots of resistance ie more time in bath, running around in the nude/jumping on the bed to avoid putting on pj's...or there is tears usually from tiredness.

So one night while I was in the supervising role and Andy was having a shower, I whispered in Ella's ear that we'd play a trick on Daddy and perhaps we could get dressed before he got out of the shower. Very quietly I helped the girls out of the bath, brushed their teeth while telling Daddy that we'd need his help in a few minutes (I should mention Andy could see exactly what was going on through the frosted glass of the shower.) We disappeared to the bedroom and in a record time had pj's and nappies on! The whole time Andy was playing along "Just washing my toes then I'll be able to help you girls get in your pj's... "

So when Daddy eventually opened the shower door, the two girls were dressed ready for bed without any protests or tears! Ella thought it was hilarious and Katy copied her big sister reactions.

With Andy is in Tokyo for work conference this week, I've discovered I can be just as sneaky. The one parent scenario goes something like - girls get into bath, a few minutes I hop into the shower, then after awhile I call out " Just need to wash my hair then I'll get you both out OK?" Ella replies "OK mummy" then whispers (loudly) to Katy "Quick Katy lets get out and trick Mummy!" They both climb out with Ella helping Katy into her towel, then brush their teeth (as I've left the toothpaste and brushes conveniently on the basin as well as prompt them with a "We'll brush your teeth too once I'm out") and head off to the bedroom.

I emerge from the shower surprised that they are no longer in the bath. Down to the bedroom I go to find Ella in her dry nite and pj's and Katy patiently waiting in the nude!!

Just wonder how long this is going to last....

New Beginnings

We waited this year until November to ensure the last of the frost had been before planting vegies. Although the vegie patch looks bare, there are zucchini's, tomatoes, pumpkin, lettuce, snow peas, corn, and basil seedlings which have so far survived being eaten by the possums and snails.

Katy Snippets

Katy said goodbye to the Lilli Pilli's and hello to Sundews at childcare last week. Her transition into the toddler room was much smoother than Ella's probably because she is older but also being a Lilli Pilli allowed more exposure to the big kids without actually being one. She prefers to wear undies to childcare but often ends up coming home in a nappy - we still haven't crack the weeing in the toilet part despite her amazing ability to hold on until around lunchtime.

Not sure if it's linked to the recent move at childcare but Katy has decided that using scissors is fun. In fact her favourite current pastime is to cut up a piece of paper into as many small pieces as possible!

Sleeps during the day for Katy have disappeared. She still can't manage

to stay awake for the whole afternoon though hence Katy's cat nap does the trick - that is a 10- 20mins sleep usually in the car on the way home from somewhere.

Fan-fairy-tastic

It was a wonderful wednesday today as between gymnastics and swimming, we headed off to see The Fairies in concert at the Canberra Playhouse. Ella was disappointed that we (meaning Katy and herself) weren't wearing any fairy paraphernalia like half of the girls there.

Barnaby the Bizzy Buzzy Bee, Wizzy the Wizard, Princess Minuet, Elf the Fairy Cake Maker together with fairies Harmony and Rhapsody sang and danced with some Christmas cheer. Ella was memorised for the hour. Katy on the otherhand began to get distracted halfway though when I think tiredness sent in!

Overall the production was enjoyable, I was slightly annoyed that both Harmony and Rhapsody weren't the original cast members although Ella didn't seem to notice. It will be interesting to hear what the girls say to others about their fairy concert experience.

Dickson Pool

Trundled over to Dickson Pool with friends - Jase, Abby & Zoe and Al, Rob, Max & Mira. The day started out quite warm (well for Canberra that is) but by mid afternoon it was overcast with a light breeze.

Dickson Pool is an outdoor pool with loads of nice grass and shady trees as well as three differing depth pools as well as a water play area. We spent most of our time in the mid depth pool (Katy can almost touch the bottom at the deepest part). Ella as per normal spent most of the time under water while Katy, Abby and Zoe were a little more cautious.

Soon the little ones began to shiver so we opted for warmth of the towels and renewed their energy levels with food. It wasn't long before they all headed off to the water play area. The best part was a series of water fountains evenly spaced to make a tunnel which was perfect to run through. This tunnel however would randomly come on and off which meant they would all stand and shiver while waiting, then run and squeal with laughter when the fountains eventually came on - meanwhile there wasn't the usually high level of adult intervention or assistance required so we got to relax, chat and observe!

Splash

Saturday was warm enough to brush off the cobwebs from the paddling pool and make a splash. Our nextdoor neighbour, Sophia was a little hesitant at first but soon joined in the fun.

One for Katy

After my successful skirt making for Ella, it was time to make one for Katy. Again I made up the design myself but the first attempt, which she wore to childcare was very long and tent like! After a little unpicking, cutting and resewing this was the final product. Katy was happy with it too!