SWEET ALESSIA

Surely my sweet little niece wouldn't do this?! I can't tell the story any better than my brother did...this is the message I just received on my mobile (excuse the language):

"What do you do when you're in a restaurant and your daughter's nappy leaks shit out over the back and by the time you realise it's all over your clothes. Now I smell and have wet patches all over me and if I get up it looks like I pissed myself."

hahahahahahahahahaha. What is it with poo and babies in public places. Remember medical disaster number 3? At least it didn't end up on me...

MONACO BAR

The much missed Monaco Bar is back!! Chat forums and social networking sites like Facebook are abuzz as people take a trip down memory lane. After reading some of these exchanges, I must admit I am seriously craving one!! There was actually a Bring Back MONACO BARS ice-cream sandwiches formal petition, proving that people power does work!

For those who have no idea what I am talking about, visit A Table For Two's blog to read all about a Monaco Bar virgin's take on the matter.

Jacqueline - see what you have started!!

WE LIVE IN HOPE...

This was an impulse buy from my friend's book party recently... I eagerly await its arrival...wonder whether it has a magic wand hidden inside? That's what I really want! We live in hope of a good night's sleep...

We seem to have made a breakthrough with Thomas (maybe) but Daniel seems to be settling in for a long term sleep over in our bed!! Aaaarrrgggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Marquee is providing good retail/window shopping therapy.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

I was kind of amused by this news story yesterday...basically, Italy's top court has overruled a couple's decision to name their newborn son Venerdi (meaning Friday), labelling their choice "ridiculous". He felt it would expose the child to mockery. Lol lucky this judge doesn't rule a court in Hollywood...how many people would be in trouble!?!

Of course, on reading this story, Sunday Rose immediately sprang to mind. I must admit that I don't mind the name...I kind of think Sunday has a nice ring to it. However, I must be in the minority because most people I speak to think it is ridiculous! The jokes about Sunday Roast were quick to circulate.

Anyway, then I realised that Domenica is a popular Italian name and it means...you guessed it...Sunday!! So Sunday is okay but Friday, Wednesday and Saturday are not? hahahaha think it's all a bit funny.

So what do you think of unusual/strange baby names?

P.S. Don't forget to visit Marquee - your unique guide to all things children.

AMUSING

Tonight I tried out a new recipe for dinner...a Beef and Red Wine Stew. It took 2 hours to cook and the amusing thing was that it was featured in a cookbook titled "Fast Food". Their idea of fast food and my idea of fast food are abviously very different :) It was quite nice with the fried rice I made so I suppose it was worth it.

Also keeping me amused at the moment is my new blog...Marquee. It came about as I was starting my search for Christmas presents. I plan to collate a whole blog full of unique children's products as an easy reference tool. I've only got two posts/products up at the moment (I only started it yesterday) but am having lots of fun scouring the web. Please visit and let me know what you think.

Feel free to add the new blog to your blog roll calls, favourites list or feeds :) and please pass on to everyone you know who buys things for children!

WATER IN ALL FORMS...

The other big news of recent weeks is toilet training! Thomas has been strongly protesting against the practise since he was about 2 years old! But as soon as he turned 3, there was no choice! I stuck him and Daniel in underwear one day and let them loose in the backyard.


To my surprise, Thomas took to it like a fish to water. He stayed in the same pair of underwear ALL DAY - no accidents whatsoever! By the end of the day, he was taking himself off to the potty to do his business.


Daniel, on the other hand, peed (spell check?) whenever and wherever the need arose...in the backyard, in the laundry and in the kitchen! I could have persisted but wasn't ready for the challenge. So Daniel is back in nappies...will try again as soon as Summer hits, when hopefully the weather will be a bit more consistent!


He still wants to copy Thomas though and I have caught him a couple of times with his nappy completely off sitting on the potty! He'll just have to make do with dancing (in his very comical way) to Thomas' musical potty.


I love "undie-wear" (as Thomas called them)...cutting my nappy changing routine in half has been wonderful! It's amazing how much time is spent changing nappies when you have two in them!

In other matters water, Thomas and Daniel helped Daddy wash his car for the first time over the weekend. They looked soooo cute in their little bucket hats, both sharing the holding of the hose. Sam (my husband) ended up more wet than the car, but it was worth it just to see the excitement on their faces.


They look pretty serious in the photo. That's because hosing is serious business. They were both a picture of concentration as they manoeuvred the hose around...

Months flying by...

and I have been too busy to blog! However, here's a quick update:

At the end of August I turned the grand old age of 34! It was a great birthday - one of the most relaxed I can remember in recent years... here's a family photo taken on my birthday:

I got totally spoilt :) and one of my favourite gifts was being taken by my husband to see Cirque du Soleil's latest production, Dralion! Click below for more on the show - it was awesome!
Thomas also turned 3 and was very excited to have a Cars themed party! Here he is just moments after blowing out his candles, his face painted like Spiderman :)
Here are some close ups of his cake - made once again by my sister-in-law Barbara! She's a genius - Thomas absolutely LOVED his cake!!

I also walked and survived, albeit with blistered sore feet, the 24 hour Relay for Life, run by the Australian Cancer Council to raise funds for education and a cure for all cancers. I camped out overnight in the park and had a wonderful weekend with the Bella Vita team! The photo below is from a local paper's website. I am pictured with my friend Cathy, a breast cancer survivor!

And here are some favourite photos of my boys...just to prove they are not always up to mischief! Despite their squabbles, they love each other heaps :))

Lots more has been happening...have created more embellished letters, canvases and guest books but will save them for another time. Have been extremely busy with school stuff, although currently in the middle of a 2 week break. We are also contemplating a big move...but I'll save that for a later date too!