Mum's SoapBox

People with 4Wds should not create their own parking spaces at schools.

First Day of Pre-School

Dezi had his first official day at pre-prep. It wasn't a huge deal, as it was at "old kindy," the daycare he's been attending for awhile now. He was excited about it being a short day, though. Since he's going to be going to pre-prep four days a week, I was going to make the days as short as possible. Today I changed my mind, however, due to something I hadn't considered: traffic! Since his day officially starts at the same time as the rest of the school, there was a huge traffic jam. We had to park two roundabouts away. It was ridiculous. So tomorrow, I'll be dropping him off early. Hopefully this won't be too stressful of a change (getting everyone ready twenty minutes earlier).

Mostly today was about testing the routine I made up. It went okay. I regret not doing something more quality with Jaiden (we went shopping), but it's just too hot. Also, I didn't get any alone time with Dez.

Pre-prep at "new kindy" starts on Friday.

Stay Tuned

Pre-Prep Coming up Soon!

Words of the J

• Please
• Brush teeth
• Step
  

NEWSFLASH!!!!!!!!

Dezi can swim breaststroke (froggie legs and circle arms)!

A Day in the Life of Superman

by Dezi Cutter

Superman flew to Grandpa and Grandma's. He went up, up, up in the sky and flew away to Nan and Pop's. He went up, up, up in the sky and chased the baby birdie. He got him on his hand and came back down to Nan and Pop's. He went inside and went downstairs. He played with Emma.

The End

Episode 116: Dora the Explorer

We went to check out Dora the Explorer at Woodlands. You may remember a similar party from Episode 69. Delfin puts on these festivals to lure people in, hoping they will purchase their house and land packages. I'm not a huge fan of developers, but the kids do enjoy their fun days. Also, I was impressed with the amount of trees they chose not to bulldoze. We only went for a couple of hours, so didn't have time to wait in line for everything. It was fun, though. There was also a pretty cool playground and a fireworks spectacular.

Tag

I was tagged by Sharon for one of those floating survey things.

1. If you had to choose one vice in exclusion of all others what would it be?
Coffee

2. If you could change one specific thing about the world what would it be?
Eliminate violence

3. Name the cartoon character you identify with the most.
The philosophy major in one of The Simpson's episodes who's standing in the unemployment line.

4. If you could live one day in your life over again which one would it be?
My first date with Brett, hitting the bars in Key West and dancing in an empty restaurant.

5. If you could go back in history and spend a day with one person who would it be?
Grandad. He died before I realized I had never asked him anything about himself or his life.

6. What is the one thing you lost, sold or threw away that you wish you could have back?

There was a book containing religious autobiographies I had to buy for one of my college classes. It was great. It had this essay about this Buddhist monk who found enlightenment while taking a crap in a majestic outhouse. I sold it back to the stupid Chatham College bookstore for a couple of bucks. It cost over $50.

7. What is your one most important contribution to this world?
My children

8. What is your one hidden talent that nearly no one knows about? Once I played a really great game of croquet. I don't know if I could repeat the performance, though.

9. What is your most cherished possession? My favourite material possession is my computer.

10. What one person influenced your life the most when growing up? Mom

11. What one word describes you better than any other? Mom

I am now tagging Anne, because she doesn't blog enough.

Episode 115: What are the Odds?

Dreamworld is the busiest theme park around during school holidays. When the park opens at 10:00am, traffic is backed up to the second roundabout. There are traffic controllers who alternate cars down the aisles and guide you to a space to either the left or right. It's very a rigorous system. So I ask, "What are the odds that you not only know the person who pulls into the space directly beside you but are related to them too?" Today's episode of The Dezi and Jaiden Show features special surprise guests: Auntie Kim and Emma.

Dezi's grown since the last time he went on the vintage cars. He can now reach the pedal. Nice bunny hopping!

Episode 114: The Secret Life of Super Friends

Technical Difficulties

I am currently unable to upload any photos. I'll try again tomorrow.

Episode 113: The Wagon Safari

Epiosde 112: The Cooking Segment

One of my favorite kid recipes is homemade hommus. I've made it a few times with Dez, but this particular day was extra special. Dezi did all the measuring himself. He was even accurate with his glugs and dashes. He experimented with seasme seeds (totally his idea), and he ate the cucumbers! Proof is in the photo. Kind of gross, I know, but it's the only photo that turned out.



Dezi Hommus:

1 can chick peas
3 Tablespoons of natural yogurt
2 Tablespoons of tahini
1 crushed clove of garlic
1 glug of olive oil
1 squeeze of lemon
1 dash of cumin
1 spinkle of seasme seeds

Blend in a food processor and serve with wholemeal pita bread and sliced cucumbers

Special Guest Appearance: The Wagses

Ad Break

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Episode 111: Just Another Day at Wiggle's World

I figured the only way to get time to do anything today was to wear the kids out in the morning. So I took them to Wiggle's World. They both fell asleep in the car on the ride home (I had to go the long way), and I got a couple of hours to myself while they napped. Of course I was too exhausted to use the time wisely.

The Caboose

Japanese tourists were waiting in line for a photo opportunity with Dezi.

NEWS UPDATE

Dezi got completely dressed by himself: undies, shorts, shirt, shoes, even a button. Nothing was on backwards. He also spelled his name.

Jaiden is getting freckles.

Update on the Set

We took Auntie Tam to Jacob's Well to show her the house and were surprised to discover the kitchen has been installed. No photos. The house is locked up. We showed her the creek too. It was a king tide.

Back on Track

Wrong Turn

Uncut

Spot the Texan

Dezi re-enacts the piggies getting Auntie Robin

Two and a half Fishermen

Sleepy Time

New Year's

Grandma and Grandpa have left, and Brett went trawling for a couple of days. The boys and I cleaned the house. Well, Jaiden didn't do much, but Dezi helped pack up and vacuum. I've introduced a couple of new things this year for the boys. One is sticker books. I tried doing a rewards chart for Dezi a few months ago, but found it too stringent. He would be really good all day hoping to get a sticker but struggled getting the prize at the end, as he just couldn't get to bed on time. Also, I didn't think he should be expectung an award everytime he did what he was supposed to be doing like brushing his teeth. So now, I am trying sticker books. I gave each of the boys their own book but kept all the stickers. Whenever I notice exceptional behaviour, I'll give them a sticker. I am hoping this will come in the form of playing nicely and not squealing in public (Jaiden, my finger is pointing at you). I gave each of them a freebie sticker. Dezi immediately wanted another one, so he helped me clean. See, it's working already.

The other thing I have done for the boys is established a routine, a real one with a schedule. I don't know how it will go, as Jaiden's sleeping patterns are still irregular, but it's a start. We could use a little more organization in our day, especially since Dezi will need to be at kindy at a certain time, not whenever we feel like walking up. The schedules will be for kindy and playgroup days. There is a different schedule for each day. They are for me, as well as the kids. My aim is for more structured play, more time to myself, and specific days for me to swim laps at the pool. Here's an example:

7:30- breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed

8:45- kindy starts

9:00- errands, chores

10:30-11:00- structured playtime

11:00- lunch

11:30- naptime/chores/writing time

1:30- afternoon tea, screentime, ebay

3:00- pick up Dez

4:00- swimming (Tuesdays), walk Quigley, outside play

5:30- dinner

6:00- bath

6:30- bedtime story

7:00- Jaiden bedtime

7:15- Dezi bedtime

Ad Break

Great Uncle Steve has been involved in a wonderful project to produce a book about the Alamo. The publisher, Casa Editrice Bonechi of Florence, Italy has combined my text with beautiful, full color photography and graphics of others to tell the story and history of one of America's most revered historical sites.

The book is available in both Spanish and English. It can be purchased at the Alamo Gift Shop Museum.

Phone: 210-225-1391
Fax: 210-225-7565
Email: merchandise@thealamo.org

Coming Soon you may be able to purchase this book online through the Alamo website at:

http://thealamo.org/ecommerce/index.html

With this book, he invites you to celebrate the memory of Crockett, Travis, Bowie, Bohnam and the rest of the Alamo heroes as they made their courageous last stand at the cradle of Texas liberty. He invites you to... Remember the Alamo!