I should start with the reason I haven't been posting. I blame Hubby, although in this case I'm sure he'd be happy to accept blame. After another restless sleep on Wednesday night, I was sent by Hubby to the cute pharmacist to get something to help me sleep. Unfortunately the cute pharmacist was busy, but the other pharmacist, also good looking, was happy enough to help me out.
So now I've had 2 nights of almost solid sleep, I feel like a different person. Plus I'm not often awake at midnight or 2am to write posts. Which is of course where the problem comes in. So why am I up at midnight tonight? We've got visitors. So let me take you back to Thursday, when I find out the visitors are coming. I start panicing a bit, because the house was in a bit of a shambles. Then I knew I was going to be out all day Friday. Friday was busy. I was out of the house from 9am to 2pm. Then in and out from 4pm to 6pm. Firstly I had to deliver the kids to daycare. Then an appointment at the bank. In the carpark I ran into mother-in-law, so of course we had to have coffee. After I delivered some Tupperware. Then I went to the post office and posted my Christmas cards, the solicitor to drop off some paperwork. Then I got to start Christmas shopping. Hubby joined me for lunch and I finally got home at 2pm. I collapsed for a while, dozed a bit, then got up to sort the latest load of Tupperware that had arrived. Arranged delivery of that, wrapped presents, delivered Tupperware, wrapped more presents, picked up kids.
Got home and ordered pizza.
While I don't suggest these tablets knock me out for 8 hours solid, or anything like that (I'm taking a half dose), they do make it easier to go back to sleep when I wake up. Which I did, many, many times last night.
Thus, today, I was able to face the day with some measure of energy. After sending the kids off to swimming lessons with Hubby, I headed off to deliver more Tupperware, then went to the shops to finish the Christmas shopping. Which I did. Then I did the grocery shopping. Came home with the kids while Hubby finished his shopping (oooh, the suspense is huge in this house...).
With an hours notice our friends would be on our doorstep, we managed to get the spare bedroom, living areas and bathroom presentable and clean. They decided to take up our offer of a bed for the night, so we juggled everything around with the girls daycare party this afternoon and Hubby's work party tonight and we spent a lovely evening chatting and making lolly bags for tomorrow's party.
So I was a bit late taking my tablet, which is why you're getting me at nearly midnight. But it won't last much longer, so I'd better finish up before I stop making sense. Like now, you should have seen what I just wrote.
Be prepared for a party update either tomorrow night or Monday, and I hope your weekend is proving more restful than mine.
Showing posts with label birthdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthdays. Show all posts
M&M's Birthday Party
Well, first off, yes, I'm slack. But I promise there's a photo of the cake. If I promise to share will you forgive me?
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See, it all started when I stupidly left the kids birthday books on the table after I'd been looking for something to do for M&M's birthday. And she found them. And she wanted a butterfly. Soooo, off I trudge to the shops in this shop-forsaken town, and blow me down, find a heart shaped tin. Except it's one of those rubber things. That I've never used before. Successfully anway. I also saw next to it a set of 4 small, heart shaped tin's (made of actual metal) which I picked up because a) it was $7, b) it was small and cute and c) because it had a picture of cheesecake on the packageing. Yeah that's me, you can get me to buy anything if it's small and cute and has a picture of food on it. Give me a break, I'm pregnant remember.
So the time came on Friday night to bake the heart shaped cakes for the wings. In the rubber tin. Which didn't work. In fact it was a miserable failure. After a quick dash to Woolworths for 4 packets of cake mix (it's nearly 9pm by this stage) I decide to make "little butterfly's" using the little cake tins. Excellent call.
By 1am I had enough cakes to do 4 butterflies. ahem.
Saturday night was the night I used, for the first time, premade icing. Now, I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm rather short. As in, 155cm short. 5 ft. Our kitchen bench has been designed for someone, say, 4-5 inches taller than me.
So imagine me, 10pm at night, in the daggiest clothes I can find (playing with food colouring here) in my favourite, lime green, 4 inch heels (is that enough detail for you Kelley, or do you need more?), rolling premade icing on the kitchen bench. Hubby thought I looked a sight too.
Anway, I think by midnight I was done, and here is one of the finished butterflies:
The birthday girl was quite chuffed - even more so when I sent 3 butterflies to daycare on Monday to share with all the kids there. The funniest part is I still haven't given her the birthday presents, and she's got $50 from Oma to spend, which I might put away somewhere until after Christmas. Or else buy her some new clothes...
Birthday parties
Well, it's getting to be that time of the year again, in October will start the great end of year birthday rush, which will now follow through until February when the little bean (ok, not so little bean now I guess) makes his/her entrance.
First up is Miss nearly 4! I can't believe my baby is so big. While cleaning out the garage on the weekend we found all the pictures of my assorted birthday parties, and let me tell you, this kid is the image of me, if not in looks, then obviously in personality and style. Even the same tragic obsession with Strawberry Shortcake I had at her age. As I looked further back I found photos of me that prove I'm not insane when I look at Miss 2.5 and feel like I'm looking in a mirror. I might even share them one day.
But back to the important aspect of planning birthday parties for little people. We have a rule which hopefully will only last until their 12th birthday, that states however old you turn, you can have that many friends to your party. This year that makes it 4 kids, plus my two, plus parents, grandparents and assorted other family friends. I'm thinking about 20-24 people. Can you imagine if I said she could have 6 people??
Anyway, we're thinking 2 hours was enough last year, maybe 2 or 2.5 again this year. With a theme. Oh I'm going to love this. Both my girls, and apparently any other girl I know between the ages of 2 and 6, are obsessed with Dora the Explorer, and Miss nearly 4 has asked for a Dora cake. Soooo, I'm thinking of planning a Dora expidition. I've watched enough DVD's to know the format. Problem, someone hands them the solution, they check the map, remember the things to do on the way, then off they go to face 3 challenges along the way - but don't forget Swiper the Fox! I figure that could take them a good 20 minutes. Which only leaves 1 hour and 40 minutes to fill. Last year we did some great activities like beading (even the token male got into it making jewellery for his sister and mother), dancing (freeze), pass the parcel, decorating cupcakes, before the culmination of the party and presentation of the cake. Dead on 2 hours. Anyone would think I'd planned it.
Of course plenty of food in there as well, although not too many lollies, which I think the parents were greatful for.
Well, only one of the kids who was here last year will be here again this year, so I guess I can recycle the same old activities as well! Unless someone can come up with other activities to do....?
First up is Miss nearly 4! I can't believe my baby is so big. While cleaning out the garage on the weekend we found all the pictures of my assorted birthday parties, and let me tell you, this kid is the image of me, if not in looks, then obviously in personality and style. Even the same tragic obsession with Strawberry Shortcake I had at her age. As I looked further back I found photos of me that prove I'm not insane when I look at Miss 2.5 and feel like I'm looking in a mirror. I might even share them one day.
But back to the important aspect of planning birthday parties for little people. We have a rule which hopefully will only last until their 12th birthday, that states however old you turn, you can have that many friends to your party. This year that makes it 4 kids, plus my two, plus parents, grandparents and assorted other family friends. I'm thinking about 20-24 people. Can you imagine if I said she could have 6 people??
Anyway, we're thinking 2 hours was enough last year, maybe 2 or 2.5 again this year. With a theme. Oh I'm going to love this. Both my girls, and apparently any other girl I know between the ages of 2 and 6, are obsessed with Dora the Explorer, and Miss nearly 4 has asked for a Dora cake. Soooo, I'm thinking of planning a Dora expidition. I've watched enough DVD's to know the format. Problem, someone hands them the solution, they check the map, remember the things to do on the way, then off they go to face 3 challenges along the way - but don't forget Swiper the Fox! I figure that could take them a good 20 minutes. Which only leaves 1 hour and 40 minutes to fill. Last year we did some great activities like beading (even the token male got into it making jewellery for his sister and mother), dancing (freeze), pass the parcel, decorating cupcakes, before the culmination of the party and presentation of the cake. Dead on 2 hours. Anyone would think I'd planned it.
Of course plenty of food in there as well, although not too many lollies, which I think the parents were greatful for.
Well, only one of the kids who was here last year will be here again this year, so I guess I can recycle the same old activities as well! Unless someone can come up with other activities to do....?
Toy Sale Spending Splurge & Analysis
Goodness, adding up the dockets took my breath away momentarily. Just a moment. There, I'm back. Drumroll please... The grand total of toys I have on layby is.... $475. Ouch! So, here comes the part where I justify the expenses:
Soon to be 4 year old's birthday gifts:
Dora Pj's $18
Dora computer game $10
Dora Hopper $10
Dora House $30
TOTAL $68
Soon to be 3 year old's birthday gifts:
Dora Pj's $18
Dora Hopper $10
Tricycle $30
TOTAL $58
Christmas Gifts
For nephew (6 years) Magnetix set $15
For neice (4 years) Disney Princess $5
For friends daughter (9 years) Jenga $15
For friends son (1 year) Fire Engine $20 (thought the tag said $10 - I'll quiery that)
For other neice (4 years) Disney Princes $5
For daughters friend (4 years) Disney Princess $5
For nephew (2 weeks at xmas) Giggle Duck $15
TOTAL $80
For two kids (combined gifts):
Cranium Superfort (from us) $70
Wiggles toy organiser (from Santa) $60
Encyclopedia of Animals $18
Cash register $15
Mr Potato Head $20
Wiggles Guitar (x2 - one each) $30 (for both)
TOTAL $213
In the past my budgets have been $10 for other kids, $50 for birthdays, and $100 for xmas, due to the larger gift size, and buying some from Santa, some from us (ie the wiggles guitars will probably also be from Santa). I don't think that's too bad. You may notice that doesn't quite add up to $475. I've found a couple of discrepencies I'll go back in and quiery this week. As the time gets closer I will also put aside some new summer clothes for the girls to give to them for Christmas, and I try and buy them each one nice dress a year to be the "party dress" for the year.
Apart from that, the bulk of my Christmas shopping is now completed. Stockings here are generally filled with some useful items like pencils, hair ties, toothbrushes etc (with the odd treat thrown in). I'll start collecting for those once Miss Nearly 4's birthday is over and done with. Rumour has it she wants a mermaid party this year *sigh*. And here I was hoping she'd go for a pirate party so I could justify spending money on Pirates of the Carribean merchandise. Maybe next year....
Soon to be 4 year old's birthday gifts:
Dora Pj's $18
Dora computer game $10
Dora Hopper $10
Dora House $30
TOTAL $68
Soon to be 3 year old's birthday gifts:
Dora Pj's $18
Dora Hopper $10
Tricycle $30
TOTAL $58
Christmas Gifts
For nephew (6 years) Magnetix set $15
For neice (4 years) Disney Princess $5
For friends daughter (9 years) Jenga $15
For friends son (1 year) Fire Engine $20 (thought the tag said $10 - I'll quiery that)
For other neice (4 years) Disney Princes $5
For daughters friend (4 years) Disney Princess $5
For nephew (2 weeks at xmas) Giggle Duck $15
TOTAL $80
For two kids (combined gifts):
Cranium Superfort (from us) $70
Wiggles toy organiser (from Santa) $60
Encyclopedia of Animals $18
Cash register $15
Mr Potato Head $20
Wiggles Guitar (x2 - one each) $30 (for both)
TOTAL $213
In the past my budgets have been $10 for other kids, $50 for birthdays, and $100 for xmas, due to the larger gift size, and buying some from Santa, some from us (ie the wiggles guitars will probably also be from Santa). I don't think that's too bad. You may notice that doesn't quite add up to $475. I've found a couple of discrepencies I'll go back in and quiery this week. As the time gets closer I will also put aside some new summer clothes for the girls to give to them for Christmas, and I try and buy them each one nice dress a year to be the "party dress" for the year.
Apart from that, the bulk of my Christmas shopping is now completed. Stockings here are generally filled with some useful items like pencils, hair ties, toothbrushes etc (with the odd treat thrown in). I'll start collecting for those once Miss Nearly 4's birthday is over and done with. Rumour has it she wants a mermaid party this year *sigh*. And here I was hoping she'd go for a pirate party so I could justify spending money on Pirates of the Carribean merchandise. Maybe next year....
Post-Party Round Up
Well, this isn't quite what our kitchen looks like this morning, but it's what it looked like when everyone left last night. Hubby had a lovely time, was very surprised and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Here's a little breakdown for you:
11am - I took his "work cake" in for morning tea, and had sneaky discussions with his boss about organising drinks after work to keep him there for as long as possible.
6pm - I called hubby who said he was on his way home.
6:15pm Hubby walked in the front door and was immediately sent on a shop run.
6:30pm Hubby was put in charge of kids baths, and cleaning the bathroom "for tomorrow night"
7:00pm Hubby was sent on another shop run
7:00pm Hubby was sent on another shop run
7:20pm Hubby read the kids a story, tucked them in and sat down for a rest. Just as he did that his parents arrived to wish him a happy birthday....
8:20pm Some friends arrived bearing gifts, beer and food (we had so much food, we barely ate half of it)
8:30pm More friends arrived, and the food and games started. It was at this point he'd realised what was going on, and the food I was cooking wasn't just for the two of us. The look on his face was priceless.
Anyway, we had a great time, our friends left at about midnight (some poor people had to work today), and we managed to get the kitchen almost spotless before crashing into bed at 12:30. I'm quite exhausted with a pounding headache, and struggling to do anything. The last two days seem to have worn me out.
Hubby's surprise Birthday Dinner
Well, finally. I only have 10.5 hours more of lying to my hubby. He knows something's up of course, found my menu list (silly me, not hiding it) then asked when our friends were coming over, I said Saturday. But I asked him to tidy the lounge last night.
So, the plan is to hopefully get the kids in bed by 7:15, and everyone else will arrive at 8pm. Of course hubby will be home from 5:30 roughly, so he'll see me making all the foods I said were for tomorrow night. Ah I might have to distract him with a shiny new DVD.
So the menu for tonight is:
Mini Hot Dogs
Nacho Bites
Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Sauce
Lizzie's Cottage Rolls
Spring Rolls
And chicken nuggest if people are still hungry
I am also making Lightening's Grandmother's Lemon Slice and Hubby's mother is bringing some other slices.
For a cake I am doing a white chocolate mud cake, which will hopefully work out.
Of course this means I have a massively busy day, which means I shouldn't be still in bed at 9:30. Right, time to get moving!
So, the plan is to hopefully get the kids in bed by 7:15, and everyone else will arrive at 8pm. Of course hubby will be home from 5:30 roughly, so he'll see me making all the foods I said were for tomorrow night. Ah I might have to distract him with a shiny new DVD.
So the menu for tonight is:
Mini Hot Dogs
Nacho Bites
Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Sauce
Lizzie's Cottage Rolls
Spring Rolls
And chicken nuggest if people are still hungry
I am also making Lightening's Grandmother's Lemon Slice and Hubby's mother is bringing some other slices.
For a cake I am doing a white chocolate mud cake, which will hopefully work out.
Of course this means I have a massively busy day, which means I shouldn't be still in bed at 9:30. Right, time to get moving!
Toy Sales
Ah, the annual parents tradition. Frantically scour the catalogues as the arrive, circle, list, plan, debate. Check opening times, organise babysitters, get up at a rediculous time of night. The things we do for our children.
Living in a rather small country area, we are limited in our toy selection at the best of times, and with one major department store, and one "country" brand of another, toy sales represent the best time to have a decent variety of toys available.
So there I was, having conducted my pre-toy-sale activities (including making hubby take an hour off work to come with me and push the trolley), sitting outside the store at 10 minutes to opening time. With one other mother. Apparently, those of us living in the country move at the same pace regardless if the product is full price or 50% off. Admittedly the store was opening half an hour earlier than usual (they just chose not to advertise the fact), so by 8:30 the place was buzzing. But that first half hour - bliss. Just the two of us, scouring the store with our lists of birthdays between now and Christmas, and kids we're buying Christmas presents for (5 and 10 in case you were wondering). And about 30 staff. I kid you not. Each of us had a couple of young fellows following us around the store, finding things in odd places, taking rainchecks, getting extra stock from the back dock. It was like having my own personal shopper.
I did quite well with my list. Grabbed a couple of extra things for backup gifts. Still not got a good 6 year old boy present (transformer? I dunno) but apart from that, my toy related birthday and Christmas shopping until December? DONE! The no-deposit layby helps, and I separated it into birthday and christmas layby's so I can collect the birthday ones as needed, and leave the Christmas ones there until, well, Christmas, and save storing them at home.
There were a couple of things I wanted that haven't arrived yet, but they will be put aside for me when they do come in. I had layby'd and was gone by 8:35, had a quiet coffee with hubby and had him at work by 9am.
Now if only every shopping expidition were that simple.
Living in a rather small country area, we are limited in our toy selection at the best of times, and with one major department store, and one "country" brand of another, toy sales represent the best time to have a decent variety of toys available.
So there I was, having conducted my pre-toy-sale activities (including making hubby take an hour off work to come with me and push the trolley), sitting outside the store at 10 minutes to opening time. With one other mother. Apparently, those of us living in the country move at the same pace regardless if the product is full price or 50% off. Admittedly the store was opening half an hour earlier than usual (they just chose not to advertise the fact), so by 8:30 the place was buzzing. But that first half hour - bliss. Just the two of us, scouring the store with our lists of birthdays between now and Christmas, and kids we're buying Christmas presents for (5 and 10 in case you were wondering). And about 30 staff. I kid you not. Each of us had a couple of young fellows following us around the store, finding things in odd places, taking rainchecks, getting extra stock from the back dock. It was like having my own personal shopper.
I did quite well with my list. Grabbed a couple of extra things for backup gifts. Still not got a good 6 year old boy present (transformer? I dunno) but apart from that, my toy related birthday and Christmas shopping until December? DONE! The no-deposit layby helps, and I separated it into birthday and christmas layby's so I can collect the birthday ones as needed, and leave the Christmas ones there until, well, Christmas, and save storing them at home.
There were a couple of things I wanted that haven't arrived yet, but they will be put aside for me when they do come in. I had layby'd and was gone by 8:35, had a quiet coffee with hubby and had him at work by 9am.
Now if only every shopping expidition were that simple.
Christmas and Birthdays
It's probably about time I started thinking about this really. After the in-laws birthdays last week, the birthday season begins in earnest. Hubby's this Friday, mine in three weeks, one kid in October and one in December. In between are countless friends and extended family (two nieces, one nephew, one grandfather, two aunts and one uncle).
In addition to all these birthdays coming up (not to mention Christmas), and the imminent toy sales at Target, Big W, K-Mart and Toys 'R' Us, I figure I should really start at least a list, followed by some ideas.
Christmas for the most part is easy, all adult family will be recieving chickens or goats from Oxfam There are (not including my own) 6 kids to buy for, ranging in age from 2 weeks (well, they will be born by Christmas) to nearly 9, and 4 friends. I will probably make shortbread wrapped in cellophane for people like day carers, and hubby's workmates.
In the meantime, a list of ideas for the kids (and budgets), and the birthdays between now and then should probably be done. I have absolutely no idea what to get my husband for his birthday ON FRIDAY. I have a couple of ideas, but can't say too much in case he decides to read.
And speaking of birthday's, my friend Lightening is celebrating her birthday today, and wants to get her ticker over 1000 visits. If you can help her out I'm sure she'd appreciate it. Happy Birthday!
In addition to all these birthdays coming up (not to mention Christmas), and the imminent toy sales at Target, Big W, K-Mart and Toys 'R' Us, I figure I should really start at least a list, followed by some ideas.
Christmas for the most part is easy, all adult family will be recieving chickens or goats from Oxfam There are (not including my own) 6 kids to buy for, ranging in age from 2 weeks (well, they will be born by Christmas) to nearly 9, and 4 friends. I will probably make shortbread wrapped in cellophane for people like day carers, and hubby's workmates.
In the meantime, a list of ideas for the kids (and budgets), and the birthdays between now and then should probably be done. I have absolutely no idea what to get my husband for his birthday ON FRIDAY. I have a couple of ideas, but can't say too much in case he decides to read.
And speaking of birthday's, my friend Lightening is celebrating her birthday today, and wants to get her ticker over 1000 visits. If you can help her out I'm sure she'd appreciate it. Happy Birthday!
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