Little Mate is The Wiggles obsessed. Whilst there are quite often tantrums due to a misunderstanding in communication surrounding the song he needs to hear, there are also some really beautiful moments when he is singing along or doing the actions for the song. 

He can be easily swayed from a melt-down about something else by whispering sweetly “come on Little Mate, lets listen to Hot Potato Hot Potato”. He smiles, grabs a hand and it’s off to the CD player (actually a DVD player – our CD player is ironically broken by one of the boys squishing two of The Wiggles CD’s into the reader, so now its jammed). 

I don’t remember Giggles Magoo being so interested in music at the same age. In fact, in an effort to encourage his musical appreciation, i snagged us some tix for 2 year old Giggles Magoo to see The Wiggles. He walked out of the concert after about 25mins shaking his head and refusing to go back inside. I was hopeful this meant I’d not have to suffer the same fate as so many parent before me… the catchy wiggly tunes going non-stop:  over and over and over and over in your brain until you want to tear it out. But, alas – Little Mate is making up for those lost tunes by demanding them constantly. 

(Giggles Magoo is very much into music these days – his favourite band is Nirvana…”mum, I want to listen to the CD with the picture of the swimming baby trying to get the money. And turn it up loud please”)

I’m actually very proud of myself for purchasing the Re-Wiggled CD a few months back. It’s Australian bands doing their best to pay tribute to the icons that The Wiggles became. The Living End’s version of hot-potato is brilliant, as is Washington’s Do The Twist (or whatever its called). The variety of the old Wiggles, the new Wiggles and the Re-Wiggled recordings are helping the repetition seem less mundane. 

I wanted to document something as ordinary as a love of The Wiggles in an effort to keep alive the memories I’ve gathered from watching and listening to him learn the words and moves. It is all just too sweet. One day soon, it will be all but a distant memory. 

Night night x 

The weekend went by in a flash and I loved every minute of it. There was a lot of home time for cooking, crafting and chasings. I made a delicious pulled pork, rearranged my chaotic pantry and washed a bazillion clothes. We made stock, baked eggs, jam and played with play-doh. We sung and danced and smiled. 

O.K, so it didn’t exactly speed by and there were moments in it where I thought I was appearing in Groundhog Day: Australian version tittled “We don’t use our feet for kicking things other than footballs or water when you’re swimming. If you would like to kick something, please go outside and kick a ball. Please don’t kick me or your brother or the wall” or “If I have to listen to The Living End’s version of hot-potato hot-potato one more time I may just…”, but then there were beautiful moments including cuddles.

During the week, I started to realise this working-parent things is harder than I’d cared to admit. Sheer willpower will not get you over the line. It will help yoy stumble through, and probably more likely, pull you in a million different directions (far, far away from the finishing line). I’ve always been quite adamant that work will continue to be a part of my future as I truly value my opportunity to contribute in a professional realm. Also, I’m bloody good at what I do. However, the news that Kate Ellis (Australian politician) is going to retire from politics at the next election to spend more time with her family hit me very close to home. I haven’t read too much about it, but what I have read echoes my current feelings. While I’m not traveling between Adelaide and Canberra, nor am I working in the high profile/intense workload role (and I’m going to assume there is a significant difference in our pay cheque). But, I do commute a significant amount each week and there are periods of time in my current role where full-time work is available or LOOOOONG hours are required. There are also lifestyle choices I’m proud to commit to as well – think cloth nappies and the additional loads of washing/folding, home made foods as much as possible (think meals, stock, muesli and muesli bars) and I love being available to play with the boys whenever they request it. 

The thing is, the time I need to dedicate to these endeavors doesn’t magically appear (duh, all that magic is reserved only for Harry Potter!) and inevitably, something somewhere has to give. It’s never the “same” thing either. Some weeks it’s my health or the house work, others it’s the social life or concentration at work, and others it’s the family that suffer my lapse in focus. Mostly it’s my sense of unbalance that gets the most attention, and sleep that gets the least. I never get enough of that (but seriously, who does. Is there such a thing?). 

I’m feeling like I’m at a real cross-road with my career, and feeling that maybe it’s ok for me to properly step back for a few years and do something that can supplement my family life (rather than the other). Clichéd I know, but this article about Kate Ellis resonated with me. It is true – having kids certainly does change you and your priorities and in a way that is hard to talk about. I studied hard, and have worked hard to prove to myself (and others) that I am a very capable individual. I’ve always felt driven to achieve, so I’ll still work hard, contribute to my superannuation and I’ll still look to one day be successful in the professional arena but at the moment I need to he successful in parenting. The stakes are too high.

I sound like I’ve got it all figured out, don’t I?! I certainly do not and I will not be making any rash changes to life just yet. I may need to borrow your eyes (and ears) to come to terms with life for a while yet! I also need to mention that I’m pretty grateful to be in a position that enables me to reassess my life priorities. 

[EDIT: this is just a random word vomit as I sit on the train coming home. It by no means summarises all my thoughts about working with a young family…the topic is so very complex and different for each person and family unit. These words are simply a reflection of my thoughts in the current moment.]

So I’m feeling dangerous and I’m not going to apologise for my inability to post here for a while, because, you know…life. It’s been a mostly fun life, but there has definitely been a few rough times.

Last time we were at each other’s acquaintance, i was working full time with the part-time position edging closer. Well, I’ve been part time again for just about 6 weeks and I’ve not found the relief I was anticipating. I think I was hanging all my “rushed” feelings on the work factor, rather than the overall family/social/work commitments. So while work isn’t as much, those days have quickly been filled in with chores, parenting and the occasional fun thing. 

It’s certainly not all gloom and doom…I usually enjoy [some] chores and I certainly love parenting…not so much the frustration felt when no one is listening or cares to listen (We’d all rather read that book), but the games, the imganination and my goodness, the laughter. It is soul nourishing to hear the mischevious giggles emanating from the boys. 

I’ve found some success in combining chores and parenting: having the boys in the kitchen with me when I’m preparing meals or other kitcheny tasks. Its been fun, and overwhelmingly frustrating. But, in recognition of my mum’s efforts at not displaying her frustrated response toward me when I was learning how to “kitchen”, I’m attempting to look for the funny side of the chaos that occurs when there are 3 of us in our small galley-style kitchen. The mess, the incorrect strategy employed by both boys, the shit all over the floor have resulted in a few pass-me-the-gin moments, but they have also resulted in dessert. Giggles Magoo made up his first dessert on Sunday, and I have to tell you, it was ace! 

Quick back story on the dessert…

Giggles Magoo: Mum, are apples all the time food? 

Me: sure are mate – i know you love your apples, do you want one now?

Giggles Magoo – well, can you make apple pie then because if apples are an all the time food, apple pie actually is an all the time food too. 

Cheeky little bugger. We didn’t make apple pie, he made baked apples instead…thanks Cornersmith. A super easy recipe that ny nearly 5 year old made with only a little assistance  (namely reading the recipe and any sharp cutting). 

Speaking of Cornersmith, if you’ve not checked out their cafes/stores or got your hand on their book, you should. I won’t bang on about their awesomeness too much (as it’ll probably ruin a few birthday surprises coming up), but I’ve found their book has helped renew my love of doing things from scratch. In our quest to reduce our causation of unnecessary landfill, I’ve taken to making Cornersmith’s muesli as well as experimenting with jams and pickles. 

There certainly is something so satisfying about making these things at home. I might regale you with our home-made playdoh story next post.

Hello, good bye, talk to you soon xx 

Well, didn’t that silly season just fly by?! Being on annual leave for the better part of 3 weeks, I had full intentions of writing a ‘year in review’ post; running through all the highlights and tougher times our little family unit experienced, just to celebrate making it through the year. I had also fully intended to post a blog after each of our adventures through the end of year. But, I just forgot to make the time for me to write…oops!

Tonight, I’ve also realised that I’ve not posted anything here since mid-December. Atrocious blog manners, I know. 

Anyway, I’m on leave for another week and a bit, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the time. I’ve not done any of the things I promised myself I would (freezer/pantry clean out, food preparations, wardrobe cleanse) but then, those tedious tasks will be there at a later date…my beautiful boys will be just that little bit older tomorrow, just that little bit different to what they are today. By not doing these tasks, I’m running the risk of life being just that little bit harder in a few weeks time, but I feel confident in my relationship with my boys.  It’s the first time in a loooong time that I am feeling really connected with the fellas. I have barely done anything for myself, but that barely registers as a blip on my radar. Yes, I wanted to ride my mountain bike as often as I could whilst on leave, but I’m loving our early morning breakfasts chats. And our outdoor adventures – man! They have been the best. 

I haven’t been failing that bad at adulting across the end of year break – we hosted a pretty epic Christmas feast and a chaotic new years eve play date, I’ve brewed some delicious Kombucha and managed to keep on top of the household daily chores. I’ve even ridden my motorbike once!

If 2017 continues in the way it’s started, I think we’re in for an ace year 👍👊

I’m off camping for a few days – well, from Thursday anyway. Tomorrow night is a Camp Cope/Modern Baseball night xx 

It can be incredibly frustrating when things don’t work as you anticipate they will. Think technology, social routine or function; nobody wins when shit doesn’t work as it should. I’m sitting here on my (late) train ride home and I can’t get my internet connection to work…it was working this morning, and works EVERY OTHER AFTERNOON, so why not now? I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable reason for this (why else would it be reasonable), more than likely user-error, but, the overall experience is one of frustration. 

I am on the verge of a very long christmas break – a sneaky trip to Melbourne for an extended family pre-christmas party, followed by a couple of days of work, followed by the ultimate: weeks and weeks to spend with my darlings. But, as I sit here thinking about all the things I should be packing for our trip to Melbourne City or all the christmas tasks I need to achieve before the magical day, I am sitting here trying to make technology work. 

Actually, I’ve all but given up on it and thought I’d write about it instead, as I think the frustration of things is a common theme at this time of year… children don’t act like they normally do (thank you to all the social and celebratory commitments the time of year inevitably brings), society seems to be largely stressed and freaking about the inevitable end of the world on 25th December (or is the 26th December?) and then there is the instabilty the weather seems to offer…is it going to about one billion degrees, will it be rainy and stormy, or will it bizarrely drop to a wintery-like coolness (despite the ridiculous humidity). 
All in all, this time of year is C.R.A.Z.Y. Like, batshit crazy. It can be incredibly furstrating the amount of meaning that can be placed on this time of year – at the end of the day, family and friends should be the focus. By definition, family and friends will probably completely understand if you choose to live under a rock for the entire period, only peeping out to see the sun for a moment before retreating into your hovel; your friends/family can (hopefully) probably see the pressure you’ve been under and can see the frustration starting to amass and spill over…so at a guess, I’m going to say that if you aren’t the best company ever, you’re in the clear… 

Well, that was cathartic, wasn’t it!? I guess what I’m trying to say in a round-about kind of way is (thanks to the frustration of technology not working the way it should!!!!), I hope you too have managed to regather some perspective/focus and remember that this time of year is about spending time with those that you love, so don’t let the craziness and frustration of the season sour that. 

If you can, try and re-frame – think about the exctitement that builds to the end of year; the break from the full on moments the day-to-day routine can inflict. I love the anticipation of fun times ahead; the thought of Christmas Pudding (many thanks to my mum and the annual Pudding Day she attends), the idea of seeing my children revel in the love the end of year offers.  

As i sit here typing, i think my tablet has taken offence…the bloody snap-on keyboard has stopped working! I’ve decided this maybe a sign I should just quit typing and get lost in my romantic notions of the end of year (that, and the smith street band). Sleep well x

In an attempt to keep up my habit of writing, I’m probs going to have a few inconsequential posts. I figure it is better to keep posting than not, even if, at the time I commence typing I have no idea which topic I will tackle (for example, this post! I have no idea what I’m planning to write about). 

The world can be a pretty tough place. Beautiful, but tough. I have a friend working through some pretty tough news, and all I want to do is surround her with my love. But, that would probably be fairly inconvenient for her and probably add only annoyance instead of the intended support. So, instead, I will send my best wishes and suport from afar. And while I am confused in how to support someone without suffocating them, at the same time I am excitedly anticipating the arrival home of my traveling sister. Her 9 month (ish) trip around Oz with Jake has provided much photo-porn on Insta, and made me quite jealous and excited by the chance to one-day play copy cat. 

I’ve really been missing my siblings the last few months (hello around the world), and I’ve come to the realisation that I’ve not ever been so alone on the sibling front – so to have Soph returning home is an exciting prospect and I am actually feeling all the feels. The anticipation is huge too from Giggles Magoo who keeps asking if Aunty Soph will be here for Dumpling Night…Little Mate just wonders when he can next talk to her on the phone (her, or anyone else in my address book). 

These two contrasting events in my life are both full of emotion, and really, neither of them directly involves me. I am purely a spectator with an emotional investment in both beautiful ladies. But, once you factor in all the other things in life – big things, little things, things of signigicant consequence, those with little or none…life just keeps throwing out an interesting journey. Sometimes tough, sometimes beautiful. 

So, although I had no idea what I wanted to write about when I started typing this piece (it probably makes no sense), I’ve ended up reflecting on my beautiful family and supportive friends; soundtracked to the amazing Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Sadly front-woman Sharon Jones passed away over the weekend, which is another timely reminder of the impermanence of life. Jones had so much soul in her voice and has released some amazing music over the years. I guess I count myself as lucky to live in an era whereby I could consume her music. Give the band a listen and wiggle the evening away with all the feels xx

As I am transporting the goods home for dinner this evening (we are up to Dumpling Thursday! Such a happy tradition in Thevermoodyhousehold these days), I’ve found myself wanting to write to you about our week. I’m part way through a full-time work stint and whilst it is fairly easy to do on the one hand (probably my right rand), it is creating chaos on the other hand (defs my left hand there). The week seems to fly by without much noticing, but at the same time the integral family tasks seem to be neverending and make going to bed at any reasonable hour nearly impossible. Throw in to the mix a birthday for Grimace and our week doesn’t feel as smooth or connected. 

Enter Dumpling Thursday. I am known for preaching to you all around my love of dumplings. Giggles Magoo seems to have an afinity with the concept, as he too will espouse the values of eating dumplings (in a way that only a 4 year old can articulate). He woke up a little on the surly side this morning, which completely disappeared at the revelation that his evening routine will include consumption of the beloved dumpling. I’m not sure if it is indeed the comfort of routine or the delicious-ness that seems to offer the satisfaction for my little love. I don’t even really care (I absolutely do) as the smile he beamed at me will forever be etched into my brain (that, and the fact he was fairly co-operative in getting out the door by 7.03am). 

We actually cheated on Dumpling Thursday with a one-off Yum Cha Wednesday lunch. I know you’re with me when you can’t understand why I’m struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle…but, when the boys are having a city adventure together for Grimace’s birthday, and they find themselves in China Town around lunchtime, who could resist the allure? 

Anyway, in a bid to regain a certain level of control over the week, I am tonight going to make our meal plan for the next week. It will more than likely include a roast dinner (that allows the leftovers to be bundled into another meal), a quick and easy salad and a pie or tart of some description. Tonight I’ll probs hang out a load of washing and nappies (hello hot summer weather) and then share a G n T with Grimace. 

Tonight’s commute home has been soundtracked by The Menzingers, where you can get tix to their Australian Tour if they tickle your fancy…I may just see you at their Sydney show 🙂

Enjoy the end to your week x   

I adore writing this blog, I find it such a lovely outlet and a really great way to log our adventures. I have this absolutely unrealistic view in my mind that fast-forward 100 years from now I’ll be long gone, and my great-grandchildren will sit down in front of some far-advanced-technology and perform a search on me, said great-grandmother. They’ll stumble across this awkwardly written blog and instantly feel a sense of attachment; their sense of wonderment will be fulfilled when reading all about my random thoughts or our wonderful adventures. 

Ha ha yep, that is probably exactly how it won’t pan out…BUT, without this weird romantic notion, I may not have found the courage to start writing. Hilarious really!

We have recently explored our little part of the world with a few adventures, but I have not detailed them here – mostly because I love reading blog-pieces that include photos, and assume you (hello all 5 readers I regularly have…sisters, sister-in-laws, potentially brother and probably me…HI!!!) all like the same. And, sadly I took no photos whilst adventuring. The fact is, MY PHONE MEMORY IS FULL. This is THE worst #firstworldproblem I could possibly have -as without photographic evidence, how ever will I remember what has occurred? The sad thing is, I’m not even joking. Someone at work will say to me on a Monday “How was your weekend”? and I blank. I stand there and I seriously cannot remember what occurred only less than 24 hours earlier. The rush of a Sunday evening get-everything-ready-for-the-week/Monday morning get-out-of-the-house-with-two-kids-by-7.03am is enough to delete my short term memory cache. So, seriously, if I can’t re-live my experiences through the photographic evidence from the adventure, I can’t remember all the glorious funness. 

I also really like pondering a topic that has been working its way through my mind, but as I’ve not had a camera to take a random picture to give the piece a little randomness or relevance, I haven’t been typing these either. 

I’m realising that I’ve missed writing regularly and I’ve just today decided to do something about it…

1. Tonight, I am going sync my phone and remove all unecessary photos (which will prbably be none, as I love showing the kidlets to everyone, and of course a picture from 6 months ago is completely relevant…yep, I’m that annoying parent in your workplace) to free up some space. Apparently 7 GB of video and 8.64 GB of pictures is too many. Geeeeez.

2. I’m going to undertake an Australian Writers Centre course on blogging to hopefully gain some more tips on brainstorming and shaping content. I have a few things I want to do with this little site, and hopefully the online course will give me a little nudge in the right direction. 

Anyway, Hey – hello, I’m still here and always thinking of content…now I just need to find me some pics to keep the words coming. 

Happy Monday x

PS. The weekend just finished consisted of some epic adventures, including a camping trip with Giggles Magoo and his 3 besties and their families. Was ace! If you’re after an easy camping option, I would definitely recommend Blackheath Glen in the Blackheath, NSW (at the top of the beautiful Blue Mountains). An example of my piece above is I didn’t get any pics…BORING. So instead, here is a picture from almost exactly 12 months ago… my hair colour is different, my nose is pierced, I have a further years wisdom under my belt and the boys have grown up sooooo much since this was taken. Still use the coffee shop just as much though 😛