Kissing Mr Surfer good-bye before boarding the #DPCON14 Love Boat, I knew all would be fine.  The twinions in fact, were no doubt going to have an awesome weekend running amok at Grandma’s.

By the following Saturday morning, the intermittent phone coverage from being out in the Tasman Sea, only allowed 2 voice messages from my husband to come through.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best news.

K-Bear was complaining of a “sore face” the night before while at Grandma’s and Mr Surfer being the super conscientious dad that he is, took him to hospital.

First message was to say they were waiting for the doctor to see him.

The second let me know that after being scripted with antibiotics, K-Bear was feeling much better.

“Mama, my ear all better now. The doctor fixed it” He assured me when I finally got to speak to him.

All day Sunday I had no phone coverage. I was a little anxious about the home situation but most of all, there was the guilt.

I shouldn’t be away having fun while my family’s hacking up all sorts of gross stuff.

But the coughing and spluttering continued throughout the weekend and was greeting me at the door when I got back on Monday morning.

While getting through my own post-conference hangover, post-cruise swaying sensation, I’ve spent most of the week looking after 3 sick family members.

And this isn’t the first time.

I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a direct co-relation between blogging conferences and family sickness.

Despite having a kick arse time, it seems every time I return, reality comes back to bite me in the butt and I spend the rest of the week nursing my family back to health.

So, I’ve decided no more mother’s guilt.

Well, not till the next conference, anyway.

When has mother’s guilt struck you?

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share

If you were hoping that talk of birthdays and cake fails were over, I’m sorry to disappoint.

Today is the big par-tay for the twinions.

As I started planning, shopping, committing to two dinosaur cakes, my anxiety levels rocket through the roof, I consciously stopped myself.

Life’s stressful enough as it is, right?

For the twin ion’s birthday afternoon last week, we decided to go for celebratory fish n chips down the bay.  It was a perfect summer’s afternoon.  As Mr Surfer and I watched our munchkins squeal with delight as they plunged into the cool ocean water, we reminded ourselves of what was really important about turning four.

It wasn’t the extravagant presents or fretting over what theme the party should be.

Squishing toes through the warm sand, watching in awe as your feet sink and disappear as the gentle waves wash over them.

It’s the simple joys of being a kid; the exhilaration of discovering anything, everything and everywhere.

Chasing pesky seagulls, giggling helplessly as you pretend to also soar through the clear, blue sky with them.

Letting your untapped imagination and innocence collide, swerve through the esplanade, joining the gentle ocean breeze.

Here’s to a relaxing, fun-filled party.  Here’s to celebrating with family and friends, sharing some laughs along the way.

Remembering that it’s just about the seagulls. Those crazy gulls.

What’re you up to this Sunday?

When the twinions were approximately 18 months old and things were still “under my control”,  I remember a father walking past with his young son.

Watching me transfer each twin out of the car and into the pram he asked,

“Twins?”

“Yes!” I smiled

“Both boys?”

“Yes!” I smiled even wider

“Good luck with that!” he said sarcastically as he walked away.

Wow.  Now, if that wasn’t the world’s most accurate definition of rude.

But looking back, I can see where he was coming from.

And I know that all parents with boys will agree with me.

Boys are active.  Boys can’t keep still.  They constantly have frantic ants in their growing up pants.

Even for me who’s ran a half marathon, the twinions just know how to suck every ounce of energy out of me.  Every. Single. Day.

Rainy days can be particularly tricky in our house. I always feel defeated when the twinions get bored with indoor activities like colouring in or crafts and the last resort ends up being television.

The thing is, I know that when it comes to daycare, they can be completely focused and attentive.

And with all the paintings and drawings they bring home, I know they’re extremely creative and imaginative.

The other day when it was wet and miserable, I thought I’d see how the twinions would like playing with Tiger Tribe’s Magna Carry educational products, Emergency Rescue and At The Park.

The sets come with colourful magnetic pieces and a board with play scenes.  Easily carried in a portable suitcase, they’re ideal for travel or cafes.

Much to my surprise and delight, I scored at least an hour’s worth of quiet play out of them!  No squabbling or fighting! Amazing!

Then, the real test.

Not being the most kid-friendly environment, church is a weekly challenge in achieving quiet, calm behaviour.

I brought along the Magna Junior travel sets, Jungle Safari and Treasure Island to see if the twinions would show an interest.

As the travel sets had less pieces and limited board space, their attention span unfortunately didn’t quite carry for as long this time.

I discovered boys will be boys.  They still love their planes, trains and cars.  They will always need to run around and release all that relentless energy.

But at the same token, their imaginations are strong and are as creative as any almost 4 year old.

Just as their growing bodies are active, so are their minds.

They just need the right educational tools to encourage them.

One lucky reader can win a Tiger Tribe prize pack which will include:

• Magna Carry At the Park
• Magna Carry Emergency Rescue
• Magna Junior Jungle Safari
• Magna Play Treasure Island

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is:

1)   Leave a comment on this post telling me:  *What ignites your child’s imagination and creativity?

2) Subscribe to With Some Grace by Email

 Terms and Conditions:

• The name of the promotion is: Tiger Tribe Competition
• The promoter is With Some Grace in conjunction with Tiger Tribe.
• The conditions of entry: Australian residents only
• Employees, immediate family members, retailers, suppliers, associate companies and agencies are not eligible to enter.
• The giveaway will close on 8th of December, 10pm AEST.  Comments submitted after this date will not be considered for the giveaway.
• This is a game of skill. The winner will be awarded based on the strength of their answer to the *above mentioned question.
• The prize will be in the form of product which will be sent to the winner once address details have been provided after the competition has closed.
• The results of the giveaway will be published on this site on 9th of December.
• Prizes are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable.
• The total prize value is  $114.80 RRP
• If for any reason beyond the Promoter’s control the agreed prize is not available a product of equal or greater value will be provided.
• The Promoter is not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner.

Disclosure: Products were received for review and no money was received. All opinions are solely my own, as always.

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share

Update 09/12 – The winner of the Tiger Tribe Giveaway is Lidya Y

 

While I was snuggling my little boy to sleep earlier, I started thinking about how to host FBLS while we were away on holiday. (3 more sleeps…woohoo!)

Should I schedule the link? Should I do it live from the tropics of Bali?

Then the lightbulb moment…How about I just leave it aside until I get back?

Why is the simplest idea often the one that makes the most perfect sense?

I love you all and stuff but let’s face it. (And I think you while wholeheartedly agree with me…)

If you were to go on a long well deserved, overdue holiday, wouldn’t you rather be doing this?

Instead of this?

It really is a no brainer.

So, my lovelies…make the most of this week’s #FBLS. Spread the word about the linky and even more love to your fellow bloggers who are joining in today.

The #FBLS fun will resume to its regular scheduled program on the 24^th of November.

Yip. Dat be a whole month away!

Till then, sweet Au Revoir or…as we say in Indo, “Sampai Jumpa!”

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share

It seems the older the twinlets get (yes, I do realize that I’m soon going to have to find a new term of endearment), the more they rely on each other’s company.

With nature’s own volition, they’re super tight.

They will separate but usually not too far and just end up doing the same thing anyway.

Then there are moments when they’ll let a little friend into their little “cool gang”.  But then it looks like there’s a set of triplets and that always freaks me out.

It’s okay, Grace.  Deep breaths. Only 2 of those are yours. Just TWO. One-TWO.

Maybe I’ve been slow off the mark but I’m also noticing that there are even more twinnie moments these days.

Sometimes I don’t realize until I’ve taken the photo…

Other times, it happens so naturally I nearly miss it…

And then it’s just palpable…

Just think of all those moments that I haven’t witnessed.

How much closer can the twinlets get?

Obviously, I’ll never be able to answer that but I also get the hunch that they themselves won’t be able to fully explain their special bond either.

It’ll be a case of “It is what it is…”

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share

 

I thought I’d wait a little while longer to make the announcement.  But today is exactly a month until it all happens so broadcasting it on #FBLS seemed like the perfect opportunity…

I’m 8 months pregnant!

Just joking! Did I have any of you fooled?

Probably not.

Many of you would’ve seen me drinking like a fish at Problogger last month to know better.

In any case, you’re a cluey bunch.

While I’m NOT popping out any more bubbas, the family and I ARE going on holiday.  To Indonesia, in fact.

Many of you may recall, last year we took the twinlets to Bali for the first time. It was such a successful trip (Every plane they spot is going to “Baaa-yeeeee”), I think we’ll be making it an annual thing.

And this time around, we’re also making a special visit to see my extended family in Jakarta.

Yup. My crazy, rambunctious, full-on family.

The boys will now know where their beloved mother gets her kooky traits from.  Lucky them.

Never fret.  #FBLS will still be happening.  Live from Indo or scheduled, I haven’t decided yet.  Either way, I promise I won’t let you down.

In the meantime, enjoy your Sunday, peeps!

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share