Kidspeak

Siblings can be best friends too

June 28, 2011

As the kids grow older, I’m increasingly convinced that having them so close together was the best thing we’ve done. Especially when they seem to have really hit it off as siblings.

I’m even starting to forget how tough things were during the first year after Kirsten was born. Those wonderful days when they used to scream for hours in perfect unison as I struggled to carry, feed and pat both babies at once. Fun times.

Then one day they grew up and became friends – friends who had fun together. They would snuggle in bed talking and laughing every morning. They figured out how to deal with each other’s quirks and foul moods. They learnt to play together, dance together, do somersaults together and get into trouble together.

Sometimes I just sit and listen to their conversations because watching them enjoy each other’s company is priceless. Also because it’s important to keep tabs on the harebrained schemes they come up with.

Kirsten: OUCH! Kor kor, you pushed me?

Tru: No, I didn’t push you. I’m trying to hug you.

Kirsten: You hug me?

Tru: Yes, because I love you so much! *pats her head*

***

After almost 2 hours of unsuccessfully putting them to bed, we left the room and held the door shut.

Kirsten: Can you open the door for me?

Tru: I can’t, it’s stuck.

Kirsten: Help, the door stuck it.

Tru: Ok I know, we use the sword to open.

Kirsten: The sword cannot open. We need the chair.

Tru: Oh, ok. Let’s snuggle, later daddy will open.

***

Kirsten is dozing off in the car and Tru is intent on keeping her awake.

Tru: MEI MEI WAKE UP!

Kirsten: *opens her eyes slightly* What?

Tru: MEI MEI WAKE UP!!!

Kirsten: *opens her eyes slightly* What?

Tru: MEI MEI WAKE UP WAKE UP!!!

Kirsten: *mumbles* I’m trying to sleep, don’t disturb me.

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how i pretend to be a cool mum, precious moments, to Kirsten with love, to Truett with love

Level up: Baking badges acquired

June 27, 2011

If you’ve been following me on Facebook and Twitter, you’ll know that I attempted to bake a batch of 50 cupcakes for the kids’ combined birthday party yesterday. It was a big deal because I’m not the baking sort. In fact, I’ve never baked anything in my life, unless you count baked beans, which I basically pour out from a can and put in the microwave.

My original plan was to buy 50 cupcakes from the store but I got to browsing these really pretty cupcakes online and the kids were all like “I want mommy to make.”

Ok kids, challenge accepted.

I mean, anyone can buy cupcakes from a store right but I’m going to be the mom that makes these babies with my own hands. Also partly because my mom is like a baking guru and she helped out a little (ok she did like 28% of the work). The kids contributed another 7%.

They wore their little aprons and helped to pour stuff into the mixer, all pleased to be making their own birthday cupcakes.

We spent all of Friday afternoon mixing, stirring, scooping and arranging little cups as the aroma of freshly baked cupcakes filled the kitchen. Now I know why people bake – there’s a profound sense of satisfaction to be making something so yummy from scratch. Like it’s just a bunch of flour and eggs on the table and then voila, cupcakes! We even made 2 different flavors, chocolate and carrot cake topped with ganache and cream cheese icing.

But then the proof of the pudding (or in this case, cupcake) is in the eating, so here’s the final product.

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Word on the street is that they taste pretty good too. Well, at least, the kids seemed to love it.

I guess this means I’ve earned my baking badges and I can go back to buying cupcakes from the store next year.

PS. The three winners have been announced for the Child Label giveaway. Thanks for your support!

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quizzical

Quiz Time: Should I have another kid?

June 24, 2011

Ah, the other big question. Your kids are finally out of the random screaming-through-the-night phase and you’re in a good place, sort of. Inevitably, you start missing the newborn baby smell and the way a baby feels just right in the nook of your elbow instead of the gangly limbs that are sticking out awkwardly with your toddler.

When that moment comes, it’s important to know if you’re truly ready to have another child or you’re better off stealing someone else baby for all of 3 minutes.

Add or subtract points for every statement that you can agree with below:

1. The smell of newborns make me feel warm and fuzzy. (Add 10 points)

2. I’m missing the glow of pregnancy. (Add 10 points)

3. I sometimes hold a sack of rice like a baby and sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to it. (Add 20 points)

4. I sometimes feed my kids cornflakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On the same day. (Subtract 25 points)

5. I’ve got all this spare time sitting around taking afternoon naps and watching Gilmore Girls reruns. (Add 30 points)

6. One time, I forgot to bring back one of my children because I couldn’t remember how many I had. (Subtract 500 points)

7. I have enough kids to form a soccer team (Add 300 points – for having superpowers)

8. I can go for 2 weeks without bathing or sleeping. (Add 50 points)

9. I need more kids to help run this family business that I’m starting. (Subtract 100 points – wrong reason to have kids)

10. I need more kids to get $18,000 in baby bonus and CDA top ups. (Add 250 points – great reason to have kids)

11. I’m allergic to children. (Subtract 20 points)

12. Screaming babies make me want to tear off my own arm. And eat it. (Subtract 100 points)

13. I’m big on baby kisses and snuggles. (Add 50 points)

14. I enjoy being pooped, barfed and spat on. (Subtract 50 points – go speak to your therapist before you continue)

15. Ok, there are 2 lines on my pregnancy test kit. (Burn all the points and go celebrate. Congratulations, you’re as ready as you’ll ever be.)

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