How To: Get your Threenager to hold your hand

When you have a headstrong independent child, it is very hard to get them to hold your hand when they want to do it all on their own because "I'm a big boy now". Yes sweetheart, you are a big boy, but you are and will always be my baby and I don't want you to get hit by a car!
So, over the last year, it has been a struggle to get him to hold my hand. He used to always be in his pushchair, so it wasn't much of an issue. However, when he turned two, he wanted to walk more, and I wanted to reserve the pushchair for days I was ill or had low energy.
After a fair amount of trial and error, we came to an understanding... not that you should allow a three year old to dictate their safety to you, but I was able to figure out what worked best for this little guy, with the least hassle.
Below is a list of all the things I have tried or had suggested to me and the outcome...

1. Put a harness on him. - Yeah.... no. Good for those that want to do it and it works for them, but I know that the minute we forget the harness at home, our guard will be down. 
2. Use a wrist strap: I had been considering this, until the day I saw another mum with her very active-resistant threenager run off in the opposite direction where she was going... as terrible as it was, a bungie slingshot effect was the end result. 
3. Belt loops: I haven't tried this one yet, but it is in the cards. I was suggested to try getting him to hold my belt loop or hang something he would want to hold onto off it. 
4. Use a consequence: If he doesn't hold your hand, he will be carried. I do this on occasion, but I also will use the pram if he refuses to hold my hand. Usually at this point he is tired, and he really only wants to use the pram, but is too tired to relay that information - or he still wants to be a "big boy" but I have to make that decision for him
5. Talk it out with them: This is what has seemed to work best for me. When we are in the car, leaving kindy - basically before we go anywhere - I have a chat with him. I tell him what is expected of him and what will happen if he doesn't listen. We have a rule that when we are going to and from kindy he has to walk along the footpath. He has one chance. If he doesn't walk on the footpath next to me, he has to hold my hand or I will carry him. We also have a rule that when we cross the road or are in a carpark he has to hold my hand. NO EXCEPTIONS.
6. Hug it out: I use this when he's not listening and I am low on evergy - unable to carry him so we will sit down where we are and just hug it out until he is ready to listen and hold my hand or walk nicely beside me. I understand that this usually happens when he is tired, and all he needs is a hug from me, but it has worked very well. Even just the suggestion "Do we need to hug this out?" works!
7. Praise: Whenever they do what you wish, be it hold your hand or walk nicely beside you - Praise, Praise and Praise again!
8. Put a wrist support on: I don't know if this would work for everyone, but I have a wrist support that I put on when my wrist is sore. Yesterday, I had to put it on, and was still wearing it at Kindy pick up. Max asked me if my wrist was sore and I told him yes it was. So from the moment the gate closed, he held my hand to the car. I praised him for being such a good boy. My sweet little boy replied with "I hold your hand Mum to make it feel better" - I'm going to use this and see if it works again!!!!

How To: Ensure your Threenager keeps their seatbelt on

Had the shock of my life this morning during the Kindy run. Little Mr. decided to not only remove the shoulder straps off himself (little Hudini!) he also tried opening his car door while we were driving! (thank god for kiddy locks!) below is the list of what followed...

1. While driving to Kindy, hear a weird noise come from Threenagers side of the car
2. Glance over shoulder to find Threenager has removed his shoulder straps of his seatbelt, he also has decided to try opening the car door WHILE WE WERE MOVING!
3. Shout out a quick "No! Stop!" 
4. Find a safe place to move over and flick hazard lights on
5. Turn car off and storm out of the car, and yank open Threenagers car door
6. Point to the shoulder straps and tell them loudly (hoping that a raised voice will get the message across) "You NEVER take off your seatbelt when we are driving! And you NEVER try to open the car door!" 
7. Take a deep breath to calm self before helping him put his seatbelt on
8. Get a shock by a voice beside me saying "Is everything alright here?"
9. Let breath out and say "Yeah, My Son just took his seatbelt off and I'm trying to teach him it's not ok..." 
10. Look at the person and trail off in speech when I realise that it is a police officer!
11. Smile sheepishly and take calming breaths and think back over the last few minutes (I didn't do anything bad did I? Did I cut someone off? Did I really look that mad???? Oh God! I hope he didn't think I was abusing my child! Oh God am I going to get a ticket???? Shit Shit Shit!!!!!)
12. Mr. Policeman smiles and pats me on the shoulder "It's ok, kids do this sometimes"
13. Relax and let breath out again, help Threenager back into their straps and try to tighten the seatbelt more
14. Mr. Policeman notices I'm having a hard time so offers to help
15. As Mr. Policeman tightens the seatbelt, he talks to Threenager "Hey Mate, you scared your Mum. You always wear your seatbelt ok? Do you understand?"
16. Threenager looks wide eyed at me then back at Mr. Policeman "Yes, I understand" 
17. Mr. Policeman smiles and hold up his hand "Good. Now, High Five!" 
18. Mr. Policeman hops back into his car and drives off
19. Hop back into own car, and drive to Kindy with Threenager in the back saying to himself "Wear seatbelt, Mr. Polcieman told me to" 
20. Have a giggle to oneself and feel pleased that he had a very interesting lesson for the first time taking his shoulder straps off in Mum's car. 

How To: Get more ice cream...

It was Max's first day back at Kindy today after his operation. He was very excited to go today and didn't even notice me leave! When it was time to pick him up, I noticed a little bit of rain, so brought his raincoat and an umbrella with me. I was told by the teachers at pick up that he enjoyed his day, but he might need a few more days before he gets back into the swing of things... below is the list of what followed from when we walked out the door.

1. Remind Threenager that they need to walk nicely on the path or hold hands
2.  Threenager drops bag and runs to the tree at the end of the path
3. Drop umbrella, and run after Threenager, catch them and remind them that because they didn't walk nicely they have to hold hands
4. Hold Threenager's hand while walking back to pick up bag and umbrella
5. Carry bag and umbrella in one hand while wrangling Threenager
6. Get to car and fumble with keys to unlock doors
7. Threenager sees their chance and runs ALL THE WAY back to Kindy
8. Drop bag and umbrella again to chase after Threenager (stay hot on his heels while going into a coughing fit - still have this blasted cold/chest infection!) 
9. Threenager stops at the gate next to Kindy's playground and calls out to his friends on the other side
10. Halt with hands on knees trying to catch breath
11. Call out to Threenager to come over and hold hands or they will go to bed early tonight
12. Threenager ignores me and continues to yell to friends on other side of the gate (much to the amusement of the other parents I am sure)
13. Call out to Threenager and tell them no toys in the bath tonight
14. Threenager continues to ignore me
15. Call out to Threenager and tell them no ice cream for dessert tonight
16. Threenager comes right over
17. Walk nicely back to car with Threenager 
18. Put Threenager in the car and ask them if they know why Mummy is not happy
19. Threenager says "Yes, Max ran away."
20. Ask Threenager if they are going to be good now
21. Threenager says "Yes, Max be good, Max sit in pram and eat ice cream at home"
22. Smile back at Threenager "Exactly!" 
23. Go to supermarket, put Threenager in pram - no fuss
24. Threenager is good the whole time in the supermarket, when we get home until 5pm when I'm just about to start cooking dinner...
25. Threenager gets ice cream out
26. Count to 3 as a warning
27. Get to 3. Tell Threenager that there is no ice cream tonight
28. Threenager says "Awww Man!" and takes himself off to bed
29. Make bottle up to fill Threenagers tummy 
30. Threenager is lights out as soon as the last drop of the bottle is out
31. Feel like a slightly mean Mummy while thinking about more ice cream for me for dessert tonight... 

How To: Take a swab test before surgery

Threenager needs to have another op on one of his toes, but before he does, he needs to have a few swab tests. He hasn't had one before, so of course his first one had to be in the  "down below" region. read the list below to see how it all went!

1. Book surgery and find out swab test is required
2. Make plan on best approach to take Threenager to the swab test
3. Pick Threenager up from Kindy 
4. Talk with Threenager about the swab test: "The Lady will use a cotton bud and tickle your bottom with it. If you are a good boy and stay still Mummy will get you a Toy after ok?" 
5. Threenager smiles and says "Ok Mummy! Yes, Toy!" 
6. Drive to the lab and have another chat with Threenager about the swab test, talk him through it again and make sure he understands what is about to happen. 
7. As an after thought, while walking from the car to the lab, remind Threenager that it is his body and no one is allowed to touch it unless he is ok with it 
8. Worry that might have said something over the top, but know that it's a subject that needs to be broached 
9. Get into the lab and talk to the technician 
10. Find out that it is not ONE swab test, but THREE swabs (Nose, Groin and that place named after a planet in our solar system) 
11. Take moment to let Threenager know the change of plans, and make sure that they are ok with it
12. While telling Threenager the new plan, lab technician corrects me and tells me that because I am the parent, I will be taking the swabs, while they assist.
13. Feel heaps better with this change of plans, and tell Threenager "Wow! Guess what, Mummy will be doing it! Is that ok?" 
14. Threenager smiles and says "Yes! Sure Mum, ok"
15. Take Threenager to the room with lab technician and sit them on the orange bed (Threenager's favour colour, so a bonus)
16. Swab one: Take swab and swipe it around each nostril making Threenager wiggle their nose and sneeze. Threenager says "Achoo Mum, Achoo!" 
17. Swab two: Take nappy off and swab groin area. Threenager giggles (so far so good...)
18. Swab three: Prepare swab, walk towards Threenager who is laying there waiting patiently. Move swab closer to planet named region. Threenager closes legs and calls out "No! Doors Closed." 
19. Stand there frozen for a moment. Look back at the lab technician who is trying to hold back laughter (and failing) Collapse in fits of laughter. Manage to talk to Threenager and ask them if it is ok to do the next swab - Threenager obliges. 
20. Dress Threenager, wash hands together and leave to go to the warehouse for the promised Toy
21. Praise Threenager for being brave, and being a very good boy while the swabs were being taken. 
22. Get into the warehouse, Threenager makes a beeline for the toy aisle
23. Catch up with Threenager and they have a handful of toys
24. Smile at Threenager and remind "One toy hun" 
25. Threenager stops and looks me dead in the eye "No Mum." 
26. Take a breath and think that this needs to be held with care, as a tantrum could errupt if not handled correctly. "Remember I told you one toy? Perhaps we can tell Santa you want those for Christmas, and then we can get one now. How does that sound?"
27. Threenager, staring into the depths of my soul calmy replies "Mum. Three cotton buds, Three toys"
28. *Mouth drops to the floor* (can't really argue with that one) 
29. Buy little smarty pants three toys, put two toys away for recovery time while Threenager is distracted playing with his new puzzle. 

How To: Organise your wardrobe

1. Wake up - it's Kindy day today! 
2. Get Threenager ready for Kindy
3. Drop Threenager off at Kindy with no fuss 
4. Come home and sit down for a coffee with Trusty Grandpa
5. Organise a shopping list and meal plan for the week
6. Clean appliances, bench tops and cupboard doors
7. Call Dr's for an appointment (this cough is not going away!)
8. Go into bedroom and clear pile of clothes and other things blocking the wardrobe (Hubby just got a whole lot of very nice clothes given to him, so of course that's where you store it)
9. Put clothes on the bed for sorting later
10. Wardrobe doors are now clear
11. Hear the door bell ring
12. Find a package containing the carousel wardrobe organiser that was ordered for Threenager's room
13. Ditch own wardrobe and focus on Threenager's (swap hanging shelves in their wardrobe to the carousel one)
14. Finish Threenager's wardrobe and head back to own wardrobe
15. Fish out all the clothes that haven't worn in past year (I use the hanger method - once a year/season, face hangers opposite direction to you, then as you wear them, you flick the hanger around. This way you can see which clothes you have worn)
16. Throw the unus  e     d clothes onto the bed for later sorting
17. Pull out all the s pare coat hangers (find 30)
18. Organise clothes in wardrobe to style and season (the clothes I will most likely need in the next few month at the front so it's easier to find)
19. Hang up hanging shelves and put shoes and collection of hats in (clearing the floor in the wardrobe) 
20. Vacuum floor
21. Break for lunch and get a phone call from Kindy - Threenager is running a high temp and needs to be picked up
22. Pick up Threenager from Kindy and take home
23. Retake temp and give Pamol to Threenager
24. Call Dr and make new appointment for self tomorrow, Threenager can have the one booked for today
25. Go to Dr, get told Threenager needs to stay off Kindy for a few days
26. Go home, leave room to itself until Threenager is in bed
27. An hour before own bedtime, finish cleaning up and organising the wardrobe, clear the bed
28. End up with four bags - two for the hospice shop and two to load on trademe
29. Pat self on the back and get ready for bed
30. Check on Threenager and find they have broken a fever
31. Change Threenagers pjs and put in own bed while Hubby comforts him
32. Change the sheets on Threenager's bed 
33. Heat up rice-bag for Threenager for them to cuddle
34. Walk back into own room to transfer Threenager into their bed
35. Find both Hubby and Threenager fast asleep, snoring away
36. Decide to sleep in Threenager's bed instead
37. Have the best nights sleep in ages!

How To: Decide to have a mental health day after a Maximum morning

Didn't sleep well last night. I dub thee a mental health day.

1. Get minimal amount of sleep due to head cold/chest infection (must go back to the Dr. tomorrow for antibiotics)
2. Wake up at 3am and don't get back to sleep until Hubby leaves for work at 5am
3. Threenager comes in and decides that it is time the "Lets see how much mess I can make before Mum fully wakes up and realises I am here" game
4. Hear drawers opening and a little bit of giggling and Threenager talking to themselves (probably deciding on which room to wreak havoc on next)
5. Sit up in bed to have a better look of the room and discover: Dressing Table items are scattered on the floor, all the drawers are open and Threenager is in the middle of emptying the drawers out
6. Decide it's not worth getting too wound up as Kindy day today and should be able to take time to clean it all up
7. Say Hello to Threenager and call them over for morning cuddles
8. Have a cuddle for 5 minutes and fall asleep
9. Wake up to Threenager playing Train with Monkey, all the lights are now on (How on earth did he reach the main light??? he's way too short and there is nothing for him to climb on)
10. Realise that they used the superhero wrapping paper roll to switch the main light on (this is now unrolled over the floor - looks like his cousin will be receiving avon garde style gift wrap)
11. Turn to Threenager to point out the mess they have made - receive a "BLAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" in the face from inner cardboard tube of said gift wrap. 
12. Look at Threenager and debate on creative ways to use the inner tube... receive a brilliant smile and a "Hello Mum! Wake up, Kindy Day" 
13. Throw self back down onto the pillow with a groan and say "Yes, I know - But wait until the birds start singing"
14. Alarm clock with singing birds tone goes off
15. Scowl at singing birds 
16. Turn back to Threenager and receive a knee to the eye as they are climbing over my face to get to the phone
17. Threenager gives me phone, to which I just look at it stupidly - and far too long for their liking
18. Get a book thrown in my face off my bedside table Oh, Good Morning Emily Writes, Rants in the Dark you say? Game on - I'll have a coffee date with you after Kindy drop off
19. Just as I have registered the book, in my hands I then have my dressing gown thrown in my face and the covers pulled off me "Up Mum!" 
20. Start to drag myself out of the bed, have THREE roll on deodorants plopped on my tummy (OMFG they are COLD!) 
21. Discover Threenager has also been in the bathroom (How on earth have a managed to sleep through all of this????)
22. Mentally bang head against brick wall and tell self off - you're on Mum duty, no sleeping in when you're sick - this IS your work... Aww, stuff it. 
23. Hobble into the kitchen, make breakfast and coffee, blow nasty green gunk out of nose, throw tissue away (yup, def need to go back to the dr for those antibiotics) 
24. Turn telly on to find Fresh beat band of spies on (Scooby Doo rip off anyone?) 
25. Allow Threenager to watch that while changing him and getting him dressed for the day
26. Feed and water Threenager and self 
27. Trusty Grandpa is finally up, ask them to put Threenagers shoes on while I get dressed
28. Start to walk out the door, Threenager has lost Monkey
29. Ask Trusty Grandpa to put Threenager in the car
30. Retrieve Monkey from behind the bed with extender arm (was given this by ACC - BEST. THING. EVER.)
31. Finally get into the car, drive to Kindy
32. Car starts shuddering, lights start flashing (Prey that we get to Kindy so that I can drop Threenager off and focus on the car
33. Park car and drop Threenager off at Kindy
34. Get back to car and pop the bonnet up
35. Establish that the oil level is fine, water level is perfect, and the car battery is connected correctly... looks to be the spark plugs 
36. Man in people mover drives past and backs up asking me if I want some help
37. Tell him what I believe it is, and know how much it's going to cost (dude must be a mechanic as he was defending the prices that the mechanics have to charge etc)
38. Manage to get the car started and home safely 
39. Call Hubby and make game plan on repairs and Kindy pick up (looks like I will be walking if Car is not fixed by then) 
40. Walk inside take one look at mess, sit down with coffee, computer and Rants in the Dark, Today is going to be a mental health day.

How To: Dust Your Head Board

It's been a fair bit busy and hectic here in our house hold... Practically June was a write off due to colds, chest infections, random hospital visits and impromptu sleep overs for the Max. So much has happened in the past month or so since I wrote my last post, I honestly don't think I can catch up with it all!

My Scrapbooking calendar (that I have to update monthly) is stuck on May and I am seriously considering, just crossing "May" out  and writing "July" with the correct dates just to I can attempt to keep track of my life again. I have thank you cards that I have been wanting to write, Max's baby book I want/need to update and not to mention so much housework I need to catch up on. I finally started getting over my chest infection only to wake up with a raw throat as the beginning of another cold. *sigh*

ANYWAY, enough mumblings about being sick and being behind in housework. Quick catch up about Max - He is now there big 3, going to Kindy three days a week (which in theory will allow me to have a better schedule for housekeeping, write some more, scrapbooking and have some time for myself - so far only been able to do the first) Due to  the awesome little changes that have been going on here now that he is in Kindy for longer - he's growing so fast! - I now promote him from "Toddler" to "Threenager" (to help stop confusion on future posts) So, what has this Threenager been up to today? See below for todays list.

How To: Dust your Head Board

1. Threenager comes in for early morning cuddles
2. Cuddle for a little bit until the birds outside start singing (we have a rule about not getting up for the day until the birds are singing - I have an alarm on my phone that sounds like birds singing, but I'm happy to get up when the natural birds sing, as at least it's not too early)
3. Threenager turns on the bedside light and picks Monkey up
4. Threenager then calls out "Monkey Train Mum!"
5. Move pillow down so that my hair and head is not stepped on (learnt this the hard way)
6. Toddler then spends next half hour or so sweeping Monkey back and forth across the top of the headboard calling out "Choo Choo Monkey, Choo Choo!" (just enough time for me to wake up for the day and do my morning stretches) 
7. Headboard is now dusted... just need to shake out Monkey and vacuum...

How To: Teach your Toddler about the "Energy Train"

Today has been one of those days. I had every intention of doing a little bit of housework this morning, followed by a trip to the local botanical gardens with my Son. It started out ok; I had brought in a load of washing, and hung two out, was just having lunch and mentioned to the Toddler about going to the botanical gardens - which he loves. It is now 2pm (we were going to leave at 1pm) and the energy train has now left the station. For those that don't know, or haven't read the rest of the blog - I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue in 2010. I am much better at managing it now, but I still have to pace myself every day so that I can do the things I want and need to do, including taking my Son to places that he can explore, have fun and just be the awesome little kid he is. Today, however did not go to plan. To be honest, they hardly ever do with a Toddler. Without further ado, here is today's list:

1. Wake up in the morning and see that it's a nice day
2. Feel that today is going to be a moderate energy day, so make mental plan in head to take the Toddler out after lunch to the Auckland Botanical Gardens
3. Have breakfast and put load of washing on
4. Have shower with Toddler
5. Get dressed and bring the washing in that was hung on the line over night - it's now dry. 
6. Hang next load of washing out while Toddler tips the pegs into his dump truck
7. Chase Toddler around the backyard to retrieve more pegs
8. Stop Toddler from emptying out the clean washing onto the ground next to washing line
9. Finish hanging washing up, turn round to find Toddler climbing up on Trusty Grandpa's car...
10. Fetch Toddler and remind him that cars are not for climbing
11. Get told "Come back here Mum, Get Grandpa's Duck"(he has a green rubber ducky sitting on his dash board, I have a blue)
12. Distract Toddler by asking him what he wants with his lunch today, an apple or a banana?
13. Toddler chooses banana
14. Make sandwiches and peel banana for Toddler, who decided that he wanted to eat the skin...
15. Cook own lunch and sit down and eat
16. Ask Toddler if they want to go to the "Gardens" for a walk today
17. Toddler very excited, answers "Yes!" 
18. Remind Toddler he will need to help clean up his toys, and put some pants on before we go out
19. Toddler finishes lunch
20. Ask Toddler to put plate on the bench
21. Toddler ignores me
22. Finish own lunch
23. Ask Toddler again to put his plate on the bench
24. Toddler ignores me
25. Decide to start picking up toys
26. Put own plate on the bench and ask Toddler to help put away his blocks and tools
27. Toddler helps put the blocks away, but starts playing with the tools
28. Decide to put own shoes on to give Toddler a minute, then ask them to put their tools away
29. Toddler helps put Tools away
30. Thank Toddler for doing such a good job of putting his toys away, give him a sticker for his sticker chart
31. Ask Toddler to clean his plate up again
32. Toddler ignores me
33. Pick up plate and take it to the bench
34. Ask Toddler to come to his room for a bum change and to put on pants, shoes and socks, so we can go out.
35. Toddler allows me to change his bum, but refuses to let me put his pants and socks on.
36. Ask Toddler if he wants to dress himself
37. Toddler refuses and begins to jump on his bead and run away from me
38. Ask/Tell Toddler that they need to help me so we can go to the gardens (if I have to wrangle him into his clothes, by the time it is done, I will have no energy left to take him out)
39. Toddler ignores me
40. Decide to leave him to it, tell Toddler that when he is ready to get dressed, I will be in the lounge waiting
41. Toddler comes into the lounge after 20 minutes of playing in his room and finds me reading my book
42. Toddler has a meltdown
43. Put book down and calmly ask Toddler if they are ready to get dressed
44. Toddler jumps into my lap for a cuddle
45. Have a nice cuddle with Toddler and ask if they are tired (think he might be coming down with a cold)
46. Toddler shakes his head and wants his socks on
47. Help Toddler put his socks on
48. Ask Toddler if he wants his pants on
49. Toddler nods his head
50. Start to put pants on Toddler, but then Toddler doesn't want them on
51. Toddler jumps down off my lap and decides to climb the fireplace (it is cold and not on, but he know's not to do this grrrr!) 
52. Get Toddler down and warn him that if he keeps this up, Mummy's energy train will leave the station (I.E. I was already starting to lose my energy at the point, but I knew that if he co-operated, I could take him for a short walk in the gardens)
53. Toddler still plays up
54. Give Toddler another warning
55. Toddler ignores me
56. Go to see Trusty Grandpa in his room, ask him to keep an eye on Toddler for 10-20 minutes
57. Tell Toddler that there will be no gardens today, as he wouldn't get ready and help Mummy dress him (tough love folks, seems to be the only thing that's working lately) 
58. Tell Toddler to go see Grandpa, as Mummy is going for a walk ALONE
59. Close back door and hear Toddler start new tantrum
60. Go for a 10 minute walk, stop next to a paddock and watch horses for a bit
61. Walk home - by this point, calmer but still exhausted from 10 minute walk and the antics of Toddler
62. Tell Toddler that if he is good tomorrow, Mummy will take him to the gardens then, but he will need to help me. 

Chronic fatigue is no joke. It is a deliberating illness that cuts you to the core. It can put a halt to the life as you know it, and force you to make changes and life altering decisions that you never thought you'd have to do. It can isolate you - friends that you used to hang out with a lot, no longer have time to see you anymore, as you are either having to cancel at the last minute or they are suddenly finding that they will have to travel to you more then you come see them (as you may not have enough energy to socialise and drive). It is an illness where you might look fine on the outside, but are exhausted and screaming on the inside. It can cause you to become depressed, as you can find that you are forever mourning and grieving the person you "used" to be, the energy you "used" to have and the things you once did. May 12th is Chronic Fatigue Awareness Day. There is not much help here in New Zealand for those with Chronic Fatigue. There is only one Specialist in all of the country that can diagnose you and help - and the public health system and insurance don't usually cover her costs. If you are diagnosed, all you can do is wing it until you find out what works for you. It took me three years to find a new life for myself with my illness and make it work for me. I still have my bad days, but they are getting fewer because I now know how to pace myself better. However, I recently had quite a hard time with energy, as you can probably tell by my lack of posts! (having an energetic Toddler can do that to you!) It would be nice to hear from others that have had similar journeys to me - how do you make it work? 

How To: Get your Husband to wax your legs

Yes, you read that right. I asked my Husband to wax my legs for me. Before I start the list and tell you how it went, let me just tell you a few things that lead up to this... oh, not so wise decision...

I have recently had an operation in my stomach and pelvic area that has limited my movement, therefore making it practically impossible for me to bend in all the different ways required for me to shave my legs successfully.

In the past, I have tried waxing my legs but always found it messy, sore and ineffective (I think a lot of it had to do with I just didn't know how to use the product properly, so I opted to shave my legs instead)

Today however, I looked at my hairy legs and thought "enough it enough!" being summer, I was so sick of having to wear jeans to cover my legs (I know, I know - in this day and age you shouldn't be worried about it, but I like to have nicely shaved legs when I wear shorts or a skirt) So, I went out and decided to buy some waxing strips from the local supermarket, here is where todays list starts...

1. Get to supermarket and look at the different selections of wax strips
2. Decide to try a "New" product (Nads Exfoliating Body Wax Strips)
3. Get home and ask Hubby to help with the waxing process
4. Hubby gives me the "Are you crazy?!" look
5. Assure Hubby that I am happy for him to do it, and that I will not be angry at him (no matter what happens)
6. Hubby still looks doubtful, but agrees with an "Ok...."
7. Open packet of wax strips and read instructions 
8. These are exfoliating wax strips, so us the exfoliating side on legs before applying (check)
9. Put the first two strips on and wait for Hubby to come back into the room (and for the wax to cool down) 
10. Hubby comes back in, still looking quite doubtful "Are you sure you want to do this?" 
11. Assure Hubby that I do...
12. Hubby then rips the first one off
13. Scream and yelp and crack up laughing
14. Inspect the wax strip (it worked! took off a fair amount of hair, Yay!)
15. Inspect leg - still a little bit of hair left in the area, decide to tidy it up later with tweezers
16. Husband applies the next few strips
17. Toddler decides to come investigate
18. Toddler watches his Daddy rips more strips off and cracks up laughing at my reaction (both Hubby and Toddler are enjoying this way too much!)
19. Start getting light headed from the pain (oh, didn't you know? I'm such a woose!) 
20. Hubby, after removing more wax strips sees how I'm coping and tells me that I'm better off just shaving my legs 
21. Tell Hubby that he can continue, decide to read the instructions again - spot a "warning" section I hadn't seen before... It says not to apply to any area that has veracious veins. (I have them on both legs since pregnancy, predominately on my left, so I can't wax those sections and will have to shave there anyway)
22. Hubby takes off the rest of the wax strips (in total we used 6)
23. Decide to finish up shaving legs instead - better to stick with what you know
24. Spend next hour sitting on a chair in the bathroom finishing up my legs, knowing that for the next little while I will have very patchy legs - at least I don't look like a warewolf now!

How To: Try the new "Black Mask" Trend

1. Do copious amounts of surveys online to earn enough points for a fishpond voucher
2. Buy black mask
3. Wait a few days excitedly 
4. Finally gets here
5. Decide to put the mask on and try it out
6. First, tie hair back
7. Wash face
8. Then, get vaseline and apply to eyebrows and hairline
9. Get black mask from the kitchen (where I had opened the courier bag and left it)
10. Come back to the bathroom and find Toddler cleaning their teeth - toothpaste everywhere
11. Clean up toothpaste - let Toddler keep toothbrush so they can brush their teeth some more
12. Put on black mask, put a thin layer over cheeks and forehead, but a thicker layer over chin and nose area (as that is my problem area)
13. Take a photo of the mask on
14. Toddler has a huge grin on their face "Mum! FACE!"
15. Put the black mask back in the kitchen, so it is out of reach of Toddler
16. Come back to bathroom to find Toddler has played with the toothpaste some more
17. Clean up mess and sit down for 20 minutes... 
18. Check face and see that there are still a few spots that need to dry, so wait another 10 minutes
19. Peel off the mask, expecting a lot of pain and tears
20. Mask seems to be similar to the other peel off masks
21. Have mixed feelings of disappointment and joy - it didn't work as well as was expecting, but it did make skin feel nice and didn't leave any redness. I give this product a 7/10. 

How To: Have Morphia Induced Dreams...

For those that do not know, I have recently been in hospital for an operation. The first night I was pretty out of it, due to the general aneasetic. But the second night in, I was given Morphine based pain killers and they messed with my dreams HEAPS! So, below are the following dreams I had on this particular pain pill... hope you have a giggle like I did the next morning!

1. First up, the Troll from Dora the Explorer singing "You've gotta Toll" - with Dora singing back up vocals. 
2. 
   
3. Got woken up by the blood pressure trolley rattling down through the ward and it was interpreted in my dream as someone trying to break down the back door
4. 
   
5. Jennifer Anniston dressed up in a fairy princess dress telling me that she's my supplier... my pillow supplier!
6. 
   
7. Then I went swimming with Dory
8. Toddler some how turned up asking me for monkey, then when I dropped it, it turned into skittles and baked beans and then started popping into popcorn 
9. The Popcorn from before turned into a zebra with Donkeys voice from Shrek
10. Had a dream about trying to find miniature models of the Titanic- aparently there is a set and it is very nice
11. The new yellow flea repellent carpet is now the in thing (had earlier in the day been discussing how to get rid of fleas in the carpet with MIL)
12. Don't know what I had dreamt,  but at one point I woke up with a desperate need for the milk in the fridge!
13. Popcorn, nonstop coffee maker is the new "in thing"
14. Don't know why donuts don't grow on trees, but they make a nice wall decorations
15. New coloured chalk needs to be grated into sand before we leave (didn't know where were were going in the dream, but it was important to grate this damn chalk!)
16. I was in a lift with a lawyer on our way to the courtroom to prosecute someone
17. Back in high school now and trying to book a meeting with my dean at Massey... glad I woke up when I did- I hated that school!
18. Singing with SIA and for once I can sing! (Because I have her magic wig!)

Hope you managed to have a giggle - eventually I will write an account on how it is to recover from surgery when you have a Toddler and Hubby and Trusty Grandpa looking after said Toddler... but still having moments of exhaustion and unable to focus long enough to really write it all down! For now, enjoy the above!

How To: Put on a raincoat

This morning my house was a mess. It was. I had laundry all over the place, thanks to the Toddler having heaps of fun flying it around (probably thinking he was a twister) His toys were also all over the floor - so it was covered in a mixture of Duplo, Toy Cars, Trains and Train Tracks! Oh and we still had last nights dinner dishes and this mornings breakfast dishes on the bench waiting to be washed...

All of this was because I was so absorbed in calling places and arranging things that had to be sorted before my surgery. I spent a fair amount of that time on hold, to which I used the time to vacuum behind the bed and practicing my vocal skills by singing along to the different tunes they had for the hold music. Throughout the morning, I was on the phone to WINZ - They like Brooke Frazer for their hold music, Spark - who chose 60's boy bands for theirs and many other agencies to find out what I might be eligible for post surgery for help in looking after the Toddler (nothing really BTW as because I am going private, I don't qualify...)

Anyway... because I had spent most of the morning on the phone and on the odd moment making sure Toddler was fed, I not only forgot to feed myself and tidy the house  - I also forgot to keep an eye on the time. By the time I had finished my final phone call, I was running late for my Physio appointment.

I only had 10 minutes (if that) to get ready and leave. I quickly locked the house up, got dressed (yes, it was one of THOSE days) helped the Toddler put on his shoes and packed a bag full of toys to help keep them occupied while I was using the machines and doing my stretches.

I managed to get there in time, but it was raining and I had forgotten my raincoat - but never fear! I had the Toddler's ready for him.

Below is how we managed to put his rain coat on and what happened in my physio appointment, enjoy!

1. Pull up at the Physio's
2. Manage to park in the sole parking spare (score! It has been raining all day, and it's usually go another car in it)
3. Get out the car and set up pram
4. Realise that own raincoat is NOT in the boot of the car like you had thought
5. Decide to hurry and get inside as quickly as possible
6. Put Toddler in pram and pick up their rain coat to put on
7. A big down pour starts and it is a 2 minute walk inside
8. Flip the roof of the pram up and fling the hood of Toddlers face (like a coat rack) and take off at speed to get out of the rain
9. It takes about 2 minutes to get inside, but which time I am drenched
10. Walk in the door and flip roof of pram back to find Toddler with his rain coast still over his face!
11. Crack up laughing and take rain coat off
12. Toddler puts it back on over his face - we then start a game of peek a boo
13. Eventually Toddler tires of the game and wants to get out of the pram
14. Physio appointment begins
15. Open Toddler's toy bag and let him play with the items
16. Sit on exercise bike and this time manage to do 6 minutes (last time it was 3!)
17. While on the exercise bike, Toddler inspects every piece of equipment in the room
18. Toddler then wants a turn on the bike
19. Each piece of equipment I use from there on, Toddler then copies each action "My Turn!"
20. At the end while we sit down to discuss the plan post surgery, Toddler decides they are thirsty - they remember that they saw a water cooler in the waiting room
21. Toddler goes into the waiting room and pours water into a cup
22. Toddler sits quietly in a chair for a moment drinking the water then gets an idea
23. Toddler decides that both Mummy and the Physio need a drink too!
24. Toddler fills up two cups and gives one to each of us
25. Finish the appointment and strap Toddler into the pram to go home
26. While walking past the waiting room see that Toddler has emptied the WHOLE water cooler all over the table and floor... 
27. Point out mess to the Physio and offer to clean it up
28. Physio assures me that she has boys of her own, so she knows what it is like and I have enough on my plate
29. Feel somewhat guilty, but also relieved that I don't have to clean up the mess
30. Walk out the door into the rain again and have a giggle at Toddler putting his rain coat on again (Yup, over his head :-P)

How To: Find out you need to have Surgery

1. Have spinal surgery in 2015
2. Spend next 18 months or so with Leg pain down leg
3. Make constant visits to the GP to try to find out what is causing mysterious cramping and pain down left leg (but not the right)
4. Go for numerous amounts of scans, CT's and MRI's with not much luck (except a possible case of PCOS)
5. Get recommended to go on a Dairy and Gluten Free Diet by the GP
6. Stick to the GF diet, and slowly re introduce dairy into diet (still have less then what I was having before) 
7. Lose 15kg and feel a little bit better, but still have pain in leg
8. Continue to go to the GP with no luck
9. Finally remind GP that they said I had suspected PCOS and they refer me to a specialist
10. Rule out that it is PCOS
11. Look into back causing the pain - go to a pain specialist and physio
12. Have a scare at that time of the month - go to NEW GP and get referred to a specialist in Endomentriousis issues (since I have it in my history)
13. Go to the Specialist appointment, have a chat and an exam with scan
14. Specialist finds 2cm Endo Cyst on right ovary
15. Specialist thinks there may be more involved that is not showing on the scan
16. Specialist books in surgery for next Wednesday with 2 days in hospital, 3 week recovery period
17. Spend next few days organising health insurance and care for Toddler while in hospital
18. Look forward to the surgery being over and done with and hope that this will help with SOMETHING and improve pain and quality of life - so I can keep up with Toddler for once!

How To: Enjoy your first day at Kindy

1. Have a little bit of broken sleep - end up making pillow bed for Toddler on the floor next to own bed
2. Wake up and tell Toddler we need to get up and get ready as it's Kindy day today!
3. Give Toddler breakfast and have own breakfast
4. Trusty Grandpa looks after Toddler while I have a shower
5. Finish getting ready and get Toddler dressed
6. Give Toddler their bag and they chant/sing "Kindy! Kindly! Kindly!" all the way to the car and on the drive to Kindy
7. Get to Kindy, get Toddler out of the car
8. Toddler practically drags me to the Kindy door
9. Open Door for Toddler and Toddler runs in singing "Kindy! Kindy! Kindly!" (with his bag still on his back
10. Toddler runs up to a little girl, who is sitting on a chair and says "Kindy! Hi! Kindy!"
11. Take bag off Toddler and look for head teacher
12. Find head teacher and have a chat and tour of Kindy while Toddler zooms round and looks at everything
13. Fill out paperwork and hold back while teachers direct Toddler
14. Toddler and another kid start arguing over a toy, one of the teachers lets them sort it out between them for a little bit then goes to talk to them
15. On the way over, the teacher trips over a toy and falls on her knees
16. Teacher quickly composes herself and sorts out the two toddlers, helps them share the toy
17. Check to see if teacher is ok - she is - help her pick up the toys and continue to fill out paperwork 
18. Look up from forms in time to see Toddler running to the toilets holding a corn on the cob toy
19. Stand up and follow them... look through the window and watch as Toddler starts playing with the toilet (including putting their hand in the toilet bowl (ew!)
20. Teacher comes to stand beside me - ask teacher if I should sort him out or...?
21. Teacher reassures me she's got it
22. She walks in, asks Toddler if they need to go to the toilet 
23. Toddler says "Yes, Toilet" and continues to play with the toilet, cleaning it etc
24. Teacher gets the toilet seat sorted, helps Toddler pull down their pants and pops him onto the toilet
25. Try very hard not to piss self laughing - the look on Toddlers face is classic!
26. Toddler is sitting on the toilet looking confused on how he got there
27. Teacher helps other kid with the toilet, all the while Toddler is sitting there waiting patiently
28. Toddler doesn't go to the toilet, but waits for teacher to help him, then washes his hands and goes back to play (still don't know what he did with the corn cob...)
29. Finish filling in the paperwork and hand to the office lady
30. Have a chat with the head teacher and ask what she thinks I should do as Toddler seems quite content
31. Head teacher advises that I could stay or go out for a coffee and see how Toddler is after
32. Walk up to Toddler to ask how they are going
33. Toddler turns to me and says "Bye Mum! You go, I stay!"
34. Feel just a little bit unwanted and lost
35. Leave... and go next door for a coffee
36. Enjoy coffee and chocolate brownie - mull over unexpected free time... (was expecting to stay the whole time) 
37. Go home and head back to Kindy at 1pm (Toddler was there alone from 11.30-1pm)
38. While at home, do a spot of housework and have lunch
39. When at Kindy, ask head teacher how it went - he took a while to notice I was gone, but then self distracted after he realised I was gone. The only issue they had was with Mat time, as he wanted to play - they didn't stress the issue, so they gave him Monkey (who was in his bag) and let him play quietly.
40. When it's time to go home, Toddler doesn't want to leave! 
41. Decide to leave them alone for a little longer next week and see how it goes...

How To: Play in the sandpit

Yesterday we went to playgroup... Toddler has heaps of fun playing all over the place, but yesterday he was mainly focused on the sandpit...

1. Get to playgroup and release Toddler onto the playground
2. Toddler runs around for a bit then realises that the cover for the sandpit is getting removed
3. Toddler zooms over to the sandpit and starts playing with the sand
4. Teacher opened the shed with the sand pit toys
5. Toddler (along with three other kids) follow her in and help bring out the toys
6. Teacher brings out two ride on diggers, one of which Toddler instantly sits on and starts playing with
7. The other digger, a little girl plays with
8. Toddler plays with his digger for a little while, then wants to try the other digger
9. Intervene, as the little girl is still on there, remind Toddler that it's not his turn and that the little girl is still playing
10. Toddler says to little girl "Your Turn, ok?" points to the other digger and says "Me over there" and goes to play on the digger again, keeping an eye on the little girl
11. As soon as the little girl decides to play on something else, Toddler quickly jumps off his digger and yells "My Turn! My Turn!" and takes over the new one
12. Toddler spends most of the time in the sandpit for the rest of the playgroup
13. Tidy up time is called and one of the teachers collects the sandpit toys in a basket to put back into the shed
14. Toddler, oblivious to this has noticed other children leaving the sandpit area so manages to collect a spade for each hand and starts filling up a truck he's been playing with
15. Toddler decides to get sand from the other end of the sandpit and fills up his spades
16. While Toddler's back is turned, the teacher picks up his truck and puts it into the basket
17. Toddler walks back to where he had left the truck
18. Toddler stands and looks down at the empty sandpit 
19. Toddler looks so confused "Where's Truck? Truck Gone!"
20. Try not to laugh and point out to Toddler that it is home time and that the truck has gone back home
21. Toddler sighs and tips the sand out of his spades back into the sandpit 
22. Point out to Toddler where the basket is - Toddler puts the spades back
23. Tell Toddler to collect shoes (all the other kids are also putting their shoes on
24. Laugh along with the other parents as we watch the kids tip their shoes upside down to empty the sand out that someone had filled

How To: Lose your massage ball

1. Go to the Physio for ongoing issues with my back
2. Physio suggests getting a tennis ball for helping with massaging the hip area to help with pain
3. Go to Kmart and buy one bigger then normal tennis ball and a swiss/excercise ball
4. Leave both balls in the boot of the car for a 2 weeks
5. Open the boot one day to retrieve something else and Toddler spots the tennis ball
6. Toddler gets very excited
7. Give Toddler tennis ball and tell them to take it inside
8. Toddler hogs the ball for the rest of the day and even goes to bed with it
9. When checking on Toddler later that night, nab tennis ball back 
10. Use tennis ball for the massaging purposes I originally bought it for
11. Put it on the kitchen table
12. Next morning, Toddler gets up and asks "My ball! Where's MY ball?"
13. Hand ball back to Toddler and tell them "It's an inside ball Bud, it's not to go outside" (as don't want to get dirt on it or it to get wet)
14. Toddler says "Thank you Mum!" with a beautiful grin and carries the ball around for most of the morning
15. Toddler then decides to put the ball into the soaking bucket in the laundry (which has his soiled undies from the day before)
16. Pick ball up from the bucket and put it into the washing machine for washing later as can not use the ball while it's wet
17. Both Toddler and I have now lost the ball... me to him, and him to the washing machine... for now...

How To: Know your Toddler is ready for a rewards chart

1. Give Toddler dinner
2. They take a few bites, but refuse to eat anymore
3. Try getting them to sit down
4. They play with their toys and then run off
5. When the Toddler runs away call out "If you eat your dinner, I will give you a sticker!"
6. Toddler stops midway down the hall and turns in surprise "Sticker?!"
7. Answer "Yes, but you have to eat all your potatoes"
8. Toddler is very excited and runs back to the table and eats his potatoes and more of his peas
9. Ask Toddler if they are finished
10. Toddler stands up and says "Yay!"
11. Smile and clean up the dinner dishes from Toddlers table
12. Collect sticker sheet and give Toddler a sticker
13. Spend the rest of the night thinking up designs and what to put on Toddler's sticker chart
14. Decide on: Eating their food (includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), Going to the Toilet (with 2 stickers if they go poos in the toilet!) and Picking up their Toys (will add more if these three work)

How To: Have an AWESOME sleep (after a really long day)

Yesterday morning I wrote the following Facebook post:

"It seems criminal that a pint sized dictator can hold you captive all night in a small room with no means to feed or relieve yourself, due to the fact you're not allowed to look at them or leave the room - but you have to let them know that you are there at all times, only to finally be able to make your escape to your own bed for Hubbys alarm to go off at 5 am and the little dictator wakes up on hearing his escape from the compound and demands milk, the light to be switched on and paw patrol. Hang on kid, this escapee has got to have her coffee in an Iv so she can preform what is required and finish reading Lauren Graham's auto biography "Talking as fast as I can" *sigh* it's going to be a long day..."

The night before was a really, really crap night. It was a very hot and humid night after a scorcher of a day and of course Toddler did NOT want to sleep. I tried everything I could think of. This included:

• Pushing his bedtime back further an hour, due to it still being quite hot and still very light outside
• Leaving two windows open to allow cool air flow into the room
• Stripping the bed and only having a sheet onto of him
• Letting him sleep in only a nappy
• Reading copious amounts of books
• Ignoring him
• Giving him a bottle
• Singing to him

In the end he went to sleep at 10pm, woke at midnight and didn't get back to sleep until I made a bed on the floor for him at 4am. He was up again at 6.30am. So the day already didn't start out right. I didn't get my coffee in an IV, but oh, how I needed it! Our computer was on the fritz, and we are also in the middle of potty training, so that mixed with limited amounts of sleep was just the cherry on top of a Long, LONG day. In the end, this was what how my day went:

1. Wake up by Toddler falling out of the bed (after only 2 hours sleep)
2. Toddler refuses to go back to bed
3. Get up for the day - make first coffee and breakfast
4. Decide to give Toddler a fluffy 
5. Toddler ends up pouring the fluffy over their table to make "fluffy finger painting art"
6. Trusty Grandpa gets up and asks for a ride to the Train Station
7. Drop Trusty Grandpa off at the station
8. Decide to do a bit of food shopping and collect scripts from chemist
9. While waiting for scripts, go to the pet store with Toddler
10. Toddler looks at the animals and decides to run round the store
11. Tell Toddler they are NOT a cat (they were trying to climb and play on the cat tower displays)
12. Tell Toddler they are NOT a dog (they were going into the dog kennels for a play)
13. Pick Toddler up, leave pet store, collect script and go food shopping
14. Give Toddler a free apple from the "Free Fruit for Kids" bin (Seriously Count Down, this is AWESOME!)
15. Toddler drops apple on the floor, throw apple away, get a fresh apple - repeat x2 
16. Decide Toddler doesn't need another apple, and finish food shop with a screaming Toddler
17. Leave supermarket and get home
18. Feed Toddler their lunch with a fresh drink bottle
19. Toddler tips their drink bottle upside down onto the table and floor
20. Toddler then says "Wees Mum!"
21. Take Toddler to the toilet
22. Toddler decides they don't want to use the potty or the toilet seat for him, he wants to squat over the toilet without his seat and even though he gets a little into the bowl, he gets the rest all over the floor 
23. Decide to invest in built in toddler seat as it's obvious that this is the reason why Toddler has been having issues using the toilet (it's not the same as what Mummy and Daddy use)
24. Clean mess up and help Toddler wash hands and put on undies
25. Toddler does poo in undies
26. Dispose of poo and get clean undies
27. While doing this, Toddler finishes his poo on top of his Monkey
28. Put Monkey in laundry tub to deal with after cleaning Toddler up
29. Grab wet wipes and find Toddler on the couch 
30. Pick Toddler up and wipe their bum
31. Wash all the skid marks off the couch
32. Clean Monkey and undies, put in washing machine 
33. Turn on machine
34. Toddler wants a milk and Monkey (this usually means he wants a nap)
35. Decide to take Toddler out of the house as if they have a nap, it will be hard to get them to sleep that night
36. Get to Mitre 10 and take them to the playground
37. They have lots of fun playing on their own, I need to tell them to leave a cone alone (they are currently obsessed with them!) then a playgroup full of kids ranging from 2-4 years old walks past
38. Toddler calls out to them "Hey! Hi! Come up here!" with big grins on his face
39. Kids walk past with their teachers
40. Toddler gets confuses "Hey! Come back here! Play! Come back here!" 
41. Smile and think how cute it is and be glad that Toddler is starting Kindy soon as he'll have so much fun playing with the other kids
42. Other kids come back with their teachers and chaos ensues with kids and Toddler running round and playing
43. One little girl grazes her elbow
44. The teacher brings out first aid kit and give her a plaster to help her feel better
45. Toddler goes up to the Teacher and asks for a plaster too and show her his elbow (which also has a graze on it from a few days ago) 
46. Teacher obliges and Toddler happily runs off
47. Thank the teacher and have a good chat and adult time while the other kids play
48. Play group have to go
49. Toddler decides it's time to go too
50. Thank the teachers of the playgroup for the chat and the easy as leaving power (was expecting a hard time to leave with Toddler)
51. Give Toddler a high five
52. Get home and Toddler wants a drink
53. Drink ends up all over the floor again
54. Have another coffee
55. Receive Text from Trusty Grandpa asking to be picked up from the train station
56. Put Toddler in car and drive to the train station
57. Get there 10 minutes too early
58. Decide to tell Toddler we're watching trains while waiting for Grandpa
59. Get out of the car, set up pram and realise that I need to get back in the car to re-park the car (I have parked too far out from the curb)
60. Hop back in car and re-park the car with Toddler screaming and upset because he wants to see the trains and thinks we are driving off and leaving Grandpa behind
61. Turn car off and get Toddler out
62. Walk to train station and meet Trusty Grandpa
63. Tell Trusty Grandpa about the day (he is already aware that it was a rough night)
64. Get home and cook dinner
65. Try putting Toddler to bed at usual bedtime - having trouble
66. Trusty Grandpa offers to take over
67. Go to bed at 7pm and sleep right through till 5am with Toddler falling out of bed - Start a brand new day! (this time feeling really refreshed ... what can go wrong?)

How To: Find random things in your washing machine

I'm currently doing washing today, and just found a wooden train track in there while emptying the clean washing out! So this post will have a list of all the different things I have found in the washing machine while emptying it out... what my Son has put into it before we turned it on and what has gone through the wash

1. A wooden train track
2. A nappy - not a cloth one, a disposable one that he had worn and put in there instead of putting into his nappy bin when asked
3. A toy car
4. One of Toddler's gumboots

How To: Get the Toddler to sleep on a hot muggy night

I could honestly sit here and write a LONG lengthly account of how last night went with the Toddler, but OMG no. Firstly I am not in the mood to write every single piece of struggle that went down, but I am so sure that reliving it will be very traumatic for me... and I'd like to have a good day today!

So, I will put up a few things that went down, how we got him to sleep and a cute little snippet of me reading him a book, enjoy!

1. Put Toddler to bed a little later then usual because he had a nap during the day
2. Only put Toddler in pj pants as it's hot and muggy
3. Read Toddler a story, or two or three
4. Daddy comes in for cuddles and family time, listening to the story too
5. Toddler picks up his shorts and wants to show Daddy how he can put his own shorts on
6. Toddler puts shorts over his pj pants
7. Daddy goes to get up and hurts himself (do not need to talk about this, as this would entail another post and I'm sure Hubby would prefer I don't put it up. Lets just say that because of this, we had to remove Toddler from the room to hang out with Trusty Grandpa while I assisted Hubby and made sure he was ok...)
8. Manage to remove shorts off Toddler - put him back to bed
9. Spend quite a long amount of time getting him settled again as he is very excited from what happened to Daddy and it's still very hot and muggy so heaps of tossing and turning
10. Finally get Toddler settled at 11pmish by making a bed for him on the floor (honestly can't remember the time he finally settled, but I spent an hour or so having some "me" time in the lounge afterwards and didn't get to bed until about 1am...)

How To: Read a train book

1. Read a book called "Red Train"
2. Point to a few things in the book and count the items in the book (each page has a different colour train and counts from 1-10 animals and carriages)
3. Also to count is the number of puffs of steam coming out of of the steam trains funnel
4. Ask Toddler what he thinks it is (expecting him to say "clouds')
5. Toddler looks at the drawings of steam puffs for a bit and comes out with "Hmmm.... Popcorn"
6. Sit there smiling, amused that Toddler thinks that Trains run on popcorn :-P