Tuesday 21 February 2012

E learns to play the drums

Entertaining our sick little monkey


E has been suffering from a cough and cold for the past week or two. If his nose isn't pouring like a tap, he barks up a cough loud enough to scare our neighbour's dog. Either way, there has been a never ending cycle of snot and saliva running from our little monkey at some stage during the day...and night for some time.

Despite his flu like symptoms I know in my heart of hearts that he isn't sick enough to warrant a visit to the doctor but he's too sick to risk picking up more bugs from the park or daycare, so Teach and I have been coming up with ways to keep him (and ourselves) entertained in the house.

The other day we decided to teach him how to play the drums. Homemade drums to be precise. His new instrument consisted of three stainless steel mixing bowls from the kitchen cupboard, a wooden spoon, a whisk, a saucepan lid for a symbol and a tupperware container full of rice for extra sound effects.

He had a ball discovering the many different sounds he could create. He found out which items make loud noises, which ones make really loud noises and the unbearable noise Mum makes when they are all dropped on the kitchen tiles at the same time....I'd compare the latter to a cat screaming as she gives birth to a cow. Neither pleasant nor pretty.

Following our success with the drums (and after a cup of tea to calm my nerves), Teach and I decided to slow down on the toy buying bonanza for his first birthday (just around the corner) and create a new instrument from kitchen utensils each week. I'm not sure if this decision was made more for E's enjoyment or ours, but it beats the singing the flu blues!

What have you created for your little ones to play with at home?

Thursday 16 February 2012

Real Estate Heaven

The time has come for Teach, E and I to pick up sticks and set up a new home in a family-friendly house.

We've resided in our current unit for close to two years, which isn't long at all, but I feel like we've done our time here. Then again, I do have a knack of getting itchy feet every 18 months to change postcodes and this time is no different.

Actually, it is slightly different. Now we have a child to consider. A crawling, almost walking, toddler who wants to be in everything, discover everything and chew everything. E needs space, comfort and security - major factors in our search for a new home.  Let's be honest, he's not the only one.

So yesterday I started the mind-numbing task of hunting for our new abode. The number of tired, old, slightly leaning to the left, decrepit houses available to rent in our price range was terrifying. The more I looked the more I remembered how much I detest searching for real estate (especially rentals). The level of crud you have to wade through before hopefully finding something suitable is ridiculous. And hey, if you don't need a tetnus shot before you move in all the better!

Don't misunderstand me, I'm all for shabby-chic and getting my hands dirty to fix 'er up and make 'er feel like home, but the guff I came across yesterday would be better off making a date with a blow torch, or better yet, a bulldozer.

After more than three cups of tea, a packet of chocolate cookies and two hours of searching rental websites, I logged off feeling sick to the stomach (both physcially and emotionally), deflated and a touch devastated. I realised my search for real estate heaven is going to be mammoth! 

I don't think I have high expectations. Surely somewhere in this town I can find a clean, french colonial, four bedroom, two bathroom, air-conditioned house located on luscious grounds with manicured gardens, a pool, study, library, home cinema, wide verandahs, views to the city (but not a deal breaker), plus space for E to play all for the same price as our current rental? 

What! No?

Ok, Ok! I know I'm dreaming. Dreaming of the home I will most likely never own. Dreaming of a real estate heaven only ever experienced by those with celebrity pay cheques or inside trading links to Wall Street.

Yes, I understand it's for my own health that I need to search for something more realistic. Sheesh, you're such a kill-joy! But before I trudge back to reality can I please spend a little more time in la la land and imagine myself cooking a delicious family meal here...


and teaching E to swim here...
 or relaxing with Teach here...

and hosting friends here...




 or maybe curling up with a good book here?


Well, if it's good enough for Bridget Jones, it's good enough for me.




{Images originally from here}
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