Sh*t kids say

So there I am. Walking back home with my two little angels after playing in the park. We whooshed down slides and wheeeeeeeeeeed back and forth on the swings.

We were all a bit bushed coz its really hot here right now.

I turned to Pip and said "hot ?"

and I swear he said

"f*cking hot"


I mean, its hard to understand him sometimes but the friend I was with looked at me and we both said  'nahhhhhh'

F*ck nahhhhhh

Quiet weekend and international travel

I know most people spend the Memorial weekend run around to BBQ's and what not but we haven't. In fact, most of the family is fast asleep for the afternoon again :) If we had a beach house this would be one of those weekends written about in novels based in Maine.

Oh daaarling, downt be gaushhhhhh. Pass the lobstah!

We went out to a 50s burger place for brunch today. We all shared one meal due to a) cost and b) HUGE portions. Then we walked home in the sunshine and when we got home Pip fell asleep snuggled up on me. Is it just me or is that the most profoundly happy feeling - little ball of life, fast asleep and totally obvious to the cares of the world.

We skype with my folks quite a bit and today they gave us wonderful news. My mum is on the mend and my dad is recovering well. They both went down like a stone at exactly the same time a few weeks ago - one hospitalised and the other immobile at home.  However, they are making speedy recoveries which is just wonderful. We were supposed to go to a seaside farm for my dads 80th next month. It's been planned, paid for and chewed over for 15 months now. However, whilst most of the party will go to the seaside farm/beach and I will drive 3 hours a day to and from my folks home so they get to see the kids.  Wouldn't it be amazing if they were well enough to come to the cottages. Mustn't get hopeful.  Or think about the petrol bill!

We are planning our travel down to the nth degree. The debate at the moment is whether or not to take strollers. When we are in the UK the kids will walk. However, we have a 12 hour flight split in two and then on the return we have a stinky 4 hour lay over. If we have the strollers the kids can sleep and I can keep them locked in when needed!!  We have one single stroller that we could take and they could share rides? Or we can take two umbrella strollers?

What do you think?

Humid with chance of terrible two tantrum

Summer is here in all its humid crappy glory. This year we have opted for the 'whatever is free' approach with the kids. I just cannot get to grips with the $800 summer class terms here. I mean, seriously - unless Picasso is teaching the class I just don't get it.

Both kids are terrible toddlers which can be fantastic and dreadful at the same time. No! Mine! I'm so MAD (foot stomp)! I love you mummy (glorious expression) Its OK (sibling) I'm here.

 Since swimming is free we may well be water babies this summer. Anything to tire them out! New York is amazing for free kids activities if you know how to find them. I go to three sites (mommiepoppins, nycgov and the library site).  Every day there are at least three classes and a handful of events we can take advantage of. It doesn't help the constant squabbling or Jekyll & Hyde toddler life but at least I have amazing help :)

Work wise...
Through a friend I have free rockin' new office space.  My new work adventure is off to a strong start. I have three avenue's of income and I am working them all to bone! We have officially been open for business a whole 4 days but I'm hopeful that our first paying clients will be landing very soon. Keep your fingers crossed :)

Well, its 830 and we are all just laying around in the heat so I should get the troupes rallied and out the door before the rain sets in.

grateful for this sweet life :)

The sweet sense of returning

I have been so out of myself for the past 8 months that this weekend feels like I just got let out of prison. I am wallowing in my motherly world. Cleaning and feeding and playing and washing and wearing skirts without heels :)

I even considered getting an apron but since I can't really cook it hardly makes sense

Whilst i have been busy being a poor imitation of Betty 'you know who', my delightful other half has worked on getting my website together. Its really good. Simple, obvious and to the point.

I am hoping that it will garner a whole lotta business :)

The kids are stuck to my side. Pip is leaning on my as I type and Mimi holds my hand wherever we go.

Deep breathing and smiling. Thats me right now.

How are you all doing?

I QUIT!!

Yes, my friends. I am out. Today is my last day. It all happened fast and furious and lets say that I was given an fine opportunity to walk away from that hell hole.

I've almost set up my business and have enough money to last until we get our first bite. We need one gig per month to maintain for 'even equity' as they say (not worry about money). Two gigs and I'm making double my income at my last crap job.

AS I walked out of the building in my black suit and brief case I just couldn't help smiling and laughing out loud. I was walking down Park Avenue laughing my head off.

This is what coming out of prison must feel like.

We are back on our old money budget - no this no that and two treats a month (a cab or movie)until I have solid client commitments.

Tomorrow tho, I am playing with my kids and we are going to a free class somewhere in Manhattan or to the zoo or the park or another free place and we are going to have a picnic and I will only have my phone and my kids and my life.

Oh joy.

Drama and the Tasmanian Devil

I've been in the UK. My father was seriously ill so I zoomed over. It turns out my mothers health had run down dramatically.  It was really tough for everyone. However, things soon went from critical to less critical then to OK. Not great. But not critical. I worked all hours I could and fixed, arranged, ordered and arranged a whole lot of things.

Once I was home Pip wouldn't speak to me.  He hid behind a chair. Mimi has blossomed into a screaming ego maniac.

I am so glad to be home. Even tho my daughter has turned into some wild Tasmanian devil.  I am so happy to be home even tho it means I have to go back to work.

I know Mothers Day can be really hard for lots of folks. So to all my friends out there - Happy Big Heart Day.