My week that was...

So in terms of surviving I am not talking a major natural disaster or catastrophe event here, but nonetheless for us it was a pretty big deal. I went to Bangkok for a week for my brother’s wedding while Mr P looked after our two boys on his own. I am happy to say it all went well, so well in fact that I might just have to do it again!

Bangkok was a blast, I really love this city. I thought this the last time I was there so was a bit hesitant about whether I would feel the same but I did. If you look pass the seedy aspect of it; it is a city just like any other major city in the world, full of the hustle and bustle of everyday living. The people are so friendly the food is great and the shopping is amazing. From the real designer goods in the malls to the very good knock offs in the various markets.

Even more surprising is that we, my siblings and I, managed not to have any major disagreements. Which if you knew my family is something of a rarity.  Yes, we are generally a close family but we are all quite opinionated and think we are always right! Which usually is a recipe for disaster if we spend too long in each other's company.  It was getting a bit fraught at the end after many sleepless nights and the odd hangover thrown into the mix but we got there in the end.

The Wedding day in itself was an experience money couldn’t buy. It started at 6am with a get together before the traditional Buddhist wedding. My new sister in-law’s family took us “farang” into their home, fed us, celebrated with us, even danced with us. In the evening we reciprocated with the “western” reception, where again we celebrated, ate and danced. I think it is fair to say that there was a lot of eating and drinking done by both sides of the wedding party on the day.

What about Mr P, left all alone in dreary London, you may ask?? Well he managed to survive his week of bonding with his sons. Of course the house was a total mess when I got back but they all seemed to enjoy not having me about to nag, shout and moan at them all.

However since I have been back he has come up with rather head shaking (me) and eye rolling (me again) comments...

“My hands are really dry now they always seem to be in water of some kind"


"What a nightmare it was trying to sort out their meals every day”. Bearing in mind I left him enough meals and a list of what to feed them every day!”

“Mealtimes are just so stressful”


“You know there were some days there that I felt I was always in the car, either dropping off somewhere or picking up or even going to the bloody supermarket...”

Hmmm, “No shit, Sherlock.. Welcome to my world!”

Silent Sunday

The iPad Junkie..

It seems that we have an iPad junkie within our midst.  It is not I, Mr P or even Son No 1.  It is in fact Son no 2, yes the 2 year old.  Yip, that’s right the 2 year old.

What started as a cutesy techno habit has turned into a full blown tantrum producing habit.  With cries of “iPad, iPad” and “Show you something Mummy” as he follows me around demanding it and when he has it yelling at me as he wants to show me something he is doing.  Which is usually playing the same game, over and over and over again, nothing quite like repetition to make you want to bang your head against a wall is there?  I have taken to hiding it during the day so he doesn’t see it, kinda like out of sight out of mind, however that doesn’t always work, “iPad mummy, mummy, mummy, IPAD MUMMY?”.

I will put my hands up to say we did encourage it at the start.  As it was something to keep the boys entertained on the plane for our summer holiday.  It was never intended to be an electronic babysitter or pacifier it was just another “toy” to play with.  An expensive toy I do admit but at least we could choose what apps or games they were using.  Nor were they annoying us every five minutes to change an app or game as they could do it themselves.  Really as it is such an easy device for children to use, I am surprised Apple aren’t marketing it more to parents as the “must have present” for your child.

So back to our little junkie, what am I going to do about it?  Well I think that would be a big fat zero.  Nothing, in fact I would prefer him to be on the iPad then watching the telly as I can kid myself that it is more educational than the telly.  We have apps installed that are teaching him his colours, counting, matching pairs etc, and of course there is always Angry Birds!  Let’s face it the way technology is changing it won’t be long before most schools, including primary schools, have some sort of multi touch devices for the students to use.

My only dilemma is whether we buy myself another one, one that I can use that isn’t covered in sticky fingerprints and toddler snot and slobber..

“Happy Campers”

Nine sleeps to go....Eight sleeps to go...  Go to what you might ask?  To go, until Son No 1 starts his summer holiday day camp.  3 days a week, Hooray!!!

Don’t get me wrong I love spending time with my first born but after 3 weeks of being almost housebound due to his operation and the weather we are both ready to have some quality time apart.  The problem, well if it is one, is that we are so similar it is scary.  He is my mini-me so to speak and we spark off each other all the time.  He knows the buttons to push, on purpose I suspect and with the endless negotiations to get things done, it is a wonder that I have any hair left.  He has even started giving me warnings and putting me on consequences when he doesn’t agree with something I have asked of him or said to him.

A typical daily exchange would be the following..

Me       F, can you go get your shoes and put them on as we need to go out.

F          I can’t mummy.

Me       Why can’t you?

F          Because I can’t!

Me       Why have your legs fallen off.. (okay so I admit sarcasm may not be best for a five year old)

Then a couple of hours later...

Me       F, can you go and tidy up your room before dinner.

F          But I didn’t make the mess, C was playing in there.

Me       I don’t care who was playing in there can you please just go and tidy it up for me.

F          Can’t mummy, my legs have fallen off...

Nothing like having your own sarcasm thrown back in your face by your five year old!

And why oh why does everything have to be a gun or turned into a gun with things exploding all over the place.  Whatever happened to the little boy who was quite content to sit and play with his wooden train set? 

I have read many blogs and tweets lately about other parents, happy that the school holidays are here and all the things they are looking forward to doing with their kids.  Really are you serious?  Yes it will be nice to spend a few extra days a week with them, taking them out and about or playing in the garden but every day for the next 6 weeks, really?

Perhaps it’s because this is my first summer off looking after kids, perhaps it’s because we have no family that we can send them off to for a few days, perhaps it is the expectation that you have to do something “fun” everyday with your kids.  All I know is that I am so glad that I had the foresight when I was working to book him into the day camp. 

We will both be “happy campers” next week.

Silent Sunday

For more great photos for Silent Sunday pop yourself over to mocha beanie mummy

My Passport Policeman...

Another holiday and the usual strife between Mr P and me begins.  Of all the travelling we have done together and believe me we have done a fair bit so it shouldn’t really surprise me anymore.  It starts a day or two before we are due to leave, the passports suddenly appear in a neat little pile, all the holiday documentation is collected and place in a folder.  All placed on a shelf somewhere and most of all no one is allowed to touch them.  At check in, immigration even boarding the plane the passports are held by Mr P.  Heaven forbid if I should want my passport or boarding pass to buy anything duty free. 

Then there is the fact that we are totally not in sync when it comes to ‘going to gate’ and actually boarding.  That is a whole new level of conflict.  It has been known for Mr P to decide that he needs to go to the toilet with his newspaper, while we are supposed to be “going to gate” or even boarding!  I remember one particular heated “discussion” at Bangkok airport where I declared quite loudly that “I hated him with a passion”.  It may not sound that bad now but it was on our way to London where we were planning to live for a few years.

During the holiday the passports stay with Mr P and then the whole process begins again when we leave to fly back.  I am at the point now that I no longer even bother about passports as I know that Mr P will have it sorted.  The tension I guess comes from me.  Obviously as a 40 year old mother of two I am not responsible enough to look after the passports or even handle checking in!  How did I manage before him, I will never know!

Overall the holiday went well.  The weather was hot and sunny, goft was played, we utilised the kids club in the afternoon so we all had a break from each other.  They played at the club while we sat by the pool having our first much needed drink of the day overlooking the Med.  The men folk even sported mankini’s for us!  Although thankfully it was only for a short time and even thou it was hilarious it was quite disturbing.  Photos were taken to publish at a more inappropriate time. The kids had no idea why it was so funny, and that’s what their innocence is all about I suppose.

One day I will post on the packing of suitcases or even packing a car for a road trip which takes tension to a whole new level...

Postcard from Cyprus..

This will be my last post for two weeks as we are off on a family holiday tomorrow to Cyprus with another family we know.  Hmmm, 5 children from 2 years to 5 years and a set of twins thrown into the mix as well..  Should be fun!

Well I say we are off, we will be as long as the ash cloud stays clear of Gatwick!!

I may be able to pop in and out to check some blogs but if not, I look forward to catching up on them when I get back.

Enjoy the mid term break..  Remember to be good, and if you can't be good, be careful.

Ciao x