Sun shower

Playing in the rain!

This is my third post of the day! I haven't done much blogging over the past few months, I feel like I need to catch up, or at least get on top of what we have been doing over the last week. I always enjoy blogging so its great to be back in the swing of it again!

This past weekend we just stayed around the house. It was too hot to do anything. I mean we could have gone into the city and gone swimming or down to the Gold coast to the beach, but we couldn't be bothered spending more than 15 mins in the car, sounds lazy I know. So we just sat around in the air conditioning and the girls did some craft. Annabel is a craftaholic these days! Its all she wants to do. Its great though, it just make a mess, buts thats ok.

Yesterday we had a storm and a sun shower so because it has been so hot we all went outside and played in the rain, it was great! We got drenched but it was so nice to seem some rain. It hasn't rained properly for weeks and all our grass was turning brown. So Adam ran around with the girls and they had a blast.

Mile stones

So Amelia has a reached another mile stone - she is toilet trained! Yay! Well, she still has the occasional accident, but for the most part she is doing really well! She loves sitting on the potty and is so proud of herself. Bribery has also been a great incentive! Chocolate smarites work a charm! Annabel loves to encourage Amelia as well, as she also gets a smartie if Amelia uses the potty.

But it seems while Amelia is now toilet trained, she feels that she needs to reach yet another mile stone, that being "the terrible two's" and all the tantrums and screaming episodes that go along with it. I mean she had always been capable of throwing a fit in the past, but these days there occurances seem to be much more frequent, louder and longer and more irritating! I try to ignore her, put her in her room and all of that, but it just drives me up the wall. I have had a headache for the past 3 days and I am sure she is a greatly contributing to the tension in my neck and shoulders!

Annabel on the other hand seems to have settled down alot. She doesn't seems to get so worked up about things and is alot calmer and seems to listen more. She still snatches things off Amelia, but is quick to apologise and hand whatever it is back. The girls do play well together though, and Adam and I just love to watch them play their little games.

Amelia has been saying so many things lately. When I have the hose on outside she always quick to tell me " Dont you wet me Mummy!" or if I happen to be sitting in her seat she will say "thats my seat Mummy!". She loves wearing thongs (flip flops) and is always asking me "Mummy, wears my foms?". She chats away all the time, simetimes I have no idea what she asking me for and she gets really frustrated, and that often leads to a tantrum. I guess I would be frustrated if nobody knew what I was trying to say! Needless to say, the tantrums make me what to jump around and scream to!

Christmas Party!

On Friday afternoon we had Annabel's preschool (or daycare) Christmas party. She was so excited about it all week! It was a fun afternoon for all the kids. They had face painting, plaster painting, singing, a sausage sizzle and Santa came and gave all the kids a present. Annabel was a bit nervous before Santa's arrival, she still isn't sure about him, she just likes the presesnts he brings! Amelia had a great time with all the kids. She just loves Annabel's preschool. Everytime I drop Annabel off or pick her up Amelia just wants to stay. I end up having to drag her out kicking and screaming! I just keep telling her that it wont be long til you can go there! I am thinking of putting her in 2 days a week in May after all our visitors have been. She will love it, and so will I!

The girls plaster painting

Lining up for face painting

Amelia enjoying a sausage sandwhich

Face painting!

Waiting for Santa. Annabel's not sure if she's

excited or scared!

Santa's not so bad after all, he gave me a book!

But I still dont want to sit on his lap and get a

photo!

The past few weeks has been a bit of a roller coaster ride but we are settling in quite well. We are back to doing all the normal things, the girls are happy to be home and Annabel has loved being back at preschool and so do I! We've been keeping busy getting ready for Christmas - I cant believe it is only 2 1/2 weeks away! Annabel is really excited has been asking everyday if its Christmas yet. A couple of weeks ago we had a our own little Thanksgiving. The girls did some Thanksgiving crafts which they loved and have been wanting to do crafts everyday. They just love it and it keeps them busy, even though they make a huge mess! Lately they have been making their own Christmas decorations. Our Christmas tree is adorned with beautiful handmade childrens crafts! The girls just love looking at the tree and are so proud that they decorated it. I think that will be a tradition of ours every year, making our own Christmas decorations.

The weather has been really hot here. We've been busy trying to erect a big shade cloth over our back yard so the girls can actually play outside during the day. It is to hot otherwise. We also got the girls a trampoline as an early Christmas present. They love it! Amelia is still a bit cautious and just bounces on her knees near the edge. Annabel jumps around and tries to do all kinds of tricks. The day after we got it, though, she managed to sprain her ankle! I took her to the hospital and sat there for 2 1/2 hours (the nurses and doctors were great though!) and she had xrays and so on. One of the doctors wanted to put her leg in plaster just in case there was small bone breakages, but thankfully they decided against it and Annabel just wore a compression sock - phew! Could you imagine a 3 year old in plaster in this hot, hot weather?! No thanks! So anyways we left the hospital and came home. Before we left though Annabel could bare to walk, but as soon as we got home she ran out to the backyard and proceeded to jump on the trampoline!!!! I couldn't believe it! The little monkey! Needless to say I pulled her straight off and made her sit inside quietly for awhile. I didn't spend half my morning at the hospital for nothing!

So we are settling in quite well. I still have my moments often, and its hard to think that Mum is really gone. But one day at a time. No pressure. The girls sure keep me busy though! We are have a lot to look forward to over the next few months. First Christmas back with my family, then camping with my sister and her family, then in January we have friends from the US, Jeff and Leah, coming over, then Adam's parents and his brother Andy and sister Amye and boyfriend Tyler coming over for 2-3 weeks in February, and then in April our other good friends, Andrew and Emily and their little one Isabel are coming over! Lots of great people to see! I cant wait!

The girls hanging out with Adam in the hammock

Amelia's just a little to scared to stand or go anywhere

near the middle of the trampoline

Annabel has no fear!

The beautiful Christmas tree!