Yay! Big school!

We took Dante to his first day of Kindergarten this morning. It was very exciting and perhaps a little scary. For me, anyway.

I got up at 6:30am to get myself ready, make his lunch, get him changed, feed him breakfast, wake up Atticus, feed him, wake up Dan and leave in time to battle the morning traffic and get to school on time. I wouldn't have made it if my mother hadn't come over and helped by doing almost everything for me! We needed to leave by 8:15am to make sure we got there on time. It was a bit of an effort but we actually made it! Found a car space and everything! Walked through the gates at 8:50am. How about that?!

When we got there our friends Joe and Chris were waiting at the gates to witness the momentous occasion. Dante excitedly told them that he was starting "big school" and then marched straight inside without a backwards glance. The school grounds were filled with kids in red uniforms and their parents. He confidently walked straight towards the Kindergarten classrooms, the location of which we learnt during the orientation mornings last year. He hung up his bag on the hooks outside the classroom and strolled inside the classroom. It was crowded with anxious parents and nervous children. Dante spotted a friend from childcare and went up to her. She was happily painting having asked the teacher if she could. Dante wandered around between the two classrooms, checking them out before deciding that he wanted to paint, too. The two kids were so calm and relaxed. It's a big argument for childcare/pre-school!

When it was time to leave he was very happy to say goodbye and give us hugs and kisses. Didn't look back as we tentatively stepped away. Dan and I both gave a big sign of relief and left. It was a momentous occasion. We didn't cry like some parents do, but we had been a little nervous. In fact I have to admit that I was a little shaky when we got there, but that could have been because I was carrying the heavy lug that is Atticus! Yes, that's right. I hope he'll be all right today... eats his lunch, makes some friends and doesn't get into trouble. I can't wait to pick him up this afternoon and hear what he has to say about his day!

Xin Nian Kuai Le

Happy Chinese New Year!


Image shamelessly stolen from triin

I'm sitting down watching the tennis and allowing myself a little bit of relaxation after a very busy weekend. The big family CNY/Atti's birthday party went really well yesterday. There was a tonne of delicious food and lots of kids running around having a good time. I set up a couple of paddling pools for the younger kids and the older ones (including my 60+ Uncle, who is a big kid too) had water fights. The rest of us lolled about in the shade and filled our guts with my dad's yummy satay and my mother's mango pudding and tiramisu. It was fantastic to have the family together again - like old times! Except the kids running around are our children, not us. Some of the babies had a bit of trouble sleeping with all the excitement (and the heat) but hopefully they will be okay. Atticus was wonderful - happy to be passed around and then went off to sleep quietly when the time came for his nap. Dante wore his Jedi suit and exuberantly entertained everyone (and anyone that came into earshot) with Star Wars stories.

Today's barbie was relaxed and easy, with just our friends and a special visit from my cousin Silva and his wide Sook Hahn (visiting from Thursday Island). Dante was a lot more subdued and very happy when we announced that the party was not only a celebration of Atti's birthday (although he wasn't as happy about that part) but also to celebrate that Dante is starting school this week! Later in the day I got him to change into his uniform to show everyone - he was really pleased by all the compliments that he received! Atticus was a charming boy (again). He loved his birthday cake (which my mother made and decorated - a monkey sitting on a block, next to a pine tree which was made by Dante), and was quite keen to try eating the lollies on it. And slept superbly at nap time. I can't believe he was so sick last week. I'm so relieved that he's better.

Never again? Hah!

In February and March last year we had a few big parties (Atticus' Mun Yit and Dante's birthday) which caused me to swear "Never again". The stress of it all was way too much.

So in fine Jen-style we're hosting another couple of big parties this weekend. That's me, sticking to my guns. Ha!

Atticus is turning one tomorrow (wow, already?) and it just so happens to coincide with Chinese New Year. So we decided that we'd invite the extended family over and combine the celebrations. Just our family and my uncle's family, plus a few extras, and we're expecting 46 people (including bubs). Argh! However I had a bit of an idea and asked everyone to bring a dish, so the catering part won't be quite so much work. Yay!

On Sunday we're just having a barbecue for our friends. Should be pretty laid back. I hope Atti will be okay with all the excitement!

Happy Australia Day

Today is a happy day. Atticus has broken his fever! Only took four days. Four extremely stressful days for me. He's come out with a rash now, which has enabled my brother to diagnose Roseola Infantum and caused us much relief. He is very tired and still not 100% but at least the danger of convulsions is over (for now).

Some nifty stuff

Got shown stuff by my friend Anna today.

Bags made out of books

Music Lab iPod cover

Doctor Who Scarf

Double rocking chair

Upside-down Tomato Garden

Blue Space Monkey shower curtain

Oh no! Not again

I can't believe it - Atticus had another febrile convulsion today. I feel sick in the stomach with the stress of it all. At least this one wasn't as scary as the first since I knew what was happening. And thankfully my brother (who is a doctor but not the GP brother) was over at the time to help me feel calm and talk to the ambulance operator. And Dan was home (it being Sunday today) so there was another pillar of support for me to lean on.

We spent several hours at the hospital but were able to come home for dinner. Atti came to after a while and was back to his usual self, playing and crying. He was pretty hungry later on, which was a good sign. Ate two vegemite sandwiches.

However his temperature shot up again when we got home, and he wouldn't take his Panadol or Nurofen. We had to go out and get him Panadol that isn't administered by mouth if you know what I mean. The poor kid. He's asleep now but I'm still sick with worry. Of course I'll be sleeping on the floor of his room tonight. I feel bad that I'm not there now.

You know, I love my kids and I love having them but the one thing that I hate is the worry and stress when they are sick. I just can't bear it. It's the one thing that could put me off having any more. Maybe. I still want to have a girl one day!

Nine zeroes

We went out to dinner tonight with our friends to celebrate Dan's Billionth Second. Dan's gone out with the gang to keep on partying but I've come home with the kids. It's nice having a quiet night alone - I'm watching episodes of Grey's Anatomy. I quite like this show!

Anyway, The Electronic Billionator will help you work out your own billionth second! Mine's in February next year.

They came from nowhere (and everywhere)

We had a blackout this afternoon at work. At first we thought it was just our building as there are some major renovations happening at the moment, but upon further investigation we discovered that it was the whole area (except the building just next to us. weird).

Anyway, it was at 3pm and noone knew how long it would last. These things are usually 5 minutes or several hours from my experience. I wanted to show a document (on paper!) to my colleague so we went outside so we could see. It was the most bizzare sight. Everyone was leaving their offices and coming outside, to either get a coffee (from the one building with power) to wait it out, or to go home. There were so many people wandering around without purpose, and cars all driving away.

It reminded me of the Simpsons episode when Itchy and Scratchy became "lame" and suddenly all the kids went outside to play.

How lazy am I?

This lazy.

Dan wants one of these instead.

Well, hey, we have a seven bedroom house and work full time (at the moment). What time do we have to do boring housework tasks??

Looking at old pictures

On the move
Originally uploaded by jenburn.

I was looking at some old photos last night and uploading some to my flickr account when I came across this one. It's of Me holding Dante (aged 10 months) and I like it. A bit arty, perhaps?