Giving a Bit of Credit Where it's Long Overdue

For Father's Day this year we happened to be off by the sea enjoying some sunshine on our family Summer holiday.

On Thomas's last day of school before we left Rob wasn't working and so he went to pick him up. I tried to talk him out of it because I knew Thomas would be coming home with some top quality hand crafted card or gift and I had wanted to keep it as a surprise for the big day itself.

But Rob went nonetheless and really I should have just been grateful that someone else was doing the pick up for a change. Because really after the 212th pick up of the academic year the monotony really started to kick in.

Thomas came home with this card.

I knew right away what the drawing was. It couldn't have been more obvious.

It's Rob playing his Xbox. Priceless.

I looked at Rob, he seemed crestfallen, he said with a tinge of sarcasm, 'Oh it gets better!'

So I looked inside and there recorded by his teacher is what in the eyes of Thomas his dad liked doing the most in all the world.

Rob was both gutted and concerned that Thomas's teachers would have a far less than top notch opinion of his fathering prowess.

Behind a chuckle I tried to comfort him by suggesting that it could have been far, far worse.

After all It could have said my dad likes to play Grand Theft Auto or some Zombie killing game.

So should Thomas's teachers ever fill their spare hours randomly googling parents of their pupils for the record I'd just like to say what a fab dad Rob truly is (and that his Xbox generally only enjoys the wonder of electrical power when they kids are fast asleep in bed).

I don't give him nearly enough vocal credit (or probably non vocal credit either) and I don't devote nearly enough blog posts to him (really I should cos the guy has hilariously killer OCD and what's not entertaining about that?).

On Father's Day when he was well within his rights to demand a nap and maybe even breakfast in bed (which I'm pretty sure were my Mother's day demands) he was instead doing this with his two biggest fans.

Plus one things for sure you'd never catch me doing stuff like this with them.

I'm impressed I even went outside to take pictures of it.

Mummy's are for warm, indoor and clean activities only.

Oh and for the record Rob actually didn't even think the Xbox tennis was that special.

I Blame That Geoffrey Giraffe

Recently we hit Toys R Us (Thomas pronounces it Toys R arse which always makes me chuckle because the A word is tres naughty here) with the kids in tow.

Knowing fully well that leaving toy-less would result in complete hysteria from our offspring.

Thomas chose a Ninja Turtle and Eli a Fire Engine, Police Car and Ambulance Combo.

Hysteria avoided.

But then he saw this:

The Hot Wheels Shark Park.

It was half price.

He started using words like awesome, car munching action and dare I say it? Flying Pizza.

I did my best to discourage the purchase but he had his heart set on it.

Oh and when I say he I'm not referring to Thomas or Eli.

I am referring to Rob.

Apparently boys never grow up.

Wordless Wednesday:Return from a Trip to the Park With Dad via a Muddy Puddle or Two

Awesome:Part Deux

I know I probably don't praise my husband enough.

Last night I was out at Enrichment (a social ladies Church meeting of sorts), we were learning the skillful art of bread making. A million years ago when Rob's grandparents were newlyweds his Grandad worked as a baker. So he was on hand to share with us the tricks of the trade.

I came home with 1 and a half loaves of freshly baked bread and proceeded to eat most of it topped with a ridiculously unhealthy amount of butter.

While I was out Rob did the most romantic thing imaginable.

Bought me flowers?

No.

Chocolates?

No.

Lingerie?

No.

What he actually did was far more impressive.

He did all the ironing. (Even the things I never do like Pajama's.)

Did I mention I'm not a traditional romantic?

I honestly couldn't have been more thrilled, dumbfounded or proud of my choice of spouse.

I have only recently started to iron myself.

I don't enjoy it (but is it supposed to be enjoyable?) and I only do it out of necessity.

Mostly so the kids look presentable and their friends don't ask them why their clothes have wrinkles in them.

May the untraditional romance in this household long live on.

Awesome

Today we had a fun family trip to Flamingo land in honour of it being Eli's 2nd Birthday Eve. (You can find all the pictures of our fun and frolics at the end of this Facebook photo album.) Obviously a fun time was had by all and the sun shone just enough to not need jackets! Perfect. Both boys were thrilled by the endless rides and rollercoasters and got soaked through before our day was over!

On the way home with both kids unconscious (which means they'll be up until midnight no doubt) in the back of the car we started talking about blogging.

Rob: "All you do is blog about the kids anyway....." (Because my life is SO crammed full with other things, right? Nope!)
Me: "Is there something special you'd like me to blog about you then?"
Rob: "Yeah, that I am awesome!"

I am in full agreement and I probably should have said it far sooner.....

Rob is awesome!

Anniversary Tag

It seems very fitting indeed that my lovely friends The Limburgs would tag me to do this post on our 5th wedding anniversary. I'm grateful as I glance out of the window that we got married five years ago and not today, five years ago it was a sunny Spring day, today it is just another rainy day like every other day around here. I wish I could say that five years on I still look that rested and serene, but sadly I can't say that thanks to my two very delightful little terrors combined with five years of ageing. (Yes, I admit to having to pluck out the occasional grey hair at the very youthful age of 32!) Rob on the other hand looks pretty much the same just usually far less clean shaven.

Anyhow here it is:

Our names: Carol and Rob

1.How long have we been married? 5 years to the very day!

2.How long did we date? Overall 2 years and 4 months including a brief respite while Rob had to come to the realisation how lucky he was to have me.

3. How old are we? We all know I robbed the cradle, let's not do the numbers.

4. Where does he work? He works as an Area Account Manager for Velux (the roof window people) which he loves (and I do too except when he has to take the laptop with him while he is away and I have no way to update my blog!) but claims I don't really understand, but how much is there really to understand about windows?

5. Who is taller? Me by an inch, well at least until the osteoporosis kicks in anyhow.

6. Who eats more? Definitely Rob unless I am pregnant and then I could probably eat Rob I am so famished!

7. Who said I love you first? Definitely Rob.

8. Who mows the lawn? We have no grass in our garden but if we did it would definitely be Rob's job, sounds far too strenuous for me to even attempt.

9. Who sings better? I'd say we were about even, he would probably say me.

10. Who does the laundry? 99.5% me, he will put his muddy football kit in from time to time though so he definitely is capable. But if he did more then what would I do on Tuesdays with all the time I generally dedicate to my laundry mountain!

11. Who does the dishes? I wish I could say the dishwasher but we don't have one anymore. So I do the dishes in the daytime and he does them after dinner.

12. Who pays the bills? Mostly Rob, but then he earns most of the money so it's just out of convenience.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Currently Rob but we have swapped from time to time. He jokes at the mo that he sleeps on the right because it's furthest from the door and if anyone broke in they'd steal me first. That's comforting!

14. Who cooks dinner? Me, Rob's interpretation of cooking dinner involves calling out for Chinese or Indian food or a speedy trip to KFC.

15. Who is more stubborn? 100% Rob (which sadly Eli inherited).

16. Whose parents do we see most? Without doubt Rob's parents, they live only 5 minutes away and my parents live 75 minutes away.

17. Who proposed? Rob again......he seems to be monopolising all the good answers, so far I just get the bonus of being tall and doing the laundry! Lucky me!

18. Who has more siblings? That would be Rob again....he's one of 6. I am one of 1 but I do have a couple of half-siblings. But that doesn't count really.

19. Who has most friends? That's a tricky one. I'd say it was too close to call we're probably just about even.

20. Who wears the pants? We're both far too laid back to really ever care.


So there you have it! I tag Amy, Erica, Allison and Shannon (not Shannon Limburg that would be just daft because she tagged me!) to answer these questions on their blogs right away!

While the Cat's away...

So Rob left this morning for a weekend in the French Alps with his younger brother Tom. A snowboarding break funded by his parents. You'd imagine in his absence I'd feel fairly hard done to, but not so at all!

My Fairy Godmother (aka my mum!) arrived yesterday afternoon and is staying until Tuesday! This is BETTER than the French Alps by far. Plus I don't have cold and snow to contend with which is a major plus in my book. Plus isn't snowboarding exercise? I don't dabble in exercise either.

My mum being here means I have a 24 hour helper on board and good company to boot. It means that I am possibly the 1st or 2nd person I get dressed in the morning as opposed to my usual rank of 3rd. It means I have 50% or less nappy changes, washing up, reading of the same books over and over and I generally only have to wrestle one child into their carseat instead of my usual two. Sadly but truly this is the good life!

At this rate I might never want Rob to come back.

Or at the very least get my mum to stay forever!

Man Baby

This is what I sleep with. (Well not an actual picture of what I sleep with. Rob wouldn't actually allow me to take a picture of him wearing his, something about making a mockery of him. Would I?)

This is what Rob's eldest sisters got him, his younger brother (aged 15) and his dad for Christmas, just what every man needs-a onesie!

Super fleecy, super cosy and super warm. His official best Christmas gift EVER!

My very first thought when I saw Rob wearing the offensive item was 'If he's wearing that to bed there is zero possibility of ever enlarging our family!'

Rob had desired one of these fleecy garments forever. I certainly think my boys look cute in theirs but a grown man? No way! It just shouldn't happen.

I still laugh out loud recalling the night that I was rudely awoken by Rob banging and stumbling around our bedroom.

In my half awake state I said "What on earth are you doing most lovely husband?" (Or something not quite so kind because I LOVE my sleep and had been rudely interrupted!)

He replied with exasperation in his voice, "I'm trying to put my onesie on and it's difficult!"

Too right it is! Those things are tricky in broad daylight let alone in the dark at the end of a long day.

The initial thought of sleeping with a man size toddler was an untempting prospect. But, I admit the fleecy onesie has grown on me. It certainly is nice to snuggle with and I can put my chilly feet on him and receive no complaint. So now three of our household wear fleecy onesies to bed. Two toddlers and a man baby.

A trend I shall not be following!

Introducing the Siswicks!!

Ok I have a slight confession to start with, I already started a blog but have deleted it and started again.

I keep feeling I need to keep a family journal and the chances of me actually doing that and this are minimal, well actually they're non-existent but I like to at least sound optimistic. So I figured in the name of laziness I'd combine the two and Voila...here it is!!

So this is a picture of Rob and I at his cousin Sam's wedding in September. I'm sure Rob will appreciate me saying that he isn't actually bald. He decided it'd be a good idea for me to shave his head on the lowest setting. Being the voice of reason I attempted to dissuade him but to no avail, so lo and behold when the sun shone on his head that September day it left the impression that he was indeed bald. Obviously the photographic evidence scarred his ego a little and he is now happily growing his hair and using my straighteners on a daily basis to compensate for the few months he was virtually hairless.

I think even his ego has fully recovered.