Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Dinner and a show

'Dinner and a show' is still achievable even though we have two young children.  A few things need to be altered though.  Firstly, the order changes to a show and dinner.  Secondly, the show must be rated G, have lots of flashing lights and people dressed as cartoon characters, the option is open to come dressed as a character from the show, something my husband and I chose not to partake in, (could be a bad habit to start, imagine us at productions of Cats, Phantom of the Opera, or Hair for that matter, not a pretty sight!).  Thirdly, the beverage bought at the bar before is apple juice not wine.  And finally, dinner is had at 6pm, to allow for mummy and daddy to have an early night after an exhausting and over stimulating event. 
We definitely had tickets in the nose bleed section, as a matter of fact my thighs burnt as we made our way to row X in section 203!  But we had a great view.  All comfortable in our seats when some late comers sat in front of us to spoil our children's view.  Seriously, who comes to a show with your hair placed in a bun on top of your head!!!  You may as well wear a top hat sweet-heart, not helping our kids' view too much!!!  I must admit that hubby was not overly impressed when the foul odour bearing couple from way out west plonked themselves next to him.  'Is it a little bit odd that you are both in your mid thirties and have come to the show without children?  Actually, is it also a bit odd that you are in your mid thirties and you have not heard of deodorant!?!' After intermission, people had moved seats next to me, (maybe I am the one with the odour problem?) and my hubby and son moved to the other side of me for a better view.  Good for them but left me with the downwind scent wafting from the childless patrons.

The children had spent all afternoon in anticipation of the show "I am so exciting, I can not wait, I am so exciting!!"  It was worth the wait for them.  Classic songs from the movies were remixed to the sounds of  hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock, country and much more! The irresistible lineup of performers included, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, Ariel, Eric, Sebastian and Ursula (the Little Mermaid); Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie, (Aladdin) and Woody, Buzz and Jessie, (from Toy story). The children couldn't resist dancing and singing with the characters, and to be honest and I think hubby and I held a good tune through out! Soul mate may have even had a little air guitar moment, (he presumed it was too dark for anyone to see).




I think that the children are still on a come down from Christmas.  We have had activities, visitors and special events on everyday since hubby has been on holidays, so Princess, who literally now presumes she is a Princess, could not understand why we did not find it necessary to buy her a flashing sword or small figurine for over $30 each.  We did however buy them a shirt each for $20 and a bucket of popcorn for $15.  I looked for the caviar tub under the popcorn, but they must of run out since we got ours after intermission? Unfortunately my Princess was unable to emotionally accept that a plastic Flounder the fish shaped cup with ice inside was also not necessary.  Some times life just is not fair.  We both promised to give her a cup of plain ice cubes when we got home, but apparently it would not be the same.

Time for our treat and we had a lovely Italian meal at Sopranos.  Searching for some Italian meal memories, we managed a lovely meal, daughter settled for veal instead of octopus, son slurped up his spaghetti and mummy and daddy managed to stay awake until the end of the meal.

I love when we are all on holidays together.  Time to explore Perth a bit more.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Santa did it!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, only a daddy downing Santa's whiskey, a mummy eating the reindeer's carrots and sultanas and the sneak, sneak sound of parents keeping the 'big lie' alive.

Santa is a good guy. Isn't he?  Then why have I used him to threaten and bribe my children over the last month?  "Santa is watching you!  Would Santa think that is naughty or nice behaviour?  Really; do you think Santa would think it is okay to wear a pink striped shirt with a red spotted skirt?  Husband, I do not think Santa would approve of you having another piece of chocolate slice!"  Perhaps the worst accusation that I have thrown at Santa thus far is that he is the dummy stealer. 

Twas the night before Christmas and in my house a reluctant child gave his dummies away quieter than a mouse...

We placed the 5 pacifiers we could find in our sons Christmas stocking.  "Santa will take them away and give them to the babies that really need them.   In the morning, your Christmas stocking will be filled with all of those special things you have been dreaming about.  Santa is doing this.  Santa.  Not mummy or daddy; because mummy and daddy love you very much.  It was Santa!"

I have to say that Christmas day was fantastic. We had friends join us and it felt like we were surrounded by family. We gorged on ham, turkey, prawns and oysters.  This was accompanied by music, conversation, a few drinks, but more importantly, children laughing, swimming, and playing games.





Do you know what my best memory of the day was?  No it wasn't the white chocolate ripples on the citrus cheesecake.  Nor was it laughing at my guest that came wearing a shirt with his laundromat tag still attached to his collar.  It was my sons response to his Santa sack at 6am in the morning.

Tap, tap, tap ... tap, tap, tap ...slap, slap, slap ... "Good morning son, Merry Christmas!"  said through bleary eyes.  "Up, up, up daddy up!" said by son with arms flapping like a seagull with palms facing the heavens.  He pointed towards his room with urgency, silent hand signals are given similar to leading a platoon through battle in Vietnam.  We silently follow our mini Sargent down the hall to his room where he points to his filled Santa sack in astonishment.  We had (I mean Santa had), double knotted the top so he could not open without our help.

"Oh my goodness!  Santa came! You must of been a good boy this year!  The sack is full, what do you think he bought you?"

My son obviously contemplates his donation of his most worldly possessions the night before, (pacifiers), he looks so proud the sack is full and ecstatic about getting inside.  "Wow, what do you think Santa put in your sack?"  He smiles, "Dummies!" he squeals in excitement.  Apparently he was so good this year that Santa turned his 5 dummies into 1000!  Classic.  I love Christmas.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Seriously Santa,isn't it about the kids?

As far as I am concerned Christmas comes with an extensive list of duties and joys; shall I name a few?  Label them to suit your personality...

  1. Christmas cards -  Is it big enough, does it sparkle, does the 'coolness' match the friend, should it be a semi-donation with UNICEF, (oh dear, I just received one that sings a song, mine does not sing), have I really been sending these cards with thought?  Okay, in all honesty.... A blurb.  I thought it would suit everyone.  I got through family... they were all the same apart from, "Dear ...." It has bean a busy time of year.  But where my guilt takes place, is where the friends are left.  A pathetic excuse I know, but those blank envelopes are staring at me... "write on me, write on me", (said in a ghostly voice similar to that heard on a Scooby Doo Cartoon).  I am not 'under-valuing' my friendship with you all, but seriously, I've received more Xmas greetings from my bank and real estate than from friends.  Perhaps I should be more friendly? I know I should of finished the Christmas greetings, but "Ho ho ho, Merry Internet Christmas!"  I guess now I do not have to buy Christmas cards next year.
  2. Christmas music in shops - it shall no longer be narrowed to the lifts of larger department stores.  The "Girl from Ipanema" is now officially sung in a Christmas jingle in every Westfield present, and "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer" is accepted as a rap from Eminem or Kayne West.  Personally, I think I do an awesome version if you would like an audio copy, (you think I am joking?!?), it is performed in the shower but I rock!
  3. An excuse - not to break personal law, but to break goals or inhibitions that have taken a year of aiming to achieve.  Eat and drink what you like.  In my experience, just remember, it is not a schoolies celebration, yes the children will be there to wake you at 6 am in the morning and no, you were not the 500th customer, you do not receive a sleep in and a day without responsibility.  In my opinion, live it up , Christmas is about eating and drinking, (for a day, not for the weeks surrounding the 24 hour period).
  4. Christmas tree- I am trying to leave this one as an open comment.  I love Christmas.  Perhaps more than most.  When I was pregnant with my first, 1 month due in 2007, I was absolutely convinced that if we did not purchase a tree that stood as the largest monument in the world, then I would not make a good mum...  (Did you know that is how Family Assistance office ranks you as a capable parent?  It is purely by the height of your Christmas tree.)  So, insult of my insecurities, we now have a tree over 2 metres tall, (for the adults), a 1 metre tree for the children, (to decorate and undecorate at their leisure), a tree, outside our window that is lit with lights and a star on top, provided by Perth City council, thank you very much, (this one is easily 30 metres tall, in all honesty, I should thank the council, but princess thinks that daddy did it for her.... who am I to spoil the fairy tale?) So hubby is taking the acclaim for this at the moment.  But I figure the truth will eventually come out... along with Santa, the tooth Fairy, cupid and Yoda.  By the way, tree topper, I never could decide ...angel or star????  Which belongs?  Is it fair to compare this to the chicken or egg situation?
  5. Keep Santa alive- The older you get the harder it gets.  I am not just talking about hardened deposits of fat on the walls of you arteries or the walls of your auditory canals thinning, ( no, I am not just referring to heart attack and deafness).  Finding it a little difficult in our household to keep Santa alive.   My husband should not ask in front of the children about the source of gift.  "Santa, or mum and dad; who shall I say it is from?"  Perhaps best not to answer this question in front of the child?  Santa sent a letter, so he must be true. He is a good guy but he is going to take your pacifier (life support away)... He is your friend, sit on his lap, and mummy will give you a lolly pop that you should not accept from strangers... Yes honey, a stranger similar to the one I just made you cuddle and have photo with..... (Parenting is sooooo easy!)  Why does mummy look uneasy you ask.... that is because when mummy had to sit in the photo with both of you, Santa asked mummy what she wanted for Christmas before you and he helped mummy off from his sleigh with his palm.  "Thanks Santa,Mrs Claus not lascivious at the moment? I am sure I joked about wanting a clean house and a moment to myself ... this does not rhyme with "please touch my butt", Santa deaf now?
  6. Letter to and from Santa - "Dear Santa, I would now like something totally different to what I told you a month ago.  Sorry Santa, I hope you were not really organised and made my toys too early.  Because now you have to go to Myer and buy what I REALLY want.  By the way, I have also decided what my brother really wants for Xmas!"


It may sound like I am complaining, but I do love this time of year.  I love that the community panics at the grocery store like the world is going to end and they have to shop before they get to their respective bomb shelters.  I love that strangers can ask your children if they are naughty or nice, and ask me if I am organised, ha, do I look organised?  I love that I am cooking a turkey and a ham for my vegetarian husband to carve.  Christmas is a special time.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Christmas Pageant; locks alight

The countdown to Christmas is well under way.  The chocolate advent calenders are working well as bribery, just visible to the children on the top of the bridge.  We have put up two Christmas trees and there is a third the size of our apartment block that stares at us from outside our window.  All in all, it is pretty hard to escape the festive season, not that we would want to, but in all honesty, it all started 1st of November, one day after Halloween paraphernalia left the shops and was replaced with candy canes.
With 21 days until Christmas, we boarded the ferry to Langley Park for the annual RAC Channel 7 Christmas Pageant.  I did not really know what to expect.  To be honest when I think of a pageant, I imagine teenage girls dressed in taffeta dresses, yodelling or playing the wine glasses in a talent competition.  (Not quite sure why this is what I imagine, memory of some random 80's movie?)  Anyhow, apparently this has nothing to do with this particular pageant.  A Christmas pageant is actually filled with colourful floats, dancers, music, and lots of jolly people.  Very similar to the Mardi Gra only it was G rated not MA.

Children enjoyed waving to all the participants
 There were 26 floats, including a cast of 2040 participants, 8 bands and 19 dancing groups.  My particular 3 favourite personality spotting's included Fat Cat in the Beach Buggy, Santa in his sleigh, and Jonny Rosso singer from X-Factor. (Of course the children were very excited by Santa, and the 50 year old ladies in front of me were equally excited displaying undie wetting squeals when Jonny Rosso came past.)


Santa broke his microphone and bell as he drove past us, silence needed to be filled with a "Ho Ho"

I think Jonny Rosso was fearful of the menopausal squeals


It sounds a bit sadistic, but the highlight of the pageant for me was when a fire blower set his friends locks alight. He didn't even know until someone in the crowd ran towards him, hilarious, can't pay for entertainment like that.
 Perth does host a good community event. There were plenty of rides all at a cheap cost.  Which we are thankful for considering we bought them bull rides, which they both reneged on, then tickets for the jumping castle, but it was 35 degrees out and the plastic burnt their feet.  Not really money well spent, but I think the money went to charity?
.
Couldn't let the tickets go to waste could I?


The children went fishing with magnets, did physical play, made stick men, magnets, magic wands and explored the animal kingdom. Needless to say, it was a busy day, and spotting dolphins in the Swan River on the way home was the icing on the cake. Or shall I say marsipan on the fruit cake, I need to start thinking with Christmas cheer.
Did not even show a hint of fear
 
He matches my dress, can I keep him?

The goat, I do not want to keep!
The goat was definitely not our friend!