I was so proud of our kids today. I was so convinced that today would be a complete debacle, that when it turned out to be the opposite I was delighted! There was a very special assembly on at the school where Christian and I teach, and I really wanted to be there. Of course, it was on during Period 1 which meant I had to have all three kids out the door by 7.30am (taking into account a stop for a drive-through coffee!) Incredibly, we were all fed, dressed and in the car on time, a feat I am sure was only possible because Maisie woke up at 5am for a feed. It was absolutely pouring with rain too, so I took my time driving very carefully. I had to pull over at one point, as Maisie did such an explosive sneeze that it required a three-tissue mop-up. Jack thought I was very funny, stopping the car on the side of the road, putting on the hazard lights, and climbing over the seats into the back just to wipe Maisie's face - I was not getting out of that car, I can tell you now! When she did it for a second time ten minutes down the road, I'm afraid I let the mess run down her chin - there wasn't anywhere to pull over!
It was still raining when we arrived at school but light enough to scramble inside. It was lovely to see some of my students (and a few also gave the distinct impression that I could stay on maternity leave for as long as I liked...the longer the better!), and we all sat in the Activities Room for the assembly. Whether it was my threats about behaving properly or just a lucky day, I'm not sure, but our three kids were impeccable. Maisie was alternately cuddled by the lovely Aunty Bec or Mummy, or lay kicking on the floor with her beloved piece of track; Jack had a Hot Wheels car and a box of sultanas to keep him happy; and Phoebe had her dolly (Miss Polly), a box of tarnies and the perpetual game of "Where's My Daddy?". (Halfway through, Phoebe told me with a little smirk that she'd done a poo...my look of alarm must have been hilarious because she dissolved into laughter and admitted that she hadn't...little turkey). After sitting all the way through the assembly and (finally) seeing Daddy, they also went for morning tea with the Principal. Despite my anxiety, no one was shy or rude, no one spilled their drink, and no one made impolite smells. It was a miracle!!!
I was so relieved to have escaped unscathed that I took them to a local play centre as a reward (after all the angst it was still only 10am!). Maisie ate her apple, had a little feed and fell asleep in her pram amongst the hysteria that is a weekday play centre. Jack and Phoebe stopped briefly for lunch but were having far too much fun together to think about food. They're very cute at those big places, they stay very close together and I often see them fly past holding hands. There was only one moment when I couldn't see Phoebe, and when Jack and I found her she was sitting in the Daytona arcade game, driving like a pro! "Look Mummy, I driving fast!!" They ran and ran and ran their little hearts out, and when the legs began to slow, I packed them all up into the car and came home. When we arrived back at the house just after 1pm, I felt as though it should have been dinner time. We had a really cruisy afternoon watching a DVD (or a TVTV as Phoebs calls them), and I bathed them at 3 o'clock. I think I was dreaming though, if I expected an early night for the terrible two - obviously they were pretty hyped after their big day, because even though they were in their jarmies and fed before 5.30, we had an awful time getting them to bed tonight! Maisie is currently practising her rolling over on the floor, but I can hear her getting tired. Cross your fingers she feeds and settles well tonight, or it will be my sixth night in a row to be up for a night feed. (Actually, I've been taking the lazy way out - I take her into bed and doze...not the most restful night but it's warm!)
I really enjoyed today, and I should give my kids kudos for being brilliant. However, I am ever so slightly concerned that I may have used up all of my allocated "good behaviour" cards for the week - tomorrow we are off to the photographers to have some portraits taken. When you consider the mix of three small children, bright lights, music and a flashing camera, so many things could go wrong...wish me luck!!
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