Happy International Women's Day!

animal mix ups

Our 6 year old recently came up with some funny animal combos when we had a couple of days off school due to snow. I don't remember how it all started but for a few days it became an obsession - finding animals whose names merged into each other, which he then drew. It was a lot of fun and it reminded me of the Japanese word game "Shiritori" (literal translation = taking the bottom) where you say a word beginning with the last letter of the previous word.

I have reworked some of my favourites.

You can see the original creations below. They really make me smile!

The-Singular-Strong-Arm-Workout

With baby in one arm, engage in single pan cooking, shaking the pan vigorously to try and unstick burnt vegetables. 5 x 10 seconds of vigorous shaking, resulting in singular strong arm and delicious "caramelised" vegetables.

With baby in one arm, search for that elusive piece of lego in the big box. The more elusive the better - for your arm, but maybe not for the impatient lego enthusiast or the ears of a small baby.

With screaming wrigglesome baby in one arm, push buggy homeward for as long as you can bear the noise, discomfort or the looks, to achieve that singular strong arm look.

Special leaf

"Here you go mummy, I found a special leaf for you".

Funny how little people will notice straight away if you are sneakily trying to scoff a sweet treat or something but seem completely oblivious when you are heavily laden with bags stuffed full of shopping and big, heavy awkward things, each pocket and hand full of stuff.

Conversation

Tips for having a conversation with a toddler in tow:

1) Keep it brief

2) Wear stretchy clothes

3) Get used to unfinished conversations

Anything else?

Just a small selection of the things he has asked to be moved at bedtime. 

Have I ever mentioned that we have sleep issues in our house?

Bedhogger

I never know where or who I'm going to wake up with these days. Some nights I just end up getting into one of their beds, some mornings I wake to find one of them tucked up next to me. Most mornings I wake with no memory of what happened in the night. They like to keep us guessing, these boys of ours.

This is where I found myself yesterday morning - clinging on to the little boy who somehow managed to use his little body to push me all the way to the edge of the big bed. The little bed hogger.

You can find previous sleep episodes here and here