another January post:)

Hi there! Ahhh we really needed to get out as a family. Dont get me wrong its not that we don;t get out its just we seem to go to indoor play areas and we are missing so much the outdooooooooors. It was sunny and after a week of illnesses and driving each other mad....we were ready for some adventure.I know you would have heard this but my baby is 2 years old in about 25 days....and I am holding on to my sunshine!:) Yes, although a bit tantrumy and a bit snotty and temperamental like his mummy I love love my bundle of joy. Zackie is just that most lovley cuddly and sweet boy ...but be warned he can easily and very quickly turn into your nightmere tooo:))) Anyway, was nice to snug up and watch the penguins...and he did not seem to mind it either....as normally would prefere some independence and freedom to run around.ha ha:)) this black goat thing:) has been there last time we visited and he rather likes us (perhaps he would like to come home with us?)) and Zackie took to him quite a bit...ok both of my sons are more courageous then me and certainly then I remember being at their age...they just pet all kinds and think every animal is a friend....some of this months favourite pics now....attempting to potty train?!:) nah, not really bothered. It will happen when it happens. Don;t know many adults with nappoes (:))) so I think it will def have to happen sometime. I know I probably should get all competitive and give myself unnecessary tasks and amazingly stressful and all important guilt trips but nope, dummy and nappy stay as long as they need tooo and I shall enjoy peace of mind as long as I can....:))) Enjoying some swimming with Charlie our swimming pro coach!! Love him.And a typical morning in our house...boys enjoying chockie toast and watching something rather interesting on TV. I love the toes...don;t you?!:))Thank you to Reuben's friend Zac got a play date with Reuben;s friend's brother and his toys:)) there is some fun after all in double playdates....:))) here we had been introduced big time to HOTWHEEELS:))Yeah....I love him I just do....he loves loves Knoor Chicken Noodle Soup...and I have to tell its just like my mums....:))Zac loves loves soup....in all shapes and forms.As long as I have my dummy, my chickhick and bowl of food, drink I shall be happy:)) oh and my TV with some Thomas the tank engine, cars or toy story....my comfy STOKE chair and some good mummy company......boys will be boys.

2012 Brighter year?!

sporting the beautifulblue jacket from mama!trying to run away in Andris's shoes!!:))cuddle with mummy!!:)))I need to be the tallest one!trains trains trains...more trains....What I got to be a conductor?! Oh my oh my!ready for departure:)Loving the museum....Hi! Well 2012 so far has been rather interesting. Zac seems to have embraced being at home more but even he has always been happyish home now he requires much preparation before we actually go out. I have to give him enough time and keep reminding him of what we are doing so that he will willingly comply. He has the strongest personality I have seen around...and I am alwasy facinated with how he is so dinky yet so inteligent and unbelievably cute. He certainly idolises Reuben and when asked what his name is "buben" is the answer. The other day I was stunned (while reading a book) he understood everything. He pointed at all parts of his body as we named them and acted out a huge number of things. Although not very understandable to others I surley know and note what he is saying and he is a real chatterbox. He can and will say "mine" a lot which means he would like something...., he can ask for water or drink and juice, he can ask for food, he can say if he wants to go somewhere and the other day we had discovered he can put on shoes and coat (not zipping it) and dash out the door. Yes, I was taking Reuben to school one morning and we decided he will keep Zac here with his daddy as it was pouring with rain. He was at the time with daddy so we ran out the door and left the house. Daddy chatted to him while dressing and getting ready for work....then there was silence. Zac has often gone down stairs before and watched TV or such so Jonathan thought thats what happened. He kept calling out for Zackie but when no real response he came to see where he was....and he was no where in the house and the open door suggested he has left the house. Jonathan cought up with him half way up the hill of our development...apparently he said he was gona go see buben and mummy. Bless, he does really miss his brother now R is at school and no one is as good as his BUBEN even though the moment he gets home they clash over toys...:)))

We had Andris my friend over for the weekend and Zackie was a sweet heart befriending Andris. One thing I love about Zackie is that he really notices guests and often happy to just be where the guests are.....and often sits happily at the kitchen table while they have coffe, food or just chat there. He also is happy to see ood anytime of the day even right after a meal...anyone sitting down eating drinking won;t be alone in the house Zac often sits down and joins in:)) I would like to say that he eats a lot but really he just got very hungry eyes....often he takes one or two bites or ethusiastic spoonfulls with all the yummmm and extactic movement of eyes but thats all....

LAst night was a very unusual night. He called out loads and at 1pm for Reuben's sake (so he won;t wake his brother) I moved Z in our bed. He wedged himself comfortably between J and I and at 5am he decided he was not having any more and walked out the bed calling for buben to come and play. I managed to rescue the situation and both me and J came and stayed with him. I hoped by 8-9am he will want a nap but he just got more excited. Eventually at 10:30am he gave in and had 2 hours sleep and no other napping til late this evening. I had to go to bed with him this evening I was soooo tired. THANKS SON next time tell me in advance so can sleep and energise before.....

Over all he is very pleasant. Every time Iveta brings him home tells me how lovley and good he is....I am clearly happy as sometimes at home he can be a handful....especially at beings trong willed...he must be taking after daddy:))) not really its all me.:))) so here we go some pictures and a cute VIDEO!!:)) enjoy.

christmas with my cousins...

Hello! Oh I had so much fun during my family time away at my cousins!!! Just watch me...enjoying some quality time with my uncle Andrew, daddy and Reuben while mummy had a kids free ish day around shops....
sliding my new best thing!
boxing day walk with my cousins, mummy and uncle Andrew, beautiful sunshine and loads of skimming stones.....wow new best activity!! yay!
Granny got me this annual well she did get it for Reuben but I got to enjoy it first as my brother has moved on to bigger and brighter things like daddy's IPAD2.
Bestest present ...:) who cares about the present when a box can be so much fun....
loads of fun we had in the box!
yummy Christmas lunch by aunty Helen!!! yummmm
here we go I keep telling everyone about CHOOO CHOOO!!!
Being introduced to crackers just as I woke up from my nap:))) they put this thing on my head saying it suits me....whatcha think?

my mum's poor attempt to cook some goodies for Tajana who 's bday was on the 22nd!!! I loved loved the yummy flower and all exciting games with it.....decorating, cooking and such...bring it on any day my friends.

Zackie Zackie Zac

Christmas so close...Advent has not yet been what I imagined it to be however this amazing picture (painting) on the walls of the cathedral grounds says it all. It moved me to tears. I was just taking children home from a very chaotic time out and came across this lovley artwork. I was thinking of my own Advent a bit of a journey...heavy loads, gifts, tiredness, darkness and possibly coldness....hopefullness and soldiering on to meet HIM!:)So blessed to be living in the walking distance of one of England's oldest cathedrals (second oldest) and an amazing castle from ancient times. I always loved to talk to my kids about heritage....and history although am not very good at it. HEre we are taking a stroll at the Dickensian Winter Festival and just spotted the fake snow...We also have a winter market at the castle and many kids rides which they had just enjoyed. Zackie I guess has surprised me in that he wants to go on all rides and has no fear at all. Sits very well on each ride ....and even been up on a very scary ride with me....held his arms out as we spinned and pretended to be an airplane.This year I had done something different...boys were to have their Christmas tree outside..we had dressed it the first weekend in December! yap a little early but it was so nice. I really enjoyed it...boys did too...as they put up all the Christmas Decs.Zackie does have a very very high interest in everything Reuben does....its sometimes so annoying for Reuben but he is watching big brother 24/24. So so very very nearly completing things like his brother. Speach is wonderfully coming along I am yet to understand some of the words he keeps repeating.....and well also trying to understand second child syndromes...:)))

Generally Zackie is happy to muck in....I am loving that they can play well together. Zackie can be very very happy and good company for Reuben....and himself.

Loves slides and park time and just generally enjoys adventre toooo. I am thankful as this year Zackie has shown huge milestones. Not only is he fantastic at walking, he is very independent, he figures things out and have to be so so careful as he only needs to see something once and wants to copy it. I am learning more and more about Zac as I spend time with him. He tends to respond well to well structured days. He hates and feels when things are done in rush and also when he is not prepared for certain activities. We had experimented with swimming and although he gets terribly excited he is very delicate I find. He gets stressed and cold very rapidly.

He is an amazing actor....makes all funny faces that are possible....and can really really act out what he wants and the emotions he feels. He has some friends but playing at the moment is more individual even at play dates. Loves Messy Play and Jasper Jingles. he loves loves the HOKEY KOKEY song?!:))he also also loves one to one time. He loves being asked things often answers NES (to yes) and when does not want something he will give a definate NOOOOOOO with a real twist. Anyways, he is a real treasure. We love him dearly and really looking forward to the milestone of 2 years old in February!!:)) what will taht bring?! Who knows?!:)) Well its time for terrible twos and we are witnessing it. So if we don;t see you and manage to otherwise talk to you MAY WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED 2012!

attitude?!:)

Yap! Loads of attitude and tantrums welcome terrible twos?! Dont know but Mr Angelic has turned into Mr Tantrum and Mr Attitude...however I find it most often cute and funny to his dismay. Its been a normal week ....for us with a few difficult nights as he seemed to have come down with a cold.I have tried to do some pre Christmas Shopping with my kids but its been difficult instead we shopped for us and well....played and had coffees out....I don;t think I have ever found it this hard to get ready for Christmas. This year its gotta be small little things to all whom we love and care for....and really it should always be like that....maybe then we would work less on paying hefty credit card charges and actually enjoy life more. I was watching R and Zac and enjoy looking around but not wanting anything badly and I felt so proud. They were happy to just look and come away. I am blessed I know I am. Seems somewhere kids learn to sometimes let go when its less important....cool I like that.Zac has so far walked with Reuben to school most mornings....he loves seeing Reuben in big school and enjoys his little play there. Then he either goes to aunty Ivetta (Monday and Fridays) or comes home to go for playdates or paygroups...win win...and win for mummy too most times.We had a stay and play at R's school this week on Thursday it was really good...Zac got to see what big school is like. I was so happy to see Reuben with his friends. He seems well into the group and considering they had only just started they made good team....and Zac seems so comfortable there tooo. I am now def considering that nursery for Zac once he is three. Next year this time I will be getting him used to nursery....hurraaay! Looking very much forward to it....and off course to all the learning and excitment... for now we are staying with the great seeminly well woorking routine....and hope for less attitude and tantrums....:)

nearly 2? shocking

Ah, what a long and difficult week....ahhhh still we managed quite a lot! Monday we went shopping at Dockside followed by big sleep. Both photos have been taken on Wednesday when we went to Messy Play. Elena and Andrei were there....Zackie gets ever so excited when he sees Elena....and gives her loads of attention....xxcuddles and kisses.Both boys are rather mad for Mario games....they really do get very passionate....poor daddy had to get another wheel and remote for Zackie who also insists in playing along. He does like R;s wheel so even though they are identical they both know which one is Reuben's. How does that happen?! So often its a lot of fighting over the wheel....This week even he has had some tummy bug issues and also his MOLARS are giving him grief....he has managed to smile and make us laugh. He loves big sandwiches.....and refuses to eat baby food. He is now 21 months and I am shocked cause only the other week when he seemed unwell we went to drs and dr said has Zac had his molars yet?! I thought to myself ups he is growing up. Looking back at some photos I can see how very much he has grown. Looking at Zac I can see how much more independent and able he has become. He loves chattering...says succesfully so many words....but loves pointing and not bothering saying the words he knows except when I make him.He does look so much like my mum (MAMA) and Jonathan (strangely). Well to me he does. And having mentioned daddy. he is big on daddy at the moment. he does get into a fit when daddy is around and does not give him the required attention. Having said that he also goes mad for mummy....bless....must be a stage.Watching his big brother swim....:))) he was ready to launch in....and very dissapointed he couldnt just jump in the water.Cake cooking was fun.....and he really enjoyed the decorating:))

I am trying to be as creative as possible with Zac. Although he loves sitting on the worktop and generally getting excited about washing up, cleaning, cooking (that especially) he has gotten to a stage where its hard to multitask I would have to watch him while I am also cooking or doing things. Often he grabs things and gets into things...:)))

Currently he sees aunty Ivetta and kids at Ivetta's on Mondays and Fridays and he does things with mummy and friends the rest of the week. We successfully dropped the morning sleep which allows us to rest mid day. I love when he sleeps longer but often he wakes then goes back again but only if I lie next to him. That I like....very much however sometimes its hard to fulfill that woderful task as I might have to get Reuben or have other chores. I love snuggling up to him...its so nice. He wakes he looks at me and he closes his eyes again...makes me feel as though he loves that and I do love it too. I am seeing some tantrums developping and I am scared. I don;t remember Reuben throwing himself down on the floor or such it was more of a case of screams....or just upsets but no real outrage. Zackie has learnt somewhere that throwing himself face down or putting his face in his palms and burring himself is how he should express his dissapointments....oh well I am teaching him a different action for SAD....:)))

He loves love splaying HIDE AND SEEK....he does this funny play of counting....then runs away then giggles and comes back with a booooooo:)))) if he plays with Reuben he cant contain himself he gives away their whereabouts easily by appearing before one gets to the HOTPOINT:))) He and Reuben have their funny moments.....half of the time Zackie wants what R has...which is very upsetting for Reuben but normally would give Zackie whatever it is Zackie screams for! - sometimes he tells Zackie NO and lectures Zackie that I LOVE.

this is a sweet conversation I recorded while I was driving them to a playgroup:

Z: screams, leans towards Reuben, points and screams some more

me: Whats the matter Zackie what are you up to there in the back

Z: continues to point, scream and gets louder and louder

R: Zackie if you don;t tell me what it is you want, I CAN NOT HELP YOU

Z: slience....then some pointing

R: This? This? This? (pointing at things around him)

Z: more noises......

R: Com on brother just tell me, this? this?

R: You are silly Zackie you know that don;t you?:)))

R: here you go, now say: RE-MOte CONTROLLLLL easy peasy

(yes, Zac was after the Remote to their dvd players)....there ....conversations....are such easy peasy things. Have a good week everyone.

Half term and brotherly love and hate?!

I wish our week of half term would have been this blissful.....but....well....it was then it wasnt. We had Harrisons here (Zack's first causins from Lincoln) and then we had some visiting time at Hornby exhibition centre....and that was good too...and well will try and keep very postive as I think negatives are hardly worth concentrating on.Driving was fun at the Hornby Visitor Centre. It was really good....I really do recommend it to everyone. Ahh....its a short one as most of you do read Reuben;s and so wherever R has been and done R would have too so....here is some pics of exculisve Zackie time. He loves swimming although we must look for a really nice warm pool as this one is a bit cold. He loves the water but gets a bit worried at times....We have a not so happy situation...Zackie thinks he is 4 years old as well...and that he is entitled to everything that R is. So hard times....but we are trying to win win!!It always amazez me that Zackie is straight in at any party or children;s place. We went to a bday party with Reuben and Zackie just was joining in as though he was the main invited person...:)))

We did go to a really nice place called Hornby Visiting Centre in Margate and loved loved it....the boys even shared the buggy.Happy as Larry together for 5 minutes.