Easter is over for another year

It's Tuesday evening - the day after Easter Monday. Both the little darlings are sleeping. This is the second evening in a row that they have both been asleep by 8pm and it feels a bit strange to have some time to myself.

I'm feeling a bit down as Easter is over for another year. I love Easter - a far better holiday than Christmas in my opinion as it has lots of chocolate and none of the Christmas hassles.

We went up to Eucumbene Cove for the long weekend. It is a beautiful part of the world. We stayed in a little holiday shack, surrounded by gumtrees. It had a breathtaking view over Lake Eucumbene and then mountains that rolled on and on into the distance. I think Adam took a few photos and if he did I will eventually post one in here.



(No mountain view - sorry - Adam)

It was one of those places where it is so quiet and peaceful that the quiet almost hurts your ears.

To my surprise we actually had a (fairly) relaxing couple of days. This is a miracle given that we went with 2 children under the age of 2.

Edward had a fine time exploring, helping bring the wood in for the fire, inspecting wildlife and playing in a 'cave' which we made for him by draping blankets from the upper level of a bunkbed. He got a huge splinter in his hand but Auntie Suzie took it out when we got back to Canberra.

Hannah did what most 2 month old babies do - drink milk, fill her nappy, cry a bit and have cuddles. I had to wash her by holding her in the shower. She didn't hate it but didn't love it as much as having a bath (which has to be her favourite thing at the moment).

So that was our holiday. It was wonderful.

Now we are all back in our real lives.
I had a bit of a stressful day today. It started with Edward taking his nappy off (behind the back of the kitchen bench so I couldn't see...) and then joyfully announcing to me: "Tiny Poo Poo". As we have a very nice blue potty in the kitchen I thought he was playing with a teddy and the potty and it wasn't until a few minutes later that I discovered that he had indeed done a "tiny poo poo" right there in the kitchen. Edward was delightedly inspecting it (ie squatting with his head between his legs staring at the stinky thing) so I made him pick it up and put it all in the potty. We then put it in the loo to join all its friends and Edward had a thorough wash.

Then I thought we would go to the supermarket as I had invited a few friends around for afternoon tea and also there was no food for dinner. So I wrote a shopping list, dressed both children and put them in the car.

We have had heavy rain overnight. I discovered that our garage roof leaks and that the back seat (Hannah's seat) of the pram was absolutely soaked. I didn't know what to do so drove to the supermarket with the wet pram in the boot. Parked the car. Then had the thought that if I had brought Edward's raincoat (which is in the garage at the moment) I could have dressed him in it and he could sit in the wet car seat. Too late - no raincoat.

Decided to put Hannah in Edward's seat of the pram (not really safe as it doesn't recline much) and that Edward would have to walk. Attached baby-reins to Edward and set off towards the shops. The first 50 metres or so were good - E walking relatively quickly and in the right direction.

Then it all deteriorated. I ended up pushing our HUGE double pram with my right hand, holding Edward on my hip with my left arm and trying to ignore the hysterically screaming Hannah in the front.

Managed to grab various groceries, pay, get out of store and then the long trek back to the car. Pile now exhausted Hannah into her car seat. Strap Edward into his. Groceries onto the ground. Huge wet pram in boot. Groceries into boot and then drive home in the pouring rain.

Once home got all items upstairs (first a trip with groceries, then Hannah, then Edward) and with Hannah in the cot sleeping, I decided to quickly bake the cake for afternoon tea. It was 11.30am by this stage.

So lots of sifting, mixing, measuring etc with Edward 'helping' by licking spoons and twirling around the kitchen being a mixmaster.... and then I realised that the oven was not getting hot even though I had turned it on to preheat. Found oven instruction manual. Instructions don't work. Ruddy thing must be broken. By this stage it was 12.30 (Edward half an hour late for his nap) and I had a raw cake and no oven.

Phoned my mother. She drove over, grabbed cake. Left. Returned an hour later with baked cake.

Had first attempt to get Edward to sleep. Hannah woke screaming for milk. Felt sorry for her as she had suffered in the supermarket. Abandoned nap attempt. Amazed Edward goes off to play. Hannah has feed. I look at our pigsty of a sittingroom and decide that I HAVE to vacuum, pick up toys. Vacuum entire house. Clean bathrooms. 1.45 pm. Edward staggering with exhaustion- get E into bed where he falls asleep almost instantaneously.

Rest of the day was much better and I had a great time catching up with old friends from uni. I must remember to get the wet pram out of the boot of the car.