I went to a 1st birthday party on Sunday. It was my nephew's. My mum had given me a present to take along to the gathering from her and my dad. Did I take it?
Of course not, because I'm clearly loosing my mind. I seem to forget everything at the moment. If you've not had a birthday card from me, then I apologise. If I've forgotten to ring, having said I would, then I'm sorry.
I keep telling myself that I have so many things to remember, it's only natural that some things will slip through the net. And of course we focus on the forgetting, rather than on the many rememberings (is that even a word?)
On a completely different note, I've worked out how to bathe two toddlers and get them to bed within 2 hours now (just). This is a bit of a cliffhanger, as I'll share tomorrow..... (oooooooh, get me!)
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Make-up Discovery and Race for Life!
I've discovered that I can look vaguely awake with the Clarins True Radiance Foundation and Concealer doing their thing for me! This is a big deal. I'm now wearing Foundation! I've never (and I do mean never) worn foundation before this year. I'd never worn tinted moisturizer before a year ago for goodness sake!
So I'm definately working on this Yummy Mummy thing.
Pilates again last night. Yep - in case you'd missed it, I've joined a Gym. I don't actually go to the Gym. This does make sense, honest! It's a 'classes only' membership. So I actually only ever go in the studio and do ridiculously difficult exercises that look, on appearance, really easy.
Must be working though. I ache 'everywhere' today!
I'm also signed up for the Race for Life in Nottingham on June 6th. I'm asking for sponsorship please! All pledges welcome. I can't pretend that I'll do anything other than walk it. But it's 5 km of walking for a good cause (on a Sunday), so hands in pockets please?
Thanks.
x
So I'm definately working on this Yummy Mummy thing.
Pilates again last night. Yep - in case you'd missed it, I've joined a Gym. I don't actually go to the Gym. This does make sense, honest! It's a 'classes only' membership. So I actually only ever go in the studio and do ridiculously difficult exercises that look, on appearance, really easy.
Must be working though. I ache 'everywhere' today!
I'm also signed up for the Race for Life in Nottingham on June 6th. I'm asking for sponsorship please! All pledges welcome. I can't pretend that I'll do anything other than walk it. But it's 5 km of walking for a good cause (on a Sunday), so hands in pockets please?
Thanks.
x
Friday, 26 March 2010
Dancing Mummy? Really? How to manage backstage at a child's dance show
This week our elder is performing in her first ever dance show. I am, of course, hugely emotional about this, being a dancer myself. Alright, alright, so I'm also deluded. Not having danced professionally for 15 years probably means that should be ex-dancer!
It was the dress rehearsal last night. 1 parent with up to 3 children each, to dress, put ribbons in their hair, keep them quiet whilst waiting their turn, take them to the toilet when required and not lose any of them! It was fun, but I wasn't prepared at all! Although I've been involved in this kind of thing many times in the past, I have obviously never done it as a parent! So here's some tips that I've very quickly had to pick up, for when you find yourself responsible for a batch of children in a similar situation!
Firstly; ensure to pack snacks.
Not just any snacks. Chocolate covered fingers near a pristine white tutu isn't a good idea! Dried fruit seems to work well (raisins being my choice). You do have to watch out for the resulting greasy fingers though - which again, don't go well with Lycra! Bread sticks are a good plan. Bananas (but hold them yourself and allow only one bite at a time!). Bite-size sausage rolls. Drinks are needed too, but not blackcurrant! That's one stain you don't want to have to deal with. Flavoured waters are the best bet, colourless that is!
Secondly; entertainment.
I totally forgot this at the dress rehearsal. And because the dress rehearsal also included official photographs, the waits were longer between dances. So I found myself telling the story of Aladdin to four 3 year olds, which quickly turned to a group of about 8 children, some of which were 6 or 7 years old. You need to be very clear about the details of the story you are telling if you've got a group that age. Every single tiny mistake is picked up! I kept them entertained alright, but it was hard work. For the actual show I'll be taking a story book and a portable DVD player! I'm pretty clear which one will be used, but the story book is mainly a back up in case we run out of battery power for the DVD player!
Thirdly: Costume organisation!
If ribbons are required in the hair, connect them to hair slides/grips before you even get there! Ensure ribbons for shoes are laced in before you get there. Take an old t-shirt. One of your own. To slip on top of their costume whilst they are sitting waiting and possibly eating. It pays to stop them wiping their fingers on their costumes even if you've been extra careful with snack choices.
If you've got more than 1 child to dress and undress, you need to keep their bags at least a metre away from each other, and ensure that the costumes get put directly in the correct bag as soon as they come off, even if it means telling the children not to get undressed themselves, and to wait their turn for you to help each one, one at a time. Similarly shoes can easily get mixed up, and ballet/tap shoes often wear down, so that you can't even tell what size each one is. If you take them off you know exactly where they've been put! And of course, it goes without saying that you need to put each child's costume in their hand directly, and not allow them to grab whichever one they see first. Otherwise you'll have some looking like they've squeezed into their costumes, and others looking swamped!
Fourthly, get your parent:child ratios right.
If they are 3 or 4 years old, don't have more than 2 children per adult, if there's only 2 adults. 3 adults can perhaps manage 8 children as a group. But after that, you end up needed to separate the groups again, so you're back to 1 to 2.
Finally; stock up on essentials.
I've no idea why, but you'll end up needing most of the following; safety pins, needle and thread, hair grips, hair spray (even if your child has really short hair!), baby wipes (of course), tissues, hair slides, hair brush, drinks for the adults, snacks for the adults, mobile phone, spare elastic for ballet shoes (same colour as tights/socks), spare ribbons, spare laces for tap shoes, spare socks (and underwear) for the children, socks for the mummy (I got cold toes as I took my shoes off to sit down with the girls!)
And I think that's it!
There you go. Tips on how to survive backstage at the dance show.
Now how to be yummy whilst you're doing it? Go straight from work like I did! My work outfit's probably my smartest, and I was at least still made-up!
It was the dress rehearsal last night. 1 parent with up to 3 children each, to dress, put ribbons in their hair, keep them quiet whilst waiting their turn, take them to the toilet when required and not lose any of them! It was fun, but I wasn't prepared at all! Although I've been involved in this kind of thing many times in the past, I have obviously never done it as a parent! So here's some tips that I've very quickly had to pick up, for when you find yourself responsible for a batch of children in a similar situation!
Firstly; ensure to pack snacks.
Not just any snacks. Chocolate covered fingers near a pristine white tutu isn't a good idea! Dried fruit seems to work well (raisins being my choice). You do have to watch out for the resulting greasy fingers though - which again, don't go well with Lycra! Bread sticks are a good plan. Bananas (but hold them yourself and allow only one bite at a time!). Bite-size sausage rolls. Drinks are needed too, but not blackcurrant! That's one stain you don't want to have to deal with. Flavoured waters are the best bet, colourless that is!
Secondly; entertainment.
I totally forgot this at the dress rehearsal. And because the dress rehearsal also included official photographs, the waits were longer between dances. So I found myself telling the story of Aladdin to four 3 year olds, which quickly turned to a group of about 8 children, some of which were 6 or 7 years old. You need to be very clear about the details of the story you are telling if you've got a group that age. Every single tiny mistake is picked up! I kept them entertained alright, but it was hard work. For the actual show I'll be taking a story book and a portable DVD player! I'm pretty clear which one will be used, but the story book is mainly a back up in case we run out of battery power for the DVD player!
Thirdly: Costume organisation!
If ribbons are required in the hair, connect them to hair slides/grips before you even get there! Ensure ribbons for shoes are laced in before you get there. Take an old t-shirt. One of your own. To slip on top of their costume whilst they are sitting waiting and possibly eating. It pays to stop them wiping their fingers on their costumes even if you've been extra careful with snack choices.
If you've got more than 1 child to dress and undress, you need to keep their bags at least a metre away from each other, and ensure that the costumes get put directly in the correct bag as soon as they come off, even if it means telling the children not to get undressed themselves, and to wait their turn for you to help each one, one at a time. Similarly shoes can easily get mixed up, and ballet/tap shoes often wear down, so that you can't even tell what size each one is. If you take them off you know exactly where they've been put! And of course, it goes without saying that you need to put each child's costume in their hand directly, and not allow them to grab whichever one they see first. Otherwise you'll have some looking like they've squeezed into their costumes, and others looking swamped!
Fourthly, get your parent:child ratios right.
If they are 3 or 4 years old, don't have more than 2 children per adult, if there's only 2 adults. 3 adults can perhaps manage 8 children as a group. But after that, you end up needed to separate the groups again, so you're back to 1 to 2.
Finally; stock up on essentials.
I've no idea why, but you'll end up needing most of the following; safety pins, needle and thread, hair grips, hair spray (even if your child has really short hair!), baby wipes (of course), tissues, hair slides, hair brush, drinks for the adults, snacks for the adults, mobile phone, spare elastic for ballet shoes (same colour as tights/socks), spare ribbons, spare laces for tap shoes, spare socks (and underwear) for the children, socks for the mummy (I got cold toes as I took my shoes off to sit down with the girls!)
And I think that's it!
There you go. Tips on how to survive backstage at the dance show.
Now how to be yummy whilst you're doing it? Go straight from work like I did! My work outfit's probably my smartest, and I was at least still made-up!
Saturday, 20 March 2010
5 minutes to go.....Life moves pretty fast
I always seem to be running late at the moment!
Working, looking after two toddlers and trying to get to Pilates at least one a week, is proving challenging. I have never known time fly by so fast. (That seems to be a running theme with me doesn't it!) Anyone my age will remember the classic film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Still a favourite of mine. I sadly know most of the script, I've seen it that often. One line always stikes a chord with me. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
So I'm trying to take moments to 'look around'. Though it's not helping me keep up to date with this blog I'm afraid! Sorry.
Report card for the first quarter of 2009-10: "Must try harder...."
Anyhow, enough of the rambling. I'm off to do some Saturday shopping (tap shoes!), so I'll be back with some more tips and thoughts on keeping up the yummy-mumminess soon.
Working, looking after two toddlers and trying to get to Pilates at least one a week, is proving challenging. I have never known time fly by so fast. (That seems to be a running theme with me doesn't it!) Anyone my age will remember the classic film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Still a favourite of mine. I sadly know most of the script, I've seen it that often. One line always stikes a chord with me. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
So I'm trying to take moments to 'look around'. Though it's not helping me keep up to date with this blog I'm afraid! Sorry.
Report card for the first quarter of 2009-10: "Must try harder...."
Anyhow, enough of the rambling. I'm off to do some Saturday shopping (tap shoes!), so I'll be back with some more tips and thoughts on keeping up the yummy-mumminess soon.
Friday, 19 February 2010
New Year, New Tips: How to get out of the house on time.
Wondering how to get out of the house on time in the morning with two children to get ready as well as yourself?
I've finally worked this one out. Unfortunately the biggest contributing factor to success is waking up at a sufficiently early hour. When the children having been waking up in the night, it's all to tempting to stay in bed until they wake up. Especially when their usual hour of waking is about 6am! I find that sleeping in with them when they choose to, results in a more rested mummy, but requires huge speed to catch up and get out of the door! So I guess it's your call.
In our house I have worked out that I need to have both children downstairs eating breakfast by 7am at the latest. Then it's upstairs to change and dress the youngest whilst the eldest plays; into the shower by 7.30am, out by 7.45am, dress eldest and myself by 7.50am, makeup by 7.55am and downstairs by 8am. If I hit the 8am target I can then dry my hair properly whilst they play for a while, check we have the bags ready, get shoes, coats, hats, scarfs and gloves on, and get them out of the door by 8.30am. By the time I've dropped them off at respective nurseries and driven to work it's 9.15/9.30am if I'm lucky.
For those of you without children this will sound like a ridiculously long time to be awake before arriving at work! Up at 6.30am. At work by 9.30am? That's 3 hours for goodness sake!
Yes; and you'll often spend 20 minutes repeatedly putting on stubborn child's coat because the second you turn your back they've taken it off. Which fool designed a coat with 'poppers' down the front? Probably a pal of the mummy who keeps dressing the child in said coat because it's pretty and goes in the washing machine easily!
Other tricks to reduce 'crazy' moments in the morning include:
I hope some of that helps!? And if you have any other helpful tips on the morning rush, let me know!
I've finally worked this one out. Unfortunately the biggest contributing factor to success is waking up at a sufficiently early hour. When the children having been waking up in the night, it's all to tempting to stay in bed until they wake up. Especially when their usual hour of waking is about 6am! I find that sleeping in with them when they choose to, results in a more rested mummy, but requires huge speed to catch up and get out of the door! So I guess it's your call.
In our house I have worked out that I need to have both children downstairs eating breakfast by 7am at the latest. Then it's upstairs to change and dress the youngest whilst the eldest plays; into the shower by 7.30am, out by 7.45am, dress eldest and myself by 7.50am, makeup by 7.55am and downstairs by 8am. If I hit the 8am target I can then dry my hair properly whilst they play for a while, check we have the bags ready, get shoes, coats, hats, scarfs and gloves on, and get them out of the door by 8.30am. By the time I've dropped them off at respective nurseries and driven to work it's 9.15/9.30am if I'm lucky.
For those of you without children this will sound like a ridiculously long time to be awake before arriving at work! Up at 6.30am. At work by 9.30am? That's 3 hours for goodness sake!
Yes; and you'll often spend 20 minutes repeatedly putting on stubborn child's coat because the second you turn your back they've taken it off. Which fool designed a coat with 'poppers' down the front? Probably a pal of the mummy who keeps dressing the child in said coat because it's pretty and goes in the washing machine easily!
Other tricks to reduce 'crazy' moments in the morning include:
- Laying out your makeup, contact lenses, perfume, and work outfit, the night before; ensuring to select shoes, lingerie and jewelry that work with the outfit as well. I've been caught out all too often, having selected a white shirt for work the night before, only to find in the morning that the required white bra is in the wash!
- Packing the children's bags with spare outfits, nappies, hats/scarfs/gloves, etc the night before and placing by the front door,
- Selecting the children's outfits the night before. (I fail on this one more often than not!)
I hope some of that helps!? And if you have any other helpful tips on the morning rush, let me know!
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