Why I can't be a Mac

As I sit and empty units ready to move things out (via ebay) it seems to multiply exponentially on its way in. The big squirrel is a bit (!) like Steptoe - a collector, a horder, an opportunist that spots a bargain or a way to make cash. Don't take this the wrong way, it is actually a good trait, but not while I am trying to declutter!!! He cleaned out a job where a whole lot of IT stuff was moved out. There were PC's, laptops, accessories etc on their way to the tip, just a few of them made their way into our home!! I am certainly no expert and some of them will be handed on, but others I may be able to crack. Look, it is a good opportunity, but seems like another project pushing in where I wanted to get onto my things this now is another mess that needs to be cleaned up. Humph!

To infinity and beyond!

Still on my experience crusade this holidays, we packed up the car and took the kids off to the drive in at Coburg to see Toy Story 3. On a Tuesday night it only cost us all $21 to see the film which is far more reasonable, although we were in our car with the radio on. We were late (I know you're shocked) but there was also a massive queue to get in so we did miss the start. The kids liked it but they probably enjoyed the car more than the movie. We backed the station wagon in, put the back seat down and filled it with blankets and cushions which was nice and cosy. The best bit is with winter, the movie actually started at 6:50 - hence why we were late.
I am personally not a fan of the Toy Story movies, mainly because they seem to me to be about selling merchandise - more so than other similar shows. The characters are all toys - therefore you can easily replicate the movie at home. I had only seen the first one - at an old cinema in Gladstone Qld which seems like a million years ago - but the kids hadn't seen any of the previous movies. This situation I have since rectified and Benji in particular is loving being Buzz. This is his costume - orange stickers on his arms, an Ikea alien hat and his swimming backpack. There are skull gumboots that go with the ensemble but I don't have them pictured. At least he is using his imagination!!!

Transport

I have had the best day ever! I set myself a bit of a mission and it was truly lovely. I have been talking to the kids a bit about transport, and today we did it. I drove up to the station and caught the tram into the city. We played at Fed Square all afternoon, looking at the gallery, the gallery shop (one of my favourite places), the kids gallery which was about light play and reflections, had some lunch at a cafe which served the biggest fairy bread I have ever seen. Then we saw a FREE play by Poygot theatre which was based on Jack and the Beanstalk and used pupperty brilliantly. We could have made our own sock puppet, but that would have been pushing the friendship. We caught the train home. back into the car and they are all riding bikes in the back yard.

This was the first time the twins have been on public transport. I have always deemed it too hard - even the car has often been too much with all three on my own, but I am so proud of how they all managaged. Each had a backpack with their snacks and drinkbottle. There was no whinging or fighting, and we all looked after each other. I suppose it was how you imagine having kids to be - when the reality is SOOOOO not that. To top it all off the whole day cost significantly less than $50. If I had got up earlier, we could have had sandwiches and then it was only the cost of the tickets. Melbourne is so ace - all this free stuff just there waiting for you.

Turn a corner

I am feeling better now after tackling the lurgy and have to make the second week of the holidays a bit more memorable than the first and I also don't want to spend much money. It was decided this morning by group consensus that we would go to the pool.
I have not done this before- the twins had an aversion to swimming and the idea of three of them overwhelmed me. No longer. I tackled my fear head on and we did it. No one drowned - or even came close to it for that matter. We had great fun in the play area and also in the hydro pool. Makes me think we could actually do a whole lot of things that I have been putting off because they were too hard. Game on.

I want to be......

Yes an apple. I had the joy of getting a Mac and how fabulous is that!! The computer is self is wonderfully easy especially compared to the PC I have only rececntly set up. The apple does everything for you, but I dont want to be a computer - we have computers for that. I want to be the box.
I know that sounds weird, but the Mac is packaged so beautifully that I want my life to be like tha. It is white with simple clear labeling in a soft grey. Minimallistic but not sterile and only the essentials. No extra bits - everything is essential, bare necessities, but each has its own special place. Even the instructions were in a little boxed compartment.
Anyone who knows me knows that this is not my natural state. I enjoy order, clean and tidy, and while I don't have a problem getting there - staying there is a major issue! So for now I will take baby steps and continue to learn from my lovely new computer - how to have all the grovy things you want and need wrapped up in a neat little parcel and try anyway I can to emulate it.

Friday Night - Movie Night

I have made a big bowl of popcorn and set the kids and the big squirrel up in front of the TV to watch Spy Kids tonight so I can blog! One week of the holidays down, and another to go. Just to make it harder on myself we have given the dummies to the fairies. The first day they didnt really notice, however today there have been a lot of tears. I must perservere!

Another craft today for Alexander. He did get out and play some indoor soccer with mates today but this afternoon more rain so we tried to make this desk caddy. I cannot believe the pitiful amount of glue they give you and expect the thing to stick together. Seriously. We had to get out the hammer and nails to get this little beauty to completion.

Speaking of little beauties, look who has been into the popcorn!

Decorate

We were off visiting today and when its cold and wet everyone can get a bit of cabin fever. I tucked these wooden bracelets in my bag with some wool - just in case and they were the perfect solution. Alexander and Miss E concentrated and did a great job simply winding the wool around. It wasn't too complicated and the results were instant which is always a good attraction. I had to do one too, although I may add some more............Oh and the best bit the bracelets were only 50 cents each!