Out and About

Okay, we didn't fall off the face of the earth, but it certainly seemed that way at times.

Our family moves a lot. No problem with the law - as has been suggested by some 'former' friends :) No, just a change in careers with the associated training. Most recently, we've relocated into country NSW again. Very close to where we lived a few years ago, in fact. But since we've moved, we've hardly been home.

In the last two+ weeks, we've been in three towns and stayed in three different homes. The people who opened their homes to us have been absolutely lovely. Why do I say this? Well, they provided a marvelous welcome, great food, and wonderful company. But I'm not even talking about that. I'm talking about the 'above and beyond' kindness we've been shown.

The first week we stayed with friends in a nearby town. They have a lovely old home and three children similar ages to Thor and Princess. We managed to stay with them only one night before gastro (stomach flu for the Americans) hit both kids. And on the same day that they had other guests coming. Not only did Mrs. B do an incredible amount of laundry for us the following day,

watching 'duck' and 'baby' have a bath

but their other guests actually got reshuffled to another house (so as not to ruin their holiday). I haven't been game to see if the B's stayed healthy after we left or not.

Now, as usual, hubby managed to stay healthy, but by the end of our first week little Thor was sick with his next 'bug'. And Thor was not happy. In fact, Thor wasn't really that sick 'cause no kid who's really sick can scream for as loud and as long as he did Thursday night. Thank goodness for old houses, spare rooms, and thick walls. Our lovely hosts didn't grumble at all the next day - despite the fact that their baby had slept through the night and they were still woken - by ours.

So, feeling that our welcome must be about worn out, we packed our bags and headed east. Hopefully the calming influence of ocean breezes and the seashore would lull little Thor into peaceful sleep.

Now, off on a side tangent. For about the last 3 weeks, Thor has been demanding Princess' bed or mommy/daddy bed. He even slept in 'big' beds a few times when necessity demanded it. So, our next accomodation was a bit small and the kids needed to share a bed. It seemed an opportune time to teach our soon to be 2 year old guy about sleeping in a real bed.

So, Friday night, with a very tired Thor and potentially as tired mommy, we settled down to learn about sleeping in big beds. I replaced him several times, but he did get the message and fall asleep with little trouble. Until later in the night when he decided that his performance the prior night hadn't been sufficient to be heard at the coast and proceeded to do an encore performance.

Our hostess was lovely and gracious - if a bit more tired than normal the next day. I didn't have the guts to ask the neighbors.

Hiding from the neighbors

Now at this point we had another move and another week to go. We were leaving carnage everywhere we went. What would happen next. Well, we actually got a decent night's sleep. Had the rage monster been overcome?

Apparently not. Little Thor felt the need to break in the next hostess in much the same way as the first two. I was getting good at finding the most isolated parts of houses in the middle of the night. But it wasn't good enough this night for Thor to do it alone. He co-opted his big sister. And with fever well-established, Princess joined the fracus.

Innocent angels?

By the next point, Thor had passed his techniques on to Princess and decided it was time for a well-deserved rest. He cuddled in (with some enforcement of the 'stay in bed' rule) and even the wails and protests of our sick Princess couldn't wake him from his slumber.

They certainly don't look sick, do they?

Poor Princess and even poorer Mrs. G. Princess was sick the entire week and Mrs. G heard about it every night. Fortunately once I had a sufficient supply of drugs on hand (no, not for me!) things did improve somewhat.

So here we are at 'home' again. For two days, that is. Then off again to see the grandparents. Children are finally both well. Five loads of laundry successfully done and only about three to go. Suitcases partially unpacked but not yet repacked. And a huge 'to do' list sitting in front of me.

So without further ado, I bid you adieu.