When tummy's are grumbling feed them -

I am regularly asked as I do my weekly shopping how many children I have. Sometimes people also ask if I am "stocking up".
My weekly shop usually makes the trolley groan as I whiz in and out of aisles. Sometimes I think I need two trolleys, but with only two hands that isn't very practical.


Not only do we buy an assortment of crap toilet paper,soap,washing powder etc, there is always loads of food.
I buy alot of fresh produce. Fruit doesn't last long around these parts so I must buy loads!
I only buy milk in 3 litre lots or we run out quick smart. And bread is always in bulk.


I limit my children snacks to healthy foods or healthy alternatives.
The after school rush is very busy. We arrive home after a hectic nice leisurely walk and the first question out of the kids mouth is "whats for afternoon tea??".

Two weeks ago I was sent a large box by a company you all know as Sirena. 
After arguing with Cgirl that the present that came to the door was marked for me and not her, we opened it up and inside found packs of yummy goodness.

Their new snack packs are called Tonno E Riso.
These scrumptious little containers were delicious.
Basically it is a mix of tuna, veggies and rice...which come in 4 different flavours.
Rustic Bean
Italian salad
Puttenesca and
Spicy tomato

Now most of my kids aren't fans of seafood. Usually Tman and I split whatever tuna is about while the other kids turn their nose up.
But this taste testing went very differently.

Cgirls remarks were - Please can I have some more mummy, It's so yummy and I promise to eat my dinner.
Hboy's remarks were - mmmm Hyummy Mummy
Jboy's remarks were - Tuna? ewwww and then after trying them - Yummy mum are you sure its tuna?
Tmans remarks were - *slurppp* *smile*

So overall we had a winner. I thought they were pretty tasty and even hid a few for later snack-age.

I found the packs great for the kids to take for lunch.

They don't have any nasty artificial additives or preservatives.

They are also gluten free!

You can serve them cold or hot and they are quick and easy.

They taste delicious.

They are very well priced.

They can be used in a salad,sushi,with pasta, on sandwiches and in wraps.

Some facts on Sirena - 

Did you know that Sirena means mermaid in Italian?

Sirena have been supplying Australians with quality canned tuna for over 55 years. The creator Carlos Valmorbida immigrated from his homeland in 1946 and decided to introduce a new type of tuna with an Italian twist.

Final consensus in the O household says - Yum yum. these tasty little morsels will definitely become a regular snack in our house.

School days

Now that my big boys are back at school I am feeling at ease with our complete routines. I love routine and with so many kids it is needed to maintain some sense of order within our home.

I am feeling really proud and gooey right now. You see last year my boys hated school. Mornings were a constant battle to raise them from their graves, getting them dressed, and fed and at school ON TIME.
They whinged and complained and just hated it.

They must have had a little turn around over the holidays. We are into week 2 and they haven't complained once. They rise and put on their uniforms, assist with lunches and off they go 15 minutes early!

Homework used to be a huge battle. If they even remembered to bring it home or not feed it to the dog (literally) then they would whinge and carry on like pork chops about doing it. They despised reading their sight words and books. It made me quite down, I believe education is our future. I want my children to strive and be the best they can be.

This year in week 2 I am so shocked at the amazing change. They get home with limited arguing. After school punch ups are a thing of the past and homework is their first priority.
Tman is a left handed boy and has had a bit of trouble with his handwriting. As he hasn't received homework just yet I have been doing my own in order for him to practice correcting his flaws. Spacing and neatness have been an issue but we are working on it and I really am optimistic. He has a new found enthusiasm when it comes to learning. I am a proud mummy.

The boys haven't ruined one lunch box, school bag or pair of shoes so far and I am hoping that continues. They haven't forgotten their drink bottles at all either!!

Around the dinner table this week we discussed what the boys get up to in their lunch hours. They told us they play together at the library. I had flashbacks to my primary school days - Kids with no friends hung out in the library. After a slight panic attack I asked them why they didn't get out and play. Jman loves his Lego which I found out the library is filled with. Tman was worried about him and decided to "look after" him for a few days as he was limited to what he could do in prep. Tman introduced Jman to all his buddies and for the past 2 days Jman and a few of his year one mates have been joining Tman and his year 2 mates in games of "secret spies".

"Secret spies" when explained to me is about a group of year 2 boys spying on year 2 girls to make sure the girls aren't getting any romantic ideas about the boys. Cute right?

I feel much more relieved knowing Jman has settled into year one with guidance from his big brother. As much as they are like chalk and cheese sometimes they always look out for one another.

As the boys have the same teachers as last year I am also relieved to be able to trust the teachers curriculum. To know my boys are getting the very best when it comes to their grade keeps me smiling.

I am so glad they have finally settled in well and am really looking forward to what this school year brings.

How have your kids settled in back to school? Does anyone have any tips on help with left handed children when it comes to handwriting?

Spoilt like mad

Lisa it's your birthday...Happy Birthday Lisaaa.

The Simpsons.

I always replaced Lisa with Debbie, but I hum it every birthday.

I turned 26 yesterday, The Daddy Man said i am still in my mid twenties. I don't know whether to believe him, when does mid become late??

That's kind of scary as it looms ahead. You know I still feel 18, young and fresh, waiting for where the world determines I fit.

I do feel less naive though, I have learnt much these past 12 years. I cannot drink a bottle of vodka anymore without vomiting!

It's interesting, I am a woman now, not even on that cusp of girldom and womanhood. Just a straight up woman! Age is my future, youth my past. But I still don't have any wrinkles....for now.

I was looking up stuff that happened the day I was born around the world.

Nothing exciting seemed to happen, no caught serial killers or miss universe debacles.

But I share my day with a few coolio people

One of my fave comedians and i share our birthday!

Benjamin Franklin

She is pretty swell, and we share the same name! (my middle name)

My day consisted of - 

11:45am: I was woken up after a glorious sleep in, to bacon and eggs.

12:30pm: After finishing the breakfast of all breakkie's, the kids jumped in bed and proceeded to massage my feet and shoulders. I checked my facebook and discovered over 100 Birthday messages.

12:45pm-3pm: I played Just dance kids on wii with my boys, ate a scrumptious lunch and spoke to my dad on the phone.

3pm: The Daddy Man disappeared for a few hours and left me home with the kidlets, the kids tidied the lounge room without being asked and put the dishes away

4pm: The kids had still barely been naughty and sat quietly watching a movie.

5:30pm: The Daddy Man came home bearing gifts! A foot beauty set, a large bottle of electric pink vodka, a zombie wii game (which rocks mind you) and wii guns!

6:30pm: My surprise favourite meal arrived...CHINESE. 

For 17 weeks I haven't had one dose of Chinese because of my eating plans, this was a wonderful surprise.

7:00pm: The Daddy Man brought out a gorgeous surprise mud cake that we all devoured.

7:30pm: The kids went to bed and The Daddy Man and I cracked open my new bottle of vodka, enjoyed drinks and watched a movie.

It was a lovely birthday and I am so happy I have a wonderful family to share it with.

Through the course of the whole day I didn't lift a finger. No housework, no cleaning, no cooking. AMAZING!!

I woke up this morning in a food coma with the post birthday blues. I had dishes and washing to do. But the kids have carried their great behaviour over and I feel on top of the world!

xx Spoilt Mummy

Dear 2011, we are no longer friends!

On tuesday I blogged this post - Worst week ever
I hoped my week would get better towards christmas. I mean it's not like it could get any worse right??
Apparently it could.


None of my children have required stitches or broken limbs. They have never bumped their heads or touched something hot. I always counted my lucky stars for having such healthy and unaccident prone as possible children.
But it was not to last.

My darling 3 yr old son Hboy had a nasty accident today, jumping off a table.
He scared me to death and required loads of stitches but he is okay.
We spent 8 hours at the Mater childrens hospital in brisbane.
 We Had amazing doctors, nurses and one fantastic plastic surgeon.
After a small surgical procedure Hboy came home doing well.
I cant stress enough how wonderful this medical team were.
I am really a bag full of emotions at the moment. 


The accident occored while I was rinsing my daughters hair in the shower.
My poor baby boy got hurt and I kept it together.
I do have the mummy guilts though...only a split second..

Over this christmas please don't take your eyes off your little ones.
 Injuries can be seriously scary.
I am thanking santa for this christmas luck.

Christmas is cancelled!!!!

School holidays have set in... ICK


It's not that I don't like my kids, they are the bee's knee's when they are behaving. I just get sick of the "mum, she hit me" or "mum he wiped boogers on me". 


 I.DON'T.CARE.


I have a permanent headache, I am sick of grinding my teeth and as if the house wasn't a pigsty enough. The kids are in full swing holiday mode!

Today we wanted the kids to clean their bedrooms. Their rooms resembled WW3. 
The rest of the house was super tidy but I neeeeded their rooms to match. Ensue shit stink.

piggysty!!

(Hum the 12 days of Christmas whilst reading)


12 rounds of whining
11 sounds of farting
10 pieces of Lego
9 dolls on floors
8 pieces of clothing
7 cups and plates
6 broken toys
5 schooool bagss
4 kids being brats
3 pieces of bread
2 flash lights
and a pissed off mummy yellingggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

Realistically there was a lot more on their floors but it's Christmas!!


Well....It was Christmas


We put our Christmas tree away today. We gave lectures about Santa not coming to pigsty's or he'd break his legs tripping.We told them if things didn't change, that all their pressies that they have scoped out in the Christmas cupboard are going to other children, who will deserve them.
I have never before seen so many little legs, move so quickly..

So anyway the demons eventually cleaned up their hovels with only a dash of help and I decided we would watch my favourite Christmas movie. 

Elf

I swear it doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie I always end up laughing hysterically and crying. It is such an awesome movie. I think I will still watch it when I am 80!!


Do you have a favourite Christmas movie??

This morning I saw this and had a chuckle

So very true!!

And while i am thinking about kids and saving a buck, I have some very exciting news. 

Cassy at Sealed with a Kiss has been adding new items to her amazing range. Sealed with a kiss creates simply gorgeous pieces. 

Special touches to help make your wedding day magical, One of a kind baby wear and manchester, Stunning children's play tents and a wide range of bedroom decor. Her store is extremely well priced especially for the fantastic quality of product.

Beautifully made kids tent

Gorgeous wall stickers

Hand crafted wedding pillows

Lovely children's wear

Get in now and place your order..I can't wait to place mine!!

Be sure to visit Cassy's store on face book - Sealed with a kiss