Last day of 2005

And we are covered in snow! The snow kept coming yesterday so there is even more than a couple of days ago. It's pretty but I'm not a big fan due to how cold it is and because I am a scaredy cat - always worried that I'm going to go arse up any minute.

Poor Michael was up super early this morning for his 6am start. So I dealt with Charlotte over night. She woke sometime past 12.30am and when she wouldn't lie down and be quiet I put her in the spare room for a little bit. Seems to work (but not in a nice way). She called out a few more times during the night but every time I went in she was asleep. She woke at 6.45am and I bought her into bed with me, then she got up and played. Lily got up as well to watch tv and I stayed in bed till just before 8.30am.

I have an order pick up for 2 doz Apricot and Coconut Balls this afternoon, and Michele and the boys are coming round this morning to drop off Charlotte's b'day present (and I have something for Adam). Otherwise I want to think about something nice for dinner tonight. I have already bought prawns (Lily loves them and missed out when we had them when Christine and David were here as she was in bed when we were eating them) and I might do a golden syrup pudding for dessert. But what for the main course?

I also want to do a 2005 - Year in Review post here before the day is out!

Born comedian

This kid just cracks me up. Yesterday, Lily had paused the Dora the Explorer dvd so on the tv was a still picture of Dora with her eyes a bit funny. Charlotte was sitting on my knee, pointing round the corner saying 'Dora, eyes'. Then she gets up and does an impersonation of Dora's eyes...sort of half shut and looking down over her eyelashes. The more I laughed (and I was laughing hard) the more excited Charlotte became and the more she did it. But then, she just has to roll her eyes sidewards and she has us all laughing.

Last day of school

It was Lily's last day of school on Friday 23rd December till they return on January 9th. MK took these two pictures out the front of school, where we wait to collect Lily at 11.25am every morning except Wednesdays.

Snow

It started snowing on Tuesday (day after Boxing Day) and continues to snow off and on. Michael, David and the three girls walked down to Pully Port yesterday morning to feed the ducks (Christine and I were in Lausanne shopping).

Xmas Day pics

Lily after she came in from her walk before lunch, Charlotte on Lily's new Barbie scooter, our Pully
Christmas walk late in the afternoon and my new hat (Jen) and scarf (Christine).

Christmas Day and all the rest

A complete success...everyone had fun, it was all good! We really enjoyed having Christine, David and baby Sophie here. They are such easy, good company. The one year old and the two year old weren't brilliant sleepers* but we all muddled through, each knowing what the other was going through.

Christmas Day was perfect. The girls opened their Santa gifts - a Barbie scooter and make-up for Lily and an open out doll house for Charlotte. Plus they both got a red and white striped candy cane. We had pannetone for breakfast (that Mum had bought for us when she was here), my parents and MK's parents rang and then we opened presents. We had prepared lots of the vegies the night before so in the morning I put the turkey in the oven early. Once it had cooked the vegies and pork went in.

Present opening was fun as usual...the girls received lots of fun stuff but there were a couple of highlights - the Barbie scooter and make up and the little radio that I'd picked up. But over the last couple of days more presents have been looked at closer and become favourites. I had picked out my own gift from MK (AWW The Complete Book of Modern Classics) which I was happy with. Plus I received the first series of Desperate Housewives on dvd and earrings (Mum and Dad), a notebook with pen, scarf, card holder, pannetone (Christine and David), apron, green knitted hat, chocolate cooking supplies, 2 cake tins (one silicone, one with a glass bottom) and more from Jen and Brad...

Christine and David took the three girls outside for a bit of a walk and when they came back we were ready to go with lunch...roast turkey, roast pork, roast vegies (root vegies), peas and Kumara Crumble (sweet and addictive). Much later we had plum pudding with brandy butter (courtesy of C&D), Gruyere double creme and icecream. Over the course of their time here we had smoked salmon, cheeses, ham, mince pies (Christine bought 3 packets with her) and lots of left overs (the turkey was huge, we had more than enough pork and we prepared too many vegies for that one day).

It's been a lazy few days...our visitors took a trip on the train to Vevey on Tuesday afternoon, we had fondue for dinner on Tuesday night (typical night before you leave dinner), Christine and I went shopping in Lausanne yesterday (Wed) morning, then they left 3pm yesterday afternoon. MK is on afternoon shift this week, but was able to come home early (just after 8pm) on Tuesday night for the flamin' fondue.

The sales have started and yesterday Promod was the place Christine and I both struck it lucky. I bought a long, black winter jacket (reduced from 99CHF to 49), a green jumper and a black skirt (Christine bought one as well). Everything on sale. I really like that shop, and even more so at sale time.

And speaking of clothes, the ones I bought in the US in September are now too tight for me. That's two months of not good eating and little to no exercise. Bad look.

I took my last antibiotic on Xmas Eve and am feeling well again. The cough lingers but it's not as bad as it was and doesn't hurt like it did by any stretch. And I really don't cough that much, thankfully.

Next stop...New Year's Eve. We'll probably sit this one out as MK is working 6am-6pm both Saturday and Sunday.

*and still it continues...Charlotte woke at 5.15am this morning. I dealt with her by trying to keep her in bed, but by 6am she was in our bed and by 7am MK was up with her.

TV and the girls

Lily was a square eyes from when she was a little baby. Her eyes would follow the tv while we were feeding her. I thought this was normal. Then came Charlotte who couldn't have been less interested in the tv. While Lily sits there (and would sit there happily for hours) Charlotte is off playing or doing something.

But just recently it's started to change...my round eyes is turning into a square eyes. Hooray!!!!* I think the conversion happened with a Baby Einstein dvd (not something thats played often, but Lily must have asked for it). Since then C has asked for 'turtle' (which I think is the BE dvd she first saw) and Wiggles. And it's very cute as both girls sit on the green recliner chair together and watch.

*I know I'm not supposed to be happy but honestly, I'd rather a kid who watches tv to one who doesn't. Maybe I'll live to regret this, but for now it works.

Edited to add: It is now 5pm and I just went to check on the girls - Charlotte is asleep on the green chair next to Lily! We didn't put her down for a nap today in hopes she'll sleep better tonight (she was up around 11pm, then again at 5am) so it's no surprise. And Lily is still glued to the tv...no surprise there either.

What Lily wants from Santa

1. scooter
2. make-up
3. toy

When I asked Charlotte the other day at the garderie xmas party what she wanted she said 'balloon'. Might have been because she was watching them blow up the balloons.

Xmas Eve

MK is on his way to the airport to pick up Christine, David and baby Sophie, the girls are watching a Wiggles video (Top of the Tots) and this is the first time I've sat down today. Not complaining (well, I was earlier) as I have got a lot done. And I had less to do today as I've been able to do lots over the past two days. Tarita came yesterday (from 3.45pm till 7.30pm) so I was able to go into town and get MK's present (and while I was in Payot - the bookstore - I bought my present from him as well). Then later, before Tarita left, I went to Migros and did a big shop.

So today Lily and I went to Coop and picked up the pre-ordered turkey and pork with crackle (the pork didn't look the same as when I ordered it, so hopefully it will be just as good...he did roll it for me which was how I saw the first one) and a Buche de Noel for dessert. We also went into Migros for some last minute stuff (more vegies, some foie gras, prawns that sort of thing). I've made a Lentil Soup for tonight and a Sweet Potato (Kumara) Crumble (from the current delicious. magazine) as a side dish tomorrow (although it's a typical yank side - very sweet).

I think we're set.

What do you want for Xmas?

I am hopeless answering this question...I never know what I want. But MK asks every year so you think I could be a bit more prepared. So here, once again in no particular order, is what I'd like for Xmas:

1. regular, uninterrupted nights' sleep
2. go away for a week with MK
3. good quality, inexpensive manicures and pedicures
4. house with a backyard
5. Lily to be able to speak and understand French
6. good health for all members of this family
7. comfortable bed
8. world peace
9. job certainty and security
10. good food, good friends, lots of laughs on Xmas Day

Doesn't help

It was not a good night...I was up every hour from about 12.30am either going to the toilet (I take the antiobiotics too late at night, as well as the big glass of water to go with it) or checking on Charlotte as she was unsettled. And then she was up at 4.37am. And I was dealing with her till we both fell asleep at 5.50am. Last thing I need right now...

Lovin' two

I was chatting to a woman the other day (can't even remember who) and her two kids were three and five years old. When I told her mine were two and four years old she said 'oh I love two!' (meaning two year olds). And I gushed right back at her in agreement.

Right now is a good example - Charlotte is jumping round the room with her teddy saying 'look' (then lies on the ground with her bear saying 'mermaid'), jumping up and down with her arms outstretched, with teddy on her head saying 'hello', asking me to kiss teddy, giving teddy to me saying 'knee knee', turning round and round and round saying 'ballet, ballet, ballet. All the time laughing and with such joy of life. It's really contagious.

And the quirkines...she loves porridge and will often ask for it as a snack or after dinner ('porry'), she wanted her Barbie plate yesterday saying 'kiss' and 'cuddle' (and yes, she kissed and cuddled it...well as much as you can a plastic plate), her manners are impeccable...she will say 'thankyou Mummy' more times than not at the right time, she is obsessed with money and loves playing with it and purses/wallets.

Her communication is good...if I exclaim because somthing just happened, she'll ask 'happened?', if I give her a series of consequences (ie first I have to do this and then I'll put your shoes on) she'll say 'ok' and 9 times out of 10 she will be ok, she is keen to engage in a conversation by stringing together a series of sometimes random words while looking at you earnestly (ie 'dog, ca-ca, eat it' which always gets a response!), she has already started asking 'why'...not often but it is funny to hear, sometimes you have to know her language for example 'like it' usually means she doesn't like it (soemtimes said during dinner), other times she'll say 'mmmmmmm' in the most expressive way that you are glad she is so enjoying what she is eating.

She is so affectionate, no having to teach this kid how to hug...if we pick her up at the moment she puts her arms round your neck and gives you a squeeze, her favourite words are 'cuddle', 'squeeze'and 'kiss'.

She loves playing with Lily and follows Lily's directions re what they are playing, like this morning when Lily was riding her horse (the stick one) and Lily gave C a 'ticket' to use for a ride. When she told C to get on, it wasn't really possible for C to hang onto to the end of the stick as Lily was running round the apartment so C ran after her and they continued this for ages, doing laps around the kitchen, dining area and lounge room.

So smart - she can recognise and name a triangle and pretends to count 1, 2, 3. Every colour seems to be blue or black but she is repeating other colours. And her favourite game at the moment is puzzles...she will follow you round holding her puzzle saying 'puzzle, puzzle, puzzle' over and over wanting you to do the puzzle with her.

Putting the moan into pneumonia

I am not coughing as much, thank god, but I did wake up just before 4.30am with a violent attack which was very painful. MK bought me water and cough syrup which helped. I'm tired and would like to just lie down but I couldn't find a babysitter to help me this afternoon (the one I used on Monday is working the rest of the week and the other two I tried are not available all week either).

I am so behind on xmas...I have sent no cards, bought no presents for my immediate family and Santa hasn't bought *his* presents either. Yesterday was the last day of garderie for Charlotte so it makes everything a bit more difficult. Friday is Lily's last day at school.

Yesterday was good though...the girls came home for lunch, then MK took them back to garderie around 1pm. Yasmine dropped them home at 5pm. I could get very used to that sort of schedule.

It's been really tough on MK - the last 3 mornings Charlotte has woken at 5.20am on the dot. So he's been up early every morning. Plus he tells me this morning he didn't really get back to sleep after my coughing fit. And during the night Charlotte has been restless as well...more work for MK.

But he's not moaning.

I surrender

I think I slept alright, but when I got up this morning (briefly to help MK get the girls ready and out the door) I felt very sick all of a sudden and had to go back to bed. Where I stayed. I rang Yasmine at garderie and she isn't open this afternoon, but can take both girls tomorrow afternoon. And for today she suggested Ludovin (sp?) the young woman who works at garderie. I agreed...with MK on afternoon shift this week I just don't have the strength or feel well enough to look after the girls by myself. So we said 3pm to maybe 7.30pm, when the girls go to bed.

She has just arrived...I know she doesn't speak any English, but I can hear Lily speaking some language with her!

Pneumonia

After the order pick up this morning I thought about going to the Vidy Medical Centre. Could really only get my head around it once work was out the way. Plus going today as a walk in was easier than making an appt with my dr sometime this week. So, once lunch was done and Charlotte was down for her nap (she woke early this morning - poor MK - so it was not surprising she slept) I took myself off.

They took my temp and blood pressure (both fine), then the dr listened to my lungs (afterwards he said they sounded clear). And then I had a chest x-ray (it's very good there - I had the x-ray straight away). When the dr came back, we looked at the x-ray together, 'interesting' he said and then told me I had pneumonia. Great. So I have been given a week's course of antibiotics (Avalox), cough syrup (Codipront Sirop) to take three times a day, more Dafalgan and my x-ray to take home.

Voila.

This cough...

...is going to kill me. Every time I cough I have pain in my tummy. And the cough caused the pain in the first place. When I cough I'm using muscles that just don't get used, and now I have some sort of muscle strain.

I'm a mess.

Bad baking vibes

Today's pick-up (she's just left) was for 2 Family Chocolate Cakes, Little Pear and Cinnamon Cakes and Creamy Caramel Slice. I started the cakes yesterday and the first just wasn't right (stuck to the pan and was flat). The second was also dodgy - flat and weird looking. Thankfully no. 3 and 4 were right, but it meant I was up till 1am last night. And each cake uses mega ingredients - 3 cups sugar, 250g butter, 4 eggs, 3 cups SR flour (which is the killer as I get my SR Flour from Jim's British Market and it costs a lot, let alone the 1 hour trip there and back). And then the slice...I've been having trouble with the chocolate top (discolours overnight and cracks when I cut it). So I not only gave her a block of chocolate to drizzle over it later to pretty it up, I also didn't charge her for it.

There are three reasons I do Now Baking
*for the love of it
*for the experience
*for the money

With this order, I can only chalk it up to experience.

I'm so lucky

Charlotte woke just after 7am asking for 'ereal'. Lily got up not long after and started watching tv (the best thing we did when she was little was teach her how to turn the telly on when she got up in the morning). After getting C sorted I went back to bed, and didn't get up till 9am. Charlotte came in a couple of times, for minor things (take her baby out of the pram, pull some stickers off the sheet) but otherwise she played happily and quietly. And Lily watched the tv. I don't think I really fell asleep, but at least I was horizontal.

And since I've been up they've been playing princesses, Sleeping Beauty, dress ups and god knows what else. Lily has been singing a lot ('She'll be coming round the mountain' was the cutest). But the best of all, they've been playing together...happily on the whole. Entertaining each other.

I know it won't last...someone will get hurt/the hump/hungry/tired and it'll change but for these last few hours they have been The Best.

Well, she needs the sleep obviously

Michael has just come home (he went out with the girls to pay bills) carrying Charlotte in his arms...asleep! All very well and good, Charlotte, but not at 4.30pm.

He and Lily also bought me home a big bunch of roses...ahhhhhhhh.

Afternoon naps

Since Charlotte became sick just over a week ago she has only had 2 afternoon sleeps. Normally she would go down at 1pm, and get up between 2.30 and 3pm. What's going on here? Don't tell me she's dropping her only daytime sleep.

Lily is the Sleeping Queen...she dropped her morning sleep sometime around 18 months and then stopped her afternoon sleep around 3 1/2 years (memory is vague and fading). Charlotte stopped her morning sleep around 13 months (one year and one month). Please don't say she's going to stop the afternoon sleep at 2 years and 1 month.

At the moment I put her down at 1pm and she cries and says 'up, up, up, up, up' till I come in and take her out. The one thing it does guarantee is a straight through night time sleep (never much of an issue for Lily, even when she was napping).

That afternoon sleep just gives me some breathing space...well, more like resting time if I don't have anything else to do. Lily understands the concept of Quiet Time (on the whole) and will entertain herself (when she isn't bugging me asking what can she do now). I've noticed Charlotte can be fairly quiet and play for a bit, but it's not the same as 1.5 hours of Charlotte Silence.

We'll see how the next week or so pans out...

Finding it hard...

...to get out of bed in the morning. After spending the night coughing like I'm bringing up a lung and sweating enough to soak the sheets, the last thing I feel like doing in the morning is getting up, getting all three of us dressed, give the girls breakfast, brush teeth and hair, pack bags, put shoes, jackets, scarves, hats and mittens on, making sure we have everything, putting Charlotte in the pram and walking to school and then garderie. Nope, would rather stay in bed.

Aussie Jen bought me a Dark Fruit Cake back from London recently and I made it into Mini Xmas Puddings. A woman emailed me a while ago asking if I was making them this year (she'd seen them at David's last year) so I'd been looking for ways to get me some Dark Fruit Cake (not possible here). I managed to make 58 and she has just come to pick them up. There is another fruit cake on it's way from London (via the post) and David asked MK if I was making them this year, so I'll contact him and see if he wants them.

There was a girl's night out last night (at Lyrique) but I passed...such a shame. I enjoy the girl's nights out (and this one had some people I hadn't seen in a while). Oh well, when ya sick ya sick. MK had already swapped with a guy at work (to go in later to nightshift) so he stayed here with me and we watched Taxi Driver with Robert deNiro. Neither of us had seen it...found out that when he says 'You lookin' at me?' he is actually in his apartment talking to himself (preparing himself to be a vigilante I think) not in his taxi. It also had Jodie Foster, Harvy Keitel and Cybill Shepherd. Fairly violent (esp at the end) and full on, but at least we've seen it now.

Extra time

I'm always reluctant to take advantage of Yasmine's generousity at garderie, but today I asked if the girls can stay for lunch. The answer was yes (Yasmine wasn't there but Anya rang her) so Anya will pick Lily up from garderie* and then I'll pick them both up at 1pm, instead of noon. It's amazing the difference an hour makes. I've taken some Dafalgan and now it's time to work - make the cookies and finish off the Balls.

*Lily told Yasmine on Monday that she wanted Mummy to pick her up, which surprised me. Like Yasmine said, maybe it was more of a novelty in the beginning. Anyway I picked her up on Tuesday and today is the last day Yasmine can do it before school breaks up for the holidays.

Like a tonne of bricks

Good news - no sign of gastro
Bad news - I feel like sh*t still...ache all over, the gross cough, spacey and off.

So I'm doing the unprecedented and going to bed. At 10pm. I must be sick.

We went to Nocturne de Pully tonight (yeah, probably not the best move but I love it) so more later on that.

Sick leave

I would put in an application for Sick Leave today but I know it would be denied. On the grounds there is no one else availble to do my job.

Nothing came of Lily's sore tummy thank god (except a big ca-ca after dinner). The stuff coming out of her nose is very gross though. And this morning she slept in till 8.30am. So she is definitely not 100%. I still feel revolting but the good news there has been no change in my symptoms. The bad news is there has been no change in my symptoms.

I am up to date with my orders - around noon there is a pick up for a Rocky Road Xmas Tree and one doz Ginger Spice Cookies. Between 1 and 3pm there is a pick up for a Mud Cake with Satin Chocolate Glaze and Cranberry and Maple Scones (my first order for those). Tomorrow I have 2 doz Apricot and Coconut Balls and a dozen each of Fudge Brownie Cookies and White Chocolate and Macadamia Cookies. The woman has asked me to do them on plates with cellophane and ribbon as they are gifts for her kids' teachers.

Not that, please not that

A friend rang me this afternoon and I was telling her how I was feeling. And she said there is a tummy thing going round, virus, you know gastro. God I hate that so much I don't even want to say the word. And this conversation happened about half an hour after Lily complaining, non stop, of having a sore tummy. My friend said it's a 24 hour thing, full on while you've got it. And the thing that sucks is one of the little girls who was around her last Wednesday for a playdate starting vomitting afterwards and continued to do so through the weekend. Could we have caught it from her? How long does it take to show up? I still feel lethargic and gross, with a sore tummy.

I nearly fell asleep on the couch this afternoon (Charlotte refused to settle for her nap so was up playing...it's been the norm since she became sick. Although she did have a nearly 3 hour sleep yesterday which is unheard of for her). The phone rang (another order for Thursday) and it spurred me on to go to the AWC Xmas Party. I'm glad I went...the place was beautifully decorated and the food looked great. Marie had gone to a lot of effort. People had their savoury plates (individual nibblies) and the dessert plates were still in the kitchen. They looked really good. The feedback was excellent. I didn't stay long because I felt unwell, plus I was illegally parked. But long enough to chat to a few women and hang out in the kitchen for a bit with Marie. Also got to meet Jyotika, the woman Marie says is interested in joining us to talk about possible catering jobs. That will happen in January. Todays effort looked very professional, which was a good start.

Inevitable?

I've got the cough (real crunchy), I have no energy, I've got that bloated/sick feeling in my tummy and I feel spacey and out of it.

I need to decide if I'm going to this AWC thing (starts in less than 30mins), I have to take the cookies into David (being Tuesday) and I have two pick-ups tomorrow.

Greeeeeat.

Just overheard

Charlotte has started to call MK 'Michael' which sounds very cute. She was saying it just now and MK, as usual, was saying back 'Who's Michael, do you mean Daddy?' etc etc And then he said 'Michael lives in Taipei with Judi'. The funniest was a couple of nights ago when one of the girls was saying over and over Michael, Michael, Michael then the other piped up with Robyn, Robyn, Robyn.

And then Lily just said 'Christmas (said with a very good French accent) is French for Christmas' (said normally). This one cracked MK up.

The three of them are about to go downstairs to Migros and buy a Xmas Tree. MK has just bought our decorations up from the cave so we will be good to go.

Better

OK, so even though I again felt like I spent all day going from one thing to another and again working all night there are some good things to report (and I see that it's just after midnight but I am referring to Sunday). In no particular order
*Lily had her ballet spectacle today (see below)
*Charlotte slept through last night...no waking. Lily was a bit unsettled but once I gave her medicine she was fine
*As of 11.30pm tonight (Sun) I have finished the AWC order. I did all 120 Apricot and Coconut Balls today, yayyyyyy! And I even got to finish off the final batch watching CSI on telly tonight...double bonus.

Yeah, now to what I need to do tomorrow...but for now it's time for bed.

Lily the Ballerina

Lily had her ballet concert tonight and it was just lovely. It followed a long afternoon (for her) which she coped with really well. First the parents dropped the kids off at the Octogone theatre at 1.30pm for rehearsal. This is where we found out parents didn't need to stay. All the girls were backstage...we had to come in throught the artistes door! We were told to return at 4pm. This was perfect for me as I came home and started work on the Apricot and Coconut Balls (managed to roll out 120) but I wondered how Lily would find it. Well, she was in good spirits when I picked her up (no doubt helped by being fed cookies) but didn't say much about what they'd done. Bought her home, I kept baking then fed the girls an early dinner. We had to return to the Octogone at 5.30pm (lucky it's such a short walk) so there wasn't much time. Left Lily again backstage (after helping her out of her clothes where underneath was her regular ballet outfit - and seeing her get into her costume on top of it...a white tutu and lurid green top). Then I queued with many other parents and relatives/friends waiting to get inside. Michael and Charlotte arrived and I was able to get us a seat close to the front, on the right hand side as I'd been tipped off to do. Lily's group was on second, and they entered from the back of the theatre walking down the right hand side aisle. They were coming single file, following a proper ballerina and they were all carrying flowers (fake). The dance was called Le Margueritte (sp?) which apparently is a flower, possibly a daisy? Anyway, they all came down the aisle and walked up on stage to music. Then I think they one by one put their flowers down then one by one picked them up again and then that was it. I'd been told the whole thing would only last a minute and a half and they weren't wrong! MK videotaped it, plus we'll see the proper DVD that was recorded to recall all the action. Afterwards the girls came down the front to watch the other performances, until it was time to go backstage again for the finale when all the students came on stage.

Charlotte really enjoyed the whole evening, firstly sitting quietly on our laps then getting closer to watch. So close, at one stage, she was up on stage. It stressed MK out of his brain but she's so damn cute that you had to laugh. But she only really got right up on stage once, and that was when Madame Danailova was giving her little speech. Charlotte got a few laughs (not from Daddy).

We got home around 8pm and hustled the girls into bed. It was late, so cold outside, they are both coughing something shocking and it was time for bed. Lily wanted to put her ballet shoes back on and leave her ballet outfit on but there was no chance. It had been a big day for a little girl.

Woe is me

I have felt down a couple times over the past few days and I don't like it. MK said it's all catching up with me, and I don't know what 'it' is but I think he's right. In no particular order
*my back aches and I am so so tired
*now Lily is coughing and unsettled (while she sleeps) and I'm worried she won't be well enough for her much-anticipated ballet concert (spectacle) tomorrow evening
*I feel like at the moment I run all day, then work all night
*I am behind in my Xmas organising (sending cards, organising gifts)
*Charlotte being sick has been a big drain, especially the nights
*the apartment is messy
*I am concerned about our furniture situation, especially a bed for MK and I and wardrobes for all three bedrooms.
*we've had to cancel things because of CPK being sick - a thing today MK told a work colleague we'd go to, and a party tonight. But I actually don't mind cancelling (oh yeah, I cancelled a playdate here yesterday) as I have been so busy baking and need all the time I have.

I think that's enough...and a sensible person would see it's now midnight and pack it in.

Not having fun

Hasn't been much fun round this place lately...been a bit stressed thinking about all the baking I had to do (instead of just getting in there and doing something about it) and then Charlotte got sick. And she hasn't been sleeping. Not even her afternoon nap for the past four days. I took her to the dr on Thursday and she had white spots in her mouth (dr didn't know the word in English), horrendous cough, the green runny nose. But her ears were clear (my concern). We got the usual array of sprays, liquids, syrups, squirty things and off we went. Took her to garderie on Friday planning on baking that morning (I had started my big 125 person catering job for the AWC the day before) when the phone rang before 10am. Charlotte was not happy and asking for me. And her ear seemed sensitive. Took her to the dr again yesterday afternoon and sure enough she has an ear infection. In 24 hours her ear went from clear to needing antibiotics. Every night she is up crying and unsettled. Cough that sounds like she's bringing up a lung and yucky nose. It's all in her head*.

Once she does fall asleep (around 1am) she is awake again later and comes into our bed. And so it goes. But now she's started the antiobiotics I'm hoping she will feel more comfortable and be able to sleep again. Day and night.

For this AWC thing, I have already made 3 Classic Fruit Cakes (I can only do 1 per day as they take 3.5 hours to cook and then have to cool overnight in the pan, and there is only one pan I really like to use for this cake), 100 Caramel Fruit Mince Pies (I made the mince and bought the pastry) and I have yet to start the Apricot and Coconut Balls. I will make one more (maybe two?) Fruit Cakes and finish the Mince Pies tonight or tomorrow. Start the Balls tomorrow probably. And tonight I have to make two cakes for two different orders tomorrow - a Chocolate Layer Cake and a Family Chocolate Cake.

And on top of that, we found out Thursday night that we are losing all our furniture. Long story, but the guy we were leasing the furniture from (previous tenant) is coming to collect it...either December or January. Greeeeat. Considering there is a possibility we will be leaving in June (another story) the timing sucks.

*meaning it's a bad head cold, not that Charlotte is making it up...I wish.

Procrastinating

I haven't done my French homework and I have a lesson tomorrow morning (scheduled at the same time the cleaner is here, but that's another problem). I hate homework. I hate studying. I never was a good student. Well, not in the traditional sense of the word. Lazy, me. I admire people who enjoy study. Maybe not admire, I just can't relate to them. But more power to them. Someone has to be academic. Just ain't me.

OK, I have killed enough time. Must go do French homework. Or fold laundry.

Tied to the kitchen

Well, not really but I have been in there a lot the past few days...pretty much every day I've had one, if not two, pick-ups including today. In the new year I will start putting every third order into the envelope again, saving up for Jen and I to meet in NYC. For now, the extra money is handy.

Yesterday I was at the post office with Lily, then later took both girls to Migros. In front of Migros was a fire engine and firefighters raising money. Buy a soft toy (cat or duck) for CHF10. I told the guy I'd buy on the way out. Anyway, as we were in the queue in Migros I saw the woman who served us in the PO. I smiled at her, then next thing I know she's giving Lily a soft toy cat saying something like she doesn't have small children. How nice was that? The kindness of strangers. I bought one on the way out, so both girls had a cat. Then the funniest thing is, one of my order pick-ups last night (a regular guy) came with the same soft toy cat for the girls! So now they have three of the same, and love every one of them.

Completely unrelated, but we are into the Dry Skin time of the year. Both girls have dry skin (I'm worried that Charlotte will develop excema and in the evenings Lily's hands and lower arms hurt her), across the top of Michael's hands have cracked and bled, and the skin on my hands and feet are splitting too. I noticed last night that I had red on my apron and hand and on Charlotte's clothes but had no idea what I'd been cooking at the time that was red. Then I noticed the tip of my index finger had split and was bleeding. Gross. It's still split today. And I just don't think we have good enough cream. Need to go back to the pharmacie I think.

Some good news on the sleeping front - night before last Charlotte woke around 1.45am and I put her in the spare bedroom (which she doesn't like). But the time she calmed down, I was able to put her back in her and Lily's room and she slept right through. And last night she didn't wake at all, and then slept in till 8am this morning. Perfect start to a Sunday. Michael then bought her into bed with us (Lily was asleep) and she played 'cuddle' and 'squeeze' and 'tickle'.

Speaking of the night before last (Fri. night) Michael had his work Xmas party...he caught the 5.20pm train into work (so they could all put their costumes on together and do make-up) and then didn't get home till after 5am the next morning. It was a good night by all accounts. A couple of things blew me away - the party was still going at the venue when MK left (he thinks it kept going till 6am) with bars open etc and the other thing in the 12 hours he was gone he only spent CHF2 (on the train fare to work). Rest of the night was at the company's expense, including the taxi home. How's that for generous? MK wasn't hung over yesterday, but he was VERY tired. Who wouldn't be after 3 hours sleep.

Last night we watched 'Bewitched' with Nicole Kidman (I watched it alone after MK fell asleep - see previous paragraph). It was OK, but not that great. My request last night was first Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and secondly Bewitched. MK said he didn't even see Charlie in the video store. Which is strange as I've seen it for sale in the shops. I can wait, not as if we watch or keep up with movies by any stretch.

MK has set up the webcam so the girls have had fun with Ma ma and Poppy (picture on webcam, sound through Skype). More so this morning when they got their webcam going.

Still busy

Yesterday (Wed) was a full day...in the morning we went to Teresa's place for a playdate. Lily enjoys playing with Sydney and Charlotte is happy to be out. Their apartment is in a chateau right on the Lake. It's a phenomenal place in an amazing location. Views to die for. So we can say that Lily's friend lives in a castle.

We were home at 1.30pm, here barely an hour before we left for the Children's Xmas Party (MK's work) at Palace Beaulieu in Lausanne. Parking was a nightmare, but we managed to park illegally underground. The crowds were there as expected. All the tables laid out with food and drink on them, stalls for food (fairy floss, gaufres, crepes, savouries, icecream, sweets), activities, entertainment on stage. Really full on. And then they gave out the gifts. I had my two vouchers for the girls (2-3 years for C and 4-6 years old for Lily) so we went to two areas. Well, the boxes were huge and I had to lug them round with me everywhere. What a nightmare. I asked if there was anywhere to leave them and I was told not to leave them anywhere as they'd be stolen.
And no, they had no other options...except to take them to my car. I didn't even give that suggestion a second thought but in retrospect I think I should have. Dragging the kids down to the carpark and back would have been preferable to lugging those boxes around. We just didn't do as much as it was way too hard. Shouldn't complain (too much) - the gifts are great (a zoo set up for Charlotte and a Play Mobile Poste set up for Lily) and it's incredible what is laid on. Apparently the teenagers received an iPod Shuffle! The afternoon improved considerably when we ran into Christine and Alessandro.

Today has been full of baking...just finished. Charlotte was up last night (from about 10-11.30pm and then again at 3.41am when I was so tired I just bought her into bed with us) and has been up again tonight. I swear, if it was just Lily we would sleep well every single night. Charlotte keeps life more...interesting. But how can you not love a little girl who comes up to you, wraps her arms around your leg and asks for 'cuddle'. Then when you bend down, she hugs you hard and says 'cuddle' and then 'squeeze'. I just hope she is asleep for good tonight...