Hiya! It’s Me and Mister C…

Firstly, Me and Mister C wanted to send a big shout out to all the RFS (Rural Fire Service), Fire crew and Volunteers in our NSW area. We send a big THANK-YOU! to you for all your hard and self-less work, fighting the terrible fires these past weeks (perhaps even months) and currently. Our hearts go out to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones and properties. I sadly remember living through the terrifying firestorms in ACT back in 2003, before my eldest daughter was born. It’s not much in return, but none of us in any community big or small, could get through it without you; so, thanks so much… (If you feel inclined as we are, the RFS is accepting donations for the firefighters and their families on RFS.NSW.GOV.AU)

Okay, moving right along… Let’s talk about Mister C and all his zany antics. In between him being unwell through these past months (January 2014), with his nasty ‘raspberry’ throat infections; Mister C was growing (thankfully) up to be a delightful, well spirited but very vocal little boy. I recall Husband commenting… “My, how he squeals so high pitched and screams often. I must NEVER forget the pain, about a week ago I counted how many times he shrieked loudly in the morning (between seven to eleven am). I counted twenty-nine times, no wonder he makes my brain hurt! I will probably forget this pain in a year or two though. After that, he smiles at me later in the morning, then he does his funny, quirky giggle-laugh, and my heart soon melts.” (As does mine)…

Always being a very busy little boy, it did however take Mister C many months to master the art of walking unaided. Like most children, I recall, slowly but surely, he would stand briefly unaided, take a step or two, then fall back onto his bottom. Mister C would often pull himself up to the couch or a small table, whatever he could find to reach for safely to help him stand. He did this over half a dozen times, the past weeks before finally taking multiple steps by himself. Obviously, Mister C was very proud of himself (he did applaud himself very well!), when he actually did take those steps; claps all round for our little man. I do have to mention we went to our dear friends’ place for a beer and wine tasting (YUM!) (hiya S & R. M) mid-February (2014), we were so pleased when Mister C took more than six steps on his own in front of everyone! He was about fourteen months old at that time, it was a special gathering with very special friends too (miss you!). We attended several other fortieth parties to celebrate with family and friends around the same time (a big shout out to all!). Husband reminded me that … “Mister C was exactly fourteen months and three weeks old; almost exactly the same age as our second daughter (Flossy) when she took six steps in a row …” (Also wanted to mention our Flossy started ‘Kindy’ this same month (February 2014)- she looked super cute in her new uniform and shiny black shoes- so proud!).

Looming around the corner was my up and coming birthday (and Valentine’s day- which I did prefer to celebrate). I was feeling a bit low after our up-and-down trip away, probably still getting over (recovering myself) from all the sickness in the family over the past weeks ( not to mention Uni was back on!). Husband asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, it was a big one he did remind me (unfortunately). I sighed and said … “I don’t know. I guess I should embrace the idea of turning the big FORTY like you! (I did tease Husband last year in mid June, when he turned the big FORTY back then- now it was my turn…) Maybe we can do something on water, we all know how much I love it?!” I didn’t have much of a choice about my age, even though the idea of being forty with a young toddler (fifteen months old to be exact-EEK!) wasn’t the norm; but then again what are the norms these days? Mister C was a surprise, but a joyful one at that and a VERY much wanted surprise too; who also kept me young as we laughed a lot of the time (well some of the time anyway…) (didn’t you know laughing keeps your skin young and supple?!) …

So, after some research and nifty husband looking stuff up on-line (again), we came up with a grand plan for a roaring forties bash in a big (good sized) boat cruising on the Lake. I made up some fun party invites and sent them via email to our family and friends. We also found some great nineteen-forty’s music, and some themed stickers and decorations to add inside the boat. I’d asked Husband to grow a ‘MO’ for the occasion, he did spend many weeks not shaving his top lip. Alas! He didn’t grow very much there, being a red-head and all too … I had also booked in to the local hair salon, to have some unique ‘victory rolls’ style done on the top of my head (like the ‘Army Gals’ in the forties). Many hours later, I didn’t even recognise myself- I think I did look like a real nineteen-forty’s gal! It was a busy but fun time, we also had a wonderful babysitter at the time, who cared for the girls and Mister C so well (Hiya! A.H). Having the regular babysitter really eased my mind, and it gave us that special break to go out with our family and friends to let our hair down (just a bit); which is always beneficial when raising a busy and chaotic family.

Lots of planning organising platters and lots (and lots) of jelly shots, a great party night we had. I did unfortunately pick up a throat infection the same week (oh no!) and did lose my voice for many days after the party (or was it from the laughing and screaming on the boat- who knows!)… Husband reminded me … “The fortieth birthday cruise on the Lake was just fantastic, twenty great friends, brother and sister in law (hiya D & S. L) and special sister (hiya C.M), perfect weather, everyone happy, heaps to eat and drink, fun forties music, fun outing afterwards to the casino; was just a great special time all round.” Husband also reminded me… “And yeah, we wound up at the ‘Casino’ and the birthday girl declared to all, that Vodka was her ‘best-friend’; this was quite amusing, given she was rarely ever tipsy!”

A word from Mister C…

Me and Mister C also wanted to wish everyone a calm, peaceful Christmas and a safe New Year. As Mister C recently reminded me, …”Not everyone celebrates Christmas Mummy, you know?”… We also want to acknowledge this and to wish everyone else who celebrates other special events in their communities and with their families, a safe and happy break from schools and work going into the New Year. We wish for calm, cooler weather and lots of glorious RAIN (but not so much it begins to flood everywhere…).

Stay tuned..

Please note, I will be doing one post next week due to Christmas (and the BUSY time with family (as you will be too) and drawings for the first book). The coming blog will be action packed with lots of laughs and drawings to share from Mister C. Thanks again for your continued support and spread the word to everyone else if you so desire…. Stay cool and happy from Mister C…