TTT.....

[AtLongLast]

OTT / self-indulgent I know, but Toddler Twin Tantrums..... aaargh! Just as well they're so cute too. Ds2 was v funny today wiggling his bum singing uh, uh Bobby' in response to me dancing round the kitchen to Bobby's girl'...

I sympathise too - and that's from someone who didn't actually care about tidyness pre-children so I can only guess how bad it is if you're not naturally as slack as us! I care far more now & it takes so little for the place to look like a bomb has hit. Do the girls help tidy? The boys (well, ds2) are good at putting things away before dinner & that helps loads as at least it's tidy / hoovered etc each evening she says, surveying the post-dinner carnage that was dd's playtime.

Spicy root veg & lentil casserole sounds lovely Tarti . Do you have any way of removing R when she starts whinging? We've got a gate at the kitchen door which leads into the hallway & I've done it with ds2 a couple of times & it has worked well. Just sort of `well, OK. You don't want to eat with us, you can get down' & put him at the other side of the gate & go back to eating with ds1 making it sound like loads of fun & totally ignoring a wailing ds2 til he calms. Then give him the choice to come back & eat & he has done.

(& icing/sprinkles did destroy star biscuits for ds2. Gave him the one with least icing & discovered he'd eated around it & put iced portion in toy box. Luckily I thought he mightn't like it so left some uniced)

We're going on the choo choo tomorrow so hopefully will be fun but yes, we do need some grown-up time to reconnect too I think.

tarti - join my club. Only 2 days ago I received an impromptu email from an old mail f/buddy friend who is travelling in Argentina. I wrote back with an email full of woe and missed opportunity and regret about the 'life I'm living'. It's bloody hard to feel buoyed full of pride about the choices we've made when the bare bottomed truth of it is that life with twins is pretty tough work - I don't think there's a man alive I could conceive of it being easy with. And I don't know what you're like but when I really think about it not many idiots men would put up with my twitchy ways either.

I also think I suffer from similar magazine house envy. i imagine myself living somewhere entirely different to where I actually live. And ALL - I hear you re. finally living somewhere which is actually a home - if we get 'custom made' curtains for the girls' room it will be the first time we've ever invested in something like that. i want to start thinking that the things we buy are things we're buying for the long term and have made a strict NO IKEA policy from hereon in. Am sick of the stuff!

Thank you all, lovely lot that you are. We've had two big arguments since yesterday lunchtime which has cleared the air nicely - feel I've been a bit over-melodramatic really, nothing dramatic is wrong, we've just been very irritable with each other and I am very fed up with some aspects of life - state of house being one of them. Have started a bit of a clearout/reorganisation of toys today which has made me feel bit better. And I'm off work this week with the girls in nursery for two days so will suggest lunch for the two of us somewhere nice on Tuesday maybe.

ALL was your train trip fun? I did what you said this evening as a fuss started to arise over tea - put R out in the corridor - and when she was allowed back in her chair she was better (not perfect but less horrendous!) so thanks... I'm just so disappointed she is turning out to be fussy.

Lottie how lovely though to be at the 'investing' stage re. stuff for the house. Mind you I'm such a ditherer I'd probably crumble under the pressure and never actually buy anything Did you enjoy dinner out yesterday?

We've been to buy a new car today (boring but necessary) and more or less decided on.... another Focus. I mean, DH can hardly fit in one due to tallness but he hardly uses it anyway as he walks to work, so I'm ignoring that. Only prob is for the summer holidays (drive from Newcastle to Brittany ) - not only not very spacious in terms of leg room but also if we're taking the buggy (and I think we'd want to - any thoughts anyone? they'll be 26 months by then) no room for luggage in boot. Hmmm yes I admit thinking about it we need something bigger. I just sooo don't want a big long man's car. Am literally putting myself to sleep this is so dull!

Have started to record everything I eat on myfitnesspal - anyone else do this?? I've never been a big one for calorie counting but am finding it quite good and having low-carbed for ages it's quite nice being able to eat a more 'normal' range of food (albeit tiny portions!). But weight loss def slower than low carbing: 1.4 lb off this week (I know I know, slow is best but I like fast results).

I've bought (during a glamorous trip to the garden centre) some little plastic eggs which open up to use for an Easter egg hunt in the garden next weekend (providing it's not snowing...) to supplement the inevitable chocolate eggs with some slightly healthier bits [http://pinterest.com/pin/246361042086091532/ voila]] - this is assuming it's not snowing by next weekend.....

Happy weekends to all, I'm off to make a dent in the gin bottle

here - hopeless at links

Tarti my mum has those eggs, she bought them a few years ago in Marks and Spencer. They are great. She fills them (with sweets of course) and hides them round the garden. The kids love it.

Did I mention just a few posts ago that we were chicken pox free? Well spoke too soon. H is covered with spots today. High temp too. But not particularly ill, just a bit whingier than usual (if that is actually possible!)

No advice on cars tarti. We have a fiat Ullysses. It's shit. Big, but shit. All the trim is falling off inside, it's got loads of electical gadgets, but half of them don't work. Is is cavernous though.

Bah humbug, we're not doing Easter other than what we couldn't dissuade grandparents from buying.

Glad you had some success with that approach with R. Have to say ds2 not perfect either but he definitely gets the idea. Next problem is when they challenge that. Banging cutlery on table & shouting `out', defiantly challenging to see if that's bad enough to warrent The Ultimate In Punishment .

My problem with buying stuff is dithering too. Even when it comes to Ikea - which is where we've just invested . Just joined the pinterest (how unwanted did i feel having to go on a waiting list ) so now I'm going to plan forevermore. I've decided I'm assuming we're staying put til I see evidence to suggest otherwise so decorating the hallway is next on my hitlist.

We traded our lovely focus in for the crap thing we have now cos we couldn't get dog in for longer trips. Least said. Think we'd probably want the buggy too. May be making this up, but can't you hire big baby stuff in Europe? Or is that just part of some packages?

Train was great today. In fact: bus, train, lunch, boats (watching), beach, ice-creams, train, bus. & only 10min nap in buggy & no meltdowns. All lovely. Just had takeaway tea & opened the vino to catch up on obem so all good here tonight!

Uh oh Chesti - here's hoping it's a non-illy illness for you!

We said never again to Fiat after a couple of scary breakdowns.... now we have Multipla. Hate it but dp loves it, though I think that's waning after the expense of last month.

Sorry for my slightly drunken message last night; pretty incomprehensible when I read it back.

tarti - I know what you mean though, it's actually more depressing for the arguments to be a continual 'drudge' rather than an occasional melodramatic flounce (think Coronation Street rather than Dallas ). And the mess just gets you down. Since we moved back we are still not unpacked, and because we're now thinking about getting Serious Work Done on the house I'm loathe to buy anything which might then become pointless in a few months time. I'm the worlds worst ditherer but am trying to listen to something a friend said to me recently - stop worrying about trying to make your house be some perfect place and instead just make a pact to ONLY buy things you really love to go in it. And by that you can choose to go to local auctions, vintage shops etc - that's why those stupid bloody LivingEtc type magazines are such a fecking nightmare - when I read them I start gibbering thinking about how I can't buy XX because existing sofa doesn't go with it and how do you start matching X Y and Z etc etc etc. So even though we might decorate the girls room, or the girls room might move upstairs to a different room, I'm just choosing a pair of curtains that I actually really LIKE in themselves and thinking fuck it. And they're not some uber-cool Scandi fabric or unbelievably 'now' kids curtains, I'm getting something like the curtains in this pic but buying the fabric on Ebay and having them lined with french ticking - because I really like it!

Re. cars - we've currently got an annoyingly big Lexus SUV car, but about 10 yrs old. Was a good call in Switzerland but now we're in London we're definitely going to sell it and get something smaller. I don't think I could go as small as a Focus/similar, I'm thinking we'll get an Audi or other 'we're not old and boring really and no this is definitely NOT an estate car' estate car. DH hates spending money on cars and refuses to ever buy one on credit, so no doubt we'll be getting another 10 yr old sturdy type vehicle. Weird to think that buggy days are not going to be here for much longer, I hardly ever use mine now. Freedom! But even going to Cornwall, was nice not to have the added burden of my OCD husband spending hours staring at the boot of the car trying to 'perfectly' cram everything in, whilst getting unbelievably stressed and grumpy.

ALL - what is your tactic with naughty toddlers during mealtimes? I haven't tried naughty corner/step or removing to outside. What I tend to do with a recalcitrant nightmare participant is just let them get down from their highchair and completely ignore them, focusing my attention on the other one. I have never had any success in convincing them to eat if they decide they don't want to, but maybe I ought to try removing them from the situation. I do find in general that if they start wailing 'I don't want XXX, it's too BORIN' (which they say to everything at the moment) - if I then say 'oh okay, I'll eat/drink it then' they immediately want it. God toddlers can be so frustrating!!

Anyone else have Crocs for theirs yet? Sorry if I've already mentioned this but ended up buying some for the girls a couple of days ago, after they spotted them in a local shoe shop. They haven't been off their feet yet, Juliet even wants to sleep in hers. I think they'll be wearing them all summer!

Chesti - sorry to hear about the lurgey. Had to smile at your mention of H getting even more whingey, but only because I know just how that feels.

Haha, will respond properly later but just had to say we're almost certainly buying crocs today in the war against wellies ! I live in mine so we thought boys might like to be like mummy. Big downside is they're lethal on wet tile floor when worn but thinking shouldn't be such an issue with toddlers....

Curtains / blinds and crocs. Awaiting news of your next shop so I can look like a saddo shopping stalker. Make it big, expensive and exciting....

Continuing the toddler moaning theme in our house, this morning Eve said that she didn't want to go outside and have fun, because having fun is BOOOORIN.

Love it Lottie!!

I think our mealtime issue is more to do with pushing the boundaries on behaviour & we are lucky that actual eating hasn't really come in to it other than on occasion they just. Because I don't feel worried about getting food into them, it really is just about making sure they sit ok & don't lob stuff around for us & removing them from the situation does seem to work. I have only done it on a couple of occasions with ds2 & (possibly?) once with ds1 but I think I might feel differently about using a punishment purely to get them eating. Not that it's very helpful to you though it does sound like they maybe do use non-eating to wind you up on occasion if they are happy to eat if you don't seem bothered?

We got Crocs today. & a pair of Thomas sandals. Decided I'd take boys into shop singly while dp waited in car with others. Ds2 first. He loved it. Proudly held hands with Mummy on our way to do `our little job'. Totally in awe of all the shoes (especially the vast array of wellies helpfully positioned directly opposite the sandals). Happy to try lots on. Only 1 pair of sandals actually fit him (Thomas.. was so not getting character shoes!). Skipped to till & danced v cutely while I paid. Ds1 was in fear of losing his wellies & wailed, clutched wellies & scrunched his toes while I tried on shoes. Couldn't even convince him to look at Thomas sandals & only stopped crying when wellies back on. Then we got home & he desperately wanted ds2's Thomas sandals only a. ds2 was wearing them & b. his feet are 2/3 sizes bigger. Disaster. Sort of convinced him on the merits of crocs since they are a. squashy when stood on (?) and b. like Mummy's c. I can tickle his toes through them like he does to me. Thomas wars will recommence tomorrow.

Came on a few days ago to check in - didn't have time to post Im afraid! Saw some croc talk which reminded me that I had promised myself to buy girls nice proper crocs - most years it suddenly gets hot so I rush to sainsburys/somewhere similar and just buy their own crocs.
Decided to go for the crocband ones just because I prefer them to the originals. Was sooo pleased - I managed to get 5 different coloured girly ones!

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Kids-Crocs-Crocband-All-Colours-Sizes-Available-/180637364403#ht_1103wt_698

In..

• Navy/pink lemonade
• Dahlia
• Dahlia/fuchsia (out of stock ones - had to order elsewhere)
• Fuchsia
• Pink lemonade/berry

Couldn't believe that I managed to get 5 different ones that I actually love!
Only problem being now is that its gone colder, but they are desperate to wear the new crocs... should have gone for the fluffy ones! Does anyone know whether you can buy the fur separately and put it in the crocs?

I know you ladies love your shoes, so has anyone got any ideas for some canvas type shoes? For the chillier days, crocs just aren't enough; yet winter boots are too much - so they need something inbetween.
Isla and Indy had gorgeous converses last year, but the thought of doing up 5 pairs of laces fills me with dread.. not great for the early morning nursery run!

Kate for canvas shoes mine have ones from Jojo maman bebe - can't do link at the moment but they are the ones with two velcro straps, they do them in navy (which mine have), yellow, red and pink. Think they are £12, I love them cos they're so plain and have already bought next size up for later in the summer.

Coveting baby crocs now!

Tarti You're right, they are really very cute! Love the simpleness! The yellow are my favourite!
They would fit DTri's but don't go big enough for DD1 and DD2, and really I would like something similar for them.
Despite me loving the simpleness of the JJMB ones, I think DD's would like something brighter!
Do they last well though? Im tempted to buy DD2 a pair for school in september (for PE) as she has quite triangular wide feet and Im sure a pair of normal 'daps' wouldn't fit.

Yes I got them especially for hobbit feet too - R's are wider than they are long, so velcro adjustment very necessary! Haven't had them that long so can't really comment on how well they last. They seem reasonably well made though to my inexpert eye...

The crocs work brilliantly tarti - firstly they LOVE wearing them, secondly they can wear them with almost anything, and thirdly they love wearing them. :) I've been putting socks on with them too (fashion wizard, me) when it's colder. I thought they'd slip off but even J's ones, which look far too big, seem to be really comfortable. She even wears them to sleep during her lunchtime nap....

I've had my eye on getting some Bensimon plimsolls for the girls, although now they have the crocs I'm really not sure we're going to need anything else other than some Salt Water sandals for when I want them to look a bit smarter. I'm a bit allergic to pink Kate and sometimes struggle to get nice colours for the girls that don't make them look like boys. I hate the pink, blue or mud brown options for many shoes - I wouldn't mind but often the pink these companies choose is a hideous bubblegum colour. J just chose some bright pink crocs and since I rarely put them in anything pink it's looked nice for her to be in navy/whatever and have these bright shoes on. E chose red ones :) I am aware by the way that I sound incredibly annoying - I can assure you that in RL I am marginally less so not.

We went to the pirate ship playground in Hyde Park this afternoon, was utterly rammed. Then had pizza and ice cream at the cafe there, and drove back. The girls were on exemplary form, actually had a moment of looking at them as they sat nicely on the bench eating their pizza and thinking they were unrecognisable from two weeks back!

Crocs are just brilliant - the first pair of shoes that DTrip's can get on by themselves - all 5 are ready within 2 seconds... such a difference to the normal 20 minute whinges of 'Cant do itttt' / 'Mum can you help me with my zip' / 'My hands are broken today so I cant put them on' / 'I neeeeeed help' etc. etc.

Lottie I know exactly what you mean - believe it or not (after buying 5 pairs of pink shoes) I hate pink things too. The only reason I got 'girly' crocs were because they didn't have any alternative - the navy is a bit too dark for summer, but green/red/yellow were such colours that just wouldn't match with anything - so the pinks/purples were the only answer.
Bar the crocs, Im not a bubblegum pink lover either, and my pet hate is seeing all the baby toys in either pink/purple and then the green and yellow 'normal' colour - its not even like you have the boy and girl version, its just like girls can't possibly have the normal toy, they have to have a pink version.

Initially I was going to get some canvas pumps, and then some nice sandals - I normally spend quite a bit on proper fitting, but gorgeous, sandals that will last the whole summer. But because it was so hot, they had to have something fast - and there would be no point buying nice sandals now as they wouldn't last the whole summer - consequently crocs were the answer. But now its chillier some thicker canvas pumps are needed. Want something a bit more filled in than them though Lottie - don't think that they would stay on DD's feet. Would want something that could be worn for long walks etc.
Was looking at some Clarks doodles as DD1 and 2 have had them before. But just want something different !

We are still using the girls silver Kickers for those colder days Kate. They do qualify as 'different' and the girls love wearing them, BUT they do have laces. I don't find them hard to get on but I only have to do 2 pairs and not FIVE!

God I could talk about shoes for hours...

Oooh I like them Lottie - very different! Thats the thing, would be so easy to just go to Clarks and get 5 pairs of doodles, but every blinking child is wearing doodles - I want them to be in something a bit unusual!
DD's are obviously begging for Lelli Kelly's - but I refuse to give in yet

Silver shoes are the answer to everything - M&S did some gorgeous silver pumps, the same as the JJMB ones, but a bit chunkier, in a lovely distressed looking silver. I adored them for the girls - went with absolutely everything . But this year they are laced and sequiny :(

P.s, I could talk about little shoes for days and days

Next have loads of girls shoes!

Some cute pumps I've found:
www.next.co.uk/x49760s11#806737x49

And the open pumps (ones with a strap) - they have about 20 different ones. All exact same style, but different fabric - perfect for us!

Ooh actually you've reminded me to look in Next Kate as I need something not too £££ for them to wear to a wedding (actually two weddings) next week and have a voucher to use up too . Might have to drag myself into town today.

Lottie your day sounds gorgeous.

I had a massive splurge in Next last summer and got most of their day-to-day clothes from there... must take another look. The online site never works for me for some reason (think I must have an old account I can't remember and it won't let me open a new one) so I need to get to a shop, and of course that limits my options since the thought of trying to do that with a double buggy in tow is arduous in itself.

Hmm, just googling playgroups in the area, must get out more. Think I've found one in a local church hall so better get dressed and going.

Girls still loving Funpods Kate so thanks again for that tip.

I saw how many posts there had been and had an inkling it might of been about shoes

I have just bought 2 pairs of the Saltwater Sandles LL was gutted when I got to the till and saw there was a £30 shipping charge!!!! Luckily I have a very pregnant American friend whose family are due out here in 2 weeks so I've sent them via Wisconsin

Love all the shopping talk although I hate Crocs, I know I'm the only one, still love he Kickers though and really like the Bensimon shoes. I was surprised how cheap they were on the Brora website (usually sooooo expensive!) they are twice the price on the Elias and Grace website.

So much to catch up on...

Cars we have an Audi A4 but it's not big enough really. Not sure what the perfect multiples car is, what do you have Kate?

Tarti When are you off to Centreparcs? We are going to Harrogate for the weekend after next (my birthday) has anyone been before?

Cerubina Happy Birthday to Seb and Rosie hope you had a lovely time, one whole year survived!

Chesti Hope the pox is gone, fingers crossed we only have runny noses and teething at the moment, still bored of the constant whinging though. I'm never quite sure if they are in pain or just like driving me insane.

I love hearing all the "Borin"comments, the older twins all seem to be coming on leaps and bounds with their speech, we just get "CAT" "BIRD" "MAMMA"&"PAPA" screeched as loud as possible here!