The monitor in Toby and Jane’s room, next to the back door, has not reported any sound of the babs yet, but Toby tells me he actually has heard one of the ‘genoots’. I bet it was Eloise, always the first to call out. I am already on my way! But Toby gets there the first himself and Ella is already walking towards me, as I am only just in the hallway. Usually this means I am getting a kiss, but today the only thing she gives me is a ‘Noooohh.. Mokkie!’, so I get her her her milk. Fortunately, we have got two scrimps and Mister Happy is happy to give me a slimey morning cuddle-kiss, though, still wants to be carried by his old-time favourite Toby.

Back on the job. I make sure all kids got what they need (‘mokkies, toasss, blakkies’ on the ‘cow’, so milk, toast and blankets on the couch) and then I start folding the first bit of dried laundry, to make room for the wet whites. When I come back I see Ost has duck in the twins lunchbox. Actually pretty funny. And it also means he is having a good brekkie. He even makes Bella and Hensels eat sandwiches! Though, now I have to make a new lunchbox so I find my place back in the kitchen.

Jane and I talk the day through. The kids have been having colds and Ollie even an ear infection, so last few days we have been messing about a bit. We are worried about Eloise still. Jane wants to take her to the doctor after dropping Ollie of at school. But Eloise seems better than she has been in days, so we change plans. Jane will go to school with Olliebollie and then follow the 9.30 a.m. yoga session. I will take the twinsels. Thursday is ‘my’ day with the kids.

I have made a bit of a plan for the morning with Beezie and Hei. We are taking the train into the city and could then go to the botanics. The Children’s Garden, an other design of Andy, is lovely on a nice day like this. Though, inspired by Jane, I decide to stay in the city centre and the arty playground at Federation Square. But before we could ever get there, I have still got some of my laundry to do.

It is nice in the living room. Toby is reading Hein a story and Ella and her ‘Dowry’ (dolly) also come to have a look. Somewhere in between activities we have been able to have a decent brekkie and even feed the kids! I have had some pooridge I had already made yesterday. The kids eat a bit of everything, preferably what is in our bowls.

Now Toby has to get ready as well and he goes for a shower, closely followed by fellow-ginger Hen. Watching our life garden entertainment out of the well used laundry room, I here a typical Henrish cry. Ten seconds later he comes out Toby’s room straight to me. The poor thing must have been playing with taps again, as he is soaked wet. Luckily we are in the right room for nice, fresh towels. Eloise walks in to give him a kiss as well.

Good oppurtunity for me to get them out! I quickly finish my jobs, stick the kiddies in their coats and put there shoes on. Grab dummies and water bottles and remember – just in time – to get my own shoes. Meanwhile Toby has gotten ready too, Bella-weezie looks for Dowry still and Henry pushes his Dad of to work. ‘Ba-ye, baaa-ye! Seeee-ya, see-yaaaa!’

Time to be quick for me. Stik ‘em straight in the pusher, give them dums and biscuits (‘Ahh-shaa, bikkieee.’, ‘Peas!’, ‘Thang!’) and off we go. ‘See ya later, Astrid.’ ‘See ya, Cam.’ ‘Seeee-yaa!’ 

Fi-nal-ly.