tripletroubletribe

Street talk

Emily was on the swings at the playground this afternoon. Too close for a mum’s comfort, but in reality doing no harm, was a group of young teenagers. One of the boys was, I am guessing, head of mischief innovation. Tangling the three swings up, climbing the frame, high jumping out of a swing, runningContinue reading “Street talk”

Bribery and Bitter Lemons

I gave all three children a cookie today. Nothing very unusual about that. Except that it was 7.55am. It was a bribe. I was bribing them out of the house to go to school. When that only partially worked, I gave them another cookie each. Before I knew it, I had three girls, in uniform,Continue reading “Bribery and Bitter Lemons”

Good days Bad days

When the girls were babies, I took them for their first check up with the GP. She asked me how I was doing and I said, “We’ve had a good few days. Tomorrow might be different.” “Yes,” she said, “its’s all a phase. You get good phases, and bad phases.” In the bad phases, IContinue reading “Good days Bad days”

Better be quick …

Anna lost her first tooth this morning. She ran into the kitchen to tell me. I make a surprised face – eyes wide, mouth open – and was about to say, “no, no you haven’t, you’ve not grown big enough yet!” A lament on how fast they are travelling through childhood – which would haveContinue reading “Better be quick …”

Terms and Conditions

Emily has found her way to some nonsense video on YouTube. Another American family living life on camera. I tune out but hear her ask, “Mummy, this family has more people in it than we do, and they are getting a new baby.” I refuse to respond, remaining buried in emails. “Mum! Did you hearContinue reading “Terms and Conditions”

My legs are tired

“My legs are tired,” Sam says. “Mine too,” I say. It’s cold and wet and I decided to take the bus and walk to our local playground, instead of the car. We still had 100m to go. “Can you carry me?” Sam asked. “No, no, you’ve got legs.” “Can you carry me?” asks Emily. “Nope.”Continue reading “My legs are tired”

Help

Today someone asked me what it was like when the girls were in their first year. My answer was that it was a series of opposites; I was exhausted and thrilled, tired and focused, bored and stimulated. “That’s amazing,” the person said. “Well,” I replied, “I had help. Lots of help.” “Sure but I betContinue reading “Help”

Christmas curse…

Today I am cursing Christmas. If I step on one more small piece of plastic… most of which came into this house wrapped in shinny, sparkly, glittery red, green, gold or silver paper, with cute little robins or Santas or Angels, or reindeers or Christmas trees on it… if I step on one more smallContinue reading “Christmas curse…”

Rated 18

Emily and Sam are playing with their new Barbie dolls – plus accessories, of course – courtesy of Father Christmas. Emily’s doll; You’re so beautiful. Sam’s doll; Oh Thank you! Emily’s doll; Your face is so pretty and your eyes are so blue. Sam’s doll; I know. Emily’s doll; You’re so beautiful my husband hasContinue reading “Rated 18”

Letter to Santa

All three girls wanted to change their Santa letters today. Me: “But he’s already written back!” A five year old: “Well he can write again.” Me: “His elves have probably wrapped your presents already.” “Mum, there are millions of elves, they can wrap them again.” Me: “But these toys you’re wanting, these weren’t on hisContinue reading “Letter to Santa”