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Outing

11 February, 2006
Posted in: Middle Child, Twins, Youngest Child

Two of the women who attended the celebrations had been to a speed dating event earlier in the week. What was it like? “There was a slightly older man who asked me whether I liked dogs. I said yes and he said ‘that’s good as I come as a package with a three legged labrador'”.

Given that it was one of my very rare nights out, I got rather dressed up* and the Princess was fascinated by this vision of her mother. “I like your lips Mummy and your dress and your boots”. It was very gratifying. Though I wouldn’t have bothered with the boots, if I’d known that there would be a forced march from the restaurant back to where our cars were parked.

This was the longest stretch of time I have been away from the twins since they were born. You will, I know, be fascinated to hear that my breasts visibly grew over dinner and that when I came home I expressed 500mls of milk (over a pint for imperial readers).

*Quote from another mother of three (supplied by my friend D) is very appropriate here, when asked whether she ever got out this woman said “yes, occasionally…to the clothesline”

Comments
Friar Tuck
on 12 February 2006 at 03:09
Hmmm, a three-legged labrador. Oh well, as long as he wasn’t three-legged I suppose.
Glad you could get out somewhere other than the clothesline.

dmts
on 12 February 2006 at 11:20
And in the other jungle at least I have bloglines to tell me of your updating, Are you allowed to have clothes lines in Belgium? There are very few in Switzerland….but then mothers get to go out to do the shopping here

Berry
on 12 February 2006 at 13:27
Oohh, a night out. Good for you. Sounds like you had great time.
And like Heidi said- a pint? Impressive.
Minkleberry
on 12 February 2006 at 20:12
A pint! jeepers, that’d fetch a few pence on ebay

kristin
on 13 February 2006 at 02:09
oh, waffley, glad you got out. i’ve missed you, i’lve been at disneyland with my little one and had no internet. i was crawling the walls, i tell you.

belgianwaffle
on 15 February 2006 at 12:53
A FEW PENCE Minks, surely more than that? The rest of you are very kind!

Unhelpful TV Viewing Habits

8 February, 2006
Posted in: Middle Child, Twins, Youngest Child

On a completely separate note, I have been watching Supernanny on the telly. She has dealt with stressed out parents of twins for three weeks in a row. My favourite quotes “I wouldn’t wish twins on my worst enemy” and, from a mother when asked by Supernanny whether she got any “me time”, “I go to my mother of twins group once a month”. Oh good God. The publishing exec (who is now an editor -ta da!- send your unpublished manuscripts here) is responsible for Supernanny the book, so I am the proud possessor of a free copy which I could use to follow up the useful lessons learnt from the telly, but, realistically, I fear that there is no hope.

Comments

geepeemum
on 08 February 2006 at 15:23
Just goes to show how different YOUR twins are from all the other sets. One of my friends swears she is going to write a book on parenting twins becasue she says that books are always really negative about it and she has really enjoyed having hers. She has had a 10 year gap since her last child. And she does appear to have twins who sleep 12 hours a night since about 3 days old… I know but she had a bad time with her 1st 2 children so she deserves a break… And anyway who’d want their worst enemy to have such a fab experience as you’ll end up having as they all grow up together?!

kristin
(Homepage)
on 08 February 2006 at 16:34
i am not a little embarrassed to admit that in a moment of tipsy desperation i sent in our particulars to ABC seeking Supernanny’s assistance. Somehow, tho, i don’t think our painfully shy little one will make good tv. (Edited to add that she’s only painfully shy in front of strangers. When she’s at home she’s a raving lunatic.)

Friar Tuck
on 08 February 2006 at 17:25
Uh, it seems to me that the only thing that will come from your watching Supernanny is a guilt trip. I think you’ve already got one of those; you’re Irish, aren’t you? That would be like me watching the Lives of the Saints channel (thank God it doesn’t exist!). I bet you could teach Supernanny a thing or two! I highly recommend watching Project Runway. Everyone can feel good after watching that.
Minkleberry
on 08 February 2006 at 19:27
Supernanny is a crazed dictator so my nursery nurse sister claims. I’m totally obsessed with the House of Tiny Tearaways. Tanya Byron rocks, and Jimi’s got a huge crush on her.
Bobble (Homepage)
on 08 February 2006 at 22:38
There is always Lives of the Saints on TV in Italy, never fear.
poggle
on 09 February 2006 at 14:38
Supernanny gets to go home at the end of the day. So she gets a good night’s sleep. See?

belgianwaffle
on 15 February 2006 at 12:52
Ooh this is all very interesting. Kristin, I think you were a bit optimistic – your home life is really not hideous enough to justify supernanny…

Caption Competition

6 February, 2006
Posted in: Middle Child, Twins, Youngest Child

Comments
dmts
on 06 February 2006 at 12:40
that is wonderful.
Berry
on 06 February 2006 at 13:37
Ahhhh…. so sweet. They’re adorable! 🙂
Peggy
Homepage)
on 06 February 2006 at 14:15
Very cute, indeed! Is one of them wearing his sister’s old clothes (pink with flowers)?
Norah
on 06 February 2006 at 16:38
They really are terribly cute.
geepeemum
on 06 February 2006 at 18:19
The one on teh left looks as though he’ll never never never be the one to back down first!

Minkleberry
on 06 February 2006 at 18:44
ooooh lovely!
kristin
Homepage)
on 07 February 2006 at 00:08
look at those strong necks! tummy time does its job!! what lovely boys.
cha0tic
on 08 February 2006 at 01:13
ERK! They look like they’re communicating using psychic powers. Are you sure you remember the conception? It wasn’t in a place called Midwich was it 🙂

daddyslittledemon
on 08 February 2006 at 13:12
Madame la Gaufre
any tips or advice on persuading my baby daughter to sleep? My own inclination is towards chloroform, but my wife has expressed misgivings.
thanks in advance

belgianwaffle
on 15 February 2006 at 12:50
Ahh thank you all very much. Except for the Midwich cuckoos. Humph. DLD, not a hope, Princess didn’t sleep till she was two. Roll with the chloroform.

cha0tic
on 16 February 2006 at 02:40
That’s not to say they don’t look cute. Maybe they’re having some sort of Staring contest.

belgianwaffle
on 16 February 2006 at 08:35

Conversations with my Family

6 February, 2006
Posted in: Family, Siblings

My mother: Really?
Me: Yes, that wardrobe is surprisingly narrow, I’ve measured it.
My mother: Have you considered that you may want to open it?

My brother: So I was thinking that I might come and visit.
Me: That would be lovely.
Him: When does your holiday end?
Me: In April.
Him (in tones of deep shock): My God, you’re not even protesting anymore.*
Me: I’m too tired to protest.

*You will be aware that I am on maternity leave not on holidays.

Comments
kristin
(Homepage)
on 06 February 2006 at 15:57
holiday, pah.
Locotes
on 08 February 2006 at 15:32
Free holidays are great aren’t they?*backs away slowly for fear of getting a clatter*
belgianwaffle
on 15 February 2006 at 12:50
Duck!

Matters of Faith

5 February, 2006
Posted in: Princess

Her: Can we go to the synagogue?
Me: The cinema, sweetheart?
Her: No, Mummy, the syn-a-go-gue.
Me: Well, darling, we’re not Jewish…
Her: But, member, Mummy, the priest said that Jesus went to the synagogue.

Comments
Friar Tuck
on 05 February 2006 at 19:07
What?! Jesus attended the synagogue?! But seriously, her name is surely written in the Book of the Elect — she actually listened to a homily.

ladyjane
on 05 February 2006 at 20:44
It’s a peer pressure test – “yes, darling, but just because Jesus went to the synagogue…….”

poggle
on 06 February 2006 at 11:25
She has a point …

Linguistic Regime

4 February, 2006
Posted in: Belgium

In recent times, the question has arisen as to in what language announcements should be made on trains (that is rather cumbersomely put, but you appreciate what I’m getting at here). In French speaking Wallonia, announcements are to be made in French and in Flemish speaking Flanders announcements are to be made in Flemish. So far, so straightforward.

But what about in Brussels which is the capital and officially bilingual (though, de facto, French speaking)? Announcements should be made in both languages you might say, which just shows how little you know about the matter. You have not addressed the vexed question of which language comes first; the Belgians have. There are three main stations in Brussels. In Bruxelles-Midi announcements are to be
made in French, then Flemish. In Bruxelles-Nord announcements are to be made in Flemish, then French. This leaves Bruxelles-Central. Which language should have priority here? Worry not, a solution has been found, in odd years announcements will be made in French then Flemish and in even years announcements will be made in Flemish and then French. I swear I am not making this up.

Friar Tuck
on 04 February 2006 at 19:03
If they would just speak English, there would be no problem. The Flemish are almost there anyway.

belgianwaffle
on 05 February 2006 at 12:58
Berry, Mr. Waffle wants to know what happens in Ottowa and New Brunswick? He was born in Canada, he takes a special interest. You are funny, FT, START YOUR OWN BLOG.

a href=”http://www.20six.co.uk/Berry”>Berry
on 05 February 2006 at 13:54

I’m not too sure in New Brunswick but I’ll find out. In Ottawa, here is a quote from their official language web site “all documents published by the City or its agencies and addressed to the public appear in both official languages (instructions, regulations, municipal by-laws, etc.).That publications be made available in both official languages simultaneously or in the language of the target group (i.e., schedule of courses in French).”

Bobble
on 05 February 2006 at 23:43
Does that explain why the station staff are so unhelpful at Midi then? You really couldn’t make this up could you.

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