Herding Cats

My biggest day to day challenge with the two rug rats is getting them out the door on time for playgroup dates , classes and get together s. Some times it feels next to impossible,  I think it's like "herding cats"  Very frustrating as I used to always be a punctual person prior to kids!

The first time I heard the expression "herding cats" was back in 2009 when a group of my extended family took our Grandparents along with us to Bali. At that point in time they were quite fit and mobile and very switched on. 

We were on our way back to Perth after a successful family holiday when my parents asked Grandma and Grande to sit down and take a rest while we do a bit of final shopping to empty our purses of any remaining Indonesian Rupiahs. It was only 10 minutes later when Mum asked  "Where did Grandma and Grande go?"  the rest of the morning was a blur of family splitting up into pairs scouring every section of the Jakarta Airport for the two Octogenarians. Eventually my cousin Annie and I started lining up in the big que to the pokey departure lounge while Mum and Dad carried on their frantic search. 

"There they are!" exclaimed Annie and Grandma and Grande had made their own way through the hustle and bustle of  raucous Aussie tourists , past the intimidating armed Customs Officials on the other side of the metal detectors in the departure lounge. When asked what had happened they both indicated they were concerned of the time and forgot they were asked to stay in one spot and made their own way to the lounge. Once we were all reunited someone exclaimed ( i can't remember who, probably a good thing too) "It's like bloody herding cats!!"

Family and awesome staff at the Amori Village in Ubud Bali 

Well my kids are similar to those seniors on that occasion. They don't always register what is asked of them and make their own way when they're ready, otherwise you often have to carry them out to the car kicking and screaming. Well Joanie is the kicker and screamer and Koby is the Poo Shooter who always waits to the last minute to have a "poonami" and make us even later!

I really admire parents who get to outings on time and would like to know their secret! I've tried everything, from preparing the night before, laying the kids clothes out and prepping the nappy bag even on the odd occasion down to the tupper ware containers of snacks ( this is something I'm not as good at often resorting to throwing bananas and sultanas in the bag at the last minute). 

I'm hoping to get to a stage when Joanie doesn't protest at the idea of going out, its nice that she is attached to her bedroom and toys but its as if she has separation anxiety about going out without at least a bag of some of her motley crew. 

She loves all her toys but she has had a few special favorites for some time including her collection of small bouncing balls, duplo blocks, turtle puzzle pieces, wooden peg people and her latest favorite are these plastic frog bath toys. Now can you imagine a pretty curly red haired girl , in a floral dress and love heart sandles with a Blue Back Pack with a Shark on it  ( she picked it out at Best n Less) full of this random selection of toys? It is in my defense, an improvement from a larger Styrofoam box that we had converted into a car full of her toys .Shaun had once compromised with her to take this in the car rather than a huge tub of blocks ! Now the  backpack is only half the size again.  I'm dreaming of the day she could pick just the ONE toy!

Jb and her cousin Chloe playing with her DUPLO in Perth

Koby ( hair style by Jb) playing with his mobile

You never know , Maybe Koby will go against the grain and be a minimalist not a bower bird collecting lots of sparkling toys  otherwise I may have to upgrade from Eddie the Mazda to an ugly mini van!??