Wiggles Concert, then illness

Abi was excited to be going to this concert. We went to swimming class first, had a shower, then drove to meet Aunty Jen and Atticus at Victoria Park for a picnic lunch. Got there with 45mins before the start of the concert, then left with half an hour to go. Jen thought it would only take 10 mins to reach Enmore Theatre, but we didn't count on the King Street traffice jam (single lane only with buses etc) and by the time we got to Enmore via Carillon Ave we were late. The mothers gave their kids piggy back rides as we rushed to the venue. We couldn't believe the array of prams parked outside on the footpath outside, with 3 security guards. Rushed Abi to the toilet then entered the theatre with Wiggles singing on stage already. Abi was excited and cooperative until this point.

As soon as we walked inside, she froze. Didn't want to follow the usher, reluctantly was dragged along by her mother to our seats in Row G. Lorien and Atticus were already seated, eyes glued to the stage activity. Charli was dancing on her mother's lap. Abi sat and stared with blank expression for much of the first few songs. Priscilla noticed some tears in her eyes as she pulled them open, and offered her a seat on her lap. For the rest of the concert sometimes there was a smile from Abi, even a small clap or two. Atti and Lori were literally dancing in the aisle. But by the end of the one hour concert Abi looked very tired. Priscilla felt her forehead and it was hot. Had to carry Abi out past the crush of parents and kids in the merchandised foyer.

Out on Enmore Road, Priscilla and Jen carried the kids as we waited for Janet and her 2 kids to emerge. Finally they come out of the venue with some merchandising, and we settled on a cafe nearby. Abi was limp and hot, rested on the chaise longue while her cousins drank chocolate milkshake and ate cake. Had to leave Jen and Atti to wait for a ride from Dan, got Abi to the car and she didn't want to go. As soon as the car was in motion, Abi fell asleep.

At Por Por's place she started to talk about the concert. She looked at the cover of the DVD Wiggledancing and remembered parts of the concert: ballerinas, Dorothy. Panadol was administered for her 38.3 C temperature.

That night Abi woke around 10:30pm with high temperature again 38.5 C. Was given Panadol then she fell asleep. The pattern of fever every 6-8 hours after Panadol / Nurofen continues and yesterday Abi was barred from going to Blackfriars childcare. Saw Dr Sharp at Leichhardt Gen Practice who was puzzled as to the source of temperature but took a urine sample for testing (next day result: no UTI). Told to wait a few days to see if a rash develops (viral) and to keep away from other children (little sister if possible). Administered Nurofen which seemed to stop the high temp (dose of Panadol at 2:30pm didn't have any effect). Abi in good spirits but quite tired.

Again at night Abi had a very high temp, max 40 C which was quite worrying. Gave short bath after sponging didn't work. Mark Wong suggested Abi wasn't too bad as she was very chatty with Chris. She was giggling maniacally at one stage.

Tonight she made a comment that last night the bathroom lamp had a rainbow light. ???

Hungry after Blackfriars

Pascale and Priscilla went up to the fence to see Abi in the playground - she was sitting at the standpit next to Mei, one of the teachers. One of the girls there told Abi that her mum was there, and Abi ran to greet us.

We went with her to the toilet, then she produced a breadstick from her bag and ate it in a flash. As we walked out of Blackfriars, we took the stroller and searched for her hat. Then Abi remembered that it was in the hat box for the older children and found it. As we got into the car, she asked for something to eat (customary). All Priscilla found were sultanas and dried apricot in the car seat. One fell to the ground but Abi scooped it up hungrily before her mother could intervene (!) She said that all she ate for lunch was mashed potato, carrots and peas.

Back at home dinner was served as soon as we got into the house, and Abi ate it all (risoni with braised chicken sprinkled with shredded cheese). After the bath when it was dessert time, Abi ate the customary bowl of yoghurt with oat flakes, then asked for more. She then ate a whole banana as well as a quarter of an apple. Topped off with sip of milk and sip of water.

Craft shop

Priscilla decided that some craft material was needed to do the stuff from the library craft book. Abi, Pascale and Por Por went to Spotlight Birkenhead with Priscilla.

The kids walked up and down touching and carrying and putting back so many things. The adults were on edge the whole time, preventing damage and not putting everything they touched into the purchase basket. Abi was fascinated by the variety of things, and selected a suncatcher project in addition to the odds and ends. She worked out that the button tubes had the same buttons inside as the one on each lid. She chose favourite colours of glass colour pens and replaced them on the rack spectrum. Her eyelids were heavy but she didn't rest until we turned the corner away from Birkenhead and on the way home.

Reading from a balloon

Abi likes to read letters and to copy them. She looked at the metallic balloon that we took from Big W ages ago, and read (vertically) :"C, C, C, C"; "L, L, L, L"; "E, E, E, E"; "A, A, A, A"; "R, R, R, R"; "A, A, A, A"; "N, N, N, N"; "C, C, C, C"; "E, E, E, E".

Sunday night on a dinner trip to Bar Italia with the Wong uncles/cousins, Abi copied the restaurant name on a menu while waiting for our order to arrive.

New play friend

We were at a picnic at Sirius Park Mosman to farewell one of Priscilla's friends from Morris Bray Architects who was about to embark on a year long trip to South America and ...

One of the families there had 2 boys similar ages to Abi and Pascale. After lunch, the 2 babies played on the slides and swings at the same time, but it was the older 2 who really hit it off with each other. Surprisingly Abi was not shy. Maybe the childcare experience has helped her.

Abi and Lindon (?) started off rock hopping on the edges of the playground, then went to the observation platform together. This led to more play in which Abi tended to tell Lindon what they were going to do and the boy following her. They built a small mound of bark chip, rocks and a sock. They ran up and down the grassed embankment, took turns drinking from the bubbler and helping the other one to get a drink too. Of course in the process they stood in front of the water jet and were soaked. Priscilla got them cups and they helped each other to get water and to drink.

Then they sat down for a snack and Abi gave Lindon one of the arrowroot biscuits from our box as well as one of the bananas. Then they all went to the toilet with Lindon's mum. Abi then asked permission to play in the small beach. Lindon's mum brought out some buckets and spades and a truck. Abi dug and tried to make sandcastle with bucket of sand, getting closer to the wet sand/water. Lindon made tracks with his truck and tipped sand all over himself. Gung Gung was supervising the sand play at one stage when both mothers were preoccupied by their younger children.

We walked back from the beach and all had a drink. Priscilla got out some muesli bars for the children. Quickly, Abi grabbed the choc chip one and gave the apricot one to Lindon. Priscilla should have asked permission from Lindon's parents as it turns out he has severe peanut allergy. Luckily the ingredients passed parental approval (but Lindon had already taken a big bite).

Finally the bubble mix was brought out. Lindon and Abi got up from rolling down the grassed embankment and ran to set it up near the food tables. They squealed with delight and played until reluctantly all had to go home. Abi asked if Lindon could come to our place to keep playing. Turns out they live in Newcastle and are down for a long weekend.

Craft book

Borrowed another craft book from the library. This divided the projects better, just starting out, a little bit harder, older kids. Abi looked through and selected some that she had done (marble painting in a box) and some that she would like to do. The ice cream stick picture frame was easily completed. Soon we made a toilet roll rocket ship, and a welcome sign on a picture of a house.

Copying words from poster

Priscilla put up 2 advertising posters on the fridge for Pascale to look at pictures of cat and dog. Abi took the posters and copied the word on the top of each. She said: "cat" and "dog". Actually it was "Lost" and "Lost" (advertising copy). Afterwards Priscilla stuck the cat and dog words onto the poster.

Crafts at Union childcare

Abi has been participating well in the 3-5yr room's group activities, according to Teacher Yuki. Today she made a craft picture of a playground alongside other girls doing the same craft, using squares of coloured paper 1x1cm. The playground even had a square for Abi's house, and a slide.

Abi played with Alex(andra) today, and Abbey Read. She mentioned Oliver was chasing two girls.

Painting from Blackfriars

Abi has started to do paintings again. Today's was about the sky and rainbow and thunder. A bit disturbing with its bold brown colour but I suspect there was a lot of colour which Abi didn't keep from running into each other? The yellow dots are a new feature. Abi says she prefers Blackfriars over Union.

Mort Bay Park with just Abi and Mum

Just the two going to music class today, Pascale being sick at home. After the children emerged from music class, Abi and Mum took a short walk along the waterfront. It was sunny and there was a light breeze.

We noted that the sky was a beautiful blue, and clear (not cloudy). The ferry boats made small waves as they came past. Abi noted the water was sparkly due to the sun shining on it, and said that she liked sparklies, purple and something else that Priscilla can't remember now.

We then hugged some trees, climbed around on the low spreading fig, watched some magpies and miner birds, before going home.

Library friend

Went to Leichhardt library minus Pascale who was sick. Abi looked around the books and helped to choose some, mainly from the babies table.

She was attracted to a computer with a game/graphic that was being used by a girl aged about 8. Abi pulled herself up onto a chair and sat watching the girl (Jessica) play. After a while Priscilla went over and asked if everything was okay. Jessica asked Abi if that was her mum. Abi smiled and nodded. Then Jessica let Abi press the mouse button a few times to progress her program. As it was 4pm Priscilla told Abi that it was time to leave. Jessica said to Abi: "one more click ok? Then we'll see you next time." Abi nodded.

As Abi walked away from the computer with Priscilla, she said:" I don't think she will be there when we come next time." Priscilla said:" maybe next time you will meet someone else here."

Husband and wife

Lately Abi has made comments about Chris and Priscilla and using the terms husband and wife. She once said that when she is older she will be a wife of Owen, and he will be her husband. She also said that she will be a mummy when she is an adult.

Going home time

On the drive home from Por Por and Gung Gung's place, Abi noted that there were a lot of cars on the road. Her mum said that everyone was going home (~6pm). Abi then listed some people who might be doing that: daddies, mummies, children, doctors, bus drivers... When her mum absent mindedly said "doctors", Abi corrected her "I said that already!"

First day in pre-school 3-5y room, Union Childcare

Abi was apprehensive when she arrived in the morning. Mum had said that she already knew all the children and would enjoy the new activities but Abi wasn't listening. She said that she wanted to go to Blackfriars childcare instead. Abi stalled in the foyer and said that she didn't want to go in. Teacher Maryanne picked her up (Mum was carrying Pascale) and all walked in to put her bag into the new locker area. Abigail was pouting severely, Mum said "hope you don't look like that when they take your photo for the new locker nametag".

In the playground Teacher Yuki welcomed Abigail who shyly wrapped herself around mum's legs. Mum was briefed by Yuki on what kind of things she will be teaching in the group (tidying up after themselves, independence, verbal expression vs physical, other stuff) and was requested to bring Abi to Union before 10am (we have been tardy) to allow her time to settle before the children split up into home room groups for their work. Mum pointed out quietly to Abi as one of the children asked Yuki to intervene that Abi can go to the teachers for help like that girl had. Mum left Abi sitting next to Yuki who addressed the 3-5y group and briefed them on the day's work. Abi was not crying.

When it was pick-up time, Abi seemed to be very happy. Yuki noted for both parents to see the room journal where Abi featured with other children participating in the activity of planting carrot seeds. Yuki was pleasantly surprised that Abi had had a good day and was not disruptive. (Por Por noted to Priscilla that she should have said to Yuki that Abi was ready for that next level). That morning Abi had started to participate after a short observation period of 10mins sitting next to Yuki. Chris observed that she was arm-in-arm with the other Abbey for a period that day. Abi already plays in the common playtime with the girls from this older room, and previously was interested in the 430-5pm activities initiated by Yuki, so her parents had expected her to settle in quickly despite her own insecurity.

On the drive home, Abi said that she liked being in the new room and that she wanted to go to Union everyday. She also said that she told Atticus that she wouldn't be in his room anymore.

Abi at home for a change

Saturday morning, and the girls are at home. After breakfast Priscilla wanted to hang up some washing, but Abi persuaded her mother to do origami on the deck with her instead, however the folding was a bit difficult and Abi told her mother to do it all herself. Pascale was rocked to sleep after looking at Eric's dogs.

Lunchtime came, and Abi was happy to have burritos, she even volunteered to make one for Por Por. She ate quickly but probably not enough to be full cos 4 slices of rockmelon were eaten for dessert.

Abi had taken some more craft stuff out onto the deck, namely glitter glue and paddlepop sticks. As Priscilla was busy in the kitchen, Abi was left to her own devices. She entered the house with a smile at afternoon tea time, saying that she had glitter in her hair. When asked how, she replied that she had put the glue onto her hands then rubbed it through her hair.

Later that day, as the pre-dinner play dough was in progress, Abi suddenly decided that she had to bring in her stuff from the deck. She proceeded to carry EVERYTHING inside, filling our reduced width lounge play areas with the boxes/toys from the deck.

Dinner outing

Abi kept on asking to eat dinner away from home, so parents thought it would be good to have a small outing after childcare.

Abi was collected from Blackfriars by Chris, then they walked to Paddy's Market to meet Pascale and Priscilla who travelled there by light rail. The kids were antsy and hungry, so it was off to Xic Lo vietnamese restaurant at 445pm for early dinner. Luckily we were nearly the only customers and Abi chose the bench height seats facing the street window which provided lots of entertainment for the children as they ate. Pascale bounced around the chairs but didn't protest when placed into the stroller to be fed.

Abi shared crispy skin chicken and boiled rice with Chris. She ate heartily and seemed happy with the novelty of eating out while watching the passing parade.

After dinner the family walked through the Friday night crowd to Coles World Square. Dessert time: Milo chocolate icecream cup for Abi from Coles, jelly and fruit from Coles for Chris, puffy cake with custard for Priscilla who couldn't resist the aroma of the pastries. Pascale stayed asleep despite the high noise levels, and woke momentarily during the light rail trip home but went back to sleep.

Abi didn't have a daytime rest, so she fell asleep very quickly that night.

Autumn leaves

Abi loved being in the park, esp. with the autumn leaves on the ground making a lovely carpet. She gathered leaves that took her fancy, and danced gently while holding them like a ribbon. She ate hungrily at lunchtime, despite having eaten a banana sandwich 2 hours earlier after her swimming lesson.

The mobile playvan thing was a bit disappointing for Priscilla, as Abi had said that she wanted to do painting under the trees. When the opportunity presented itself, Abi got shy and walked around looking at everything and all the other kids and parents/grandparents there. She ended up at the babies' toys, then the books. We read about 3 books before listening to one of the organisers read about an Owl Mother and her 3 babies. There was some singing beforehand and by the end of the session when the parachute was flapped up and down Abi had warmed up. She then wanted us to re-read the book. Baby Bill the owl always said "I want my mummy", so Priscilla got Abi to repeat this whenever it occurred.

Swimming progress

The second turtles lesson for the term, and Abi was able to swim to the teacher without wearing a bubble, putting her head into the water for part of the swim.

She also managed to jump into the water from a standing position at the edge of the pool, while wearing a bubble. The intention was to swim to a platform a little way out from the edge, but that can wait until next time. Abi swam back to the side of the pool under a rainbow (noodle held by teacher) with a big grin.

Abi dresses herself after bathtime

Priscilla was about to take Pascale from the bathroom into her bedroom. As she had done many times before, Abi was firm about asking her mother to leave things so that she could get up and dressed by herself. "Leave a chair so I can step out of the bath, and leave the door open so I can get out."

Abi appeared in Pascale's room dried and clothed. She proudly announced that she had done it all by herself. The only glitches were: Her spencer was on back to front, under the singlet. The single was slightly twisted near the neckline/strap. Her pyjama top was upside down. But most of it was done correctly, including the sleep pull-up nappy.

Oops

Abi refused to use the toilet before leaving childcare, and was so hungry during dinner that she rushed to the toilet at the last minute. A voice came from the bathroom "Mum, can you help me with my pants?"

As Priscilla was feeding Pascale she called back "What's the matter with them?"

"I did a wee in them."
"Take them off and put them into the bathtub." (She didn't understand tho, so Priscilla had to go and supervise).

Sure enough there was a puddle in front of the childproof gate, then in front of the toilet.
Priscilla took the wet items and asked Abi to get some dry clothes. Abi went by herself and selected underpants and overpants, then put them on by herself.

Time to herself

As Pascale was about to be put into her bath, Abi was asked if she would like to bathe at the same time. "Pascale wants to spend some time with you", Priscilla said.
"I want to spend time with myself", Abi said.

During that time, Abi busied herself with some craft. She drew onto 3 sheets of black A4 paper and stuck one sheet each onto the bedroom doors. "Pascale doesn't have a door to her room", said Abi (Pascale has a curtain) "so I stuck her picture next to the curtain." There it was, blu-tacked onto the side of the wardrobe next to the curtain.

Blackfriars Childcare gets Age Rooms

Today was the first time Abi tried the new room arrangement at blackfriars. She mainly played with play dough, but still by herself. When asked about that, she said that she talked with the teachers and not really with the other children, because some children hit you. She says Stop but doesn't seem keen to be social.

Pre-bed drawing

Abi had finished her dessert and started to draw on the chalkboard, maybe to delay her bedtime. She spent 45 mins drawing, the last half an hour colouring in her mother's renditions of farm animals. She asked to have her photo taken too, as her mother took many snaps of her various drawings.

Lime green leaves

Under the fig tree with Pascale, Abi also explored the stormwater grated lid. The children noticed leaves and broken twigs of various diameter among the grass and Abi decided to collect some. She carefully picked the leaves, even ones on a fallen branch that had to be ripped off. A small pile was made on the edge of the stormwater grate then some bark chip was added "to light the fire".

Abi also collected broken twigs about 25mm in diameter, some quite gnarled and twisted, some straight. She balanced them in the gaps between gratings.

Playground percussion

Abi went to Eglington Park, Glebe and played mainly on the slides. Then she noticed a roundabout which we have never played on before (not many in the places we have played in). It was under the shade of a large fig tree.

She got on board and the roundabout which was rotated slowly by her mother. Abi was joined by various younger children at various times, all stayed for a short while before leaving. One boy close to Abi's age (maybe a bit older) walked past with his nonna (grandmother) and got on. He and Abi went around for quite a while. The 2 children watched each other out of the corner of their eyes. Then the boy started to copy what Abi was doing: ballet stretches and standing on one leg etc. He started to move around his metal handle, and Abi copied. They imitated each other for a while and the activity progressed to hanging one foot off the edge of the roundabout (still rotating slowly). Abi and the boy were smiling now. Then the boy stepped off the roundabout to pick up a short stick from among the many lying on the bark chip base under the fig tree. At this point the rotating was stopped.

He returned to the roundabout and started tapping his stick on the metal handle frame. Then he quickly found another, longer stick and took the two back onto the roundabout. The boy offered Abi the shorter stick which she accepted. Then he resumed the banging and Abi joined in. They tapped all parts of the frame and also the central drum-like spindle top. Priscilla asked them to hear if the sounds were different depending on what part they were hitting, and the two children explored that idea by hitting all over the roundabout's metal parts.

It ended when the boy decided to leave and took Abi's stick (promising to give her the longer one but not doing so). Abi didn't mind and picked up her own longer stick. She and her mother then went to the nearby metal slide and tapped on it with short and long sticks.

Play dough division

Abi made a neat thin rectangle out of play dough. She then said:" If I cut the rectangle in half, I will get 2 squares". (The proportion of her rectangle was 2:1)
Her mother asked what would happen if those squares were cut into halves: 2 rectangles. Then cut again? 2 squares.

Visit to the Art Gallery

Actually more just the trip to the city on a bus with the family. We looked at the cityscape from the top of the bridge over Victoria Road, and then at the buildings up close as the bus weaved from Darling Park to the Domain.

Upon entering the domed foyer of the AGNSW, Abi said that it was like being inside a turtle - 4 turtles in fact.

She delighted in having afternoon tea/snack on the terrace, watching 3 Rainbow Lorikeets as they ate sugar and other offerings from diners. Then Abi and Pascale had a small exercise session on the padded seat and gallery floor behind the entry desk. We actually looked at the traditional painting galleries for about 15 minutes before heading off home.

While waiting for the bus to arrive, Abi sat on a domed part of the sandstone fence and watched people walking by. We looked for and found a miner bird singing while hidden in a fig tree.

On the bus Abi was charming other travellers with her demands for biscuits. She asked to press the newly introduced stop button as we approached our destination. Then after we crossed Victoria Road to Lilyfield Road, Abi fell asleep in her stroller, wrapped up snugly in her father's jumper against the dusk chill.

Pre-Schooler workbook

For the past week or so, Abi has busied herself with this workbook at many opportunities: in the morning, at the doctor's, after dinner. Armed with a single pencil she seems to enjoy the activities on each page: counting, matching two lists, finding a way out of mazes, circling a set number of items, tracing alphabetical letters.

Bart Simpson ice cream

After swimming class, Abi chose her ritual ice cream from the freezer next to the pool entrance doors. This time she had a Bart Simpson push through. Bit overpriced at $2.60. It was soft vanilla icecream inside a large plastic container that was like a syringe. Ice cream was force out through 6 5mm diameter holes on the top, and after it was licked off you pushed the stick to get more. Saves the mess of dripping ice cream on the stick, altho a fair bit of it ended up on her face and collar as usual.

Big Sister in the park and car

After swimming class Abi and her mum joined Pascale and Gung Gung Por Por at Burwood park. Abi and Por Por held on to Pascale's hands and they all walked from the playground to the picnic spot. There was a mobile playgroup in progress and Abi immediately went to try their toys and crawling tunnel. Pascale followed.

As we left the park, the girls ate grapes while in their car seats. Abi was in charge of giving out the grapes. When the grapes had been eaten, Abi asked for a wet cloth (Wet wipe) as her fingers were sticky. She then wiped Pascale's left hand too. Abi couldn't reach Pascale's right hand so she gave the wipe to Pascale who played with it and thus wiped her own hand (sort of).