Let the sunshine...

Yes I'm totally singing that blog title. I feel the need to write after my post yesterday because today went against everything I wrote. Weather wise at least. It was a beautiful sunny day. I was obviously giving Auckland more grief than it deserved over the lack of sunshine.

But today the sun, which I have been craving, showed it's face and allowed me to walk all the way to church without the fear of getting drenched by the Auckland rain. It also allowed me to go to Michaels Avenue Reserve and just relax in the sun while musing over why the pukekos have such big feet. Or whatever it is that birds have instead of feet.

Rain, rain, go away.

I've got the TV on in the background and I hear these words which don't quite sound right: "Winter sale starts 16th June."

Yeah it's winter here in Auckland and don't I know it. In the past week I think there's been one day it hasn't rained. This probably wouldn't be too much of a problem, but I have 3 kids to keep busy during the day and the rain really does limit the activities. Last weekend, Sophie (my fellow British ex-au pair) and I decided to take a drive up Mount Eden to see the view of Auckland. [Photo's courtesy of Sophie's facebook]

This is what we saw:

In other words nothing. I think it was rather naive of us to think we might be able to see much. On clearer days, Mt Eden offers some great views over Auckland and there's also a volcano crater that we couldn't see due to fog.

This is what we looked like: 

Yeah, from just a couple of minutes in the rain/wind/fog, we looked like that (I say 'we' but Sophie still looks good.) This was after Sophie's humongous RWC umbrella got blown inside out and subsequently ruined.

Gotta love Auckland and it's weather. I'm pretty sure it's only gonna get worse. 

It ain't easy work.

I do apologise for the lack of excitement in my life. I keep thinking that there hasn't been much to write about but there's so much going on and kids regularly supply me with comedy gold but the truth is, I just don't have the energy to write it all. I mean, come on, look over my last posts, they all took a few minutes to write. I think I underestimated how tiring looking after kids is. Kudos to mothers [and fathers].

When I finish work, the last thing I want to do is write about my day. Now I know as an au pair, I actually have no idea what it's like to have and raise children. I only look after these kids from 8-6 Monday to Friday. Even then I 'm only ever on my own with the kids on Mondays and Tuesdays. And although the kids wake me up at 6am with their screaming, I do not need to get out of bed and I soon nod off again. And when I walk in to check on Toby during his nap to find he's thrown up all over himself and most of it is in his hair, all I have to do is call Jane and she's home to look after the sick child within half an hour. I may have to feed the children and keep them busy during the day but the way I feel about looking after kids is probably nothing like the real thang. However, I kid you not when I say that this experience has taught me not to have kids anytime soon.

While on the subject of parents/au pairs, a couple of weeks ago I took the kids to a place called Lollipops. It's basically a huge indoor playground much like Wacky Warehouse but with less balls and more toys. As it was a rainy day (again) it was crowded with screaming kids and stay at home mums/trophy wives. While we were sat for lunch I got talking to a mum who was there with her kids. She asked me if I only had the two. I told her that I had three kids with me, but they weren't mine, I was the au pair. Her reply was a simple 'Oh.' which was riddled with judgement and haughtiness. Her next question was 'Do their parents have much to do with them?' I was a bit shocked and it took me a while to find the words.

I'll be honest that prior to doing this job, I did think it was only a certain people who have au pairs. Rich and not much time for the kids. My mother was nanny when she was my age and she was worked to the bone. But after living with the family, I can see how devoted to these parents are to their kids. I'm not employed because they haven't got time for the kids. Or that they can't be bothered or because they are rich. I guess I'm cheap alternative to daycare. I may start at 8, but both Jane and Dave are with the kids until they have to go to work at about 8:30. And as soon as they come home they are with the kids again, playing with them, bathing them and getting them ready for bed.  I'm grateful that I'm with a family where I'm seen more as, I guess, a family member than as a nanny.

No shouting in the house.

Today Harrison told me I had to carry his scooter as he was too tired to push it and therefore needed to run. I failed to see the logic and as I was already carrying a two year old, a skateboard, a volleyball and my bag, I decided to use the line my mother always gave me "You brought it so you can carry it". I used this line twice today (both incidents scooter and hill related). I'm clearly becoming my mother.

After dinner today the kids were going a bit crazy. Jane had come home pretty stressed and was up in her room getting ready to go for a run. I was in the kitchen and could hear them shouting and obviously jumping on the bed in Emily's room. I went up to attempt to get the situation under control and got to the door just as Jane got there to shout at the kids for screaming in the house. She shouted something like "HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU! NO SHOUTING IN THE HOUSE". I was feeling a little bit awkward being there while the kids were being shouted at when Emily got right up to Jane and whispered: "Shhhh! No shouting in the house."

I had to do everything I could not to laugh as Jane tried to explain it was ok for adults to shout. One thing I love about working with kids is some of the things they say. And their logic. It provides me with much needed entertainment. And blog material clearly.

Accents and Stationery.

I caught myself speaking funny today. As I was speaking I was going up at the end of the sentences, just like the Kiwis do. I need to stop doing it, it's a terrible habit and I need to keep my accent.

It's quite funny how some people won't understand what I'm saying and it's over the most simple words. I was telling Dave the other night that I was going to see Cut Copy. After repeating it a few times to each other, he didn't quite get what I was saying. I said it was Cut Copy as in cut, copy, paste and finally got it. And then laughed at how I pronounced 'Cut'.

Sarah told me the same night that you could go have some fun in a stationery shop. If you ask for a Pen, you'll get a Pin. If you ask for a Pin, you'll get a Pen.

Things I don't particularly like about Auckland.

1. It's bipolar weather.

About to head out the door...

When there's a knock at the door.

I hear Harrison, 4, say "Mariiiiianne, can I come in your room?"

I say yes and in he comes.

H: "Where you going?"
Me: "Out to see some friends"
H: "Is that what you're wearing?"
Me: "Yes"
H: "Haha. You look dumb"

Thanks.
This kid is going to do wonders for my self esteem.