luggage, minds and bodies safely returned to hk

it was a safe and easy flight back to hong kong last night, but my goodness, it was a long day. the kids probably slept six of the 14 hours, which is as much as you can ask of anyone. i think the worst bit was checking in and standing in a lineup with 100 other fellow passengers while three air canada personnel valiantly tried to deal with everyone, and their (had to be) sedated front line fellow who was taking abuse from everyone (but not me!) assured me, "oh no, this is a good day! normally our lineups go down to the food court!"

i have learned that magnificent and i are masochistic....how else can you explain that we chose our first night back in town to introduce our children to their new big boy and big girl beds? yes! not only are you not tired but being put to bed...but your beds no longer contain you! it's up to your conscience. probably NOT the best night to introduce the whole caper, but it had to happen. the triplets slept from midnight until 5am, seb was champion, slept until 8.30.

our clobber is sitting in various rooms, somehow just looking at it tires me. i have already unloaded my suitcase and a couple of other boxes, and i think that is my limit. i figure by my Christmas bake exchange the front room will be clean.

two notes and then i am off to convince the kids to stay awake for another five hours (whereapon they will not be tired anymore!)

- thank you all who made kind comments and sent emails about the blue bathing suit. but the DAY charles left ontario to head back to hong kong, i knew a side effect of single parenting would be increased stress, and so i increased my drug intake. not because i was having seizures, but because i didn't want to. and of course, i started to gain weight immediately, and i did NOT help matters, because i got/get the mindset...."if i am going to gain weight from medication, i will at least enjoy some good food on the way." and so i began tucking in to some truly summer canadian treats. ten pounds heavier, mcharles and i are now together and the stress of travel is over, and as soon as school/september is well underway, the meds will reduce yet again. pleeeeze do not think i am a bikini queenie - so not the case.

- had some fun incidents with the kids and toilet training....a HUGE part of tt is routine.

1) wee/poopers

2) wipe

3) throw tissue into bowl

4) flush

5) wash hands

imagine the triumverate's reaction the first time someone did a wee and went to wipe, only to be told "no, we don't put the tissue in the toilet here". SUCH ANGER. i CLEARLY did NOT understand that TISSUE NEEDED to be IN THE BOWL in order for the act of wee to be completed.

i had only placated the kitten by complimenting her on the wonderful wiping she had done and disposing the tissue in the bin myself (she refused to put the tissue in the bin herself on the grounds that it does not belong there) when she hopped off, pulled up her knickers and went to flush the toilet.

"no sweetie, we don't flush the toilet"

"yes! bye bye wee-wee!"

"no honey, we keep the wee-wee in the toilet here."

"NO! bye bye wee-wee!"

the tears, the frustration, oh there was foot stamping too....i am probably the world's worst mother because i was killing myself laughing and dragged everyone in to witness these seemingly hourly showdowns (or better yet, take them on themselves), but i could see the poor kitten's point.

yet really, now that i am back in the non septic world, i am not flushing after every wee, and i really don't feel like it.

so we are back. pix to follow. (a few over here) how was your summer???

Comments

[Boulder]

Missed you terribly!

Can't wait to hear more about summer - it is still HOT, HOT, HOT here. Could have used a cool plunge from the light house with everyone!

Welcome back!

xoxo

(Lots of exclamation points - can you tell how happy I am to see you back?)

[Boulder]

PS - 10 pounds or not, you are still a gorgeous woman!

(Again with the exclamation points!)

[Auntie Pammie]

Welcome back , I miss you guys more than you know.. Looking forward to seeing the pics.
Love Auntie P xo

[knobody]

welcome home

[Karen]

Oh give yourself more credit......you look fantastic!
I missed you sweetie and look forward to reading more from your holiday!

[joeinvegas]

I too was very impressed with the contents of the blue bathing suit. And sad at not hearing trip stories periodically.
Glad you are back and all are well.

[Tonya]

Glad you are back Tess! I have been waiting on pins and needles for you to return to your blog! Sounds like your vacation was amazing, cant wait to hear more about it.

Lots of Love

[Blakers]

Tess, the new tenants at Fintry phoned me last nigt. They wanted to know if it was ok to flush the toilets now. They seemed to be gargling and sounded somewhat A.R.

Love to all, Dad

[Antoinette]

Tess
I cant tell you how excited I was to find you back blogging today!!!Missed your great stories and antics.Cant wait to see pictures!!
Sounds like you had loads of fun!!
Welcome back!
antoinette