Treadmills have come a long way & a blissful break at The Langham Sydney

As part of the Lazyrunner 10km program (week 3) I am due to run 7km on one of my runs.  I was going to do this on the treadmill at the wonderful Langham (see below) but discovered you now need a PHD to fully operate a treadmill.  Well, I haven't really seen the inside of a gym since the twins were born.  The treadmill was very nice and I plugged in my headphones and searched for radio..or music of any kind.  And failed.  There were shortcuts for youtube, Ebay, CNN, BBC, my own personal on screen TV, but all I wanted was some music.  So after 5 minutes I decided I'd just listen to my iPhone.  I found it a little tough on a treadmill after such a long absence, so settled for 5km.

The treadmill screen - I just want a catchy tune (you can Facebook on a treadmill??)

Two treadmills - we had the gym to ourselves (and they had refrigerated face towels )

Happy Birthday dear mother-in-law! And thankyou thankyou thankyou for letting me share your birthday present.  We arrived in the city at lunchtime and found the delicious Fish Cafe in the Rocks.  We shared entrees, a crisp chardy and some chips.  You know you're in a fancy shmancy establishment when they roll out the complimentary hot bread.  It was a lovely start to our break.  Check-in at The Langham was at 3pm but unfortunately our room wasn't ready on time.  But we were duly placated with complimentary drinks while reading in the Drawing Room.  At last our room was ready, and it was worth the wait.  It was a Harbour view mini-suite.  So we played ladies while sitting in our little sitting area reading and drinking English Breakfast tea (with choccies!).

This place was an absolute find - we'll be back!

a crisp white on a hot day

This photo doesn't do the meal justice - it was delicious!

I love complimentary bread - no holding the butter for me!

Then we decided to hit the gym and swim in the most gorgeous 20 metre pool with a huge spa.  I used to do a little swimming and I've forgotten what a good upper body workout it is. Then we went for a walk around the Rocks.  It was a beautiful evening and the view from Observatory Hill was breathtaking.  We returned to our suite for a night in with biccies, cheese, choccies and Rose.  While we were gone some magic fairy had turned down our covers, replaced our bottled water and put fresh slippers by the bed!  It was so quiet!  We just read and talked and enjoyed the calm.  In our modern lives there is always noise - well in my life anyway.  Its either TV, games , kids laughing (or screaming:-).  We both drank in the serenity.  The time flew by and we retired for a fantastic night sleep.  At The Langham they have a pillow menu - yes that's right - a pillow menu (there is also a pet menu but we had no need of that!).  I didn't need to consult it because my pillow was just right as it was.

my first visit to The Langham

The drawing room - loved this

foyer

The most comfortable bed and pillows

Loved the ceiling on the indoor pool. There was a huge spa - no photos as was occupied

The next morning was a wonderful buffet breakfast in the Galilleo Restaurant.  It wasn't like other buffets I've been to.  No jostling, or lines or loud clattering of dishes.  It was all very civilised.  We checked out and headed to the spa for a great massage I've ever had.  She really worked my neck and I felt it release at one point.  When I get a migraine my neck really stiffens up.  Finally, we headed to the Globe bar for Tiffin at The Langham.  Served off Wedgewood especially designed for The Langham, we spent the next 2 hours sipping tea and sampling sweet treats.  Ahh yes, it was a real treat.  

breakfast - first course

a perfectly poached egg

hot choc to order and breakfast sweet treats

We were conquered - we just couldn't finish all of it

Wedgewood design made especially for The Langham

It tasted as good as it looks

We love our boys, but we all enjoy a rest from the stress and busyness of looking after the twins.  Before we left, T2 decided he would drink some bubble mixture (just like Horrid Henry - his favourite show!).  There was no adverse reaction but sometimes it feels like we're always on high alert and it really is lovely to truly relax and recharge.  

What is the most luxurious Hotel you've stayed at?

Do you have a favourite restaurant in The Rocks, Sydney?

My first Parkrun!; ASD and haircuts

This morning I did my first Parkrun! It was...hot!hot!hot!..but fantastic.  The sun was belting down and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  As soon as I got home I collapsed into the pool.  I can't believe these are free events held every week!  It so great to have that competitive experience on a regular basis.  Its really good to practise the starting-line crowds and the experience of finding your place in the field.  I am very happy that I smashed 30 minutes and actually finished well under 29 minutes.  I was kind of racing these two little kids.  I'd pass them, then they'd pass me, then I'd pass them...you get the idea.  In the end they scalped me.  But watch out kiddos, I've got my eyes on you in future races!  I must say when I saw the 2km mark I felt pretty awful.  I was hurting and even got a small stitch.  My gorgeous husband has already given my legs a rub.

I took this from the car - I thought photos on first day may be a bit weird!

Yesterday I took the twins for a haircut.  Haircuts always bring back memories.  Of yelling and screaming.  When they were about two one of the twins pulled a mirror off the wall at the hairdressers!  I reckon I have still have PTSD just from the haircuts.  But its not a problem anymore.  We go up to Just Cuts and I ask for the DVD to be put on andT2 watches and squirms a little.  I used to pop little pieces of cracker into his mouth when he was little for sitting nicely.  I also ask for the clippers around the edge to make it super quick.  I know alot of kids on the spectrum wouldn't do to well with clippers but luckily T2 is used to it.  T1 is no problem at all.  T2 finished first and watched a DVD with T1.  He was great except he did make one loud noise that startled everyone (don't you hate non-functional language/noises?).  Rethink Autism have some great videos on how to desensitize kids for haircuts (though I'm not sure if they are free-I subscribe).

T2 - I never thought I'd see the day!

T1 quite enjoys a haircut now - I think the mirror helps!

If your kids struggle - there are ways to work on a successful trip to the hairdressers!

Any tips for a successful trip to the hairdresser>

Do you do Parkruns?

Lazyrunner10k Week2 complete & 3 movies in 24 hours!

This afternoon I did 5kms to finish off Week 2 of the Lazyrunner 10k program.  I'm only running every second day at the moment as I'm experiencing a little stiffness in my right knee (it scares me so much I don't want to acknowledge that).  I think I could do with losing a couple of kgs just to take some of the pounding off.  But I'm having way too much over Summer school hols to do that :-)!  I ran this arvo and it got quite hot, but really very bearable for this time of year.

Three movies at the cinema in 24 hours - woohoo!  Don't you love this time of year?  All the movies were very different.

First off The Hobbit - went with eldest and my husband and loved it.  I thought it was alot better than the first one.  Finally got to see that damn dragon!  I've decided I'm not too fond of dwarves.  I much prefer the elves and wizards...and maybe even the dragon!

Then Frozen - again LOVED it! (I'm such a critic)  We took the 3 boys.  T1 and eldest were perfect as usual and even T2 was the best he's ever been.  He started singing though (which was kind of hilarious and a little embarrassing  - he actually has excellent pitch and according to my husband noone would have heard.  I gave him a lollipop and sat him with my husband and he was quiet and really watching for the rest of the movie.  And I admit it... I cried!  T1 said really loudly 'you've got tears!' and then my eldest started laughing at me because I was crying in a kid's movie.  My lovely husband stood up for me though :-)

And then, tonight, the amazing Philomena.  What a beautiful, heart-wrenching, fascinating movie.  The BBC know how to put together a good film and I love Judi Dench.  It was a fantastic movie!

This morning I did some ABA therapy with T2, who did an amazing job.  He is SO compliant at the moment!

A milestone for T1 - he had his last ABA session today.  He just doesn't need it anymore.  His lovely, truly special junior therapist promised to babysit and come to visit to help soften the blow.  She is such a special person.  Anyone who complains about the younger generation need to meet the amazing people that have and do work with my sons.  They are smart, kind, intelligent and really interesting people.

Lazyrunner 10k program Week 2 Run 2 & First Aid Course

Yesterday I had to be in the city early to do my first aid course, so I didn't run.  But today was fantastic conditions for a run.  I really enjoyed my 6.5kms and did it in about 40 minutes.  I could tell you my exact time if T2 would release his vice grip on my iPhone!  I still feel like a slow-coach but am happy that my pace is gradually increasing and I should just be happy that I'm injury-free (touch wood!)

Yesterday I did my first aid certificate.  I will need this in order to do my nursing placements this year.  I had to complete a workbook before the course and luckily I went over it because the day started with a written test (a bit scary!).  I thought there would be bandaging but there was none!  First aid has changed alot since I last did a course.  I think its changed mostly for the better.  There was a huge focus on CPR and with so many organisations having defibrillators, we got to practise on one (not a charged one :-)).

The only thing that teed me off was the instructor seemed to me to convey that he wouldn't assist someone who collapsed on the street/beach etc.  He blantantly said he would not perform breaths without a mask on someone he didn't know.  And seemed to emphasize that 'danger' meant danger of being sued.  He also emphasised washing hands before CPR.  Seriously?  As someone who has lost someone to sudden cardiac death I wouldn't be looking around to wash hands.  Also I'd like to think that everyone is someone's brother, sister, father, mother etc.  I stayed quiet for a while and then said my piece; that I would help, would perform CPR if it was a stranger collapsed in public and mentioned to the class my belief that this person is loved by someone.  I don't care.  I'm glad I said it because I didn't like the impression the instructor was giving to the class.  Anyway, preaching over now!  I passed the two tests, have my certificate, so I'm happy.

Free wifi at Woollies Woolloomoolloo!

And a cafe where I did some last minute study

A closer look at my Woollies hot chocolate

Classy - a juice bar, salads, sandwiches and sushi

I wish my local Woolies looked like this!

Tonight is the Hobbit with eldest and husband - can't wait! I've been waiting a year to see this dragon
 :-)

Lazyrunner 10k Week 2- day 1, ABA session & High Tea at WoodenSpoon Bar

An early start to the day, thanks to T2, meant that I got a 5km run in before the day warmed up.  I didn't time my run.  Partly because T2 was playing with my phone and partly because...I didn't want to.  I still haven't quite come to terms with how slow I am.

Then I did an ABA session with T2.  It was great to get started early while we were both fresh.  T2 was great - really fantastic.  Very compliant and focused.  He has had zero behaviours during therapy sessions for ages.  The new approach where T2 chooses what targets he does and has a visual program for the session really works.  For reinforcement we built a train track, coloured in Thomas pictures, played with with Thomas Laptop.  And of course a snack!  As you can tell, T2 is really into Thomas at the moment :-).

Then I updated T2's folder and had a swim with the family.  The twins are really great readers and T2 is sitting next to me reading this.  He just asked 'why did you write 'had a swim with the family'?  Ha!Ha! gotta love those why questions (us autism parents never take language for granted!)

Then it was a girls  High Tea for me and my Mother-in-Law.  It was the second time we had a high tea at Wooden Spoon bar on Military Road, Cremorne.  For the second time, it was fantastic.  We were greeted by a very friendly staff-member who sat us in the front.  We sat on the world's most comfortable lounge and were swiftly served with French Champagne!  They make all cakes and savouries in house and everything tasted SO fresh and delicious.  The waiter went through what everything is, the cream was clotted-tick!, the tea was tea-leaves-tick!, we served water as well- tick!  In fact everything about this place deserved a big tick (I think I've been collecting too much data!).  It was really quiet where we were sitting and good quality jazz was playing in the background.  Really, I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Classy decor

Everything is made in house... and delicious!

French Champagne!

Let's take a closer look

Savouries

Proper tea  (tea leaves)

Proper cream

This high tea was purchased from Living Social vouchers.  At no stage did we feel different because we used a voucher.  We will definitely be back!

Where is your favourite High Tea?

T1's Ashes Test debut at the SCG & DON'T trust roll-on sunscreen!

I didn't post last night because I was exhausted and sunburnt and...exhausted.  Yesterday was the big day.  T1 would be playing with the other Milo Kids during Lunch on the first day of the 5th Ashes test at the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground.

The alarm (otherwise known as T2) woke us up and we got ready to leave the house at 8am to get a park.  We took two cars because T1 wasn't going to last the whole day whereas my eldest and husband would.   We got there in quick time and found a park on the street and walked to the ground.  We had to be at the ground early and luckily they had a great area for kids set up outside the ground.  There was a bowling area, throwing, face painting, free Milo and you could get your photo taken with the world cup.

T1 bowling to eldest - love it !

Little yellow blobs!

This is the team closest to me, not T1's team

Walking off after session

Then all the Milo kids were gathered together and we were given our tickets and entered the ground.  Our seats were really good.  It was a sold out day so getting complimentary tickets in such a great place was terrific.  We were also seated in a no alcohol area which was awesome because I didn't want to be near any yobbo drunks.  My eldest got beer spilled on him where he was seated. Yuck!  NONE of the kids actually watched the game - haha!  We spent the two hours feeding our kids sandwiches and snacks and I gave T1 my phone to play with and the kids all huddled in.  I took T1 to the bathroom and reminded him that he needed to listen to people in charge and then afterwards if he did the right thing we would go to McDonald's.  Finally the kids were called and went off without us.  I wonder how T1 behaved during that time?  Hopefully well!  Then they came on the field and his group was on the opposite side of the field.  My husband could see him from his seats and rang me to give a running commentary.  All I could see were little yellow blobs running around.  T1 did really well.  He really loves cricket.  Two kids got hurt and carried off crying and I thought to myself - wow its not T1! After that it was a long walk back to the car and we cooled off in the car and headed for McDonald's.  The cricket is on TV now and we are absolutely hammering the English.  It looks it will be a 5-0 series!

Eldest and I have matching patches of sunburn.  We used roll-on sunscreen.  I don't trust its coverage now.  Consider yourself warned:-)

Overall an awesome day - except for the sunburn :-(

Lazyrunner 10k Week1 - complete & The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

After a very enjoyable night scoffing crab dip and Jatz and watching Atonement with my mother-in-law,  I had a bit of a sleep in this morning.  Also once I started watching it I realized I'd already seen this movie.  It has some of my favourite actors in it so I was happy to watch it again though.  When I looked at the release year it was the year the twins were born.  Maybe I saw it on DVD.  Its funny how I've forgotten/blanked out some of the early years with the twins.  And it was so hot and muggy today that I left my run for dusk.  It was really pretty actually.  There was that feel in the air that it could rain but it didn't until I arrived home.  Then there was the bonus of seeing everyone's Christmas Lights on and having a peaceful night swim when I got home.  I ran 5km in about 34 minutes.

This afternoon my eldest, husband and I went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  I thought it was good.  We all enjoyed it.  It was a feel-good, positive movie and although its gotten mixed reviews I really liked it.  There was a Danny Kaye movie of the same name made in the 1940s.  I found the trailer on youtube if you want to check it out here.  The three of us our counting down to Tuesday when we're going to see The Hobbit Part 2.  


T2 had a therapy session this arvo while we at the movie and besides that we just swam and relaxed.