Smooth Sailing

One week (can you believe it) into the new school year already and my little people have done me so proud. The kids are all happy with their new teachers, which is fantastic news, in fact, if Madam Fluff could move in with hers, she'd be quite pleased. Fluff has taken on the role of student like she was born for the role and has practically "grown up" overnight. Kade says his teacher is really nice and he's just happy that 3 of his 4 best buds are in his class this year. My little Bug is taking it a little harder than I thought, although he is still acting very tough about it, he is a little overwhelmed. His previous school was very secure, small and Aunty B created a very loving environment, like a little family. He's also a little disappointed that he hasn't managed to make a friend yet as none of his "old school" friends have gone to the same school. He's a tough, mischievous little man but with a jello heart; I'm praying that he'll adjust easily and make some really cool new friends.

Back to School

WOW...Two more sleeps.....

The kids are super excited about school on Wednesday....Well 2 out of the 3 are really bursting at the seams. Kade is off to Gr.3 and as much as he is excited about going back, I think he is a little nervous of what to expect when he gets there. Madam Fluff is in her absolute element at the idea of going to Gr.1....she has been counting the sleeps more sleeps ago than I can count; it was *almost* a more important feature in her life than Christmas. And my little Bug is off to Pre-Primary and so relieved to have the kids not tell him he goes to "baby school" anymore. They just grow too fast.

WOW...just two more sleeps

The Great Expectations of Fluff

I have never considered myself one who gave in to "party politics and demands" and certainly didn't when the boy's had their birthdays. They were relatively easy to cater for, they both knew who they wanted as guests and what they wanted as gifts, easy, sorted, quick sticks. Madam Fluff on the other hand, has had me rather stressed out over the last two weeks. Every attempt at making the guest list shorter only results in the guest list getting longer as she is absolutely adamant that she only plays with and is bestest friends with all but 3 kids in her class, add to that the "usual birthday party suspects" and a few other invitations, we are sitting on a handsome number of 35 children. Ain't gonna happen chicky bird! And we hit a standoff.

In desperation I approach the teacher, (who, by the way is now my very own personal Agony Aunt, when it comes to Fluff anyway) who always seems to have a solution for everything. A word here, some advice there and the real list of 4 children in the class Fluff is really close to and plays with regularly. I make my way home absolutely relieved at my now drastically shorter list.

Then there's the gift list that is practically longer than the guest list and I have even been advised on how to redecorate her room in order to make space for all her apparent soon to be acquired riches, which range from a new cupboard to a play play microwave and more kitchen equipment than even I own to hair and make up accessories and clothes. Is there anything left in the shop I ask you? Barbies and Bratz dolls were on the list too including some clothes for them "because they can't walk around naked you know and they need to wear something when their existing outfits are in the wash!" And so we have it, I think, until we attempt, at my own detriment, to go through the list again and hopefully make it shorter one last time or perhaps I should call it a day and not bother, for sanity purposes. Armed now with indisputable proof, I must agree with my hubby when he says that fluff is a quantity girl and not a quality girl. (I suppose if the quality came in quantities that would be a different story but with her, the more, the better)

Exploring a scrap

I have been enjoying a few stolen moments of scrapbooking again and really enjoyed putting this "puzzle piece" together. It was quite a labour intensive exercise and I'm pleased it is finally finished.

Why?

Have you ever wondered why YOU have been chosen to be your husband's spouse and the Mother of that child or those children? Destiny? Why are some people bessed with their families and some cursed (with abusive relastionships, partner or parent)?

I have often wondered why oh why God has allowed me to be a mother and a wife, I don't deserve them and they certainly don't deserve me. It hurts knowing that I'll never be what they need me to be no matter how hard I try. The best intentions are just not good enough. They are just so beautiful and precious and they deserve better.

Could I have some Tomato Sauce with that please?

I must admit, I am a Tomato Sauce (ketchup) girl. I could pretty much add it to any meal before I would consider using another sauce. Macaroni cheese just isn't the same without a dash or rather a dollop of good old tomato sauce. I do however have to draw the line somewhere, I suppose, like today for example; we arrive home from school and fluff requests a peanut butter sandwich, no problem. As I am about to add the finishing touches to the gourmet sarmie, Fluff tells me to add tomato sauce.....huh?

"No, sweetie" I reply, holding down the urge to reflux right at that moment, "Peanut butter and tomato sauce just don't go together."

"O.K." she says, "Can you just put it on the side and I will dip the bread in?"

The urge to gag returns. " Caley girl, please, tomato sauce and peanut butter sarmies just don't go together."

Thank goodness, the conversation did end there and she sauntered off to munch on her lunch.

Although I am quite prepared to give any food item a reason to be enhanced by my favourite condiment, I'm not sure I am going to give this one a try. Excuse me, the urge to gag has returned again.

Building a life

Something that has been on my mind ever since my "big boy" turned 7 on Saturday and I can't seem to shake it. I have heard it mentioned more than once that the first 7 years of a child's life is considered to be their "foundation" years and all the values, or not, and the "base elements" if you could call them that, are instilled and in some cases drilled into a child in their first 7 years.
I find myself recollecting all life's required skills and values and wonder if I have have taught enough, loved enough and helped him learn enough to be grounded for life. It's sort of like laying the foundations for a building, without any architectural plans or design and if you miss something or add in too little or too much of any particular ingredient, well sooner or later the rest of the building will collapse, not the ideal thought really for a first time builder!!

So basically, I've been asking myself the following questions; have I drilled or instilled, which ever method you chose, the correct and the necessary life skills in these crucial 7 years that will ground him for life? Have I laid the foundations correctly or am I constructing a building that could ultimately collapse because I haven't developed the foundations properly? What do I do if I have missed something life altering? Is it too late now to fix it?

As you can see this is something that is actually beginning to stress me out a bit. I would like to believe, please let me believe, that the foundations can be adjusted and moulded correctly and accordingly as we build our soon to be "towers of virtue and morality" and that they will be the sweet little angels and upstanding citizens that we all aspire them to be.

Happy Birthday Kade

Birthday boy's breakfast order:

7 flackjaps and chocolate sauce. YUM












Check the smile on that face. A cool bicycle for his birthday. "WOW, just what I wanted."

















Lunch at Panarotti's with his friends followed by a fun game of ten pin bowling.


















What a great day. Happy Birthday Big boy.

Celebrate good times

We all had a great weekend of celebrating. Madam Fluff was so very excited about Father's Day, she could hardly contain herself and I had to practically muzzle her each time she almost let slip what Daddy was getting for Father's Day. It was actually very cute and it was easy enough to forgive her because I remember being just as bad at keeping surprises as a child; I have, thankfully, improved with age. Poor hubby has his birthday in June too so Father's Day gifts are usually home made cards and gadgets (I think Bug finished all the glue) and the ever faithful socks, jocks, biltong and chocolates which the kids pounced on him with gusto before both his eyes are open. Unfortunately it was a bit of a miserable day outside so we chose to spend the day indoors cooking and watching DVD's.

Monday was my turn to get pounced on before I had opened my eyes. The mixed matched melody of Happy Birthday ringing in my ears and prezzies thrown unsuspectingly onto my half asleep body, brought on day two of the celebrations. The kids had a blast ripping open my presents to show me what they had all bought and we spent another relaxing day together.

Madam Fluff sought every opportunity at the restaurant we went to for lunch to tell every person within earshot that not only was it her Mom's birthday but...hello...."My Mom is 34 years old today!" Where was that muzzle, I didn't find myself as forgiving for this outburst. Fluff and Kade then told Daddy to instruct the waiter to sing happy birthday to me, to which I duly warned loving Hubby that any sparkler detected within a 5m radius would be unceremoniously shoved up his nostril, needless to say, there was no singing at the restaurant! Oh well, I suspect we all need a lesson in learning to grow old gracefully and sooner is better than later!

Stuff about me.

1. I am the eldest child and only girl.
2. I married my High School Sweetheart, Mark. We have been together for almost 20 years and married for 8 of them.
3. We have three children, a precious yet complicated trio of different personalities.
4. I have had three miscarriages.
5. My ambitions as a child was to either be a teacher or a spy. I am neither.
6. As a child, Princess Diana was my best friend, I adored her, we "chatted" all the time, funny though, I did all the talking!
7. I was a rebellious teenager.
8. I have never taken drugs. Oops, there was that ONE puff of a joint when I was 23, that's all.
9. I spent almost a year in boarding school when I was in Gr. 6. I hated it.
10. I LOVE puddings, forget cake, give me pudding, warm, tummy warming pudding with cream.
11. My hubby and I were born at the same hospital, almost exactly one year apart.
12. I enjoy taking photographs. I am still mastering the art.
13. I enjoy crafts.
14. I put on 30kg's when pregnant with my first child. When he was born I lost 12kg's. I still haven't lost the other 18kg's.
15. I developed pre-eclampsia during my first pregnancy and had to have an emergency C-Section delivery when I was 35 weeks pregnant.
16. My brother, Grant, was killed in a car crash on Woman's Day 1999, two months after he celebrated his 21st birthday.
17. I had my gall bladder removed when I was 19.
18. I love lindt chocolate.
19. I failed matric. I repeated the year and passed the second time.
20. My husband and I shared the most romantic honeymoon in Mauritius.
21. My father was imprisoned for his role in the 1981 Seychelles coup attempt.
22. Losing my family is my greatest fear.
23. I love surprises, giving them and getting them.
24. Manipulative people infuriate me.
25. I know I was born to be rich. and thin.
26. I don't do windows. I hate housework.
27. Summer is my favourite season. Winter provides my favourite foods.
28. In an attempt to be thin and at the same time not deprive myself of food, I tried bingeing and purging.
29. Re. #28. I realised I hate vomiting.
30. My best day ever was my wedding day.

Quit while you're behind

Due to the complete lack of interest on my part from a series of boycotting happenings this morning that resulted in screaming, hitting, kicking, food fights and adult arguing all between 06h30 and 07h15, today has been cancelled until further notice.

Sugar rushes and party cakes

After much preparation; finally and very successfully our fun day, fundraiser had arrived and what a fun day it was.

The Mother's Committee of Snuggle Bug's school hosted a Cake Decorating competition for the children; each child had to decorate a cake which was put into categories and judged. All in all I think there was about 70 cake entries, all of which were stunning. See below.



My kiddies each decorating their part of our entry which was a sweetie train cake. Kade took his job very seriously, Caley did her bit as quickly as she could and snuck off to play and Connor spent most of his time eating the icing, thankfully I had prepared enough.....hee hee.

This is ONE of the THREE tables adorned with the most beautiful cakes, all made by the kids. OK, I think there were one or two grown up fingers contributing but mostly done by the children. The fairy castle cake was the first prize winner! GREAT don't you think!!!

Our contribution, the sweetie train cake. Kade decorated the engine and Caley and Connor each decorated a little carriage. What a good job guys, well done!

Drowned Rats

Picture the scene.......Close your eyes........(erm...and read at the same time, cos you're so clever)

A "parking lot" and the school, two rugby fields dividing the two. Snuggle Bug in one arm (now three years heavy), an umbrella (that is constantly flipping inside out, thanks to the gale force winds) in the other hand and Madam Fluff tugging on my jersey, staying close, very close. Did I mention it is POURING with rain too? Changes the picture slightly, doesn't it? We sludge our way to the other end of what now seemed like three rugby fields, we manage to find shelter just before the heavens really opened. Thank goodness. The school bell rings. Pandemonium. A wave of mini umbrellas appears, children scattering everywhere, screeching and darting where ever they can to seek sanctuary from the down pour.

After 10 minutes, a brief calm before the next storm cues our dash back across the fields (now almost completely flooded) to our car, now parked in a puddle, I mean lake.......OK it was a huge puddle!

Four drowned rats sitting in the car, shivering and cold, our pants muddied and wet to just above the knees, dying to get home and change into something warm and dry and have a big old mug of some yummy warm hot chocolate.

Open your eyes and repeat after me.........

Never park on the other side of the rugby fields during a freak storm that will only last the exact amount of time it takes to fetch the kids from school.

Never trust an umbrella, they are evil.

Beware of masses of little people, bearing masses of little umbrella's, worse than evil.....life threatening!!!!

Never take your kids to school when it is raining....................

and so the day begins

I was really impressed with myself this morning, not because I woke up at 5am and was too afraid to go back to sleep in case I never woke up, but because I managed to get through the chaos of the morning on my own, without my jet-setter-now-travelling-as-we-type-husband. All the kids were fed (healthy breakfast food), dressed in the correct clothes, (right way around), teeth and hair brushed, faces washed and remnants of the sandman removed. Bags were packed, lunch boxes did have food in them, juice bottles were full...check!

The real winner; we were still on time. Yeeha. I can do this.

The kids stand waiting in their little queue at the front door for me to escort them out, huh, with me carrying all of the bags and sundry, as usual. Close the front door behind me. Were on our way.
Get to the car. No Keys. Crap. We're stranded in the space between. We can't get in the car because I'd forgotten to take the keys. We can't get back into the house to fetch them because the house keys are on the same bunch and I've just latched the door behind me. Crap.

I manage to pry open a window in my bedroom and squeeze Madam Fluff through the burglar bars and in search of the keys. She can't find them and begins to panic and cry because she is now locked in the house. Double Crap. Trying to calm her down through a large wooden door, while trying to silently calm myself down is a task to master and thankfully I did, well, I at least managed to calm her down enough to tell her where I thought the keys were. She finds them and begins to cry again; she cannot reach the latch to unlock the door. I breathe and tell her to breathe and so we're both breathing, at least something is happening! Eventually I calm her down enough to explain that she can pass the keys to me through the window. Finally I am in possession of the keys. Jubilation. I praise my now-very-proud-of herself-burglar-in-training-key-finding-daughter, we all pile into the car and we are on our way, just not quite on time anymore.

I manage to do some very cautious, of course, low level flying to the schools and actually manage to get Kade to the gate as the bell rings. More success. All kiddies got to school on time.

See, I told you I could manage without my hubby. No mess, no fuss.

Bribery and Corruption aka Discipline

Chores in our house is just that, dreary mundane chores; nobody likes to do them, it is just a part of life, it is something that at some point we just have to knuckle down and do. I ask myself the question, why do *I* have to do it all? My answer is...well...I don't, and so begins the training of a new extra mural activity in our house...the chores.

Toys, toys and more toys litter the garden from one end to the other and I have spent a better part of the last three days asking the kids to pack them away. I get some sideways looks (what is it with people constantly giving me sideways looks?), these kids look at me as though I am high on some illegal substance. I ask nicely. I ask not so nicely. I plead. I beg. I turn into one of the Witches of Eastwick, the most evil one. That works for a few seconds and in my moment of ire I find it somewhat amusing watching them scurry around quickly doing what is asked of them as though their very life hangs in the balance, which at that time, probably does. I found a tactic that works, evil witch that rants and raves and screams her head off; it hurts the throat a bit but it works. Mr. Hubby does not agree with this method of disciplining and to be honest it does become quite exhausting being the Sergeant Major all the time. "What do you suggest, hubby dear?" I ask rather sarcastically, "I can ask them a million and two times or I can scream my head off once, maybe twice if I forgot to add in the evil eye the first time and it gets done." Silence is his reply.

Yesterday I found a new method..wahaha...I ...ssshhh...bribe. No screaming. No shouting. Bribery, specifically money. (flashbacks of a younger less experienced *me* who swore that she would never resort to any of the methods I now use, haunt me) Standing outside I remind the kiddies that the garden service is due tomorrow and there are still toys lying all over the place. The kids giggle with delight under their little breaths, they know Mom would never let the weed cutters and lawn mowers damage their precious goods. Evil witch returns. If they are not picked up I will let the lawn mowers mow right over them; there's that sideways look again. "REALLY Mom? " pipes up Madam fluff, quite distressed at the thought. "Really." They call my bluff. OK. I can handle this, new twist, if you pick up all your toys I will give you R5 for cake sale on Friday. Madam Fluff is gone. She scurries around outside with Snuggle Bug in tow, shadowing her every move with the toy box. She then proceeds to start cleaning inside bragging to her big brother of her pending riches. Naturally he wants in on the deal. I explain once again that I will reward him financially for the effort he put into cleaning the effort he put into making the mess in the first place. "So Mom, how much will you give me if I do this and how much for that?" Well I'll be damned, little Madam Fluff is quite happy to clean up outside and practically most if inside too, for R5, while Kade wants a value to every little things he picks up. I calm myself by assuring the beast in me about to expose itself that his is simply a very clever little entrepreneur in the making, that's all. Then I take a deep breath and count to ten....thousand.

This method of "discipline" I know, will only work for a short time, probably close to the time that I run out of money. They are now practically demanding payment for every thing that they do. Kade did actually have the audacity to ask me if there was any financial rewards for doing his homework...eerrr...no, as in HELL NO. So, any ideas or non violent methods of bribery and corruption, sorry, discipline are most welcome indeed.

Treasure

We decided to visit another of the beautiful beaches we have here in Cape Town today and we found one where the tide had gone right out. We explored coves filled with shells, some crushed by the forces of Nature and others still as perfect as they were when they were created. The kids really enjoyed combing the beach for shells and when we found this little cove, Kade turned to me and said "Wow Mom, if this was Pirate Treasure, we would be rich."

An "unplanned" success

Progress, We are making total progress and I am completely chuffed with myself. I managed to; wait for it; have a completely unplanned day and to top it all off, it was great.

Hubby, is sadly, still away and in a desperate attempt to find some moral, spiritual, any kind of back up, I found myself on route to round up the troops or shall I say troop in the form of the ever reliable last-minute-I-cannot cope-without-you, my mother. Love you MOM.

While stopped at the Mall to deliver keys to my brother, we scouted for somewhere to have lunch. PIZZA, PIZZA they pleaded. I tried to convince them that a cleverly disguised cucumber stick, rosa tomato and grilled chicken "spider burger" from Kuaui would be way cooler; they were not convinced....PIZZA! Oh what the heck, lets go get Pizza. On route to the Pizza place we passed by the Cinema (I had forgotten these places even existed!!!). This is territory that I never dare to tread; this is Daddy's territory. Daddy is the movie taker. He doesn't really get to spend much time at home and this is HIS treat with the kids. Taking the children to a movie felt a little like I was staging a Cinema Coup and invading some territorial space that was a no-go zone for the Mother, I felt a little guilty, like I was taking quality time away from Daddy. The puppy dog faces became too much to bear and once again I succumbed and off we went to the movies after the pizza.

I Highly recommend the new Dr. Seuss movie, thoroughly enjoyed it, a real riot. Good thing the kids loved it too.

Once we had reached home, it hit me!! We had a totally awesome day and it was completely unplanned.....YAY ME....clap clap clap.....(yeah I know I watch far too much Disney Channel, go figure!).

Savouring the moment

We did the beach thing again today, mostly due to my complete lack of imagination at holiday entertaining I guess. Perhaps it has something to do with wanting to suck up the last few warm rays of sunshine that we have during the day, as the nights begin to forewarn of the impending winter.




What struck me the most today, is how children have the unique ability to savour something so simple yet pleasurable, like an ice cream.

Kade is quite determined to make sure not even the slightest trace of any chocolate coating remains on that stick.Madam Fluff, far away in her own little bit of chocolate coated, vanilla ice cream paradise.Are there possibly any words to describe the absolute delight in making the most of a melting, icy orange Popsicle?

The beach

What an absolutely stunning autumn day here today. First thing this morning I prepared a little picnic basket and we headed off for the beach. Our usual spot was under attack by the gale force winds that we get here and we went in search of a new spot. Found one. Perfect. Quiet, calm and beautiful. The kids had an absolute ball.

Today's title supplied courtesy of Kade, who is so very chuffed that he can spell a little now and write words in the sand that one can actually make sense of. Well done my boy.

Only children can enjoy such really, really icy water. I think I stood in it all of 10 seconds and I temporarily lost the feeling in my feet.

What a beautiful sight. Amid the buzz of life, it is so easy to forget the beauty that surrounds you in your own "back yard".

I need a plan

I am almost always, yeah OK, always, thinking or trying to brainstorm fun ideas to entertain the kids on weekends and holidays. I suppose it's the anal part in me that cannot just let nature take it's course and let the leaves fall where they may; I have to have a plan; Where should we go? What should we do? Where should we eat and what should we eat when we get there? I know, I am tiring myself and then I wonder why I am so finished by the end of the weekend. Have I somehow done my family an injustice by not having planned anything, or at least have the slightest clue of what we could possibly do for entertainment? Surely I have failed miserably if any of them dared come to me complaining of...shht...boredom(whisper). My husband suggested the horror of all horrors..."maybe they could just entertain themselves"..eeekk...I am about to go into convulsions, quickly, someone pass me a paper bag...I admit that maybe, could be, I suppose I could try it. We'll start in baby steps.

I often imagine that I'm on the other side of a dodge ball court with my kids, they're constantly hurling curve balls at me and if I am not prepared, I'm gonna get body slammed; in the same way I feel that if I am not somewhat prepared for a day together, I get slammed. Mom, what are we doing? Mom, where are we going? Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom.....call me anything else today PLEASE; if one more person says the word Mom I think I may just need that paper bag.

Do we bring it on ourselves? Is the stress and inadequacy's we feel, our own doing? Is it our fault as parents that our kids just don't seem to know how to entertain themselves anymore? Do we blame the play centres and restaurants with play areas, for constantly supplying entertainment and not allowing our children to just sit and behave. As kids we didn't dare move from our chairs or utter a word at the table while the grown ups were engaged in conversation or even if they weren't for that matter, you were lucky if you managed to whimper out a small, quick plea for the tomato sauce without getting "the stare". We were seen and not heard and if our folks really had their way, kids weren't seen or heard.

We have had a really fantastic, not perfect (still working on the fact that things can still be good without being perfect), half planned, half not, weekend, as I said..baby steps. We had a full monty, camp out in the garden on Friday night, with all the gear, very cool. Spent an unplanned day at home on Saturday(didn't quite go according to plan though) and a lovely day out with the kids at the Science Centre today, once again, allowing something and someone else to assist in entertaining our children.

Children today are expected to keep up with the Joneses and if the don't, they fall behind; a survival of the fittest, if you will. This means, basically, that we have to keep up with the times and pump them with every conceivable bit of information we can find, but surely we can still stop from time to time, smell the roses and just let them be bored for a few minutes, assuring them of course, that as alien as the experience feels at the time, it actually will pass and will not kill them?