Tuesday 13 October 2015

The low down on weekends

Sometimes we have really crappy weekends - honestly! We really can not be the only ones to sometimes miss the wonders of  what a weekend is supposed to be.  Too much to do that are chores, too much to run around with. No real fun. No real rest.  Kids that decide to be unpleasant is some way or another. Weekends where you actually wish it was Monday. Do you have those too?

I know that one has to make a conscious decision to enjoy moments and to make the most out of it. And to plan for happy things. But I am also convinced that sometimes the stars align for a great one, and sometimes a monster invades the kids and hands you a bad one.

This weekend however was a great one. Thank goodness. The heatwave was at its highest point.
This was Friday evening!
Part of what made the weekend great was the start. I took the kids for horse riding on Friday afternoon and although it was very hot and dusty there is a peace and tranquility at the stables that always soothes the soul. We then stopped at the closest movies to see Hotel Transylvania - enjoyed by us all. The rest of the evening was spent around rugby on tv and take aways.

Saturday morning the kids and I set out to do our Santa shoebox shopping and a few more chores. Luck was with us and we bought almost everything at two shops opposite each other in the same shopping centre. I was delighted to find these plastic containers for only R33 to use in stead of shoeboxes. I have always wanted to do this as it is so practical but can not spend a fortune on one. We did our Santa shoebox shopping early this year as the kids and I are camping this weekend.

We also picked up photos at The  Parkview shopping centre - I hate that centre but sadly the photo lab I use has moved there. Totally out of my way so I make a plan to stop there if I have a Saturday that affords me the time to do it. After being such troopers and carefully shopping for the Santa shoeboxes for "their friends" (we choose a same aged child for each kids to shop for) I reasoned a milkshake or ice cream was in order. Eds easy diner is close and boy, Mr L enjoyed a huge sundae! I was totally astonished at the ice cream capacity he has. The other two had more moderate milkshakes. I ordered nothing as I knew I would have to help finish milkshakes and ice cream.


Saturday late afternoon and evening was spent with good friends, a bit of great wine, an almost too warm pool, rugby and lots of laughter.
We slept in a bit on Sunday and then we went to do my moms' shopping and complete our Santa shoebox shopping. I had these "bats" and ball toys in mind for a while after spotting them at Dischem. I also bought a set for us and the kids played with it for a long time. One throwing, two catching - I hope our shoebox kids love them too.

Then there was afternoon naps for most of us! After checking school bags etc we ended off the weekend with a swim and Sunday dinner - early enough to have a good nights' sleep in preparation for the new term.

So - how was your weekend?

18 comments:

  1. Ah, there's nothing like getting a bit of time out over a weekend. My niece took our little ones for 'horse patting' at the stables where she rides and they loved it so much. That bottle of wine looks very good too :)

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  2. Yay for a winner of a weekend. We had 2 birthday parties, and the usual chores.

    We also have some weekends where Monday can't come fast enough.

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  3. We have our fair share of those weekends where you wish it was Monday already! I find it's hugely helpful to take the kids out but that can be hard on the pocket.
    I was so with you about the ice creams and milkshakes until you got to the "help finish" part. I love my kids dearly but don't ask me to share food or drinks with them (or anyone else, really!). It used to be VERY bad, where I wouldn't eat my food if someone stole a chip off my plate, for example. But I've managed to tone it down to not sharing drinks/glasses, mostly.
    I had an awesome time at the final Terry Pratchett Discworld novel launch on Saturday. I got to dress up as my favourite character, sip a glass or two of wine, win prizes in a Discworld quiz game and hang out with other people who love the Discworld series as much as I do. :)
    The rest of the weekend was spent watching DVDs and relaxing at home... It could definitely have been worse!

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    1. I'm with you, MeeA, I also don't like people (even my "darling" children) drinking from my glass/ eating from my plate. :)

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    2. Maybe I should explain a bit- the milkshakes there comes to the table in a glass AND the container that it was mixed in has about another half a glass. So each person gets two glasses. I take the spare one, pop in my own straw... Way too much for one person

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  4. Love the containers for Santa Shoeboxes!

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  5. I actually had one of the loveliest weekends - maybe I should blog about that tonight?

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  6. Those "bats" and ball toys are great fun. I'm sure your santa shoebox kids will love it. The containers are a great idea too.

    We have weekends when I desperately crave do-overs but those are few and far in between. This past weekend was a pause weekend where I happily lazed around. The next 6 weekends will be chaos with weddings, parties and events leading up to year end celebrations so it was a welcome break.

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    1. I am hoping for less chaos - honestly. A pause weekend sounds great

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  7. I want to have your weekend, it's sounds like absolute bliss! We doing our shoeboxes at month end, luckily pay day is on the Friday before drop-off 😊

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  8. I think there's always good stuff in our weekends...but they just evaporate before our eyes most of the time. Unfortunately, I was out of town this weekend...I am ready for a weekend HOME! I'm thankful my travel will be over in the next couple of weeks.

    I love your shoeboxes! We did that a couple of years ago, and our girls sure enjoyed it.

    Hope you're having a great week!

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  9. That sounds like the perfect weekend.

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  10. I also bought plastic containers to use instead of shoeboxes. The girls have covered them with stickers. :)

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    1. We also did exactly that - and the name on with stickers too

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  11. I know this was last weekend but it looks like it was fun!

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  12. We enjoy doing stuff with dad on weekends, otherwise the weekend is just the same as the rest of the week as we are at home. But it sounds like you put in some effort to make the weekend more enjoyable.

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