Being 11

How do we know what our children feel or think? Some of them talk more easily about it than others but I guess that we as parents have to keep our eyes and ears open for any bit of information.

A is in one of those very strong year groups - as often happens in schools. The girls in particular are very strong in academics (the whole top ten group last year were girls) but also in sports and culture. The under 11 girls swim squad is so strong that they often fill in for the under 12 girls and even help with the under 13 girls while still putting a strong under 11 team in the gala. The under 11 B hockey side was so strong that the won their league while not loosing a single match and with not a single goal scored against them while the A side also did well. So you can imagine that it has to be tough if you want to compete and that the girls have to develop a big dose of inner strength to cope with all this - or alternatively I guess just take the stance to stand back.  I would like to think that A is building on inner strength and confidence.

A while ago the grade 5's had to write a speech about "My life is like...". A came up with ..."a box of chocolates". I then told her that it has been done before - and showed her the extract from "Forest Gump". But she had he whole idea for the speech already written as a wire frame and as I read it I realized that it was important for her to give the speech as she was talking from her heart. So I helped her to incorporate the Forest Gump idea and thought that I should share the speech with you.  I love her conclusion - life is sometimes great and sometimes tough, but it's still sweet.

The film Forest Gump starts with the line “Mamma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Some of us like the coconut ones or the chocolates with hazel nuts. The toffies are everyone’s favourites. But who ever eats those orange cream ones? Let me tell you why my life feels like a box of chocolates.

Sometimes you think you pick a chocolate whirl but when you bite it’s a cherry bomb! This happens to me often when I think I made the right choice but it turns out to be a less than perfect one. Sometimes the unexpected happens and your choice turns out to be the wrong one.

For instance, last Tuesday I had chosen to swim in the gala but it got rained out before I had a chance to compete. If I had chosen to go to extra ballet practice it would have been time better spent as my exams were on Friday. But if it didn’t rain it would have been a great chance to swim.

Some chocolates go together. A hazelnut and a toffee chocolate are just perfect combined in your mouth. But add a Turkish delight to a toffee and it tastes disgusting, while each on their own are really fantastic. I often feel this way about friends and friendship. Some girls are great to be friends with, but invite them over with another friend and it turns into a disaster. The same goes for sports teams, drama groups and dance troupes. Sometimes the combination of the personalities make a great team and season and sometimes it just simply doesn’t work that way.

But often I compare my life to that chocolate that just doesn’t make the cut – the last one left in the box. The one that just didn’t get the win they wanted or the place in the team they dreamed of. Then I guess it is up to eating that last one that may not be your favourite but is still a chocolate.

I guess my life is all about compromise – and eating that whole box of chocolates – even the orange cream

"Mommy", she said to me last night...

right after we read a book about kids going to grade 1 for the first time, "I am so excited, but I a just a little bit scared". I asked her why and she said: "What if I do not like the teacher or she does not like me? What if I do not have any of my friends in the class with me?" But I know it's much more. It's the fear of the unexpected, of the unknown, of the newness of it all. Of growing up.

My answer was simple: "Don't worry my love, mom feels exactly the same. " Tonight we will mark the huge bag of stationary and all the bits of clothes. Tomorrow I will make a last attempt to get the ever out of stock school school scrunchies and she will spent her last pre-school day quietly at home with Lucy.

Om Wednesday we will be in grade 1. Excited, but a little bit scared.

Friday - 5 March 2010

Hosted by Cecily and Carrie

Hosted by Chris

57/365:
26 February
Love this little after work moment of spontaneous play.

58/365:
27 February
A quiet moment on the farm - that little curl that caught the sunlight was cut on Sunday.

59/365:
28 February
Granny's birthday cake-lets.

60/365:
1 March
Friends across 60 years of age difference. The Lil Miss and Mariki.

61/365:
2 March
The horse stable on the before dinner farm has an unexpected addition to the stampede.

62/365:
3 March
New funky glasses.

63/365:

4 March

The cross on our front door and a bit of Photoshop.

It's Friday and time to get the little its and bits out of the system:

I like to combine these with my 365 photos of the week, because in a sense, they are also fragments representing each day.

So over to some less visual fragmenting:

• Today I am attending a course with very dry subject matter. It is going to be a long day and I actually have so much to do at work.
• I had this weird problem with my Outlook on Wednesday - really weird. Computer boffin office person sorted it out.
• Going riding again tomorrow!
• Ugh -just tired.

We had a major meltdown about meals in helicopters tonight (by am over tired Lil Miss:
A: Mom, can we ride in a helicopter some day?
Me: Oh mommy would love it - I have never been in a helicopter.
A: They serve the best food on helicopters.
Me: (Thinking what the???) No my dear, you do not eat on helicopters like on an airplane. There are no air-hostesses.
Crying and hysteria starts. Yes, way too tired!

She's got her own special style.

About a week ago The Lil Miss came downstairs dressed in her usual shortish dress over pedal pusher style pants - this is pretty much what she would choose every day (or a long dress) if I did not subtly influence her into the more ordinary shorts and T's. And often the colours and patterns do not match in the traditional way  is slightly in the more bohemian style. Something like this:

Me: You look cute this morning.
She: Yeah, don't you know it's my own style.
Me: Really - you are so lucky to know what's your style. (wish I had that one sorted out in my  life)
She: Yes, I really feel lekker (great) in clothes that only I like.

Yesterday morning she was wearing pretty standard green cycling pants and top. I went upstairs to dress and as soon as I was came down, she went up again. It seems she felt the need to add to her ensemble. (a pink polka dot skirt with a net petticoat.)

I wonder where she gets her ideas from?

(I was wearing dark jeans with a green satin dress and chiffon wrap over.)

Playing along at:

and Say what? Wednesday at:

Want to read a good book? Go check out my review of Vinegar Hill by Manette Ansay at Cat's Bookclub.

Friday - 27 November

I am just loving Friday fragments- so tempting to be able to just wrap up the week in little tidbits. So here goes:
Conversation in the car this morning:
A: Mommy, why does Madelein have curly hair?
Me: Because Jesus made her with curly hair.
A: Mommy, why does L have an oval face?
Me: Jesus made him that way. And he is just perfect that way, just as we all are.(Thought I'd throw a bit of self esteem lesson in there)
A bit of silence...
A: Did Jesus read the instructions?
Me: Actually, Jesus does not need instructions, he knows exactly how every new human should look and be.
A: Oh, then He wrote the book!
Clever little one!

Conversation in the car this morning: ( Christmas Father is visiting the school today)
A: Is it Christmas today?
Me: No my Sweetie, - what happens before Christmas?
A: First it's mommy's birthday, then we are going to the sea, and then it is Christmas. (We count these off regularly).
Me: So is it Christmas today?
A:Noooo. Mommy, you must tell teacher Wendy that she is confused - it is not Christmas today.
Me: Well, you are having a special before Christmas visit with Father Christmas today.
A: Yes, and he is going to ware long sleeved red clothes and be all sweaty.
You can tell we live in the Southern hemisphere if you remember Father Christmas as sweaty. Temperatures are currently around 30 degrees Celsius (86 F)

To all of you that was so impressed with my Christmas shopping being done - keep in mind that we do not have to plan for Halloween or Thanksgiving, so it is much easier. Also, I have a holiday in between now and Christmas far from shops.

And speaking of summer and holidays - I have done THAT shopping! I have actually purchased a swimsuit - a tanktini (my favorite type) and it has underwires and support stuff and all those things that you saw in your mothers swimsuit as a teenager that made you cringe. Yeah, I actually need them with the boobs just short of the bellybutton, the extra 37 weeks preganancy twinskin around the belly and the ever increasing orange peel...ok moving along....

Somebody hacked into our network at the office on Tuesday morning and stole ( because simply, that is what it is) 18 gigs - filling our "cap" for the month. I am currently doing this on my 3G card.

I am having a terrible sinus attack. Yesterday, I did what Hunter normally does when he has this- I went to gym. No worries, I am not Gym Barbie yet, I just spent some time in the steam room and sauna. Wow - it made the world's difference. Is it just me, or why do I continuously find myself trying to avoid contact with any surface in a steam room ? In my overactive imagination I can just sea the germs crawling ( although you can smell the disinfectant a mile away). The sauna on the other hand - I love! Yeah, you now you know I am slightly weird.

Hosted by Cecily
Another perfect day dawned last Friday and off we went to Table Mountain, world famous mountain and world heritage site (go check my previous post on Cape town here if you want to see how it looks from "ground level"). We left little Madelein with her nanny and set off on our little adventure. The mountain is 1085m high (0,7 miles) so it gets windy and cold on top. But not for our perfect day!

I though A might be a but scared of the cable cars - they rotate while going up (very high), but not so my adrenaline junkie - she loved it! She stood right at the open section and laughed all the way.

At the bottom before going up.

Top of the cable way looking down over signal hill.

Trying to explain the geography. We are here....

Looking down over the city - the big oval is the Greenpoint stadium - one of the new stadiums being build for the 2010 Soccer world cup. Just to the right of the picture is the V&A waterfront and just to the left Robben Island.

The little Mermaid on top of the mountain.

On top of the world.....

Looking over towards Camps bay side.

With Winell, her godmother.

Muffins and hot drinks after our walk around the mountain.

Any chocolate lovers dream - chocolate muffin and hot chocolate.
After our adventure we had a nice nap and spent some time at home before a dip in the pool.

A "read" Madelein a story. (Check out the family resemblance around the eyes - their colours are identical hazel)

She made this necklace on her own accord - a hairband and some clips. I thought it was very creative. With a traditional braai, we said goodbye to a perfect day.

Wordful wednesday - On growing up and taking responsibility.

Playing with Angie for Wordful Wednesday....

She has been begging for a Kitty Cat ever since she was just a tiny tot. Poor kid - with a brother hugely allergic to cats, there is just no chance. Then she set her sights on goldfish, which we were planning to get by the weekend, to come home on Monday from school with a little animal project.

The 5 year olds were all given a silk worm "farm" to care for and observe. As she is a January baby and can therefore be set ahead a year in class (and was deemed responsible enough), she (as a 4 year old) were also given the opportunity. My, she is so thrilled with them and excited - it is just so cute! According to the letter they must take care of the worms themselves (under our supervision), try to draw the life cycle as they observe, make one silk item and see if they can keep the eggs to come out again next year. (To be honest, this is bringing back so many great childhood memories for me)

On Saturday morning I gave her her first chance to play a computer game. I am quite old fashioned where computers are concerned so I do not expose them too quickly, but she loved it. I was quite surprised how well she did with the mouse. She played the Tinkerbell dressing up game.

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I always want to play along with Missy on Wednesdays but can never remember the little bits of cuteness on a Wednesday. This one happened this morning - so by luck, I have one:

So she asks me:
A: Mommy are you a grown-up?
Me: Yes, well, I hope so.
A: I really hope so too Mommy.
I continue putting on my make-up and next she goes:
A: And Jesus is the biggest grown up ever!

Oh my sweet child, I love it how real Jesus is to her.

Two for Two-sday - the Princess and I

Playing along with Debi as per usual. Pop over - you are bound to see many great two-somes.


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On Saturday, I had a moment. And a cry - a very good cry. I do not often cry - I tend to keep in, be as brave as possible and under no circumstances cry. But we had a rough week and a rougher weekend. Things were just really tough. So my little Princess had "Granny day" on Saturday - a little tradition we started as soon as she was potty trained and we will include The Boys as soon as they are on that level. On Saturday as I was planning to leave my mom's with two very difficult two year olds after dropping her off at granny - the one having cried or sat on my lap the entire morning, she refused. Just said no! My mom and I were both shocked - she has been talking about Granny day the whole week. My mom goes full out to entertain and really spend quality time. Why?

As we were driving away she said: " Mommy you always have the brothers on your lap, you always talk to them first. I want to be with you and daddy, not with granny". My heart just broke! I started sobbing in the car and continued at home. Off course she has a right to demand our undivided attention. Off course she will feel like she is not getting her good share. Two sick babies take a lot of attention and time. With one mom only.

My dear hubby stepped in and did his best daddy thing - he went to nap with her, let me cry on his shoulder sent me off to go riding - spending 3 hours with a hysterical Little man C and the other two until I returned. We have been brought to a standstill and he has made a decision - he will be suspending his studies for 6 months to a year - just so that we can get through this rough patch. For us both to rest a while, to spend time with the kids, to give us all a bit of family time. The wisdom of a 4 year old has brought her parents to a much needed place. A bit of time together. We need it.

Happy Valentines day!

May you and your family have a day filled with love and joy.

It was today, 2 years ago, that the wording in my hubby's Valentine's card read - With love from Cat, The Little Miss, Puppy M, Puppy B and the baby in mommy's tummy. I did a pregnancy test just the day before and chose to tell him in this way. He was so delighted after trying for 10 months! (off course we had no ides there were 2)

And to illustrate the perfect love and admiration a little girl has for her dad:
On our way back from the doctor Thursday afternoon (she has this superhero thing going):
A: Mom, what is a police station?
Me: The police men's office, my dear.
A: Mom, are superheroes stronger than policemen?
Me: Yes!
A: Girl superheroes are the strongest.
(Hmm, I'm thinking girl power rules).
Me: Yes, maybe.
A: Are superheroes stronger than God?
Me: No my love, you know that God is the strongest ever!
A: And Jesus?
Me: Yes, and Jesus?
A: Are They even stronger than Daddy?
Me: Yes my love, even stronger than Daddy.

So Daddy, you must know that in her books, you are way stronger than Spider man, Batman an Shoeperman (The way she pronounces Superman), maybe even stronger than Wonder girl or Catwoman!


Happy Valentines my love - today and every day. You truly still rock my world!

Conversation on our way to school.

The Little Miss is in the 110's of questions phase. Our conversation in the car on our way to school this morning went something like this:
A: " Mommy, why do daddy shave?"
Me: " Because men have hair on their face, some of which they don't want there. It is called beards and moustaches."
A: " Oh! Why do they have hair on their faces?"
Me:" That's the way that Jesus made men."
A: " Why did He make them like that?"
Me:(After thinking a while) "Because years ago it was very cold and people didn't have nice warm clothes like we have today and the hair kept them warm, just like M & B"
A: (After a while) : "So, where were the mommies and children when it was so cold? "
Me: " They stayed indoors when it was very cold"
A: "Did Jesus not care if the kids could not play outside?"

OK, what now? Caught out! Should have seen this one comming.

Prayer time

The Little Miss, praying before dinner on Sunday ( after we rushed the one Labrador to the vet for emergency paw surgery): "Dear Jesus, thanks for our food and clothes, thank you for my baby brothers, please heel Bongi's foot. Okay, Bye bye."

On the milk supply front - 160 ml (5,4oz) - steadily improving.