Jip. Busy times

It's busy around here - very very busy - I have uploaded some of these photos almost a week ago. I have to share the one above of our beautiful oldest child, Puppy M now 11 and a half years old and still going strong. (And still naughty at times - believe me) She is such a great companion. I think this may be the best picture I have ever taken of her.

This week is utter chaotic busyness - partly just because it is filled with the kid's usual and unusual stuff at school but also because I am managing the office solo (business partner is on leave) and because I am going away next week. Yes my dear friend in the computer, my darling hubby will be looking after the brood next week while I relax with two friends. I have never done this before and am so grateful for the chance to rest and relax and catch up on a lot of talking. So very little blogging and blog reading taking place.

However I have to share some pictures of last week's happenings:

On the 1st of May public holiday we spent the day with friend K and the kid's teacher from their old school and her two kids at the park. It was a sunny, relaxing day filled with heaps of happy moments and lots of cycling

A had her first netball tournament on the Thursday before the wedding (thus almost two weeks ago) and they won all their games. She is happily playing in both the B and the C teams as is Miss K - the two seem to be joined at the hip.

The boys played in their first "bulletjie" rugby tournament - a version of rugby where no tackling is allowed and the tag on the side of the pants is ripped off to count as a tackle.I just love that they play in the school's rugby jerseys and represent their school even if they are not formally in it yet. The cuteness is totally overwhelming.

I also have a Project Life post up here.

We all knew the day would come

When the twins were not both invited to the same party. I think the day arrives for every set of twins somewhere in their pre school years. It was inevitable this year, being in two grades and two classes. Up until now they were always invited, almost as a unit to school friends parties. So when Mr L came home with an invite 2 weeks ago I was almost relieved - he being older than his class mates and maybe slightly odd, has made the social inroad.

I try to get the kids to attend class mates parties for more than one reason - it is a way to socialize outside the class and to reinforce friendships formed there. I can see them interacting with their friends which gives me in turn an idea who to organize play dates with and to invite to their party. It also gives me the chance to observe the other kids and their parents and decide who I actually want to have my kids interact with.In addition I find allies in the class and grade amongst the moms- believe me, you need those as the years goes on more and more into Primary school.

So I arranged with H to do something with the other two siblings and RSVP for it. Two days later Mr C received and invite to one of his classmates party - two hours later on the same day. So Hunter will go with him to his party (a gymnastics one) and A will have some quality time with granny. What did amaze me is that they both just accepted naturally that the one will go and they will not go with. I think it is the clear division between friends that helped with this. Grateful that one issue I thought could pop up just didn't. A also has a party on Sunday afternoon but they invited the boys too (she has brothers of their age)

So let's talk gifts and cards. I buy batches of gifts - when I see something at a good price, I will buy a few, or when I need some gifts, I buy 3 more. So I keep an age appropriate stock of gifts in a box and wrap them when I need them. When they run out I fill with about 4 or 5 more of the same. I do buy special gifts for direct friends' kids or older or younger ones - but these are my "stock" class friends gifts. It saves me a lot of time.

At the moment the 8 year old girls get a sticker book (bought on sale at Exclusive books for about R25 less than the usual price), Disney Princess body wash and cream. The 5 or 6 year old boys get a great book (our favorite) and a sticker/work book -I bought a variety.

For cards I doodled the 3 ages we will have a lot this year, scanned them in and printed on white cardboard. I then add the child's name in a doodle. The kids will colour them in tonight for their friends. Cheap but very special.

Here's wishing you a great weekend - ours is going to be partyish busy ( we are also attending a Christening on Sunday morning)

Only your best

As parents, we try to instiall in our children the values we like them to have as grown ups. School, sport and other activities provide us with the platforms and opportunities. Supporting them and giving them the courage to compete is up to us. We as parents will never push them to achieve, but we do believe that they should give their very best, try their utmost and most of all, participate to complete the task at hand. We also believe that active kids are healthy kids and that it is up to us as parents to encourage sport and active participation.

All 3 kids had their chance this year to show us that they are willing to participate and try their best. We are very proud of them all.

On the 11th of January (A's birthday) Bear participated in his first 60 m dash with the rest of his grade R group. He gave it his all and ran as fast as he could. We were so proud of how very hard he tried. (they do not allocate places so we have no idea how well he did - the important bit is that he tried so hard.)

On the 12th of February it was the Princess' turn when the school had the annual internal rugby and netball day. The grade classes compete against each other in both the game and the spirit prize( for theme, cheering and team spirit). They are trained by their grade 7 prefect and 2 other grade 7 girls. The Nerd Ninjas (the theme they chose) won on all accounts and received both prizes. She played her heart out as goal defender, a position she seems to enjoy for the formal netball practice too. We were so proud of their spirit and how hard they tried and how much joy they got from being sporty and active.

Last night it was our Lion's turn when the pre -primary hosted their annual fun run. The kids get sponsored for rounds they run or walk along a course in an hour. Brothers and sisters get to join in the fun and run too and score points for their sibling's team. They all did their very best and ran like champs -but Mr L deserve a special mention. He tried so very very hard and I am so extremely proud of him. His last 3 rounds was done on the promise that it was the very last song playing on the PA system and that we just had to get through the song. (moms and dads often walk some of the rounds with the kids to encourage them) He was exhausted but ran or walked right to the end. He did an excellent 28 rounds, one of the top ones in his class. C did 25 rounds - a great achievement too and as most of the primary school kids go full out for it,  A did 41 rounds. They each got a medal to remember the event by.

BTW - what I love about blogging is that I could go back to the Princess fun run post back in 2011 and have a look at how many round they did then (the course was made shorter this year though.)

So yesterday was Valentines day

I had 5 kids with great prospects for the day.

Someone dressed in pink and white (the school allows it on Valentines) and got her first Valentines chocolate from a grade 7 - I am not totally confortable with this but I hear he is a sweet boy that takes some of the little ones under his wing as a lot of grade 7's do so I hope it's just that. She in any event is very nonchalant about it all - apparently he calls her Bambi. She thinks his name is Victor but she is not totally sure. She also attended a friend's birthday party the afternoon.

Someone's (MR C's) whole class dressed in red and white and he tells me his teacher is his Valentine ( you have to admit he has good taste). He loved making her a gift (we packaged a slab of chocolate, a heart eraser and a hot pink pencil they covered in washi tape with a handmade card for all the teachers). They all made one little bag with sweeties and exchanged these amongst themselves in class.

3 Someones had a fabulous day at the Pre primary - the kdis donated pet food, blankets and oher necessaries to an animal charity (as they do every Valentines day) who came with their mascot but could not bring actual dogs due to a transport issue. I took puppy M with me to school on Tuesday morning en route to the vet where she had a tumour removed on her one back paw. She loved the attention. The school called on Thursday in panic asking if I can bring her again, and I offered to bring the two dogs. I am always amazed that there are kids who are totally terrified of the dogs and after about 2 minutes they join in the petting.

 The puppies loved all the attention - each class came to interact with them. Mr L was so proud to show off his big sisters.

Oscar Pistorius also shot his girlfriend - to me extremely sad how the media and social media reacted - and that is enough said. For a great perspective one can always trust Mandy Weiner's comments. Read it is you haven't yet.

Important - do not forget about my competition and enter.

Back to school 2013

So last week Wednesday was back to school for the kiddos. This year we have 3 kids in 3 grades in 3 different sections but at the same school, which makes dropping off and fetching way easier. (You may or may not remember that we decided to keep Mr L in grade 00 and move Mr C to grade 0). It really went so very well - not one single tear, not one moment of clinging to mom. I think those prep days we had last year for the boys really worked wonders - they know which class they will be in and who will be their teacher. It really helps to put them at ease.

Our grade 2 though had to wait for the first day to find out. This year she was not disappointed. She got the teacher she wanted and has two of her closest friends in the class with her and one she is fast growing towards. (Her teacher is quite far along her 3rd pregnancy - so she only has one term with her - coming back the second term is one of the older teachers who was off for a brain operation - I am totally delighted that she will be with her for most of the year although not so happy about the two teachers in one year thing).

So how did back to school go in your household? Fine I hope.

And so another great December holiday comes to an end.

Well, for the kids. I still have 3 great days before my work year starts. I have lots to share but for now, let's just say that it is totally amazing just how much kids develop in one year.  For the first time ever since we had kids, I had the chance to help Hunter pitch and break camp. For the first time ever we had 3 kids playing in the sea and swimming in the pool amounting to total water happiness and beach joy. For the first time ever one week of camping was way too short. Now we will head for 2 weeks or so. Our time at home has been fun too. Lots of friends and family, swimming and playing. Time shared together.

So here's to the 2013 school year - 3 kids in 3 grades will hold its challenges ( hence I have a great calender change this year from my usual one to allow more space for notes) but I am embracing the challenge with open arms. I am holding my breath and praying that the boys will adapt well- in a new school,and separate classes - the first time they will not be together. Here's wishing you the very best for you school year ahead.

Last day of school 2012

Friday was the last day of school for the year. I thought that documenting only the first day of every year will be way more sensible if one documents the last day too - to see how much they have changed in the year.

It was also the very last time that we will have kids in our very beloved little Catholic pre school, so I decided on a whim on Wednesday to make each of the teacher (8 in total)  a little something. So I popped into Ruby's (a treasure trove) and found wonderful bits to make something. In the end I am almost shy to admit that each gift cost me R8,60  - but put together with much love. I then decided to send one each for some of the teachers that was important in the Princess' life this year too and made 15 in total.

I bought crochet flowers, felt, ribbons and brooch pins and glued it all together with my trusty glue gun.
I am very happy to say that I think most teachers loved them and most pinned them on immediately.

Every school concert has one.

That child that steels the show, that everyone shares a laugh with and who everyone talks about? That child? That child was ours on Friday night.

 But no, although in a big role, he did not steal the show - that was up to the other twin, playing a camera man for the event. My, did we laugh at this antics! He was so into his role and the show.

Even receiving his medal was a led to some antics - a real little showman.We were blow away. He has so much confidence and can be a real comedian.

Mr C received his medal too - with grace and dignity as it should to be for Olympic flag bearers.


After the Sports show, the kids came in for the Carols by Candlelight - Mr C and Mr L were at the two ends of the back row, leaving Mr L with heaps of space to entertain the crowd while Mr C delivered a faultless appearance at his end.

We are really sad to leave our much beloved little school at the end of this year - for the last 5 years we have always had at least one kid in the school, but it will be great to have them all in the same school next year. And a great school to boot that we already love.

I do feel a bit more at ease

On Saturday we had the meet and greet with Mr L's new teacher and class mates.I was always worried that he will look older and act older than the other kids but really, he just fits in perfectly. He even has a classmate that also wears glasses so that's another win. His teacher asked to talk to me after the kids all left and immediately told me that L was placed with her because she has some experience with SID/SPD and her own 4 year old has also been diagnosed with it. She has asked me to send his brush to school and have a meeting with his OT early next year. All very positive. On the negative side she did mention that we need to think carefully about moving him in the middle of the year to grade R as most SID/SPD kids do not cope well with change - of that I am very aware and she may have a point there, but let's start the year and run the gauntlet together.


 Although he never smiled he did give his new teacher a huge hug when we left and there were never any tears. He also stayed in the class without me willingly and happily. I am very proud of how he handled it all -he does have heaps of courage and quite a bit of self confidence to boost the mix.

So the school thing.

As many of you may remember the school requested to evaluate Mr L at the school for submission next year in grade R. I was extremely stressed about this but the evaluation day went very well. It seems like my dream of all 3 kids in the same main stream school will come true. The school came back with an acceptance to grade R but with a proposal for us. They propose that we start him in grade RR to gain confidence in being the one that knows most in the class and to give him the chance to lay the foundation a bit better. He will then be moved to grade R when they feel he is ready for it. Hunter and I discussed it and really for him it was an easy decision to take them up on the offer. I feel very happy that the school and the headmaster and headmistress from the pre primary took the time to look at him and make an unique plan for him. Happy that they looked at him as an individual. Our OT agrees it is a good plan providing that they do not keep him in grade RR for long as she feels he might get bored. His current teacher feels the same

 However it almost implies that he will eventually go to grade 1 a year later than he is suppose to. Taking into account that he is a boy and a late baby for his year it is not the worst of it. The fact that he has apart from the SID/SPD issues also a physical disability with his eye and that the third that is blind most certainly will interfere with the crossing of the median and reading it seems a good decision never the less. They also proposed to evaluate Mr C at the end of next year to establish if he will be ready for grade 1 in his age appropriate year as often boys late in the year are not. At this stage his current teacher mentioned that she doubt he will not be ready.

So it seems as if our twins will not be in the same grade. I know that if Mr L was not part of a set of twins this would have been way less of an issue to me. I may not even have thought twice about it. But is makes me very sad. It breaks my heart to feel that he got the short end of the draw int he twin set. The kids watched the Princess' grade R graduation and concert the night before last and my only thought was that next year this time Mr C will be there - and Mr L not. Will he blame us some day? Will he be teased as he has been before because he wears glasses? Now he will wear glasses and have to do sport with the grade older than him. I guess we will have to cross those bridges when we come to it. And deal with it in a way that will keep his self image as high as possible.What this will do is force us to see them as the individuals they are - which have in any event been our mindset all along.


I have prayed a lot about this and I know that I have to push aside what I feel and concentrate on doing what will be best for him.I want to be excited for him, see him bloom the way the other two do. It may be a year later than his brother, but bloom he will. In a main stream school that we love, just one year later.

There's no place like space for a great party.

Imagine having twin boys with very different passions and having to organize a party that both of them will love? Up to this year I think anything would have been fine for them and they did love their Lion and Crocodile party last year, but by 5 they very much have their own opinions and I wanted a theme that would thrill both of them. Mr C is at the moment totally obsessed with space - he knows all the planets, how many moons and rings they have and all sorts of facts that I do not even know at all.Mr L is still obsessed with everything with engines be it with wheels, wings or whatever. His ideal party would have possibly been excavators etc, but the promise of many rocket ship items the week that space was the theme for the week at school did it. And a space party was born.

We had the party at their pre-school - a brilliant idea. You can rent the school for a Saturday for a fee - it is cheaper than a party venue, has all that you need in terms of playground, tables and chairs etc and theirs even have a braai area as it is connected to a church. The school gets extra money for maintenance of equipment etc and you get a great party venue where the kids totally feel at home.

On to the decor/theme stuff:

The party packs were plain silver paper bags with each child's name on their rocket ship. Inside were some stickers, and "alien" to grow and bangles and rings for the girls and a slinky for the boys.

Silver paper plates and cellophane bags to take left over sweeties home in the party packs

A few balloons with silver stars on and CD/dvd's with silver pipe cleaners hung on the gazebo edge.

Mr C's Uranus cake. I swear I am the first mom in history to make a Uranus cake (yes, I did Google and found one bakery one). I was so stressed that he would not like it but he counted the moons, confirmed that 9 was indeed correct and gave his blessing. He loved it! (Chocolate oil cake with butter frosting)

Mr L's rocket ship cake. My, was that boy crazy about his cake! He totally loved it. (Vanilla hot milk sponge cake with butter cream frosting.)

I made some of my now (almost) famous colouring in table cloths for the tables. But due to the sunny weather not much colouring happened.

 For the first time ever I did a sweetie buffet in stead of sweets pre packed in party packs. The little aluminium containers on the left had names on and was used to dish sweeties in. Every sweet type was named something to do with space like "Space cadet vitamins" and "Alien faces". What was left at the end of the day was taken home (plus some just because). Amazingly the kids ate very little sweets, chose only what they liked so the waste was minimal and I totally loved that so many parents had some sweets and took party packs home for themselves.

Below you can see why a pre-school is the perfect party venue - lots of equipment, dressing up, sandboxes and yes, the ever popular jumping castle.

The kids just played and played until we gave them all a nice Boerewors roll to eat (Prego steaks for the parents.).

We then let them loose on the sweetie buffet. The only item that was totally finished by the end of the party was the sherbet. A total hit with all!

 Then we went on to make each kid's own little bit of space by making little mini space globes (snow globes). I used little plastic containers bought at the packaging shop, beads for planets, big stars and smaller stars and glitter for the final stardust touch. I then added water and sealed the lids with bostik. Most kids loved it, even the smaller ones.

 After a lot more playing and chatting we all dispersed just in time for us to tidy up and be back home just as the Springboks took the Aussies on.

I loved that the party had a relaxed atmosphere, I loved that it was relatively low intensity - I made everything before hand - to set it up took us about and hour, to tidy up less. Above all I loved that the boys declared it the very best party ever.

(BTW - I did not take many pictures - thanks to teacher Wendy for the ones marked "Captured by Cat" and Marcia for the rest - you two did a great job.)

This and that

So how is your Thursday going?

We had our first Highveld thunderstorm for the Summer last night. It was spectacular  - true to tradition. Lots of lightening and thunder that woke up little 4 year old boys. But today everything feels fresh, but rather cool. We always get a cold spell for the first Friday in September - traditionally our office's Spring day celebration. We have promptly postponed it to next week.

I was up early this morning, on site before 8 to inspect for possible leaks in new area in my current project. Taking into account that for all practical purposes a rather big portion of a section of a functioning mall has only a bit of canvass over a future rooflight, the damage was minimal. I am much relieved.

I am also much relieved when I took the boys to visit the school this morning and L greeted friendly and both stayed with the teacher.  He confidently played with the bigger boys with Lego and C was shy and hiding behind the teacher. Sometimes you never know. I went to visit A's teacher from last year. Who told me that they think evaluating L is an overkill.

All in all I feel much better today - as if a big load of stress has slightly lifted (am I being too optimistic?) and as if on this rather cool day Spring is really in my heart.

I have had huge issues with my IBS lately but do believe that it is possibly the stress that has triggered it after a rather good run the last few months. I have started with my trusted pro biotics again and am going to buy another product recommended to me later today. Let's hope things look better soon.

Work is still hectic - there is no other word but in the interest of sanity, I am going to take lunch today and have a coffee quietly somewhere and read some Spud. Or on second thoughts, get those invites done

I have not done anything for the Boys' party yet - invites are getting rather urgent - the rest is fine at the moment.Venue sorted, the rest are easy.

So how is your day panning out?

Do not believe the box....

when it says: "Easy to assemble. Well, actually, we all know that but somehow we cling onto that myth time and again just to once again....ugh!. On Sunday the boys got big boy bikes (big excitement!) but they came in boxes, to be assembled at home. And yes, there was some frustration involved. What I can tell you is that there is a learning curve to assembling a bicycle and the second one took about a quarter of the time that the first one took.

What I can also tell you is that it took the boys one go up the driveway (quite a steep incline) and down to master the basics, and away they were.

The Princess got a hockey stick and ball due to her huge enthusiasm and good performance after her first hockey tournament. Yes, she had exactly two practices, and on Saturday played her first mini hockey tournament. And no, it's not because she is great or anything, everybody gets a chance as long as they have mastered the basic skills which thanks to last year's Playball, she did. She LOVED the hockey and went into the first game as a forward and was used in the second game as the same position. She enjoyed being in the thick of things, right at the ball and had huge fun.

Speaking of that, we had a taste this Saturday of possible future weekends to come - while I was with the Princess at the mini hockey tournament, Hunter and the boys attended their first rugby day. It was super cute and the boys had lots of fun, especially playing a game against their dads after their game and having the chance to tackle dad. The boys played against each other and true to their personalities according to Hunter. L was right there int he thick of things while C waited away from the action to steal the ball and score two tries. Regardless of it all, they loved it.

It is our philosophy to not only encourage an active lifestyle as a family, walking together, cycling and playing ball etc at home, but also to encourage our kids to do sport at school. We will never pressurize them into doing something specific (apart from swimming which we feel is a life skill and safety issue more than just a sport), but as long as they try their very best and enjoy and participate in some sport, we are happy parents.

So what is your take on sports and the kids? And what did you do this weekend?

What??? I said?

When I saw on the school's newsletter that admission applications close on the 22nd of June this year. Yes, it has been made a whole lot earlier than it used to be. In addition, grade R is part of the Primary school next year and forms the first formal year of education. This means that I have to enroll my boys into grade R now! And at the Primary school, not the Pre Primary who I have talked to about my boys, especially Mr L before.

So on Friday I popped in at the Pre Primary and had a chat to the headmistress there. It transpires that I need to do a whole lot of homework and get a whole lot of reports for Mr L. (For those not aware he has Sensory Integration disorder - or Sensory processing disorder). He is behind in some fields of development and apparently at this stage ahead in others, but he does not have what I would like to call a "non neurotipical" profile - I hate the word normal. What the hec is normal? What is a fact is that he has made huge progress in the last year. But it also means that although our OT and his teacher and the headmistress of the pre primary all are of the opinion that he should go to a main stream school, the governing body of the shool has the right to refuse him entry. So I need to get the supporting "evidence" that he is indeed suitable for the school. The Pre primary principal is prepared to go to the headmaster of the Primary school and have a discussion to allow him without even having to refer it to the governing body. For that I am so grateful.

But, this all means a scramble to the OT for a new updated report, asking his teacher for an updated report and getting a developmental psychologist report if the OT thinks we should. A lot to get done in just a month. But I know that if we can get this done, and if we can indeed get him grade 1 ready next year, I can have my twins in the same school and grade successfully. As our OT always says, that is our big goal. The rest will follow. Maybe with more attention and therapy, but it will follow. We also have to move the two of them into separate classes next year so that they can both establish their own friends and place in the class.

So we are pushing ahead getting everything done, and then it's a question of holding thumbs and praying that this all works out. What I do know is that he loves these books at the moment - and he is doing so well sitting, concentrating, drawing. Starting to lift his wings and fly. Hope, yes, hope. There's that word again, My word for 2012.

The straw that broke the camel's back- but didn't

Thursday was not a great day - it was jam packed with meetings the whole day after we had our first dreadful night of (no) sleep with the boys in ages and after working up to almost 12 the evening. In between I scrambled to answer mails and keep up to date and to say I was exhausted by the end of the day was no lie. So I pick up a very happy Princess and we have a great chat to the boys' school. As I get out of the car my phone rings - a work issue which I chat through up the driveway to the boys' school gate. As I open the gate my lovely new beads snap on the handle and splatter over the patio with excited little toddlers running after them. Sigh! No way of getting them all in paving and grass as some roll over the edge and a few steps down. I end the call and look up to the white notice board at the entrance which read "Career day tomorrow. Please dress up and show us what you want to be some day" I kid you not, I could possibly slap the teacher (ok I did not say that! And it was not their teacher - she would have known better ) when I asked her about the late notice and how am I suppose to get something and she replied - "Well just make something". ARE YOU KIDDING! AS SOON AS THE KIDS SLEEP I AM SLEEPING. It was just that last bit to just break my spirit.

I hate it when the schools give you short notice - really it does not consider working parents at all (I wrote about it before. The boys' school in general give us a term program which I make sure to add to our year planner so that I am well aware of everything before hand. But something went wrong and they did not hand them out until yesterday. So Friday was really sprung upon us. But the Princess (bless her little heart) immediately had the creative juices flowing suggesting a fireman for Mr L (it is his current obsession after all) with his gumboots and a play phone for a walkie talkie. Then she suggested a cowboy (nope not a "real" job) and Spiderman (nope, not real either) - she was rushing through the dress up options we have. I suggested a builder (they have little hard hats, we have drills etc and plans) but no, C did not want to be a builder (or an architect). Then as we turned the corner to our house she had it ! A chef! I though about our little apron, but what else? She remembered that we got the left over chef's hats from their party and exactly where I stored it and we got one of their cowboy bandanas. He has balck trousers with white stripes and black and red sneekers.

When the school rings

On Friday afternoon just as I was busy doing a blogpost about our little project during my lunch time( see tomorrow) , my phone rang, showing that number, you know the one that immediately charges your heart beat to 150 bpm with no exercise involved. The boy's school number. I just knew.

It turns out that Mr L had somehow managed to cut his forehead open and it was rather deep - deep enough to go to the doctor. So I quickly rang our GP and confirmed they could help us, then picked him up at school and went straight to the doctor. My, was he a brave boy - no crying, just a whimper or two as it was cleaned and fixed with strips. It turned out to be small but rather deep. So he got a nice plaster over to match his brother's ( see yesterday's photos) who fell at school on Tuesday right in front of me as I picked them up. When we picked up C later he showed us at the Wendy house where he hurt himself on a nail sticking out a bit. The school had it fixed first thing this morning.

So, matching twin war wounds.

BTW - Our server has been a tad cumbersome this morning -this whole post with photos was done with the Blogger app on the ipad

Firefighter Fred goes to school

The Boys are doing Letterland at school and the whole first term we have been made aware of who the Letterland visitor of the week was - be it Annie Apple or Harry Hatman or Sippy snake.Although Mr L is still behind on his development, he recognizes every letter they have done - Mr C of course, runs the whole alphabet for you. But visuals are clearly his "thing".  But it is just the first week of school and the mommy of the house is nowhere near school, never mind Letterland mode.

So this morning Mr L had a tiny freak out at home - he insisted on showing his Firefighter hat to his teacher. We were running late for his OT appointment so I agreed that he could show it to his OT, which he did, but still insisted it had to go to school. Now the school has a very strict policy against toys at school, for many good reasons. So I agreed that he could show it to his teacher but that it would go back to the car with mommy. He very reluctantly agreed. When we got to school he ran to her and gave her his hat, and she exclaimed "Well done L! The only one in the whole class to remember!" It turns out she asked them to bring Firefighter gear from home if they had as Firefighter Fred is visiting this week from Letterland. Although he did not have all the correct  words to express to me why he insisted, I am super proud that he remembered and had the confidence to stand by his knowledge - especially seeing that they are two of the youngest kids in their class and he is behind his age.

Every parent of a special needs or developmental delayed child  knows how much we treasure these special moments. They give us hope, infinite hope. Which is my word for the year, if you do not know yet.

Looking back, we had a fabolous weekend.

It was the last weekend of granny's visit and we made sure it was one to remember. The highlight being the Boys' school's annual sports day. A day that is filled to the brim with enthusiasm, energy and heaps of fun. All the parents and grandparents are encouraged to support the team their kids are in and in general the atmoshpere is loaded with fun with red, blue and yellow seen everywhere. It was great to have our granny from Port Elizabeth here to share in the fun. The Princess was delighted to be asked to participate as one of the grade R girls called in sick for the day.

Do your kids' school have a fun sports day? I just love this little tradition.

Halooo! yes, it's been a while....

Almost a week but believe me my friends in the computer/tablet/phone, I am very very busy. But, a quick catch up:

• Work is hectic. I some days do not even realize that the morning is gone by the time it's 12! A big demanding but hugely intricate and satisfying project. There is really very little in our field that meets the adrenaline rush of retail architecture.
• My iPad is amazing - I think it buys me about an hour to hour and a half's time every day. And you are just so much faster in referring on site and getting back on mails.
• I had a tummy bug on Sunday night/ Monday. Lost time at work and left me still exhausted and I think dehydrated although I am taking more than my fill of re hydration products.
• The Princess is finding her feet with grade 1 and so am I. The earlier to school times, the afternoon activities, tying her shoes for netball, the whole story.
• She is fast learning about economics, both in terms of real money for tuck shop and in terms of trade via the sticker trading that takes place every day at after care.
• On Friday it's grade 1 swimming gala and she is very excited about all that.
• The boys are enjoying school and have started with Letterland. Harry Hatman and Annie Apple all over again. This week C took honey and L took a Mega blocks hen to school.
• We are flying my MIL in to attend the Princess' ballet concert. They are both beyond excited. And you know I love having her around.
• I am not getting to much blog reading or real book reading but am currently busy with "The hare with the amber eyes" in paper and "The Help" on kindle for iPad.
• I have a real craving to create - but am too tired in the evenings. Maybe if this tummy thing is sorted I will get there?

So what's happening around your corner of the world?

Gee, its been a week and a half!

Busy, busy, busy. At work things are positively crazy with my big project for the next 18 months in full swing this week. I discovered exactly why the iPad is such a total hit this week - well in terms of entertainment I could always see the appeal, in terms of work it has astounded me. If I did not have my iPad with me yesterday I would have had so much more to do today at the office. A huge time saver! And in my fast paced very visual industry it is fast becomming a must have item. And iCloud - I just love it.

On the school front I feel comfortable with what the Boys will be doing this year. Apart from the activities they were doing last year we are delighted with the new ones added. Obviously the most important of all is to continue with Mr L's OT this year. They will be continuing with their Junisport - a general sport ans gymnastics program. We have added Mikimaths and swimming to their program. We believe that swimming is a life skill so this is essential to us. In addition, yes folks, my boys are starting with rugby! They had their first training session yesterday and had so much fun. So we thought that was it. Then on Tuesday their teacher approached me when I picked them up - it seems that Mr C is incredibly interested in the pottery classes, so much so that he can not rip himself away from it. And we know that for a SID kid pottery can only be beneficial, so we enrolled them both. Busy programmes, but every activity is at school apart from the swimming where they get collected from school and delivered back.

Coping with extra mural activities for the Princess proved to be more of a challenge. Being a Primary school and offering.a huge amount of activities means you have to phone or find out from the coaches etc when the activities are and try to co ordinate the lot yourself. Her request was simple - continue with her ballet and the netball which she enjoyed so much last year. The ballet is was already sorted last year, but getting the times for netball proofed a challenge but at the end her teacher pointed me to the grade 1 coach who gave me times and days. So then we proceed to book swimming ( which to us as parents are a given) - then the glitch. She had to pass an evaluation to qualify to swim with the school coaches and to be allocated a group. Yesterday she passed it! I was so proud at how hard she tried and with how much determination she did it. She would love to do hockey but the season has not started yet and the times and days have not been set. So when she was not chosen for the choir we decided to offer her speach and drama. I think she would enjoy it but I also believe it is a confidence booster. She is forever acting out roles at home so it could be just what she would love. And being a great speaker is certainly a plus in today's business world.

The weekend is a busy one for our Princess - they have ballet practice as they prepare for their big yearly production, every Saturday until mid March, to be followed by a witch themed party. On Sunday we have. A family birthday celebration around lunch time.

So how was your week and what does the weekend hold for you?Oh yes, and this was my first ipad post!