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)

Just doing the best you can

As you guys know this year had already chewed us up and spit us out on the other side. In more than one way. I have been sick, Hunter's work is very tough at the moment, Mr L has not adapted well to school and being away from Mr C. We are a little rough around the edges - tired and slightly bleary eyed. What I also have not told you is that we have two boys in OT at the moment - Mr L who will possibly still be for a long time, and Mr C who we had evaluated at the end of last year. His teacher noted that he was very slow with work but a meticulous planner. It turns out he also has a touch of low muscle tone (only in the upper body) and a bit of a brain integration issue. He is left footed, left eyed but right handed.(But I am ambidextrous so it should not be a surprise). It should not be  along course of OT but we know that the sooner we do it the better the result will be.

We have read many accounts of how horse riding therapy benefits children with SID/SPD - in fact, all children seem to benefit in some way or another. It is also indecated for brain integration issues. It even has a positive influence on eye muscle movement. So Hunter went along and found stables that provide this, managed to get a time slot we can manage on a Saturday and sent on their OT reports to the instructor. On Saturday morning they started - to say they liked it is an understatement - they loved it. Yes, it is costing us a small fortune and yes, we will certainly not be able to not let A not ride later (at the moment her Saturday mornings are filled with ballet practice for their concert).But we are doing it and placing high hopes on it. It may be just co incidence but this weekend and this week is by far our best yet this year with Mr L. I am feeling way more positive. Yes, we are just doing the very best we can for them right now. In the meantime, I am loving the smell of the stables, the contact with the horses. The joy of sharing their excitement.

And who can resist a little donkey face? Gosh he is so cute.

Safari again?

The week before last was rather "Princess heavy" . I spent a morning with her when she was sick on the Wednesday and went to the doctor, most of the morning on Thursday with the ballet exam and again on Friday afternoon with the drama Eisteddfod and she then spent the rest of it at the office with me. When I realized that she had a party on Saturday morning I took the chance to spend some time alone with my little men and treat them to a visit to Safari. To be honest we have not been in a while and I doubt if we will ever go again. The animal area was stinking even more so than the usual. So much so that I actually felt terrible. The service in the tea garden was shocking - it took us 15 minutes to place the order for two milkshakes and a cappuccino and another 15 to get them. Brought to us without straws for which we had to wait another 8 minutes. Although the boys certainly enjoyed the play area and jumping castle and the pony was as always a hit, I doubt if we will go there again. Certainly not to the tea garden. It was just one bad experience too many.,

But fun together we certainly had and each of the boys spent a while alone with me while the other one played around. As always, I have to share some pictures.

There was another set of twins in the animal enclosure.

So how was your weekend? Ours was good - a visit to the new school for next year for Mr L - more about that later, a very relaxing afternoon around the pool with friends yesterday and a lot of searching for a certain pair of glasses - still mysteriously missing.

Choo-choo!

During the long weekend, a month ago, the 3 boys in the house had their own very special morning out. The Princess had a sleep over and I spent the morning getting my craft groove going. They attended the special steam powered weekend at the Centurion Model Trains where, rather than the usual little diesel model trains, steam trains ran as well as steam boats. It was heaps of boy fun.

Filling up with water. This give you an idea of the scale of the trains

Steam boats on exhibit and on the lake

More trains in the yard

All photos by Hunter. Centurion Model trains are open every weekend with a nice play area and big lawns to picnic on. Tuck shop available for treats.

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