Connor at 6

I thought I'd take a few moments to jot down some notes about Connor because I will forget.

1. Connor is wildly addicted to his Wordsearch book. Every day when I get home he says, "Mummy, see what I did today. I need your help with this one and this one".
2. When I freak out sometimes and say I also want to just lay around and have fun instead of cooking/ whatever, he's the first one to say, "I'll come help you in a few minutes" and he does.
3. He still gets a kick out of competing with me, whether it's by running up the road, or by getting dressed in the morning.
4. He loves peanut butter, and once a week I treat them by making peanut butter and jam sandwiches. On that day I am the best mother in the whole entire world :) Should we have a post about school lunches?
5. One of his favourite meals is egg and potato, with cucumber on the side "with the purple spice" (Robertson's olive and rosemary spice). Sliced potato fried lightly in a pan with an omelette mix poured over. He loves it. However, he's getting fussier about some food he doesn't like. The other day he said, "Mummy, the ONLY nice thing about this food is the FORK!" . (It was a creamy chicken casserole)
6. He adores making his bed and really takes pride in there being not even one wrinkle. He doesn't get this from me - I don't even make our bed. That's always been D's job, or Nanny S's. Now and again, he even remakes my bed because "it looks ugly".
7. He loves mint sweets. D bought him a packet of Mentos a few weeks ago, he ate about 3 - 4 sweets and stuck the remainder of the packet in the pocket of his jeans. Then Nanny S washed the jeans. He was distraught that the sweets were "poisoned" in the washing machine and that D wouldn't buy him another packet :)
8. This boy loves numbers and maths concepts. He plays with numbers - addition, subtraction and multiplication. Sometimes I say, "Connor, what do you want me to do - play with you (number games I have to make up) or cook supper?" "You can do both, Mummy". 
9. D says it's scary how much we are alike. I agree except it's rather frightening to see this level of determination and stubbornness when he's fixed his mind on something... at barely 6.
10. Connor hates it when I listen to podcasts because he can't talk, but he's learnt to say "press pause, Mummy" so he can tell me his stories. The only think he likes listening to is the Bible app. The photos in this post are of him listening to the Bible.
11. He still adores Friday the bear... and Thursday, K's bear, and sneaks Thursday away from Kendra if he wants to sleep with both of them. When he makes his bed, he makes a space for Friday to have a pillow and blanket too. It's very sweet.
12. This boy loves playing games with D - like backgammon, ludo and the latest craze, Diamond Rush, on D's old Nokia phone.
13. His favourite thing to do with me is still to go on walks and a close second, to have tea and each of us read either on the couch or on my bed.
14. He says he loves winter because he likes the cold on his face.
15. D asked him tonight, "Connor, what are you good at?" I can't remember what they said but when I went to pray with him, I said, "you know what you're good at, Connor?" and I rattled off a lot of things, and he said while smiling sweetly, "I think you're right, Mummy". SWEET BOY. I said numbers, writing, being a good brother to K, being a good son to us, Wordsearch, using my phone, reading, taking photos, going on walks with me, helping me in the kitchen and riding your bike.

That's my boy.



To think I couldn't imagine mothering a boy when I was pregnant (I even had a nightmare where I put him in the wardrobe and forgot him there!) and then he arrived. Aside from those irrational outbursts, he is so easy for me to understand and I love being his mother.

Did anything surprise you?

Making lemonade out of lemons

don't you love the reflection of me in my nail?

So we're back from our holidays and somehow, I survived the party. The longest party ever, but that's a story for another post.

Tomorrow we go back to work which is always slightly depressing after being on a very loose schedule and only kind-of having to think about what to eat, cook and so on.

Decision fatigue is a real thing, people. So much so that this afternoon I tidied up my bedroom, repacked my travel toiletries, packed away beach bags and so on, and.... wait for this... actually made a decision about the paint.

It's such a small thing (except for the money) but I literally couldn't make one more decision 10 days ago. I sent the man an SMS straight away and he's responded so I can go buy the painting things sometime this week.



I was SO enjoying the process of  cooking this evening which gave me the idea to write a post about things I enjoy about being home.

I love being away but I also love being home. Let's count the reasons why:

1. my bed (I think we're getting old - we were sore every morning and this led to me bounding out of bed a lot earlier than I like - 7.30 ish)
2. my kitchen (where I always thought I was quite minimalist but it seems I have an abundance of pots and pans)
3. my non-stick pan (can I have an amen?! I caved one day in and went to buy the smallest non-stick pan imaginable so I could fry eggs properly and not have Kendra tell me I'm giving her rotten BROWN eggs...burnt slightly on the edges)
4. my cutlery (let's just say I have a thing about using cutlery other people have used.... and may start travelling with my own set)
5. my spices (let me tell you cooking meals with just salt and pepper, and packet sauces of bolognaise is not for the faint-hearted) 
6. the cold on my cheeks (I walked out of the plane and said YESSS, BABY, I LOVE THE COLD to some odd looks from my fellow passengers)
7. screwdrivers ((some of you will think we're mean - I don't care - but today D removed the batteries from a Frozen doll... Elsa? (the blonde one). MIL bought K this annoying doll that SINGS Let it go when you press a button on its chest. When she handed it over, D thankfully said straight away to her, "Kendra will be keeping that doll at YOUR house" and there was nervous laughter all around. I said GREAT IDEA a little too enthusiastically from the kitchen. We told K we can't stand hearing that the whole day and I think D said Mummy is going to lose her mind. K was very happy to disable the song, by the way.))

I miss that shower something terrible though - it was amazing. Sadly, our showerhead doesn't even come close. I told D I'm sure this is a problem a couple of hundred rand would fix and it would guarantee us a few hours of happiness a week, separately of course! :)

and I miss this view...

 

What are you making lemonade out of at the moment?

PS
The kids have another week of school holidays and (for real) said, "OH NO!" when I told them they only go back next Monday. May they always be as happy about school.


 PPS I always take some random photos when I do my Sunday photo of the kids. These were taken a few weeks ago but I happen to be wearing the same jersey and the same nail polish today so it seemed fitting. And strangely affirming of my non-capsule capsule :)

Whose bright idea was this party?

I kept asking D this evening, whose bright idea was it to throw a party the MORNING after we return from an 8-day holiday?

Wisely, he just smiled.

I'm holding onto the fact that this is not going to happen again...like this.

6 girls and 6 boys at separate parties next year once school opens. That's it.

Unless I can convince them that the holiday replaces a party....

Friends, please remind me of this post in May 2016 :)

What have you been up to?

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These babies are SIX!

I know it sometimes gets old to hear me say this kind of thing, but I honestly can't believe these babies are six!

I figured it out though - the first year dragggggggged in 3 - 4 hour increments as it does...- so it felt like forever.

And then we were sleeping and the time just flew by.

When I think about how quickly these last 5 years went, it seems like I may blink and they'll be finishing primary school.

Isn't that crazy?

Anyway, enough of my over-thinking.

These gorgeous children are six today and I must say, I love having kids I can converse with, share hobbies with, and that can do real things with me.

They amaze me daily with the things they say, and I am honoured to be their mother.

Happy birthday, babies!

PS this set of pics perfectly captures everything about this age - their string bean-ness, the sass, playfulness, cuteness, sweetness, silliness and everything in between.

5 things I learned in June

So I did my goals this morning and posted about that on the other blog.

This is a more frivolous version - what I learnt in June!

1. I really like bright nail polish. I can't seem to walk past a display without just looking... and when I leave without having bought a bottle, I feel truly victorious! Like YAY!

On that note, I'm so glad I'm mostly over the handbags and watches obsession I had for years and years, because that was way too expensive.

Also, 2 - 3 coats of Rimmel Lycra plus 1 coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine top coat = nail perfection. It technically should last 10 days but I don't have staying power so after 5 days, I want a new colour.

2. I discovered these new bra tops at Mr P for R50 each and they are amazing. They're comfortable, padded and make you look great in your clothes.

I bought one each in black, nude and grey.

I actually went looking for a normal black bra for my Spanish exam and when I tidied the drawer, I discovered I had the right black bra.

3. I paused my Audible membership a few months ago because I was spending too much "unconscious" money. This month is the first month I've missed it and I think my membership kicks in again on the 14th.

I'm definitely going to get The life-changing magic of tidying up. It's ALL over the blogs I read and in the interest of researching my subject, I'll be listening with keen interest :)

Most say it is, in fact, life-changing, but others are very anti her methods. Apparently, because the book is translated from Japanese, a lot of it is very cultural which, to me, will be interesting but some just find it strange and don't seem to want to see another point of view.

Oh, the internet can be a harsh place.

4. We've spoken on and on and on about RSVPs and children's parties on this blog and... I really feel quite "off" about this party.

More than half of the invitees just didn't even bother to say "no thanks". SMS/ Whatsapp is so easy these days - you don't even have to pick up the phone - I just can't understand why people don't RSVP.

What I learnt is I'll have to break it to my kids very early next year that I'm not going through all this drama again. I don't know what we'll do but this is not for me.

I just hope and pray that everyone pitches.

5. Something weird happens the closer it gets to you taking leave. Suddenly everyone wants to meet with you urgently... with just a few days' notice.

I can't express how crazy this last week was - it was beyond ridiculous.

I told our "assistant" that come 5pm on Wed, I was out of there and not looking at emails the entire holiday.

And I've stuck to that.

I disabled my calendar and email from my phone and ipad, and I will check the calendar on Sunday night just to make sure there are no surprises, and then everything will have to wait for Monday morning.

What have you learnt recently?

Books I listened to and read in June

I must tell you all something that was quite revolutionary to me - you can reserve books at South African libraries. And the system actually works!

I often read online about these people being number 26 in the queue for one or other book, and think if only things actually worked here.

Well, I took a try and asked the librarian if they had any Liane Moriarty books. They didn't at my library, but there were two in circulation so I reserved them.

In case anyone is interested, you only pay R12 (!!!!) when the book gets to you. So I'm sold. R12 vs R120 - R150. Yes please!

Anyway, that's how I read two Liane Moriarty books in June.

 

 1. Three Wishes

This book was about triplets and was simply delightful if you don't expect your multiples to have that #twinromance thing going on :)

2. Predictably Irrational

I found this book far more fascinating than I thought I would. Behavioural economics is such an interesting topic! I've watched a couple of Dan Ariely's videos before and this just took
the whole topic to another level. Social and market norms, dishonesty, the placebo effect, etc. Completely fascinating. 

3. The last anniversary
Crazily, goodreads told me I'd read this one before - in Feb 2010. I only had a very slight sense of having read it so I ploughed on and re-enjoyed it again :) In my defence, the twins were only 7 months at the time so we were still not sleeping for stretches longer than 3 hours, so there's that.

4. What I know for sure - Oprah

Fans of Oprah, get the audio version. You'll love it. I feel like I need to listen to a chapter every morning to get me all rah-rah :)

5. One day in May


Not my favourite Catherine Alliott by far but a lovely enjoyable read. I suppose it again comes down to the characters - while I liked the protagonist well enough, I didn't love her or mind what happened...

And that's it!

I'm on holiday with just my ipad which is my mistake - I should have brought my proper Kindle because I enjoy that one so much better after a real book. And so....3 days in and I'm only 40% through my first book!

However, I plan to make a serious dent in that book tomorrow.

What have you been reading in June?

The most unprepared holiday ever

So it would appear I'm on holiday!



When we came back from Sabie in April, I decided I needed to "look forward" to something so we checked school holiday dates, checked (my favourite) accommodation, and booked flights and accommodation.

We didn't book a car because that's the least of our worries, right?

Normally, right.

holiday nails - the only thing I did prepare!

Except D wanted to book a few days before and............. no cars in the whole of Dbn.

Yes, apparently it's the Durban July (horse racing) and today I found it's also the Ballito Pro (surfing championships) so that could account for the no car situation.

We have reserved a car from tomorrow afternoon when the Dbn July people go back to wherever they came from.

this photo looks like nothing much but it took mad skillz to not get the crowds in the frame

Interesting times and I hate being without a car! We are "sharing" my SIL's car which is kind of them but we both don't like asking so I really can't wait for 2pm tomorrow :)

Aside from that, Ballito is a bit colder than I thought but I love the beach and I'll take it any which way!

I should have my grey skies in the next few days and then "life will be complete" :)

What's the weather like back home?

How are you enjoying the middle of winter?

Kendra also has "holiday" nails

those cheeks - leftover signs of baby!

PS the car is just the start of it, but in the interest of staying positive, let's leave it at that.

So the kids went to a party without us and it is very possibly their last time

 

 

I heard my phone ring insistently on Sunday (!). It was the mom of a child in the kids' class inviting the kids to a party.

The kids had a playdate there before and they've been here twice.

She said she'd pick them up at 11.50, take them to the Spur and bring them back by 3.

No problem, I said.

cute bunnies!

So I asked Nanny S to tell me when they were fetched (12.29) and when they were returned.

I had meetings this afternoon so I checked at home and they were not home by 4. I kept checking and then D and I left work at 4.50. I phoned Nanny S once more to check - kids still not home, phoned her, no answer - went to voicemail so I left a (stern for me) message saying I am worried about the kids and please to phone me ASAP.

We drove straight there and their house was in darkness.

I was all for driving straight to the Spur but D reminded me that there'd be no-one home in case they came.

So he dropped me, and then went to look for them.

Of course 5 minutes later they arrived - 5.54 pm. This from a 3pm end to a party.

pic by Connor, cropped by me

I was very cross (this is an understatement) but I didn't chat much because I wanted to get rid of her.

That is the last time I let them be fetched by her... obviously.

I wouldn't have minded if she'd sent an SMS to say they were still there. Also Nanny S could have left at 4 and had an early day if we knew.

I understand some people are different from me, but 3 hours later than the end time! I would have let the other mother know if we were just 30 minutes late.



When they arrived home, they rushed to the kitchen for water. I asked them: "why are you so thirsty? Didn't you have any water today?"

No, we only had creme soda.

!

There we have it - the babies' first taste of creme soda at 6 days to 6 years old!



When did your kids have any soda for the first time?
Do you think I'm overreacting about the mom?

So after being so mingy...

and writing that post about all the people I need, I've made some progress on my list:

Sucked it up, ordered curtains online and two days later, happiness = curtains in my lounge. Yes!

I also got a quote from people who fix damp (Mandy, the walls are literally damp...), carpet people and wood people, but still haven't decided on paint. Understandably, the painter is now hounding me but I have decision fatigue from work.

Work-wise, I'm working so hard I feel like I'm going crazy. Convinced that the universe knows I'm going on leave soon because everyone (every.single.one) wants a meeting in the next week. For the love.


And some other things I don't feel like talking about here :)

Now what's been happening in your world?



PS I think 5 days is the longest I've not blogged for YEARRRRRRS. It's so easy to fall off the bandwagon!

PPS photos from a nearby antiques store. They have a coffee shop and you sit on and at antique furniture. It's slightly nerve-wracking but mostly cool.

People I need in my life

I really thought we'd have loadshedding tonight because we haven't had the evening session since this night.

So I'm slightly at a loss on what to do because I'm caught up with SUPER essentials at home and I didn't bring the work laptop home... on purpose.

Blogging will give me a chance to gather my thoughts and remember the other things on the list :)

So my house seems to be falling apart and I need a person to sort out damp, a pool person and a plumber. I have a damp problem in the kids' bedroom (does anyone know what one does in this situation?), a green pool, and a few leaking taps.

I asked for a quote from a local pool place to maintain this green pool monthly and they said R600 pm. Guys, I just can't. Our pool is so small it's laughable. R600 is daylight robbery.



I also need a paint colour chooser still haven't decided on the right grey paint for the outside of the house. Some of you kindly commented on my instagram feed and the popular grey was also my choice until I looked at it in fading light. Then it looked too purple. Back to the drawing board.

I mentioned to D that we might as well just repaint white again and that was a problem..... except I really have no mental space to decide on a shade of grey. Do they have people at Mega Mica who come to your house to advise on colours, because I could use one of those!

And let's not mention I need another very very light (proper) grey for all the inside common areas.



My carpets are driving me nuts and need replacing sooner than I thought. I need someone to quote on carpets vs wooden floor sander/ repairers. MeeA, do you know wooden floor people in the area?

And last but not least, I need someone to run to the shops to buy me some curtains. OY! I have them all picked out but I'm being mingy about paying R250 for delivery :)

And my life would really be swell if I had a competent assistant at work. My colleague and I dream of hiring a super-switched on intern and paying her ourselves from our salaries just to ease the crazy :)

Which people do you need in your life?

PS This pic is for Louisa and for Se7en :) Dreaming of summer! Blue nails for Mrs FF.