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Day 13

"I'd much rather be and am happier too, dealing with noisy kids, than sleeping adults."

Just a few minutes earlier I was talking to a couple about some of the challenges we face with our carefree kids - especially when we need them to quiet or sit still.

What can I see? 

What's a little dirt?

When I heard this phrase come out of a grown man's mouth, I had to swallow my giggle (since we were trying to be quiet and sit still!) but seriously, it made a lot of sense.

Parenting has probably changed me more than I could have predicted or can comprehend. Things that I didn't even know about myself, have been tailored to better suit free-spirited individuals - who are my kids. I run low on patience and understanding oh too often and still I remain hopeful that in my shortcomings, I will not limit their honest exploration but provide systematic instruction and love.

Today the kids played tag with their much needed nap time (following the festivities of last night) and we could still enjoy a relaxing time after lunch. Ethan was asleep in The Gym when we went up for lunch. P-J cooked a lekker lasagne for us to enjoy.

After lunch, Jorja went down for a nap and Ethan enjoyed his meal and then joined his Dad with a cogwheel project - for a while nogal!


When Jorja woke up, we decided to head back home and get started on dinner preparations that we'd share with the others once they returned from their outdoor offices*.


Jorja got some library books this weekend, which is a real treat. She had memorized the first line of each page from a book called "For All the Animals" and when I checked in on her at one time, she had me mesmerized, thinking that she was reading it! For now, Ethan only reads the pages with elephants, horses and lions on it...

*That's hay field and golf course, respectively.

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