E - Vida

Baby's "Baby" has an accident My Baby (who is still potty training) suffered a spill and her "Baby" bore the brunt of it. So we wrapped her in a pillowcase and put her in the wash - just like we do with our delicates ...and takkies. Sadly, "Baby" didn't fare as well as those delicates or takkies! She emerged limb-less and with hair in a tattered polyester mess. I first tried conditioner and then fabric softener to try and save the tresses, but in the end realised that "Baby" would don a headscarf for the rest of her days... To aid her mobility, we built her a wheelchair. The kids see people in wheelchairs at Church and around the stores. I just felt that this could bring some people's every day life a little closer to home. With super duper patience, Dear Husband built a chair from wood pieces and "Baby" is now sitting pretty. Of course, a visit to Home Depot afterwards made us realise that we could've used read...

This Thursday marked 18 weeks State-side! I had to do a count (and recount, and count again) to check that I hadn't completely lost track in my semi-hibernative state!  The cold temperatures and early sunsets plus the heavy snowfall this past week can really tempt us into retreat and confuse our days and times. Meet Baby's new toy doll, "Baby". I have children that I enjoy playing with dolls. Fancy that?? Dressing them up and carrying them around, but mostly trying different hairstyles and inviting them to take a swim at bath time. Ya-aaaa-aaay.. . A family from Church gifted a beautiful doll to Baby last week. She comes with long brown hair, a soft cashmere sweater and a pink glitter skirt. I definitely could not have styled her better myself! Baby was beside herself to receive it and promptly named her, "Baby". To be fair, the dog was first "Dog" too. Snowfall! We woke up to a Winter Wonderland on Tuesday. The kids said that it felt as...

Before it's time to post about Week 18, let me quickly think back to some moments from the week before, at the very start of November: Well, firstly, we realised that it was November and that the year was speeding on. Funny how, these South African kids (and their parents) start feeling the year-end slump even though we're away. J has a 2018 countdown calendar in almost every room! The kids have also opened up a play shop.  Check out the price of Creme Soda...Must be the import tax! Without them realising it (quickly), Mom enjoyed shopping up a storm the other day, so that they could practise their addition and subtraction! Halloween everywhere finally went away... and now everything is Christmas-sy plus the last of pumpkins, apple cider and spice overload.  (Even if I wasn't a Festive Season enthusiast, I'd be so happy for this.) I've noticed that some homes have put up trees already "...because one month just isn't enough!" ...

Just in case you were wondering, Dear Husband is still serving up dee-li-cious meals for all the hungry mouths and yes, he isn't the least bit deterred by the colder weather. We took our chances with the break in the stormy weather on Sunday and head out to the Tanger Outlets in Tilton. The kids have a way to go in learning the value of money, because they didn't take kindly to us laughing them off when they exclaimed, "But it's only $40!" or our selective hearing as they built their wish lists ... When you find a $3 t-shirt or a $1 game...now that's   what I subscribe to! A quiet moment at Story Hour this week, as the kids read about Owls and listened to their different calls. The patient Librarian, Ms Nadine, must by wondering if she did the right thing by encouraging Baby to engage in the conversation - because Baby has a comment for every page these days!  And then we have these moments, when a little bit of kiddie cartoon or music ...

This week was particularly tricky - excuse the pun. Almost everywhere we looked - shops, TV commercials, programming, social media and even private gardens were sending us black and orange - coloured reminders that it was Halloween time. A monumental build up that could only be rivalled by Pick n Pay Clothing... and they display their upcoming Summer season strappy tops in Winter! It became increasingly difficult to navigate this road as we drew closer to the date - we even skipped Story Hour last week because of the theme.  Without really trying, the subject was taboo in our home. And while we are grateful for unnecessary issues, I felt that this was a good opportunity to reinforce some truths - especially since we were inundated with local pressures to conform. So bright and early on Wednesday, before we got sheepishly got carried away with the day, we sat down to talk about what we believe as the truth. With thanks to  Faith in Kids 1. Let's not (ever) react with...