E - Vida

This photo was completely un-scripted! I was across the room in the kitchen, when I heard Jorja's story start: "Once upon a time there was a girl..." And she was off. Jorja really loves that opener! I heard her comment about whales and a kangaroo (two different books) and then asked me if Ariel was a whale or a shark ...and when I turned around, I saw this pretty picture - No wonder Ethan was so quiet - he was concentrating very hard on his reading lesson! I am so grateful for Jorja's interest in reading. Admittedly, we didn't have a big role to play in it. It's thanks to the gifts of book sets from loved ones that first sparked it and now Jorja is very keen to have anyone spare a moment and read a few lines with her. (I say WITH her because she's highly likely to takeover the story-telling time.) I can only hope that we will help her nurture her interest in books and that it will develop into a love for reading - the powerful resource ...

Oh it was a cold and wet start to our weekend and we tried to not let it dampen our mood! (Ethan found this to be excellent conditions to try out his 7+ hour sleep stint again) Breakfast with the Klaasens kicked us off in style - homemade muffins, scrambled egg, crispy bacon and fresh orange juice. Never mind Jungle Oats, THIS was the breakfast that champions dreamt of! After getting everyone washed and dressed, we played family band - when Jorja hands out the instruments (all notorious noise-making gifts from loved ones) and we all follow her lead in making a joyful noise. How she still manages to 'bust a move' while strumming her guitar and singing lead vocals is beyond me... In the tea break, PJ whipped up some awesome hot chocolate, with "the perfect cocoa to marshmallow ratio" (Rio - 2011) and in walked Papu and Yaya to grab a cup too. By 2pm, Jorja was down for a nap and we did some light 'straight-pulling' to make the house look slightly l...

By 10pm last night, everyone was in bed and we were all set for a good night's sleep. This was going to be the smoothest Sunday AND Mother's Day, ever! Then at 11pm Jorja woke up. I rushed to the bathroom when I heard P-J ask her why she couldn't hold her wee in just a little longer to reach the bathroom! Poor girl was distraught about the mishap and the crying just got louder, which then made her already tight chest even tighter! Through semi-closed eyes, we changed clothes and mopped up and then tried to get her back to bed. All the while, little brother slept in his cot... Small mercies, I say! Jorja migrated to our bed quite early this morning and the duvet wars ensued. By 6am I was up and Ethan was back down :) Jorja and I bathed, ate breakfast and got dressed. This day was on the up again. While I was making her bed, she called me, "... Hey Momma, um... Happy Merry Christmas? Hey Daddy, what must I say again?" (whispering, whispering, whispering...)...

... Is the Lindt chocolate made-up lips sitting on the backseat! P-J sent me this photo while he was still on his way to drop Jorja at Bonny Babies yesterday. Jorja found a piece of chocolate in her (Sunday) snack bag, left in the car, and quietly and carefully proceeded to apply the Lindt- flavoured lipstick while her Dad shuttled her to school, blissfully unawares! Con - She's eating chocolate... way too early... on a Monday morning Pro - She'll burn it off before she comes home *Disclaimer: We cannot confirm or deny where the chocolate came from. So, technically, we aren't aiding her!

Last night was my last chance (this year) to take advantage of my birthday special offer* at Spur. In rainy weather, with my 3 accompanying dining adults, we set off to the family restaurant WITHOUT any kids! Scary, but true... For a whole two hours I didn't see them (or have to tend to them), but boy, was I distracted just thinking of them?! Even though I was getting regular updates from the Yaya-sitter + co. I was eager to get back home and know that I was around if they needed me. Seems I'm not as ready for that time out that I think I so desperately crave! But thanks to everyone who played a part in my 2 hour stint!

...And it's only Sunday! The floor is wearing one of each pair of Jorja's shoes, the crockery on the kitchen counter towers high and pays tribute to PJ's dinner function from Saturday... Quite honestly, each room rolls into the next one and with a little luck I hope we'll find our beds tonight! A friend just said it simply, "Long weekends make me lazy!" South Africans enjoy a 5 day weekend this week(end) - Well, the GP-ers are still on school holiday anyway - and it's showing right from the kitchen sink to the laundry basket. But really, in this weather, what are we supposed to do?! * Photographs have been removed from this post due to its highly sensitive content. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

On the eve of Ethan's 6 week old mark, we enjoyed a late afternoon nap while P-J went to fetch Jorja at school. It was a rare, quiet, precious occasion. Yes! We've reached the 6 week milestone and my 'grace period' is officially over. I am once again 'legal' to drive (the car, but not my husband around the bend), exercise (much more than walking), stretch (to hang the many loads of laundry), lift (heavy bags and my productivity levels) etc. Drat. No more 'ag shame' coming my way! The week ahead is filled with check ups and vaccinations for Ethan, a school outing and swimming for Jorja, a function for P-J and a visit to the office for me - and it's already a short week in South Africa! We're only so calm about it all because we've just returned from a relaxing stay at Club Mykons Resort on the West Coast. What a treat! The four of us fit into the king size bed there much better than in our smaller size at home ;)