Early morning skirmishes

When I pictured the first morning back at school, I'd pictured teary goodbyes, with Mo having to pry my claws off my kids as they walked to the car dragging their clingy deranged mother along while she screamed , '' My babies! Don't leave meeeeee!!''

I'd pictured us all speaking to each other lovingly all morning, as we enjoyed our last few moments in one anothers' company.

But no such luck.

The kids were irritable. They had awoken tired because they had, probably owing to first-day nerves, lain awake until really late.

They had gotten into bed at their usual time and performed their beginning-of-term ritual of recording a message for their cell phone alarm (in the hopes that waking up to something funny and outrageous would be more pleasant than waking up to the usual beeping of an alarm clock). After a few takes and numerous arguments over whose voice was the funniest in their morning-greeting alarm message, they settled down, satisfied at last that this message was so hilarious that it would have them leaping out of bed joyfully each morning (but probably knowing full well from experience that, by next week, the very sound of their excited happy voices alerting them to the need to leave their warm beds, would make them want to toss the phone into the toilet).

So from about 20:00 they had lain in bed, but sleep was elusive. Fortunately, Nuha (7) managed to fall asleep by past nine, but the other two tossed and turned for another hour and a half (at least).

Last night Aisha (2), as if sensing that something stressful was happening, had been really clingy. At 22:00 she was still sitting on my lap demanding that I read her favourite books, when Shakeel (13) jumped out of bed, rushed to us and flung his arms, first around me and then his little sister, telling us how much he loved as and would miss us. I was touched by the sentiment - and the fact that he had inherited his mother's dramatic nature.

But this morning expressions of warmth and love were nowhere to be found. They snapped at each other rudely and argued incessantly. Shakeel bossed Tharaa (10) about, while Tharaa did the same to Nuha.

Until I stepped in and reminded them about how important it was to be kind and respectful to each other - especially since we would not be spending the day together and anything could happen. And how the tone for one's day could be set in the mornings, which means that a stressful morning could result in an unpleasant day.

After this they wandered about their business more quietly (though still sombrely). The fact that Shakeel's school shoes are nowhere to be found, we took in our stride. I simply wrote a note to the teacher apologising for him wearing sneakers to school and promising that his shoes would be found during the course of today. (Which could be a virtually-impossible task with Aisha's new game of hiding our belongings in unusual places, like car keys in the grocery cupboard).

So we said our goodbyes mournfully, with each child giving me a long lingering hug. But ashamedly, I have realised that the drama of our goodbyes and the sadness of our separation from one another should be kept in perspective, especially after Elizabeth, our domestic worker returned yesterday, after having said teary goodbyes to her children (aged 14 and 7), whom she will only see in December again, since they live in the Eastern Cape.

At least I still have little Aisha to fill my days with joy - or distress - depending on her mood.

And now, as I wait for her to awaken, I say a little prayer that she does so happily, that all my kids have a wonderful day (and term) ahead and, most importantly, that none of them inherit their mother's wimpish clinginess.

Making the most of the last few moments

It's the last night before the first day back at school. Mere hours before the end of a lovely holiday. The kids are a trying to squeeze every last bit of enjoyment out of the remaining minutes (before bedtime).

Shakeel (13) and Tharaa (10) have indicated that they're a bit nervous for tomorrow. I must admit that I am too. Being left alone with 2-year old Aisha will not be easy.  

Right now, we're all cosying up in front of the TV, watching old comedies and munching on hot buttery popcorn.






Simply savouring the moment.

I am really going to miss these guys tomorrow.

While I watch the clock

When I was working full-time, I was the type of employee who would execute instructions just as soon as they were issued, complete duties before they were due and just generally be on top of things. In my personal life I'm the exact opposite - I am the worst procrastinator ever.

You might know that Muslims fast during the month of Ramadaan. We fast for the entire month except days we are sick or when women have their period. These days have to be 'repaid' (by fasting)before the next Ramadaan. The more disciplined and sensible of us will do it as soon as possible - some women repay their days owing immediately after the Ramadaan. I admire those women...

..because I am one of those women who leaves the repayment until a few days before the next Ramadaan. I keep putting it off for another time - there is always an excuse to postpone it (summer-time, kids' exams, Aisha (2) teething etc etc). As a result, I end up fasting my days owing RIGHT BEFORE the actual fasting month starts.

That is exactly what is happening this year. Ramadaan starts next Saturday, 20 July 2012 and I have been fasting for the past three days. I will take a break this weekend (oh, because that's another one of my usual excuses) and then resume fasting the remaining 3 days next week again - leaving me with only two days to prepare physically for the fast. As usual I feel like punching myself.

But, on a positive note, I have been starting to feel so much better since starting my fast. Remember my healthy eating programme about which I was bragging a few weeks ago? Well, that pretty much ended soon after it began. Although I must say, I still incorporate the vegetable and protein dishes into my daily diet, unfortunately I have also increased my intake of chocolates and chips (oooh chips - I'm so hungry right now with 3 more hours to go until iftaar, when I can break my fast).

In fact I had been starting to feel really bloated and uncomfortable. I had heartburn all the time - I stopped wearing a bra because it made the burning sensation unbearable by making me want to puke.

For the first day of my fast, the burning sensation was still there. I drank 750 ml of water the morning, as well as my green tea and then another 750ml after iftaar, followed by another two mugs of herbal tea over the next few hours. I also increased my portions of veggies, fruit and protein (slightly).

Believe it or not, both the burning sensation and bloated feeling had vanished yesterday (day 2) and after supper I felt so good that I had enough energy to return to the gym  (after a few disgusting lazy weeks). Don't get me wrong - I still feel hungry enough to eat my own hand, but at least I feel healthier, lighter and more energised than the duracell bunny.

Once again, I'm trying very hard to reduce - though not eliminate completely - my intake of sugar. It really is challenging for me, but now that I'm getting out of the rut into which I keep falling, I'm feeling more motivated.

And on that positive note - let me return to what I was doing before I started this post - staring at the clock.

So this is what they've been up to

You might have noticed that I've been rather quiet since the start of the school holidays, since this is a period we stay-at-home moms spend all of our time feeding kids, cleaning poo, refereeing arguments and listening to complaints (especially the nerve-grating whine, ''I'm bored. There's nothing to do'')

But, happily, we have had many special moments this holiday. Here are some of the activities with which we have been busy this June holiday.

Playing with our furry and feathery friends

 Being delighted by visits from friendly sparrows

Visiting neighbouring dorpies (small towns)....

Victoria Dam in Paarl

View from the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve

....where we sang and danced in the rain

We also went away for the weekend as described here . And when we got back home we spent time writing and drawing about the highlights of that lovely (albeit much-too-short) getaway.

 We also caught up on our reading - though I would have preferred us to do so much more of this activity.

Tharaa (10) became adventurous with her milky art - which she cleaned up as promised.

Tharaa's birth date (written in milk!)

Although we did not spend much time on money-guzzling activities, (like visits to the movies and kiddies shows) the kids have enjoyed their holiday thus far. We are in fact sad that it's nearing its end. We had better savour every remaining second.

Pretty mischievousness

Aisha (2) has, for the past few weeks, been even more obstinate, difficult and argumentative than usual. She refuses to have her nappy changed, to bath or eat regular food - she has no problem eating luxuries sneaked to her by relatives though.

A few days ago she refused to dress in regular clothes although it was freezing. Instead she wanted to wear something 'pweddy' (pretty). Eventually I could no longer fight her, so I opted to capture her cuteness/ mischievousness on camera instead.

 

With all the grace of a baby hippo

Family weekend getaway to Shelley Point

 Along with Mum-in-law, sister-in-law and her family, we spent this past weekend at a luxurious holiday house at a seaside golf estate in Shelley Point. The kids were so excited - they couldn't wait to be with their beloved cousins for every waking moment of the day.

The house has a pool and outside jacuzzi and the kids couldn't wait to hop right in. However after managing to dip a toe into the freezing pool water, Shakeel (13) announced that he would be avoiding the pool altogether and headed straight to the hot tub. The rest of the kids did the same, with Mo being forced to hop in too to act as lifeguard for the littlies.

  

Our bedroom balcony overlooked the golf course. Absolutely lovely.

  The house is about a five-minute walk from the beach.

  

Nuha (7)

Tharaa (10)

 Shakeel, our aspiring paleontologist, was convinced that some of the bones on the beach had fossilised. But since he couldn't manage to convince anyone that the rock in his hand was in fact a fossil, he started to look for animal remains on the beach instead. There were so many lying around - he excitedly renamed the beach ''The Boneyard''.

  

So lovely - I wish I could go back

Mum-in-law a.k.a Maama

Shakeel spent much of his time chasing after the deer and rabbits, which ran about on the estate. (Sadly the pictures he managed to capture of the deer were very blurred). 

 

Driving back home we couldn't resist stopping off to snap an additional few pics. 

It truly was a wonderful getaway, which sadly seemed to be over within the blink of an eye. I would love to return during the summer. 

Ice Age 4 - Continental Drift - and the ensuing night of bad dreams

So we took the kids to see Ice-Age 4 - Continental Drift yesterday afternoon. The above pics pretty much sum up Aisha (2)'s mood for the entire experience. She went from excited to sad to angry to grumpy. But I couldn't fault her - it's pretty much how I've been feeling lately.

She loves the Ice Age movies. However, we did not anticipate how watching the villains on such a large screen and hearing their fearsome growling booming from powerful speakers would affect her. There is no age restriction to this movie, but parental guidance is advised, which was perhaps not the best call for parents lacking in judgement (such as ourselves).

She spent the entire movie holding my hands over her eyes. Then she spent last night tossing and turning restlessly in her sleep. I think I've learned my lesson.

While the rest of us enjoyed the movie, both Tharaa (10) and Nuha (7) also found certain parts to be a bit scary. They were particularly freaked out by 'The song of the Sirens' where devious creatures attempted to lure Manny, Diego, Sid and Sid's granny to shipwreck by portraying themselves as the people they loved/desired. Tharaa has been calling ''Die-e-e-e-go!!!'' in the sweet creepy voice of the evil creature disguised as the female sabre-toothed cat, Shira, in order to scare Nuha.

The movie, like its predecessors, was hilarious. It also had us on the edge of our seats from beginning to end.

The kids were disappointed that Peaches, who had been the cute baby mammoth in the Ice Age 3 - Dawn of the Dinosaurs, was now a rebellious teenager to whom they no longer can relate ( or should I say, can not yet relate).  I could not resist the temptation to turn this into a life lesson, in which I got in a short lecture on the embarrassingly stupid decisions made by teenagers. But they reminded me that, in the end, she had regained her common sense when she stopped succumbing to peer pressure. All's well that ends well, I suppose.

This trip to the movies with Aisha has highlighted the fact that Mo and I should be more stringent with our screening process when it comes to the movies we let our kids watch. After all, we know our kids best, so instead of being guided by age restrictions alone, we should perhaps read reviews and speak to people who have seen the movies, in order to help us decide if our kids, with their sensitive personalities, will be able to handle it.

And then perhaps we should take the kids into the movie theatre after the movie trailers are over. In that way we can avoid exposing them to terrifying trailers like the forthcoming nightmare-inducing ParaNorman.

Or perhaps, we should just leave them at home with Elizabeth while we enjoy a night out at the movies alone. Aaah, if only.