Monthly Archives: April 2017
My first cartwheel
(by Grace)
Ever since I did cartflops (cartflops are when you do it on the trampoline and you don’t lift your legs up and fall) I wanted to do cartwheels so much, but when I practiced I didn’t lift my legs and would fall over. One day I saw one friend (Danielle) do a cartwheel I tried and I could.
This is a cartwheel video.
Evil Knievel and the wall fall
Adam is branching out, learning new skills and finding new ways to give his parents near heart attacks.
He is having lots of fun on the pink scooter riding around the pool with his siblings, and has now discovered downhill racing…
A bit more concerning than that is that he keeps going for walks on the wall that runs along the garden path above the pool. It is all good and well for developing balancing skills, but results in parents rushing to make sure they are near while he is casually strolling along the wall. And when you fall, well, that is definitely not good. I was on my way to him after he climbed onto the wall again, but Adam got distracted by Eli singing a song and misstepped, falling to the ground below and sending his mom into a panic. Fortunately he landed really well, rolled into it, and managed to come off with no scrapes or bruises that we can see. Not too sure how we’re going to prevent him from going up there though….
Rainy day activity
Yesterday with the thunderstorming wet weather, we decided to get our craft on, with some perler beads and a pegboard.
In the last couple of months I have been switching my OT brain back on, in a totally different direction, kids!! (who would have thought) This is both exciting and a bit intimidating, since I haven’t worked with children since my community service. As a result I have been spending hours reading, and researching, and the brain is definitely firing in all directions. So when I went into Crafters Inn yesterday and say these Ironing Bead packs my thinking was ‘yay a craft activity for the kids, ooh this is great for pre writing skills, yes it works on fine motor and planning and concentration and and…. So who better to try this out on, but my own kids (well actually that isn’t true, my own kids are the worst to try anything out on, IF I’m the one giving instruction).
In this instance Grace fell in love with the activity and wanted to do it immediately. I love the way she planned exactly how she wanted the horse to look and then worked away at completing it.
Eli, although excited about it, I knew would lose interest about 10 minutes in, so before we started I told them that when it was finished they could iron the beads on. This totally won him over and he enjoyed making his plane. I would say the highlights for Eli were definitely ironing the beads and then playing some imaginary game with his aeroplane when it was finished. Of course Eli now thinks he is up to helping Susan with the ironing. Not quite sure I’m ready to let him lose on our clothes, but maybe in the not too distant future he can give ironing a try.
What’s lovely about the packs is that you can make more than one, so I’m sure it won’t be long and Grace will be making a plane and Eli a horse.
The finished products
The truth about 3
If you had asked me before I got married how many children I wanted, I would have told you without hesitation, 2. That answer was probably based more on societal norms than anything else, and to be honest, was still my thinking when we had Grace, 7 years into marriage.
Another 7 years later and we have 3 kids, so what changed? I don’t really know especially since the first year of Grace was particularly hard on me being a first time mom with a super sensitive baby, it sent my anxiety sky rocketing. I remember getting through the first 2 years with Grace and saying to Duncan ‘I have to have another one so that I can try and enjoy the baby phase and get it right’.
And that was Eli to me, I just loved every minute with him. All those warm fuzzy feelings I thought I would/should feel first time round flooded me the second time. I felt confident as a mom and found the transition from one to two a breeze. Maybe that is where the idea of 3 really started to permeate in my mind. I started watching families with 3 kids and it started to feel right for us, more family more love. And so it came to be that we became a family of five.
The journey to 3 kids, although easy in conception, proved difficult emotionally for me, family and friends questioned why we would want a 3rd, the words ‘you are brave’ were repeated so many times I started hearing ‘you are crazy for having a 3rd’. I seriously began to doubt whether our decision to have a 3rd was a good idea (bit late in the game, I know). I guess going against those preconceived norms makes people say silly things sometimes. The irony is that now that we have crossed over the 2 kid barrier, people want to know if we are planning another one. The answer to that is a resounding no.
So has having 3 kids lived up to my expectations? To be honest both yes and no. Is my life all sorts of crazy that makes me agree with all the people that said I was brave / crazy / stupid to have a third, definitely. Does this very introverted mom long for moments of silence and a bit of space? For sure.
Having said that does our family feel complete, and filled with love, without a doubt. Would I change anything, not a chance, 3 just feels right.
Addy jumps
Adam is jumping! 18 months today and he is gaining some decent jumping technique
With the beautiful weather, walks in the park and time to connect with nature are a must
Family sports day
It was time for the Newberry family sports day, so off we went to start with an early morning trail run through the vineyards. This was Grace’s longest run that I know of and I think it really took quite a bit out of Grace to get through it, but she did. I joined her with Adam on my back, but the pace was easy.
The grit, the determination
The preschool race
It’s a beautiful day for an egg and spoon race
The never ending relay race
18 months of Adam
Adam will be 18 months on Saturday, I can’t believe it, where oh where has the last year and a half gone?
Oh wait, I know it’s been lost to sleep deprivation!! One day in my distant future I hope to recover my ability to find words and complete my train of thought in a non tired haze. Until then thank you dear husband for understanding me even when I’ve said the completely incorrect word. Duncan usually just smiles a little smile and says ‘did you mean…’
So let’s take a look at this little man (or not so little man) who has captured all of our hearts with his adventurous spirit and his love for all things physical; climbing, jumping, throwing all things, walking on high narrow walls and playing with his siblings. He weighs 15.3kgs, is 86cm and is wearing 2-3 year clothes and a size 6 – 7 shoe. Interestingly he is 3/4cm taller than his siblings at the same age!
Adam, as you start communicating more and develop more into a little person I’m excited to discover what makes you you.
Last day of holidays
Last week Cape Town showed us a taste of winter and although I love winter, the rain and the snuggling that goes with it, I don’t feel quite ready for it. This week however seems to have brought back a bit of summer which the kids and I are enjoying.
To celebrate the last day of the school holidays the kids had some fun with friends that included a game of Monopoly, snacks, jumping on the trampoline, making a sneaky (okay not so sneaky) trap for me which included string and stones and of course all good play dates should have at least 2 dance / singing shows.
A very early game of Monopoly
Snacks to keep up their strength
A good singing and dancing show
Good Friday and the crumpets
Reading Jesus’ story together
Adam thinks that Andrew’s cot makes a great play place
Yummy breakfast crumpets
Hurricane cookie and the lawnmower
It took a very long time to deliberate, but finally the girls agreed on making some cowgirl cookies. When I came down it looked like Hurricane Cookie had been through the kitchen.
Eli still has his love of gardening with Sam
