Monthly Archives: July 2015
The end of an Ethel Era
Today we said goodbye and parted ways with our domestic worker of eight and a half years. Our needs are changing (we need more days and a child carer), and she is full up the rest of the week.
I found it quite a difficult process to go through, and also realised at the end that I really don’t like having to say a permanent goodbye. Those last time goodbye forever’s just always feel unsatisfying.
Ethel has been super reliable and worked hard for us, contributing to the building of our family. May she go well and be blessed and successful.
27 weeks….and counting
It is just somewhere in the range of 10-13 weeks before the littlest Drennan joins us, and life changes entirely (again).
The big five
Grace was very excited to learn about the big 5 and our national animals in class today and then had some fun painting a big 5 canvas at home too.
Eli just painted and had fun doing it
Gemma’s sleepover cake
We were volunteered to make Gemma’s cake (which we did happily). Gemma wanted a sleepover cake, and with some help and inspiration from friends (thanks Kim C), here is the result:
It was a team effort all around again, but special credit goes to Donné for modelling the people.
First mountain bike ride
There is a very cool mountain bike course near our house and I took Grace and Eli for a ride there for the first time today.
They both had loads of fun and road their bikes very well around the course, with Grace working hard to ride up the long hill. I was very impressed with my two little riders.
Gemma’s pyjama party, and alone time with our children
Grace and Donné went to Gemma’s pyjama party, while Eli and I stayed at home together. It was interesting when it came to bath time, things just seemed to flow smoothly which got me thinking about alone time with our kids. One-on-one is definitely easier, it just seems to flow better, and provides an opportunity to focus in on one child’s needs and dynamic. When we’re alone, Grace can ask all her questions and get answers. Eli can play or help without Grace talking over him or interfering. The dynamic is just entirely different (which is not at all surprising), but I think what made it *pop* was doing something (bathing) which is always a group activity. It made me think of when it was just us and Grace.
And that got me thinking that we need to create some space for each of us to spend alone time with each of our children – just time dedicated to them and their needs and interests. It does happen, but I think we could be a bit more intentional about it.
It also got me thinking about three children…..and the complexities of that dynamic. It will be a fun ride figuring it all out.
Watching a movie and enjoying some time with friends
The vibe
For one short hour today, something very exciting happened…well, at least exciting to me. Over the past two months or so we (myself, Marius and Charl who all work together) have been discussing working in the same office as a permanent arrangement. Today we were in the same office and between some other things squeezed in an hour on something we’re building dor ourselves. In that hour, we got excited, got some things working and just had fun.
It was inspiring and I’m looking forward to getting the office sorted so that we can have more (and longer sessions)
Chicken or beef?
We were enjoying a delicious roast chicken that Donné made….well, let me back up…more like, everyone except for Eli was enjoying the chicken, and he says, “Want meat.” I say to him, “My boy, you have meat, the chicken is meat.” He wasn’t having any of that though, “Want meat. Chicken not meat.” He may have a bit of his gramps in him.
Eli’s excavation
Eli has decided that we need to add a hole to our garden. Little by little he is making progress.
I’m not sure what he is planning to do with it once it is complete, although he did mention he was digging it for Grace to stand in. He may also just be channelling his Zen – dig a hole, fill it up.
