The Easter hat parade
Today my daughters very carefully carried their well thought out Easter hats to be judged at school. While they were painting and decorating their hats I was sitting on my hands trying desperately not to get involved with the creative process. On completion there were quite a few ways I figured I could improve the hats. Finally I made peace with the fact that their work would be judged not my mothering skills. Surely giving them the freedom to express themselves has to count for something.
Before they set off for school I did give them a talk about the importance of having fun and enjoying tasks and of course the all important thing is the taking part. When I arrived at the school I could point out the ones made by parents and the kid inspired creations. I was at the presentation for the best looking hats and I think the judges got it almost right. My girls were really glad to be part of the parade. Sadly way too many children didn’t even bother. I want to lay the blame on the parents but I won’t – not this time anyway!
Poetry in motion
Now anybody who knows me really well will know that I love poetry! As long as I can remember it has been the case. I am particularly fond of Shakespeare’s work. So when I had the opportunity to join a poetry session with a city arts project based on our trip to the market recently I was really excited. In my mind I had visions of brainstorming and ground breaking ideas. Sadly it all started and stayed in my mind.
The poets arrived with most of the work complete and our little group made up of four moms basically had to record the humongous poem to be transcribed at a later date. It started off quite shaky but at some point I realised that being serious and fed up was hardly the way forward. So after two hours of chanting rhyming lines the less than challenging session came to an end.
At this point I feel like I should say what the experience meant to me in a deep and meaningful way…that’s not going to happen!
Golden rays
Today I enjoyed a wonderful sun-filled day in the park with equally beautiful people. Funny thing about sunshine is that it is a lot like love – you just have to share it.
I would’ve loved the opportunity to share a phenomenal poem about sunshine but alas I couldn’t find a half decent one!
Attitude of gratitude
Being grateful always is not as easy as it seems. I’m now on a journey where I’m constantly reminding myself to be thankful for everything. Showing appreciation for all I have and more.
There is no time like the present to show appreciation and express love. Don’t wait until it’s too late – I won’t!
Let me entertain you
It has been almost six months since my daughter started playing the violin. I must admit that I was skeptical at first because I’d only ever heard horror stories about violin beginners. I went along to the parents information session at which we were informed that a family member would be expected to attend each lesson. At that point I had serious doubts about the journey with the violin.
So I’m happy to report that we have attended all her group lessons and the transformation has been amazing. The suzuki method has been an absolute revelation. Of course listening to the cd daily sometimes pushes me to certain insanity but I survive! She performs in her first recital a week from today. I have no doubt she will be phenomenal.
“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.” Shin’ichi Suzuki
Spring has sprung!
The clocks will leap forward this weekend to signal that Spring has officially arrived. I love Spring because the idea of all things being fresh, new and colourful really excites me. A fresh start seems the only option at this time of the year.
I’m taking the opportunity to take a peep into my closet of life and I’m making the necessary changes. Time to watch all things grow…beautifully!
Human Rights Day
“Poverty prevails as the gravest human rights challenge in the world. Combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, and it does not depend on how rich a country is. By tackling poverty as a matter of human rights obligation, the world will have a better chance of abolishing this scourge in our lifetime…Poverty eradication is an achievable goal” Louise Arbour
Poverty remains one of South Africa’s biggest challenges. While most human rights days celebrations seem to centre around the Sharpeville massacre. There is no doubt that what the sixty-nine fallen did was both heroic and memorable. Perhaps it is now time for the relevant authorities to focus on problems being faced by the masses which are no doubt depriving them of their basic human rights. The right to proper sanitation and safe living conditions. We can’t continue to remain focussed on the past with no thought for the present situation of far too many South Africans. The time has come and gone for delivery of far too many promises.
Viva South Africa viva…
How wonderful life is now that you’re in the world
My little princess is three years old today! I can’t imagine our lives without her. She never runs out of hugs and kisses to share. She is also very strong-willed and at times it takes way too long to convince her that there are better ways to do some things. She is an amazing storyteller and a chatterbox of note. She is a keen dancer and loves to sing.
Today is her special day and she knows it. She is all dressed up in her party dress and ready for afternoon tea with her sisters. She truly is an amazing gift who brings a special sparkle to our family.
Jack in the box
I had a very generous gesture from my husband in appreciation of mothering Sunday. There’s just something about gifts that are presented in little jewellery boxes. I’ve always said I’m not much of a jewellery fanatic but even I was shocked when I opened the little box and found it empty! On the bright side there was another gift to offer some consolation.
The good news is after calling the store and giving his version of events my husband was given my beautiful earrings this morning. Needless to say I’m smiling rather broadly! Now I’ve got to make sure I keep them safe which I seem incapable of doing lately.
Don’t you just hate losing or misplacing irreplaceable items?
Mothering Sunday
So I’ve had a wonderful day. My husband and beautiful princesses have been showering me with kindness. Today is a great reminder that everything I do does not go unnoticed!
When tomorrow rolls around with its merry-go-round of chores I will remember that looking after my family is a very fulfilling experience.
Happy mothering Sunday to all the amazing moms who are selfless in caring for their families!
Manic Saturdays
Every now again I have a Saturday which runs me ragged. Today is one of those days and I’m looking forward to putting my feet up and doing nothing for the next few hours!
I’ve programmed myself for a day of rest and I feel quite disoriented at the moment.
It seems habits are quite easily cultivated. I hope you got to spend your day doing what gives you the most joy!
The magic of disney
‘All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.’ Walt Disney
Seems like a simple enough saying but in reality the road to fulfilling our dreams is paved with adversity. Those obstacles do come in many forms and shapes and the challenge is to keep your eye on the prize.
My challenge as a mother is to teach my daughters the importance of setting goals and being prepared for setbacks. Being a princess is a lot more complex than living in a castle.
After watching the Disney on ice show and following the various challenges of the princesses my only criticism is that all of their ambitions seemed to involve being rescued by a man. I’m no feminist but the idea that a man will be the answer to all your problems is a step too far. I have a prince of my own and we’ve had to evolve together to achieve our dreams.
The future is bright for all who work towards their dreams no matter how impossible it seems to those looking in on your adventure.
Edge of glory
Warning! If you think you are going to live forever do not read any further!
As I lay in my bed last night I had the strangest thought. I was wondering what would happen if I died suddenly in my sleep. I’m not afraid of death I just wish it came with a notification. I just hate the unpredictability of waking up and finding out that I’ve died! At this point there is just no going back and making amends, reaching goals and of course telling loved ones you love them just one last time.
There are times when my mortality is foremost in my mind and I seize every opportunity and hold nothing back. There is no time like the present to live life to its full potential and at this moment in my life I really want to live with no regrets. There are some things in this life which cannot be bought. Life, love and happiness spring to mind. if you’re fortunate enough to have these then it’s time to celebrate!
‘Don’t fear your mortality, because it is this very mortality that gives meaning and depth and poignancy to all the days that will be granted to you’ Paul Tsongas.
Sound of silence
The best time to take stock of my life is in the very quiet moments. Being a mother means that I have to make time for the golden moments when I just count my blessings and also assess the chinks in my armour. My biggest blessing by far is my family. The shortcomings are not too critical at the moment but there is definitely room for improvement !
While lying in my bed and listening to my own heart beating I’m just thankful to be alive. I’ve taken the time to think seriously about the future and even set some goals.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not promised. All I have is today. I’m going to give it my best because I won’t be coming this way again!
British Pie Week
This week has been the celebration of the pie. I can’t help but wonder why the lowly pie requires seven whole days to be celebrated. I’ve certainly not tasted that amazing piece of pastry that had me clapping my hands and laughing with glee at its awesomeness. When I think of a pie I think of it as emergency on the go food something to fill a gap until you’re able to get to something substantial.
Pie week has been in full force this week with competitions taking place across the country. There are so many tasty looking pies that are being created and I can’t help but feel that the mass production of pies is taking away from the true beauty of carefully crafted pies.
What would this blog be without a pie tale of my own. It seems like a lifetime ago but the memory is as fresh as that pie should’ve been. Our family were on a road trip and stopped in a one horse town to pick up some pies from a corner shop. We ought to have known much better! Once on the road we were handed a pie which was ever so warm on the outside and this is no exaggeration it was frozen on the inside. Sadly at this point we were well on our way and had already travelled a long way from the beautiful kingdom of Swaziland back to South Africa. Let me just add this was before the convenience of the drive through culture.
The experience though quite severe has not stopped me from picking up a trusty pie when on the run. Long live the lowly pie!
Market day
Today I visited the well-known Birmingham markets on a kind of excursion and fact-finding mission with my local playgroup. The problem I have with these market set ups is the total lack of variety. If you’ve seen one stall you’ve seen them all. Having a butchery and fish monger in the indoor market is a really bad idea. Needless to say I was really happy to leave that indoor market but not before I bought two reels of cotton otherwise known as thread in this part of the world!
Off to the fruit and vegetable market we strolled with our parade of pushchairs. I must admit I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the traders trying to convince the market goers to buy their sometimes not so fresh produce. I bought a beautiful pineapple and have decided that I will prepare it the way they do at a market I frequented in South Africa.
All in all it was a good experience but not one I’ll repeat any time soon.
Freedom fighters
Have you heard from Johannesburg? I watched this rather thought-provoking documentary and it was a really good reminder of the many men and woman who put their lives on the line to bring so many oppressed South Africans to political freedom and many other social liberties.
This is my shout out to Oliver Tambo who fought relentlessly to get the voices of the downtrodden heard in Europe and America. After a lifetime of campaigning for an end to apartheid and the right to vote he died a year before the first democratic election.
There are those who fight for freedom and those who secure and celebrate that freedom. South Africa has come a long way from the days of the state of emergency and the group areas act. There is still so much more to be done. ”After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb” Nelson Mandela
Lending a helping hand
Today I was stopped by a charity worker and while I do feel that they do some amazing work I’m not really a fan of being accosted in the street. Surely there must be a better way to create awareness about the various charities. Perhaps if each family decided on a charity to support that could take care of a bit of the financial need.
Well after the guy has stopped me and told me he won’t be a minute at which point I glance at my watch and sure as apples fall from trees he takes a good five minutes to explain what it is they do. All the time I’m smiling politely and being very agreeable needless to say I had no intention of signing up with my banking details to some stranger.
After I walked away I did feel quite bad for not just saying I wasn’t interested from the start but then again there are countless times I do and then still feel bad for not just giving up a bit of my time!
As a volunteer I know how important people’s donations are and constant reminders are essential to the work we do. I just feel that there are better ways to spread awareness. The bottom line is we can all make a difference in one way or another!
Things that go bump in the night
Being a parent is really a wave of new experiences. While we are somewhat prepared for the general milestones anything else can be quite unsettling. To date I’ve dealt with colic, carrot allergies and a fractured ankle all of which made me feel like a pretty useless mother.
Last night I had to deal with fear of monsters and all things scary and this was before bedtime even arrived. My poor little princess Gemma just a mere four years old and panic-stricken was in the most awful state I’ve ever seen her in. After an hour I realised that saying “dreams are not real” was not a very effective method.
I’m happy to report that after taking a very imaginative trip filled with all things lovely like butterflies, rainbows, picnics and only happy thoughts she was ready to face a night of possible dreams.
Fortunately for all parties concerned she had a dreamless night and was more than fit to go to school when the morning arrived!
Looking ahead
I woke up earlier than usual this morning and during the brief moment of peace and quiet (while my girls slept) I found myself reminiscing about the good days gone by. While there were some really bad days it was the memory of the good ones which had me smiling and longing for some of those glory days.
It was during that awesome trip down memory lane that I realised that my whole future is ahead of me and while the lessons I’ve learned in the past would no doubt come in very handy. All I have is today and hopefully many more tomorrows.
My future is bright and I look forward to the road ahead which is where my destiny lies!
Secret world
Today is world book day and while I’m not a very avid reader. I’ll be a fool not to recognise the power of books (well actually reading them).
I must admit my love for reading has been rekindled in the last month with my girls taking part in the reading Olympics at school. I’ve now come to the conclusion that I absolutely love reading children’s books and my girls are in awe of my dramatic skills. Then again all it takes is enthusiasm and a little craziness to impress my girls.
My plan now is to make my way back to the secret world of reading captivating books. Books which transport you to amazing places which are inhabited with complex characters who are involved in head spinning story lines. All I need now is a book which will catapult me into a bookworm.
Wish me luck as I head off to choose a book from my box of unread treasures!
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