Me time

  

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Words parents should never use

So turns out I am too old to use certain words – who would have thought?? But according to my teenage son – who by the way knows absolutely everything – there are just some words that old parents such as myself should never use because and I quote “they are young words and you are old”
These words include : Hectic, Cool, Dude and Dog – what the??
Apparently all these words and many others, do not mean the same thing to teenagers that they mean to us old or older folk!! 

It’s hard because on the outside I may not look like a teenager anymore but somewhere deep inside I still remember what it was like being one and at times I even feel like I did when I was one. Thank goodness I now have teenagers to remind me that my young days are long gone!! 

For-Frigging-Ever!!!

  

Winter colds

  
The winter cold has hit us pretty hard at the moment, well the boys and I, Madelyn and Stephen seem to be fine. Harry who first brought the cold into our household is worst of all.

I snapped this photo only a few minutes ago of Harry sound asleep on the couch and Dexter siting on top of him – watching over his sick little brother. 

If I didn’t have to pick Madelyn up from rehearsal, that’s where I too would be fast asleep on the other couch. 

Lazy Saturday

Today was such a lovely relaxing Saturday!! There was no alarm clock to wake up to, no need to get out of pyjamas actually!! It’s not often we get to just enjoy being at home, and although the children couldn’t tear themselves away from the video games and electronics which are such a big part of our lives these days, at least they were hanging out  together!!! 

   

The last time

  
I was reminded of this beautiful poem today when I hugged and kissed my son at soccer. He had been to a sleepover at his friends since Friday night (first time he has stayed somewhere else for two nights – aside from the grandparents or school camp) and I had missed him so much. It occurred to me that this would probably be the last time that he would want me to hug and kiss him in public – he is growing up quickly, at his age, his brother would have been horrified at that sort of public display in front of his friends – that’s why I guess I’m feeling a little melancholy.

The last time 

From the moment you hold your baby in your arms, 

you will never be the same.

You might long for the person you were before, 

When you have freedom and time,

And nothing in particular to worry about.

You will know tiredness like you never knew it before,

And days will run into days that are exactly the same,

Full of feedings and burping,

Nappy changes and crying,

Whining and fighting,

Naps or a lack of naps,

It might seem like a never-ending cycle.
But don’t forget …

There is a last time for everything.

There will come a time when you will feed

your baby for the very last time.

They will fall asleep on you after a long day

And it will be the last time you ever hold your sleeping child.
One day you will carry them on your hip then set them down,

And never pick them up that way again.

You will scrub their hair in the bath one night

And from that day on they will want to bathe alone.

They will hold your hand to cross the road,

Then never reach for it again.

They will creep into your room at midnight for cuddles,

And it will be the last night you ever wake to this.
One afternoon you will sing “the wheels on the bus”

and do all the actions,

Then never sing them that song again.

They will kiss you goodbye at the school gate,

The next day they will ask to walk to the gate alone.

You will read a final bedtime story and wipe your last dirty face.

They will run to you with arms raised for the very last time.
The thing is, you won’t even know it’s the last time

Until there are no more times.

And even then, it will take you a while to realise.
So while you are living in these times,

remember there are only so many of them

and when they are gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them.

For one last time.
-Author Unknown-

Ransom

  

This is the ransom note prepared by the boys (my Harry and his two friends ) for Madelyn his twin sister and her friend. I love that the boys were so excited about their mischief and it was really sweet to see the girls play along. 

I have had such a great day today pottering around the house while the kids have fun with their friends. There were 6 kids in total and at times the noise level was a bit overwhelming but it was so nice to just be able to observe them all interacting. These children have been friends all through primary school and although this year they have each gone their separate ways to different high schools they have kept in touch and I am happy to say are as close as ever.

Too much excitement

School holidays again and lucky me has the next two days off yay!! My twins have each invited a friend over to spend the night and then the next day, so the house is alive with noise and laughter, all the excitement has been a bit too much for my pets though, both Dexter and DT are curled up on the bed either side of me sound asleep!! It’s a tough life for some.lol 

  

Getting the message through. Not!!

Parent /teacher interviews again today, feels like it was only last month when I last caught up with the kids teachers and blogged about it. 

Fortunately Harry’s report and teachers feedback was excellent. Unfortunately George’s report was not so great, but the feedback from the teachers was definitely not as disheartening as I was expecting. Madelyn’s report and parent/teacher interviews are yet to come. 
I have really struggled with getting the message of how important school really is, across to George. I don’t know how else to say it or what else to do to get through to him.  

I know he is disappointed with his grades as much as we are, and at the moment he is really committed to trying harder to improve his marks but I can’t help thinking that this newly found commitment on his part is not going to last, and that worries me so much.

Tonight I will take solace in the fact that after speaking with the teachers it doesn’t look as bad for him as what the report suggested.  

Team bonding boxing session

OMG!! I am on such a high at the moment that I just couldn’t wait to get home and write to tell you all about it. The team bonding boxing night was soooooooooo good, sooooooo much fun!! I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way though. The boys seemed to have so much fun too – well all except George he was complaining that he was feeling sick, but I think he was just struggling – clearly he is not as fit as he thinks he is. 
The boxing session seemed to do exactly what I was hoping it would – bring the boys together again – by the end of the session they looked like they had resolved their issues – and if not resolved but at least looked like they had put them aside. 
The only disappointing thing was that the dad of the boy who caused the problems turned up to pick up his son (we picked him up on the way there but didn’t have enough room to take him home because had already committed to taking another two boys home.) and he seemed to be holding a grudge almost against the boys, and was giving them angry stares. I’m not going to let him spoil my mood though – I think it was a success and by the end of it all the boys were sweating and totally exhausted and still I couldn’t stop smiling!!!
The staff at the boxing gym were awesome!! And a massive thank you is due to my sister and my dear friend and Team Manager and my other dear friend who came along to support me and the boys and worked just as hard as the basketball boys. 
Tonight I am a happy coach, let’s hope the boys stay connected and we can go on to have some fun and win some games.