A Glimpse of the Future?

For posterity, I'm writing this story down, so one day we can all say, "We knew it! We knew that boy would go far!"

This is a Scrag story, a wee glimpse into his future and the man he might become.
Bear with me while I paint the picture...


"SCRAG THE SAVER"
Scrag is the youngest, and has only recently started getting pocket money, which we noticed him saving diligently and counting regularly.
When before our aunty and uncle from England returned home last month, they gave each of the kids $50, which Scrag raced to add to his growing stash.

He now had $80 saved - a lot of money for a six year old. We went shopping for a toy he really wanted, but he only spent $30, saying "I'm saving the rest."
(All this so you know that Scrag is a diligent saver who is careful with his money.)

[Scrag with Grandad on father's Day last year]

"SCRAG THE MATHS GENIUS"
Scrag is amazing at maths. He is two maths stages ahead of where he needs to be, so although he has to work super hard at reading and writing (which leads me to suspect he may have my dyslexia) he is amazingly bright, intuitive, canny and insightful as well as "a maths genius". The questions he asks and the things he intuits are really beyond what is usual for his age, and numbers just seem to make sense to him in a way that is a complete mystery to me!

SCRAG'S PREDICTION
The other day we were driving somewhere and out of the blue Scrag announced:

"When I grow up I'm not going to have a job working for someone else. I'm going to make my own job and be my own boss."

Wow. What six year old says things like that??? The thing is, when he said it his words had a ring of truth to them.
Scrag, I reckon you just made a true prediction. With your maths genius and canny brain, I can totally see you being an amazingly successful businessman, with your own company, being your own boss.

[Playing cards at Lake Taupo with our Aunty Irene from England - using the Hobbiton playing cards]

SCRAG'S GENEROUS HEART
Now comes the bit that melts my mother-heart.
Last night my parents were over for our Thursday Night Grandparents Dinner (woop) and they told me the story of a conversation they had with Scrag.

They were playing cards using our Hobbiton card pack, and my mum said something about how she wanted to go to see Hobbiton but it is so expensive so she's been saving her pennies, and her birthday money but her birthday money got all used up paying to get things fixed on the car, doctors etc so now it's all gone and she didn't get to buy anything for her birthday.

Scrag says to her, "Nan, wait here. I've got a birthday present for you."
He runs out of the room and comes back a moment later with his hands behind his back.
"Close your eyes, Nan, and hold out your hands..." he says. "Now open them!"
My mum opens her eyes, and there is Scrag's treasured $50 note, lying in her hands.

Just like that, he had run and gotten the money he had diligently saved and gave it away without a second thought.

(Mum went on to tell how after she gave him back his $50 and insisted he keep it, he said, "OK well I have another present for you. Close your eyes again..."
Then she felt his warm little arms thrown around her middle, with a "Love you Nan, Happy Birthday! And one for Grandad too!")

[We are loving our Thursday Dinners  with Nan and Grandad. NOTE TO SELF: Take more photos!]

So there we go.
A glimpse into my youngest son's generous heart, and I think a glimpse into his future.
I believe he will be a man who is good with money, but who gives generously of his resources.
A businessman philanthropist. That's my prediction. And now I've written it down.
Let's see if I'm right.

Making my Day (one of those "loving" posts)

I spotted these words on my son's bedroom chalkboard wall this morning: Think of Others.
At first I wondered if his dad had written it there to inspire him... but no. It was in his own 11-year-old handwriting.
He must written it there to remind himself - I can think of no other reason for it.

My heart did a little flip-flop, I have to tell you, at this little sign of a wonderful person emerging from the chrysallis of childhood.

Sometimes your kids surprise you in wonderful ways. This made my day.

Also making my day was the sound of silence resounding in my house at 7.40am this morning. This lot were all up and ready, breakfasted and dressed, with lunchboxes made the night before... leaving for school under their own steam. Scootering, walking to the bus, leaving me in my PJ's contemplating a Day Off.
Oh there are some truly wonderful aspects to your kids growing up!
Hearing them say, "Mum it's your day off so we'll scooter to school so you don't have to take us."
And when the big one begs for a ride because he's lugging three boxes of cupcakes for his class's bake off, hearing your daughter say, "No Josh, it's mum's day off. You should just take them in a bag and walk."
So he does, without a fuss.
Bless.

Making my night last night were these two Baking Buddies. Dash comes running into the lounge after dinner in a fluster: "Mum! I forgot! It's the BakeOff competition tomorrow and I have to bake something for my whole class! Can you help me?"
Me, I'm really not in the mood to start baking at 7.15pm.
So I suggest he asks his sister - a dab hand at cupcakes - to help him bake something.
Bless that girl, she's a wonder, coming to her big brother's rescue and helping him whip up a batch of mini-cupcakes - and then cleaning up the kitchen as well!
I got to chill on the couch and enjoy the sounds of cooperation and teamwork coming from my kitchen.

It wasn't too long ago that those two were at each other's throats, as he found her completely annoying and she (feeling rejected) would constantly annoy him in retaliation. It drove me crazy.
But lately? He's been really beginning to appreciate his sister.

Take for instance the other day. We were watching XFactor and it was "judges homes" where the boys were going gaga over J-Lo. One of them says to the camera, "I mean, she's amazing. So beautiful. the most beautiful woman in the world...!"

Quick as a flash Dash blurts out, "Well you've never seen my sister!"

I LOVE IT.

Something else which Made my WEEK was an email I received from Katherine, the reader who won my Book Giveaway.

She wrote:
I also wanted to share with you what my best ever use of your blog has been to date. Three of my sisters have children, so as a gift for each family last Christmas I gave them each a family fun night, based around some of your family night and birthday party ideas. They were totally stoked with the gift of time together and shared experiences. For example, one sister has 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls, aged 5-9 years) and I gave them the Cowboy Cookout with Truth or Dare, complete with nerf guns for playing cowboys and indians, ginger beer with your printable labels, marshmallows for their brazier, and an instruction sheet for cowboy food and the Truth or Dare game. My 9 year old nephew's face was all lit up as he recounted their evening to me - the highlight for him was drawing a face on his tummy and making it talk to each family member! And my brother-in-law appreciated the questions that gave him the chance to get to know his children even better. 

The flow on effect from that gift was that my other sister started creating her own fun nights based on her kids current interests. She's done Angry birds, Lego, and a couple of others I can't remember...
You have such great ideas - keep them coming!

Is that the BEST or what?! I was totally blown away that Katherine had been able to use my humble ideas in such an amazing way.

She also wrote:
[My sister] had 3 girls under 5 years and so for their family I gave them the Fairy Pass the Parcel Poem from your fairy party. I wrapped up the parcel with the clues for where to find each treasure in between the layers, gave my sister the gifts and told her where to hide each item. I suggested they dress up, had dainty fairy food for tea, did the pass the parcel and did some fairy dancing. It was a total hit and the next morning my nieces got dressed up in their fairy gear and wanted to do it all over again. Even my brother-in-law, totally outnumbered, got into it and raved to me what a fab time they had all had.

I think this is a BRILLIANT idea for a family gift. This totally made my week.

If you've never seen them before, here's the blog posts Katherine was talking about:

• THEME NIGHT: Cowboy Cookout with Truth or Dare
• Fairy Party with printables and games

One final thing that made my day this week: I found my Christmas Book on Book Depository!
You know what that means, right? FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!!!

I had no idea you could get my book on Book Depository; I've been frustrated by the hideous shipping costs to this part of the world on Amazon, and I'm not even sure why I decided to search for my book title while I was on Book Depository the other day.
Blow me down when my book came up! I think I squealed, then raced to post it on Facebook.
And now I'm telling all of you - you can now get my book delivered FREE anywhere in the world!
(So happy).

.......................

That'll do for now; there's a whole bunch of things that've made my day this week.
Anything made YOUR day lately?

The PhoneCall Every Mother Dreads...

I was in the middle of painting my kitchen when the phone call came.
The windowsills had been sanded and primed; the first coat of faded vintage green was gracing two walls.
I was just rinsing the brushes, anticipating a sandwich break when the telephone interrupted my DIY.

"Hi.... Simone? It's Sue here from the Intermediate School. We need you to get here right away..."

My heart sank. Oh no. What's he done? Is he in trouble? My mind started racing as I braced myself for bad news... but I was on the completely wrong track.

"We've called an ambulance, there's been an accident. He is conscious but we're very worried about him. The paramedics are on their way... how fast can you get here?"

Worse. This was so much worse than being called to school for an altercation or some other disciplinary thing. They've called an ambulance. For my son.

I dropped everything. I got there as fast as I could.



It's every mother's worst nightmare. Serious injury to your child which could have repercussions for their future. Damage to the neck or spine. That's what they told me they were worried about when I got to the school.

A much bigger boy had tripped and landed on Dash's head/neck while playing soccer. Yes, soccer. Hardly the kind of sport you think might result in your kid being carted away in an ambulance. It's not like he plays rugby or ice hockey after all.
But then, who would have ever thought a kid could crack their wrist doing swimming either?
Not your usual.

So there I am in the sick bay, with anxious staff offering me cups of tea (for the shock) while the paramedics poke and prod my child who is conscious but hardly responsive. He doesn't reply to questions, his face is white as a sheet with two bright red spots on his cheeks. his eyes keep drifting closed and he is shaking.

I feel a bit removed, weirdly calm.
Maybe it's all the practise I've had up at A&E but somehow I'm not panicking.

Until I can't get hold of Mr G whose phone is switched off. And I remember that he told me he'd be out at a work thing all afternoon, incommunicado, home late.
It's nearly 2pm now, an hour til the other two kids finish school for the day.
This is when my amazing community rallies round. I call a friend, she says sure she can pick up Scrag and Fab, take them home. She has to go out at 5pm though, so I know I need a backup plan. Another friend says, sure she will take them from then until I can get hold of daddy. (She even goes and picks them up for me.) Relief and gratitude overwhelm me; now I don't have to worry about my other babies, I can just focus on the injured one.

My son is stretchered off into the ambulance, headed for Starship children's hospital.
As I drive across the city to the hospital in a state of freakishly calm not-quite-shock, I pray for my boy.
Let him be OK; let there be no permanent damage; let this freak accident not affect his future.
Every mother's wish for their child when they get the phone call they dread the most.

[Dash has been accepted into the Auckland Football Federation talent development Academy]

Hours later, after a CT scan, lots of txting, praying and a lemonade iceblock, Dash is looking more himself. He has come out of that awful shock, he is talking again. The weird pallor has gone and normal colour has returned to his cheeks.
He can't remember the accident, he doesn't remember getting to the sick bay (he was carried by his friends, they told me later.)
The doctor has good news: the scan is clear. No neck or spinal injury. Nothing permanent.

The conclusion: Concussion.

No sport or exercise for at least a week. No AFF Football Academy; no team training. Take things very slowly. Stay quiet.
And be very very thankful it wasn't a whole lot worse.


P.S. How ridiculous is it that this time last week my post was about Miss Fab and her injury-proneness and cast collection??? Does this happen to anybody else?

A Christmas Fashion Photo Shoot (with Pumpkin Patch)

On the First Day of Christmas... we put up our Tree.
We hung our Christmas bunting and strung our Christmas lights.
It was looking very festive.

On the Second Day of Christmas... we tested out our new camera.
We had a Christmas Fashion Shoot, starring new threads from Pumpkin Patch. Fancy clothes for Christmas shared among friends.
It was rather jolly fun.

 Miss Fab had a couple of lovely friends over after church. I could hear them in the bedroom plotting a fashion show. I'd been planning to do a "fashion shoot" this week to share the lovely clothes Pumpkin Patch sent me for Christmas, but overhearing these girls, I thought of a better idea than snapping just my two kids in the garden - a Pumpkin Patch fashion shoot using all three delicious young models.
And of course they all jumped at the chance.

Miss Fab is wearing the Optical White Carly Rose Cardigan. Her friend Emily is wearing the super-cute Miami Sky Meadow Print Crop Tee. Olivia is modelling the gorgeous Daisy Emblem A line skirt (with yellow daisy detailing). Other clothes and accessories are models' own. Aren't they gorgeous?

 Ahhh yes, these girls made super-keen models. They would have been at home in any Pumpkin Patch catalogue; at-ease in front of the camera, taking direction, looking cute.

But then it was Scrag's turn.

Scrag is super-cute and rather good-looking (if I may say so myself), but lately he has developed a bit of awkwardness in front of the camera. If he knows the camera is on him, he pulls this funny face...

He even runs away...

Eventually the girls managed to persuade this reluctant little model to do his job and POSE...

We needed to show you the lovely clothes Pumpkin Patch sent, after all.

Scrag is wearing Aegean Sea Slimfit Chino shorts teamed with an Aztec Print SS Tee and Endless Wave Page Blue Check Shirt. Very stylie (big brother was most impressed with the shorts and pocket-tee)

In the end our reluctant model pulled it off - and pronounced that he likes the clothes and wants to "wear them out for good." Oh Yes, I can promise you this outfit won't be worn on the trampoline or to school. 

I'm thinking church, Glow and Christmas Day.

I don't think Pumpkin Patch will be calling us wanting dear wee Scrag to star in their mailers any time soon... but those girls? Yep, they're naturals. Waddya reckon?

...................
DISCLOSURE: Pumpkin Patch supplied us with these lovely clothes so we could share them with you here. We genuinely love the clothes and think they are gorgeous. Thankyou Pumpkin Patch

Sick Day... Movie Day... Friday

It's Friday, a day for many plans. Such a sparkling bright Friday, too. Only the plans have had to be modified as I have two under-the-weather kids lurking in PJs on couches.

Cough-cough. Went the first one. Oh dear, that sounds nasty.
"Everything hurts" she whimpered.
Better call the school.

Then the next one did the same. Oh dear, two down. What about the third?
Thankfully the Littlest Schoolboy was full of beans, not coughs, so off he went with a friend to school, leaving me to wonder what to do with the other two sickies.

[Go away mum!]

See, today was meant to be my Planning Day; my Prep Day for our Family Theme Night tonight.

Things have been a little... sad around here lately. Too much glum and not enough fun.

So I remembered PaisleyJade's trick for injecting fun when things feel dour, and I sketched up some invitations to a "Brave Night":

Brave Theme Dinner and a Movie. The Lounge. 6pm. Wear Scottish attire and an accent.

On the menu, Bear Stew with Roast Tatties and Magic (chocolate) Pie.

The invitations were posted on each person's bedroom door, along with their Scottish name for the evening, to help build anticipation. (Angus, Agnes, Fergus and Duncan. Just call me Fiona).

I had plans to hit Geoffs and score some tartan, pick up some candles from 2Cheap; grab a "Bearskin" throw bargain from the Warehouse...
But having two sick kids at home on the couch has put the kybosh on my shopping plans.

The best I'll be able to do is dash to the supermarket while the cleaner is here; pick up the ingredients for Magic Pie and the Brave DVD with my Countdown voucher.

Lucky I managed to find some tartan-ish blankets and tablecloths...

The "bear stew" is simmering in my slow cooker and my two invalids are languishing in the lounge watching Fatso DVDs. Phew. Thank goodness I had ordered a whole bunch of new ones. Otherwise you just know how the day would have gone...

"Mum I'm Boooored!"
"If you're bored you mustn't be sick. Shall I take you to school?"
"Mum can I go on the Tablet???"
"Hmmmm.... If you can play on the Tablet your headache must be better. Shall I take you to school?"
"Mum I'm hungry. Can I have a Pie? A biscuit? Some chips?"
"Gosh if you're able to eat all that you must be feeling better. Shall I take you to school?"

But thanks to my stash of unwatched Fatso DVDs, I can have a relatively peaceful day cooking up Magic Pie and draping things in Tartan.

What they're watching:

The Last Mimzy: (PG)

"It’s a sci-fi/fantasy adventure that combines Tibetan history, psychokinesis, telepathy and time travel into one unusually trippy package. Chris O’Neil and Rhiannon Leigh Wryn are endearing siblings who stumble onto some strange crystals and a tatty rabbit doll named Mimzy during a holiday at their parents’ beach house, and find themselves holding the key to the future’s survival. The Last Mimzy has a great ‘80s feel about it - Spielberg certainly comes to mind - the film is constantly propelled by the fabulously imaginative premise and a sophisticated approach to family material that doesn’t resort to the usual toilet jokes." (Available on Get Now GN)

Fat Albert: (G)

"Fat Albert and the rest of the Cosby Kids are living happily in their animated world of Philadelphia when one day, a young teen cries on her remote control because she doesn't have any friends. Fat Albert and his gang then magically come out of her TV and enter the real Philadelphia! They decide-being such good kids-to help the teen make friends. Albert then falls in love with the girl's beautiful foster sister-but oh, no! If Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids stray from their TV world, they begin to fade away! Will Albert be able to return home after enlisting the help of Bill Cosby himself, or will he and his gang vanish forever?" (Available on Get Now GN)

Cool Runnings: (PG) One Dream. Four Jamaicans. Twenty Below Zero.

"You'll love Cool Runnings - the outrageously funny comedy hit inspired by the true story of Jamaica's first Olympic bobsled team. They were four unlikely athletes with one impossible dream. Now, with the help of an ex-champion as their coach (John Candy - Uncle Buck), four Jamaicans leave their sunny island home and enter the chilly winter Olympics to compete for the gold in a sport they know nothing about - bobsled racing! Finding the courage in each other to give it their all, they meet the challenge, and soon become heroes - taking the whole world along for the ride! You'll be cheering long and loud for this unlikely team in this feel-good comedy hit!"

The verdict so far:

• The Last Mimzy:It was good, mum. Really good.
• Fat Albert: This is so funny. Let's watch it again.
• Cool Runnings: This one should be landing in my mailbox after lunch. Maybe just in time to put the finishing touches on the Magic Pie and put my feet up. Might just watch a movie with my kids.

As you can see I am saving myself a job and combining my Fatso Weekend Movie Post with my Things I'm Loving Post. Aren't I Efficient?

No matter what, I love Friday. And Fatso. Sunshine. And Theme nights.


If you haven't tried Fatso Online DVD rental before, check out my post about why I love it. Then click the box above and use the magic code FAMILY45 to get a Month's Free Trial on the Super Plan (worth $28.99).

♥

What have you got planned this weekend?

Sometimes... (a Motherhood Post)

Sometimes Mothers Day is picture perfect... and sometimes it is not.
Sometimes warm fuzzies are abounding... and sometimes they are not.

Sometimes you wake up to the sound of somebody crying already, somebody who won't get out of bed and somebody else who just can't be bothered. And it's Mothers Day.

Sometimes offspring can be awfully self centred. And Lazy. And squabbly. Even on Mothers Day.

Sometimes the Father of your children has to drag those offspring kicking and screaming into appreciation mode. He buys a card for them to sign and a present for them to give; sometimes even then they drag their heels.
Sometimes, well, they need a kick up the butt.
So sometimes you overhear a lecture: "She carried you inside her! She gave birth to you! She fed you and wiped your bum and did everything for you and this is how you repay her?!?!?"

Sometimes, on Mothers Day Morning, you wish they would just cancel the whole thing.
Sometimes having a bad start to the day on the one day of the year which is meant to be about thanking mothers... well, it kind of sucks.
Sometimes Mothers Day only makes things worse; it rubs salt in the wound.

Sometimes on Mothers Day you don't want to go to church where people will ask, "How was your Mothers day morning? Did you get breakfast in bed???"
Sometimes you shout, "I'm cancelling Mothers Day! Just forget the whole thing!" And you slam the door.

Sometimes kids can be awful... but sometimes they can be amazing.
Sometimes, they realise the error of their ways before its too late and they say, "Sorry mum. We're really sorry. What can we do to make it up to you?"

And then you can tell them what you really want.
Not cards and presents and toast on a tray.
"I want kindness," you say. "I want one day where you don't fight with each other, where you don't squabble. One day where you can try and be nice - to each other, not just to me."

Sometimes kids can be amazing, right after they've been awful.
Sometimes they learn quickly. They try hard.
And sometimes what started as a bad day can turn out to be a good one.

Sometimes a day which began with tears and selfishness and slamming doors can end with hugs and games and togetherness on the couch watching The Voice.

Sometimes your kids actually listen to you. They say, "Mum are you really gonna cancel Mothers day next year? Cos I hope you don't. I've got a really good idea for Mothers Day next year..."
And then you want to hug them and kiss them and you remember why you love being a mother.

Yeah, sometimes you feel like cancelling Mothers Day.
And then other times you're glad you didn't, after all.

♥

(P.S. How was YOUR mothers day?)

The Diva-ishness of Daughters

There's something about daughters.
I have just the one, sandwiched between two larikins.
She often laments her lack of sisters and sobs out her disappointment with male crassness on my shoulder.
My daughter has an imagination that could paint the moon.
To match her dreams she has Drive, Determination and Daring.
And along with all those other fabulous D-words, she is also an idealistic perfectionistic Diva.

Combine all these factors and you know you're headed for a fall at some point.
Because the reality of real life is often less than ideal.
Dreams are sometimes dashed and brilliant plans often get derailed.
Nothing turns out the way it does in storybooks, darn it.

Take the other night.
Miss Fab recently discovered the joys of electronic keyboards while we were on holiday in Tauranga. There was one at our friends' house and she spent every spare minute playing on it.
"I wish we had a keyboard..." the music diva sighed on the way home.
Daddy recalled, "Hey, I think we've had one of those things stashed in the garage for years! I'll get it out for ya when we get home..."

And with that, a brand new passion was born.

Our diva spent all day playing around on her new keyboard, finding beats and tapping keys. As she did her dreams and plans built up sky high.

She would have a show, nay, a concert! A grand ole Opry where ladies and gents would come and sip genteel refreshments as they watched her (stunning) (surreal) (celebrated) performance.

Tickets were sent out, taped to bedroom doors, inviting, nay, commanding everyone to be in attendance after dinner, forthwith.

The concert piantist planned her outfit, set up chairs and even trained an encore act. Little Brother could sit in "third class" at the back of the room until called upon to push some keys and do a little twirl (she had him practising all day).

So cute, right?
But parents know how these things turn out.
They remember past meltdowns when things didn't go quite to plan.
They know they will soon be picking up angry, sad little pieces of their concert pianist's heart, if her ambition isn't tempered with reality (she has brothers).

Ahhh, but concert pianists are nothing if not headstrong divas.
Our concert pianist ignored all pleas to "not expect things to be perfect" and "don't get your hopes too high".



Time for the concert.
The public arrived on time and were shown to their pre-arranged seats.
The show began.
All went well... until the sniggers started leaking out.
Furious glares were shot to the cheap seats.
Harsh whispers aimed at 10 year old boy-ears.
"Shhh! Don't laugh!"
"Encourage her... be positive...."



The sniggerer zipped his lip. The pianist continued to press random keys and combine electro-beats.
The concert was a little long.
So the public chomped on chippies and sipped orange juice.
Polite applause between tunes... So many tunes!

"How many more???" "Is it finished yet?" and then "I'm bored..."

That's when the dancing began.
In an attempt to liven things up and participate in the performance, Daddy overestimated his ability to make an audience laugh.



One concert pianist extremely miffed at having her show stolen.
One big brother rolling on the floor laughing.
(One little brother sitting obediently as instructed.)

One daddy boogying down.
One mummy saying, "Guys! Guys!"
One sad angry little concert pianist, her concert-debut dreams in tatters, her ears ringing with male laughter, stomping off in a huff to the park...

Sigh.

Sugar and Spice and all things nice?
Sure. Little girls are sweet. But some of those spices are hot chilli peppers.
Daughters are delightful indeed.
But they can also be feisty, emotional drama queens who would give any Hollywood diva a run for their money.

Gotta love em though... they are fabulous, after all.