Friday, 9 February 2018
My precious girl...
This girl has my heart!
Having a daughter is surreal at times especially since I was convinced I was going to be a boy mom - she has shaped my heart and changed me in so many ways! I look so forward to the many many girly things we get to do together.
A rare quiet morning...
This was one of those mornings when we were all ready way before we had to leave and as the kids sat down to have some breakfast Ollie asked if I could read him his school library book... and we had time so I did. It was just lovely having Charley on my lap reading to both kiddies and I didn't realize that Mike had taken a photo of us which he sent me later.
Its moments like this that make life so much sweeter!
Thursday, 8 February 2018
Special Fridays...
Friday are the only days I get to leave early enough to fetch the kids and then 'do' something with them. Our week days are fetch the kids, feed them, bath them and then its such a small amount of time until bedtime... but Fridays I have some extra time and I have decided that it will be a treat one way or another. Ollie gets to choose one week and Charley (me) gets to choose the week after.
The choices are -
1) Spur for an ice cream (total cost of R25 and they have to share)
2) Wimpy for a baby-chino (R4.50)
The reason I am adding the values is that another change we made this year was trying our best to stick to a very strict budget which we lacked a bit last year. I have explained to Ollie the value of money and the reason we cannot always buy something when we want it - he fully understands and often says "mom, I would really like that but its very expensive hey?" to which I reply YES and we move on. I must say, I am very proud of my boy - he has never had a tantrum when we are walking in the shops and he asks for something to which the answer is NO (which is more often than not), he makes my heart very proud!
The last Friday play date we had was at spur - Ollie chose to rather have the bigger ice cream and share it with Charley than have a cone and this boy is too bright cause he must have known Charley wouldn't have liked the ice cream too much - she just wanted the empty little sweety containers which Ollie happily gave her.
The week before we had baby chino's at wimpy - poor Charley just had water :) But next time she can have her own one I think.
I have been really enjoying going to our Wimpy or Spur, ordering one small things for the kiddies and a water for myself and seeing the bill be less that R30 each time. We have put money aside for weekend spending and when its finished then its finished - this way our outings can be so many more and we just eat at home - which is healthier and cheaper - I always felt like I needed to make the bill a substantial amount by ordering extras because swiping for R30 seems ridiculous but why? I feel more than ok to pay a whole R30 for something as having excess is more ridiculous than paying a small bill. I so cherish this time with my kiddies!
The choices are -
1) Spur for an ice cream (total cost of R25 and they have to share)
2) Wimpy for a baby-chino (R4.50)
The reason I am adding the values is that another change we made this year was trying our best to stick to a very strict budget which we lacked a bit last year. I have explained to Ollie the value of money and the reason we cannot always buy something when we want it - he fully understands and often says "mom, I would really like that but its very expensive hey?" to which I reply YES and we move on. I must say, I am very proud of my boy - he has never had a tantrum when we are walking in the shops and he asks for something to which the answer is NO (which is more often than not), he makes my heart very proud!
The last Friday play date we had was at spur - Ollie chose to rather have the bigger ice cream and share it with Charley than have a cone and this boy is too bright cause he must have known Charley wouldn't have liked the ice cream too much - she just wanted the empty little sweety containers which Ollie happily gave her.
Wednesday, 7 February 2018
A few changes...
We decided a few changes were due in 2018 and so far so good.
They are small changes but they have been hugely helpful!
1. No more eating in front of the TV
We have strick eating at the table rules which was a very easy transition... we chat, catch up on our days and play eye spy. Besides the lovely chatting time the kiddes are eating very well as their attention isn't focused on the TV - a win win :)
2. Family calender
Ok, so this isn't really a change but we finally got our family calendar printed and posted on our fridge... this just helps me with my organisation and is very pretty to look at.
3. Meal planning.
Last year my weeks were busy and unorganized and our dinners would always be an issue - we would either spend way to much money on take away or on a quick shop at Spar or eat so late because I had no planned food. Besides being very unhealthy it was also such a drain.
I have now planned my meals for the month, shopped for all the ingredients and my cupboards are full of stuff that I can make a meal quickly. This means at times that frozen veg are used instead of fresh (which is by far my preference) BUT its a small price to pay for easy dinners that are healthy, yum and sustaining.
4. I also shopped for snacks for the month and when they are gone they are gone.
I made sure I had ingredients to make fresh cookies and biscuits as well, this give me a chance to have Ollie bake with me which is his favorite AND they are much more tasty than store bought cookies. I LOVE having home made goodies in my home... I must say too that Mike and the kids are so good at savoring their snacks - these should easily last the month.
These few changes have already made the BIGGEST difference in my life and I am figuring out a few more changes that will help our weeks run smoothly.
I have organised every single cupboard (accept the kids toys - that is still pending) and there is nothing better than opening a cupboard or a drawer and seeing it neat and organised, definitely my love language.
They are small changes but they have been hugely helpful!
1. No more eating in front of the TV
We have strick eating at the table rules which was a very easy transition... we chat, catch up on our days and play eye spy. Besides the lovely chatting time the kiddes are eating very well as their attention isn't focused on the TV - a win win :)
Ok, so this isn't really a change but we finally got our family calendar printed and posted on our fridge... this just helps me with my organisation and is very pretty to look at.
Last year my weeks were busy and unorganized and our dinners would always be an issue - we would either spend way to much money on take away or on a quick shop at Spar or eat so late because I had no planned food. Besides being very unhealthy it was also such a drain.
I have now planned my meals for the month, shopped for all the ingredients and my cupboards are full of stuff that I can make a meal quickly. This means at times that frozen veg are used instead of fresh (which is by far my preference) BUT its a small price to pay for easy dinners that are healthy, yum and sustaining.
I made sure I had ingredients to make fresh cookies and biscuits as well, this give me a chance to have Ollie bake with me which is his favorite AND they are much more tasty than store bought cookies. I LOVE having home made goodies in my home... I must say too that Mike and the kids are so good at savoring their snacks - these should easily last the month.
I have organised every single cupboard (accept the kids toys - that is still pending) and there is nothing better than opening a cupboard or a drawer and seeing it neat and organised, definitely my love language.
Tuesday, 6 February 2018
Oh my goodness...
Oh my goodness, how is it already February? My goodness, this year is flying by already!
The biggest deal at the moment is how Ollie is doing at school, his schedule has changed completely as its prep for Grade 0 and Grade 1 so my boy is actually doing proper school work.
He is learning to write his own name, they are doing maths and I can already see such a huge change in him. My heart is so happy he is doing well and also so aware that he is growing up.
I cannot wait to see what the rest of this school year brings.... Ollie has started soccer as an extramural activity and LOVING it.
The biggest deal at the moment is how Ollie is doing at school, his schedule has changed completely as its prep for Grade 0 and Grade 1 so my boy is actually doing proper school work.
He is learning to write his own name, they are doing maths and I can already see such a huge change in him. My heart is so happy he is doing well and also so aware that he is growing up.
Friday, 19 January 2018
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Hello 2018
I am in a bit of denial that 2018 is already in full swing. Having said that we had such a lovely time away over December so we started off the year feeling refreshed and ready to tackle what comes our way (please let it be a gentle year!!)
Ollie started his first school day of 2018 yesterday entering Orange group with a new teacher BUT all his old friends. The past years first days of school have been met with tears but this year there were none! This mommy's heart is very grateful for the smooth beginning as it just breaks me when Ollie battles.
He settled in with ease and came home so happy! His new class is so much bigger and more structured as he is preparing for Grade R - goodness me!! How is my boy this big?
Cheers to the new year! May it be a cracker!!
Ollie started his first school day of 2018 yesterday entering Orange group with a new teacher BUT all his old friends. The past years first days of school have been met with tears but this year there were none! This mommy's heart is very grateful for the smooth beginning as it just breaks me when Ollie battles.
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