FIVETRIBE

This conversation took place at about 0730 this morning as I was throwing bits into lunchboxes. Me:  Lulu, do you want a yoghurt with your lunch today? Lulu : (looks at me and wrinkles her nose while smiling slightly) Not today Mom, thanks though. PAUSE Lulu: You know Mom sometimes the yoghurts spurts a bit when I open it. And sometimes it messes a bit on the floor at school. And its really embarrasing because the big kids come past and say 'Who did this?'  I just wait til they go away and then I run to the bathroom and get some loo paper and wipe it up. ********************** She told me this story quite nonchalantly, she isnt traumatised or upset. It is what it is. I cant remember what I said to her in response but it was something good and affirming blah blah BUT it the conversation has stewed in my brain this morning. Do you remember your school days? Anything specific that sticks in your mind?  I vividly remember, after being teased relentlessly by a Gra...

I recently received an iPad as a gift from my generous husband. Let the record show that I neither whined, nor begged nor hinted that I would like one but the man knows me too well. I have to say it has exceeded my expectations. It is definitely my favourite toy, like ever. This has clearly be observed as Hooli said to me last night: Mom, have you bonded with your iPad? Yes, yes and yes. I have dear lad. ********************* It was about 18h30 last night and I was still in my pilates kit. Sweat pants, tank top and trainers. Hair in a ponytail. Cute if you are 16. Or apparently cute if you are married to my man who indicated great approval at my *look*.  Honey, not looking up from the iPhone game she was playing, casually remarks without malice: Dad always thinks you look good, no matter what. It doesnt actually mean you do. Well, thanks for that love! ************************ I do so love my kids. Little walking truth-tellers.

I have a confession to make. I am totally jealous of my mans relationship with my boy. Things have totally changed....I am primary care-giver. Toter of skateboards, giver of sustenance and finder of socks. Beyond that Dad is King. Recently Hooli asked me to please print a picture of him and his dad and put it in a frame for him. His reasoning was that *in case* dad died or something he felt it would be a good idea to have this picture. It took everything in me NOT to say : AND ME?? Your doting mother? This is a very tongue-in-cheek post but I do feel a sense of loss as I watch my boy adoration and obsession with his father. I do know this is totally natural and am eternally grateful for my man who is so involved! **************** PS  while lying with Hooli last night he did throw me a bone though... 'mom, even when I am mad at you I still love you okay?'  :-)  I'll take that and stow it with my heart-treasures.

We had some interesting chats today after school. We like to talk about our *highs n lows* of the day - it often sparks some highly entertaining conversations or snippets. Lulu was telling me stories about her classmates and then adds:  "and J is also quite off the hook at school Mom!"  Hooli was recollecting some stories and then I heard him referring to a "Pitsniffer"! Well, we are highly anti-namecalling in this house but I almost collapsed with laughter. Seriously, that has to be one for the books! Young Honey had a few *moments* today where she engaged in some less than stellar language.  The first infraction "I dont give a damn" resulted in Tobasco which made not a shred of difference as she appears to be immune to its bite. Later she referred to a sibling as a Smart Arse so I decided to revert to good old washing out the mouth with soap. I wish I could say it was a success but it was more like a comedy side-show with my rubbing down...

On waking Levi at 0630 this morning, he rolls over and looks at me through bleary eyes: "Mom? I feel like breakdancing. "      

My son has just turned 5. He is passionate about anything to do with sports and skateboarding. This is a glimpse into our conversation in the car this morning. ********************* Hooli : Mom, are their rails in heaven? Like rails for skateboards? Me : Um, I am pretty sure you will be able to skate in heaven, upside being you wont get hurt either! Hooli: Mom, is God in Heaven or in our hearts? Lulu (7) : God is everywhere man. He is in heaven and in our hearts and in America with our cousins. Me: Tis true Hooli, He is omnipresent. That means everywhere at the same time. The best kind of superhero. Hooli : If I die and I wake up and go through the wrong door will I fall out of Heaven back to earth? Me : (this is all a LOT before I have had coffee)  Nope buddy, it doesnt work like that - you wont be falling anyway and I am pretty sure there wont be any wrong doors. Hooli: What is heaven like anyway? Will there be tv and rugby and stuff? Me : (seriously?) Heaven will be...

I woke up to another beautiful Cape Town morning. I felt the covers being gently pulled back and Honey slipped in alongside me. Hi Mom, she said softly as she stroked my face. Mornin' Love , I replied. I was just wondering if they have found a cure for cancer yet Mom? Well, okay then. Lets get a cuppa tea and have a wee chat then shall we? What were the opening barrs to your morning then?

I read this post by A Different Drumbeat tonight and was struck by how true it rang for me. I am a stay-at-home parent. I do not want to go outside my home to earn a living. I have chosen this life and I love it. The truth of the matter, though, is that while I am home with my kids I am not always present with my kids. They play and chat to me. While I read. They jump on the trampoline. While I interact with other parties on my cellphone. They talk to me. While I websurf. I am not saying I feel huge guilt here. More awareness, yes. Guilt no. I do not think my children need my undivided attention 3 hours a day. I am entitled to time to do my own thing and engage my own interests, however I am becoming aware that I seldom do ONE thing at a time. I am beginning to view multi-tasking as a curse. Not a talent. Tonight I lay with Honey in her bed for almost an hour. I never (okay, very seldom) do that. Tonight I learnt that she loves playing with her sister but doesnt like to admit it out l...

My middlest one, Lulu, is in Grade 1. Part of their homework, a couple of times a week, is to come home and practise the new letter they learnt that day. Yesterday she came home and practised writing out her 'k' . Another part of the exercise is to look for pictures that begin with the 'k' sound. It is all about phonetics at this point, not spelling so we look for anything 'k' or 'c'. I left her to it as I was making lunch for everyone. When I popped my head in to check on what she was doing I found her pasting this picture in her book. Before you scroll down - tell me what you think her 'k' sound word is when she looked at this picture. I had to ask her. Committed. Her words to me: "They are committed to each other, hey Mommy?" I love this sensitive little soul who is such a romantic at the ripe old age of 6.

We got stuck behind yet another learner driver today. It is becoming a pattern...Hooli picks out L drivers like I pick out awesome shoes; with ease. Hooli : I dont want to learn how to drive. Me : Why not??? Hooli : I dont want to drive slowly. Ever. So I dont want to be a learner. Me: But everyone has to learn sometime. Hooli : No, I just want to drive fast. Like you. ************* Chatting to Honey about a scene in Glee where she realises one of the girls is pregnant by one of the (duh) boys. Honey: Are they married? Me : No, they are at school. Honey : Hmm, but she is pregnant? Me : Yes, she is. (feeling weary and realising I should have changed the channel faster) Honey : Ooooohhh. Me: um? Honey: I KNOW how she got pregnant! I know! Me: Yes? Honey: She kissed that boy waaaayyy too long. I know, I know. But seriously, do i have to tell her the truth just yet? By the way - that question is rhetorical so feel free NOT to tell me when you think the se*x talk is appropriate. ;-)

Last night Honey and I had one of those evenings. You know the ones? Where you put them to bed and they ask you to please stay and chat for a bit? I confess that I am not great with the late nights chats but there was an urgency in her demeanour that caused me to pause. The conversation was long and we covered significant ground but I want to leave you with two particular points she raised. I am not going to go into how I answered them; my thoughts on the question or how we got there. I am just going to share some of what was going on the the heart of this 9yr old that had me reeling - with both concern and wonder. *************************** Honey: Mom, you know the bear from Toy Story 3 - Lotso? The one that smells like strawberries? ME; Yes? Honey : He says to Woody : " WE ARE JUST TOYS - WE ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN." That is like us Mom. We are like Gods toys. We are just waiting to be broken. Either get sick, have an accident or just plain die. ********************* Mom...

Lulu started school last week. Today she plucked up the courage to speak to a second grader. The conversation apparently went like this: Lulu : Wow, you have the same rollerblades as my sister! Nasty girl : Do I care? No I dont! (and stormed off) Lulu was aghast. When retelling me the story she almost sounded like she wanted to cry. I got all mad and furious (inside my head) but I gave her a hug and asked her how it made her feel. And she said: She looked like such a nice girl and I just dont understand why she had to be so rude. Suffice to say I did the mom thing and we had a lovely chat about life ( and its crappiness etc) but I encouraged her to keep *unwrapping new friends ; to not let this one rude person ruin her engaging attitude. * Unwrapping new people : Hooli started school again today and many of his mates have gone to Grade 1 so he was very upset by all the new faces. I spoke to him and explained that new people are like wrapped presents. Just like you have to unwrap pres...