FIVETRIBE

My boytjie. What can I say? You bring so much life, laughter and relative mayhem to our lives. That twinkle in your eye and cheeky grin can turn any ordinary day into something pretty darn cool. You are such a blessing to us little mister. You cruise through this life with such energy. You endure being outnumbered by girls with ease and charm. You are not shy to compliment women on their *outfits* and then a moment later bust a move on your skateboard that leaves me pale. From riding your bike, to playing cricket, soccer, rugby, ping pong, skating, baseball - you name it - you do it. Balls, wheels and dangerous physical play is what you are about most of the time ... I have had to learn to unclench my jaw when watching you at play. I have lost count of the number of times I have yelled to your father to come and help me...and then asked (peeping through my fingers) Is there blood? (and usually there is!) I love the way you crawl into my bed early in the morning. The snuggle...

And now you are ten. T E N.  I have to say it a few times to let the reality sink in. You apparently dont feel any different to yesterday but, believe me, everything is different for me. The passage of time is marked before my very eyes. When I look at you I see Grace. You know the story behind your being with us - you are my eternal reminder ... when my faith waivers in other areas, I just look at you. It is with great pride I absorb every ounce of the young lady you are becoming. Sometimes I am not even sure how much I had to do with it - so *contained/together* are you! From a determined, rather withdrawn and fiercely independent 5yr old to this gregarious, fearless and utterly engaging tween. I dont think anyone could have forseen what lay ahead - from your passion and talent for music to your sustained love for your Littlest Pet Shops and umpteen stuffed animals that STILL reside on your bed....the very same ones that used to reside in your cot! Honey, you are a const...

Today was the long-awaited Adventure party. Honey has been anticipating this since last year....when we said *nope, its more of a tenth party idea*. Imagine my horror when I woke up to piddling rain at 6am this morning! It was touch and go as to whether the party would go on but by 0830 the rain stopped. We arrived at the venue just before 10am and the weather was BEAUTIFUL. The sky was clearing and it was warm enough for the kids to just be in long t-shirts.  Starting out...all clean! The kids has such a blast, the facilitators did a wonderful job of herding them around the course. Honey and her friends whooped their way around the obstacles - so cool to watch ten year olds so unprententious and full of vooma! Lulu had a friend along, and even though she took an early tumble, she recovered enough to later conquer her fear and crack the foofi slide. (thanks to lots of encouragement from her friend, R) Lulu and her friend, R Hooli said it was his best day EVER. (and...

Lulu reads her birthday blogpost. Skating - the newfound (or rediscovered) passion Birthday shopping (note nothing in this pic bar the bunny was purchased!) Birthday tea at granny Allies house. My mom and I. All to often twins...and never planned! Honey is so glaringly absent in our weekend. I have missed her very much. We are fetching her from the camp at 1530, yay! Am sure to be regaled with many stories of midnight feasts and hijinx galore! Happy Sunday peeps.

Happy birthday to my Lulugirl. Every year with you is like a roller-coaster ride. Some days I am nauseous and some days I woo-hoo with joy! There is very little predicatability about you; from your sense of style to your sense of humour. It can change like your mood, in a heartbeat. The few consistencies are your senstivity, your ability to endear yourself to everyone and your love for the arts. Few things make you happier than immersing yourself in some sort of creative endeavour. Today I asked you what you are going to be when you grow up: I think I will be an artist.  Or a world famous pianist or recordist, if I keep playing recorder. (fyi - she doesnt play piano or recorder. Yet.) We look forward to many breathtaking rides on this journey of life with you Lulu. We love you endlessly and then some more.