The end of another year

Christmas and New Years Eve 2011 leapt on me with a bit of a surprise. I have felt so busy this year, even though I got so much more accomplished in 2010. Here is a very brief summary of my 2011:
Mieke aced grade 2. Quinn mastered riding a bicycle. Matt went back to working 6 days a week. I got myself a job at Bunnings. We accomplished nothing around the house. We had two brief holidays with family. We threw around the idea of me going back to work full time. The dog stopped chewing things he's not supposed to. The cat continues to walk about on the bench like it's his God-given right. Quinn perserveres with his fondness for Abba and AC/DC and Justin Bieber lyrics and a love of all things superhero. Mieke remains true to the stereotypes of what 8 year old girls are into, adding to that a natural skill for and commitment to karate.

Happy new year to everyone and may you all enjoy a healthy and happy 2012. Over and out.

Mieke is seven

Happy birthday darling girl. I am always in awe of you. Your spark, your intelligence. Your imagination, your tender nurturing heart and genuine concern for the welfare of all living things.

Family will be here to celebrate on Friday, a pool party with school friends on Saturday. Special mother/daughter time including ears pierced on Sunday. Ears pierced? Am I crazy? I might be, but I'm committed now!

She said to me this morning "I do feel older today".

A story

Mieke has been writing stories for a while now, almost every week we bring home a new homemade book from school. She has written non-fiction pieces, such as the one about bees and their habits, but also is learning to create fictional stories which have a beginning, a middle and an end.
This is a recent one from her 'collection' which made me smile as she read it. Her intonation and facial expressions during story sharing are very entertaining. (The exclamation marks and question marks are all hers, though the question marks are back to front).

The cat sat on the mat but what did it do? The cat chewed the mat! I likd that cat so I broot a cat my salf. I like my cat but my cat ran a way! Where is it? Sum one fed it sum millk and took it for a wok. My cats name is flafey.

There is an element of truth in this. Our cat took off the day after we moved last November and we haven't seen him since. Mieke talks about him quite a bit.

Sleepovers

This is Mieke and Frederique. They are only 10 weeks apart in age and have known each other since birth. Although they don't see one another often, both are skilled at picking up just where they left off, there is never any awkwardness or reaquainting necessary. Both are energetic, strong willed, determined, charming, imaginative and articulate. I remember many a time during toddlerhood, pulling one off the other after scratching, biting or some other physical 'incident'. They have always had a rather intense relationship, one which continues now, however has evolved into a deep fondness that I think is captured here.So tonight we had our first sleepover. Well, Fred has stayed before but her parents have also been with us. This was her first solo stay. Elated little people have been making cubbies, 'baking', racing through the house and finally piled into the sofa bed way too late (it's 10pm now and they've only just stop talking). These are exciting days. I remember one of my first sleepovers, how we lay practically nose to nose for hours, making up stories and talking about our parents. I think I was about 8. Sleepovers were a special event, one which held for me anticipation and a definite buzz. I don't recall ever having a negative experience, sleepovers definitely contributed to a most positive part of my childhood.

It's so lovely to watch Mieke's friendships take on their own nuances. Even though I've got nothing to do with the way they take shape, I'm proud and invested. I feel particularly protective of this one and really hope it keeps flourishing the way it has to date. Can't believe she's 6. Whee!

Sweet dreams kiddies. xx

Three year olds and tantrums

So Quinn is fairly oppositional and defiant at present. Oh, did I say fairly? I meant totally and absolutely, wholly and completely. His first one of the day occurred at 5:30am this morning and we are enduring up to eight tantrums a day (that was his score today). They can range from 5 minutes to about half an hour.

Some of the range of things which currently unhinge him - in no particular order:
putting shoes on
putting coat on
taking coat off
having his seat belt on
getting out of the car
eating lunch
washing his hands
drawing
not drawing
being refused permission to eat lollies every 2.7 minutes
being refused permission to drink cordial
being offered a mandarin
being offered a cuddle
not being offered a cuddle

Some of the things he says to me nowdays:
why?
i don't want to
no
no
no
why?
you're a bum bum (shouted at me in a rage - I involuntarily laughed at the comment/him/my impending insanity and it distracted him long enough to break the tantrum)
no
why?
i'm not your favourite boy anymore
no
don't look at me
no
no
you are mean mummy

There are many more, but I won't bore you. Suffice it to say I'm a bit frazzled and a bit cranky. I must say that this is not turning out to be my favourite age for Quinn, give me his compliant clumsy toddling, his slobbery kisses and one word requests any day.

What worked for Mieke at the same age does not have the same desired effect on Quinn. Mieke has always been more responsive and sensitive to moods of others. She is highly attuned to Matt's and my emotional status whereas Quinn seems a little less concerned. He is so content to be his own person and do his own thing that if it means going against the flow, then so be it. And I think that will be a most positive character trait in his adult life, we just need to work a way around it now so he will comply with our Very Mean, Bum Bum and Not Favourite Boy everyday routines and rules!

Look at that photo over there on the right. It seems incongruent with what I've written above doesn't it? Bless him. It's hard being three.

Just because

Here are photos of my two Best Things.

Kidlets

Quinn's new tactic for opening Mieke's bedroom door. He loves closing doors, trouble is he used to get stuck. Not any more! (note the chair to enable him to get onto bed and move across to bedside table. He's resourceful). Mieke can actually reach her door handle, she just grabbed the chance for a photo op.
This one of Quinn by himself is one from a series of photos taken of Quinn last weekend. To me it doesn't really look much like him, but I love the picture.