Adventures with a tooth mouse

I don't know why we are being serviced by the tooth mouse and not the tooth fairy...
But somewhere a decision got us stuck with the tooth mouse, and apparently we can't have the tooth fairy coming to get the teeth now! (Says Little Missy!)

Scene 1:

The bottom tooth, Tooth number two,  has been loose for quite a while, and every now and again it was a whole upheaval when she had bitten on something. But we could not get near enough to it to pull it.
On Saturday the final straw was when there was blood. Dad tried to pull the tooth with tooth floss, but could not get in there for long enough to take it out. Mom was summoned as a last resort. The tooth came loose without even pulling on it! It was a huge relief!

Scene 2:

The tooth was put in a bag, and put underneath her cushion in her bed. I don't know why we did not tell her to put it in a shoe? There is an ad going around now about a little girl with a teeth underneath her cushion, but she only got a coupon the next day.  That must have influenced Little Miss?

Scene 3:

On Saturday afternoon while tidying up I discovered that the ants are marching to Little Miss's bed, and on closer inspection I found a dead moth underneath her cushion. I had to vacuum everything.
As I was placing the bag with teeth back underneath her cushion, I could not see the tooth and was starting to panic. But it was still there! It is just so VERY small!

Scene 4:

It was a very musical-beds kind of night, with Dad and me swapping places in Little Miss' bed. She was keeping on checking the tooth. I got out of her bed just before six. I had managed to secure the tooth and gave it to Dad. Dad was on his way to sort the tooth mouse, when Little Miss woke up. She was very upset that the tooth was gone and there was no money.

I managed to convince her that it is still very early and that we must give it some time...

In the meantime Dad had to go and search for the tooth mouse which might have been spooked. He nearly fell down the stairs when the tooth mouse ran past him, and left some coins and a little note on the stairs.

Dad could take the coins and note to Little Miss. She was much impressed with the R9 ($0.82) in coins, and immediately saved it for her trampoline that she wants in the garden. (Still don't know where we are going to put it?)

We later on found another note by the tooth mouse. (There was a bit of a misunderstanding, and Big Sister also did her part.)
It would have made it a lot easier...

Next time, we are definitely putting it in the shoe!


Do you have special holder for the tooth, or where do you put it?

Wordless Wednesday #246 - Tooth number two

My summer list

We went straight into summer this year, and of course it feels like everything is on fast forward by now...
Heather of One Step at a Time tagged me a while ago with this one.

1. What is your favourite thing about Summer?

The heat and the early sun and green grass and sitting outside and spending time outdoors... I love Summer!! It is my favourite season!

 2. Do you have a favourite Summer drink?

I have one favourite drink: Red Wine. In summer with a cube of ice!

Yes, this! #redwine #capetown #shiraz #Cloof

A photo posted by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:33am PDT

3. Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?
Any place that's not home, but I prefer the beach!

Next time I am doing this, Cape Town! @ Garden Court De Waal pic.twitter.com/gA8b123pVO
— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) October 9, 2014

4. Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?
No, sometimes we go to the bush veld, and sometimes to the coast.
And sometimes we go camping. It does not matter!

5. Dresses or skirts?
Pants

6. Sandals or ballet pumps!
Sandals

7. Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for Summer?
Always down

8. Deep smoky eyes or bold lips?
No, light make-up on both my eyes and lips.

9. Favourite perfume for Summer?
The perfume I have on my dressing table. It is different each time I get a new one!

10. Last but not least, favourite music for Summer?

It is an old song, but it has been remixed. Love this!




Please feel free to tag along!

Apple in Education judging 2014 #AEC2014

I get a yearly shot of inspiration when I see the Apple in Education submissions for the Apple in Education competition. These kids are so creative. They are already working with the technology and with the apps in such a way that it boggles my mind.
I am only now starting to use some of it in my daily life!

I was fortunate enough to be invited again in judging a category, Shape of My World, on Friday.

The competition this year changed it's previous brief and "set out with a series of educational challenges - that could be applied across grades and subjects. Through guiding questions, creative solutions and innovative Apple technology they wanted to see how these projects can be brought to life in extraordinary ways."

Michelle Lissoos of Think Ahead introducing the judges

The students could make use of the following apps on the iPad: Book Creator, Camera, iBooks, Explain Everything and EduCreations. There were four of us in each category, and it helped in making the best choice overall!

Fellow judges: Leyla Haidarian, Nikki Heyman and Hayley Owen

Leyla Haidarian in charge of finding the projects

Nikki Heyman, the Scribe for the day!

We spent more than three hours deliberating on 3 age categories in Shape of My World, and we all had to agree on the best three in each.
It took us longer than the rest, but I am happy to report that we found the best three in each.
It was difficult in most instances, but luckily we had the clear guidelines to adhere to:

"Judging criteria:
- Clear indication that the challenge has been addressed, including clear evidence of planning
- Apple Technology has been used effectively (hardware and appropriate apps)
- The project has been linked to the currriculum
- Concept is creative, innovative and original
- High quality of the project presentation"

The Tweet:

This is difficult! IPad judging #AEC2014 @nikkiheyman @HayleyOwenSA pic.twitter.com/uJEOHBeKpd
— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) October 24, 2014

We had a sense at the end of the judging that the teachers could have played a more creative role in suggestion diversity in the use of the apps. There are so many possibilities out there!
Especially with regards the younger age categories. But we were still impressed with the submissions!



The Awards ceremony is on 6 November and I can't wait to see the rest of the categories and how it was interpreted.

Related posts:

- Apple in Education Awards 2013 - the winners #iPadlearningZA

- Apple in Education Competition Awards 2013 coming up #appleined

"You spoil me too much!"

Little Hoot: You spoil me too much!

Two months before she turns 6!

It has been a strange year! The year of Grade R that she could not wait for, and that turned into a bit of a bummer... Luckily the meeting with the teacher helped considerably!

It seems that Little Missy is becoming into her own right now. I suspect this will be the pattern for each year. (Maybe not!) Because she is younger, it is only at the end of the year that everything falls into place?

I have also been toying with the idea that she is also her own person, doing her own things at her own opportune time!
Because we try to measure them and place them in boxes (talking about school readiness tests), it should not define them. And I am not going to!

We have spoken with her about going to Grade One next year, and told her about doing Grade R again. She is in agreement (as far as a five year old is able to) that she wants to continue to Grade One.

She got the most brilliant report card last week! Enough said!
She is doing very well!

----------

They had their end of year ballet concert and certificate ceremony. It was as cute as always. She still wants to continue next year, and I think it is good for them to get the basics of dancing. We will see how far it goes! (I don't have a preference!)

Ballet is tiring

Ballerina

---------------

The only thing that Little Missy is worried about now is her birthday party.
All the "planning" and the "talking" finally had to come to fruition! We could not forever promise an airy fairy party because she has her birthday in December and all her friends are on leave. We have made a booking end of November and invited a few friends.
Huge excitement in her life!

Now it is only the party packs for school that needs to be sorted! (Yes, we still need to do that as well?!)
You do not get anything past a nearly six year old girl!

------

I gave Little Missy a Happy Meal toy yesterday, because I had ordered a McD Happy Meal just so she could get a toy.
The response: "We spoil her too much!"

Okay...

Wordless Wednesday #245 - Conquering the "Beast"

Road safety fun

Children's Road Safety Centre in Martha Avenue, Fontainebleau

The 6-year old Voortrekkers had a road safety outing to the Road Safety Centre in Randburg.
It is in a state of disrepair because the gardens need some serious attention.

But the children still had their fun, and learnt some valuable road safety lessons.

Petrol stop

The bicycles at the centre are still okay to use, and most of them still have the extra wheels. I don't think this is for much older children than 6-year old's, but the small ones had a great time!

Little Missy took her own scooter along

Stop!

I would not recommend going there on your own, as there are a bunch of shady characters hanging around across the street, but going in a group helps.

You can also make an appointment for a Road Safety Officer  to address the group before they ride around. (It is for free!) Our Voortrekker Officer had to take over the lesson because no-one was available on Friday. 

There was a surly looking officer in attendance, but she got a bit friendlier when she saw the cake...

I hope they do something about the place and the service!
It's got a lot of potential!

Happy family - update

At the airport

This is the busiest time of the year. I don't know why everybody waits until the end of the year for everything to start happening?

But this is not a post loaded with complaints...

It happens each year, and we are actually going with the "flow". December is not that far away, and there is still lots to be done and accomplished!

I was in Cape Town last week for a conference, which I absolutely loved and learnt so many new things in the world of archives. I also loved being in the centre of Cape Town. It is such an inspiring city against the backdrop of Table Mountain.
(Next time I am definitely going to be born on the slopes of that mountain. In one of those mansions!)

I missed my family very much, and so did they! I realized again how much I enjoy being with them and going on adventures with them. Each of my experiences in Cape Town was loaded with the thoughts of "wishing they were there!"

The eldest did a week of shadowing as part of her practicals for her third year. She enjoyed it so much, and she saw the shadow of her future self emerge! It looks as if everything is coming together with her studies, and she has now decided on her post-degree studies as well! I am so proud of her!
Now it is just getting through the last part of the year with lots of tests, assignments and exams to get through.

The youngest and her Dad bonded very well, and it was good for them to spend some time together.
She is beginning to look forward to Grade One, and we have to count each day until her birthday and until it is Grade One. Dad forgot about the OT appointment last week. Luckily he sent me a picture of his cappuccino, and there was still time for him to go and fetch the Little Miss and take her for her OT.
He told me after the week that he did not get much done than focus on her, and that he don't know how single parents cope...

Luckily we are a family that likes being together!
Happy family!
Happy times!


Keep calm!
Breath deep!
December is a month and a half away!

Wordless Wednesday #244 - Clouds from above

Frozen still huge here

How cute is this party bottle "Melted snow"

Little Miss does not get tired of Frozen and everything that goes with it. Her friends share her enthusiasm, because she has attended two Frozen parties in the past month.

Little Miss also loves singing "Let it go!"



(I have to save this. It is very precious!)

National Bandana Day

Bandana Day selfie

I hope you have bought the bandana?

I am sure you will still be able to buy yours from Pick n Pay or your local Round Table for only R25 and wear it in support of patients suffering from leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders.

The message is very simple this year:

"We all have Hopes and Dreams for the future. By purchasing a bandana for R25 you could make a difference and offer those fighting leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders a chance of a future."

From the Left: Tarryn Corlett (CEO of The Sunflower Fund) and Patron of The Fund, Premier Helen Zille, showing her support of National Bandana Day 

For more information on National Bandana Day and The Sunflower Fund, call the toll free line on
0800 12 10 82 or visit The Sunflower Fund.


Related post:

R25 buys someone a future - in support of National Bandana Day

Wordless Wednesday #243 - Cape Town Conference

Peace Concert - what a surprise!

When do you still get a concert with great names for free? If it sounds too good to be true...?

Well, it wasn't! It was amazing!

The Peace Concert stems from an independent organization Peace Starts that promotes International Day of Peace on 21 September. The tickets are for free. All you need to do is sign up for it. (Watch out for this next year!) It is really worth it!

It was held at the beautiful Heia Safari, and we were welcomed by buck and giraffe driving into the ranch. (We will definitely be coming back here!)

The music was superb, with  Josie Field, WonderBOOM, Prime Circle and Andra being some of my favourites!

The morning started off being chilly, but we could not do without an umbrella. Hubby drove back to fetch ours.

We explored a little near the dam...

It was a lovely summer day! Hot! 

A selfie while hiding beneath a blanket waiting for the umbrellas
#PoseforPeace

Now Little Missy can't complain we don't take her to concerts!
She had a great time listening to the music picking up rocks!

I am going to miss them while I am in Cape Town

I am going to a conference in the Cape on Saturday! I can't wait!
We do not get these opportunities very often, and I am really feeling very VERY lucky!

I am passionate about attending conferences, and I love Cape Town.
We definitely don't go there as much as I would like. (Cape Town is on my bucket list - anything and anywhere that's Cape Town).

But I don't like leaving Little Missy and the eldest behind. (The ambivalence of being a working mother.)
I know that Hubby will be there to handle it, and he will do it very good! He also supports me all the way! (Thanks Hubby)
The eldest will be shadowing as well as part of her practicals, and an aunt will cover it! (Thanks to family!)

I am going to miss them!

Hair selfie - Sit still, Mom!

Hair selfie  with a very serious looking
Little Miss

Warning: Prepared to be spammed by Cape Town photos!