Accidents happen and we have a Screaming Queen Deluxe!

Casualty visit

We were on our way to the shopping mall, with Hubby carrying a sleepy girl on his shoulder.
He did not see the pole next to the shopping trolleys and it cut into Little Missy's leg.
(Who makes a pole with sharp edges on top?)

So off we went to the nearest Hospital Casualty with a screaming child! I was holding my hand over the wound with a tissue, and Hubby was driving as fast as he could. Little Miss was crying, and screaming, and whimpering and asking every two seconds if we were at the Hospital already!

At Casualty she was also performing every time they came near the wound. They had to calm her with a plaster over the wound and drops, but it did not really work! As soon as she saw a trolley coming near, or a nurse or doctor approaching, it was screams and antics!

In the end they rolled her in a sheet to keep her arms from touching her leg, and Hubby had to hold her while the doctor stitched her up!

She was screaming that she was still feeling everything, and that they were hurting her! Hubby got upset and asked if they were sure that she could not feel anything. But she had the injection, and they assured us that it was not sore any more! She got four stitches and a tetanus shot. The injection in the end was the worst because she did not expect it and it was very sore! But we had to have it done!

While we were walking out of the doors she told us that she could not feel a thing, but that she was afraid and that's why she was screaming so much..

Yes, our girl is a true Screaming Queen Deluxe!
(The same as I remember myself at that age!)
That's why the teeth hang by threads and it gets lost!

Luckily she is all bouncy again today with a story to tell!


Who wants to go with her when they have to remove the stitches next week?

Wordless Wednesday #251 - Dance hair

A birthday party at the Spur - recommended!

Party girls

Little Miss always has a late December birthday, and usually no one of her school friends are around.

We decided on a whim to invite a few of her school friends to Wild Falcon Spur at Heathway (Blackheath) on Saturday. It's a relative new Spur with a very nice playground, and a very high slide which Little Miss took a while to conquer. (The "beast")

We had a lovely relaxed time with the birthday meals for the kids, and platters for the adults. I only had to make the reservations! My favourite kind of party!

Fairy cake
(Cake from the Home Industry, and Fairy from Disney)

Party girls / "Leopards"

Party girls

The children had a lovely time playing and getting their faces painted.

It was especially lovely to walk away on Saturday afternoon without having to do anything! (Except paying, of course!)

I can highly recommend this if you want to have a stress-free party. You can also bring all your party goodies and cakes if you want to make it extra special!

This post is not sponsored! 
We had a very good experience!

Grade R graduation and future plans!

Little Miss had her graduation ceremony and end-of-year concert last night.

They all had to say what they want to become one day.
It was a toss-up between a veterinarian, a dentist or a singer, but she said that we would have to wait to hear...

We were very surprised indeed!
She wants to be a teacher one day!
(Guess what the best friend wants to be? A teacher also!)

I was very surprised that Little Miss  could go and stand on stage, and do her thing. (She said before the time that she was a bit shy, and I was worried that she would freeze... )

She did her thing on stage!




After the graduation, the ugly ducklings did a great job shaking on "Bad To The Bone" by George Thorogood and The Destroyers, one of the scenes from the "Fairy tale" concert.

Photo by Dad

Grade R, mostly done and dusted!

Wordless Wednesday #248 - Afternoon walk with the dogs

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?

"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"

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!

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!

Experiments are the volcano! #science

Little Missy loves doing experiments. The Doen dit self Wetenskap (Do-it-yourself Science , Priddy Books) experiment book is used on a daily basis. We bought it for cheap at Reader's Warehouse.

The only way we can get away with not doing an experiment is by explaining that we do not have all the "ingredients".

I had to go and buy food colours for another experiment, so Dad did not have an excuse any more for this experiment. She has been eyeing the volcano for a long time.

Baking soda and vinegar...

The volcano!

Happy Scientist! It worked!

If you are ever stuck with nothing to do for bored children. There are hundreds of Pinterest pins for Science experiments. You don't even need to buy a book.


Related post:

- How to blow up a balloon without blowing into it #science

Maths for little ones: CMaths

Little Missy has been going to a Semas Maths (CMaths) class each week from the beginning of the year. It is Japanese maths, and they start them very early. It is very inspiring to see the little ones doing maths (with an abacus, but also in their heads) and doing it with a great speed as well!

Little Miss was a bit apprehensive going to the yearly championships. We had to motivate a little bit lot. We still owe her a rhyme book...

Dad with a little bit of inspiration

Little Missy did very well in the end! (According to two very relieved parents who thought she would have a melt-down or refuse to sit down and do the sums.)

They had to work through two exam papers. (TWO papers:  One of six minutes with an abacus, and one of two minutes without an abacus. There were a lot of children finishing even before the time! Totally amazing!!)

We were just impressed with the fact that Little Miss tried and did her best!

She had a bit of a melt-down later when she was expecting a trophy. We had to explain that she actually had to finish her papers, and that you really have to work hard to get that trophy.
But they all got a medal for taking part!

Hopefully it will help next year in Grade One to give her a bit of an edge...

Wordless Wednesday #240 - Spectacles

Slush Puppy blues

We have summer here!
We jumped pass Spring right into Summer!

This past weekend was back to outdoors and cool ice drinks and braais outdoors.

Little Missy was extremely excited to discover that one of our favourite places now offer Slush Puppies as well. She had two of those while we were waiting for a haircut on Saturday.

Slush Puppy fun

Blue teeth

Her second haircut went really well, and the hair is definitely more manageable!

At Maddy Magoo

But Little Missy got a stomach bug, and kept us busy through Saturday night and early Sunday morning. We suspect it might have been the Slush Puppies (Bad mother for buying the second one), and today she is is still not feeling 100%.

Luckily she could stay with Dad today! And sleep it off!

Photo by Dad this morning

Feeling a little bit better already...

Dragon face
(Photo by Dad)

How was your weekend?

Little Hoots of the week

How to celebrate the start of Spring?

The best time of the year has arrived!

It's Spring!

I love how Spring has the ability to rejuvenate.

It is definitely my favourite time of the year!
I want to start doing things again.
I want to clean out!
I want to start again: With healthy lifestyle choices, and professional development opportunities, and friendships and relationships.

This is the time!!

The Voortrekkers had a Spring Fashion Parade yesterday to start of the new season.
It was so much fun!

Spring Flower Girl being created

Spring Flower Girl

Spring Flower Girl (Angel?)

"Suikerbekkies" team
Little Missy on the right who forgot her shoes at school 

The time of the year when shoes are not such an issue any more...
(Big "sigh of relief!")

Gr R speech practise

Speech preps

The preschooler decided on Sunday evening to practise a random topic for speech for the next day at school.
It is in Afrikaans about the earth, dinosaurs, meteorites and humans.
They are allowed to do a speech any time they feel like it! Mom just needs to send an IM to the teacher in the morning.


I would never have done this when I was her age. Even much older!


One more thing that makes me think she is definitely ready for school next year!


Related post:

- Two wheels' milestone and a report card

School readiness results

The school readiness results did not come back as positive as expected.

We will probably go to an occupational therapist, as well as an optometrist as suggested!

With hindsight I should have gone to the occupational therapist in the first place, and not "waste" my money and time at a educational psychologist.
I got the reference from parents at school, and did not think twice...


Little Missy also did a few unexpected things that could have impacted on the advice:
(As they do!)

- She brought a teddy bear along to the session. She hardly ever plays with her bears, and only once or twice slept with one of them.
There is no favourite bear that goes around with us, such as the blanket that her sister carried around.
But it definitely had an impact on the assessment, and the bear was mentioned a couple of times by the psychologist.

- She drew a terrible self-portrait of only a half person, with no facial features. And announced that it was enough for that picture for the day.
Her pictures are usually the most colourful and I like to share them because I think they are very good!
(See the picture on top.)

- She told the psychologist that her secret is that she was still drinking "Boobies" until quite recently. It was never a secret in our house, or to the outside world.
It seems that this confirms to the psychologist that she is still emotionally not ready, although I personally (and Natural/Attachment parents) think that it breeds a very emotional strong and resilient person! (As well as a HEALTHY person!)

- She also admitted to manipulate us with her tantrums, until we give in to her demands!
When do we give in to her demands?
The fact that she is able to verbalise and knows what she is doing, is telling me that she is already able to control her tantrums.

- She was also only able to sit still for 15 minutes, before she got bored. In the written feedback it even says 20 minutes.
I think it is quite a long time for a little person to sit still? Maybe the stuff got boring?

- She also told the psychologist that we still sleep with her. It is true in part because we lay with her in her bed until she falls asleep. But then we get up again.. And then we only go to her at night when she calls, and sometimes falling asleep with her!
It is a parenting style that we as parents are both happy with!
It seems that the psychologist thinks we are still baby-ing her, and therefore she is not emotionally ready!


I know that the psychologist only got to see her for a an hour and a half.
We will not only base our decision on her inputs, but what we get from the OT's assessments.

School readiness

‎
We are getting the results of the tests back this afternoon. It really is a difficult decision. 

Little Missy was born in December, and we want to make sure!

I must mention that after this past weekend at the Voortrekker camp, I am less worried. She did her own thing, and could cope without us!

She even instructed us to leave her!

I don't see how we would be able to keep her for another year in Grade R?

Wordless Wednesday #235 - Loom band craze