Back to a new normal - Covid times update

It is going very well with this clan! 

It's 2021 and the Virus is still with us. But the numbers are coming down every day, and the roll-out of the vaccines has started in South Africa. We know of people who died, and people who is still in ICU with Covid... Our immediate family is all safe and still healthy! But we are all wearing our masks, and things are looking up! We are more than surviving this!

The schools opened with a bang. It was a whole month later than previous years, but it is back to every day school for all the students. It was quite shock to our systems. 🤯For some reason, we missed the memo about every day. We thought the schools would continue the same as last year. One day in, one day work at home...

Miss Fine loved it at home, and would have happily continued like this. Luckily, Grade 7 turns out to being a great year. Miss Fine enjoys being part of the seniors at school, and they had a two-day leadership workshop with fellow students this past weekend. She got sunburnt quite bad, because it was held outdoors, but they had a ball. Miss Fine signed up to everything that's happening again at school. There's netball and Revue. There's also Voortrekkers (scouts), which apparently is going to be a busy year for the Grade 7's. Hopefully camps can start again? They are doing it a bit differently (because Covid) this year, but thankfully things are opening up with enthusiasm. 

The peer group is now definitely the focus, and what they do and think and dress are the bomb. We do not get viewed by the same regard of reference. It's all okay.😉 I love this stage! 

I am constantly in awe of Miss Fine and her friends. They are such awesome and beautiful human beings. (I should tell them that more often.) They still get excited about life and things, and happily shares it with us. Of course she thinks she knows better, but it's okay. Sometimes, I really learn new things!😜

I am still not sure about my word for the year? "Survival" doesn't really cut it! I need a more positive focus!

I have a job interview tomorrow. Hold thumbs. It is stressful times. 😁

What's happening with you?

January 2021 - Back to the same

 

New Year - Same same

It's fitting that my first post of 2021 is on the 13th. This year feels like a do-over for the previous year. 

We are still in the funk of a pandemic. The numbers of infections and deaths keep getting worse. There are some vaccine roll-outs, but still not here in South Africa. It's still very scary!

We have been very lucky. We are healthy. We try to stay at home most of the time. Hubby and I had one week of leave, between Christmas and the New Year, and we have been back at work from the 4th of January. I am not complaining, as we do have work. After Hubby being retrenched last year, and my workplace in the thick of a retrenchment process as well, we are grateful for being able to earn salaries at this stage. 

We did not go away, and vacation seems like a far-away reality! We also haven't made any plans yet, as the levels of the pandemic keep changing. We are back on an updated Level 3 here!

(But I still feel like burnout... Ignore, Karen, ignore! I should be grateful!)

We had many plans for last year. Now the plans are starting afresh for this year. Breathe, and grab it,  again! I am still not sure what my word 2021 will be? Have you got your word? It always help to focus me for the upcoming year.

Miss Fine is going to Grade 7 this year. The schools only start at the end of this month. We had to go and buy new school clothes, as the Grade 7 group wear a whole new outfit for the year. We were at the shops on Saturday for the new school clothes. We had to stand in a queue to get in, with hand sanitising and temperature checks. Luckily we got most of the necessities. Shew! Now it's only school shoes, and stationery on the list to get. 

It was traumatic buying new school clothes: 

1. Buying school clothes during a pandemic with all the precautions in place! ("Keep your mask on!" Sanitise! Sanitise again!)

2. Buying school clothes with sensory issues in overload. (Man, we get stretched into RED trying on different sizes and shapes, with school clothes that feels like carton! It's not soft at all!) 

3. Having to pay exorbitant prices for these same clothes! (I wish we could also buy the generic versions, then we had at least a choice for the quality.)

I have signed up for Veganuary. I am doing it "undercover".😜 That means that I try to eat even more plant-based, but I am not that hard on myself. I need to sort out my health with regards acidity, and this feels like the best way to do it! I am used to almond milk already, and won't be going back! (This is my New Year's resolution for 2021 for now!)

Happy New Year! 

What's your plans?

Do you have any New Year's resolutions?

Disney Cookabout Season 3 - perfect to get us all out of the winter slump

Hosts Kirsten Mohamed and Mthunzi Ntoyi

Disney Cookabout Season 3 is launching with premiere episodes on Saturday from 27 July 10:15 am on Disney Channel 303. 

We attended the launch at The Good Food Studio yesterday. 

We now have a budding wannabe Cookabout contestant within our midst, because Miss Fine got a chance to display her culinary skills. She thinks she can take part in the next Season of Cookabout, as well! (Please notify us when you see the call for auditions? *big smile*)

In this cookery game show, set in South Africa, teams of two young chefs head out each week to explore where the food on our tables come from and then head back to the amazing kitchen to rustle up some tasty dishes. The hosts are Kirsten Mohamed and Mthunzi Ntoyi.

Tell the kids!

Miss Fine 2019 mid-year update

Miss Fine faces

The updates and shares are getting less. Miss Fine is coming into her own. She is a very opinionated tween who thinks she knows better already. It's really fine! We are expecting it, and welcoming it!

Mid-year exams - a balancing act

Rope walking

We are in the thick of Grade 5 exams. Miss Fine tells me each day that she did not prepare enough, and that she does not feel good about the upcoming papers. We try to help her as much as possible, but ultimately she is the one who needs to get the material into her head...

We are still trying to find the best way to learn, and help her learn. To find that perfect balance of help, but also letting her take over her studies independently. The underlying anxiety also doesn't help, but the best we can do for it is to prepare enough. (Although, there is never an enough for the highly strung...)

L.O.L. Surprise Lil Sisters - new unwrapping fun

L.O.L. Surprise Lil Sisters

                                                                                                                 Sponsored

Unwrapping and surprises! This is what makes the L.O.L. Surprise range such a huge favourite with girls. The L.O.L. dolls are super cute and collectable. They are great for birthday presents, festive gifts and winter fun right now. We are sure it is going to be one of the top toys for 2019 again!

Chiquita Patrizi, spokesperson for Prima Toys is pleased to be bringing a series of new ranges to South African toy shelves. “We are very excited to be bringing new and exciting L.O.L. dolls and accessories to fans. The new ranges are packed with unwrapping fun and fashion appeal! We know that fans, both old and new, are going to enjoy them,” she says. 

Miss Fine has been unwrapping four of the new ranges that are available. She did it blindly (not knowing what to expect), and the surprises really added to the charm of opening them.

Time for a fringe, again

Miss Fringe

The end of the first semester is in sight! It's been a roller-coaster year of activities. Grade 5 is not a pushover, but Miss Fine has a handle on it all! She is anxious and worries about her projects and tests, but she mostly gets good marks.

I love how we can discuss anything with Miss Fine. I love her insights. This year has been great with regards the carversations. Miss Fine and I have to get to school earlier because of road closures and traffic, but it is richly rewarding with regards questions about life, relationships and growing up.

We had the most epic date night, but now we have #parentguilt

We had an epic date night last night. We were invited to Menlyn to Hard Rock Café for a show featuring The Muses. Who can say no to that? It's Hard Rock Café, which we love, and it's THÉ Muses. It was perfect for Valentine's Day.

Last night: Instagram @karentoittoit - #MenlynSA #ValentinesDay (print screen)

We don't get to do date nights that much. It's the budget, and it's Miss Fine... Surely we should grab the opportunity when it presents itself?

Parenting before work - I high-fived myself

School drop-off selfie

Yesterday. It was one of those mornings. So many things had to happen, and it had to happen before 6:30 am. We had to be in the car by 6:05 am. Traffic is hectic again! It's February. Hubby did his share and made sure breakfast was ready at 5:55. He even ran after the car with my morning coffee. We were out of the gate at 6:07. Not bad! Thank you so much, Hubby! You are a star!

Miss Fine's Grade 5 Year

School drop-off selfie: Miss Fine

This year has started much more relaxed with regards Miss Fine and being in Grade 5 this year. Last year we were anxious about Grade 4, which was a culture shock, but she aced it by doing very well in her first exams. So much so that she is getting an academic achievement award next week. We are so proud.

Jasmine party for a 10-year old

Aladdin party for girls

Miss Fine turned ten at the end of last year. She had a good year. She plans her own party for a whole year long. Every year. It's very elaborate, and we don't have the funds for it. Especially this year... Luckily she suggested to have her party at home because she did not want to invite too many friends. Usually all her friends are also on holiday, but this year we were lucky. Three friends were just the right number. The Jasmine party was a hit with the girls!

Where will our Bubblegummers take us? - Review and WIN

Bubblegummers shoes

                                                                                                                     #Sponsored

2019 starts off with a Bang! With shoes! What better way than with brand new shoes that's awesome to look at, but that's also super comfortable? Miss Fine had the absolute pleasure to unbox Bubblegummers shoes, and she has been wearing them non-stop. Check out her unboxing video below. There is also one pair of Bubblegummers shoes to win for one lucky reader...

Miss Fine end-of-year question review

Miss Fine

It's been a year since the the previous questions to the nearly 9 year old. This week Miss Fine is celebrating her 10th birthday. We are so proud of her. She has done so well at school, and it seems she knows who she is and what she wants.

Mon asked her a few questions, and I wrote it down as is. Thank you for the honest answers. We learn more from you, than you from us.

Tips for parents for Grade 4 Exams

Miss Fine

We are beginning to breathe. The end of the Grade 4 exams are in sight. Friday will be the last subject. I read my previous posts about Grade 4 exams, and realise we go through the same motions each time. But it gets better!

I was really worried about these last exams. We did not prepare as much as we would love. Notice the "we" as the parents were still greatly involved in the process of learning. We both stepped in, and tried to help. It is not always easy when you try to help, and the recipient of the help knows better most of the times.

Amazingly, Miss Fine found her groove. It helps that she gets to stay at school (we don't have any other choice). She summarizes her subjects at school, and then we are able to check her knowledge at night. We are so impressed with her!
Here I was dreading this week, and when I pick her up I hear that she has gone through her work at least once! *Happy dance!*

I am so proud and so relieved!
Grade 4 was difficult! But she made it!

I have picked up some tips on how to cope as parents when helping a Grade 4 preparing for exams.

6 Tips on how to survive Grade 4 exams 

For parents of Grade 4 learners

• The earlier you start, the better. If you have difficulty in convincing them to start early, don't sweat it. The work can be done in two one day.
• Help, but also take a step away. They are supposed to start doing it on their own.
• Take turns as parents to help. It keeps frustration at bay.
• We set some goals. Do a page, and then we give you something/a surprise to do. Such as exercises, or jumping on the trampoline. (This really worked)
• Pull up your own exam papers for them to complete. It gives you insight in how much they know, and helps them to feel better about an upcoming subject.
• Give the responsibility back to the kid to learn. They may surprise you. 

Well done, Miss Fine!
You are so fine!

Photo at Kwenyani Guest house this past weekend. We attended a wedding in Roodeplaat on Saturday.

My weekend was better than yours

"Smile!"

Because we have summer weather and Miss Fine had a lovely time at the Telkom 947 Kiddies Ride on Saturday. Ever since she did the 94.7 Kiddies Ride ride two years back she has been nagging to do it again! Last year it clashed with her gymnastics end of year, but this year we signed her up again.

It is such a lovely outing for the whole family.

Such a great day at Riversands Farm Village #CCKiddies#CyclingGirl#947KiddiesRide#AboutSaturday#AboutTheWeekend https://t.co/r07l5NeuX7 pic.twitter.com/QkJABLlAIL

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) November 11, 2018

Telkom 974 Kiddies ride- Great family outing!#CCKiddies pic.twitter.com/sH2gWIQJTM

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) November 10, 2018

She will maybe be able to do next year's ride as well, and then we can do the family ride the following year.

Miss Fine at the Kiddies Ride #CCKiddies

Who was there?
Was your weekend better than mine? :-)

Miss Fine's sleep milestone

Miss Fine SnapChat filter

This blog's main purpose has been to record the life and times we have with Miss Fine. I still value coming here and reading all about her milestones, and hope one day she will still be able to come back here as well. We forget so easily. (The Internet is also like a flashing file, and hopefully we will still be able to read it here in future?)

Sleep has not been the most easy since Miss was born. We could never find the off-button, until it finally was off! She can sleep very late every day. But going to sleep, that is the problem...

The Eldest has moved all of her belongings out of her room, and we have been slowly moving Miss Fine into her room. It is a bit bigger, and across from our room. Miss Fine has been enjoying setting up her new room. She has the big Miffy (which I had won at the Kids Living launch), which got set up immediately by Miss Fine. She can switch and dim the light because it is right next to her bed.

Miffy lighting

Guess what? This week she has gone to bed with a book, and all by herself. It is her decision. We used to take turns to lie next to her until she falls asleep. I know, she's nearly 10. (It took that long.) We are celebrating our "free time" from 8 - 9 pm at night. But it is also sad. The nightly cuddles and talks have come to an end. A milestone has been reached, and an era is gone.

We, the parents, don't know what we want.
"sigh"
"Yeah!"

Happy sleeping, Miss Fine! I know I am going to miss this.       

Mid-year update - Miss Fine

"Sharp!"

Miss Fine had to take a back-step these past few months. It was only wedding stuff and preparations, and the whole budget went into it. The Wedding was the best party ever, and it was all worth it! Miss Fine had a ball of a time. She complained before the wedding that she would not know what to do with herself and that she would be bored. This was not the case. She was a perfect flower-girl, and she enjoyed manning the photo booth with her friends. She also danced the night away! Everybody commented on how confident and big she is.

The 21st of each month used to be my monthly update when she was small. This blog is all about keeping track about how she is growing into the person she has become. I did an update after the first Grade 4 exams, which went very well. We only had feedback from the teacher after the holidays. The teacher said that Miss Fine is her perfect example of kids that really do well, although they are so young for their grade. This validated our decision to put her in Grade 1 when we did. (This is what moms do: Worry about what you do and don't do, and each year we worry AGAIN!) "Phew!"

Matsimela Baobab Seed Sugar Scrub sorts Eczema

Matsimela Baobab Seed Range

We made a great discovery during the winter. Miss Fine struggles with eczema on her toes. It's always dry, scratchy and breaks open in sores underneath when walking barefoot. Which she loves to do, and mostly can't. The winter is better, because she is wearing shoes, but summer is around the corner again... Miss Fine used my Matsimela Baobab Seed Kalahari Sugar Scrub a while ago, and we haven't looked back!

My eczema sufferer is so impressed with this Baobab Seed Kalahari Sugar Scrub @matsimelahomspa #MatsimelaHomeSpa
She has been using this the past 3 nights on her toes, and it is soft and the skin not peeling off as usual 👌🏻👌🏻#MatsimelaBMW#EczemaSol… https://t.co/rFtEnTRkHn pic.twitter.com/8x44gS3Irs

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) July 25, 2018

I am using my Matsimela products very sparingly. It is such a treat that I want to savour it for as long as possible. I only allowed her a little bit of the scrub to use when she asked me one night. We immediately saw the difference. The scrub leaves a lovely oily layer on the skin. The dryness and flakiness are gone on the spot. You don't even need a body cream after that. The fact that the products are natural and  free from harsh chemicals and preservatives, makes it a wonderful product to use for eczema. The baobab seed also has wonderful healing properties, and I think that adds to the wonderful results we got.

We have found the solution to her eczema! Now the Matsimela Baobab Seed Sugar Scrub will be on our monthly list. It's R85.50 in the online shop. That's a score!

Check out Matsimela's Women's Month contribution: By purchasing any Baobab Seed product, R2 will be donated to Miss Earth SA.

 Try this, and let me know if you have the same results?


Disclaimer: This is not sponsored. I got the Matsimela Baobab Seed Scrub in a blogger meetup, but bought the Matsimela Baobab Body Butter myself.

Plans for the weekend in a cold Jozi

Coffee with a view

This is a short update post. Life is changing so fast, and I want to come back here to see how it was ... The Eldest is busy starting to move her things. She is still most of the times at home. The wedding is less than a month away. We are excited!

Last night we were following her on our phones via Live location while she came back from the airport at 11 pm. With an Uber, and we had the Uber guy's name stored as well. That's cool, but also seriously testing our nerves. If the Uber stands still for too long, or the signal picks her up in a random suburb next to the highway.... We begin to worry!!! (I'm sure we will never stop worrying.) Technology makes it easy, but also makes us worry about every little detail. Because, if there really happens something to her, how will we find her when we have to start driving? Screen print the last place on the map? Race to there? Just some of the thoughts that goes through my head at 11 to 11:30pm at night. Luckily she was safe, and her Uber driver delivered her safe and on time.

There's a Kitchen Tea and a Bachelorette's Party coming up this weekend. The Eldest knows about it, but no details. She's got great bridesmaids that sorted everything. Will be reporting back about the Kitchen Tea. We are looking forward to it. I am sure after this the wedding vibes will kick in seriously.

Miss Fine has been on holiday forever. She has been at work with me for three days, and then at Vacation School for two days this week. It has been challenging, but better than when she was younger. I love the fact that she can keep herself busy for longer. She used up my data in record time at the office, but she was reading as well, and enjoyed going to the library here at work. She exchanged a book that she was not feeling for another book the next day. She also helped me with my work, writing on DVD's and pulling up a roster of my daily work which I now have on my door. That was so sweet of her. (No sarcasm here.) Thanks, Miss Fine. I enjoyed our conversations while you kept me company. We don't always get so much time together.

Tonight we will be "chilling" (it's cold here in Johannesburg) at home, and hopefully the weekend will not go by in a blink.

What's your plans for the weekend?

Grade 4 exams done and dusted

Miss Fine in choir

The holidays can not come soon enough. The first exams are done and dusted. The schools are closing for three weeks in winter this coming Friday. The children are extremely tired after a very busy semester and exams.

I am so proud of Miss Fine. She handled this semester with far less anxiety than I did. My own advice - to myself ;-) - on how to survive exams for moms helped me in stepping back. I am reminded again that it is better parenting when you are there to help, but not to do everything for them.

Miss Fine devised her own study method of compiling her work in very small booklets. It was in conjunction with art work, but it worked for her. She said the teacher also did not complain when she saw her making the booklets. She understood it was for study purposes. :-)

A study method that she likes
- summary compiled in a booklet.
That’s Geography for today’s #Grade4Exams#ThatsHowYouDoIt#MissFine#SmartStudy#StudyMethod #exams101#MomCanRelaxNow#SAMomBlogger https://t.co/RG7qEqFSHl pic.twitter.com/aVIlxZk3Qx

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) June 8, 2018

The exam papers have been coming back for signatures, and it all looks good. I am so proud of you, Miss Fine. Not only did she do netball this semester, but she also took part in a choir musical which culminated in the final show this past weekend (see photo by Deb above). They have worked so hard for the show, and they enjoyed it so much!

Unfortunately we are still working, but we are looking forward to the upcoming wedding. Miss Fine is going to be the flower girl and I am going to be MOB - Mother of the Bride. We can't wait!

What are your plans for the school holidays?