Monthly Archives: February 2012

Roses & Chocolate on Valentine’s Day

Posted on by Mika
4

When it comes to Valentine’s Day, we often associate it with roses and chocolate. Well, I was lucky enough to spend the morning photographing roses with my friend at Wellington Botanic Gardens….oh and we did manage to fit in a delicious hot chocolate as well :)
It had been raining heavily that morning and I wasn’t sure if we would have to postpone our outing again. (My oldest daughter fractured her arm last week…poor girl).

You would think that going out in overcast conditions, with a high chance of rain would be insane, but actually, it was perfect! No harsh light from the sun and rain drops on the flowers! Amazing!!
Here is my favourite shot of the day. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

The Evolution of a Saturday Morning

Posted on by Mika
5

As I was lying in bed this morning, I was feeling really grateful to be able to linger a little bit longer in bed today (I love a good sleep-in). I was especially grateful, because sleep-ins on Saturday mornings, have only been a recent occurence. I wonder if you can relate to my thoughts on the evolution of a Saturday morning. I wonder which stage you are in at the moment?


Unpredictable: Your baby can either wake up wide awake at 3am OR 10am!

Full on: Your toddler wakes up early and rearing to go (no matter what time you put them to bed!) They are hungry, and they want a playmate.

Risky: Your young child can occupy themselves, they can even pour their own milk BUT they may occupy themselves by making it snow over their lego….using flour! They can pour their own milk, but only half of it actually makes it into the bowl, the other half ends up on the bench. Therefore, you need to think long and hard whether having a sleep-in, is worth it.

Easier: Your child wakes up and gets so involved in playing, reading or watching TV, that they completely forget about eating breakfast. When they do remember, they quickly fix themselves some cereal and return to playing.

You get somewhat of a sleep-in (between all the visits for cuddles, questions, and requests for arbitration). You happily take what you can get, even if do get greeted by cereal boxes, milk cartons and dirty bowls on the kitchen bench when you get up.

Busy: Forget about a sleep-in, there are water bottles to be filled, snacks to be packed, sports uniforms to be found and birthday presents to wrap. Even if there was a slight chance of a sleep-in that morning, you know that you were lying there, wide awake, trying to figure out how to get everyone to their destinations on time!

Not the same: You have an opportunity to go away with your husband….overnight!! You joke with your husband that it will be great to sleep-in, and not have to worry about anything!! In reality, you spend your “sleep-in” missing the kids, and wondering what they are up to…awwwww ;)

Oh, and I thought I would share this: (click on it to read the words! too cute!!)

Sending your last child off to school: a mother’s transition

Posted on by Mika
5

We had a break through today! Day 4 and my youngest wasn’t sad to see me leave when I dropped her off to school.

I wish I could take the credit, but the reality is, her friend started school today! :)

As my daughter has been transitioning to school, it has been a bit of a transition for me too.

I was expecting to feel really productive….after all, with all this free time, there was a list of projects I wanted to tackle – decluttering being numero uno!

The first few days of being home alone, I kind of felt a little aimless. Thank goodness I had lunch plans on the first day of the school drop off, otherwise, I think I might have gone home and wandered around the house.

Just as my daughter has eased into school life, I am feeling like myself again now. Ideas are flowing and I just need to figure out which order to do them in.

I know that everyone is different, but here is what I found with my transition to being at home…alone!

  • It is really helpful to take a moment to mourn your youngest going to school before the big day arrives. (Great advice from Widge at My guide to surviving and enjoying life’s mundane. This meant that on the day, when someone asked me “How are you doing?” or when there was a potentially emotional part of the day, I could handle it.)
  • Make plans on the first day of school to have lunch with a friend or have a good DVD to come home to.
  • If you don’t have plans to go straight into paid employment, you will find there will be many opportunities that can fill up your day. Pick and choose carefully, or do nothing while you decide. (I am choosing, not to commit myself to anything at this stage. For me, that is a HUGE step, to flex those muscles of saying “no” to things. I wrote about this in my posts “Taming the “Yes Beast” and “The serial volunteer”.)
  • Be aware that general housework can easily eat a big chunk into your day, or can expand to take up the whole time the kids are at school!
  • The first few days after dropping off your youngest to school….you may find moments in the day where you just feel sad.
  • Watching DVDs (that aren’t aimed at kids) during the day is fun! (Even if you are folding the laundry during it.)
  • Going out for lunch with family and friends is even more fun!
  • You actually get a chance to do things that you haven’t tried before. You are only limited by your imagination! (So far, I’ve gone to zumba classes during the day, and made a family newsletter.)




A virtual kick in the bum

Posted on by Mika
6

Yup, today, I felt like I received a much needed virtual kick in the bum (in a loving and kind way *grin*), when I read the post “If you’ve lost your blogging mojo” by Simone at Greatfun4kids.

I have not blogged much, I have used the excuses mentioned in the post, about not having enough time, lost inspiration, and basically getting busy with “real” life.

I also have kept this blog a place where I primarily share things that are uplifting, and hopefully useful.

Does anyone really want to read about how busy life has been?

Life has started slowing down a bit now. I am on Day Two of life without a preschooler at home.

That’s right, my youngest started school yesterday.

When I picked her up from school, she said she had a “great day”!! Which is music to a mother’s ears. She is sad about being dropped off, but I know that it will work itself out, just like it did with her siblings who didn’t know a soul in their new entrants class.

Speaking of siblings, my oldest daughter left primary school last year, and is now a uniform-wearing intermediate student. She has blossomed into a beautiful and capable young girl. This was the same girl who hated me leaving, when she first started school. Now she gives everything a go and is just amazing.

I think that one of the greatest gifts that the past years of motherhood has given me, is the understanding that there are many seasons in motherhood and life. That you rarely stay in one season forever, and that it is always changing. And as you pass through a particularly hard season, you then become better equipped to help others pass through theirs. It’s beautiful…

As a blogger, I respect the readers time, and I try to write in a way that does not waste your time…..but perhaps that expectation that I have put on myself, has meant that I have left out, or neglected the other voices that want to be written. So I know that as I write, I will be having a little tug of war within myself as I fight against my expectations. So, here it goes…I am purposely posting a post WITHOUT a photo, just to stick it to my old expectation ;) and to prove to myself, that I can do things differently, and the world won’t fall apart!

**hugs & kisses to you all**