School swimming lesson fortnight

Tavanna’s interpretation of a conversation…

“What stage do you WANT to be in?”

The more likely conversation

“What stage ARE you in?”

Whatever the real wording was, her answer was 4 :)

Hmmmm WRONG… Nothing like doubling your ability with 1 word… try stage 2, and not a confident 2… she JUST passed stage 1 three weeks before.

Partly this was my fault, we had weeks… no it was probably months to hand in the enrolment forms, but I handed ours in the last day of school before the lessons commenced. I’m NOT great doing things if I’m given too much time, I work better under pressure. Add to this... I didn’t make it down on the first day, had great intentions of getting there, but the day zoomed past and I missed it.

I was shocked to hear her tell me about her lesson, especially when she mentioned that she was in stage 4! I asked how on earth they came to that conclusion, so she retold her take of the conversation… They asked what stage she ‘wanted’ to be in, she said 4 so that was where she went. :) Miss T continued to explain how she got to swim in the BIG pool where her eldest sister swims, but she had to use the side heaps more than anyone else.

The 2nd day I made the effort to go down… Obviously they realized quickly that stage 4 was just a random number DD picked, not a reality, she was placed in stage 2 the following day.
The remainder of the fortnight was OK, we struggled some nights with homework, as DD was tired, but overall the fortnight flew past.

Today was the final day, I told Tavanna that it didn’t matter if she passed or not, and in all honesty, she couldn’t care less about passing, she just loves going to the pool! After her lesson she came over and told us that she was still in stage 2, we told her that was great and that we were proud, and she went back to school happy.

3 hours later we were back at the pool to do in term swimming, Tavanna went to her class, and it appeared that her teacher was making her do more than the others, she then got the head of swimming to come over to watch her, then they got another swimming teacher to get into the pool to do a few things with just Tavanna. After the lesson they came over and told me that she should be in stage 3! I mentioned that she had a fortnight of school swimming, and didn’t pass, but they were very sure that she had. LOL
Apparently they are looking for a stage 3 to move her into, but I have told them that I can only do 2 certain days, and that I’m happy for her to stay in this stage…

We told Tavanna that she had in fact passed… thinking that she would be happy… how wrong I was! Her reaction was fear! Fear that we wouldn’t keep coming down to the pool!

Children’s reactions can never be guessed nor guaranteed! LOL :)

Top heavy

Photo - Using arms to help balance.

Coordination can sometimes be hard; most children eventually pick up the basics… learning to walk, run, learning a new skill, etc. Generally I thought most people had basic co-ordination. This was until #6 child proved that some people just don’t gain this ability at all! (Well not yet)
This child is literally a walking disaster … Tripping disaster might be a better term to use, as walking disaster would imply that he can walk successfully.
I feel like the hovering dramatic over protective parent when out with T, I’m forever telling him to slow down, don’t run, don’t climb, Any people that don’t know him they would think, 'Let the kid be!' BUT… I have to time the ‘Let him be’ moments to occasions that I don’t mind a casualty trip or a night up with him screaming from his latest scrape. It doesn’t help that he freaks out if he can see a cut, graze or mark, but has a phobia of ‘man-aides’, (bandaids), so won’t let us cover up his war wounds.
This child, IMO is top heavy; he has a heavy head that gravity likes to plummet to the ground at full speed at any opportunity it can get! He can trip over thin air, so with the thin air tripping talent, you can guess what he is like walking on paths with cracks, grass, or something really full on like gravel or leaves. He walks into any solid item, and likes to prove he is adventurous by climbing objects at any opportunity.
So never assume co-ordination is a natural occurrence, it is a talent that we take for granted, but appreciate its importance when it’s lacking.

On a plus... when the danger is over... he gives us many laughs with is clutsy style of getting anywhere :)

Love of travelling

Been MIA for a LONG time… I swear to god that I am proof that you can speed up time! I know the last few months have passed in a matter of days.
I’ve thought about getting back into blogging, but put it off as I haven’t known where to start. I’m going to just pick random thoughts over the next week and update in an unordered way J
Zamirah is not going to be a seasoned traveler! I know she hates the car, I’m sure most people at school know me as the mum that sounds like I’m ripping Zamirah’s limbs off as I put her into the car seat… That’s what it sounds like, She fights me with a strength that only black belts should possess… not babies, she is so bad that she snapped the seatbelt buckle a couple of months ago, and if I’m not swift and strong, it can be a frustrating long battle to get her securely fastened.

It was NO surprise that she also hates flying. We went to the Gold Coast (from Perth) and it was LOUD! I gained muscles I never dreamed I had, and for once, time slowed right down… it was the longest 6 hours I can remember, but I take solace in the fact that I wasn’t alone, I’m sure at least 30 other people whom I don’t know had the same opinion.. We did get to have a good look around areas of the plane that most people don’t hang out in, and the Virgin staff will probably stay Virgins forever now, as a couple said they don’t want kids any time soon after hanging out with us for the duration of the flight LOL

Backyard Treasures.

Had a brain wave that I needed the lawn mowed; I have been avoiding all contact with the backyard, I new it was bad. Today I accidently ventured out to freak and NEED it done ASAP… it was above my knees in places!!!

I convinced eldest DS to do part of it; if I do the yard, I use a push along mower, but apparently when males do the lawn, they find a ride-on mower! Geez if I had a ride on I might be able to do it myself.
A ride-on was found at Nonna’s home; eldest DS drove it up through the paddock, this was met with screaming from youngest DS who thinks it was sent to eat him… screams from another that it is UNFAIR how J always gets to ride the bike ha-ha (tell her it is a mower, and get my most loved word… ‘Whatever’ as an answer)

I’m just about ready to say where to start, and I see a toy, go down to get it… and see another toy… and some shoes… and socks… and a bucket… and pegs and lunches. Yep the sandwiches that I declared I’m NOT making anymore were in the yard/ grass. ; All sorts of stuff!

We do a junk hunt, and I’m not feeling real happy (Youngest DS was very upset about this… I got LOTS of ‘Are you happy?’) We collect 4 piles of stuff.

1 pile is washing that I now have to rewash!
1 pile was dishes, mainly lunch boxes, and chock buckets, but adds t-spoons and cups just to top it off.
1 pile was toys, stuff that IS meant to be out side… but NOT hidden in the grass.
The last pile was Brocken toys, and bits of brick, wood and pavers.

I had the 4 elder children helping me (and youngest DS following, wanting me happy). All were complaining how they DIDN’T do this, it WASN'T them… I was getting quiet mad and fed up, giving them sarcastic comments telling them they must have, because I didn’t put all the stuff out there, and the fairy sure as hell can’t be blamed! Etc

We get the wheelie bin to throw out the last pile and DD 6 years comes outside, she was so upset.
Apparently we have ruined her treasure hunt game!!!… As she was storming off she made it clear that she now has to hide all the treasures again! ROFL

Had to laugh… what else could you do. :)

My children are the ONLY ones in their school that have to….

My children are the ONLY ones in their school that have to….

….do jobs... Apparently!

I am over how the children do jack crap to help out… I’m their mum yes, slave no.
To rectify this issue I wrote a job chart. Jobs aren’t foreign to the children, they do them, but I thought the chart would help them know exactly what is expected, and decrease their complaining how it is unfair because such and such never does anything, and how they do it all.

Apparently this job chart is worse than getting shot by a firing squad, worse than being thrown into a lion’s pit; both are things that are more appealing to them than what is on the dreaded chart.
DD 10 years was sobbing, saying she wished she had a new family and that this family isn’t a family but a slave camp. DS 13 was quick to agree and suggested he move out to Nonna’s, as he is NOT doing that ‘sucky shit’, and feels that if he didn’t make the specific mess… why should he clean it; NOT that he does clean the specific mess he makes, if you look into his bedroom there is proof that he really wants to be a pig, as a human wouldn’t find the simple task of cleaning 1 room that hard.

I hear your concerns about what is on this chart…if you ask the kids – EVERYTHING, but in reality it is between 3 and 5 jobs each (assuming you count them as jobs) each, depending on age. Tavanna and Taivian share their jobs, and are happy to do them… Washing hunt, bottle hunt and try neaten their bedroom.

Maison has 4 jobs, and LOVES the chart as he often gets blackmailed via the older kids, so he thinks it is great he knows what he has to do – Dry half the dishwasher stuff, open blinds, coat hanger hunt and neaten the room he is in.

Apparently the younger 3 are SOOOO lucky and the next 2 up want to swap jobs as it now becomes unfair… age shouldn’t change expectations, and they know I just hate them cause of how hard their jobs are!

DD 10… the one that wants to change families now; - dry half the dishwasher stuff – OMG why did SHE get THAT, she HATES doing that and would rather do ANYTHING else in the world (apart from her other 3 jobs) Her other jobs… put away towels, wipe under 1 side of the bench and wipe the vanity top. As you can see, I truly missed my calling, a slave driver is what I’m destined to be.

DS 13, normally he gets out of most things as he exhausts me and I get to the point where I can’t be stuffed fighting, regarding the jobs - he wants to move out… or ring DH to complain (Like that will help) His jobs are chook bucket kept OK, if it is full he gets to throw it to the chooks… NOT the whole bucket... just what is in it. Yard duty, and this really isn’t a job, as he will ride his bike or go to the park, but it sounded good and it was away from me , picking up the pegs that grow in the grass under the line. I say they grow, because they are always there; not on the wire! The BAD one is cleaning up the breakfast bits and pieces, put away the stuff everyone got out, rinse the dishes and wipe the bench.
What is so hard about this…? EVERYTHING… according to him *sigh*

Eldest DD isn’t to bad, and she got a couple of ‘real’ jobs, like hanging a load of washing, taking the bins out, ironing 10 items every 2nd day and doing her sisters hair. (The mega curly hair that is a mattered ball of fuzz each morning)

I’m seriously thinking of writing a new chart… one that is more age based… they could do the same number of jobs as their age! ha-ha
If I must hear them complain about it, might as well give them something to actually complain about! ;)

Lucky for them I can’t be stuffed, but I’m not giving up on what I’ve written, and personally feel it isn’t expecting much at all.

Zamirahs Baptism

Finally we have succeeded in getting our 7th child Baptised. This might sound easy, but the more children we have, the harder things like this are to organise. In part because we lack the motivation we once had… Not sure where it went, but somewhere between the 3rd and 4th child the newness, and excitement of occasions was replaced with a realistic daunting enlightenment that occasions are money sucking days that disappear in the blink of an eye, and that no matter how hard you try, you can not make everyone happy.
Our aim is to just get through the day and hope for the best, and surprisingly this is working relatively well.
The lead up is tremendously time-consuming, at times stressful, but the day is gone super fast, and with each baptism you know the things that didn’t work well previously, so human nature is to tweak theses issues aiming to illuminate all negative moments.
This is actually impossible, unless you take out 90% of the guests, including some of our own children … Don’t get me wrong, all the people we invite are important to us and our children, but they aren’t all necessarily going to be important in a positive way to each other ;)
Overall, with the diverse selection of family and friends we have, the day went really well.

We woke to a beautiful 14 degree day, black skies, gale winds, bucketing rain; a typical Albany day. The plus we had over other people was that we were all really ill, and had high temperatures. To us, it felt like a pleasant day of about 24 degrees with a slight breeze.
Zamirah was amazing, I really thought she would scream the church down; temperamental should have been her middle name, but unpredictably she was brilliant! We gave her nurofen for her soaring temperature, and it mellowed her just enough that she was alert, but not making a scene.

It is both hard and easy to pick godparents, we have found that in a strange way the child picks them for us, as each child has a connection that you can only hope, but not guarantee. We have tried to not have immediate family fulfil this role, as an Aunt or Uncle will always be part of the child’s life regardless. We have been so lucky with each set, and regardless of where life takes us, we have made it clear what we expect and feel very blessed that they understand and make the effort with their godchild consistently.

We momentarily entertained the thought the godparents had decided to pull out, as both the godmother and godfather were slightly late! We were getting ready to do a godparent hunt, and drag them to fulfil their duties, but they arrived ready to commit to this lifetime responsibility.
The priest was wonderful, and was happy to wait till we were ready, and made the whole ceremony work for us.
I think we had more children in the church than adults, and this always helps keep the day in perspective.

Once the formalities were over, we all went back to the motel to celebrate getting through another family occasion, welcoming the godparents into our immediate family, and officially celebrate Zamirah into the catholic family.

Thankyou to everyone that helped make this day another memorable occasion.

Warning… BIG whinge!

This last week I’ve had sick kids, 5 of them… some are/ were really sick. I even rang the heath direct line I was so over it all, and anyone that knows me is aware that unless we are literally dyeing, I don’t seek help… ever! Geez, if I did rush for help with as many children as I have, I might as well camp out in the casualty waiting room for months at a time.

Add to this, I’m also really sick, I can’t remember the last time I was knocked about so hard from a stupid virus.
I want to crawl into a hole and not come out until the children and I are better, unfortunately the universe is against me, and I have to apparently keep going as mums don’t get sick!
If we do get sick (and I’m proving that we CAN get sick) we still have to do everything as before.
I’m failing this commandment, if you look about all you can see is mess upon mess upon mess… WHY did the kids have to get this ill? To make it worse our dog got baited on the weekend and died, this has caused a large amount of tears and distress among the family, and we are organising a baptism for our 7th child… this weekend! Actually we were organising it… now I’m hoping it will just miraculously happen on its own, as I can’t be stuffed doing anything for it.
Z was the worst, she would cough so much she would stop breathing and just look at you with panic till she lurched another breath just when I’m ready to call 000. I actually think she has finally turned the corner, as her temp isn’t sitting on 39.5 anymore… but she is still whinging all day!
I wish she would rest, cause then I might be able to watch cartoons with the other sick kids and rest, but no, she wants to scream/ whinge, cry all day and night. I WANT SLEEP.
Eldest DD is also unwell, and this is like the straw that broke the camels back, I need her to be well if I’m not as she is my helper… unfortunately she is useless when ill (as we all are) and I’m getting even more tired of it all.

On a plus, we wont need to spend much on the groceries this week, and we are all looking a lot more in shape after loosing a bit of flab :)

Well I’m off to crawl into my box again, (and pick up Miss Z who is still whinging :( ) I WILL be better by Sunday, and a lot brighter next time I blog