Holiday with Mom: Cooking Class

Every holiday, despite my best efforts, the child care plans I had in place (and sometimes already paid for by the way of school fees) fall away and my kids end up with me. I'm not trying to avoid them, mind you, it would just be that much easier to clean the house and get some things done without being continually followed by and/or attached to two little people. So I'm always looking for things we can do - even if it's walk to the park, get some groceries, go for a play date - just so that we can get out of the house. This holiday I've found a great community initiative being held at our local mall: free cooking sessions!

Today we went to try it out. I had probably heard or read the start time somewhere, because I was heading there for 10h00, but after we'd eventually found parking and made it through the mall via the information desk (to make sure I hadn't been imagining this whole thing) we got to the workshop area at 10h05, and were told it was too late to join. As it turns out, they were making muesli and fruit salad which Zac wasn't that keen on, so we signed up for the 12h00 class instead. Of course the only problem with that was the 2-hour wait in the mall.

Eventually 12h00 came around and Zac was super excited: they were making pizza! Below are the few photos I took (the parents aren't actually allowed inside the area, and Sam was sleeping, so it's a miracle I got any pictures at all!).

In his apron, waiting to start

Getting his chef hat fitted properly

Listening to the instructions

Meticulously preparing his pizza

All done - pizza in the oven

Playing Snakes and Ladders during the wait

Heading home for lunch

So even though we spent an ungodly 3 hours in the mall this morning - at least we had one happy holiday maker!

Sam's Picnic Party: Photo Update

We weren't planning on giving Sam a party. Andel is of the belief that at this young age, it's a proper waste of time. But then less than a week before his birthday, we suddenly realised that Sam very much knew what a birthday party was (a second child quality, for sure), and definitely wanted one of his own.

So, on the last minute, we invited family and some close friends to picnic with us in the park yesterday afternoon, after church. The timing coincided well with the end of the school term, and it seemed like the best low key and chilled out option for us. We simply had hot dogs and snacks for everyone, and prepared picnic boxes for the kids (yogurt and mango cups, cheese wedges, crisps, an iced biscuit, an ice bite and a take home cupcake).

It was a really lovely afternoon of fellowship and fun in the sun, only somewhat marred by the tumble Sam took just before the party giving him a shining red carpet burn on his nose!

Below are some pics of the day, thanks to Aunty Dom and Aunty Ash:

Uncle Ricardo's awesome cake

Picnic time!

Some of the goodies in the picnic party box

It's a little scary that this is mostly immediate family

The boys' circle

Birthday boy with the shiny nose

Madame Adrienne in doing a birthday dry run

The girls' gathering

Enjoying the sun and open space

Sharing some birthday cake

Big brother and chief party planner

Yaya and the kids

Enjoying the take home treat

For Sam: Two Already?!

In keeping with my theme of trying to do a creative birthday post while not having to think of too many new ideas for it each year, here is my birthday post to Sam - based on the post I did for Zac on his second birthday.


Sam. You've been telling people you're two years old for such a long time already, I almost find the fact that you're only two years old today hard to believe myself! It has been both quick and long at the same time. You fit as though we were never anything but a family of four, and yet I can remember, in vivid detail, every moment of your entry into the world. And to help you remember, I decided, on this birthday, to take the opportunity to update you on you.

This morning when you woke up... I would already have been at school if we did not prompt you along by turning on the bedroom lights. And then you were in full birthday mode! I've never seen anyone more excited about a candle and a chocolate bunny. And you made us sing (and relight that candle) a couple of times, including one time to sing to Zac. You have definitely grasped more of the birthday concept than Zac could at this age - second child benefits, I suppose.

If I had to describe your personality in three words, I would use... Feisty. Loving. Fun. You are mischievous and adventurous, and you don't back down for anything or anyone. You know what you want, and aren't afraid to fight for it. But you have the biggest heart. You don't like people to be sad, and readily flash that killer smile and pucker up for kisses to make people feel better. You love to laugh, and constantly have dancing eyes. You're so much like your dad like that: super chilled to just take each day as it comes.

This birthday is significant to me because...  you're becoming a big boy, and come your next birthday you will be a big brother as well. You have never been overly affectionate, and in some ways are far more independent than Zac was at this age. However, I love how you snuggle up to me when you go to bed at night, and whisper a quick "love you" before nodding off to sleep. Long may these moments last!

You've developed so much over the last year... For a while there we were concerned that you didn't speak much. Little did we know about the verbal onslaught we were about to get. You have the cutest little lisp, and the attempt the most complicated sentences. You're big and strong - a total boys' boy - and you love playing with cars (or in cars). Even before you spoke, you would regularly be 'vroom-vroom-ing' your cars around the house. You love your brother, and are often found getting up to mischief with him.

I would describe your personal style as... a little farm-inspired. Forgive my description, it's just that you are practically always barefoot and walking around in shorts (even in the cold), and if you add to that a floppy hat over your dusty blond curls, I could easily imagine you working the farm somewhere. You are crazy about caps (you made such a fuss Aunty Dom and Garth once had to buy you the adult sized one you wanted instead of the kids one they were looking at), and love wearing sunglasses and other people's shoes.

Your favourite activities include... gallivanting with Papu in the bus, helping your dad clean or fix his bike, dancing to really loud music, and reading. You love books. Even when you were much younger you would bring them for me to read to you (these days you ask Zac, or make up your own story as you read them yourself). You enjoy brushing your teeth and swimming in the bath, and have joined Zac in (still) running fully clothed into the sea whenever we're all the beach.


If I could predict a future career based only on what I know about you right now, it would be...  professional cyclist or tour guide. You are obsessed with your dad's bike, and with Papu's bus. Without fail, when your dad arrives home from a ride, you hop on the bike and ride it through the house. You love wearing the helmet and playing with the pedals and chain (much to your father's horror, particularly when you do this the night before a race). If those don't work out, you could also model - you know just have to turn it on for the camera (when you feel like it).

You like to eat...  anything and everything. You are a human food vacuum with a bottomless pit for a belly. After being really great with veggies and healthy food, you've recently (I blame Papu's retirement) taken to luxuries and takeout. And you have this thing about eating Peanut Butter with a spoon...

You spend most of your spare time... (at the moment, anyway) scratching in the fridge. Just the other night you stood on a chair to get into the vegetable drawer, swiped the Steri-Stumpie your dad was hiding there, and finished half of it! And when you're not looking for food, you are getting ice-blocks to play hockey with. You also love Paw Patrol and Trolls - both your go-to options when you have tv time.

Your worst habits right now are...  throwing down your food (or whatever else you have in your hand) when you're unhappy about something, or hitting out when someone has upset you. I believe we have well and truly entered the 'terror-ific twos'.

Your best friends are... Adrienne, Papu and Garth - even though Papu and Garth are not actually your peers. I love watching you engage with Adrienne; how gentle you are with her when she sleeps or is trying to balance on her feet. And of course, you love your brother Zac. When you can't see him, you look for him, and never want to go anywhere without him. The bond you two have is something very special to see.


My favourite thing about you right now...  is how you still smell like baby. There's nothing better than cuddling close to you before you wake in the morning, and taking in a long, slow breath of your sweet, baby scent.

If money were no object, for your birthday I would have bought you...  a real bicycle! It doesn't bother you that your feet don't reach the peddles on a proper sized one; I know you would be perfectly happy pedaling back-and-forth repeatedly to make your way around.

The one thing I really want you to know today... is just how incredibly special you are. All of us - Zac, Dad and I - love you so much, and couldn't imagine this family without you. You add so much fun and laughter to our lives, and we love spending time with you. Things can be crazy and chaotic at times - whose life isn't - but we know that God has such plans for you, and we are trusting Him; that He will guide and direct us as we raise you to be all that He would have you be.

Take Three: The Responses

For me, the third time round really has been very different. And here I'm not just referring to the overwhelming, never-ending illness, and other physical challenges I never had the first two times. It's like everything  has been different. Most interesting of which has been people's reactions.

Now, in case you aren't aware, by the time you'll be reading this, this post - like the other pregnancy ones - will be a couple weeks old already. At present, we have yet to make that public announcement. In fact, we have only personally told our families, some friends and employers so far.

Here are the three top responses we have witnessed:

Juvenile Joy
I call it this because the level and intensity of the excitement is almost naive. There is this unbridled euphoria about a new baby, without any consideration to the number of ways in which this will turn our personal and larger worlds upside down, for a while anyway.
Advocated by: the grandparents who have not had 8 grand-kids in 8 years


Shock
There is simply no nice way to state - or hide - this one. It usually appears in the form of an emoji-inspired facial expression of big, wide eyes and an open, o-shaped mouth, followed by deathly silence and shaking of the head lasting a good number of minutes. The brain seems to shut down entirely, except to fulfill essential functions like breathing.
Advocated by: the unsuspecting parents


Sympathy & Concern
I wanted to say Disappointment but perhaps that is a little harsh. In this instance, there is an immediate look of pain sometimes accompanies by "oh" or "sorry" (I kid you not) because more than anything else, these people understand that kids cost time, money, promotions and various other sacrifices. Sometimes, you can feel the lingering question of "how did you let this happen" hanging over the conversation too. To be fair, this is usually sometimes also accompanied by some happier emotions as well, as people weigh up the pros and cons of the situation. Generally though, the resultant response is a reality check that life is going to get tough, for a while, anyway.
Advocated by: my gynae - and the realists who know what our life is really like

*Disclaimer: the sympathy and concern of those close to us, is very different, and much more loving than the sympathy and concern of less intimate acquaintances and almost-strangers who stumble upon the information, and feel the need to give their opinion.


Now this post is not to bash anyone for the way in which they have processed (or not) this news. For most - myself included - it was totally involuntary. And honest. What it has done though, is simply reminded me that our ways, as people, can be weird, and that in everything, I need to have a bit more of an eternal perspective.

Things are going to be different. And more difficult. It was the same when Sam was born. But then, as I recently told a friend who just had her second baby, everyone adapts to the new life, and families establish their new normal. And before we know it, we'll in our own routine again that just gets easier as kids get older and parents get wiser.

At its most fundamental point, we still serve the same God whose promise to provide doesn't have a clause on the number of children He is able to provide for. Here's praying for grace as we navigate these waters once again.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord; offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." ~ Psalm 127:3-5a

Oops, We Did It Again

Based on this definition, you could say that after being a 'Jack of all Trades' all of my life I'm now officially branching out into a specialisation. And my field of expertise: Parenting.

Yes, you guessed it. We are pregnant again. Not that pregnancy can be a mistake as such. Children aren't ever a mistake. They are ordained and purposed. This one is certainly a surprise though! In fact, despite always wanting four children (don't ask me why; I don't know, and it has never been a conclusion I came to rationally) I recently realised that, as far as my family is concerned, I was content. I further explained this to myself as being in a position where I finally did not feel like I needed more kids for it to feel complete; rather, I was ok with having or not having any more kids, ever. Until this, of course.

It's crazy how my perception of things has made the world of difference here. With Zac we were just out of that newly-wed phase and ready to begin a family, so the news was super-exciting and even trendy, as everyone else in our circle was sort of in the same space. With Sam it was a little different but equally exciting as, against some pretty impressive odds, we had been eagerly waiting the fulfillment of a promise of another child. This one has been more like winning the lottery: feeling amazingly blessed and utterly overwhelmed at the same time.

To say that we are shocked and unprepared is an understatement. And even though the anticipated gap between Sam and this one will be only 3 months less than Zac and Sam, I feel like I'm going to have two babies (three kids in 5 years will do that to you), and I struggle to visualise how the heck we're going to cope physically, financially and psychologically. But (and this part is so important) we 100% believe that conception is divine, and children are blessings that come exactly when and how they're meant to. We believe that this child's life is God's plan, and that He will provide for him/her as he has done for us and our other kids. And so, this has become an extension of faith for us all.

"Don't panic; I am with you. There is no need to fear for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I, your God, have a firm grip on you, and I'm not letting go" Isaiah 41:10, 13

Share in our joy and wonder as we experience yet another miracle, and welcome another precious gift into our lives.

2017 CT Cycle Tour: My Thoughts

Sunday 12th March should have been the 40th edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the biggest open, timed cycle race in the world. There were over 35 000 local and international cyclists waiting to test their mettle in what is one of those bucket-list events of physical and mental strength and endurance.

But then, during the night before, in the wake of SASSA (social grant) problems nationally, protesters had taken to the streets in an attempt probably to have themselves heard, burnt tyres and other objects, thereby completely damaging the road on the picturesque route, and in doing so, potentially endangering the life of every cyclist riding there later that day. So before the race had even begun, there had been a change to the race, reducing it from 109km to 78km, thanks to a detour away from the affected areas.

Then there was a second fire that broke out in Hout Bay, after a massive and devastating fire basically flattened over 650 homes and left thousands destitute in an informal settlement there only a day earlier. Emergency services needed to be deployed, and the roads in and out of Hout Bay needed to be clear for them.
 
And then there was that weather forecast that was rapidly changing from difficult to impossible conditions, with wind speeds reported to have reached nearly 100km/h in areas. Cyclists were unable to ride their bikes through the start without being blown off them.

So at 06h35, less than 20 minutes into the event, and with only three groups having left the starting blocks, the unprecedented decision to cancel the event was made.

These were my immediate thoughts:
 
Of course it's most definitely regrettable that the CT Cycle Tour has been cancelled:

As a Cycle WAG I know firsthand the time, money and effort that goes into entering and preparing for this race.

As a South African I know the benefits the city and country gain from hosting a successful event of this scale.

As a spectator I pray fervently for the safety of each rider doing the route, and want to see them overcome the physical challenge of completing the race.

I also, as someone with intel to the working behind the scenes, know that not one of the organizers or race sponsors would ever want to cancel. They are the ones who are going to bear the burden of this and be inundated with angry mails and social media complaints.

STILL...

While I am bitterly disappointed for the racers and fans (we were fortunate to see Andel ride up Edinburgh Drive while he was unaware it was cancelled), between new fires flaring up, roads damaged (due to), live protest action, and really wild wind, we have to trust that the difficult decision to cancel was made in the interests of the riders and their safety. And for that, I am so grateful!

How To: Prepare a Low Carb Party Spread

With Sam's second birthday coming up this month, I've been thinking about whether or not we should have a party (I'm swayed towards doing one because he's old enough to enjoy it, but Andel is not keen), and thinking back to what we did last year.

The plan for Sam's first birthday was actually to picnic with some friends with kids of similar age. Then it rained the week of his birthday, and even though it didn't rain on the actual day, it was so overcast and still wet everywhere, we took the picnic into our house - which truthfully, became a bit chaotic when the wider family also simply turned up.

It happened, too, that at the time we were full on Banting (Andel in an attempt to lose more weight for his cycling; me to shed the Sam-pregnancy weight that had refused to leave). So we did a low carb finger-food spread, and it was really fun and tasty - and the kids loved it.

Here's what we served:

Meat Balls - these homemade protein balls were prepared in coconut oil and seasoned with finely chopped onions, parsley and a bit of grated cheese to help them stick. We made smaller-than-usual sized balls, perfect for little hands.

Yogurt - for all the older kids, we prepared small cups of double cream, plain yogurt, and had some berries, honey and cinnamon on hand to add some flavour (not that it's really needed as the double cream is pretty rich and yummy already).

Crudites - we sliced up some veggies and fruit (the lesser sweet options) for the kids to grab and munch on while they played. These were a hit with the adults as well, and were served with low carb mayo as a dipping sauce.

Egg-Based Muffins - these savoury treats were stuffed with delicious bacon bits, onions, peppers, tomatoes and cheese, and seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika and herbs. It's basically an omelette served in a muffin tray, and is surprisingly filling.

Cheese Board - while mostly for the adults, we also cut up some blocks of cheddar cheese for the kids. These can be served with banting seed crackers or on slices of cucumber instead of breads.

As drinks we had refreshing infused still and sparkling water (cucumber, lemon, mint, berries), as well as full cream milk (which was actually the preferred option for them anyway).

Of course, what's a first birthday without a cake - to smash if not to eat - so of course, the cake was not of the carb and icing free variety. However, if you do want a banting friendly cake recipe, this brownie one is a favourite in our house.

Basically, banting does not have to suck dry the enjoyment of food and dining from your life - and not even from a party. There are loads of delicious recipes that give great low carb and low sugar options which, once you get the hand of preparing, make great alternatives.

Zac's First: Sleep Out

It's true. Zac, at four years and nearly nine months old, had never (before last night) slept out. I know. If I were connected to your webcam right now, I would see that look of shock on your face.

It wasn't intentional. Or maybe it was, subconsciously. I don't know. But before now, the opportunity, preparation and desire just didn't meet at the same time. Either someone (usually Ash) would invite him and he wouldn't want to stay, or we would hint furiously (usually to Papu and Yaya) and they wouldn't bite. So, it just happened that the only time I was separated from Zac overnight was when I was in hospital giving birth to Sam, and one night Andel stayed in hospital with Zac when Sam was a baby.

This time, it all seemed to fall into place: my parents' church was having an overnight camp out in their gardens, and the bigger grandkids were invited. At first I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure what Zac's take on it all would be, and I wanted him to be able to decide for himself. But Zac was super excited, and as it got closer to the weekend, all I was hearing about was this camp out. Yesterday morning, before I even opened my eyes and got up for school, Zac had packed his overnight bag.

So this is what you all want to know, I know:
Was I sad? No, actually.
Did I miss Zac? Not longingly, no.
Did I check up on him a hundred times? No (but I was glad to get some photos this morning to post on the blog).

Actually, Andel and I went for a quick dinner with Sam, and then had an early night. And now Andel is at work, and Sam, who is my date for breakfast at the camp out this morning, is back fast asleep, so I actually have an opportunity to blog! (Hallelujah!)

So what took us so long?
I must say, I did look at others who easily left their kids with friends and relatives from a young age, and sometimes wondered why I wasn't as quick to do the same. I also envied what I imagined must be joyous freedom of time and space (and the chance to go to the toilet uninterrupted) when not waking up to the 05h30, "Mommy, can you make me breakfast now". But I think I've realised, for me (please, I am not criticising anyone else's position or decisions - they all carry a cost), a lot of my parenting ideology includes having my children, when they are able and it is appropriate for them to, have a say in when they want to do things. It is not my natural bent, but has given me much peace, and I am grateful for that.

Rise and Shine!

Cereal Time - Camp Style

Saturday School

Pause

A belated welcome to the new year. If you've been following my posts for a while, you'll know that I am notoriously bad at posting between December and February, so you are forgiven for thinking that I may have shut down the blog.

Anyway, we're back online, so I thought we'd begin with a bit of a catch up:

I'm thinking about...
the terrible drought we are having. We have never been major water consumers, still, it's been amazing the change in mindset since we have seen Theewaterskloof literally dry up and come to grips with the real possibility of no water before winter. We are currently saving water in a million ways imaginable (see the Waterwise post) it's crazy that it's still not enough. This entitled and wasteful attitude bothers me. A lot.

I'm watching...
Scorpion. Andel can almost never get me to sit down and watch something with him, but this past weekend he literally forced me onto the couch to watch this. He didn't give me any synopsis beforehand or anything, he simply said, "you'll enjoy this" and left me to it. Four episodes later...

I'm listening to...
some good old nineties music, actually, and boy does it bring back memories. I can't believe that the music of that time is over twenty years old. Is that not insane?! Also, I'm eagerly awaiting the new Jamiroquai album. I'm always a little sceptical when a band that was so good in their prime releases new stuff a while later, but I'm hopeful.

I'm loving...
Having conversations with Sam. For someone who didn't want (not couldn't, mind you) to speak to a good while, this sudden flourish in vocabulary and noise is music to my ears. Who knew he had so much going on in his head? From "please may I have some water" to "mommy, put powder on my bum", this kid has me laughing out loud sometimes. Of course, my absolute best is, "love you" or more recently, "lief vi' jou".

I'm busy...
at work. Many people assume that my job doesn't involve much, but the longer I find myself in it, the busier I seem to become. What started off as just teaching PE and administrating an existing sports programme has become something more of developing and running a completely parallel extra curricular programme involving sports, service and culture. And I'm still lecturing on the side. It's no wonder I'm exhausted.

I'm going to...
kick myself for not going to Twelfth Night at Maynardville tonight. I love watching theatre in that setting, and Andel and I had planned to go, but between having and not having tickets, and having and not having babysitters, and then him having to do the late shift at work. We are not longer going. Perhaps later when it's chilly and I'm laying snug in bed with my boys, I'll be grateful.

I'm battling with... 
the issue of entitlement and equality. This is heavy, so I'm not going to go into it, but it's something I see all the time. I really don't understand how people can believe - and teach their kids! - that they are better than others based on their colour, religion, nationality, social and/or economic status. We have a long way to bridge the gap of inequality with a measure of basic respect. That is all.

I'm resolving to...
prioritise and minimise. Easier said than done. But I'm getting there. I've had to put a good couple projects, favours and interests on the back burner, and I'm better managing my time and my talents. I know this will only benefit the boys as well: already I have more time and patience for all of them - and that's what's really important. 

Have a lovely week all!

How to: Save Water

With less than 37% water available for the summer, this situation is beyond desperate already, so while I'm a little late to jump on the bandwagon, here are my favourite water-saving tips that you can use in your own home. You'll be surprised how much you use, and how you can get used to using less.

Wash Wisely
Basically, if you are able to limit water use by taking a shower of no more than 2.5 minutes - do that. Start the shower with a slow stream and stick a bucket in the shower to collect the water that's wasted while the water heats up. Soap yourself and shampoo your hair without the shower running. Use the water in the bucket to lather with. Once you're fully sudded up, take a quick rinse under the running water, still catching most in the bucket. Apply the same principle to running water when brushing your teeth.

If showering isn't really an option, share a shallow bath of water with kids and/or family members. Do not pull out the plug!

Save Grey Water
This can be done even if, like us, you don't have a garden. The grass is not the only thing that grey water can be used for. Grey water (water saved from baths, showers, washing machines, steaming food etc.) is an excellent source of water from which to flush the toilet with. Simply save the water in buckets or other large containers, and pour into the toilet when you need to flush.

If it's Yellow let it Mellow...
I thought I would battle with this, but, what do you know, I'm still alive. Unless someone has left a stinky deposit in the loo, try to limit the amount of times a toilet is flushed during the day. Mornings, bath times and bed times are pretty easy: have everyone use the loo, and then flush once afterwards (using grey water, of course). Don't forget to still use the Air Freshener (that bit is pretty important).

Fully Loaded
Only use the washing machine and dishwasher when there is a full load to be washed. If there is something small that urgently needs to be cleaned (think kids uniform items, socks and underwear) use the water collected in the shower bucket before you start washing yourself.


There are other obvious things like checking for leaks, installing lower pressure faucets, placing a brick in the toilet cistern etc. that also come into play here, but even if you've done all you can in those areas, these are going to make a huge difference. And that's exactly what we need. Every person has to do their bit to save water.

How To: Host a Happy Hour Baby Shower

This post is a little late because this weekend past we hosted a real Happy Hour Baby Shower, and the cat could not be let out of the bag before the Lady in Waiting experienced it for herself.

I have to admit: I love everything about this concept. It caters for those who are pressed for time, without rushing things or compromising on any of the traditional 'fanfare' that one looks forward to at these things.

So, here's how to do it:

Save The Date
Naturally, the first thing is to choose a date. We opted for a late Sunday afternoon affair. It worked well for us because many of us had prior engagements over a number of consecutive weekends, and none of us had whole days to set aside for this event.

Location, Location, Location
The ideal for me would be an outdoor location, particularly if you're going the sunset/sun-downer route like we were. However, any spacious indoor location works well too (for a bit of a cocktail party feel).

Invitation
There are plenty template ideas all over the net. I preferred a more sophisticated and elegant feel compared to the usual baby-themed options, and made this one from a concept I found on www.zazzle.com and mailed or text it to all the guests (as is the norm these days). We stuck with the late afternoon idea, and settled on a time of two hours - much like a real happy hour.

Decorations
Our budget, time and interests had us sticking to a minimalist approach all the way into the decor as well. We simply put up some pink patterned bunting, used pink accents in the serviettes and plates, and got a few helium filled pink and gold balloons. It gave a very grown up and girly feel, without needing to cover the room in baby paraphernalia.

Food and Refreshments
This was my favourite part. We decided to plan everything around a central theme: what is more happy hour than cocktails, and more celebratory than champagne? We chose to serve only punch and sparkling wine (non-alcoholic, of course). I bought a couple pretty bottles of pink bubbly, and made our own punch with fruit juices, frozen berries and sparkling water. We served the drinks in champagne flutes with fresh strawberry garnish, and chose not to have other juice, soft drinks or tea options which also helped keep the event brief. 

For the food we chose savoury bar snacks that could be served without the need for cutlery or even plates much. We had tortillas and guacamole, mini three-cheese, onion and green pepper muffins, salmon blinis, fruit platters, mini meatballs served with sauce, and only a single platter of cupcakes.
It was all such a hit with the guests. Not only was it really tasty, it was also light enough to fill a gap without replacing dinner.

Games
I'm not particularly big on all the traditional baby shower games, although I admit some of them are really fun. So in keeping with a low-key and more subdued atmosphere, we decided to do just three activities:

Nursery Rhyme Time allowed guests to test their nursery knowledge and identify common nursery rhymes by cryptic clues, no lyrics. We allowed guests to work in pairs in an attempt to finish the task first. We then went through the clues and had the mom-to-be sing the ones she could.

The other activity we did was something we started even before the guest of honour arrived. I had printed several copies of colour-in pages for each letter of the alphabet, and asked everyone to colour them in. The idea was that, at the end, we would have something that we could put together and give to the mom-to-be as Baby's first ABC book. Having all these adults colouring in was very entertaining (who knew it was so difficult to stay inside the lines?) - and also surprisingly therapeutic.

Our final activity Guess Who allowed the mom-to-be to guess the gift giver by listening to a story about their childhood. This was such a hit! It allowed the guests to really get to know something about each other, and encouraged conversation, even with those who'd never met each other before. And in our case, the mom-to-be was such a poor and funny guesser, we were in stitches most of the time!

All in all, from an unlikely beginning, it was a really successful party for the hosts, the guests and mom-to-be, with relatively easy preparation and planning, and apart from the dishes, nearly no cleaning afterwards. I would definitely do this type of thing again!

The Time Sam Went Suicidal

It happened last night.

It had been a normal day, and our annual Hendricks family Guy Fawkes trip to one of the designated beaches where we could watch the fireworks. We had been picnicing for long enough and were getting ready to leave for home when Sam suddenly went rogue. In the process that is getting everyone safely into a seat, Andel was trying to put Sam into his, when I noticed this eerie silence. I looked up to find Sam in one of those silent screams.

I hadn't seen or heard anything happen to warrant that kind of cry, so I just watched for a moment. But it just went on and on, and we noticed that he wasn't breathing. Andel started shouting at him to stop. I was blowing air into his face. We were hitting him on the back and on the bottom. And all the while he did not flinch. He was frozen in that open-mouthed scream pose, and now going visibly blue.

Obviously we were panicing then. Ash was trying to help. Yaya was giving instructions. The other kids were shocked quiet. it seemed to go on for ages. I don't know what eventually made him snap out of it, but as Sam took that first shallow breath, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. It took a few more deep breaths and a few minutes outside in the fresh air before the cyanosis in Sam's face and began to subside, but he seemed calmer after that, and we made it home in one piece. Thank you, Lord!

I'd heard about these breath-holding spells before. They are often associated with tantrums or being deeply upset about something. I had never experienced it with my own kids - and for so long - though. Naturally, I had to read up about it some more.

The first thing that struck me was that it's not deliberate. People have generally created the impression that this is a form of misbehaviour from kids, but actually, they aren't even aware, or in control, of what they're doing (which explains why Sam was starting blankly back at us while we were screaming at him to inhale). In fact, some kids go on for so long, they pass out, and may only be able to 'snap out of it' once they've come to afterwards. The literature suggests that it's relatively common, occuring in many children between the ages of 2 and 8 years old, and not necessarily as a result of an underlying condition, but you should still tell you doctor about it so that there's a record of it.

A relief, I suppose. Not that any of that changes how flippen scary it was to watch!

Oh, the life of a parent: a non-stop adventure of faith and grace.

How To: Test your Heath and Fitness

So I've spent most of the last week testing kids' fitness - more specifically: doing anthropometric measurements - and most of them are actually so easy to do, I thought I'd share how to do some of them:

BMI
In order to establish your Body Mass Index, which is an indication* of whether you are in the correct mass range for your height, you need to measure both mass and height.

* I say indication because this calculation does not take muscle mass into account. I prefer to look at it as an indication of the mass your body frame can comfortably accommodate before compromising health and wellness.
 

For mass: remove shoes, jackets and any other heavy accessories (if you're doing this at home, being in your underwear is probably the best way to measure). Place your feet in the centre of the scale (a digital one is best) so that your weight is evenly distributed over the base of the scale. Standing tall and looking straight ahead, have someone read off the measurement to the closest single decimal place.

For height: remove shoes and stand against a height metre that's been accurately placed against a wall or similar structure. With feet together, place the heels directly against the wall so that most of the posterior side of the body is also against it. Standing tall and looking ahead, have someone level the top most part of the head (you can use a ruler running perpendicular to the wall), and read off the measurement.

BMI is calculated as follows: BMI = (mass in kg) / (height in m)(height in m), and the healthy range is between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2)


Resting Heart Rate (RHR)
The important thing about this measurement is that it is actually a resting one. This means that prior to a reading being taken, the person must have sat or lay still, without talking or laughing, for 2 minutes.

Find a pulse point (the easiest is the radial pulse in the wrist or the carotid pulse in the neck). Using a stop watch and your index finger (do not use the thumb as it has its own pulse) count the number of pulses you feel in 30 or 60 seconds.  

RHR is the number of beats per minute so if you did a 30 second reading, multiply it by 2. Normal, healthy range is between 60 and 80 bpm, but it's generally accepted that the fitter you are, the lower the result.


Waist to Hip Ratio
This result is calculated by dividing the waist circumference by the hip circumference, and is an indicator of cardiac disease risk.

Using a tape measure, determine the girth of the waist at the midpoint between the last rib and top of the hip bone (iliac crest). This is usually the narrowest part of the mid section. Do the same around the hips. Then divide the waist measurement in cm by the hip one to determine the score.

How To: apply for a PDP

Before we even get into the How To of things, I guess it would be good to clarify what a PDP is in the first place. If you were to google PDP you'd come up with a lot of options. The one I'm referring to, however, is a Professional Driving Permit.

A PDP (or PrDP) is required when transporting goods or people in a commercial, mini-bus, break-down or goods vehicle. In my case, I need a PDP to legally drive the school buses transporting students to and from their various activities, and I am in the middle of the painful process of having to renew.

Like many of the government processes, this feels a lot like a waste of money and time, however, I do understand why it should be done. To find out more about the legalities of everything, you're welcome to have a look here. If, however, you just want to know how to get the darn thing over the done with, read on.

Step 1: Collect the necessary forms from the traffic department. You will need a yellow form for the driver applicant to complete, and a white form for doctor's clearance. Do not write on the white form! Really. If there is even one letter printed in handwriting other than the doctor's, you will need to get it redone. Don't do it!

Step 2: Get doctor's clearance in the biggest waste of an appointment where s/he will complete said white form. Hear this: it's a questionnaire. The doctor is not actually required to examine you at all. Just make sure s/he completes the entire form, in their handwriting, and that the information in it corresponds with the other requirements below.

Step 3: Complete the yellow form (you can write this one out yourself) ensuring that all the information is your personal information. Even if you are getting a PDP for work purposes - even if they are paying for it and expecting future correspondence to come to them - put your own information on the form (you will be asked to redo the forms if this is incorrect - ask me). And wherever they ask for an address, insert your residential one (see below).

Step 4: Gather the following support documents and requirements:

• Proof of residence: this address must be on a utility bill of some sort, and be the same address that's on the forms (even if you have a different postal address, do not use it), and it has to have your title, surname and initials on the page (I'm not kidding: "Mrs Klaasen" will not cut it!)
• Identity Document: do not assume that your license card is ok (even if it is the traffic department)
• Passport sized photo for the application form
• Application fee (please note there is a hidden cost of R100 in the form of police clearance that is not stated upfront)

Step 5: Go to the traffic department and have them check that all is in order for your application. I would recommend you go early and prepare for a long wait. I was there earlier in the week. I arrived before the doors had even opened for the day, and I was number 27 in the queue.  Needless to say, when I got to the reception desk after an hour, and was told something on my form was incorrect, I was not impressed.

Step 6: Assuming you have made it through steps 1 to 5 with everything correct and without losing your mind or sense of humour, you will have your eyes tested (side note: this is the only thing that actually gets tested; it appears what you are able to see is more important than how - or if - you are able to drive) and a photo for your license card taken.

Step 7: Finally, once you've passed your eye test and submitted and paid for your application, you will be able to leave, and the traffic department will check on your criminal status on your behalf. This can take a few days or a few weeks - but once you've been cleared, you will be able to operate under a temporary PDP until your new license card is ready.

Before I go, two quick things:

1. There is a very real possibility that you will need to repeat the wait in Step 5 when you collect your card. There is nothing friendly about this process.
2. The validity of the license is 2 years. So in less than 24 months you'll have the joy of repeating this process.