What a week ..... I'm definitely feeling a little older as I'm having to think about all the events from last week. Where do I start?
Soccer Update.....none! We were rained out again so the kids enjoyed another week of absolutely no form of exercise what so ever. They'll moan with disapproval but quickly find something to entertain themselves at home. We were really looking forward to the games last weekend and Rits was playing against his former team mates from last season. We have a friendly banter going on saying our team is better. At U8level, we don't even have make-up matches so we may need to arrange something on our own. As for Niks, we were looking forward to another great game and his team has finally realised that playing as a unit is more beneficial than trying to get the glory on your own. We'll have to wait for a couple of weekends before our next game because we have Spring Break next week.
Sunny is home again and his mom is doing great. We really missed him so are glad to have him back. We don't realise how much the men folk do around the house until they are not there....I'm grateful to have him in my life, for sure. The kids missed him too, especially his little Rits...He's a bit of a daddy's boy.
My mom decided to visit for a couple of days so the kids were excited to see her. When ever she comes, she spoils all of us and cooks some great food...mmmmm! She is such a strong woman who never seems to tire and continues to find something to do all the time. She cleared my vegetable patch for me, so it's ready for spring. I'm not much of a gardener so I always look forward to her coming and setting me up. Now all I have to do, is remember to water the plants regularly. She'll even call me to remind me.
My mom found out that Rits is having a few problems at school...he can't keep his mouth closed when it needs to be. He is a master chatterbox and finishes his work quickly so he can talk. I started a new plan at home for him. We made a deal...OK, I made a deal. The first time he came home with a note, I made him write 2 sides of a regular sheet with the following:"Listen more, Talk less". Nice and simple and to the point. The deal is that every time he brings a note home, he has to complete an additional 2 sides. At his last count, he completed 6 sides....we haven't had a 4th note so far.
His Grandma is using her own method to help him...I actually think he is doing better because of her. She has promised him $1 for every "E" he brings home for conduct. If he brings a note, he owes her $2. Money seems to be a great motivation for Rits. I never use money because I feel it's not a good thing, but who can stop Grandma?! I'll keep you posted with his progress.
Niks, meanwhile has been accepted into Duke TIP, because he did well in his SAT test. This is a great acheivement for him and we are extremely proud of him too. We know he is very bright and this has shown us that he is above average and now we are trying to offer the best opportunities to him. There is a three week camp in the summer which he can attend, but we are not sure of all the benefits. Many of his friends are not attending so we'll do more homework before we decide....again I'll keep you posted as we only received the information a couple of days ago.
Now it's my turn...Last weekend was the ING Half Marathon....the one my friends and I have been training for, for the last few months. WE DID IT!! It was and amazing experience....even though we walked most of it. My official time for completing 13.1 miles was 3hour 37 minutes...not bad if I say so myself. We were up at the crack of dawn because we took the train into downtown and the race started at 7am. My legs seemed fine until our return journey. Seeing as we were famished, we decided to stop for lunch, which was a great time for my knee to seize up! Boy, did I feel old. I couldn't wait to get home and rest my legs. I strapped my knee with some tiger Balm and was as good as new the next morning.
I've even managed to keep up with the walking doing slow 20-30 minutes worth just to keep my leg muscles motivated. We've decided to do another walk later in the year so we have something else to look forward to. It's a great way to keep in shape and gives us an opportunity to hang out on a regular basis as it forces us to make time for each other. I may even encourage Niks to join me, if he is old enough.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Update for the week!
It's been a while since I last updated my blog so get ready for my update....
It's been a busy week with the kids and home life on my own. Sunny is back on Friday and you'll be pleased to know that his mum is doing well. She had heart valve transplant surgery last week and is almost ready to head home. It has been a long two months for her, so I'm sure she is eager to sleep in her own bed.
I'm fortunate that neither the kids, Sunny nor I have had to stay in hospital, only the minor things likes scrapes and bruises and for me, my two pregnancies. Even then, I was home the very next day after having both kids.
That was a very long time ago...I know 12 and 8 years is not that long but as far as my journey with them is concerned, it feels like a lifetime sometimes. We were rained out for the first part of the week which meant make up soccer practice. Thursday and Friday evening were spent on the soccer field where I walked as the kids played. I'm fortunate to have quite a few walking partners to give me company. It's starting to feel like a real community park now because, we enrolled the kids for soccer when they first started and have grown with the rec department. Many of the parents know both Niks and Rits, and watch over them as I walk the trails. It's good to know that there is a good support structure for us.
Niks and Rits had really good report cards so I decided to take them out to dinner on Friday night, after soccer. It was Niks turn to choose, so we ended up at Carabas...Italiano!! He enjoyed every mouthful of his meal while Rits and I quitly finished our Chicken Alfredo. This is not a favorite for us so we've decided to spice things up next time when it's Rits turn.
We were up bright and early on Saturday as Rits had a 9.00am game. Unfortunately we were unable to keep our status as the unbeatable team, conceding to a 4-3 loss. As soon as his game was over, we ran across to the larger field and set up camp for Niks' game. Now that was a great game...yes, we won 4-1!! The kids were overjoyed.
I left the field as soon as my niece came to help me out with my busy schedule. She waited at the park as Niks had to referee a game at 12.30 and was to go to his friends birthday party/sleepover later in the evening.
I, in the meantime, was off to a baby shower.....ladies only...no kids!! Bliss!
We had a wonderful time as we were entertained with some very amusing games, as we caught up with many of our friends, and family. I came home to a lovely, quiet house...you see, it's always quiet when there's only one child in the house. There is no one for them to squabble, or fight with. I should send them away more often.
I spent the evening with my sister-in-law, and watch that long talked about teen movie, Twilight. To my surprise, I enjoyed watching it and felt is was suitable for the kids so decided to let them watch it one day.
Sunday was another day of running around. I picked up Niks from his friends house to learn that he only had about 10 minutes sleep....not good!! He was in complete denial that he was tired, and I was contemplating taking him to his soccer game. I didn't want to let the team down so asked him to get ready after lunch. I guess he had a sleep attack and fell asleep in his room. I woke him up, and to my amusement, he came down with his soccer shirt, inside out! It was the funniest thing to watch him acting almost drunk with sleep deprivation. He didn't even realize it was inside out and refused to listen to me as I tried to tell him between my giggles. The fact that I couldn't stop laughing didn't help matters as he only got more annoyed at me. We had to travel a good 45 minutes to his match so he fell asleep again....he awoke when we reached the field. The fresh air must have helped freshen him up as the match went on.
The first part was a lot of yelling and shouting from the coach, trying to get the kids to play in position with a more relaxed second half, as we were winning. Final score 4-1....great game again. On our way home, Niks decided to take the foetal position, and sleep all the way home. Both boys were given early bedtimes, to make sure they can function in school in the morning. Fortunately, soccer practice has been cancelled for Monday, so I decided to use the time and let them watch Twilight.
All in all a busy week.
It's been a busy week with the kids and home life on my own. Sunny is back on Friday and you'll be pleased to know that his mum is doing well. She had heart valve transplant surgery last week and is almost ready to head home. It has been a long two months for her, so I'm sure she is eager to sleep in her own bed.
I'm fortunate that neither the kids, Sunny nor I have had to stay in hospital, only the minor things likes scrapes and bruises and for me, my two pregnancies. Even then, I was home the very next day after having both kids.
That was a very long time ago...I know 12 and 8 years is not that long but as far as my journey with them is concerned, it feels like a lifetime sometimes. We were rained out for the first part of the week which meant make up soccer practice. Thursday and Friday evening were spent on the soccer field where I walked as the kids played. I'm fortunate to have quite a few walking partners to give me company. It's starting to feel like a real community park now because, we enrolled the kids for soccer when they first started and have grown with the rec department. Many of the parents know both Niks and Rits, and watch over them as I walk the trails. It's good to know that there is a good support structure for us.
Niks and Rits had really good report cards so I decided to take them out to dinner on Friday night, after soccer. It was Niks turn to choose, so we ended up at Carabas...Italiano!! He enjoyed every mouthful of his meal while Rits and I quitly finished our Chicken Alfredo. This is not a favorite for us so we've decided to spice things up next time when it's Rits turn.
We were up bright and early on Saturday as Rits had a 9.00am game. Unfortunately we were unable to keep our status as the unbeatable team, conceding to a 4-3 loss. As soon as his game was over, we ran across to the larger field and set up camp for Niks' game. Now that was a great game...yes, we won 4-1!! The kids were overjoyed.
I left the field as soon as my niece came to help me out with my busy schedule. She waited at the park as Niks had to referee a game at 12.30 and was to go to his friends birthday party/sleepover later in the evening.
I, in the meantime, was off to a baby shower.....ladies only...no kids!! Bliss!
We had a wonderful time as we were entertained with some very amusing games, as we caught up with many of our friends, and family. I came home to a lovely, quiet house...you see, it's always quiet when there's only one child in the house. There is no one for them to squabble, or fight with. I should send them away more often.
I spent the evening with my sister-in-law, and watch that long talked about teen movie, Twilight. To my surprise, I enjoyed watching it and felt is was suitable for the kids so decided to let them watch it one day.
Sunday was another day of running around. I picked up Niks from his friends house to learn that he only had about 10 minutes sleep....not good!! He was in complete denial that he was tired, and I was contemplating taking him to his soccer game. I didn't want to let the team down so asked him to get ready after lunch. I guess he had a sleep attack and fell asleep in his room. I woke him up, and to my amusement, he came down with his soccer shirt, inside out! It was the funniest thing to watch him acting almost drunk with sleep deprivation. He didn't even realize it was inside out and refused to listen to me as I tried to tell him between my giggles. The fact that I couldn't stop laughing didn't help matters as he only got more annoyed at me. We had to travel a good 45 minutes to his match so he fell asleep again....he awoke when we reached the field. The fresh air must have helped freshen him up as the match went on.
The first part was a lot of yelling and shouting from the coach, trying to get the kids to play in position with a more relaxed second half, as we were winning. Final score 4-1....great game again. On our way home, Niks decided to take the foetal position, and sleep all the way home. Both boys were given early bedtimes, to make sure they can function in school in the morning. Fortunately, soccer practice has been cancelled for Monday, so I decided to use the time and let them watch Twilight.
All in all a busy week.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Miserable Rainy Monday
It's Monday and what a miserable day. It's been raining all weekend long and soccer has been cancelled so we have to look forward to make up games. Both boys become restless and agitated because they can not go outside to play and release all their pent up energy. Having said that, they have been behaving much better than expected and I won't say it too loud in case my words backfire on me.
Niks was at his school academic bowl tournament all day Saturday and later in the evening I was babysitting a friends two boys. It's always good to have other kids in the house because my own two, become preoccupied with their buddies and keep busy playing games. You rarely hear a sound from them and they always finish eating in a timely manner due to the rush to get back to their games. Why they can't behave like this when they are alone is beyond me.
We're all missing Sunny as it feels a little too quiet in the house...I'm sure two weeks will fly by, with so much to juggle with the kids schedules. At least the weather is going to clear up tomorrow , so they can play on their bikes after school.
We've been told to start preparing them for their CRCT's which will take place after Spring Break. Niks tends to be a natural and should breeze through it. As for Rits...he has to prepare. He has practice tests to do, and he manages to get them done quickly as he does know the work. He tends to rush through it and make careless mistakes. I'm always on his case to slow down and read through things. He's not much of a reader and has to be encouraged constantly, unlike Niks who will read at any chance he gets.
I was out shopping for a baby shower gift today and saw "A Diary of a Wimpy Kid" 3. Rits has actually been mentioning this book as he has read the first two in the series. I decided to buy it for him and to my surprise, he was overjoyed when he saw the book on the table. He has already read 32 pages, so will be finished with the book pretty soon.
I also splurged on buying two foam $1 swords for him to play with. When Niks got home, the two of then played with the swords for about an hour, while I was cooking dinner.....not a peep or a squeak out of them. They were giggling and laughing as they played!! Yes - no arguing or fighting...simply playing. It was nice to see them making an effort to get on with each other for a change. I hope they keep it up as the atmosphere in the house is so much better.
Niks was at his school academic bowl tournament all day Saturday and later in the evening I was babysitting a friends two boys. It's always good to have other kids in the house because my own two, become preoccupied with their buddies and keep busy playing games. You rarely hear a sound from them and they always finish eating in a timely manner due to the rush to get back to their games. Why they can't behave like this when they are alone is beyond me.
We're all missing Sunny as it feels a little too quiet in the house...I'm sure two weeks will fly by, with so much to juggle with the kids schedules. At least the weather is going to clear up tomorrow , so they can play on their bikes after school.
We've been told to start preparing them for their CRCT's which will take place after Spring Break. Niks tends to be a natural and should breeze through it. As for Rits...he has to prepare. He has practice tests to do, and he manages to get them done quickly as he does know the work. He tends to rush through it and make careless mistakes. I'm always on his case to slow down and read through things. He's not much of a reader and has to be encouraged constantly, unlike Niks who will read at any chance he gets.
I was out shopping for a baby shower gift today and saw "A Diary of a Wimpy Kid" 3. Rits has actually been mentioning this book as he has read the first two in the series. I decided to buy it for him and to my surprise, he was overjoyed when he saw the book on the table. He has already read 32 pages, so will be finished with the book pretty soon.
I also splurged on buying two foam $1 swords for him to play with. When Niks got home, the two of then played with the swords for about an hour, while I was cooking dinner.....not a peep or a squeak out of them. They were giggling and laughing as they played!! Yes - no arguing or fighting...simply playing. It was nice to see them making an effort to get on with each other for a change. I hope they keep it up as the atmosphere in the house is so much better.
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