A Writer's Papyrus

It was G2's birthday recently and it was my first thought to order a set of cupcakes from the bakery to take to school. Then I thought about it. We're always "so busy" nowadays that the one thing we can't bear to give up is "our time". When I think about all the things I sacrifice because of the things I don't really care about, it seems like I've got all my priorities mixed up. So I decided I'm going to do things differently. Instead of buying store-bought cupcakes (which I'm sure would have looked really pretty and professional) I decided to go with homemade (ugly and unprofessional but made with love). At the end of the day, the message we really want to teach our children is not about how pretty it looked or how expensive it was or even how good it tasted, but how much effort we put in to it because it mattered to us. Happy 7th Birthday G2 with love from Mama. And now I know you really hate red velvet. But chocolate is good. C

Found these oldies from way back when the boys were still only little... The one bout the shoes I was trying to help G1 understand what it feel like to be the other person. Me: You have to put yourself in their shoes and try to understand what it must feel like. What would you do? G1: I would take my shoes back. Where's my drink? G1 was attending the cooking class at Marche. The doorman was teasing him about the drink bottle in his hand. Doorman: Where's my drink? G1: At the supermarket. Old and New G1: Aunty L gave me this. BK: She's Granny L to you, G1. G1: Why? Me: You need to call her Granny L because it is a sign of respect. She's a lot older than you. G1: She's older than me? Me: Yes. G1: Am I new? Where are your manners? Daddy: Where are your manners, G1? G1: I left them at school. The gentleman's toilet G2 needed the toilet. As I usually do, I tried to take him into the ladies restroom with me. G2: I can't go in there! I'm

It was one of those days when the boys behaved so poorly that I banned the iPad, TV, computer, and books (for G1). When we got home, they went off to their room and were quiet for quite a while. When they came back out, they had these for me (the typos are exactly as they were written - I did not edit anything except their names): Apology Letter Dear Mum, We are very very sorry for behaving in an atrocious manner, and we think that we have not reached the level of required behaviour that has been set for us. We feel that you have good reason for being furious with our nasty behaviour. Our behaviour was horrendous, fowl, and downright bad. Hitting and biting (in G2's case) for control over a trolley is bad enough, but the fact that we continued by shouting, sticking out tongues, hitting, pinching, and poking is not really acceptable. (Turn over) We know we disbehaved, but I know that G2 really wants to have Ipad, and I really like coding with Aaron (server) and Justin (mod) .

I was in the bookshop when I stumbled on this series by accident. I enjoyed them so much that I had to share... Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups This delightful book is the latest in the series of Ladybird books which have been specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them. The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text. Written in the style of Ladybird books for children, these books look exactly like the old  Peter and Jane books we all learned to read when we were growing up. They're short and sweet and hilariously funny with tongue-in-cheek humour. I laughed so hard, I cried. These are a few sneak peeks into the books that will show you exactly what I mean...

We bought some strawberries at the fruit and veggie market. As we were getting back into the car...  G2: Gimme the strawberries! Daddy: You can't eat them yet. We have to wash them first. G2: But the strawberries want to sit next to me... Daddy: Yeah I know... They want to sit in your tummy.

G2: There’s a haunted house in the bathroom. Me: Are there ghosts, too? G2: Yes. Me: I think they’re telling you it’s time to get out of the bath. G2: Oh! Yes! Me: Are you scared? G2: No. They are protecting me. Me: From who? G2: The witch. Dare I ask who the witch is? Is she the nasty woman who’s come to get him out of the bath?