Addie’s Random Ramblings

Today I abandoned ALL forms of study and took my children to the local library … I even joined the library and took out two books, which I intend reading before the due date!!!

And after spending more then an hour at the library we went for a walk at the Union Buildings !

Tomorrow we pack our caravan to go camping for a few days before we all go back to school again!!! 

Homework is causing some form of a.part.heid in our home. Every night of the week. We are a happy family milling around each other until we have to start doing homework. And then we seperate along gender lines. We don’t have much of a choice …

The Drama Queen is now in Grade R and is now learning to read. It takes time and many patience (can you say it like that?) But her concentration span is very jumpy. Everything and anyone distracts her. I am in charge of helping her with her reading. CJ on the ohter hand is now in Gr 2 and gets tons and more tons of homework. His homework has to be done systematically so that you don’t leave or forget something. DH is in charge of helping CJ with his homework. 

We have a huge dining room suite. Seats 10 people at one time. We tried sitting around the table, each parent with his “student” but it didn’t work … CJ tries to correct the Drama Queen when she makes a mistake and the Drama Queen wants to listen to CJ when he does his reading. Do you know how frustrating this whole exercise turns out to be??? Rather tiring, too

Now, Dh and I have agreed to seperate - Drama Queen and I move to the furthermost part of the house - our bedroom. We get on top of the bed, try to be cosy and learn to read. DH and CJ remains in  the Dining Room. At least they get to keep the heater.

Wonder how long we’ll be seperated like this?

Yesterday we had another one of the “first time” moments in our home. This time around it was the Drama Queen’s turn. She got her first proper hiding (spanking) with Daddy’s belt!!! She usaully got time-out or I would hit her with my barehand, but yesterday’s offense was serious. At least I think at was! Also, she is of age big enough to get a belt-hiding! She fibbed … she told a lie and yes, in our home that’s a serious offense.

Oh my, I can’t remember when it was CJ’s first time, but yesterday it felt like I did this for the very first time.  I am not sure who felt more pain, me or the Drama Queen. She was very sad afterward.  But later that evening her version of the story to her daddy made me feel a whole lot better…

“Daddy, do u know what happened today? I got a hiding with your belt for telling lies. It was very sore, but mommy had to do it cos I wasn’t suppose to tell lies. Next time she should give me more then two spanks cos telling lies is very wrong”

Proverbs 13:24 (Amplified Bible)
He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early.

Last week Friday night the children and I watched Annie … remember the ophan with the beautiful voice? We thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the Drama Queen watched it again on Saturday morning. Yesterday the following conversation transpired:-

Drama Queen:- Annie is not for real!
Mommy:- Yes, its just a movie.
Drama Queen:- but its not even a for real movie.
Mommy:- Why do you say that?
Drama Queen:- In the whole movie Annie never once goes to the toilet? She didn’t even ask to go?

 So the brother chirps in ….

CJ:- Going to the toilet is private and people watching the movie doesn’t have to know when you go to the toilet!!
Drama Queen:- But it matters!!! Its important that you go to the toilet!

Its amazing what matters to children.

Guess what we did over the weekend???