Shh - before i forget... i'll use the downtime to tell cool stories of this morning.
Che was given a bunch of coins by my dad one day when he went downstairs to visit. His eyes were wide and wildly excited when he showed me. Mum i have money!! Ong Ngoai gave me money!
He ran off to stash it carefully into the drawer that i gave him in his room to hold his most precious of things that don't yet have a home. (all of his other treasures are stored and organised in boxes and containers on his shelf next to his bed... i've grown quite obsessive about kids toys and where they go over the years haha!)
He showed me again a few days later, just before mothers day and asked me what he could buy with the money he had. I don't know Che, and looked at the 4 dollars 15 he had in his little hand, well aware that Lego and beyblades cost a small fortune in coins.
I want to buy you something mum. I'll buy you some lego - a good guy so you can play with me.
Today we went to the shops to get fruit - he ran to his room intent on not forgetting his money. I gave him a bag to carry his cash. I'll buy you Lego, he says again.
It's okay Che, you got me lotion that smells like flowers and Lego is expensive, i dont think you'll be able to get a ninja and spinner for that. You can have a look and maybe get something for yourself.
We went into a bargain shop to look for cups for Jake and Alexes party Jelly. He carefully checks to see that his money is still zipped up.
Okay, that's everything i need - Let's go see the toys.
He goes down the aisle once and then doubles back. How much money does this cost mum? He's holding a motorbike - a cheap plastic 'dude thats gonna break in 10 minutes'- kinda toy, with a tag of 2.50...
Are you sure you want that one?
Yes, i have lots of cars, but no motorbike. I like this green one!
He hands me a 50 cent coin. Is that enough? (it's the biggest one he has ;)) [*sidenote: i'd been adding coins to his drawer whenever i found any on the floor during my nightly sweepings- he had now about 5.75]
You need the little one Che, the little gold coin.
OH! I have two of those. He fumbles a bit and finds both 2 dollar coins, grabs a second bike and says, here Jacie!
aww are you sure Che? you don't have to get one for Jace.
Yes mum, i have enough money i want to get one for Jacie too.
Stella pipes in - What about Tivianh?
I tell her it's okay Tivi doesn't need one.
Che looks at me thoughtfully, knowing he had no more of the little coins- and says 'Tivi has her own money, Jacien doesn't have any. Tivi can choose her own toy.'
Good point Che.
Thank you Che! Grins Jacie and they hug.
I get the feeling they will always be like this. Che the ever thoughtful one. And Jacie happy to be thought of.
So i cover the Dollar extra - for the two bikes that are not 2 dollars but 2.50 and wonder if i'm doing the wrong thing, because Che has an extraordinary memory and will forever be telling everyone that it was 2 dollars and perhaps even try and save another small coin for a third bike. I suspect for Kynan - who i didn't even think might want one. Seriously plastic with stickers bro. Haha... sorry Kynan i'll get you one next time. I was busy watching Che be awesome.
We go to have lunch - which is early at 10.30 because Stella says something smells delicious and the word delicious makes both boys instantly starving... haha so we sit down with our rice by request from Jace, our chicken chippies by request from Stella and our prawn crackers which they all petitioned for.
When we sit down an elderly man next to us stops doing the crossword in his paper and watches the kids settle in their seats and wait for their drinks and food. I smile and he smiles back 'What a beautiful family' He says. Thank you. We have our meal and he goes back to his paper.
When we get up to leave, the kids wave to him. And he grins and they all wave at each other until we round the corner and they can't see him any longer. No one asks me who he was. I like that they've become so used to my conversations with strangers - specially elderly ones, that they don't think to question it any more.
In the car i tell Che that i am proud of him for always thinking of other people and sharing his money. I tell Stella that i am proud of her for not asking for a toy too. She said grandpa said she can't have any more toys because she has too many.
I tell them i am proud of them all for their excellent listening in the supermarket and at the shops.
They are happy and so am i. Some days- everything is lovely.
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Pics ya'll:
Not yet 8.15am and they're playing dressups. This is most mornings. You can *just* tell from this picture - Tivi calls the shots - til she's gone!
Haha, the preparation to go out to the supermarket in search of fruit and things to cook amused me this morning. Because of the chill - we had to find beanies for all. Jacie wore cookie monster slippers, Stella ugg boots and Che gumboots- and rainbow gloves... we must have looked a little funny - sometimes i think - i wonder what people must think of me and my band of merry midgets. I only ever notice the smiley folks.
Che's first purchase ever with his own money that he's been saving for weeks.
Che's gift to Jacie.
Tivi helping with dinner. 'I'm not very good at spreading butter mum.' That's okay, to get good at anything, all it takes is practice. That's parmeasan and onion sourdough, with a homemade roasted garlic and paprika butter. Haha because that is how we roll.
Storytime - they love to read with Dad, and since Jacie has a library card now - every week has been a new selection. :)
Hehehe she's most beautiful when she's crazy. I wish she would do less of the teenage girl sulking and go back to the kooky toddler she was.
'MUM, my grass head is growing! Oh i get to play the Triangle in percussion! They said we can do opera at the library! Cassidy's sister is in Aunty Vans Class!'
Hehe full of news.
In bed, she asks me - how do you know a lot of things mum?
Haha because i read a lot of books when i was young Tivi. I went to school just to learn to read so i could read everything.
Oh i like the pictures.
Haha me too Tiv, but the words are where the information is. If you want to know lots of things you have to read and look at the pictures.
You're a good draw-er mum- but i'm not, i'm not very good.
You're an excellent draw-er Tiv, and if i'm any better than you- it's just because i'm older and i have had more practice. The only way you get really good at something is to do it a lot.
YEAH! From the bottom bunk Che adds 'You get good and fast too!'
Haha... Ahh kids, one day- you'll learn that what your mum knows - is not much at all... and if she doesn't stick to her plan and start reading hour in 20 minutes - she'll know even less!! Gnight!
Oh wait - To Jacie: Your new thing to say these days is 'There's no time to west!'
Haha... the first time you said it - we were crossing the road and i said come on hurry there's cars...
'Yeah! Quick! There's no time to west!'
Haha... today you had an accident in your pants... i said why did you not go to the toilet?? I'm cranky at you, you know where the toilet is!
You hung your head and after you were cleaned up- you went to Che and said to him 'Mum is not my best friend any more.'
Che looked at you gave you a little hug and said 'I'll be your friend.' You beamed at him and you both ran off to your room forgetting i was even there.
The trees are shedding coloured leaves in the streets as we drive past. The air is crisp and chilled. I like Autumn sometimes more than i like summer. It's something about keeping cosy and warm, and being thankful that we can and are.
Oh and the other thing today that blew my mind: http://www.theroadishome.com/alba-and-the-world-part-two-new-zealand-and-vietnam/ - this girl is amazing. At 19 she lives this extraordinary life. This post in particular spun me out, because it's all the places i've been to- the places that we come from and the one singer i always wanted to see.
Sometimes when i think things are just dreams- far away and wistful... the universe delivers a message.
It happens everyday... all over the world, people Live dreams... YOUR dreams, their Realities.
DO something.
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