Mr and Mr Independence

It's not about what you can do for your country in our house, it is about what you can do for yourself. We are in the age of 'Do it MYSELF!'

Little Brother has to hold the keys when going to the car. It was a great idea to start with, getting him motivated to walk to the car himself. Now he is adamant, he must hold the keys, he must find the right key himself (amazingly he does find the correct key for which ever car we are going to - worked that one out himself the little genius) he has to put it in the door to unlock, then he usually permits me to put him into his seat. I am not given possession of the keys however, until I am in my seat and ready to start the car. I then cry in shock ' But where did I leave my keys?' He giggles and passes them over. Heaven forbid if you happen to be running a little late and mess with the system.

Big Brother being more capable, is even keener to 'DIM'.
Time to get dressed : 'I do it myself'- and off he goes. He went to play centre the other day in a pretend straw skirt festooned with plastic flowers. No undies either. (Mental note to check these things, luckily I had a random pair of shorts in the car. Then there is the terrible disasters of two legs in the same leg of the trousers. We love the independence and of course we encourage it, but...
'I want to get dressed myself' (Great)
'I want to put my own sugar on my weetbix (OK, I guess)
'I want to pour my milk myself' (Mess all over the table)
'I want to wipe my bottom my self' (Mess all over everywhere and he seems to need to use a whole roll of paper each time)
Although I did love it last night when he announced : 'I want to put myself to bed'.

Rock o Bama

A few months ago Big Brother astonished us one night while sitting watching the news. We often watch it all together, and he knows his weather presenters well. But it was watching a segment on international politics he started repeating what is definitely the coolest name in politics
'Barack Obama'. Or as BB calls him - Rock o Bama.

He has often chanted it as a little song while playing with his cars 'Rock O Bama, Rock O Bama, Rock O Bama'. And it was with great excitement we all chanted it last night as President Elect Obama was announced. Maybe our boy had a feeling this is a name that will always be remembered, a name that for me will always be an inspiration and a name, that hopefully will inspire many people around the world to seek their dreams and believe in change.

We had a bottle of bubbly and listened to President Obamas amazing speech. We toasted the future - everyones, but especially ours. It is a wonderful feeling to be inspired by his infectious hope. Rock on , Rock O Bama.

Time for a perk up

I'm over being a glum bum. I am looking for the exit sign off this submarine. I have been down and now I want up. And here are some thoughts on how I am hoping to achieve and maintain this:

1. Eyebrows and legs waxed...check. Toes waxed (theres a first time for everything, says mrs hobbit). Booked in for a 'kini but have to give myself 6 weeks to work up the courage. Also planning purchase of cosmetics. All very superficial but very effective.

2. Hand me ups.
Thanks to my darling southern clothes angel fairies I have a new wardrobe and dammit I am going to look good. And, all the point, feel good. When the budget doesnt stretch, there is nothing down about a gift of lovely clothes from a friend (or a bargain at the local oppie). Hand me Hand Me Ups anytime, and see me perk.

3. Inspirational reading
Loved 'A gift from the sea' (Anne Morrow Lindberg) from my lovely mother-in-law. A parcel from my book angel fairy accompanied by a box of homemade chocolate slice (The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer). 'A New Earth', by Eckhart Tolle. Lovely texts and emails from friends.

4. Opting for walks to a friends house for a cuppa rather than folding the washing and picking up the toys. Opting to play with the boys in their hut, or join in the water play rather than bemoaning yet another destroyed room, or another set of wet clothes.

5. Fristas
Enjoying my friends and sisters. By phone or on special days celebrating with a wet lunch - sharing a bottle of bubbly while the kids eat jam sammies.

6. Achieve a long cherished dream.
(I sent my completed childrens book manuscript to a competition. What a blast!)

All I need now is to keep a mental map of how to get my perkiness back should I lose my way ( which is highly likely). Wish me luck!