Writer's Workshop

A list of things you no longer have in common with your single/childless friends…and why you love them anyways.

A month after Ethan was born, we came back to Dar and it was my mate's birthday. We went to Hugo's (before it burnt down) and had a lovely dinner. During the course of the evening, I noticed that not only was I not drinking, but neither was one other mate of mine. Turns out she was pregnant. As the evening went on, we laughed how just one year earlier, we would have been dancing on the tables, and now, here we were, one of us with a 2 month old, and the other expecting her first.

Just before we had Ethan, most of out mates were either single or childless. Now the bulk of out mates are married with children. But I still miss my girls. I'm not sure how much of it is we no longer have things in common, and how much is we are no longer living in the same city/country. But here's what I miss;

• Just chatting all night about stupid things. It seems an evening doesn't go by, nowadays, without some talk about kids.
• Girlie nights. And I don't mean ladies' night. I'm talking girlie nights, where we drank wine, gave each other mani/pedis and talked nonsense. 
• Being able to take off for the weekend, and not worry what we'll do with Ethan.
• Being able to stay out till the morning, then going out for breakfast before coming home and sleeping all day.

All my single/childless mates are wonderful. They have a great spirit and sense of life. And even though we're not always together, whenever we do get together, they do a great job of listening to my Ethan stories. And you know you're a great friend when you listen to those. Guess that makes all of you great mates.

Kelso's Choice

Last year, I started working at IST. I loved my first year there. I learnt a lot. One thing I was introduced to was Kelso's Choice. Our school counsellor did a fantastic job explaining to the students that they had a choice in how to deal with conflict. Some issues were small problems, and could be dealt with using one of Kelso's options, and then there are big problems, where you need a teacher, or an adult, to help you.

My Grade 2 students always remembered her lessons, and when they came to me with a small problem, I would remind them what Kelso said, and direct them to the poster in our class.

 Kelso's Choice worked well with my Grade 2 class last year, and my Grade 3 class this year, really grasp the concept. The counsellor mentioned being in Ethan's class, teaching a lesson, and if I were to be honest, I have to wonder how well a 4-year old could grasp this.

Apparently, very well!!!

Last week, Scott and I were chatting about a meeting we had to attend, and I said, as Ethan walked by, "Who'll babysit? We have a problem." Ethan stopped and asked if this was a big problem, or small problem. Having forgotten about Kelso, I got confused, so Ethan explained; "A big problem hurts your body, like somebody scratching you." Wow Ethan! I'm impressed!

Today a student bite Ethan. He told me about it. "Biting is a big problem, so you have to tell somebody." He then went on to say he told his teacher and everyone is happy. Ok, so he understands big problem, let's test him, does he get small problem. "If it's a small problem, you use your words. Say 'Stop'."

I'm hoping to use Kelso to my advantage when Ethan's not all that cooperative. But if you haven't heard of Kelso, you should take a look. You'll really be impressed. I know I am.

Happiness Project

Waking up at 5am,

Yuck.

Trying to get Ethan up at 6am,

Yuck.

Making sure we're ready to go by 6:30,

Yuck.

Driving into school to this view, 

makes it all better.

This moment of happiness, has been brought to you by Leigh vs Laundry

Scalloped Potatoes

Scott made dinner last night. He's on a BBQ kick, and for the past few weeks, has made some wonderful braais. Ethan loves helping his dad do the BBQ thing. This week, we thought we'd help make dinner extra special with some scalloped potatoes.

Ethan loves his muffin tin meals, so I thought we'd combine the new potato recipe (Ethan's not so sure about new foods) and muffin tins.

We lined up the silicone cups on a baking sheet.

Thin slices (pre-done by mom) were the piled into each cup.

We filled a cup with milk and spiced it with garlic, salt and pepper.

Pour milk into each cup, covering the potatoes.

Bake until liquid is bubbly.

Sprinkle some cheese over each serving, and return to the oven until the cheese has melted.

Ethan was so proud of his potatoes. 

He's even thinking of making them for Grandpa over Christmas.

Muffin Tin Meal

This week there was no theme, however it was my birthday. AND Scott had to work Saturday, leaving Ethan and I home. And when Scott's away, Ethan and I play! I decided we needed a muffin tin snack. Birthday style. 

We've got birthday cake, teddy bear cookies, strawberries and cherry yoghurt.

Tinga Tinga Giraffe

Ok, so here's one of my issues with Dar life. We have no Dollar Store, or Michaels, where we can get some great crafting ideas. And some great ideas require supplies you can't always get here. But then my mate, Janne, had a brilliant idea! 

There are some amazing Tinga Tinga painters here, and one thing they make, are these animal carvings with their unique tinga tinga design. So Janne went to visit one, and asked if she could buy a couple of their fish, unpainted. After recovering from the shock, they sold her a few which she brought home and had the kids paint, and then decorate with feathers and glue.

Following in her steps, I brought home a giraffe.......

...... and let Ethan go wild.

He's very proud of his giraffe!

My Son - The Expat

I love to poke fun at myself about being an Expat and the silly things we do. I don't think I ever realised the impact of being an Expat until I noticed Ethan was one too. Here are some of Ethan's Expat moments:

Ethan is flicking his finger at me. He asks, "Does this hurt?" When I tell him no, he replies, "My driver says it doesn't hurt." Your driver????? Pardon me????? Does the man not have a name? Must you refer to Omary as "your driver"?

Ethan wants to know if his mate can come play. "Let me call his mother, and ask her if he can come over later." Ethan thinks about that and decides this is not acceptable, he turns to his mate and says, "Just tell your driver to bring you to my house. Then it will be ok." Again, what's with the driver thing?


Going home after school, Ethan "drives" his mate home. On Friday I told the nanny that they would drop off the mate then come home for lunch. When I got home I learnt Ethan had lunch at his mate's. When I asked him who said he could have lunch there he replied, "Isaac told his ayah I need to stay for lunch." Apparently Ethan and Isaac are the bosses and the nannies are there to serve them. I think not!


We have a new cook! Yeah! He'll come once a week and cook a bunch of dishes. He started yesterday, and when I got home Ethan excitedly introduced him to me and told me "we now have food"! Of course he didn't expect his mother to suddenly learn!