Loving life!

For anyone who missed it, we are on a four week trip to the US catching up with family and friends over here, soaking up the culture and eating way too much. The little people are having a complete ball. They have swum in the sea, the pool or splashed in the paddling pool most days. They have been to the Laser Show at Stone Mountain, visited Chuckie Cheese (aka by Grandaddy as "Chuckie Frickin' Cheese" and that will be his last visit - altho he did say that last time!), been bowling, visited Dill Pickle the alligator at the small Athens zoo and so much more. They have had the undivided attention of so many great folks.

The little boy made us laugh a few days after we got here. He was yelling on his Grandma for something, for the fifteenth time that morning. When I suggested that he give his poor Grandma some peace he replied, "But Mummy, Grandma is just soooooo helpful!". And in truth Grandma was in her element so who am I to get in the way of that partnership.

Tomorrow we leave for Orlando. Mike's folks have booked a fabulous house just along from Mickey's. We are hugely grateful to them for their generosity, they are a true example of folks who give not just out of their pockets but out of their time, pouring heaps in to others. Again I am conscious of the huge example our parents are setting us. Our kids have no idea how privileged they are and we are not giving them daily lectures, we are not showing them pictures of those much less fortunate. This week is not the time. This week is for fun and family. There will continue to be times when conversations can be had, when our little people will continue to to be generous, will learn about giving, will learn when something is broken we will not simply go out and get a new one.

You have to take the time to talk through these things because society sure does not set that example and all kids learn so easy to manipulate. Our little boy came up with another cracker all by himself this week just to illustrate the point. Made us laugh real hard but made us realise that he is learning fast and all by himself! He was messing around at bedtime, doing everything to avoid putting on those pj's. I played along, cajoled and then finally having had enough my voice took on a sharper tone.

"I am going to count to three and you had better have those pyjamas on or there will be serious trouble!"

He stopped abruptly, his bottom lip trembled and he said, " But, Mummy, you are just too beautiful to use that angry voice."

Thank goodness for the years of teaching because I was able to retort quick speed and in a hurry, "And you are too cute to not do what you are told right now!"

I laughed hard as soon as that bedroom door was shut!