That means it was the longest day of the year. I would believe that. We jammed so much into that day that it is hard to believe that it was only one day.
And not in a bad way either, like some other times.
This weekend, I think it is fair to say, has been fabulous. Truly fabulous.
Yesterday began slowly, and after packing a suitcase for the day (yes, a suitcase) we headed the hour trip down to my nephew's birthday party.
I had explained to the kids that it was being held at an indoor volleyball centre, and Miss 5 and Miss 4 were invited to join in, but Master 3 was just that little bit too small. He was brilliant about it. Brilliant.
As we approached the venue the sounds of "Are we there yet?" resounded through the backseat. The best one though was when Miss 4 screamed out "BOWLING BALL!!!!!!".
"No baby, volleyball."
She did a similar thing tonight when the Gruffalo started on the TV…. "Mum!!!! The Buffalo is on!!"
But back to the party and the indoor sporting activities.
The girls got involved, running around playing soccer, although Miss 4 misjudged her kick at the ball, even though she reached it first, and went down like a sack of spuds. Kids being kids had a laugh (a loud one actually) and poor Miss 4 got so embarrassed she just refused to move.
So there she was, in the middle of the soccer field, arms crossed, crying, and refusing to move. I went up to her to comfort her, and attempted to move her. Good. Lord. That child does the dead weight so impressively. Impossible to move her. And I was acutely aware of all the other children waiting for Miss 4 to shift so they could keep playing.
She did. And yes, I am thankful for small mercies.
Then they got everyone involved running around after the ball and after each other. Scarecrow tiggy was played (I remember playing that!) and good fun was had by all.
Throughout all this, Master 3 watched. He ran up and down a little beside the indoor soccer field, and when it came time to play in the sandy area, he plonked himself to the side and buried his legs. As you do.
It was a fabulous location and everyone had an amazing time.
We then spent the next few hours with my folks, which was a great chance for the kids to have a wind down and a catch up with nana and pop, and for me to have a few coffees interspersed with a catchup of my own.
I then attended to changing the girls from their casual knock around indoor volleyball clothes to some pretty frocks due to the fact that the next outing was a Christmas party. Master 3 had a change of jeans and shirt (collared). Love a mini dude in a collared shirt.
And wow, what a party. Aside from the fact that it was at the house of a very dear and long-time friend, she had spared no expense with anything. It was catered magnificently, beautiful drinks, a very talented elf came along to paint the kids' faces, and Santa even made an appearance.
They say that everyone has a calling. This elf has found hers. She was just. Amazing.
Miss 5 had her face painted like a lion. A full face lion. And she looked brilliant. Even little dobs of glitter!
Master 3 went next and asked for a dinosaur. If a child had have asked me, as a face painting elf, for a dinosaur, I think I would have convinced them they wanted something else. But no, she took it on and made Master 3 into a scary little dinosaur, so much so that he took it upon himself to growl, rather loudly and with hand actions, at everyone who he saw. Repeatedly. Santa included.
Miss 4, though initially wanting to be a tiger, opted to be a pink butterfly instead. And she just looked a picture.
The elf could also make animals out of balloons. I can barely even hold a balloon let alone twist it into a shape. The girls both got dogs. Master 3 requested…..wait for it….. a dinosaur. And. She. Made one. Wow. Just. Amazing.
Santa visited, as I mentioned, and everyone got a fabulous present. Miss 5 did amazingly well not to spontaneously combust with excitement and anticipation as she was second last to receive her gift. And we got a Santa photo. Albeit the kids with painted faces, but a Santa photo nonetheless. Oh, and earlier on, my mum had taken a great shot of me and the three. So good that I think I will get it blown up.
Now after a day like that you would think the kids would sleep on the way home wouldn't you? Well, Master 3 did, waking up 10 minutes before we arrived home, and crying that entire time.
And as they were all awake I had to get their face paint off. Yet another tick for face paint chick. The pain came off with ease. That said, it did require a small amount of scrubbing. Enough to ensure the kids were "awake" for a good hour more.
They did eventually go to bed. And all slept in their own beds. All night. Gold.
This morning was another highly anticipated event. A visit to the Hyatt for brunch.
I truly adore the Hyatt brunch. Adore it. And anyone who likes sweets, even a little bit, would probably adore it even more. Me, well, I like the meat and antipasto stations. Faaaabulous indeed.
To top it off we were meeting up with another very dear friend and her little folks. We had a sensational day. Sensational. Master 3 fell asleep within 10 minutes of leaving. I wasn't going to waste this. So I opted to keep driving. Let him sleep. And encourage the girls to remain quiet, which would then, hopefully, inspire them to sleep also…..
It. Worked.
And hell, I'll do it again. Gladly. It is worth the however much you spend in petrol and the aimless driving just to know they are having a well needed nap. And it gave my ears a rest too.
We had aimed to do a few more things today, but that just didn't eventuate. At least I got most of the washing folded. Not by choice. Miss 4 wanted a specific pair of shorts. They were in the baskets. Somewhere. So I figured I may as well fold on the way. Pretty good thinking.
And now the house is silent. I can hear the buzz of the fridge and the whir of the ceiling fan.
And this weekend has also reinforced something to me. Choose to spend your time with positive people. Friends who bring out the best in you, not make you question yourself. Friends who will hear you out, and lean on you when they need support.
Sometimes we have negative people in our life because we feel we need to maintain connections with them. What we don't realise is that by allowing these negative people to take our time we are denying ourselves the opportunity to spend that time with positive people who will enrich our lives.
Sometimes we spend so much time trying to find the good in people that we fail to realise that the reason it is taking so long to find the good is that the bad far outweighs it.
Move on.
Find people who make you the best you you can be. And do the same for them.
Life can be truly wonderful. You just need to work with it.
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