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let’s play

let's play

chalk and black

Getting a big blackboard hung on the pantry wall is something I have wanted to do since we moved in. Using the veranda wall back in the flat was OK but I wanted the real thing and lots of pieces of chalk!I’ve been picking up chalk font ideas on Pinterest for ages and can’t wait to start putting them to good use. Like designing a big monthly calendar or even a weekly meal planner with scribbles of quick recipes and dessert ideas. Georgie has shown a massive interest in the big black board even though it probably has something to do with suddenly not being screamed at when he’s caught scribbling on the wall. Plus he gets to stand on a stool which is always a toddler favourite! So for now I’m letting Georgie take the stage. 

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October 24, 2013 by
let's play

Keeping strong

I’m writing this post horizontal in my bed with the worse headache ever, a blocked nose and a sore throat. Accompanying my misery is a cup of basil-thyme-eucalyptus tea, which is cold and beautiful music streaming from Radio Nova , which is interrupted by my awful internet connection. To make matters worse, over the past two days my little dude has had to watch me drooling on the couch, moaning and whining and losing my patience with silly things. I know I should give myself a break but you see, this is the first time since I had Georgie that I have fallen sick. Man, it sucks being ill but being ill and being a mummy is something that I find, really sucks! I hate not being able to play outside with him or kiss him uncontrollably or take him to the park, like I promised. The high point of my misery came last night when I bent down to give Georgie a bath and realised how weak and in pain I was. I cried. I didn’t mean to, of course because Georgie was right there watching me but I couldn’t help it. I just burst into tears. I felt so sorry for myself, I am ashamed to admit. But then in an instant all was gone: a little soul  with only two and half years of experience in this world leaned forward, gave me a kiss and brushed the hair out of my face. ‘All better, mummy.’

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October 11, 2013 by
let's play

With Georgie

The transition from holiday to routine came abruptly to Georgie. He misses his daddy after spending three weeks of morning chores, long breakfasts, naps together and afternoon swims. While I was barely hanging on to the last days of the summer vibe, the little man needed to be entertained. With kids, entering new phases is a crazy time but get it right and it can be magical. He wants to ride a dinosaur and go to school. On his own. Needless to say, there’s a massive improvement in his speech! Dude, we talk to each other! I ask, he answers. He asks, I do my best to answer. Why are you cooking, mummy? Because you have to eat. Why do I have to eat, mummy? The questions come like an avalanche with the sweetest force ever. Which ultimately means that it’s crunch time for Georgie and his ever-curious mind. I scour Pinterest for ideas on toddler activities and interests. Georgie absolutely adores his big cousin but there are times when a six-year old and a two-year old don’t mesh. They need stimulation and something to do other than annoying each other. Enter car wash. They had so much fun they ended up washing every single outdoor toy and themselves, of course. Tents, teepees, they all work when it comes to a pop up house in the garden. With Lily Rose as the house guard.Fruit and vegetable stamping. So simple, so pretty. Papa’s work has been supplying us with cardboard boxes. Yes! The possibilities are endless. So far we’ve got a car going-albeit with stockings as seat belts- and a race track and tunnel for his Hot Wheels. It’s no wonder I baked twice last week.

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September 18, 2013 by
let's play, on our island

swim with me

Living in Cyprus, where the sun shines most of the year and water is the only escape from the (often) unbearable heat, means that swimming is an essential life skill. This skill is a particularly important one when you have kids. It’s a worldwide fact that little ones love the splish-splash feeling but when you’re faced with a pool or the sea, it can spell danger, fear and stress. Certainly not feelings you want to deal with. I can never relax when Georgie is circling a swimming pool or playing on the beach. However, since we became adamant about teaching him how to hold his breath and kick his legs and wear armbands at all times, I am happy to report that we are both having more fun, waterside. We are lucky Georgie loves the water and doesn’t seem to be afraid of the depth or magnitude, which has made our job much easier. There are lots of tips online to get your little ones used to the water. Try having them put their mouths under the water and blow bubbles. You can do it in the bath if the ocean or pool sounds too scary. A day at the waterpark has become a summer tradition in our family. We had so much fun and with Georgie all set on his ‘safe water behaviour’, I loved every minute of it! My parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends get together and head for Waterworld in Agia Napa, which by the way has great discounts over the summer-pity food and beverages can burn a hole in your pocket by the end of the day.I hope we keep this summer tradition alive. If anything, seeing my parents lounging on the Lazy River is something I like. Being with family and friends on a beautiful summer day surrounded by ALOT of water, rocks!

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August 2, 2013 by
home and design, let's play

three celebrations and an anniversary

This week has been a celebration of exchanging gifts and staying up late. Two best friends were throwing parties for their little ones over the weekend and my dad turned 65, so yep, it’s safe to assume that we were all hyped on way too much birthday cake. Which brought about alot of activities and progress around the house. We have very kind friends who love gardening and offered to help set the palm trees up with an automatic watering system. We are very keen on making this place as much of a garden as we can with this hot weather. We’ve done some research and experimenting, since planting and creating a garden is not that easy. Especially with the price of plants and little trees, you really don’t want to mess up and lose those babies.Much of the experimenting we did was in the vegetable garden. We didn’t plan ahead at all. It was more Georgie throwing seeds in the air and me running after him with tags which blew away the next day. The result is a jungle of pumpkins, cucumbers and tomatoes with some parsley and basil here and there. Oh and two aloe vera plants. But we have been blessed with produce and good ones. Ten years ago papa and I locked lips and that was it. We still celebrate the day every year. We’ve been married for four years but somehow that date doesn’t mean as much as the first kiss. I finally had a good excuse to get papa a Fender acoustic and he finally had a good excuse to get me a turntable. Yay! Pictures to come.My little dude was a dream throughout our busy week. He even jumped in the swimming pool all by himself in front of our very eyes. I almost fainted. He’s really into kicking his legs and holding his breath and jumping into our arms but this was new and it scared me to the point where it has kept me up at nights. I guess it’s part of growing up. Shit. That’s scarier, isn’t it?

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July 16, 2013 by

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