Months ago, before Georgie turned four, I noticed him kicking a ball around outside. He was playing on his own, muttering to himself, kicking the ball to the wall, sometimes asking Tano, our dog, if he wants to play too. Moments later he came indoors, went to the toilet and emerged with slightly wet hair and pulled-up sleeves.
Apart from cutting up onions and placing them around the house, which I mentioned in the last Parent Hood post, another way we fought this season’s superbug was with the mighty strength of soups! Honestly, I don’t know why it took me so long to bring soups into my weekly cooking routine. They are easy to make, require very little time and are extremely good for you whether you’re suffering from a sore throat or not. I love traditional Cyprus soups such as avgolemono and trahana but I find a good old-fashioned vegetable soup is by far the best option when your body is desperate to fight off an infection. Usually, all I do is cut up a bunch of vegetables, there are no rules perhaps only focusing on bringing various colours to the mix and then I add water. Salt, pepper, lemon, oil and anything else is added later according to personal taste.
For years I hated my curly hair. I know ‘hate’ is a strong word but that was exactly how I felt growing up. I would straighten it, cut it, tie it up and use a ridiculous amount of hair products to control my wild mane, to tame the beast. Obviously nothing worked mainly because no one bothered to explain how curly hair requires very special treatment. And back then (!), finding information on matters such as these was no easy task. Being a first child, followed by five more, my parents (bless them) had very little time for my hair problems and absolutely no means to help, anyway. As if having to deal with school, growing breasts, acne and boys wasn’t bad enough, there I was worrying about my hair. And when I say ‘worry’, I mean tears, tantrums, pleads to God to change my hair and give me smooth, straight, frizz-free tresses.Tragic and sad, I know. But also very common among curly-haired girls and most importantly, totally avoidable.
1. I love Frances McDormand. After watching this short clip of her speaking about aging, I admire her even more.
2. Inspiration for the modern mama.
3. I WILL make this macrame curtain soon. The step-by-step instructions are fantastic and make it look so easy.
Our mornings have become much easier since Georgie started dressing himself. At 4 years old, it’s obvious he’s ready. Also, ‘No mama! I can do it! Don’t help me!’ was a clear indication.
If your child is at the stage of seeking his or her independence then you’ll probably know that in the beginning the whole process can actually take longer! It’s a trying time, waiting patiently as they study their pants, shoving their legs in the wrong hole and then putting their trousers over their head. You feel like yanking the clothes away and doing it yourself but you don’t need me to tell you that is wrong.