03 September 2011

i'm grateful for . . . 'weekends with my children'

Greetings all,
A super dedication this weekend to our fabulous children who made me a mummy & my husband a daddy.  Handsome soldier might have missed a dozen wedding anniversaries, but he rarely skips a Father's Day, funny that!!  It's not easy being raised 'military', having a papa who they love (more than me, they tell me, i am judged, daily) living interstate & moving all the time, yet they flourish in every new town we plonk them down in. 
Our gorgeous first born daughter, she struggles in the role of daughter & not being the mother/ leader/ in charge.  Yet for the past fortnight she has been flat, lethargic & ticking every ailment box there is . . . suspected Glandular Fever.  I'm so grateful her blood tests came back negative, must have been one hell of a virus & she actually allowed herself to be the daughter, with me to mother her!!  I loved it!!
 I'll admit, i was worried, she never gets ill & after winning a bunch of academic prizes in her first semester of high school, she had clearly made her mark.  Glandular Fever is that awful, unknown recovery/ relapse nightmare many teens suffer, it's not welcome here.  So tomorrow we'll go for a run, slowly, to build up to the athletics carnival next week. 
 Our middle daughter, she takes herself very seriously in the eyes of others, however, happily plays the goof ball when it suits her, like wearing crocheted headbands, you just have to laugh, on her terms.  She's in the Tournament of the Minds team for Literature & something, i should pay more attention as the taxi driver & costume maker.
 I watched the performances yesterday, she is playing Cameron Diaz & nailed the comedic actress genre.  I love providing a happy, nurturing home for my children, with homecooked meals & handmade goodness, i will watch & cheer them on at sport, any sport, i love it . . . but listening to children play musical instruments or perform in plays, i will admit, it's my downfall category in mother-of-the-year awards. 
 Oh our third girl is plain quirky, ethereal & bohemian.  We met up with her birthday boy cousin at the Canberra Wood Show (carpark) this morning to hand over gifts & balloons, after the Farmer's Market.  This is what she wore to the market & carpark, complete with gum boots.  I can see she'll be the one we'll be waiting on as a teen, what to wear, it's a farmer's market, i know, a Greek dancing ensemble from Country Road.
 She's also doing Tournament of the Minds, Maths & Engineering.  These events are hazardous - about 11p.m. the night before the dress rehearsal, she surprised me with a piece of brown fabric demanding i create a cape for a boy who i don't know (age, size, height) in the dark, & on whinging about this at school, ALL the mums had the same nightmare.
 Our darling only son, i'm trying to curb his role as 'only boy = victim' in the family to one of empowerment, this is challenging as he plays 'annoying little brother' so well, he's just so cheeky, yet irritating to a tween girl, or three.  His room is his haven, he is allowed a little television time at night after homework & reading . . . 
 & the Wii on weekends.  He's so athletic & academic, also prone to take himself too seriously, so this is a great 'mellow time out' for him.  Chatting to my yoga instructor about raising boys last night, she reminded me how they loathe nagging or being hassled, so i often let him be, let him find what he wants to do - read, run, climb, jump, Wii (all activities which can be done on the lounge) & give him space.  I'll save my nagging for his future wife!!  
So here's to our 4 fabulous little buddies, they are so good to me with beautiful, respectful behaviour most of the time, but i know they miss handsome soldier so much, i sometimes hear sobs from their rooms at night, it's heart breaking, i cry very easily & join them.  At least they don't bottle up their emotions, i hope they never internalise & let things manifest.  My psych degree comes in mighty handy, talk it through, only don't give me any "mother issues".  So much of mothering tweens & teens is just to be there, fully available, when they need you.  Daddy is on his way home to Canberra right now, they don't know it, they know he'll be here for dinner on father's day, but i'm just bursting that he's arriving in a few hours.  Got them again!! 
Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men who kept getting us pregnant & more 'Gratefuls' are over at The Beetle Shack today while Maxabella Loves has a little blogcation, basket weaving, learning Spanish & painting her toenails.  We miss you Maxi!!  Love Posie

24 comments:

Cassy said...

You're blessed with smart and adorable kids. So glad for you.

Cassy from Download Guitar Lessons

Libby said...

What a beautiful post...your children are the lucky ones to have such a glass half full mum!!

Leah said...

What a lovely surprise for your fab children for Fathers Day :)

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Good luck to your girls in TOM - my kids have participated for the past 7 years - such a great program to encourage creative thinking!

ally said...

oh a surprise visit - you are the best parents!!
(2x visits to gym and one swim = all good :-))

Unknown said...

What a lovely post Posie and I love the fact you are surprising your children like that - they will be so happy to see their father :) x

Anonymous said...

We are lucky to be Mums, but I have to concer about the music, my Little Bit is learning violin this term and my Boy just saved up $500 from his first part time job and bought an electric guitar and amp.....ear plugs perhaps!!

Kellie said...

Your children are blessed to have such a wonderful mum, Posie.
I had to have a chuckle though. I would go to 10 music and theatre concerts before I went to one sports event! LOL! Thankfully I have a super sporty hubby! We might be able to do a few trade-offs!!
Hope your girl is feeling better soon. Poor thing. Big hugs to her. xx

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

oooohhhhh what a gorgeous post! yes, thank goodness to wonderful men who made us mummy's!!! I am so totally besotted with your family and the stories you tell - it's just lovely!!! Your kids are adorable, and that is such a testament to what a fabulous dedicated mummy you are....such inspiration xx

moose and bird said...

Have a truly fabulous Father's Day, enjoy every moment and make lots of memories xo

Unknown said...

Miss posie

Your children are very lucky indeed to have you as their mother - you really are mother of the year in my eyes.

I actually think you have the strength of a serving soldier - not like the prissy mummies that have a nanny for everything that moves and a personal instructor to start the car every day.

have a blast together this weekend

x
Loulou

humble habit said...

This post was beautiful, I love that you acknowledeged their differences and embrace them. I too have 3 girls and 1 boy and I know how different they all are, I love your yoga teachers's advice I may borrow that. You must be a hell of a woman to be raising these kids solo, from 1 mother of 4 to another I salute you.

supermac said...

I absolutely love your children's stories. Thanks for sharing them. I adore your family even more and it is so nice that your great soldier is going to be home for a special Dad's day.

Felicity said...

Blessings all of them.

Wishing you and your handsome soldier a fabulous weekend together and with your Gifts.

xx Felicity

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Posie..I love that HE is coming home and will surprise all his offspring tomorrow! Good one!

jody said...

A lovely post, and such beautiful children! just gorgeous! x

polkadotpeticoat said...

Posie My baby is going on his first date this next weekend.....breathe.

Calico Child said...

Hi Posie finali I have had time to come over & say hi again its been all go with the house & starting my new blog www.calico-child.blogspot.com
so glad your eldest is getting on the mend you must have been so worried olive leaf exctract is a good natural immune booster have a great day & hope all your plans for your dream home are coming along :)

Anonymous said...

Jennie your children are absolutely adorable :)
x

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Oh thank you everyone, my darling husband arrived home on Saturday night & the children were bursting with excitement. We blew up balloons 'for when he was arriving on Sunday morning' so i tricked them again, yahoo. Father's Day with my children's daddy, awesome, thanks for the well wishes, feeling the love, love Posie

Sandrine said...

Such a lovely post (I can totally relate to constant moving (with children) and a traveling hubby for years)...you are doing a marvel job!Must be so nice to be all reunite for father's day!
Wishing you a great week xx

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Sorry to hear your oldest has been unwell. Glad she is now on the mend and you could all celebrate father's day together.

Corrie said...

oh I am just laughing at those pics and descriptions and their absolute cuteness! the greek outfit at the farmers market in gumboots - hilarious! that girl is fashion!

I'm nervously waiting till the CR white dresses in their party ad come in store, I am nabbing one for each of my girls to wear this christmas - you can't go wrong with white!

Corrie:)

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