Valentines Day

I've always said that my husband does not have a romantic bone in his body.

Every year,whether it be Christmas, my birthday, our wedding anniversary or Valentines Day, he always leaves gift buying to the very last minute. I usually end up with a card which he's quickly grabbed, a bunch of flowers or box of chocolates that have been bought in a mad panic from the local supermarket on his way home from work, or a gift card.

He may be one of the most unromantic and unorganised men I know, but at least he's predictable!

On the eve of Valentines Day this year, as we are snuggling on the couch, he announces that he has once again completely forgotten  about Valentines Day and hasn't gotten me anything. I laughed and said "I'm sorry, am I supposed to be surprised? Isn't that normal?"

On Valentines morning, whilst he was busy getting the girls dressed, I snuck outside to the garage and placed his card and present on the drivers seat of his car, and then quickly went back inside before he realised what I was up to.

As he was leaving I gave him a kiss and said "Happy Valentines Day by the way..."

I couldn't help but laugh when he came back into the house a few minutes later, carrying the plush puppy with a love heart in his mouth and fluffy handcuffs on his paws and a bag of heart shaped chocolates, which I had so sneakily hidden in his car. Tim looked at me with a big grin on his face and said "Thank you, but I can't take this to work, all the boys will laugh at me!"

The rest of the day went past just like any other day, and that evening, as I predicted, he was late home from work after doing his usual mad panic stop at the shops on his way home.

However, this time, instead of a bunch of flowers from the supermarket which are starting to look a little worse for wear, he walked in the door with a beautiful bunch of a dozen roses, three red, and 9 white. He had also actually stopped to read what was written inside the Valentines card that he had picked, rather than just grab one that "looked nice and had lots of writing" (as he usually does). The card bought a tear to my eye, as the words on the card were beautiful...

"Valentine's Day is the day 

to remember the uniqueness

of our amazing relationship,

this wonderful life we've made together.

It's the day to remember

how it all happened in the first place -

because you saw something in me that you loved

and I saw millions of somethings in you

that I could never live without...

Today's the day

to remember

what is real and true

and worth it

in our lives...

each other."

Tim had simply signed the card:

 "To Loving Wife. Happy Valentine's Day. From Loving Husband Tim xxxxxxx"

Short and sweet, as he's not one for writing soppy messages. However, he didn't need to, as the wording of the card said it all.

So although it was still good old predictable 'leave everything till the last minute" Tim, maybe I was wrong... maybe there is a small romantic bone hidden in there somewhere afterall?

One giant leap for Ebony, and an even bigger one for Mummy!

Today marked a big milestone for Ebony... her 1st day at kindergarten!!

The first thing she said to me after she woke up this morning was "I'm so excited. I'm going to school today aren't I Mum?"

This in itself was a big statement for her to make as she has very rarely been apart from me in her 4 &1/2 years of life. She has always been a Mummy's girl, and even ducking out to the shops just to buy milk without her has been a problem in the past. I've always had to try and make sure she was distracted and then sneak out, otherwise there would be waterworks. In addition to her attachment issues, she also has a range of medical conditions which makes it hard for me to leave her with just anyone as she requires special assistance throughout the day.

I've been really worried about how she would go at kinder. Whether she would struggle with the idea of me not being there with her. Whether she would cope ok on her own. Whether she would make friends and not be picked on because of her medical conditions.

We got to kinder a little early, and she was so impatient. "When are they going to open the doors Mummy?" she kept asking. "Isn't it time yet?" she questioned. "I wish they'd hurry up Mummy!" she huffed.

When they eventually opened the doors, she flashed me a big smile and waved "bye Mummy!" and she was gone. No tears. No clinging to my side. In fact, Melody seemed to be the one who was upset that she couldn't stay with her big sister as she started crying when I had to retrieve her from the classroom after she followed Ebony inside!

I decided to take Melody around to the Playgroup session which was being held in another part of the centre, and notified Ebony's teacher that should they get stuck, I would be in the building.




I figured it would be good for Melody as it would get her out of the house, and give her the opportunity to interact with some other children her age, instead of just her brother and sister and the older kids from school. It would give me a chance to meet some new people and have some adult conversation (not to mention, give me a little peace of mind that I would be close at hand if Ebony's teachers needed me to help out at all!)

Melody had a great time playing with all the different equipment and toys, although she tended to play more on her own rather than with the other kids. I'm assuming that once she starts to recognise some of the other children and get to know them better that she will start to play more with others.

When we picked up Ebony, her teacher reported that she had had an excellent day with no problems at all. She walked over to me with a big smile from ear to ear and announced "I had a great time at kinder Mummy! We played musical statues, and did some pasting, and I have two best friends. But we didn't get to play in the sandpit because we ran out of time. Can I come to kinder again tomorrow?"

I'm so happy that she had a wonderful time, and only hope that she continues to settle in well, and make lots of friends. It seems that today was a bit of a milestone for both of us. Ebony becoming more independant, and me having to let her go and trust that she would be ok. I know its only the first day, but so far so good.

My 'BIG' little girl is growing up!

 At least I still have one cheeky little devil left at home to help keep me busy...