To my darling children....

Gosh the week is hectic...and DRAGGING I might add...as we WAIT in anticipation for the school year to FINALLY come to an end...and I'm beginning to think it may just never happen!! And whilst there have been a few things I've wanted to share this week, I think timing and significance dictate that I dedicate this post to my children, to whom this week belongs, as their success has been the highlight of the week. SO since my blog is a journal of sorts for me, and will one day be bound to book, this post today is for them.....

I definitely find that some years certainly go by a theme of sorts, where a significant event has occurred, or a lesson has been learnt, and this year as far as our children go, I have spent hours and hours trying to impart, in various different ways and through different discussions, the value of work ethic, pride and applying yourself. It has been a trying year on the school front as Sabrina has entered her first year of Senior Primary which is a big jump we've found, and Dominic ...well being a boy....not understanding what the big deal about school is anyway, WHEN ACTUALLY you can just go and live in Hollywood ("with my wife and kids - that must be born here first so that they will be South African like me") and then just make movies........enter reality check.....

But despite it all, I have watched in amazement, how these 2 little (literally) children have strived hard towards applying themselves this year, in order to achieve the results they have. I love that although we have spoken about how important it is to still play and be carefree like we used to (in the GOOD old days!!), they have also accepted and embraced the concept of always trying to maintain a "winning attitude" (courtesy of one of my motivational speakers - LOL!). They know that a winning attitude in life, entails, among other things, accepting that no matter how old we are, we will ALWAYS be faced with things that, age appropriately, we don't want to do - even if we're doing what we love, by the way! However, how we approach these situations is what is commonly known as "character". We need to be big enough to step up, and accept that those "don't want to do it" things will always be there, and therefore try and master the art of acceptance, and to apply yourself and muster as much enthusiasm as you possibly can, towards the task at hand.

For me, this has always been an invaluable, character building life skill, and one that I myself am trying to master the art of daily, because it goes a long way towards standing one in good stead for the bigger, greater things in life, still to come..... . And if the saying "all good things come at a price" is true, then you're ok, because you will have done your bit, your best. So in trying to apply this life lesson, they have both finished the year, with results that we are so proud of, and they themselves are impressed with. Sabrina was awarded 3 certificates at Tuesday's prize giving, one of which was the Computer Technology prize for Grade 4 (ironic considering PC's for kids are almost banned and strictly monitored in our household - LOL!) but anyhoo!!...Needless to say Nick her and I were all stunned, but the best part is that she achieved this one, all on her own, and to me that is her biggest reward of all. And to Dom, who got his certificate for a combination of personality and consistent progress, I am proud that he has worked so diligently, which has required much effort when armies and pirates are calling! He has showed his tenacity when he puts his mind to something....

So to my darlings Sabrina and Dominic - please know that in you both I see 2 incredible souls, that I feel priviledged and honoured to have been chosen to mother, guide, love and protect. You are both such caring and loving individuals. Whilst you enjoy a good life by normal standards, you are always aware of those less fortunate, and you both ponder on that, and I love that about you. You are both such deep thinkers, with a great sense of humour and convictions about right and wrong. I love that you respect my authority and make it easy on me by understanding that it comes from a place of love and guidance, and the sense of responsibility I feel toward helping you both become the best versions of you, you can possibly be. You are great team players in this team "family" of ours and I love that you respect, honour and EMBRACE the values and principles we stand for.

You guys have both worked so hard, and I'm proud that above all, you did your very best, and that's all that really matters! It's not always about whether or not you won or lost, but it's how you played the game that matters the most...

Love always

Mom