The Tonoli's

Lees in Afrikaans! (Reading in Afrikaans!)

minette — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:34 +0000

This night, I was incredibly amazed with Miya (as always!) while she translated the Afrikaans sentences from a little book “Borris klim die berg”. While translating as I go along was absolutely spectacular, what was even more so was that she then started READING the sentences herself! And she read almost fluently! With the typical English-person-trying-to-speak-Afrikaans pronunciations and all! What was incredibly sweet was how she OVERpronounced her G’s and R’s, the scraping “ggg” we have in Afrikaans and the rolling “rrr”.

Is there no limit to her?

Fly high!!!

Mother’s Day

minette — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:52:15 +0000

To my two beautiful little daughters – thanks for an amazing Mother’s Day.

“No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all, you are the only ones who know what my heart sounds like from the inside.”

Amazing Mother’s Day

minette — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:51:02 +0000

This morning I woke up with Leia saying “My Mommy!” in a cute little tone of voice, then before I could open my eyes properly, she cupped my face in her hands, kissed me and said “Love you!”

Initially I thought Rick or Miya had told her to do that, but as I rolled over to look at her smiling face, I found both Rick and Miya fast asleep. Is that not just the most wonderful Mother’s Day gift ever? Spontaneous adoration and love… *beams with happiness*

And then, after a deliciously luxurious bath, I got the bestest card full of loves from Miya and a special picture of me and her with sparkly blue eyes on a hill in lovely sunshine.

Rick also spoilt me with a delectable breakfast of croissants, cream cheese, capers, salmon and scrambled eggs… Mmmm!

What a wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL thing it is to be a mother. I have my two best presents every single day of my life.

I love you my little creatures! Mwah!

First gym!

minette — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:58:28 +0000

Leia did her first gymnastics class today!

Extraordinary gymnastics

minette — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:54:43 +0000

Miya went for her first level badge testing at the gymnastics club this morning. I was so nervously excited for her! She did fantastically well, with a smiley face for each exercise she had to do and got her badge with flying colours. I’m very, very proud of her – not just for doing the gymnastics so well, but also for doing it so well with so many other kids (think there were at least 80 children), in front of other coaches, and with so many spectators.

Bravo!

leia opposites

minette — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:52:34 +0000

played opposites on online game with leia, and she got it, first time,e verytime.

Independance

minette — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:23:34 +0000

It has been hovering as a question at the back of my mind since we got the letter from the coaches saying that no parents (unless prior arrangement for special viewings) are allowed in the practice halls for gym anymore… would Miya actually still do it? She loves her gym so much, but when I mentioned it to her, she did not seem at all keen. I kind of forgot about it since no one mentioned it at next gym class and for the last few classes I viewed happily with the other mommies.

Only to arrive today with NO moms inside… the time has come, it seems. Miya, taken aback because there was no real prior warning, seems very upset. We chat to Max, her coach, and he said I could stay today and we see next week. He encourages Miya, tells her she’s a big girl and off they go.

Water break and Miya happily exclaims to my question if she’s okay and if she’ll be okay without me there next week: “Yes, I don’t need you here anymore, Mom.”

one of those proud-sad moments when they grow up and you are so glad they do, but you are so sad they do too…

Weighing in…

minette — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:23:10 +0000

Leia now weighs 13kg exactly.

Update

minette — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:17:24 +0000

My beautiful little girl is now reading chapter books on her own, swimming beautifully and starting to play the piano with two hands.

Frog Walk

minette — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:22:12 +0000

What a wonderful evening we had last night! We went for a frog talk and frog walk at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens and it was absolutely delightful. Firstly the talk was great, secondly having access to the gardens at night was magical – trekking from pond to pond under the stars and of course, hunting, catching, discussing and releasing the frogs and toads were the greatest thrill! Rick caught a tiny baby Red Toad and Miya caught a beautiful River Frog and was very chuffed with herself!