Great Southern Land

Our first trip to the pool. Just wonderful. Late in the day, so only 2 other families, & one of those were ducks. Ar invented a new game, where Ap & I line up in the water at the edge, & she walks out on our heads & jumps off. Hmmmm.

We are spoilt for choice here, with our 7 council pools. We'll see you there.

Council workers are busy in the street outside, replacing a century-old tree recently cut down. (Don't start me.) The new sapling is exactly half way between a bus stop sign, and the shelter. Sigh.

Py startled me today. Kids playing after school in the street, shooting hoops & chucking balls at the wheelie bins - fantastic 'donk' sound when you hit the right angle. The play seemed robust but not risky, so I tuned out a bit & kept working in the front room. Voices raised. Disagreement starts flaring. Then Py stalks back to the house, tears pricking and mouth set hard. I've finally got up at this stage.

"It's all gone wrong. They're saying I can't do this in the game. I've got angry, and I'd told myself not to get angry for the whole day and I didn't until now and now it's all gone wrong." Py can be hard, and hard on himself.

He was upset. I know his anger, and this wasn't it. Upset I guess for not making it through the day. Which just isn't fair, because he had got through. Cross for an instant, but not angry. I gave him a long hug. Older brother Ap wanted to explain all the rights and wrongs of the case, but this was not the time. I hoped I made it clear to him I wasn't after rights and wrongs just now, and wasn't about to wade in myself. Just gave Py a long hug, and assured him he wasn't angry.

I was taken aback by his resolution not to get angry for the whole day. (Mind you, I'm pleased something's being done about it!) Disturbed? A bit uncomfortable at the issue coming out so clearly - children are really good at the clarity thing.

I was so proud of him persevering.

We went off for his haircut, and planned mum's present.

I refuse to believe it can be this late in the week! No! Oh well... back we go.
The confirmation was a great success. The cahedral was full, & that always cheers the bishop up a lot. The little ones were angelic; many girls in long white dresses, boys in little black suits. The parents beamed, the grandparents sighed, the organisers frantically kept things going (& did an excellent job). Piccies were not allowed in the cathedral, but outside ones here soon.

Ar behaved very well. In her smart white pants & pale blue cardigan, she looked... a bit different, a bit more casual than the gowns & stoles, or the boys in narrow ties. I'm a bit embarrassed to say I was pleased we bent the conventions just a touch. Really, who is this day for: the children or us?

Sad to say, no cousins could make the journey up (or down), but all 4 grandparents were there. A credit to the generation.

A friend talked about her time many years back, & the joy of all the presents! I think Ar connected the confirmation and the little silver crosses she got, but I don't think it was a factor. She certainly was paying attention to the service, and was properly respectful when trying the communion wine. "Makes my mouth tingle. Is that coz it's holy?" was the comment.

H had the master stroke of going to a conference right after the big day. But the single dad was saved by his parents, who stayed for nearly a week. That's why it's Thursday already. But it's been good having them here. Just got to get mum to stop washing up! Lots of conversations, catch-ups & laughs. Dad marvelled at the miracle of Bluetooth. (Which itself is pretty darn clever really.) We went to the Art Gallery, and agreed that the winner of the Jacks Drawing Prize was not the best item. We actually agreed on which one was the best... am I becoming my parents??
Lunch at El Beso in View St, cake at the Gallery cafe, we are so lucky to live in this country. I hope you appreciate yours.

Tonight's rehearsal of Ar's Baptism/Confirmation/Eucharist went well. The children were excited but responsive, the parents were patient, the few sponsors who managed to get there were quietly beaming, & even the organisers were not too bossy (well, some anyway). I just wish the cathedral was a bit warmer - it's a bit dismaying when it's warmer outside than in, at 8 o'clock. But my favourite line was "children's dress is to be smart & age-appropriate. Age-appropriate; it's not a beauty pageant." Hah.