This week’s blog takes on a slightly different format, so here goes . . .

Background:

I was told by Mom last Sunday evening that we would be starting my new school routine on Monday morning for the week. So getting out of the bath after I was given this news last Sunday, I took my fishing rod and pulled the string and said “Oh look, a triangle.” Mom asked Dad if he had showed me this trick. Dad’s chin fell to the floor in surprise. This is how I initiated a cunning plan to ensure that ‘school’ was delayed and interrupted.

Day 1:

Monday started off with a “bang” as my folks got into the old routine. They were reluctant to get going and when I asked if they could please get up, they asked for a few minutes leniency. I didn’t give it, but badgered them till the TV, kettle and iPad were turned on. My “schooling” is starting really well indeed!

At 7:00am I asked mom for something to drink and when I drank only a sip and reached for the iPad Mom asked if I didn’t want more? “No Mom I need to work” I answered. She hastily left the room in tears of laughter. I don’t really understand that phrase, but Mom and Dad were leaning against each other laughing so hard they almost fell down. “What’s so funny Mom and Dad?” I asked. “You!” they cried. “Me?” I responded innocently. My plan was working. By 7:30am I insisted on a trampoline jump after greeting Aggie at the door with a hug. Then I was off to the swing. Mommy didn’t mind too much as a vestibular workout is a good thing in the morning. I then insisted that we played with Thomas the Train. The next delay I had planned was painting and thereby proved all my colour knowledge was intact, so Mom eventually relented. I think she was exhausted by 10:00am – good, my plan was working better than expected.

With my challenge for the day conquered, I ensured that Mom was well out of the way when I went to fetch rope (it had been left out) and made a lasso, collected my cowboy hat and soon Mom could hear me shouting “Ya Hooo” (sic). Roxy was harnessed and told to giddyup. I also attempted to harness the cats, Mickey and Shatzi. That didn’t go too well.

Mommy thought some play time was in order but the closest places to us were closed on Mondays so we went to the Wimpy for lunch. I was in a foul mood by then and desperately needed sleep, but I wasn’t going to give in. I played and ran around, and then Mom and I agreed to run the length of the shopping centre to get a laminating machine (for educational purposes, aka for me). With that out of the way Mom and I headed home for more cowboy play. I phoned Daddy to tell him that I tied up the white car. Soon Daddy was home and I had really missed him. So I made him play outside with me, doing tug of war and catching animals with my lasso. It was a really good time. Still no sleep for me was on the horizon. At about 6:30pm I came into the kitchen where Mom was cooking and informed her that “I felt terrible”. Fortunately she commiserated and scooped me up to bath me and a massage followed by a good long sleep.

Outcome of the day, the folks fell asleep in their clothes, before me. Day 1 was a success.

 

Day 2:

Asleep at 7:00pm up at 6:00am, the folks didn’t even try get a lie in, they got up immediately. As Daddy was leaving to go to work on his motorbike I said to him “Good Bike Dad” He understood that I meant have a good ride. As we headed off for music, I asked Mom what we were doing today? She said I could go to the drive-in tonight and see Jock of the Bushveld, if I was really good and did all my work. “That’s an excellent idea” I said. I headed off to music class and again attempted to unravel the well organised group of girls; toward the end of class I managed to sway a few of them. After we played and I had gone to the toy store for some gifts, I told Mom “Good climb” when we got to the top of the stairs.

Later in the day I was telling Mom that I was scared by the Bad Guys. Mommy said that was normal. My retort to her was . . . “I am scared of Normal”. Mommy couldn’t stop laughing and then said “I know that Babe”.

I didn’t manage to stay awake for the drive-in as I was fast asleep by 7:00pm again.

Outcome of day 2: fairly successful, the folks are tired and that’s a good sign. Maybe they will sleep through the night?

 

Day 3:

I got onto the swing and Mommy made me count, she refused to push the swing unless I counted. So I counted. I counted all the way to 10. Mom was so happy she was jumping up and down. She commented to me “So you do know your numbers” “Yes, Mom, Barney did that”. I heard her mutter under her breath “so much for all the counting I have done in the last 3 years”. Later I did all my shapes under supervision of Mommy and when I left the conversation and dived over the ottoman, Mommy asked what I was doing. “Doing exercises Mom, all on my own!” I asked Mommy to build a train track for me, while I helped. She did so willingly, but doubting her abilities as a track builder, I uttered under my breath “Please, oh please, let Daddy come home” as Dad is, after all, the master at track building. Mom made a sling for Harold the Helicopter to carry trains to the shunting yard and I was very frustrated when I couldn’t make it work.

The tantrum I threw resulted in my playdate being cancelled, and me getting some quiet time. Note to self, ‘tantrums don’t work as well as my friends told me’.

Outcome of day 3: folks fairly reserved and no room for movement tonight, early to bed for me, but early to rise for them.

 

Day 4: Spring Day

I heard Mommy making plenty of plans for playdates next week. Sounds promising. Just when I thought learning was off the books, Mom made me do some shapes and some reading and some counting. Whew! After Mom’s usual appointment we went to the Haa Hoo (aka Delta) Park. Very exciting! All I wanted to do at Delta Park was high sky (swing); we did collect some tree seeds that were dropping onto the ground with a plop and I loved watching them. A wicked wind was blowing on Thursday and it was intense, although I still managed to squeeze in a good amount of garden play. I didn’t have speech in the afternoon, but Mom promised me that a surprise awaited me in the afternoon. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I badgered her to the degree that she gave in and told me about the annual 1st of September “Spring Day” swim. I immediately went to my cupboard for my swimming costume and as soon as Daddy arrived, I rushed at him saying, “We’re going to swim, we’re going to swim!”

It was a great way to spend the afternoon and I was not as reluctant as the folks expected, and did really well considering my previous experience.

Outcome of day 4: working with Mom is proving more successful. Mom fell asleep in her clothes again. Tomorrow might be the day she gives up.

 

Day 5:

No relenting with Mom, still with the school work. What is this about?

I attempted to show my displeasure and it ended up getting me lots of time-outs and having to helping Aggie clean (isn’t child labour illegal?). Actually I didn’t mind to be honest.

I played hard and long during the day and Mom and Dad jumped with me on the trampoline, and they swung me. I think tomorrow I might relent and give them a break.

Outcome of day 5: I don’t think I’m getting my way out of schooling.

 

Day 6:

OH I get it now, weekends are for fun. We only work for 5 days – maybe this ‘school’ thing is not such a bad idea. We had guests in the morning, and I got to meet baby Evan, with Kirsten and Lisa. That was good fun. We ate cake and had tea, with me making my own tea as well, in the lounge.

After our snooze, Mom headed off to Michelle to drop off some plates, and all too soon, Mommy came home. Daddy and I were having a wonderful boys’ afternoon playing with my racing cars.

Outcome of day 6: I like weekends.

 

Day 7:

As we were getting ready to head out of the house this morning, I told Dad ” I can’t, I have a job to do!” and he couldn’t dress me now. Still we went off to Liya’s christening and Mom and Dad were very clear with me that there would be no nonsense tolerated. After Thursday I just wasn’t taking a chance and thought I would sit still for about an hour. After an hour it did get too much for me, and for the adults as well, as everyone seemed to be shifting around in their seats. Mommy gave Daddy and I the ok to go outside – I’m not sure who was more relieved, me or Dad. Anyway, outside we found a hall, and Dad put me on the stage where I sang to my audience, size one (Dad). Nearby was a piano, so I started beating out a tune.

Soon the adults started heading out the church. I wanted to go home with Nina, Gene and Kate, but Mom and Dad weren’t too keen on that. Instead we met up with them again at Michelle and Daneel’s house for the snacks after Liya’s christening. There was tons of laughter, champagne and celebration. I also got a chance to catch-up with Elmien, with whom I did my first speech therapy just under three years ago. It was so nice to see her again, and we chatted up a storm. At about 12:30 I had to collapse on Mom out of exhaustion and we headed home. At home, after a brief snooze, we collected the next gift and headed off to Kewyn’s 1st birthday.

At Kewyn’s party I played with jelly (which I got all over my shirt too), and washed bikes and played with other kids, and climbed and ate ice cream. It was a great day. I also got to meet little Luke, as Mark and Lisle were also there. I eventually asked to be swung to sleep as I couldn’t do it on my own, so Mom and Dad bid farewell. Before leaving though, Mark and Lisle gave my birthday present from a couple of weeks back, as they couldn’t make my party. It’s a toy store voucher, so I foresee some shopping on the horizon this coming week.

Outcome of day 7: I still like weekends, but dread tomorrow when Mom tries imposing schooling on me again, but with my learnings from last week I think I can break her quite quickly.

Love,

Jarrod

Photo 1 A lesson in colours

Photo 2 The result of Monday’s lesson

Photo 3 In hiding, before my next lesson

Photo 4 Cowboy Jay-Bee

Photo 5 Trying to rein in Roxy

Photo 6 More cowboy play

Photo 7 Helping Dad play cow-boy

Photo 8 Trying a different strategy

Photo 9 I took this picture ‘on my own’ of Dad (admittedly Dad did have to move into the field of focus)

Photo 10 Some gardening

Photo 11 Some ‘baking’

Photo 12 The track Mom built – not bad actually

Photo 13 In the dog-box, literally

Photo 14 At the Haahoo Park

Photo 15 My first “Spring Day” swim

Photo 16 Loving it

Photo 17 Fun, but still a little chilly

Photo 18 Dad and I racing cars

Photo 19 Mickey watches Lightning McQueen

Photo 20 “Where’d it go?”

Photo 21 Learning to ride Dad’s bike

Photo 22 Singing a hymn at Liya’s christening

Photo 23 Piano man

Photo 24 Bike wash time

1 Comment on Cowboy Jay-Bee

  1. Lisle says:

    Jarrod, your cowboy pics are hilarious, you are so cute! But I have to tell u a secret….and I am going to break it to u gently… U WILL NEVER BREAK YOUR MOTHER! 🙂

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