Weekend Adventures - Concerts and injuries of giant proportions.

Yesterday (Sunday) I went to a Kirstenbosch Summer Sunsets Concert with Renee, Elaine & friends to see Gangs of Ballet and Shadowclub. Graeme & the boys went to the train and were on to other adventures for the afternoon. As soon as I got there I wished that I'd taken Noah & Ben with me. Sort of. I wanted them to go to see the music & fun, but Noah is sometimes a bit weird with super loud noise, and if Bunny was there then I would not have sat down even once, for even five minutes. At all.

Elaine packed cheese, crackers, fruit, wine and I had a little cooler full of a fruity punch mix I'd made. We had blankets, friends, dancing and a little bit of sunshine. Gangs of Ballet are brilliant - their Durban energy is contagious and they're not a bad looking bunch of boys either. By the time the bassist of Shadowclub was done playing, I was about two bad decisions away from becoming a groupie and moving back to Joburg. He was that erm, talented. 

I love these girls (sisters) also both from Empangeni where we went to high school together. Small town, down to earth, natural and genuinely nice. I've missed out on a lot of social time these past few years and have neglected many friendships. I was sitting in the park - music blaring, people laughing, friends, fun... and I felt guilty. I saw all the other kids and all the dads on the dance floor with toddlers on their shoulders. I ended up politely 'stealing' a little girl from her dad in front of the stage. Fine, I practically captured her. She was about two years old and cute as a button. We danced, I dipped her - I got chatting to other little boys that were trying to blow bubbles and doing it all wrong and spent a lot of grown-up time wanting to hang out with kids. 

I missed the rabbits out of you guys. It seems like I'm a mom wherever I am, with or without you - and I remembered that about myself yesterday. I've always loved and been drawn to kids - long before I had you. 

Things have somewhat restructured at home, and I plan to spend some time getting to know all the other sides of myself again. While being your mom is my number one passion, I also like to do about seventeen other little things sometimes, just like sometimes you'd really rather watch Charlotte's Web (again) instead of me smothering you, which I do. Please be patient while mommy tries to achieve this balance thing everyone keeps talking about. Attempt number two-hundred and forty-six. Stand by. 

Oh and Noah - while I was out, you went to the train and then Green Point Park. Daddy said that you fell out the 'giant saucer / cereal bowl' which I find horribly amusing. My boy, we call you 'Captain Cautious' at home because you are the safe kid. You're the one that doesn't go too fast, never takes physical chances and you don't like to go too high on the swing. You're so painfully practical and careful about everything. You're four years old and you have your FIRST roastie. 

You sat in bed all morning insisting that you can't walk or bath or eat your cereal because you have a sore leg. You are SULKING in the most adorable way and in a way I'm so happy for you. Your dad is almost proud. No he's actually very proud and is reminiscing about his motocross days and how many roasties HE used to have, all the time - apparently. You couldn't wait to show Miriam this morning and I'm sure you're showing every kid at school right now. I can't tell you how sorry you're feeling for yourself. It is the very end of the world for you right now. 

I love you, and all your dramatics. I promise I'm being a good mom and pretending to be very sympathetic. We're only laughing where you can't see us, promise.