A New Era

We are three weeks into our 'New Era', with Cassius at big school, and Phoenix and Kingston at daycare for two. For the most part, I'm enjoying the routine of it all and seeing all my boys grow up. But it has definitely changed things. No more random trips to the beach, staying till all hours at our friends houses. Now I know what everyone means when they say school changes your life!

Cassius has really impressed me with how well he is taking to big school. He gets up every morning without any issues, has his breakfast and gets ready to go. He just waved me off on the first day, which kinda broke my heart as I expected at least a little resistance! I think he enjoys the independence of it all, that it is only him that goes and so he really must be our 'biggest boy'. Read about how I was feeling the night before he went here.

It has also made Phoenix alot more independent, and although he is somewhat reluctant to go to daycare, he waves goodbye once there without any dramas and especially loves that he now has Cassius's old teacher 'Nadia'.

And then there's Kingston. His progression is not so great. He starts crying once we drive into the suburb where the daycare is located! He truly is at that terrible two stage and he makes the 2 minute walk to Cassius's school each morning quite the ordeal. All fun and games though right? I really did think he would enjoy daycare though. He would run off whenever we would drop his brothers off last year, and he is usually alot more social. Once again I got that one wrong!

And so Wednesday has become my new favourite day of the week.  I don't work and only have McCaw at home. It is so easy! But I think that feeling comes once you have more children and really get the hang of it all.You feel like you can accomplish anything. Well most of the time anyway!  

Back to my Roots

I feel as though my blogging of late has been getting somewhat sidetracked! Will I really care in five years time that I purchased a new table? Although I have to pause and think about that for a minute, I'm guessing I won't! So getting back to my roots, and the reason why I started this blog in the first place, it's time I did an update on my Four Little Tongans!

 

In the past few months Cassius has really come out of his shell. Putting him in for an extra day at daycare on his own has been the best thing for him! He is so much more active and involved. He is still so kind, and is even getting a little better in the cleaning department. I'm really enjoying seeing his personality grow and we have had many the interesting conversation. Just the other day he pointed to McCaw's stomach and asked 'is there a baby in there mum?'. I replied 'no darling, babies only grow in mums stomach'. He then asked 'when are you going to have another one mum? I wonder what face he will have?'. I replied 'not for awhile, and maybe he will have a face like McCaw'. His eyes lit up and he said 'maybe he will have a face like Cassius?'. Of course, this increase in understanding and vocabulary can make for interesting times. He was sick one day and had started improving as the day went on. When dinner time came around I made him eat his vegetables. I casually asked 'are you still sick son?'. His reply 'this dinner is making me sick!'. I think I could write a whole book on the things that come out of his mouth!

 

All of my boys are a little obsessed with Hot Wheels Cars, and I often have to take them off them as the arguing and bickering escalates. On a few occasions I have taken them off Phoenix and I overhear Cassius assuring him 'don't worry, you can have my ones'. He is definitely his father! On the other hand I'd like to think that Phoenix isn't his mother, but when that temper of his emerges there's no denying the Simpson genes in him! At the same time he is very intellectual (wow he really is from my side ha ha), and has an intrusive mind. He picks things up a lot quicker then Cassius, and I often see him deep in thought digesting what has happened or observing whats around him. Here's hoping he will be my doctor!  He loves to be independent too. Whilst Cassius will find any opportunity to get help with getting dressed etc, Phoenix will readily assert that 'I can do it myself!!'. Often throughout the day I will see his underwear inside out, upside down, with pants on back to front. But you can't tell him otherwise! He loves to sing too. I hear him often throughout the day singing to himself and having a jolly old time! In the picture above he was driving along in Ricks car thinking he was pretty cool singing One Direction!

 

And then there's number three - Kingston. We call him the 'ring in' cos he spends all his day trying to be part of the 'fun'. If his brothers are in the middle of watching something, he wants to join in. If they are laughing, he joins in also and laughs like he has some clue what they are laughing at! I feel sorry for him at times as he is often left out by the older two. When I voiced this to my husband he was quick to point out that Kingston is a very annoying brother. Let me illustrate this with an example. I came downstairs the other day to find Phoenix and Cassius had lined up a number of plastic cups in straight lines. Kingston seeing the cups on the floor, walked over and just kicked them all over and starting laughing. That's my Kingston for you! Regardless, I hope once McCaw grows they will stay close like Cassius and Phoenix. Speaking of McCaw he is the first person that Kingston looks for when he wakes. He almost always wakes in a good mood and says 'baby caw, baby caw'. I really should take more videos of the boys as they grow. Kingston's talking voice is quite funny that's for sure! 

 

 

Last but certainly not least, my McCaw. McCaw is my angel. I look at him and remember everything that I love about being a mother. He is my treasure. I guess I just love the age that he is at. Rick is quick to remind me that Kingston was once in that position too - so I am treasuring up my moments with my boy who looks at me with delight, who is still at that age where he listens, laughs and enjoys me. I just love him. He's a thumb sucker too. None of my other boys have sucked their thumb, and whilst my mother would beg to disagree I think there are worst things in life! It really is impossible to imagine life without this boy!

 

And that's another update on my Four Little Tongans. They are growing so fast and although it can be overwhelming at times, I think I will really will miss this time when I had all four at home, creating chaos every minute. Next year our Cassius will be going to School. Exciting times ahead!

 

Life Lately ...

Time for another update on my little Tongans. They are growing and growing and I am loving it!

First off, Cassius, who is enjoying his new status as the front seat passenger! He's a very kind boy our Cassius, this morning I watched him going through the pantry getting three packets of raisins for him and his brothers. No one had asked hm to get it for them, I think sharing and thinking of others just comes naturally to him. He is sensitive though, and gets quite hurt when told off for something. He will say 'well I don't want to be your best friend anymore', but then quickly run back to say 'I want to say sorry to you mum'. The other morning he was taking a little too long to get ready and I started changing my tone as I told him to hurry up. He looked at me with his big eyes questioning 'why are you angry at me mum?'. Let's just say I wasn't angry anymore after that! And then on another night, my back started playing up and I hadn't said anything when Cass rushed over to me asking if I was ok and started rubbing my back! I was surprised at how observant be is, and as I later told Rick my ever so wise husband commented how we all have our good traits - Cassius may not be our cleanest son, but is loving. There's no denying that!

Onto number two - Phoenix. He is definitely my cleaner which I love!! It's funny though, as although he is my cleanest child, with his sensitive skin he probably looks the dirtiest! Yesterday he had gone upstairs and I told him to come downstairs (doesn't he know his room is only for decoration ha ha) but he yelled back 'but I'm cleaning mum?' He has also decided that he doesn't really like the Beast, aka Kingston, most likely due to Kingston being the little bully that he is. Don't get me wrong - Phoenix can hold his own! I fear that one day he will unleash that temper of his on some poor child lol. But with Kingston he will tell me 'I don't like him mum', and when I ask him why, he responds 'because'. He asks 'why' alot too, which is often funny and irritating at the same time. For example, he was helping me do the dishes today and asked if the dishwashing liquid was blue. I said 'no son, it's green'. He asked 'but why?' ha ha. Oh and his dinosaur obsession is ever present - the other morning he was talking to them and I asked what was happening. He said 'the dinosaur is sad mum', when I then asked why he responded 'because he can't find his family!'. He'll also watch them on YouTube and all I can hear is him yelling 'YOU CAN DO IT T-Rex!' ha ha ... There really are so many good times in our house!

Now for Kingston. Hmmm ... He's annoying. Ha ha, nah he's just at that age where he doesn't listen and it's hard to discipline because he thinks everything is a game. But boy does he love his father! I accepted early on that when my boys reach about 18 months they no longer are mummy's boy and become besotted with their father! It has happened with the older three boys and most likely will happen with McCaw also! I don't blame them though, Rick kinda has that affect on people (haha cheesey!). Kingston is abit of an actor also, always faking being hurt to not get in trouble ha ha. And he likes to take himself to the toilet also! Once I take his nappy off he runs to the toilet and is very proud of himself.

And then there's McCaw. Oh how I love having a baby in the house! He's such a good little boy - just eats and sleeps - and we all adore him! His brothers adore him a little too much, and I am constantly telling them to leave him alone as he lays sleeping in his rocker. He has completed our little family in so many ways, and I couldn't imagine things any other way. I do want more children eventually, but if four is my lot in life I will be equally as happy.

I was looking at my boys today as they had an afternoon snack and thought to myself I can't believe I have four boys. Four! And all under five! Good times xx

Here's a pic of Cassius and Phoenix at science play at the library

 

A Good Day...

Today was a good day. There was nothing extraordinary about it, it was in fact quite ordinary, but I am going to sleep happy and content, and that means something.

This morning was my first time taking all four boys to drop Cassius and Phoenix's at daycare. Surprisingly, it ran rather smoothly, and as an added bonus, when Cassius said his prayers he actually blessed himself 'at stool'. No blessing himself to go to uncle gums or grandmas instead, but school! Almost a year after he started and he's finally ok with going - bless him! My boys are growing up!

Kingston, McCaw and I went home afterwards to do a bit of cleaning and eating, and by early afternoon I decided to do some scripture reading (something I have definitely been neglecting of late). I found myself feeling edified, and committed to reading the scriptures more regularly. I reevaluated my goals and decided to wake up an hour earlier then the boys to do first things first. Rick then called and was finishing up early (there are indeed some pros to the world of construction!), and suggested he take Kingston to golf while I do our food shopping. When it came time to dropping them off, Rick asked if I was sure that I didn't want to just come with them? And I thought 'why not, the food shopping can wait'! And wasn't I glad I made that decision. We spent the next hour or so hitting balls, Rick explaining to me how it all works and me trying to act like I care ha ha. But I love those family moments! One of the things I love about my husband is he really is a very good, 'hands on' father, and I feel like my boys are so lucky to have him. He will take them with him everywhere, he has all the time in the world for them, and he plays with them. Always. These things are nothing extraordinary I know but I do think it's the small things that matter, and I love how President Uchtdorf said in a general conference how in family relationships, love is really spelt T I M E. Love it! But getting back to golf, we had a nice little afternoon, McCaw in his sling and Kingston getting some time to hang with his good mate - his Dad. Kingston LOVES golf, even at less than two years old he has good form, a great swing and is much better then his older brothers. No doubt Rick enjoys having another excuse to get out on the golf course aswell! We later picked up the boys, went past my mums, then home for dinner and relaxing. I told you it was not extraordinary, but it was indeed a good day. Maybe the fact that I got some lovely shots out on the course helped, as you know I love my photos!! xx

The Beast ...

Kingston has acquired himself a new nickname around the house - The Beast! Gone are the days where he was my happy child, always smiling and playing. Actually that boy is still there, but it is now accompanied by an endless ability to annoy everyone, and touch and destroy everything! Add that to the fact that he is no small boy, and I think the new name is rather fitting. Last night Rick took Cass and Phoenix for a drive to pick up something from my mums. I came upstairs to feed McCaw and Kingston decided to go back downstairs. Soon I could hear hear loud banging, things being smashed, beeps from the fridge being left open etc ... The beast was up to his usual antics! Good times xx

ps - I was looking back on some old pictures and found this of Kingston on his blessing day. He may be a beast, but he is beautiful xx

 

The Latest...

Just a quick update on my boys - we've been spending a lot of time at mums as Jaslyn is still here with beautiful Max. He is such a good baby and my sister is absolutely loving life as a mummy, which is really lovely to see. It's so nice that everyone is beginning to have babies and the new generation is emerging :) Phoenix especially loves little Max, he wants to hold him all the time and this morning just sat and watched while he had his bath. Last night the Ah Mus were over also, and Phoenix wanted to hold Max and Alaska and was kissing them continuously. He rubs against their heads kinda like a dog would which is slightly unusual (but I wouldn't expect anything less from my Phoenix). The picture to the left is from that night.

Cassius still hasn't acquired a love for cleaning ... The other day he had been sent to the corner, and upon coming out we told him and Phoenix to pick up their toys. Phoenix of course started picking everything up quickly, but Cassius walked over to me and said 'I want to go back to the corner mum' ha ha lazy little thing :) The other morning I woke up and he was next to me looking at my stomach. He pointed asking 'Is that a baby in their mum?', when I replied yes and that he would have a new brother in a few weeks, he said 'ok' and walked off... It was said in a very matter of fact like manner :)

As for Kingston ... He is becoming quite the terror! He has acquired quite the temper and when he doesn't get his way he storms off, hits the walls, and starts having an attack. It's hard not to laugh, and he's at that age where it's also hard to discipline as he just runs off and thinks it's quite hilarious. He is always trying to speak now, which is also quite funny especially as he often tries to repeat what his brothers say. His vocab (that we can make sense of) is pretty much limited to the word 'No'. He says it for everything, which can also be quite entertaining. And his obsession with the vacuum is ever increasing - he will be doing something in any part of the house, but once I turn that vacuum on I know he will be shortly by my side. Tonight was no different, as he was in the bath when I started vacuuming downstairs. Look at the concentration on his face as he is trying to get under the table! Good times xx

Ps - still waiting on baby! 12 days till my due date!

 

The Independent Child ...

I know as a mother it's important to teach our children independence, to teach them to do things themselves. But I often have to remind myself of this, as sometimes (actually alot of times really) independence equates with a whole lot of mess!

Such was the case this morning at breakfast. Kingston has now decided he would like to feed himself and doesn't want anyone to help him. The pictures tell it all :) xx

Whats in a Name?

I know if Rick was to read this post he would start by asking me if I thought I was a poet? Lol but although I love Romeo and Juliet (where this quote is found as Juliet ponders the importance of Romeo being a Montague) I have to disagree - I think names are VERY important!!

And so with this in mind we have tried to give all our boys a 'unique' name - not too unique that it's weird, but unique enough that they're not going to have another 10 kids in their school with the same name. Also, of equal importance - each is given a Tongan or Samoan middle name - so they remember their culture. And so we have Cassius Konilati (after the great Mohammed Ali and Ricks dad), Phoenix Simi (after River/Joaquin Phoenix and my wonderful grandfather), and Kingston Iakopo (Kingston I just liked the name after seeing Gwen Stefani named her son that lol, and Iakopo after Jacob (but in Samoan).

Which brings me to my current dilemma, what to name our next one? I have the middle name already - Taniela (after Ricks little brother Daniel), but I am stuck on the first! I was hoping for McCaw (named after the amazing Richie McCaw, captain of the Mighty All Blacks) but alas seeing as Rick is very much a Wallaby Supporter, I have been (kindly) told that it's not going to happen. I'm still going to try after I deliver though, maybe my wonderful husband will feel sorry for me and let me have it! I do doubt it though - Rick is usually very laid back about a lot of things so for him to say no, means its important to him. That won't stop me from trying though ha ha. I have been thinking of Memphis but I don't LOVE the name, but maybe it will grow on me in the next few weeks. All the other names I have are ok but nothing that Is really sticking out, so I guess we will see what happens!

If only I was due to have a girl - I have a list of names ready for when she arrives xoxo

My Three Little Tongans ...

Cassius AKA 'Cass' and 'Cassie' is the eldest of our troop at 4 years olds and 2 months. He is currently obsessed with weapons (he has a shield and ax type thing) that he wakes up asking for, and wants to take everywhere. I don't usually mind but when it comes to day care etc I make him leave it at home as I don't trust that he won't hit some poor kid! Speaking of daycare, he has never liked it and I am beginning to wonder if he ever will! I contemplated taking him out but considering he will start primary school next year figured he really needs to get use to it. Him and Phoenix go every Thursday and Friday, but they have a lot of 'holidays' lol. This picture of him was taken of Sunday as he went to church (note the appearance of his weapons in the pic lol ... I always love when he wears his Tupenu too :)

Anyway I can feel the boringness of this post ha ha... But back to Cassius. He has always been our 'kind' son. Sharing and giving to others is no problem for him. When he was a baby he use to open his hands and spread his fingers. Ricks mum would say that that is a sign that he will 'share'. We laughed it off but it appears to be true! Could the Tongan myths be true? Ha ha ... His vocabulary is always interesting, he currently likes to accompany any questions with 'are you sure? Are you sure about that?' ... I'm trying to think of some of the other things he has said over the years but my mind is blank! His prayers are always interesting too. When its a school day, he blesses himself to go to 'grandma's or uncle dums', and I remember one night a few months ago we were sitting down for dinner and he declared that he wanted 'pizza!!'. I told him sorry mate but not tonight, but can you please say the prayer. He then said the prayer along these lines 'Dear Heavenly Father, please bless us to have pizza' ... and so, being the lovely mother that I am, I made him some pizza. Lucky for me his definition of a pizza is pita bread for abit of cheese - so really it wasnt that hard a task! Nice to know my boy already knows that if you ask the Lord - he will provide :)

On to Phoenix AKA 'Fith' (that's what Cass would call him and the name has stuck) who just turned three last week. We often call him the weirdo child lol, as he really does just do things differently at times! He hates wearing pants and long sleeved tops, claiming 'I can't wear that mum, it's not my favorite!' So dressing him for church is fun and I am always limited, although he has improved - about 6 months ago not only would he have to wear shorts, but they had to be jean shorts ha ha. Last week Aunty Moe came back from Fiji and got me some 'fob skirts' for the boys. I tried to get Phoenix to wear it but it was quite a dramatic scene where he cried and wanted it off straight away. Oh well I guess there are worse things in life, but I was very much looking forward to all three of my boys in them :(

He is such a handsome boy though (bias much?) but seems to pick up any disease he gets exposed to. Today he is currently covered in lumps from a misquito that attacked him the other day :( 

He loves dinosaurs, and will talk to his dinosaurs all day and try and feed them etc. A few weeks ago he took the leaves apart from some of mums plants cos he said the dinosaurs were hungry and he wanted to feed them lol. We put the leaves back and I'm hoping mum hasn't noticed lol. On another occasion he had the iphone (which he uses to watch videos of dinosaurs on youTube) and he was right next to the trees. I went closer to see what he was doing - he was trying to feed the dinosaurs leaves through the phone ha ha. Oh and he's also my cleaner! I'll ask him and Cassius to pick up a mess they have made, and Cass will pick a few things and claim to have cleaned it, but Phoenix will try and get every drop!  It's funny how even at that age my children have very different definitions of what 'clean' is :)

And last but not least (for a few more weeks anyway), there's Kingston AKA 'Kingston brother'. When he was born, we would often say to Cass and Phoenix 'look its your brother', 'do you love your brother?' etc. For some reason, the word brother has stuck and now he is called  our 'Kingston brother'. He will be 2 in September, and he's a little fatty and has quite a stocky build (will definitely be a forward if that is his chosen sport). He has acquired a love for golf like his father, and will sit practicing his swing many times a day! Let's hope he follows Tiger Woods in the skills department - but not the extracurricular stuff!

He loves the camera and so will often appear in the majority of the pics I take! Unlike his brothers who never smile, this boy looks at the camera all day! These pics were taken of him the Sunday that just passed, and was his first time in his tupenu. Doesnt he look great! He makes me laugh, as he's quite sneaky and somewhat of a trouble maker at times! He's a little obsessed with the vacuum cleaner too - lets hope that obsession lasts! Everyone loves Kingston though, even as a baby he was always just a very happy boy. He is always laughing (as you can see in his pic with dad from the other night), and people just love him. Lately he has been displaying abit of a temper though - let's hope that didn't come from me (but who am I kidding lol).

Ok I'm getting tired, but that's a little about my little Tongans at this point in time ... No doubt things will change as the year goes on but its interesting how my three boys have such different personalities xx