9 Sleeps….
When my husband had to go away on business last week, I thought, “How difficult could it be. It’s only 9 sleeps.”
Being as independent as i am we would be just fine since I do almost everything anyway. Well, supposedly not! ‘9 Sleeps’ has been very hard work. I quite conveniently forgot that:
- He cooks almost every day ( so much so that I have now got to ask for a turn to show-off my own cooking skills);
- He shares with the dropping and fetching from school;
- He sorts the kids out in the morning i.e. he is our drill sergeant so we can get to school on time. No dawdling allowed or coffee and tea in bed 
- He makes us our tea and coffee EVERY morning;
- He takes the dog out and feeds him every morning:
- He is the ‘fun master’ in our house! He can get a smile out of anyone even at the most inappropriate moments;
- And he does the daily/weekly shopping to make sure that we have stuff for lunch and dinner!
Whew!!! And probably a whole lot more. It’s no wonder I am so tired this week. It’s been a long ‘9 sleeps’.
After 14 years of marriage, 2 kids, 1 dog, a goldfish and many hamsters it’s pretty easy to start taking each other for granted. We often forget how well we work together and moments apart like this make us realise that we have become such a ‘well-oiled machine’ that a momentary break in the system can affect the entire output. We are a great team together and we can’t wait for our Captain to come back!
I love my independence…but it means nothing without the support of my husband. It’s the best of both worlds!

Projeni Pather

When my daughter’s first tooth fell out there was great excitement about the arrival of the tooth fairy, from everyone in our home including myself. Little did I realise what a journey this would be. So not only does our tooth fairy leave you a little present or money (if she is not feeling very creative) but she leaves you a little note. And when my daughter was able to write her own notes she too started leaving notes for the tooth fairy in anticipation of her response.
So now when the tooth fairy (AKA: Mum in PJs) is due to arrive, she cannot just write any note but has to write in response to my daughter’s letter, which is often well after 10pm to ensure that all is clear. This requires the skill of a bank robber, who steals into her room to obtain the treasured tooth and note… and sometimes little trinkets. Then move stealthily back to my bathroom, where I can switch on the light without disturbing my sleeping husband, to read the note. I then proceed to gather the foreign notepaper (so that my daughter will not see that it comes from my desk) and carefully write a letter from the tooth fairy….in handwriting that does not look like my own.
We have lost 7 teeth already so by now I have mastered this art. But how do you respond when her note goes like this:

Dear Tooth Fairy (BFF – Best friends Forever)
Will you be my best friend? Please tick here (little tick boxes inserted for YES or NO)
Please will you come for tea in the afternoon? Please tick here. YES or NO
Please will you make my wishes come true? Tick here. YES or NO.
Love from Mikara

The Tooth fairy’s response:

Dear Mikara
Thank you for another shiny tooth. Yes I am still your best friend. Sorry I can’t come to tea as I sleep in the daytime and collect teeth at night. And all your wishes should come true if you keep on being good, helping others, being kind and listening to your mum and dad. Spend your money wisely.
Keep Brushing 
Love
Your Tooth fairy

Or

Dear Tooth fairy (BFF)
Please can you give me some magic? Tick here. YES or NO.
Please wake me up, cause all I want is to see you. Plees…pleese….pleese…..pleese pleees
Love from Mikara

After much pondering and nudging my sleeping husband to help (to no avail), The Tooth fairy’s response:
Dear Mikara
I am glad to visit you again my dear friend. Thanks you for another shiny tooth. I would love to wake you up to meet you but if I do I would lose my magic I would never be able to be a tooth fairy again. Just close your eyes and imagine. I have rainbow coloured wings, sparkling brown hair, twinkly black eyes and an indigo coloured dress made from the finest silk. My hair sits on my shoulders with a chain of flowers as my crown. My magical silver shoes carry me everywhere and my silver wand helps me take your tooth away and leaves your reward.
Now you can draw a picture of me so you will always remember my rosy cheeks, my stumpy nose and my big smile.
Love from, Your Tooth fairy.
PS. Enjoy the book. I know you can read now. Make sure you share some stickers with your brother and teach him too.

As tired as I am when I have to write these notes, I must admit that I truly enjoy making this experience magical. So, the tooth fairy shall continue to live in my house for as long as I can keep the magic going.

You have kids – want an excellent place for breakfast or dinner. These guys have got service, playground, excellent mix right down to a T, oh did I mention their food is phenominal? Thanx guys! Been to the Cafe near Sevns in fourways and believe they have a branch in Kyalami to – so will def take a look at getting at there to.