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 WHEN  YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING?
 LOST BUNNY - OR BUNNY IN HIDING!
 PLACE TO HAVE FUN WITH CHILDREN (AND YOUR INNER CHILD TOO!
 GRANDMOTHERS STAND FOR PEACE


WHEN  YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING?

- (Author unknown)

A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

Each of us parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?

To all grandparents - perhaps this is something familiar? My husband and I [together with 'the other granny] looked after our two little granddaughters while their parents were overseas.Like many little ones our grandchildren have a comforter to take to bed with them. You will all know how important this is, especially if the little ones are tired.

LOST BUNNY - OR BUNNY IN HIDING!
 

Well two more sleeps till the little girls return home. And yes time has flown. Although I have to say that the responsibility of looking after two precious little girls has re-enforced my understanding of why people have their children when young!

We've had great times with Maureen [Juanita's mother] staying with us for a week and the little girls sharing time with three doting grandparents. The grannies did not stop laughing and sharing good times - eyes glancing with affection when little ones ate with delight and bathed together in the evenings.
 

Little Ashleigh has given such delight. Her daily growth and development are a wonderful to observe.and the grans think they have conquered the eczema and poor sleep routines! [We have named ourselves the Two Draggies asopposed to the Nannies - no we don't hire ourselves out, but be assured our methods work!]

We have named ourselves the Two Draggies as opposed to the Nannies - no we don't hire ourselves out, but be assured our methods work!]

Little Rachel continues to enchant everyone. She is very 'bossy' and has been heard to tell her 'nana' to 'stop that now or else!' She also now sleeps through the night and we can't wait to see what happens when the parents return!

However, we had BUNNY problems this afternoon. Both little girls have a bunny to sleep with. Routine is bath time after a picnic supper in the garden [thank goodness the weather was kind] milk and story with bunny as 'Linus' security.

On return from Moyo's this afternoon no bunny could be found for Ashleigh. So the hunt began. Bear in mind that afternoon snooze was imminent - so I manufactured a bunny out of a serviette and the little girl was duped [well she was exhausted thanks to the efforts of uncle and aunt baby sitters]. Gramps into the garage [three times] Nana into bags [five times] not a sign of a bunny anywhere. We stripped beds, cots, couches. Nothing. Like Bugs Bunny this little pink creature had hopped away. And yes 'What's up Doc' would be appropriate.

Aunt and uncle whizzed past Moyo's - no luck. Bunny was AWOL. I had visions of a very bleak night, so after the afternoon snooze G'pa says 'we're off to Moyo just to check.'

The two little girls and two grandparents pile into the Prado and off we tootle. Babies happy in the back. Nana calling on Mary, Krishna and anyone else who would listen [oh yes, don't forget St Anthony]. Arrive at the parking area at Zoo Lake, find parking [good omen] saunter up to reception [well we have a 14 month old who wants to practice walking and a 3 year old who needs to study every crack in the path]. No bunny waiting for us. So I ask 'May do a bunny search?' The staff look at me and say 'Sure ma'm' [hand on security bell]. you can tell they're not parents.

I sidle up to the group sitting where we had been earlier and politely ask 'Could I look under your chairs please - bunny search you know? ' The woman took one look at me, raised her eyebrows and said 'WOT?'

But by that time I had spied the bun, lying forlornly under the large chair. [Yes I was grovelling pushing my hand under the chair trying to avoid all manner of left overs]. Grabbing the bunny by the ears I hugged him and held him aloft. 'Found' I yelled to DJ and the girls way down the path.. 'Jay nana' said Rachel 'you are so clever, is he fine?'

Yes Bunny was and so wer we. So that evening two little angels lay sleeping in their beds. Two little heads with two bunnies nearby. And two relieved grandparents who couldn't wait to fall into bed after yet another busy exciting day.

Grandchildren - as I remember you get to give them back. As grandparents I think you can ask them to return! I fetched the parents on Wednesday and their little girls couldn't believe that their mum and dad were home. And we had our home to ourselves again neat, tidy, [what's that??}

Granny tip: Always remember to buy two 'comforters' for each child [one in the wash and one in the hand]. When not in use  it's a good idea to place the bunnies on the beds.

PLACE TO HAVE FUN WITH CHILDREN (AND YOUR INNER CHILD TOO!
 

We are always on the look out for child friendly places and often try out venues before taking the littles ones. Fortunately I have friends in similar situations so you will often see two 'mature women' sitting surrounded by children not their own.

Here are some places for children to visit with grandparents and parents. Places that  are child friendly and fun.  I shall be visiting them with my granddaughters from time to time and will give an update and comments from the children too.

Remember to have with you - sunhat and lotion, water or juice, something to snack on while waiting for the 'main event' and a huge amount of patience and good humour.

1.


Jimmy Jungles (indoor kids' playground) in the Pineslopes Centre on Witkoppen Rd. They have fantastic jungle gyms. Children never want to  leave, and some children say they'd  would quite like to live there! There are lots of staff to play with the kids and moms are allowed to get on to the jungle gyms if they would like to! They have a coffee shop too.
2.

Kids World (opposite Monte Casino at the nursery). They have jungle gyms, trampolines, jumping castles etc. Security is quite good. They won't let any  kids out the gate without the adult who signed them in (they take fingerprints when signing in and out.) You can order from the restaurant and the food is pretty good.
3. Broadacres Spur. They have all sorts of outdoor play equipment and staff to play with the kids so that parents can eat while food is still hot.
4. The People's Theatre in Braamfontein. They always have kids' productions, We have seen Noddy, The Gingerbread Man and Cinderella so far. If you join their kids' club you get reduced ticket prices and a free ticket for the child in their birthday month.
5. The National Childrens' Theatre in Parktown. There is a mix of kid and adult actors, and the kids are really great on stage. They don't encourage under threes in the audience though, which can be difficult.They do have special mom and toddler chairs next to the exit in case you need to take little ones out.
6. The Secret Tea Garden in the Norscot Manor Recreation Centre. There are lovely jungle gyms, beautiful gardens and a really kid-friendly menu. They can make pizzas too. If you want to picnic in their gardens they pack a picnic basket for you. There is also a public library in Norscot Manor and it's great to choose library books and picinc too!
7.

The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (in Roodepoort) It's really nice to go and picnic there and chill for the day. The gardens are spectactular and there is a waterfall and lots of interesting walks.
8. Clamber Club - this is not a kids' venue, it's a group for toddlers and their moms (or dads, grans or even nannies) to join. They run a gross motor and movement program. Classes begin inside the class with songs, interest in toys and equipment then move outside to use the most amazing outdoor equipment which is changed every week. The kids play with their moms outside and really do learn a lot and make friends.
9. The Lory Park Zoo in Midrand. Nice because it is not too big and the kids get to see the animals and birds (lots!!) up close.
10. Montecasino Bird Gardens. Beautiful setting, lots of lovely birds and animals. You can feed the lorikeets with nectar and the staff members are very friendly and always willing to help and explain. They have a bird show  which is very interesting, and their emphasis is on conservation. Also there is a coffee shop and a playground.
11. Fourways area - Il Paesano - A great place where children can make their own pizzas and parents can sit and watch as they climb jungles gyms and 'ride' ponies and other interesting wooden animals.
12. Parktown North Nurseries off Jan Smuts Avenue has an outdoor tea garden and a small playground which is delightful for little people.
13.

Of course the Johannesburg Zoo is a great place to meander with children. Golf carts and 'the train' are also available for tired people. Expensive for parking and a family - but worth an outing.
14. Out of Johannesburg near Hermanus is a delightful spot in Stanford called The Maze. It is a Tea Room and Children's Garden. In their words " The perfect playground in the heart of Stanford. The Maze is a place where children love to play and parents love to relax"! They offer a program of children's workshops, do birthday parties and special events.

the-maze@iwireless.co.za
36 Daneel Street, Stanford.


 

Dear friends of The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering,
Something amazing is happening!!!  Here's what I know from a few of the emails I've received in the past week:

 

1. Deb Ballam, Associate Provost for Women's Policy Initiatives at Ohio State University and a group of women from Columbus, Ohio were so inspired by The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering they created a website (translated into 15 languages!), a YouTube video, and 20,000 postcards and are blanketing the globe -- literally! -- with a message asking women and men to stand in their local parks at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 13th -- Mother's Day.  See http://www.standingwomenorg
2. Teena Booth, a television screenwriter who works in Hollywood and lives in Arizona had the same idea at the same time and created a website inspired by the Grandmother story, asking people to stand at 1 o'clock on Mother's Day.  (I swear I had nothing to do with this!)  Please see her most compelling website at http://www.standintheparkforpeace.org
3. Linda Merryman, a convener of the Millionth Circle Initiative inspired by Jean Shinoda Bolen's book, linked up the two women and made sure news of the Mother's Day event made it onto the Millionth Circle website.  Linda emailed this morning to say already she's gotten word Millionth Circle will host a Gather The Women of South Florida Mother's Day event.  (See Linda's poignant letter about standing in Ashland to help save the world at http://www.standintheparkforpeace.org and http://www.grandmotherbook.com
4. ustine Willis Toms, co-founder and co-president of New Dimensions World Broadcasting, whose weekly in-depth interviews are heard on National Public Radio, will announce Deb and Teena's events in the March New Dimensions Newsletter and will call for people to stand at 1 o'clock on Mother's Day http://www.newdimensionsorg
5.

A woman from British Columbia who was representative to the 5th Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations and is part of a grassroots grandmothers-to-grandmothers campaign to help women in Africa, wrote to say she and a woman from India are organizing a Great Silent Grandmother Gathering on the steps of the Parliament Building in Victoria, B.C.

Please forward this email to your friends and groups.  And please consider standing, if only for a few minutes, at 1 o'clock on Mother's Day, May 13, 2007.  Maybe, just maybe, this spontaneous wave of heartfelt intentions will be the tipping point.

With love and hope, Sharon Mehdi

 From: http://www.standingwomen.org/english_story.html

The women of Ohio call upon the women of the world, from the day-old babies to our most senior elders, to stand with us to save the world.

Sharon Mehdi wrote a wonderful short story for her five-year old granddaughter, The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering that has inspired us. A quick summary of the story is:

A busboy who worked in a café whose window faced the public park noticed that two grandmotherly looking women had been standing in the park all day without moving at all and without talking. They were dressed up in their Sunday best and were just staring at the town hall. He asked the other patrons in the café what they thought the women were up to. They speculated on a variety of things. Then, a five-year old year who was in the café spoke up and said "One of them is my grandmother and I know what they are doing. They are standing there to save the world." All of the men in the café hooted and howled and laughed. On his way home the busboy decided to ask the women what they were doing and sure enough their answer was "We are saving the world."

Over dinner that evening the busboy told his parents and he and his father hooted and howled, but his mother was totally silent. After dinner, the mother called her best friends to tell them.

The next morning the busboy looked out the café window and the two women were back, along with his mother, her friends, and the women who had been in the café the day before. All were standing in silence staring at the town hall. Again, the men hooted and howled and said things like "You can't save the world by standing in the park. That is what we have armies for," and "everyone knows you have to have banners and slogans to save the world--you can't do it by just standing in the park."

The next day the women were joined by the women who were in the café the day before and a number of their friends. This brought the local newspaper reporter to the scene. He wrote a derisive article about the women. The day after it appeared, hundreds of women showed up to stand in the park in silence. The mayor then told the police chief to make the women leave because they were making the town appear to be foolish. When the police chief told them they would have to disperse because they didn't have a permit, one of them responded that "we are just individuals standing in our public park and we are not giving speeches or having a demonstration so why would we need a permit." The police chief thought about this and agreed with them and left the park.

At this point 2,223 women including the mayor's wife, the police chief's wife, and one five-year old girl were standing in the park to save the world. The news quickly spread and soon women were standing all over the country. The story ended with women standing in every country throughout the globe, standing to save the world. See http://www.grandmotherbook.com

Please stand with us for five minutes of silence at 1 p.m. your local time on May 13, 2007, in your local park, school yard, gathering place, or any place you deem appropriate, to signify your agreement with the statement below. We ask you to invite the men who you care about to join you. We ask that you bring bells to ring at 1 p.m. to signify the beginning of the five minutes of silence and to ring again to signify the end of the period of silence. During the silence, please think about what you individually and we collectively can do to attain this world. If you need to sit rather than stand, please feel free to do so. Afterwards, hopefully you and your loved ones can talk together about how we can bring about this world.
 

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