She tests me ...

I love Sera, no doubt about it ... and I even dare say unconditionally. But she tests me ... everyday. Sigh, and today she hit the testing limits. I decided she didn't have to attend school this morning, and instead spend some quality time with oma and myself at the playground. We did have a lovely time at the playground, together with Gaston and Manuela. We even had a delicious brunch at the Opera Cafe at Landmark. When it was time to go back, we had to walk through 'Marks & Spencer'. My big mistake was having a look at the sunglasses rack. Sera got all excited and wanted to try on pair, after pair. She took a fancy to one particular one and didn't want to let it go. Oma and I were trying to wrangle it out of her hands, for fear she might accidentally break it. After several attempts, we managed to trick her into letting it go. Very quickly, oma scooped her up and we made a dash out of the store.

"Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" ... all the way to the jeep.

It only got worse because she put up a 10 minutes struggle with oma and me, refusing to be strapped in the car seat. Imagine, the two of us were unable to strap her down! I have no idea where this mighty strength of hers comes from??? We gave up and left her sitting on the floor of the jeep. She crouched on the floor, refusing to budge, stubbornly looking away from us. Only when oma enticed her with a story book, did she slowly climb onto the seat, cosying beside oma. Phew ... I hate to say this, but what a terror she can be!

There's more.

We arrive home and she decides she wants to stay in the car. I asked once, twice ... hmm, fine let her sit in the car! Sweet oma, of course, patiently pulls out a chair and waits at the patio for her. After 10 minutes, Sera the Queen decides she's done with her stand-off. She calls out to oma and finally, they both come into the house. Oma looked relieved and Sera was smirking, as if to say she had 'proved her point' ... of which, I didn't get? Needless to say, she also put up a fight with me when it was time for her afternoon nap. Hmm ...

It's now 8pm. I can hear Sera running away from Johan while he tries to put her diaper and her pyjamas on. Hah! It's his turn now. She runs out again, this time to give me a goodnight kiss ... and even wishes me "weet reams" ('sweet dreams'). Did I already mention I really do love her unconditionally?

Somehow, this very pregnant mama and Sera managed to fit unto the swing!

Gaston and Sera cruising on the wooden scooter