Transitions

What was originally meant as a 2 week stay at my in laws while the reno at our house was completed has dragged to become a month long stay, the reason being we added a couple more things to our list of to-dos for the new house and that has delayed the completion of the reno.

I am thankful for some aspects of our extended stay here:
- The kids have become so much closer to their grandparents. Previously Thane would turn away and cry whenever hubby's dad attempted to even touch him. Now he would rather Yeye carry him and take him out on a car ride than stay home with me.

- The after dinner playtime with their cousins. I think they will miss this most of all once we've moved out. Every night, dinner is hurriedly shovelled down in anticipation of dancing, singing, painting, playing make believe...u name it, they do it...up in the computer room on the 3rd floor. Thane doesnt do much of the above but he is content to watch his sister and older cousins at play and will always laugh or clap enthusiastically at their antics.

- The 24 hr free babysitting service that lets hubby and i have some precious couple time together, be it going to the nearby coffeeshop for supper or busying ourselves cleaning up at the new place, we are always reassured that the kids will be well taken care of at home.

- The super duper efficiency of the 2 maids in the house. Because they help each other out, our laundry is done within 24hrs, the toilet is always glistening, our room is always spick and span, the kids are always well fed and well entertained.

But i will definitely not miss:

- My mum in law's outrageous superstitious beliefs. I am particularly miffed by the fact that she thinks all women's clothes are "dirty" and have to be washed separately from the rest of the family's.

- The suffocating heat of the house. My mum in law keeps ALL the windows perpetually closed for fear of dust entering the house. Granted, the house is spotless, but the sticky, cloying HEAT is just unbearable.

- Terelle's obvious disregard of my authority cos she knows she has the constant backing of her grandparents, who will indulge in her every whim and fancy. Just this evening, after dinner (she had a HUGE bowl of rice), she saw her cousins stuffing their faces with cashew nuts and junk food and promptly declared that she was hungry. A soon as Yeye heard her pitiful mantra, he immediately gave her a bowlful of nuts, and Terelle simply ignored my fervent protests. Hungry?? Like real!! What a total con job that only grandparents will fall for!

- Hubby and I are constantly at each other's throats; i cannot pinpoint exactly why...perhaps its because of the lack of personal space here, perhaps its because of the heat, perhaps its because im constantly frustrated over the kids and am subconsciously taking it out on him.

So there you have it, as im writing this, we are still waiting for our new place to be completed. And for all the good there is from our stay here, I know that when we really move, I for one would be most happy and relieved.