As a sad aftermath of the boys birthday I have discovered that I have at least partly caused a maid being fired. What happened was that during the week before the party I thought I had a brilliant idea to ask our Kenyan neighbour's (whose son is in Beatrice's class) maid to help us do the BBQ so that I could look after the children and entertain the parents etc. We saw her every morning while taking Beatrice to schoolbus and I had understood that she really is looking to earn some extra on her day off so she can send some money to her son. Our regular babysitter is also keen on extra work but I just wanted to spread it a little. Anyway, Sunday morning a few hours before the party she came here and told that she had asked her Mam permission just in case and she had forbidden it. She was distraught and I was in stress trying to think of someone, who could turn up in 1.5 hours time. Luckily our KOrean friends here were helpful and didn't mind their maid earning a few extra dollars on her day off. So she did it instead. However, a few days later I received a call from the Kenyans maid and it turned out she was fired in the same evening because she had agreed to do it before asking them. As an interesting twist her employers were at the party as well. So now the poor girl has to find a new employer and go another 2 months without salary as that goes for the agency fees. I feel bad about it of course and am trying to give her some babysitting work (which is ok because the kids know her and like her more than our regular babysitter). Still quite a disappointing story.
The rest of the week has been the usual busying around. Helped to sew some costumes for the Christmas play at B's school. But now with the boys at home after Thursday's last schoolday won't be able to help any more.
On Saturday we went to a book launch and changed the Taekwondo class thatswhy. It turned out to be a good thing because this was apparently the first time that the boys finished the class without fighting or arguing. That's because their schoolfriend Yeo Yoo wasn't there. I had always thought that Karl's and Yeo Yoo's quarreling was mostly Karl's initiative, but it has turned out that it really isn't and that Yeo Yoo argues with everyone else as well. His parents seem very nice and kind people but the little boy is quite a pickle.
The booklaunch was great. A mum in Beatrice's class has published her first children's books (3 of a series) - written and illustrated. Greatly inspired by Singapore as well as her kids. The books are brilliant and a good read for 3 - 7 year olds. Really. I am full of admiration and envy... But Borders on a Saturday afternoon is not a worthwhile destination. Apart from the launch party there were hundreds or thousands of kids, taking books from shelves, reading them on the floor and leaving everything there. The place must be a total mess by closing time. Quite surprized to see it actually because whenever we've been to the library everything is very quiet and orderly. How come that people behave civilized in a library and go completely mad in a shop?
On Sunday Beatrice was invited to the Korean twins 11th birthday party. That was quite different to 4-year-old's party. Only girls. And Raoul and Karl. Mostly they played in the pool. But all the eating part was very civilized. At the end everyone went up to their place to watch Highschool Musical 3 - the 17 girls and Karl. He was very pleased with himself when he came back.
On Monday the boys were off school and we had a good rainy day playday with their friend Matthew. Went to Ikea, where they had a good 1.5 hours in the playground while we shopped. Found for the first time something Made in Estonia here - Christmas napkins! Funny.
Today was parent-teacher conference at school. Nothing surprizing there - Karl arguing with Yeo Yoo a lot, Raoul trying to protect him. Raoul still being stubborn at times but much better than in the beginning. The teacher says she sometimes uses Karl to pass a message on to Raoul. I'm glad there is improvement and hope.