Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Hard Work and Hounds

I happen to think that one of the best things we can do for our children is to introduce them to a bit of hard work rather than handing them everything on a platter. That is why when recently we were given a free pool the Papa and I told the girls if they wanted it set up quickly, then they would need to step in and give us a hand.


 
 
We decided to set it up where the trampoline which was slowly rusting away was, but the area was filled with stone which needed to be removed first. So the girls grabbed their small wheelbarrow and shovels and set to work. Both of them really worked like little Trojans, in fact by the time the Papa had joined us (he hadn't gotten home until 1am the night due before due to working a late shift so was having a sleep in) we three girls had cleared the whole area. It was a really hot day and it was quite a sizable area and took us a few hours with some little breaks here and there to catch our breath. He was in a bit of shock ... but we are talking real girl power here people!
 
The Papa sent us inside and took over putting a sand base down, etc. and then the three of us popped back out later to help him erect the pool.
 
 
 
We still have to finish tidying up the area but due to two very hard working little naggers we let them fill the pool straight away and they were in it the next day taking advantage of the lovely warm autumn we have been experiencing. No guess where they have spent just about every afternoon since we've had it.
 
 
 
Unfortunately young Rory (our 8 month old German Shepherd/Border Collie) thinks the pool was put there for him and that first afternoon when they were swimming, he jumped in and swam right along behind them. I was hanging out washing and saw the whole thing. They on the other hand didn't realise he was doing his paddle right behind them until I pointed it out. The poor Papa was called out to help him get out ... much to every one's amusement. Then a couple days later whilst I was cleaning the laundry I took a rug out the back door to shake and there he was again, this time all by himself in the pool doing some laps. I was gob-smacked and very happy that this time he managed to simply jump out all by himself as the Papa was at work!
 
Little Scruffie also enjoys swimming with the girls, and managed to get stuck on the ladder recently as he can't quite manage them but is quite desperate to join the girls swimming too. I often wander out and find him on a lilo in there with them. He does this very weird thing as he swims behind them, he tries to bite their feet ... he looks like a snapping turtle and it cracks everyone up. We aren't sure if he is trying to catch onto them or what but he does it at the beach too, where he simply loves body surfing. We have rather odd dogs!
 
 

22 comments :

  1. Hi there, and thanks for your visit to my blog! I absolutely agree that children have to earn their rewards through work. It is a great lesson for them and will better prepare them for future life :)

    Teaching English with Mr. Duncan
    A-Z of hotels

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    1. That is our job as parents and educators, to prepare them for the future and their characters and hearts are equally as important as their minds.

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  2. What a fun post! I love the pictures. What a wonderful family you have! I look forward to reading more. Thank you for stopping by my blog! (I have to admit, when I clicked to your blog and saw you were on "H" I was afraid I was behind...then I realized that you're in another hemisphere and a day ahead! WHEW! Shelly Burke, blogging the A to Z Challenge at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com and www.achristianmomsguide.blogspot.com.

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    1. Thanks Shelly. I am more often than not behind rather than ahead of things ... lol

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  3. All that hard work duly rewarded with smiles and laughter. Felt good to read this.

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    1. Thanks so much. Nothing like a feeling of accomplishment is there.

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    2. Thanks for dropping by at my blog. I find your homeschooling bit pretty interesting since it is a rarity in India.

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  4. You said autumn so this happened last year? I think it's great - actually Awesome - that you made the girls help out like that instead of doing it all yourselves.

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    1. No lovely, we are in New Zealand so it is autumn here right now. :)

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  5. Cool pool and fun dogs! We have a pool that looks a lot like that but we have cats that are just as happy to skip a dip in the pool, lol. I know my kids value things so much more if they have to work for them or pitch in to help. Some of my best childhood memories were doing hard work. I'm sure your girls will have great memories of working to clear and set up the pool! :)

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    1. Funnily enough one of their favourite things is helping to bring in the hay each year. It could just be my singing that accompanies it although I seriously doubt it if the groans are anything to go by. We tried to pay them one year and they refused cause "it's so much fun" ... lol

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  6. Lisa,

    I always think that working hard together as a family brings everyone closer. And there always seems to be a reward after the work. That swimming pool is definitely a huge reward. You (and the dogs) are going to have so much fun using it! Maybe you're wishing summer was just beginning instead of having just finished. Never mind. There's always next year!

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    1. I always love summer. The heat doesn't get as extreme in NZ as it does in parts of OZ so mostly it is just lovely. We hope to have shifted by next summer Sue, so we'll have to start all over again elsewhere.

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  7. I admired the way your entire family chipped in to get the job done. Have fun in your pool, you richly deserve it. Look forward to more posts in the A to Z Challenge.

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    1. Thank you, it isn't something I was looking forward to (I so ain't the digging in the garden type) but when we all get into it together it turns out to be quite a fun experience.

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  8. I love how hard the girls worked to get the area ready; it shows they really wanted that pool.

    TaMara
    AJ's AtoZ wHooligan
    Tales of a Pee Dee Mama

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    1. They were indeed very excited over getting into that pool. We actually didn't start for a week because we had a cyclone headed our way and I wasn't entirely how bad it was going to be. Thankfully not too bad but the girls were out almost the day after starting work.

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  9. I am sure the pool must be fun for every family member.

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  10. Your dogs and kids are so cute! I'm glad you all have an awesome pool to swim in now!

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  11. so cute. Nice to meet and connect through Atozchallenge http://aimingforapublishingdeal.blogspot.co.uk/

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  12. I agree that it's good for kids to learn about work.

    Hope you aren't multi-tasking too much and that everything is okay. You were off to a good start with A to Z and then you stopped here. Hope you keep going.

    I'm now following your blog.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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  13. The picture you painted of your dog jumping in to the pool and paddling along behind your girls brought back my childhood with our dog, who also loved to do that. Only she was considerably shorter and needed a step to launch herself from. :)

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