Riding the Tsunami

At the moment we are surfing the big waves.

Hawaii style ones that break way out the back- deep deep in the ocean.

There's no chance of your toes touching the bottom.

It's either swim hard or be taken under.

Tsunami style waves that pick you up, swallow you whole and turf you around like kelp.

And then spit you to shore bedraggled, limp & exhausted.

Waves that feel so enormous.  So enormous that when you look at them you try to prepare but don't really know how.

And then just as you have surfed one another follows.....and another.

And then night descends and the sea calms.

Until the next following day......when the waves begin again.

Our 5th child is 3.

My last experience with 3 was NOT my favourite.  The ones before that I can't remember (convenient perhaps!).

Here is a list of some of the highlights....ok maybe lowlights of the 3yo's week :

1. Ran out of the school gates straight onto the road followed soon after by a clog wearing mad lady who had suddenly aged 25 years.
2. Weed on a friend's super doop posh lounge suite.
3. Bit his brother no less than four times in one week.
4. Screamed and kicked me as I sent him to bed on more than one occasion.
5. Took off his shoes and threw them at a fellow customer at a restaurant (not someone we knew- and clearly he didn't want to know us after that episode!)

The list could go on & on but I choose to forget most of it because I would go bonkers.

What I do know about this is this:

1. It will pass.
2. It is far better to laugh about it or I would go singularly insane.
3. It never ceases to amaze me how a child of 3 years of age wields more power than two of his parents put together and can very nearly make them both come unstuck.
4. The grog cupboard should remain fully stocked for the next year when history tells me a calm suddenly arrives when he turns 4.
5. Sleep is a huge part of it all-mostly a lack of it.
6. That as a parent I make it up as I go along every.single.day. 
7. I know no more about parenting a 3yo than anyone else even though this is my fifth run at it.
8. I ain't trying again to see if I get it right next time.
9. Running in clogs is really pretty hard and not advised.
10. Wine o'clock seems to come around a lot earlier most days when you have a child aged 3.
11. Despite all of this I love him beyond words & so does his Papa and his brothers. Nature is an awesome thing.

Check out the super doop grumpy face of the 3yo. I took this pic just minutes after the shoe throwing episode. LOVE.

STEAMED JAPANESE EGGPLANT SALAD:
I have mentioned my love for eggplant before.
It is one of my fave vegies.
A lot of people have said to me they aren't sure how to cook it.
Steaming it is probably not one of the ways most people are familiar with but it gives it a lovely slippery consistency and removes the oiliness of frying it.
This recipe can be served warm and is also lovely at room temperature.
It is be delicious on it 's own or alongside pan fried fish.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 2 large eggplant, sliced and then cut into 1cm ribbons
• 2 1/2 tblspoons sugar
• 1 tblspoon soy
• 1 tblspoon mirin
• 2 tablespoons tahini paste
• 4 spring onion, chopped fine
• 1 bunch coriander, roughly chopped
• 3 teaspoons black sesame seeds (or substitute with toasted ones)

METHOD:

After slicing the eggplant into ribbons place them into a steamer and steam for 10-15 minutes.

Place into a bowl and cover with cling wrap.

Meanwhile in a small bowl add all the liquid ingredients and heat in a small saucepan (I did this in a microwave).


Remove the eggplant from the bowl and place into a large serving bowl.


Add liquid ingredients, spring onion & fresh coriander and stir through.


Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and serve.

I think I will NEVER tire of playing this song VERY VERY loud. And loud music may or may not have been helping me survive over the last few weeks: