Finally, the Cape Town post
Cape Town was lovely. The weather was perfect and we got to spend a whole 8 days with the family. Unfortunately we never got to do a proper tweet up but next time we will make it a priority!
So a few photos and a bit of text (I spent most of the time running around after the kids so not that many photos)…
We started at the SLOW lounge at the airport. Highly recommended if you can get in. I loved these clocks as you walk in 
We stayed at the Southern Sun (Tsogo Sun) Newlands and the kids made themselves right at home.
We befriended some seagulls at the waterfront and unfortunately didn’t get to go on the Wheel of Excellence, I could just see the total meltdown from Aaron if we had tried. Next time we will make a plan for the adults to have a go.
We spent a lovely day in Hout Bay, we took a walk in the harbour, had a fish and chip lunch and even saw some seals getting fed. In fact Paul caught a seal and a seagull having a fight over a fish. The seal got the fish and the gull got away so I reckon they were both happy…
Seal versus sea gulls from Paul Jacobson on Vimeo.
We ended that afternoon with a walk through Kirtenbosch Gardens.
Faith ended the day enjoying an ice cream 
We went to Butterfly World on our way to Franschhoek. It was beautiful. We saw butterflies, a bat, a monkey, iguanas and a whole lot more. I definitely recommend going if you are in the area.
In Franschhoek we had lunch at our favourite pancake place. This sign in their courtyard just says it all
On the way back from Franschhoek we stopped at Fairview for a bit of a cheese tasting, let me tell you, Aaron had the ladies in a flutter, tasting all the different cheeses and telling us which he liked and which he didn’t and which tasted like pizza ( I wish I could remember which one that was!) We also got to have some fun with some very hungry fishes.
On the Friday night the entire family (and the retinue) from the brides side and the grooms side got together for dinner and Aaron was such a star, he even wore the ‘fancy’ shirt and his new black smart shoes.
On Sunday the family gathered together for the wedding of my brother in law, Asher and my new sister in law, Megan. The day was absolutely beautiful. The weather played along, the food was outstanding, the decor absolutely stunning.
The wedding was held at the Vineyard Hotel and Spa and the venue was so beautiful. We all met there for breakfast the following day and afterwards took a stroll through their gardens. So pretty and tranquil.
Even though we didn’t do a proper tweet up, I did get to meet Lovely Light on the morning that we left for Johannesburg. I had won a competition on her blog for a pair of hand beaded earrings and instead of having them posted to me I collected them in person. It was great meeting Lovely Light and I hope that the next time we are in Cape Town we can do a proper tweet up and spend more time chatting.
One last pic of the happy couple!
Sleep deprivation…
Sick kids will do that to you.
Aaron started last week with a cough and croup in the night, off to the doctor, who told us that nebulising him as we were doing was the way to go, he is finally coming right although he is still coughing.
Faith developed a snotty blocked nose on Saturday and was awake about 7 times and again about 4 times on Sunday and AGAIN last night. In fact this morning at about 3:45 Paul landed up taking her to the lounge since she wouldnt settle.
All of this has resulted in major sleep deprivation and general grouchiness in my house.
Hopefully both kids are on the mend and normal programming will continue soon!
Catching up
So I have been a very bad little blogger lately and for that I am terribly sorry.
I have kept up to date on all the blogs in my reader though even if I havent commented recently.
So, a little catch up…
Aaron is loving school! He adores his teacher and the kids in his class and aftercare too.
He does swimming twice a week which he loves (I know right!?), Kindermusic every Monday and on a Thursday he does PlayBall after school on the school grounds.
He is growing like a weed and I need to do a big winter shop for him soon because nothing is fitting him anymore.
Faith is getting cuter and cuter every day.
She still only has two teeth and she only says ‘Ello and oof (woof) and only when prompted repeatedly. Yet she makes herself completely understood and understands everything you say to her.
She has a temper of note and screeches like a pterodactyl if she doesnt get what she wants.
She eats everything and anything, especially of its on her brother plate.
She is standing up all by herself and is walking beautifully if you hold one hand. Last night we taught her to walk holding onto her Disney princess car/bike thingy. She was very proud of herself.
Faith also does swimming lessons once a week and I get in the water with her. She LOVES the water and complains bitterly when we take her out the pool or bath tub.
Both my beautiful children are growing and learning and keep us on our toes.
On Sunday is my anniversary. SIX years! And I am still madly in love with my hubband. Even though he sometimes drives me absolutely crazy!
We went to the Drakensberg Sun last weekend for a mini pre-anniversary break, just the two of us. It was amazing and relaxing and we both missed the kids so we left a little earlier on Sunday morning that we had planned so we could get back to them
Ok, I promise not to take so long to blog again. Pinky swear!
Nursery school!
After a little bit of confusion regarding when Aaron was supposed to start school, we finally started today!
Yesterday we met Nana (my mom) at Woolies so we could buy a new school bag, we couldnt find a Ben Ten bag but we found another superhero one that came with a squeezy juice bottle and Aaron was very happy with it. I also got him his very own thermal lunch box.
He went to sleep last night chattering about ‘big’ school and his teacher and all the friends he will make.
This morning he got dressed, ate breakfast and was super excited to go to school.
I have to admit that I was preparing myself for drama. A small #AaronTantrum perhaps or at least tears and feet dragging when it came time to go to school. I was very pleasantly surprised at how cool, calm and collected my big boy was.
When we got to school he couldnt wait to show his new bag to everyone, the security guard, the moms and dads and the other kids.
He didnt even want to hold my hand which made me want to cry a little but I was strong and held back the tears with a big goofy grin instead.
We found his classroom and the teacher showed us his locker and his towel in the bathroom and then we sat down to play with a little boy called Sam. There was also a little girl whose name is Erin and the two of them found it very amusing that they have the same name. The one little girl that was at play school with him arrived and came to sit with us.
After a few minutes I told Aaron that I needed to go to work and he hugged me and off he went to do a puzzle. Not a care in the world.
Im so happy. He is such a confident little boy and I just know he is going to have such a great time at ‘big’ school.
Sci-Bono outing of awesomeness!
Yesterday we took the kids into Newtown to visit the Sci-Bono museum.
I cannot get over how much fun we all had, especially Aaron. So much fun in fact, that he didnt want to leave. We had to promise him that we would come back on the weekend!
Oh and not only is Sci-Bono fun its also a really cheap family outing. Adults are R20, kids are R10 and kids under 6 are free!
We landed up spending almost 2 and a half hours wandering around and we didnt even come close to seeing everything.
I had so much fun explaining how the mini experiments worked to Aaron. Watching his face as he saw what I told him actually happen was awesome.
We watched a science demonstration. The lady who did the demos was fantastic. The kids (and adults) were laughing and shouting and most of all learning.
(Had to put this pic in, just look at that curl!)
We had such a fun day, the time literally ran away from us. Aaron is still talking about all the things he saw and did. Cannot wait to go back!
*most pictures were taken by Paul, some by me on his camera and some by me on the iPhone (Im sure you can tell which).
To PTA or not to PTA…
Aaron is going to nursery school next year. We went to the school open day last week to meet his teacher and see his classroom and the school grounds.
I think he is going to be so happy there. One little girl from play school is going too and they will be in the same class.
When we left we were given an envelope with an information sheet that needs to be filled out for when when school starts as well as an info booklet on what to expect in regards to curriculum, parties etc…
In the booklet was a request for parents to join the PTA.
Now, I know all about being on a committee, body corporate and volunteer groups. I know about the politics and the issues that come with it.
I also know that I dont want to be ‘that’ mom. The one that isnt involved and doesnt pull their weight.
So, what are your experiences with PTA? Pros and cons? Should I do it for a year? Is there a way of being involved without the hassle of being on the PTA?
HELP!
My boy is 4!
On Saturday, my 1st born, my son, my little munchkin boy turned 4.
FOUR!!!!!
We had an absolute blast at his party yesterday and today was his birthday ring at playschool (the last one there, next one will be at nursery school).
Here are some pics from this morning
Waiting for the party to start
Not loving being the centre of attention
birthday crown
Blowing out candles
How do you explain?
This morning I found a baby bird lying in our driveway. It must have fallen/been pushed out the nest last night. It was dead and the ants had found it.
I told Aaron to be careful and to walk around it and he refused to move (I think he has my ‘ick’ gene). I called Paul to come and remove the baby.
This all led to a discussion with Aaron about the fact that the baby bird was dead and that we would have to bury it. He had lots of questions.
He wanted to know what happened to the bird. He wanted to know what would happen to it after it was buried. He wanted to know why it died and where its mommy and daddy were.
In Aarons short life two of his great grandparents have passed away. We explained to him that they were in heaven with Gd and left it at that. He was fine with that.
The difference here is that he actually saw the dead bird. He wanted to know what we were going to do with it (bury it).
How do you explain to a 4 year old about death?
Its not you, its me. Or is it?
Aaron is loving his swimming lessons and he is doing so well that we have graduated from the small pool to the shallow end of the big pool.
In order to help Aaron transition and to minimise any anxiety we were asked to stay with the same teacher (there are three different teachers at the school) which was fine with us as Aaron adores teacher L.
In order to move to the big pool we had to change lesson times. This was fine with me, once we had rescheduled Kindermusik lessons.
What I didnt bank on was not liking the parents at our new lesson time. I loved the parents at the old time. They were friendly and welcomed me with open arms and a ready smile.
The new parents barely even looked up from their discussion the first time we came to that lesson. Since then (4 lessons in) they still have not even smiled in my direction let alone introduced themselves or even said hello. And its not for lack of trying on my part. I always arrive with a smile and make eye contact (or try to) but they never reciprocate.
Not only have they not welcomed me but they are rather bitchy when they talk. About other people or situations. They are obviously all friends and move in the same social circles. I cannot stand how cliquey they are and how nasty they can be. So much so that I asked the teachers if there is another time that we can move to with teacher L.
I dont think moving the time will effect Aaron as he doesnt know the kids in his class now on a personal level and the only requirement is that we stay with teacher L.
I know Im not guaranteed a better group of parents but anything has to be better than wanting to smack them with a shovel.
Your favourite things – Aaron
I spotted this on Cat’s blog, Jenty’s blog and Tanya’s blog and I thought what a wonderful way to remember the kids childhoods.
Im starting with Aaron…
TV programme: You love anything on Disney Jnr, especially Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Mickey Mouse Club House. You have also discovered Sponge Bob Square Pants…
iPhone App: You love Angry Birds and the Incy Wincy Spider game on my your iPod Touch
Meal: Pizza! With black olives.
Fruit: Red apples.
Vegetable: Ummmm whats that? Is an olive a vegetable?
Breakfast: Coco Pops.
Drink: Cream Soda.
Toy: Hmmm, you love your new dragon that Cheryl and Raymond gave you for your birthday.
You love: Your sister, drawing, playing outside, school and your nanny, Aletta.
Something that happened yesterday:
Yesterday you were a little bit sick so you stayed home from school. You LOVE staying home almost as much as you love going to school. Mainly cause you got to help Aletta clean the windows with the squeegee…
