Well, well – I’ve been a very busy girl. So busy in fact, that I haven’t even had a chance to read any of my favourite blogs over the last few weeks. I am still working at my sister’s office in the afternoons, much to my permanent boss’s disgust. I think he’s afraid that I’ll resign to go work with Joanne permanently. And, while I have enjoyed the challenge and change of scenery, I really do like my half day job far too much to even think about going next door. So, the new lady started on Monday morning and by Wednesday she’d already handed in her resignation (my personal opinion is that she over-sold herself and couldn’t cope), so I’m helping out for another month. They really do need someone to fill the position urgently (anyone looking for a job in the city centre?) ‘cos I’ve told them I’m only staying till the end of this month. We’ll see. The extra money is coming in handy towards my holiday, which is at the end of next month! I can’t believe how quickly the time is flying by!
Besides thinking about our upcoming birthdays and holidays, it’s been a very busy time for Jake too. Over the last few weeks, he’s learnt how to whistle, has mastered the monkey bars,
and has learnt to ride his bike without fairy wheels!! He's still battling a bit with starting and stopping, so I still have to run alongside him, but he can balance!!!
I’m very proud of him and I really do think that all of these are pretty good accomplishments for a kid his age. He’s a very determined little soul, little bull that he is, and once he puts his mind to something, he just doesn’t let up until he’s got the knack. (See, all us mommies really do think our own kids are the most intelligent, advanced beings ever created...)
We’ve also been out and about quite a bit. With the two long weekends at the end of April/beginning of May and one 2 day week, we’ve been able to do tons. The first long weekend at the end of April, saw us going through to Kommetjie to camp with the outlaws (just for 1 night) which was really good fun, albeit unbelievably cold inside a tent (I slept in longsleeves, with a shawl wrapped around me, a duvet, a jacket over the duvet and another blanket over that and was still freezing!!). Jake always has a ball there, since his cousins are normally there too. My father-in-law took the kids and I on a train trip from Simon’s Town to Muizenberg and back. The kids loved it, but it was quite an experience. We missed our train back to Simon’s Town after walking around Muizenberg for 20 minutes, so went to the restaurant above the station for coffee. We came very close to missing our second train too – Jake’s cousins were on though and we were running up behind them trying to catch the train before it left with them and without us (they’re only 5 & 7). Jake lost a shoe somewhere in the rush and was screaming blue murder until the train actually left. Thankfully some kind old soul realized what the problem was and tossed Jake’s shoe in through the closing doors. My nerves were shattered. Anyway, traveling by rail in South Africa is always a bit of an experience and the people who join you en route are always a bit dodgy. It was really cheap though (R11.50 per adult return, kids under 6 travel free and kids over 6, pay half price) and I was still brave enough to pull my camera out and take some pictures along the way. The trip from Simons Town to Muizenberg goes along the coast and you pass by such beautiful beaches along the way - the scenery is just breath-taking.
Jake & Rebecca...
View across to Simons Town Naval Base...
One of the beaches along the way...
Waiting for train number 2...
Abigail, Rebecca & Jake on Kommetjie Beach - try get 3 kids to all look at the camera at the same time, it's NOT easy. Plus, my child is just a clown...
… Aside from that, we braai’ed at home and generally just relaxed. The holiday was for Freedom day, on the 28th and we went down to the Waterfront to see the show. Jake was in a bit of a grump, but enjoyed it none-the-less.
The Cape Town Highlanders...
Jake preparing himself for the cannon fire...
Oh and I did my first wedding shoot! It was for a good friend of mine, Trish, who was widowed exactly 2 months to the day after me. Her husband was killed in a motorbike accident. She met Bevan at church just over a year ago and decided there was no point in taking their time in getting married. It was a very emotional wedding, so I was really glad to have my camera to play with - kept me from listening too closly. Anyway, they weren't having a photographer unless I took some shots for her, so there was no pressure at all, which was also nice. And, thank goodness for digital photography – it’s great to be able to check on what you’ve taken and to have the freedom to take hundreds of pictures. I can't believe I've taken so long to be converted. Then again, having my D80 was totally worth the wait. I’ve also enjoyed playing around on photoshop and tweaking my shots slightly. I just feel like I know so little still...
The next weekend, which was a 4 day one at the beginning of May, saw us traveling by road to visit Wesley and Lizelle and their 2 kids. Lara-Lyn’s just turned 4 and Robert’s 3 weeks in Augrabies in the Northern Cape. Robert's an absolute giant – weighing in at 4.8kgs at birth.
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My parents drove up with us, although I did most of the driving, which was quite something for me who prefers to snooze on the passenger seat during long car trips. The drive was uneventful, although a bit damp on the way home. Jake was an angel and actually enjoyed stopping at petrol stations along the way, eating “padkos” (junk food) and singing songs. He’s decided that he wants to learn how to play “I spy” and everything he spies starts with ‘h’ or ‘f’. Makes guessing quite difficult. He’s actually pretty good, though, when we do the spying for him, so I don’t think it’ll be too long before he gets the hang of it. Augrabies is always tons of fun, although we generally don’t do too much, except spend time with Wes and his family. Jake was really taken by the puppy they were looking after for Lizelle’s parents and I think the poor man-handled dog was quite glad to see the back of us.
Wes and Lizelle live on the Orange River and there’s a really great little camping place across the river, where they do horse-riding and game drives. We managed to get there twice - once to go horse-riding with the kids and once for a game drive. Jake absolutely loves horse-riding and was quite chuffed that he was able to sit in the saddle on his own while I lead the horse around.
The weather in Augrabies was not great, we had lots of rain and thunder storms, which I always find pretty scary, especially when I'm on a tiny boat with my child in the middle of a river such as the Orange... Our game drive was also a complete wash-out, which was not funny from the back of an open truck. Fortunately, Jake could sit inside, so he didn't get wet, but the rest of us had to freeze until we got home. Thank goodness for body-warming Muscadel.
The drive home was long and it rained most of the way. It’s good to be back in my own bed too.
This last weekend my folks went off to Johannesburg for my aunt’s 60th birthday. Jake & I had a wonderful weekend together. On Friday night, we hired a movie (lady & the tramp) and Jake wanted Macaroni for supper, which Woolworths kindly made up for me.
Last week I had a really tough time getting Jake out of bed in the mornings, so we decided to lie in a bit on Saturday morning. What a treat - I can't remember when last I actually lay in past 7:00. Seriously though, when my alarm goes off in the mornings during the week just before 7, he grabs me and holds on as tight as he can, telling me to sleep and not to get up yet. It's terrible and makes my getting up all the more difficult. So Saturday we lay in, then went shopping for party supplies. I have 28 kids coming!! And because Jake's birthday is on Friday and mine's on Saturday, we have a huge amount of family and family friends who've said they'll be popping in too. It's going to be crazy and I've got everything crossed that this weather perks up a little by then. Where was I? Saturday evening. I had friends around for dinner, who didn't stay too late, so I mangaged another earlish night.
Sunday was mother's day here (Happy mother's day to all the wonderful moms who read this silly blog). Jake was so excited about the gifts he'd made me, it was too sweet. Actually, on Friday when I got home from work, he came running out of his room shouting, "mommy, I've got a surprise for you, you can't go in my bedroom. (2 second pause) Wait, I'll show you. I had to convince him that although I was really excited, he needed to wait until Sunday to share it with me. He couldn't wait though, so I got my card and 2 heart biscuits on Friday evening and he managed to keep my bracelet hidden until Sunday morning. When we eventually got up and organised on Sunday, we went to visit Jacques' mom. I always feel quite heartsore for her on Mother's day, imagine having one of your kids missing from your life forever? There can be nothing worse in this world. Anyway, they made an effort to be happy and we had pancakes and champagne with them for breakfast. On Sunday afternoon we collected my parents from the airport, Jake adorned with a huge bunch of Stargazer lilies and home made card (we made them on Saturday for both grannies). My mom hardly looked in my direction, she was so excited to be reunited with her grandson. He in turn, flew into her arms and they couldn't be separated. Very sweet. We went out for dinner with my parents last night and Jake got to bed way too late, so he will be a monster by the time I get home this evening.
Jake & I last night at dinner. Note my beautiful bracelet, which is about 6 sizes too small. I've been instructed to wear it to work again today, my wrist is killing me and I think my fingers are about to start falling off from lack of circulation...
Stargazers...
Anyway, I hope you'll all forgive me for having been so quiet on my blog. I promise to try pop in a bit more often, so that you don't get blogs like this to read too often. It's just been a very hectic couple of weeks. I've got less than an hour till I leave here and I'm going to try find a moment to read some of your blogs now too...
Lots of love,
Sue xxx PS. I started this post on Friday, but didn't get a chance to upload all the photos, hopefully the date comes out for Monday, 12 May...
2 comments:
Glad to have you back in bloggerworld :) The pics of you and Jake are beautiful. Hugs, xx
Wow!
Thanks so much for the newsy update! You and Jake have been busy!
I love the milestones that Jake has crossed - whistling, monkey bars and bike riding - that is so cool!
As always, your pictures are great. You do such a nice job of capturing those fleeting family moments as well as giving us far away readers a taste of your beautiful country!
And happy birthday (a little early) to both you and Jake! Roo's birthday is the 16th as well and mine's the 18th! What a busy weekend!
Enjoy!
<);o)
- Lee
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