It's been a while since I updated my blog (sorry everyone). Work has been good, keeping me out of trouble for at least half the day. I realised sometime during last week, though, that I had 54GB of photos stored up on my work PC and it decided to go on strike. Well, not entirely, but everything was just running on slow. I've now bought myself a smart new external hard drive (1 Tb!!) and have moved all my photos onto that. So, every thing's back up and running as it should be and I have an extra 54GB free on my work PC.

Life's been plodding along as usual and Jake & I actually haven't been too busy lately, which has been really good for both of us. During last week, the only "booking" I had was dinner with the girls on Tuesday night. It was great!

Thursday brought the Oscar awards to our humble little suburb, Edgemead. It was the annual matric dance and the crowds flocked to the streets surrounding the high school to watch the girls and boys (a sure sign of age - they really are just boys and girls!) arrive in their finery. We decided to take Jake down the road (we're in the same road as the school) to watch the cars arrive. Traditionally, it's more an event of how you arrive then who you arrive with. Through the years, kids have arrived by all means - from horse driven carriages (Wendy from Lily Land went with Jacques on one back when we were in school - remember?) and motor bikes to parachutes and helicopters. This year however, the rules stated that the matrics could only arrive by car, so it was a bit tamer then most years. Still, the roads were closed off and the crowds flocked to see friends and family arriving at the dance.

Road closure in anticipation of the Edgemead High Matric Dance 2008...

Jake waiting for the cars to start arriving...

Finally, the first cars arrive, much to the delight of the maddening crowd...

The cars varied from the classic...

To the ultra sexy, slinky & modern...

To the funky (this was Jake's favourite, by the way)...

I like old cars. Don't know why, I just do... And what about this little stock car?? Cute, man...And, since we were there to take photos of the cars, I didn't really take many of the people in their finery. They go all out and the girls all look gorgeous as they try to out do one another; the guys wear smart suits and gel their hair up. Quite the thing... This guy managed to organise an Italian police car. Very cool. I think it's a Lamborghini...

And this is Jake blocking his ears against all the noise of the revving engines. He doesn't like loud noise, 'cept for music and movies...

Anyway, on to the weekend...

Jake & I were home alone on Friday night. We hired a DVD (Funky Monkey - it was hysterical) and got Chinese take outs. We were both in bed just after 7 and Jake was sound asleep by 7:30. It wasn't as bad as it sounds - I read until about 9:30, then passed out. What is it about Friday nights as you get older? I can't imagine doing much more then having a quiet (and early) night at home.

On Saturday morning we went through to Worcester for a wedding. It was a bit strange, there were only 28 guests, including about 7 kids. I don't know the groom very well and hadn't met the bride (only found out that her name was Caroline on the way through to Worcester!). The entire Moelans family was invited, so we made up for another 8 of the guests. Since Kobus and Caroline had already married in the UK, their ceremony was more of a blessing, with the bride wearing a long chocolate brown dress and the groom walking her down the aisle. When the minister asked for the rings, they had to take them off before they could put them back on again. From the church, we headed on to the Karoo Botanical Gardens. The weather was a perfect 29 degrees (C) in Cape Town, which must've pushed it up over 30 in Worcester. We sat outside on a covered patio and enjoyed a gentle breeze. The scenery was breath taking...

They had a jumping castle up (for a short while) for the kids to enjoy... As soon as the guys arrived to do the spit, Jake was over at the "fire" with the men trying to figure it all out. Those poor guys had a whole bunch of questions to answer - everything from "what meat is it", to "did you catch the lamb?" He also told them that his mommy doesn't like the fatty bits of meat, because I'm trying to lose weight. Thanks, boy... In the car on the way home. Jake was beat, but I managed to keep him awake until we got home. Fortunately, Grandpa Hubie drove (thanks!!), so we were free to chat away in the back seat... Took this photo from the car just as we'd hit the road. See the last little dusting of snow? And, when we got home, the first thing Jake did was strip down and jump in the pool. We had our pool heated last year, because Jake wouldn't get into the cold water. It means we spend hours in the water...

Saturday night, I was, amazingly, also at home. On Saturday night Jake decided that we were sleeping in until lunch time on Sunday! That's unheard of on weekends for him. He'd love to stay in bed all day when he's got to go to school, but weekends he's normally up with the birds. So, Sunday morning arrived and Jake woke up at 7:20 and much to my surprise, he kept his word (pretty much). We put a movie on (the Water Babies) and only got up at about 10. My mom spoilt us with flapjacks in bed too, so it was a very pleasant start to our day. The weather wasn't great, but we pottered around the house and did quite a bit of work in the garden. It was really nice to have some time to just stop and be at home for a change. Sunday evening, we had a lovely dinner with Jacki and her son Steven (thanks again for the delish mac & cheese) and Jake was in bed by 7 again. Again, this week, I have no plans - it's wonderful for a change!!

Jake woke up this morning asking me if we could go see Mamma Mia again too. I know it's no really an appropriate story for a young child, but he has seen it already and he actually didn't understand the story at all. He absolutely loved the music though and has been singing the songs ever since. Oh and he's very much in love with the shows Sophie. Since movies are cheap on Tuesdays and it looks like it might rain, we might just do that this afternoon. Although I should probably just buy him the sound track...

And one last photo, here's Jake listening to the old records we used to love as kids. He gets MAD when I sing along...

Lots of love to you all, Sue xxx

PS. Swimming/gardening update to follow later this week!