So, life has been busy. Again. I don't know where this week has gone, let alone this month. Can you believe that it's nearly February? It's more then a month since we celebrated Christmas. Boy, it's been a busy month!!

So, as usual, just a rushed post full of pictures...

Jake has totally loved the swimming pool this year. He's always been a bit apprehensive around water, so it's great to see him swimming freely and having fun. Being an only child, he loves any and all company in the water and manages to coax us all in from time to time. Thank goodness our water is heated, or I wouldn't get past my knees. Connor thoroughly loves the water. Here the boys are cooling off with my dad, Pa...

Connor's had a haircut since this. He's too cute for words at the moment; crawling all over the show and full of smiles...

Our house is coming along well and I'm very proud of how I've managed to co-ordinate contractors around one another. The big move has officially started and we're hoping to be completely in by next weekend. It's all VERY exciting. So, this is our lounge. These pictures were taken last week sometime after they'd finished sanding, but not yet varnished our floors. I wish I could have kept the floors this way forever...

This is Jake's new bedroom. It's a lot smaller then what he's got at my parent's house and I'm really worried about getting a bed + toys in. Fortunately, I ordered him a new bed, which comes with a desk & bookshelf below the actual bed. He's as excited about his new bed as he is about the move at the moment...

Next up is my bedroom, which is quite a bit bigger then Jake's room and I'd be more then happy for him to have the extra space, but my queen size bed with extra length and side cupboards that's been in storage for 5 1/2 years won't fit in his room...

And besides, look at all my wardrobes!! I am going to have to go on a serious shopping spree to fill those. Excuse the dusty doors, they've been cleaned since these pictures...

From sanding the floors, the entire house has been under a thick layer of dust. It was pointless to start cleaning until my window frames had been knocked out and replaced...

This, obviously is looking down the passage towards the front door. Jake's room is on the right, mine's on the left, with another spare bedroom on the left ahead of mine. Bathroom and guest loo on the right...

The guest room to be...The bathroom & floor sander...The other half of the bathroom - it's tiny, but it'll do for the 2 of us...Entrance to guest loo, sure you don't actually want to see the toilet, unless of course you visit us and need to use it... Part of our kitchen. The long cupboard doors on the right open into my pantry...

We had our wall raised a little and closed up the doily-type holes that once decorated it. Didn't like the idea of anyone peeping through...

In between getting the house ready, we were invited to Rosanne & Gareth's for a braai. They made killer chicken's on the fire. FYI, yes, they are sitting on cans of lemon twist. Any sweet soda can be used; it keeps the chicken moist and it's just delish... The end result...They also did a braai bread, complete with onion and cheese. I didn't know you could put these things baking tray things on the fire, but turns out, they're pretty heat resistant. The picture speaks for itself... mmmm... Rose & Gareth are renting from me. Contrary to what their next-door-neighbour has to say about them, they are excellent tenants and I couldn't have asked for anyone to better care for my house. They're forever doing little things and turns out, they're quite house-proud. Here's the main bedroom...And the lounge looking across to their new bar, which Gareth built...Jake loves visiting them, they've got Wii games he doesn't have. Have you ever actually seen anyone playing Wii? It's hysterical and I promise to take some photos of Jake playing to post here soon... Connor was there too. He was sick and had a fever, poor little guy. Besides being a bit sick the last week, he's doing so well. He's got his first two teeth and is crawling and climbing everywhere. It's just a matter of time before he's walking all over the show, he can't wait to get going. I love this kid...Jake started golf lessons. He's been dying to give it a go and has been telling me for ages that he wants to learn, so when I got a note from school advertising playgolf (linked to playball, for those locals), I took him down. I was quite impressed and I can see how it's going to improve things like concentration and co-ordination. Plus, by the sounds of things, a lot of business happens on the golf course, so it's always good to know how, especially for guys. Perhaps I should take lessons too, I might meet a hottie on the course. Anyway, the lessons from a college just up the road from home...Jake's teacher, showing him how to stand and hold the club...Keep your arms straight and your legs slightly bent. Don't move your feet...Getting ready to go...Awww, how cute is this???At least he can hit the ball, we can work on direction... Seriously, too cute...A full swing...We've spent quite a bit of time cleaning up and getting the house ready for moving. The kitchen's been scrubbed out and the first boxes have been unpacked. Since everything has been in storage for 5 1/2 years, it's all got to be washed before it can be packed away. It's been quite a mission, but we're getting there. The kitchen's all packed now and my new washing machine went in yesterday. My fridge is in too. I can't wait for us to be settled in there now. Anyway, my folks helped us move a few boxes (OK, a lot) this week and we had our first meal in the garden afterwards...My new window frames... The burglar bars are in now too and the plastic's off, so they're looking great. I've had safety glass put in right around the house, which makes it so quiet inside when the windows are closed... My mom and Jake...Buitenverwachting wine and Butlers Pizza, it was divine...The floors have been varnished; this is the lounge. I love my floors...My clean kitchen...My pantry. I'm really looking forward to filling this. Grocery shopping here I come...The other view of my kitchen... And Jake's room once again. His new bed has been delivered, but is in the lounge at the moment. He can't wait to make it up. They're painting this week, so once his room is painted, we can get it set up... So, there you have it. That's what we've been up to. I'm off to the J & B Met today with a guy from work. I've never been to the races before, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it's all about. I have a pretty dress and bright red glitter shoes. I'm definitely packing my camera, so pics to follow. Got no clue how to bet, but I will be taking a gamble today and I'm looking forward to that. Hope you all have a stunning weekend, the weather here is breathless. Perfect!

XXX