We got the Feeva...

It's just 2 weeks until kick off and there's a couple of serious cases of soccer feeva going down at my house. And I don't even really like soccer...
The teams have started arriving, in alphabetical order, I might add! The opening ceremony and first game (South Africa vs Mexico) of the tournament will take place in Johannesburg exactly a fortnight from today. On that same day, we've got tickets to watch France vs Uruguay. To say that we are excited about the World Cup is an understatement. We have big plans to decorate our house in support of our local Bafana Bafana (Translation: the boys, the boys)team. We have South African flags and vuvuzelas and South African flag sweets and chocolate soccer balls and soccer mugs all over the show. Jake is really into it all and I'm just so excited to be able to share this moment in history with him. And it truely is that, especially since this will be the VERY first World Cup ever held on the African continent. And it's here. In our country. In our town...

Patriotic? You betcha!!! I love everything about this country; I love the people, I love the land, I love the beaches, the mountains and the weather (except winter)and I just could never imagine myself living anywhere else in the world (except maybe on the beach on some remote island in Greece. Or wherever Jake goes, but my heart will always be here). On the threashold of such a momentus event, I can only say that have goosebumps at the thought of so many people being able to experience South Africa for all that it has to offer. I am so proud to be able to "share" this beauty with so many. I am totally proud to be South African and I will be rooting for our soccer team with all my might (even though this is their first appearance at an event of this magnitude - good luck boys!). I am emotional for the young men who will be representing our country, I want to cry when I think about their mothers watching them face some of the best players in the world. I probably will when I hear them singing our national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica (go read the translation - it's a beautiful prayer).

During the world cup, I have plans to keep a score chart running with Jake and we are planning to prepare meals/snacks according to which teams are playing each day - you're all welcome to pop in and join us! All matches will be aired live on our national television station (it's free for all) and while we may not sit glued to the box, the TV will be on and we will be part of Fifa's World Cup in 2010...
Above: Zakumi, the 2010 mascot

Indulge me for a moment...

As I use my blog as a means of communication with my brother and sister, who are currently holidaying in Mykonos, Greece (vomit) and post a lot of photos of my beautiful nephew, Connor (aka Corky). It might not be an interesting blog post to you, but to Paul and Jo, I know that seeing a couple of new snaps of their happy little boy will mean the world. Now, I know there are lots, but he's cute and I just can't help myself. I also know they're not all the best photos ever taken, but Jo won't care.

Speaking of the parents, we've had a few text messages from them and they seem to be having a wonderful time. Jo said that Paris was beautiful and, considering they only had 1 full day there, they seem to have managed to do quite a bit - They went up the Eiffel Tower, visit the Mona Lisa and went on cruise down the Seine. I am sure that they managed to find time to stop and enjoying being in the city of love and, knowing Jo, they managed to shop up a small storm. They arrived in Greece yesterday afternoon and I'm sure they're enjoying relaxing on the beach. Quite weird thinking of them lazing in the sun, when it's cold and grey outside my window in Cape Town...

Anyway, enough!! We went through to our family friends in Simon's Town on Saturday afternoon for tea for my friend, Joanne's birthday. Simon's Town is such a beautiful corner of the world and our friends there have the most beautiful home right on the waters edge. Jake loves visiting, we often manage to spot whales and dolphins from their patio, plus they're all very much into nature, which Jake thrives on. He came home with a collection of seashells and porcupine quills. OK, OK... pics for Jo and Paul below:

Corky on the loose...

In his chair, enjoying his bit of birthday cake...

And juice...

Smiling for his auntie, playing peek-a-boo from behind my camera...

OK, he had flings (crisps) too...

Check that messy face!! He kept saying 'out' - didn't want to be in his chair for photos any more...

But the 'boo' game was funny...

He joined in, hiding his face behind his hands, then shouting boo at me when he pulled them down...

Enjoying the views, watching the 'beds' (birds)...

Shovel it, Corky! I like this photo...

And this one...

Hey, how'd you get in here? I think Jake was getting a little jealous that I was taking photos of Corky only. He actually called me and smiled for a photo!! Shock and horror. I love this kid more than my heart can handle. I took the boys down to the rocks at the bottom of our friend's property. Jake loves scratching around for shells and chucking rocks into the sea. Connor joined in with the rock tossing...

Corks was keen to go, but the rocks are just too uneven and my nerves couldn't deal with letting him go...

Back in his pram, walking on the lawns with 'Pa'...

And chasing Jake...

It was super-cool...

OK, so that's all for today. I'll take more photos of your boy when next I see him. He's doing fine, he's happy and healthy and he's having fun with mom and dad. With mom off, it's giving them lots of time to play and get out of the house. They've been staying at yours since Saturday and Corky seems very happy. Remember to relax, enjoy the sunshine (for all of us, the weather's crap here) and enjoy spending time together without having to worry about a thing. Isn't it nice having an adult conversation, without chasing after a toddler? Without worrying about bathing, feeding and bed time? Your holiday is going to be over before you know it, so just enjoy every moment, knowing that your little man is content.

Lots of love,
Sue XXX

Jake's Birthday...

Oh. My. Word. I am exhausted. I'm so glad that our birthdays have come and gone!! And that they only happen once a year. While it was heaps of fun and Jake had a ball, I'm quite glad I've done my duties for the year...

I guess I'll start with Jake. His party was great this year - the parents all obliged with my drop and go request, which meant that Jake had 9 friends to play. To be honest, my child behaved really badly. In his defence, I do believe that the whole thing was quite overwhelming for him. He was VERY excited and just didn't know how to do handle it all. Anyway, after a few stern words with him in the kitchen, he relaxed a little and started playing nicely. I think my sister & her husband, Rosanne & Gareth, were horrified by his behaviour, but it goes with the age. Still, after a few threats, he was pretty good and hasn't stopped talking about it since.

Anyway, this post has taken me all week, work is crazy at the moment. Hope you enjoy the photos...

This is Jake and his best friend, Josh. They don't spend all that much time together, I'm pretty bad at organising play dates, but they get on really well and play nicely together. Josh turned 6 about 2 weeks ago.. Some of the other kids enjoying pass-the-parcel...

I put blue sour sherbet in between the layers of newspaper and it was a disaster. Don't use sherbet in your pass-the-parcel parcels. Ever. They all opened them to eat straight away and they all spilt their sherbet all the floor. I'm not paranoid about mess, it can be cleaned up, but it was hard to bite my tongue when the kids continued eating the sherbet. Thank goodness I knew I'd washed the floors...Jake was seriously P.O.'d that he didn't win the prize. I should've warned him ahead of the time that the birthday kid never wins...

We had a pinata. I was trying to make one, but the weather has been so bad here (until Jake's birthday, of course), that I couldn't get it dry. I ended up buying one instead. Don't. If you ever want a pinata, make one. The bought one fell to the ground after 2 minutes and only 2 kids had hit it. Not funny. They ended up kicking it around my garden and I'm still picking up sweets off the lawn...

My cake - super easy one this year...Jake doesn't like being the centre of attention. He was quite embarrassed when they sang 'happy birthday' to him. Oh, Jake put the candles in the cake. They're sparkling candles which cost a bomb and didn't sparkle...

I'll huff and I'll puff...Once most of the kids had left, Jake opened his gifts and got stuck into playing. This is an awesome-cool car track, with a tornado that you wind up with a pully-thing. The tornado then whacks your car off the track. Just the kind of thing boys like...Sunday morning came and Jake was bursting with excitement. I organised a treasure hunt for him and had presents hidden all over the house for him to find. Can you see the excitement in those eyes??Wide-eyed and bushy tailed. Jake got a bike for his birthday in Feb, so these were all just token gifts so that he had something to open on the day...He's totally into these soccer trading cards at the moment...Anyone remember Apple? He's still around and still goes everywhere with Jake...We had soup & bread for lunch with the family, followed by cheeses, cake and coffee (and some wine) later with friends. It was a lovely day. Thanks for the beautiful cake, mom... Jake's cousin, Abi tried to protect the candles from the wind... And that's the end of the photos from Jake's birthday. Connor was there too. These pics are especially for his mum and dad, who are in Paris from today until Sunday and then Mykonos (yes, I do hate them) until next weekend. They've left Connor with my parents for the time they're away and I've promised them to put regular snaps up of their gorgeous boy for them. Hope you're having an awesome time, seeing and doing lots. Oh and shopping up a storm in PARIS today!!! Lucky buggers... Sue XXX

This Weather's shite...

OK, OK, I know we need the rain and all, but can't the sun come out for more than a couple of hours once a week? Seriously... It's rained and rained and I'm so sick and tired of gloomy, grey skies and wet washing hanging all over the house.

Added to that, my little boy's turning 6 on Sunday and I have a whole bunch of people coming to my house and I just want to have the doors open so that the kids can go play in the garden without sinking knee deep into the lawn (oh how I wish I had soft, beautiful lawn). Not that it's much of a garden, but still...

Today, I start with the baking and cooking for what is going to be a very busy, festive weekend. Jake has 10 friends coming around for a party tomorrow evening from 4:30 - 6:30 and I'm really looking forward to it this year. I've asked the parents to drop and go, so I'm don't need to cater for the grown-ups. As far as the kids go, we've got a pinata (I started making one 2 1/2 weeks ago, but it just won't dry in this poopy weather, so I've had to buy one instead), pass-the-parcel and a Bakugan game lined up. Since it's an evening party, I'm going to order them pizza to snack on and they can have the pinata and birthday cake for dessert. They've got really nice goodie bags packed for home time. So really, it's not much stress this year. I'm going to bake and decorate the cake today, which is going to be fun. The last birthday cake I made for Jake was when he turned 2. It was like a work of art. Wait, here's a picture...

This year's cake is much simpler, I have an edible picture to put on it, so easy peasy. Sunday's the hard work day for me and I'll have to start getting ready for that today and tomorrow too. I've got the family coming for soup and bread for lunch (my luck, the sun will shine just in time for our wintery meal) and then I've told those who've asked that they can pop in from 2 for cake and coffee. You're all welcome, by the way - please come help me eat all the cake! There's going to be lots of nice home made snacks and I'm looking forward to catching up with lots of friends that I haven't seen in a while. That's the nice part about birthdays - you get to spend them with people who really love you for who you are! And maybe for the cakes.

Oh, Monday's my birthday too, but by then I'll be ready to take it very easy. I've actually got the day off work and I'm going on a school outing with Jake to Butterfly World (YAY!). Jake's also been dying to take the cable car up Table Mountain, so I'm hoping to take him up there for lunch on Monday. Did you know that you can ride for free on your birthday? And there's another special on at the moment where kids ride can go up for free too, so, hopefully, it won't cost us a cent and it'll be awesome! Keep your fingers crossed that the sun comes out for us so!! If the weather's as grim as it is now, I'm planning on taking him to see the city's new stadium, which is high on our to do list.

Anyway, lots of love till next week. Look after yourselves and keep warm!

Sue XXX

A Soccer Mom...

Yep, that's me. I never thought it would be, but it is, as of yesterday. Secretly, I have never been a really big soccer fan. I've always just preferred rugby, I guess the players appeal to me more (apologies to those of you who either play soccer or are married to soccer players). I like my men big and strong and unshaven and burly. But that's another post...

So, yesterday Jake went down to the local club for his first practise and was SO excited. I guess world cup fever has hit! The terrible and we're really in the thick of winter in Cape Town at the moment. I was a little concerned that we'd get to the fields and Jake would hang onto me, performing that he couldn't go alone. But he surprised me and was totally extroverted. He had a FABULOUS TIME and can't wait for his next practise. Oh, and considering how little he knows about the game, he's playing a match tomorrow...

Off he goes, with his coach, Bernie...Since we were first to arrive, Bernie kicked the ball with Jake a little...Hey!! Wrong game!! And, yes, he did walk away, then run and kick the ball as they do in rugby. He still has a few things to learn...Once the other kids arrived (they were seriously late!), they did a few sprints...And dribbling races. See that blonde kid? He's Michael. He was a play school with Jake year before last. And the kid in the blue shirt too. Jake was very excited to see his old buddies (they were really good friends, but went to another school last year) again... Action...Not sure why he's doing it, but in almost all my photos of Jake at practise, he has his fingers twisted like this...It was after seeing the other parents on the sidelines that I realised I didn't have to strain to take photos through the fence, that I could actually go in. The two ladies on the side are Michael's moms and the guy is father to Dano, the kid in blue's father...

Sorry, I know there are a lot of photos, but... I had to...

The practise was an hour, from 5 - 6pm, which is quite late for a wintry evening in my opinion and I was quite glad to climb into the car with my heater afterwards. Also late because bed time's at 7pm sharp for Jake and it meant we only got home at 6:20 and he still had to eat and have a bath. Might've been a little long for little people too, but I guess it's all about toughening them up... They did a little goal shooting...hahahaaa. Looks like he's doing a rain dance...Towards the end of practise, they had a little match amongst themselves, which was too funny for words - wherever the ball goes, the entire team follows. The match on Saturday morning should be interesting...But, Jake kept up and had fun. He was exhausted (and thirsty) afterwards...You can't do that in soccer either. Even I know that the goalie's chalked out area is out of bounds. The other kids seemed to know that too... It didn't stop play though...And I was very impressed to see Jake asserting himself and giving it a good go...Staying with soccer fever, Jake was bakerman at school this morning. Once a week someone has to bring cookies to school and then everyone else has to buy them from the kid who brings. All funds go to the school, of course, and not the parent who stood sweating (not really) in the kitchen. For those of you not in the know, green and gold are our team colours...Complete with a little South African flag...Again, keeping with the whole World Cup theme, Jake has a new Bafana Bafana shirt. Bafana Bafana is the local name for our South African team, it means the boys, the boys. In South Africa, there's quite a racial divide between those who support our rugby (predominantly white) and those who support soccer (predominantly black) teams. While I'm not much of a sports fan, I just feel that it's important to show our support and stand behind our soccer team as they face some of the best teams in the world. I feel proud to be South African and I know my heart will swell with pride as I watch Bafana Bafana singing our national anthem in the opening game. I really believe that it's moments like this that bring a country together... My dad, Jake & Connor posing this morning before school...
OK, I'm done. You can go now. My only other news is that I registered Jake for Grade 1 yesterday. I can't believe we're getting ready to start big school already. He's going to go to our local school, Edgemead Primary and can't wait. The time has flown, where did my baby go?? Anyway, I hope you all have super weekends, I promise to catch up on my blog reading next week. I am very behind. This weekend's set to be nice and quiet, next week's going to be insane, so I'm looking forward to catching up this one. Happy mother's day to all those moms and mother-figures, I hope you're as spoiled as you deserve!

XXX