It's been a while...

But, I'm still here.  To be honest, there hasn't been much to say...

Things at work have been really hectic, I don't know whether I'm coming or going.  Our accountant only made it into the office 3 weeks after our financial year end to roll the books over for the new year, so I had a lot of catching up to do after that.  Then my computer crashed (fortunately I didn't lose anything, thank goodness for auto-backups).  Then I got a new version of our accounting programme, which was a complete mess.  And then the lady who fills in for me in the afternoons went on leave for a whole month. So, it meant that by the time I was sort of up-to-date with where I needed to be, it was month end, salaries needed to be calculated and paid, suppliers needed payment and I have been working a bit later most afternoons.  I'm tired and looking forward to the weekend ahead.  We'll be in Marina, so hopefully I'll feel relaxed and rested by the time Monday rolls around again.

Jake has also begun the second term of school this week.  He had a 1 week break at the beginning of the month and has another one coming up over Easter.  With all the holidays around Easter, it means that between 21 April and 3 May, they only have 3 days of school anyway.  I've taken the 3 days off and Danie has a day off too, so we're all looking forward to a bit of a breather over Easter and are hoping to do a few little day trips around Cape Town.

Aside from that, Jake and I are attempting to get the garden going a little (now that winter's on the way, of course).  We've started by doing our hanging baskets, which will probably die without water over the weekend.  I've also had compost layed on the lawn in the back, so hoping that starts to grow nicely.  The lady across the road has offered to give some advise on what to plant where, so I must try get her to pop in next week sometime.  While I don't mind doing the labour, I need help with know what to plant and where.

Anyway, I'm trying to remember to take more photos, it's been a bit of a dry spell for me.  When my computer crashed, I lost PhotoShop and for the life of me, can't find the disk.

Here's some shots of Jake doing our hanging baskets.  He really loves the garden and it's a poor show on my behalf that we haven't done more...

Monkey...

Amber did a little dying act on me recently too.  She hurt her back leg and couldn't walk.  At 47kgs, that's a big problem for me.  Anyway, I got some painkillers for her and she's back to her old self.  Naughty as ever...

Speaking of naughty (or fatty)... here's Duracell too.  They kept us company in the garden...

The finished baskets...

During the school holidays, we took Jake on a night-fishing adventure.  He loves it.  Actually, I think he'd give up school for fishing.  Pity we never catch anything!  We always pack a picnic of sorts (I must remember to get a flask for hot chocolate next time), with sandwiches, chips, sweets and cool drinks - it's half the fun and I assure you I'd be pretty bored without food.  It's starting to get quite nippy in the evenings, especially out on the water  I don't know what's wrong with this child, he can't seem to smile normally for the camera at the moment...

OK, one nice one...

Last weekend we went to the Cool Runnings in Durbanville.  It's a steel toboggan slope.  Jake and Danie had a go, while I took photos.  We must do it again, I am a little jealous I didn't get a turn!  These are the 'sleds'

 

They're off...

You get pulled up this slope, so that you can whizz down the other side...

Here they're coming back in.  They tell me they didn't brake once.  I'm sure the did, but they just didn't want to sound chicken in front of me...

Jake's teacher had a birthday during the holiday, so we baked her a cake as part of her gift.  Jake was responsible for all baking, icing and decorating.  She actually managed to cut it in half and shared half with the class and took half home.  It was filled with caramel and Jake was only to pleased to get a sample...

The 11th was Gareth's 30 - welcome to the Dirty Thirties Ou Boet!!  This is going to be an exciting decade for you and Rose.  We celebrated by going out for Mexican food at one of Cape Town's best - Pancho's...

Jo and Paul.  Their baby is due on 17 May, just over a month away.  We're all very excited and Jo is looking gorgeous, don't you think??  Paul did the Iron Man last weekend and did exceptionally well - I could not do it!  3.9km swim, followed by 180km cycle, followed by 42km run.  He did it all in just over 12 hours, so well done old man...

Seriously, another bad photo...

Mom and dad...

Danie, Jake and I...

OK, so it's possibly genetic...

Yep, definitely.  Nice one, Rose...

This morning, I managed to get a couple of hours off work to go and help at Jake's school with their annual grade 1 bible breakfast.  The kids all get dressed up in bible style attire and bring mats to sit on and are fed bible style food.  They had to make their own goblets during the holidays.  Mom's help on the day and it was such fun to be part of it.  This was our table, which actually looks a complete mess in the photo, but looked nice in real life.  We served them pita breads, fried fish, dried fruit, cut up apples and red grape juice and apple juice (meant to look like wine).  They had traditional Hebrew dancers in and read a Jewish grace.  It was a lovely morning and we had as much fun as the kids...

Jake's group (that's him on the right)...

The hall full of grade ones...

Jake's group again...

Jake loved the meal.  Most of the kids wouldn't eat one or another thing (at least) on the table, but Jake ate like he'd never seen food before. He especially loved the fish...

These are some of the little girls from Jake's class.  The one on the right with the light blue shawl is Kerryn.  Jake sits next to her.  She's his "special" friend...

One of Jake and I (mom's also had to dress up)...

Jake and some of his friends...

Jake wasn't too keen to take part in the dancing.  He watched from the back... 

Jake and his teacher...

Anyway, hopefully the weekend's going to be a quiet one.  And hopefully next week I will be able to catch up on some blogging properly.

Hope everyone's well.  Sending lots and lots of love,
Sue XXX