Back to old Routines...

We're back to it.  Life is hectic.  Jake has tons on and I try my best to give him the opportunities to play and enjoy life as much as any child should.  That said, he must be active and so long as he enjoys a sport, I'll encourage him all the way.  The young kids at school aren't forced to do sport, but Jake's been keen to take part and I think it's good to start off right from the beginning knowing that he must to at least one summer and one winter school sport.  So, this term, he's chosen to do cricket again.  Last year was fairly laidback, so it's been such fun for the boys to jump right in this year.  They might even have a match or two.  Jake's main reason for choosing cricket is that his teacher is one of their coaches.  He had the same reason last year.  I'd have liked him to have done swimming, becuase he does this for an outside swimming school and I'd rather he supported his school, but he tells me the school's water is too cold.  Whatever blows your hair back, my boy.  In the picture above, the group is having role call.  Jake's sitting in the middle with his cap on and his head down.  I think he was more interested in the grass.

Nothing like a sprint around the fields on a hot summer's day.  Jake actually came second (not that it counts for cricket and he didn't want to do athletics)... 

 And never forget to warm up properly, it's just not worth it.  That's Jake's teacher with the blonde hair.  She's cute and fun and she's really very nice.  They have such a beautiful classroom too, she's put a lot of effort into making it look great.  Jake's a lucky boy.  Seriously, though, the sun shines out of that classroom...

 Divided into "teams" and waiting for their instructions.  The wickets are mine...

 Jake and this little boy didn't see eye to eye last year.  there were a few kicking incidents, but that all seems to have blown over after Jake asked him if they can be friends...

 Bowling practise.  Oh how I wish I'd spent more time throwing a ball to my son...

 At least he looks good doing it, even if the ball went a mile off base...

 The next one was better, but still didn't reach the batsman...

 Time for fielding duty.  The comments that come out of these boys.  I can only imagine what the teachers go home with to share with their families.  It's either laugh or cry and I know, I'd battle to keep my composure.  But it's funny being a parent listening and being uninvolved.  Some want to stand in the shade; others are world cup champions, telling the rest how to bat and bowl (even though they don't have a clue themselves); none know what the heck they're doing, how to stand, bowl or field.  The ball literally rolls right past them and they just watch it go.  Too funny, I tell you...

 My little batsman.  By the way, he didn't get to hit the ball either, the ball was going all over the show, except directly at Jake's bat.  He wasn't impressed...

 See what I mean?

 Over the weekend, Jake's cub pack did a little drive at the local shopping center to try recruit more cubs.  Unfortunately, they weren't allowed inside the shopping center, so there weren't too many passers-by.  Infact, Jake probably had the most visitors and they were all family.  Besides anything though, Jake had a ball being dressed up in his uniform for all to see.  I love how confident he is becoming with the group, it's too cute...

 There was plenty of fire for the boys to play with, so they were all in their element.  In the below picture, Jake's using a crown bottle cap, a paperclip and a peanut to roast a marshmallow.  Neat, but it just goes to show you how much fat is hidden inside a tiny peanut...

 Jake's grandad popped past with his potentially new toy.  He was out on a test drive...

 In amongst the fire lighting activities, the kids challenged the neighbourhood guys to a tug of war...

 These are the neighbourhood watch guys.  They beat the cubs.  The cheated too.  They tied their anchor rope around the tree...

 What else can I share?  My mom's pomegranate tree is laden with nearly ripe pomegranates.  As kids we used to eat these in the bath, but we seem to always get bugs in them these days.  Jake likes to chuck the rotten ones around the garden, but I'm hoping that we can salvage just a few - I'll let you know...

 Since the weather's been so beautiful, we've spent a lot of time swimming.  Jake is a real waterbaby and once he's in, I just can't get him out.  I took these pictures last night at about 6pm.  My parent's pool is solar heated, so the water is warm and lovely.  I'm dying to get one put in at my house, but I'm also wanting to get my garden landscaped (I physically can't do all that needs doing.  They want to start at the end of Feb) and I have to pick between the two.  Mom & Dad aren't too far away for a swim.  I have two words to say about this picture - Mamma Mia.  If you don't know what I mean, watch the movie, he's a natural...

 When I look at these pictures of Jake running from the front gate, to the pool, they remind me of when Joanne and I were kids.  The run up makes the jump so much better.  I also can't believe how big Jake looks...

 He's learning and doing so well.  Oh, we were too lazy to take the whole safety net off.  It had to go on again before Connor and Bianca arrived this morning... 

 Getting ready to show off his butterfly wiggle...

 It's my favourite and I ask him to do it for me every day...

 That little bum popping out of the water is just too cute for words.  He can do the arms as well, which impresses me no end.  I couldn't do it if I tried...

 And then to follow up on my Thursday night date.  Danie surprised me and totally spoilt me by taking me to the gorgeous Signal Restaurant at the Cape Grace Hotel in the V&A Waterfront.  We ate and ate and ate and it was so delicious, but we were so stuffed by the end of it.  I had the most delicious Dorado and Danie had fillet steak.  He had yummy pepermint crisp tart for dessert and I had a caramel peacan nut tartlet, which wasn't great.  We had beautiful rolls and butters and olives and roasted peppers before our meal and our post-dinner cappucinos came with little biscuits, sweets and nougat.  Better than divine.  And it was so nice to go out and to be able to talk, without Jake interrupting for a change.  On top of all of that, I was also spoilt with a huge bunch of red roses, which look pink in my pictures for some reason (I didn't check my ISO settings or pictures when I took them.  At least the pictures look OK, even if the colour's out a little).  I've been a spoilt girl lately and it's been GREAT! The way it should be :o)...   

Hope you have a good week, it feels like it should be Friday and it's only Tuesday...

Love Sue X