A Perfect Evening...

Sunday was the most gorgeous day ever.  The sun shone and for a change, there was not a breath of wind in sight.  Sunday, was also our annual trip to Uncle Paul's Party at Groot Constantia.  While it was the first year for Connor to be officially invited, it was sadly the last year for Jake.  I was feeling very emotional about it all - I hate how quickly Jake seems to be growing up these days, but once we were there, we had as much of a fabulous time as we always do at Uncle Paul's.

Above is Jake waiting for the tractor to take us up the hill to the Uncle Paul's magic castle.  Below, the Duncan family enjoying their first tractor ride with both their kids...

Bianca really had an absolute ball.  From beginning to end and it was so wonderful to share it with her...

As usual, there were straw fights for all.  My mom (in blue) is a huge fan and Jo & the kids loved joining in.  Jake loves throwing huge heaps at straw at all of us and we all go home with straw in places where there shouldn't be straw...

Bianca was squealing with excitement...

Corky still isn't a huge straw fan, but he had fun this year...

These are just some of my favourites of Bi enjoying the straw...

A little giggle...

And throwing with all her might...

Jake tends to get a little carried away and forgets that his cousins are quite a bit smaller than him.  Poor Corky is oblivious as to what he's about to be hit with...

Corky getting ready for a return assault...

Jake doesn't care though - the more the better.  He loves every moment...

It was quite fun having Jo join in the fun with us.  She got lots of straw in her hair this year...

And Bi was very concerned about getting her mommy's hair clean again...

Who can I get next??

My mom managed to get some snaps of Jake and I playing too.  I must remember next time to wear my hair a) straight and b) tied up.  It was a mass of straw by the time I got home...

Sometimes I'm successful in getting nice pics of all 3 of the kids.  Providing Jake and Corky aren't too close to each other...

Uh-oh, I think I'm in trouble...

Yes, they got me.  And my camera...

An excited little guy.  I love this photo, such a happy little face...

Bi loved having everyone (Jo & my mom) running after her and having to catch her.  It was a huge game...

Hi Jake...  Smile for me?

Thank you, Jake.  You're cute and I love you, but you REALLY need a hair cut now. Please...

Jake was very protective of his mammoth heap of straw, which made him an easy target, because he wasn't moving.  He did eventually leave it when we went marching with the band...

What you doing Corky?

I'll show you, Auntie Sue.  I grab a big heap of straw and then I throw it up into the air, so that it lands on my head (mind your head, Jake)...

The straw fighting stopped once the Salvation Army Band arrived...

My mother loves joining in the fun...

The band was another highlight for Bi - she loved clapping and dancing along with their music...

She even got involved in trying out the drums...

Happy family...

After the band, Noddy (or Nobby as Bi calls him) and his friends arrive with ice-creams for everyone.  Jake is a lucky boy to have all his grandparents join him for the fun and yes dad, we see you enjoying that ice-cream...

Corky's always been a huge Noddy fan, but things are changing.  This was the closest he'd come to a smile with Noddy for me though.  Noddy is definitely NOT as cool as Spider man...

As the sun sets, the magic fairy lights come on and it's time for carols...

Corky wanted a picture of himself smiling, beautiful boy...

The singing is closed off with Silent Night, which is Father Christmas' favourite carol.  The magic lights are blown out and Father Christmas arrives quite literally with a bang.  The kids wait in anticipation for their names to be called out and hurry to claim their gifts...

Out of all the kids there, Corky's name was called out immediately after Jake's, so they went up to fetch their gifts together - special...

Father Christmas' fairy comes too.  She brings magic sweets, which don't rot your teeth...

The gifts are opened, with great excitement.  Jake got a magic crystal growing tree, go-gos, chocolate popping candy and a box of jelly beans...

Corky got a yo-yo, a Frisbee and a new Spongebob DVD...

Bi got a Teletubbies DVD inside Corky's present too...

I have hundreds of photos and it was a real challenge to narrow them down to these "few".  It was such a special evening and we all have happy memories to carry with us forever.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend!

Love,

Sue XXX