Catching up...

 The rugby season is drawing to an end.  Jake's last practise is today (he's skipping, because he has a dentist appointment, dread) and his final match is on Wednesday.  While I'm a very nervous rugby mom, Jake really loves this game and he enjoys his time with his team.  I can't even begin to tell you how much they've grown as a team this year, it's quite unbelievable.  Their coach (in the background with his arms spread) is gentle, but firm with them and the kids all adore him.  He's been brilliant in teaching them new ball handling skills, scrumming and proper tackling.  Jake's adopted the position of wing on the field, which suits me fine.

I love being able to watch practises and matches and I love that Jake still wants me there.  I'm pretty sure it won't last forever, so I'll enjoy it while it does...

 Jake's always been pretty cautious on the field.  He doesn't like getting hurt, which is a bit of a problem when you play rugby...

 But he's getting stronger and bigger and braver.  He loves getting time with the ball and is learning how to take the tackle...

 He's learning how to support his team and is really trying his best...

 Working together to support his team...

 He's taken a few bad tackles, like this one in the neck, that seriously made him (and me) upset...

 But through it all, win or lose, Jake comes off the field a happy, sweaty little man...

 Desperately in need of a shower...

 I'm sure with time, as he bulks up and grows up, he'll learn to play this game with even more passion and I'm enjoying sharing this with him.  I just hope that other schools are focusing on teaching rugby safety as much as ours is.

The weekend past was beautiful. On Friday, M spoilt Jake and I to a delicious sushi dinner at home, Saturday morning was rugby, then rushing to get ready for my cousin's wedding.  He's married the girl of his dreams and they are so well suited.  It was a lovely, emotional wedding and it was good to catch up with all my cousins again too.  This is a snap I nicked off Facebook, of our whole family on my mom's side, minus our kids and my M...

 Yesterday was the most magnificent winter's day in Cape Town.  I cannot wait for summer!!  Jake and I took advantage of the low tide and took a little walk to the island opposite M's house.  Jake's been nagging to go for ages, so I had no excuse on Sunday...

 Jake loves climbing the rocks and scratching in the rock pools...

 There was some mad man on the rocks, enjoying the waves breaking all over him...

 Looking out over the island to Table Mountain...

 There was a whale out enjoying the sunshine too.  I think it's a Southern Right, but I'm no expert.  Jake was thrilled to be pretty close...

 Jake bumped into a girl from his school while we were there, so enjoyed showing her the whale...

 The tide always comes in too soon and we were supposed to be braai'ing, so we didn't stay as long as Jake would've liked.  Plus the rocks are really sharp and we must remember to take shoes with us next time...

 Hey Jake... I love you more than you could ever know...

 The water in Blaauwberg is usually toe-cramping cold, but it was pretty warm yesterday.  Jake even had a little dip...

 View looking back towards the island.  There's Jake on the left...

 From the sunny balcony at M's house, looking back towards the busy island.  We spent the rest of our afternoon on the deck, in the sun, braai'ing and chatting.  It was the perfect, relaxing end to our lovely weekend.  I am feeling like a very lucky girl at the moment...

 This morning was a nightmare rush.  Jake remembered that he was supposed to have printed pictures for his group oral today and then there was unbelievably heavy traffic on our way to school.  Turned out that a water pipe had burst on our route and that a bus had sunk in the hole in the road caused by the burst pipe.  It all happened at the top of my parent's road, literally 100m away from the high school.  People were doing everything to get around the bus at this heavy intersection.  Thankfully, we didn't struggle too much and Jake got to school on time...

 Firmly stuck...

 It provided much entertainment for the kids and by the time I took these photos after I'd dropped Jake, the tow truck was already there to try shift the bus...

 Hopefully this morning isn't a sign of how crazy this week is going to be.  Last week was just mad and so I was really hoping for a tamer one this week.  I need a massage!  My photography course is drawing to an end and I didn't have homework to do this week.  We're off to Sandy Bay to do landscape shots tomorrow evening and then next week we'll be learning a bit about editing them.  I have really enjoyed the course and I have learnt a lot, but it's been 2 terms worth of work now and I need a break!  School has been hectic, sport crazy and add in cubs and photography and my extra job, things are more busy than they should be.  Can't wait for the short school holiday at the end of September!

Sending love,

Sue XXX