It's been a looooooong time since I updated my blog. Truthfully, I've just been too busy and it's high time that I sorted out some sort of connection at home, so that I can do this more regularly, but it is what it is for now.
We're officially into summer in South African now. Jake and I planted a few things in our garden towards the end of spring, which is always so rewarding for us. Jake flies out of bed in the morning to go check on his plants - it's very sweet and I'm very pleased that I've been able to give him the gift of enjoying gardening. We don't get into the garden nearly as often as we should, but we do enjoy our time digging in the dirt together...
One of Jake's favourites is to have fresh, home-grown mealies. We have a lot coming up this year, so we're looking forward to tons of corn soon...
When I look at these pictures now, I'm actually amazed at how quickly every thing's grown. The garden looks so empty below, but it's pretty full now...
My flowers were so pretty this year too. I can't believe it's little more than a year since we transformed our garden - it's really taken off and looks very well established already...
Jake's really enjoyed his gooseberry bush this year. We've had so many berries off it. Nothing nicer than warm gooseberries picked and eaten in the garden as you water...
OK, so I still haven't painted my wall, but look how my trees have grown...
We've had a few strawberries too...
But the gooseberry harvest has been plentiful...
In other news, Marius' mom bought each of his boys a hamster. Hammy Winkles (Micheal's) and Jack (Cameron's) share a cage and live downstairs with their Oumie. Meet Hammy Winkles...
What's that you say, Hammy Winkles? You're NOT a boy???
So, the hamsters have multiplied and Hammy Winkles gave birth to 2 of the cutest, tiniest, jelly bean-sized baby hamsters...
2 weeks on and the baby hamsters have grown considerably and the kids adore them...
OK, so even for someone who doesn't like rodents, these are VERY cute...
We've been able to spend a bit of time on the beach already too. This was one of the first warm days and the beach was packed...
Cape Town's waters are toe-cramping, icy cold though, so the kids insisted on wetsuits...
Jake is having so much fun with Michael and Cameron and he really enjoys the beach so much...
Michael loves body surfing - that's him jumping in the waves. He goes quite deep out. Cameron's a little less brave...
Jake is much more cautious...
As for me, this is the deepest you'll find me going. Unless the water warms up a lot more...
Jake was happy just to mess around with his body board in the shallows. Is much easier on my nerves too...
It was too cold and wet for me, so I stayed on the beach. Hey Jake - didn't your mother ever tell you not to turn your back on the sea???
The beach really was packed...
Before school closed up for the summer holidays, they had their annual sports day. Jake took part in quite a few events and so I took the morning off work to be able to enjoy the whole morning with him...
Unfortunately, I had my camera on the wrong setting, so my pictures of Jake doing the long distance run (1km) all came out terribly. Jake did unbelievably well in this event. There were about 20 boys that ran and he started off right near the back of the pack, but saved a big burst for the end and managed to move up from 3rd last to about 6th. Well done, Jake, sorry I messed up the photos...
Jake excelled in his short distance (80m) sprint - he came first in his heat by a mile and qualified for the final. The final was SO fast, but all the boys actually ran together. Jake came about 5th, so again did really well...
Lastly, Jake took part in a fun relay race, which his team won. Overall, yellow house came first and won the cheer-leading bear, so it was a very happy morning for Jake...
The kids have had a few chances to swim too. Jake is loving having kids to swim with this year...
Jake and Corky seem to have turned a corner. Jake's been really excited about spending time with Corky and he's always excited when we pop in and Corky and Bi are there...
Corky's still a little nervous in the water and he doesn't like it if it's too cold. It's great having a bigger kid in the pool to help the little ones - saves me putting on my cozzie. I have to say that these photos have been a bit of a wake up for me too - Jake looks so grown up. And when did he get all those muscles?? Feels like just the other day that he was as little as Corky and Bi...
Speaking of Bi - she loves Jake...
She's like a little fish in the water, she absolutely loves it...
More cousin love...
Corky was very tired, so not too happy to be photographed. A sweet moment anyway...
Before the end of term, Jake had a little concert at Sunday School. He was one of the wise men - heeheehee - In his green and red, he looks like a real Christmas boy. He'll hate this photo in years to come, sure he'll be very glad I was sitting so far back and only managed one semi-decent photo!
Jake went on his very first cubs camp last weekend. They went to Elands Bay, which is 2 1/2 hours away. He phoned me every day and he definitely missed home, but has come back talking about his trip non-stop and I think he's very proud of himself for having done it. Jake doesn't really sleep out much - grandparents and Marius' house - so sleeping away from me for 2 nights was a big deal. The did so much and he came home with 2 new badges, so he's thrilled about that too...
After I'd picked Jake up from the camp, we went back to Marius' house for a braai. The kids were so excited to see each other. Marius and I often have Jake on his own, but I'm never with Marius and his boys without Jake. It was really nice to spend some time with them, but it was great to have Jake home safely too. Look how red his tired little eyes were. He tells me now that he never slept the whole weekend...
They made little rhino horns from rose thorns...
And then Marius remembered something that was WAY more exciting... ICE!! It was really, really hot and the boys were thrilled with this find...
And then Marius had an even better idea... A giant icy swimming pool in a drum...
I love this picture, love the warm back light - makes this look like a really hazy summer afternoon. All of them waiting patiently for the drum to fill up...
They took turns to see who could sit in there the longest. It was FREEZING! Jake was last to hop in...
Michael seemed quite happy to sit in the bucket for ages...
And Jake thought it was very funny watching the others struggle...
Cold Cameron giving me the evil eye...
Weeheeeheee - cold Cameron???
3 little monkeys...
I've been busy getting Christmas presents ready for the family and Jo asked me to take some photos of her kids for her. I'm not sharing my favourites here, because she pops in every now and then. I'll share more in the new year, but for now...
I took these on the morning of sports day in front of a window at my parents. Bi was looking at herself in a mirror and pulling the funniest faces. I did manage to get a few beautiful smiles too...
Corky's far more serious in photos than his little sister, but just as gorgeous...
And this post wouldn't be complete without me making some mention of Madiba's passing. It's not new news any more, his memorial service in Johannesburg was yesterday and the one in Cape Town takes place today. There are a total of 54 services being held in his honour, before he is finally laid to rest in Qunu on Sunday. His body is currently lying in state for public viewing in Pretoria. It's been an emotional time for all South Africans and many are in mourning, while so many more celebrate the life that was. Madiba has done so much for our country and, despite spending 27 years incarcerated as a political prisoner on Robben Island, he has led our country into democracy with kindness, forgiveness and humility. He is someone who we all "know" so well and I am SO proud to say that I have lived through the changes that he has brought about in our country. He has made us all proud to be South African. His life has been long and not so easy, may he rest in peace now.
This image has been on display on one of the buildings in Cape Town city center for a few months already...
OK, so on that note, I'm back up to date with photos and news. We're having a family dinner this evening, so I promise more photos before I go on leave on Friday.
Sending lots of love,
Sue XXX
1 comment:
Such a lovely update. Love the pictures as always. And still can't believe how much the cousins have all grown and it's refreshing to see Connor and Jake's relationship turn a good corner
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