Hey everybody! It's been a while since I blogged about anything decent. Truth be told, I've been insanely busy and my blogging has had to take a bit of a backseat. Sorry!! Today's going to be a photo overload of just about everything since the middle of August!
We've had some gorgeous weather in between some rather nasty cold days. Spring has sprung and the air is definitely warmer now. The sun's up earlier too, so that's great. I'm so over winter now - it's been a wet one.
One one of our last warm winter days, Rosie and Gareth brought Rylee to visit us at the beach. Jake, Michael & Cameron were all too happy to go body boarding (I got into trouble for being old fashioned and calling it boogie boarding). Rylee's first trip to the beach was good and it won't be long before he's in the water with his big cousins, enjoying the surf. Although you can't see him too well - Jake's to the far right of the photo below, with the black suit and green board...
I love these early spring days. Spring is really my favourite time of
the year - it always feels like it holds so much promise. I love seeing
the days getting longer and the temperature's just about perfect. Not
too hot, not too cold. And just about everyone heads down to the beach, so it feels summery and festive...
Rylee enjoyed lying in the shade of the brolly that Marius brought down for us. He's started teething, so his hand is permanently in his mouth...
Hello Gogga...
Jake's rugby season has come to an end. He's been playing in the U11B team this year. They join U10 and U11s, so there are a lot of boys to compete with. It's meant that Jake hasn't played in too many matches as most schools only have one side. This was his last game (he's the guy running in the middle of the picture)...
They've started scrumming this year and I'm really glad that Jake's in the back line and gets to stay well away from the scrum. It's very cute though...
So he's almost surprised when he gets taken down when he has the ball. Oh to reach that try line...
We lost the game 2-1, but the kids always seem to come off the field happy; never disappointed with the loss.
We spent quite a bit of time this weekend working on school projects. Each of the boys had one to do. Cameron's was the most fun for me - a spring bonnet....
We had lots of fun making bugs and flowers and sticking them all over the hat that Cam's mom had sent for us. I bought some ribbon and feathers to finish it off...
We finished it off with a bow...
And topped it off with blue butterflies...
It's quite difficult not to make a spring bonnet look girly, but I think we did a good job (total team effort)...
And I think Cam was chuffed with the end result. Please note Michael photo-bombing the picture...
Michael had a Xhosa project, where he had to cut out & label clothes hanging on a washing line. His mom did most of the clothes and Marius helped with the washing line...
Jake's project is a maths one, where they have to draw up a questionnaire to survey friends and make graphs of things I don't understand. Marius helped him loads and the questionnaire we spent ages drawing up, he had to re-do at school on a form that the teacher provided, so it was a bit of a waste of time. At least he is learning by doing it himself.
In other news, my mom and dad celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary (40 years) on Sunday. They decided that they didn't want to have a party and just wanted to be able to take us all out for a lazy lunch to celebrate the occasion with their family. We went to Cafe Paradiso and the weather was stunning! Mom and Dad had booked the courtyard for us, which meant that the whole area was for our use only, which was great with the kids. It's such a lovely, family-friendly restaurant. So just wanted to share some photos of the day.
Mom and Princess Bi...
Bi wasn't in the mood for photos with Nini and Pa...
Corky and Jo...
Bi was happier to smile when her mom was taking the photos...
Rylee was there too. He's such a good baby, we hardly knew he was there...
And he thinks his dad is the funniest guy out...
Cafe Paradiso has a kitchen for the kids too. The boys all decided that they wanted to make their own pizzas for lunch, but they could also have made gingerbread men or made choc chip cookies or cupcakes. It's a fun way to make a restaurant no so boring for kids...
Corks...
Cameron, who's looking more and more like his dad...
Michael, who's too cool to smile for me at the moment...
And Jake...
While the kids got ready to do their thing in the kitchen...
The grown ups sat back for 5 minutes...
Rolling their dough...
It was a competition to see who could get their pizza the biggest...
Pa popped in to check them out...
Marius acting silly. I am crazy about this guy, he makes me so happy. Don't let me get started...
Tomato sauce was up next...
And then cheese...
Michael still wouldn't smile for me...
Bi came to see what the boys were up to. She seemed happy enough not to be making a pizza of her own...
Nini getting a cuddle from Rylee...
Hey handsome... another one not to get me started on. Love this boy with all my heart, just wished he believed me...
The restaurant is so beautifully decorated - these metal things were on the ground as you came into the courtyard... 
Pretty pillars...
And herb pots...
Sweet messages...
And finally the pizza came...
The kids were chuffed to be eating something they'd made for themselves...
And they even shared with Bi...
mmmm...
Bi definitely approved...
Marius' cold meat platter. He eats like a girl! I had a burger with fries and onion rings that was to die for... I started healthy eating as of Monday, so I had to go large. Looks pretty though...
Our little rose amongst all the thorns - it's lovely to see how different little girls are to little boys...
The kids all had ice-cream cones for pudding (and mom and I). Rylee tried it out, but wasn't that keen on the freezing cold stuff on his lips...
And then it was time to go home - Bi saying bye to Uncle Gareth...
The day came to an end too soon. The weekends go too fast, especially the good ones. We have a crazy couple of weeks coming up and Marius and I are barely seeing each other at the moment. It sucks, but we're pretty good at making what little time we have together count.
To my mom and dad: you guys are the best parents we could ever have wished for. You've had your fair share of trials through your 40 years, but you have stood firmly together and have been a shining example to us of commitment and love. It's been a privilege to be part of your story (especially since I'm the oldest and I've had you for a whole year extra, all to myself) and we look forward to celebrating many more happy days with you both. Love you lots XXX
Hope you're all having a great week!
Love,
Sue XXX
1 comment:
Happy Anniversary to your folks -how wonderful to have so many blessed years with each other. And that looks like a wonderful family outing. I really find the third term rather overwhelming every single year.
Post a Comment