Congratulations!!!

To my super-duper-clever friend, Caroline: Congratulations on passing all of your exams!!! You have worked so hard throughout the last year and it's been a real challenge adding a tiny baby into the equation, but you've exceeded all our expectations and you are an inspiration to all who know you. I know that you will take the time that you need now, to relax and enjoy your gorgeous baby girl! Well done! I'm so proud to be your friend!! Love you lots xxx

Playball awards

I was invited to go to Jake's school this morning to his playball awards ceremony during which he was presented with a certificate and report card. Needless to say, as a first timer, I had my camera with to capture the moment. I don't often get the opportunity to see Jake playing with his friends and it was a real treat to just sit on the sidelines and watch him interact. While most of the kids either burst into tears or hid their faces when their names were called to collect their certificates, Jake jumped up and was all smiles for the camera. I could've eaten right up! What is playball? I have no idea. I know I pay someone for an extra class given during Jake's time at school and I know that it involves all kinds of ball skills and I guess motor coordination, but it also teaches them life-skills such as sharing and taking turns. His report was good and I'm very proud of his progress - he scored all 2s and 3s, meaning that he either attained the desired level or attained it well (they were only scored out of 3). Some real highlights were 3s were for Enthusiasm, Participation, Independence, Discipline, Perseverance and Social Interaction. Although he didn't get any 1s, he got 2s for all the ball skills, aside from rolling, hitting and stopping, which were 3s as well. So, looks like I need to try spend more time kicking a ball about with him. Men's work. His playball teacher's comment at the end of his report read: "Jake seems to really enjoy all Playball activities and is always eager to learn new skills. It's been a pleasure coaching Jake!" What more could I ask for??

Enjoy the weekend XXX

Jake with his class, two teachers and his playball coach... Jake getting his playball certificate from his coach...

Christmas traditions

After reading Wendy's blog, I've decided to follow on with my family's Christmas traditions as well…

Our tree goes up on 16 December and it always marks the real count-down to Christmas. Putting it up is always a very festive occasion and we listen to Christmas carols while we "trim the tree". We decorate and my dad fights with the tangled lights, which he always has to put on last. There's always something yummy to snack on and drink (either champagne or coffee). In the days that our tree's up, the lights are on every night and we often just sit around and enjoy the colour and beauty it adds to our home. We have an artificial tree, which is only 2 years old now - the previous one my parents bought when they got married and it was looking really tired. We have a fairy that goes up on top of the tree, unlike most people who have stars. My dad always has to put this on – a tradition that started because we couldn’t reach the top of the tree as kids. She’s also looking tired (actually, she looks like an alcoholic on a bad hair day), but she’s so much part of our Christmas tree that nobody's got the heart to chuck her out!

This year will be Jake’s first Rotary Christmas Party experience. As kids we always went to Uncle Paul's party in Constantia and, needless to say, I’ve managed to get us in at the same one!! It’s on Groot Constantia and the excitement and magic of it is indescribable! From tractor rides, to straw fights, to the marching band, Noddy and his gang, naughty goblins, singing Christmas carols and Father Christmas and his fairy arriving - it's just so magical. There are 7 adults going with my one child and I'm pretty sure we're all way more excited about it then he is about. I think it’s more about sharing it with him and seeing him experience it for the first time. I CANNOT WAIT!! Apparently, the show hasn't changed in all the years since we went, it’s going to be a real trip down memory lane. We haven't received our invitation yet, but I have been told that we are going on the 17th, which is the day after putting our tree up, making it a very exciting weekend for us!

Before bed time on Christmas Eve, it’s vital to remember to put out something for Father Christmas and his reindeer to snack on when they visit our house, which does not have a chimney, but remember Father Christmas is magic – he can get in anywhere! So, it’s always carrots and water for the reindeer and mince pies or shortbread, chocolates (used to be Quality Street, but they’re not as nice as they used to be) and a glass of sherry or Amarula. There were always photos taken of us (and now of Jake) putting out our Christmas Sacks under the Christmas tree. Then it’s off to bed, to try and sleep. When morning eventually arrives (sometimes as early as 4:30am), my dad always has to go through to the lounge to check that the big man in red’s not still there. And then it’s complete mayhem as everyone dives for their individual sacks and begins ripping open wrapping. Coffee’s served, normally with scones and we exchange gifts with one another. In the old days, we used to go to church on Christmas morning, more recently, we’ve been going on Christmas Eve. Not sure what this year holds.

Because we share so much of Christmas with my family, since we live with them, and they really get to enjoy so much with Jake, I always give Jacques’ family first option on whether they want us to have Christmas lunch with them. This year, we’re having Christmas Eve with them and lunch with my folks (Jacques’ sister is with her in-laws for Christmas lunch). Joanne’s new family-to-be will be joining us as well, so there’ll be a nice little group. My mother always spends hours shopping and pouring over recipe books to put together the greatest feast ever and each year we swear we’ll never eat so much again, but by the time the following Christmas arrives, we do it all over again.

Other family traditions include driving through town (and Bothasig) to see the Christmas lights; a Christmas dinner with Jo and Paul during the week before Christmas; picnics and Christmas carols by candlelight at Kirstenbosch; looking for fairies’ lights in the garden, which are really glow worms, but the tradition is sticking and Jake loves hunting them down; being warned that the fairies are listening and reporting back to Father Christmas on our good/bad behaviour; eating too much; napping between lunch and dessert on Christmas day; drinking too much; spending time together; trifle for breakfast on Boxing Day (also my mom’s birthday); left-overs for days; the list is endless…

And not forgetting that, while Christmas time is always a time of excitement, tradition, special memories and magic, it's also an incredibly sad time of year for many people. We will always miss having Jacques with us, but I will do my best, as always, to make this a happy time of year for Jake...

I know that it’s a very early wish, but the festive season is just around the corner now - I hope that you all have the most wonderfully happy, peaceful and safest and festive season this year! For those of you with young children, remember how important your own family traditions are and enjoy making special memories that your children will look back on fondly one day when they have children of their own.

Lots of love to you all,

Sue xxx

Some Christmassy photos taken over the last few years...

Christmas Day 2004... 16 December 2005 - Decorating the "tree" (note the tired tree)... Christmas Eve 2005 - putting food out for Father Christmas & the reindeer... Christmas Eve 2005 - Testing the reindeer's food... Christmas 2005 - Jake's stuffed sack (I made the sack)... Christmas morning 2005 - Jake and his Aunty Jo... 16 December 2006 - Decorating the "tree" ... 16 December 2006 - My dad putting the alcoholic fairy on top of our new Christmas tree... Christmas Eve 2006 - note the Christmas fare... Christmas morning 2006... Testing out one of his presents - Christmas morning 2006...

Message from Jake...

Hello!

My mommy (mom, as I like to call her) has this blog-thing and I know she keeps putting pictures of me up on it, but I never get a chance to say anything. Last night was a very special evening and I want to be the one to share it with you. As you all know, my daddy was a winemaker at Buitenverwachting. It's one of my favourite places to visit and I love being inside the cellar and running around on the grass outside. It's just so beautiful and peaceful there. My daddy's last harvest was in 2004, the year that I was born, and he made the red wines that year. The farm's flagship red wine is called Christine and my daddy decided that he would make an extra special bottle of it for me to keep for my 21st. He didn't get to make up the bottle, but my mom spoke to the other winemaker, Hermann, and arranged for him to make it up for me in any case. On Friday, my mom finished work early and picked me up and we went through to the farm to fetch the wine.It's a 15L bottle, which is HUGE! My mom says that you call a 15L bottle a Nebu...Nebu...Nebuchadnezzar and it's so heavy that I can't lift it; I hope I'm strong enough to pour it for everyone at my 21st... It's full of my dad's 2004 Christine too, which is very special wine. I helped my mom open a normal-size bottle last night, so we could taste it. I got my very own little glass, filled right up to half way, to drink. I said cheers to everyone and remembered to look in their eyes when I did it. It was SOOOO delicious, I don't understand why I wasn't allowed more. Mom took lots of photos of me drinking the wine and of me with the big Nebuchadnezzar bottle. I'm so glad that I have this wine to keep for when I'm a big man. In a funny way, it's a gift from my dad and I like to think it means that a part of him will be with me on my 21st! I will have to remember to spill some for my special angel... Enjoy the photos!

Love Jake xxx

This was exciting stuff - my very own glass of wine!

Posing with my mom...

My first sip...

Look at my tongue

Licking my glass clean - can I have some more please??

Me and my Nebuchadnezzar...

I can just get my arms around it...

Me hiding behind my bottle...

Mom says I'm naughty some times - do I look naughty to you?

Nothing to say...

I'm feeling completely brain dead as far as my blogging goes at the moment. Life just isn't all that exciting at the moment. Oh, I've been busy, it's just not really news that I think you'd enjoy reading... Braai'ed at the in-laws on Friday night, Saturday morning had breakfast in Sea Point & Jake had a play at the park, had art (must remember to take another photo of my painting that's still not finished!), Saturday night, we braai'ed at home and watched the rugby (even Jake - he only went to bed just before midnight), Sunday, I took Jake to the World of Birds and we spent the entire afternoon there - it was really great and there's so much to see. We had lunch at their little cafe too. Jake had a ball and it's really worth the drive through to Hout Bay. This week's been pretty quiet. We're busy with the Fish Africa Exhibition that's on at the Convention Centre, so I've been in the office on my own since yesterday and will be tomorrow too. I've been sorting through some old photos of Jacques as a baby and child that I want to use to make a collage for Jake's room. I've always wanted to make one for Jake, but Jacques' mom threw all her negatives away, so I've had to scan each photo individually and have dropped them off for printing this afternoon. I think it'll be really nice when it's done - I want to make it the story of Jake's life. Jacques and I as babies, then as children, later as a couple and as a family and then ending off with more recent photos of Jake. I just hope I don't go too overboard with it - I'm sure Jake won't want a huge mural on his wall... I can't believe how much Jake actually looks like Jacques though. Everyone's always said he's the splitting image of me, but seeing these kiddie photos of Jacques has shown that there's a lot of his dad in him too. I'm also finally busy putting my wedding photos into an album (it's taken 6 1/2 years!!). Been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but it's going to be good to have it done. Anyway, ending off with some recent photos - sorry this is such a boring post, I'll try think of something better to write about for next time! Lots of love xxx Jake... Jacques as a kid... Pre-school concert. That's Jacques on your left and I'm 2 across First day of school... Our wedding day - Milnerton Beach

Crossroads

Well, life has got me thinking. Time moves far too quickly and, it seems, that as you grow older (or more mature!), the days seems to pick up speed. When I think back to being a little girl, starting out in sub-A, matric seemed a lifetime away. School days were long and the end seemed to be so far out of sight. It's 12 years now since I finished school - I've been out of it for as long as I was in - and somehow, the last 12 years seem to have just flown by in a total blur. I cannot believe that in 12 years, I've studied, travelled, changed jobs, moved house, been married, widowed, become a mother and reached the fabulous age of 30 - it's all happened so fast. Yet, 12 years of school dragged on and on and on... Well, at the age of 30, I'm contemplating studying again. I've never been an academic and I'm actually really nervous at just the thought of becoming a student again. There is just so much to consider. Firstly, what to study. As many of you know, I love photography and it's the one thing I've always regretted not having studied after school. I've done a bit of research and have found that Cape Peninsula University (the old Cape Tech) offers a National Diploma in photography, but it's a 3-year full time course. Am I prepared to give up my job and become a full-time student for this? Can I afford to? Can I cope with the work load? I've also found out that Damelin does a correspondance photography course, which should take around a year to complete. This would fit better into my current lifestyle, but am I disciplined enough? The Damelin course is also a theory based course, wherein we are required to complete assignments and portfolios, etc. There are only 3 exams, which is a definite plus in my books. Another alternative would be to get a proper qualification for what I'm currently employed to do (accounts/bookkeeping), but I doubt that this would mean I'd be able to earn much more. Definitely not where I'm currently employed. Cost-wise, the CPU 3-year diploma course is about 5.5 X the price of the Damelin course, but it is longer and definitely more comprehensive. The CPU course has 4 subjects per year, which might take up quite a bit of my daily time. I wonder, though, if it would give me time enough to continue doing the books for the company I'm currently with in between? Would be nice to have some income if I'm studying full time.

The second crossroad I'm finding myself at is that I'm starting to feel like I'd possibly like to have my own home again. It's wonderful living with my parents and they've been so incredibly supportive, but I know that at some point I have to get out of my comfort zone and move out. It's great having their company in the evenings once Jake goes to bed and it's good to know there's someone there when I come in late at night. It's fabulous having my mom around to help with Jake on days when I'm just not coping. And it's really great for Jake to be with my dad. I doubt that, if I were to move out, we'd spend too much time in our house anyway, we'd probably still "live" with my folks. I'd be living in Edgemead, quite close to my folks (in my 3-bedroomed house, currently being rented out); my mom would still fetch Jake from school, so we'd be there every day. We'd probably end up eating there in the evenings too. So then, is there any point to our moving out? We'd only be at our house for bedtime and weekends. Is that a waste of money? Should I just ignore how I'm starting to feel and enjoy having the rental income for now? I wonder if I'd be able to afford living alone if I were to take up studying now... See what I mean????? So much going on in my little head!!

Anyway, less stressful things - Jake & I had a nice weekend. Friday night, I went out to supper with Joanne and a good friend of ours, Sam. Was good to catch up with them, without kids. Saturday, Jake had a friend's birthday party - I never manage to go, because I've got art from 11 - 2. This party was from 10 - 12:30, so I decided to be a little late for art and went to the party till 11:30, when my mom came to take over. I love seeing Jake with his little friends and watching him interact with them - it's so funny. They're growing up far too quickly. His teacher was chatting to me again, saying how well he speaks for his age and that she really thinks his sense of humour's well beyond his years. Gets that from his dad, for sure!! It's nice to hear that he's doing OK. So, had art after the party, then went through to family friends in Simons Town for dinner. Not much else happened. The weather was terrible and it's freezing here!!

Jake dressed for Saturday morning's pirate party: Jake in the bath - loves getting his hair wet, but screams the house down when I actually wash it: Being cute with a bagel:

I finally took some photos of Jake's "vegetable patch". He's absolutely LOVING it. He's had 3 strawberries off his little strawberry plants, his lemon tree has two tiny lemons on it, his tomato plants are covered in flowers, his seedlings are all sprouting and we've transplanted his beans and millie plants into proper pots now. It's all been very exciting for Jake and he's learnt so much from it. He really enjoys getting his hands dirty and I've honestly let him do as much of the work as possible. I've just guided him along, doing all the heavy manual labour - like filling pots with soil - while he's been able to do the actual planting/fertilising/watering/harvesting. Besides some non-toxic-to-kids-and-animals snail bait early on, we've opted to go as organic as we can. Takes a bit more thought, but we're both learning as we go. Maybe I should do horticulture... Anyway, here's a couple of shots of Jake's garden.

Bean/green pepper pot: Newly planted bean seedlings: A few of Jake's pots, containing tomatoes, millies, green peppers, spring onions, parsley, carrots & a lemon tree: The strawberry patch (Jake's favourite). The grid is to keep the birds out, eggshells keep the snails out and the plastic keeps the strawberries off the soil: Jake has to wait paitently to pick his ripe strawberries: Enjoying his first strawberry - rewards of his hard work! Our new garden gnome:

Finally - good news!!

Just a very short post to let you all know that Paul went down on his knee on Saturday night and asked Joanne to marry him. It was completely unexpected for her and he'd only asked my dad that morning, but she's obviously very excited. I can't believe that there's going to be a wedding in our family. YAY! I'm going to have a brother! A really nice one!! Congratulations to Jo and Paul, I hope that you have lots of fun in preparing for your special day. We love you guys tons and tons!!!

XXX