After Christmas, Jake & I headed off to Kommetjie, where my in laws were camping for the holidays. We had quite a few friends up there too, including my best friend, Jacki (above).
When Jacques was alive, we used to go camping every once in a while. I think had he still been alive, I would probably be out there camping every weekend. Life's different now though and I've changed a lot (probably not all for the best, but I'm happy) and, while we had tons of fun, I've realised that I'm just not a camper. I tried really hard for 5 days, but I would just rather be in a guest house then in a tent. Call me a snot-nosed snob, that's just the way it is. I like comforts and private bathrooms. I am also quite a nervous person by nature and found it very difficult physically falling asleep in a tent and went for about 3 days on very little rest. We suffered some very hectic wind and I'd lie there imagining the wind running down the road, shaking all the trees as it came for us. Then it'd grab our tent, shake it up and run away again. I'd lie there waiting for the next round to begin. Besides that, our tent was right next to the road, which meant that any car driving past sounded like it was going to drive over us - a bit like playing chicken with your eyes closed. Still, as you'll see in the photos, Jake had an absolute ball and it was fabulous to get him away from the TV and computer at home. It was awesome spending time with friends and family.
Despite the wind, it was still hot and we tried to get the kids down to the beach as often as possible. Meant we could get some sun on our bodies too. Mostly, though, it was just too windy. Jake was the youngest kid in the group and I am finding him a little awkward settling into a group at the moment, especially with older kids. I guess it comes from being the only kid in a houseful of adults. I'm trying to ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good, but it was quite difficult to do so when kids are telling tales. So, there were a few fights and disagreements, but I think generally the kids did alright and I think they all went home feeling like they'd had a good holiday.
So, here are some of the kids on the beach. They're digging a hole to Timbuktu. Jake's the one fully dressed, complete with jeans and takkies (sneakers)...
The guy in yellow is Steven; he's Jacki's son. Her & I always have a quiet giggle about how much we like each other and how little our kids like one another. It seems impossible. So, we generally end up spending time together without the kids, it's just less effort. Plus, it means we get to have a glass of wine and watch grown up stuff on TV. Below is Jake's very diplomatic Auntie Tam sorting out some kind of a spat between Jake & Steven. The boys had to shake on it. Personally (and I guess it comes with age) I think they just need to agree to disagree...
Jake's favourite spot at the campsite, when not on his bicycle, was the hammock behind his grandparent's caravan. He's not sleeping, by the way, just pretending for the sake of the camera. Oh and my child also loves any kind of fruit. If I put out a bowl of cherries or litchis next to a bowl of sweets, I know he'd definitely grab sweets first, but he'd devour the bowl of fruit. On this day, I bought him a whole punnet of cherries. The bowl was full and he ate every single one of them. Oh and please note how short Jake's hair is. He's been begging me to cut it on a number 1, so I decided to do it after Christmas. Looks like a convict, doesn't he? At least he has a nicely shaped head - I couldn't get away with this...
Jake & Uncle Justin (father to Abi & Becky, which explains their beautiful tans over my son's white legs) getting the fire ready for dinner...
The kids spent a lot of time playing cricket in the street too. Jake's big cousin, Abigail helped him learn a bit about batting. I guess it's my fault that my child's not well educated yet in the sporting world, but I'll just blame that on Jacques. Because I can... 
Starting to get the hang of it...
And then he decided to face the ball without Abi. Such a proud moment...
He wasn't that keen on the fielding part of the game though...
Uncle Steve was quick to give Jake a hand with the bowling. Steve's a deputy head at a school (can't remember which - sorry!) and he's amazing with the kids. Generally, at the moment, Jake's better one on one rather then in a crowd. Steve spent a little time chatting to him and Jake warmed up to him so beautifully. Steve's married to Michelle and they have two stunning kids, Matthew and Jemma. Another friend, Craig, who's married to Julia, spent time with Jake and a couple of the kids, including his own two, fishing off the rocks. Somewhere along the line, Jake thanked Craig for taking him fishing and told him that he wished he also had a dad. It's all about spending quality time with these little beings... 
We went to the nearby snake park - definitely not my favourite place, but you gotta be brave when you've got kids. I even managed to take a few blurred photos...
Seriously, just look how short that hair is. Oh and that's a Gaboon Viper next to Jake. They have the longest fangs and highest venom yield of any venomous snake. Thank goodness for the glass. I'm surprised this photo isn't more blurred... 
Afterwards, they 'kindly' let us hold corn snakes. It was another brave mommy moment for me. Jake was too scared to hold one, so I had to show him first that they weren't going to hurt him by holding one myself. I don't like snakes, I think my biggest thing about them is that I don't know how clean they are. I mean seriously, have you ever thought about where's a snake's butt is while it's slithering all over you? And how do they keep themselves clean? I'm not a neat fanatic, but I can't get my head around this. For real. Least I got managed to get Jake to hold it... 
By the end of our visit at the snake park, Jake had decided that he wants a corn snake for his birthday. It's just not gonna happen, kid-o. I'm very sorry...
There was also an Iguana at the snake park, which the kids were allowed to pet. I didn't touch it, they're a bit freaky...
But, turns out, it's another 'have to have' pet...
My folks came up for the day on Old Year's Eve. Jake was really excited about seeing them and kept saying, 'are Nini & Pa really coming to visit me?'
A scenic snap of the beach down at Kommetjie. There was a lot of seaweed around, which wasn't great... 
My fully clothed son running away from the waves. That's Steve with him again...
The water was FREEZING though, so I don't really blame Jake for not getting in. My feet were in cramps just from putting my toes in...
In the evenings the wind made it quite cool, so we all huddled up close to the campfire. The kids carried on riding their bikes until bedtime. A couple of evenings, Tam organised sing-songs for the kids by the fireside, which they absolutely loved. They played games and sang things like Alice the camel. They were each snuggled under a blanket and we all went to bed afterwards...
On Old Year's Eve, Jake had a late afternoon nap and I managed to get him to stay up to see the New Year in. He actually only went to sleep eventually at about 2am and was up at 8 on New Year's Day. On Old Year's they organised for some minstrels to come through the camp. They stopped at each site and played a tune before moving on to the next. The kids loved it, following behind on their bikes...
Did any of you see the moon on Old Year's Eve? Besides having a partial eclipse, did you know that it was also a blue moon? Do you know what a blue moon is? For those that don't; it's when there are two full moons within one month. The next time this happens will be in 56 years time and I'll be 88, if I'm still around at all and Jake will be 61. Scary thoughts...
Jake with his grandparents and cousins, Abi on the left and Becky on the right...
Jake & Grandpa Hubie on the scooter...
Jake pretending to eat an uncooked crayfish. We were totally spoilt with these while we were away...
And that just about brings you up to date on our news. I need to take some photos at the house and do an update on that, but you'll have to wait a day or two. Hope you're all well!
Love Sue XXX
After much grumbling about going back to school, we're finally there. Jake decided during the holidays that he didn't care much for school, that he didn't want to learn to read or write and that he'd rather just stay at home. He's forever asking "but why do I have to go to school?". He woke up this morning and crawled into bed with me at about 6am. I told him I needed to snooze a bit more and rolled over, but it was hard to ignore him when I could hear him repeating over and over "good morning Mrs Knight, good morning Mrs Knight" (that's me reminding him not to just say 'hi' to his teacher). Funny kid. He eventually got up and decided that he was too nervous to eat, although I did manage to force feed him some pronutro (porridge) foie gras style (not quite ;)). I'm not sure why he was so nervous, since it's the same school he was at last year and he is very familiar with the teachers and facilities. His new teacher, Mrs Knight, loves nature, so I'm sure he'll enjoy sharing that with her this year. Needless to say, by the time we'd arrived at the school and I'd introduced myself, Jake had found his locker, put his bag away and disappeared. I found him playing with the boys, totally unconcerned about whether I was there or not. When I left, he was playing in his old classroom with one of the other boys. I left feeling a little sorry for myself, but at the same time so glad that he's going to have a happy day!! I can't believe that by this time next year, he'll be going into Grade 1!
Sue x
'Padkos' (road food?) and frangelico for Santa - no wonder he's so fat!!
As soon as Gareth & Rosie arrived, he go stuck in to his sack full of prezzies...
Since our trip to Kruger, Jake's become an avid bird watcher (tweeter?). My parents bought him a stunning bird book...
Super chuffed...
Father Christmas was very clever this year. This is Jake's new duvet cover for his new bed in his new bedroom in our new house. I know it's really disgusting (if you look at the picture in the circle in the middle - it's technicolour! Blugh), but it's Bakugan and what he wanted. Hopefully the next craze hits soon...
And these are Bakugan, for those of you not in the know, although I have posted pictures somewhere here before. This was Jake's favourite gift this year...
Since the weather was so great, we had breakfast out on the patio. English muffins with fried eggs and cheese (thanks Rosie, they were divine). And yes, my child is drinking coke lite for breakfast...
Paul, Jo & Connor arrived around 10am and Jake enjoyed helping Connor to open his gifts almost as much as he enjoyed opening his own...
Connor got a push bike from my folks for Christmas, it was an instant hit once his Uncle Gareth had helped his dad to assemble it...
This year, for the first time ever, we had family friends join us for lunch. It was really good to spend the day with them. This is Kathy & Joanne - they went with us to Greece a few years back and also to Kruger last year...
Rose, mom and Gareth...
Paul & Jo...
Paul with his brother TJ, who flew in from London and arrived on Christmas morning...
Jake & I sharing a cracker. Please take note of my very loud necklace. Jake chose it especially for me. He's very into gold and diamonds, so I know he chose it because of all the 'gold'. It's a bit louder then what I usually go for, but looks OK in the photo...
Our table. We had a total mix-match of colour this year and it looked and felt so festive...
The massive traditional spread for 13 of us! Mom's birthday is on boxing day, so we always over cater for visitors the next day...
More food...
Needless to say, we were all totally stuffed by the end of the day. I somehow still managed to find space for a gammon and tomato sandwich for dinner later that night! I love Christmas, but once again, I'm glad it's over until next year!!