Fun times...

Jo and Paul have gone on holiday - this time to Barcelona.  Well, actually, Paul did a grueling leg of the Tour de France (for fun) with about 20 friends and he's joined Jo in Barcelona for a week's break before they head home.

Corky and Bi have also been on holiday - at Nini and Pa's house.  They came to visit us at Marius' house yesterday and the kids had tons of fun running up and down on the beach.  Jake absolutely LOVED sharing TV games with Corky afterwards, while we had lunch/coffees/milk tart with my parents.  Marius' mom popped in too, so it was a nice, family-filled day for us.

Since Jo and Paul are away, hopefully having THE most fabulous time, I know they'll check past here to see some photos of their gorgeous children...

 

The weather was really grim on Saturday - a storm pulled in on Thursday and only simmered down a bit on Sunday.  It was good to get out the house and get some fresh air...

 Jake and Corky were hunting for treasures on the beach...

And Bi trundled along, collecting butterfly shells (black mussel shells), keeping a close eye on the water...

 Jake and Corky have really come a long way in their friendship.  They went from not being able to tolerate one another (more from Jake's side) to being best buddies.  It's lovely to see how protective Jake has become and they really just enjoy being together these days.  It's so sweet...

 Jake loved being with Corky on the beach...

 Bi looked too cute in her pretty leggings, her wellies and her pink jersey and scarf.  Such a little fashionista...

 Corky watching that water very closely - he doesn't like getting his pants wet...

 A special smile for his mommy and daddy...

 See?  They're so cute together at the moment...

 I hope these boys continue to love each other and stand up for one another as they grow up...

 It's quite fun that Jake's so much bigger than Corky...

 He's strong enough to lift Corky like an airplane...

 Bi's quite happy to do her own thing at the moment...

 She just knows that she a) doesn't want to look at my camera...

and, b) doesn't want to get wet...

 They found a dead bird on the beach too, which Marius was quite happy to show them...

 It was more than pretty gross, but at least it didn't smell bad...

 The beach is also great for running and where Jake goes, Corky is never far behind...

 Corky's reached that silly boy stage, where he gets all shy and does crazy things.  He was super cute on the beach...

 He feels like a wally here, he's pretending to ignore me...

 See?  Silly boy, but he's just too gorgeous for words and he has just such a wonderful character...

 OK, now I know these aren't the cutest photos, but he was blowing his mom a kiss...

 OK, a gazillion kisses and he was jumping up and down at the same time...

 And here comes our Princess Bi, who believes she is a real princess, by the way...

 She's getting so big and it's been so special to have a little girl in our family.  So different to boys...

 She's wasn't too happy to do anything special for me though... 

 But I still love these sulky, pouty photos!  She did fall asleep for half a minute in the car before we met them, so cut her some slack...

 I love this picture...

 Bi has a very special connection with my mom, perhaps it's because Bi looks just like my mom did as a little girl.  Maybe it's because my mom finally has another little girl to do girly things with like she did with us... it's very sweet...

 Hahaha... Jo sometimes jokes that Bi loves my mom most.  She has her Nini wrapped around her little finger...

 Jake and Corky spent some time catching up on boy things with Marius...

 Getting dirty in the sand...

 Nini and Bi had turned back and Jake ran to catch up to them...

 Followed by Corky...

 I love how the beach gives you a bit of everything.  Time together, time alone, fresh air, a run, a walk, a stop and play, a treasure hunt, a swim if you're brave enough... it's really my favourite place, especially this beach...

 Princess Bi and her Nini...

Nini & Pa with the kids - happy families...

 Bi-bi loves her Pa too...

 The beach was full of black mussel shells.  I have another post for when I have time of the treasures we spend a lot of our time searching for, but you'll have to wait for that...

 Jake and Marius catching up...

 Bi was exhausted and managed to get poor Nini to give her a piggy-back ride...

 And then Jake offered to take over and that sounded like a fun idea...

 It's fun having a big cousin, who's game to play...

 It's so sweet how gentle Jake can be with Bi too...

 And then it was time to head back up to M's house to relax in front of the TV for a bit...

We had a lovely time together and Jake was very sad to see his cousins go home again.  Hopefully we'll get to see them again next weekend!

Sending lots of love, especially to Jo and Paul - hope you're having an amazing time!!

Sue XXX

Holiday fun...

 I love the school holidays.  I love that we can sleep in later and that neither of us are rushing and grumpy.  I love that we have time to explore the world together and spend more quality time with one another.  I love these moments and I treasure them, because I know that they are fleeting.

I've been very bad about taking photos just recently, so you'll have to forgive me for my lack of blogging... no pictures, no stories.  Yesterday though, I took Jake and my dad to visit the Springbok museum in the Waterfront.  Jake's been dying to go and we missed this stop during his last school holidays, so it was on our to-do-list for these holidays.  It was worth the wait!  Who knew that our rugby history was so interesting, or so vast?!  I do think that some of it was above Jake's head, but the overall experience was amazing and it's well worth a visit, if you're a rugby fan, which Jake considers himself to be...

 At the entrance, a beaded springbok...

 The stairway is lined with photos and quotes by some of South Africa's rugby greats...

 The memorabilia is amazing and the posters go right back to the "birth" of the Springboks...

 Jake with some of the first displays...

 The Boks 1921 tour to New Zealand...

 Jake loved seeing the old rugby kit...

 During WW2, the prisoners of war made their own Springbok Jerseys...

  It wouldn't be a truly South African museum, if it didn't bring into account, the horrors of apartheid.  As shocking as it was, it is part of our history and sadly affected all aspects of our country...

 

 When South Africa toured New Zealand in 1981, our all white team was literally attacked for what they represented...

Leaving the heartache of apartheid behind you and around the next corner, you find the display representing the Springbok's triumph in the 1995 World Cup - a match that essentially brought our entire nation together...

 The Webb Ellis Cup...

 A program from the opening match, which was played in Cape Town.  I was just 19 then and couldn't afford to go see the Boks take on Australia...

 A statue commemorating Madiba handing over the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar - such a proud moment for all South Africans.  I bet you can remember exactly where you were with your face painted and New South Africa flags flying when you watched that game, right?  It's so hard to share with Jake the emotions that we went through that day...

 Jake standing in front of his favourite player's height marker - Bryan Habana...

 Andries Bekker is a giant of a man...

 There was a short film to end our tour off, showing how rugby unites us all.  From the kids playing in the townships, to school boy (and girl) rugby, to clubs and national teams, with supporters and staff - it left me feeling all warm and fuzzy and very proud to be a South African...

So, do yourselves a favour and make a turn there if you can - it's really incredible for all rugby fans!

Love,

Sue XXX

Princess Bi has turned 3...

OK, OK, I know I'm behind on this - Bi's birthday was weeks, no months, ago!  I know I'm behind on everything after my NZ trip, but her birthday was the day before I left and I just haven't had a chance.

This year, Bi decided that she wanted nothing more than a pink party and that's exactly what she got.   Bi was beyond excited when we got there to share her special day with her...

 The pink theme meant butterflies and flowers...

 And lots of really pretty, girly things...

 Of course there was plenty of pretty sugar and spice too...

 And beautiful butterfly biscuits - Jo always goes to so much trouble to make her kids parties extra special...

 Barbi Mariposa was there too - she was such fun for the kids, doing make-up and face-painting, as well as a little magic and story-telling...

 Bi was enthralled...

 And she's always loved having a little make-up done...

 Such a pretty girl!

  This is one of my favourite pictures of the day...

 Jake's a bit beyond it and Mariposa certainly isn't his thing, but he did try his best to make Bi's party fun for her.  He even took part in blowing the fairy dust...

 Bi showing me her fairy dust...

 I took some snaps without my flash, which are always gentler, but more tricky at a party indoors with a bunch of busy kids...

 Mariposa played some games outside with the kids too - they were blessed with such a perfect day...

 Bi's cake was a gorgeous pink butterfly, made by her very clever mommy too...

 And Bi was thrilled...

 A little kiss from her daddy, while we sang to our special girl...

 A big puff to blow out her candles...

 And then it was time for Mariposa to head back to fairyland...

 This photo of Bi and her mommy has made me smile a thousand times - just love that little happy face...

 Bi's got gorgeous eyes and she's really started to enjoy having her picture taken.  She's got the most amazing expressions and pulls the funniest faces sometimes.  She loves to see pictures of herself now too...

 And she wouldn't really fit in to this family if she didn't like behaving a bit like a clown sometimes...

 This is my absolute favourite photo from her party... she just looks so happy with life.  So carefree...

 Rylee came to the party too.  Bi loves being able to hold him on her own, she takes it very seriously...

 Of course the best part about having a birthday is opening all your presents...

Bi, I love the amazing, beautiful, funny, crazy little girl you've grown to be.  I love hearing you singing the new songs you've learned at school and I love listening to you chattering away.  I love that you're so carefree and yet so strong-willed (don't try telling her that it's 4 degrees outside and that the sleeveless fairy dress she wants to wear with beach tongs is not appropriate)!  I love that you're a tom boy when you want to be, but can also be the softest, gentlest little girl when you need to be.  I love your beautiful blue eyes and your big, big smile.  Most of all, I love sharing my birthday with you!!

Lots of love,

Sue XXX