Viva!

Wow! For those of us who are patriotic - WHAT an exciting weekend!! It's just been amazing to be a part of this huge international event that is the soccer world cup. Even for those of us who really prefer rugby. The world is watching and we're here, part of it all.

We were very fortunate to get tickets to the very first match in Cape Town at our brand new, super-stunning stadium. The match was France vs Uruguay and while we didn't hold any particular preference as to which team won (we cheered for Uruguay anyway), it was just so thrilling to be there.

The match fell on the same day (Friday) as the opening ceremony and match between South Africa and Mexico, which took place in Johannesburg. Soon after I got home from work, we piled into the car and headed off to the V&A Waterfront in the hopes of finding parking and missing some of the traffic. We were lucky to find parking in a very busy Waterfront and spent the afternoon milling amongst the masses and masses of people.

Anyway, as always with this blog, pictures speak more than words...

Arriving at the Waterfront, Jake blows his vuvuzela for passing cars. He was super-excited and very proud to be wearing his Bafana Bafana top and SA scarf. It's moments like this that I hope he'll remember forever...

There were thousands of people from all over the world at the Waterfront. This is one of the Uruguay supporters... Behind the big blue board on the right, is a massive TV screen, up for fans to watch matches. Obviously many had come through early to claim their spot in front of the screen... This is a replica of the official match ball... Mom, dad and Jake getting into the spirit of things... I thought this was very clever - a mock coffin with flowers in SA colours, bigger than those of the Mexican. In other words, bury them!! Although it's winter here, the weather was perfect on Friday. It got pretty cold in the stadium, but we were warm walking around...Green and gold...Strong supporter...The flag he drew on me was better than the one I did on him. Not a bad photo either, thanks my boy...The crowds squeezed into any corner they could find to watch the SA match...Some excited Brazilians and a very drunk local...The crowds at the amphitheater watching the game. We couldn't get close to the screen, but it was enough to watch every one else's expressions change. To me the best part about this world cup has been how it's pulled everyone together. It doesn't matter your age or race - we're all one in this together, rooting for our boys to do their best and make us proud. We live in such an amazing country with so many wonderful people, it's great to see everyone sharing a common interest and excitement...And then SA scored! The first goal of the tournament (they drew 1-1 for those who haven't kept track). I cannot even begin to explain the volume of the cheering. The crowds literally roared with excitement. The vuvuzelas were blown and the atmosphere was electric. I cannot imagine not having been able to share that moment anywhere else. It was beautiful and just so exciting... I have no words for this - it was utterly spectacular and I haven't even seen the goal... Jake pretending to header the big ball. He's very excited about his own soccer again now... After the excitement of sharing our team's goal, we headed off to the stadium. By that stage, Jake had also bribed me into buying him a Bafana Bafana flag...Arriving at the grounds...My very excited little man. Oh, he also lost his first vuvuzela, so I had to buy him another one. Sucker that I am...We had cheap seats and I'm guessing that the higher up one goes in the stands, the better the view you have of the field and game. We were literally 4 rows from the front and the first 2 rows were empty. Plus we were almost behind the goals. But, in my very unprofessional soccer opinion, it was awesome to be so close to the action. Jake loved every moment and hardly moved out his seat... Soccer hotties warming up...Singing national anthems. France in white, Uruguay in blue...The game about to begin...Action! I was a little naughty and smuggled my camera and zoom lens in. I was told at the gate that I wasn't allowed to take it in, but then told to separate the lens and camera and then it was OK to take it with me. Unfortunately and probably because I cheated the system and fate was returning me the favour, I managed to throw my camera off the table during the bag inspection by mistake. I was trying to help a guy who had a sleeping toddler in his arms and battling to open his bag and swung my bag over my shoulder, in the process, knocking my camera on to the concrete floor. The casing's cracked, as is the viewfinder box (not the glass). It still worked OK for the game, which was all I was worried about then. Now I'm looking at new cameras, thank goodness for insurance... I must confess that I'm really not a sport's photographer. Perhaps it'd help if I had a really super lens and was allowed closer to the field, but I think managed to snap a few decent pictures anyway... And please excuse the professional photographers heads in the foreground. I know I should crop them out, but I ran out of time... Pick or choose - photographers heads, or missing feet...

It was great to be able to see the tension between the players. I can't imagine how stressful it must be to play on this level...

The French coach is a loud mouth and a bad loser (can I say that here?). Not sure what was going on here, but he was having some serious words with the ref...And a little later one of the Uruguay (Uruguaian?) players pulled a dirty and got himself a red card...A free kick (or is it a penalty?)... The game came to an end with a disappointing nil all result. Actually, it was probably one of the more boring games of the tournament so far, but we were there! The players shook hands and exchanged shirts (oh my!) and that was that. Brilliant!!!

We headed back to the car for hot chocolate/coffee and cake while we waited for the traffic to die down a little. We had a ball with us, so also played a little soccer match, which was great fun and got us all warmed up a little after the cold at the stadium.

And so, after that game, we're now very much into the whole World Cup thing. We're keeping track of the scores from each match and my house looks like a mini fan park. We're watching as much soccer as we possibly can and I'm cooking food to correspond with teams playing each day. It's been so much fun and I'm loving sharing it with Jake.

Lastly, just to wish out Bafana Bafana team all the very best for their game against Uruguay tomorrow!! We will be with you in spirit...

Sue X

What a busy time...

Things are just so crazy at the moment. I am finding it very difficult to keep up with my own blog, let alone anyone else's. Apologies for my lack of response to your comments - I love hearing from you, but like I said, time has been too short just lately. I'll get around to it, I promise! I also have so much to tell you about our exciting soccer weekend and I have photos from the game we went to see that I need to edit and post - you might even get them unedited...

Thinking of you all and hope that the sun's shining somewhere in the world. It's miserably cold here and due to rain all day :(

Lots of love, Sue XXX

All done...

Phew! Today is here and yesterday is finally finished. What a day! While it was still pretty stressful for me, Jake did really well and was such a brave soldier. I am so proud of him!

We were at the dentist 15 minutes early, Jake had a pre-med to take and has never needed to swallow a tablet before. I thought it would be a nightmare, but with the threat of loosing the use of his Nintendo wii for the week, he swallowed it without much fuss. By the time the anesthetist arrived a little later, he was relaxed and starting to feel a little drowsy. The IV needle hurt a lot, but he looked the other way and held my hand super tight. He literally fell asleep with his eyes open - took me a bit by surprise.

The dentist covered his eyes for him and did his mouth injections straight away. Every now and then, he got a little restless and the anesthetist just topped up the sedative. While Jake had very little control over his body, he was alert enough to open his mouth when asked and could show the anesthetist how old he was on his fingers as soon as they'd finished. There's no drugs to wake them up, the sedative just had to work out of his system, which took about an hour. Jake was totally floppy when I took him home, he couldn't sit up or even hold his head up on his own. He fell over trying to get off the couch at home and couldn't walk straight. He also chewed a hole in his lip, because it was numb. It was a good opportunity to teach him never, ever to touch alcohol (not like his mother) - he was falling around like a total drunk. But the best of all is that he cannot remember a thing from the moment the anesthetist gave him the sedative, until about an hour after we got home!

And most importantly, I now know that I did make the best decision for my child. I'd recommend sedation over sitting awake through a filling any day, especially for kids - it's definitely way to go.

Thanks for all your support and special thoughts!!

Sue XXX

The Life of a Single Parent...

There are many things in life that happen, which we have no control over. Things we wouldn't choose to deal with if we'd had the choice. For me, parenting single handedly is pretty high up on that list, probably topmost.

Take today, for example. What I'd really have appreciated having a partner for would have been to discuss Jake's fillings (2) that he needs to have done today. And for him to have been there to hold my hand while I hold Jake's... The dentist has insisted on sedating my child for the procedure, which he insists is standard procedure for all kids under 7, since they can't sit still. Problem is that, after having paid the anesthetist his fee (my child has to have a drip!!), I've heard about another very gentle dentist who works on kids unsedated. He plays Cartoon Network for them and is happy to do the work over more than one appointment, if necessary. And while the dentist promises me that with sedation, Jake won't remember a thing, it would have been really nice to have discussed this through with someone before committing.

At the moment, I'm feeling like I've made the wrong decision as far as my child is concerned and that's not a nice feeling. When I collect him from school, I'm going to have to put on my brave-mommy face, hold his hand and make light of the situation I could've avoided. So, sometimes one just has to pretend that what you're doing is right and maybe it will all be OK if Jake doesn't remember anything. Still...

So besides that, Jake's started Occupational Therapy under the recommendation of his teacher. She believes that he has fine motor co-ordination problems. Personally, I believe that some of us were born to have untidy handwriting and others were born to be artists. I'm not sure that the OT's helping much, but I guess it can't do any harm. Question is: is it a waste of time, energy and much needed cash?

Besides also having concerns with regards to schooling, health, animals, sport, friends, outings, holidays, disappointments and discipline, it's really frustrating not being able to do on your own all the things that a man can do so well - fixing electronics (although Jake & I very proudly repaired our gas heater on our own), re-hanging doors that have broken hinges (Jake's room), braai'ing and SO much more.

Don't get me wrong, I have lots of friends and a wonderful family, especially my mom who knows Jake & I so well, to discuss my concerns with (and there's always you guys), but a partner is always going to be someone who knows you almost as well as you know yourself; someone who can help you make the decision that is right for your family and someone to console you when you make the wrong choice. I miss that. I miss being adored and pampered and since Jake's started talking about having brothers and sisters and refers to when (if) I get married again and his next dad, it's playing serious tricks on my brain.

Anyway, all I wanted to say is please appreciate the men in your lives. You're lucky to have them. While they may drive you nuts sometimes (or a lot) and they certainly all have their faults (as do we), they're there for you through thick and thin and, most importantly, they share your love for your child/ren and that has to count in their favour!

Sue XXX

We got the Feeva...

It's just 2 weeks until kick off and there's a couple of serious cases of soccer feeva going down at my house. And I don't even really like soccer...
The teams have started arriving, in alphabetical order, I might add! The opening ceremony and first game (South Africa vs Mexico) of the tournament will take place in Johannesburg exactly a fortnight from today. On that same day, we've got tickets to watch France vs Uruguay. To say that we are excited about the World Cup is an understatement. We have big plans to decorate our house in support of our local Bafana Bafana (Translation: the boys, the boys)team. We have South African flags and vuvuzelas and South African flag sweets and chocolate soccer balls and soccer mugs all over the show. Jake is really into it all and I'm just so excited to be able to share this moment in history with him. And it truely is that, especially since this will be the VERY first World Cup ever held on the African continent. And it's here. In our country. In our town...

Patriotic? You betcha!!! I love everything about this country; I love the people, I love the land, I love the beaches, the mountains and the weather (except winter)and I just could never imagine myself living anywhere else in the world (except maybe on the beach on some remote island in Greece. Or wherever Jake goes, but my heart will always be here). On the threashold of such a momentus event, I can only say that have goosebumps at the thought of so many people being able to experience South Africa for all that it has to offer. I am so proud to be able to "share" this beauty with so many. I am totally proud to be South African and I will be rooting for our soccer team with all my might (even though this is their first appearance at an event of this magnitude - good luck boys!). I am emotional for the young men who will be representing our country, I want to cry when I think about their mothers watching them face some of the best players in the world. I probably will when I hear them singing our national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica (go read the translation - it's a beautiful prayer).

During the world cup, I have plans to keep a score chart running with Jake and we are planning to prepare meals/snacks according to which teams are playing each day - you're all welcome to pop in and join us! All matches will be aired live on our national television station (it's free for all) and while we may not sit glued to the box, the TV will be on and we will be part of Fifa's World Cup in 2010...
Above: Zakumi, the 2010 mascot

Indulge me for a moment...

As I use my blog as a means of communication with my brother and sister, who are currently holidaying in Mykonos, Greece (vomit) and post a lot of photos of my beautiful nephew, Connor (aka Corky). It might not be an interesting blog post to you, but to Paul and Jo, I know that seeing a couple of new snaps of their happy little boy will mean the world. Now, I know there are lots, but he's cute and I just can't help myself. I also know they're not all the best photos ever taken, but Jo won't care.

Speaking of the parents, we've had a few text messages from them and they seem to be having a wonderful time. Jo said that Paris was beautiful and, considering they only had 1 full day there, they seem to have managed to do quite a bit - They went up the Eiffel Tower, visit the Mona Lisa and went on cruise down the Seine. I am sure that they managed to find time to stop and enjoying being in the city of love and, knowing Jo, they managed to shop up a small storm. They arrived in Greece yesterday afternoon and I'm sure they're enjoying relaxing on the beach. Quite weird thinking of them lazing in the sun, when it's cold and grey outside my window in Cape Town...

Anyway, enough!! We went through to our family friends in Simon's Town on Saturday afternoon for tea for my friend, Joanne's birthday. Simon's Town is such a beautiful corner of the world and our friends there have the most beautiful home right on the waters edge. Jake loves visiting, we often manage to spot whales and dolphins from their patio, plus they're all very much into nature, which Jake thrives on. He came home with a collection of seashells and porcupine quills. OK, OK... pics for Jo and Paul below:

Corky on the loose...

In his chair, enjoying his bit of birthday cake...

And juice...

Smiling for his auntie, playing peek-a-boo from behind my camera...

OK, he had flings (crisps) too...

Check that messy face!! He kept saying 'out' - didn't want to be in his chair for photos any more...

But the 'boo' game was funny...

He joined in, hiding his face behind his hands, then shouting boo at me when he pulled them down...

Enjoying the views, watching the 'beds' (birds)...

Shovel it, Corky! I like this photo...

And this one...

Hey, how'd you get in here? I think Jake was getting a little jealous that I was taking photos of Corky only. He actually called me and smiled for a photo!! Shock and horror. I love this kid more than my heart can handle. I took the boys down to the rocks at the bottom of our friend's property. Jake loves scratching around for shells and chucking rocks into the sea. Connor joined in with the rock tossing...

Corks was keen to go, but the rocks are just too uneven and my nerves couldn't deal with letting him go...

Back in his pram, walking on the lawns with 'Pa'...

And chasing Jake...

It was super-cool...

OK, so that's all for today. I'll take more photos of your boy when next I see him. He's doing fine, he's happy and healthy and he's having fun with mom and dad. With mom off, it's giving them lots of time to play and get out of the house. They've been staying at yours since Saturday and Corky seems very happy. Remember to relax, enjoy the sunshine (for all of us, the weather's crap here) and enjoy spending time together without having to worry about a thing. Isn't it nice having an adult conversation, without chasing after a toddler? Without worrying about bathing, feeding and bed time? Your holiday is going to be over before you know it, so just enjoy every moment, knowing that your little man is content.

Lots of love,
Sue XXX