Here I am...

I have been so busy, I cannot begin to tell you how much.  Well, I can, but will you really listen?  May is a crazy month and, between Marius and I, we have 5 family birthdays within a week.  Added to that, we leave for New Zealand this week too (Marius on Thursday, me on Friday) and I have been playing serious catch up at work.  I feel like I'm over the worst though and everything is sorted out now for the end of the month.

I promise that before Friday, I have plenty of photos and news to blog about before I disappear for 2 more weeks.

Sending tons of love - I cannot tell you how much I miss this blog!!

Sue XXX

Home time...

 My mom and dad have been home from their trip for a week already today.  We missed them!!  They were away for about 3 1/2 weeks and we didn't speak to them once the entire time.  Considering how involved they are in our daily lives, that's LONG!  And it didn't help that Marius was away for 6 days in between either, with no cell phone coverage.   Anyway, it was nice to have time with Jake and to relax a bit together before the 2nd term started.  

Jake's had 3 last aubergines growing in the garden and he's been saving them for me to make a moussaka for when Nini and Pa get home.  His aubergines have done really well this year and he's decided that they're his favourite veggie!

Speaking of Jake and since most of you followed my turmoil with his schooling in grade 2, I have to use this place to BRAG about how smart my boy is!  He got 93% aggregate for term 1 this year!  93%?  Yes, my boy is a complete nerd.  He's in the top 10 in his grade overall too, so I am really proud of him.  He's worked really hard and they've really piled the work on the kids.  School is so much tougher than when we were kids!  Jake hardly gets get any time to play during the week.

Anyway...this is his back after he fell against his desk at school... still makes my toes curl...

 Proud of his harvest.  Can you see he'd been swimming?

 We waited with Rosie, Gareth and Rylee at my parents house for them to get home...

 Jake trying to get Rylee to smile for the camera...

 Rylee loves the kids...

 YAY - a smile, but unfortunately Jake's hand's in the way...

 Rylee doesn't like all the tickling (especially his feet) and enough was enough...

So mom and dad are home safe and sound and they had the most wonderful holiday.  We're glad to have them back though!!

OK, enjoy the Easter weekend, stay safe and be sure to eat lots of chocolate!!

Love Sue XXX

Girls and kids...

 Last Monday, Rosie, Rylee, Jake and I went through to visit Jo and the kids for an early supper.  Paul was away and Gareth was working so it was just us sisters and our kids.  I have been lucky enough to see quite a bit of Rylee, but Jo lives quite far away, so I'm kind when she's around and I try not to hog him.

Bi was very excited when Rylee woke up and she could help feed him...

 A big smile from Corky, he's learning...

Jake was helping (read doing) Corky with his new Lego.  Jake went back to school last Monday and fell twice in one day - the first one because he forgot he'd left his desk seat up and has a nasty gash in his back from a bolt and the second from running in the playground.  My little monkey boy...

 Corky was actually too busy with his DS to care...

 Bi getting time with Rylee...

 She feels so grown up holding him "all by herself"...

 Corky managed to get some help with his game - I think Jake was only to happy to get his grubby paws on Corky's new toy...

 We went to Jo's local Ocean Basket for an early supper with the kids.  They've got a nice play park for the kids to keep themselves busy before their supper arrives.  Corky also got a special cuddle from Rylee...

 Heehee - check those "little" cheeks!  Rylee's been quite sick with a tummy bug (he's had rotavirus) and Rosie's been such a great mommy.  She picked the bug up so quickly, that Rylee's actually sailed through it all.  She's had to keep his fluids up, so he's been eating.  A lot.  I can just about bite those cheeks!  And that little double chin is too sweet - I used to have one of them too.  This baby is just so precious...

 And he's very strong and alert and growing as fast as his cousins...

 Does his hair look a little bit red to you?  Rosie's hair was really red as a little girl and has gotten darker as she's got older... I need to scratch out an old pic to share here...

 It's hard work being a baby...  all that eating and sleeping and cuddling and keeping mom and dad awake all night... yawn...

 Connor was so precious with Rylee - he was quite tickled by all Rylee's expressions...

 Bi was too busy colouring in, she'd had her turn at home...

 And Jake was enjoying his shake...

I'm nearly up-to-date now... just one more bunch of pictures to go...

Love, 

Sue XXX

Corky turns 5!

OK, so I know that I'm terribly behind with my blogging, but I like to keep records of our life here, so you just have to bear with me as I go all the way back to March...

Our sweet little Corky has turned 5!!  He's a wonderful, loving, kind, caring, sensitive, clever little man with a fabulous sense of humour and boundless amounts of energy. I miss seeing him and his little sister every day now that Corky's moved to big school, but that just makes the times we have together that much more exciting.  He's an amazing little boy and it's been such fun watching him grow and learn.  I love how special it is to watch children grow!!  

Speaking of growing... look how big this guy's getting.  He's past my chin now and his feet are almost the same size as mine.  He's taller than I was when I went to high school, which is a frightening thought.  Notice how enthralled Jake is, but he is totally playing the too-cool-for-a-kids-party card...

 Corky had the most fabulous party and he had friends from both his old school and his new school, along with cousins and second cousins there to join in the fun.  Jo organised a magician for the party, which was Mario Bros this year.  Jake also had a magic show for his 5th birthday...

 Jake eventually settled in.  Perhaps he's realised that it's actually such fun to be a kid...

Corky was made to be the star of the day and he really enjoyed it...

 He was a good sport with helping with tricks...

 Bi was there, dressed as usual as a princess.  Not sure what the girl in the background's doing, but love how Bi just joined in the fun with the bigger kids...

 They were enthralled by the magic - some of it was quite hard to believe...

 A profile of my boy - he's really growing up and his face is changing so much...

Bi was totally absorbed...

 And loved every moment...

 Corky got a DS for his birthday from his mom and dad.  Jake's got one and so Corky wanted the same.  His cake was beautiful...

 Jo always goes to so much trouble with the theme and her kids parties always look (and taste) amazing...

The lifestyle center in their complex is a great party venue and saves some mess at home...

 Star cookies...

 Mario and Yoshi...

 Back inside, the magic show was still on and they had Jake up in the front...

 Meeting the magician's rabbit in his hat...

 Outside, Mario (or maybe his sister) had arrived...

 They got the kids going with some games.  boys vs girls was not a fair competition...

 Bi was such a star, she really thinks she's just one of the big kids...

Jake stuffing his face on burgers...

 Even with his cheeks full of food, he has the most beautiful eyes in the world, he melts his poor mother's heart...

 Finally it was time to light Corky's 5 candles and sing to the very extra special birthday boy...

 Rylee was there too.  He slept through the entire party...

 Mario did some face painting.  Butterflies for the girls...

 And moustaches for the boys...

 I don't know why this photo makes me laugh, but I love it...

And this one just makes my heart sing - such a happy birthday boy...

 Cousins...

 And Bi found more cake!!  She likes to eat the icing, not the actual cake...

 Finally it was time to tackle the present opening.  Corky was very spoilt, but with so many friends, its to be expected...

It started out calmly enough...

 And ended up a mad present unwrapping frenzy.  I don't think he even realised until the next day that he had so many beautiful new toys...

 Jake took this picture of Bi and I...

 And he snapped this last one of Corky too... I think it's a stunning picture, well done Jake...

And that was Corky's birthday.  We had a wonderful time helping and celebrating with him. 

Love,

Sue XXX