Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Photostory Friday and growing up
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
My daughter, Emma, turned two in September and through my eyes still seem like a baby. I realise this is more because I really really want her to still be a baby...but alas, she is not. I've ignored all the subtle sign for as long as I could, but lately, it's become impossible.
For instance, she is no longer wearing nappies. Teeny, weeny underpants are now making their appearance all over the washing line.
For instance, she is no longer wearing nappies. Teeny, weeny underpants are now making their appearance all over the washing line.
Also, she now sleeps in a BIG bed - and she loves it...
And finally, today she went to 'school' for the very first time. And she showed me just what a big girl she really is. She walked in on her own two feet and joined in the activities without any help from me. She then turned around, gave me a big smile and told me goodbye. I smiled back, gave her a BIG kiss and walked out the door.
I crossed the road, got into my car and cried.
My baby is growing up.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The flooding story
Yesterday I posted a pic of my (seemingly) angelic children. My sister made a comment about them flooding the house, which now has a few people curious. So this is what happened.
A few days into the new year, while my parents and two sisters were visiting, my sisters and I decided to host a dinner party in honour of my dad who turned 60 in October (Bloukous and I were unable to be with him for the occasion). The three of us created quite a riot in the kitchen, with every conceivable pot and roasting dish filled with bubbling and sizzling food of all colours, shapes and sizes and in varying degrees of readiness. At the same time we were consuming copious amounts of wine and generally creating 7 types of chaos whilst having an immense amount of fun.
Around 7 o'clock my son wondered into the kitchen and I mentioned, in passing, that they should probably start getting ready for their bath. My husband was in charge of the bath routine for the evening, so I didn't pay the matter any further attention.
Anyway, to make a long story short - about 45 minutes later, when my husband finally decided to go run that bath, he discovered that the bathroom was under water and that the water had started to run down the passage, into our bedroom where it soaked half the carpet (wall-to-wall carpets, yay). I heard the commotion and ran off to investigate, having no idea what was going on, only to step into a big puddle of water, lose my footing and spectacularly land on my ass (sorry, but to put it more mildly would not do the story justice). Fortunately, I narrowly escaped breaking my neck, coccyx and 43 other body parts. Apparently, my pair of angels ran off to run their own bath after their mom with her big mouth mentioned something about a bath, but did not follow up with any action. They turned the tap on as far as it would go and then disappeared, probably finding something more interesting to do (as they do). When the s@#$ hit the fan and I called them in for questioning, they ran like hell and hid under the bed. I couldn't help but laugh! Good thing I already had some wine!
I went back to the kitchen (much safer) while poor Henk and Bloukous' significant other mopped up the mess.
Moral of the story? If mother says it time for a bath, then mother must leave everything and go bath those kids - or face the consequences...
A few days into the new year, while my parents and two sisters were visiting, my sisters and I decided to host a dinner party in honour of my dad who turned 60 in October (Bloukous and I were unable to be with him for the occasion). The three of us created quite a riot in the kitchen, with every conceivable pot and roasting dish filled with bubbling and sizzling food of all colours, shapes and sizes and in varying degrees of readiness. At the same time we were consuming copious amounts of wine and generally creating 7 types of chaos whilst having an immense amount of fun.
Around 7 o'clock my son wondered into the kitchen and I mentioned, in passing, that they should probably start getting ready for their bath. My husband was in charge of the bath routine for the evening, so I didn't pay the matter any further attention.
Anyway, to make a long story short - about 45 minutes later, when my husband finally decided to go run that bath, he discovered that the bathroom was under water and that the water had started to run down the passage, into our bedroom where it soaked half the carpet (wall-to-wall carpets, yay). I heard the commotion and ran off to investigate, having no idea what was going on, only to step into a big puddle of water, lose my footing and spectacularly land on my ass (sorry, but to put it more mildly would not do the story justice). Fortunately, I narrowly escaped breaking my neck, coccyx and 43 other body parts. Apparently, my pair of angels ran off to run their own bath after their mom with her big mouth mentioned something about a bath, but did not follow up with any action. They turned the tap on as far as it would go and then disappeared, probably finding something more interesting to do (as they do). When the s@#$ hit the fan and I called them in for questioning, they ran like hell and hid under the bed. I couldn't help but laugh! Good thing I already had some wine!
I went back to the kitchen (much safer) while poor Henk and Bloukous' significant other mopped up the mess.
Moral of the story? If mother says it time for a bath, then mother must leave everything and go bath those kids - or face the consequences...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Weekly Winners: 11 - 17 January
Walking away
My cousin got married yesterday and I was very touched by their beautiful ceremony. I decided not to interfere with the photography of the bride, but couldn't resist to snap at a few other things...
One of the cakes
...and another
She had my favourite flowers on the table (Protea)
...and I couldn't stop photographing them
Sunset over Noordhoek beach
House over-looking the ocean (wish it was mine!)
All by its lonesome
Visit the wonderful Lotus for more Weekly Winners.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Photostory Friday and the wuss went up the mountain
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
I am scared of heights - no, let me clarify that. I am PETRIFIED of heights. I once had an anxiety attack on the balcony at St Paul's cathedral in London. Pathetic, I know.
Anyway. This past holiday, my family came to visit and we spent some time showing my youngest sister around Cape Town as she hasn't been since she was a toddler. We decided to just drive by the cable way going up Table Mountain as it is usually one heck of a mission to get up there during the Christmas period as it must be the #1 tourist attraction in Cape Town. I myself have never been up Table mountain due to said phobia.
When we got to the ticket office, suddenly, miraculously, there was no-one waiting in line to buy tickets! The day was quite cloudy, but then also, quite suddenly, the skies cleared and the mountain top was actually clear. My sisters both gave me the look - surely this must be a sign? I started shaking my head vigorously, muttering strange words and ridiculous excuses, but they paid me no mind. A few minutes later, my dad had bought both my sisters and I tickets.
And so we went. Not without cold sweats and short breaths, but after sitting down right in the middle of the cable car and refusing to look at the windows, I soon discovered that it was not too bad - in fact, not too bad at all!
And when we got up there, it was absolutely worth is. I will go up there every day if I could! The visibility was not great, but it was still an awesome sight too see and the atmosphere up there is something that has to be experienced. Silent and magical. It was a priceless experience and I am so glad that I got to share it with my two sisters.
Saw this little Dassie (sorry, only know the Afrikaans name, what on earth is a Dassie in English?), waiting around for something to eat.
Anyway. This past holiday, my family came to visit and we spent some time showing my youngest sister around Cape Town as she hasn't been since she was a toddler. We decided to just drive by the cable way going up Table Mountain as it is usually one heck of a mission to get up there during the Christmas period as it must be the #1 tourist attraction in Cape Town. I myself have never been up Table mountain due to said phobia.
When we got to the ticket office, suddenly, miraculously, there was no-one waiting in line to buy tickets! The day was quite cloudy, but then also, quite suddenly, the skies cleared and the mountain top was actually clear. My sisters both gave me the look - surely this must be a sign? I started shaking my head vigorously, muttering strange words and ridiculous excuses, but they paid me no mind. A few minutes later, my dad had bought both my sisters and I tickets.
And so we went. Not without cold sweats and short breaths, but after sitting down right in the middle of the cable car and refusing to look at the windows, I soon discovered that it was not too bad - in fact, not too bad at all!
And when we got up there, it was absolutely worth is. I will go up there every day if I could! The visibility was not great, but it was still an awesome sight too see and the atmosphere up there is something that has to be experienced. Silent and magical. It was a priceless experience and I am so glad that I got to share it with my two sisters.
Saw this little Dassie (sorry, only know the Afrikaans name, what on earth is a Dassie in English?), waiting around for something to eat.
My baby sister
And this is Bloukous, the other sister
Cape Town, through the approaching fog
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A real macro lens
My sister who lives in Zurich, spent some time with us during the holidays and I borrowed her macro lens for a bit of fun. Oh man and how I HAVE to get me one of those!
Monday, January 12, 2009
A walk at the Helderberg Nature Reserve
The Helderberg Nature Reserve is just a few blocks from our house and we discovered that it is a fantastic place for a picnic or just to go for a walk. The walks are spectacular, winding through the Fynbos and with beautiful views of False Bay. These are just a few of the pics I took on one of our walks. (At first I considered leaving my camera, not sure if I felt like carrying it all the way and not convinced that there will be all that much to photograph. So glad that I decided to take it in the end!)
Leading the way into the sunshine
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Weekly Winners: 4 - 10 January
Boardwalk
Beautiful butterfly
Little house on the beach
Laughing in the wind
Garden furniture
Flowers from my mom
Eeck!!
Joubert holding an Iguana
Artful cappuccino
Moon rising
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