Five for Friday edition 28

So yes! It's Friday and the first one in a while that has a small semblance to the usual.

 1. The Friday morning coffee club met for the first time in 2017 in full numbers (we are only 3). Gosh the first term has flown past. We generally only have coffee but this morning turned into delicious breakfasts. It was such a great hour spent chatting and listening and eating at our little local coffee shop. There is something to say for one that opens before 7 am every day.

2. I got my stitches out yesterday and was promoted to one crutch and being able to drive a bit. I am so very very happy - am starting to feel relatively like myself again.

3. The rugby season started yesterday and the boys' team won their first match in a very convincing way. L made a huge tackle on a much bigger boy to his own great delight.

4. It was A's yearly ballet concert last night and the night before. It was once again spectacular and featured the most beautiful costumes. She also danced in a Spanish number for the first time. It was a lot of Saturdays and nights and extra hard work but so worth it.


5. It was world Monopoly day on Sunday and to celebrate Monopoly released the results of their Token Madness vote. I am glad to say that Scottie the dog lived to survive another round There is even a T Rex now! Tonight is Monopoly night in our home as we upgrade from the Junior version to the special edition token madness one.

So, any five for Friday from your side?

Five for Friday edition 27

Gosh Friday already!

1. Oh I adore taking photographs - I took some for a school function on Wednesday and I love love some of them! Some tells stories and some express emotions while others are just beautiful for being beautiful - showing light and composition.

2. The rain has caused havoc with the athletics meetings this season and it seems just like that we are done for now. Just for the swimming season to start in full force this week.

3. I really need to start drawing and doodling again. Our Au pair this year is an art student and she and A turned the humble paper plane into an artwork yesterday - I miss drawing.

4. Tomorrow promise to be a fun day for the kids - all 3 are attending water based parties at two venues - if it looks worth r  I will report back.

5. I can not really say our little dancer anymore, can I? But the dancer in our household has decided to add "ole" to the usual and 5,6,7,8's and attempt Spanish. At this stage it is this term only for the annual concert but we will see how it goes.

With that my 5 for Friday is done - care to share yours?

Five for Friday edition 26

1. Well we are all back to school and back to work and it's been busy - athletics colours sport done (so proud that all 3 our kids tried at least two items). The Princess has one athletic meet done - presenting the school in discus. Who would think that tall and skinny one does discus. However she seems to enjoy it a lot. Today is colours gala and C is swimming for the first time. I am so proud that he made this decision and is pushing through (I hope)

2. I am trying new recipes this year - 3 down so far of which one was really not great and the other two (both past based) winners. I have promised some Instagram peeps the recipes and will do so soon.

3. I am enjoying our veggie patch a lot - we have monster radishes lurking there but the carrots and cocktail tomatoes are doing extremely well too. I have just planted new salad plants.

4. The kids all seem to be coping of sorts with the new school year. C is very tired of that huge new backpack and L of the new homework load but I am sure it will all sort out in the next week or two. We seem to have found a wonderful new au pair - but I am planning to write a whole post about au pairs. this year it took a lot of interviews and I think some of you may be able to learn something from my experience.

5.Do you know that Monoply, everybody's favorite board game is thinking of booting our favorite tokens? That includes Scottie the dog - my personal favorite! Just as with the Mzansi version we as the public are getting a chance to vote for this.

You have until the 31^st of January, to visit www.VoteMonopoly.com and choose the eight tokens that you’d like to see in the next generation of the MONOPOLY game.  You can pick eight tokens, once per day, from the list of more than 50 contenders including the current tokens and new options such as a penguin, rubber ducky and bunny slipper.  

So please vote for Scottie and save him! I did!

With that I hope you have a great weekend! What's your 5 for Friday?

Five for Friday edition 25 - the it's almost holiday one!

1. I completed another run around the sun on Sunday and spent most of it singing in The Capital singers project - which really deserves a post on it's own. It was special and it was fun! We also spent wonderful family time together and the hubby made me a wonderful French chocolate cake - just as I love it.

2. Our Bookclub had a wonderful end of year/Christmas dinner on Tuesday night. The joy the friendship and great books bring into my life is just amazing

3. I look at all these Elf on the Shelve posts and I am like - "What the hec, who has time and energy for this?" Nothing against you if you do it - in fact I totally admire your dedication, creativity and mostly energy. But I am way too tired..

4. For those who did not manage to get a Lego Advent calendar - look what I found! This is brilliant! An electronic calendar with instructions to build Christmas items from standard Lego pieces one generally have available. We are so going to build some of them over the weekend and holidays. Check is out here: Lego classic advent calendar

5. We had our end of year dinner last Friday at the Hillside Tavern - an old Pretoria institution. Every byte that each of us had was wonderful! What a great lunch. The best for me was the Duck a'l Orange I had - it was truly out of this world.

In case you have not noticed I have 2 wonderful competitions running for great Christmas toys. Enter now - both are closing at 5pm this Sunday.

Five for Friday edition 24

1. It was our Princess' turn on Wednesday to receive recognition for the year's work at school. We are very proud of her. The list of achievements were long - topped by the much sought after Top ten achiever award.  Also a special mention for their hockey team who won the league without conceding one single goal!

2. We had the very best burgers ever on  Wednesday night as we did a quick celebratory dinner with the kids on their achievements this year. we went to Burger Bistro and my word! Best ever! I had the Marilyn Monroe - melted brie with strawberry, balsamic and black pepper jam. The chips are really exceptional too and the menu is priced well. We will certainly visit them again soon.

3. We are opening the Lego Star Wars Advent calendar this year - to much excitement from the kids. Follow us n Instagram @catjuggles to discover every day's treat hidden behind the windows. It is a great one for the kids - no sweets and sugar and a lot of fun. I can not believe I went to all that trouble to make advent calendars before discovery the Lego ones! We have done the Lego City and Lego Friends ones in the past but the kids are huge Star Wars fans so it is promising to be the best one ever.

4. Today is the last day to get the cheaper pre sold tickets for Pretoria's biggest and most beautiful Christmas Carol event - you can buy them here. I am so looking forward to spread the joy of singing and Christmas! There are also tickets available at the doors and children 12 and under are free! (no ids under 4 allowed)

5. The kids have completed their Stikeez 2 collection - one for the 3 of them, with me only visiting Pick n Pay once. I told them I am totally not doing Stikeez this time - the previous time it drove me nuts as we do not have a Pick n Pay conveniently situated between the work and home route. But my mom took over the task, collected in the retirement villages and in a bink of an eye - and with swopping 4 at school, their collection was done. I relented and bought the collectors box and that was it!


Any 5 or Fridays to share?

Five for Friday edition 23

1. We are two prizegivings down and one to go. Both the boys have made us so very proud. I am proud to know that they have worked hard and did their best - not that they received some or other particular mention.

2. A is writing her last exam today - we are all relieved that the weekends of study is coming to an end! Roll on relaxing .... We have two extra mural items that are wrapping up tomorrow and then really - R&R!

3. I have re discovered my love of photography. I always take pictures at school events - I like to treat "my village" of parents with pictures of their kids. It is always so much appreciated. But recently I was asked to do some family pictures for neighbours and yesterday I took some photos for students on the way to their end of studies function. I totally love this - although I am not asking a cent for it there is huge joy in the appreciation I get and the joy it brings to others. I guess I may have missed my calling in some way.

4. Simba sent us their new kettle fried popcorn to taste and try out. The verdict - amazing stuff - try it!

5.Wondering what to do with the kids that will not break the bank?

 

With the festive season around the corner, the FREE fun at The Fun Zone, brought to you by Hasbro, is back and giving kids the chance to play with some of the latest and greatest My Little Pony , Nerf , Play-Doh and Transformers toys this holiday period.

The fun will take place from:

  29 November - 2nd December at the Main Mall Court next to Edgars, Eastgate Shopping Centre from 10:00 am
 9 December - 15 December at the Mall of Africa from 10:00 am

 With that - I hope you have a great weekend! Any 5 for Fridays that you wish to share?

Five for Friday edition 22

So yes, I missed my usual Friday wrap up because my heart was filled with Leonard Cohen - but in short - this is what's happening in our world:

1. A has her first week of exams behind her - she has prepared well but woke up with a cold on Saturday morning and Monday for her first exam she was all but a happy camper with that blocked nose. In conjunction with the big Maths paper I sincerely hope she felt ok and did her thing.

2. The schools' internal cricket league began on Monday for the boys. It's based on the IPL and features teams like Thunders and Legends with bright colours and lots of fun. I do hope the boys enjoy it to the full. Mr L literally struggled to fall asleep Sunday night - huge excitement. It did mean a full week of cricket and a double session today but the finals are Monday if the weather plays along.

3. I made old fashioned Mac and cheese on Sunday night - just added a bit of friend bacon and onion. It was a huge hit - I made a good almost 1 litres of cheese sauce and it was a cheesy and lovely. Am going to make this way more often. On that note - what are your family staples? I am trying to bring some variations in that will not break the bank.

4.The next two weekends are filled with lots of fun things to do. They will be busy but will be fun - of that I am sure. Just to get the last weekend of studying out of our way.

5. For those that remember my post about singing in The Capital Singers in August (here's the post) - we are busy practicing for our next performance - come and listen to me and 425 others sing the most festive of Christmas songs. Best of all - children under 12 are free - we are singing everything from "Santa Claus is coming to town" to "O Holy Night. It's a great way to start the festive season.

So - any 5 for Fridays?

Five for Friday edition 21

1. I have been cutting back on sugar - a lot! I used to eat a lot of sweet things - it is really my addiction - mostly jelly type sweets. I realized a while ago that sugar makes me super tired and that was the flag for me to start cutting. The result is a 4kg loss over about 4 months. I also feel a lot better most of the time.

2. Despite the above the end of the year fatigue is huge! Although I do think my fatigue is a few years old and not just this year. We have not had a good long rest in a while.

3. A danced her first SA Dance schools championship competition on Wednesday night. The girls could not compete in the novice division where they are supposed to because it clashed with the Kyknet show so they had to compete in the Lyrical advanced category. Despite that they did very well and managed a High Silver. We (and their teacher) are so very proud of how much these 4 girls have achieved this year. Personally it has been very rewarding seeing our ballerina branch into something more modern with such ease.

4. Work has been tiring - on a physical level too as I have been inspecting completed townhouses for the last few weeks. It is a workout on its own involving lost of walking, stair climbing and crunches.

5. I am so thankful for the huge big thunderstorm and rain we had this week. The water situation here is desperate and every drop is needed. Here's hoping and praying for more.

With that - best of luck for all who have kids studying or starting exams soon. What's your 5 for Friday?

Five for Friday edition 19

1. I have completed our first month of our very own doodle challenge. It has been a big change for me to work with the felt tip pens - I love the bright happiness of them. On the other hand I find them slightly crude to work with October may combine them with pencils - we will see. Join us on Instagram for the October challenge please? Anyone can draw - I promise - just try.

 

2. Another week has flown by like nothing and we are delighted that the kids are on holiday this week. They are all tired and can do with a change of routine.

3. This is the most sought after item in our house at the moment - one week old and already well worn. The boys have been planning all week how they will spend their birthday money on Lego.

4. Our Ocean baby has been to the vet twice this week and gave us a bit of a fright. She seems to be on her way to health and happiness. Let's hope this weekend will help her to full recovery.

5. The boys celebrated their birthday at school today as the school closed. I took ice creams an hour before the school broke for the holidays and it was so much appreciated by all. Although I have to drive a bit further for the ice cream shop now as the one close to us closed down it is still a great idea and quite economical

So tell me about your five for Friday....

Five for Friday edition 18

It's truly been such a busy week - it feels as if the school waited with everything until after the test series and went on and fitted it all into this week.

1. A had a fabulous week at the school's Cultural week. Her lyrical dance troupe achieved one of only four A++ in group dance and are now waiting to find out if they will be one of the few acts performing on the gala night. Her Seashell collection also won an A++ and have already been awarded one of the places on the gala night in the exhibition.

2. We also had house athletics and we are so very proud of our kids that all 3 went out and participated in as many items they could. That is what we want - that they participate and try their best. A did manage to get into the school athletics team for the first time- for discus!

3. We had the wonderful privilege to attend the exclusive pre screening of "The Secret life of Pets". We had so much fun with Nickleodeon and the movie is absolutely fabulous. Do go and see it when it opens at the end of the month.

4. My wonderful mother in law left on Wednesday to go back to Port Elizabeth. We are already missing her - and we had to promise the kids we will see her before Christmas. She has seen to it that I have a whole freezer stocked with meals - enough for every night of the week for at least the next 2 weeks.

5. The swimming season has started at school - and with that 6 am swimming in an unheated pool. I am always amazed that they still emerge smiling and chatting although they are literally blue and cold. The enthusiasm of the youth!

So - what are your 5 for Friday? And I do hop you have a great weekend.

Five for Friday edition 17

So how are you doing? The end of the week is in sight.

1. It was the Spring dance for the grade 5-7 last night. A was invited by friend Kr to dress and get ready at her house. Her older sister did these wonderful braid hairstyles for the girls (she is only 14!). They looked so very pretty - but also so very big.

 2. I have not as yet tried tuna mayonaise with the kids. I really do not know why not. On Sunday evening I did health bread toast with it for dinner and it was a hit. They had it during the week or lunch once again and loved it.

3. My mom's orchids are flowering again - every year I am astounded by the beauty of these strings of exotic blooms dangling down from a vase in my house. And yes! It's Spring !!!

4. Have you registered for Santa Shoebox this year? Pledges opened yesterday. I am so happy that with the Voortrekkers we have managed to pledge 61 boxes this year. I just love that Suzelle DIY is supporting them - and showing us how to pack a shoebox.

5. We received a lovely blogdrop from Pediasure this week. At some stage in our lives I am pretty sure L almost lived on the stuff - it was a great help. Now I am looking forward to use it as supplement on days when the kids may have had a lot of exercise and need something more to keep them going. I can definitely recommend it Pediasure

I hope you have a wonderful weekend - what's your 5 for Friday?

Five for Friday edition 16

All the public holidays have done nothing but increase my workload in the days available so I have sadly not posted for a whole week.

1. Our long weekend was filled with sick kids and later on a sick me (all just a cold but unpleasant enough to boycott any fun events). But we are all better and am looking forward to a happier weekend. Pretoria is really doing that early Spring thing at the moment although we know we are still in for a good few cold fronts.

2. I attended the #Jozimeetup on Saturday and it was just a great one. Great to see some old friends in the computer and great to make some new ones. The goodie bag was great and although every single item is much appreciated the Palladio blusher/bronzer is my absolute favorite and will be a staple in my make up bag from now on.

3. I have had the best service from Totem bags - there has been a stock shortage for a while at the retail outlets so I phoned them directly. They informed me when they received the stock, I placed the order on the website last Friday and despite the public holidays we had C's new school bag on Wednesday. Yes, their bags may cost a bit more than others but they are well designed, safe for backs , approved by medical practitioners and very sturdy. A's bag is almost 3 years old and you can hardly spot any wear and tear on it and it gets washed 4 times a year! They also come with a 3 year guarantee. (I was in no way approached by them for a mention nor received anything from Totem - this post is for the interest of all reading here - my form of "Public service")

4. The magic of zinc! A started having the typical little spots the pre teens get. I chatted to our pharmacist who suggested adding zinc supplements and brewers yeast. And guess what - a fantastic improvement in just two months! Our au pair has given it a try as well and also had a big improvement on spots. 

5. Some times this little blog gives me huge surprises. My Afrikaans book reviews post was just 24 hours old when I looked at the stats - quite possibly my 3rd best performing post ever in such a short time. So it's true - there is without a doubt a need for it.

With this I hope you have a wonderful and warm weekend!

 

Five for Friday edition 15

Wow Friday - a week with public holidays always confuse me a bit.

 1. On Tuesday we voted - for the first time in many years it actually felt as if your vote may mean something. We went early and on Hunters' suggestion took coffee and rusks for the 4 police officers that manned our station. It was such  feel good moment when they were thrilled with such a small gesture. They work really long hours during elections.

 2. If you thought it was a bit colder than the weather report looks this week I think you were spot on. The whole cricket pitch cover was covered with a layer of substantially thick ice yesterday morning. Brrrr.

 3. I have started another drawings challenge with a bit of a difference called Zentagles. I am loving it even more as it is so close to the doodles I always used to draw. If you want to join have a look at my Instagram feed. Below is days 1-4 and 5 in pencil.

4. A friend and I went to see "Me before you" on Saturday night. I went with an open mind trying not to compare with the book and just thoroughly enjoyed it. It is such a beautifully made movie - almost every scene is breathtakingly beautiful. And the characters were perfect. Nathan is such a hunk though! A solid 9/10 for entertainment. We cried buckets full of tears.

5. We had such a lovely blog drop from My Little Ponies this week. When A cleaned out her toys she kept a few things - among them every single pony she has and played the rest of that day with them . She was delighted to add the beautiful Rainbow dash to her collection. Watch Nicktoons from this month on channel 308 for all that Pony magic.

I hope you all had a great week and enjoy the weekend. Any 5 for Fridays?

Five for Friday edition 14

Gosh, Friday already . The week has flown by in the wink of an eye.

1. We have completed our Checkers Little Shop collection yesterday with the help of a very friendly cashier at the till who squeezed a few packets and declared she had the two items we needed. Lo and behold she was spot on! Now I will help out whoever I can. Interesting enough grown ups seem to love them a lot. The office is all abuzz with swapping out. And more than any other item the kids are very careful not to get them stolen at school.

2. I am one book ahead of my 36 books reading challenge on Goodreads. I have no idea when last I was actually on target or lo and behold over at this time of the year. It's making me very happy right now. I am reading this wonderful surprise of a book right now:

3. I have found so much joy in drawings again with the doodle challenge that I fined myself just drawing now - doodling like I used to. It's like I have re discovered a bit of myself. This is day 13 - 26 of July

4. On Saturday afternoon I rounded up the boys and we did the big boys bedroom clean out. 4 Big black bags for charity full of toys. It makes such a huge difference. And they did so well in helping and being patient about it. We were all exhausted after - but it was a great very needed bit of de cluttering.

5. The good people at Lifebuoy has sent us a little hamper to try out with their new Moisture Plus soap. Their well known germ killing soap with the added bonus of moisturisation - so important here in the winter. They also have great advice to stay healthy  - remember to : Not get too close and avoid contact with sick people, to stay hydrated, get enough sleep, cough wisely, nourish your skin and wash your hands frequently with germ fighting soap.

With that - I hope you stay healthy and warm this cold weekend. What is your 5 for Friday?

Five for Friday edition 13

1. Remember the cauliflower shrubs that did not want to make heads? Lo and behold just before I thought to take them out we have one tiny head and a second plant seems to be on his way to make one. You learn every day...

2. Third term started with a BANG! Monday morning at 6:15am A had hockey skills test, followed by cricket trails for C and hockey trails for A on Tuesday afternoon. And this afternoon C is playing his first proper cricket match for the school. He looks super charming in all that white. A has also in the first week back at school written two maths and one science assessments. And there is a History one on Monday.

3. On Wednesday afternoon Saving the Survivors visited the Voortrekkers for the term opening. It was incredibly interesting to hear the survivor stories and those tiny little rhinos are the sweetest little things possible. The very famous Hope, the rhino that lost most of the top of her face in a poaching incident is their PR rhino and was saved by them. It was magic to see the progress on her healing. Please "like" their Facebook page in the link and support them. They (and many others) do amazing work.

4. I have without realizing it read so many Afrikaans books in the last while that I am planning to do a complete Afrikaans book review post on Tuesday. I used to read very little Afrikaans but there is an explosion of good crime/thriller writers in Afrikaans with the usual great writers. and I just had to read some of them. I promise and English book (or maybe two) the week after. But if you read Afrikaans I suggest visiting on Tuesday.

5.I received my stunning prize that I won on the relaunch of Bird & Design. Every item is a joy and I love the items she designed herself to bits. This has certainly made my weekend - much much joy! There are so many things in that box that I totally adore....Thanks you Andrea - I am beyond thrilled and it feels as if it was specifically designed just for me.

I hope you have a great weekend - care to share your 5 for Friday? Here or on your blog?

Five for Friday edition 12

It's the last day of the school holidays - on Monday it's back to school for the kids and earlier rises for us all. Back into routine. I loved being able to only get up at 7 for the last 3 weeks. We have had a good holiday - a lovely break at the sea, some quiet time at home, movies, a trip to the zoo for the kids and lots of cricket and hockey practice. It seems as if every mom has been trying to organize a last day before school starts play date for their kids. Without me initiating a single one all 3 my kids are spending the day with friends for one last play date before school starts.

Marcia tagged me a while ago on Instagram to a sort of meme where you are given a topic for the month with subtopics every day to draw or doodle and post. It was just what I needed to get me drawing again and I have completed my firs two page spread. Check out #ptldoodles if you want to join too. No need to be an artist - it is about exploring being creative and practicing your drawings

I have taken part in The Winter Book Swap organized by Cupcake. I loved my parcel of goodies and book received but loved it even more that the recipient of my box was so happy with her box of goodies.

Guys you need to shop around for everything. Mr C bought this same Lego set at City gifts and toys for R359 4 days before we saw this price at Reggies. I am wondering how the big shops can justify the difference of a whole R91!

I have joined a project choir for a set of performances in August. I am extremely excited about this - it is the first time in years that I will sing in a proper choir. This one is huge too - they are aiming for 400 voices with both the soprano and alto parties full, they are now looking to fill up the male numbers. We are singing songs from the musicals - some of my favorite music ever.

With that - I hope you have a great weekend and why not join in with your Five for Friday?

Five for Friday edition 11

• In about an hour's time I am out of the office for a whole 9 days! It's been a while since we had a proper break and we all really need it.
• On Monday afternoon, God willing, we will be at the seaside - toes in the sand and sun on our faces. Yes, I know it's Winter but it will be fantastic! I just know it.
• The kids all brought lovely report cards home - I am very proud and humbled by every great mark. They have all worked hard and earn this break.
• I had a terrible cold this week - and could not really take time off work. Neurophen Cold and Flu and a 1000mg Vitamin C did the trick and I am already feeling 99% healthy.
• I have done my first order with Spree and am delighted with their service - I at last have boots that fit and got them on the Boots discount day - have a look guys - they have discount days for categories. (This is purely shared out of public interest - I have no affiliation with Spree)

With that - I hope you have a great weekend! And a great week.