Sometimes a snap decision is the 100% right one

Sardinia bay - the most beautiful beach

Last week we made a snap decision to fly down to Port Elizabeth and visit Oupa and Ouma. Oupa had his birthday on Friday and it was such a pleasure to share it with him. It was without a doubt for all of us such a treat and 100% the right thing to do. We all spent time with him at the house and we had lots of adventures with Ouma.

Port Elizabeth blessed us with 3 incredible days - cool enough to stay on the beach without feeling over heated, but warm enough for a swim in the sea and the pool. No wind and abundant sun. It was truly a blessing in itself after a busy term.

Some things - family time and special moments together - are priceless. Memories are made that will last a lifetime. C will always remember how he fell asleep next to Oupa one night while chatting away. L will never forget the rugby games watched, dissected  and discussed. A will treasure holding Oups hand while stroking the cat on his bed - the cat that refuse A to stroke her any where else in the house. It reminds me of that old  credit card add where the money value was mentioned and then the experience as priceless. Totally priceless moments. I am so glad we did this.

Schoenmakerskop

The past week

Has really been one of those golden weeks. Such a treat to have both the grandparents visiting - really, I could not have happier kids. There's been:

Crafting (friend K spend two days with us last week)

Knitting: Someone learned how to do "tolletjie brei" or French knitting

Snakes and ladders

Joint culinary exploits in the kitchen

Fabulous food

 Heaps and heaps of reading

And even some building work as Radiator Springs (from the movie Cars) made its appearance on our lawn. (all 3 kids took part in this)
























They certainly do not lack on the creative thinking side.
In the meantime we also attended a very cool first birthday Noddy party and all 4 adults had some fun - Hunter and my FIL spent a night in Pilansberg and the my fabulous hubby sent my MIL and I to the spa for an afternoon.

A day at the Pretoria zoo

I have promised a picture post from mid July of our day at the zoo. It was truly a great way to spend the last day of the school holidays. It was a nice and warm (not hot) day and was just perfect. As we had the grandparents with us we opted to rent golf carts and my, was that fun for the kids. We also took the Princess' friend K along - a great decision as everyone had a friend for company. But without further ado, as always , better told in pictures:

We all loved the Kodiak bears and the boys both declared them their favorites.

One of the zoo's top attractions - the Koala bears and my personal favorite.

Checking out the Hippos

And just because you all loved the leopard in my original post, another one of him. Miss K's favorite of the day.

The flamingos are just fascinating and beautiful

The Princess' favorite - the Komodo dragons - one of only a few zoos in the world to host them.

It was just the perfect end to the holidays and to our time with Ouma and Oupa. So have you been to your local zoo lately? Did you know that the Pretoria zoo is one of the top 10 zoos in the world taking into account not only the environment etc but also research and breeding programs?

  and Parenting by Dummies for Wordful Wednesday

Creatures of habit

3 Months ago the dear city council closed the street that connects ours with the street that runs in front of the boys' school to re-do the stormwater system in the area before the summer rains. Although we all appreciated that upgrade was certainly in order and that our council is actually spending our money where it helps us and not to enrich our officials, it did mean quite a bit of disruption. It made our 4 street block journey about 8 in the other direction and a huge time difference as the traffic went from insignificant to heavy due to the road closures. And if you ever transport 3 tired children after school you will know that it can mean the difference between sanity and a glass of wine. Hence I was delighted when last Friday afternoon the road was opened again and I had my former easy route. I used the old/new shorter route a few times over the weekend but come Monday I instinctively turned to the detour road. It seems a 3 month habit is hard to break.

This morning we had to break our great 3 week old holiday routine - last night I had to turn back the alarm clock on my phone to 5:30, not the relaxed 6:30 of the holidays. Packing lunches, getting all ready for school, remembering ballet clothes and school books. Yip, back to reality. To make it all worse, Ouma and Oupa that has been with us for the last week and who have spoiled us rotten with help, meals, love and stories and all that makes them great, also left on the Gautrain for the airport. There were many tears - we all love them and hope to see them soon. Ai, a habit of shared love is hard to break, as is the holiday routine. At least I took the shorter old road to the school this morning. Already a creature of the new/old habit.

Without a doubt the best MIL ever

On Saturday afternoon we had to say goodbye to Granny Annie who went back to Port Elizabeth. I have sung her praises many times on this blog, but truly what an honour to have a MIL like this. She gives all she can, she helps as much as humanly possible - all while never making me feel inadequate.

She left with the kids missing her terribly, my freezer defrosted and clean and..... stocked with frozen meals and soup.She has also taught Lucy 5 new meals to cook and was such a blessing to have here with the Princess recovering from her operation.

Granny Annie , we already miss you and we love you dearly. Please come again soon.

That freezer full of food, and such a stunning MIL makes my Monday.

Playing along with Cheryl.

The past weekend (and some more)

The Princess had an old friend over for a playdate on Friday - both had their ears "done" in the same week. It was good to get the confidence going.

On Staurday morning we took granny Annie to the Hazel Foodmarket - lots and lots of yummy food to love.

Huge French-style crepes.

Beautiful flowers

Portugese milk tart pies

Yummy flatbreads

Pastries to all tastes.

The Princess merely draped a scarf around the bandages, and off she went. A "real" faerie did some face painting on her.

The boys enjoyed the jungle gym and jumping castle

These muffins all have a filling inside. The pumpkin ones were exquisite.

Gerberas for the house

While the Boys had some more rough and tumble play, the Princess opted to do some sand art.

A 6 year old photographer was working on her skills (and keeping busy without being too rough on those ears.)

 On Sunday my mom also came over for a braai.

 It was such a good weekend spending it with Granny Annie.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Want to see some more market goodness? GO see my other 3 market posts:

http://juggelingactoflife.blogspot.com/2010/01/friday-22-january.html
http://juggelingactoflife.blogspot.com/2009/09/friday-photo-finish-fiesta-farmers.html
http://juggelingactoflife.blogspot.com/2009/10/irene-craft-market.html

Another family favorite.

This recipe is a firm favorite in Hunter's family. I remember having them that very first Christmas I spent with his family in Port Elizabeth. Super easy and very fast to make, they are great just as is, but also good heated and served with ice-cream and chocolate sauce for desert. And containing a good helping of oats and not so much sugar, they are a great bit healthier than most cookies.
My MIL's chocolate oats cookies.

2 cups raw oats
2 cups self raising flower
2 cups coconut
half cup sugar (the original recipe called for 1 cup, but a half is really enough)
350 grams (12,5 ounces) butter or baking margarine
4 desert spoons cacao
Topping:
2 desert spoons cacao
1 cup icing sugar
boiling water

Heat oven to 180 C (350F)
Melt butter - do not boil.
Mix in all the other ingredients for the cookies.
Press into a well greased oven pan.
Bake for approx. 20 minutes
Cool down slightly and pour over topping. (make it runny enough to pour but not too runny.)
Cut into blocks and store in an air tight container.