Perfect moments

Sometimes life gifts you with a perfect moment - a moment when all that is ugly in the world disappears for a while, a moment where you feel at peace and where your whole being sighs in joy. Pure pure happiness! I had one of those on Monday afternoon as we stood on the beach at Sanlameer in perfect weather - just our little family together after a very excited drive down to the coast. I had a few more over the following few days. It was a great break.

It still feels almost unreal - our wonderful 5 days at the coast. I have forgotten how great the weather is this time of the year. You actually escape the Winter for just a few days. But we are all a little happier now, breathe a little deeper and feel that we had a rest and some time for each other. 

So yes, I took a break from the family

It was a first to me and to be totally honest, I loved it. I loved being able to only think for me and not for another 3 little human beings just for a few days. To for a week not go through the day to dayness of packed snacks and remembering activities. To rest, get up when you want, do what you want. to do. But I missed my kids, above all I missed my Hunter who made all this possible. It was so very good to be back home with them.

In a nutshell, the above little heart that Shayne bought sums up the week. We could add "take long walks and eat a lot", but that's about it. It was such a great great time with the two loveliest ladies -Shayne and Lynette. Taking into account that I have only met Lynette twice and Shayne once for a few hours, there was possibly some risk involved. But really it was just wonderful - we just gelled as if we have done this many times before. As if it is the most natural ting to do. Which I am sure will happen again. We never ran out of conversation, but taking some quiet time was totally acceptable too. Food, coffee and dishes just happened. The time together was truly a blessing.

 I have to add that we had a great morning at the Camelot Spa in San Lameer and one of the very best back neck and shoulder hot stone massages I have ever had (thanks to my hubby) as well as a facial that really made a difference to my skin.

With that, well you know, photos. Imagine the amount available with 3 amateur photographers and a keen interest in Instagram. So sharing in general (some were taken by the other two ladies of course) our time together in pictures:

Photographers taking pictures of photographers

My favorite spot

Just beautiful - long long walks often

My macadamia nut waffle at Ramsgate's waffle house

Sani to C finish

Beach access passes

Love these two of my dear friends.

Friendship - true and great.

Winter sea holiday - day 2

I woke up to a beautiful Tuesday morning and to a girl that seemed to have no earache - I was much relieved. We started the day with breakfast on the patio and some drawing while waiting for the temperature to just go up a wee bit.

The old tree in front of the Villa always provide a bit of a climbing opportunity and yes, every year we climb higher.

Happy to have conquered the tree we set off for the beach. It was a beautiful day and I posted this picture on Facebook

Bliss indeed - a good cappuccino, a happy Princess and a great book.

She had a ball playing on the beach and in a big hole and even made friends with a 10 year old boy with whom she scavenged for shells and other sea life.

All of a sudden she came running to me, crying that her ear was incredibly sore. We immediately went home and by the time we got there she started puking again - poor girl. I dumped her in the bath with a bowl to at least get rid of the sea sand and called reception for a doctor's number. A doctor in Margate was recommended and we I called - we could come in but be prepared to wait, he was fully booked. My poor girl, all the way there she was miserable and kept getting sick all the time. We walked into the doctor's rooms and the receptionist immediately took her to a room to lie down. They were so friendly and helpful - not 10 minutes later and the doctor saw us. Turns out she had a huge ear infection (her first ever) and that it was the pain and imbalance from the ear that made her feel so crappy. We picked up the meds and headed home, to only stop at the library to return DVD's and get two more as I knew that for at least until tomorrow morning or more realistic tomorrow afternoon we will be at home while she slept off some of the meds he gave her.

So we had a great afternoon sleeping (her mainly but me too), reading and watching DVD and went to bed rather early.

Winter sea holiday - day 1

What I expected of the holiday: Some moments on a rather cool beach, maybe building sandcastles and the occasional dip of mere toes in the sea. Lots of time at home reading and playing - I brought along heaps of activity books and a case of Legos plus some other stuff.

What surprised me totally: The stunning South Coast winter weather - it was warm, it was lovely (up to 27 degrees C on Friday) and unless the wind started blowing (which inevitably it does somewhere in the day) you could literally spend the day on the beach from dawn till dark.

What  it though we would mostly do: Read, play at home, go to lunch at some nice place almost every day (budgeted accordingly).

What we did: Spent every possible moment on the beach. It was lovely.

So, let me give you a day to day rundown in pictures:

We left home at 4:15 to be dropped off by the boys at Lanseria airport at 4:45 - just in time to check in for our 6:15 flight to King Shaka airport. I have to say that I love Lanseria - gosh, simple, convenient, great waiting lounge, no big walks, easy parking and drop off. And we left on time with the green airline.

The Princess chose her Oortjie cat to come along and mommy had to take a picture in the plane as it was Oortjie's first time on a plane. The landing was rough on my Princess' ears - the first time ever that she had trouble and as much as we tried gum, sweets, equalizing, the pain was intense. She also complained after we landed that her right ear was blocked and she could not get it to open.

We landed before 7:30 and was quickly out of the baggage collection to pick up our little rental car.I booked the smallest car type available as it was just us two (and my did I struggle with our big suitcase) but in the end it worked out perfectly and we loved zipping around in our little silver bug (a Kia Piccanto)

I have never been to Gateway centre - every December when we are at the North Coast the traffic into the area is horrendous, so I decided to take the chance at it was literally on our way to pop in and have a look. Being in the branch of business I am (Retail Architecture) it is always important to know how most centres look for reference, trends etc and I am glad I had the chance to see it, although most shops were closed (Woollies was open though from 8am - so we did our small grocery shop for the week there), had a snack at the fountain court and left just after 9 for the South Coast.

The drive down was longer than I though - about an hour and a half with two stop and go areas down on the N2 - so somewhere I turned down to the coastal road which is just such a nice drive. The Princess slept almost all the way and woke up just in time to see the pretty coastal scenes. We checked in at San lameer and almost immediately I missed the family - such familiar surroundings. After unpacking which really took only a short while she insisted to visit the library first (you can tell she is a little eager grade 1 reader) and we each took out 3 books and a DVD for the evening - in total the whole week's reading pleasure cost me R10 for both of us! Not kidding! And R10 per DVD you rented. We then headed directly to the beach.

It was a beautiful day at the beach - this picture was taken towards the rock, further on from the swimming area so although it looks rather empty the main area was quite busy. And the joy to discover it's winter but the water is quite nice! (the pictures speak way louder than words)

And admired  power of Nature -where the sand bank with the sand sculpture is at the moment was a big dip in the beack last year - the tidal pool at the back was very deep, now it is literally a sand bank and only about 200 mm deep at most. 

We left at about 3 for a nap - we were both exhausted and slept until almost dark at about 5:30. So we had a quick braai and watched a DVD and went back to sleep. She complained a bit about the ear again and a headache - and then promptly puked! My poor girl does that when she has pain so I gave her a bit of pain meds and she felt better soon.

We had a great night's sleep.

It's the day before Easter, and can not help thinking back.

Last Easter we were here:

I can almost smell the sea, the happiness and the feeling of freedom from the day to day life we lead. Wish I was there right now. The Easter bunny even delivered there:

This year we are staying home - the last two years were spent in the laid back wonder of the Natal South Coast. Although I am happy about our decision to be at home (I really do not envy the traffic down) the reality is that with a child in "real school" our holidays are a bit less flexible and we simply did not have the opportunity this year. Although I am looking forward to the winter holidays when I will see San Lameer again.

However, we will be spending the weekend making Easter baskets, painting eggs and seeing family and friends. And going to church. Because no matter what Easter is about for you and your family, we celebrate the day that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and more important, that He rose on the 3rd day to give us eternal life.

May your Easter be a blessed one.

Port Edward light tower

I have a bot of bloggers block, or just not much to say today. So, I revert back to catching up on those many holiday memories not shared yet - and make a nice Photostory Friday post.

On the last day of our holidays in April on the South Coast, we spent the morning at the beach (and not watching the Royal wedding) and after that, the Princess could choose a reward as she was really so helpful and good for the holiday. She choose (to my delight) to go to the light tower at Port Edward. It is a modern one, and not very old, but one can climb right to the top (which she bravely did, even tough the last bit is a cat ladder) and have a nice light meal at the cafe in it. It also sports a cool children's play area.

Sign on the gate post.

My favorite photo of the afternoon - this is taken in colour, not black and white, and I love the washed out colours (if you can call it that) on the inside.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Row row row your boat,

gently up the lagoon....

By far the family favorite at San Lameer is rowing. The kids adore it. I really enjoy it and Hunter, well, he loves it but obviously have to do the actual work involved in the activity. Somehow, after every boat trip we also have 3 kids napping. Maybe the calming effect of the water? Who knows - I just do not care at all. In fact, we specially planned the day we left, to pack the car and trailer, and then to go for a last boat trip. So this is how we roll:

Dad and the boys went on their own little trip when the Princess and I met up with Shayne and her girls - then they take a canoe.

When we all go we take a two oar rowing boat - me and the boys at the back, hunter in the middle and the Princess in the front.

The hotel at San Lameer from the lagoon.

That little sand bank to the left? That is where we fish in the lagoon. Diamonds on the water - just magic.

BTW- I had a long an very graphic post almost completed about body fluids and the masses we dealt with in the last few days, but alas, I can not bring myself to complete it and maybe it is rather left unpublished.

Things I have learned this holiday...

So it's been really quiet here but we have just returned from a wonderful holiday, much enjoyed by all. Our best family one ever.But yes, once gain I have learned a lot.

• It is possible to have a puking kids on the way down (L) and on the way back (C). And no, we doubt that it was motion sickness because other symptoms followed the next day or so.
• It is bloody freezing at the top of Van Reenen's pass if you have to clean a kidlet and car.
• Coming back from subtropical Natal into almost winter in Pretoria is too fast a transition into winter.
• Meeting blogging buddies from far away is fantastic. Shayne, I wish we had many more hours to chat.

• If moms like each other the little girls are likely to follow into friendship.

• Our kids love water and rowing on it. It was by far the family favorite this time around.
• The Princess will swim in the sea whenever she has the chance - regardless of the time of day and attire.

• The Princess has NO fear of heights or climbing endless stairs and a little ladder to get to the top of a light house.

• We can actually fish with the whole family in tow. It was great fun.

• Bubbles stay a favorite with the kids and are brilliant on the beach.
• The weather is fantastic at the South Coast, even at the end of April.
• Late afternoons at the beach is just magical - even the kids love the sunset magic.

• Meeting a school friend by chance at the beach is a lovely surprise. We bumped into one of the Princess' school friends at the resort an they had so much fun. I bumped into two old school friends and it was also good seeing them.

• Meeting up with an old school friend can be so great. Some people stay exactly as down to earth and wonderful as they were more than 20 years ago.
• Never assume booking a stay over at a farm actually involves a farm with animals. Some farms only have airplanes- and two dogs - kid you not. My kids were not impressed with me.
• Even after 3 visits, San lameer still surprise us with new things to enjoy and do. 
• The Easter bunny can bring too many eggs - they did not finish half (although we helped a lot). Maybe I just let them eat too little.

• The boys will not nap every day any more - I guess it was expected. They are on their way to 4. The Princess however, enjoys a nap hugely every now and again.
• What starts out as a terrible holiday due to grumpy, tired and ungrateful kids can turn into the best ever after a stern talk by the parents.

Scenes from a holiday - all about the beach

Of course, our holiday was mostly about the beach and we spent every morning and some afternoons there. At first The Boys were scared of the sea - and we settled at the tidal pool most days. By the end of the holiday they all enjoyed at least the pool and the beach. The Princess, well she was almost permanently in some form of water.

The daily trek to the beach - we are in walking/biking distance.

Playing with friends at TO beach.

Twin moments.

Taking to the water, at last.

Daddy and his darling.

Water baby.

Late afternoon at Uvongo beach.

Our last morning was cold and windy - perfect kite weather.

While others just stuck to playing with the current favourite -giant spades.

Scenes from a holiday - sunrise and sunset.

I actually have so many mnay pictures form the holiday that I will bore you to death - even if I have to do a day at a time. So I have sorted out in a few catgories and will still bore you over time. So let's just call this one "Sunrise and sunset" and save you from my kids for the day.

Sunrise from our patio.

And another.

Sunset over San lameer golf course.

Kite flying at sunset on Marina beach.

Sunset on Marina beach.

Sunset behind Uvongo beach.

God colours His world with so much beauty each and every day and so prominent at beginning and the end of it.

As always on a Wednesday, being wordful with Angie.

The drive down and first day.

In autumn driving in certain parts of South Africa, you are met by fields and fields of cosmos flowers. Hunter had to stop for some pictures - I almost stepped on a puffadder (I still get nauseous if I think about it).

The Easter bunny made a show at last on Monday morning when he never got the chance to pin us down while traveling on Sunday and hid some eggs throughout the villa as it was still raining early the morning.

The Easter bunny also brought some temporary tattoos and we all had so much fun with them (including mommy and daddy who sported some for the whole holiday).

Monday morning started out cloudy and drizzly but cleared up very soon and we had a great morning at the beach. After the usual lunch and nap we spent the afternoon at the pool.

This sand sculpture was huge.

One of the cute little "extras" at San lameer - the impala and bushbuck that roam the estate. The monkeys- not so much fun. You have to close all windows if you go out as they raid villas. But the kids love their antics.

We have just returned...

self portrait on the beach 

from what I can only describe as our best family holiday ever. It was truly a gift to us all. I can not really tell you what made it the best, but it could be:

That the little boys are just those 3 months older to make them easier - we understand them more, they understand us more.

That our princess was really into entertaining her brothers and helping us - she was incredibly sweet and easy to have around.

That we were in a little villa with all the comforts and not in a tent (although I love camping).

That San Lameer is truly a great resort.

That we had a lot of good family time, a bit of me time each and also a bit of us time.

That none of us felt that the other was doing more than you are - the workload was light, the enjoyment factor huge.

That we did some great things together which we have not done before - for instance we went rowing on the lagoon - all 5 of us.

That bar one day, we had the most perfect weather imaginable.

That we kept things simple, with the same basic routine.

Maybe, a bit of all of the above, or possibly just that we found our family dynamics on holiday - that we learned to really enjoy time together on holiday. It has been good for us as a family, it has been great for us as a couple. It has been a healing and we had a great rest. It was truly a time to remember.

It really makes my Monday.

Playing along with Cheryl.