Let's talk famly culture

As per Wikipwdia:

Family tradition, also called Family culture, is defined as aggregate of attitudes, ideas and ideals, and environment, which a person inherits from his/her parents and ancestors.

As parents we can of course choose to continue those we grew up with, or reshape or totally change to make our own for our little family. Some of course comes with generations - one of my friends grew up in a family of famous rowers - recently 4 members completed the Berg river canoe marathon - and some were married into the family and not born into it. It's their tradition. It comes natural. Hand in hand goes values - what the culture is often also encompass the values of the family to some extend.

That's why it made me so totally happy when the 3 kids eagerly joined in for a walk on the farm on what is arguably the coldest day of the year. We had a hike in 5 degrees C and they all enjoyed it so much. All dressed warmly with beanies and scarves - but walking and running with joy. Discovering little finds in nature along the way - learning about rocks, feathers and anthills. I am not even talking about the puppies - Rufus was totally out of his skin to have so much space to run around in. Later the week we saw it again - kids splashing in the water in icy weather - hiking over Sardinia bay's dunes with wind howling. And if you ask them if they want to do it again, the enthusiasm blows me away.

I love that our kids love nature, are not scared to exercise, have guts and determination to push through and enjoy it all in the process. Because that is the culture we worked towards - love for nature, love for God, being inquisitive and learn and doing our best while enjoying life.

And while what we choose and what you may choose differ I think it's important to at least have a thought about this and about what these values or the culture may install in our children.

So have you ever thought about this and what's your family culture?

With tea and a lemon cream biscuit....

Yes I know I have just been doing these random little updates and nothing more. So be it - I know that when I can/need/ want to "speak" this vehicle is there. But this morning I am feeling nostalgic.

Possibly because my MIL arrived last night to watch the kid's revue concert next week, but also to help during this busy time. You all know that I adore her - not only for the stunning mom she is to me (because honestly she is no MIL in the negative sense of the word) but also because she is the type of grandmother she is. The type that immediately noted the kid's requests the moment we walked into the door last night after the concert. The type that this morning assured C that they will play snakes and ladders later this afternoon, that even last night had A read a book to her for her book list and that ate her dinner last night in discomfort as L just could not resist sitting on her lap even during dinner. The type of gran my granny Anna used to be.

Gosh I loved her. She was the most amazing woman and a total lady (not to mention totally OCD but that's all part of the package) until the day she passed away at age 90. Anna Boshof was born in a concentration camp in 1902 during the Anglo Boer War. I do not know much about her early years and really want to find out more. She married my grandfather, a Coetzee and a health inspector from the Cape and had two sons, one being my father. By the time I was born she was a widow and my only two cousins were already teenagers. She showered all her grandmotherly attention on me and I totally loved her for it. I remember making rice crispie cookies with her, obsessively cleaning after, but still having fun while doing it. I remember the OK bazaars Pick n Mix in a bowl on the dining room table from which I was allowed only one while my parents where there. But the moment they walked out of the door, I had free reign of the bowl and she would fetch my favorite mint creams out of the side board where she specially kept some out. I remember visiting her for school holidays in her little flat in Sunnyside where we used to walk to the bakery for fresh white bread, xxxx mints for her and a poodle meringue for me. Afternoons at Peter's pancake place in Sunnypark and listening to LM radio with her. They used to vacation in Lorenzo Marques(now Maputu) for years and I sat with the the day LM went off air.

I have vivid memories of her and her purple rinse friends playing bridge on a Wednesday afternoon and after 4pm I had to wrestle ice out of those old steel ice trays and bring it to the dining room table for their gin & tonics. I was allowed a tonic with lemon - I still love the taste of it, and to sit with them while they took a break. They were such a great bunch of ladies - they always loved to hear my little stories. For the rest of the time, I entertained myself - being an only child makes you a great reader and she was the first to offer me a Danielle Steel book to read. She was funky like that.

Funny enough her appeal to me never wore off and different to some other grandmothers and granddaughters (and me with my other grandmother) our relationship grew and grew. Maybe we were just kindred spirits, maybe we shared the gap my father left. I really do not know. What I do know is we totally loved to spend time, right up to her death. She always was my go to person, the one to discuss things with. She would never judge. She would seldom complain. She always saw the beauty in life and she was always a self sufficient lady. I will never forget how she treated all that was wrong in your life. Regardless if you bumped your toe at 6 or your boyfriend broke up with you at 16, she could fix everything that was wrong with a strong cup of tea - always served out of a proper Royal Albert teapot and cups- and a lemon cream biscuit. Occasionally it was an Eat some more biscuit.

Best I go buy some lemon cream biscuits now, or do you think I will get Pick n Mix anywhere?

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.

Wedding bells

On Friday we had the most beautiful family wedding. Our very own little Princess played her role so well as the smallest flower girl in the wedding party. Such a special day in every little girl's life if they get the chance. She enjoyed every little detail from the hair, dressing with the bride and the bridesmaids to the actual wedding. I love how their dresses were different but the same too. How the colours went with the bridesmaids dresses and their little corsages around their arms. I love how she sat at the table with the maid of honour and other flower girl and not with us. She was just so grown up and she literally glowed the whole day.

I also loved that the Boys were there. While Mr L did not really enjoy the heaps of strange people and all the things going on, Mr C was totally enjoying every moment. My word, how grown up he was! He sat at the table with his sister and not with us.  He went to ask the Maid of honour for a dance right after her date brought her back to the table after their first dance together ( just after the bride and groom's first dance) After that he had the honour of being the first man apart from the groom to dance with the bride!

We did not stay too late- we had two of the grannies to drop off and a very tired Mr L but we all had fun and I am sure the kids will never forget the day.

As thank you gifts they had a sweetie buffet and very pretty bags with Afrikaans phrases. The kids loved their party packs.

 Btw we had the best weekend ever this weekend. Just so relaxing, calm and peaceful. But more about that later. How was your weekend?

A busy Easter weekend

Easter is the start of Autumn in our little corner of the world.

Our Easter weekend was filled with my BIL and SIL's visit from Cape Town, their friends, a party with Mr C (more about that later this week) and a big family get together on Sunday. In fact, it felt like Christmas without crackers and some white Easter eggs on the table in stead. 10 adults and 7 kids - a noisy but fun day. There was the traditional Easter egg hunt, lots of playing and laughing. I have to say that I am tired today and I think so are most of the members in our household but it was great to see new bonds formed as especially the 5 cousins got to know each other better.

We made these simple baskets out of party tubs, some cotton wool for tails and free printables on the sides. Quick, easy and cute and the kids loved making these.

 It's the first year that the Easter bunny had some help in our household as the Princess went to hide the eggs. Yes, as with Christmas Father she now knows and loved being able to help (although the finding part was way less fun for her)

Btw these Nesquick bunnies are delicious.

It's sad that we live so far apart and that it is so costly to get together as families more often. But I do feel that we have established bonds between the kids, made new memories to last for a while and we will see to it that we do get together in December again.The kids bonded so well with their cousins, especially M. Mr S is only 16 months so although they played a lot with him, the emotional bonds were formed with M.

 We had a little farewell breakfast at our local Wimpy yesterday, after which they had a short play time at home and then the goodbye part. A left with Hunter to take them to the airport while the boys and I had a little outing. Hunter made the 4 oldest kids one of these:

A slept with her family stone last night as I hear M has. As the longing gets too much, they will look at these and remember our hearts meet in the middle somewhere.

It was such a great weekend

We spent the past long weekend at Sondela, just about an hour's drive from Pretoria where we celebrated my wonderful hubby's 40th birthday with my BIL and SIL from Cape Town and our dear friends S&;I. I received the wonderful gift of the weekend in a lodge I designed for clients a while ago and chose to use it for our celebration. We all had such a great time and got to do some of the things we love most. But most importantly, we spend it with our families. Quality time with my hubby and kids. But as always, the story is best told in pictures (hope you have some tea or coffee - expect a picture overload)

The lodge - when we arrived there all 3 the ladies vowed to bath in those lovely huge baths - we each only did once - the outside showers (concealed but with a view) was just way too tempting.

We visited the farm yard where the kids saw cows being milked and fed goats, sheep and many more. A and some of the other girls tried their hands at milking the cow.

I love this one - all the kids apart from the 16 month old S watchiong the milk process. Note the hats - yes, we live under the African sun.

A milking the cow.

The moms and kids went on a game drive where we saw lots of animals and had great fun on a trailer and tractor drive. Mr L was in heaven! (the men mad a wonderful potjie and watched some rugby)

 

We swam a lot! It was hot and the combination of a cold and hot pool led to many happy hours in the water.

We fed the half tame Nyala that comes to the lodges and the kids could not believe they got so close to wild animals. We did keep a very close eye on the encounters.



There was sand art done, faces painted, manicures and pedicures undertaken and spray on tattoos painted.

And simply time spent together with friends and family in happy companionship.

Apart from the big fortieth celebration, the one thing that stood out was the huge amount of bicycling that happened  The gravel roads lend themselves to great cycling and the area around the house provides lots of safe spots for the little ones to ride too. I had a great ride on Thursday while Hunter had several over the weekend. 



 The big event however was that these two girls (8 and 9 years old) did an 11 km ride with their dads on the gravel roads and paths. It is the very first time that our Princess did a ride more than around a few blocks and on a big bike! We were super proud of her. The two just grabbed their bikes regularly and off they went within the area we set out for them.

 I have to leave you with one of the stunning bushveld sunsets. Just breathtaking.

Christmas catch up no 1

(Yes I know it's long gone but I do like to show it as this is to an extend my visual journal)

We had an early Christmas get together with my cousin and his family before they left for the holidays on the 13th of December. We do see each other way too little and especially A and their S have such a great time playing together. He is exactly a year and a day older than she is. The little boys also adore the company of the bigger boys. We did a "one gift" exchange where everyone just bought one gift for one other person. It worked out so well. All 3 little boys loved their Lego robots and the Princess added a mini Lalaloopsie to her other one.

The table outside on the patio was just beautiful

The evening's "Piece de la resistance" was this cookie Christmas tree made out of star cookies decreasing in size.

They had two very funky Christmas trees inside.

I adore this shot - C's hand in Hunter's

 Family is so important - keeping the bonds and creating them for our kids are up to us. We all remember the good times we had with family as kids and somehow we just do not do it often enough these days.

Do you see family  (other than direct) regularly?

Weekend stuff

So how's your weekend been? Ours was full, but good, although at first I did not think so this morning and last nigh, thinking back actually makes me realize it was a good one.

• Friday night saw me and the hubby out to dinner on our own at our old favorite Tutti Pasta. The food was great - truly the pesto linguine is to dream of. We had such a great evening, talking, having good wine, eating nice food. Lovely stuff
• Saturday was mostly filled with H doing chores for the house and me minding the kidlets. The Princess had a friend over and they played so nicely together but the weather being rainy caused a few tiffs between the girls and particularly Mr C. 
• I also baked the kids pancakes (crepes to the US girls) - first time ever I struggled with my dough and the kept breaking. After wasting half the batch of dough I realized what was wrong and at least everybody had a tummy full of pancake yummyness.
• I went for coffee in the late afternoon with my friend/cousin A - we just sat at a street cafe, chatted and watched the people and cars go by. And had very delicious lemon meringue pie.
• Saturday night was spent quietly at home watching the rugby. The boys fell asleep in our arms - L in mine and C in Hunter's - it was so special. Does not happen much any more.
• After church on Sunday we went to visit Hunter's step gran and his uncle that she is visiting with. Family I have not met yet. It was a delightful afternoon with a great very traditional Sunday lunch. The kids got to meet and play with a "new" cousin that's just 2 years older than the Princess.
• I was dog tired last night and slept like a log.
• The silkworms are huge and eating us out of our house and mulberry tree. I was so happy to discover a few spinning yesterday morning.
• Over the weekend I did manage to finish "Me and my sisters" by Sinead Moriarty. A good read - well worth the effort. I really enjoyed it. I have a whole post in my head about discipline and tired moms but am wondering if any of you apart from Marcia have read the book or am planning to?

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

Hey kitty kitty

Very very busy with work around here, but for your viewing pleasure my best image from our visit to the Pretoria Zoo on Friday.

As always, well worth the visit. Full post to follow.

  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.

What's happening?

• The in-laws are visiting at the moment and it is truly just so lovely to have them here. I love that my MIL cooks double every evening, resulting in a dish in the freezer every day. I love that my FIL fixed L's glasses last night as soon as we got home from school. I love that the boys get fetched early at school every day and have time at home with them. I love that they are there for the Princess during the holidays. But most of all I love to see that very special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. The mutual adoration just warms my heart the whole time.
• Work is just as hectic as it was before my holiday - actually maybe a bit more. But it will be the norm for the next year and a bit and it's nothing new. Actually I prefer it over not being busy.
• We had bookclub last night. I just never get tired of it. I think the secret is that we are such a diverse group and that I see most of them only once a month and about 2 of them regularly enough that we do not feel we need to catch up at bookclub. We never have enough time for all the talking, And I do love that the talk is always about great subjects that just pop up. And then I am not even mentioning the book talk. We only got to the books after 9 last night. Ads the food! R really went all out and made the most wonderful meal. Some great books added to the club as well.
• Hence I did not watch MasterchefSA last night and am so sad to hear that Sarel went. He was the latest favorite of mine following on Berdina, which I love and then sweet Khaya. But I do think that Deena will win - I told Hunter at about the 3rd episode that I think he will win.Just not sulky Manisha please. I just feels she lacks the personality to make a celeb chef. Rather then sometimes bubbly Sue-Ann.
• I am loving the slower pace of the school holidays. Getting up a full hour later than usual and not the mad rush to get everybody out of the door by 7:05.I can not believe that the 3 weeks are almost over. I think we could have done with another one although I do suspect most moms do not feel the same.
• I feel like I am reading too slowly these days. I am just not getting to my 3 books a month I usually read but on the one hand I am reading rather thick books (those 500 plus page ones) most of the time and on the other hand I have stopped doing speed reading when I read at home. I feel it detracts from my joy and only use it at work.
• The 8 GB data card of my Canon just stopped working - I guess after 2 and a half years it is no surprise. So I guess I will be spending money on that rather than on anything else today.
• I have joined the public library again - mostly for the benefit of the Princess who is fast running out of Afrikaans books to read on her level in our house. There is one close to the office and it seems better stocked that I expected - having been reminded by the librarian that it is holidays and that a lot of books are out at the moment.
• I got a tube of Annique's moisture cover as a gift with my last order. It is the most fantastic product I have used in years. It is a 3 in one moisturizer, factor 15 sunblock and light cover for your face in the famous green rooibos hypo allergic format. In fact the cover is so good that I hardly use my base over it.
• I am still totally in love with my AEG Electric Pressure Cooker. It is such a fantastic bit of equipment - can do both low pressure and high pressure cooking - it takes about an hour and 15 minutes for soft soft meat falling off the bones. I think I may have perfected my venison stew recipe with the help of Tannie Evita's cookbook.

 So who is you Masterchef favorite? And what have you cooked lately? Any new exiting beauty products discovered? Are you a member at your local public library and how are thing there? How many books do you read in a month and do you ever attempt those 500 plus page reads?

Looking back, we had a fabolous weekend.

It was the last weekend of granny's visit and we made sure it was one to remember. The highlight being the Boys' school's annual sports day. A day that is filled to the brim with enthusiasm, energy and heaps of fun. All the parents and grandparents are encouraged to support the team their kids are in and in general the atmoshpere is loaded with fun with red, blue and yellow seen everywhere. It was great to have our granny from Port Elizabeth here to share in the fun. The Princess was delighted to be asked to participate as one of the grade R girls called in sick for the day.

Do your kids' school have a fun sports day? I just love this little tradition.

Just like some weekends are dogs -

you know, those ones that just leave you totally disappointed and tired - some weekends are golden. You get things done and achieved, you manage some great family time, you actually sleep (and have a nap) and wonder above all wonders, the kids were happy and amicable. This past weekend (thanks goodness because the previous one did not), fall into the last category. It was busy but golden!We had a quiet Friday and Saturday night and on Saturday the Princess had ballet rehearsals followed by a party. On Sunday we all attended an extended family gathering for a 40th birthday party. It was a great venue that does not specifically cater for kids but provides lots of room to play.

So what was yours like? And how is the week treating you?
Mine has been tough - two sick kids, a major drama on site on my project and just busy busy busy!

Family time.

The weekend was rather social - with friends over on Saturday evening, a visit with granny on Saturday morning and Hunter's uncle's 70th birthday yesterday at Catemba restaurant. After that we dropped in at other family of his for another birthday.

We have never been to the restaurant, and it was a huge hit for all. Quite family friendly (apart from the stairs where little man L fell from -the owner has promised to close these up), we had such great food. And on  Sunday they have a big Portugese buffet and the kids order for free from the kiddies menu. The Princess' calamari was the best I have ever tasted. And the kids run free - dance and enjoy themselves.

Feeling on top of the world....

Playing along with Cheryl.

 ...really makes my Monday. I am so happy today, not even a rather frustrating project can dampen the mood. As you all know, I had a truly wonderful weekend thanks mainly to Hunter who organized the accommodation and initiated the whole trip. But who also did the really tough part - looking after the 2 sick boys back home. What added to my enjoyment is that they had a good weekend too, after all the sickness of the past weekends. The boys are better, they slept better than in ages and Hunter thus got some good sleep too. We did manage to give him his Fathersday goodies, but we need to make another day to properly honour him.

I really need to do a good run of every day as really there were so many great moments. What we thought would be a cold mostly indoor holiday turned into a warm and mostly outdoor one. And making the holiday great was:

Quality time with my Princess

Fun and adrenaline with a favorite cousin and friend

Seeing my mom having laughs with one of her best friends and showing her the Berg for the first time ever.

And two little girls enjoying each other for the full period - not a moment of unhappiness.

The real magic was in the perfect combination - 3 generations of fun.

and the mountains, not to forget the 270 degree view of mountains (fromt he road just outside the resort)

Generations

In the early hours of yesterday morning, Hunter's grandfather passed away, at the ripe age of almost 90. He had a full and good life and the last 6 months have been rather difficult for him as his body slowly started to shut down. I never knew any one of my grandfathers - they both passed away before I was born, so I always thought that it was rather special that my kids had a great grandfather who had their pictures on his walls and phoned on their birthdays and took great pride in. We saw him for the last time in December when we actually made the trip to Port Elizabeth to say our goodbyes. He was tired and warn down, but happy to see his little name bearers - the twins each carry one of his names as their second name. We did not take any pictures then, it was just sad to see him so sick, so I would rather show you how we would like to remember him.

Totsiens Oupa Hennie. Mooi loop.

The weekend report

I am sitting here tonight, watching the movie on Mnet and blogging away after another good, but busy weekend.
On Friday night Hunter worked late and I did some blogging blog reading and reading after making a really good pasta.

Saturday was a very busy day for us all, especially for the Princess who now have a more hectic social life than me and the hubby.
On Saturday morning she had a special little class party where we got to meet the other parents and her teacher on a social level and got a chance to see the kidlets interacting with their new friends.

The kids made photo frames for their class photo and calender.

On Saturday afternoon she had a play date with a friend while I met my old friend E that has been living in Istanbul for a very brief cup of coffee with other friends.

On Saturday night we had a braai with my mom while the Princess went to the movies with friends of ours.

This morning , after church, we went to visit Hunter's cousin A and his family. It turned into and all afternoon affair and the 3 girls and 2 boys played and played while we got the chance to catch up with each other. So much so that we had to wash away the mud there, gave them all a bath and drove back with two sleeping boys.  Needless to say, it was an early night for the kidlets.

It was a good weekend - now, I am going to have some tea and some of this: nutella bread, baked by my hubby.

A day on Aunty Tina's little farm.

Playing along with Cheryl.

A great, relaxing and filled with play Sunday, makes my Monday. We spent the day yesterday with Hunter's Aunt and Uncle on their smallholding. We had a great lunch with potjie, and after that....

There was sleeping, swimming and biking around

Just before we left it was time to bring the tiny flock of sheep into the main enclosure.

Jacobus, the ram.

Also playing along at Sundays in my City with Unknown Mami