Friday already!

Gosh, this week has flown by like nothing. I have a nice little photo post for Friday entertainment, but before that, a little summary of what's happening in our little corner of the world:

• Lucy is still on sick leave - I am so so so over this but it's not her fault.
• We now have a little red boy chicken (see how I fluke the search engines!) that have joined our driveway crowd - hence we get that nostalgic crowing in the mornings. Luckily he seem to be a late sleeper. I am loving this chicken thing. I think we might have some nesting soon.

• Little man L had his first OT session last week where he did not need to do integration before starting with concentration work. He enjoyed the roller ball paint so much that he got some as a reward from his OT this week. This week however, she did integration again. She did explain that it all helps in a hand in hand way. BTW - this paint is fantastic and she says you can get it at Pick n Pay.

Onto a Friday Photo story (still catching up on our last two holidays):

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

My FIL is  a cabinet maker by trade and a retired woodwork teacher. In December when we had our quick visit to Port Elizabeth he had a huge surprise for the Boys - they made their own trucks in his workshop.

Oupa had everything prepared beforehand and they just assembled it all:

The trucks made great toys and are still a favorite. I could not believe how quiet and interested they were -up until then they have never sat so quiet for such a long time.

What a  great Oupa!

I know, I know...

I have really been very quiet around the blogsphere but I had my in-laws over for the weekend, a family wedding and Fathers day in the mix. Plus a half day work yesterday to attend to the most urgent in order to get some last minute time in with my FIL before he returns to Port Elizabeth. My fabulous MIL is still staying for another week. Yeah! In this week, I will sleep better (she sleeps in the room with the boys so that we can rest a bit), get home at night to fully cooked meals while she teaches the meal of the day to Lucy to improve her menu options, and have lovely company. You can tell I love my MIL!

In other super fabulous news I managed to book really cheap flights to Cape Town for me and the princess to visit my SIL and BIL in 3 weeks time - the first time ever I actually managed to book on a Kulula special - and that the last weekend in the school holidays. I am super excited. I am keeping it as a surprise for her tonight - she is going to freak out completely. And today is Bafana bafana's very last chance (although slim) to go through to round two. Let's hope! And support in full force.

So onto Fathers day 2010:
I really wanted to do a great post about how fab Hunter is and what fab dad he is, but my regular readers know he is and I just did not have time on Staurday. Truly, he is the absolute best dad ever and just as great a hubby. Seeing that we were going to a wedding for lunch on Fathers day, I was left with breakfast as a treat. It was extra special to have my FIL there as well. I made croissants (thanks Woollies), scrambled eggs and several toppings and spreads. With our famous house coffee it was a big hit all round. They also both loved their presents - ever practical Hunter got some track suits etc.

The wedding was Hunter's cousin getting married to her prince from Namibia - truly a love story they will be able to tell their kids some day. It was small and intimate and really enjoyable. So, what would a post be without wedding pictures?

Even the family happy snapper (me) had a second shoot for the day - Uncle Bert asked Hunter to also take photos - I am busy editing about 700 pictures from both the cameras. So, the family photographers of the day:

I really loved the bride's little wrist bouquet -I thought it was so special. Her dress was also truly beautiful - the material exquisite.

6 words & 9/365:

9/365:

Wishing for a crutch free 2010

We had a lot of crutches around in 2009 - my mom with her knee replacement and of course our friend Stefaan, still on one crutch, now cuently towards mobility without.

Little man L had a huge fixation with all the crutches so my FIL made the twins these in July. After almost forgetting about them they were re-discovered this morning. Let's hope these are the only ones we will have around this year.

Two for Two-sday - smoking with Oupa

and 5/365:

This morning Oupa was puffing on his pipe and Little man L went to sit on his lap for a cuddle. The play dough cutter in his hand became an instant play pipe. I caught the two without them noticing it and immediately thought that I should edit it to sepia as it would suit the pensive mood.

Just 3 hours ago we dropped of Ouma and Oupa at the airport. It's been a great visit and I will really miss them, especially getting up at 5 tomorrow morning with the kids as the last week or so I had the chance to go back to bed and sleep a bit more. That was heaven! Also the afternoon naps wil be greatly missed, as sharing cooking responsibilities. They also gave me some great moments with Hunter and we managed to fit a date in as well as a date with my little princess to see Alvin and the Chipmunks 2.

Some highlights from their visit:

With Ouma at Safari Nursery





Getting jumping castle lessons from Ouma.

Swimming with Oupa.

Lounging around with Oupa.

Playing with Ouma.

Friday photo finish fiesta - Veels geluk Oupa

Pop over to Carrie's right now - TGIF!

It's Oupa's (Grandpa's) birthday today and we all sang Happy Birthday this morning over the phone. We hope you have a great year and we see you more. We love you to bits!

They share names.

And they share the same hands and feet.

And they share such a special bond - his first grandchild and the little girl he never had himself.

Thanksgiving Thursday - fun with the Grandparents

Playing along with Nicole at What a trip! on Thursdays.

I have already mentioned on Monday all the practical little things that I am than thankful for resulting from my In-law's visit. But I am also thankful for the time the kids (and us) had to spend with them. Time to....

Dance...

Watch television....

Cuddle...

And read...

Quality time indeed.

Makes my Monday - the grandparents are here!

Playing along with Cheryl - what a great way to start the week.

Every child loves to spend time with attentive and spoiling grandparents and mine, off course, is no exception to the rule. Since they arrived on Friday evening it has been non -stop fun, fun, fun! Yesterday we tried to chase the grey day away by visiting one of our open malls - the Irene Village Mall which is located close to our area's most famous dairy - hence, the mall has a cow-theme and is family orientated. It has a lot of sculptures spotted through it that are all "play-sculptures" - kids are encouraged to climb on them.

The kids with the grandparents in front of the huge cow statue - it has plants growing all over it.

The Little Miss on the cow sculpture with the horse behind it. It has climbing footholds etc.

The central open are has a play fountain in it and in summertime the kids just love it. At the moment, they have a synthetic "ice-skating" rink in it. The Little Miss didn't want to try it - the mommy was grateful ;) If you enlarge the picture you can see the cow's paws and udder sticking out behind the rink - another play sculpture.

Closer up - the udder is a slide.

The kiddo's on the udder - as usual, Little man L loved it - Little man C was scared.

The Little Miss wanted to get up and slide and couldn't stop. Up, down all the time.

She also loved the fountain.

We let the Little Men out to run - for once we were a one on one adult/child ratio so we could do it. They loved it!

Checking out one of the other sculptures.

And the other half of it - it's twin.

Taking a break to have pancakes and Milo - the two L's in the family - they share a name.

And our two blonds in the family sharing a moment. (not a blond one I hope!)

For some more feel good Monday news - head over to Cheryl's and play along too.