Sometimes a weekend is so awesome

That you simply can not believe its over and done with

A weekend where the bonds in the family just grew once again

A weekend where lots of laughter filled the air

Where the bush cleansed and fed your soul

Where the predicted cold front seemed to miss you

Where children were children as children should be

Where learning took place with fun and love

A weekend that leaves you craving for more.

Where most of all you discovered your children appreciate nature as much as you do. Where we all share a happy place

Antoher great weekend camping.

This weekend we camped with our friends S and I and the kidlets in the Pilansberg game reserve - our first camp with friends. Imagine 4 adults, 6 kids between 18 months and 7 years. Busy, but fun. We did not see anything super special - the usual great game, but the kids had the greatest of fun. Even while driving back, C started throwing a small tantrum pleading to go camping very soon again. I think Hunter had a great birthday in one of his favorite places.

I also got the chance on Saturday evening to see Andre Rieu in concert in the Sun City Superbowl.It was truly a magnificent concert and occasion and I really enjoyed it so much. Hubby and our friends saw to the kids while I met my mom and a friend of hers at the concert.

As always, the photos speak louder than words, so the highlights in pictures:

Our campsite from the back

Our campsite early morning from the front.

C running to the Mankwe hide.

Plenty of elephants as per usuall

I always like the wise old giraffes.

Our precious rhinos.

Red crested barbet

Partirdges

A yellow crested barbet in camp.

While the dads were busy finishing pitching the camp, we moms took the kidlets for some fun time at the pool.

A taking miss T for a swim.

And my best picture of the weekend:

Water lilies at Mankwe hide

Playing along today with Angie:

A few bits of news

Things are (as always I hear you say) rather hectic, but we have heaps to look forward to. At work, things are rather busy with a shopping center opening next week and the main tenant the week after. Also a nice big project starting tomorrow, so yes, busy but happy.

On the family front, a lot happening as well:

• Tomorrow Little man L has his first appointment at Occupational therapy session. I am going to take a lot of notes and try to do some of the things at home too.We can use every bit of help right now.
• The Princess and her school is going to the zoo - they are so excited.
• On Friday we have Little man L's yearly appointment at the eye specialist. Hoping for things to have stayed the same as there should not be any improvement. Also, I have some questions from the Occupational therapist for him.
• On Sunday we are going to my best bud Hesti and family's farewell function. I made a blog for her if you are interested. I still am not able to get my blog post finished about this. Maybe I am trying too hard.
• Next weekend is camping time - in the Pilansberg and for the first time with friends.
• If all works out, I will also see Andre Rieu in concert that weekend at Sun City.
• We had a great bookclub last night where we said goodbye to Hesti, and welcomed the 3 new members as we lost two others last month and our new cycle starts in May. It was long and late, but fun. Love my bookclub girlfriends. But yes, I will still do that post about how to start one etc.

So hope you all have a great evening. Tomorrow is a busy day ahead once again.

A perfect weekend.

Playing along with Cheryl.

We had the most wonderful long weekend possible, aptly celebrating National Heritage day in our natural heritage at the Pilansberg Game Reserve - big 5 country. We saw 3 of the Big 5 and many more lucky spots. But more important, we spent a great family time together celebrating the boy's birthday on Saturday. Hunter and I also had very precious time together at night, chatting and having some great red wine and our game reserve staple - gin and dry lemon/tonic.So, tomorrow I will show you some game, but today, a recap of my precious 3 year old's birthday (for whom I still have to write my traditional birthday posts).

The stack of presents that family and friends sent along - we asked the family to club together and we got them several Lego Duplo sets.

I did the lazy route out - made small party packs and cupcakes. Cupcakes by Checkers, sugar paste dinosaurs by Bakery Warehouse in Bryanston.

We just invited several of the kids that were camping around us to sing and have a cupcake with us. They each got a party pack with sweets, a plastic dinosaur or dinosaur eraser to take home.

Every campsite seem to have them - bigger girls loving the little ones and coming over to play with them. These two made them a birthday card too!

I think we made an excellent decision to rather go away the weekend and have a small little celebration there than to spend a lot of time and energy on a party here. They loved their special day and it was great to see how this year, for the first time, they really knew it was their special day.