E - Vida

 Jorja's 2nd Haircut...Ever  And the finished product!     Chores duPie and Mommy at 28 weeks Birthdays Summer Fun

This year we tried something different! We enjoyed a 'Family Favourites' lunch on Christmas Eve with all of our visiting Pretoria family - Quiche, Fish and Chips, Pizza, Salads (and a suprise Crayfish tail starter treat) followed by Vanilla Ice Cream and Berries. Yum! The meal was enjoyed by everyone and didn't induce nearly as much stress as the traditional Christmas meal - what a pleasure! After tea (and once P-J was home from work), we unwrapped gifts together - but I'll have to wait on Dezlin to upload the snaps of that colourful mayhem! We had Santa's helper (Aunty Robyn) create stockings for all of du Plessis - Danny, Vivienne, Lee-David, Deb, Matty, (even Micah), P-J, Ash and Jorja. DuPie will wait until next year for his/her stocking's finishing touches. Thanks Rob! In the photo above, Jorja thinks about going to play outside - although that does entail interacting with Bernie, the miniature Jack Russell puppy from Pretoria! Glad to r

On 22 December, P-J and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Wow - has it been 5 years already? P-J had to work until lunch time, but while I waited, he treated me to a facial and pedicure treatment at our local therapist ( Romy at LETS FACE It ). I waited with pleasure! We enjoyed lunch together later and had a relaxing evening with Jorja that night. What a pleasure to be able to relax and enjoy my family, at home, during this very busy and otherwise chaotic time of year! We've always commended others for taking the time on their wedding anniversary to make a special investment into that important relationship. Of course, sharing celebratory 'tea-and-cake' with loved ones is fun too...but we've done 4 years of that, so this time was our turn! This year, I finally did good on my promise to put some of our cherished wedding photos into a photo book. Jorja loves looking at the photos - and especially likes my dress! She must be wondering where she is on th

Today my Gramps Ikey and Gran Jean would have celebrated 53 years of marriage. Their 52 years together as Mr and Mrs I Geduld brought them 5 daughters - our wonderful Aunts - their fine husbands, many kids and even, Miss Jorja. I firmly believe that their marriage stood the test of time because they had their priorities in place. I distinctly remember them teaching us, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Today I finally finished the work on our own Wedding Album. If all goes well, we'll be viewing it just as we arrive at our own 5th wedding anniversary. It seemed a bittersweet thing to be thinking of our 'newlywed' status under the circumstances. Our record pales in comparison to theirs! We will scatter my Gramps Ikey's ashes this evening, travelling along the coastal route of the Cycle Tour and recollecting our fond memories of him on his bicycle. With sadness we will say goodbye again and offer comfort to my Gran as she faces this day wit

Hard to believe that there are things that Jorja hasn't experienced until now... But also a sign of the times that she's growing up! We had another week of firsts last week - Her first lunch box...and her first packed school lunch First time using the kickboard and venturing to the middle of the pool Jorja's very first sleep over without her Mom and Dad, all the way in Melkbosstrand Added to that, this is my first opportunity to sit down and blog since the beginning of November. Wow-ee, it's been a busy time! Since then we have heard some exciting news about cousin Peanut Klaasen and we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Micah du Plessis in Vermont. Despite our good intentions, Festive Season preparations will have to wait until I finish off in the office next week, and then we'll bundle Christmas tree - decorating and nursery-building into one project!  

So proud of Principal Bonny and all of the Bonny (not-so) Babies for making it through their first swimming lesson in one piece! I'm not sure who was more excited yesterday - Jorja or her Mommy? Her tog bag was packed complete with sunblock and plastic packet ( with labels ) way before 7am... and then I was almost late for work because I had to turn around in Rondebosch to fetch my laptop that I'd forgotten at home! Principal Bonny said the kids were driving her crazy with the "When are we going?" questions before their lesson, but all's well that ends well. Jorja excitedly told us about Teacher Aunty and the practise splashing that she must do at home. Really?  It doesn't look like Jorja has any initial swimming issues - which I'm sure will make for a fun-filled Summer and endless supplies of wet towels and knotted hair in the future! My only concern is: Will Teacher Aunty cope? What an absolute pleasure to see the little ones learning

Suntanning in Llandudno with cousin Kayla The big slide in Sea Point Aunty Annie let her exchange her game tickets for sunglasses, a bangle and a Fizzer! ...And a hug for Mommy and the Baby

We have reached the half way mark in our pregnancy already! Ultrasound visits are such a treat - watching the baby move around and identifying the beautifully formed body parts... ...YES, the doctor could see whether we're expecting a boy or a girl...and NO, we aren't asking!! All we will say was that Jorja's prediction of "2 in Mommy's tummy" was INCORRECT! Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Thank you Aunty Betty For all you do for us For teaching, caring, cooking and cleaning - All without a fuss... May today remind you, of God's gifts from above And may the year ahead be filled with joy, and treats, and love! From all the Parents and their kids at Bonny Babies xx Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

We are so excited to celebrate another birthday! Jorja did an excellent job of wishing her Dad, and when we dropped her at school, she put her head on his shoulder and said, "...And enjoy your birthday." Sometimes, songs just say it better. Compliments of Deb and www.billboard.com , the Top 10 songs of the week that you were born, way back when on 11 October 1984, do a pretty good job: Dear P-J, The Warrior (Scandal feat. Patty Smyth) It's your birthday you Lucky Star (Madonna) so Let's Go Crazy (Prince) and She Bop (Cyndi Lauper) the day in The Glamorous Life (Sheila E) style. Your Drive (The Cars) and diligence is a Hard Habit To Break (Chicago) and we hope it won't ever! For you bring us joy and warmth, our reality check...and your hugs Cover Me (Bruce Springsteen) and when you're off cheffing in Buenos Aires, we're Missing You (John Waite). So from all of us on your birthday, I Just Called To Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder)! Sen

...Know that somewhere, somehow we'll find (a) Jorja catching up to a whole lot of mischief! We found her with a nappy cream face mask and a huge smile! That's a different kind of initiation! Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Last week, when we arrived at the front door of the Bonny Babies Daycare, I was handed a sealed envelope: It wasn't an invite. It wasn't a gift voucher. It definitely wasn't a pay packet! It started off reading like this - "Dear Mr and Mrs du Plessis, today Jorja was involved in a serious incident..." The first couple of times that I read it, I couldn't take anything in. I skimmed over the familiar handwriting waiting for the message to pop out. Seriously. How many people do I know that get written warnings about their child's behaviour, from the school Principal aka Mom? Seems boisterous Jorja was a bit too wild on the day in question (much like other days?) and was involved in a incident with another excitable child. I comfort myself by saying that both sets of parents were given notification, as a matter of principle... But still! Hearing of this was no easy pill to swallow! Jorja seemed somewhat aware of the situation at hand, but played

For weeks- no, months - Jorja has been quite possibly obsessed with watching the David Foster and Friends shows that we have. I have never seen her so committed to any type of media, ever... Until Hermie! Hermie DVD's were gifted to Jorja for her 2nd birthday by our special friends, Earl and Simone. I don't think that they realise just how big and meaningful this gift-investment is! Hermie and his garden bug friends - Wormie, Lucy, Hailey and Bailey, Antonio, Webster, Buzby, Iggy, Ziggy and The Water Beetles tell stories about how to share, why not to lie, the true meaning of Christmas and many more valuable lessons. The creators have done an excellent job of producing a colourful and entertaining story with songs and lessons to match. And while I find it absolutely amusing to listen to Jorja belting out 'Written in the Stone' by EWF and 'Radio' by Donna Summer, I am so glad that she has found a special place in her heart and viewing schedule for a gen

A few weeks ago, our favourite blue-and-white-themed social networking site had a breast cancer awareness gig going, where you applied your date and month of birth to their table and came out with something like: "I'm EIGHT weeks and craving JELLY BEANS." It was all rather confusing at first, but once you knew the trend, the updates were flying around and only a few 'slow-to-catch-on-comrades' were frantically calling their loved ones enquiring about whether these rumours were actual pregnancy reports! And there I sat, 13 weeks and craving to tell. For real. Yes, we are expecting another little duP in March, dv, and there's no room in my waistband to deny it. I tried posting a scan pic and a quick note, but it was not granted publication permission by the Blogspot bosses ;) - hence the delayed post. Be that as it may, the time has moved along swiftly since we first discovered our gift and baby seems to be active and well! Thank you for all th

Eish! I've been trying to publish a particular entry for two weeks now... So when we eventually resume normal programme - ag, I mean - normal posting, there'll be a lot of catching up to do! Look out for the following post titles: "I'm 13 weeks and craving to tell!" "Hermie takes over no.1 spot from David Foster!" "When Jorja landed in trouble..." And some photo updates too! Coming soon to a blogspot near you. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

I'm thinking about my friend Lydia in Buenos Aires today. Businesswoman, wife and mother to boisterous Sinden...and to Baby no.2 due next month. I'm thinking of how they have embraced the challenge of life in BA and how quickly the time is passing now for their term. 1 Tough month starting out has turned into 17 months under the belt and a lot of Spanish to prove it! Well done, Miller family! Our BA time was my best blog record, ever... And time most certainly waits for no man! You'd think that by now I'd learnt: If you don't post it while it's there, it's probably going to be forgotten! I will try harder... ... Like a certain someone I know (BRAG moment coming up) who's had a sterling record, since Sunday, of going to bed unaided and sleeping through in her own bed until 06:30 - Well done, big girl! So - today I am especially thankful for Lydia and Sinden and our cherished BA memories of play dates in the park, and for their continued perseve

She loosens her neat plaits and shakes her hair wild, She plays in the garden on her hands and knees - scuffing her trouser legs, She wants to stir the pot and add the flour, She scribbles her thoughts on every piece of paper that she can find... ...She is enthusiastic! Our dear Jorja is quite a determined little lady and I sometimes wonder when to stand back and just leave her to discover things for herself. We strongly believe that one of our primary roles as parents is to protect our children. Give them the opportunities and pleasures that we couldn't afford. Teach them what they need to know earlier rather than later so that they are armed with the knowledge that benefits them. But where is that line between curbing their enthusiasm...and killing it? In the beginning: The stains made me sad, The mess made me mad, The scuffs ruined the look, It just wasn't by the book, And yet, over time I have realised that this was part of me

Travelling home after a friend's funeral today, I passed this group of ladies standing outside the local Post Office. I'm parked just a few feet a way and I don't even have to strain to follow their conversation... They share stories of their experiences of this cold Winter (and their coping methods and home remedies), they rejoice in this warm sunshine... They proudly exchange stories about their children's and grandchildren's successes and progress... They hug each other and wish one another well for the week ahead. To this end we celebrate a good quality of life and my dear friend Yvonne was blessed to share her's with the students she taught and the lives she touched, thus enhancing the quality of our's. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

This week marks week 26 out of a total of 52. Indeed, we are halfway through the year 2011. That's quite fascinating! Some believe that from here on the real work begins, while others feel exhausted by the fact that there is still another half-a-year to go! Some are embracing change, new life or that overseas holiday of a lifetime, while others hold their breath, anxious to know how to move forward after the disappointments and losses that they have suffered. To each his own - and for each person a time like this will present its own re-ignition or challenge. I am challenged to evaluate my 2011 goals, and its progress. Hard to believe that it's been 26 weeks since then - and what do I have to show for it? What is my outlook as I head into the downward spiral of what is left of this year? Will I make it count for something? Whichever camp you may find yourself in at this calendar point... No matter what lies ahead... Always give thanks. Sent from my BlackBerry® wir

Since Tuesday, I decided to compile a Food Journal. I had heard that it was an excellent way to keep track of what I plough into my mouth. I mean, knowledge is power, right? So far this week we have enjoyed all of one sunny day in Cape Town, and P-J and I celebrated it all through morning peak hour traffic and up to the tennis courts in Gardens. Beautiful! Finishing off just before 10h00 I felt amped to live a healthier life! It reminded me of our time in Johannesburg, playing tennis at Zoo Lake and living on fast paced living, garden salad and freshly squeezed orange juice! And then came the rain... And it hasn't stopped since. So, I have deduced the following: 1. Keeping a Food Journal doesn't work when it rains. You stay indoors and you eat everything short of the door handle - just in case the rain eases up, you'll need to use that door handle to escape to the store to re-stock! 2. Keeping a Food Journal doesn't work when it's cold. You eat, and eat, and eat som

Take a look at these awesome before and after comparisons! BEFORE: and AFTER: Stained doors, new couches, laminated flooring, clean tiles, a sparkling wash basin, chic curtains, fresh coats of paint... ...And working lights overhead (that's a biggie)! The aim of the project was to "...expose the school to more helping hands..." and although many hands worked tirelessly to prep, work and decorate this now face-lifted Staff Room, they maintain that being able to serve others in this way was all the reward they could've asked for.