Skip to main content

Week 8

Hard to believe that another week has passed us by already. This morning, I watched our eldest, dressed from her neck to her ankles in a black cotton ensemble, paired faux leather pumps and her brother, barefoot in a too tight shorts and (I'm convinced, but he's not) pajamas vest, walk ahead of me on their way to Ma's house. When did they get so independent - and stylish?! Speaking of which, Baby was there too, bringing up the rear, in slacks, slops and toast in hand. I had never seen anyone more Parkwood looking this side of the Atlantic.

I silently berated myself for not having my camera with me. Now this was a memory I would've loved in the hardcopy photo album. Alas, I was trying to be ...present.

Yes, the kids have been having school with Ma this week as I get stuck into another project that requires some heavy lifting and helping to sort. It gives me four, labour intensive but slightly more adult hours in a day. I'm physically exhausted at the end of the day, but it's all well worth it for the sake of protecting my sanity. I know you may be thinking - it's homeschool, let them go with you and do some incidental learning! And I thank you for your efforts for continued learning... but nee.  







On Wednesday, I was on duty though. So we piled into the car and once closer to the location, did some all-African, hardly-American walking. Just teasing. Probably not ideal in hot and humid weather conditions, with a two-year old and her strapless slops, but we did it any way. At last we made it to the Lebanon Pet and Aquarium Centre. And while I'm sure that not many locals pop into the store to only view the fish, birds and hamsters without purchasing supplies...we did. In hindsight, maybe it was too big an undertaking given that I am just one unfit Mom trying to hang on to three boisterous kids on foot. A note for future reference...




On Sunday, Baby moved up to the older class at Sunday School and apparently really enjoyed it. I mean, we didn't get called! I think the other wild children and the wooden kitchen play set had something to do with the smooth transition. I am thankful! And then Dad made doughnuts.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 22

In no apparent order, some of the highlights of the last week have been: Carolling around a log fire with a Yankee Swap, cookies, coffee and new friends Last Friday evening we set off for somewhere near Norwich for our Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) Christmas party. As visitors to the church, there's already an element of insecurity...now to be heading into someone's home, as Dear Husband would say, "socially awkward levels were at an all time high" - Was the gifts we brought to swap suitable? What was a Yankee Swap anyways? Could you bring something besides sugar cookies to share? Do you have to take off your shoes at the front door? Are you allowed to park people in when the alternative is further up an un-lit, ice covered hill? There were so many unknowns! But once I saw the wood burning in the fireplace I relaxed a lot . Yankee swap was fun! DH was no. 2 to pick a gift, and landed a torch  umm...flashlight, as the locals call it , and it looked as though h

Week 9

A little late this week, but for good reason. We were in Burlington yesterday - 9 weeks to the day - when we arrived from New York JFK Airport; Hot, tired, excited and heavily laden. This time, it was just the two of us in the car taking the 90 minute drive up for a meeting (but more on that another time) and then driving back down. Being without the kids for such an extended period was quite...weird. I'll be the first to admit that I was looking forward to some time to myself or at least with strictly adult company. I even started zoning out a little in the car, but then realised that the driver was quite a Chatty Cathy! I can see why the kids prefer him on the morning school rush ride in Cape Town. The route is serene. Lush green mountains, leafy rolling hills and wide open roads... As we get closer to the City though, the traffic grows, a few more long haul trucks speed by and you'd be forgiven for feeling a little anxious after all these weeks tucked away in the qui

Happy 4th birthday, Jorja

An extract from Jorja's journal: My dear Girl In just a few hours we will celebrate you: Your life, your voice, your faces, your feelings, your character and your childhood. We are far from home, but still find ourselves surrounded by family who love you. Your cousins, great Aunts and Uncles are getting to know you now and there's no doubt that they'll never be the same again! This year, instead of the usual party in Cape Town, by God's grace we're on a family holiday overseas. What a way to start! Whether we dress up, or go out, bake a cake or sing happy birthday to you every hour on the hour, this will be a truly memorable day. Every year at this time, I think back to the days leading up to and eventually your birthday on 5 June 2009. I'll never forget the entry you made nor the way I felt when I first realized that the little baby girl I held in my arms was real. Our gift. Each birthday comes around so quickly and by then you've grown so m