E - Vida

As we sign off our second week in Vermont, I am mindful of how quickly each day passes. Even though some days seem as never-ending as the laundry pile and I find myself chasing a very awake Baby at 10pm (!!!) I still feel as though time flies by. In the past week, we've tackled quite a few firsts! We did our first proper supplies shop this week and it was not without its challenges - that's besides the exchange rate! At the one shop, E needed shoes before we could be served so we had to leave store, go and fish for his shoes in the car and then return as if everything was perfectly normal. At another, we fielded numerous requests for autographs from the 'movie star' - who nodded and smiled politely at the onlookers' admiration! And still at another, all 3 kids broke down in dramatic harmony while we tried to find them swimming costumes...despite the fact that it was for their benefit! We now only use the self-service check out because we are too many foreign a...

Technically, we've been away from Cape Town for just over a week - but what's a few extra hours given the time difference? I'll take it! The last time we visited Vermont, we blogged daily. So let me just put it out there now already - it's going to be a little different this time... I've decided that we'll post when we can; since we're one more human busier, we're experiencing extremely warm, lethargy-inducing weather and well - I'm the boss of this blog! But since the last chapter was so useful in keeping a good record of our trip, I will do my best to keep it as regular as possible. Here are a few highlights of the week that's been: It's hot (like 34 degrees celcius some days) but we didn't pack bathers so we haven't had a swim yet. Not ideal but not a train-smash either. I guess our Wintery minds just didn't really think about it while packing! We found the local library and checked out some books. I'll admit, th...

Just in case you were wondering, here are a few things that we believe, doesn't change no matter what: No parent has the opportunity to suffer from jet lag All children require some routine A house becomes a home when you move some furniture around There are few things as soothing as the hum of washing machine ...and We are better, together. The one when we travelled ... Suitcases, backpacks, a stroller, a car seat, a booster, devices, snacks, books and a mixed bag of personalities left Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Vermont (some 12 000+ kms away) on Thursday afternoon - only slightly dead moeg tired. A favourite moment: smiling faces of our family to meet us! Less favourite moment: being covered in first-time flyer, Baby's vomit, on landing - just after her nappy had exploded for the second time. And the jet lag? Well, that's just not an option under these conditions - which screams recipe for highly strung trouble at some point!  The ...

After a 3 year Gauteng drought, I was given an opportunity to fly up to Johannesburg for a few days, for work. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to travel - here, there, anywhere! And after all this time, air travel still…fascinates me. Sure, I could do without the queuing, restrictive space and sometimes altitude induced headaches, but I don’t think that I will ever tire of a take off or landing, the wonder of moving between two places so quickly and easily…or the view. I promised myself when I left Cape Town, that I would keep my phone handy for the return trip. But the stickler in me could not bear the thought of switching the device on mid flight. And the control freak in me just wanted any extra clutter safely tucked into my bag.  I even checked a teeny 1,8kg piece of luggage into cargo, instead of storing it over head and saving time later. You know, the tweezer. Oh but the view! The pilot called it the sunset flight to Cape Town and I wondered if h...

We pulled up into the parking lot and piled out of the car. First stop was an emergency nappy change on Baby and the boys waited by the high heap of bags, balls and other picnic paraphernalia. Thanks to the new style of nappy we're sporting these days, the change was all vertical and completed quicker than usual. Score. By the time I returned to the boys, we had found some more friends and started our walk over to the neighbourhood park. Upon arrival, the kids immediately set off towards the slide, leaving all the bags and bits right on the ground where they'd previously stood. So we doubled up on the lugging and trudged our way to the communal blanket area. Once there, I stopped to do a head count and the others Mom's laughed at my 3-kids check list. I didn't take notice of their amusement, being so used to this MO already. Our morning time started with a Welcome Song, followed by a Story and then a Craft. All the kids did well to participate, despite their increas...

Dear Blog, You haunt me and help me at the same time; I see-saw between making you over and making you disappear. Your pictures take me down memory lane Your words and formats remind me of the chaos, changes and season premieres and finales Your dated gaps tell me of missed opportunities Like a sugar-free fast or a bad hair day You remind me that I'm not perfect But that I try Do I like the idea of having a permanent online record? Sometimes. I will be back for you Perhaps even a bit more than before Our outings, our milestones, our moves, Our resolutions and renovations Our growth and loss and struggles Will all be cast in ...'net Celebrated Shared Mentioned Forming part of our family history. Because often you help my process And you give me space to understand Sometimes pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone When all is said and done. There you are. For my world to see.

In the first 4 years of our First Born’s school career we’ve endured slings, drawstrings and padded back packs - in shades of purple, blue and even two toned; heeled shoes with buckles and gel soles with lace ups; jerseys and fleeces; skirts and bermudas …and copious amounts of hair ties and head bands that only survive week one. And then this year, she calmed down considerably - to the point where it pained me every time she turned down a new piece of stationery or other equipment. I only realised later that this was her valiant attempt at a distraction, to use the credit for daily sushi requests after! Honestly, if I were her, I’d be quite excited to head back to school too… Six weeks with two younger siblings cannot be at the top of your list of holiday fun. But did she have enough fun? No.question.about.it. Kicking off with her delayed birthday celebration at the Urban Park in early December, she waltzed from pool play date to pamper day, a theme park visit, movies ...