Easter Weekend Away

Well back to reality, the weekend is over and life begins as usual. What's really nice is Mandy Andy and kids are staying with us for the week. (Well Andy and Rob fly back to Jhb to go earn some money, but the girls and kids get to stay here)

we had a lovely Easter weekend and in true Mandy and Jeanette style, we left the shopping for Easter eggs until the last possible moment, and there were ABSOLUTELY NONE in Hermanus, after trying all the shops we landed up at Pick 'n Pay and bought Lindt Bunnies and a variety of chocolates. Fortunately Jill's mom had sent a bunny each for the kids. James and Tiff were responsible for dishing them out.

As is evident from the photo's Chris and Jill spent a lot of time reading and chilling. One morning they made us french toast which was excellent.

The kids also all learnt how to play poker, which the then played most of the weekend.

The mad rush when we got home was for Maxine and Tiffany to race in and see the kittens, so we had to threaten everyone that they 1st had to empty the cars, then they could go see them.

The piles of washing are on, beds made up and the meat on the braai for dinner.

On the way back from Stanford, we stopped at Kleinmond and scratched around the shops there, then went on to Betty's Bay where we went into the botanical gardens and walked up to the waterfall. Unfortunately that was a bit disappointing since there was very little water, but at least we got a wee bit of exercise. On the way up we saw baboons down at the river, but when we came back, they had taken up residence on the pathway, so we had to do a small detour to get around them. We also had to take the mandatory picture of the kids on the bent tree, what a mission getting them all up there though . . .

We then popped in to see John and Sandy and my Mom who were staying at Betty's Bay, and poor Jill was in tears as James caught frogs, she has a real phobia about them.

Rob and I popped off to visit my dad. He really is sooo confused at the moment, and it is reassuring to know he is in a place where he gets the proper care 24/7. It has been a rapid decline for my poor dad, but us not knowing what he does or doesn't understand is hard. Without sounding harsh, we can only hope that he really doesn't understand much.

Most of this post will be filled with photo's which we all snapped away happily for the weekend.

Bolloxing Out

Well now that I have received my official complaints about my blogsite not being updated, I am sitting here in Stanford with our family and Andy and Mandy and the kids, using Andy's PC to update my blogsite.

Its been a long time since I last updated this really, but there has been so much happening that as usual, there just hasn't been time.

One of the most significant things that has happened in our lives at the moment is the moving of my father into an old age home. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease a few years ago, but in the last year has significantly deteriorated and has now also been diagnosed with Dementia, which according to internet research occurs to one in three patients with Parkinson's.

My dearest dad is now horribly confused, which for him has to be the most scary thing, at times he thinks he is the war, or is convinced the nurses in the home are out to hurt him, much as we re-assure him they are only there to help, his confusion prevents his brain from processing this information accurately. It has been an extremely traumatic process for my mother who has been so strong through this, but we as the children have persuaded her that this is the best for our dad, if it was up to my mom she would still have him at home, but he really has become unmanageable on his own, his general physical strength has significantly deteriorated and added to the confusion means that he really is better off where he has 24/7 care.

My father is a formidable man who together with my mom moulded and shaped all their children into who we are today and our respect, love and gratitude to them both is immeasurable.

Other things that have been keeping us busy are Miracle Kids who are an organisation that are a safe house for children aged 0 - 6 months who come from homes where they have been abused sexually, physically and emotionally. These children are all so incredibly happy with their safe house parents, but the parents think only about the children and neglect themselves, so Frances, myself and another friend Cindy have taken this project on in a personal capacity. We are currently trying to find them a new home to live in and once we have them settled in new premises will work on the surrounding community to help them. Fostering children has always been something I have wanted to do, but those of you that know me know that I cry even at tv weddings, so would never cope with that kind of emotional pressure. Helping this couple is a great way for me to appease my guilt about wanting to do good, as well as helping them. I have set up a blogsite for them as well. http://www.miraclekids.blogspot.com/ (no-one knows about this yet, not even them, its still being designed ?????? if you can call it that.

So its easter weekend and we are away in Stanford with the Theron's for a few days. They came down from Jhb on the purple train which was supposed to arrive at Cape Town station at about 3.30pm, but in true African style, eventually arrived at 11pm that night. Once everyone was piled in the car, we drove through to Stanford (just outside Hermanus). Can certainly recommend travelling at that time of day though, not a lot of traffic on the roads.

The house we have rented is lovely, very simple, but perfect for our needs, with 3 bedrooms upstairs and a huge kids room downstairs, with 2 sets of double bunks, a pool table, soccer table, tv and bathroom.

There is a lovely river that runs a short distance away from us, and a cricket pitch in the back garden. So we have all had a lovely relaxing day, sitting around reading books, playing poker (thanks Schreibers) and just generally chilling out.

As you can see Gill slotted right in to the relaxed theme of things just like Chris, at least they both had books.

The kids cut a lot of reeds out of the garden and made rafts which they then tested in the bath (hey it kept them entertained for a couple of hours).

Mandy and I took a trip into Hermanus this morning and scratched around the shops there, our main mission was to buy some food for the weekend and of course the ever important EASTER EGGS, well Oh Dear!!! not an easter egg in sight. So after going to all the shops in Hermanus, Mandy found some Lindt Easter Bunnies at Pick 'n Pay and a collection of chocies like smarties etc, which will have to do the trick. Fortunatley the kids are old enough now that as long as there is chocolate they are happy.

I bought a basic poker starter kit in Hermanus today and the kids then wanted to learn how to play poker so after a couple of rounds, they were playing like pro's - well not quite, James would just bet on anything, and 9 times out of 10 would win with absolutely nothing in his hand, purely because everyone else folded - sometimes ignorance is bliss . . .

Andy and Rob made us the most stunning slow roast for dinner which we have all just stuffed our faces with and now having demolished a packet of quality street chocolates with our coffee.

Time to put the kids to bed and then we might (if we can stay awake) play a few rounds of poker.

More Kittens . . .

yes Jess has been out and about on the town again, and us being the neglectful parents we are only remembered we need to get her spayed WHEN she was already pregnant again.

9 weeks later 3 more kittens were produced, 2 more gingers and a mottled one. I have resisted giving them names, but James has already named them all. Well sorry for him, they are not staying (well maybe just one). Fortunately 2 of them already have homes.

James has named them Patches, Stripes and Ginger (really original)

Mickey the poor little lost girl, act as surrogate mom when Jess leaves them to go out, she is so sweet, sitting with them and they all cuddle up to her - it is sooooooooo sweet.


Andrew, the boys second cousin was one of their first visitors. The kittens have all taken up residence on Christopher's bed, leaving him little space to sleep and often when we come through in the morning, Jess is missing and the kittens are snuggled under the duvet with Chris.

Gran has now kindly agreed to take Jess down to the vet for us next week (apparently the kittens have to go with as well - so it will be a family outing)