Life Back on Track

Thank goodness Rob is back from overseas, so finally life if getting back to normal. Gran is still away and we are missing her terribly. Thank goodness for family and friends that keep us normal. I don't know how people can uproot themselves away from their friends and family - I would never cope.

Loads of photo's and stories to tell, but need to just sit down and spend some time updating - so watch this space, its coming.

Bloubergstrand

Kids at Blouberg

The boys went to spend the night with Ingrid last night, and went through to Bloubergstrand to look at the ship that has run aground there. Here they are walking 'Nusu' the dog that Ingrid baby sits from time to time.

Brothers

No words necessary, the two most beautiful children and brothers in the world.

Christopher our Eldest Son

Pictures of Christopher our Eldest son. A very serious but then completely chilled guy.

James - always smiling

Our youngest child James, who is always smiling and is known for always being on 'African Time' in his books, there is nothing to worry about and if its gets done tomorrow that OK!!!

Catching Up

So Rob is off overseas and his instruction were to clear the camera so that he can take it with him. Was finally the excuse I needed to update the blogsite.

Last weekend we had a little birthday party (cake and jelly joll) for Chris, here is with his new watch on, getting his concoction of cupcakes filled with candles.

A couple of weeks ago we went to George to watch Chris and his U14 Rugby Team play their matches whilst on tour of Wilderness and George. Chris and his team stayed in a place that he called a haunted prison - he swears there were ghosts floating around, it was in fact an empty school boarding house.

We on the other hand stayed at a 5 star hotel . . . James found the pool table and conned both Rob and I into games - he is actually pretty good at it.

Here are Rob and James inspecting the huge koi fish that were right outside our room, separating us from the Golf Course. Of course whilst we were there, we had to visit the Knysna Elephant Park www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za, which was a huge treat for James. We got to feed the elephants and the guides gave us a very interesting run down of the elephants and their lives.

They are incredible animals and a definite must for foreign visitors to experience.

Had to capture this moment, we had a lovely roast for dinner this evening with Gill and Josh (James's friend from school), when I went through to Gran I found James, Josh and Gran playing , which is game like rummy except you have spell words from the cards in your hands. Gran even had the boys looking up words in the dictionary - WONDERFUL.

Chris is still making excellent progress with his Kumon Maths and has now started on the English program as well. Lets hope the report reflects the improved marks.

James has also presented us with his report and it is fantastic, he has done soooooooo well this term. All the hard work, banned TV, moaning and threatening has been worth it.

Gill arrived with her homework, something to do with Shakespear, to be honest I just switched right off, as that is one thing that made NO sense to me at school. I don't even remember what setwork book we read - but then I have a way of blocking trauma out of my brain - that's all I can put it down to (hee hee) sorry Gill - keep at it.

As you can see there is also a lovely bunch of flowers on the table from Brian for Secretaries day - isn't that sweet.

Finally the picture of Michelle (in cognito [NOT!!]). This is going to become her official facebook picture.

Christopher is 14!

Can you believe it, Chris is now 14 [going on 40]. It was his birthday on the 1st and he has wanted a ' big' watch, like dad's for a while now. Rob managed to find one on special during his travels a few months ago. So he was duly presented with it and now eats, sleeps and drinks with it on.

He is so chuffed.

A while ago I taught him to drive at Betty's Bay, and he has done so a couple more times since then. He has been begging me to let him drive again recently, so off we went on Sunday to drive around the parking lot. He is pretty good at it now - granted this time it was an automatic. but he has learnt on the manual. Scary part is he is so big and manly now that he looks like he belongs behind the wheel.

So Proud of James

This morning at work I was making an important phonecall when I happened to glance at my emails and saw an email from James teacher and just the 1st few words

I would just like to let you know . . . .

at which point I had to concentrate really hard on my conversation for worrying about what the email was about, but I am pleased to say that it was good news. (see the message below)

James really has such a wonderful teacher, in fact every teacher at his school has been wonderful, we really are blessed to have such a wonderful school on our doorstep.

Hello Mr & Mrs Muller

I would just like to let you know that I was extremely impressed with the oral that James presented last week. It was a huge improvement since the last time. I could see that he was well prepared, calm and confident. I have always known that James has potential. Through constant encouragement and motivation, I am pleased to see the effort he has made and I know that this has boosted his confidence. I gave him a raving review and hope that this standard continues throughout. He stole my heart with his effort and input. I am so happy for him.

Thank you for your input at home.

Regards
RUTH KOOPMAN

MILK AND COOKIES

Simple. Just the way I like it. Found this wonderful blogsite www.bakerella.blogspot.com, which if you bake is an absolute must. I have merely copied and pasted her recipe and pictures [hence foreign ingredients] and WHEN I get around to making them, will post pics.

Here's the ingredients.No. No. We must have chips. And lots of them.Use an ice cream scoop and you can get your cookies to come out the same size when they bake.When they're done, let them cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

What to do? What to do? Why eat them right off the tray while they're still warm and gooey and melty, of course. Continue until you are sick. It's the best way.

Whatever is left after the craving is satisfied, you can store for an hour later when you finish off the rest with a tall glass of milk.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk and set aside.
  
• With a mixer, beat butter and both sugars until well blended.
  
• Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  
• Add flour mixture in two additions until combined.
  
• Stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips.
  
• Use a mini ice cream scoop to drop cookie dough on a parchment covered cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
  
• Bake for 8-10 minutes.
  
• Tip: About half way through baking, sprinkle reserved chips on top of cookies. This is just to make them prettier so, some of the chips are seen on top.
  
• Makes about ??. (I ate too many before I counted. But a couple dozen for sure.)