A great weekend

Human Rights Day falls on 21 March 2011 here in South Africa so that afforded us hard-working citizens a long weekend! Yay! It was absolutely lovely, however very busy. Please allow me to share what shananigans and mischief we got up to.

On Friday night, the boys watched a dvd and I finished reading a great book by Amanda Hocking called “My Blood Approves”. It’s the first in a series consisting of 4 novels. I can’t wait to start the next one. The next morning I did a mountain of washing, hung it up and proceeded to relive the beautiful tale of Cinderella by dressing in some rags and going down on all fours to scrub floors and walls. My knees are still not friends with me.

I made my little boys lunch and then we went for a little outing to the shops with Ouma to get a few essentials. Ouma spoilt the boys with a Gogo Crazy Bones toy each. Lucky little munchkins! When we got home, I embarked on my main weekend project! A braai! Here in South Africa, one of our favourite pastimes is braaiing. A braai is a BBQ, held over an open fire, which is contained in a “braai” stand or Weber. We use firelighters and charcoal, sometimes chopped wood.

I put charcoal and firelighters in the braai and lit the firelighters. They flamed to life immediately and I chased the boys away, paranoid mom lighting a fire in the garden for the first time is not to be taken lightly. Matt and Josh watched excitedly from a distance then started gathering “firewood” (twigs and leaves) to make their own little pretend braai. To cut a long story short, and a lot of fanning, the fire was good and I was able to braai our chicken pieces to perfection. All this whilst making a potato salad and a curried bean salad.

Matt and Josh had such a fun time playing outside in the sand under the trees that come supper time they were so filthy. So I popped them into the bath, scrubbed them til they sparkled (no, not like Edward Cullen) and plonked them at their dinner table to enjoy Mom’s-first-braai-and-not-burnt-offerings. After dinner, I made popcorn and we all settled down to watch Toy Story 3 on Mnet, which sadly didn’t materialise, so we settled on Avatar… yet again. Luckily my boys really like the blue people so I read a book whilst sitting next to them.

On Sunday morning I lay in bed with my boys and we snuggled a bit, played tickles and gave each other lots of hugs and kisses. Well each other meaning them to me and me to them. Matt and Josh aren’t that big on hugging and kissing each other. It’s a love/hate thing. I started preparing lunch while we watched Fantastic Mr Fox on TV. I also prepared a batch of choc/mint muffins for after lunch.

After lunch, Oupa and Ouma took the boys and I on an outing to the Golden Hours Flea Market in Durban North. It was really awesome there. They have a few stalls selling different wares, plus a few little stalls selling food/drinks and a big seating area under the trees for you to relax and watch a singer playing songs on his guitar and computer.

In another huge open section is the play area. There is so much to play on that the boys literally just run in circles trying to decide where to go first! Ouma gave them money to go on a mini Ferris Wheel which was absolutely adorable. And Josh went on an airplane ride. After that we went to the boys’ uncle’s house to have a little visit and swim. A perfect way to end a lovely afternoon. That night, after the boys were fed and bathed and put into bed, I went out with a friend. We went to Galleria for a Dom Pedro and a movie – Red Riding Hood. I had a really lovely time.

On Monday morning bright and early, I hung up more washing, then packed the boys up as Kerri and her kiddies were meeting us to go to the rockpools at the beach. It was a scorcher of a day, around 34 degrees Celsius, and that’s not including the humidity levels! Luckily it was low tide so the kids all played in the rockpools which were absolutely teeming with life! A man even caught an octopus but thankully let it go back into the ocean after we all had a good ogle at it. We then swam in the big tidal pool which was absolutely FREEZING! Josh clung to me like a little monkey, och, so cute! We didn’t stay too long as the sun was brutal.

For lunch I made the boys Spongebob’s Crabby Patties! Which are actually just plain beef burger patties. They wolfed it down then played outside and watched dvds and I had a snooze under the fan… ahhh bliss I tell you!

That evening I got picked up and taken out to Gateway where we had a lovely dinner at Piatto and walked around Gateway for ages just chatting and having fun. I had a squizz in the tattoo parlour and found some interesting ideas for my next tattoo.

So here I am at work, back at the grindstone, but fulfilled… it was a good weekend and I got to spend it with very special people. <3 ya all. xx

She sells seashells at the seashore

Or rather, she shells sheashells at the seasore. Could never quite get that one 100% right. We took Matthew and Joshua to the beach on Sunday afternoon. It was a beautifully blue-skied hot summer’s day and low-tide, perfect for playing in the rock-pools.

We found lobster tails, crabs, fed anemones and tried to catch a few tiny fish. Matthew and Joshua swam in the little rock-pools that were deep enough to be a little swimming pool. The rocks were tricky to walk across as they’re covered in a slippery green mossy type thingie. Lol but yeh we had great fun.

As always, the beach is such a beautiful place to spend the day. The sounds of the ocean mingled with seagulls and the laughter of children brings a person down to the basics of what enjoying life is all about.

Fun sunny Sunday

We visited the Mitchell Park Zoo yesterday with the boys for a picnic. It was a gorgeously sticky hot day but we were determined to get out and have a fun family outing.

Inside Mitchell Park we saw different kids of birds, ducks, swans, monkeys, raccoons, tortoises, turtles, mongoose, flamingos, buck, fowls, peacocks and a wallaby.

Out in the gardens near the play area we picnicked on sandwiches, boiled eggs, salad, chips and juice. Yum yum were we hungry after all that walking. The boys were especially tired because they were riding their little black bikes up and down the zoo and park.

Matthew and Joshua had tremendous fun and were so excited. I, of course, was doused in sand as usual… not from the boys throwing sand on me, but from them being in the sand and giving me hugs and squishes in between their playing. I NEVER turn down a hug from Matthew and Joshua, no matter what they’re covered in.

We went a-Zoo-ing!

Took Matt and Josh to Mitchell Park Zoo yesterday (Sunday) and had such a load of fun. The boys were jumping around like energiser bunnies since 7am when they heard where they were going.

Took their bikes with so they could ride and look at the animals. We saw ducks, geese, different kids of monkeys, tons of birds and parrots, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, meerkats, mongoose, wallabies, flamingos and more.

We had a mini-picnic inside the grounds then went outside to play in the big park. I threw my shoes aside and the boys and I got stuck into the swings and sand. Here are some pics.

Had a fantabulous weekend!

It was nothing extravagant, we didn’t go anywhere fancy schmancy, but just being together and spending family time together is worth more than it’s weight in gold.

Thursday and Friday I spent the whole day with Matthew and Joshua. We watched loads of cartoons, read stories, coloured in, and baked a blue square cake with green and purple dinosaur sprinkles on it! What a sight yes! It tasted REALLY good though, just ask my blue monster Joshua. Heheh

On Friday evening we had a little family braai, and on Saturday Joshua had his swimming lesson. He’s doing really well and his swim teacher is so proud of him. She has taken underwater photos of him and Matthew and put them onto a disc, so I can’t wait to see that. It costs R170 though! Goodness!

On Saturday at noon we took the boys to the library where we hired some kiddy books and 2 National Geographic dvds. NOTE TO SELF: Never watch a great white shark dissection while eating a tuna fish sandwich *gag*. In the evening I made a meat lasagne and we swam at P and J’s house a bit, which was nice and cool after the heat wave.

On Sunday we had hot dogs for lunch while we swam in our little blow up pool, the boys had a blast! Then we all had a nice little nap. Mmm lovely!

My darling Joshua…

… stuck a wooden ice-cream stick up my left nostril yesterday in the swimming pool. I dived towards him and he swam towards me and shoved the stick right up my nostril. It hurt a bit and I didn’t think anything of it until Riaan yelled “OMG!”. Then I saw all the blood running out, well actually pumping out my nose. Sjoe!

The blood was pooling in my hand and Riaan brought me a towel. An American passerby told me to pinch my nose so I did, and that seemed to help alot. I went to the Necare paramedic nearby. Wow was he helpful.. not!

He lay on the couch with his dark glasses on and barked orders at me what to do. I told him I wanted to blow my nose and I did and this HUGE blood clot came out. This is the only time I felt a bit woozy, then I blew again and another HUGE clot came out. I felt a bit better now and went back to where everyone else was swimming. The blood eventually stopped flowing. What a fright!!

Sunday Family Outing

Yesterday morning we woke up and decided to take the boys out somewhere nice. Money is really tight, so it had to be somewhere cheap. LOL! I baked some bran muffins and custard biscuits, and the boys decorated the bran muffins with dinosaur sprinkles. They were then named “Dinosaur Chocolate Mud Muffins”.

Regarding the outing, we decided on either feeding the ducks at the Botanic Gardens, or Mitchell Park, where it costs around R7 for us all to get in… pretty do-able.

Then the thunder and rain started, oh glory. Matthew was not impressed as by now he was quite excited about our outing. Nevertheless, I was determined that we were going OUT! I packed up hot dogs, pasta salad left over from the braai the night before, the Dino Muffins, and a packet of Simba Ghost Pops, juice for the boys and Tab for us.

And the rain stopped.. YAY!! We all piled into the car, complete with the boys’ little black bikes, and off we went.

On the way to “wherever” Riaan mentioned the Maritime Museum at the harbour, so we trekked off there. That outing cost us R6. Thats all! Hey if you want to come to Durban on a budget, I’m the person to speak to! LOL! The boys looked at the boats and Joshie and I walked through inside the boats, Matthew was freaked and didn’t want to go into the boats. Then we looked at the little museum cottage with memorabilia of old shipping days. Very interesting.

It started drizzling lightly with rain, so we went back to the car, piled inside and parked on the edge of the harbour to watch the ships coming in and out. We munched our hotdogs, pasta salad, followed with chips and muffins. The harbour was quite busy and tugboats were zooming around all over ferrying huge container ships in. Joshua giggled so much at the way the tugboats would turn around. Everytime he stuck a ghost pop chip in his mouth he’d hold it up and would say “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”. LOL! The chip looks just like a Mickey Mouse head. Hehe

After the tummies were full up and the juice was drank, we packed up and strapped the kids into their seats, and off we rode to North Beach for a walk on the promenade. The drizzling had ceased again, yay!

We got to North Beach and took the boys’ bikes out and they rode along the promenade all the way up to the Ampitheatre Fleamarket. There are plenty locals along the beach that make 3D images out of sand and water and they’re so amazing. There are sharks, hippos, the big 5, and much more. It’s fascinating to watch.

We got to the beach cafe where dh and I had a little rest, and the boys played in the beach sand and on the plastic kiddies beach slides etc. They had such fun and didn’t want to leave. Eventually we had to as it was nap time for Joshua. We walked back to the car while the boys rode their bikes, bundled into the car, and took a loooong scenic drive back home.

What a lovely outing. The boys had a blast!

It’s that time of the week again :)

Friday afternoon! Yippeeee!

So our plans for the weekend aren’t much, but here they are nevertheless:-

Friday night: Make an easy supper and watch a dvd when the kids are asleep.
Saturday: Clean house and if the weather is nice, take the kids to play in the sand and rockpools at the beach. No serious swimming for them as they’re not 100% well yet. In the late afternoon we can maybe have a little braai.
Sunday: Clean yet again, and perhaps do the beach if we didn’t do it on Saturday. We need to fill the boys’ sandpits with some fresh beach sand as they’ve chucked all theirs out.

Riaan has to do a bit of work some time in Umhlanga. I’m hoping that he can drop me and the boys off at an Umhlanga beach for the hour or two that he’s working. That’ll be a nice outing.

Otherwise not much hey? We’re boring this weekend.

It’z weekend time again!

Yippee Yay!!

Tonight we’re going to a braai at P&J’s house, and of course we’ll take a dunk in their pool too no doubt. I’m taking a french salad along, not sure what we’re braaiing yet, will have a looksee when I get home. There’s nothing nicer than a Friday night braai to get the weekend started.

We have a few things to discuss and catch up with, especially after Terry Mbesa’s passing. Tomorrow is the Celetration of his life for the whole day at a local soccer club field where musicians will play and friends will gather.

Joshie also has his swimming lesson at 10:30am so we will definately not miss that! I’m looking forward to it.

On Sunday we’ll spend the day relaxing and packing Riaan’s suitcase as he’s going on a business trip to Jozi. He’ll only return on Tuesday night. I’m going to really miss him.

A weekend in our home

It is Friday. Tonight after work, Riaan will get his usual 2 beers and we’ll go home, make something light and easy for dinner and perhaps watch a dvd. I can never stay up late, even on a Friday night. I’m just so bushed from the week and the realization that it’s finally the end of the week, usually has me just collapsing from exhaustion. I’d like to try and tidy up a bit though. I usually do my big clean-up on a Saturday morning, however we’re pretty busy tomorrow morning so by doing some tonight, it’ll alleviate the burden tomorrow.

My older brother, Ryan, lives in Mozambique with his wife, Carla, son, Daniel, and daughter Kiera. Ryan often sends us dvds so we have a nice little collection to choose from when Matthew and Joshua are asleep.

On Saturday morning I’ll be up bright and early… well maybe not bright… but definitely early! Joshua loves his 5am morning wake-mommy-up-screaming-for-a-bottle sessions. I’m just getting back what I probably put my poor mother through all those years back. So I’ll stand up and give Joshie a bottle, which won’t be enough to satisfy him. I’ll have to go the whole hog: put on a dvd – usually Barney, Thomas, Noddy, Bob The Builder or Teletubbies, make him some toast with raspberry jam and cheese. By this time Matthew will have surfaced and be demanding the same – juice in a sippy cup (“so I can lie down and drink Mommy”), and the same toast concoction. I have no idea how they can eat this, I can’t mix jam and cheese, it’s just not for me thanks, but they love it so they can eat it with the greatest of pleasure! I’ll down a cup of coffee, can’t function without it.

After this, I’ll get comfy next to them, and try and catch a few winks, which hardly ever works out, because 5 minutes into my dozing session, Matthew and Joshua will start arguing over some toy, or Joshua will be standing in front of the TV, thereby blocking Matthew’s view and trust me, these two boys will SHRIEK to high heavens! I’ll settle them down, then return to my spot, just to start dozing again, when they’ll be hopping up and down because the dvd will have finished by now and both are arguing about what to watch next. Matthew usually complains that he wants to watch Barney on K-TV, which only starts at 7am, and it’ll be 6:30am and he can’t wait. I must say though, they really need some new dvds, the ones they have have been watched a million times and more.

At around 7:15am I make us all a bite to eat. On Saturday mornings it is toast with fried or boiled egg. The boys love this, especially boiled eggs. I peel and slice Joshua’s for him, and place it in his Barney plate with his buttered toast fingers and a high blob of tomato sauce. Hmmmm… tomato sauce… Matthew and Joshua’s vegetable, one and only vegetable. Oh yes, back to the boiled eggs, Matthew has his peeled and left whole. These are called dinosaur eggs, and they’ll also be joined on the plate with buttered toast fingers and an even bigger mound of tomato sauce. Halfway through breakfast, Matthew yells for “more maaahtoe sauce” and Joshua will join in the yelling session. Matthew will eat only the white of the “dinosaur eggs” and leave the yellow, which is “for mommy”.

After this feeding frenzy, Riaan will have surfaced, if not I poke him in the side until he does. I then start the clean-up, which when I get into it, I don’t get side-tracked easily. I hate to do it half and sit down and rest. If I sit down and rest halfway then I get lazy. So I’d rather just go go go and get it over and done with.

Saturday morning Matthew has a classmate’s birthday party to go to from 10am to 12pm. Riaan will be taking him there as it’s quite a drive. Joshie has his first swimming lesson at 10:30am, which we’re all very excited about, and I’ll be taking Joshie-poops to that. He loves water so I’m hoping he loves the swimming lesson just as much.

After the swimming Josh and I will go home and start lunch, usually sandwiches or rolls on a Saturday. Riaan and Matthew will arrive back from the party and we’ll all exchange stories about how the party and the swimming lessons went. After lunch, it is playtime and then nap time for Joshua.

When Joshua is napping, I’ll lie down a bit and read a magazine, or I’ll play or have a swim in our tiny pop up pool with Matthew if it’s nice and hot. Then late afternoon we’ll prepare for a little family braai. We love braaiing on a Saturday, it’s been our little routine ever since Riaan and I first moved in together, almost 8 years ago. After we’ve had a braai and eaten the yummy foods, the boys will have a bath and then we’ll all plonk ourselves down in front of the TV and wind things down. I love dressing my boys up in nice pajamas and brushing their hair after they’ve had a bath. They look *so* cute and neat. Their light pink skin looks like dusted marshmallow and I could just eat them up!! Matthew always falls asleep first, usually before 8pm. Joshua will run around for as long as he can and eventually we’ll get him down at around 8:30pm, sometimes just before 9pm on a bad night. LOL

The Sunday morning wake-up session will be a repeat of the Saturday one… exactly! Down to the T! We sometimes go somewhere in the morning, to the shops if we need a few grocery items, or if we’re have a few rands spare we’ll try take the kids on an outing – either to the animal farm, to a movie, or to the mini-zoo. Most times we’ll just go down to the beach and let the kids swim and play in the sand or rock-pools. Other times P and J will invite us to their house for a braai and/or swim.

Depending on how busy the morning is, I’ll either make a full lunch or dinner. It’s usually roast chicken, roast ‘tatoes, rice, gravy and whatever vegetables we have on hand ~ sweet glazed carrots, or sliced savoury carrots and onion, green beans with ‘tatoes, butternut or pumpkin. If we’re feeling rich, we’ll have creamed spinach and cauliflower with cheese sauce. Oh drool! I love eating this meal on a Sunday, it is such a wholesome and fulfilling meal. In the afternoon, if it is warm, Matthew and I will play around in the pop-up pool while Joshie has his nap, and when Joshie wakes then he’ll join in the fun. They thoroughly enjoy water. If it’s indoor weather, Matthew and I will watch dvds or do puzzles while Joshua sleeps. If I’m lucky I get a little doze in… those are my favourite. Nothing quite like an afternoon kip.

Sunday evenings are jam-packed for some reason. LOL! From 5pm I’ll be making toasted cheese, tomato and onion sandwiches, or something similar, or even have leftovers. At 5:30pm South African Idols starts and that I CANNOT miss! At 7pm it is Carte Blanche, usually very interesting, then at 8pm it’s the Sunday night movie on Mnet, which is usually very good. If it isn’t then we try the Sunday night 8pm movie on E-TV. Last Sunday it was 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl. I really enjoyed it.

So that’s it, a bit of the goings on in our weekends. It’s usually the same every weekend. I love spending the time with the boys. Quite a long read hey? Sjoe!