Today was the last day of holidays, and I have to confess to a "back to school" feeling myself.....I have loved the company of having Simon and the children around every day and after a few "teething pains" in those early days we have settled down into such a lovely pace and routine that the house is going to seem very empty tomorrow when they are all back at work and school.
I think little Nicholas is also going to be a bit disorientated as he has really bonded with his daddy over the last 2 weeks and his precious face lights up whenever Si comes into the room....it has been a very special time for them and I think Si is going to miss him just as much.
Joined the ladies from my NCT group and their partners for lunch at the Witch this afternoon, which turned out to be a very pleasant way to while away a Sunday afternoon.....again it highlighted just how expensive it is to eat out in this country and we are going to have to have a few lean weekends to make up for it, but it was fun to be out in company with a roaring fire and interesting conversation, so well worth it I think. Had a bit of a shock on the way there however, I had decided to wash my hair before we went out and left it to dry naturally (as usual)....hadn't however anticipated the below zero temps on the way there and ended up with a frozen head of hair...literally, def another first for England lol.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Friday, 2 January 2009
Friday 2nd January 2009
After another sleepless night with Nicholas feeding literally every 2 hours, Si and I decided today was the day and after a late afternoon visit to our library we stopped at Sainsburys to buy Nicholas his first solid food.....Hibb Organic Banana and Peach Cereal.
He LOVED his first meal and even cried once or twice when the food was a bit slow in coming....we shared the moment with my folks on the webcam and I think they enjoyed being part of their grandsons first meal....Mom even gave me what for about feeding him too much (lol)...once again thank heavens for technology!!!!!
As I sat finishing his meal with a milk topup I have to confess to feeling a shiver of sadness, my much longed for baby boy is already 5 months old and I am just not sure where the time is going...the first solid meal is one of those big milestones and before I know it he is going to be crawling around and singing nursery rhymes - oh how I wish I knew how to slow it all down.
He LOVED his first meal and even cried once or twice when the food was a bit slow in coming....we shared the moment with my folks on the webcam and I think they enjoyed being part of their grandsons first meal....Mom even gave me what for about feeding him too much (lol)...once again thank heavens for technology!!!!!
As I sat finishing his meal with a milk topup I have to confess to feeling a shiver of sadness, my much longed for baby boy is already 5 months old and I am just not sure where the time is going...the first solid meal is one of those big milestones and before I know it he is going to be crawling around and singing nursery rhymes - oh how I wish I knew how to slow it all down.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
And another year begins
Shew.....as we cleaned house and tossed out old toys, clothes, papers etc in preparation for the new year I really had time to reflect on 2008 and make some decisions about 2009.
As I have said before, I don't believe that we will ever have another year quite like 2008 and I think that goes for a lot of families I know, those who have taken the plunge and left their homes to set up new lives in new countries all over the world....for the Andrews, the Goodenough Hoars, the Rasmussens, the Mortimers, the Littles and the Grays life has changed beyond recognition, for some for the better and sadly for others, for the worse, but one thing has to be said for all of us, we came, we did and we got the t-shirt....so good on us!
For those who remained in South Africa, lives also changed dramatically over the last year, you have lost friends and family members to the "global village" and in some cases to illness, and you have lived with the uncertainty of an ousted president and an ever present threat of crime, and yet all that I know personally have remained positive and upbeat and have an everlasting faith in the country of our birth and that is awe inspiring.....2008 was a great year for most of you despite any hardships....so good on you too!!!!!
As for the year going forward, there are many plans for the Robertson five, exciting job prospects for Simon, high school for Megan and an upcoming visits from my dear friend Mary, Si's sister, Jann and my parents.....loads to look forward to, but no doubt there will also be frustration and sadness in the next 12 months, but we plan to face it all as we have faced the last 12 months, together, with a smile on our faces and a positive attitude and with the belief that together we can get through it all.
The birth of our precious son in July was the realisation of a dream for me and the ultimate gift from my husband....it is no secret that having another baby was my idea and something that Si entered into with reticence, but Nicholas is the soul I always knew was waiting to be born into our family and he has completed us in so many ways.
A very blessed year and we can only hope and pray that we will be favoured again through 2009 and that we will continue to be able to live our dream. My hope and prayers for all my family and friends both in South Africa and abroad is that you find your passion and follow it....as my darling friend Beryldene always says "you have to do what makes your heart sing" - wise words from a wonderful and wise woman.....so if you aren't already doing it, make this the year you listen to your heart and follow your dreams, you will never know if you don't try.
As I have said before, I don't believe that we will ever have another year quite like 2008 and I think that goes for a lot of families I know, those who have taken the plunge and left their homes to set up new lives in new countries all over the world....for the Andrews, the Goodenough Hoars, the Rasmussens, the Mortimers, the Littles and the Grays life has changed beyond recognition, for some for the better and sadly for others, for the worse, but one thing has to be said for all of us, we came, we did and we got the t-shirt....so good on us!
For those who remained in South Africa, lives also changed dramatically over the last year, you have lost friends and family members to the "global village" and in some cases to illness, and you have lived with the uncertainty of an ousted president and an ever present threat of crime, and yet all that I know personally have remained positive and upbeat and have an everlasting faith in the country of our birth and that is awe inspiring.....2008 was a great year for most of you despite any hardships....so good on you too!!!!!
As for the year going forward, there are many plans for the Robertson five, exciting job prospects for Simon, high school for Megan and an upcoming visits from my dear friend Mary, Si's sister, Jann and my parents.....loads to look forward to, but no doubt there will also be frustration and sadness in the next 12 months, but we plan to face it all as we have faced the last 12 months, together, with a smile on our faces and a positive attitude and with the belief that together we can get through it all.
The birth of our precious son in July was the realisation of a dream for me and the ultimate gift from my husband....it is no secret that having another baby was my idea and something that Si entered into with reticence, but Nicholas is the soul I always knew was waiting to be born into our family and he has completed us in so many ways.
A very blessed year and we can only hope and pray that we will be favoured again through 2009 and that we will continue to be able to live our dream. My hope and prayers for all my family and friends both in South Africa and abroad is that you find your passion and follow it....as my darling friend Beryldene always says "you have to do what makes your heart sing" - wise words from a wonderful and wise woman.....so if you aren't already doing it, make this the year you listen to your heart and follow your dreams, you will never know if you don't try.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Tuesday 30th December 2008
Only 2 days left of 2008 and what a year it has been....certainly one for the books for the Robertson family and I don't think we will ever have another one quite so eventful....a new baby and a new country all within 12 months, eish, scary when I think about it.
This afternoon we took the children swimming at the Aztec pools at one of our local gyms. You have to be very careful here what you take photos of and there is absolutely no photography allowed anywhere children can be found in swimming costumes....they are very concerned about child abuse and protecting children's rights and I must admit before I came here I never really gave it any thought, but now I am quite relieved to know that no weirdo can be shooting pics of my darling daughter for sick and perverted reasons.
Nic was dressed in a little swim suit Tanya gave him a while back and the whole family spent a very happy 2 hours swimming in the heated pool...bizaar to think that outside the temperature was only marginally above freezing and indoors it was lovely and warm and Megs and Phil had a ball sliding down the slides and actually being able to act like children....health and safety in this country can be a bit strict especially when it comes to swimming and the older two do feel it, so they were delighted today when we found an activity not unlike South Africa.
This afternoon we took the children swimming at the Aztec pools at one of our local gyms. You have to be very careful here what you take photos of and there is absolutely no photography allowed anywhere children can be found in swimming costumes....they are very concerned about child abuse and protecting children's rights and I must admit before I came here I never really gave it any thought, but now I am quite relieved to know that no weirdo can be shooting pics of my darling daughter for sick and perverted reasons.
Nic was dressed in a little swim suit Tanya gave him a while back and the whole family spent a very happy 2 hours swimming in the heated pool...bizaar to think that outside the temperature was only marginally above freezing and indoors it was lovely and warm and Megs and Phil had a ball sliding down the slides and actually being able to act like children....health and safety in this country can be a bit strict especially when it comes to swimming and the older two do feel it, so they were delighted today when we found an activity not unlike South Africa.
An early night tonight in preparation of New Years Eve tomorrow....am feeling quite excited about it. Now that we are through, and coped really well with Christmas I am feeling very very positive about the future.....oh and the fact that my folks are scheduled to be here in about 4 months certainly helps.
Monday, 29 December 2008
How my children have changed
Today I stumbled upon this photo of Megan and Phillip taken days before we left South Africa and I can't believe how much they have changed in the last 7 months....not only have they slimmed down and toned up but they seem much more mature confident children.
I think having the responsibility of being allowed to walk into the village on their own (or Megan at least) and being able to play outside in the streets has toughened them up somehow and they are now a bit more streetwise then they were before.....I know that this doesn't necessarily seem like a good thing, but I think it has done them good to get out from under the over protective "wrapped in cotton wool" environment that was their past and into this new huge world with loads to discover.
In some respects however we are paying the price, they are more "mouthy" then they would ever have dared be in South Africa and they are more willing to stop and chat with strangers which I have to watch constantly, just because people are generally nice and friendly and we are greeted by every person we pass when we walk doesn't mean that the world is not full of sick people and it is difficult to teach them how to distinguish between the two.
I am ever so grateful that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom (in the true sense of the word) as at least I am here when they return from school and have been able to meet and get to know their friends. I think in a country where public transport is so accessible to them, and the independence that that brings, as parents we have to be even more vigilant of what they are doing and who they are spending time with then in South Africa where we can rely on fences and gates to protect them.
All said, I love the people they are becoming and I am so thrilled to have been able to give them this life changing experience and to have opened up their lives as we have....they have coped amazingly well with all the changes and literally seem to be blossoming before my eyes.
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Sunday 28th December 2008
Spent just about the entire day upstairs on my bed with Nicholas, reading my book and hiding from the icy cold weather....it is nice to have time off with nothing to do (yup the ironing got left again) Simon and Phil were playing with Phil's new games and Megs was engrossed in in her DS.
At about 3pm Si suddenly decided that we needed to get out, so layered up in a vast amount of clothing and protesting slightly (it was -1 outside and the frost was still thick on the ground from the night before) we set off for a stroll into town to feed the ducks on the pond and then down to the park for the children to burn off some pent up energy.
At about 3pm Si suddenly decided that we needed to get out, so layered up in a vast amount of clothing and protesting slightly (it was -1 outside and the frost was still thick on the ground from the night before) we set off for a stroll into town to feed the ducks on the pond and then down to the park for the children to burn off some pent up energy.
Turned out to be a lovely idea and we came home chilled and invigorated and longing for hot chocolate and the central heating.
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Saturday 27th December 2008
Spent the morning ironing as I have basically done nothing since Si and the kids went on holiday and I decided I had better get on with it....4 hours and 4 back to back episodes of Gilmore Girls and I am about 3/4 of the way through so should finish tomorrow....which will teach me to leave it for so long.
Joined Kerry, Rob and friends for tenpin bowling and then a light supper at Pizza Hut which was lovely fun...Megan and Phil beat all the grownups in our team and are feeling as proud as punch with themselves. We are really beginning to feel like part of something here and our friendships are growing in depth and dimension which is awesome.....we certainly have been very blessed with the people who have been sent into our lives since we arrived here.
Joined Kerry, Rob and friends for tenpin bowling and then a light supper at Pizza Hut which was lovely fun...Megan and Phil beat all the grownups in our team and are feeling as proud as punch with themselves. We are really beginning to feel like part of something here and our friendships are growing in depth and dimension which is awesome.....we certainly have been very blessed with the people who have been sent into our lives since we arrived here.
Friday, 26 December 2008
The Christmas Season
Now that Christmas is actually here I have to say that it is not nearly as difficult as I thought it was going to be....I had a small melt down after speaking to my mom on Christmas Eve when the reality of what we were missing was very stark and a little more then I could manage - at that moment I decided that, apart from my parents, the only way to survive this first Christmas was to distance myself from all things South African for the next 48 hours...so for those of you who send texts and received no answer, it is because my mobile will be off until the morning of 27th December when Christmas is behind us and we are on our way to the new year.
Christmas eve was very different from what we are used to, dinner was a plate of saucy cheese and bacon chips (Megan's request) and then a walk down to Lindfield for Carols by Candlelight in one of the local churches....the service was lovely (even though we only recognised 2 of the carols) and a good reminder of what Christmas is all about - I like the children to be reminded that Christmas is about Jesus and not them, and although I want them to love their gifts and all the excitement it is also important to stop at times and celebrate our saviour. Once we returned home, I baked Si and I our traditional mince pies and we sat down to wrap presents before heading up to bed relatively early in anticipation of the dawn present unwrapping.
As expected the children where in our rooms bearing presents from Santa at a little after 6am and I am pleased to say that they were both delighted with their gifts and once again Santa had got it right. A brief conversation with my folks to wish them Happy Christmas before they left for the day at my Uncle and Aunt's farm and then it was downstairs for the rest of the unwrapping. For the first time this year I didn't bring out my camera and instead actually lived in the moment as opposed to just capturing it to document later, and I have to say it was great fun to be helping rip paper and put things together instead of just watching Simon do it through the lens. All the children (including Nicholas) seem very pleased with their presents and at around 7.30am Nic and I headed back upstairs for a little more sleep before leaving for Kerry and Rob's for lunch.
Lunch was perfect and this wonderful family opened up their home and their hearts to both the us and another South African couple here without family so that we could all have a happy day instead of sitting at home dwelling on what we have lost. Rob had decorated the cabin beautifully and the meal was out of this world....3 meats, 5 vegetables, roast potatoes to die for and 3 puddings including Peppermint Fridge Tart which was finished almost before it was put on the table......tasted just like home and it was wonderful to sit with other South African's and enjoy it.
Christmas eve was very different from what we are used to, dinner was a plate of saucy cheese and bacon chips (Megan's request) and then a walk down to Lindfield for Carols by Candlelight in one of the local churches....the service was lovely (even though we only recognised 2 of the carols) and a good reminder of what Christmas is all about - I like the children to be reminded that Christmas is about Jesus and not them, and although I want them to love their gifts and all the excitement it is also important to stop at times and celebrate our saviour. Once we returned home, I baked Si and I our traditional mince pies and we sat down to wrap presents before heading up to bed relatively early in anticipation of the dawn present unwrapping.
As expected the children where in our rooms bearing presents from Santa at a little after 6am and I am pleased to say that they were both delighted with their gifts and once again Santa had got it right. A brief conversation with my folks to wish them Happy Christmas before they left for the day at my Uncle and Aunt's farm and then it was downstairs for the rest of the unwrapping. For the first time this year I didn't bring out my camera and instead actually lived in the moment as opposed to just capturing it to document later, and I have to say it was great fun to be helping rip paper and put things together instead of just watching Simon do it through the lens. All the children (including Nicholas) seem very pleased with their presents and at around 7.30am Nic and I headed back upstairs for a little more sleep before leaving for Kerry and Rob's for lunch.
Lunch was perfect and this wonderful family opened up their home and their hearts to both the us and another South African couple here without family so that we could all have a happy day instead of sitting at home dwelling on what we have lost. Rob had decorated the cabin beautifully and the meal was out of this world....3 meats, 5 vegetables, roast potatoes to die for and 3 puddings including Peppermint Fridge Tart which was finished almost before it was put on the table......tasted just like home and it was wonderful to sit with other South African's and enjoy it.
Liesel and AJ
Rob and Kerry
The cabin where we enjoyed our Christmas lunch
Rob had decorated the whole room in gold and white, absolutely stunning and reminded me a little of mom's home 
Donay, Zac, Phillip, Ben and Megs enjoying lunch together 
Boys relaxing before lunch
Getting into the Christmas spirit
Nic enjoying his new Christmas present
In the Santa suit Kerry and Rob gave him for Christmas
After lunch the men all jumped in the Viljoens hot tub for a marinade and the girls killed time chatting and laughing until a game of Cranium finally ended a lovely day and we arrived home at around 9.30pm exhausted and happy.Boxing day was another bitter sweet day with our thoughts turning often to Brett, Charlene and Tegan who have spent every boxing day with us for at least the last 10 years.....but again we made a determined effort and have enjoyed lazing around the house playing with Christmas presents, eating chocolate and watching one movie after another. We took the children out briefly to buy presents with their Christmas money from Granny and Papa (another new tradition that we have started....in England just about everything goes on sale of Boxing day and you can pick up the most amazing bargains). They are both thrilled with their purchases - Megs has two new DS lite games and Phil found himself 4 PSII games so all in all a good afternoon.
We have just finished our final meal of the festive season and during it each family member had the opportunity to talk about what they have loved and found hard over the past couple of days and although missing family and friends definitely came up, the general consensus seems to be it was a good one and the children are at peace. So for now I am just so relieved that we have all made it through Christmas in one piece and are still happy to be where we are not matter the cost.
Tomorrow we are off tenpin bowling with Kerry and Rob for Kerry's birthday and Si and the children still have another week on holidays so I am sure there are lots of happy memories still to come.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Tuesday 23rd December 2008
As many of you know I have often used the song "Some days are diamonds and Some days are stone" to describe our life here and as I sit tonight, a couple of days before Christmas and look back over the past 7 months I am thrilled to realise that we have had more diamonds then stones and today was another one.
Megan and I enjoyed a lovely walk into the village this morning to finally post some last minute Christmas cards and buy a present for a birthday party she was off to this afternoon - it was good to have some girl time as we are now outnumbered in our house 3 to 2 and some times the testosterone levels get a little bit too high (lol).
Megs spent the afternoon at a horse riding party and it was such a stunning idea, the 8 children where all given a 1 hour riding lesson and it was fantastic. Megs is totally hooked and it is definitely something I would like to get her involved in some time next year - her little pony "Tammy" was an absolute delight and she was even cantering by the end of the hour.....took me back to happy times spent riding with my aunt on their farm, and I could see the same love of horses developing in her before my eyes.
I was also blessed enough to experience another first today, and what a first it turned out to be.....my friend Catherine is one of the luckiest people I know and she wins just about every raffle she enters, anyhoo, she had won tickets to see the Nutcracker in Brighton at our school fair and chose me to go along with her. Now an evening at the ballet would not necessarily have been my first choice but I went along - a first - and I am so glad that I did, it turned out to be in a very fancy theater in Brighton, and was performed by the St Pietersburg Ballet Company (direct from Russia for only 5 performances) which was something to behold. The costumes where out of this world and I sat totally entranced while the troupe performed in the most effortless way, literally appearing to float across the stage....breathtaking!
We caught the train in and then walked down to the theater (about 15 minutes) and I love Brighton during the day but oh WOW it is fantastic at night, so vibrant and busy...I made Catherine walk back up to the station once the show had finished just so that I could experience being out on the streets for a little bit longer (she is now totally convinced that I am a mad South African lol). Si spent the evening with Kerry and Rob as we have not managed to get Nic to take a bottle successfully and I think he was a bit worried he was going to have a screaming baby for 5 hours, but Kerry came to the rescue and "mommied" my littlest for me for the evening and it was a great success.....once again, don't know what I would do without the Viljoen family.
Don't think I am going to be able to sleep tonight, am on such a high from an AWESOME evening....loving my life!!!!!
Megan and I enjoyed a lovely walk into the village this morning to finally post some last minute Christmas cards and buy a present for a birthday party she was off to this afternoon - it was good to have some girl time as we are now outnumbered in our house 3 to 2 and some times the testosterone levels get a little bit too high (lol).
Megs spent the afternoon at a horse riding party and it was such a stunning idea, the 8 children where all given a 1 hour riding lesson and it was fantastic. Megs is totally hooked and it is definitely something I would like to get her involved in some time next year - her little pony "Tammy" was an absolute delight and she was even cantering by the end of the hour.....took me back to happy times spent riding with my aunt on their farm, and I could see the same love of horses developing in her before my eyes.
I was also blessed enough to experience another first today, and what a first it turned out to be.....my friend Catherine is one of the luckiest people I know and she wins just about every raffle she enters, anyhoo, she had won tickets to see the Nutcracker in Brighton at our school fair and chose me to go along with her. Now an evening at the ballet would not necessarily have been my first choice but I went along - a first - and I am so glad that I did, it turned out to be in a very fancy theater in Brighton, and was performed by the St Pietersburg Ballet Company (direct from Russia for only 5 performances) which was something to behold. The costumes where out of this world and I sat totally entranced while the troupe performed in the most effortless way, literally appearing to float across the stage....breathtaking!
We caught the train in and then walked down to the theater (about 15 minutes) and I love Brighton during the day but oh WOW it is fantastic at night, so vibrant and busy...I made Catherine walk back up to the station once the show had finished just so that I could experience being out on the streets for a little bit longer (she is now totally convinced that I am a mad South African lol). Si spent the evening with Kerry and Rob as we have not managed to get Nic to take a bottle successfully and I think he was a bit worried he was going to have a screaming baby for 5 hours, but Kerry came to the rescue and "mommied" my littlest for me for the evening and it was a great success.....once again, don't know what I would do without the Viljoen family.
Don't think I am going to be able to sleep tonight, am on such a high from an AWESOME evening....loving my life!!!!!
Monday, 22 December 2008
Monday 22nd December 2008
After a bit of a false start (Satnav took us to the wrong place...they are not infallible it would seem) we finally arrived at Seven Sister Country Park near Eastbourne. The park comprises of 280 hectares of chalk cliffs, meandering river valley and open chalk grassland and is named after the famous Seven Sisters that form part of the chalk cliffs on the Sussex Heritage Coast, one of Britain's finest unspoilt coastlines.
On arrival the weather was positively dismal but we decided to press on and enjoy the lovely picnic lunch I had packed before deciding whether or not to go for a walk or just call it a day and head home.....as the children had already been in the car for over an hour and it was another hour home Si and I decided there would be no harm in stretching our legs and as it wasn't actually raining we would be thoroughly British and not let a little mist get us down.
My children really do love each other and I love moments like this when I can capture that feeling
Turned out to be the right decision and we had a wonderful afternoon traversing this beautiful park where the scenery is spectacular and it was a real novelty to stroll amongst the grazing sheep and eventually find ourselves on the beach surrounded by huge cliffs. Fantastic photo ops and I was once again totally happy shooting away at anything that would stand still long enough while the children played in the puddles and Si and Nic took a slow stroll along the path.
As the temp dropped the children resorted to the Santa Hats for warmth, couldn't resist the opportunity to get some Christmas shots
And then there were 3
Had an early dinner at the Golden Galleon a lovely authentic little pub overlooking the park, Simon and my food was divine, the children's was a bit of a dissapointment, but overall a worthwhile experience and it just seemed to round off an otherwise totally English day....one thing can certainly be said for our lives since arriving here, we are definitely no longer treading water, but rather really living our lives and seeing everything we can see.
On arrival the weather was positively dismal but we decided to press on and enjoy the lovely picnic lunch I had packed before deciding whether or not to go for a walk or just call it a day and head home.....as the children had already been in the car for over an hour and it was another hour home Si and I decided there would be no harm in stretching our legs and as it wasn't actually raining we would be thoroughly British and not let a little mist get us down.
The children and Si were thrilled to find this old relic from WWII
My children really do love each other and I love moments like this when I can capture that feeling
Turned out to be the right decision and we had a wonderful afternoon traversing this beautiful park where the scenery is spectacular and it was a real novelty to stroll amongst the grazing sheep and eventually find ourselves on the beach surrounded by huge cliffs. Fantastic photo ops and I was once again totally happy shooting away at anything that would stand still long enough while the children played in the puddles and Si and Nic took a slow stroll along the path.
As the temp dropped the children resorted to the Santa Hats for warmth, couldn't resist the opportunity to get some Christmas shots
And then there were 3
Had an early dinner at the Golden Galleon a lovely authentic little pub overlooking the park, Simon and my food was divine, the children's was a bit of a dissapointment, but overall a worthwhile experience and it just seemed to round off an otherwise totally English day....one thing can certainly be said for our lives since arriving here, we are definitely no longer treading water, but rather really living our lives and seeing everything we can see.
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