My stash
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Easter Sunday 4th April 2010
After a slow start it was out into the garden for Nick Nick to experience his first Easter Egg Hunt and while at first he wasn't sure what it was all about, with his sister and brother's help it didn't taken him very long to get into the swing of things. Such a cute memory.
My stash
My stash
Friday 2nd April 2010
On Wednesday Mum and I decided to take a cross country road trip and surprise Linda for her 40th birthday in Weston-Super-Mare. I have been planning this visit for a while and then when Cayne rang and said he was organising her a surprise dinner I just knew I had to be there, the problem was the exorbitant train fares due to the Easter weekend....fortunately the blessing of "Daisy" (our new car) solved all my problems and at 7am on Good Friday we set off.
After a surprisingly pleasant 4 hour drive I was standing on the Andrew family's driveway in the rain waiting for Linnie to peer out of her window to look at a dog Caylin and I had concocted in the park......to say she was BLOWN AWAY was the understatement of the century and I am so so glad that I was able to add a little bit of joy to her very special birthday.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of visiting family and friends and was finished with a superb dinner at Lin's fav restaurant. Saturday morning saw us all up early as I simply had to show mum Dunelm Mills in Weston before we started for home.....this store is AMAZING and is Mr Price Homezone only better - my mother was totally BLOWN away and I think we could have spent literally hours wandering around browsing. All too soon it was time to kiss Linnie goodbye and head home, such a lovely 24 hours and one I wouldn't have missed for the world.
After a surprisingly pleasant 4 hour drive I was standing on the Andrew family's driveway in the rain waiting for Linnie to peer out of her window to look at a dog Caylin and I had concocted in the park......to say she was BLOWN AWAY was the understatement of the century and I am so so glad that I was able to add a little bit of joy to her very special birthday.
Looking a wee bit shattered after a very long drive
The rest of the day passed in a blur of visiting family and friends and was finished with a superb dinner at Lin's fav restaurant. Saturday morning saw us all up early as I simply had to show mum Dunelm Mills in Weston before we started for home.....this store is AMAZING and is Mr Price Homezone only better - my mother was totally BLOWN away and I think we could have spent literally hours wandering around browsing. All too soon it was time to kiss Linnie goodbye and head home, such a lovely 24 hours and one I wouldn't have missed for the world.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
The saying goes that time flies whilst you are having fun, and that is most certainly the case with mum's visit - can't believe that she has already been here two weeks, and that I have only done one blog post in that time ;0)
To catch up.......
Mum and I have spent a fair amount of time out and about shopping and have completed my spring terrace which is attracting all kinds of little butterflies and ladybugs, so lovely to sit outside on the rare sunny day and enjoy the flowers - it has been a long, cold, bleak winter.
Yesterday after a big rain shower we were blessed with this gorgeous rainbow
Nick Nick is the only one in the family who doesn't mind all the rain lol
The children have loved having granny with us and have spent lots of quality time cuddled up listening to stories and chatting about their lives here, it is quite heartening as a mum to listen to them (when they don't know I am around) and hear that they genuinely are happy living in England.
We collected my new car on Tuesday and am LOVING it, I have called her Daisy and Tracy has made me the sweetest little decal which I am having made and which will be going on her back - the kids are enjoying all the space and even Si seems to have fallen in love.
Megan breaks up for two weeks Easter Holiday today and her and Gran are off for a girls morning in Lindfield tomorrow while I take Nick Nick off to baby group. Phil breaks up tomorrow and we have some lovely outings planned if the weather will just give us a break and stop raining for a short time.
So so lovely to have my mom with me, wish time could just slow down a little bit as her holiday just seems to be rushing by.
To catch up.......
Mum and I have spent a fair amount of time out and about shopping and have completed my spring terrace which is attracting all kinds of little butterflies and ladybugs, so lovely to sit outside on the rare sunny day and enjoy the flowers - it has been a long, cold, bleak winter.
Yesterday after a big rain shower we were blessed with this gorgeous rainbow
The fact that it became a double rainbow made it all the more beautiful
Nick Nick is the only one in the family who doesn't mind all the rain lol
The children have loved having granny with us and have spent lots of quality time cuddled up listening to stories and chatting about their lives here, it is quite heartening as a mum to listen to them (when they don't know I am around) and hear that they genuinely are happy living in England.
Nick Nick has LOVED having Granny's attention and really "plays" for the crowd :0)
We collected my new car on Tuesday and am LOVING it, I have called her Daisy and Tracy has made me the sweetest little decal which I am having made and which will be going on her back - the kids are enjoying all the space and even Si seems to have fallen in love.
Megan breaks up for two weeks Easter Holiday today and her and Gran are off for a girls morning in Lindfield tomorrow while I take Nick Nick off to baby group. Phil breaks up tomorrow and we have some lovely outings planned if the weather will just give us a break and stop raining for a short time.
So so lovely to have my mom with me, wish time could just slow down a little bit as her holiday just seems to be rushing by.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Monday 22nd March 2010
Just returned from a lovely long weekend spent at the Rockley Park Haven resort in Poole with my mum and the Viljoen family. Poole is approximately 2.5 hours South West of us on the Dorset coast and once again the prospect of a sandy beach was the ultimate draw card.
Friday saw mum, the children and I arriving well after dark having got lost a number of times on the way down, satnav is all very well when you can actually see where you are going, but England is renowned for it's traffic circles (some as big as 4 lanes) and I kept finding myself in the wrong lane, needless to say my stress levels where through the roof by the time we arrived so it was up to the restaurant for a much needed drink and dinner before an early night was had by all in preparation for a busy day on Saturday.
Unfortunately Saturday dawned cold and rainy, but as all Haven parks have really good indoor facilities the children were quite happy playing in the indoor swimming pool until we were joined for lunch by Rob's friends Debbie, Jonny and their children.
Phil and 9 year old Caylee instantly hit it off and my son's first holiday romance quickly blossomed (eish). The children were all AMAZING and I can honestly say we didn't hear peep from them all afternoon, which was no small thing considering the size of the caravan that was at that point housing 7 adults and 8 children between the ages of 20 months and 11 years. Nicholas LOVED playing with all the big children and they were all in turn very good at spending time with him and including him in their games.
Sunday dawned clear and relatively warm (12 degrees) so it was all into the car after a very speedy breakfast and down to the beach for a play, again the children were wonderful and while the grownups enjoyed coffee and newspapers on the beach they all played together so incredibly well. A late lunch back at the caravan was followed by more swimming in the indoor pool and some rock climbing before an exhausted group settled down for a chilled evening of pizza and dvd's.
Friday saw mum, the children and I arriving well after dark having got lost a number of times on the way down, satnav is all very well when you can actually see where you are going, but England is renowned for it's traffic circles (some as big as 4 lanes) and I kept finding myself in the wrong lane, needless to say my stress levels where through the roof by the time we arrived so it was up to the restaurant for a much needed drink and dinner before an early night was had by all in preparation for a busy day on Saturday.
Unfortunately Saturday dawned cold and rainy, but as all Haven parks have really good indoor facilities the children were quite happy playing in the indoor swimming pool until we were joined for lunch by Rob's friends Debbie, Jonny and their children.
All 3 children were THRILLED to have Granny with us and were quick to jump into bed for a snuggle in the morning
Phil and 9 year old Caylee instantly hit it off and my son's first holiday romance quickly blossomed (eish). The children were all AMAZING and I can honestly say we didn't hear peep from them all afternoon, which was no small thing considering the size of the caravan that was at that point housing 7 adults and 8 children between the ages of 20 months and 11 years. Nicholas LOVED playing with all the big children and they were all in turn very good at spending time with him and including him in their games.
Megs and Donay spending some quality time over a game of cards in the caravan
Megs, Phil and Donay enjoying the water walkers on Saturday evening
Sunday dawned clear and relatively warm (12 degrees) so it was all into the car after a very speedy breakfast and down to the beach for a play, again the children were wonderful and while the grownups enjoyed coffee and newspapers on the beach they all played together so incredibly well. A late lunch back at the caravan was followed by more swimming in the indoor pool and some rock climbing before an exhausted group settled down for a chilled evening of pizza and dvd's.
After playing on the beach I realised I didn't have a change of clothes for Nick Nick so he ended up playing in the park in his sisters jumper.....looked like a little oompa loompa (lol)
All the excitement was simply too much for him
This morning after a relatively late start we enjoyed a huge big fry up together before heading home and back to reality....must say I really enjoy the 3 night weekend as I find going home on Sunday tends to break the weekend whereas having that extra night seems to finish it off somehow.
This is the first time we have been away with our close friends and it is definitely not going to be the last, as I have said the children all got on so well and it was more like being away with family than friends....such a FANTASTIC weekend guys, thank you so so much.
This is the first time we have been away with our close friends and it is definitely not going to be the last, as I have said the children all got on so well and it was more like being away with family than friends....such a FANTASTIC weekend guys, thank you so so much.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Tuesday 16th March 2010
Today my mum arrived from South Africa (dance) and it is just so so lovely to have her in our home.....she has settled straight in and sometimes when I look across the room at her it is like she has never been away.
We had managed to keep her arrival from the older children so they were beyond excited upon returning from school and finding her in the lounge, they have always shared a very special bond with my mum and for them having her here is like Christmas come early. It didn't take Nick Nick long to find out how special Gran is either and by this evening he was already starting to follow her around like a little shadow :0)
Bonding time
I am just like my papa, I DON'T like crusts (note them all piled up next to the plate)
We had managed to keep her arrival from the older children so they were beyond excited upon returning from school and finding her in the lounge, they have always shared a very special bond with my mum and for them having her here is like Christmas come early. It didn't take Nick Nick long to find out how special Gran is either and by this evening he was already starting to follow her around like a little shadow :0)
Nick Nick having enjoyed a chocolate dipper from Woolworths courtesy of Granny's suitcase
Bonding time
I am just like my papa, I DON'T like crusts (note them all piled up next to the plate)
Sunday, 14 March 2010
What does it mean to be a Mother?
I think Mothering is different to each and every person experiencing it and as today is Mothering Sunday I guess it is something I have been thinking about - to me it is the following
- Love beyond measure and condition
- Joy without limits
- Guilt without end
- Frustration and exhaustion
- Wearing my heart on the outside of my body which can hurt like hell
- Willing to kill or die for my babies
- Fear of the unknown
- Overwhelming responsibility
- An ongoing test of patience
- A new lesson about myself every single day
Sunday 14th March 2010
Today was Mothering Sunday (Mother's day) in England which to me means the official beginning of spring and a HUGE day of cleaning. So after a lovely breakfast in bed of tea and hot cross buns (my absolute fav part of this time of year), a lovely flower basket which Megs planted herself and a cute card from Phil, the family got stuck into the house.
All those winter dust bugs where driven out and every window was open while the warm spring air filled out home with the scent of impending summer and all the uplifting energy that provides....dinner was KFC on the floor of our lounge, and although it may not seem like much to some, to me to sit in a perfectly spic and span house which my family helped me achieve with not so much as a grumble is a very satisfying feeling.
Thanks guys it was a lovely day, despite all the hard work :0)
All those winter dust bugs where driven out and every window was open while the warm spring air filled out home with the scent of impending summer and all the uplifting energy that provides....dinner was KFC on the floor of our lounge, and although it may not seem like much to some, to me to sit in a perfectly spic and span house which my family helped me achieve with not so much as a grumble is a very satisfying feeling.
Thanks guys it was a lovely day, despite all the hard work :0)
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Car update
The finance was instantly approved at the bank and the funds have been transfered to our account....our car has been ordered and we should be able to collect it around the 25th. Beside myself with excitement!
Saturday 13th March 2010
As the term is coming to a close for the Easter break we have had feedback on both children's progress for the first half of the academic year, and I am a HUGELY proud mommy!
Megs brought her school report home yesterday and has achieved four 5's and five 4's at the half year mark - this is a AMAZING achievement for her, especially given her dyslexia and it is just showing what the right teacher's and school ethos has done for her.
In the UK they don't grade the children in terms of A's B's etc or even in percentiles which can be a bit confusing for a mom like me (lol) but rather the children have scores that they need to achieve in each year so for example 4 is what is expected and 5 is above expectation and a 3 would be below expectation except in Modern Languages where a 3 is spot on target - but that is only for year 7, in year 8 for example a 5 would be expected and a 6 would be above expectation etc etc. Needless to say Megs has done extremely well and her attitude and behaviour score with both exemplary so we are so so very proud of her.
Phil didn't get a report this term but rather a parent / teacher interview - and let me tell you I went to this one with a HUGE lump in my throat and knot in my stomach. We have been in a couple of times this academic year for disruptive behaviour (blush) as my boy appears to have been bored stiff in the classroom.
In those initial meetings the teacher, Phil and I discussed how well he responds to responsibility and how he could be such a good and helpful influence in the classroom because of his popularity....well it seems my boy has risen to the challenge beautifully and has turned over a new leaf, he is an elected member of the student council for year 4 and has joined the "circle of friends" which are a group of children working with staff to stamp out bullying in the school.
His academics are way above average (no surprise there) and it would seem that this second half of the term has been a MASSIVE improvement with the teachers only singing his praises - WELL DONE my Phillip, I always knew you could do it!
Megs brought her school report home yesterday and has achieved four 5's and five 4's at the half year mark - this is a AMAZING achievement for her, especially given her dyslexia and it is just showing what the right teacher's and school ethos has done for her.
In the UK they don't grade the children in terms of A's B's etc or even in percentiles which can be a bit confusing for a mom like me (lol) but rather the children have scores that they need to achieve in each year so for example 4 is what is expected and 5 is above expectation and a 3 would be below expectation except in Modern Languages where a 3 is spot on target - but that is only for year 7, in year 8 for example a 5 would be expected and a 6 would be above expectation etc etc. Needless to say Megs has done extremely well and her attitude and behaviour score with both exemplary so we are so so very proud of her.
Phil didn't get a report this term but rather a parent / teacher interview - and let me tell you I went to this one with a HUGE lump in my throat and knot in my stomach. We have been in a couple of times this academic year for disruptive behaviour (blush) as my boy appears to have been bored stiff in the classroom.
In those initial meetings the teacher, Phil and I discussed how well he responds to responsibility and how he could be such a good and helpful influence in the classroom because of his popularity....well it seems my boy has risen to the challenge beautifully and has turned over a new leaf, he is an elected member of the student council for year 4 and has joined the "circle of friends" which are a group of children working with staff to stamp out bullying in the school.
His academics are way above average (no surprise there) and it would seem that this second half of the term has been a MASSIVE improvement with the teachers only singing his praises - WELL DONE my Phillip, I always knew you could do it!
Friday, 12 March 2010
Friday 12th March 2010
What a week - it would seem that even 2 years in and despite me holding a British Passport we STILL do not qualify for vehicle finance in this country.....a very hard pill for my dh to swallow considering the credit that was literally thrown at us before we left SA.
On Monday we were informed that our first application for vehicle finance had been declined because Si doesn't appear on the Electoral roll.....hey, what, he isn't British how can he appear on the Electoral roll was my first question...now I know (and if you have recently moved to the UK or plan to do so listen closely), it is possible to appear on the Electoral roll even though you aren't British it just means you can only vote in local elections not national elections and it goes a long long way to establishing credibility - oh and it is finable offence not to register (£1000 per person), fortunately we weren't charged the fine as we went to them, they didn't find us, but needless to say a little to late, we will officially hold voter's cards on 10th April.
Our second application for finance was also declined as we don't have a credit history in this country.....again hey, what, how are we supposed to get a credit history if we can't get finance in the first place.....eish!
Needless to say a whole lot of phone calls later we are now going into our bank on Saturday to take a personal loan to purchase the car - it would seem that it is a much less stressful, and much cheaper way to finance a vehicle here and one that, I have now learned, is the most commonly used. As you manage your bank account here you become eligible for same day personal loans subject to certain limits, and as we are eligble for more than 3 times the value we need for the car, it is as simple as signing the papers and the money is transferred.
So, a week later than expected the car is actually becoming a reality and we should hopefully be able to pick it up within the next 10 days.
On Monday we were informed that our first application for vehicle finance had been declined because Si doesn't appear on the Electoral roll.....hey, what, he isn't British how can he appear on the Electoral roll was my first question...now I know (and if you have recently moved to the UK or plan to do so listen closely), it is possible to appear on the Electoral roll even though you aren't British it just means you can only vote in local elections not national elections and it goes a long long way to establishing credibility - oh and it is finable offence not to register (£1000 per person), fortunately we weren't charged the fine as we went to them, they didn't find us, but needless to say a little to late, we will officially hold voter's cards on 10th April.
Our second application for finance was also declined as we don't have a credit history in this country.....again hey, what, how are we supposed to get a credit history if we can't get finance in the first place.....eish!
Needless to say a whole lot of phone calls later we are now going into our bank on Saturday to take a personal loan to purchase the car - it would seem that it is a much less stressful, and much cheaper way to finance a vehicle here and one that, I have now learned, is the most commonly used. As you manage your bank account here you become eligible for same day personal loans subject to certain limits, and as we are eligble for more than 3 times the value we need for the car, it is as simple as signing the papers and the money is transferred.
So, a week later than expected the car is actually becoming a reality and we should hopefully be able to pick it up within the next 10 days.
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