Last stretch

Well, we’re on the last stretch of the year. A time of wrapping up teaching, revision, preparation for exams for the kids, setting up question papers and generally….. just chaos.

At the end of this busy time, however, summer holiday awaits. I look forward to waking up to these views.

The end of a beautiful summer holiday

Yes, we've reached that time again. Its goodbye summer- hello grindstone. My eldest is very excited to be going to high school. Mom is having little anxiety attacks about it though.  Haneem( the middle one) will be atending her school ithout her big sister there. She also eems quite fne with it. Am I the only one stressing? Probably yes.

Struisbaai

Struisbaai is a little sleepy fishing village right next to L'Águlhas. As you enter the jetty, you are greeted with a breathtaking view of crystal blue sea and fishing boats lazily floating on these beautiful waters. It begs you to take pictures- and these come out postcard perfect- so that you can cherish this scene forever. When the stress of real city life sets in again, I intend to use these picture backgrounds to get back that sense of absolute serenity.

This summer holiday has been one of the most relaxing,m gorgeous breaks we have experienced. It is with great sadness that we start preparing ourself to bid it farewell. Tomorrow is pack up, pack in, trip home time. And yes, though we miss our home, we also don't want to leave these lovely experiences with our family. 

Coming to the end of a glorious holiday

Alas, the time has yet again arrived. A beautiful summer holiday camping with loved ones is coming to an end. We started out at the Cape Peninsula's gorgeous Medusa Park

And ended this journey at the Southermost tip of Africa- L'Águlhas.

Almost summer!

We are all looking forward to the time of the year when the most important thing is to get up early enough so that you don't miss a minute of the day. The time to pack the caravan and take off. Road trip! setting up camp and living the good life- sun, sea and family. Time to kick off shoes and live barefoot. Kick back and relax.

Oh Summer , how loved you are!

But four more weeks of hard work for Dad, exams to take for kiddies and exams to grade for mom - lies ahead. Baby boy is practising hard for his creche concert and entertains us every night in the sweetest little voice- and nobody dares laugh at his pronunciation!

A busy year

Well, it has certainly been a busy year for us. The kids have grown dramatically.All of them seem more independent (sigh). Little man is two years and 5 months, but believes himself to be much older. There is no more baby chatter, but still tons of laughs. The eldest is finishing off at primary school and moves on to high school next year! Haneem is, as usual, Haneem. If anything she has become more strong willed in the last year.

All our free time this year has gone primarily into .................... wait for it.................... camping!  As soon as the holidays hit, the kids ask 'Where are we going camping?'Ít seems that the entire extended family has been hit by the camping bug so we pack our caravans and off we go. I'll admit- it's great fun. The enjoyment of falling asleep with the sound and smell of the ocean or the sound of the wind caressing the trees is absolute heaven to me. Hubby is at peace when he is outdoors around a campfire. The kids get to enjoy their cousins that they see only a couple of times a year and who wouldn't? Normal rules don't apply at camp- there is no set sleep time- fun to be had :)

We've been criss crossing the Western Cape in search of campsites. Now the end of the year is in sight and campsite bookings have been finalised.

First steps looming

The baby is 10 months old now. The little man has no teeth, but he wants to walk! He's been standing up without holding onto anything. And then he teeters, one step, two steps and ......... kadoof , lands on his bum.

Throughout this whole drama, the expression on his face is priceless. It completely lights up, eyes like stars on a very dark night. He gets all excited (looks as if he's going to burst). And after he's fallen down- that precious smile that lights up the whole face. Beautiful.

Daddy insists that if it weren't for his ears, his smile would have made a bow tie around his head!

Now I must admit that although I'm excited to have him walking, I'm also a bit sad. Once he walks he's no longer a little baby. :-( Why do they grow up so quickly?