Finding the inner child..

We all have an inner child just waiting to pop out and have some fun. A while back we were in Chamonix, France and while watching the "sky divers" take off from the top of the hill and float down into the valley I knew I had some unfinished business in my life! I really wanted to do that too. My nephew Stu offered to accompany me but my hubby rolled his eyes and showed total disapproval. I just needed a consenting, encouraging voice and I would have been off.

Riding on the back of a camel in Mongolia was one of those amazing moments in my life too.

On reflection, I realise that I have tended to play it safe but with a bit of encouragement, I could have and should have been a bit more daring!

This past weekend I needed little encouragement to have Fun and do some heart stopping, hair raising things. Nick treated us and Joshua to a trip to Johor Bahru where a whole new theme world has been built. I can't say it's just for children as adults have just as much fun! Our afternoon was spent at the venue next door to our hotel, Traders, where "various theme lands" have been built. One could choose between Hullo Kitty or Thomas the Tank Engine. Of course Thomas won the vote. There are all sorts of experiences, games and rides available. Being a Thomas devotee, Joshua had the time of his life. He even got to meet the Fat Controller and Barney.

The following day we were off to Legoland! How clever are the people who came up with this idea! It was simply amazing! Most of the rides were loads of fun and often quite scary. To think that so many wonderful things can be made from Lego!

Thailand.

 

I loved every minute especially the visit to Miniland. It was brilliant. It helped that we have visited many of the sights depicted, from all over Asia. I was speechless at the genius behind these creations.

 

Angkor wat.

After lunch it was time to hit Waterworld. I had left my swimming costume at home so Thought I would just be the camera man. Nick was having nothing of it and made me buy long shorts and top which although not very glamorous was perfect for a big older lady doing crazy things. Thanks Nick. I had the time of my life. We went on every scary ride possible. Joshie suffers every time he gets into the car for a long journey was totally unphased and wanted more and more and more. The only slight negative was the queuing for the various rides. It was Fun! I really felt like a kid again.

 

Now I have set my sites even higher....I definitely want to do the zip line in the Berg and if given the chance I too want to be pulled on the cookie at he back of Muz's boat and what about a bit of sky diving. Maybe the inner child is an adrenaline junky too!

Move over girls!

 

Kersfees, Christmas and Xmas!

Christmas, by any other name means Family, Feasting and Fun! With the family spread all over the world this year we got to enjoy three Christmas Feasts on three continents! We also had much FUN!

Our first, was early December in Johannesburg with Sarah, Adrien and Oscar. As most of their stuff was boxed up and ready for moving! Sarah would not let this opportunity to celebrate our last Christmas in her flat pass by, so being resourceful she resorted to a full on "Woolies Christmas Feast!"

We cleared the table, set up our disposable plates etc. added a bit of decor with Oscar's help and voila it was time to celebrate!

Oscar did not know the story of Christmas so as the responsible adult I felt it my duty and pleasure to tell him the beautiful story of the nativity. He listened carefully and after a few 'Why's he seemed to get the drift. A few days later I received a message from his Dad saying "Oscar keeps wanting Baby Cheeses" do I have any idea what he is referring too? .....Mmmmmm only Adrien!

Our second Christmas feast took place in Kuala Lumpur at Moira's apartment the night before she and Joshua left for S.A. I wrote about that in my last post. BUT then Nick gave us a lovely treat, cooked all by himself...Chef Nick! It was his first attempt at roasting a leg of lamb. There is no need for cookbooks any more as everyone uses their ipads or I phones ! Wow, leg of lamb in Malaysia is such a treat. How shopping has changed over the twelve plus years we have been visiting there! Having to cater for the ex pats needs has pushed boundaries somewhat. Thanks Nick for the treat and the beautiful pressies! We are so spoilt!

On Christmas Day we were thrilled to enjoy Christmas in Eumundi in Chris and Diana's new home! It is so beautiful here!

T'was the night before Christmas, we thought the children would never go to sleep as we needed to finish wrapping gifts! Our suitcase, which weighed 26 kilos, consisted of 20 kilos of gifts from the Aunts and Uncles and us, of course.

As in most homes it was a race to see who would be up first in the morning! Hannah definitely heard Santa and crept out of bed and saw the over loaded sleigh! The reindeer even had a baby reindeer in training! As for the jingling of bells!

What fun it was to see the children's delight and surprise with all their pressis. Of course they got far too many gifts but hey, Christmas comes but once a year!

It was time to get the feast prepared for all the guests! Wow, what a feast indeed. Everyone brought a dish to add to what Diana had prepared and here was sufficient food to feed a small army!

We had a wonderful day and thank all concerned for the special treats. Three Christmases in three countries! How special!

 

 

Birthday time.

We had no sooner got here and we had Joshua's birthday party to look forward to. Unfortunately he had the pox!! This also meant that he had to miss the last weekly school and this was the end of his first year before changing into the primary school. He missed his little concert too! Ah well we had fun keeping him busy. His party had to be changed from the Friday to the Sunday which meant less children and more Dads!

Moira and I popped off to the novelty shops down town and bought all manner of things to do with the chosen theme.."Angry Birds"! We wanted goodies to fill a goody bag for each of the children. We also needed prizes for the various games we planned. Oh my what a selection, we were spoilt for choice. What fun we had!

 

The party was to be held in the gardens at the poolside in Moira's condo.there was a little worry that it may rain but fortunately that did ot happen.

It is traditional that in addition to the food we supplied for the children we needed to have a proper meal ready for the adults. Fortunately Lorna the maid/assistant is a very good cook and she knew just what to do.

The children loved the games. They played 'pin the beak' which Ganga painted, had an egg and spoon race and pass the parcel.

After blowing candles out the children couldn't wait to jump into the pool to cool down. Well done Moira and Nick. What a fine little five year old you have produced!!

 

 

 

Blogging

I am so pleased that after my last little vent, to have received some pleasant notes from friends afar encouraging me to keep writing. As it so happens, yesterday I was "car guarding" our over loaded car while en route to the Bush House and hubby was doing the shopping, when I happen to tune into SAFM. Nancy Richards has a show " " and the topic of the day was Blogging. Nancy had been to a conference on blogging recently and met some of South Africa's top/ popular bloggers and was interviewing them on her show, on the radio. The questions being addressed were a)why people blog and b)how to blog. The technical "how to" info was not all that helpful for the complete novice but the " why" was most encouraging!

The bloggers being interviewed had slightly different ideas and interpretations as to why people blog but the discussion was most helpful and encouraging and the following are just some of the points I took away.

# Blog as if no one is reading your blog.

# Blogging is the new form of praying!!!

# Many people use it as a form of venting!

# Blogging is learning to live in purpose.

# It should be done with passion

# Blogging is sharing your journey

# Be authentic

# Keep it topical

# You never know everything!

# Enjoy what you do!!!

The point I would add is have the camera charged and ready ALL the time!

I think these pointers are food for thought and most encouraging. I am glad I was at the right ace at the right time!

Regarding security....I liked what one of the bloggers being interviewed said:

Although there are bad elements out there often the Internet is made out to be a much bigger Bad wolf than it really is!! After all someone looking for porn is not really going to look at a blog called Mommies Craft class or like mine "Beyond the Quilt" ....maybe if I called it "under the quilt"...it would be different!! So that put that one to rest.

Thanks Nancy for the most interesting show and hopefully many more South African women will find the time to blog!!

 

Farewells, fun and more family fun!

It is time to bid our lovely family, farewell. We tend to keep these goodbyes low key and to rather focus on the good times we have enjoyed and the good times ahead. Time flashes by when fun is being had and the month in the states is just one example of that. Christopher and Diana are enjoying living in the states and are seeing as much of the country as possible! We thank them for being so good to us and allowing us to share some special times while we were there. Their three lovely children are a tribute to them and also to the quality time they put into their parenting. We are so proud of you!

Diana uses her gardening skills to grow tomatoes and other herbs in their small back garden. The children have been watching the progress of the tomato laden bushes just itching to pick them. Ben in particular could not wait to pull them off the bush. At last a few turned red and without any more waiting, were harvested for us to enjoy with our meal.

In the kitchen, the children often help with baking. I made a special apron and hat for Molly's last birthday and there is always a rush to see who can don the hat first and then the apron. I will add that I have made all the children African aprons but this pink set is the favorite. Maybe it is time to make Ben his own set then Ben need not be "Molly".

Benjamin Nelson turning three has given us lots and lots of laughs! He is a small packet of dynamite and does everything to keep up with his two sisters. Poor guy even tries to dress like them!

He and Dad have lots of fun together.

Hannah is the "Fashionista" of the family and spends much time choosing her outfit every day, brushing her hair and donning her tiara or her band. I referred to her hair band as an "Alice" band which is the term we used to use and she was curious why I would call it an Alice band. I too have learnt new words such as "rashies" (long sleeved swimming tops), "floaties" (swimming tubes) and sunnies. I guess we are never too old to learn!

Molly is the sweetest and kindest little girl ever and loves to play with her friends. She never sits still for long and loves to swing on the jungle gym, jump on the trampoline and do turns in the air!

She has a sweet tooth and just loves a treat or two.

They all have inherited good entrepreneurial skills like their father. He used to borrow capital to buy sweets and other necessities to sell at boarding school but somehow all the profits were eaten! The "beds" they are selling are actually beads!

Diana and I had loads of fun finding new quilting shops and buying just a little of this and that!

Times have changed and bring up children has taken on another dimension with all the techno things available. Ben, not yet three, has worked an I pad for some time and now and has his own. Molly and Hannh each have their own too which is necessary for the sake of peace in the home. They watch movies, do puzzles and games and other interesting things. Like it or not, this is the way the world is gong and instead of fighting it we go with the flow. The children have lots of books read to them and hopefully will be readers some day even if it is using a Kindle. They play lots, love their friends and go off with their parents on many wonderful excursions. What more can you wish for.

Thank you to our great family and also to their kind neighbors who made us so welcome. We loved our time with you and take away wonderful memories.xxxx

LAHUA, ALOHA.

Part of the Hawaiin Culture is to enjoy a LAHUA which is a traditional feast, followed by the lighting of the flames and jumping into the sea off a high point. The nearest venue was the Sheraton Hotel, so off we set everyone dressed to the nines!! 

The weather was superb and perfect for being out and watching the sun go down.

The evening started off with the lighting of the flame followed by jumping off Black Rock.

As I understand it the jumping off the rock represents ridding the earth of evil spirits. The Sheraton has someone jump off the rock every night......interesting job!

 

Then the band struck up and the real fun began. Hawaiin music is great and listening to this music reminded me of the movie "South Pacific, " a huge favorite of mine. I think this movie was the first of its kind being a musical.

 

The dancing began, with the dancers all dressed up n colorful costumes and those hips swaying in time to the delightful music.

 

We were keeping cool and hydrated by enjoying a couple of exotic drinks.

The children danced and pranced and had loads of fun.

Our camera man (Poppie) wandered round taking interesting pics.

We had not booked in for the "feast" part of the evening but little Ben could not resist the pudds!

Nothing like a bit of self,service!

Molly has set her dreams on being a Hawaiin dancer too!

Hannah, too enjoyed the sweets of the evening.

 

A great evening was had by all! If you have the chance don't miss out on a LAHUA!!