October - BIRTHDAY MONTH!!

This month has gone by far to quickly - jam packed with birthdays! We have had a fair amount of family birthday's and friends... isn't life wonderful! Today we had a school friends birthday party at Fish Hoek Primary School - fantstic venue, R500 for 3 hours and TONS of space & jungle gyms etc. The weather didn't play along but that did not deter the kids who ran riot in the rain.

Inside eating - well trained kids ;-)

Outside fun!

As we fly into November and then December we welcome the warm summer weather! I have recently purchased an ice-cream machine - so far we have made banana/coffee and strawberry ice cream - so refreshing! I am hoping to make strawberry and vanilla ice cream tomorrow.... inbetween rugby and church! The only snag with making your own ice cream is that it is a PROCESS not an instant pudding :-)

Home-made strawberry ice cream :-)

God's Goodness

I feel almost compelled to update with a quick post - it has been awhile & after a fabulous ladies evening out at my youngest son's school with lovely ladies/moms & teachers I felt like I needed to update my blog :-)

Last week was a crazy week with an old school friend of mine's brothers funeral & the next day another lovely friend who is going through a rough time's prayer afternoon. I felt like I had been in an emotional rollercoaster! Ontop of all of it I was on anti-biotics for a nasty throat infection (not uncommon with our weather we are experiencing!), my eldest son got a stomach bug & was home for 2 days. What a privilege it is to be home & with your children when they are ill... and the weather is bad :-) I thank the Lord for the time of rest as we all need that. Be quiet & know that HE is GOD..

I have been struck once again by the meaning of life - RELATIONSHIPS! God has pre-destined us to have a relationship with Him & with others, we CAN NOT go through life alone. The shortness of our life here is also another reality we all have to face at some time in our life. Lets do the most we can with the time we have & build ROCK solid relationships in HIM!

WORSHIP - another key factor to having a life built on HIM. I need to get to CUM books soon to get some more worship CD's - looking forward to buying Chris Tomlin...Our God is Greater, we are singing way to many of these songs at Church to not own one :-)

At our ladies meeting last night I was reminded of my shopping skills - so for those that don't know this SATURDAY (26 Aug) all items on the Woolworths sale will be marked down to R25!!! HAPPY SHOPPING :-)

SHOPPING ;-)

Yesterday my mom & I did a little factory shopping..

Merrypak- you can spend hours here!! So many lovely things and so much to choose from! The sticker collection has definately grown since I last went.. why is it that when you are looking for something you can't find it & months after there are tons of what you were looking for in the shops! My eldest son had a pirate party last November & I STRUGGLED to find pirate stickers - Merrypak had quite a few yesteday ;-)

We visited the Woolworths/Truworths handbag/wallet/scarf/beanie/hat/glove factory (the road behind Merrypak) - I managed to buy some fingerless black gloves for R10!!! And my mom bought a nice small handbag, R75 - we have been looking everywhere for one for her as she is fussy!

Then off to Epping, which is so close to Ndabeni (just take the back road to the casino for 10 minutes & you are there!). We ran through the Greencross factory (end of Benbow Ave)- tons of lovely & expensive shoes! The boots (lots of my friends have been talking about) are lovely but R900 a pair is a bit steep & the really lovely ones where size 3! They had lovely kids takkies for R150 & up... they looked pretty decent & not able to scuff/break easily - we go through a pair of takkies in a couple of days with our boys & the black motorbikes at school!! Most of their sandals were on special - R150 upwards.

Then stopped at Giant Sweets (just up the road from Greencross, 3 Benbow Ave) and it was packed..note to anyone going do not go at 12h00 - 13h00 - crazy time! We bought lots of sweets & choc's - belgian choc's from R10 a box!! I also managed to get some pirate sweets & fun skeleton sunglasses for a friend having a pirate party on Saturday for her little boy!! They really have EVERYTHING (except teddy bear jelly babies - I had to buy some for FHPS GR R - Teddy hibernation day today, I did manage to get teddy bear biscuits - honey & choc chip for R10 per pkt), make sure you have time to look & stand in the que! After that is was EASY WEAR - clothing, bedding & TOYS! Was rather sad as the last time I visited there we got lots of lovely toys & games for R20, this time their prices were a bit higher but you can still buy board games - hi ho cherry o, chutes & ladders, sorry - for under R40. ALSO managed to get my youngest son POWER rangers colouring in & stickers - he was sooo impressed!! A lot of their costumes/bikini's are on special now so good time to go. They also stock Zara - very exciting!

I have been debating for awhile now to stop using wheat & move to the wheat free side of life as my husbands whole family have a wheat intolerance... so bought my first box of Glutagen wheat free self raising flour & I am going to attempt to make a banana bread later... hold thumbs! I also bought cheese rolls..non-wheat free as the SPAR has them on special this week R1.99 each! Glutagen mixes are also cheaper at the SPAR R28.99 per box.

I also recently bought PNP clothes washing powder for automatic washing machines - so impressed with it..it comes with its own scoop & is much cheaper than Omo/Skip!!

Slivers Biltong & Nuts has carob coated dates on special this month - they are delicious & worth the R27 for the packet ;-)

LASTLY - if you like Estee Lauder SA on FB & enter your cellphone number - you will get a free sample of Advanced night repair & 10 day supply of perfect foundation...if not why not!

Hope you have a lovely weekend! We have a pirate party to attend & social with friends :-) Will post pics soon!

Holiday fun..

It really is important to get away and get a change of scenery! We recently hit the Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve for the night - wow beautiful scenery all over. What a privilege to get away. Below are the lakeview cottages.. we are definately visiting those soon! It always amazes me how our souls are made to be in nature and how refreshed we get by doing so... and there was SNOW!

Last week I was helping a friend with a kids playroom in the Sunvalley Mall- hardwork but awesome to meet other parents & see kids having FUN! So important for our kids - to play

 & have fun :-) What was really amazing is that all the equipment - jumping castles, cupcake icing, colouring in etc was DONATED & FREE to play for as long as the kids wanted.. people still care.

Next week I plan on relaxing and spending time with my boys & friends. Imhoff is on our list along with Somerset West & maybe Melkbos to visit our family.. we are blessed to live in such a beautiful place..

Another favourite CPT spot is the Aquarium -we went the other day & found the new tug boat.. looks like fun :-)

Long weekend ..

Finally the Easter weekend is upon us, what we celebrate with whom & for what reason are all personal decisions. Our weekend looked rather relaxed until suddenly it was full with friends birthday parties, the Two Oceans (we were lucky enough to see a good friend run past :-) ) and family... we are so blessed to be part of it all!

Yesterday we were invited to Yentl's 4th birthday - what a wonderful morning full of fun for the kids. I am always amazed at how girls LOVE pink & make-up & bling, it doesn't matter what age they are they want to be a princess! Yentl got the pink dress & shoes below from her Ouma in PE.  The dress was bought in Johannesburg by her Aunty & posted to PE & the shoes were bought en-route to CPT! Her Ouma also bought her REAL pearls from J-Bay. Yentl's necklace is really clever as the clasp is a magnet - perfect for little hands that can't do proper clasp's yet. On our way home we popped into my Aunt & Uncle for a family lunch, we were late but still managed to eat way too much - delicious home-made snoek pate, matzo's, pickled fish & hot cross buns.. I won't mention all the delicious puddings! What a privilege to be with family over this important religious holiday, after all God is all about relationships.

 

Last week Sunday, I was lucky enough to be invited to High Tea at the Table Bay Hotel for a special friends birthday - there was something for everyone. A serious spread of seriously yummy cakes & savouries, along with a piano player & the best view of our fabulous Table Mountain. The weather was perfect along with the setting, food & drinks (from cafe lattes to tea of different sorts).  It was mad hatter's themed so when I bit into a pink meringue, expecting to taste something pink and instead had a bannana taste in my mouth, I was surprised! Such beautifully presented cakes with different taste sensations! I did have a apple tart - which I have been dreaming about ever since...and trying to figure out how to make (in both pictures below with the gooseberry & cream ontop)..

I think I may have to attempt making those yummy apple tarts soon :-)

May this Easter weekend be one of family, fun & God's peace, provision & blessing!

Specials..

Well in case you don't know RIO the new movie is finally out & Mcdonalds has the toys ;-)


ALSO the SPAR has free range 2L milk on special for R11.99 till the 17th April!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!

Things that are happening in & around town..

So we ran out of gigs...hence no posts for awhile :-)

But I am back! We have had such awesome March weather - what a privilege! We went to a 20-20 cricket match at Newlands where the Cape Cobra's took home the winning trophy..wow what an experience! Next time we will definately take our boys along..

March has also been a month of catching up with good friends and family who have been on holiday here. April month brings more oversea's friends..can't wait!

This weekend it is the Navy Festival.. we were priviliged enough to go with friends yesterday, before the masses decend! It was such fun & there is LOADS to do - half the stuff we didn't get to as we ran out of steam. The weather has been rather unpredicatable & yesterday was no exception - rain & sunshine all in one go... I ended up believe it or not with a face tan!!! Hi-lights for us were seeing all the guns (as you enter to the right handside is a warehouse..inside there you will find an array of guns), boarding the boats & watching the fire fighters do their demonstration and the helicopter & boat rescue divers out of the sea!

Today my mom & I raced to http://www.robinmillsgroup.co.za/auctions.asp - they have a 50-75% discount on bikes, damaged in a fire but some are still in very good condition. After doing our 2nd Argus Tricycle tour earlier this month a bike is in order... no 5yr olds had blue plastic bikes but ours! Tristan now is the proud owner of a silverback red bike, helmet & bicycle tyre pump!

Tonight we will be celebrating a friend of ours birthday... and looking forward to it!

Stress and distress!

Going to hospital with a sick child is not fun... in fact I think that someone needs to design a hospital with double beds for parents & sick children along with king sized beds for the maternity ward so dad's & the rest of the family can sleep over! I am still tired

My life..

Wow, Valentines day is over and so is the weekend.. bring on Friday!! We have tickets to U2 and cannot wait!!

Fish Hoek Primary school continues to amaze me - they learn't shapes last week and we had to take lunch in different shapes - ie. triangle day was melrose cheese & triangle sandwiches! This week they are doing colours (today they had to dress in YELLOW) - yesterday was RED INDIAN DAY (for valentines). They had a to paint the t-pee and make dream catchers! My eldest son now wants to have a Red Indian Party.. (watch this space!)

Saturday I had a Himalaya product party - such a fantastic range of products from health care (different vitamins, honey with herbs/spices in etc), baby care (bum creams, powders, shampoo's etc) to personal care (hair washes, toothpaste, face washes/scrubs/creams etc). The response has been great, the product is greater and VERY reasonable! I LOVE their face washes/ scrubs, foot cream & lip ice.

There seems to be a viral bug doing the rounds in Fish Hoek, friends of mines kids & my own kids have had it. This afternoon I sat in complete silence and peace while all 3 boys slept!! It always amazes me how much you can get done without kids getting inbetween!! This bug needs to get done with, as we have a U2 concert to attend ;-)

Why?!

My almost three year old is busy potty training.. daily we have accidents which are rather disgusting.. why me I think?! On a POSITIVE note I am glad that I am here to help him. Life sure is colourful when you have kids!

I am also battling at the moment with TESTOSTERONE - there is definately way to much of it in our house! Both my boys wake up fighting..and I thought I was going to have two friends!! They get on well but after a while a power struggle develops. After chatting to my brother-in-law, I realised that we are not alone, all boys need to "mark" their territory!! I hear my boys arguing & inevitably one will say to the other.. "I am going to tell my mom on you", I always end up having a silent laugh - they have the same parents!!

As parents we have a big responsibility to our kids to bring them up in this world to be able to stand on their own two feet and not be swayed.. not something anyone should / can take lightly. To all those parents out their PRAY for your children and for yourself that God gives you the wisdom, words & friends to help you along your journey as a parent.

Hot summer days..

My boys have been so enjoying home-made ice lollies.. today we are trying frozen coke.. will see how those go down! There favourites are frozen yoghurt & milkshakes!

I am so grateful that we live in Fish Hoek and have this lovely breeze blowing!!

Today we have my cousin's daughters birthday - 11 tomorrow! Looking forward to tea & cake this avies. Yesterday we celebrated my friend's sons birthday - SPUR birthdays.. we were soo impressed with the SPUR cups & sweets ;-)

Quote for the week..

Live life deliberately!

Shopping..

For those who know or have heard - Robin Mills Auctioneers in Westlake Business Park have a 70% off Thurs & Fri (3rd & 4th) Feb... we will be going Friday for those wanting to join..

Monday..

The weekends fly by and we are left with the reality of work..

As we start the new year we have certain goals and this Sunday at church we were reminded that if our outlook on life is not positive our approach will also not be positive and we may reap what we sew...negativity.. so lets start the week positively and thank the Lord for all that passes our way - whether we feel it is positive or negative.. this morning I am cleaning house & thanking the Lord that I am at home & able to do so!

We had such a lovely full weekend:

• Friday night we were with family eating roast pork on babs - apparantly a truly British thing to do while at carboot sales! It was such fun & my boys got to play with their big cousin & her friend - musical statues & much more... needless to say they were pooped by 9pm! I won't mention the divine pavlova that was consumed after all the food..

• Saturday we had a friends daughters birthday party - a PONY party! What fun it was to race up & down the Sports Fields running & chasing the pony... and what yummy cake we had! The boys and I left the party with most of the other guests and shortly after that my husband arrived for a swim.. our poor friends entertaining the whole day ;-)  After that my husband & I raced off to the Chart Farm in Wynberg, we had never been there & met up with some friends - wow what beautiful views & the BIGGEST lemon meringue I have ever seen! On our way home we stopped in at Peddlars, as we all were looking forward to the very well know Peddlars potato wedges - only to discover they no longer have them on their menu :-( So we settled for the snack platter - deep fried mushrooms, prawn springrolls (yumminess!), chips, steak & chicken with a lovley dipping sauce! All of this before 8pm.. what a day!

• Sunday my husband took our boys fishing at Sandvlei (near Muizenberg) - they had the BEST morning and even managed to catch a leerfish which neither boy would let my husband release... so we are having leerfish for supper tonight (apparantly good panfried in butter... will let you know..)! After all the fishing both boys had a lovely sleep.. the best part of keeping them busy! I went to church while they were out fishing and for the first time in 5yrs could actually listen to the message! Very inspirational about being POSITIVE (incase you didn't read above!). While my boys slept.. all 3 of them.. my mom & I hit the gym with a friend of ours - so disappointing when you haven't been in forever & you go & you realise how unfit you are AGAIN... POSITIVELY I will be going more often :-) Once we had woken everyone up, we joined friends for a braai at their place - it is amazing how everyone young & old loves Oepsies (pieces of bacon wrapped around a skewer in sweet sauce).. bought from FH Spar.. yum!! We had such a lovely avies with all 3 boys playing! On our way home we stopped in for a swim at grannies house... it was freezing but boys will be boys... all 3 jumped in! We had one problem at home... our eldest, after his LOOOONNNNGGG sleep could not / would not sleep till after 9pm... what a looonnnggg night!!

Leerfish prepartion..

Today the sun is shining & wind is blowing.. but what a lovely summers day & we are so blessed. My house is a complete mess as I would like to think most are after a good weekend... so I need to get back to work!

January 2011..

2011... has started with a BANG! Everyone I know or speak to has found the start of the year a rather hard one, we are all climbing up the VERY steep mountain... yes we WILL get to the top!

I have been wanting to start a blog but am a true postponer of what I need to do... like most of us... life can take over.. so this is my first blog of hopefully many.

My friends keep telling me to share my wealth of information... so keep checking the blog for updates!