Christmas Wrap Up

Instead of giving you the whole Christmas account in text, I thought, this year, I'd stick to pics and captions to give you the story!

This year the Christmas tree had to go somewhere little hands could not reach, even when balancing on little toes. We also had to pack gifts into bags under the tree to avoid any going missing, or being opened prematurely!

 Christmas Eve dinner in Grabouw, and this year I really had to make the lamb (last year I got Tarrin's mom to do it for us). Dinner was only at 22h30, and some people (thankfully) never made it.

 Dinner time!

 Every year, Jason and Lexi can't contain themselves as they wait for midnight when they can open their gifts. This year, dinner was later than usual, so by the time they finished eating, it was already past midnight!

 Meanwhile, Zac was none the wiser...

 ... and Gabbi was fast asleep (unlike last year)

 We did Secret Santa in Grabouw this Christmas too, so everyone was pretty anxious about how it was going to work out.

 In the end, though, the kids always win!

 Lexi got exactly what she wanted from  her aunty B

 But then, Lotter was pretty chuffed with his gift too...

 As was Bernil...

 And Jason!

 It was a pretty successful Secret Santa, I'd say

 Then on Christmas morning, Zac got to open his gift. The poor thing didn't have a clue what was happening, or why he'd received presents.

I had to open it for him before he took any interest.

 But once it was opened and assembled, he was perfectly happy to play.

 And took only a short break for a quick breakfast.

 Gabbi, who had opened one present before going to bed on Christmas Eve, was happy to find she had more. Those Klaasen kids are obviously better trained when it comes to presents! :)

 See, once again, Zac doesn't have a clue!

After lunch we went to Papu and Yaya's house. I don't know if it's the madness that accompanies a visit there, but Zac was instantly more 'interested' in Christmas, and even posed for a smile.

 We also tried a family photo...

 (this was about the best we could come up with)

 Perhaps the photographers weren't taking their role seriously enough.

 Nana, Gramps and uncle Quentin were also in attendance so it was really house full!

 

 One of the presents Jorja got was a brand new bike. Which she rode in wearing her brand new sandals - much to her mother's horror!

 Big smiles as Natasha opens all her gifts.

Matthew decided to take Zac and Ethan's bikes for a spin while they weren't looking.

 Annie opening her gifts. I think I have a pic of her smiling like this in every Christmas blog entry!

 Jorja opening her gifts amidst the madness.

Just a glimpse of the chaos that is opening gifts on Christmas day. At this point Jorja was opening her blackboard and chalk, Ethan was doing doughnuts on his new bike (on Papu and Yaya's polished floor), and everyone was talking so much, we could hardly follow whose turn it was to open gifts.

 Ash got some much wanted clothing items in Secret Santa this year. Once again, Andel bought for her...

 ... and she bought cycling gear and a body-warmer for him.

 Papu, who know officially owns the title of "most difficult recipient" got the tool set he wanted, from PJ (who was very nervous about having bought for Pops)

 Nobody loves, or gets more excited about, receiving gifts than PJ!

 He got a Chelsea FC top from Dom

Dom got a little goodie bag from Yaya which included some new-teacher essentials, and some pretty cool gift vouchers.

And, in a poll conducted amongst ourselves, right after the gift exchanged, it was decided that Yaya got the coolest gift of the day. From me!

 Yaya was so happy to find out that, instead of receiving a few books as she requested, she got a brand new Kindle!

 Once again, I was last to receive my gift, because for the 3rd year running, the (same) giver has a long story about how he lost the list etc. etc. Well, Papu still did a good job: I got a wok and some cake decorating goodies. All I need now is a new kitchen!

How many shots does it take to get a decent pic? Too many! But still fun!

 Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas if the boys didn't get to eat Papu's famous trifle.

 Don't mess with this little biker - with personalised 'plates, thanks to aunty Dom.

 The cake table for tea. We were joined later by the Ebrahims, Brendan and Garth (Dom's new 'friend'). Somehow though, we just don't have any pics of any of them!

Our Christmas tree, after Christmas, with all the gifts that we received. What a lucky bunch we are!

Andel Goes to Hospital

On the morning of Tuesday 10th December, our household woke really early, and began a morning of activity that culminated in admitting Andel to hospital.

About two weeks earlier, Andel had gone for a check up on his shoulder. Following a subjuxation (popping out and back in) thanks to a rather rough tackle on the rugby field in August, it had been bothering him for some time. The result of that check up was that he had to have surgery to repair the torn ligaments and re-establish some stability in the joint. And (according to Andel, anyway) the best time to fix that was December (I was not convinced, by the way) - after Die Burger Cycle Tour, and with enough time to recover for The Argus Cycle Tour in March.

So Andel went to hospital - quite nervously, I might add! He was admitted at 08h00, and after lots of forms, tests and questions (shame, it was his first time as a hospital patient), I accompanied him into theatre, before leaving him in the safe hands of the surgeon and his wife (the anaethetist).

The operation went very well, still Andel had to stay overnight, so he insisted that Zac come visit (not the best idea - I blame it on the meds), and I spent all of visiting hour running after an 18 month old who obviously remembered his own visit to Constantiaberg and was very much at home roaming around.

Since then, things have been.... interesting. For nearly three weeks (over Christmas!) Andel was unable to use his right arm at all. Which meant I did everything - from washing (clothes, dishes, Zac and sometimes Andel) to driving - and Zac was not always happy with that arrangement! But we made it! Andel has been given the go ahead to resume most activities, and will hopefully begin rehab next month, after his check up.

In the meantime, while Andel is dying to get back out on the bike again, Zac and I are trying to take advantage of the extra time we have with him at home. For now.

(this was written in December, but I have been waiting - and continue to wait - for Andel to send me the pics... perhaps this pic-less post will hurry that along!)

Fruit and Flowers

On the 21st November Andel and I celebrated four years of (mostly) wedded bliss. In the short time that we have been married, one thing we have realised is that we can save a lot of money by not purchasing wedding anniversary gifts, and so instead of buying each other lavish presents, we go the traditional route, and try to do/give something small and fun. So far, it's been as follows:

1 - Paper
For this anniversary I made Andel a photobook of our wedding pictures - a definite labour of love as this was before the days of downloadable-photobook-software, and I had to do each painstaking page from scratch! Still, it's a treasured possession - one displayed proudly on our coffee table.

2 - Cotton
So with this anniversary we had just found out that I was pregnant with Zac, and to say that I was feeling tired is an understatement! In addition to this, I had just finished the first half of my studies, and I needed a pamper. So in celebration of all things cotton, Andel and I spent a night of luxury at Asara Wine Estate, where we were upgraded to the President Suite, and dined like royalty - well, Andel did. I was feeling a little ill!

3 - Leather
This year we did buy gifts. It may have had something to do with the fact that with a small baby in the house, we weren't getting out much. Also, I desperately needed a new purse, and (if any of you have seen how low Andel's trousers sometimes hang, you will agree) Andel needed a belt. In fairness, I guess the nice thing about a 'real' gift sometimes is that you have it long after the other experiences have passed, and so occasionally I do steal a look at Andel's belt and remember our 3rd anniversary!

4 - Fruit and Flowers
Neither Andel not I were going to settle for a bouquet and fruit basket, so we added a modern twist to this traditional gift, and decided to treat ourselves to some pampering with fruit and flower infused oils. We went to a Moonlight Spa at Mangwanani at Zevenwacht (a special we received the morning of our anniversary!), and were each treated to a full body hot-stone massage, a foot and leg massage, and the most heavenly Indian head massage (I feel my eyes drifting close as I think about it), along with snacks, dinner and decadent dessert! And of course, none of it would have been possible without a reliable and responsible babysitter (thanks Dom!).

Sipping champagne on the coach ride to Zevenwacht

The beautiful site of Mangwanani, overlooking the city

Nothing better than the comfort of gowns and slippers!

Growing up, I wasn't sure that I would ever get married. But I'm pretty sure that it's one of the best decisions I've made. I'm not very good at being a good wife (or even a good person at times), but, by the grace of God, I have a husband that I'm mad about (more than at!), and we have a lot to be happy about and thankful for...

So next year is number 5, and the traditional gift is wood. Wood. I know. I'll be thinking about that one for a while. So if anyone has any ideas...

Zac's Latest Summer Firsts

Over the last couple of weeks there have been a number of 'new' firsts for Zac. I don't know why, but I guess I took for granted that there would be more of these novel experiences after the usual baby ones!

Summer is well and truly here in Cape Town, and Zac is loving being outdoors!

Happiness is... playing IN the sprinkler

At last Zac gets to go to swimming lessons

What was meant to be a leisurely walk on the beach...

...that became a fully clothed swim, dried off with a blanky towel

And so, the next day, we did a real beach day

And part of summer fun - and school holidays - is to be allowed special treats...

... like getting the baking spoon to lick off

... extra time watching our favourite songs with Daddy

... and getting to sleep a little later in the morning

Last summer Zac had only just learnt to crawl, so it was pretty easy to keep him confined to the spaces that kept him clean, and me most at ease. This summer is going to be a different story, I can tell! While I'd prefer (for myself) to be cool, clean and indoors, to see Zac as happy as he is right now, is worth all the sun, sea and sand!

Mamma Mia!

Last Wednesday, smack bang in the middle of the hustle and bustle that comes along with the end of the year, my Mom, Ashleigh and Jorja, Dom, Kim, Ilana and I had a girls night out.

Now when you consider that four of the seven girls who went out each have a one-year old at home, I guess the fact that we went anyway is an achievement in itself!

Ashleigh very kindly hooked us up with tickets to The Galileo open air theatre in Kistenbosch Gardens where we watched (or rather, sang) Mamma Mia, under the stars.

All bundled up to keep warm in the wind

Before the movie started

Jorja's pic she took while waiting for Kim and Ilana

The Galileo fills up...

Sadly this little lady couldn't keep her eyes open any longer

A good night out, now ready to go to bed!

What a fun night out - definitely one to be repeated!