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!