So Easter has already come and gone, and the kids were overloaded with chocolate as per usual.  One thing that surprised me completely was Bradley’s belief in the Easter Bunny.  I thought that he was definitely going to be wise about this whole lark this year, because he can read.  But no… it’s just as magical as ever.

He did chirp at some stage though that ALL the eggs were from Woolworths! LOL! The Easter Bunny bought all of them at the same place! That’s one lazy Easter Bunny!

I love the magic that kids bring into our lives

So now we’re back at home, and I have another week off work.  I have declared this a fun stay-cation.  We are not going to be sitting at home twiddling our thumbs… and I haven’t booked many shoots so that I can spend time with the kids (other than the editing backlog of course)

Yesterday, Josh came to play for the day to allow his mom some quiet studying time… and I took the 3 boys to the Spur for lunch and the ten pin bowling.  Partly because the weather was so crap and I knew they’d be driving me nuts but they had a ball! And if you look closely at the last image… you’ll see that Connor won the game, much to Bradley’s disgust! LOL!

And then to end the day, Madelein and her family and Sue and Josh had dinner at our house.

The kids were exhausted after all that Mission accomplished

Hehe I took a few quizzes after reading Angel’s blog this afternoon…

Created by Oatmeal

Absolutely shocking spelling… I’m so ashamed!

Created by Oatmeal

Created by Oatmeal

Created by Oatmeal

LOL, I had the kids standing with me when I played the sound test. After hearing it, I said “Cool, so I’m not that old then”, so which Connor replied “You look that old”

This is Day 16 in the 30 truths for 30 days meme

Tequila.

I try my damndest not to have it when I go out.  If anyone is offering, I disappear very quickly.

I can’t handle it, the mere smell of it makes me queasy.

The problem with it stems back to a time pre-Lance, when I was at varsity.  I had this car accident you see, and I was in a neck brace, and on anti-inflammatories and painkillers.  And the guys I was in the accident with decided to take me out to say sorry, because I was the only one hurt.   So we went to this club in Fourways Mall, and the band that was playing had a competition seeing who the loudest group in the place… and we got the prize (the 3 of us, thinking back now it was probably a sympathy thing because I was in a neck brace, but anyhoo).

The prize was a bottle of tequila.  Which we then finished.

I still can’t drink any of it!! That happened about 18 years ago!

I believe that learning to climb a tree is a thing that every child should do.

It’s an important part of growing up, and there aren’t enough climbing trees around anymore, which is such a pity.

Two weeks ago though, I looked at the trees in the park where we walk the dogs a little more closely and realised that those trees were perfect! So Bradley has finally been able to learn to climb a tree.

Then on Sunday, we went with a group of moms to a tea venue, and there was such an awesome tree.  The kids had a ball, even Connor managed to climb the huge trunk, and they spent more time in the tree than they did on the jungle gyms.

I think there’s something to be said about trying to navigate around a natural uneven tree, that’s just so much more rewarding for any child than climbing on a straight man-made frame.

In fact, the one mom commented that the tree was like the Faraway tree   I just love that connotation… that tree was so full of wonder for the kids!  So special, and they all had such big smiles while on it.

I was chatting to my mom about the climbing this evening, and we both had stories relating to trees, from when we were growing up.  And the memories just made me smile.

Carl and I went to an afterschool centre, and at the back of the house there was a field surrounded by fruit trees. One of the trees was an enormous mulberry trees, and I remember spending hours in the tree, picking the fruit and chatting to friends.  Those were the happiest times that I remember from those afterschool afternoons.

I wish I had trees in my garden for the boys to climb, but at least I know that there are a few around where I can let them explore the wonders that trees can hold.

Going to a spa with Madi for half the day

Jealous much?

I cannot wait!

We had organised it close to Mother’s Day so that the men could pay for it… but oh well… I actually forgot to tell Lance that little part.  LOL! Guess I’ll have to do without that new pair of shoes that I needed.

The kids are going to be so very tired of the car by the time we get to the coast on Tuesday.

We drove more than 3 hours to Badplaas on Friday, the same back home on Saturday, and we drove to Parys and back today (and that’s a 1 and a half hour trip one way).  And you know what kids are like in small confined space?!

But it’s also quite funny now with Connor trying to copy Bradley with the car games.

Take “eye spy” for example. Connor insists on having a turn between everyone else.

Today he goes “I spy, my ittle eye, something…. clouds”

So we guess “sky”, to which he replies “no”

“blue” again it’s a “no”

“sun” again it’s a “no”

“Clouds” says Bradley, and Connor shouts “no!!”

And so it continues… very tiring, I tell ya!

Laura put together a few questions today on Female2Female… and they look like my kind of questions for tonight… the simple kind

What colours would your wedding be/was your wedding? My dress was white, and then everything else was a mix of pastel colours… or at least everything was meant to be… because my bridesmaid, who despite being told about the colours, pitched up that morning wearing a bright red lace dress!

Scrubs or Greys Anatomy? Greys Anatomy without a doubt!

Do you pick your battles? I tend to pick them too carefully now, so I’m not confrontational enough!

Bar One or Whole Nut? Bar One

Where is your favourite holiday destination? I dunno, anywhere, as long as there’s sea and a beach to lie on, for at least part of the time

High School Musical or Cinderella? Cinderella

You are buying a new house what is the one thing the house must have? Bright and light rooms

Spring or autumn? Spring

Have you every skinny dipped before? Hell yeah!

Yoga or Kata Box? Yoga

If you had to study what would you study? Art or Photography



I know we went away last weekend for a night, but that’s not long enough… I’m so looking forward to getting through the next week.

On Good Friday night, we’re all going to Badplaas just for one night… I’m taking Sharon’s engagement photos there . The kids should have a blast with her son, and I’ve never been there… will be nice to see a new part of the country.

Then we’re going to Shelly Beach a few days after that ahhh bliss!! Just for 5 nights, but it’ll be just what we need, I think, to recharge our batteries.

But until then, have a monster, mammoth, marathon 8 hour shoot on Saturday (am doing photos for the Amazing Race for Charity), then a cheese and wine for a friend’s birthday, and I have family portraits on Sunday, and then I’m going with the kids to meet Madi and her kids on Sunday afternoon for a concert in a park… and then there’s work… and editing.

Good news though… I’m COMPLETELY up to date with my editing!! Everyone say Ye-eh-eh-eh-ah!!
I have NOTHING on my whiteboard in the To-Do section **whispers… apart from my shocking admin**

A colleague was talking about his plans for the evening, and mentioned that a friend of his had got him tickets to see some musician… and that the show starts at 11pm.

I couldn’t imagine anything worse, than milling around waiting for this dude to start playing at that godforsaken hour.  Yes, I do work on my editing until that time… but that sounds like such an aimless wait!

I’m so past that!  I might be a fuddy duddy because of that, but you know what, I’m ok with that!

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you may be doing