Jesus is the real reason for the season

I know...it's been a while.  I was away on a big adventure and then back to a crazy workload so lots to tell.  I'll be back in the new year.  Until then, remember that the birth of Jesus Christ is the REAL reason for the season.

A new crochet project

Based on an idea from Pat Jenkerson, our little crochet and knitting group are making squares to create blessing blankets.  Once finished, the blankets will be donated to Ry-Ma-In home for cerebral palsy in Linden, Johannesburg. 

 

I like to crochet a few rows when I get home at night from work, so these little squares are an easy project when I don't feel like working on my Tunisian crochet blanket.  I've already made 6 squares.  Yes ... I have several PHD's - Projects Half Done.

And I loved crocheting a few squares in the sunshine at Zaagkuil Lodge recently!

Splash

As part of Elizabeth's 8th birthday celebrations in August, we went to see Splash, the water circus at Silverstar Casino.  The 3 little ladies with us loved the show.

Katy and Elizabeth 

The outdoor area at Silverstar - it's lovely

Boo and her mom Bridget joined us 

This was seriously the worst show that I have ever seen, and there were several boos from the audience instead of applause.  The lighting was terrible - it shone right in our eyes from floor level, our seats were changed at the last minute to terrible seats, they promised synchronized swimmers (one of the dancers falling into the pool does not qualify as synchronized swimming!) and there were no water acts.  It seems to be a bunch of ex-gymnasts who are trying to make a living.  There were a few good acts, but overall, it was terrible.

Bounce

Elizabeth's 8th birthday party was held at Bounce Fourways - a great venue for kids and adults.  I booked an hour of Clip 'n Climb, followed by an hour or trampolining.  The girls (and their dads!) were exhausted by the time we got the cupcakes out for a final happy birthday song.

 

Jamie, Elizabeth, Katy and our sweet friend Boo

Crazy kids! 

My beautiful nieces - Katy, Elizabeth, Jamie and Anna 

Little Anna was very nervous as everyone got into their harnesses, but she soon settled down and got climbing up the high walls

Boo is the only child in our group who has done this before, so she is really confident on the high walls - well done Boo!

Shaun and Jamie climb the mirror wall

Brave Anna - our littlest climber

Brave little Katy climbs a difficult wall

Anna

Jamie and Shaun

Elizabeth and Boo are exhausted

Elizabeth at the top of a wall - brave girl! 

Anna climbs the mirror wall with her dad Shaun

Elizabeth got all the way up to the second last tall tower - well done E! 

Jamie was so brave climbing the tall towers 

After Clip n Climb, it was on to the trampolines 

Elizabeth was exhausted after 2 hours at Bounce 

Cupcakes with sprinkles - everyone could add their own sprinkles; the parents said "that's enough", I encouraged them to add lots more!  Little girls loooove sprinkles.

Miss Boo with her granny Sue 

Katy, Boo, Elizabeth, Jamie and Anna 

Little girls love crazy photos  - sooo cute!

Shaun and I share the same father  

Robbie and I share the same mother 

I LOVE this photo - me with my 4 little nieces

Turning 8!

Elizabeth turned 8 in August - seriously!?  She is growing up waaay too fast.  We started the weekend celebrations with dinner followed by Krispy Kreme doughnuts instead of cake.  Elizabeth approves of the doughnuts.

 

Elizabeth's first taste of Krispy Kreme

Of course a gold mask is required when reading Keith the Cat

Cocktails at Zaagkuil

While at Zaagkuilsdrift Lodge recently, I challenged Gerrie and Jaco to make cocktails for us (they don't usually serve cocktails).  I'm really not a big drinker but I love the occasional cocktail.  The guys treated us to a range of delicious cocktails which were perfect to enjoy next to the fire at sunset...

 

Arina & Joey 

Leonie

Rika and I