Over The Hedge

A few weeks ago our neighbors’ hedge collapsed under its own weight – unfortunately over to our side.

The hedge on the other side wasn’t looking too great either.

So we had the gardeners come in. They should call themselves “Gardeners Surprise”, because they tend to just show up without ever phoning beforehand. This time it was on Erik’s birthday

Erik thought this was another event organised for his amusement. He watched from the safe distance of his sandpit while nibbling on Provita crackers.

I asked the gardeners to trim everything on our side. So they did.

Unfortunately the result wasn’t quite what we’d had in mind.

Well, at least we didn’t have to fear our neighbors’ wrath as it turned out to be OUR hedge after all.

Now the gardeners will have to come in again and remove the rest of it.

We are now thinking about what to do with this corner of our garden. Whether to put up a nice high fence (expensive AND we’d still have to grow something in front of it); or just a wire fence and plant bamboo (grows quickly);

To start with we have decided to plant two fruit trees – one lime tree and one other one. Approximately one each where you can presently see those rediculous leftover pieces of hedge – but a bit further into the garden. Then we’ll take it from there.

We are of course open to suggestions.

At least the other hedge turned out better.

Birthday candle

By the way…

in case you’re still wondering…

Erik DID blow out his birthday candle – with a little help from Dad.

And he did it TWICE! Once his “real” birthday candle on the 30th and then again the next day at his party.

And he was rewarded with a cupcake.

Happy birthday to Erik!!

Erik’s first birthday started like any other day – with a bottle of milk and reading Winnie Pooh in bed with Dad.

But when he came into the kitchen his eyes got SO big and there was lots of pointing and DA! DA! at the balloons, the presents and the cake.

Instead of the usual cereal/porridge, Erik had a selection of his favorites – KIRI cheese on wholeweat toast, cheddar cheese, strawberries…

while reading his new book

After breakfast we all went outside for the big present – a sandpit! The second half will become his “pool” (promises to be a huge mess – what fun!).

Conveniently located so that Erik can keep busy while Mom hangs up the laundry. Also it is the only place in the garden that has shade most of the day AND we can sweep up the sand which will inevitably collect around it over time and put it back into the pit.

Then Dad had to leave for work and Meli and Erik played in the sandpit for a while longer.

Meli didn’t do much around the house that day, but rather spent time with Erik. Around lunchtime Angie with her dogs Jet and Pepper came to visit and she and Meli had a tea and chat by the sandpit. Meli forgot to take pictures.

After a long nap in the afternoon, Granny and Oupa came to visit!! Erik saw them and then the box they were carrying. CAR! he said. And right he was!

This present even beat the sandpit! The best thing are all the buttons and levers that make things happen – like play Rock n’Roll music! Bounce, bounce – what a happy birthday boy!

How wonderful to have Granny and Oupa there! If only Nena and Nobbi could have been there, too!

In the evening we had a very very tired little boy! Before sleeping Erik always wants to read a book with Dad. This evening it was his new Baby Bedtime book.

Good night!!!

Gassi

While Glenn got our very tired birthday boy ready for bed, Meli took the dogs for a walk around the block. The perfect ending to a perfect day.

This is our street just around the corner from our house. To get there you would take a right here. I usually take the longer route straight and over the open field behind our house so Mia can get another run.

That’s our house on the right hand side. Mia likes to chase the Guinea Fowls on the field up the trees – where they then sit and complain loudly EH EH EH EH EH…

Every evening one crazy giunea fowl always runs against our lounge glass door. Yesterday it even set the alarm off that way. We suspect it thinks its reflection is a rival.

By the way, these are guinea fowls: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmeted_Guineafowl

I love them! They are so funny and so much part of our home here.

The day before the OTHER big day

Swimming was completely postponed to next week as it was always either too cold or too rainy. Nevertheless, another BIG day is coming up tomorrow which will take place no matter what – Erik’s first birthday.

Last night he slept really well and in his own bed for a change! Maybe it’s because the last (fifth) tooth has now finally pushed through. Or maybe because his separation anxiety is getting better.

We spent the evening preparing for Erik’s birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erik loves to watch what’s happening from underneath his chair.

Once he was in sleepyland Mom baked a cake and realised once again that she a far from talented when it comes to baking.

It’s completely flat FLAT! (like a brownie) :(

But full of love!!

 

 

 

 

Everything’s ready now and waiting for Erik!

GOOD NIGHT!!

Swimming lessons!

Today was supposed to be the BIG DAY of Erik’s first swimming lesson.

Unfortunately the day started with a thunder storm and continued likewise so that the lesson was postponed to tomorrow.

This is what happens in our house when there’s thunder:

We decided that a few drops of rains ain’t going to spoil our fun! So we tried on the swimming gear.

1. Swim Nappy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Swim Suite (protection from sun)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Sunglasses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Mama, are you nuts? Take them ooooooooooooooooff!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Hat

TATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Busy Saturday

Last weekend was quite busy. Saturday morning we attended a meeting with Erik’s new swimming teacher Anne-lise where she explained everything about the course.

After all the excitement with the other toddlers Erik was veeeeeeeeery tired.  

When we got home he just continued sleeping in his car seat.

When he woke up some yummy savoury pancakes were waiting for him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meli also had some and Glenn enjoyed some time out in front of the computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recharged we drove to Willowbridge Shopping Centre to buy Erik’s swim gear. Thanks to our great hiking carrier shopping (and dog walking!) is a pleasure with Erik.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally we (Glenn and I) treated ourselves to a coffee and chocolate muffin at Vida E Cafe. Erik enjoyed some more pancake – this time with apple!

Frueh uebt sich (Little Geek)

Every opportunity he gets Erik sneaks off into the study (where he’s hardly allowed to do anything except look cute).

Here you can see him with an old keyboard that he discovered in a box.

For his birthday his Daddy got him a baby key board that plugs into the computer and with which the two of them will be able to play cool educational games. (don’t tell – it’s a secret!)

F1 = HEEELP!!!

Hello?

Erik got a telephone from Granny and Oupa. As you can see he got the hang of it. Somehow it reminds me of the beginning of the 20th century…

At the Beach

When Erik and I have an appointment in town we always try to combine it with some fun – like going to the beach!

Here we are at Granger Bay in Mouille Point. Very close to where Glenn used to stay before we moved into the house in Greenpoint.

Erik loved the sand and found the water fascinating. He didn’t like having his feet dipped into the water though. He clung very tightly to Mommy’s neck for safety.

Everything must be thoroughly examined. It might be eatable.

mmm… amazing. A Mussel Mytilus (Napfschnecke).