For Granny Lu

The whole of kindergarten had a beach party. Victoria's class 

All the mommy's and kiddies



Mommy loves you lots and lots




The sun was too hot so GP took shelter




Kara and GP baking lemon drizzle cupcakes. They were so yummy. GP taught Kara you have to clean up afterwards too. So good cooking. Victoria's one on one next time.




USB hired the whole of Rye playland. It was fantastic. Everything was free




Leon took the kids on a horror ride. The deal was he was waking up at night if there were any problems. No sleep problems thank goodness.




The huge water ride





The kids ate toffee apples. You could order any food your heart desired. The kids went for burger king.




Kara in her school play. She was one of the leading roles. What a fantastic role and so proud of seeing how Kara performed in front of quite a big audience. Huge concentration. Well done actor fancy lady




School is out. All the kids had to wear ties to school because Mr Butley the princpal has retired.




Never fear GP is HERE.





For granny LU. Lobster roll at the UBS playland.




Salmon fillet cooked on maple wood for flavour



Gp arrives

We are coming to the end of the school year and it just blows my mind that the kids have completed a whole school year in America. To see how they have integrated into the whole American way of life is amazing. They sure have gone from strength to strength and seem like well rounded normal kids. Happy kids which makes Leon and myself happy.

So schools out on Wednesday 22 June till September. Its a long one. Most kids have been booked into camp but we will fill our days with exploring.

Leon's dad is here for 4 weeks and down one week already. Its been busy. My work has also started slowing down. There is so much work around for private lessons but the lack and expense of child care makes it not possible at the moment. I will do the odd lesson.

I was offered a job to do a children's birthday party at a ladies house. I was so excited because a nice easy $120.00 for 2 hours. I had in my mind planned the whole party with games, toys. Then the bubble was burst big time. If anything happened while I had the kids in my care I could be sued. I have no personnel insurance to cover me. I felt so silly and so sad not taking the job. various American friends strongly advised me not to take the job for a mere $120.00. When its not part of your make up it feels wrong. As they say when in Rome do as the Romans. I was also asked to teach swimming in private pools. cant do it. Its a project to look into the insurance.

I have been given some more private lessons. An adult who has never been in the water. Also a disabled little boy named Cole who clung on so tight and was quite nervous. This is a real challenge.

Well Leon's dad(GP) has been looking and looking and looking again. He hits the food shops and checks out all the goodies that you cant get in South Africa.

The kids have been soaking up having a grandparent around and are having great fun. They were spoilt rotten with all the presents from South Africa. Pick up sticks are played before the bus arrives, when they come home, after supper. Pick up sticks mad. We do have two little cheats, lots debates and very often the rules change daily. All good fun.




Chop stick fun as I call it or pick up sticks

We have been doing lots of trips to the school which has been fantastic for Victoria to experience. She is normal and does have grandparents like other children in her class

When the kids have a birthday the parents come into the class and provide cupcakes, chips and they sing Happy birthday.

 

Friday nights we generally head off to the beach for a braai and its a great way to start the weekend. We have a commonwealth braai on the beach. South African, Canadian, New Zealand and English





Victoria's class having the birthday party.

We made some boerewors with GP. Well I think we almost got it. The texture was good and the taste great. Leon fired up the braai and we had a real South African feast. We made apple boerwors and chili. The kids gobbled it right up. Nice to sit as a family together.

Pick up stick mad lady

I have been wanting to have a meal at a local restaurant in Norwalk for a while but never quite got there. So GP and i went to Sugar and Olive for lunch. Its was great. Megan I could imagine your kitchen been like the one in the picture. It had a Andre and Megan feel. The menu was presented to us on an iPad which was pretty impressive.

The scallops which are so expensive in South Africa

I had jerk chicken with winter veg and watermelon

Victoria finishes school at 1.00pm on a Monday and Friday. I like to do something special with her on her short days. We bought a salad and headed down to earth place and sat by the river. This is one of my special places to visit.



GP arrives and swimming in the river

Victoria with her South African presents. Check out the lamb hat



Victoria's birthday present the Union Jack t- shirt





Kara wearing her new shorts from South Africa



When you get friends or family to visit they can come into the school and read the kids a story. Leon gave all the kids a postcard from South Africa. Lots of stories about the animals

Our fantastic swim in the river today



Gp using his new camera



All the kids swam to the water swing for a play. Those swim lessons paid off because Kara and Victoria were like rockets to get to the swing first.

A fantastic day today

Wow lots of things

I have been so hectic the last few days I have not updated the blog for a while. I have all the pictures. So here are a few details of stuff that has been going on.

Kara wants to learn how to cook now. So we have some cook books and she chooses what she would like to cook and eat. Kara listens, Victoria argues and knows best.



My new purchase. When I hit the yard or tag sales I see something and put a price in my head for what I am prepared to pay. Well I wanted this desk and was willing to pay $20.00, max $25.00. I was laughing so much when I bought the desk because I always tell Leon I  am just popping out quick and come back loaded. So my new purchase was a whole $5.00.




In the process of recovering my Ottoman. Yes and in the process of finishing my mosaic table. I had to get the ottoman in the baby jeep. I was swearing and laughing so much to get the thing in the car, I had to take the back panels off. We nearly had ottoman flying out the window of the car.




Memorial day weekend, the kids collecting crabs on the beach




When people meet at the beach for a braai they bring everything including the flowers. it's actually quite nice that they make such an effort. We were laughing




Thierry treated us to a braai on the beach.




Almost time to head home.




The longshore outdoor pools have opened. The water is so cold it feels like you have been kicked in the stomach.


Sports day at school. The kids have to go down a water slide.



Kara's class with the pompoms





All the grade 4 kids played the recorders

Victoria had her birthday party. She is a huge big 6




Leon trying to work out the music machine to play musical statues.





Party games in the garden



Memorial Day weekend

The summer is truly here now. Westport is alive and it feels like we are on holiday. So do the rest of the people.  Well almost, just waiting for Leon to finish writing his exam which is on Thursday. I have missed him. The fans are on, windows are open and the front porch with rocking chairs are a cool welcome at night.

Friday night we took the roof off the jeep and loaded up the bucket and spades, webber and cooler box for a braai on the beach. It was meant to be a surprise for Leon after work but he came home early to study. Did not matter its was still fun. Friday was a celebration for me as I have now my American license. All done and dusted and a huge relief. It does not matter what age you are 18 or 38 doing the driving road test is still nerve wrecking. The great thing is we don't have to hand in our English drivers. Second celebration was Michael and Carol passed their knowledge driving test.

After my driving test on Thursday I went to Walmart to get some odds and ends. The roads are very busy in this area and most are double lanes. Well the traffic came a to complete stop because a mommy and daddy with 4 baby geese were crossing the road. Everyone was very patient.



Victoria, Alex, Daniella and Kara on Compo Beach





Michael, Leon, Carol

 I have a lady which I have been teaching for the last few weeks and she is amazing. A very clever, very kind lady. So when Rana feels she is ready to finish she wants to take me out to lunch and then become my friend. I thought that was such a wonderful thing to say. Most things are a two way streak and I have obviously given her confidence in the water but she has given me confidence in my teaching and a sense of achievement. When we hit the friend part I will let her know how important it was to me to be teaching and making a difference.

Saturday we were invited to Carolina and Pauls house for a braai. Carolina is Canadian and Paul from New Zealand. The kids played so well and we had a great time. Another two Irish couples were there too. It always seems to be the expats which mix. Everyone has a story. Carolina told me how her sister was murdered four years ago. So sad.




Kara, Victoria, Kieva, Olivia and Luke





Carolina and Paul's beautiful home


The memorial  day parade was cancelled.