I went with on an outing with Jason's preschool.  Now, when I heard that they were going to the local supermarket, I was more than just a little sceptical.  I mean really.  My child goes there on a daily basis, what's there to learn?

Well the kids had a ball.  The supermarket is owned by one of the dads.  He went through so much trouble.  The kids went into the bakery and saw how they made bread, bread rolls, cake, tarts.  They loved it.  They got to make and decorate their own cupcakes. 

The went into the butchery but they were not impressed with that.  To tell you the truth, neither was I lol  I cannot like the smell of raw meat.

They walked through the supermarket and were told where all the products were from.  Once they got to the storage room, they were all hungry.  They had a little picnic table set up for the kids outside, with bread rolls  (freshly baked I might add) and viennas.  They got to make their own and had a choice of cooldrinks to drink with it.  They got strawberries for pudding.  As we left, they each got a party pack as well, filled with sweets, chocolates and the likes.  I'm sure this is one outing the kids will remember

• What's up with the Rand?  I think I should get Tommie to do diamond prospecting again.  The way our Rand is going, we could be very rich soon!
• Both Quintus and Jason were in Tuesdays local newspaper.  Quintus's rugby team was featured because they were unbeatable this year.
• Then both Quintus and Jason were in a photo taken of the kids that got their yellow belts.  Jason was wearing normal clothes.  He stood in the middle, doing on or other karate move, while all the others stood there in their white clothes and yellow belts.  It looks so cute.  I'll try to scan it in and show all of you.
• It's so nice to see the two of them excited about karate.  As soon as we get Jason's karate outfit I'll have to take a pic of the two of them.
• Zander is loving his food.  I should really take a video of it.  He doesn't mess at all.  He swallows so nicely.  It was obviously the perfect time to start him on solids.
• I'm getting sick and tired of clients not paying their accounts.  Really messes up my cash flow for sure.
• Schools close tomorrow.  It seems as though everyone is going on holiday. Isn't it always like that?  When you aren't going, it seems as though everyone else is.

Zander started on solids last night.  I've been debating with myself whether or not to start.  I tried giving Jason solids when he was just over 5 months old but he was no where near ready.  I had a feeling though that Zander was ready.  Just by how he was trying to take the foods out of our plates lol

So we took the step.  And boy did he love it.  As you can see from the photos above...he didn't dive right in but soon got the hang of this and wanted more and more.  He was taking my hand and shoving the food in.  It was hilarious.  He hardly spit anything out (as you can see how clean he stayed).  He is really good at this and was obviously ready.  I even managed to express milk to mix his food with.  (Thanks for the pump Sarah!)

His brothers were very excited about the whole idea of him eating.  Quintus told him  that he is all grown up now and won't need anymore Na-nas (Mommy juice)  I had to explain that he will only be getting a little bit of solids and will still nurse just as often.  I think his brothers are going to have such a great time with him once he can crawl and gets bigger.

What would you do for your child?  Currently I'm sitting here with a blue hand that has lost feeling ages ago.  Why you should ask?  Well my 8 kg baby boy is sleeping, resting on this arm.  If I move it he will wake up.  The problem with that you should ask.  Well, he hasn't slept properly in days.  Waking at the slightest noise.  He is so tired.  I'm pretty convinced teething is at fault here.  Darn teeth.   So yes, I could let him wake up to send the blood rushing back into the veins.  I can't though.  I look at his peaceful face and I can't.  So I continue to work with only one hand.  A full bladder (yes you needed to know that) and a hungry tummy.

  *`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`

Tommie and I were talking last night.  I was looking at some photos a friend of mine posted.  I miss the Cape.  I miss Cape Town.  We have never gone to Cape Town as a family.  We've been there on short trips with my folks, when they have gone to ride the Argus Cycle race but not just us.  So instead of doing the whole Margate vacation that we have done almost every single year, we will go to Cape Town this time.  Well, that is of course once we have enough money.  Once the tax season is over.  Once everything just falls into place.  I cannot wait. 

Can you see that I really really want and need a holiday?   I think it might have something to do with a friend of mine offering us a week in Durban at a ridiculously low rate and us not being able to take her up on the offer because of work. 

We took all the father's in the family out for breakfast yesterday  morning.  Of course this was to the Wimpy  (no surprise there right!?)   My brother and his family left straight after breakfast, while Tommie and Jason went to play golf.  Quintus played PlayStation and I got a few hours to do some work. 

After that Quintus decided that we should have a picnic.  Now in my mind, a picnic is where you sit on a blanket, under a lovely shady tree, eating sandwiches, cakes and the like while watching the clouds move by.   Mm...apparently my energetic son doesn't agree.  We ran and ran and ran some more.  It was fun though.  AS always it is fun to spend quality time with one of the kids.  Okay, we did have Zander with us - who ended up being the subject for Quintus's photography.

• This is what we gave Tommie for Father's Day.
• I baked us some cookies yesterday afternoon.  Nothing like the smile of freshly baked cookies.
• Someone close to me is going through a tough time.  I love her so dearly.  I wish I could just make things better for her.
• I have a huge headache today.  Why I always get clients with the most complicated tax problems on these days I don't know. lol  Murphy's law hey?
• I was thinking this morning that I truly hope my boys will one day do something that makes them happy and rich ... now that's not an easy combination but hey, I'm allowed to daydream right?
• I watched Ladder 49 last night.  It must be absolutely horrible to talk to someone, to hear him ask you to tell his loved ones how much he loves them.  How he will always "be" with them.  Knowing that this guy is going to die.  I cried buckets.
• Maybe that's why I have a headache today?

Dad

As a little little girl I always knew that you could fix my world.  As a 32 year old Mom, I still feel the same way.  Not matter what happens in my world, I know I can turn to you and you will just fix that for me.  You are my safety net.

I remember as a little girl I used to trust that you would catch me, as you threw me up into the air.  That you would hold on to me as you swung me around.  I remember you sitting with me one night as I was studying History in Standard Four.  You had such patience with me.  Much more than I had with myself.  I think it's still that way.

We went through some rough spots during my high school years but you went through endless trouble to build up our relationship.  Our years hiking together is   priceless to me.  Just you and me.  Blistered feet, sore legs, shoulders hurting from the backpacks and a bond no-one can break.  Sleeping together in a two man tent next to the Okavango river.  Taking baths on the edge of a cliff in Swaziland.  Taking a shower overlooking a river at the bottom of the Drakensberg.  Walking together in pouring rain.

We've been working together for close to six years now.  That's a long time.  Not once have we gotten upset with each other.  Or rather not once have you gotten upset with me. 

I love the kind of Grandfather you are.  How you take time to enjoy them, even when you are busy with a client.  How you proudly introduce them to clients or brag about their newest achievements.

I love you Dad.  I'm so glad that I got chosen to be your little girl. 

Happy happy Fathers Day 

Love

Ningkepoo.