20-something June 2010 - Target shooting

We went out to Al on the farm for a day (I think it may have been father's day) and between Al, Ed and the kids a decision was made to let them shoot with the pellet gun (just to get a feel for it I suppose). Rules were laid down and the gun was loaded. I must say I am totally against guns and was not too keen on this whole lot, but the kids ended up having a great time shooting a target and they also ended up being quite good at this. Was was meant to be a shot each ended up being about 5-6 each - Andrew did it all on his own and grandpa helped Michael a bit as the gun weighs about as much as him :).

I took a few shots of Michael too - of him and his beloved "teddy", a comfort item that he has used since birth and can't go a day without (wonder how long the poor thing will still last). And then of him playing on the stoep infront of the house - he is so meticulous in his play and every item had to go into it's own block and get played with there. He normally lines everything up in some way or another and here the blocks just helped the process.

13 June 2010 - World Cup Soccer - Ghana vs Serbia

I booked tickets for a world cup game in a lottery type of draw beginning of December 2009. I wanted to watch a game on a weekend in Pretoria so chose 13 June 2010 at Loftus - match D3 vs D4. When I finally had a chance to look at who we were watching it ended up being Ghana vs Serbia. Now I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the pick of teams and was rather hoping to have gotten two kick-arse teams battling it out. In retrospect though I am SO glad we watched the game we did (more about that later). So on the sunny (thank goodness - the real cold started 48 hours later, recording the lowest temperatures for SA in recent history) Sunday  on day 3 of the World Cup my mother, my brother, my husband and I donned our green and gold (bright yellow) and pickled off to Loftus.  We were fortunate enough to park at my office so it was just a short walk to the stadium. Now the country had been on a bit of a high since a few days before the start of the World Cup and after South Africa's draw in the opening match everything just seemed to excalate and everyone was swept up in the vibe.

Anyway, so as we get to the street close to the stadium (we are still about a kilometre away) all you hear is celebration and the sounds of vuvuzelas echoing out of the stadium - wow!  A throng of green, yellow and red was moving towards Loftus and the walk in itself was an experience.  My pick in the end I realised was for an African team and being an African World Cup this made it quite special.

Despite a crowd of 38 388 in the stadium I was plesently suprised as to how quickly and effortlessly we managed to get into the grounds and to our seats.  The stadium was amazing and really world-class - so impressive and I was am a really proud South African. 

I did not see/remember too much of the game, because I was soi intrigued by the people around us.  The die-hard guy from Ghana sitting all by hinmself next to my brother who belted out his anthem, the friendly chap sitting behind us.  The two youngsters infront of us with their hand-draws flag on paper that was sticky-taped together to make the flags fit.  The man/woman in the bright pink dress who permanently looked confused (and sure was), but cheered continously.  THAT is what I remember.  The fans blowing their vuvuzelas, the cheering the laughing the shouting and inbetween all of that Ghana's goal and the roar of the crowd as the game ended and Ghana became the first African team to win a match in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

  

17-18 April 2010 - Weekend at my mom

My Aunty Erica was up here for a visit and I took her through to see my mom. Ed was working and Aunty E the boys and I drove up to Pietersburg (Polokwane) for the night on the Saturday. We met up with Aunty Val, Nina, Adele and Paige for lunch and then just chilled at my mom's place and drove back on the Sunday.

My gorgeous god-daughter, Paige

Nina and Paige

Adele, Nina and Aunty Val

My mom and Aunty Erica

On the drive back home

Elton John concert - 21 March 2010

I was fortunate enough to win tickets through a local radio station to the Elton John concert "under African skies" held in Johannesburg on Sunday evening. We had 4 tickets and Jenny and Clyde came with Ed and myself. It was a picnic-style concert which was lovely and so relaxed.

As for the show itself all I can say is WOW! I love his music and I love it even more now that I have had the opportunity to see him live. he is a real show-man and is absolutely brilliant at what he does!

There were 12 000 people at the concert and we ended up getting fabulous seats close to the front (about 80m from the stage) and had a clear view of everything.

He played for over 2 1/2 hours solid (no breaks) and was amazing. The crowd was wonderful and it was generally a lot of fun.

Swimming fun - 22 February 2010

The weather has been gorgeous and we have been spending quite a bit of time in the pool in the last few weeks. This afternoon was no exception.

What started off with Michael watering the garden (something he often does), ended up with a friendly (well mostly) water fight and a swim.