Camping

So we went on an unexpected camping trip - it was sunny and hot - I have the very delightful racer-back t-shirt sunburn to prove it...regardless of much slathering of sunscreen. I took some gorgeous photos...until I got home...and realized my lens was in fact dirty. Argh. I think I have got to used to using my iPhone and have actually forgotten how to use a camera....these really are the best of the bunch....

WE ARE BACK!!

Where can I possibly begin? How do you use words to adequately describe the experiences, memories and love we have seen and felt in the last 5 weeks. It meant so much to Mr. A and I to take our babies home, to cement their roots where they are meant to be.
The following post is just the tip of the iceberg, but at least shows some of our highlights....

Hello Africa!

We reconnected with old friends, our darling Uncle Robbie, who is also Baby Mouse's God-father...

We made new friends...


We had Baby Mouse's Blessing. What a day! A relaxed, informal yet heart-warming celebration of all that is Baby Mouse.

Baby Mouse with her Mommy and two Aunts.

Of course there was Christmas to consider...

naps to take...


Fish to catch...


trampolines to bounce on...


Fairy ballrooms to make.

Some of the local zoology: vervet monkeys, rain spider nests and rhino beetles

Christmas day lunch with all of our family was also the celebration of 90 years of my Grandmother's life. What an accomplishment. She is the evening of her life, and my time with her was so special, and our conversations so pertinent.

We had an INCREDIBLY memorable trip to the uShaka Marine World...

And we spent time down on the South Coast, at my sister's gorgeous little cottage.

My heart belongs to the sea.
My soul was cleaned and refreshed .
The waves took away any trouble and sorrow and filled me with hope and optimism and a pure determination that before our children are grown they will be back in Africa for good.

Mouse at Howick Falls.

It broke my heart to leave again, but home is where the heart is and our little family has been completed by Baby Mouse.
I have found my equilibrium again, as a mother and a wife.
I embrace our time here in our adopted country, it has been kind to us, but I know our true place is waiting for us far away.

oh happy day!

Happy Birthday to my dear sister!

Ba-ram-ewe...

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Love you so much my darling niece

XXXX

and in other news:
I have a poorly pumpkin next to me on the sofa. She has a temp and a cough, poor mite. I offered her some tv, and she requested Babe. I cannot express how much a LOVE this movie. I have watched it countless times with Scout, yet I still cry when Babe herds the sheep at the trial.

If you have never seen it, regardless of how old you are...WATCH IT!!!

I heart my nephew and niece.....

Dear Cam and Gruggs

I am so proud of the little people you have become.
Your Mom and Dad are doing such a good job.
It breaks my heart to be so far away from you,
but know that you are kept so close in my heart.
You are also very loved by your Uncle A. and cousin Mouse.
One day we will live close together again,
but until then, keep on growing and laughing and loving.

Love Aunty La
XXX

Happy Birthday Mom!

I love this photo pf my Mom and Dad, I think it is my favourite one of them.

I was in hospital and Scout was fighting to come out....or not so much as it turned out...and my Dad phoned to check up on how things were going. He then wanted to talk to Mr A. and Mr A. walked out into the corridor...only to come back a few minutes later looking a bit sheepish. Our baby had completely ruined their surprise....they have been married for like a gazillion years and were planning a trip somewhere hot and exotic....but traded it in to come to London for the birth of their baby girl's baby...girl! ....but Scout was early, so was two weeks old when they did arrive. I loved having them around, and I took this photo on the day we went to Syon House. We did low-key stuff, and they navigated trains, tubes and buses on their own - I was so proud. We also went to stay in West Sussex, and one morning my Dad was accosted by a badger at the corner of the tennis court. That is SO my Pippity-pops. Out and about at the crack of dawn, bumbling about....then will come inside to my long-suffering Mom and say " Come Luvvy, you need to see this." and off they will go to have a look. It meant so much that they came so far to see me, and it is a time I remember fondly.

My Mom is a real homebody, loves her routine, and adopts things - I am more like her than I care to admit. Carlos and Aimee have been trying desperately for me to go and spend the night at their home, but I decline and rather carry a sleeping Mouse-bundle out to the car and come home. I feel out of sorts when my routine changes - things have to be done in a certain way - heaven help me when the Jungle-Forager returns!!!!! And I have adopted a certain squirrel in my garden as Mom has adopted a certain mommy Coucal in her garden. Ha ha!

Anyway, many blessings Mom, we hope you had a great day

XXXX

mY jOY:

Driving back from Aimee just now, Scout fell asleep in the car-perfect! I could stop and get a MacDonald's burger (been craving some junk) but APPARENTLY Scout is forbidden Maccie-D's/KFC/Pizza Hut/Burger King etc etc until she is like 90 years old, and it cannot be brought into the house unless she is fast asleep......does the car count Mr A.? I had to stash it in a bag, plonk her on the sofa, put on Playhouse Disney, quickly cook her dinner, encourage her to scoff it down, let her return to Handy Manny, and go and eat ( a now COLD) burger and chips on the stairs, hoping she stays transfixed and does not discover me. I can tell you it was very worth it. I think if you don't have something very often, including 10000000000 calorie junk food, you really appreciate it. Although when did a meal start costing £4.79? That is daylight robbery - I could've got 2 punnets of strawberries ( almost!) ..........

It's a Birthday!

TODAY

IS

MY

SISTER'S

BIRTHDAY!

So it is a very special day!

My sister, the school teacher, is one incredible woman.

She and her husband are in the process of raising two of the most gorgeous children...EVER.

Dana is kind, funny, loyal, enthusiastic, dedicated, and loving...above all loving.

She indulges my melodrama, she (metaphorically) wipes my tears away (as we live on different continents), she teaches me grace, temperance, endurance and sureness.

She has always believed in me, always encouraged me and always lets me know she is proud of me.

My Joy:

That she is MY sister....and so much more.

I love you

XXX

LITTLE AFRICAN PRINCESS...

THANKS CAM AND GRACIE, SHE IS SO CUTE!

Christmas from a sunny land FAR,FAR away! and introducing...

Just BECAUSE I wasn't there, doesn't mean I can't celebrate Christmas with my beloved family!

So here are some snaps from their day, enjoy my Mom and Pippity-pops ( isn't he distinguished!?), my niece and nephew - the delectable Gracie gruggles and Cam, My AUNTY Les ALL the way from Australia, My gran GB, My sister canoodling her husband (PDA'S aplenty with those two!) and my other sis, the angel in my life Dee. Wade and Mr J. were very clever in hiding from the camera......nevermind but if I don't get a pic of Jonty soon, he knows which one I can use to post on the blog.......let's just say it is OBSCENE and GREEN!!!..........he knows what I mean....heehee!

25-12-2009 ALSO heralded my GB'S 88th birthday!

Yip ---- 88!!!!!!!

NOW I WANT YOU ALL TO MEET:

WADE KOBUS.

my nephew.

Wade is an all-round cool guy.

the type that you REALLY want your daughter to date....

(but his dance card is filled by the lovely Stacey)

Wade is a super good rugby player, and has been in his school's FIRST team since he was in Grade 9 - that's since he was 15 years old!

and he got 4 A's, 2 B's and 1 C for his final Matric exams!!!

What a boffin!

NOW he is off to University in New Zealand and already has a job sorted (by the way - he has been working for this company during school holidays already!)

Here is a boy who is going to go places in his life, and he will do it with such a humbling grace - I am inspired!

Now my joy today...................
My darling, gorgeous husband is meant to be training for triathlons......so why I ask myself, did I do a 45 minute cycle through Dartmoor this morning with a 14 Kilogram lug of a daughter in the kiddie bicycle seat....followed by a 30 minute run home????? okay, truth be told.......cycling after Mr A. is not a workout because I get to eye out his super-cute, tight BE-HINNEY the WHOLE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha ha Lucky me!!!!!!!!

But the HILLS were very hard and I had to get off and push.....with Mouse telling me the whole way to get back on and cycle- SLAVE DRIVER THAT ONE!!!!!!

Now I am all warmed up from a hot hot shower, and cuddly on the bed under a blanket with Mr A. stretched out next to me reading his book, and Miss Mouse is having her nap......because she worked so hard this morning! HA!