Gone Camping. . .

So we took the trailer tent out for the first time. We decided to go somewhere close to home, well close-ish. Fleet is absolutely lovely, we had amazing views to marvel over and it was perfect kite flying weather. However, I had slightly underpacked....okay majorly underpacked! The first night we were freezing and landed up all in one bed with the two girls in an effort to keep them warm! Night two was not much better, we suffered some wind - no gentle breezes along the coast - and at 2am Mr. A was hammering more pegs in in an effort to not fly away! Lessons you learn.
Both girls had big firsts this weekend. Miss Mouse learnt how to fly a kite, and Baby Mouse learned how to crawl . . . forwards!

A Highland Fling

We were invited to one of Mr. A's really good friend's wedding. Now I L O V E weddings. You don't get it, I REALLY L O V E weddings, even if we have to drive for 8 hours to get there, and leave the mellow spring sunshine for snow. So cars packed, kids packed, Mr. A and I packed....and off to Scotland we went. I really think Scotland is so pretty, but man oh man, the weather sucks! Great for a long weekend when we are cosied up in a beautiful hotel , with your gorgeous husband and girls. We all had such a marvellous time. Lots of laughing, eating (oops, as I am still on the Diet!) and drinking (double oops!).
so here are some highlights:



Claws and Jaws:
We met up with some lovely friends who live far away in the Scottish highlands,they drove a long time to see us. As it was about freezing we met at an indoor tropical animal house. The girls were all very chuffed, and after feeding the fish in the koi pond about a million times, we had some close and personal encounters with the inmates. I was fine until the tarantula - eeee, I don't like spiders!

even cold blooded creatures need a cuddle....

a toucan....

and a toucan's bottom!

And then came the wedding. Did I mention how much I L O V E them?

The happy couple.

another happy couple...doesn't Mr. A look dashing?

Miss Mouse taking some time out after the ceremony

playing twister during an interlude

Miss Mouse made a den under our table

and then broke out with some groovy moves on the dance floor!

Sometimes, when things are getting you down, it is just so good to climb into a little bubble. For 4 days it was just about our little family. No school to get to, work to go to, phone to answer....such bliss.

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.