We went to the fun fair for the first time today! Just a tiny little one at the JBay beach front, but good fun together.

Even though it was a tiny rollercoaster, Grace took some time to get used to the idea of it…but then really enjoyed her 2nd ride. The ride stopped and Addy almost instantly said, “More!”

After the terror of the rollercoaster it was time for something a bit more laid back.

A small upgrade to the placid spinner

And then Donné and Eli had their first ride ever on the spinning tea cups. Eli sits calmly on the ride and says, “This ride is wild mom.”

I think Addy would have been happy to go on all of the rides if he was allowed to. Grace was a bit nervous of some of them and Eli was just keen to ride.

Grace did a mini show a few days ago for the grandparents who weren’t able to be at the school of ballet concerts

You’ve got to just love the little bit of silliness in the audience before the show

After Christmas comes Lego building time

Grace’s mandala puzzle in the process of being coloured in

Making the foosball table and testing it out

New Year’s day was celebrated with family and lots of games – Robyn and Chloe spent lots of time with Grace and Eli.

Foosball

Battleships

Rummikub

Air hockey

Teaching Barry the rules for Monopoly Deal

Monopoly Deal (things were not looking good for me at this stage)

Rob cuddles

The second cousin squish

Always good times, lots of food, and fun with all the family who could be here.

We spent some time this morning exploring a few Jbay parks and looking for some geocaches. We did discover a little gem that is very nicely looked after by the community with lovely jungle gyms and play areas.

The first park we went to we didn’t find the geocache and it wasn’t worth staying, but the second one (in Salie Street) was beautiful and full of interesting things (and we did find the geocache there)

Searching

There is a cool little tractor car which the children enjoyed

We found another cache at the Noorsekloof nature reserve – not quite a park, but they do have lots of interesting things to explore. I’m not too sure if there are decent tracks to go walking on, but it looked like there was a kind of pathway to follow.

I’m not too sure what the beach is called (possibly Lookout – it’s closer to Kabeljous than Lower Point) but nearby is a well kept little park with a lovely jungle gym, merry go round and some swings – we were there yesterday having some fun.

We had a blessed Christmas and were all amazingly spoiled, and it was good to be together with the whole family.

Gifts from Santa – the first ones opened

Eli was very excited about his Mission Paw pup pad from Gogo and Gramps

Addy (and all the children) like his bubble mower

Grace’s most loved gift is her new digital watch (and now she times everything).

I’m super excited about the pump for our rain water tanks (Captonians in a drought…..)

Lego, always a winner

Chaos the Christmas dog wants a cookie…please? (You human cannot resist my puppy dog sad eyed look)

Granny gets her photo book

Christmas crackers and table decorations

Oh no Gramps, don’t feed it all to the doggies (although I’m in queue if there are more bits to taste test)

Lunch!

But what Eli eventually did eat was a roll with mustard and cheese (and he loved it)

My princess

Chocolate and berry pavlova and chocolate custard trifle for dessert

The merry Drennan’s. I had a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and I think we all enjoyed the day peacefully.

by Grace

Yesterday Eli and I went to the beach. We had lots of adventures. I will tell you what.

1. We were walking by fishermen. When we saw one had got a fish so we waited. When it came out it looked like a sting ray.

Here is a picture

2. We were playing by the lifeguards when a big wave came and pushed Eli over. He did a back-roll.

Here are a few pictures of us swimming

A little bit of family painting time

Summer = watermelon

Addy went for his first ride in one of those mall rides