Our World

Natalia's First School Report Book

2011-12-20T20:50:00.001+10:30

I fetched Natalia from school today and was pleasantly surprised to be handed a book filled my baby's artwork and a report card. My heart was smiling with pride and joy. These are things that make it that much more worthwhile being a parent and I am that much happier knowing that I can experience these feelings. And I just have to share it........

A Day in Hahndorf and The Faerie Cave

2011-12-17T21:02:00.003+10:30

We decided to go to Hahndorf today, a German village in the Adelaide Hills. It's a very touristy place and they really make everything look so nice and festive. While there I took Natalia to see the Faerie Cave which was surprisingly well done and very detailed. Natalia loved it and we spent a good 30-40 minutes looking at all the interesting displays. Afterwards we went to our favourite spot, the Hahndorf Inn, to eat an early dinner.

Hey Santa, what ya up to?

In the Faerie Cave

Natalia loved this display and spent ages looking at it

Look at the train Mommy!!!

Crossing the bridge

The kids could leave notes for Santa

Sharing a laugh on the bench with Mommy

and sharing some delicious ice-cream

Jumping for joy

Little miss show-off

Going for dinner at the Hahndorf Inn

Playing with the toy microwave while waiting for our dinner

School Christmas Concert

2011-12-16T20:44:00.002+10:30

Kim and I were so so excited to see our baby perform at her first school concert today. We just kept grinning ear to ear seeing her around her peers and doing a fantastic job. We knew she would be singing Jingle Bells as she would sing it at home but the rest was a surprise. It was definitely a proud parent moment to remember forever.

Dressed and ready for her school Christmas concert today

Coming out with teacher Kelly

Ah, she has spotted Mommy and Daddy :)

A speech from centre director Sue

The babies group doing their performance

The toddler group doing their performance. Miss Talia in the centre and singing her well-practice Jingle Bells song

The kindy group doing their performance

Reward time - yummy ice lollies

No no no - I don't wanna sit on Santa's lap, just gimme my present please!

Help me Daddy

Oh it a ballerina story book with a locket

What is it with toddlers that read upside down ?

DanceAlong Concert

2011-12-08T14:35:00.021+10:30

This morning was Natalia's end of year DanceAlong Concert. She has a dance class every Thursday morning for 1/2 hour at school with Katherine, her dance teacher. Natalia loves dancing and making music and this class is perfect to explore her creativity.

Pretty girl eating yoghurt

The 5 girls - Lola, Asia, Sienna, Zoe and Natalia with teacher Katherine

Stamping our feet and clapping

With best friend Asia

Yeah, I did it!!!

Natalia with the only boy in the class - Cameron

Fairy wings

Giddy-up horsie

Dinosaur tail

Checking in with Daddy quickly

Natalia receiving her report

Our Tree Is Up !!!

2011-11-27T18:50:00.011+10:30

This is the first year that Natalia is more aware of Christmas and what it's all about. It's a lot more exciting when there are kids around and seeing it through her eyes is refreshing and precious. Christmas is for the kids!!!!

Building the tree

Silly hat

Do the lights work, hee hee :)

Helping Mommy put decorations on the tree

Norwood Christmas Parade

2011-11-26T18:08:00.000+10:30

We went to the Norwood Christmas Parade this morning, on The Parade (that's what the street is called, so don't get confused). A freezing morning! Who would've thought that it would be a not so warm 16deg today? And pouring? We got there at 9am to get a good spot and view of the floats. The kids draw pictures on the tar with chalk and of course we had to do the same. Just after the parade started it came down in buckets; everybody in the parade was soaked, shame. We at least could find cover thankfully. It wasn't as good at the parade in the city; a much smaller budget I'm sure. It was fun to be out anyway and Natalia just wanted to see Santa.

The road has been branded

One of the many clowns keeping the kids entertained

Balloons

A view down The Parade

Then the rain came.......

Camels in Adelaide ??

And did it pour !!!

Having a drink

Safe under the covers with Daddy

Shame, everyone was soaked but the parade carried on

A new balloon

The rain has stopped for a bit and the parade is still going

Finally, Santa is almost here. Spot him way in the distance.

Heeellloooo Santa!!!!!

Aeroplane Museum and Braai

2011-11-13T22:05:00.010+10:30

After swimming class this morning we went to the Aeroplane Museum at the Parrafield Airport. We drive past the airport all the time and Natalia's loves looking at the aeroplanes. She can spot an aeroplane in the sky when we drive around, so Kim thought it would be nice to visit the museum. Natalia had a great time climbing into some of them and playing will all the switches. We might have a pilot on our hands ???

Checking out a Mirage

What does this thing do? Let's see......

If I press this and flip that then.......

Aye, we are still on the ground people !

Haa haa haa :)

Wow, look at all these guages, knobs, buttons, switches !!!

Come Daddy...come see

In a different plane this time

Wow, this is a little different to the Mirage

Pilot in the making

This plane is named Laura

In another plane with Daddy

Some more knobs to play with

Ejector seats found

The G-suit worn in the war

Sitting with Uncle Mike

Blowing bubbles with Andrea

Eating yummy food with everyone.
Sabrina, Eleanore, Andrea, Gerrie, Mike, Leigh, Natalia

Adelaide Christmas Pageant 2011

2011-11-12T21:06:00.002+10:30

It's a big event every year and we were all excited to see what it's all about. It starts at 9.30am but people line the streets of Adelaide as early as 7am to get front row seats. We only arrived at 8.30am so we had a lot of time to kill. All the kids draw on the streets with chalk and there's balloons etc. The pageant only reached us at 9.50am and the last float with Santa Claus went past at 11am. There were 1000 clowns, 68 floats and 26 bands. It was a huge turnout and very festive. A scorcher of a day, the sun beating down on us. Natalia and I were invited by a nice family to join them at the front. Nobody stood up in front of anybody. All the children in front remained seated, and the next row maybe kneeled etc. so everybody had a good view and respected the next person. It was a well organised event; something we are not used to. The floats were very well made and the highlight was of course Santa Claus. At first Natalia was petrified of the noise and sat on Kim's shoulders but when she got used to the commotion she came and sat with me in the front again...
Then later in the afternoon we went to a school fair up the road from Natalia's school. Natalia had a lot of fun there too. It was a busy busy day......

Common people, let's get going!

People everywhere

Drawing on the street with Daddy

Daddy's work of art - a snail :)

Drawing with Mommy

And finally it comes past us

A little overwhelmed and safe with Daddy

Hansel and Grettel

Alice in Wonderland

Cricket

Presents for Africa!!!

The Man of the hour

On a ride at the fair

Natalia chose the firetruck

She thought she was driving :)

Decorate your own cupcake

Work of art

Yummy

nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom

What a face!!!

A Fab Day at Kim's Company Function

2011-11-06T21:04:00.003+10:30

Today was a big surprise. We were going to Kim's Year End Company Get Together. I just expected a picnic, blankets everywhere, kids running around etc. Boy was I wrong. We drove up to Orphanage Park in Goodwood and there was a mini funfair set up, a lot of give-aways and a plenty of things for kids to do. Natalia was in her element. She met Santa Clause; who freaked her out. She was not impressed with this funny looking old man and wouldn't get too close to him, haa haa, until he gave her a goodie-packet and then she was a little intrigued. There was a face-paining station, a farm animal set-up, a number of rides for the kids and adults, and food everywhere for mahala. Pies, sausage sizzle, ice-cream, chocolates, flavoured milk, cooldrinks, cookies, crisps and even fruit. Of course Natalia wanted to go on all the rides, and she would've if we'd given her the chance. She doesn't realise that's she's too small! All in all it was a fantastic day!

Eating her breakfast wrap with a fork

Crazy girl

Not happy to meet Santa

I must be what? A good girl??

Let's see what the old man gave me...

Come on people, surely I can go on this ride! Take note of the height sign

Maybe if I make a run for it I can get onto this gigantic slide...

Ah no man, Daddy caught me :(

Getting my face painted

What shall I choose?

Keep your head still

A ladybug

Finally a ride I can go on, yay

nom nom nom nom nom nom

Chocolate ice-cream, heaven

Jumping castle

Meeting the farm animals

Sheepie

Bunny

Piggy

There you go Mr Sheep

Aye, can I tell you a secret...

Do you think I can ride a pig?

Finally an animal I can ride!

Ah, the end of the day and you can see she had a lot of fun :)

Brunch at the Williams' and Crazy Monkey

2011-10-31T15:17:00.000+10:30

We did a fantastic brunch spread this morning at the Williams' house yesterday morning. We all contributed and spent a good hour picking at all the yummy things, mmmm. At midday the girls went for their much-needed nap while the adults had a much-needed catch-up chat outside. At about 2pm we went to a fantastic indoor play area closeby called Crazy Monkeys. The girls were in their element and spent loads of energy on all the exciting equipment, heaven for little people. Trampoline, swings, slides, ballpits, obstacles, you name it! Then it was time for milkshakes and chips with 'mato sauce, yummy!!! And afterwards was back to running around and playing. We spent a good 2+ hours there. This is the last time that we'll see Lynda and Derryn for 3 months as leave for South Africa on Wednesday. Aaaaaahhhh, we'll miss them lots but before you know it they'll be back.

mmm, good spread

Cheers people

Cutie

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

wwwwwweeeeeeeeeeee

K girls, here we go

Excellent timing

nom nom nom nom nom nom

Heaven, can it get any better than this ???

Can you spot Natalia ?

There you are !

Ha ha, with my buddy Derryn

Trams, Buses and UFOs

2011-10-23T21:38:00.000+10:30

We decided to have a public transport day today. Kim did some research last night and saw that we could buy a ticket for $8 and use it for the whole day. So in the morning we drove to Paradise Interchange, not far from our house, and got the bus to Tea Trea Plaza. Natalia was super excited and it was exciting to do this for her and enjoy the day through her eyes. We spent some time at the mall and then headed back home for her nap. When she woke up at 2pm we walked to the bus stop at the end of our street for another bus trip. We decided to go to the city and catch the tram to Glenelg. While wating for the tram to arrive about 30 solar powered space age vehicles from all over the world came past us. It was quite a sight and surprisingly interesting. The were escorted by police cars and all the traffic lights were green to allow them to stay together. The tram trip was rather long and never ending but we eventually got Glenelg. We walked along the boardwalk and then Kim and Natalia ventured onto the beach. Afterwards we went to Macdonalds for a quick dinner, back on the tram to the city and on the bus home.

Yippee, we're moving

Connecting to the rails

At the playarea in the Tea Trea Plaza

Snack time with Daddy while checking the bus schedule

Wiggles ride

I got the aeroplane

I wanna try the car now

broom broom broom

Yummy chocolate smoothie

Chocolate face

Waiting for the bus in the afternoon

WTH ???

UFOs in Adelaide

Who would've thought ?!?!?!?

Okay, some weren't as good as others, lol, hee hee

On the beach in Glenelg

A Braai At The Williams' Place

2011-10-16T21:28:00.000+10:30

We had a braai at our new friends house in Gawler today. It's about a 45 minute drive to from our house to theirs. We just love love love spending time with their family and we all have an easy fantastic relationship; we all get on so well.

On our way out

Cool chick

Gorgeous pinchable cheeks

Playing with balls and water

Yummy, let start eating people

Gotta love boerewors

nom nom nom nom

Playing with my buddy Derryn

Do you see it ?

Drawing in the bath

It's a dinosaur mommy!

Picasso in the making

Picnic At The Gums

2011-10-03T13:34:00.003+10:30

Today is a public holiday and we arranged to go for a picnic this afternoon at The Gums with our new favourite family - Lynda, Mike and little Derryn. Natalia and Derryn are still getting used to each other and since both of them are at that 'terrible two' stage it can be hair-raising and sharing isn't on the top of their lists; thankfully it will get better in future. We had plenty of fun anyway and 2.5 hours flew by as usual.

The Gums Park

I don't want to share my toys - *boo hoo*

Natalia loves pushing the swing too

Slide train

Having a snack with Daddy

Such a nice mommy / daughter picture

New little friends

Breakfast In The Barossa Valley

2011-10-02T16:32:00.000+10:30

We decided to go to the beautiful Barossa Valley this morning for a gourmet breakfast on a winefarm. We invited our new favourite couple Lynda and Mike and their crazy 20 month old daughter Derryn to join us. We had a great breakfast indoors as the weather is still wintery amazingly! Afterwards we spent a good half an hour outside playing on the lawns so the girls could run around and spend some crazy toddler energy.

Beautiful buildings

Colouring with Daddy

Catch me if you can

This is how you kick a ball

Try

Score

na na na na na na

Bollamakiesies

Looking at some pretty flowers with my friend Derryn

Walking up our street with Mommy

Little lady with her handbag

Running ahead up our street with Daddy

Natalia loves pushing the swing too

Rolling down the hill with Daddy

Oh we found a well

Throwing stones in the water - plop

Weekend Happenings

2011-09-25T23:11:00.045+09:30

Surprise surprise I woke up yesterday morning to breakfast in bed. Seems Natalia and Daddy were hard at work will I was still in lala land. Wow, I could happily wake up to this every morning if it were possible...

Pour the milk in the cereal

make the tea

pick a beautiful flower for mommy

fabulous breakfast spread

wakey wakey mommy

And then later that morning before Natalia's usual swimming lesson we stopped off at a park closeby to let her run around to kill some time.

Today we joined Lynda for her 30th birthday picnic. We all met by pure chance and she and her husband have become great friends here in Australia, far away from our families and familiarity of South Africa. They have a almost 2 year old daughter so we are in the same head-space when it comes to kiddies and we all get along great.

Sunday Cycle To The City

2011-09-18T22:04:00.000+09:30

We aim to go for a family cycle every Sunday and today we decided to follow the Torrens River into the city and back. It was a 15km cycle and took about 80 minutes. Its such a beautiful route along the river and we see ducks and swans and other people and families doing their own Sunday activities. After about 90 minutes Natalia starts to get bored and niggly on the back of the bike so for that reason only we dont go for much longer.

Beautiful black swans

The Torrens River into the city

Too cute

Our First Summery Day

2011-09-17T21:35:00.000+09:30

We were excited to welcome our first summery day in Adelaide. It's been a cold wet winter which we are not used to. But we know we are in for our first 'vrek' hot summer too. With normal temps in Adelaide reaching between 34-38deg and highs of 40-45deg is not unheard of and I am shaking in my boots. This I am NOT looking forward too, whew!!!

Helping daddy make breakfast

Sharing a joke with daddy

Gorgeous girl

Making a cuppa tea

Care for some milk ?

Watering the garden is hard work

See How Long My Hair Is Getting

2011-09-13T21:34:00.000+09:30

A Day In Hahndorf

2011-09-11T21:31:00.001+09:30

We decided to go to Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills this morning; it was the first German settlement in Australia. We walked around looking at the shops and then went for a traditional German lunch. Such a lovely little town. Just wish we could spend more time there and see more of what it has to offer.

Leaving the house

In Hahndorf running around

Running around with daddy

Jumping........

Stopping to smell the flowers

Care to Tango

And the dip

Rain rain go away

Okay......

so she likes to pole-dance

Jumping off the step for the 20th time

We could have spent the whole day doing this

Daddy joining in

Pooped and catching a ride

Hahndorf Inn for the best German food......mmmm

Busy Fun Weekend

2011-07-31T22:21:00.000+09:30

We spend every weekend as a family and think of different things to do. Every Saturday morning is the same. We have a nice breakfast together and then get ready to take Natalia to swimming. Natalia goes for swimming lessons in the north of Adelaide which is about a 40 minute drive. We leave home just after 10am and get there at about 10.45am, just in time for me to change her into her swimming nappy and cozzie. We have been doing this for about 2 months now and she's doing so well. This week she earned 3 certificates in her class. On Monday she got an ear infection so we decided that it would be good to get her something to protect her ears while swimming. The swimming school lent us a head band that covered her ears and if it was successful we could purchase one, which was really kind of them.

Then in the afternoon we went to visit our favourite supplier in the Hills; a guy that imports South African groceries and booze. We got a couple of packets of NikNaks and Simba crisps, some Moirs custard powder and a fizzpop for Natalia. Then we went to our favourite butcher to get some meat to make our own biltong.

This morning after breakfast we went for a cycle around the gardens around the city. Adelaide CBD has the most beautiful gardens and parks surrounding it. There are paths all over for walkers, joggers and cyclists and best of all its so safe; today was such a nice warm winter day and its surprising how many people are out and about.

In the afternoon after Natalia's nap we went for a drive to Port Adelaide to walk along the beach. There was also a play area there and a little 7 year old girl called Naomi took to Natalia and shared her prized possessions with her, the interaction was too cute.

The headband ear protector that was on loan

Floating

Out bikes

A quick pit stop for some fun

A happy girl waling on the pier

Walking on the beach with daddy

On the beach at sunset

Barney going to a ride

Naomi sharing her prized possessions with Talia

Hello granny, can you hear me ??

Deceptive French Toast

2011-07-30T22:25:00.000+09:30

This is an easy one aimed at fussy kids. It’s a tradition to have French Toast every Saturday morning before we take Natalia to her swimming lesson.

Ingredients:

4 eggs

milk
½ cup cauliflower puree
6 slices whole-wheat bread
Olive oil spray

Method:

1. Spray a non-stick pan with olive oil and put on a medium heat.
2. Whisk the 4 eggs together with a splash of milk. Add the cauliflower and mix well together. Let the slices of bread soak up the egg mixture for about 10 seconds on each side.
3. Fry the bread slices and when browned flip them over to brown on the other side. You need to keep a careful eye that it doesn’t burn.
4. Serve with your favourite spread or topping.

Natalia loves to have Bovril on her French Toast and she’s none the wiser that its healthy and has a hidden veg in it. This is definitely a family favourite……. And oh so easy to make.

Deceptive Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-07-24T22:31:00.000+09:30

Makes 24

These are the healthier kind with hidden goodness. Natalia continues to be difficult to please and I am on the constant look-out for this kind of recipe. The surprising ingredient is a can of chickpeas!

Ingredients:1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
¾ cup (180g) margarine or butter
2 large egg whites
2 tsp vanilla essence
1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cups (260g) chocolate chips
¾ cup chopped walnuts
¾ cup raisins (optional)
2 cups flour
½ cup old-fashioned oats
1 tsp bicarb of soda
¼ tsp salt

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 C and line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar and margarine on a medium speed until smooth. Beat in the egg whites and vanilla, then mix in the chickpeas and chocolate chips. Add the flour, oats, bicarb and salt, and mix on a low speed until a thick dough forms.
3. Drop the dough by the tablespoonful onto the baking tray, spacing the cookies about 4cm apart. Press gently with a fork to flatten. Bake until the cookies are golden brown and just set for 11-13 minutes; do not over bake. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
4. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes:
Watch out for flying chickpeas when mixing them in. Partially cover the bowl with a dish towel.
I used pecan nuts instead of walnuts and I didnt put raisins in. These are so easy and fast to make and taste astonishingly good. And since they have some goodness in them, you can enjoy them even more, yummo!

A New Bedroom For A Princess

2011-07-19T21:33:00.002+09:30

Natalia's big birthday present finally arrived today. We wanted to make her new bedroom special for her for her birthday. Since we moved here from South Africa she no longer sleeps in her cot. She got used to sleeping with mommy and then later on with mommy and daddy, so going back into her cot was not an option. So we decided it would be a good idea to buy her her very own double bed and to get her 2 cute duvet cover sets to match her new fairy princess theme. The duvet sets finally arrived in the post today so I got to make up her bed nicely. When princess Talia got home I took her upstairs to her bedroom for a nice surprise which she just loved loved loved and she kept on saying 'new bed' over and over. Thank you also to Granny for buying the first fairy duvet set and her new heart pillow. Now Natalia loves her bed and she looks forward to going to bed every night and sleeps like a dream.......

The duvet set and pillow from Granny

Fairy wall art

My old cot converted into a chair with my growing pillow collection

My big ole teddy bear

Home from school and checking out my new bed

Sitting with my bear that daddy bought me before I was born

My second duvet set from mommy and daddy

Eating

2011-07-15T21:14:00.002+09:30

It is becoming increasingly difficult to get Natalia to eat healthily. If its bread, chips, sausage, chicken, tomato sauce, egg, cookies, biscuits and chocolate then she'll gladly eat it. Fruit, veg, rice, pasta and anything remotely healthy will not pass her lips, not one bit. I wonder to myself if I am the only parent that has a problem with a toddler that refuses to eat good food; all the kiddies I know are the opposite of Natalia and love fruit for example....... Last night I had to resort to blackmail. I made a savoury mince with celery, brinjal, carrot and courgette in it. Kim and I ate it will pasta, Natalia of course doesn't eat any form of pasta or noodles so I just gave her the mince. I told her if she ate all her mince she could get a chocolate biscuit afterwards. She proceeded to gobble the mince up and fed herself by hand; what a mess, but mission accomplished.

So now I have started my mission to get her to eat better and healthier and the only way I can do it is to deceive her!!! Yes, I was lucky to receive a recipe book for my birthday called Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld (Jerry's wife) from Jaycee and Wayne. I have only now been able to get cracking on making the recipes as we have been waiting for all out stuff to arrive and then I had to find all my baking and cooking stuff.

As I cook the recipes successfully, which are primarily to deceive princess Talia, I will be posting them here to share with all of you. So look out for these fantastic recipes!

Out And About With Our Birthday Girl

2011-07-10T21:08:00.001+09:30

We planned to go out to the Adelaide Zoo for the day. Natalia just loves animals and can name a lot so we knew she'd love it. We woke up to very cold overcast weather, not unusual for this time of the year. July sees the highest rainfall for Adelaide. We arrived at the zoo at 9.30am wanting to spend as much time there as possible. It seemed to get colder and colder throughout the morning and became unbearably chilly at midday so we decided to leave....
After Natalia's midday nap we went to an indoor playarea called Wacky Warehouse but it was full so we found a nice cafe and ordered Natalia a muffin - she'd been asking for cake all day - and thsi was the closest thing to a cupcake that they had. They we nice to put a candle in and sing Happy Birthday to her and she just loved the attention. On our way home we went past Wacky Warehouse again and this time there was space. Kim and Natalia had a ball. The pics below tell all.......
All in all we had a fab day even though the weather was miserable.

Okay people, I'm ready to go out

This is Wang Wang eating his carrot

Pandas are on the endangered species list

This is Funi eating her tree

Our mode of transport

Poor old lion

Lemur - Julian from Madagascar

Cute little fella, mister meerkat

Naughty laugh

Fly fly fly

Model pose

Funny looking creature. Tapir also on the endangered species list

Big fella

Singing Happy Birthday again

Wacky Warehouse ballpit

Look whose winning

Help, the balls are eating me !

Happy Birthday Sweet Natalia - You Are 2 today !!!

2011-07-10T13:47:00.002+09:30

The much anticipated day has finally arrived; our baby has turned 2. We slept in a little this morning and woke up at 7.45am. I brought Natalia to our bedroom where she opened up her 2 pressies. But this is not the only birthday presents. We have also bought her her very own double bed which should be delivered the end of next week and bedding to go with it. So once it arrives and her bedroom is all done up I'll be sure to post some pics.

Tearing the paper oh so carefully

Very worried that she's 'breaking' the paper

It's a book

Now onto the big one

All excited

Its 'bathing baby'

Some shampoo

Care for a hair wash baby ?

Happy girl

2011-07-10T01:00:00.000+09:30

Birthday Cakes from WiddlyTinks.com

Birthday Party At School

2011-07-08T20:16:00.000+09:30

We arranged to have Natalia's birthday party at school today. Because we dont know many people here yet, this would be it. I wanted her to have a little party and feel special, even though she's still a little young to know what's going on. This was my 3rd attempt at the cupcakes and the best icing I had made to date, so I was really happy with that. I think Natalia knew she was a special girl, all dressed up in her ladybug outfit. All the kiddies sang for her and she just loved the Happy Birthday song and wanted it to be sung over and over... she even sang some of the words herself. Kim came for a while but had to leave early. The whole day turned out fantastic.

Ladybug all dressed up

If you happy and you know it clap your hands

Flap those ladybug wings

All ready and setting up the cupcakes

Oh that looks great Mommy

Daddy put some balloons on the cupcake stand

The crowns they made earlier

Yummy, everyone happy and eating

Happy girl playing with her balloons in the car

Whose the gorgeous girl that's having a birthday ???

Baking Up A Storm - Practice Makes Perfect

2011-07-06T15:03:00.001+09:30

With Natalia's birthday looming I have been practicing my baking skills. I have found a fantastic cupcake recipe but still have to perfect making icing. It is important that I make the cupcakes myself and the mommy urge has been great. And Natalia has been my baking sidekick lol.

The 2nd lot of practice cupcakes. The icing is still not right

Miss sidekick helping Mommy with mixing

Sorting and cutting

My little baker rolling

On the cooling rack

All pretty and decorated - yummy

Having lunch and waiting for the cookies to cool

Watching Teletubbies

Random Pics From June

2011-06-29T22:05:00.001+09:30

Barney eating some chippies

The Hokey Pokey in the bath

Good 'ol Aussie bottle shop drive-thru

mmm, yummy

Flying-fox with Daddy

Breakfast on the counter before school

Practicing Baking Cupcakes

2011-06-25T17:23:00.001+09:30

So since its expensive to buy cupcakes here, costing around $3 each, I needed to learn how to make them with Natalia's 2nd birthday looming and I couldn't phone my trusty cake maker Pam to help me this time. This was our first attempt.......

Mixing

Ready to bake

Waiting to cool

This is how you do the icing mommy!

Decorated

This is how you eat them mommy!

Yummo, I think the icing is the best

mmm, and so pink....

Remember This ?

2011-06-21T17:13:00.001+09:30

Then and now !!!
I can't believe how our little girl has grown.........

July 2009

June 2011

Cycling With Dad

2011-06-19T13:55:00.002+09:30

Swimming Lessons With Daddy

2011-06-18T13:51:00.001+09:30

And Our Container is Finally Delivered

2011-06-02T13:47:00.000+09:30

Boxes boxes boxes everywhere

Ticking box numbers off the list

Out For A Morning Of Fun !

2011-06-01T13:40:00.001+09:30

Weeeee - sliding with Daddy

The best uber indoor playarea ever !!!!

Something to eat after spending all that energy

Local red-breasted pigeons

Our last night in the apartment

Pics From May

2011-05-31T08:38:00.002+09:30

First Day at school

Eating again after being very ill

At an indoor playarea

Fairy Natalia

My new 'bee' bike

My first swimming lesson in Aus

Too cute not to share.......

Just an assortment of pics taken during May.........

May Playground Pics

2011-05-30T08:18:00.001+09:30

We spend a fair amount of time at playgrounds, Natalia of course just loves them as do all children. Here are an assortment of pics for the family........

bbbzzzzzzz all static

1 2 3 ........

playing shopkeeper

Barney's turn to swing

wwwweeeeee

Barney found face down in suspicious circumstances

2011-05-15T19:04:00.001+09:30

South Australia

Tragedy struck today when Barney the Dinosaur was found lying face down in a park in South Australia earlier today. At the time of print, Barney’s condition was still unknown but believed to be serious.

Foul play has not been ruled out and police are currently investigating. Eye witnesses who are currently in protective custody said that they saw an unknown girl playing with Barney in the park. Apparently an argument broke out and Barney was seen falling from the top of the jungle gym. In an exclusive blog post we have managed to bring you some dramatic scenes from the park.

We are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Playing in the park

All seems fine

Up we go !

What are you thinking ?!

AGGHHH

AAAGGGHHH !!

THUMP !!

Trying to flee the scence of the crime

Mother's Day

2011-05-09T14:54:00.001+09:30

I woke up to a lovely Mother's Day yesterday. Kim and Natalia let me sleep in and we all had a nice breakfast together. And then there were a beautiful card and flowers waiting for me. Later in the day we went for a walk into the city through the parks. Kim bought me a bicycle so we can start getting fit and healthy.......can't wait xxx

My gorgeous flowers

And card that Kim and Natalia signed

Daddy and daughter walking hand in hand

My brand new bike

Hahndorf Farm Barn

2011-05-08T14:41:00.000+09:30

Because of all the sadness after Granny left on Thursday I decided to do something fun with Natalia on Friday. I heard there was a kiddies farm outside Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills so I found it on the internet. They have tours at 11am in the mornings so I made sure we were there in time. There were lambs, cows, guinea pigs, sheep and a llama inside the barn. The kids were allowed to stroke the animals and get really close to them, Natalia loved the lambs in particular. then after spending some time inside the barn we all went outside. There were a number of deer, a couple of ponies and large birds which the kids got to feed carrots to, and then some kangaroos in a seperate enclosure which ate some pellets. Natalia got really involved and I was so happy to see her happy again........ But before we left she wanted to join another group of mommies and kids that were having a picnic and she couldn't understand why we weren't a part their group, so little miss unhappy returned unfortunately.

Too cute

Chop, roast and stew.......

eeeeee aaaaaaaawwww

Hey, you dropped your carrot

Here boy, follow me

num num num num

Our First Easter & Long Weekend In Australia

2011-04-30T14:46:00.000+09:30

So it was great to find out that the 26 April was also a holiday and that meant that we would have Kim around for an extra day which meant another family day together! We woke up on Easter Sunday to an 'egg hunt' in our new apartment, thanks to daddy organising it. The rest of the day was spent out and about, taking Natalia to one of the many play areas in and around Adelaide's gardens and parks.

Helping Granny hang the washing

The new chair that daddy bought me

The following day we decided to head into the Adelaide Hills to a town called Hahndorf, an old German settlement. I was lovely to see how they had decorated everything for Easter. After walking around for a couple of hours we decided to have lunch. We found a genuine German pub hotel. We were lucky to get seats as its a popular place and the portions are huge!

I am way to cool people

An Easter wall

mmm, what should I have ?

Dip it and eat it, yum

The meal that my Mom and Kim share for 2

On the 26th we decided to head down the coast to a town called Glenelg, not too far out of Adelaide.

Oh, the best sleep !!!

Finally our last day (and the last day of the long weekend) was finished off with a walk into the city to Rundle Street. It was a great start to what is going to be our new home.

Rundle Street Mall - a pedestrian zone

yummy ice-cream face :)

Hello South Australia

2011-04-25T20:56:00.088+09:30

After a teary farewell at the airport with my sister Loren, aunty Sheri and my father, Natalia and I were lucky to have my Mom accompany us to Australia. If you know what toddlers are like, then you will understand why I was not keen to do the trip on my own. Toddlers can be wicked little people, and besides we had too much luggage and I would never have managed it on my own. Since we were immigrating we were allowed 40kg each which equals 2 bags each and I had to bring with Natalia's car seat and pram - so my Mom was much needed!

We left Joburg on the 22 April at 6pm and arrived in Sydney the following afternoon at 2pm - a 12 hour flight. Natalia was dead tired as she didn't have her nap that afternoon so she fell asleep almost immediately on the flight, but she was very restless and unhappy so I gave her meds to assist her to sleep. She didn't even get to eat dinner, shame - but bliss for us :)

Arriving in Sydney we had to get off the plane carrying 6 bags of hand luggage. Natalia walked most of the way which was impressive, but she got tired and I had to carry her a bit. You see, in Australia, you only get your pram from over-sized baggage at the same time you get your bags. We finally got through Immigrations and waited to collect our bags and over-sized luggage. Because we had 2 trolleys each to push with 4 big bags, a car seat and a pram, it was impossible, so my Mom put the car seat on her trolley and I put Natalia straddled on top of the bags on my trolley with the pram folded and balancing behind her (can you picture this?). Our next process was to go through Declarations as we had a lot of medication with us and Easter eggs and chocolates. That was surprisingly quick as well and then we were off to check our bags in for our next flight at the domestic terminal. Natalia was enjoying the trolley ride so much and refused to get off, shame, lol. By this time Mom was so pooped and no more strength in her - she's not used to lugging heavy around, walking forever and carrying heavy Natalia around. We waited only a couple of minutes when the bus arrived to transfer us to the domestic terminal and once there we had to walk again, to the end of the building of course, carrying all this heavy stuff and princess around. Poor Granny was tired.

Finally we left Sydney at 4.30pm and arrived in Adelaide at 6pm - a 2 hour flight (yes there is a time difference). Only then did I start telling Natalia that she would see her Daddy soon. It had been 4 weeks since she'd last seen Kim and I didn't want to confuse her. Little people don't understand time, and when Kim left SA she wasn't dealing with all these changes very well and she was couldn't understand why her Daddy wasn't around anymore. She had another nap on this flight with Granny and then I explained to her that she was going to see her Daddy any minute, trying to get her excited. It worked, she was so happy to see Daddy.

It was a long trip and we were finally where we were meant to be - together as a family again.

On the plane in Joburg before take-off

Landing in Adelaide

Yay - finally Tali is with her Daddy

Finally at our apartment, our new temporary home

Goodbye South Africa Our Home Forever

2011-04-23T18:37:00.000+09:30

Natalia and I spent our last of couple of weeks in South Africa staying in Centurion, close to my sister Loren and her 3 boys. It was a fantastic time and will never forget the closeness we had till the last minute. In this time I realised how much I love my sister; that the love is stronger than I ever imagined. I will miss her terribly! And Natalia got so close to her cousins Malakai and Harlan, and everytime she asks after them tears well up in my eyes because she doesn't understand. She also asks after her beloved uncle Darryl "Ucking". This transition would have been a million times easier if our relationship wasn't this strong.

But the world is a lot smaller these days with BBM, Skype, Facebook, email and the like.

I will miss my Mommy. I will miss Dolly (Natalia's nanny). I will miss having my housework done for me; ironing done and Natalia taken care of. I will miss all the things that I am used to, like saying "ja" "howzit" "lekker". Knowing where to go and in what direction without using a GPS. I will miss Bovril, Nestle, Simba, Mrs Balls, Ouma rusks, Holbrooks Worchestershire Sauce, Pampers, DSTV and biltong to name a few! I will miss familiar faces, shops, places and products. I will miss my fanstastic GP and Gynae. And I will need to remember that I am in a different time zone; that at 3pm it's only 7am in South Africa.

I will need get to used to people saying "g'day" "how ya going" "no worries" and "yeah". I will need to use a GPS, do my Drivers' Licence again, learn to use a 5 way circle and adhere to speed limits. I must get used to other shops like "Coles" "Kmart" "Target" and "Myer" to name a few. I must get used to things like "Vegemite" "Kangaroos" "Ausie Rules Football" and "V8's". I will have to use the AU$ and learn to pump my own gas! I will need to get used to paying exorbatant prices for Kindergarten, waiting lists and possibly only sending Natalia on certain days of the week. I will need to get used to paying rent weekly; that built-in cupboards are a feature; doing my own housework ; no domestic help and expensive baby-sitters. I will have to get used to dry hot summers and wet cold winters.

On the other hand, I will have to get used to "no car guards and not having to keep coins handy to pay them" "no one trying to sell me stuff at a robot" "not being alert of smash-and-grabbers" "not setting the house alarm every night" "not looking over my shoulder when walking down the road" "clean public play areas, parks and gardens" "getting free public medical assistance from the government" "receiving a child care benefit and a child care rebate from the government" and "almost free schooling". I will need to get used to Kim leaving for work after 7am; being home at 5.30pm; not spending hours in traffic and eating dinner together as a family. I will get used to walking more; cycling more; being fit and generally leading a healthier lifestyle.

Here are some pics of Natalia in our last days spent in SA......

Natalia's favourite place to be

Care to Tango

Take That !!!

At the Spur playarea

Are you hungry horsie ?

Ucking, Harlan and Natalia on the trampoline (Malakai in the background)

Natalia loved her new gown

Colouring-in

At The Firehouse for Jack's Party

2011-04-10T20:02:00.001+09:30

Cousin Jack turned 4 and had his party at the Hunters Hill Firehouse in Northriding yesterday afternoon......

Chasing one of the resident chickens

The cake

Yummy

The kiss

The hug

The birthday boy

Pooped

All the cousins

Lucy jumping

Jump

Harlan jumping

A Morning of Fun

2011-04-09T19:52:00.000+09:30

Pics From During the Week

2011-04-09T04:47:00.007+09:30

Natalia enjoyed helping Aunty Loren replant some plants into new pots

Natalia fetching water for the replanting

See here, my little watering can

There, let me pour it in for you Aunty

Let me chuck in some soil for you

On Thursday afternoon we spent some fun time at Uveka Rangappa's house. Here's Natalia with her little one Suriyana watching some CBB's just before bed.

The Day Granny Said Goodbye

2011-04-06T14:27:00.000+09:30

A seriously awful day for both Natalia and I. I took my Mom to the airport early yesterday morning long before anyone was up. Natalia searched and searched the apartment for Granny. She was terribly upset, more upset than words can decribe. She didn't take it well in the least and cried the whole day..... tears all round :(

We tried to go out to the playground to cheer up a bit to no avail :(

Natalia just wanted to sit in her pram the whole day, the only place where she felt safe

She watched TV from there........

A little glimmer of some happiness but not for long - just such a sad day

Finally Daddy was home from work and we went to the shops to get a couple of things

Out To Play On A Saturday

2011-04-03T01:06:00.001+10:30

Pictures for daddy...........

Bye Bye Housie

2011-03-26T00:47:00.009+10:30

So it is with sadness that we bid farewell to our house and neighbourhood in Allen's Nek :( We lived there for 5.5 good years. I will miss my beloved bedroom, huge kitchen and beautiful garden. I hope the couple that moves in after us enjoys it as much as we did.
Here's to living like a nomad for next couple of months - not looking forward to that!

Dining room packed up

Natalia's playroom packed up

Spare room packed up

Thank goodness we had a bed till the last morning

Living out of suitcases in the bathroom

What Do You Do On A Hot Day In Africa

2011-03-16T04:25:00.001+10:30

Run through the sprinklers and swim of course!!! Natalia was very happy when she could run through t sprinklers, play in the mud and swim in her mini pool that I made for her. She was in her element.