farewell to summer…

…that brought our family

a few heat waves

loads of swimming in swimming pools and rivers

running in the garden through the sprinkle system (this is before the house pipe band)

sitting in a dark house (with closed curtains, windows and doors) - to keep the house cool

sitting outside in the evening (I am really going to miss this one)

juggling work and kiddies at home

no school runs

a few day trips and weekends away

enjoying the great weather with friends

endless amounts of BBQ's (Braai)

eating outside

tan lines (Riley) and sun hats 

never leaving the house without suncream on 

taking water bottles everywhere and planning our trips to see if there is places to fill them up

being very homesick (when everyone else is seeing family)

getting ready for 'big school' (Rosalie)

spending time together in the sunshine

asking Alexa for the weather forecast and then planning our days around it

and things to look forward to in the Autumn...

going to 'big school' 

new adventures at school for Rosalie

new adventures for Riley's last year in Primary school

welcome, september!

just a few of my favourite photo's:

 

Slowly but surely it's starting to get warmer.  The kiddies even had a few hours in the little paddle pool on Sunday.  It's going to be a hot one this week - heat wave I think is what they said we will have for this week.  

It's almost these 2 monkey's birthdays.   I can't believe that my little boy will be 10 and my little girl will be 4.  September it will be mr R's last year in primary school and miss R's first year in school! 

What a fantastic way to bring in the New Year with some AWESOME news from us! We are over the moon and so excited!! Bring on 2018!

We had fantastic weather last week, really started to feel like Summer.  Now this week; it is still warm BUT it’s raining, and raining and raining and raining non-stop.

Here is some photo’s that I found on my phone. 

today, my baby started pre school.  technically pre school is only starting here in September but he got space to go now.


we all travelled to school this morning.  riley was so excited but i think he sensed that mommy and daddy are a bit sad (that he is growing up so quickly) and also that big changes are ahead.

before this big day we had quite a few settling in days at the nursery.  and he was perfectly fine on those days, no tears, just super excited to play with his friends.  i think that is why it was so hard for us when we dropped him off to see how he then has a complete meltdown.  it was horrible leaving him there crying like that.  i wish i could just turn around, scoop him up in my arms and never let go.  but i know this is going to be good for not just him but for me too.  school, other children and the whole setting of school is what he needs right now.  i know this will get easier for both of us.... i hope.

it's just insane to think that my little man Riley turned 3! how is this even happening! and so quickly!

at age 3:  riley's favourite colour is still purple; if he wants to get your attention, he will either put his face right in front of yours or turn your head towards him; he is actually great at sharing for his age EXCEPT for droewors (he DOESN'T share that with anyone); loves his 'fwiends' especially girl friends; his favourite book is: "the three little piggies" which he has memorised.  singing (mainly making up his own songs), diggers, oupa's car, trains, making a mess and anything with water.  he'll come up and hug and kiss me and his dad spontaneously throughout the day, i am not complaining about this one.  i love listening to you talk, especially when you are telling stories.  he call his dad: "MY dad" where i am just "mamma".  he is just the best.

a few photos from his big day ...


we had cake for breakfast, your birthday is only once a year! he loved blowing out the candles and got a bit shy when we sang him the birthday song.

every year i make him a little crown for his birthday.  (see photos on the bottom for 1 and 2).

after opening up all his presents we decided to go for a little walk and boat trip to kingston.  we decided to have a relaxing day since he had a little 'party' with friends at Peppa Pig's World the sunday before his birthday (photo's will follow).

here is a few photos of the walk & boat trip...


he was so tired afterwards that his daddy had to carry him around, isn't it the cutest ....

 




here is a photo of 1 year old, 2 year old & 3 year old.

happy 3rd birthday my love!!!

ps. riley's first birthday HERE and HERE, his cake smashing HERE and HERE, day he was born HERE and his second birthday HERE and HERE.