Once back from Cape Town we had a whirlwind 12 days before flying to Italy for Christmas. Here is what was happening (we will completely ignore my birthday that happened somewhere in there and focus on more fun things!).....
We began the first week of December with a visit to the Pretoria Urology Hospital. Maria had a checkup to see how her urinary reflux condition is doing. We got the good news that she is outgrowing it and for the first time in two years she is now off daily antibiotics. HORRAY!!
Her tests at the hospital were quite traumatic but nothing that a snuggle with Bruno could not resolve.
And then our shipment from Ukraine arrived!
I usually get overwhelmed when our things arrive after getting used to living without them for months. This time was no different. By about the 80th box I was ready to pitch it all in the pond opposite our house.
Here I am ignoring the 50 boxes in our kitchen and catching up on Scandal instead. Priorities.
At least we finally have a couch.
Gio likes to search for frogs after dinner. If only he would leave them outside....
This week also brought our very first visitor. Our dear friend Michele came from DC and brought with him a gift from Maria's cousin May. How cute is this dress?? Thanks, Himmelfarbs! Maria watering the pool deck.
Enzo's natural protective tendencies are so apparent now that we have a pool!
Maria's first ever swim....
Another hot day = another afternoon thunderstorm. Luckily Enzo now has his own comfort dog.
Bruno somehow knows Enzo needs him during these storms and never leaves his side. So sweet.
Dec 5 (see how I completely skipped my Dec 4 birthday?!) and we were off to Hazel Market for more of the kids' beloved sand art (and ribs for Mama!)
Gio's requests for his 7th birthday (Dec 6th)? (1) Adopt Bruno. Check. (2) A birthday party. Check. (3) A sleepover with the Cronk boys. Check. Here they are at Ed's Diner for a birthday eve feast.
And then the birthday at Bounce. Gio invited the entire 1st grade.
Gio's first ever back flip.
Nearly all of his best friends came. He was thrilled.
And we had a terrific "coach" (fellow in the hat) who helped the kids stay safe and have fun at all of the stations. I highly recommend this place for parties!
Rest/refueling time in the party room in between two hour-long jumping sessions. The kids (and some brave parents) were exhausted by the end!
Gio and the Cronk boys were not ready for the weekend fun to end so as soon as we got home they had a water balloon fight. For a "winter" birthday boy, this was really a first.
And where was Maria during all of this mayhem? Since 2-year-olds are not allowed at Bounce Paolo took her to a different birthday across town. Here she is enjoying the fountain....
Hanging with Paolo's boss's daughter. Let's hope she never poked her in the eye with that stick!
Train ride.
I just cannot get enough of this Maria-Bruno love.
Puzzle time with her best friends.
Trying to get them to participate.
Giving up and joining them in their favorite activity.
Yet another fabulous South African find: a combo barber-fishing gear shop. Gio got a few tips on using his new rod while awaiting his turn in the chair.
Inseparable.
Gio's last day of school for 2015. I came to host a holiday party (yes, I am class parent again for the 4th year in a row!).
I got to watch a class presentation where the children created machine using light and sound to guide space explorers home.
It was fun to see their creations!
Officially a Belli for a week now, Bruno has embraced his new life on a golf course- he carries this ball with him everywhere he goes!
A few weeks ago (yes, I am falling behind yet again on this blog), we headed to Cape Town for the American Thanksgiving weekend. Ever since we announced we were moving to South Africa last spring we have heard again and again how wonderful CT is so we were very eager to see it for ourselves.
In the taxi.
My kids love airplanes, mostly for the snacks and the unlimited iPad time (I am much meaner about screen time on the ground but up in the air whatever keeps them from bothering other passengers works for me!).
We arrived late on Wednesday night and found ourselves in a perfect family room at Winchester Mansions (a hotel suite with three separate bedrooms!). For anyone heading to Cape Town with kids, I highly recommend this place.
Our first morning we headed off to Simon's Town to see the Boulder Beach Penguin Colony. They did not disappoint.
Did you know African penguins mate for life? Makes me love them even more.
Maria absolutely loved the penguins (or, in Maria language, "Owls!!").
Another thing the Belli kids loved about Simon's Town? The ice cream.
Our hotel was right along the water. Each morning we watched paragliders landing on the grass out front.
Sibling love.
Friday morning we headed to Table Mountain.
We made the classic dumb tourist move of just showing up without booking online first. We paid for it by waiting in line for over an hour for the tickets....
....there might have been a little bit of whining.
Papa did manage to get a good shot of us near the end of the wait.
A sugar bribe helped.
And up we go. The African sky is more blue than any place I have ever been!
The cable car rotated a full turn on the way up!
At the top.
Yes, that is Maria's hat.
Check out this funny creature. It is called a Dassie. It looks like an obese rat but its closest relative is actually....
...you won't believe it....
...an elephant!
Friday evening we took a scenic route to dinner. And by scenic I mean like nothing I have ever seen in my life. Absolutely stunning. This part of the "garden route" even puts the drives around San Francisco to shame.
Dinner Selfie. We ate at a terrific fish 'n chips place in Simon's Town called Salty Sea Dog.
Saturday morning we headed to the Cape Town Aquarium. It is a very kid-friendly place with hands on exhibits and this fun interactive Nemo display.
After the aquarium we drove a little over an hour out of Cape Town to the wine region. We checked into Mount Rochelle in the town of Franschhoek. The hotel was absolutely stunning with giant games all around the yard including chess, bowling, croquet, bocce and many others. Between these and the pool there was plenty to keep Gio busy during Maria's nap.
While Maria napped Gio and Paolo went wine tasting (yep, you read that right).
Post nap was time for more garden games and then dinner.
Sleeping off the trip on the flight home.
We loved Cape Town! So much, in fact, that we already booked a trip back in March. We will stay in CT for three days and then drive the Garden Route from there to Port Elizabeth. We cannot wait!
