Maria Turns 2.5, Fishing and Lots of Canine Slumber

We just finished the second week of February and happily welcomed Paolo back from his two week trip to the US.  This week he heads to Lesotho but at least we get him for a few days!

Here is the scene I find every morning when I enter Gio's room to wake him drag him out of bed.
These two never spend a night apart. 

Last weekend we visited The Farm Inn with friends to eat lunch.  Maria loved being surrounded by big girls.

After lunch we headed to their petting area where the children spent an hour with dozens and dozens of rabbits (I swear their were multiplying while we were there!).

Gio's favorite.

A bag of treats that Maria carefully parceled out to all of her new friends. Rabbits happen to be Maria's favorite creatures. Her preschool has two huge white ones hopping around on the playground, and she squeals with delight whenever she sees them out on the golf course near our house.  To be able to be among so many here was a dream come true for her.  And, yes, I scrubbed her feet as soon as we got home!

Alex (age 5) has a big crush on Gio.  He is oblivious.  

Sunday happened to be Maria's half-birthday.  We never miss a chance to eat cupcakes, so, with 2 1/2 candles on each cupcakes and a quick song we dug in!

Monday brought the return on Nomsa. We were all thrilled to have her back!

This week we had many bad thunderstorms.  Without power we tackled homework (Maria's being to eat a bag of chips!).

Pepperoni always gets the first taste of Enzo's breakfast.
 Our 60kg beast is truly a gentle giant.

Another day, another storm.
Here is a typical afternoon on our patio.

Maria is currently obsessed with being clean.  She gets upset when she sees dirt on the bottom of her shoes ("dirteee!") and regularly wants to wash her babies.  

Gio has become a passionate fisherman.  He grabs his rod as soon as he gets off the school bus and runs across the 18th fairway to the pond.  Pepperoni often joins him.

Thursday I took the boys to a local hiking trail that allows dogs off leash.  These two climbed, sniffed and wallowed in pools (well, just Enzo on that one) for two hours.  Exhausted!

Friday was a day off from school for Gio.  After a morning trip to the trampoline park in Jo'burg he headed right back to the pond for more fishing.  He is always thrilled when his South African friend Harvey is there to give him lessons and tips. 

Maria adores getting her hair cut.  She tries to drag me into every barber shop/salon we pass.  Our local fishing shop owner is also a barber so I knew when we went in to get Gio some new hooks that Maria would insist on getting into the chair.  

Her new 'do!  All ready to greet Papa who gets home today from his trip to DC!  

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  xoxo.  Clara