Golf, Head-Shaving & 'Beebahs'

We are nearing the end of summer here in South Africa.  Paolo is finally finished with an insane period of constant travel (USA, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Cape Town, Swaziland, Lesotho), and we are looking forward to a family trip in two weeks to Cape Town and then the Garden Route.  Some images from the last two weeks....

Maria's nightly swing while the boys "actively" patrol for rabbits on the golf course.

Gio had another day off from school so I took him to a climbing park.  He loved it!

Maria got a new backpack for school.  And what does a 2-year-old take to school??  Water, sunscreen, hat, change of clothes, bouncy balls, Hello Kitty necklace, stuffed elephant...

Captured the moment Enzo hears thunder and just before he races up to our bathroom shower to hide.

South African restaurants are the best.  Children wander away from your table for a few minutes and come back from the play area looking like this!

Every morning I have to wake them both.  Not easy.

Maria's newest obsession (she has MANY) is water coloring...

My afternoon walks with the boys usually mean all 3 of them.  

Maria has a swim lesson on Wednesday afternoons.  Before the lesson we try out new restaurants (for her second lunch since she also eats at school!).  This one, Afro-Boer, is a new favorite.  And next time we are bringing the dogs who are allowed here!

And then the swim lesson.  Maria has come such a long way with these.  A month ago I had to sit on the edge of the pool, and she cried if even a drop of water touched her face.

Now I get to sit with the parents on the other side of the glass and she jumps in happily and goes far under water.  Woo hoo!

Maria wants to do EVERYTHING Gio does, which now means joining his golf lessons.  Gio is very generous to let her butt in...

...and our wonderful pro Pierre is so very patient.

Last weekend there was a Shave-a-thon in our nearby shopping center.  Guess who joined in?

Gone!

Maria also wanted her head shaved but finally consented to having a stencil painted instead.

"Beebahs!!"- Maria
Just another Saturday in Pretoria.

A rare evening with Paolo at home (off to Botswana in the morning, though).  That is him in the distance with Maria. I am back with the 3 furry boys.  Gio is, of course, fishing.

Maria now picks out her entire outfit.  Here is Monday's look.

Go, Blue Bulls!! (our local rugby team)

Tuesday these two boys turned 5.  Well, at least we know Enzo did!  Bruno's birthday is unknown.  Our vet estimated he is about the same age as Enzo based on his teeth and suggested we just give him Enzo's birthday to make things simpler.

Tuesday's look. 

Pepper is stalking the bunny bag.

Until next time!  xoxo.  Clara