[I am not going to mention the election here. Most of you know how I feel and I would rather leave it out of my blog.]
Rain has finally arrived in Pretoria with some massive thunderstorms and driving rains. I have spent one night up dumping buckets thanks to a roof leak and another evening serving peanut butter sandwiches by candlelight. The good news is that the ponds on the golf course are full again and the grass is lush and green.
Our newest pool toy is a hit!
Planning which world record they are going to break. I seem to recall making similar plans with my own brother decades ago!
Last weekend Maria was invited to her first "princess party"- it was a big hit.
Decorating wands and tiaras.
Cupcake station
Always the first one at the table!
Best friend Sofia to her left. Maria does not know it yet but Sofia will switch to a new school in Jan (the start of the school year for SA schools). That is going to be a big blow for Maria!
One big benefit of living on a golf course- soccer before dinner!
Tuesday morning puppy class
During this class the puppies were exposed to a motorcyle (often loud noises are scary for them). Jagger just laughed since Paolo's motorcycle is about 5 times louder than this one!
Post class playtime with best friend Isaac.
We went back the next day for "open training" at GDA. This was a really cool morning where all of the trainers had set up stations for the puppies. Jagger practiced recall, walking by distrations (including a sandwich!), tried an agility course and was exposed to a vacuum and other loud noises. Sorry I did not take any pics other than this one where he was resting after a full grooming session!
After two days of training school Jagger needed a major nap!
Pepper has grown quite accustomed to Jagger. He likes to hang out nearby when he and Bruno play.
Jagger with a few friends.
Car ride with girl friend Daisy
Thursday Gio did not have school (parent-teacher conferences) so we spent 3 hours at Bounce. At one point all of the Bounce employees played dodgeball with Gio! (Can you find him?)
The following photos are courtesy of Dusty, father of Gio's dear friend Finn. We did another graffiti tour (see previous post). This time we brought along a few of Gio's friends and Jo, our wonderful tour guide tailored the tour for 7-8 year olds....
I love the innocence of these two. Such sweet friends.
The gang (and two little sisters...)
We were concerned about this man. Hoping he was simply passed out after a night of drinking. A somber reminder of life in a tough part of Jo'burg. Brought back memories of early morning walks in Kyiv when I would see passed out men everywhere.
One of my favorites.
Can you guess which part of this piece Gio liked the best?
Yes, Jagger came along of the entire tour. Great exposure for him!
Thanks, Dusty, for these fabulous photos!!
Last night we tried out the brand new movie theater just across the street from our estate. Yes, it is very luxurious! And if you get a chance to see "Storks" go for it. You will not be disappointed.
When your week is rough and you just need to find some joy...
Life continues to be busy with two kids, two dogs and two cats (okay, those last two are really not that much work!). We have had Jagger now for 4 weeks and he is proving to be a truly special pup.
Jagger plays hard and sleeps hard. His sleepy puppy mode at night is so adorable.
We are really enjoying having brand new trampoline park only 12 minutes from our front door!
Summer is here in full force and Jagger enjoys any chance to cool off!
I found a fantastic costume shop near our house and Gio had a blast shopping for Halloween.
At the airport ready to board our flight to Cape Town.
As always she has convinced us she MUST have a doll from the gift shop.
Once we landed we had a two-hour drive to get to Gansbaai. I had hoped Maria would nap along the way....
...which she finally did 10 minutes before we reached our hotel. Typical.
An evening walk along the coast to look for whales!
There's one!
My photos do not do this justice but it was truly amazing to watch them from the shore. We saw at least 8 this evening!
Goodnight, Gansbaai.
Gio "enduring" dinner with his crazy sis.
The next morning we awoke to a cold drizzle but it did not stop us from heading out to search for sharks, whales, seals & penguins. Gio in the middle here with friends who traveled here with us from Pretoria.
Maria missed all the whales but we were lucky to see a lot of them along with a giant Great White Shark and about a billion seals (and four African Penguins!)
Maria loves lighthouses...
...and blue lollipops.
Visiting a honey company and seeing a live hive.
What else to do on a rainy day? Come along with your parents to a winery and make friends with the owner's daughter.
A lazy Saturday lunch at a fabulous Italian restaurant. Note to self to work a bit on my kids' table manners....
Mood lifted by authentic Italian gelato!
Another day, another airport haircut. Maria NEVER passes up a salon without begging for a turn in the chair!
Back home in steaming hot Pretoria.
Hmmm.... not sure this is approved guide dog behavior....
Fell asleep licking a frozen Kong. Snoozes anywhere, anytime.
Maria likes to select her own food at dinner. Sometimes she goes overboard.
Gio is horrified about so many fruits & vegetables on one plate.
Jagger out and about with me, today getting coffee.
When the coat comes off it is time to PLAY. Here he is with his best friend (and fellow guide-dog-in-training) Isaac.
Home for more playtime. Guide dogs get to have as much fun as other puppies!
Jagger often comes with me for Maria school pickup and/or drop-off. We are so lucky to have Maria at a school that is so dog-friendly. One of the biggest challenges for a guide dog is being comfortable around children. I do not think this will be a problem for Jagger!
Halloween week and Gio's school had a dress up as your favorite book/movie character day. Not sure Cat in the Hat was every Gio's favorite but it was the only costume we had in the house, so there you go!
Two goofs waiting for Gio's bus.
Working hard for his treats!
At Gio's school for Boo in the Boot (trick or treating from car trunks!).
Ready to party!
The big news of the week is that Gio made the swim team!! He was so excited and immediately wanted to get his hair cut ("to make me faster!") at the fishing store.
Swim team practice starts next week so this week there is still time for tennis!
This week a few friends and I drove down to Joburg to go on a graffiti tour. It was fascinating!
Mars' tag. We saw his work all over Newtown (the neighborhood where we were walking).
Mars again!
Underpass art.
Done by a Miami artist (Atomik) who was visiting SA.
Our terrific tour guide, Jo.
This eyesore of a public toilet has definitely been improved!
Advertising...
I found this building fascinating. It was a former grain silo converted to student housing. Notice the shipping containers added along the side and on top.
This is called the "guest book"as so many have signed it.
This is outside a candle factory. There was a really nice smell here of melting wax.
The white writing on the top of the wall was done by putting paint into a fire extinguisher. I think Gio would have loved trying that.
My favorite of the tour.
My buddies on the tour (from left): Karin (Sweden), Clara #1(England), me & Nicola (Caribbean & USA and my guide dog puppy pal).
Walking the beast and watching a monster storm approach.
Our weekly walk at Hedianga Park.
Jagger had spent the morning playing with a Boerboel puppy (look them up- a SA breed and so so cute and gigantic!) so a raging thunderstorm + a wrestling match could not stir him.
Guide Puppy class this week was a visit to a nursery school.
9 puppies were about to enter the playground.
I had just told Jagger that each of the children was going to give him a treat!
Playtime after the visit.
Back home for playtime with his best friend.
My other two puppies at play.
This happens all day long!! I never get tired of watching it.
