We arrived back in South Africa on May 1st and got right back into our routine. Fall was certainly in full swing and we started to plan our mid-month trip to Nairobi for school interviews.
I got an update on Oscar who is doing very well with his new family. We miss him terribly but so glad he is happy.
Poor Maria had to go on stage two days after we got back from the USA. Clearly she did not know the song but luckily all of the other children did!
A GDA fundraiser at a nearby golf course. Can you spot Alaska??
Since I got Alaska when she was already 7 months old I never got to see her in her puppy cuteness, so I was very excited to get this photo.
A gathering of nearly all of the GDA puppies in Pretoria.
Pepper eating an entire bowl of beans one evening. Gio was quite excited to skip a second helping of veggies!
May 4th and someone turned 51!!!
Happy birthday, Paolo!
Mornings are very chilly now. These two always find the sunniest spot for their first nap of the day.
Maria LOVES writing and drawing!
We found this beautiful tree on a scooter ride one afternoon. Fall is definitely here!
An after school "play over" (Maria's term for a play date). With our school's terrific bus system it is easy to invite friends over any afternoon.
Alaska at a training class, clearly focusing very hard....
The ride back home after a long class for Alaska and a tough hydro session for Jagger.
Boys at the start of a sleepover. Never a dull moment. Love all of Gio's friends!
This is the girl who hates when I wash her hair but begs for salon time. Diva in training.
I am already starting my list of what I will miss in South Africa. My evening walks with the gang on the golf course for sure.
Snuggle time on a chilly evening in the smallest of our 9 (yes, NINE) dog beds...
Just did a 10K hike in the pouring rain. Tired, dirty, happy pups.
Where is Bruno?
Jagger's brother Julian recently became SA Paralympian swimmer Hendri Herbst's new guide dog.
A winter morning outfit, chosen by Miss M herself. (Sweater knitted by one of my fellow puppy raisers!)
And then it was time for us to fly to Nairobi for school interviews. Paolo thought it would be fine for Maria to have a cappuccino right before our flight....
The next morning and all dressed for the interviews. Gio actually insisted on the tie!
They survived the interviews and then it was time to explore Nairobi....
...after a truly disgusting milkshake, of course.
Meeting some crocodiles...
...and tortoises!
My favorite part of our entire weekend was visiting The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust outside of Nairobi. This is an elephant orphanage caring for young elephants who have lost their mothers due to drought, poaching, loss of habitat. We got to stand nearby as two groups of young elephants played happily in the mud.
Youngest group of elephants walk away with their handlers.
...and then the older "teenager" elephants walk eagerly to the mud.
These older, slightly naughtier ones spent their time splattering mud on all of us. Gio was thrilled. Maria was not.
And then we headed to The Giraffe Center. Maria found this much less messy and spend the entire time feeding her favorite giraffe.
After a whirlwind visit to our soon-to-be new home it was time to head back to South Africa. Maria spent the majority of the 4-hour flight drawing pictures "for my new teachers at my new school"!
Almost home (this is the shopping center directly across from our estate gate) and a storm brewing.
The next day these custom-made animal travel crates were delivered. The move seems real now!
Killing some time with Maria at the nail salon while Gio does a trampoline class with some friends at Bounce.
A weekend visitor- Jagger's sister Jade (on left).
Birthday party fun at Acrobranch at Rosemary Hill...
Maria with her best friend Emilia.
Dog park visit with Alaska, Jagger & sister Jade (the one with the muddy paws!).
Monday morning taxi ride back to Guide Dogs. These 3 have the same father (Savannah in the middle has a different mother).
Buddies (Salt had a large abscess on his head treated this week, hence the half shaved head!).
Another cold day, another Maria original outfit.
Even with a large herd of cattle behind him, Jagger only has eyes for his beloved tennis ball.
We had to give Alaska to Guide Dogs at the end of May as she began her first season (heat). We miss her terribly but I know she is having fun with the other girls she is rooming with!
June will bring even colder temps (remember we do not have heat in our house!), the end of the school year and Gio's two weeks at Sugar Bay Camp outside of Durban. Tune back in soon!
