December 2009

The month of December has been really good to us. On December 4th we left on a plane for South Africa. This was very exciting for Rowan as he loves planes! Richard and I were happy that we would be able to spend some time with our friends and family again. We also had some big events to look forward to. There was an early family Christmas get together, a memorial service for my Mom as well as Rowan's aunt
Jennifer and his now uncle Walter's wedding.

As we arrived in Johannesburg on the 5th, we were greeted at the airport by a throng of people that were very happy to see us. Few things match the feeling of being greeted with love and joy by those you love and appreciate most in life. The meet and greet at the airport was very short but oh so much appreciated by us. As we left
the airport and headed towards Benoni where Richard's parents live we were welcomed by one of those beautiful highveld thunderstorms and a rainbow visible in the night sky. It was quite special.

Rowan's Gran prepared one of our favourite South African dishes called Boboti. It was delicious and we were happy to be home and amongst family again. Needless to say we were very tired that night and went to bed quite early.

The following day was set aside for a lovely Christmas get together with my side of the family. It was also Rowan's Oupa's 60th birthday so we really had something to celebrate. Again the food was out of this world! Rowan and Richard spent a lot of time swimming in the pool. It was very nice to catch up with all the members of this rather large part of our family.

The memorial service for my Mom was very touching and sincere. We gathered together with my sister, her fiance, three of my mom's sisters, two of my cousins and my grandmother. It was really meaningful for us to all finally be able to stand together in remembrance of my mother and the life that she shared with all of us. Her ashes were placed in the wall of remembrance at the Methodist Church in Alberton.

The next couple of days were spent visiting with friends and family. We were busy every single day but were sure to make time for plenty of sunshine and swimming. I look back fondly on the mornings and afternoons spent in Granny's garden blowing bubbles, chasing cats, twirling around and around and swooping through the air like
aeroplanes.

Before we knew it, the week was over and we were heading off to the Drakensberg mountain range in KwaZulu Natal. We were very excited to be visiting the place that Richard and his family always visited on their vacations many years ago. Richard and I have also had a couple of opportunities to stay there so I guess it is safe to say that The Caverns Berg Resort feels like home to us. This time my sister,
Yolande and her fiance Alex joined us. Even though it rained for the two days that we were staying there we still had a great time. Rowan also enjoyed spending some quality time with his aunt and seemed to be completely smitten with Alex.

The next stop on our journey was the destination for the wedding. We drove for an hour and a half through the mountains winding through the valleys, crossing rivers and passing many traditional zulu settlements and other rural villages. There were cattle everywhere! What a wonderful treat to see such happy cows simply wandering around the grassland at the foothills of the magnificent mountain range. The air
was fresh, the sky blue and the sun as hot as could be. Rowan slept most of the way and when we arrived at Didima Lodge he was ready to have some fun. And boy did he have fun!

Right outside our chalet was a rock garden of sort. Rowan spotted his first gecko and that was the beginning of a weekend long search for
geckos. He turned over every rock he could find and climbed on and in between every boulder he came across. We attempted a hike or two but Rowan thought walking up a hill along a very boring path cutting through the grass in the hot sun was a silly idea. So we walked back down and the two boys went for a swim while I helped out with the wedding preparations.

The wedding rehearsal was held in the late afternoon. This was Rowan's test to see if he would in fact be happy to carry the rings down the aisle. He didn't like the idea too much and we decided that he would walk with Richard down the aisle from where the would go directly to their seats while one of the groom's men held the rings. This way Rowan could still be a part of the ceremony and show off his super
funky and slightly over the top outfit.

Rowan also made two new friends. Steph and Abi were the prettiest two flower (bubble) girls he has ever seen. Abi quite liked Rowan too and the two of them played together quite a few times.

The wedding was great. I think it could quite possibly have been one of the happiest weddings I have ever attended. Jennifer was bursting with joy and looked beautiful in her purple wedding dress. I don't think I have ever seen Walter as elated either. The children claimed the dance floor even before the dancing started and kept us and
themselves entertained for hours. The food was good and the atmosphere perfect. Wait until you see the beautiful landscape that surrounded this wonderful event. We had a lovely couple of days in the Drakensberg and we didn't want to leave.

Back in Johannesburg we said our last goodbyes to friends and family and prepared to get back on a plane. And just like that our two week South African vacation was over.

A fluffy, white blanket of snow welcomed us back home and soon we were filled with Christmas spirit. We decorated our tree, pulled out those dancing and singing snowmen and even bought a couple with lights to decorate our back yard. The stockings were stuffed and gifts wrapped while listening to some special holiday music. We cooked a great big meal and spent our Christmas morning together as a family. In the afternoon we joined our very good friends for some desert and gift
exchange. It was a very happy and blessed Christmas indeed.

The week between Christmas and this new year's eve was rather cold, wet and snowy so we ended up spending a lot of time indoors. Rowan played with all his new toys and musical instruments, he learnt to draw circles, made some progress with his potty training and learnt to identify the colours of objects. It was a productive week indeed. As for me... I spent some of my time reflecting on the past year - the
triumphs, the tragedies and those very special ordinary days that came to be 2009. I look back and I am humbled by life and it's complexities. I am thankful for all the people that have in some way or another shared their lives with us and I am glad that we were able to share some bits and pieces of our lives with all of you through
this blog.

May you all have a wonderful and blessed 2010 filled with love, joy and peace. With love from Richard, Elaine and Rowan.

A Family of Happy Snappers

I remember the very first photograph I ever took. We were on the beach in the middle of summer. My Dad had his camera and was shooting away. My Mom was pregnant with my sister and NOT enjoying the heat. I guess I must have been around 8 or 9 years old at the time. I remember it all so well. I asked my father if he would let me take a photograph and much to my surprise he allowed me to do so. Just one though. They used expensive film in those days. I was so excited! I can remember the feeling of the heavy steel body of the Minolta in my hands. I can remember bringing my first photograph into focus by turning the dial ever so gently. When that shutter released, I felt very proud of myself. That was most probably the start of my love for photography.

Now jump ahead a couple (or so) of decades into the future where we now have digital cameras of all shapes and sizes - even ones for small, clumsy hands like the one we acquired for Rowan. We have been wanting to get one for him for a long time now but just never found one that was well designed yet inexpensive enough for him to use. He has always shown great interest in my camera and the photos I take and one day this summer I allowed him to take some snap shots with mine. He loved it and we were excited to be able to see the world from his perspective.

So this weekend he got his first camera and was allowed and encouraged to take as many pictures as he wanted. He spent a lot of time roaming around the house - looking for things to photograph. As I watched him I wondered what his thought process was in deciding what to photograph and what to move past. It soon became quite clear that he was taking photos of his favourite things. Here you go. Have a look. His favourite trucks.

His favourite people.

His beloved kitty.

Another truck on his favourite drum.

His train.

This bear was actually brought over to the living room for a special photo shoot. Yip, he was posing the bear with Mom and then...

... with his good friend, O.

Well, that's all for Rowan's photos for now. We will be sure to get him to take some of our vacation.

I did some digging and found this photograph of my Mom on the beach. I am pretty sure it is the one I took on that happy day. I might be wrong though, and if I am, just let me believe it was this one, OK? It makes for a nice story :)

The Power of Communication

At some point during the weekend Rowan realised the power that a well spoken word can hold. So, now he has decided to communicate his will and wishes a little more clearly to us.

Yes, it is encouraging, but let me explain why I also find it rather troubling.

In the past when things didn't go his way, he would whine a little and we would either help to make things better or try to comfort him. Now he knows that that tiny little word no, when spoken with a raised voice and that certain kind of tone will catch your parents by surprise and knock them off kilter just enough for you to get away with whatever you want. Add to NO! a bit of STOP! and GO MOM! and you've got yourself a well stocked arsenal of words that will make your Mom cringe every single time she hears it.

I am now reminded of a post I added a little while ago - the one where I said I would try not to say no all the time... I should have stuck with it, you know? Because I am afraid I am going to get back what I have been putting into our interactions and am NOT looking forward to it.

Daddy's Boy.

Over the last week or so Rowan has been asking for his Dad a little more than usual. When I greet him in the morning he usually says: "Hi Mom. Where's Daddy?" and sometimes all he says is: "Where's Daddy?" As much as I adore the fact that he loves his Dad so very much I will admit that sometimes, just sometimes, it makes me feel a little less loved. But hey, don't get me wrong here - I pretty much melt whenever he says Mom.

Most mornings I have to explain to him that Dad's gone to work and he gets very sad - lips pouting and everything. Sometimes we end up calling Richard at work so that Rowan can cheer up. So, I am quite sure that Rowan really looks forward to the weekends where he can wake up in the morning and be greeted by his Dad in person.

This weekend was one of those weekends where Rowan didn't leave Richard's side (being Dad's little helper) and even when Richard managed to slip away for a second Rowan wandered around the house calling for him.

Well, tomorrow is Monday again and I just know that Rowan is going to wake up and be disappointed. Luckily it usually only lasts as long as it takes us to walk down the stairs.

Play Date with J

Hi to all. It has been a while since my last post and I think I should explain why. You see, I think we have finally reached that point where there isn't always something interesting to tell you about and I find that I really need there to be something special to share in order for me to be inspired to start typing this late at night. So I guess what I am trying to say is that from now on, I will only be posting new pieces when there actually is something to talk about or perhaps I will share some photos instead of a lengthy story. I do hope that you will still keep checking in every now and again.

Something special did happen today. Rowan had a play date with his friend, J, from school. We went over to their house where he got to play and I got to chat for over two hours. I was so pleased to see the two boys get along so well. They still haven't reached the point where they are actually playing with each other, but they do seem to enjoy eachother's company.

J shares a huge play area with his big brother and little sister in the basement of their house. It was wonderful. The entire area was completely kid friendly and filled with toys and activities. In fact as we came down the stairs and turned the corner to have an entire wall of toys revealed to us Rowan excitedly shouted "Whoooo!" as he folded in half sticking his head out and opening his eyes as wide as possible to take in the splendor of it all.

The entire time that we were there I didn't have to say no to him once. He was well behaved and content so I was able to relax and enjoy some real conversation with another adult which made me feel happy and content and so the two of us started our day and it seems the mood continued right through to the evening.

We had fun today. Rowan went to bed laughing and I am sure that when I lay my head on my pillow tonight the glimpses of a day well lived will put a smile on my face too.

The Entertainer.

Drumming! Drumming, drumming and more drumming! I know, it sounds like I might be a little annoyed by the idea of drumming, but you know what? I am thrilled. Rowan absolutely loves to drum and he is a real entertainer too.

We have several hand drums lying around our living room. Rowan decided to take to them using the drumsticks he received with a different band set and now he LOVES playing the drums. He plays with varying rhythm, moves effortlessly from one drum to the next and stops and waits for applause from his adoring fans.

I have always enjoyed the earthy sounds emanating from hand drums and when they are being delivered by our little boy with that special sparkle in his eyes the loud banging turns into the most beautiful sound in the world.

Tune in and enjoy:

Afternoon Walk by the Lake