Pics of buildings

I am not inclined to take pics of buildings but will try to start to do so... here is SPAR, the supermarket we most frequent. The routine is 7am head out there... nate in front of cart, ike in the basket, zip around the aisles, must buy a pack of melissa's choc chip cookies or heart cookies. Then head for Nate's school...

The other building is the inside of Design Quarters. Here they sell mainly home stuff, its also near clamber hell, so after dropping nate off, we head here for a muffin and then to clamber club.

Father and son(s) activities

So apart from the Karate on saturday am with K2, he took him to Barney Hell in Gold Reef City, then to buy some colorful rocks. Here he is with K2 and M2 at the Pootoom river. Then swimming in the afternoon. Notice Jake waiting for launch of ball.

K2 and dada bent over to check out a snail.

Loren is in london this week and bernie is flying over to join him. Soon they can all go skiing together, while I hit the spa's and hot springs? one can dream! reality is more like me on the kiddie slopes with them overtaking me!

End of summer

The weather hasn't started really cooling down yet but the flowers are all drying and producing many seeds. This Aloe plant is one of my favourites in summer, somehow I thought they were more orange reddish then bright yellow from last year but then my memory isn't the most reliable.

I've scattered alot of seeds in the garden thinking they will sprout in Spring but its still very warm and they are sprouting all over the place, probably one last round before the cold.

My worms are really reproducing like crazy, I turn the stuff around in the bedding and see clumps of balls of worms at work! Have been considering buying another compost maker but my 3 worm farms may actually be able to process the stuff.

Bullet and his latest scan...

Took bullet to see Dr. Miller... its a drive of about 30 mins towards Joburg city. They are a good pet hospital but it sure is far.

Dr. M is very happy that bullet since his operation and medication in October has not had a fit nor a teeth chattering experience. He tried to do a scan on bullet which was more or less successful, he saw that the liver did not shrink further but we have to put him on medication that will cost quite a bit (tho bernie can get us a generic supply from the US that will bring the cost down by 80%).

While on the operating table, bullet stretched and tried to escape, he really did not like being pinned down, belly up... and suddenly there is this smell that envelopes the room, caused me to sneeze uncontrollably and then on and off for the next 20 mins! Apparently, bullet released his anal gland, its used to scent pee when they mark territory but something like the skunk must have evolved to make a really really intense concoction. In anycase, bullet let one of those rip (no sound actually) just an undescribable smell. Like an intensely intense dog repellent. It was awful.

He then went for his teeth cleaning and was groggyish for 36 hours. It was really hard driving him home before his bath but at least the smell does not stick and linger. Only my hand was affected. Dr. M and his assistants, well, they smelt attractive to many female weims!

More Lesedi

Here's the pic of Ike and his staff... he has managed to make friends with anyone who has a rake, broom or big stick. How he got away with the Zulu tour guide's staff I don't know!

The cross is a way to build a fire, if the winds blow from another direction, the move the fire place to the other side... so the food will always be cooked.

The rock "kraal" is the cow pen. A dowry (lobolo) is about 11 cows, paid by the boy to the girls family.

Lesedi

Our friend Vinisha was in town so managed to take her around, we took Ike tot he Sterkfontein Caves and also Lesedi. Initially Lesedi felt very artificial but overall it is quite a good introduction to 4 of 5 native tribes of S. Africa, their language, homes and costumes.

Their homes are all quite "squat" perfect for ike, at some point he also managed to wrangle the stick / staff away from the guide that was taking us around and acted rather chief like. He also wasn't scared of the loud drums during dance time and sort of bounced along with them.

After picking Nate up from school we and Ike passed out in the seat, we went to the KFC drive thru for an ice cream. The Mc D's look like they have a good indoor play area but maybe we should just do the drive thru if necessary for an ice cream? Mc D's here are not like in asia, where they are at every mall, its hard to even come across one here. Nate has no idea who ronald mcdonald is.

The guide was telling us about Shaka Zulu the great chief, well am glad I am reading Michener's book as it had quite a chapter about this guy who invented the short spear and thus stabbing the enemy in new style combat instead of throwing a spear, then when both sides are weaponless they go home. But he was apparently mad too and caused alot of death and suffering, now he is idealized.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

Finally after over a year of arriving here we make it to the Botanical Gardens, it near Honeydew or Eagle Canyon. Its a large picnic park and everyone plops themselves under a shaded tree and takes out there picnic stuff. No pets, balls, frisbees as there are some plants that if get harmed, its the last of their species.

There's quite a nice waterfall and we also saw a red grasshopper with black trimmings. Ike asleep before getting there and too tired to much on his choc croissant (on his chest) and nate asleep after the trip.

Mish Mash

On Saturday we took nate for his first steak. He was quite excited as he had seen madagascar at least 50 times and the lion eating steak and of course every living thing turning into steak when he was hungry. Nate even prepared for the evening by taking a nap.

Speaking of naps, he seems to be waking up everynight from a nightmare, today I tried to find the toy hammer for him to pound the monster but instead I got 3 lego pieces put together to zap any monsters that cross his path. He wakes up and tries to sneak into our bed. Failing that I suspect he goes back to his room and after I leave he switches on the light as Loren has found him in the am asleep with the lights on! I better get a small dimmer night light.

So Nate was really well behaved at the steak place, he had his stickers and some finger puppets that entertained him the whole time!

Here's a shot of him with his stickers at the restaurant. A shot of him in the sandbox in his Phua Chukang singlet and PCK pucker face. The wine cooler is from bubbi, its quite neat and am looking forward to using it at Shabbat. The two boys playing "house" in the empty box.

Worm Farm Part 3

For those who have told me they absolutely abhor these entries, better to skip this one... I finally got my third farm, its a rectangular box and the faucet design is not as nice as the round one, ie you would have to tip this one over to pour out the worm pee.

I didn't order worms along with the farm this time since I have 2 working farms and theoretically alot of worms. So I had a great time setting up this new box and I go to Worm farm 2 to gather worms... in the bed I get some bigger ones and then I dig into the depths of my compost build up there and voila one of the most beautiful sights... bunches and bunches of tiny, squirming worms, I transfer them to their new home and hope they multiply soon.

I also got my tumbleweed, its a rotational composter, in 21 days I should have compost! I have checked it several times and the design is just ingenius. The heat trapped in there is also really warm and the smells are like an intense pine wood forest. One days worth of clippings fills only 25% of the bin and after the water content seeps away its even less, something like 20% of the 25%. I can't wait for my first batch of compost! I am even tempted to ask William to get me the neighbor's clippings.

Here is Ike exploring the box it came in... and a luverly hibiscus.

Photoshoot part 2

I had the guys whiten nate's grey tooth...

Photoshoot part 1

Had some pics taken of the boys for loren's V-day present... will make sure all the grandparents get a copy...

Ike and V-day

Well the first pic is not of V-day, its my back window shattered! last Friday I was waiting at the light and two guys were cutting grass with those hand held mowers, I heard a loud thud and was not scared, thought a big rock of sorts hit my car... I keep looking at my side mirror but not spotting the dent (thinking maybe it was a lump of mud that then scattered?). Two traffic lights later I hear crack, snap and pop... and still don't spot anything thru my side mirror, I look back and my window is like a spider web! Luckily loren got it replaced in a day and no kids were in the car.

Here is Ike on V-day with his date from clamber club and him passed out after his hot date with the blondie. Ike really likes going to nate's class, the other day he wanted to run away with the soft toys, speaking of which, he really likes soft toys unlike nate who did not really care for them. Here's Ike with the shoes he wants to wear today... before choosing his clothes.

Nate spent his V-day explaining to the class (theme is pets), how we keep worms at home and of course he brought sample worms to school. Speaking of which, my slimy darlings are now reproducing at a really rapid rate, lots of baby worms and I just got notice that my tumbleweed bin (grass cuttings etc will be compost in 21 days!) and my third worm bin is in the mail!

The environment article I wrote for the dainfern magazine got published this week, since I was blue bin no. 14 (these are the recycling bins) in december, there are now 36 in dainfern, long way to go to get to all 1800 homes but hope to report a big increase by year end. I also got several calls on the worm bins and hopefully this trend continues!

cuts and bruises

Nate has had a new cut or bruise for several days in a row now... his teacher told me a wierd story for which she would not have believed it had she not witnessed it herself, am sure nate would not enjoy this post when he is older!

She said... today, he fell and had a cut, he came upset, then rage, then he pulled his pants down then he said he needs to wash the wound, the blood (very very minor) and most important a bandage.

She could not figure out why he pulled his pants down... so this must be the fascinating part of brain development where all the synapses are cross firing into different directions. My theory is this, he has associated washing hands with going to the toilet, so in his pain, upset moment, knowing that he needs to wash the wound at a sink, he somehow must need to pee first before washing and so he pulls his pants down?

The caveat to my interpretation is that my parents often interpreted my actions and interpreted them wrong... so as this story becomes family myth... the truth may not be known for another 30 years when he can articulate the situation properly and right the wrong... as I did in my case many many years later.

These pics... nate taking isla for a car ride... nate with dada at lesedi cultural village (more recommended for older kids), nate talking to zeda on the phone, ike manuevering the shopping basket without a wheel.

Finally uploaded some photos

Here are two shots from the lion park, the little cub was eye-ing ike like he was a walking yummy dumpling. Those shoes btw are his favourite (bubbi, it is now tight on him, tomorrow I will try and get one size up in same design). He is quite the shoe fanatic and wants to change shoes several times a day.

Nate and Mickey mouse in Cape Town, loren is taking him to see barney in 2 weeks.

And the two of them enjoying some watermelon on a hot summer day with the usual scavengers surrounding them.

So, Nomsa's family has had a series of tragedies, her cousin's wife died in a car crash, when they finally told the 7 year old son that his mom is gone, he mysteriously dies last week and after the funeral of the 7 year old, his 15 year old brother and Aunt who were taking care of them also die (yesterday)! is this from shock? grief? both kids and the aunt were not in the car.

I am reading Michener's "Covenant" about S. Africa, it is the really easy way to get some sense of history of this place and now I understand alot more of the relationship of the trading with Malacca and Java.

Gong Xi Xin Nian

So we celebrated CNY eve by eating the yummy dumplings from Christine.

Today at the horse riding, her Kelly was so unbelievable, she said to me, "Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year), Wan shi lu yi (everything you do will go smoothly), gong xi fa cai (lots of wealth and prosperity) and something about not growing old (argh and that was the punch line which I can't remember!), anyway I thought it was so touching and well said that I wanted to give her more than one red packet!

I guess I didn't drill Nate as well, his came out as, Xin nin ki le (instead of Xin nian kuai le), he got away with a red packet and Ike can do the gongxi gongxi hand salute thing. Ike also likes imitating sounds... today he imitated drums and had a few more words, but I will need to carry a note book or recorder just to record all these things down!

Just as we were leaving Rinky Dink, I spot this great aloe flowering and others with shoots, it was quite a sight! look at the big white bell blooms!

I found a few punchers I bought in Taipei, nate really liked using them, it strengthens his fingers as well, I think I"ll lend it to his class so that more kids can use it and it was just sitting at the bottom of my pencil case. Today we spent an hour, punching leaves and snowflakes... later nate put it in his cooking set and made me "chao fan" (fried rice).

Ike woke up screaming at 5am today... took a short 50 min nap and did not nap the rest of the day, I tried to put him down to sleep, I had 5 mins of silence and I could rest with nate watching TV, then he started crying again and as I carried him on my arm, I got poo all over my sleeve. Luckily he had blueberries in the am and that was what came out but I wonder if the stains will come out. yucky.

Here is Nate reading the book from school, today is library day and he chose another book, its another thomas the train book. 2 out of 4 weeks... we get thomas! Ike carrying the book bag... he then went to pick up toys and put inside.

Bubbi has gone back to montreal...

So bubs has left... today Ike went to her room and peered in, probably wondering why the bed has no sheets on. When Nate got home he looked everywhere, convinced that she was playing hide and seek with him. Later at dinner he said, I want to go to Montreal.

Ikes naps have been rather consistent at 11am onwards but he would sleep very short naps, an hour or sometimes less. Today he was put down at 9:20 and slept 2.5 hours. If only he didn't wake up at 515! I did chat to his (future) teacher on whether I should start him on a 3 day class week as everytime I bring him to school with Nate, he wants to stay! but she said it would be much harder for him to adapt so I think I will just enjoy him till April the 14.

Here is a pic of Nate behind a car at the car show, apparently he saw Boost, DJ, Wingo but not Snot Rod. I took them to the Montecasino playroom yesterday as it was pouring rain, both of them like to pretend cooking. Ike's eating is never pretend though! yesterday he kept asking Nomsa for more soup.

Today was a hot day and I got them a different type of ice thing. Later we were at the clubhouse and Nate got to roll downhill on the grass with his buddies. They left early so we went to the playground nearby and boy were they lucky, another boy who was taking squash lessons left his truck and big digger there for them to play. A short while later another person I know stopped by and we had a good conversation.

I have been really lucky too, Christine has given me a set of face stuff (perfect timing as I am running out!), an early present for my birthday, I got a luxuuuurious eye patch from Belinda in the UK, exactly what I needed. At the mosaic class with marcia, I won a 6 month subscription to Home and Garden. The article I wrote on recycling and worms has generated a few phone calls to me and it looks like the dainfern community will get more green! Today as Chinese New Year eve, I lucked out as well and Christine gave me a whole lot of chicken dumplings.

Ike has his favourite pair of shoes and insists on only wearing that pair everywhere, even if its soggy and wet. Its the ones with velcro, unless of course there is a newer pair of shoes! Must be the sensation of freedom and the expansion of experience tho I don't remember nate being so obsessed with his shoes. If Ike were a girl I am sure he would want one of those pink ones with fluff in the front.

The boys...

I tried to take a pic of Ike from side profile to show the extent of his curls, or rather the early stages of the hair trying to boing into curls, its really starting... also when the air is moist his hair goes all frizzy... anyway the light distorted the picture, its more a picture of his still well endowed cheeks.

Today we went to Moyo zoo lake (an african themed restaurant), it was a nice day and the kids played so nicely, they each had a big rubber ball to kick around but ike ended up following the gardener around, eyeing his broom for when he left it for a second, ike was off with it! Nate had a boat ride with dada (his new best friend on the weekends). To digress a bit, dada took him to the car show yesterday, he saw DJ, Boost and Wingo there but not snot rod, speaking of which, both their noses are starting to run again.

The boy in the cap is Ike... he now wants to wear a cap everywhere as he sees me and nate doing it. Its thundering like crazy now so will end and switch off all electrical switches to the computer!


There is also a big playground at the zoo lake and they had a good time there.

Ike's the expensive date...

Ike likes his good food and can eat alot so he will be quite an expensive date, but when it comes to objects of desire... brooms and rakes are his favourite...

Here's an image that my granddad did... am sure he did not think it would look like his great grandson some day... the eyes and nose and definitely the love of sticks and brooms! Ike is trying desperately to wear slippers but he can't coordinate it well. If he were a girl he would definitely get a pair of those pink pom pom type pink furry slippers! Back to the painting, if you just imagine reversing the beard and the hairline... and with loren's eyebrow gene's... am sure that will eventually catch up.

Marcia got lots of lovely gifts at the organic market and Ike got away with a handmade broom!

We had brunch under a canopy of trees.