A bad hair day... but happy as pie!

We all have them - bad hair days but some of us can get away with it more than others. Jordy is one of them. These photos were taken by "Grandpa" at the 'Grampsters' house last weekend.

I'm a big boy now...

Well, it has been a ‘big’ week for the Biddles with Jordy starting playschool at Cygnet Pre-primary on Wednesday 16th January - a day I think ‘mommy’ was dreading, but which was not as bad as expected. When we took Jordy to see his teachers he seemed keen to say goodbye to ‘mom and dad’ only to realise later, that we’d be leaving him at school until 10am. Apparently he was fine after we left - not even looking around for us too much, until just before 10am when he got anxious and started crying, so it was perfect timing that we opted to fetch him at 10. On thursday he was aware of what was to happen and was tearful when we left, not really managing much of a smile for the 2 hours he was at school, and only too happy to come home at 10am. Feeling a bit concerned, I asked the teacher whether she felt Jordy would be okay and she assured me that he really does enjoy it and gets involved with all the activities. Anyway, friday came and it was back to school and while he was a little upset when we dropped Jordy off, he was a lot more settled at school, and when we fetched him he was glad to see us but wasn’t overly anxious to leave. This week again, Jordy will be going every day for 2 or 3 hours in the morning, which is all part of the settling routine, but from next monday it will be just monday, wednesday and friday mornings that he’ll go to school which will be good for him, but also for us, as 5 mornings are too many - we will miss him too much!

It’s actually quite amazing how Jordy has bonded more with me this week since he’s been going to school, since he’s been favouring spending time with his dad and grandpa a lot lately, which is normal and very much part of the male bonding they need to do, but it’s hard knowing I’ve had to compete for his attention and like for my mom, we are very much in the background. This week though, he gives me lots of loves and kisses and things seem to have turned around which is really special - not to say that I am favoured over Mark, but there’s a balance now. While it’s exhausting and we as adults run out of energy before our kids do, we’ve had such a special time with Jordy these last few weeks, and are so enjoying any time we spend together. It makes me realise that it was a good thing we’ve waited before having another child, which will make it nearly a 3 year gap, as we’ve had the chance to spend time with Jordy and bond with him. We are feeling more prepared to contemplate the thought of baby number 2 arriving late 2008 or early 2009, all being well but we’ll take it as it comes!

I recall casually mentioning to Mark in December, that I’d like to see Elton John in Durban given half the chance, but it was in passing and I certainly didn’t expect that we’d even go, but to my surprise, Mark got tickets and took me on wednesday night. I only found out at 7pm when Mark said we were going out.... and then gave me my rain jacket saying ‘you might need this’. I was of course so excited and need I say, we thoroughly enjoyed the concert. The sound, lighting and special effects were amazing, and the music was fantastic! We were seated just behind the golden circle so were 50 metres from the stage, and while we could see the band and Elton clearly, it was nice to be able to watch the side screens. Did I mention that it absolutely poured with rain the first hour of the concert?!?!? Yes, we got drenched, but the concert was so good, it was well worth it and we didn’t actually reaslise how sodden we were, but it was a relief when it stopped raining half way through the concert. Rain or no rain, it was worth it and I’d go again to see Elton John in concert anyday.

Well, here we are on sunday evening, with another week ahead, and lots to think about with regard to work, as there might need to be a rather sudden ‘change of direction’ with things having not gone too well with wedding stationery orders... possibly attributable to the fact that many other women who want to work from home, have had the ‘bright’ idea of starting a wedding stationery company and in so doing, they are poaching would-be clients I might have got. There’s no point in continuing with so much competition... so we need to re-look things, but I’m good and ready to move on if I have to. Change is hard, but sometimes necessary. It’s not to say I won’t perservere, doing what I’m doing, but given the time and energy I put into my work versus the return, it’s just not worth it for the most part. One just has to be positive and believe things happen for a reason. I will keep you posted with any news when there is something to tell. And no, I won’t be sporting an apron or doing any waitressing... it just don’t suit me!

Without much further ado, I must go now and get some sleep, as it’s getting really late. I will post an entry when I have more pics to show you, or news to tell.

Until then, take care and keep well!

Love Robs (and da boyz)

Happy New Year

Here we are on the 2nd of January - 2 days into the year already and yet it doesn't really feel like a new year - probably because I don’t feel ready to start slogging with work and stationery orders. Oh, need I say I haven’t even bought a ‘work’ diary yet - talk about procrastination!

So what did you all get up to on new years’ eve? We had a quiet evening at home on the 31st and had a few friends around for a braai which was great. I think we all surprised ourselves as none of us thought we’d make it to 12am, given that we’ve all got toddlers and know that an early morning wake-up call is the order of the day, not allowing us much sleep, BUT we got to midnight without a problem.... but not long thereafter we said our goodbyes and I’m sure we were probably all asleep by 1am. Somehow the razzle dazzle of days gone by, with hang-overs and the rest, don’t hold the same attraction when it comes to new years’ plans, especially those of us with kids, but that’s okay - we still have a good time even without inebriation.

It’s been great to be able to catch up with friends I’ve not seen for a while, this festive season - especially those who have come ‘home’ from abroad - one of whom I saw today for the first time in 10 years, Shantel. It was a relief to see she hadn’t changed a bit - and she said I haven’t changed either?! Now is that a good or bad thing?! What has changed I might add is the hip measurement, but that’s what January is for - to get back into shape and aim to lose weight to fit into the bikini next summer... that makes it 9 months to lose the mince pies around the waistline, sunshine. So best I get my A into G.

None-the-less, it’s onward and upward and on the 7th Jan, most of us will be heading back to work which I think we’re all dreading to some degree, but all good things come to an end. The key is to plan the next holiday or weekend break, so there’s something to look forward to but after the expense of Christmas, most of us will likely need to ‘recover’ before shelling out dosh for a holiday. I have to say, I’ve enjoyed this end of year ‘break’ - it’s been a fun-filled and relaxing time, and special time spent with family and friends which is always good. We’ve not been able to ignore the ‘to-do’ list which has involved doing housework and a few other errands, but the maid comes back on the 7th Jan so it’s not too bad. I’ve even managed to get some gardening done, but there’s so much still to do.... a long road ahead!

I’ve just glanced out the window to see that the blue skies we’ve come to enjoy of late, have become cloudy... in anticipation of the wet weather we have been warned about. We can’t complain though, as it’s been a wonderfully sunny festive season. And for all those holiday-makers.... hope you enjoyed the weather and get to go back home to your part of the country a browner shade of purple/white. Seriously though... it’s quite okay to be pale.... them rays are quite vicious and it’s not worth getting fried.

Mark’s mom left today to fly home to the UK, where the temperatures are wicked, but she’s only home for 4 weeks before she comes back to SA for a few weeks again, to be here for Jordy’s party in Feb, so it’s not all bad.

There’s not much news to report really... we’re just making the most of this week to relax and spend time with friends, which will allow Jordy to see his little friends which will be good for him as he’s missed it this last week. While it’s a slog, the beauty of my job is I’m able to work from home, albeit long days at times, but hopefully this year will be different and allow me more time with Jordy. Of course, on the 16th of Jan, Jordy will be going to preschool - to the hedgehogs group. He’s going every morning initially for the first 2 weeks, and thereafter only 3 mornings a week and we think he’s going to really thrive as he’s such a sociable little soul. We’ll keep you posted on his progress!

Without much further ado, we just want to wish you from us all, a peaceful, happy and prosperous year ahead - all you wish for and more! May you be kept safe and healthy and have more time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life - enough to sustain you and keep you smiling even when the road is rough. Hopefully we’ll get to see most of you again soon!

Lots of love
x Robs & the boys

Happy Birthday Anna!

Well, it has certainly been an eventful, festive time for our family this month! We enjoyed Christmas together as a family which was great, and then we celebrated Anna’s 1st Birthday on the 29th, though her birthday was actually only on the 31st, but to be able to get everybody together, it was easier to have it a few days earlier. Needless to say, Anna had loads of fun, and thought the cake her mom made for her, was delicious - not really wanting to share it with anybody, but relented in the end. And I must say... it was scrumptious! Kirsty also made lovely little cupcakes which she decorated beautifully and seemed to really enjoy the preparation for Anna’s party - the theme of which was centered around Piglet (Pooh’s friend), so everything was in pink as you can imagine. Anna got some lovely gifts and is really enjoying them which with the weather having been so nice, she’s really had loads of fun being outdoors, using some of the toys.

Here are some pics from Anna’s party.....