The Beginning of Spring

The blossoms are out and the temperature went above 20 degrees this weekend. As a result, we had a great weekend.

On Saturday, we went to the airport to say goodbye to Lauren and Terry on their way to England for three weeks. Nice to see all the development starting to look like something. The parking was much improved with each parking bay marked by a light that indicated if the bay was full or not. Quite nice as one can scan a row from a distance for the green light. There were lots of green lights.
The twins were good for the first hour or so while we drank coffee and enjoyed some cake. They then needed to walk around which was a little more hectic. Luckily it was time for Lauren and Terry to go through and so we bundled two very unhappy children (they wanted to keep on roaming around) into the pram to say goodbye.
Afterwards we made our way up to the International and then the Domestic Viewing decks to watch all the planes landing, moving around and taking off. Both really enjoyed seeing the planes, with Daniel letting out loud screeches when he spotted a new plane. The various cars on the tarmac also attracted lots of attention.
Quite a day, and everyone including mom and dad, collapsed for a nice sleep when we got home.

Later on Saturday afternoon, we did a walk to a nearby park where we proceeded to play on all the equipment. The swings were a little scary but the round-about was popular. Mom and Dad enjoyed the seesaw. Emma also climbed up the jungle gym. Again it was tears when we had to leave to get home before it was pitch dark!

On Saturday night we watched he live open-heart surgery on SABC 3. Quite interesting to watch. Seemed so easy but then there were no complications and the doctors were very experienced.

Wasn't the SA Test series victory over the English just great? Nice to see us getting through all the pressure.

On Sunday, we spent a bit of time outside enjoying the warmer weather. We have bought them a second "black bike" and so lots of time was spent going up and down the driveway, calling out to passing strangers (to everybody's delight).

After watching the Grand Prix (wasn't Massa unlucky), we walked to another park where we proceeded to give the slide a run for its money. Interesting to see the bravado until one was about to slide down (to be caught by mom). Each child did the slide twice - both times voluntarily. They also climbed up the jungle gym which has a platform on top. The walk home (again in the dusk) was accompanied by both children singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Old MacDonalds Farm." Interesting to see how energised they both were as a result of the outing.

Today, Emma recited the numbers up to ten - we don't think she knows what she is saying but she has got the sounds more-or-less right.

Daniel is wonderfully outgoing - greeting everyone on our walks and even saying goodbye to the jets flying very high overhead. He gets very excited when he sees birds flying around too.

Daniel is making bedtime quite interesting as he tries to take as many toy cars and other toys to bed as possible. Bedtime is characterised by little or no opposition at the moment - quite a relief. They are generally very tired by then which helps a great deal.

Emma is obsessed with cleaning up the messes that she and Daniel have made (often on purpose just so they can wipe up the mess). She then tells us that there is a mess and then wipes it up. Often, if there is food involved, this gets scattered far and wide.

We're sad as our favourite programme "Men in Trees" (which made an unannounced comeback a few weeks ago) has suddenly been replaced by yet another series of ER. We were really enjoying the series. Anyhow, I suppose it means we are reducing our viewing habits which is needed as we'll watch a lot of TV during the Olympics. Can't wait to see the gymnastics and the athletics. The Olympics are so very special.

Otherwise Fiona is not well - she has a cold. Nobody else has it yet so here is hoping it all stays that way.

Fiona and Caroline are off to a wedding in Grahamstown on Thursday (they come back on Saturday). So I'll be alone with the two for a few days. Should be interesting!