The Greatest Christmas at Menlyn - on our bucket list

We are not so lucky to be able to go away this December. The budget is non-existent. Fortunately there is a lot going on in Gauteng. We still like to do things that are festive and family orientated. If it is "free" even more so!

Menlyn Park in Pretoria has launched their Greatest Christmas at Menlyn campaign on Saturday with a Carols in the Sky show. It was fantastic! I wish I knew how grand it would be, so I could have told you before the time. *Sorry*
See my Instastory for some of the magic. Conductors Tim Roberts and Unathi Malunga were fantastic together with the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra. Then there was Zanzi Afrirca and Brandon October as soloists. The Ndlovu Youth Choir was the cherry on top. Excellent! Excellent! Next year make sure you attend as well.

First ever The Greatest Christmas Carols In The Sky @MenlynSA #MenlynSky#CarolsInTheSky#ChristmasAtMenlyn pic.twitter.com/BXeWMBH95e

- Karen from the Roof (@karentoittoit) December 1, 2018

Ed Sheeran Shape of You in Zulu The Ndlovu Youth Choir #ChristmasatMenlyn #MenlynSky #CarolsintheSky: https://t.co/naguuYdXtO via

— iloveza (@ilovezacom) December 2, 2018

Fortunately Menlyn has a whole programme running until 23 December.

Santa Visits

Meet up with Santa at Mini Cavendish Court from 9am - 7pm.

We got our photo. Santa is friendly and he doesn't mind posing for hundreds of photos every day. He wanted to know what Miss Fine wants for Christmas. She doesn't want to tell us, but we have a good idea.

Zip Zap Circus

Zip Zap Circus - CC Menlyn

Every day at 3 pm and 7 pm at Cavendish Court.
We missed the launch tonight *crying*, but this is definitely on our list for December.

The Zip Zap Circus is a social circus that was founded in Cape Town in 1992, with the aim to inspire young people and help build a new culture of peaceful coexistence in South Africa.
Working with a diverse community of children from all backgrounds, Zip Zap helps kids to ‘dare to dream’ and learn to make those dreams a reality.

Menlyn is raising funds for the Topsy Foundation, which empower rural communities infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. You are welcome to give a donation at Menlyn or online.


See you at Menlyn?


What more is happening in Pretoria this holiday?

The Circus is in Town with The Grifizzi Brothers at Emperors Palace

The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers Circus at Emperors Palace

Emperors Palace is host to The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers, the incredible 'animal-free circus' extravaganza! I still remember the excitement when the circus came to town. There's nothing as mesmerising as entering the Big Circus Tent and being entertained by magic and skills and absolute wonderment, with a good dose of humour by the clowns.

Not only does Emperors Palace entertain families with the Garden of Lights this season, but also with the Circus by The Grifizzi Brothers with The Story of the Moon. It's a double whammy for families, as you can't go wrong with either, and it is even better when you book for The Grifizzi Brothers AND the Garden of Lights together!

Johannesburg Staycation Wish-list

Hanging in my city!

It's finally finally the holidays! It's lovely summer weather in South Africa.

We are staying at home this year. It has been a rough year financially, and we have to save for a wedding next year, as our Eldest is engaged and they have a date!

I have been working on a list of places to go in Johannesburg. The list is all the things we can do as a family together. There's so much to do here, that I don't think we will be able to do everything. It's great to know we have options, and that it not such a bad idea to travel in my own city. I've already bought the Entertainer App 2018, but they have added extra items on each of the offers available. I am also able to Ping a 1000 (1000!!) of these offers. (Let me know if you want a ping? One meal or experience for a the same value.). 

Still not sure what special family activity to do this holiday? Go see The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice!

#DisneyonIce

We saw a Disney on Ice two years back, but we are absolutely in awe of the most recent production of The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice! It's better, bigger and more entertaining (for the whole family!) than we remember the previous show we saw!

Little Miss all excited!

Maybe it was because it was the evening just before we left for our adventure to San Antonio. Maybe it was because of our seating. The previous time we had seats high up in the air. This time we were seated to the front and more level with the ice-skating rink. Maybe it is just because it IS BETTER and just so much more entertaining! Most probably! Dad, Little Miss and I had the greatest time on Friday night!

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice

The extraordinary lineup of Disney stories that come to life in The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice! Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy on a walk down memory lane with Dory, Nemo and Marlin from Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory as well as Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen. There’s Rapunzel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and your favourite Disney Princesses plus Buzz and Woody; Simba, Timon and Pumbaa; Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie. Make unforgettable memories as you explore The Wonderful World of Disney On Ice these July school holidays.

All the favourite Disney characters are here, and we love the most favourite snippets from our Disney shows!

Check out the elephant in Aladdin! @disneyonice #disneyonice #disneyonice2017 https://t.co/5p19Zl8TmD pic.twitter.com/QOatIJatcE

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) June 30, 2017

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice was absolutely magical last night! #DisneyOnIce Highlights from all our fav Disney and culminating in #Frozen was the best! Even the parents enjoyed it! (Yes!) The production was much better than two years back! The production, the skill, the wardrobe, the characters and the skaters are top class!!

A post shared by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Jul 1, 2017 at 2:42am PDT

If you are still not sure what to do with the kids, this is the show!

The show is still on until 9 July at Ticketpro Dome, before it moves to Durban and from there to Cape Town. It seems the tickets are flying fast on Computicket, and it is better to book sooner than later!


Facebook: Disney on Ice
Twitter:  Showtime Management
YouTube: Disney on Ice
Instagram: Disney on Ice


Disclaimer: We got tickets to the opening night, but I was not paid for this blog post.

What happened to the Cresta CSI initiative with the Disney plush toys and SOS Children's Villages?

The SOS Children's Village in Ennerdale received 874 Mickey and Minnie Mouse plush toys as part of Cresta's "Share in the Magic" festive season CSI initiative.

We attended the lighting of the Cresta Magical Christmas Tree for SOS Children's Villages in December. The public was invited to make donations to SOS Children's Villages. The Mickey and Minnie Plush toys that hanged on the Christmas Tree as decorations were intended to be handed over to the children of SOS Children's Villages.

I love good causes, and love it even more when I hear what happens to our donations!



Cresta Shopping Centre donated 874 Mickey and Minnie Mouse plush toys and an additional R21 796,00 to the SOS Children’s Village Gauteng at an event in Ennerdale on Tuesday 10 January. This marks the end to a successful public CSI drive to help a child “Share in the Magic” of the festive season.

“It was such a special and heartwarming experience to see the excited faces of the children as they received their Mickey and Minnie Mouse plush toys, personalized with special messages yesterday. This would not have been possible without support from our visitors and Disney Africa“, said Cresta Shopping Centre General Manager, Virginia Bester.

Heia Safari - great for family outings!

The welcoming committee at Heia Safari - Zebras drinking water

We were on our way to a rural restaurant on the public holiday last month! They laughed at us for thinking that we would get a spot, so we had to get back in our car and drive around. We did not want to travel that far! We found Heia Safari Ranch, which apparently is now named Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge!
We attended the Peace Concert here about two years ago, and always wanted to come back.

It was once again one of those serendipitous adventures that ended in the most beautiful place!

The photos tell the story!
 

We had a lovely lunch here

Little Miss was a bit worried about a few bees

Lots of playground for little ones

Lake Heritage

Picture pretty!

Lookout point

We did not find the rhino!

I sprained my ankle while walking around here, and Hubby went to fetch the car. We had to wait because he had to arrange for  a ranger to come down.

Rescue on the way

They charge a conservancy fee of R30 for each person, but it is totally worth it!
It looks like the hiking and off-road biking is also big here, and I would love to come back for that!

Easter fun for the kids at Silverstar

We had a fantastic time at Silverstar on Saturday. They have a great line-up for families during Easter, from 19 March to 3 April.

There are the kid's fun on the Square, with jumping castles, a kiddies' train, a Maze and the interactive water fountains. The Easter Bunny are going to make an appearance each day, with movies on the Square, and an Easter Market.

The best of all! The entertainment on the Square is FREE! 

It is wise to also take an extra set of clothing and a towel. No kid can resist the water fountains, as well as the jumping castle with the slide into water!

So much fun!

Little Miss got me to go along into the Wind Castle-thing (see below)! It is very safe, and even the littlest enjoy going up... and DOWN! And up and DOWN again!
Hoots of fun! (Five times for Little Miss!)

The things you do for your child!
(Totally worth the screams! From me!)

There's also The Magic Company with arcade games, Laser Tag and Ten Pin Bowling that keeps them entertained. And movies! (Not for free!)

The Magic Company fun

This is a great way to spend the day with the family!
We will be going back!

Disclaimer: The family got an invite for a breakfast at Vigour & Verve at Silverstar on Saturday, 
30 tokens at The Magic Company, Easter eggs and hot dogs at the food stand on the Square!

The rest (and best fun!) was of course for free on the Square!

The post about the traffic and how to survive it

In February each year we notice a drastic change in our traffic! Maybe it's the universities that are starting with classes, or everybody is back from their holidays? Who knows? But we have to get up earlier to get away earlier!

I spent roughly two to two and half hours each day in traffic. Some days it really gets to me, as I am of the opinion that it impacts on my quality of life!
Maybe it is just a perspective that I should change? (I need to put "perspective change" on the list!)

I am surprised at how bad our manners are in traffic. We all get to deal with examples each day.
Last week I was speechless. I was in a parking mall, and spotted an opening. There were two open parking areas in front of each other. The lady from the other side went in first, and I thought I would give her time to park before I went in from my side. She saw me! She drove through to my side, did not look at me, and walked away! I did hoot and I did shake my hands, but I was only giving myself the "lecture"! (*Speechless!*)

I came to the realization that although I hate the traffic, I have made it better for myself by changing small things. These are the things that I do that keeps me sane!


How to survive the traffic in Gauteng

- Change your perspective about looking at the Traffic as "Bad"! (This needs a bit of mental work from myself!)

- Listen to the radio, a podcast or an audio book.
I personally love the radio, as I get updates on the news, love the music and listen to radio that makes me laugh! I switch constantly between 3 radio stations, at least!

- The Waze app helps to notify of hazards and heavy traffic and it knows of all the side roads to take. How did I do it before this little magician?

- Do not get upset with the taxis. I even give them space when they are near! They have to stop and cut in because they have people to upload and off-load! The other day we also heard on 94.7 that the taxi drivers get a low basic salary, and they have to meet quotas each day! That's why they are speeding, overtaking and ignoring traffic rules! (Not that it should be a reason to ignore traffic rules!)
I noticed that most people don't hoot at them anymore. It's part of South African life!
It really helps to calm the commute when we give them "space"!

- A Drink. I have found Rooibos tea to be very beneficial, but coffee or a smoothie also makes a difference!

- Discussions with passengers. I love talking to my passenger in the afternoon! That's where I learn about her day and also pick up great anecdotes from her perspective. I see it as a great way to connect!



Do you have more coping tips for handling the traffic?


Related posts:

- Traffic and floods - I wish there was an Auntie Traffic

- Practising the finger

Glorious Summer

It seems we are skipping Spring this year, and jumping straight into summer! 

We've had high twenty degree temperatures for the past few weeks!

(There's not much else we can boast about here on the south point of Africa... 
Suffering from a bit of Monday bleh...)

We had a great weekend of outside braais (barbecues) and family and friends! 

After we finally got Little Miss to finish her weekly CMaths homework, we could still squeeze in an afternoon ride in the park. That was a perfect ending to a great weekend!

What did you do this past weekend!

Eat Tweet Blog and some more #JoziMeetUp

The first Blogger and Tweeter networking event #JoziMeetUp in Gauteng was hosted this past Saturday at Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown.

I am extremely pleased that I was there because it was lovely meeting some of the people behind the blogs and the tweets, and to also get that wonderful goodie bag.
AND I've got a few more people to stalk follow! I am inspired to do some more blogging and tweeting after this!

Thanks to Laura-Kim (Harassed Mom), Sharon (The Blessed Barrenness) and Wenchy (The Nocturnal Wenchy) who organised the event, and of course to all the sponsors responsible for the spoils!

Here are some of the photos.

The beautiful Sunnyside Park Hotel interior

Laura-Kim with a toy donation for The Grace Factory

Louisa (123 Blog Myself)

Wenchy & Laura-Kim handing out the goodie bags

Sam & Sandy looking good!

Chicken Ruby 

The personalised Macaroon bag

Naartjie Kids boots which was immediately worn

Le Creuset cappuccino cups

Rain body cream (divine!)

L'Oreal lip gloss

Bio-Oil (always welcome!)

Swani Spa voucher (can't wait!)

Killarney Mall voucher

Selfie with the Wakaberry sunglasses yesterday with Little Missy on
Mother's Day