NERF FEST 2019 hits Joburg in a week!

NERF Fest fun 

NERF FEST - "the ultimate Nerf obsessed fan experience" - hits Johannesburg on 26 and 27 October at GOG Lifestyle Park! We remember last year and how much the kids enjoyed the fun! The excitement is high, especially because we see that the venue is larger, and there are more activities. Nerf fans are again trying out the latest Nerf blasters and going to test their skills against each other. The title of Nerf Fest 2019 champions and some amazing prizes are up for grabs.

Nerf Fest caters for the whole family, and there's a whole day of activities.

Take a Walk in the Park Day - Dog Parks in Johannesburg

Walk the dog on Take a Walk in the Park Day

Every day should be a Take a Walk in the Park Day, but this specific day is coming up on 30 March. I am not sure that this a thing in South Africa, but the global village makes it possible for us to celebrate as well. Especially if for a good cause.

On Sunday the Muddy Puppy Dog Walk will be at The Wedge Outdoor Park. We have been invited to bring our pavement special dog for the event. Muddy Puppy is partnering with Pedigree Dentastix and Rodeo treats. 

Aunty Merle The Musical - Top Notch

Aunty Merle (Marc Lottering character)

Joburg finally gets a chance to meet up with Aunty Merle from Belgravia Road, one of the oldest characters created by Marc Lottering.  She's all the hype and the SKINDER (gossip) worthy! Who does not know an aunt like her who knows everybody's business, and helps fixing where she can?

Aunty Merle the Musical is lots of laughs, some crying, family dynamics mixed with rich cultural diversities. Social commentary and politics are lightly interwoven, and we walk out of the Mandela Theatre with a beat in our step and a lighter look at our social political landscape. Four Fleur Du Cap Theatre nominations are well deserved.

Hiking at Kloofendal Nature Reserve with Dumbbells and Delights

#DDHike 

We were pleasantly surprised this weekend when we went on a hike at Kloofendal Nature Reserve with powerhouse Samantha Dube of Dumbbells and Delights. The area is beautiful, and it is just around the corner in Roodepoort. There were so many people who were there, enjoying the hikes and the views, and sitting down for picnics. (But not overcrowded).

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.). 

Wordless Wednesday #342 - Second Cup

Beneath African Skies at The Peoples Theatre - take the whole family!

Beneath African Skies - Photo op

Jill Gerard and Keith Smith are responsible again for a wonderful engaging and entertaining production at the Peoples Theatre!

We were invited to opening night on Friday, and Little Miss had a ball! The African stories are so much fun, especially when the actors ask for willing participants! All the children wants to join in! We love the music which is all well-known to the big ones and the little ones!

Birthday at Hard Rock Cafe in Johannesburg - Such a treat!

We celebrated The Eldest's birthday two years back at Hard Rock Café in San Antonio. We have never been to Hard Rock Cafe in South Africa, and this year we decided it was time! It's a thing to buy a t-shirt in a Hard Rock Cafes whenever you visit a city worlwide. The Eldest has a nice collection already, and she is planning to get some more... (*Thumbs!*)

We love the vibe and the food! It's an experience. They have a kiddies menu as well.

The poses!

Happy birthday with a cocktail!

Hard Rock Cafe interior! Such a treat with all the musical legends and paraphernalia

We had the Paul McCartney booth

Paul McCartney signature

And of course, the obligatory selfie with the great man, Madiba, on Sandton Square!

Nelson Mandela statue on Sandton Square

Related post: A birthday at Hard Rock Cafe in San Antonio

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.

Wordless Wednesday #329 - Winter solstice - chasing sunrise in the city

Wordless Wednesday #328 - Short winter days

#Jozimeetup Storify - Bloggers connecting with fellow bloggers, brands and PR

It's great seeing fellow bloggers, meeting new bloggers, and connecting with brands and PR. Also getting so much inspiration from the speakers!

That's why you can't miss any of these events!
Thank you Heather Step (South African Mom Blogs) for putting this all together!

Let me know of any other links and photos I should include from social media?
What did you learn from the event?


Related posts:

- Jozi Meetup at Cafe Zing - Score! 

- A beautiful living #JoziMeetup

-

Roller skating at Roll Egoli - a great family outing!

The holiday period has gone by in a whizz. We were still working, and Little Miss had to go to vacation school. Which is not her favourite place to be during the holidays. (Sorry, Little Miss!)

We promised her an outing to to the roller skating rink at Roll Egoli to make up for the lack of holiday vibe and activities during her holiday.

This was our second time there, as we took her there for her birthday in December.

This is really a good outing for the whole family. It is amazing how fast they learn to skate.

Little Miss taught herself real quick to skate with her roller blades. They have frames at Roll Egoli to help you when you are still trying to stay upright!

At R65 for a 3 hour session it is really worth it! The skates are for hire at R30.

And they have lovely pizzas from a wood-fired oven!

We will be going again!
(Next time I am also going to skate! Watch this space! Why should I miss out on so much fun?)

Wordless Wednesday #324 - Rainy Wednesday

Photos from our visit to The James Hall Museum of Transport

We had a public holiday in South Africa yesterday. It was Human Rights Day. The City of Johannesburg opened their museum facilities for free for the day. (Yes, we have to pay to visit our museums here!)

We decided to visit the James Hall Museum of Transport, because we had only seen it when we went past there with The Jozi Red Bus. We thoroughly enjoyed the outing, and saw much more than expected. It is worth the outing, and the little ones enjoy looking at the different rides!

The pamphlet says The James Hall Museum of Transport is the largest and most comprehensive museum of land transport in South Africa. It was established by the late Jimmie Hall together with the City of Johannesburg in 1964.

And of course I have to include the Mobile Library from Johannesburg. It still has the books on the shelves. Awesome!

I have been spamming my Instagram feed with  more photos.

What did you do with your public holiday?

Wordless Wednesday #312 - Murray & Roberts construction, Sci Bono

Decorex 2016 - One day is not enough!

One day is not enough to catch everything that is in store at Decorex Johannesburg.
It is a true décor and design inspiration of ideas!

There are seven halls and over 22 000sqm of exhibition space showcasing the latest décor and design trends, products and services.
The theme: ‘Take it Home, Make it Home’

Africa’s premier décor, design and lifestyle exhibition promises something for everyone looking to renovate, restore, build or decorate. Running alongside the show, which takes place from 5 to 9 August at the
Gallagher Convention Centre, is the perennially popular 100% Design South Africa, a draw-card exhibition that provides a unique platform for leading local and international design names to present a carefully curated mix of top-drawer products.

I tried to catch some of the inspiration on SnapChat (@karentoittoit) , but it will be gone in in a few hours.

Here are some of our photos:

Decorex 2016 will still be on tomorrow!

For more inspiration:


Decorex Facebook
Decorex Twitter
Decorex Instagram


Disclaimer: We received tickets to attend the show!