How do we teach them to be water wise?

It's very dry here in South Africa, and there are more and more water restrictions being implemented.
I am always trying to teach Little Miss to be conscious about the water that she is using. To not let the water run when she is brushing her teeth, or washing her hands is but one idea.

Is there something more we can do to save this precious resource and that we can teach our kids?

There was a Bird Fair at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens the previous week. We came across Rand Water's Water Wise campaign.

Water Wise has a great website with lots of advice and great stuff for the kids to do!

The following are worth reading and doing with the kids:

- The Water Wise Quiz

- The Water Wise Pledge

- Sign up to the Water Wise Club to get information, newsletters and play some fun games.

- Water wise activities for the classroom. It would even be great to use it at home or homeschooling.

- Water wise games

- Water wise calculator

- Water wise songs


I am glad I found this resource on the web. There's probably lots more!

What are you teaching your kids about water?


*Not sponsored*

Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden waterfall transformed today

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens waterfall

We visited the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens today. It was overcast, but a lovely day in the Gardens. Each time we are here, I am reminded that we must come here more regularly!

Little Miss getting soaking wet

I was surprised to see that the waterfall rocks had turned to a blue, but later realized it was only me who saw it this way as it was my sunglasses.

Photo taken through sunglasses

We managed to hike up and down the mountain. It is always a treat to see the views, and look onto the eagles' nest.

We were already eating a scone after the excursion when a huge downpour hit the Gardens and surrounding areas. We had to scramble inside the restaurant and wait for the rain to subside.
It was coming down in buckets.

When we were walking down the path way on our way back, we could hear the waterfall crashing down>We had to go and look again at the waterfall after the storm.

It was magnificent!

The water had turned to brown,
but cascading down and hitting us with sprays

I am including these two photo before and after the downpour.

The Student 

Looking blurry because of the water spray

The Student also shared her experience of today: The power of rain and nature (with a video included taken by Hubby)


Related posts:

- Big Bug Expo

- Tunnels at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

- "Mountain climbing" at the Botanical Gardens

Wordless Wednesday #208 - Sunshine days

Big Bug Expo

Big Bugs metal art by David Huni

The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens has a Big Bug Expo currently on show in the gardens. It's been on for awhile, but we went exploring yesterday on the public holiday.
It will still be on until 6 January.

Looking to spot those bugs

It helped to get the Toddler to run from one "bug" to another, and it was big excitement when she spotted one that we missed earlier.

There is so much to do and explore in the Gardens. 

I plan to go there this holiday again, because we found new pathways that we did not see on earlier visits. 

It is not only the route straight to the waterfall that makes you feel like you got out in nature!

The play area stays a winner!

The Toddler Fashionista ensemble of yesterday: Her Madagascar dress she got passed on from her sister that was bought by Debbie many moons ago, and the UGG winter boots she got as a present from Wynand from San Antonio.

It does not help to tell her the clothes are going to be uncomfortable for a day out in the sun!
"Resistance is futile!"

Related posts:

"Mountain climbing" at the Botanical Gardens

Wordless Wednesday #139 - Tunnels at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

A 3-year old Princess


(I see I am blogging quite regularly about the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens! It really is a nice place to go with children! :D )

Wordless Wednesday #139 - Tunnels at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

"Mountain climbing" at the Botanical Gardens

The Toddler keeps on asking us that she wants to go mountain climbing. 

I think she got the idea from us after our visit to Cayley Lodge in the Drakensberg mountains. We did a bit of hiking with her, and after that she was hooked...

We took her to one of our favourite spots nearby: The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. There is a steep hike next to the waterfall to a lookout on top of the black eagles' nest. 

Going up went very well! Much better than I thought she would do for her first time, and she walked most of the way.

She even wanted to carry on walking on the walking trial when we got on the hill top ...

Going down was a bit more daunting, and she had to be carried for most of the way.

The Toddler loved it!

This is still one of my favourite spots for a Sunday afternoon!

You will definitely find us here when we want to take a breather in nature. Especially since it is just around the corner!

Related posts:

Weekend of three

Sunday sun!

Weekend of three

Photo report.
The student had to stay in for the weekend at the university, so we  had a weekend with the Toddler only.
We missed her, but luckily the holidays are right around the corner...

It started with a braai....

The last  gymnastics before the holidays.

Tiny Tumbles

Art work by the Toddler on a lazy Saturday afternoon...
(It was worth a good half an hour of peace.)

Scissor & lots of paper on the floor

We discovered Primi Life at Lifestyle which has a lovely play area for children.

Sunday was spent in the beautiful Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.
We saw the eagles, and breathed a bit of fresh air.
I don't know why we don't come here more often, it is so beautiful!

View from the bird hide

Of course we had to go on the train!

And Benji the dog got his last summer cut before winter starts!

Look at that face!

Another weekend, please!

Hope you also had a great one?

Sunday sun!

The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.

On the Choo-Choo train

The birthday girl, Mart-Leen

Related posts:

Mother's Day

Baby talk

Mother's Day

My 2 beautiful daughters

It is wonderful to be a mother! Today we spent the day with family, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to have a mother whom I can be grateful for, and to be a mother!


Thank you, Mother, for now we know how difficult it has been to raise us! The sleepless nights, driving around with a baby at ten at night (which we did just now), the worries ... (long list)! We also know how extremely awe-inspiring and satisfying it is to see a little one grow up into becoming their own unique beings!

It is such a cliché! (Gag, gag!) Being a mother has made me gone soft and mushy and saying “CUTE!” to every baby I see. (Meaning it really! Really!) By becoming a mother, you also succumb to all the soppy! And loving it...

How we have fallen! (Smug smile!)

The whole of Johannesburg rocked up at the Sappi Sunday Picnic Concert at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens! It was a lovely sunny day, with picnic and music. The Girl Zone band entertained us with popular tunes. There were children everywhere... It was a perfect family outing. My own grandmother (of eighty more years) came with as well, and it was inspiring to see that she enjoyed it! You go, grandmother!

I am planning to also be “game” for everything when I am older! WE don’t ever have to be “old”! (Please remind me when I forget about this in future years, my daughters.)