Shallow Pig Cottage near Parys - great breakaway

Shallow Pig Cottage - Koedoesfontein

We haven't gone away for quite a while. We had the camping weekend last year at Sondela, but mostly we had been staying home. It's still a pandemic all around, and in South Africa we are not getting the vaccinations just yet.

I was going down the rabbit hole of places to stay on the Internet, and found Shallow Pig Cottage on Booking.Com. I have already made my next booking as well, as there are quite a few good deals and great places to stay. 

We love Shallow Pig Cottage. It is near Parys, but it is the most quaint cottage on a farm, with everything that you need to stay for days and days. Each morning hubby went and fetch our eggs from the nearby hens on the farm. We braaied and looked at the view for hours and hours. Miss Fine was also very happy with her wi-fi that was sufficient to keep her going. She even entertained herself with mud building, and searching for rocks. 

Shallow Pig Cottage - farm 

We drove through and into Parys on Friday and Saturday. We went over Easter Weekend, which was not a good idea, because the place was too busy. Next time we will only spend time on the farm. We were so disappointed with Venterskroon Inn and the Dog & Fig Brewery. Both were not at all catered for the the guests, and we had to go even though we would have loved to stay. Luckily we found LiewerKoffi (based on a recommendation) when we arrived in Parys, and the next day we had a lovely lunch at Cherry On Top. 

Vredefort Dome Information Centre

We made the bumpy trip to the Vredefort Dome information centre. The previous time we were there, it was with the Voortrekkers at Venterskroon in the Vredefort Dome, and we wanted to show Miss Fine the significance of this place which is the largest verified crater on earth. 

The cottage was more than we could have hoped for. There was the cosiest beds, purified water on tap, wood to braai, and for the indoor fire-place in the cottage. The bathroom has a lovely view. There is a worker on the farm, but we never saw him, except when he went to open and close the chickens in the barn. We had the place all to ourselves.

Miss Fine enjoying herself at Shallow Pig Cottage

Our host was extremely friendly, and made sure we had the best stay. Thanks, Warrin!

Valentine's at Hard Rock Café at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

Entrance to Hard Rock Café at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

February is the month of love. This sucker loves all the schmaltzy Valentine's hype. Menlyn Park Shopping Centre went all out with an unforgettable Valentine's Day experience for 100 lucky couples, with dinner and The Muses entertaining at Hard Rock Café on February 14th.

“This month is a very special time for Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, and we are thrilled to have offered such an amazing experience to our loyal customers. We always encourage families to spend time together and as part of this we wanted to be a special moment in celebrating their love for each other,” said. Olive Ndebele, General Manager at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

Joburg has now The Kids Gym at Cedar Square

The Kids Gym

Who thought of a concept like this? The Kids Gym is now in Johannesburg as well, at Cedar Square in Fourways. It's a gym just for kids! My first reaction was to ask but why? Why would kids need their own gym? You have to go and see for yourself. The gym is fitted out with the latest high tech state-of-the art equipment for the young ones, while making sure that adult supervision is a constant while they are having fun. Miss Fine was immensely impressed, and I had to promise PROMISE to bring her again. The fee structure is very adaptable, and we can go for a once-off, or pay monthly and seasonal fees.

View from the parent's seating: The Kids Gym - on the treadmills

The Kids Gym is the answer for parents wanting to take their children to a non-competitive space that nurtures a love for physical activity, regardless of their ability. Replicating the model of a typical adults-only gym, The Kids Gym provides children from 18 months to 15 years with the opportunity to exercise and develop skills when it suits them in a fun, activity-oriented venue. The second branch (after Cape Town) of South Africa’s first dedicated children’s gym, seeks to encourage every child, no matter their physical or sporting ability, to be active and embrace exercise and fitness as a lifestyle option. Unlike the adult offering, The Kids Gym does not make use of weight training, instead focuses on the children learning to best utilize and control their own body weight through fun-filled, life-enhancing physical activities, all in a completely non-judgmental environment.

On-hand trainers at The Kids Gym

“Exercise and physical activity has the power to transform lives. As a national gymnastics coach and father of a daughter with a physical disability, I‘ve seen the transformation both emotionally and physically for children that exercise regularly,” says Glenn Joselowitz, co-owner of The Kids Gym and father to eight-year-old Emily, who serves as inspiration behind the idea.

There are different areas for different age groups, and Miss Fine had to test out the smaller kids area as well. 

The Kids Gym - cedar Square

Next time you will find me at The Ninja Bean Café which focuses on health-orientated drinks and organic and low-gi snacks. I can see many a weekend breakfast while Miss Fine gets rid of all her pent-up energies. Best of all, they are open 7 days a week.

Check out The Kids Gym for different classes as well as pricing options. Also, check out the party options!
Tel: 0106016444 email jhb@thekidsgym.co.za.

The Kids Gym - "Where Kids unmask their inner awesome"

Disclaimer: We were invited to the opening of The Kids Gym at Cedar Square last Tuesday. Thanks so much! 

The ABBA Show is in town and it's ABBAsolutely fABBAulous

The ABBA Show - CC Emperor's

Relive the ABBA Concert experience

That's exactly what we did! The ABBA Show is a real treat. It's on at Emperor's Palace until 10 February.  Who does not know the music of ABBA? We all grew up with it. Even Gen Xrs know their music. Hubby and I had a great date night on Friday. I made sure I had all the ABBA on our sound systems before we did the drive to the South, and it was more than worth it.

Wordless Wednesday #352 - Date night sunset watching

Stunning Kids' Cinema at Sandton City Mall and how to win a birthday bash

Ster-Kinekor Kids' Cinema at Sandton City Mall

We were invited to a movie at the newly revamped Ster-Kinekor Cinema at Sandton City Mall on Sunday. Miss Fine was truly impressed. She said the seats are really REALLY comfy. Luckily Mom and Dad also get bigger chairs higher up, but some parents ventured onto the smaller seats.

Mom and Dad's view from higher in the cinema

Wordless Wednesday #349 - Travel in my city - Ramkiki

 

Festival of India at Montecasino - Great for families >Giveaway

 #FestivalofIndia - punjabi samoosas

This week has a public holiday coming up on Wednesday. The place to go is to the authentic Indian market at the Festival of India, open at Montecasino until 25 March.  This is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with authentic Indian lifestyle, fashion, culture and cuisine. The performers and traditional foods, to authentic Indian clothing and genuine homeware, are one of the most vibrant festival offers that have something for the whole family.

The opening ceremony was on Saturday, and even rainy weather couldn't damp the colourful spirit. The festivities are inside a marquee tent which makes it perfect for any kind of weather.


There are two double tickets up for grabs. See below.

Win tickets to the Mozart Festival - for the whole family

#JIMF2018

The upcoming Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, in it's 10th year, is a musical smorgasbord for the whole family. It will be running from 26 January until 4 February. The Mozart Festival combines classical music concerts of the highest international standards with vital education initiatives and community engagement projects.

There is no better way to introduce our kids to classical music, than this opportunity. We like the fact that some of the events are for free, and some asking only for a donation.  Two readers of this blog can also win family tickets (4 members each) to attend the family concert on 4 February.

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).

Pretoria Zoo Snooze - it's an experience!

National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

I realized at the end of last year that I never wrote about the children camping overnight at the Pretoria Zoo. They had such a great experience! It is one of the things that gets a place in the memory books!

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!

Wordless Wednesday #343 - Ramkiki feels like holiday

The Beach at The Mall of Africa - put it on your Staycation list!

The Beach at Waterfall Park - The Mall of Africa

We have The Beach in Gauteng! We are sorted this year! We don't even have to have FOMO when we see beach pictures on our feeds. This year we can also write the YOLO. It is summer and it is hot in Gauteng, but luckily The Mall of Africa has us sorted!

We were invited to The Beach at Waterfall Park at The Mall of Africa on Saturday. Our Miss did not want to leave. But we will go back! At the price of R25 entrance it is well worth going for a day (or more)!

This is on my Staycation list!

The Magic of Emperors Palace Garden of Lights

Emperors Palace kick-starts the festive season with the dazzling Garden of Lights

Christmas Lights! There's nothing that kick starts the festive season better than Christmas Lights! Emperor's Palace has switched on their magic Garden of Lights for the tenth time this year.

Best of all! You spread kindness by going! The proceeds from the R25 entrance fee will be donated to The Cancer Association of South Africa, and the Peermont Childrens and Education Trusts. Children under two go in for free, and a family of five only pays R100.

This is the first time we saw the Garden of Lights! It is well worth the drive to Emperors Palace if you are not staying nearby! The Garden of Lights was switched on on Thursday night, and the night was perfect at the Peermont D’oreale Grande Hotel gardens. The rain gave us a little break to have a wonderful unforgettable experience!

Emperors Palace sunset

Shrek JR The Musical

Shrek JR at the People's Theatre

By now we know that a People's Theatre Production is always worth going! It's the best way ever to introduce children to the theatre!

A Saturday night in another city

We had a most interesting Saturday night last week. The Voortrekkers had a Zoo Snooze at the Pretoria Zoo, and Little Miss HAD to be there!

Wordless Wednesday #340 - Burkleigh House retreat

The Child Friendly App - we found two great spots in Ballito

Child Friendly SA

I think I heard about the Child Friendly SA Mobile app on Twitter.  I downloaded it especially for our trip to Ballito as it was the first time that we were going to be on holiday there!

The weather did not play along each day, but you will never hear me complain. It is on these days that we try to explore and get to know the local places and entertainment spots! As we had Little Miss who would gladly have stayed watching Disney Junior all week long, we had to make sure that she also wanted to go on the excursions. We also searched for places nearby, as our budget were low, and we did not want to spend hours on the road.

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