At the Voortrekker Monument

Voortrekker Monument

We were at a Voortrekkers* function at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria on Saturday night.
Little Missy signed up with the Voortrekkers this year, and they were given certificates in a formal ceremony for being new members.

The Student loved her years as a Voortrekker, especially the camping weekends, and so we thought Little Missy would enjoy it as well. They teach the children practical life skills.

The moon making an appearance

Suikerbekkies (6-year olds) playing outside the monument 

Little Voortrekkers at the Voortrekker Monument 

Getting the certificate

I was not at the Voortrekker Monument for at least 15 years, and was surprised at how much is going on. We will be going back for a picnic in the nature reserve, to check out the restaurant, and to look at the museum exhibition in more detail.


*Voortrekkers: An Afrikaans cultural organisation such as the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts of America.

Children's party at Granny's Garden

Little Missy was invited to a party at Granny's Garden.

It is the perfect venue for a party. They have inside and outside entertainment for the children. The entire house has been transformed into a children's paradise.

The indoor play area consists of a Sand Room, Computer Room, Dress up Room, Fantasy Room, Nintendo Wii, Beach Sand Room, Arts & Crafts and Pottery Painting.

Dress Up Room

Bunnies

Snow White

The outdoor play area has the following on offer: Zip Line Slide, Bike Track, Trampoline, Play House, Jungle Gym, Modular Play Area and swings.

The zip line slide was the most popular with every one sliding again and again...

Gif from Granny's Garden

The best of course was having a nice cup of coffee while other people were busy running around after the children...
Definitely a parent's paradise!

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 )

The Cradle Restaurant

What do you do on a Sunday morning when you want to get outside and the blue sky is beckoning?
Especially when the urban dwelling feels a bit stuffy in this heat.

The one thing that is great about living in Johannesburg in South Africa: We do not have to drive very far to get to the outdoors...

The Cradle Restaurant - sitting on the deck

One of the places we wanted to check out for a long time is The Cradle Restaurant at The Cradle of Humankind near Lanseria.

View from the deck

She prefers her sister's hot chocolate
"Funny Bunny!"

Table overlooking the view 

Downstairs seating area, with stones on display
(see below)

Stones on display

The ride to and from the restaurant in a golf cart was a definite highlight as well!

Just one note of caution: The breakfast buffet is fantastic, but it is a bit expensive!
(Especially when the budget is a bit low this time of the month... Ouch!)

Next time we will go a bit earlier to still get an option for the A La Carte Menu and to visit The Cradle of Humankind at Maropeng, which is nearby.


Which places do you recommend in the Johannesburg area if you want to get a bit of fresh air?

Bambanani - Heaven for parents

I don't know why it has taken us so long to check out Bambanani in Melville, especially since we are always looking for new places to take the Toddler while we are able to enjoy our meals!

(You can only go so much to Papachinos, where they don't mind to be rude because they are so popular!)

The entrance does not look impressive, but when inside it looks calm and serene, and next time we will definitely try out the tapas while sitting inside.

We tried the outdoor area underneath the trees, where there are a wide variety of play areas for the kids. I am amazed at how much they have packed into the small area. There are balls, and climbing equipment for the older kids. Underneath the patio is a whole world of play rooms, such as a fully equipped play kitchen.

There are child minders who also look after the little ones.

And they make a great cuppa! We are definitely going back!

Wordless Wednesday #143 - Tres Jolie Café - "going to the farm"

A walk in the park

It's possible, even in Johannesburg!

We went to a nearby park we have always just passed by, and it turned out to be a great place for a Sunday afternoon walk.

I remember the excitement of going to a park in our childhood years... The swings and the open field of grass.... Pure joy!

The Wilgeheuwel Park turns out to be much nicer than my childhood parks we used to go.
I Googled it and apparently it was built in a day as part of an "Extreme Park Makeover" project to bring "new environmental zones to busy developments".

I would not go and swing my valuables, but it seems very safe, and the dogs had a great outing as well!

Joburg, I'm impressed!

A 3-year old Princess

Our little girl turned three yesterday! (So freaking crazy lightning speed fast!)

When we ask her how old she is, she still shows us four fingers, but I think it is in tune with her life!
Next year she is going to go to be with four-year old children in a new school...

I am beginning to think that it is not such a bad thing to have a birthday in December. We are on holiday, and there are presents all around!

She gets extra special attention!

The day started with presents...

It was followed by a walk at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.

(We had a dark cloud hanging over the day following a phone call by the MIL to wish her granddaughter a happy birthday.
While she was speaking to me at the Gardens she started to scream! It was followed by silence!
It was extremely scary! With Hubby anxiously trying to phone his dad and mom...

It turns out she was hit over the head and robbed of her cell and hand bag! Back to reality!?
She's got a broken nose, but she will be okay. Scary stuff here!

We can't walk in the streets while talking on a cell...

We can't walk in the street! Period!)

But:
Later on we had a party at one of or favourite places: Papachinos.

With pizza making...

The cake and candles

There was also another casualty on the day.
Friend Kyle broke a small bone in his foot while jumping down... (Boys...?)
Sorry, Kyle! Apparently it is three weeks in a cast!

Photo by his mom, Vicky

Luckily our fairy princess had a lovely time.

You are so cute, my little girl!
I hope I will remember how cute you are right now!

Happy birthday!!


Related post: 
Wordless Wednesday #107 - 3rd Birthday

A little bit of children's heaven in our part of the valley

We got a Papachinos just around the corner, and it looks like children's heaven multiplied with 5 or something.
They opened up this week, and already they are fully booked. We were just lucky to get a place for breakfast on Saturday!

The pictures tell the story!

The service was not great, but it is still early days...
What is a little bit of waiting when your child can occupy herself for hours on end?


Now, when does she leaves us at our table and run off on her own? (Wink smile!)