Summer of rest

2018 was a tough year. We are still in the last throes of it, and 2019 are going to be tough as well. But, amidst it all, we are having a great rest and great times with family and friends. We even had three days of Christmas. How blessed is that?

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.). 

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!

Wordless Wednesday #342 - Second Cup

5 Lists to survive the upcoming holiday Season

List making

The End-of-Year rush and busyness come with a lot of stress. Although December is a time to love, it is also a time of upheaval and being out of your comfort zone! You know it's near the end of the year, and there is some sort of overwhelm! It's holiday or no holiday! It's family time and friends' time! There's preparations, and sorting out some of the stuff that had been put on the back burner during the year.

I have a permanent feeling of anxiety, and when I try to pin-point the exact reason for it, it's not only one thing. The dietician told me this morning that "stress" is the number one complaint she hears from her clients. They are all stressed at the moment! (And of course the diets take a knock!)

The only way I know how to take control of the end-of-year madness is to make lists. Prioritize the important stuff and what needs to be done! It helps you feel more in control. I always enjoy Marcia's Instagram lists on Organising Queen. Check out her 3 Kinds of lists for your bullet journal. She is by far the List Queen!

Mom and daughter week

Winter holiday picnic

Little Miss has a three week holiday break. It's a very long break for a little girl who still has to go to school. It is Vacation School, but still... It's at school!

Mom guilt took over, and I decided to take a week (this week) with her! The plan is to relax and sleep late. We are doing it!

Things escalate each day, because she gets me to do more than I think we/I should! Yesterday I promised her a picnic, and soon we were buying sushi at Spar and going to the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. (I was thinking of having a picnic at home...  Real mom rubber arms, it seems!)

Little Miss packed our picnic basket, and of course I had to carry a heavy basket, instead of the back-bag that I suggested to her. (Why do I do this to myself? Rhetorical question, of course!)

But I was glad we went. It's lovely in the gardens this time of the year. The succulents are in full bloom, the waterfall is full and the eagles are flying overhead.

Sushi picnic - Mom win!

I was also instructed to pack away my cellphone in my bag!
(Mom fail! Sorry, Miss, I still wanted to take the picture.) It is lovely spending time with you, and I want to remember it!


What are you doing these holidays with the little ones?

Wordless Wednesday #317 - Kromdraai Wonder Cave

Bowling with the kids

I don't know why we haven't gone bowling before, but this is a great activity to do with the children! We went bowling three weeks back at Northcliff Bowling with the Voortrekkers. The kids had a ball! (Pun intended! Sorry! ;-) )

For only R30 a kid they kept themselves busy for more than an hour playing a game with a group of 4-5. The bowling alley put up barriers to keep the ball from going into the trenches, which makes it much easier for the children to get into the game!

We are going to be at home for most of the holidays, and  I am starting to think of all the fun and inexpensive ways to make the holidays fun! This is going to be one of the activities!

What suggestions do you have for activities with the children during the holidays that does not cost an arm and a leg?

Stunning Tutankhamun - His Tomb and his Treasures exhibition in South Africa

Tutankhamun - His Tomb and his Treasures

We were blown away by the Tutankhamun Expo at Silverstar. This international exhibition is the first time in Africa!
It is really worth to go for adults and kids!

The exhibition illustrates the fascinating story behind the exploration and excavation by British archaeologist, Howard Carter of the Tutankhamun Tomb, the history of Tutankhamun, and the culture of ancient Egypt.
It takes the visitor from the beginning of the search for Tutankhamun and how Carter found the tomb. It unpacks the tombs in the exhibition one by one. It is totally fascinating, and afterwards when we as family compared notes, we found that some of us missed some of the details.

I am only sharing some of my photos here, since it does not convey the splendour and intricacies of the exhibit. You really need to see it to appreciate it.

Make sure that the kids get the kiddies headsets. We did not know to ask for it, but Little Miss seemed fine with listening to the adult version.

I want to go back for more, especially since we spent too short a time in the first exhibition space and could not go back when we realised we missed some of the exhibits.

Kids under six go in for free, and luckily Little Miss just made it before her birthday next week!

This is a great activity for the holidays!

Check: vacation done!

We had a lovely week at the South Coast in Uvongo.

Of course the week went by in a flash! We were looking forward to it for such a long time, and we tried to fit in as much as possible each day.

The weather was cloudy for most of the time, but we actually preferred it to the blazing hot sun. The family could still swim and we spent most of the days on the beach.

The family swimming
(There was no day it was hot enough for me to swim...)

It was the first time since I was very small that we explored this part of the South Coast. It is such a lovely place. We explored Uvongo, Ramsgate and St Michael's.
I can easily spent all my days here...

Little Miss loves the ocean! She spent most of the time very near to her Dad and directed him up and down and in and out of the waves.

It was bliss!! Just tooooo short!

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Today we are back into the grind again for the next two weeks before Christmas.
This is going to be difficult easy! Deep breaths!


Enjoy your holidays!
I am envious of those of you going now on your holidays! Where are you staying?