On the bright side, L is almost walking.
We've had a nasty month of ear infections, tonsillitus, sore throats, chest infections, tummy bugs, fevers and broken nights. Can't wait for winter to be over. On the bright side, L is almost walking. In the hols we played with the cousins and had a picnic. We enjoyed some spaghetti at Panorotti's in Menlyn which has an amazing play area for kids. We rode bikes, fed ducks, built sandcastles and flew kites.
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Mario is a golf player so he and Becca decided it was time for her to learn to hit balls. He took her to the local driving range so she could start putting lessons. I think they have plans on her being the next Tigress Woods but the way she hits I think she'll be a hockey player like (me-I played a bit) and my dad. Laria came with and enjoyed throwing the balls and chewing on them while I took photos. Click on individual photos below to see them properly. I made plans before I moved and they didn't work out. I was going to be a stay at home mom, maybe work part time. Then we moved and everything is more expensive here so I did need to work part time. So I looked for part time work where I could keep my girls with me. I lifted kids to and from school (mom's taxi). It worked alright for a bit then the girls started hating being in the car so much and crying , fighting, etc, etc. So I started hating it and wondered what on earth I was doing. I love teaching and I was happy in CT teaching and my girls were happy at school too so I started looking at teaching jobs. The local government school needed a teacher and I applied and got the post. I started teaching grade 1 in June. I have a contract post term by term so maybe I'll be there next year if they have a post available. The girls started school here in June too. So far L seems to like it though she has been sick a few times already. Becca's struggling a bit. She wants her old school and old friends and hasn't made any special friends here but she goes without tears. I'm hoping she'll enjoy it more after the school holidays. So life goes on and I think it's mostly good. We found a jewel of a kids place this morning. Plantland in Olympus. They have a tea garden that serves breakfast, cooked lunches, kiddies meals etc. and the prices were reasonable. We had scones and cheesecake, coffee and milkshakes, yummy. There is a bird park with birds for sale, a pet shop with fish for sale and rabbits and snakes to view. Becca begged me to buy her a mommy and daddy duck after seeing them swimming in the pond. There's also a feeding area where you pay to enter and feed the animals and to have pony rides. There are jungle gyms, playground equipment and a jumping castle. We had a lovely morning. Laria didn't know where to look as everything was so interesting for her and Becca really enjoyed the pony ride and looking at the biiiggg snake. We'll definitely go there again. so excited On Sunday afternoon we went for a walk in the Moreleta Kloof nature reserve. It is only 5 minutes away and entrance is free. They have a paved walkway and some grass walkways so we took the pram, it was a bit bumpy in places and next time we’ll rather take the hiking carrier for Laria. We had a lovely stroll, we saw zebra, springbok, guinea fowl, blesbuck and a tortoise. It was very quiet and peaceful. We saw only 2 other families out walking. It was really lovely. There is also a restaurant, Radermeyers with jungle gyms and a trampoline which we’ll try next time. There are a few different walks varying in distance and access for prams, unfortunately from the car park they are very poorly signed and we only found the information board as we finished our walk. They have the different walks and more info on their website. We left 8am on the Saturday morning. It was a loooonnnggg drive. On Sat we stopped about 6 times. I gave B motion sickness medicine in the morning before we left and it knocked her out. She slept most of the morning. L had her nap at the usual time, for an hour, and was awake the rest of the day. We stopped when we could to refuel and stretch legs etc. That night we stayed at Coles Corner which was a lovely place to stay in Colesberg. It was clean and spacious with a tv, dstv, fridge, kettle, coffee and tea and perfect for us to stop for the night. The lady that runs the place is friendly and charges discounted rates if you book with her directly Unfortunately that night L cried every 40 minutes and I had to breastfeed her back to sleep every 40min (Her 3rd tooth cut that night) so by 4am I had had quite enough of not sleeping all night. I woke Mario and we repacked the car and left 5am. It was still dark out but the girls both decided to stay awake. We stopped 4 times on the way and finally reached Pretoria at 2pm. The girls were superstars especially B who didn't cry once. Just a bit of moaning at the end cause she had a sore bottom. Laria cried (screamed) for the last hour of Saturday's drive and the last 2 hours of Sunday's drive. When we moved to Pretoria I used Classic Removals as the furniture removal company. I am sad to say that their service was horrendous. We organised to have the furniture picked up on the Friday. I was told that on the Thursday I would be informed of the pick up time. They did not contact me, after hounding them, finally at 8pm that night we were told they would only pick up Saturday which was unacceptable as we were leaving for Pretoria Sat 8am. After fighting with them they said they would come Friday between 5 and 6pm. They arrived at 8:00 pm which was incredibly disruptive for my children as it was past their bedtime and the movers were making too much noise for them to sleep. They were supposed to deliver on the Mon-Wed according to the contract we had with them. On the Tuesday we phoned to see where our furniture was and they said Wed sometime. On the Wednesday we phoned to get a time and they said in the afternoon. In the afternoon we phoned and they said only Thursday because of road delays. No one apologised for misinforming us or the furniture not being delivered on time. No one kept us informed of anything. We had to repeatedly phone to find out what was going on and often the person we phoned did not know and said they would find out and then didn't get back to us. Trying to keep two little children happy, clean and entertained with minimal toys, minimal clothes, no curtains, no pots to cook food in, no blender to puree in, was a nightmare ! On Thursday we phoned and were told that the furniture had arrived in Johannesburg and would be delivered sometime. Later we phoned and they said between 4 and 5pm. At lunch time I was informed by the removal company that my residence did not allow trucks in and I must organise a trolley at an additional R1300, I refused as this was not true and was not necessary. I asked if we could have a discount for our furniture being delivered late and they did not even answer me. At 5pm the driver phoned to say he would be there about 7pm. At 7 pm the driver said he is in Pretoria central (Hazelwood) and asked where we were. We don't live in Hazelwood but in Hazeldene and that is Pretoria East. After giving him more directions he finally arrived at 8:30 pm. Some of my furniture had water damage from their trailer and a few boxes had been damaged and things broken inside. I recommend that no one use their company ever. They didn't keep us informed, ignored requests, did not apologise for anything and have now ignored all emails regarding the damaged goods. During February I got quotes from about 10 different moving companies. The prices vary tremendously with a couple companies costing double the price of others. We have decided to use Classic Removals. They had a good price, they have fast efficient service and they offer a R100 000 free moving insurance. They also have a lower fee if moving between the 10th and 25th of the month so we're going to move on the 12th April. So hopefully all will go well and my furniture will get to Pretoria safe and sound.
My hubby has been in Pretoria for two months now and we have one month left till the move. Unfortunately he is not able to visit again until the move as we have to save money and plane tickets are very expensive over the weekends. I have realised that being a single mom with two children is incredibly hard. Not just on me but on Becca too. She really misses her dad and I know he misses her. Just going to the shop is a mission. I have to get three people (me included) dressed and in the car, not needing the loo, fed and watered between nap times, to the shop and back during shopping hours battling queues and a 4 year old that wants to buy everything she sees. Becca has had to be so patient. When I'm busy with Laria I can't help her and she has to wait until I'm finished. The mad morning rush is the most difficult for me. Laria wants to breastfeed and Becca wants tea at the same time, then Becca wants me to help her get dressed and Laria doesn't want to be put down so there's generally one of them crying while I'm rushing to help, dress, feed the other one. And among the morning chaos I have to try drink my coffee, make lunches and get dressed. I end up stressed and frustrated with Becca for not being able to do everything herself and it's really not fair. I am so looking forward to staying at home in the mornings in Pretoria and having a relaxing morning with no rushing around. (at least until Becca starts school again) NEWS !! My husband was offered an amazing job opportunity in Pretoria. After much deliberation we decided to move. He started 7 January already. I'm staying in Cape Town with the girls till the end of term 1 so until the Easter weekend I'm a single working mom. Its day 3 and I'm so tired already. The major challenge seems to be getting time to cook or bath one child while the other is occupied. Especially since L is rather clingy at the moment. Next week I'm back to work and L will start day care at B's school. |
Me
I'm 35. Married with two small girls. I'm a teacher and writing about my life here, in Cape Town. Archives
July 2016
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