Father's Day

We spent a happy, peaceful Father's Day, celebrating this wondeful father and grandfather of the family.

Gert and Dorette came for lunch. Gert was in Japan last year on Father's day - when Franco was only 6 or 7 weeks old, so this was his first father's day that felt like Father's day - at least I hope so Gert! It was Frans's first Father's day but he andThelwyn had to go to Vanderbijlpark to fetch Douel - a well trained Arab gelding. (Anyone interested in buying a good Arabian horse with lots of endurance potential?)

Franco spent the day exploring new frontiers. Our sitting room is quite big, so normally we arrange the furniture in two groups. Franco discovered the lovely tunnel between the two couches.


What it is to be a grandfather!

Franco just loves being outdoors. (Trouble is, someone else must also share his enthusiasm for the great outdoors...!)

Another irresistible Ouma Elna smile.

The "ringworm" on the back of his head is not ringworm, but a bit of plaster stuck to his hair. The plaster was stuck there after blood was drawn for tests during his grommets operation. His Ouma was brave enough to rip it off when he had his bath that evening. As an ex Speelgroeptannie and preschool teacher, I am used to plasters and pulling baby teeth. However, I tried to loosen the glue first by rubbing on a little bit of peanut butter when the plaster has started to peel away - I know peanut butter helps to loosen chewing gum in hair. It didn't work though, but after the bath, Franco had a nasty rash in his neck. It seems he is VERY allergic to peanut butter! - had never eaten it before and also (fortunately) did not want to taste it when I offered some while he was in the bath. The blood tests revealed that his iron is too low and that he is allergic...but not what he is allergic to, so now it will be a process of elimination. Sterkte Dorette!

Very nearly walking on his own. His balance is much better after the grommets, but he is in in no hurry to walk on his own - pushes his bus and kitchen stools around though as gets where he wants to be.

We got some sad news a few days before Father's Day. Farao has bone cancer. See the lump on his right front paw? There is nothing to be done, but to make his last days as comfortable as possible. He is on painkillers and they help - he still goes with us when we go for a walk - even limps up the koppie! He still digs in the garden - this hole is right next to my only rose bush and right by the front door! However, such "mishaps" are now ignored... and he may get some titbits hereto forbidden due to his big mass. (He weighs more than I do!) Who has to die with a healthy heart and kidneys anyway? Let him enjoy his last days.

Glenmore Holiday!

Gert and Dorette had to attend a wedding in Port Edward on 25 April, and as we were to babysit Franco, we made a holiday of it and went down to Glenmore, after voting on election day. This was the view from "Fourie Cottage" where we stayed.


23 April 2009: One year old! Look how big I have grown!


What is this? What do I do with it? Does it make a noise?

A BIIIGG! sandpit! Wonderful! (Franco loves the sandpit at school and had a great time here)

Hendrik and Marietjie also loved the sand and quickly made a tunnel.

Oupa and Franco soon had other ideas...

Back at the cottage: Birthday party! Again! "Veels geluk liewe Franco omdat jy verjaar..."

So many cameras! Waar moet ek kyk? Franco, Franco... Julle maak my deurmekaar!

What's this? Franco does not like to put strange things in his mouth and has not eaten cake before.

Hey! This tastes great!

"Klaar-klaar!" Do I really have to eat supper? With half of his cake on the floor, Franco still had quite an appetite!

The neighbours cat came to visit! Animals are the greatest!

Spit image of Ouma Elna!

Ham sandwiches for Marietjie and Hendrik.

Hannes, Gert's brother came along too. Seven adults and one baby - that's the way to do it.

The previous time I was here, was 27 years ago: My sister Lalie and I went to Glenmore with 9 (yes nine!) children and only two adults! Jansie (10), Ethie (8) and Thelwyn (4 1/2) were the "big"ones. Eugenie and Dorette were (terrible) 2 and Hendrik was 10 months and then Lalie had two foster children of 3 and 1 years old as well. We had a rough time counting heads on the beach then! No-one got breakfast before 8 o'clock because we had to make sure everyone was really hungry and would eat enough to last until 12 o'clock. Nine plates of Pronutro did the trick!

Back to the present holiday... Franco loved the water!

The lagoon is the best, but the sea was thrilling too!

"Look what I found!"

A family pic of the L's

And another one! Franco in his carrier: the best way to carry a baby to the beach.

Franco wasn't much interested in boats and ships in the sea, but when they towed in this boat onto the trailer... Now that was very fascinating for this future engineer.

On our last day it was rainy and rather chilly, but nothing would keep these 3 out of the sea! They say you can always tell who are from Gauteng Province (Pretoria, Johannesburg region): the only ones in the sea on a day like this!

Franco can clap hands and wave "Tata"

Busy Franco

Ek het lekker geslaap en nou speel ek lekker op my niggie se mat...