Mabula Lodge 22-25 October 2010

We left at about 15h00 for Mabula on Friday. Its a 2 hour drive but when we got to Centurion we got stuck in traffic that set us back 1.5 hours. It took 1 hour to drive 5kms - crazy! By the time we got to Mabula it was 19h00, dark and we still had to bath Natalia. It was also damned hot, much hotter than we are used to.

Daddy with his girl

Drinking juice with Daddy

When we went to the entertainment area at Modjadji there were warthogs visiting. Natalia was amused.

Of course we spent a lot of time in the pool 'cause it was sooo hot!!! Dolly came with us so Kim and I could go on game drives. Otherwise we would have had to go alone..... Dolly got to go on her own game drives which she has never done before. She thoroughly enjoyed it and rattled off all the animals she'd seen.

We were lucky to see the elephants on Saturday morning, because shortly after this one of them got ill and no one was allowed to view them.

The Secretary Bird that Kim spotted

Giraffes are my favourite wild animal.

Yum yum peanut butter sandwich, mmm

Natalia loves filling cups and pouring - here she is drinking the pool water!

At the kiddie pool at Modjadji

Playing in the braai area. She was full of ash, but she loved it!

At the kiddie pool at the main lodge. Natalia couldn't wait to get in.

The water was freezing which was very unusual as it was stifling hot.

In the kitchen - I couldn't resist taking this photo

Dung Beatles are important too..........

We were lucky to see a Rhino, perhaps for the last time as they are now on the endangered list due to a number of people thinking they can do what they want. I hope the poaching stops!
And at the end of the day, a beautiful sunset in the bush...........

We left early on Monday morning, which gave us 2 whole days there. Monday was Dolly's birthday and it was also Natalia's creation day - she was conceived 2 years ago.

This was most likely our last visit to Mabula as Kim is going to sell the timeshare. We've been going there since 1988 so its been a good run. I would never have dreamt of taking my own child there one day and now its happened......... Now its time for bigger and better things.

Love P x 3

This Weekend

Natalia went for a photo shoot on Saturday morning for Christmas, hence the red dress. Afterwards we went to Mugg & Bean for lunch at Clearwater Mall. While we were waiting for our order she had absolute fun walking around...that's all she wants to do now.

She started trying to jump yesterday. She bends her knees and then proceeds to 'jump' up but then falls on her bum.....so funny. She also loves dancing to music or when I say Dance.

We have been having cold weather lately, but luckily on Sunday afternoon it warmed up. Natalia loves water and was all to happy to get into her costume. She just cant wait to get into the Jacuzzi.

We are off to Mabula Lodge on Friday, so I will post some pics of the weekend when we return. Dolly is coming with us so that Kim and I can go on drives together. Kids under 4 are not allowed on the drives. But the camp has such a nice pool area so Dolly and Natalia can play there.

That's all for now

Love P x 3 xxx

Breaking News

Natalia is walking!!!

Our little cutie pie has finally gotten off her bum and walking is the new 'in' thing. She practices and falls and gets up and gets up. I think she already wants to run...

She has been really cute lately.....surprising me by saying some words. She said Book yesterday, which I thought was impressive. She is also saying Juice and saying Ball along with signing it. She says Ow and rubs her head when I tell her to be careful.

Today also brought the first signs of more teeth since July. Her first top right molar has reared it ugly head, and now the nights have become a bit more difficult to get her down. She is just so distraught and hangs onto me and wont let me put her down. Shame poor angel.

We went to the Lemon Rose Farm on CR Swart for breakfast the other morning. Its a tea garden kind of atmosphere with a kiddies play area and some farm animals. Here are some pics......


Natalia has her own pair now!

Sliding must be her favourite

Juice

Cutie pie

Taking a walk with Dad

Trying all the equipment

Crawling through tunnels are second best


Learning to drive

Some baby geese, ah sweet

Pots Are Fun

I caught Natalia in the kitchen today doing the 'downward facing dog' yoga move. I had to laugh! She is getting cuter by the day and driving me dilly. She needs constant stimulation. She is quietest in the morning, but not for long. She shrieks a lot, but she's happy. The neighbours must think she's upset, but they are happy screams/shrieks!




Then she got out some pots for the cupboard and spent an hour playing with them. Opening the lid, closing the lid. Putting one lid into another and so on. I gave her a spoon so she could bang the pot. She was also stirring an imaginary liquid...... whatever makes her happy.



On the walking front - she is almost there. Today she took about 3-4 steps from me to Dolly and back to me. She'll be walking on her own within a week or 2. I cant believe she has progressed so fast. She only showed an interest in walking 2 weeks ago. Before that she was happy to crawl..... Even when I tried to walk with her, she refused and sat down. So this is good news!

Also, Natalia still only has 8 teeth. She got her last tooth the week of her birthday. So its been almost 2 months and no new teeth appearing! I am nervous as I am not looking forward to her molars coming through. These ones are going to more painful than the incisors!!!

I am also trying to find new healthy snacks to offer her between breakfast & lunch and lunch & dinner. Its not easy coming up with something she'll eat. Of course she loves biscuits and Flings, but I'm trying to get her to eat fruit. I bought some fruits today that I want her to try so wish us luck!

Well that's all folks
Love Px3