Eliza is Cycling...

Just one year after Riaan conquered the bicycle, Eliza - at the tender age of five - is now cycling on her own. We took her training wheels off this past Sunday, and by Monday she was proficiently cycling along. We are certain that the hours she spends zipping back and forth on her little scooter have allowed her to gain the balancing skills required for the bicycle. She is so confident! The video below is one day after we removed her training wheels. Amazing! :)

I was blown away by how quickly she picked up cycling!

Summer Braai...

Another weekend rolls around, and we have another braai in the back garden. :) I enjoy cooking the meat and the toasted sarmies (cheese, tomato, onion, spices, chutney, and mayo between bread and grilled on the fire), while Candace usually prepares the potato salad. Our children really love bonfires and braais!

Bonfire before we braai!

Family selfie as we enjoy our picnic. :)

Farewell Flopsy...

Towards the end of May, we said farewell to our sweet, sharp-clawed rabbit Flopsy. Eliza was rather sad, but we are thankful for family who are giving her a nice home in the country. :)

Visiting the "Pinta" in Evansville...

The two older children and I drove down to Evansville on Friday, 19th May, where we visited a replica of one of Christopher Columbus' caravels, the Pinta. This beautiful vessel was docked for several days at the Evansville Yacht Club on the Ohio River. We enjoyed a lovely tour of the ship, and it was fantastic to be on an ocean-going vessel again. I think I might have enjoyed the tour more than the kiddos! :)

With Eliza and Riaan and the Pinta in the background.

View towards the bow of the ship.

Gathered on the sterncastle to learn about the vessel.

Flag fluttering in the breeze.

View aft.

Our guide shows us the anchor mechanism.

An original anchor dating back to the 1500s.

Inside the sterncastle - where the tiller for steering is located.

A modern compass to aid in navigation.

View towards the stern of the ship.

Looking back at the Pinta from the river bank.

Mother's Day 2023...

Mother's Day was on Sunday, 14th May, in both the United States and South Africa. We celebrated Candace with coffee, chocolate, flowers, and bacon and eggs for breakfast. We also visited her parents in the evening. We are thankful for the many amazing mothers!

Jack's Back...

For the second year in a row, Candace's Jack-in-the-Pulpit made its return. This one had a double set of leaves as well as the iconic flower. We were excited to find it hidden in a clump of plants in a shady spot along the side of the fence. :)

A closer view of "Jack."