Friday evening at Sea Point with Maama

On Friday evening we decided to grant the kids a break from their formal assessment preparations and studying. (As opposed to them ''stealing'' unscheduled breaks by switching on the TV while we aren't looking).

So off we headed to Roman's Pizza in town.

The most exciting part of the outing was the fact that Maama (Mo's mum) was with. The poor woman was not granted a moment's peace, as the kids excitedly bombarded her with their overwhelming enthusiasm.

''Maama, look at this picture!'' they'd yell, practically thrusting a phone into the poor woman's face.

They showed Maama a video clip of Aisha (2) dancing to the song ''I'm sexy and I know it'', which was blaring from the next-door neighbour's home (since, not even shutting all the windows can keep out the party next door once they get started, Aisha must have thought ''if you can't beat them, join them''). Maama and the kids shrieked with laughter at the way Aisha shamelessly shook her body on the video clip.

We drove off to Sea Point to have supper by one of the parks.

On the way, the kids started to talk about their late grandfather (Mo's dad). They still miss Pappa so dearly. Maama reminded us that it has been more than a year since Pappa had died. And that prompted Aisha's stream of never-ending questions.

''Pappa died? Why did Pappa die?''

''Because he was sick,'' we answered.

''Why was he sick?'' she asked.

''He was really old,'' Maama explained patiently.

''Where is he now?'' she persisted.

We hesitated. This question was complicated and could lead to a myriad of other questions.

'' Erm, he's by Allah (God),'' Mo answered.

''Where?'' she persisted.

Silence.

She persisted, ''Where's Mr Pappa? Isn't he with his penguins?''

Trying to keep a straight face and clearly relieved at the change of subject, Mo answered. '' Oh yes. Don't worry - Mr Popper is with his penguins.''



 

Since it was almost time for Maghrib (sunset prayers), the kids - in order to maximise their outdoor playtime- opted to brave the cold and have their pizza in the park.

 

We watched them from the car, while admiring the beautiful sunset. The indescribable view from the car had us captivated in silent awe. Maama, who is a seasoned traveller, echoed the views of so many when she marvelled with admiration at, what she described as Cape Town's unrivalled beauty.

 

After a mere 30 minutes, we rushed the kids back into the car (to the expected moans, arguments and begging cries of ''Just five more minutes, Mommy. Okay then, just one more minute! Pleaaaase!'')

We arrived back home to catch the last few rays of light in the sky. I tried to capture the beauty of the pinkish-orangey hues on camera, but sadly, I am very lacking in skill as a photographer. (I really should make a point of reading the handbook, which accompanied my new camera).

The kids reluctantly said goodbye to Maama and returned miserably to their studies. Their grandmother, the social butterfly, headed off to her next social engagement for the evening.

What a welcome break from the formal assessment preparations and studies. It's truly amazing how the re-emergence of sunshine and warmer days makes even the dreaded formal assessment period more bearable. I hope we get to spend many more such evenings over the coming warmer months, of which I intend to relish every second.

Challenging the waves on a rainy day

On Sunday last week Mo and I were planning to spend the lovely rainy day indoors with the family. By lunch time however, the kids' arguments and nagging were driving us nuts.

Mo suggested that we take the kids to Sea Point, taking along our home-made lunch to be enjoyed in the car while watching the waves.  I had made mince curry and bought roti, which was easy to convert into a lunch 'to go' by simply rolling the steaming fragrant curry in the roti's -  forming a curry wrap called a salomie.

When we arrived in the car park overlooking the sea, the kids could barely contain their excitement, as the roar of the huge ferocious waves filled one with awe and exhiliration. So after managing to take a few obligatory bites of their carefully-prepared lunches, they dashed out of the car and onto the promenade, where some families were enjoying lazy icy walks, while trying to stay out of the way of the hard-core fitness junkies out for their daily run.

Shakeel (12 at the time) and Tharaa (10) took a few tentative steps toward the railings, before realising that the section beneath the railings was extremely slippery. The thunderous terrifying roar of the ocean was sufficient to cause them to come to their senses and step back a meter or two. They were beside themselves with excitement.

The rapidity with which these gigantic waves approached the land caused them to crash over onto the promenade and sometimes even onto the parked cars! 

I couldn't resist stepping out of the car and into the rain. The thrill, the excitement, the inexplicable allure of perceived danger - absolutely irresistable.

A calmer moment of the sea- capture from the safety of the car

I carefully peered over the edge at the swirling frothy waters beneath. Fascinating. Beautiful. And for some reason - mouthwatering.

The spray as it hits the wall

The kids were absolutely drenched. Even 7 year old Nuha put aside her fear of a potential tsunami long enough to participate in the game of chasey which her siblings were playing with the waves.

Shakeel, resourceful as ever, retrieved a towel (in which his resourceful mommy had rolled the salomies to keep them warm) from the car - using it to protect himself from the spray. Very soon the towel, too was sodden.

But soon Nuha injured her foot in the game of chasey and ended up sitting in the car weeping pitifully. Her unsympathetic siblings carried on playing unperturbed by their little sister's injury.

Soon after Nuha's injury we left for home. But not before stopping off at McDonalds for an ice-cream - the perfect medicine to assist Nuha to overcome the pain of her injury. As usual, it worked like a charm.

''And where was two-year old Aisha all this time?'' you might be wondering.

Enjoying Deer Park serenity and side-stepping poo in Sea Point Park

On Thursday afternoon we took the kids to Deer Park . As always, I was in awe of the breathtaking scenery - not only of the Park itself, but even as we drove through the leafy suburb of Vredehoek, above which Deer Park is situated.

Since I'd been too lazy to pack a decent healthy lunch, our picnic lunch consisted of a lovely greasy meal purchased at the KFC in Gardens.

But we did not laze around for long after spotting this fellow crawling across the lawn. As cute as he was, I could not shake the feeling that he was crawling up my thigh.

The kids wasted no time before going off exploring.

It is remarkable that the serenity of this relatively unspoiled lush Park can (unbeknown to many) be found within such close proximity to the city centre.

Cape Town CBD in the background

The plush suburb of Tamboerskloof seen to the right

We made our way to the lazy little stream (the amount of water and flow usually depends on how much rain there had been). Despite the fact that there was not as much water as there usually is in the wetter months, the kids enjoyed themselves immensely (I have mentioned in previous posts how my kids really need little more than a puddle of water to keep themselves amused.

 
Aisha wasted no time before shedding her clothes.
  

Shakeel spent much of the time moaning at the fact that I would not let him bring home a tadpole to live with our goldfish in our little rock pond.

Soon Aisha could not resist dunking her head in the water.





And then the bigger girls too couldn't remain fully clothed



Once we left Deer Park, we headed to Sea Point park for some fun in the sun.

What a lovely day we had enjoying some of the gems our beautiful city has to offer.