Flying to SA and the first few days

After months of anticipation the day finally arrived for us to go to SA. We felt so blessed to be able to go to SA twice in one year, thank you so much Grandad Tony and Aunt Eileen for this very precious gift of our tickets.
This time we checked in very smoothly but amid shocks from the check in staff over the size of our family(which was to be the first of many comments and stares our way). We headed over for a bite to eat and a cup of coffee, Michael wanted to eat a decent meal and not an aeroplane meal. What a nice feeling to have a whole two and a half week holiday ahead.
The girls got to sit next to each other by the window. Somehow Eden always gets the window seat, it must be a first born privelege.
Ayla was still happy at this stage, but unfortunately she did not stay that way. By 10 the lights were out and she was pretty overtired. I tried to get her to sleep, but we had left her sleep blanket at home and she knew it. I tried to lie her down next to me(free chair), she screamed, I tried to hold her against me, she screamed louder, after about 20 minutes of this(it felt like an hour), Michael took her for a walk and that calmed her down, when he gave her back to me she fell asleep in my arms at about 10:30 and fortunately slept right until the aeroplane started to descend for JHB International. So 20 minutes of screaming and that was our worst we've ever had, not too bad I suppose, but at the time.....
The children slept about 5 hours, but woke up in good spirits.

When we arrived at Will, Lise and Barbs' house, it was shorts on straightaway, aaah so nice to feel the SA'n sun again.
First it was present time, and Will got stuck into helping the children build the present.
Ciara trying on Aidan's Ben 10 mask.
And out in the garden to play, and get to know their cousins again.
Jojo looked just the same sweet boy, but just a bigger version.



I love this video of Aidan and Jude play fighting, they reminded me of lion cubs playing.


And soon the pool was put up for a bit of water play.
I love these pics of Dad and Ciara together.


Uncle Gavin.
The last time we were here I remember Daniel doing just the same thing, standing at the gate looking into the garden, and Ayla was so teeny, now she was doing just the same as him.
The next day, Michael went to play golf with his dad, and we took a walk around the lovely estate that Will, Lise and Barbs live in. Everything looked so green and lush and well looked after. Niamh was excited to finally get to use her rollerblades on the road.
And then some fun in the park, notice Niamh on the swings with her rollerblades on.



Not bad for her first go on the road.


And still the rollerblades are on.