Some things are changing.....

1. The first time we drove through the intersection where the guys carrying bags of fruit approach the car asking you to buy I freaked out. I thought we were being car jacked. I yelled at a chuckling Marcus "Tell them to go away, why are they up in my window? Go Marcus! Drive, it's green! Get us out of here!" 

Now..... as I cruise up to the intersection you'll more likely hear me say: 

"Oh it's mandarins, quick Lucy here's my wallet, wind down your window and call him over. We'll take 2 bags thank you." 

2. On holiday we had been driving for over an hour and the kids had drifted off to sleep when we slowed down.

Oliver from the back asks "why have we stopped?"

Me- "There are Baboons all over the road"

Oliver "oh, wake me when we get there."

Me- "Baboons Ollie! Real Monkeys, look, everywhere!"

Oliver - "yeah, yeah."

Proof that our kids are too young for game drives. This is Ollie 2 hours in, COMPLETELY over it.

3. I brought a leopard print top. Back home my feelings on this print were that it was exclusively reserved for Westies. But over here, leopard prints kinda work. Actually any animal print will work. Guess it's all about blending in with the locals.

4. Marcus is using Afrikkan words in everyday conversation. "See you now now," "Thank you that was lekker. " "Man, that was a hetic meeting." "Did you see that bakkie drive past? "

5. Slowly but surely Marcus and I are loosing some of that extra weight we were lugging around.  There is nothing easy about loosing weight and toning up. It requires a tonne of dedication and self discipline in a country where the food is amazing and so cheap you buy two of something just because you can. (And then eat both)

6. Our kids are growing before my eyes.  Oliver and Nathan's trousers are now all looking a bit short in the leg.  Lucy's leggings have become 3/4 length and all are in need of haircuts. I  haven't noticed the speed of their growth before but I have noticed it over these last 3 months.

7. Lucy is happier at school this term. Oliver however is not. Nathan has stopped crying when I drop him off at Kindy.

8. When we first arrived I used to lock all the doors and windows in the house during the day while I was inside. Partly for fear of intruders and partly for fear of creatures making their way inside.  Now during the day when I'm home, every window is open and doors latched open so I and the kids can come and go from inside to outside with ease. 

9. Marcus and I enjoy a glass of wine every night once the kids are in bed which is something we have never done and I'm not sure why. Wine is as much a treat as chocolate is at that time of night with the added bonus of making me sooooo sleepy.

10. And Lastly at number 10,  Nate at the ripe old age of 2 years, 8 months has started talking, a lot. It is super cute. 

One thing that hasn't changed is the chaos involved in taking a family photo. Thank you to my friend Lea who took these ones at her daughter's third birthday party this weekend. Although it's total chaos I kinda like them. They are a true picture of our season right now and it's these moments I'll want to remember years from now when we are flicking through the memories. Thanks Lea. x