Hi all,

I spent most of Monday just being cute with Granny. During the morning I did however amaze my folks by getting out of my baby-grower, unassisted. So relatively speaking, I popped open all the buttons, got my arms out and my feet off. I then took off my nappy and sped up & down the passage to hang around in the nick. Mommy and Daddy had a number of errands to run for the funeral like going to fetch clothes, unfortunately when they got to the house all the indoor doors were locked so they had to remove and break open doors, even to the bedroom to get clothes. They think that this is just unkind, disrespectful behaviour. I suppose this is the price to pay for having your own personal ‘PC’ squatter.

After the folks came back late afternoon, I entertained them with my newly acquired skills, dunking my biscuits in my teacup and then announcing to the group that I required a spoon to fish out the soggy crumbs. I sauntered off to my little cupboard in the kitchen, retrieved a spoon and I proceeded to fish out the biscuit and consume both it and the tea. Afterward I announced to everyone that the tea was good.

As last week was such a ‘good’ timeout week, I decided to build up some credits in this regard and told Mom and Dad while sitting on the arm chair that I was on a timeout. I noticed my parents leaving the room with their mouths covered, muffling laughter, a lot. I wonder why?

Tuesday morning Dad had an appointment with the priest to make more funeral arrangements. Mid-morning Dad returned home, and shortly afterward Uncle Oliver and Aunty Gillian arrived. I was thrilled! It was two years since I last saw Uncle Oliver, and I’d never met Aunty Gillian before. It was such a wonderful reunion.

We chatted over tea and coffee, and I played with a Toy Story 3 Duplo set that Uncle Oliver and Aunty Gillian brought with for me. They really know their way to a Nunu’s heart! Over and above that I got Buzz and Woody PJ’s – I reckon I am the only kid in SA with those, and of course some Barney DVD’s. For lunch we headed to Primi-Piatti at the Lifestyle Centre. I slept through most of the lunch, but I sensed from the laughter and chatter that everyone was really having a good time.

On Wednesday morning Dad and I headed off to Lanseria airport really early to fetch Aunty Birgitt and Uncle Wayne. I was so excited, as I’d not been to this airport before. Dad and I chatted about planes and the airport all the way there, and en route I even started saying airport. Dad was thrilled.

After meeting up with Aunty Birgitt and Uncle Wayne we headed up to the viewing deck to watch the planes for a little while. What a treat – we watched planes landing and departing, and I was in awe as they whooshed past us and then moments later they were airborne disappearing out of sight.

During the morning Mom, Dad and I had some errands to run and shopping to do. I fell asleep during the outing, but heard later that Mom and Dad, upon leaving Cresta, once again were witness to a major accident and assisted. Mommy helped an innocent granny whose car was ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time’ and Dad did the usual rustling up of emergency services, which arrived in a few minutes. I slept through everything, and was sad that I didn’t get to see the huge simon-snorkel that Dad told me about later.

In the afternoon, back home, we had a family reunion; both my Dad’s siblings were there with their partners and we chatted and chatted. It was such fun to see everyone together. Eventually I had to retire to bed but I heard the chatter carry on almost to midnight.

Thursday morning was very hectic as it was the day of Opa’s funeral. Granny arrived really early to look after me. Mom, Dad, Aunty Birgitt and Uncle Wayne (who were staying with us) raced backward and forward as they made final arrangements. Before they left I dished out lots of hugs and kisses, and I gave Dad an especially big squeeze. He would be saying a eulogy later that morning at Opa’s funeral, and I really felt sad for him.

Mid-afternoon everyone arrived back home; Dad was exhausted and had a snooze. Granny headed off home and the rest of us headed to the Haahoo Park (Delta Park). There I discovered a new talent – rock climbing. I did notice that Aunty Birgitt’s rock climbing didn’t go too smoothly, and we all had a bit of a giggle!

Nina and Kate arrived very early on Friday morning, as I had a play date Kate. We had a brief visit and then Nina had to head off to work. A meeting with Tony, the attorney, was being held at the house later in the morning. After a quick introduction Mom and I retired to the study to play. Dad and his brother and sister had a very successful meeting with Tony, and afterward Dad took everyone out for lunch.

While they were out Kate and I played and then snoozed. It was so cool having her with us the whole day. Later in the afternoon everyone arrived back home and a tree planting ceremony was held in the front garden. It was decided, that in honour of Opa, we plant a tree in remembrance of him. It was such fun watching Dad, Uncle Oliver and Aunty Birgitt getting dirty in the garden. The tree, a black walnut, looked great and I was really looking forward to watching it grow as a reminder of my wonderful Opa.

We all spent the rest of the afternoon to early evening having tea and coffee. Nina arrived to collect Kate, which made me a little sad, as I was hoping Nina would leave Kate with us forever.

On Saturday morning we headed off to the Gautrain to accompany Aunty Birgitt and Uncle Wayne to the airport. This time we were going to OR Tambo. I love going on the train; I so look forward to every opportunity to go on the Gautrain. The excitement of it exhausted me, and I had a quick power nap. Fortunately I woke up on the train before we pulled out the station. At the airport I stormed around and we had a quick lunch. We bid farewell to Aunty Birgitt and Uncle Wayne and then headed back to Sandton on the train. Super exciting.

The slight drizzle on Sunday morning didn’t deter us from taking a walk around the neighbourhood. Afterward we had a mega-team snooze. The rest of the day we spent lounging around the house. During the afternoon Mom and Dad were chatting to me and playing word games. Mom asked me what me name was; my answer, “Nunu”. Mom then asked what my other name was, and instead of my customary “Honey”, I said “Jarrod”! Mom and Dad were thrilled – it was the first time I said my own name.

Well, that’s it for this week.

Hugs,

Jarrod

Photo 1 With Uncle Oliver & Aunty Gillian at Primi-Piatti

Photo 2 At the Lanseria viewing deck

Photo 3 Skyp’ing

Photo 4 Family Reunion

Photo 5 Me, Dad, Uncle Oliver and Aunty Birgitt

Photo 6 Exploring at the Haahoo Park

Photo 7 Rock climbing

Photo 8 Kate and I having a chat

Photo 9 Playing

Photo 10 A little picnic in the garden

Photo 11 Tree planting ceremony in memory of Opa

Photo 12 On the Gautrain

Photo 13 Loving the Gautrain

Photo 14 Mom and I on the viewing deck at OR Tambo

Photo 15 Ooooohhhhhhhh

Photo 16 Heading back to Sandton on the Gautrain

2 Comments on Family Reunion

  1. Cazpi says:

    Sounds like you had a super week – the tree planting ceremony is a wonderful idea. Well done on saying your name big boy 🙂 That’s wonderful!

  2. Sharon says:

    Such a big boy now, we’re proud of you xx

Leave a Reply