Good friends and brave kids

We were lucky enough to have Charmaine visit us this weekend.

I met Charmaine and Belinda in 1998, 14 years ago... We grew really close over the years and I count their friendship as one of the biggest blessings in my life.

I was going to go visit Charmaine in Melbourne, where she is based for 3 months, involved in the startup of a new joint venture in Oz, but it seems as if no one wants to be in Canberra over a weekend!! The plane tickets from Melbourne to Canberra was quite a bit cheaper, and seeing as the rest of the family had various long lips because they would not see Charmaine, we decided she should rather come to Canberra.

We had a "barbie" on Friday evening and we had a long and really good catch up. There is just nothing better for the soul than spending time with the special people in your life!

Saturday morning we watched Jade play soccer in freezing weather, Saturday afternoon we watched Kaylee play soccer (in her new team) in freezing and wet weather, and in between we visited the Australian War Memorial. What an amazing and moving experience.

We got home in the dark, soaking wet and very, very cold!

Sunday we had some sunny, but cold, weather and spent time driving around Canberra visiting the Old Parliament buildings, the New Parliament buildings, had an ice cream next to Lake Burley Griffin and visited the Tent Embassy.

The time to go to the airport came much too soon, but saying good-bye this time was not as hard. The next visit is in sight! We are planning a short visit to Melbourne during the July holidays!

The girls participated in another cross country race today and they both ran like champions!! I could not make it (meetings!!) but Mike sent me very entertaining updates about the progress! Jade came in 13th out of about 50 participants and she was "poegaai"!!! She ran her little heart out!

Kaylee also did really well! They were almost taken out by two "runaway" Kangaroos, but Kaylee did not see or hear a thing!! Mike says he was just happy she finished, and she was not "lapped"!! The first thing she said when she saw me was "Mamma! Ek het nie laaste gekom nie!!". (Mommy! I was not last!!).

We love the way they participate in everything they can, and they really enjoy it! Their enthusiasm is contagous and I hope it lasts forever.

We went shopping this afternoon for the new little one on the way, and loved it!! We are sending it to Melbourne and Charmaine will carry it to Joburg!