Happy 21st Matt

 

Although your official birthday was a few days back, and this is your 2nd birthday party in a week, I hope this is a good send off into the world of adulting. Happy 21st birthday Matthew. You have grown up to an awesome young man and may your adulting years be just as awesome.

 I can't remember all your friends names

 

Dael, Ryan, Dakotah, Danielle

Jaen

 

Matthew, Danielle, Hans, and oh course Minky

 

 Lynda

Lets Start the Party

 

Matthew is turning 21 on Monday, and as usual his birthday falls in critical exam times, so to start the celebrations off we had a family get together had my sister's place in Pretoria. 

But first we had to drop off Bradley and Dael at the local sports pub so that they can watch the World Cup Rugby 2019 final with South Africa playing against England. So while the Boer War III was on the go, Lynda and I drove north to be with Matthew and family.

Good news is that the Springboks won, and that we had a good time with family celebrating Matthew. 

Opening with a Bang

It is exactly a year since the last Opening Ceremony at Belgium Campus when my Ford pickup caught on fire on the way there and this evening another traumatic incident happened this time on the way home afterwards.

It was great being with Matthew and friends at the Belgium Campus' Opening Ceremony 2019 and we enjoyed the company of Hans, Theresa, Jaen-Jurie, Anika, Gary, and Brendan. But it was the drive home that was the problem.

A huge storm was threatening as we bundled into Lynda's car and squeezed out of the parking. We headed on the most direct route out towards the N14 as possible and as we stopped at a traffic light still in Pretoria, there was a large BANG. My first thought a gunshot and a hijacking was in progress. Our hijacking, as I turned towards Lynda, I saw a man hitting the window for the 2nd and then 3rd time trying to smash the passenger window where Lynda was sitting. I had put the car in 1st gear as a man dived through the window, pushing the side window which was protected by smash and grab film onto Lynda's lap pinning her handbag and cellphone. 

With this person half through the window, grouping for the phone but battling to get through the side glass window pane on a screaming Lynda's lap, I was accelerating forward through the red traffic lights. This person was eventually dragged back out of the gaping window with complete piece of side window pane in his hands.

It happened so fast. Next I knew we were racing home. It was pouring with rain. Adrenalin was pumping and we were just so thankful that we weren't seriously hurt other than some cuts on Lynda's forearm from the glass pane pining her down and that nothing was taken other than the side window.

I am worried what next year is going to be like. First the car on fire, now a smash and attempted grab but God is in control and we are in His hands.

Settling In

With peace that passes all understanding I drove Matthew up to Pretoria where he be staying with my sister while he does his 2nd year at university. New beginnings mean exciting times ahead as Juan helps Matthew to setup his computer in his new residence.  

Cousins

Today is Matthew's last day of the holidays and I had to take him back to Pretoria. We dropped his stuff off at Res and then I took him to my sister Theresa's place where he and his cousin Jaen-Jurie went off to the local mall for the evening. 

Sigh these boys of ours are growing so fast.

Spending Time with Mom

Matthew, mom, and me

In South Africa today is Human Rights Day, a day off for the family. Lynda had to get a new dress for a wedding that is coming up and since I already have a suit that hopefully should still fit me, so I thought that that today would be a good day to drive or ride up to Pretoria, pick up Matthew and visit my mom whom I never saw since her operation last month. My mom is staying at my sister and her husband's place, recovering albeit very slowly.

Theresa, mom, and I

I arrived at Matthew's dorm at about 11:30am and found him still fast asleep after an all-nighter watching movies. After a shower, Matthew jumped into the driver's position as he has his driver's learner licence and he drove us to Theresa and Han's home where my mom was staying. Of course we came baring gifts of cake, cooldrinks, hotcross buns, and shortbread briskets in time for lunch.  

Hans, mom, and me

Matthew and I, had a lovely visit of my sister and her family, and a recovering my mom. Her wound is slowly healing and hopefully God willing will be allowed to return home in Sabie. Just before we left, we just had to have a impromptu family photoshoot. Oh course that is how we roll. 

Matthew, mom, Jaen-Jurie (Hans and Theresa's son or Matthew's cousin)

Granny in Sunglasses

Matthew and I had to go up to Pretoria to see about a Student Loan for Matthew. And today the temperatures soared to the high 30°Cs. I think we are in for a scorching hot few days as we sweated in the heavy Pretoria heat.

When we were finally finished, I thought that we would take a turn to see my mom who is up from Sabie to see the vascular specialist. So perfect opportunity to get a photo of granny with her grandchildren minus 1. From left to right is Matthew, granny in sunglasses, Danielle, and Jaen-Jurie.

Please Don’t Kill My Vibe

WARNING EXPLICT CONTENT NSFW!!! Eish I woke this morning to find the kids still partying, please don’t kill my vibe. I don’t think I got much sleep as I put the fan on to make some white noise to drown out the doff doff doff.

Oh well thankfully most of the kids left this morning but the party continued as you can see with the following video of twerking for the setting sun. Eish some things are just not meant to be seen as once you see this video below, you simply can’t unsee. WARNING EXPLICT CONTENT NSFW

Death Note Birthday

Since Matthew’s birthday falls in his final exams we decided to move his birthday combined with his final year function with friends this weekend. By busy I mean 12 teenagers descended onto our quiet home for a sleepover party and some sleepover party it turned out to be.

Two arrived yesterday and the rest of the teenagers arrived just after noon. Soon the party was in full swing with pizza slices going round as the guest settled in and started playing Xbox and Playstation. With Matthew playing host, we had to slip out and buy the rolls and salad ingredients.

At 4pm I started the braai while the kids went for a hike down into the kloof. When they came back the food was ready, thank goodness as they were exhausted and hungry. After dinner it was pool time. Now how come I remember someone saying you should not swim on a full stomach? Well that someone forgot to tell Matthew and friends.

It looks like this party is never going to end as Matthew cuts his Death Note birthday cake and they all get their second wind. With the music doff doffing in the background Lynda and I call it a day while the party will continue till tomorrow morning.

Fathers and Sons

Somehow I was running late taking both boys back home. First I had to drop Jaen-Jurie back at his new home in Pretoria and then down to Benoni to drop Matthew off before heading across town.

At my sister and her husband’s home, I took the opportunity for my photo of the day, Fathers and Sons as Father’s Day is coming up in a few weeks so it was a perfect time.