This is Cape Town’s very best kept secret… While most folk want to visit in the heart of summer, when the wind blows and the heat is… well hot… the best time of year is now. Before the winter rains and after the Summer heat there is a perfect lull… of warm wind free days for playing outdoors and cool evenings for reading and hot chocolate… Did I mention wind free!!! And the whales start to arrive and who can resist watching whales. So Cape Town’s very best kept secret – visit our beaches now!!!
We have been playing lots of games on the beach lately… we call it sport!!! I am all about exercise as a way of life for my kids… a little bit of playful fun everyday… For ages it was riding bikes in the driveway, and the whole summer long is all about swimming. But it is getting just a little cold for swimming. Now is the perfect weather for marching on the mountain… and heading out to the beach for some serious sport.
Se7en of the Best Beach Games:
- Spades: This is by far our favourite beach game… and it is another version of musical chairs. Have a row of spades in the sand – one less than the number of players. They race from a start line to the spades and grab one… one player is knocked out. Line the spades up again and remove one. Race again… until you have just one spade and the winner is the last to grab a spade.
- The Chase Is On: The first player runs with a beach rake in hand… and leaves a wiggly trail. Give them a good start, it is hard work!!! Then let the players try and catch the leader… leave a gap between runners – not too far to dishearten and not too short that they can catch the player in front of them…
And back again…
- Bucket Relays: This is a team sport. You need a beach and a bucket and a small cup. Race with a water filled cup to the bucket, pour the water in and race back. Pass the cup to the next player… and repeat until the bucket is filled.
And don’t rejoice too soon… the bucket isn’t full until it has been declared full by the person in charge!!!
- The Highest Tower: You really can set your own rules here, sometimes we use no tools; or only tiny spades; only buckets, only sea-shells… And then set the timer… my kids could play this all day and it gets fairly intense!!! This could just as easily be the deepest hole… but we use the tower in the next game… so build it up!!!
- Beach Toss: Tennis balls are perfect for the beach, the one we used the day we photographed was on a rope… but ordinary tennis balls work just as well. Use the highest castle as your target… and get everyone three chances to hit the target… you could elaborate this one up a little but and add circles and points… but it is enough for us to try and hit the target!!!
- Olympic Throw: Take turns seeing just who can throw the ball the furthest… with no run up, with a run up, over arm, under arm, on one leg, facing backwards… really anything goes – the more challenging the funnier!!! There is always just one winner in this game…
- Beach Cricket: Draw a small circle in the stand for the batter to stand in. The players stand around the batsman, whose legs, below the knee, form the “wickets”. The other players stand in a circle around the batter and toss, bowl, throw the ball at the players legs – use a soft ball like a tennis ball. The batter hits the ball and a player rushes to get it, they may only aim and throw for the batters legs from where they stop the flying ball (no creeping forward!!!). If the ball touches the batter’s legs then they are out and the player that threw the ball becomes the new batter.
And the Se7en + 1th:
- War: This is the last game of any trip we make to the beach and fundamental to any beach trip. We usually play a bunch of games and then they settle down to serious sand-castling. The castling easily falls into two groups and careful preparations ensure that they are ready for war when I say it is time to go. The players move away from their castles – that is a very important rule… because nobody likes sand thrown at them and we have a fixed rule… never ever throw sand at or near anyone at all. Once the teams are ready, they take turns to lambaste their opponents castles with their carefully prepared ammunition. The object is to see who can cause the most harm to the other’s castle. No, an adult would probably not have invented this game… but my kids love a good game of healthy destruction from time to time.
And if that all tires you out then there is always: Lizards: The player that moves first is out!!! Finally a game I can totally win at!!!
Tags: Electives · Outings · Se7en at School
I often get asked to write about how we teach our kids good character traits… how to train them to be loving, generous, kind, joyful. Now before I had kids I would have been able to write a fabulous list post… full of practical tips!!! But I have had kids for a while now and I realise as my kids grow older that I have very little to do with lessons of the heart. Turns out these types of lessons cannot be taught in a lecturing/note-booking kind of way because like so many things – they can only be taught from life.
Now I am no font of information on this topic at all and while I know that many parenting and self-help books have been written about “training your children…” you can be assured that this is one book not on my lists of books to write. Worse in fact are the books directed at children: literally dozens of books – all declaring “lessons in good character” on the cover and packed with “how not to behave” on the inside. So, the question remains: “How do you teach your child to be generous or loving, kind and understanding?” I think the glib answer is to say “lead by example” but we all know that we aren’t always the best examples. For many children that is really a lesson in “do as I say, rather than do as I do” and instead of teaching them what you intended they see the paradox.
There is one huge and fatal flaw to the idea of leading by example… and that is very simply we all fail… time and time again. You know when I say: “Get to bed on time, you will have a much better day tomorrow… ” I could go on, but I needn’t because I am sure we could all make a list of ten of our faults, that we try and correct when they pop up in our children, without even blinking. How often at the end of the day have I sat down and thought that I totally failed on the mothering field that day. Not to mention, how often have I thought that if I was a better mother then my kids would be so much better at everything, including the long list of good character traits.
Just the other day I was chatting with my kids, we were talking about the whole “do as I say, not as I do” style of parenting and we were laughing at how many times I say things and then do the opposite. I saw broad smiles appear on my teens’ faces as they realised that I knew this was a fault of mine and that it wasn’t some deep and profound flaw in me that only they themselves had discovered!!! Luckily we were able to chat a little further and talk about how my failures are often bigger lessons for them than my successes. In fact, I tossed it back at them and mentioned that my mistakes were a perfect opportunity for them to learn from someone else’s mistakes… they did actually go for that!!! They liked the idea that when I fail and they notice – it is not so much about “I told you so” and a whole lot more about what they could do better themselves.
So yes our actions do speak louder than words but not always in the way that we would like them too. My children are not seeing me walk around as this saint of peace and serenity, offering up little pearls of wisdom throughout the day. They do see some one who dives in and makes mistakes time and time again – and now they know that they reason I have to make so many mistakes is so that they can learn so many lessons!!! God does indeed use all things for good… even our failures. Probably the biggest lessons that we can learn from the failures in our home, is that a quick and speedy dose of repentance and forgiveness really can turn a grumpy day around.
And all this leads right back to the start… how do we teach our children all these good qualities, especially when we don’t always practice them ourselves:
- Pray for Their Characters: Each of them every single day… we feed them everyday, we clothe them everyday… and their spiritual needs are often overlooked, we really need to pray for them every single day.
- Don’t Wait: There is not time to waste, even small children can learn to be polite and generous spirited, don’t wait until they are old enough “to understand.” Folk often underestimate their young children’s ability to be kind and loving, but they can and do do a lot of things well… encourage them when they are lovely, when they greet visitors without prompting, when they make a picture for the neighbour… they don’t need a chart with extra stars on it, they need a kind word and encouragement for their efforts.
- Expose Them to Amazing People: Nobody is perfect, don’t wait around looking for the perfect people to expose your kids too… you may wait a very long time!!! Give them a chance to meet folk who are putting their best foot forward. Let them see generous people in action: Not just financially generous… the person that is extra generous with greetings, the person who is generous with time, the person who has such a generous heart as to always be sharing.
- Read Through the Book of Proverbs with Them: The Book of Proverbs is packed with Wisdom and there are thirty one chapters… you can read just one chapter a day and read the whole book in a month. Then read it again the next month… it is an ongoing book and every single time you read it a new lesson will jump out at you.
- Provide them with Wholesome Books and Movies: There is plenty of material out there that is anything but what you want your children to learn, somehow unwholesome things are always so easily available. Supply them with fabulous books, focus on the good… rather than avoiding the bad. Focus on movies that they will enjoy rather than on watching movies and telling them why they are wrong. I never understand why folk would let their kids watch a show and then discuss why they shouldn’t watch it with them… if it is a program filled with unmentionables, however subtle, turn it off.
- Let your children read tons of biographies: While your children are young provide them with worthwhile heroes. Not just famous Christians from the past, though those are always a good place to start… but let them read about ordinary folk with extraordinary stories… Often we overlook the everyday, in search of someone bigger and better… but often we just need to focus on regular people who have incredible lessons to share.
- Give Them the Space to do the Right Thing: I was so bad at this as a new mom, telling my kids to thank folk and asking them to offer their granny tea… time has taught me that very often my kids will have thought of things long before I jump in… and they will do things of their own accord. I might have told my kids to make a card for the lady at the laundry’s birthday but honestly I forgot. Left to their own devices they took their music instruments over there and put on a concert for her… she loved it and so did they. Often it is a good thing to stand back and let them shine on their own.
And the Se7en + 1th thing…
- Don’t Expect Perfection: Your kids are going to fail, your kids are going to do such incredibly insane things that you can not even fathom where they are coming from. Not just once but many times. You can go on about it and give yourself heartburn, or let them accept the natural consequences of their behaviour and move on. Focus on their strengths. And here is one place that you really can lead by example… focus on your friends’ and family members’ strengths too… tell your kids how fabulous their grandfather is, tell them how wonderful the neighbour is… and tell them how great they are. We all have faults… we all get things wrong again and again. I know my kids don’t need to be reminded about how bad they are, and they do so much better when I mention the things that they have done well.
In conclusion… I cannot tell you how to train your kid to be better citizens, I am far too busy trying to train my own. I am sure that your kids are just as clever as mine are and see through our double-standards and duplicity. One thing I can say is that before your kids can toss the card: “You never do what you say…” or “Actions speak louder than words…” let them know that you know that. Not just their actions but your own. There does come a time when your kids no longer see you as a the ultimate dragon slayer – the one who can literally rip monsters out from under the bed and sweep them away with the feather duster… the time is coming when your children will see you for who you are… and all that time they have spent with you means that they will see you “warts and all.” Let your children know that you know you have faults and that your faults are indeed lessons for them to learn from.
Tags: Sunday Snippet
We have had so many outings in the past week that it is almost beyond comprehension… but the highlight for us was the instagrammers meet up in Tokai Forest on Saturday evening – Cape Town’s golden hour – then!!! Now you know how we love taking photo walks and our kids love arming themselves with cameras and heading out for a photographic stroll… So the thought of an instagram amble really appealed to all of us.
Now it has been years since we took an amble in Tokai Forest, it is always one those spots that you pass on your way somewhere and inevitably spontaneity isn’t one of the principle players as we travel from here to there… or anywhere!!!
Now a photo amble with a family looks a little different for families…
And instagrammers… but not a lot different!!!
But they both seem to have the same playful attitude and the hunt for fabulous and unusual photographs was on…
And all our girls…
We passed the usual Tokai forest things…
Instagrammers seek out reflections…
And shadows…
And I love how hard they pursue their shadows…
Until they find them…
Kids more a less follow the path until something grabs their attention…
More or less…
And we had to stop for a session of leaping and jumping…
As one does…
Every now and then remember to take a glance back…
And take a look around…
And take a look at all the details…
Hello crane!!!
What a treat…
And you can take beach kids off the beach… but you cannot take the beach out of them – they will draw in the sand!!!
And a glance back… and this is why they call it “The Golden Hour…”
And into the forest…
This is what we were there for…
Peace and quiet and a little tranquility… and plenty of paths to nowhere…
And a whole tribe…
And a “clutter” or “shutter” of instagrammers… who will go to great lengths to get their shot!!! You have to love watching their pursuit for the better picture, the more interesting angle, their patience waiting for the right light… really their art.
They were all waiting for this:
Well actually this…
And a quick peep at what once must have been Mr. Mcgregor’s farm…
And a rest…
And that was us…
We were ready to head home…
If you would like to see more of Cape Town’s Instagrammers at play: follow them @igerscapetown and for lots of creative photographs look out for #igctforest on instagram.
Tags: Cape Town · Outings · Saturday Spot
Welcome May and all the Autumness that you bring…
And here is the thing: Suppose that you are fairly good at backing things up… but hopeless at deleting just stuff… well anything really (the only thing I ever delete is photographs and tons of them)… then there will come a time when your computer is full and it just says … NO. MORE. NOT. ONE. MORE. THING… not even email… and then instead of spending your weekend chilled out doing a little bit of blogging before bedtime… you will actually spend any time in front of the keyboard… deleting stuff. Every single itty bitty thing that you may need some time (ummm never), every single little thing that you didn’t even know that you had downloaded… all of it… delete, delete, delete… Delete is my new best friend. Deleting is a very dull occupation and I now have a far better understanding about what folks mean when they say “computer maintenance”… really I do!!!
And on a far more positive note… here are some lovely links!!!
- First favourite of the week… you have to love these little nooks, Simple Play Space Transformations: #2 Shelters on Let the Children Play. Who doesn’t love a secret place to play!!!
- If you follow our Pinterest boards you will see we have an entire board – dedicated to pallet projects… I know… always on the hunt for pallets!!! Anyway here is a quick and easy pallet project on Curious and Catcat: A Pallet Coat Rack.
- I love all the bright and festive colours in these Cinco De Mayo Cookies… on Bellissima Kids.
- Looking for a really interesting read… well, here is some food for thought: I’m still here: back online after a year without the internet by Paul Miller.
- And since you are reading away… How about: 10 Common Misconceptions About Blogging by Ben Barden on Quick Blog Tips. Clearly there is no “one and only way” to blog.
- My husband took me to Venice for the Weekend, many years ago… so a trip down memory lane: I took 6 Kids to Venice and Nobody Fell into the Canal by Design Mom.
- And here’s the thing… there is so much to love at LMNOP that I have to link to the whole shebang… I know you will discover something you totally love over there…
And the se7en + 1th link:
- A Blast From the Past: And here are a couple of links to posts, this week, from previous years:
And that’s us – hoping you are all had a fabulous weekend filled with lazy moments… And your week is a stunning one!!!
Tags: Fabulous Friday Fun
If you would like to now more about how we use our calendar for school as a fabulous resource of famous people and events then do pop over to the Almanac page for an explanation… Meanwhile, if you would like to print the calendar… then click on it and it will open in a new window… print the image using the landscape option and colour away… We hope you have a marvellous May!!!
Tags: Celebrity Calendar
Tags: GiveAways and Swaps
The one thing we really love about our local aquarium, The Cape Town Two Oceans Aquarium, is that it is really possible for folk, especially kids to become involved in their work. It is one of Cape Town’s priceless outings for families. While only a couple of our kids have ever been there, all my children feel very strongly affiliated with the work that they do… which is really an accolade to the educators that work there.
For many folks the aquarium is an introduction to aquatic life… tanks filled with interesting creatures…
Mysterious creatures from the ocean depths…
To local birdlife… (note to self: put some fruit out for the little birds in the hedge)
River life…
And even… well we have these in our garden, dare I say: essential creepy life… These rather large slithery friends keep rodents at bay and the smaller ones that we have in our vegetable garden are fantastic at keeping slugs and snails off out of our lettuce leaves.
Behind the Scenes:
But there is so much more to The Two Oceans Aquarium than halls filled with fishtanks…
I recently went for a quick behind the scene’s tour… and while the view is simply unbeatable… I do shudder just a little bit at the amount of maintenance required.
All these tanks have to be cleaned and maintained…
Diving equipment kept at the ready…
And filtration tanks ensure only the best water quality for all those aquatic animals.
The educational team is passionate about conserving the ocean environment and teaching the next generation about looking after this valuable resource. They make sure that heaps of information is available for curious marine life enthusiasts of all ages. Did you know that over and above the holiday workshops that they have for young scientists… They also have workshops for older students that are sponsored and involve a whole lot of hands-on-learning… not just bookwork. More than that by the time the young scientists have been through their courses they are ready for more training to become part of the Volunteer Program… which is brilliant. Just when you are all enthused and dying to learn more – they have provided more!!!
I had a peak into their lecture rooms…
Lots to look at…
Even tanks on the table…
For taking a closer peek…
Lots of things to touch and explore…
Plenty of things to investigate and inspire curious minds.
I love that their learning is not confined to classrooms and tanks… they have no problem heading outdoors for some hands-on exploring…
Nothing beats the freedom of some open water learning…
The Penguin Waddle
And then of course they have totally fabulous and free events… bringing environmental savvy-ness into the hands of anyone and everyone. This past week they took
The Penguin Waddle, a walk all the way from Gansbaai to Boulder’s Beach in Simonstown. Inviting the general public to join them every step of the way… Bringing, not just the plight of the penguin to the public’s attention, but the environment as a whole. Last year we joined
the Penguin Waddle in Fish Hoek and there was no way we were going to let this fab opportunity pass us by… This past Saturday we hauled on our marching gear and headed out…
The Official waddlers caught us we were passing Glencairn…
And there weren’t just a few of them…
Thrilled to say there were lots more walkers than last year…
Some folk had to stretch their legs…
And get ever so slightly ahead…
And one of us, who was wearing his usual “incognito” kit, really fitted the part!!!
Others were just thrilled to be along!!!
And as we headed into Simonstown we met a few real live penguins…
And Simonstown put on a great show…
For all the walkers, with heaps of penguin fun for families…
On we went…
Until finally we made it to our destination…
Boulder’s Beach… the home of our local penguin colony.
And we were rewarded with penguin stamps for our efforts…
Well done Hoods on a great march…
Seriously we can’t wait for next year… and quite a few of the gang are threatening to walk all the way from Gansbaai!!! You can read all about the Waddle and the Penguin Promises here: The Waddle: Day One; Day Two; Day Three; Day Four; Day Five; and And Day 6:
And those are just some of the community projects that our aquarium gets up to… you just can’t beat it!!!
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, we say that we really and truly love the aquarium because we do and we were not paid to say so in any way!!! I can’t say they do not know who we are, they most certainly do – hard to miss a family of eight kids joining the troops and marching along the route with fellow waddlers!!!
Tags: Cape Town · Outings · Saturday Spot
