Mieke turned 9, Halloween & Ouma came to visit

October was a very exciting month for us.  A little too much excitement but it was fun.

First Mieke had a Sleepover Party - her first ever and she was so excited.  She invited her 3 BFF (best friend forevers) and we had tea at Franky & Benny's, then went home where we made lovely smelling goodies including soap and fizzballs and lipbalm.  Then the girls played Wii Sing and at midnight they had a special South African midnight feast including flings, creamsoda, biltong, ice zoos, fizzers - mmmmm.

Then they were supposed to go to bed... but didn't.  Eventually it did happen between 2 and 4 am. I think.

But she had a lovely time so it was worth the pain!!

Then her granny Antoinette came to visit from South Africa.  It was halfterm holidays and Werner took some leave so we did loads of things - visited Arundel Castle, Wisley, Westfield London and Werner & I spent a night at the Marriott Chancery Court on our own - what a luxurious treat.

On Mieke's birthday we took the train and tube to the O2 and saw Disney on Ice which the girls loved.  Of course Silke had to have a crown with ears and they both got Stitch cups with rainbow slush in them.

Then at the weekend it was Halloween and I made ghost cupcakes and scary cookies. Silke went to a friends birthday party (her first ever without me) and then the kids went trick or treating with the neighbourhood dads. We had a small halloween party at my neighbours house and the next morning it was back to school!!

Antoinette went back last night and I feel kind of lonely now - will soon get back into my routine. Autumn is well underway and the autumn colours are amazing.

Then at the weekend it was Halloween and I made ghost cupcakes and scary cookies.  Silke went to a friends birthday party (her first ever without me) and then the kids went trick or treating with the neighbourhood dads.  We had a small halloween party at my neighbours house and the next morning it was back to school!!

Antoinette went back last night and I feel kind of lonely now - will soon get back into my routine.  Autumn is well underway and the autumn colours are amazing.

My not so latest hobby

I've sold my first cake!!  It came out beautiful though not perfect but much better than my previous efforts.

Let me show you my transition from total amateur to semi-amateur - this Mardi Gras cake was for Mieke's 7th birthday and my first effort as you can see!!!

Then came the fairy castle cake for Silke's 3rd Birthday - this was better and quite cute but still looks a bit wobbly.  The fairies I made from Femo clay so they weren't edible.

Then for Mieke's birthday I made the popcorn cake which was really simple and therefore a great success.

We had a halloween party as well so I made this cake, which the kids loved but still lacks the professional touch!  I'm also glad no one asked to eat the witch as it was made from icing mixed with denture cream!!!

My most recent and best effort - I think!!  Hope the birthday girl loved it too.

I still struggle a bit with putting the icing over the cake properly - its nerve wrecking as I can't get it too not wrinkle and tear and it still cracks a it.  But as soon as you start placing your decorations it looks better.  I learnt to make the roses and ribbon online and just used cutters for the rest.  Decorating this cake took about 4 hours.  Must say its my favourite so far and I can't wait for my next project!!  Which is Silke's cake for her 4th birthday.  No sure what its going to be yet but probably something similar to the above.

Otherwise things are looking up!!  Getting warmer - today at one point it was 16 C and the sun was shining and the people were smiling!  We are going to London this weekend to celebrate hubby's birthday one week early and staying over free at the Marrriot on his points he collects.  We are going a bit mad and I booked a movie, duck tours and sunday lunch.

On Sunday it was Mother's Day here in the UK and Mieke made me a lovely card in which Silke wrote her name beautifully (my baby girl is growing up!).  The also got me an orchid and some choccies and Werner cooked lunch with the help of M&S while if folded the laundry (well you can't have everything). 

Oh and Silke calls a dried apricot a paperclip or a papercut - whichever gets me to apricot faster.  This might be amusing if she wasn't going to school in September!  Oh yes she got into Pewley which I am very happy about but I don't know why as we might be moving to Australia.  What to do, what to do...

My Birthday!!!

Well not really, actually Silke's birthday but that is what she kept on saying the past few weeks! As if someone is going to take her birthday away from her...

I am truly exhausted as this child has had the longest birthday celebration in history - it started at Pre-school last Wednesday and will hopefully end this Friday the 10th when it is actually - Her Birthday!!

So far she has had celebrations at her Pre-school on Wednesday, St Saviour's Church Toddler Group on Thursday, Caterpillar Cafe Toddler Group on Friday, the BIG Fairy Party on Sunday, Cake to Christopher Robin Nursery today and then cake again (do I have to) on Friday. Lucky girl!

But she is so cute, I can't believe she is three already. She was such a tiny baby when we came and now a talking cheeky three year old! Her favourite saying is: 'Mammie, you love me, you not kwaad for me?' What do I say to that - even after she has decorated the wall with a picture painted with poo. This saying started when I told her to leave Mieke's stuff alone and she said: 'But Mieke Loves Me!' - 100% certain that Mieke loves her even if she messes up her room, breaks her things, etc.

Her party on Sunday was wonderful - Silke had such a good time. The adults had champagne (okay Cava) as well so we also had a good time! She shared her party with her friend Joani and the Fairy that came made such a fuss of both of them - it was wonderful and they were enchanted. The Fairy also brought a parachute and had the two girls sit in the middle while we turned them round and round. She also had bubbles and balls and ribbons and pom poms and then made them tattoo's while they ate. She also encouraged the parents to join in and we had fun doing the hokey cokey. There was six South African families at the party - can you believe...

I made Silke's fairy castle cake and it was amazing (even if I have to say so myself). I even made melktert for the party which I thought did not taste that great but everyone raved about it and it was gobbled up very quickly. Domestic Goddess in the making - just wish I could do as well in the cleaning department!

After the party a few of the kids ran around outside with their balloons as it was a nice day. Silke then fell asleep on the way home but woke up too soon so was a bit tearful when she opened her presents - was still not herself the next morning!!

Thank goodness I spaced my kids birthdays six months apart.