Another tooth bites the dust

After what seems like months*, Pieter's loose primary maxillary central incisor finally let go on Tuesday evening, admittedly after not-so-gentle manual encouragement by Marisa! For all the anxiety he experienced, the mouse took pity and spoiled him with a generous compensation that night.

A school morning of greater-than-average pleasantness

*If our memories serve us correctly, this tooth has been wobbly since December.

Pieter the grade one!

Yesterday we were at school briefly to meet his teacher and get books and stationery. Miekie also could see where her new class is.

With the old man

In the classroom yesterday

Walking back home yesterday morning

Today was Pieter's first day at Midstream College Primary. He was very excited and enthusiastic this morning when we dropped him off.

Already hard at work

Neil inspecting Miekie's desk in her grade three class

I'm off to Botswana until Friday but am very glad to have been able to be with the family this morning.

A pause from Teddiebere...

... until it's Neil's turn.

This morning we went to Pieter's farewell ceremony from his Teddiebere kindergarten. There were some performances, mostly poem recitals, which were very sweet.

Pieter's the one second from the left in the indigo shirt and black shorts

Now it'll be a year or two before we'll be back with Neil!

Pieter tried on his new school uniform and rucksack the other day:

A preview of what to expect in January

Galas

Miekie and Pieter had their galas on Friday and Saturday respectively. Miekie, who was terrified before the time, ended up winning her freestyle and butterfly events! Unfortunately I had meetings so I missed it. Marisa was there and took photos and videos:

I made it to Pieter's gala:

(Pieter only started using his arms over halfway through the length, thus giving his competitors a fair chance.)

This weekend is a multiple-birthday weekend. I'll have a post on that later today.

Pieter's graduation from Teddiebere

Last night we had Pieter's graduation from Teddiebere. There were some formal bits including something that was said about each of the five graduandi (from a very biblical perspective). Here's the one about Pieter:

Then the graduandi demonstrated their talents by performing songs and reciting poems. Parents received flowers and wine.

Gifts, speeches, photos

"Baccalaureus Ursorum" would have worked well too I think

A future BL no doubt (or BU if my hints propagate through to the right ears)

Afterwards we had a dinner of lamb, veggies and salad, which was really very good!

Pieter's concert

Last night was Pieter's concert at Teddiebere. This was his last concert of the sort because next year he'll be in grade 1. Unfortunately I was not there because I had to be in Botswana. Luckily though, I was able to attend the dress rehearsal on Wednesday morning, which was very nice. Here are some of the photos I took then:

Before the concert

(Slightly reluctantly) gelled-up

Meanwhile a cake was awaiting me in Botswana (for my birthday).

Pity I'm not a cake-person

These photos are from Marisa, which she took before the actual concert yesterday:

Afterwards

Hair still a little gelled this morning

Miekie had to dress as a Springbok supporter for school this morning. Later she had to switch to Spanish dress for a cultural day they had. These are the photos Marisa sent to me:

Pieter's second tooth

Pieter's second tooth has fallen out. He seems to be pretty much synchronised with Neil, who's just received his second baby tooth.

Surprisingly Pieter got paid in Botswanan Pula instead of Rand for his tooth. It must be that the tooth mouse is diversifying into forex in a time of a weakening Rand. Or that the mouse just didn't have any Rand cash handy at the time.

Pieter with his thank-you note for the mouse

Thank-you note detail

Tablets

Miekie and Pieter were in for a surprise on Sunday when I decided to buy them each an Android tablet. They've been glued to them ever since...

Miekie and Pieter were too embarrassed to pose next to this impressive hulk (goodness knows why) so Marisa and Neil had to instead

At the initial rate of excitable use I'm not sure if the chargers were able to provide a nett positive charging current

Marisa bought them some protective covers today

I'm in a hotel room in Botswana at the moment and am missing the family terribly. Luckily it's only for a night.

A relatively quiet but busy month

July was so busy that blogging took a bit of a back seat. The month is almost over and several bits of work are up against their deadlines, so this is a quick post.

Miekie is down there receiving a certificate for having taken part in netball this season

Marisa's mother receiving a young Labrador for her birthday, which was last Saturday

At Marisa's mother's birthday breakfast

Petronel and the little Labrador

A snug Neil suitably equipped to withstand the extra-cold weather we're experiencing this week

Pieter recited a poem at a cultural event at a nearby school yesterday. I wasn't able to attend but Marisa took the following video:

Proudly brandishing his A++ certificate, a medal, and various other gifts

Goodbye garage...

... at least for a while.

All the stuff from our house in Botswana has settled into its new home, which is our garage. We're going to have to take some time to try to figure out what to do with everything. At least it isn't that much.

Not much room left to squeeze in a car

Come to think of it these are probably the first photos taken in our garage; what a momentous occasion!

 Earlier in the week Miekie and Pieter did a great job of washing the car.

I hope this will be the start of many regular car washes... probably wishful thinking!

Pieter's 6th birthday

Today Pieter turned six! Marisa and I can't believe how quickly time has flown since he was a little baby. He's grown up to be a wonderful boy.

A panoramic shot of our sitting room late last night with the cake, presents and all waiting for Pieter this morning; (you'll notice the layouts of this room and the dining room have changed a bit recently - click on the photo to enlarge)

Early morning shot of the cake plus soon-to-be-extinguished flames

A Transformer next to cake with recently extinguished flames

Pieter got some help unwrapping the big present: a tent

Testing out the tent

As Pieter had already had a big party a few weeks ago (before the school holidays started), we had a smaller party for him today in the bush park.

Pieter's new camera

Pieter decided to use his birthday money (plus tooth fairy money and savings from his pocket money) to buy his own camera. It's something he's wanted for a very long time. We scoured the Internet and found a good looking Canon which suited his budget. We ordered it on-line and it arrived 24 hours later.

Unfortunately Pieter is quite sick today, with an upper airway infection and a high fever. The camera's arrival lifted his mood.

Un-boxing

Additional gadgets that we bought include a smart card, a smart card reader and a nice camera bag

Pieter, who is looking forward to spending more time on the other side of the lens than he has in the past

Miekie and Pieter introducing their cameras to each other

Five photos at once: the cheesy inset was taken simultaneously by my front-facing camera