This is where I live

This is crazy.

A visit from the in-laws

Luckily, there are people in the world who love us enough to come visit. To celebrate that momentous discovery, we treated these patient souls to a true African experience. First, we took them to the Lion Park where you can play with lion cubs and feed giraffes. Then we made our way through the bush to the mine where Emron works. The folks there treated us to a lamb braai (a bbq on steroids). Sarah thought it was butterfly meat. I don't think anyone had the heart to tell her it was a baby sheep. The next morning, Emron's dad and brother, Foster, went down deep into the mine.

Then we went on safari.

That is me in the side-view mirror.

This was as close as this lion came to me before I was too scared to take pictures. He came right up to the jeep (next to me) and then startled and turned. It was then I learned that I am not brave enough to wrestle a lion with my bare hands.

The lions were stalking some impala that we could see in the far distance.

This is my father-in-law and one of two older lions who were too lazy to help with the hunt.

Sarah and Wendy came on one of the more subdued drives. Still, when Sarah started crying because she was hungry, we threatened to feed her to the lions. It was an effective parenting method.

Can you find the elephant?

We got back to Joburg, went on a tour of a township, hit a couple of apartheid museums, and drove through the most dangerous neighborhood in the city just to see if we could make it out alive. All in all, I am sure the Pratts had a thrilling time.

We Love the Beach

We have decided that a beach vacation is the ultimate kid-friendly vacation. With minimal preparation, the kids get maximal enjoyment.

No explanation necessary. Just totally cute.

Only Wendy prefers a sandy apple to a clean one.

We didn't see Sarah much. She spent most of the time trying to take people's dogs. I'm not joking.

Again--totally cute.

You scratch my back. . . No I'll just scratch yours, thanks

A couple of weeks ago, we took advantage of a week with 3 public holidays (one of which was added at the last minute to make up for human rights day falling on the same day as Good Friday this year. Gotta love the European demand for ample holidays. Fair is fair.) and we went to Durban. Besides the beach and the biggest mall in South Africa, the main attraction was a petting zoo. No, make that an INCREDIBLE petting zoo.

Note to self: Don't attempt to feed the ostriches. They are bordering vicious when you have food in your hand.

Sarah bonded with a rabbit. . . until it bit her.

Sometimes a goat just gets where you're coming from.

Wendy got to ride a pony first (before Sarah) which turned out to be a big mistake because Sarah was freaking out that she wouldn't get a turn and was totally making a scene.

Then she calmed down.

I was a little doped up on Benedryl, after waking up with a killer head cold that morning. . . and that is not bunny pee on my shirt. Long story.

Sarah discovered where her "sleepy milk" comes from. She said, "My mommy had some of those for Wendy, but not anymore."

Sarah also bonded with the goats

Wendy only acknowledged the goats because they were blocking the slide.

After the food was gone, the goats just grabbed the paper bags and ate them, too.

. . .and they walked off into the sunset.

Cape Town Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from Cape Town that I am finally getting around to posting:

I swear this penguin saw Titanic. It stood in that exact spot in the infamous position for the entire ten minutes we stayed to watch the penguins.
Officially the nastiest ice cream ever.

Sarah actually enjoyed playing with her own family at the beach.

At the top of Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town.

Mad skills. (She gets them from me.)

Rock climbing on top of a mountain. Wendy was loving the adrenaline.

Who cares about real penguins and pelicans inside the aquarium when you can ride these ones outside??? (Sarah got her nice legs from me, too.)

One of those real penguins.