after the "party!"

This is how I found Zara this afternoon when I went to pick her up from her afternoon nap...

I had taken her dress off before nap time as she had spilt some water on herself during lunch, but I had very definitely put her in her grow bag (as I do everyday in winter) to keep warm. She obviously was not quite ready for her sleep so she kept herself entertained with all her soft toys in the cot. The toys are usually sitting neatly at the top and bottom of the cot so she can see each one. The little soft lamb that's at her head, usually sits on the edge of the cot "looking over her" appears to have become a pillow. As you can see, she even managed to undress the Barbie doll. Poor old Noddy was tossed out the cot with "his" dummy and Barbie's dress. She also took off her grow bag and put it down next to her and also managed to get her arm out of her vest before finally "collapsing".

Its moments like these that I wish I could have been able to watch her playing...

When I went into her room, she was still so fast asleep: I managed to take the photos, sort some books out and finally pick her up and cuddle her a little before she finally woke!

climbing

Today Zara and I were playing outside with Mirriam when she decided to "tackle" the jungle gym on her own. Although she is fully capable of climbing up the slide and then sliding down - due to winter and being fully clothed and therefore having less grip on the slide, she hasn't done it for a long time and has therefore preferred using the little slide she inherited from the Atkinson cousins instead. Mirriam and I were actually chatting when I turned around to see her climbing the ladder next to the slide. She negotiated each rung with caution and then st on the platform as pleased as punch. On her third go, I ran to get the camera, so at least Mirriam was there to catch her if need be...

Guess we going to have to keep a watchful eye for more climbing antics as her confidence grows!!

a few of my favorite things...

This morning whilst I was drying my hair, Zara kept herself entertained with a few of her favorite things... Not too sure which of the three has a higher status over the other as they appear to all be her favorites. Noddy, who of course goes everywhere and a book (I have "read" humpty dumpty great fall" so many times I can't even begin to count) and in true girl style there is also the telephone - just in case someone decides to call...

Cheeky Chops

"a picture paints a thousand words"

Noddy...

Zara has been absolutely besotted with Noddy so today we took her to watch the Noddy production at The People's Theatre in Braamfontein. She was very good and sat on either my lap or Chris' lap for the entire show, which was an hour and a half long. We bought her a Noddy doll and she held on to him the whole time too. At one point it all got quite noisy and she said "big fright, Mommy, big fright". I thought it might be the end of her concentration but I just cuddled her and she settled down again. I must say that I was a bit disappointed by the "modernisation" of the show and would have preferred a truly traditional play but Zara thoroughly enjoyed it all and that's what counts. Tonight after her bath, she was still enjoying her Noddy doll and even brushed his teeth whilst I brushed hers...

Babe in Boots

Today Zara insited on "wearing" my boots... I think the pictures tell the story rather well

Story time...

We had Lyn and Peter W for dinner last night. They had been to Kruger for the week and had a free nthe ight in Jozi so we fetched them after the rugby so that they got to see Zara. We tried to explain that Lyn was Grandpa's sister but I think that was a bit much for her to really understand. Never the less, Zara was delighted to have Lyn read to her before bedtime... We then got to hav a lovely time catching up!