Dad comes to visit

Back garden games

And we had 22 hours of Grandad - much looked forward to by little people. Dad arrived in CT for business and spent a night with us.
 
Jessica and Luke were thrilled and vied for Grandad's attention. Probably a good thing that we don't have 3 children as Grandad only has two knees (if he had three I might be a little concerned, actually, especially with genetics).

Singing happy birthday to Grandad

We had a belated Grandad-birthday celebration and ice cream cake, an important phenomenon in our household.

And cuddles galore...

There were lots of bouncing on knees, and giggles, and laughter, and ice cream, though I am sure Jessica and Luke could have had more ice cream... as most small people can, at any time of the day or night!

Then, once little people were down, it was cheese and wine and a marvellous time of catching up on the past few months. Plus jam tarts and beef stew for the cold winter night. We should definitely do this more often!

Early morning cuddles with Grandad...

Saturday was an early-ish start as Dad found out. Kids don't wait for the sun to rise here!

There was added incentive to get up too.

The SA Agulhas was in harbour and holding an open day. This is SA's icebreaker and supply vessel to Marion Island and Gogh, and also to our research base in the Antarctic.

So there was much excitement as we drove to the harbour to visit her, replete with snacks for kids and warm stuff for the icy wind blowing.

An extra bonus was the MTN Science Centre and some talks and of course the facepainting that accompanied it all.




I'm not sure when last Dad was on a SA ship since he was in the navy, but his eyes lit up and we kept finding him listening to experts in various corners of the ship. I was quite taken with the bridge, as was Luke who sat in the Captain's chair - I thought they had priorities sorted as there was a new and spiffy coffee machine tied down within reach of the Captain's chair. Now that's what I call foresight. Fresh ground beans at all times in easy reach.

Our icebreaker...

On the flight to the bridge

Did we mention we want to go to Marion for a few months??

The flight deck

Dad, me and kiddies with TM in the background

Looking directly at the hangar from the back of the ship.

Looking up at the superstructure...

Who's peering out that door?!

Dad ready to go to sea again!

All too soon it was time to wave goodbye to Grandad (tears from small people), but we're looking forward to Jessica's birthday soon and having both Mum and Dad back again in a month. Sometimes Jhb is too far, but at times like this we just enjoy every moment we have!