Holly's new home

Holly has fully adopted us - and very much part of everything that she can possibly be.  Personality-wise, very social cat, likes to hang out with people, but very much on her own terms (is having a nice sleep on the desk here as I type, right next to the keyboard).  As cats go, pretty greedy, hyper-inquisitive, and very keen on hunting.  Anything.  If she lived in my parents old house in Pretoria she would have been a four birds a day cat (and consequently highly unpopular).

6am get-up for Aiden's football match on Saturday morning.  Very cool now, must have a bit of media with your breakfast cereal when no one else is around... the cat watches hopefully, thinking of its gut - one of its organising themes.  Still, much less greedy or food enslaved than a dog.  Dogs have a definite weakness in that regard.

This is from a couple of weeks ago.  Noticed that she was getting into helping Ev with a bit of homework.

Messi shows his true affections.  Giving a sleeping Holly a nice cuddle and tummy rub; supernice soft fur to bury your face in.

Sunday morning a while back, helping Ange unpack the dishwasher.  

Taken from outside - Aiden who's supposed to be showering, getting sidetracked by a little cuddle opportunity upstairs on our bed.

Other days, sort of recently

At the moment the BIG thing - the thing that you cannot not discuss - is football.  If you call it soccer, a long and annoying conversation ensues.  The brothers (and Evan's friend Max) are purists, and have in common that their sole career plan is the very simple one of "be one of the people playing in the british premier league".  Duh.  This is such a good example of parents having like wtf no idea - wanting one to learn times-tables or how to write.  This is why you are suffering; doing an office job when you should have just played in the premier league.

In the team coach - just check how luxurious it is, now that we are british premier league okes

Aiden blazes down the wing - goalie in the top corner getting itchy feet - the mom on the side bag is .... wtf?!? ... not realising that she is pitch-side BPL!?!?!! .... moms are soooo clueless.  

In between the stadia and the crowds, I managed to slip away fishing with Simon and Jordan and Courtney a couple of times - the summer hung on forever with its heavy-heat humidity - even the sea a lazy sweaty green.

Doosie (should be the SA word for the selfie) but nice because Sheung Sze Wan is in the background.

First match in his new team



The best part of the story below, is Evan's account of it, written as part of his homework (in which he had to provide an account of something that he'd done that was out of the ordinary for him; all of what follows is true - needless to say it was a less than perfect night's sleep for all).  Here it is:

On Saturday I had a football tournament I was very nervous. That morning I woke up at 5 am and vomited then I got even more nervous. When I got there I had no idea where to go then I saw my coach. I did not know anyone but I saw a Dylan who I knew who is in another school. When we did training I met one person called Aiden. We were not friends at the start but we became friends. Just before we played we did a 5 minute warm up. I played Goalkeeper. In Goalkeeper training there was one other person called Sebastian he was my first friend in squad he was kind.

 

When the games began we played football club team 1. Aiden said they were one of the best teams, we tied with them 0-0. Our last game was the bowl final the score was 1-0 to us we won the bowl.

Looking so cool in his purple kit (and, as he'd point out, matching gloves and boots)

Shot coming in ... there was action a-plenty and he did so well - pulled off some killer saves (parents suffering from the anxiety of having a kid who is sort of solo and last line of defense - can't watch half the time).  Love this pic, shows the weirdness of the Hong Kong setting, and delightfully, Aiden who came to watch, behind the net in support.

Close-up action from behind the net, another shot coming in.

Collecting the silverware afterwards - always a nice way to end (but even more delightfully, while being hyper-competitive, afterwards it does not seem a massive issue for him, appears to enjoy himself thoroughly irrespective; the delight of intrinsic reward).

Midweek Mils beach for a braai