Thursday, May 06, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Home alone
I'm home alone with Tiago and Rafael, Antony flew to the States last night to visit his brother Peter. Peter is not doing well and needs all the prayers and thoughts he can get right now. Peter has a Pulmonary Embolism (in English he has a blood clot in his lung), read Laura's blog to find out more.
It broke my heart this afternoon when we arrived home and Rafael got all excited to see Daddy's car parked in the garage. He walked through the house calling "DADA, DADA" and then came to me with a very sad look in his eyes when he couldn't find his "DADA". Tiago has also being asking if he can go to North America to visit Robby, saying he loves his Dad and wants to be with him, where does that leave me........
Wishing Peter a speedy recovery! Sending lots of warm South African sun shine to brighten your day.
It broke my heart this afternoon when we arrived home and Rafael got all excited to see Daddy's car parked in the garage. He walked through the house calling "DADA, DADA" and then came to me with a very sad look in his eyes when he couldn't find his "DADA". Tiago has also being asking if he can go to North America to visit Robby, saying he loves his Dad and wants to be with him, where does that leave me........
Wishing Peter a speedy recovery! Sending lots of warm South African sun shine to brighten your day.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Priceless moments
The theme at school last week was pets, we don't have any pets (I know what you are all thinking) so we had to pose with Stella our neighbours Jack Russell. Tiago loves Stella and will often join her when she goes for her walks in the park and play fetch with her.
Antony wants me to cut Rafael's hair, but I can't bring myself to cut off those curly locks.....
Enjoying his dinner, or maybe not!
Is the Mohawk back in fashion???
Antony wants me to cut Rafael's hair, but I can't bring myself to cut off those curly locks.....Is this how you start potty training?????
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Our December Holiday update in February......
We managed to get away for 4 nights at the beginning of Dec, so this post is only 2 months late.
We stayed in White River so we were nicely located to go sightseeing all around. On our way we stopped at the Skerkfontein caves, I left the memory stick in the computer so I didn't get any photos. The next day we set off to do the Panoramic route and visited some of the many waterfalls, God's window look out, the Blyde River canyon, the potholes and last but no least the 3 rondavals. Day 3 we spent in the Kruger National Park and you guessed it we saw loads of wild animals including lion, rhino and elephant and as many impala as you want to see. Day 4 was very interesting we visited Chimp Eden were they have a number of chimps that have been rescued from zoos, abusive owners etc. Most of the chimps come from Sudan. The last day we chilled and drove back home with a stop in Witbank to visit the family. Fun was had by all!
Joao, 1 of the rescued Chimps:
Age: approx. 60 – 65
Rescue Date: April 2006
Ranked Position: Alpha male – juvenile enclosure 1
Joao’s Story: With his distinctive looks, Joao is the oldest resident at Chimpanzee Eden and could even be the oldest in South Africa. Joao arrived at the Maputo Zoo in Mozambique when he was 3 years old, left behind by a touring Circus company. At that stage he had a companion but soon after the war broke out in Mozambique, the war lasted for more than 30 years and Joao saw it from start to finish. His companion past away falling ill to an unknown virus leaving Joao in isolation from another chimpanzee until April 2006 when JGI South Africa convinced the zoo to release him to the care of JGI Chimpanzee Eden. Joao’s integration with other chimpanzees was not easy; he had a smoking and alcohol addiction which also had to be broken. The adult group did not accept him and he preferred to be with humans, taking every opportunity to attempt escape. Eventually the plan was formulated to integrate him with the infants that spent time adjacent to him in the quarantine. It was a match made in heaven, Joao preferred to be in this environment, which also one of the rehabilitation staff going in with him. This ensured that Joao did not want to leave the enclosure whilst he got used to being with other chimpanzees. He now enjoys being a ‘granddad’ to the infants and shares his parenting duties with two other males, Zac and Cozy.
Personality: Joao has a gentle but yet dominant personality. He does not tolerate disrespect from Zac or Cozy and attacks them when challenged. He enjoys being a ‘granddad’ to the infants in his enclosure and affectionately plays with them, whilst also breaking up any conflicting situation that might arise. He also disciplines the infants when they step out of line.
Summary: When Joao first arrived at Chimp Eden, he was entirely dependent upon humans and did not like to be inside the enclosure while his human ‘friends’ were outside. Although he still enjoys human contact, he now turns to Zac or Cozy for support. This is a good sign as he is gaining independence from humans and behaving more like a wild chimpanzee. Joao shows the characteristics of a true leader, taking care of the ones under his protection while not wasting too much time on displaying. Lately, Zac has been challenging his dominance. In response, Joao’s displays are increasing in order to maintain the alpha position. So far, Zac has not posed much of a threat to the experienced male.
Acceptance by group 5
Social interaction – Grooming 4
Social interaction – Playing 5
Tree Climbing 5
Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. 5
Foraging 5
Tool use - sticks 2
Tool use - stones 3
We stayed in White River so we were nicely located to go sightseeing all around. On our way we stopped at the Skerkfontein caves, I left the memory stick in the computer so I didn't get any photos. The next day we set off to do the Panoramic route and visited some of the many waterfalls, God's window look out, the Blyde River canyon, the potholes and last but no least the 3 rondavals. Day 3 we spent in the Kruger National Park and you guessed it we saw loads of wild animals including lion, rhino and elephant and as many impala as you want to see. Day 4 was very interesting we visited Chimp Eden were they have a number of chimps that have been rescued from zoos, abusive owners etc. Most of the chimps come from Sudan. The last day we chilled and drove back home with a stop in Witbank to visit the family. Fun was had by all!
Joao, 1 of the rescued Chimps:
Age: approx. 60 – 65
Rescue Date: April 2006
Ranked Position: Alpha male – juvenile enclosure 1
Joao’s Story: With his distinctive looks, Joao is the oldest resident at Chimpanzee Eden and could even be the oldest in South Africa. Joao arrived at the Maputo Zoo in Mozambique when he was 3 years old, left behind by a touring Circus company. At that stage he had a companion but soon after the war broke out in Mozambique, the war lasted for more than 30 years and Joao saw it from start to finish. His companion past away falling ill to an unknown virus leaving Joao in isolation from another chimpanzee until April 2006 when JGI South Africa convinced the zoo to release him to the care of JGI Chimpanzee Eden. Joao’s integration with other chimpanzees was not easy; he had a smoking and alcohol addiction which also had to be broken. The adult group did not accept him and he preferred to be with humans, taking every opportunity to attempt escape. Eventually the plan was formulated to integrate him with the infants that spent time adjacent to him in the quarantine. It was a match made in heaven, Joao preferred to be in this environment, which also one of the rehabilitation staff going in with him. This ensured that Joao did not want to leave the enclosure whilst he got used to being with other chimpanzees. He now enjoys being a ‘granddad’ to the infants and shares his parenting duties with two other males, Zac and Cozy.
Personality: Joao has a gentle but yet dominant personality. He does not tolerate disrespect from Zac or Cozy and attacks them when challenged. He enjoys being a ‘granddad’ to the infants in his enclosure and affectionately plays with them, whilst also breaking up any conflicting situation that might arise. He also disciplines the infants when they step out of line.
Summary: When Joao first arrived at Chimp Eden, he was entirely dependent upon humans and did not like to be inside the enclosure while his human ‘friends’ were outside. Although he still enjoys human contact, he now turns to Zac or Cozy for support. This is a good sign as he is gaining independence from humans and behaving more like a wild chimpanzee. Joao shows the characteristics of a true leader, taking care of the ones under his protection while not wasting too much time on displaying. Lately, Zac has been challenging his dominance. In response, Joao’s displays are increasing in order to maintain the alpha position. So far, Zac has not posed much of a threat to the experienced male.
Acceptance by group 5
Social interaction – Grooming 4
Social interaction – Playing 5
Tree Climbing 5
Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. 5
Foraging 5
Tool use - sticks 2
Tool use - stones 3
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Yes, were are still here!!!!
Wow, it really has been a long time since I posted anything. It's been crazy at work and by the time I get home the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer again. The saddest part of it all is that I don't really have much to say......
I guess I'll give you an update on how the boys are doing. Rafael now has 16 teeth, only 4 more to go. He teethes really well, that sentence just does not sound right, but you all know what I mean. His vocabulary is limit to Mama, Dada, Ta (Give), Datha (Martha our maid) and Kayla (Micaela my niece).
Tiago is in Grade 0 this year and every morning he tells me that he does not want to go to school and then I think shame my boy you still have another 12 1/2 years of school left and 4 or 5 years of varsity so best you change your attitude.
I'm really excited to be an Auntie again. Laura and Peter are expecting their second baby on August 21st. Hopefully we can bring some pink in amongst all these boys.
I haven't really taken many photos, but I have realised that I didn't post any photos of the kids opening their Christmas gifts. Next post I'll share some of our December holiday photos.
Okay I'm giving up with loading the photos individually. I started downloading 2 photos got up changed Rafael's nappy, threw the nappy away, put Rafael down for a sleep, cleaned up somethings in the kitchen and toy room, got somethings out of the car came back 10 minuets later and NOTHING! So I'll load them as a slide show on photo bucket.
I guess I'll give you an update on how the boys are doing. Rafael now has 16 teeth, only 4 more to go. He teethes really well, that sentence just does not sound right, but you all know what I mean. His vocabulary is limit to Mama, Dada, Ta (Give), Datha (Martha our maid) and Kayla (Micaela my niece).
Tiago is in Grade 0 this year and every morning he tells me that he does not want to go to school and then I think shame my boy you still have another 12 1/2 years of school left and 4 or 5 years of varsity so best you change your attitude.
I'm really excited to be an Auntie again. Laura and Peter are expecting their second baby on August 21st. Hopefully we can bring some pink in amongst all these boys.
I haven't really taken many photos, but I have realised that I didn't post any photos of the kids opening their Christmas gifts. Next post I'll share some of our December holiday photos.
Okay I'm giving up with loading the photos individually. I started downloading 2 photos got up changed Rafael's nappy, threw the nappy away, put Rafael down for a sleep, cleaned up somethings in the kitchen and toy room, got somethings out of the car came back 10 minuets later and NOTHING! So I'll load them as a slide show on photo bucket.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Spending time at Avo's house
I'm not able to load the photos directly onto my blog, thanks to our great internet. So I have had to make a slideshow. I'll give a quick tour.
Tiago is now riding his bike nicely without too many falls.
I said I would never dress my kids the same..................
Rafael spent the day with Jaime at Avo Celeste's house.
I wondered what they discussed over breakfast.
When is Avo going to get a bigger pool.....just kidding.
Check out Jaime and Rafael as angels..........
Tiago is now riding his bike nicely without too many falls.
I said I would never dress my kids the same..................
Rafael spent the day with Jaime at Avo Celeste's house.
I wondered what they discussed over breakfast.
When is Avo going to get a bigger pool.....just kidding.
Check out Jaime and Rafael as angels..........
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Happy New Year!
Last year this time... no-one knew what 2009 had in store for us!
Some of us had BIG challenges,
some of us had BIG heartache,
some of us had BIG sadness....
But all of us had each other!
To the best people I have had the privileged of knowing
- here's wishing you the best for 2010!
May it be filled with happy days, new adventures and
more of God's blessings!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve......
My favourite time of the year! Family, friends, smiles, laughter and of course lots of food.......
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