Letters to my Grandchild

Hello darling Emily - my BFF - my princess - special child - light of my life! On the 8th July 2008 I posted on your Blog a picture of the first doll I bought for you.  This is what I wrote:   I tried to feel you kick the other night but you were tired and although Tammy could feel you moving, I couldn't feel anything.    I am writing to tell you that I bought you a rag doll yesterday. Now, this might not seem like much but if is a first for me. I only had boy babies, so even though I bought Teddies and other toys, I've never bought Dollies before! It was quite exciting buying a doll. She is a sweet little rag doll with yellow hair and a cute dress. I made sure that I bought one with no buttons for eyes and no hard or loose bits that a baby can pull off or chew.  When you visited the other day we decided to have a 9 year birthday party for Raggedy.  We both dressed up and we had cold drinks and biscuits.  You shared yours with Raggedy. ...

 Hello my princess Emily! My lost suitcase finally arrived and I was able to give you the presents I bought for you in Spain - a picture book about Santiago de Compostela, a Camino t-shirt and two party dresses. You are learning how to play chess so I bought you a small chess set to practise with.  You played with Gumpy at our house using the 'Magic Table' chess board and you did really well. You are also doing pottery and this is a bunny that you made for your Aunt Candice. Jeff and Richard came to stay for a weekend to watch the rugby.   You were there to meet them at the airport. Jeff took the family out to dinner   At the rugby you got an autograph from the TV Sports presenter  After rugby we had a braai at our place. Gumpy and I went to your school sports day.  You took part in the star event.  Your house won!  We are planning a sl...

Hello darling Em, What a busy month you've had!  Swimming gala, drama, dancing, fancy dress, sports, uncle Steven came to visit .... phsew, every week was something!                               You were a girl from the country in your Wellies and straw hat.  And then you wore the lovely ethnic Zulu outfit Gogo gave you to a fancy dress You did well at your swimming gala  Uncle Steven came to visit and we all went out with Jeff and Gail, Denis and Rita,  Laura and Gavin to Chez Nous in Westville I had a small operation to my left knee to release a tight band called the ITB.  I can't dance with you or do taining walks for a few weeks but will soon be back to walking around the block with you.  Gumpie and I went to iMfolozi for a weekend.  While we were in the park the clutch on the X-trail came loose and we had to have the car towed...

Happy, happy New Year Emily Ann! I am wishing you a wonderful year, full of happiness, love, friendship, achievement and good times. It is 2017 and this year you will be 9 years old.  When I started this blog in May 2008 I did not imagine that I would still be writing for you 9 years later! You started school in a new classroom with a new teacher, only 3 girls and 9 boys in your class.  You have made new friends and still play with your old friends at breaks. You will join a drama class and will also continue with dancing on Saturday mornings as well as swimming, OT, Physio and remedial so you are going to have a busy year but much of it will be during school time.   Lucy has been you favourite 'Baby' for while now.  She has lovely clothes, can eat and wet her nappy.  In this photograph you look like a grown up Disco-Queen! You are looking forward to Kevin and Jackie will be visiting you guys next month with their baby Et...

Hello my darling, Every time I see you seem to have grown up a little bit more.  We didn't get to your Christmas concert this year but Mom sent me this photograph of you looking a grown-up model with lipstick!  Gorgeous girlie! We don't get to see much of you anymore.  From the time you were a baby until you started school we saw you nearly every day.  I used to push you around the garden in your pram and the rocking motion would put you to sleep.  When you started sitting and taking notice of things around you I would show you all the flowers and Strelitzia was almost your first word, followed by bougainvillea and Petrea!  You still love to play with the little 'helicopter' flowers, twirling them till they spin and float. In 2010 you started attending play-school across the road from our house a couple of days a week and we saw you regularly during the week.  Once you started pre-school, then Junior Primary with afternoons at swim...