Ben's Birthday

Ben turned 4 yesterday. Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Below is a photo of him having his face painted by Amy. It's not every day that a 4 year old gets to have his face painted by the gorgeous beauty therapist wife of a Free State and soon-to-be Western Province cricketer! (Amy Hector and her husband, Benji, are over from South Africa for the summer: Benji captains the local Banbury cricket side and coaches cricket with Philip at school.) Thanks to Chris and Jan for the cool face paints!

Pirate & Princess Party Photo Gallery

Photos from left to right, top to bottom: Steph (the school's Kiwi Gap Student) led the party games, Anna couldn't wait to taste Jacque's famous carrot cake, Fi and Gill wisely taking some time-out to look at the honeymoon album, Pirates and Princesses gathered to listen to treasure hunt instuctions, Princess Abi and Princess Josie contemplating what it means to be Royalty, Searching for a scroll during the treasure hunt.

More Pirates and Princesses

For even more cute pics, check out the Adlards :

Photos from left to right, top to bottom: The adults look on during the treasure hunt, Amber scooting, Singing "Happy Birthday", Pirate Ben checking out his scrummy chocolate cake, Princess Isabella smiling beautifully for the camera, Party food means the treasure can wait!

Birthday Bash

Thanks to everyone who joined us this weekend for Anna (1st), Ben (4th) and Mel's (undisclosed) birthday celebrations:
Burger Braai on Saturday and "sleepover" on the top floor of our (ex-boarding house) home
Pirate and Princess party for the kids on Sunday morning
"Child-free" Sunday lunch for the adults at our local pub (while the little ones were left in the capable hands of the school Gap Students)

We had so much fun that the Fields refused to leave and the Adlards decided to turn around on the M40 heading home and came to spend another night with us!

Plans are already afoot for the next big weekend so be nice to us and you may crack the nod...

Checking out Ben and Anna's new climbing frame

Doing what South Africans do best!