Summer holidays with the Szabos

There's something really awesome about people you really like moving half way around the world and driving half way across the country to join you for the holidays.  At least that's how I see it when the Szabos decided to take an international job transfer to South Africa and join us for the summer holidays- those in December and January that is.  They arrived with holiday cheer and bearing loads of gifts from the homeland.  The kids had waited months to receive their gifts and the excitement ensued.  Toys from grandparents, all our favorites of all things American, and best of all was their visit - the icing on the cake!

Star Wars toys from DeeDee

The Szabos had been in the country all of a month - so we were excited to show them all of the wonderful treasures to be found in Durban.  Of course all of our beach plans were delayed due to rain - but we found loads of fun in spite of it.  A day spent at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping was full to the brim - Science Center, surf shops, chocolate bar and shop til you drop.  Then a lovely dinner party or two to meet some of the Durbanites.

New Year's Eve was celebrated with an evening of appetizers and games.  Our new addictions for the new year:  Monopoly Deal, Set, Left Brain/Right Brain and lots of really funny, stupid movies.

After we stuffed ourselves full of all the sweets and savoury we could eat, we decided to write down our 2011 resolutions.  They were all anonymously written and then read out loud.  One of them said they wanted learn to ride a bike - hmmm - that could be mine.. (spoiler alert - resolution achieved!) but it wasn't!  One wanted to get no demerits at school.  Mine was to be more adventurous with my family.  After we toasted with sparkling juice and champagne to a wonderful new year then someone had the brilliant idea of a synchronized jump in the pool for a midnight swim.  (Sans a couple of party poopers including not so adventurous moi!)

After the kids went to bed we were hoping to find some really cool international celebration of the New Year to fill our desire to watch the ball drop in the Big Apple.  Unfortunately only Swaziland was broadcasting a New Year's Eve special and it was anything but special. :-0

The rest of the week was filled with water slides in the rain, Megamind, all you can eat sushi, FINALLY a beach day, date night with Indian food and of course topping it off with MOYO's!