Mommy-Daughter Holiday for Easter

Kaelia at Hollybrooke Farms

Taely at Hollybrooke Farms

Justin flew out to Boston to run the Boston Marathon this weekend, so the girls, Meeka, and I had a lovely mommy-daughter holiday in Hartebeespoort - a touristy lake/dam just an hour away from Joburg.  We stayed at Hollybrooke Farms where we had a very nice chalet with a small yard and trails that led to a nearby river and waterfall.  It was beautiful!  On the first day, the girls even attempted to cross the river over a pile of rocks.  To no surprise, Taelyn ended up falling in and doing a little swimming!

On our way to Hollybrooke Farms, we stopped at the Snake and Animal Park where the girls and I saw lots of snakes, monkies, lions, tigers, and birds.  We even got to watch a snake and seal show in the center arena of the park.  The girls ended up liking the chameleon the best, though, because it looked like Pascal from Tangled.

Saturday was a fun-filled day that started with riding ATV's through the trails at Hollybrooke Farms.  Kaelia started on and ATV with me while Taelyn rode with a guide.  Then we switched halfway through.  Both girls loved the ride; Kaelia especially liked the cows that we passed, and Taelyn liked when we went fast on the flat roads!  Once we got back on to the driveway of the farm, both girls rode with me - Kaelia in the front and Taelyn in the back so that Kaelia could "drive" us home.  She loved it.  Later on that day, we all decorated Easter eggs and got ready for the Easter bunny to come.  Both girls made the Easter bunny a picture, placed their eggs in their baskets, and went to bed excited to see what would happen the next morning.

Selfie of the Easter Bunny

Looking to see if the Easter Bunny 

brought eggs.

Easter morning was interesting without Justin around.  I had to get outside early in the morning to hide the Easter eggs because no one was there to distract the girls.  So I woke up at 5:30 am, hoping that the girls would not get up too early.  Then I had to climb out of my window because the girls' beds were in the living room, right in front of the only door!  On my way back in the window, I suddenly heard, "Mommy, what are you doing?" and found Taelyn staring at me, halfway out the window.  Luckily, she thought I was looking for the Easter bunny and got so excited about finding her basket and eggs, that she didn't investigate the matter further.  When Kaelia woke up, they both searched for their baskets in the chalet.  They both got some coloring supplies and activities, books, and chocolate.  Then we all ventured outside, looking for eggs.  Kaelia went straight to all of the easy ones that were in plain view while Taelyn skipped all of those, hoping to find the ones in more difficult places.  In the end, they shared all of their findings and had a great little hunt.  We ended the morning with some Easter pancakes and prepared for the day.

Next, the girls rode ponies at the farm where they worked on their balance.  Then we headed out to the Aerial Cableway in Hartesbeespoort to take a cable car up the mountainside.  At the top, there was a great playground, bouncy castle, pizza shop, and bar - perfect for all of us to enjoy, and the perfect way to spend Easter!

On our final day of the holiday, the girls and I drove him and made a quick stop for a game of mini golf.  We had such a wonderful time together, and it was nice to get away with all the girls in the family!

 

Create your own scrapbooking design