“BYE!!!”, shouted The Munchkin at the departure gates of Cape Town International Airport on Monday afternoon. Only too happy to be in his father’s arms. All he wanted to so was go “up and down” the escalators. He didn’t give a toss that I was heading up to Joburg for the night and all of the next day to represent Parent24 at an event.
Nope, chopped liver over here.
“Mommy work! BYE!!!!” He is too used to me leaving, which is both a blessing and a curse; in that I know he’s not distressed about me leaving but it does make my mommy heart sad.
Joburg bound
Traveling like a grown up on my own.
But guys, I was SO looking forward to having a night to myself in a hotel room. No toddler to wake me up with his cries for dummy. No husband to wake me up with his snoring. No being squished in the middle of them. I had a whole bed to myself.
I also ordered far too much room service because my eyes were bigger than my stomach
This is what was left – let it be known that I skipped lunch that day and the veg option on the plane wasn’t appealing at all!
A mother’s dream right?!
But I missed lying next to my outjie as he drifted off to sleep. That time in the evening is precious to me because I don’t see him all day. And he gives the best cuddles, and those little arms wrapping around my neck just fill my heart.
I’m not going to lie though. I slept so lekker you guys. So lekker! But I missed my boys. I even woke up a couple of times purely because that’s what my body’s used to.
I went to the KFC Morning of Hope event where they spoke about their Add Hope campaign and the kids that they feed.
We're at the @kfcsouthafrica #AddHope event this morning!
#AddHope
I didn’t enjoy Joburg this time around. It was hot, and being from Cape Town meant I missed the beach something fierce.
The KFC Morning of Hope was such a lovely event though and I quite enjoyed it because it’s such a great campaign. They are helping 103 beneficiaries which translates to feeding 100 000 hungry children across South Africa.
The organization that we visited, Afrika Tikkun, provides a safe place for kids to do their homework along with the help of facilitators. They also get meals provided for them, because they often don’t get any at home. And have you ever tried studying on an empty stomach? It’s hard! I wrote my Matric in Ramadaan and the height of summer. I’m still surprised I passed Maths! So I can’t imagine what it must be like to have that be your reality every day.
The little ones at the creche get breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks; the older kids who come to the center for after school activities get a snack and a late afternoon meal before heading home. And no, they’re not being fed KFC. KFC just provides the funds. Each organization has a registered dietitian who makes sure that the kids are getting wholesome, healthy meals.
But when it was all done I was very happy to be heading home.
I had a window seat on the way back and the seat in the middle was empty so not only did I have a comfortable flight, I also got these amazing cloud shots.
Window seat this time!
Home in time for sunset 🙏
And home to this cuteness!!
But did you see how cute my child is?! My little helper! 💙💙 #RushdiLife
If you want to find out more about what happens to all those R2s you give when a KFC teller asks you if you want to Add Hope, check out my write up on Parent24!
I do these overnight trips once a month. I miss my daughter like crazy but i do look forward to the me-time I get.
That sneak peek of Table Mountain is such a wonder to see, you immediately feel at home!
Such exciting work you do Zayaan!
Nihaad – the little blog of STUFF
I actually thought of you as I took it! And also got scold out by the air hostess for having my camera on 😒