Water park

We went to this lovely water park while on holiday. It was filled with very quaint water machines made from all sorts of bits and pieces, and with a wonderful disregard for any workplace health and safety regulations.

Coromandel Town

We stayed for 4 nights in this renovated shed - it was very quaintly done up inside and a great place for the kids. In these photos you can see the shed, the tramp, the sandpit (a big white boat), the covered bbq area, and the rope climb.

Miranda Hot Springs

On our way to Coromandel town we stopped for a picnic at Miranda and took a dip in their hot springs pool. It was very warm, just like a hot bath. Afterwards we treated ourselves to an obscenely large serving of the best hot chips ever. Really.

Muriwai Beach

We had an explore around Muriwai Beach, a lovely black sand beach with lots of rock pools and a huge gannet colony. The gannets were amazing, but a bit whiffy.

A conversation with Josephine

L: Here are your undies. Can you put them on?
J: No. I want to wear a nappy.
L: You are too big to wear a nappy. Here are your lovely pink undies.
J: What about a pull-up?
L: Don't you think undies are better?
J: (voice quavering and getting higher) Pull-up! Pleeease!
L: Okay, here's your pull-up.
J: I want the one from the car.
L: This one is exactly the same. But if you want the one from the car, go and get it.
J: No thanks, I'll wear undies.
L: Right. Here they are. Can you put them on?
J: Can you help me?
L: Sure. I'll hold them, you put your legs in.
J: No. I'll hold them and you put my legs in.
L: Actually it will be easier if I hold them and you put your legs in.
J: No! You put my legs in!
L: (after a brief struggle) Okay. Your legs are in. Pull them up now.
J: NO! I want to put them on all by myself! (Pulls undies off)
L: I'll leave you to it.

Charlie

Christmas Pudding

It has been a Christmas tradition in our family for ever to have a pudding made from an old recipe, perhaps originating with Grandma Fletcher, my great, great grandmother. I have never made the pudding before, but was gently encouraged by some of my nearest and dearest to "stop being wimpy, and MAKE THE PUDDING!"

I am all for keeping traditions alive and so made a big deal of it with the kids - described how old the recipe was, and how special it is to do things that connect us to our ancestors, and so on and so on. So it was with great enthusiasm that the girls and I tied on our aprons and proceeded to make what Charlie was by now calling "that ancient cake." See how diligent we were? How precise?

Finished product. Blah!

This shot actually shows the pudding at it's best. Still cradled in its wrapping, the pudding's propensity to fall apart and ooze brown water is not clearly demonstrated here. It was...hmm, I'm searching for a word...disgusting? sodden? slimy? Let's just say it was inedible.

Christmas day pics

Duck in the Manger

Our nativity play on Christmas eve this year was hijacked by a large yellow duck.

Christmas performance

Before Christmas the girls put on a spectacular performance - Grace was the director and dressed the girls in their best dresses and decorated their faces with unique and ah, attractive magic marker designs. Then they were off to practice their dance to "Jingle Bells." Josephine was proving to be a difficult cast member, and there were some raised voices and eventually tears. When Grace came to me to insist that Josie could no longer be in the show, I told her there would be no show unless they could find some way for Josie to be a part of it. "And make it age appropriate," were my last words.

That evening the show opened. There were seats for the audience, and Ted's bed thoughtfully placed where he could observe in comfort. Josephine's part was to continuously circle the dancing Jane. She performed her role with grace and gravitas. Bravo, Gracie!

Summer is here!

Well, summer has been gorgeous so far - paddling in the pool, cubby houses, gardening (note Josephine is wearing my gumboots here), sandcastles at the beach, picnics in the park, painting stones in the backyard and light sabre fights on the deck. And lots (and lots) of reading! I love the break from routine. Four lovely weeks still to go!

Christmas tree

I have been meaning to blog for ages about our Christmas here in NZ, but for some reason my computer stopped 'recognising' my camera, so there is a big backlog of snaps to upload. Here we are, more organised than ever, putting up the tree on December 2nd!

Christmas 2009

Greetings!

We have had a fantastic year in 2009, culminating in a beautiful Christmas season. We have enjoyed school, kindy, work, our ward and neighbourhood. New Zealand is full of lovely people and scenery. A nice place to visit, even nicer to live here. Sometimes we feel like our lives are overflowing with good things and people. We are blessed to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus all those years ago. His birth ushered in so many wonderful blessings and opportunities for so many, including our little family. We feel close to our family here and overseas. Thank-you for your love, kindness and examples. Yes Charlie, team is everything.

With love,
Rich, Laura, Charlie, Grace, Jane, Josie and Ted

Little ladies

NZ Breakers vs Cairns Taipans

Rich and Charlie went to see the Breakers smash the Taipans. Yay!

Dutch Dinner

We went out to dinner at a Dutch restaurant in Greenhithe - it was lovely, and had a great outdoor space for the kids to play. Everyone loved the milkshakes.