More shots from Opononi Beach

Opononi Beach

We had a great holiday at Opononi over Christmas.

Charlie graduates from primary school

Charlie's graduation ceremony was fantastic. The year 6 students put on a play, performed dances and songs, and showed a movie they had created. Charlie starred in the movie, which was set 20 years in the future, showing how all the students were now grown up and coming back to the school to share their talents as police officers, school nurses, school inspectors etc. Charlie played the extremely lazy school caretaker.
Charlie's year included some of the last foundation students, who started in year one on the day the school opened.

New Tricks

Adam is really growing up - he is now up on his hands and knees, scooting around and eating solids with great relish. What happened to my tiny baby?

aah, Friday!

No homework, and tv privileges! Yay!

Takapuna Beach

While waiting for Grace's concert to start. Rich took the others down for a walk on the sand.

Grace's Christmas Concert

Grace sang in a concert to raise funds for World Vision. About 400 year 3 and 4 children joined in the choir. It was a fantastic night - well done, Grace!

Oh, for a book and a cosy nook!

Josephine joins the Squids!

Josephine recently moved up a level at swimming, and is loving it! She paddles and blows bubbles and kicks and bobs under the water while Adam sits patiently and waits...

More photos from the Thomsett's visit

at the park

Thank you, Thomsetts, for visiting us! We miss you!

Cousins

What is Guy Fawkes?

It's when stars of colours
zoom above our heads

It's when I can't sleep
with the Pop! Boom! Zip!
Wizz! Fizzle! Spark!

It's when I sneak a peek
of the starry sky.

by Grace

ow-weh!

It's quite amazing how our children manage to turn one syllable words into two syllable words. Ow becomes ow-weh! No becomes No-weh! This moment of pain was captured just as Rich set up a sweet family shot and Adam discovered a fascination with hair.

Complete 180

Today I woke up feeling tired. Will this boy ever settle down and sleep through?! I was also feeling somewhat bored - the baby/kindy/school routine is getting to me a little. Isn't it great, then, that Adam chose this day to complete his first unassisted rollover? It reminded me of when I was in the hospital when Jane was a baby and all I wanted was to be at home to share these small but amazing milestones. It reminded me that on days like these I need to count my blessings. They are many.

A Little Sponge

Josephine had her first school visit this week, in preparation for starting school next year on her 5th birthday. The school visit program is called "Little Sponges." She was thrilled to wear her uniform and participate at mat time, do some colouring, cutting and pasting, and get her very first reader to bring home and read to the family.

Carmping

We're not sure how this came to be. Charlie and Rich were playing orbit (totem or tether) tennis in the front yard on a beuatiful spring Saturday afternoon....when all of a sudden they beheld a quiet, dignified procession of little girls, blankets and pillows. Without any fuss or conversation they set up their sleeping positions and equipment, then settled in for an afternoon nap. Any chance for our neighbours to consider our family normal has now been lost.

In the Park