Snuggler supreme

Nothing like Ted for getting the kids to wake up cheerful. If someone is having trouble opening their eyes, I call for my secret weapon. He prances in, leaps onto the bed and works his magic.

Back to school

Hooray! School has started again, and we are all refreshed and itching for action! Charlie is in Year 6, and is pleased to have the same teacher as last year, Miss Byers. She is cheerful and funny.
Grace is in Year 3, in a 3/4 composite class with Mrs Burnett. She seems great. Tomorrow Grace gets to bring in a "personality bag" with items that represent her. She has chosen the pink pony that Ruben gave her when she was tiny, along with the things she likes to dress the pony up in. (I feel bad that pink pony has never been named, for some reason.) She is also taking her music box with treasures from Joey in it, her piano book and the table easel that Grandma and Grandad gave her.
Jane is in Year 1, in a 1/2 composite class with Mrs Augustin-Cooper. She is very happy and settled already - barely glances at me when it is time to say goodbye - too busy planning adventures with friends.
Josephine is delighted to be back at kindy. She comes home totally caked in sand every afternoon, as she insists on making sand angels in the sandpit, and it all sticks to her suncream. I immediately hose her down in the shower, but sometimes that isn't enough and we really have to scrape the sand off. A marvellous exfoliation treatment four days a week.

Unusual

Josie was realy pleased with her pocket money the other night. When I went in to check on her, this is how she had fallen asleep...

Josephine, happy birthday!

Thank you to everyone who made Josie feel so special on her big day. It is amazing how being four can change a person. Suddenly it is possible to attempt the monkey bars, sleep without a pullup and contemplate trying icecream again. (The first taste, years ago, was so cold she has refused it ever since. I sometimes listen to myself begging her to give it another go, and wonder why!)She had a fantastic day and a lovely party with her friends Ashley, Sophie, Irene and Toby. Our friends the Nances also dropped by. Thanks again, everyone!

Piha

While Mum and Dad were here we took a drive out to Piha, a spectacular and somewhat wild beach on Auckland's west coast. It actually has its own reality TV show, Piha Rescue, because the surf is so treacherous. We didn't go in the water, but had a great time on the sand and on the rocks.

Auckland Zoo

We had a lovely day at Auckland zoo with Mum and Dad. The highlight was the gibbon. And spending time with Mum and Dad, of course!

Christmas

Here are a few photos from Christmas - finally downloaded!

Grace's Toy museum

Grace recently created a marvellous museum which presents the visitor with a comprehensive depiction of everyday life. We find dolls measuring each other for a sewing project, knitting, watching tv and all other kinds of activities. This display was intended to be permanent. What a shame that the dining table is required for other purposes.

Wainoni Park

Lately we have become really keen on Wainoni park. It has a great water feature, perfect for dipping toes in on hot summer days. Josie loves the water. At the end of each visit she annonunces with great pride, "I am totally sopped!"

Children

Aren't they lovely? We are so happy to be awaiting another! Tomorrow is the 20 week ultrasound.

Anniversary Present

Charlie gave Rich a book called True Green Kids for his anniversary. Here is Rich enjoying his new book. Thanks Charlie!

Anniversary dinner

Rich and I were given the best dinner ever tonight in honour of our 13th wedding anniversary. It all began when Charlie called a kids' assembly. The children got togehter and planned a wonderful evening of service and entertainment. The mood was set for a romantic dinner for two with a gorgeous table setting by candlelight. We were invited to the table by our waitress, Jane. She presented us with a detailed menu and took our orders. Rich chose the vegemite cheesy-bite toast, and I ordered the peanut butter toast. This was complemented by pineapple and mango juice and water.
The entertainment began with Josie doing some wonderful dancing and ribbon waving, accompanied by tuneful humming. Rich and I were almost finished our first course, when our chef Charlie delivered some beautiful fresh baked bread and yummy chicken courtesy of our neighbour, Cathy. We all agreed that this turned an already great dinner into a feast. Thank you, Cathy!
Grace then presented our waitress with dessert - juicy strawberries floating in bowls of water.
Altogether, a fantastic dinner and evening.
Thank you Charlie, Grace, Jane and Josie!

The tide has turned

This photo shows Charlie's first defeat of Rich at chess. Chess has become a bit of a craze at school, and Charlie is improving fast. So far he has managed to beat Rich twice, reach stalemate once, and demoralise Rich into conceding once. This gives him great pleasure. Yesterday he was devouring chess demonstrations on youtube while Rich nervously encouraged him to go and do something else. When there is no-one else around he will invite me to a "quick" game of chess. "What do you mean, quick?" I ask, and he grins wolfishly.

Junior Sports Day

Grace and Jane had a great time at their sports day. Jane turned out to be unexpectedly speedy.

Aah, Summer!

Lunch before church on a sunny Sunday.

Beauty Shop

Gonga, Purple Monkey and Pink Bear all have a bath and a makeover.

Holiday's End

I took this photo on the way home from the airport.

Children

City Park

Every time we come to Launceston we visit City Park. The kids love it, and photos on the canon have become a bit of a tradition.

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