Merry Christmas

December has been a very busy month. Lots of activities going on at school, playgroups etc. We have seen Father Christmas more times than I can remember. He arrived on a surf boat for the New Brighton parade, on a vintage fire engine at our neighbourhood party, and on a Harley at the Parklands party. We also watched the big Smith's City parade in town and he attended parties at playgroup, preschool, Matt's work and playcentre!!!! What a very busy man!
Joe's school sang carols at the cathedral which was lovely - didn't see much of Joe as he disappeared behind some taller children. We then took 200 children to Hagley Park and they ran themselves ragged until it was time to catch the bus back. More than one of them (my son included) managed to get soaked in the pool (in their uniforms) so were a little damp on the way home. We had sports day and a final assembly to attend too. Joe had a visit to his new classroom and teacher. He will go up into a mixed year 1 and 2 class and is a little sad to be leaving some friends.

Sandrine and Daren came to stay with us for a few days and it was fantastic to have them here. They didn't see Christchurch at its best as it chose that weekend to pour down! We did the tram ride through town, but didn't get off at any of the stops because it was raining so hard :( We did manage to squeeze in some activities including a show at the theatre and a fantastic meal out. They borrowed our truck for the day and saw Akaroa on a nicer day, and we fitted in the Antarctic Centre on the morning of their departure. We'll miss them - come again soon! As you can see from the pictures the boys formed a real attachment. Joe insisted that Daren sat next to him at all times! and even did the bedtime routine!
We had a little get together at our house for Ben's friends - secret Santa included! The children gathered round our tree (decorated by Joe and Ben).

Christmas was the usual busy affair. Father Christmas got it just right with the boy's toys (Transformers, Bionicles, Hot Wheels track, Lightning McQueen, Mack, Clone Wars DVD, Skateboard gear .......) so they were very happy. We then scooted up to Katherine's place for a houseful! We decamped to Woodend Beach in the afternoon and braved the sea for a boogie boarding session. Great fun.

Matt has a few days off between Christmas and New Year so we are staying busy. We headed to the skate park yesterday and today met up with the Ralph clan for another few hours at the beach boogie boarding. Much nicer today as it has been a balmy 25 C and the sea was blue! The ocean didn't seem so cold somehow! Then we are off to the thermal springs at Hanmer. Forecast is hot hot hot so we shall probably stick to the cooler pools!

So although we are not quite used to a summer Christmas, we did feel a little bit better prepared this year. The festive spirit was easier to assimilate because of all the kid's activities and the community parties. Still miss the Christmas lights! (The picture below was taken at Ben's preschool party, outside at about 8.30pm!)

Happy Christmas to all!

Milestone

We have been here a year!

We can't quite believe what we've crammed into the last 12 months, yet we are firmly settled into our everyday routines of work, school etc. We celebrated this milestone by throwing a barbecue for family and friends. (Apparently we have passed the Kiwi barbecue test).

Of course we really miss all our friends and family in the UK. We REALLY miss you and think of you, (and talk about you) often!

Kaikoura - Where the mountains meet the sea.

We have just got back from a glorious weekend away in Kaikoura. A couple of hours drive north from Christchurch and a totally different landscape. We stayed in a house that we shared with the Ralph family! Close to the beach (and the railway line) but handy for all the fab things to do in and around Kaikoura.
There were different highlights for each of us. Matt and Joe headed off whale watching for the afternoon (Ben was too small to make the trip). We had all got up at 6.30 am as the trip was due to leave at 7.15. However, the fog was thick and they were re-scheduled at 1.15pm (by which time it was blazing hot with a nice calm sea - perfect.



Matt took hundreds of photos (and a little video)
of the 3 sperm whales that they encountered. As well as seeing the whales, Joe was thrilled to be given a seat next to the Captain of the boat. He spent an hour there chatting to her and even got to 'drive' the boat!

Meanwhile Ben and I headed up the coast to explore some of the other coves and bays. It really is stunning!

We saw lots of New Zealand fur seals in the colonies that live along that stretch of coast. A really special experience was seeing 3 young seals that make their way up a rocky river to a waterfall and plunge pool. They rolled around and played in the water for ages - it was gorgeous. The new pups will be born in the next couple of months and their mothers take them up to this waterfall - perhaps we shall have to go back in the new year?

We also visited limestone caves, had some lovely meals out including the locally caught crayfish (Kaikoura means 'to eat (or eating) crayfish') and had a good time catching up. As a bonus, Matt and Chris amazed Anna and I by their thorough knowledge of ABBA lyrics as we watched Mamma Mia one evening!!

On our way home we all stopped for a few hours at Gore Bay. We had a picnic, basked in the sunshine and braved the chilly water. We are sorry it's Monday tomorrow!

Arrest Shock!

Photographed as it occurred -
3 boys arrested at New Brighton Fire Service anniversary parade.
After setting off the police car sirens and stealing a policeman's hat!


And just for those that like that sort of thing.....

Halloween

Bizarre! Halloween festivities in the sunshine and 'trick or treaters' in the light! (they were all really polite too!).
Ben spent the 2 days in the run up to Halloween dressed in a frog hat - lots of laughs from passers by. It was apt on the morning of the 31st because we had a 'green day' at playgroup.

The early evening was taken up by the twilight fair at Joe's school and then home for our first daylight Halloween!
Next stop - a late night Guy Fawkes ! A light show at the pier in New Brighton, followed by fireworks, which we plan on watching from our local beach.

Dolphins

Wow- we headed to Akaroa on Labour Day. Blazing hot and beautiful calm waters and got our best views of Hector's Dolphins yet!. (the world's smallest and rarest oceanic dolphin) It was just gorgeous!!!!! Both boys had a fab time running around the boat and were excited by the wildlife spotting. Just a few pics follow XXXXXXXX

Boing and the boy is....... still here

Kindy pictures

Many thanks to Malc and Annie who sent us the pictures of Joe's Kindy 'graduation'. In all the excitement I didn't use my own camera!

Spring holidays

What a busy fortnight!

We packed in a multitude of activities and I think Joe was glad to go back to school for a rest!
We visited the Antarctic Centre when it ran special days for Christchurch residents. The boys (including Matt) love the Hagglund ride and we saw the cute blue penguins of course. In addition Joe and Ben were fascinated by chainsawing artists creating ice sculptures. We were also able to explore 3 Antarctic heading aircraft, 2 US and One NZ Air Force - Kiwis DO fly!


We took a boat trip out to Quail Island and had a picnic on the beach there. A game of Frisbee and lots of climbing before the boat came to take us back. The harbour was like a millpond!

The children and I took a bus trip into town and visited the museum. We went into the Paua house which has been rebuilt inside the museum, but the highlight for the kids were the dinosaurs and the hands on children's area.
We went swimming on a couple of occasions and took Joe's friend Josh too. He also came with us to Orana Park - along with Ben's friends Josh (little) and Quin (and their Mums of course).What an exhausting day! I was tired - but the boys must have run about 3 times the distance!

We saw Hi-5 'Circus' at the Westpac Arena - 9 of us in total! The kids loved it! Unfortunately they had an interval - not the best idea in an arena full of small people! There was also lots of tacky marketing and we were lucky to escape with our purses intact!

Our other days were filled with a birthday party, catching up with the cousins, a barbecue at friends and outings to the beach. Luckily the weather was wonderful (apart from the afternoon of our Antarctic Centre trip when the howling southerlies were very appropriate).


Back now to the routine of school etc. Joe was excited about going back and has picked up with friends straight away. We have our first playdate with a school friend this week.
Ben is still emotional about going to preschool. He cries as we pull into the car park and has to be held by a carer as I wave goodbye. When I pick him up he is all smiles and takes me around to show me what he has done! He says he has had a lovely time!
He is chatting non-stop now although his pronunciation is not so clear. Joe was in hysterics this evening when he called the barbeque 'bird poo'! He is as active as his brother and they spend a lot of time leaping around. Ben loves his Jumping Bean classes and has now moved up into the 'runner beans'. The pictures show some of the things he was up to this morning,

Another first!

Last Wednesday Ben had his first session at preschool. He disappeared as soon as we arrived and got busy with the building bricks. He was happy to see Joe and I when we picked him up and said he had had fun. Friday went well too, so a really good start! He was thrilled about having his own bag and snack box and these have to be prised out of his hands!
Yesterday he was reluctant about being left and there were a few tears, but by all accounts he settled quickly and joined in well. Just hoping that it's a passing phase and that he will enjoy the whole thing.
I now have a whole 90 minutes (twice a week) without any boys. A luxurious time? in which, so far, I have managed to clean all the floors and go to the supermarket!
Joe's first couple of weeks at school have been good. He can never remember what he has done but according to his teacher he is performing well. No firm friends yet but that will come.

Joe's Party

Finally the much anticipated day arrived and we were relieved to have booked an indoor activity as it rained (all day). We lunched at Nana's and then took off to Clip n Climb at the Roxx!
A little training session and safety talk and they were away up those walls.

Ash and Indy were absolute naturals, reaching the top of lots of walls.

Joe had a fabulous time and was up and down like a yoyo (but lacked the courage to take the birthday boy 'leap of faith' at the end- (they had to stand on top of a tall pole and leap for a trapeze in the distance)).

Video below is of Joe - sorry about the neck twisting required................



Joe had 7 friends joining in the fun and they all had good goes - even the one who was scared of heights and the one who was trembling at the beginning. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and certainly worked those muscles hard.

Upstairs the cafe laid on tea for all the boys (and Indy) and then we did the cake thing - all done and dusted in 2 hours and no clearing up - now thats what I call a party!

Joe is 5 !

Joe turned 5 yesterday so things have been really hectic!
A very early start of course was followed by frantic present unwrapping and squeals of delight (also some very nice hugs!). The lucky lad got lots of lovely clothes sent from the UK - thanks to all. He also got a huge bean bag shaped as a rugby ball, Indiana Jones LEGO, knights and horses for his fort and some books.

Matt took the day off so that he could attend Joe's birthday celebrations at Kindy. At the end of the session the family are invited to join in. Joe had his birthday mat time where he was the centre of attention. He was able to choose the songs and sat on a throne wearing his birthday crown and even had a play-dough cake with real candles. The teacher went through his profile book and Joe talked about the things he had enjoyed, his friends and what he was looking forward to doing at school (learning to read and write and doing the Kapa Haka).
Presents were given to Kindy, his teachers and the children and then it was over! He has really enjoyed his time at Kindy, but is totally ready to start school!
Annie took some photos so I will add them to this post when I get them.

Nana came home for lunch and Joe was thrilled with the skateboard he received. Just a few minutes practise and he is zooming down the drive an jumping on and off - obviously a natural!
Matt took him to the cinema after lunch. They saw Clone Wars and Joe loved it. Then we went out into the city for our tea. He had a great day!


Today was his first day at school and he seemed pretty excited as we left. I managed to get a couple of photos of him tearing around the garden in his uniform. Ben wanted to pose too!

We dropped Ben off at Nana's so that Joe could have all the attention and when we got back in the car Joe said "Mummy, I'm really not quite sure about all this" - (like he had any choice). Anyway he was reassured and settled down with the other children readily.
At pick up time he came running out grinning and announced that he had had a 'fun day'. He headed off to the playground for 10 minutes and told us about the rough and tumble he had played with the other boys!
He is the Olympic reporter for tomorrow so we have had to prepare some information about a sport and a competitor. He chose Tom Ashley who won a gold for NZ in the wind surfing.
He is looking forward to going to see Ash and Indy for tea tomorrow after school. He wants to show them his uniform (and get his present of course).
We are now counting the number of sleeps until his birthday party on Sunday. More news after that!