Just cos they are so cute,...

Some pics

As you can see we have installed a new swing. It's not for the faint-hearted though - mind you Immy doesn't fit into that category.

It is the first week of term. We had a great two weeks holiday. Ian was at home with us as his business partner was away for a couple of weeks. It was great actually seeing more of Ethan as there was no rushing off to kindy every morning. We had glorious sunshine every day for the second week - lovely winter weather. We caught up with friends and enjoyed a mid-winter christmas dinner at the Bundys.



Daniel has been giving us lots of smiles. Much happier with the reflux drugs.

Matariki - Maori New Year

Last week we celebrated Matariki at Ethan's kindy. The kids performed waiata - or songs in Maori wearing traditional costumes which they had made. Ethan was great and had learnt all the words and actions.










We then had the Kapa Haka group from the neighbouring intermediate school to perform. They did a pretty scary haka which was Ethan's favourite bit of the whole day.

Bye bye nana and gramps

We farewelled the grandparents last night. And so we lose our official photographer of the last few weeks. Here are a few more photos from their trip. We have had a few milestones - Ethan's first soccer practice and game (for which he got new shin guards and football boots which i think were more exciting than the sport itself) - and Immy is getting used to a big bike but can't as yet use the pedals. She is immensely proud anyway. Ian has been getting involved refereeing and coaching the 4 and 5 year olds and has been really loving that. It all happens in the park just 2 minutes round the corner which makes the 8am start on a saturday morning a bit easier to handle!

It's a boy!

Daniel (as he is currently known) was born at 9.45pm on sunday. His parents enjoyed a relaxing morning and afternoon at the hospital - watching DVDs, knitting, reading books and napping - followed by several hours of blooming hardwork and intense pain. Still, we are glad he is here and healthy. His kidneys seem to be fine for the moment but hewill be scanned again next week.

Playhouses - and spa!

Ian has all but finished the playhouse. I haven't got a photo yet of the completed deck and balustrade but below are some photos of the work in progress with his little helpers.

You will also notice a spa in the background. Ours for just two crates of beer and some minor fibreglass repairs. Just have to figure out where to bury it - then there's the fence, the consents, the drainage the electrics and the pump. Nice one Ian. Apparently I lack vision.





Immy has been getting very into role-playing recently. She came to find me the other day to open the tub of ice cream for her. She had got it from the freezer on her own - and shut the door - but couldn't open it. She took me into the house to show me the blanket she had laid out for her toys - Misha, doggy and pusscat - who each had a cone and were waiting for their ice cream. I managed to persuade her that they had to eat their pasta first and we should put the ice cream away.

St Patrick's Day - love it!

We had a party last night in honour of St Patrick. Ethan was very confused as he thought it was a party for our little friend Patrick. I explained that Patrick lived many many years ago but was dead now. That was fine until half way through the party when Ethan asked when Patrick was coming. I asked which Patrick he meant and he said the one that died! Still a few things to work out there obviously.

We had a great night with about a dozen families joining us for sausages, drinks and nibbles. Gorgeous sunny evening too although not too hot as it is defnitely autumn here now.

Sarah and Ellen from church provided the music with Sarah's daughter Hannah getting involved with a bit of Irish dancing.

Butterfly Creek

Ethan had a fabulous Kindy outing to Butterfly Creek the other day. Ian went as a parent helper and I think he had more fun than Ethan! The kids have been learning lots about butterflies at kindy. They had lots of caterpillars and swan plants and watched over a dozen monarch butterflies come out of their chrysalli over the past few weeks. So the butterflies at butterfly creek were one attraction but the crocodiles were even better!

They had two saltie crocodiles from Queensland, Australia. One was about 40 years old, 4.5m long and weighed 450kg. Apparently they don't stop growing and can live to 150 years old. Talk about a dinosaur!

Immy's first day at pre-school

Miss Immy started pre-school today. She seemed to have a very good day with no tears when I left or throughout the day except once when she fell over. It is a lovely little school with very nice teachers and of course it helps that her little friend Tio goes.

She is holding a marshmallow as she got one for sitting well to have her hair put up. Our system of rewards and incentives for good behaviour has backfired somewhat with Immy as at the moment she will only obey us if there is something in it for her! We obviously crossed the fine line between incentives and bribery.

She came home happy but exhausted and promptly fell asleep on the sofa. Just in time for me to take a work teleconference call from home.

For the interested grandparents the pre-school is run by Kidicorp


Ethan and I had some time together after kindy and had a picnic lunch followed by ice cream at the ice cream parlour. He then got to watch me getting some blood taken to test for iron levels. He was fascinated by the needle but was very worried that he was next!

still here ....

still a busy time for us. Ian has started his new contract and my exams are one week today. I am now 32 weeks pregnant which is hard work in the heat! I am working 3 days a week which means air con and lots of sitting down, but I do find the work itself more stressful in "this condition". Not long to go now though.

I had my first full day with the kids in ages today. Ian has been with them full time weekends and all for a long time to allow me to study. I had a lovely day. We did have a bit of an incident at the playground though. Ethan was going really high on the big swing and decided to let go and adjust his hat just as I gave him another big push. He went flying up in the air and landed on his upper back and neck. Fortunately it was a fairly soft landing and i think he was more shocked than hurt. He was soon back to normal but quite a shock for all of us.

I got another job ticked off the list today too - passport photos for our NZ passports. Ethan looks quite cute and very grown up. Mine looks like a police photo on a DUI charge (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol)! Fortunately we have them for just 5 years here.

Big news of the week though was my Dad's wedding. He and Ilona got married on the 5th February. That makes 8 grandparents for the kids (3 n. irish, 4 english and 1 australian)and 3 new step-siblings for me!

Immy's second birthday - the party food