The playhouse

The kids have done very well this year for outdoor presents. As well as the trampoline Ian has made them a playhouse. He is particularly proud of it as we haven't had to pay for any of it. All the wood has come from skips, abandoned pallets and friends' off-cuts.

Cornwallis

Christmas Day and BOxing Day were absolute scorchers! And before all you lot in the northern hemisphere pull out the violins, I have to say that is does take the gloss off Christmas a bit for me. I insist on having the roast dinner but it isn't quite the same in the heat. I think we will have to save the roast turkey for our mid-winter CHristmas dinners and go for the more Kiwi christmas of barbecued seafood, cold cuts and salads next year.

Today was bit more cloudy so we headed to the beach. One of our favourites - Cornwallis. It looks beautiful this time of year with the Pohutakawas in bloom.




We are still struggling to convince Ethan to go in the sea. He is happy crab hunting on the beach. Cornwallis has ripples rather than waves but he still finds it scarey. Immy on the other hand is straight in there.

Christmas Stockings

Christmas Trampoline

The big gift for the kids this year was a trampoline We put together all the leftover birthday and christmas money from all the grandparents to buy a massive 14 foot trampoline. The plan was to put it up on Christmas Eve but it didn't quite happen. We were both exhausted by the time we got the kids into bed. It was good fun though putting it up with them. It has a net as well but we couldn't keep them off it long enough to get it on before their first jump.

Christmas Dinner