Charlotte approached the international departure gate and was approached by someone waiting for her. She turned to smile and wave us a good-bye. I was aware of her Daddy saying, ‘Can I have a hug?’, whilst I grappled with young two-year old Alice in my arms – who was determined to make a run through […]
Charlotte
The Gallery | Movies
I can’t wait for the world premier of ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ in Wellington, on 28 November 2012. I vividly remember the buzz in 2003 when the red carpet was rolled out along Courtenay Place in Wellington to welcome the stars of ‘Return of the King’. At the time we were good friends with […]
My Monday in photographs & World Photography Day
Sunday was ‘World Photography Day‘ (but I didn’t know that then – I found out on Monday). I am no ace photographer, but I love photography and seeing the world through different people’s eyes. I only used to take holiday snaps but, with the digital age and having children on the opposite side of the […]
Things I’m Loving… News with a silver lining
There’s a hint of spring in the air this week in Wellington and it’s something to love. This time last year it snowed in Wellington, a once in fifty year event. At Wellington Zoo, vets took care of an Emperor Penguin discovered on Peka Peka beach, a very long way from home. It seems the […]
Wet Wednesday in Welly
Scorching Bay in the rain – Some may say it’s not the same – But for those of us young at heart – Dancing in the rain is just the start. In Welly a rainy day, without wind, is special – It’s a Dr Seuss day of Up for Umbrellas! But hands free is better […]
10 things to do in the winter sun on the beach
Draw a giant snakes and ladders games in the sand and play with pebble markers. Make a dice substitute by drawing six rings in the sand (with number 6 in the smallest, centre ring, and number 1 in the largest, outside ring). Choose an object to throw at the rings to score (could be a […]
Alice takes a ride on the Wellington Cable Car
One of the ‘must do’ tourist activities in Wellington is to ride up the Cable Car from the ‘golden mile of retail’, Lambton Quay, to the sweeping panoramic view of the harbour city from the top, in the Botanical Garden. I’ve ridden this cable car with my children numerous times, but around the age of […]
Things I’m Loving: Winter colours, fun with my girls & celebrating!
Loving the colours of the winter sun reflecting on the waves rolling in at Lyall Bay on Wednesday evening… And this photograph, my oldest daughter – Charlotte – took, of a plane circling into land at Wellington airport. I love the billowing clouds tinged with the pink and purple colours of the setting sun. Love […]
The Photo Gallery: Hands – on a jar of Kiwi Marmite!
Like her mother, she loves it with passion – only I grew up in England, eating Marmite of a different nation. This is Kiwi Marmite, home grown in this land – The real monty for a Kiwi born girl. Sad truth is, the New Zealand factory – was destroyed in the Christchurch earthquake. News of […]
Three sisters, one perfect Monday afternoon & a chocolate fish
Being woken at 5am by my two year old, Alice, after a late night travelling between France and England in the 1400’s, isn’t easy (though, thanks Philippa Gregory for the escapism). I lay on the sofa, trying to sleep, hoping the ‘Peppa Pig‘ DVD would suffice to keep Alice from demanding too much attention. By […]
A natural tribute to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Here in New Zealand we are grateful to always have the first Monday of June as a public holiday, to celebrate the Queen’s Official Birthday. It is our last public holiday till the end of October and before we rug up proper to face three months of winter in windy Wellington. Traditionally, we’ve often been […]
Things I’m Loving & Rounding Up Photo a Day MAY 23 – 31
LOVE the surprise of a huge pile of sand on the beach (that appeared literally over night down at Lyall Bay). Photo a Day MAY | 25th | UNUSUAL LOVE seeing Charlotte and Sophie team up and learn to play a few tunes together on their recorders (which were a Christmas present, at least two […]
Notes from our Home School Journal, 25 May, 2012
We’ve had a really industrious week. A little planning on Sunday really helped everything flow this week (and the great weather has definitely helped with a positive outlook!). But though I planned ideas for different learning areas – I kept entirely flexible – gauging where there was interest and pursing only when I saw that […]
Learning, rock pooling & something ‘PINK’!
This morning we were greeted to sunshine, blue sky and no wind – late autumnal weather of the finest kind. After an hour of on-line work (Sophie has been checking out K12 online school and doing some free trail lessons), we closed off the electronics and headed out the front door for some fresh air […]