Term time routines are all go here. The girls even have a dedicated calendar in the kitchen reminding us when their school library days are, what days they need to have trainers for cross country running, when guitar lesson day is for Charlotte and piano lesson day for Sophie (both new hobbies this term for […]
Month: February 2011
Night Poems: Lyrical Sunday Week 9
It’s Lyrical Sunday time! A poem from Grandma & Granddad in England, as well as 7 year old Charlotte, this week. NIGHT By ‘Chicken’ Grandma & Granddad in England Stars shine out, the moon is full When we go to bed at night We take a peep to see the sight Of dark – But […]
Things we love: Egyptian Toilet Roll Mummies
What better way to start a Saturday morning… Than with two children standing quiet and still for a few minutes… I did say a ‘few minutes’… didn’t take long for our Egyptian Mummies to break free… And we were resourceful with the toilet paper: – One roll is in a bag by my side to […]
Answering ‘What if?’
I knew when we first came to New Zealand that the land was geologically and historically young. The folds of the hills looked to me like the wrinkles of a new born child. As a geographer I knew all too well the physically volatile nature of New Zealand’s land. But the danger always felt distant. […]
In total shock
Our prayers go out to all those that have lost a loved one in today’s devastating earthquake in Christchurch. So many people are fighting for their lives tonight – with thousands more fighting to free them. As I lay with my children, reading and talking tonight, my thoughts were very much with the people of […]
Theme for Week 9 of Lyrical Sunday: Night
The theme for Lyrical Sunday this week is ‘Night‘. Charlotte was inspired by a poem she read in ‘School Journal‘ (Part 1. Number 2. 2009). Here’s the poem that has inspired this week’s theme. Can’t wait to read what you come up with! Come and link up on Sunday 27 February. Have You Ever? Have […]
Expressions from the beach
It’s been a few days of children’s Birthday parties, fun at the beach and the zoo. Sunday evening, before dinner, was the best of all… just us at the beach (I’m trying to stay focused on the magic and not the extra washing we brought home with us and sand in every crevice of the […]
The new Queen Elizabeth departs Wellington: Bon voyage!
The new Queen Elizabeth visited Wellington harbour today, gliding in gracefully an hour ahead of schedule as the sun was rising. It is the second-largest cruise ship to be built by Cunard, the largest was the Queen Mary 2, launched in 2004. We gathered in Seatoun to farewell her as she departed Wellington harbour, sounding […]
Under the Ocean: Lyrical Sunday (Week 8)
It’s Lyrical Sunday time and the theme is ‘Under the Ocean‘. Under the Ocean By Sarah Sometimes I wish I could hide in the deep, blue sea, And sit with an octopus for a cup of tea. Weighted down like an anchor I’d pour out my woes, Where my tears go unnoticed, dripping on my […]
Alice Rose is 1!
Where has this year gone? Happy Birthday darling! We love you so much. You came into this world with such open, loving trust. We are honoured to have you in our family and your sisters, Daddy and I love seeing the world anew through your watchful eyes. How fast you’ve grown! From a helpless newborn, […]
Togetherness
After six weeks of togetherness we farewelled Chinese Grandma & Granddad on Valentine’s Day. They dropped off Charlotte & Sophie at school and said a brave good-bye. In the afternoon, Dan, Alice and I took them to the airport and had one last coffee together. We don’t know when we’ll meet next, but hopefully it […]
Happy 38th Birthday to Daddy!
Saturday was Dan’s Birthday and it was made particularly special having his parents here. We had a full on, action packed day! Maranui for breakfast, croc biking along the waterfront, fun at the circus in the afternoon and a scoot at Oriental Parade with dinner at The Parade Cafe. Here’s a little video of the […]
Things we’re loving…
It’s been a busy week getting used to school being back, Alice walking and enjoying the last week of Chinese Grandma & Granddad being with us (they fly home on Valentine’s Day). Thankfully Charlotte & Sophie have LOVED school this week (makes for a very happy Mama!) and we celebrated the end of the week […]
Love Poem this Lyrical Sunday (Week 7)
It’s Lyrical Sunday time! With Valentine’s Day tomorrow the theme had to be ‘LOVE‘! Come and share the lurve with some prose. I was up at 6am this morning, with my little Alice Rose (she turns 1 on Wednesday!), and whilst the rest of the house slept in we took a gorgeous sunrise walk. She […]