Now Charlotte’s four she’s not shy to speak her mind and it’s gorgeous to see her going up to people and ask a question (though sadly she isn’t always understood, so we have to stand by her side and translate – which clearly frustrates her, as she normally takes a few deep inhalations when this […]
Author: BritMumInNZ
Good Neighbours are a God Send
Returning home from morning Kindi, with Sophie drifting off to sleep, I had thoughts running through my mind of things to organise for Charlotte’s 4th Birthday tomorrow (and the party on Sunday). I was set on decorating boxes, tidying up the house and making sure Sophie got up to bed for a good nap. Charlotte […]
When the Sun Shines Get Out and Enjoy!
I grew up hearing these words and they are ingrained in my whole being, so much so that in my old office working days I would feel like a caged animal on a sunny day. In those days Dan and I would live for every weekend and tag our three week’s annual leave onto all […]
Getting Ready to Party!
We’re counting down to Charlotte’s 4th Birthday party and over the weekend we started creating some ‘enclosures’ for our Zoo Party (but they might come in handy to contain the multitude of guests Charlotte is inviting!). Fortunately we had a few large boxes left over from our house move last year so we’re going crazy […]
Matariki Story Place at Te Papa
Story Place at Te Papa has been heavily booked recently, with ‘Matariki’ being the topic of discovery. We were so blessed to have an ‘exclusive’ session with friends Marrisa and Bethany (out of luck, not connections). But then perhaps the Gods were blessing us for the numerous contributions Family Lee have made to Te Papa’s […]
Extreme Sports Start Early in New Zealand
Driving along Jervois Quay, Wellington, at a weekend it is difficult to keep ones eyes on the road when children as young as three are hurtling skyward on a Vertical Bungy. Today it was our wee Charlotte’s turn for an adrenaline rush. She proudly told the operator she was nearly four and he took one […]
Charlotte’s Boyfriends!
This evening, whilst paying for parking in town, one of my old ‘PIN Group’ (Parents in the Neighbourhood) ladies walked past with her delightful son, Samuel. Charlotte and Samuel gave each other a little hug after I said they used to play together as babies. As Samuel then climbed into his Mum’s car he called […]
Winter Solstice Snow
The view across to the Rimutaka Ranges from Te Papa this morning was breathtaking (though my photograph really doesn’t do it justice). Sophie and I enjoyed a lovely morning with our friends Marrisa and Bethany at the museum (Charlotte at morning Kindi now). With the Winter Solstice on Saturday 23 June Sophie thought a little […]
Childhood Memories: The Great Outdoors Wins over Technology
In a recent article in The Daily Mail – ‘Modern children miss out on greatest childhood joys: playing outdoors‘, research has shown that our happiest memories of childhood revolve around simple pleasures, such as building sand-castles and flying kites. This probably comes as no surprise to most, but when we look at the time most […]
Protecting Our House From An Earthquake
For the second time in the past fortnight Charlotte has ridden around the house on her bike, with kite string unraveling behind her, and fully ‘wrapped’ the house in a ‘trip-wire’. She tells me it’s to, ‘Protect our house in case of an earthquake’. Today she insisted we practice an earthquake drill, which consisted of […]
Charlotte’s Thoughts
Going to the Swimming Pool: Charlotte: Mummy, how do dolphins swim so well? Mummy: Well, they wave their tale gracefully to propel their body through the water. Charlotte: Mummy, if I had a ‘doo dah’ like Daddy I could wiggle that in the pool and swim better! Charlotte educating Daddy about dinosaurs on a hill-walk: […]
There’s a Kitesurfer at the End of the Rainbow
I remembered my camera today and the heaven’s blessed me with a rainbow! A wicked southerly was blowing at Lyall Bay and the kitesurfers braved the elements to get their thrills. The rain was cold as ice. The wildness of the weather added to the extreme excitement of watching this incredible sport in action. A […]
Wellington City Gallery Celebrating Matariki
Wellington City Gallery, set in Civic Square, is celebrating Matariki with a star making activity through till 30 June. Today we took the girls to create their own star for the cosmic galaxy. Charlotte flying her star: There are already some very creative stars on display and this activity is a wonderful opportunity for children […]
Kite Surfers Getting Close to the Stars this Matariki
It was a wild and windy southerly that greeted us this morning. We were all keyed up to participate in the various Matariki celebrations in Wellington City, but the comforts of home kept us from getting out of the door in time. We stayed put and listened to a ‘Celebrating Matariki CD’, which accompanied a […]