Helping Others at Christmas Time

Every year the girls' school has collection boxes in all the classrooms that are collected along with many other local schools and businesses and the goods put together into hampers and delivered to the less fortunate for Christmas.
So today, the girls wanted to go shopping for their donations. They chose a toy or two each, some makeup for a teenager as that is what they are always short of, some Impulse and Kate chose new toothbrushes and toothpastes for kids and adults. Ella decided this was a great idea.
In the past Amie & I have volunteered our time after all the goods are collected and we sort them into hampers for families. It's a lovely way of helping out others. and the girls' really love taking part.

Jonah - update!

After 2 nights in hospital Jonah was discharged, never knowing what was wrong with him. Ruby started vomitting in the early hours of the morning following discharge so there was certainly something going around! Thanks for all the kind wishes. These photos I took when we visited him, he was such a little trouper not once trying to get out of bed in 2 days!

Sick Jonah

My poor wee grandson is sick in hospital. We are currently waiting test results to come back. It's so horrible when little ones are sick isn't it! Please remember us in your thoughts and prayers today. Thank you xoxo

Blogging Holiday

I have lots going on for the rest of this month, so I don't think I'll be around much until December. I'll try to pop in when I can but otherwise this is what we will be doing!

• First day of stage rehearsals today. Will need to pick the girls' up early from school. Finish at 9pm.
• Tomorrow - work for me
• Saturday dance classes as usual in morning, Finale practice in afternoon 3-4:30pm
• Monday - excursion with Ella's class to the Zoo, dance after school
• Tues - dance after school
• Day Two of stage rehearsals - 3:30pm to 9pm
• Friday - work then full dress rehearsal 5-10pm
• Saturday - dance class
• REST
• Monday - extra ballet class practise for 2 hours due to teacher being away
• Tues & Wed - concert nights, YAY

Also, I want to get a bit more Christmas shopping done. I hate leaving it all till December, plus we still have a few things to get for our camping trip.

So, whatever you do, have fun and take care x

Jonah

We had Jonah for a few hours yesterday, and it was Phil's last day at home for awhile so it was nice to spend some time together with him, the girls' were all at school. I didn't get many photos - too busy.

 

We went on a long bike ride which Jonah loved, stopping off at the park for a play

After lunch I took him for a much needed haircut!

Then we came home and he slept until Amie & Brendan arrived to pick him up!

Crazy Hair Day

In the garden

Kate harvesting some carrots for a salad - we have purple, yellow, white and of course orange ones growing

the tomatoes are ripening well

Movie Night

The dancing school the girls' attend had a family movie night last night as a fundraiser. The girls took a friend along each and their pillows and blankets and made themselves comfy for a couple of hours. They also played a few games, of which my girls both won one each! There was popcorn, lollies, soft drink and a sausage sizzle. Lots of fun and laughter. A great night out. We went to the first movies - The Smurfs, the girls' were more than happy to see it a second time.

Kate was thrilled to find a coke with her name on it the night before at Big W.

What's been happening around here ...

Saturday morning at our place

• The girls' have been having extra dance lessons as we head towards our end of year concert.
• Kate is loving her LOTE class once a week at a local high school up the hill.
• The girls' have written and re-written their Christmas lists.
• We've been out walking every evening again.
• We are buying more camping equipment for our trip at Christmas. We have to buy a trailer though as the one we usually borrow the owners have moved away.
• Pillow pets are the in-thing. (see above photo)
• Phil is working as hard as ever. He will be home as usual next week, but won't be home on his break the swing after due to covering another trainer who is going away. Lucky we will be flat chat with the concert so it won't be too bad.
• I've been shopping for Ruby's birthday which is four days before Christmas.
• There have been lots of Monopoly being played. And a few tears.
• There's been exercising on the Wii Fit.
• The girls' are learning to cook more, and it's been pretty good!
• The vege garden is doing well, and the potted colour are surviving the warmer weather, with lots more water.
• There are catch ups weekly with good friends!

EIGHT Months on ...

and the pain is still so raw.

This photo was taken at Amies 10th birthday dinner, at Valentines Restaurant, Napier, almost 14 years ago. On the right is her best friend Kate.  This was taken not long after Dad had some skin cancers removed from his face. We used to go to Valentines quite a bit for a meal out. Years later, it burned down which was a bit sad.

We miss you everyday Dad, and wish with all our heart you were still on Earth with us. xoxo