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

Lemons

While out for a walk after tea with the girls, we came across this box of lemons waiting to go to a new home :)  Now to see what we can make with them. 

Justice Crew Workshop

We got up early this morning (for a Sunday!) and drove North of the River to Maylands for the girls' to attend the Justice Crew dance workshop.

They were very excited, waiting since we booked a few months ago.

I didn't get too many photos (it was too hard with too many taller photographers in my way!) but the girls had a great time.

I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine while the workshop was on, and took a couple of pics from the top of the RISE building.

CHOGM

Well it's a public holiday here today while CHOGM ( what is CHOGM?) is on, one that comes at the end of a couple of busy week for the kids, including school swimming lessons everyday (and bus travel) To say they are exhausted in an understatement. So we declared a few days ago that today would be a home day! Phil arrived home late yesterday and is exhausted too, so a perfect day for us to relax and enjoy each others company together again.

photo source

The back yard needs a tidy up - mowing, weeding and wippersnippering, and after all the recent rain, it will be nice to get out there. The girls will probably spend some time on the Wii, and reading. Phil will potter around doing not-alot!

I hope you all have an enjoyable Friday!

Listography: Top 5 Toys for Kids

Today, I'm linking up with Kate Takes 5 who is asking us to list our top 5 toys for Christmas.Two of my favourite things to talk about are Christmas and toys, so when I saw this on my friend Domesblissity blog, I knew I had to join in.

I got my girls aged 10 and 8 to help me!

Here's what they said:

1. Wii

Fantastic entertainment for ALL the family. Great for when the girls' have their friends over too. Favourite games are Fitness Plus and Mario Kart.

2. Ipod Touch

I know it's not technically a 'toy' but it's what my girls love at the moment. They get used at every opportunity, not just for playing games (infact that's the least they do on them) but for making dance movies, listening to music and the biggest use - listening to audiobooks!

3. Baby Alive doll

This has been Ella's favourite doll of all time. A couple of years ago, when she was in Grade 1, she took it to school almost every day. So did 3 of her friends and they played with them every recess and lunchtime.

4. Derwent pencils and sketch pad

They got these last Christmas and spent alot of the time away camping using them. They have continued to be widely used this year and new pencils have been added along the way.

5. Smartglobe

This is played with almost daily too. They give each other quizzes and mark tests. While the RWC was on, it became a great source of knowledge finding countries and learning their national anthems.

RWC2011 Final - NZ versus France

It's a BIG day for New Zealand today

A BIG day for New Zealand rugby

We wish them well from across the ditch!

Worn Out

5pm Friday afternoon after school swimming lessons all week

Enjoying the peace and quiet

Today is the first day of just the cat and I in 3 weeks. The girls' went back to school yesterday for the final term of the year and Phil went back away for work today. It seems so quite. Lots to get through this morning though - so far I've done 3 loads of washing, made some scrolls, made the beds, cleaned the kitchen twice, vaccumed and mopped (just waiting for the floors to dry) then I'll go and watch the girls' school swimming lessons. After school we have singing and hip hop classes so we get home about 8pm. And now I'm off to prepare dinner and clean the kitchen again!

Pumpkin Soup

I got up early before everyone else this morning and used up some pumpkins and made this easy soup. It's a recipe I got from my friend a few years ago. The best pumpkin soup I've tasted and so easy to make.

PUMPKIN SOUP

1 kg butternut pumpkin
1 small leek
1-2 cloves garlic
1 litre chicken stock
salt & pepper to taste

Cook garlic and leak until soft, add pumpkin, pour in stock. Simmer until cooked stirring often. Season to taste. Blend until smooth.

I froze some for busy nights and the rest we'll eat later today.

Mangoes ...

mean summer!

Ella's most favourite fruit. She's been asking for awhile now if they are in the shops yet (and they were, I was just waiting until they came down in price a bit) so today after the pools (35 deg here!!!) we stopped at the fruit & veg shop and picked some up. At $2.79 each, that's not too bad. And they smell so yummy!