Well, we’ve finally arrived in good ‘ole Blighty. It’s so wonderful to be here and so green and beautiful. We’re soaking up the beautiful countryside and I feel very much a tourist in saying it’s all so very ‘quaint’! It’s such a joy to drive through the tunnels of trees on the country lanes and…
Author: BritMumInNZ
Cauliflower Nightmare
Charlotte woke at 5am this morning having a bad dream. She rarely wakes in the middle of the night these days and she picked the worse night to do so. I was really hoping she’d have a good night’s sleep. I went in to see her and she kept muttering, ‘Need cauliflower!’. She never eats…
One More Sleep To Go!
I should be asleep already, but couldn’t resist one final farewell post before our big trip. Tomorrow night I don’t expect to get any sleep and will then have to function in San Francisco with two tired children, but I’m sure Dan and I will survive. Last time we did the big Wellington to London…
Cabin Baggage: Children
Preparation for a long-haul flight (without children) was all about self-indulgence. A week before travel I’d stock up on my favourite cosmetics, spend a lunch hour in the book store selecting some choice holiday reads (and a few trashy mags) and look forward to a 24-hour reading and movie bonanza with no telephones ringing. I’d…
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
I love impromptu visits that turn into something very special. And this is just what happened the other day. After finishing our food shop, we stopped by Wholly Bagels in Thorndon for a quick refreshment and a play (great toys and dedicated space for children), and then ventured forth to a place far more holy…
To my girls
Dear Charlotte, You are now four and make me prouder by the day. You are so brave and strong. When you fall you pick yourself up quickly and say, ‘I’m okay!’. You don’t want sympathy (even though I’ve always offered you my open arms to comfort you) and I admire your strong resolve to pick…
Not All Bad
Despite my previous post, today wasn’t all bad. The day started out with a couple of hours of mad fun at Little Monkeys (free entry all holidays!). Charlotte LOVED it and Sophie did too, but was a little perturbed at having to part with her shoes into a box behind a counter. She kept saying,…
Mother Erupted at Playground
… so the headline should read. I have a terrible problem with bottling up all my emotions and then, when I am tired and least expect it, the ugly demon inside bubbles to the surface and explodes in a terrifying rage. Whilst in the midst of rage I can hear my other voice saying, ‘What…
End of Term and Both Girls at Home
Today was the first day of the school hols and it was quite strange to have both the girls at home for the day – though lovely too of course! Charlotte was quite sad at not going to Kindi, which I saw as a positive as she is definitely loving it. We’ve had a truck…
Charlotte’s Fourth Birthday Party
Charlotte wondered into our bedroom around 2am this morning holding a helium balloon in her hand. I was feeling thick with cold and struggling to sleep and couldn’t quite believe my eyes. I told her it wasn’t morning and to be a good girl and go back to bed. An hour later Simba wakes us…
Sophie Loves Animals
Sophie delights in feeding our cats Simba and Blacky. Of late she’s taken to stroking them and giving Simba teddy bears. Simba loves to maul one of our bigger bears and makes a terrible mess on the carpet, to which Sophie says, ‘Mummy, clean! Cat! Bear!’. We also have two wild rabbits around our neighbourhood….
Thick with Cold
We’re all coughing and spluttering here. Poor little Sophie has been hit worse and is desperate for sleep, but keeps waking up with a streaming nose and hacking cough. I took her to the doctors on Thursday, mentioning we were flying to the UK a week on Monday, but the doctor wasn’t very sympathetic, ‘There’s…
Charli Loves Transport!
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…
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…