My enduring memory of Easter Sunday 2012 will not be the excited sounds of children and chocolate, or the frustration at having to mediate over a fair collection of hidden eggs in the garden (to which I sulked off in annoyance at the ungratefulness and read the Easter story, out loud). My enduring memory will be…
Author: BritMumInNZ
Lyrical Sunday (on a Monday): Friendship
With my sister currently in New Zealand I have really been thinking so much about the amazing connection we have – not just as sisters – but also as friends. We’re also seeing a whole new path unfurl before us – as we unite to give three special girls all the support we can muster,…
Easter Saturday Sunshine in Wellington!
Wellington put on a show for Easter Saturday. It was an incredible day of sunshine and no wind. Perfect for entertaining Auntie Claire and enjoying some action in the outdoors. We enjoyed an action packed day on the waterfront. She went out on a kayak with Sophie, whilst I kayaked with Alice. Out on the…
Things I’m Loving: My sister is here!
After nearly five years she’s here! I felt dazed when she appeared from behind the sliding door at arrivals on Tuesday afternoon. She was like a mirage. It’s taken me till now, Thursday, to truly believe she’s real and not a figment of my imagination. The first day I kept touching her, but not really…
The Gallery: At Peace
In the reflection of the mirror, at the top of the stairs, I stopped to stare. Carried in my arms, my baby once, now a little girl talking, jumping and dancing. So caught up in the world around her, fighting off sleep, not wanting to miss a beat. She’d succumbed to sleep, finally surrendered, sat…
Dolphin Fishing Frenzy Off Wellington’s South Coast!
© Sarah Lee, 2012: Dolphins off the coast at Houghton Bay, Wellington At midday today I checked into Facebook, after a morning of house-work, home-schooling and minding by industrious and mischief making two year old. The news that a huge pod of dolphins had been sighted off Wellington’s south coast flashed up before by eyes…
Lyrical Sunday [Fool]: Am I a Fool?
As I waved Charlotte and her class off on the bus, after watching their cross country race at Karori Park, a child’s voice still rang in my ears… ‘Why is her other daughter not at school?’ And another child’s voice… ‘Does her mother not work?!’ ‘Who teaches her daughter?’ And I answered, ‘I do!’ with…
A very special someone is flying to see us!
Last time she was here, there were two, now there are three! Charlotte was four, and is now approaching nine. Sophie was one, and is now six. Alice – wasn’t even conceived. Three little nieces are very excited. Auntie Claire will be arriving on Tuesday from England for nine very precious days! Auntie Claire… are…
Things I’m Loving: To my beautiful 8 year old x
“When the dog bites, When the bee stings, When I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favourite things, And then I don’t feel so bad.” – ‘My Favourite Things‘ from The Sound of Music LOVE listening to YOU – My beautiful 8 year old, singing this classic song. And LOVE so many other wonderful things, as…
The Gallery: Extreme Close Up
When nature reveals its beauty in such a way, my mind cannot possibly comprehend what my eyes see. It is miraculous, beautiful, incredible, literally breathtaking. A child cannot help but want to reach out and touch – as if to convince their mind that what they see is in-fact real. I almost have to pinch…
Notes from our unschooling diary
We’re still finding our way as a family on this new path that our middle daughter is leading us on. We’re getting to know some really lovely families in the home-schooling community (though the word *school* doesn’t really work – as learning in a natural / home environment is very far removed from a school…
A fitting end to daylight saving
Sunday 1 April signals the end of daylight saving in New Zealand. Clocks wind back one hour and night will fall around 6.30pm. So, one week before the nights draw in, we went to the Botanical Garden in Wellington for some music and grooving as dusk drew in. Eagles tribute music from ‘Life In The…
Things I’m Loving: 500 Sandcastles
They appeared overnight on the beach at Lyall Bay. The once flat sand came alive. Over 80 people brought buckets and spades, to work under the night-sky, to leave a surprise. People stopped and stared in awe. Children ran down on to the beach to explore. Castles with moats and turrets… Magical castles with crystals……
Colour: The Gallery
In a dreary, cloudy, week of rain in Wellington, there has still been a splash of summer colour to brighten our days. The best being this sunflower, which finally came into bloom (never mind we’re now in Autumn in New Zealand!). I snapped this photo, whilst negotiating children into the car in the rain, on…