This year the sun was out in full summer style for a primo Christmas ‘Kiwi style’. Some past years have been grey, drizzly, or too darn Wellington windy for the beach, but NOT this year! We decided to leave dinner till the evening and simply enjoy the gorgeous weather. The sunshine was one of the…
Tag: christmas
It’s snowing like you wouldn’t believe…
in England (and in parts of Australia!). Here in New Zealand we’re thinking of our northern hemisphere loved ones as we snip, decorate and paste paper snowflakes on the windows. My wonderful sister’s boyfriend, Mike Hutton, sent me this photograph of my father and sister at The Roaches, near where Claire and Mike live in…
Delicious Florentines
These are a favourite festive delight, that will quickly be devoured at any time in our household. The combination of dried fruits, cherries, cornflakes and rich, dark chocolate, all held together by sweetened condensed milk is magic to the taste buds. We made these as Christmas gifts for Sophie’s Kindi teachers (but didn’t have time…
School’s Out for Summer!
Last day of the school year today! It was an early start – 5.30am for Sophie, Alice and I! Dan crawled in at 2.00am, after his work Christmas drinks (much merriment was enjoyed at The Cross, where they sat sheltered from the rain in the outdoor courtyard playing giant Jenga and Trivial Pursuit). I tried…
The Gallery: Sparkle – Carols by Candlelight
Darkness falls late in this part of the world at the moment, so catching some northern hemisphere traditional Christmas sparkle isn’t easy. The little’uns are going to bed later and later (but not lying in much in the morning to compensate), but rarely up late enough to see the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree….
Blogging taking a backseat as party elves get busy!
We’re counting down to Sophie’s 5th Birthday Party at home on Saturday! We’re in full party mode, making decorations, moving furniture around to make room for all the guests, including the fabulous Harry the Clown, baking, packing up goodie bags, wrapping goodies for pass the parcel, stuffing the pinata. This week is all about our…
4 Seasons: Making, Baking, Coughing & Spluttering
The nippers all have coughs and snuffles, which is surprising for the season. They are still happy loves, but a little on the tired side and having more time off school and kindi than usual (really don’t want to pass on germs just prior to Christmas!). Poor bubba isn’t sleeping well with her snuffles (which…
You know you’re a Mum when…
you turn up at the doctor’s surgery covered in glitter and don’t blink an eye when both the receptionist and the doctor make a very obvious statement about it. ‘No,’ I replied (in a very matter of fact, this is perfectly normal tone), ‘I am not heading out for an extravagant night on the tiles…
Christmas in the garden & at the beach
National Jandal Day couldn’t have asked for better weather. Wellington was bathed in sunshine with collectors reaping the rewards for Surf Life Saving NZ. Charlotte spent most of the day with her entire school at the fabulous Wainui Summer Pools, whilst Sophie, Alice and I had a quiet morning at home and in the garden….
Christmas Carols & Writing Workshop: Let’s Get Lyrical
In the boxes of decorations that we unearthed from under the stairs we discovered our wonderful collection of Christmas books and Christmas music. We have books that tell the story of the birth of Jesus and the journey Mary and Joseph had to make to Bethlehem; board books for Alice to discover the joys of…
1 December and up she goes!
With all three of my lovely cherubs at home with snuffly summer colds today we took the opportunity to dig out the Christmas decorations from under the stairs. It was fun, messy and a little bit tiring… The big boxes made for some fun dens and helped to keep Alice distracted long enough for me…
Celebrations – Let the countdown begin!
1 December, the first official day of summer in New Zealand and the big countdown to Christmas Day has begun! In our home we also have the special celebration of Sophie’s 5th Birthday coming up and her last day at Kindergarten. She will start school next term and is very excited! Charlotte is nervously awaiting…
Whooga Boots looking like a toasty Christmas pressie idea!
I am no longer in denial. Christmas is approaching and with most of my family living in the UK I have to be super organized. Thankfully online shopping makes for stress free shopping, there’s no need to pay for crazy postage and I’m not leaving such a large carbon footprint. Whilst I am baring my…
Christmas Day 2009
After not going to bed till past midnight on Christmas Eve, we weren’t prepared for a 5.30am wake up call! We’ve never been woken quite so early on Christmas morning, but the girls had gone to sleep very early the night before, hoping the night would pass quicker! We’d packed their stockings with enough goodies…