Livid Life

some of the wild life we have in our garden. A praying mantis - well a baby one..........

I am a Lumberjack..... NZ Style

I am a Lumberjack and I have my new toy.....



















Before the attack and demise of the invading foreign bodies....
















After the chainsaw massacre!

Birthday Girls

The youngest Birthday Girl had lots of fun opening presents this morning, followed by her final day at Kindy with her Kindy leaving party. A pretty full on day. Mummy had her birthday meal out in Wellington with Nanny and Grandad and Andy. Most enjoyable.

India's party

India's 'pretend birthday' party.

India had a wonderful 'pretend birthday' party today.













Lots of presents




















Yes mum had fun decorating 2 cakes for her.












Pass the Parcel, an old fav.


















Singing Happy Birthday to her - she went all coy.

Beach time - in December

Well its December, and while the UK may be deep in snow and cold, we are certainly having much more warmer weather. The only downside is the fact it does not feel like Christmas is coming. We have the tree up and some present under it, which get felt, rattled and moved around daily! So far its just the kids presents to each other and their dad! But at least they are starting to get excited.

But we have birthdays first..... India has a very busy schedule next weekend. Kindy disco friday, her party sat, GNS kids party sat pm, 2 friends parties sunday...... she will be ready for the end of term. On top of all that she has been having settling in visits for school and has meet her new teacher Mrs Martin. She loved it and there was huge hugs with friend who have recently moved up to School, as well as the friends moving up with her in Feb.

The kids are pocket money raising - they have picked lemons off the tree as we have a second crop in flower. they have been put in a basket by the front gate and offered for donations.... so far they have raided over $15.

Nana and Grandad are off enjoying the south Island, Milford sound boat trip for Dads birthday. My brother and girlfriend are currently in Sanfransico I think - I wonder if they felt the 5.5 quake today in LA...... They should arrive in Christchurch on Tuesday....

Me!

Nana had her camera too today! arghhhh caught catching a few rays......


At lunch...
beach at days bay

Birthday Girl

Well, we had a very busy but glorious day out and about.

Lunch at Days bay 'Chocolate days cafe' with the girls, then ride out to Eastbourne. Back for Josh, off to Plimmerton for a look at the South Island and enjoy the final rays of the day.

Sun caught, money spent, food enjoyed and weather awesome - lovely birthday. Better than cold wet dark UK!!!

Kitchen finally getting there

The tiling is under way - grouting to be done still......

Monkies

which is the biggest??????

Ground force team arrives in NZ

well some of them slept of course.....

others were working hard, some watching carefully .........


beer time! well it is rather warm here.......

Cub Scout

Well, its all change here at the moment, Nanna and Grandad Poyzer arrived at the weekend, closely followed by Andy leaving on the Sunday. Off to the SEG in Las Vegas, followed by UK again and PETEX.

Nanna and grandad are slowely getting over the jet lag - the managed to stay awake till 9pm last night!!!!
Josh was a busy boy - he got invested in the cub scouts.

I am snowed under with work, both Geophysics and selling cards - 4 events in 3 days this weekend. I will be glad of the rest back at work Monday morning!!!!


Saying his promise to Arkala
ready for badges now!

Out of Africa

Well its Labour weekend, and its wet - apparently this is normal. its not cold though - pretty muggy to be honest.

First day was pretty rushed - swimming lessons, dash to the bank, over to Porirua to buy tent in the sale and camp bed, back home for lunch then off to the Circus.

The kids were desperate to go, as this one had some very cute Shetland ponies and an Elephant. They had a really good time, lots of black male dancers/acrobats, clown - even Andy wasn't scared. The lady on the hoop and swing was pretty good and the 2 girls doing way too advanced Yoga bending made my stomach churn!

At least its another experience they can tick off their books. Shouldn't have to do that again too soon! Good job as there is around 3-5 a year that pass through!

A walk on the wild side.

Life is pretty busy at the moment. Term 4 has started so everyone back into the swing of things, swimming lessons and tennis this term, and josh has moved up to Cubs.

Christmas is coming, so my card business is busy with at least one event a weekend. I had 2 this weekend, it should have been 3 but one lady had to postpone her party!

Working is also busy, I have some Austral work on in the coming weeks, till start November I should think. Andy is busy and off to SEG in Las Vegas and then on to PETEX in the UK. In less then 3 weeks - I had better get those Christmas cards wrote so he can post them when back in the UK.

The weather has improved, and my veg bed is growing. a second one is needed!!! 2 capsimiums now in an over flow tub! 6 raspberry canes planted - yummy, strawberries starting to ripen, don't tell the kids!!!! It is getting pretty chocca in there, pumpkins, lettuce, sweetcorn, cabbage, carrots, brocoli, more lettuce, cucumber, passion fruit, and the strawberries. Chilli and tomotoes still inside and growing from seed.

Yesterday we took the opportunity to go tramping, off to tunnel gully.

before i stuff it full of junk!

Really getting there!

Its starting to actually look like a kitchen! The plumbing, gas hob to be fitted, oven and extractor fan. Painting and tiling still to be done, but the ig jobs of the flooring and worksurfaces are done! one more week and we should be looking great!

Grow Your Own

I have finally done something productive with my garden. An old unused and badly placed raised bed was dug out, chainsawed the legs off and dragged to a new sunnier position. It was then re-filled, cat proofed and plants have now been planted. All done by Juniper Landscaping (except the chainsawing bit)!