Lulu's last day

Bear Park has been a huge rock in our life from the very first week we arrived in New Zealand. We have made great connections with the staff and our children have benefitted strongly from the amazing programs and curriculum at the centre. We would not have had such a great experience here if it were not for this place, it was one of my saddest goodbyes leaving there today. 

** note I am having an horrific time adding pix to blogger lately and have just given up will try again later this week. XX

Happy Last Day (x3)

Today has been a huge massive enormous gigantic astronomical day of tears and goodbyes, oh and add into that Geordie's needles, house inspections, goodbye parties times three and some microdermabrasion (don't ask). 

A 5am start has meant that we were able to fit a lot into it .. and now Matt and I finally have a couple of hours of peace with our last episode of Outrageous Fortune and a glass of NZ bubbles thanks to our friend Simonne. 

Here are some pics of the girl's last days today. Lots of sadness today but lots of happiness to come, tomorrow will be a huge day of change. 

It's been a big few days

But the worst of it all is that our internet connection has gone down so I can't post pics of it easily!

I'm on Matt's laptop on dialup and will attempt a photo or two now but will make up for it when I get some wireless broadband access again for my Macbook.

Firstly Friday was Asha's Rainbow Fish production, she was the star of the show and performed in front of the entire school, gee proud much? She did a brilliant job.

Friday after school was the school disco, much fun and dancing - Lulu had a ball too.

Saturday morning the last soccer game of the year and Lulu even played the first half!

Later that morning was Lulu's big party - here at home, Coach Adam came and played ball games with the kids which was a hoot. It was so nice to have a great party in our beautiful backyard - the sun shining, the magnolia still in flower, it was great. Octopus and baby seals cake - TICK. Cow pinata - TICK. Was nice to give Lulu a special day with all her Bear Park friends - plus her special friend Alexander, who partook enthusiastically and happily - what a fantastic kid.

Last night Matt and I finally had our 'fancy' night out at Partingtons (will add a link later!) which was amazing.

Then today we started packing - oh and for those who missed it, yes we are heading back to Melbourne permanently - in TEN days time. Scary stuff.

Asha had a party - a Leggo party - what a hoot, she had a ball, then a play at Anna's house.

So a crazy few days, and we're moving out of here in three more sleeps. Life won't be stopping or slowing down for a while I'd say.

First Goodbyes

They're starting. Yesterday was Annabel. Of course I cried, she's so staunch, typical Kiwi teenager, but she's brilliant, so cool under pressure, just so cool. 

Annabel was our afternoon babysitter, she'd come by and play with the girls while I did the supermarket shopping with Geordie, that sort of thing. She was completely interactive with Asha and Lulu, let them boss her around (to a degree) but read to them, played Musical Statues with them, did drawings, played teachers, and watched Charlie and Lola. 

She'll go far that girl. 

End of Season

The soccer season is over. So sad that it was cut so short after the ongoing torrential rain which flooded Madill's Farm for 5 (maybe 6?) weeks mid season. Our great friends Paul and Ali put so much effort into the team and there was an end of season BBQ at their house last Saturday where Asha got a trophy for best passer and most improved, yay!

Here is the team, could they be any blonder? Gorgeous looking little guys and a little bit well known for having so many girls, fantastic, so proud of them!

ps: as usual, click pic to see larger, Asha is on far right

Kai Time

13 days short of six months and Geordie is on solids. We started this morning with pear which he thought was okay, then tonight kumara and corn .. now THAT was a hit! 

Asha did most of the feeding tonight, which was fantastic, she did very well, not too much mess and Geordie swallowed most of it, brilliant!

Now hopefully I can get some sleep tonight!

(apologies for yukky flash photograph)