Christmas Eve at the Bach and catching up with my cousins!

We spent another four glorious sun-filled days at the bach in Urenui in the lead up to Christmas - this was made even more enjoyable by the visit from Kate, Damian, Bonnie and Lewis and also Louisa, Andy and Ruairidh who were visiting from Scotland and stayed over in Urenui on their way down to Wellington for Christmas.

Andy had been up that morning and caught some fish so the date for the BBQ was set for 3pm later that day.
The morning coffee ritual was obligatory and after our caffiene injection, we were ready to hit the beach - kayak and boogie boards in tow! Fresh BBQ'd fish and chilli 'n' orange chicken with salad and fresh bread is hard to beat, not to mention the gin and tonics and beer.

We had a great laugh with all and the kids had a lovely time getting to know each other - they were zonked by all the fresh air, sun and exercise and were just about asleep at 6pm watching Tinkerbell!

Christmas morning hot chocolate at the bach - 5.30am!

Letter for Santa and the proud girls who wrote this (with Mum scribing!)

Maddy really got to grips with the black sand - I think she'd make a good seal pup!

Some of the Johnston lassies

A group photo - self-timer!

A smile from Bonnie with her Mummy!

The kids at the end of the day parked in front of Tinkerbell!

Madeleine turns 5 - celebrations at Citykids

Madeleine had her last day at Citykids on Friday 16th December - it was a momentous occasion and it was honoured in the traditional Citykids way with a look at her profile book dating from when she was three up until present day (spot the Fairy Godmother!) and then donning the 'Korowai' a maori cloak worn on special occasions such as weddings or in this case - birthday celebrations. There was the traditional song to end the celebrations and prepare for hand-washing before cake (four little monkeys jumping on the mat...one fell off and then there were...etc). And of course cake to finish off!

Madeleine is best friends with the little girl with black hair and princess tiara - Nikki - who lives just down the road from us but who doesn't turn 5 until August this year but will be joining Maddy at Ngaio school.

Our wonderful Fairy Godmother!

Dear Fairy Godmother,

Thank you so much for making Madeleine's 5th Birthday such a wonderful day - you brought sunshine, laughter, fairy dust, amazing pink glasses, love, fun and so much joy to our day!

Please come again soon!

lots of love Beth, Nick, Molly and Madeleine (almost 5!)
xxxxxxxxx

Holiday Snaps - Botannics and Staglands Park

Madeleine turns four! Xmas Presents from Santa!
Birthday hugs from Molly


We made it - first long walk for the girls and they just managed it!

Today we visited Staglands where the girls got to pet lots of animals and reminded Nick what would happen if he wasn't very well behaved!

Last weekend, we took Dad for a visit to the Wairapa where we stopped at the beach at Lake Ferry and enjoyed some fish and chips and beer. Dad got melancholic about the endless of supply of driftwood and wondered how he could transport this back to Shetland.

Dad taking shelter from the wind!

Molly at the Botannic Gardens

Maddy with chickenpox!

Molly loses her second tooth - the biggest gap.