Maddy the Bogan & Molly the daredevil

Now this is something to warm the heart of Bernie Eccelstone. It is all about gravity and mass folks...



Molly has started jumping off things. We started on the chair in her room and have moved onto bigger things. Here is where it all began.



later. Merry xmas.

It was our third visit to the annual Foundation of the Blind Xmas party and like each year before, this was also a little different. Up until now, Madeleine has been pretty immobile, first year spent snuggled up inside mummy's tummy and last year, pretty much spent snuggled up on mummy's lap, this year however Madeleine was determined to make up for lost time. It was a race to see who could finish the chips and ice-cream first and then came the visit Molly had been waiting for...Father Christmas...Molly was still a little scared to receive her gift but once she got it in her hands there was no stopping her, or Madeleine for that matter!

Teas for Two (two of - it is Sunday after all)

It is a funday sunday. Betty's morning to snuggle back down in the scratcher. Get a couple of pages of her book under the belt or just enjoy the steaming mugs of Dilmah that are being ferried to her alongside some toasted homemade Light Granary Bread.

I discovered bread recipes in the back of our Gaia's Kitchen cookbook that I retrieved from our shelf with trepidation. The recipes are wonderful but are not Ansley Harriot's 'Meals in Minutes' so you gotta have your game face on. The 'light granary bread' is a nice and simple number that is easy on the knead so it is in. I'm a self confessed bread addict since staying with mon épouse in Abertville. I'm picking that it is where I developed my overly affectionate feelings for strong black coffee. France has some explaining to do when I have a self audit (so does Scotland i.e. Single Malts, hard orange cheese). I am going to tackle croissants today (or crow-sants as we say down here in our culture corner of the planet). Can't be too difficult flour+butter+bakers attitude.


Some random stuff.

David - I used the Vader You tube vid for one of my morning meetings. Showed the guys how important it is to take control of situations as even canteen staff can steal your mojo. You'll need a tray is being banded around the office.

Star Wars affectionardos of the 18+ age group (not because of the visuals but the dialogue is too advanced for Sagie boy etc) should take a gander at 'The Vader Chronicles' on You Tube. James Earl Jones has had his voice from other roles hijacked and dubbed over scenes from the initial trilogy. Grinworthy. Not a full blown belly laugh like the Eddie Izard lego flick.

Jimbo - After playing Belle and Sebastian's 'Boy with the Arab strap' off and on for the last 4 weeks I caught Molly singing the words this morning 'I am a lazy git she is as pure as the cold driven snow'. She has added that to her knowledge of the White Stripes lyrics. I am trying to get her to learn the words to 'Come together' while trying to scrub 'Dancing Queen'. Being a father is an endless task.

G - Nice Hat, photies. You inspired us too as we loaded up our SLR last weekend with the old style film and took a few snaps. Makes me nervous with file as I can't just delete it once I have pulled the trigger if I have had a Barry Crocker.

Maddie is adding words to her limited vocab everyday. Forgot how exciting it is. Told me she wanted some skippy cornflakes this morning. It is like the BINGO song except instead of B I N G O it is like Blah Blah Blah Cat Blah and BINGO was his name oh.

Watched the All Blacks last night play Oz in Hong Kong. Turned it off half time and went to bed as I was bored. I felt I had to share that. I am puzzled. Wasn't even excited that they were playing. Scotland next week though and I can't help but watch and be a bit torn.

Ok coffee time.

Be well you folk. 2010 seems sooooo long away.

Testing our video uploading skills

OK, not sure exactly what is going on here. Kids are dancing and I think both have their own little routine going on. I think Madeleine may need a few more rehearsals before she picks up the routine. Glad to see I have sussed out how to upload videos now...I know it's taken me some time.

Homai trip in Auckland

Molly and I just returned from a very successful trip up to Homai School in Auckland where she and I met lots of really interesting therapists and Molly was put through the grill once again. I should add that it wasn't too stressful for Molly, who actually thoroughly enjoyed the three days of one-on-one attention. Molly was out to impress and that's exactly what she did. The last visit up to Homai was two years ago so the therapists were amazed at how much progress Molly had made, especially how comfortable she now is in her body and the speech therapist said she had the language skills of a six and a half year-old! We are obviously very proud parents and just delighted to see her reaching her goals. Go Molly!

Just a few photos for now as one of the therapists was taking lots of photos while we were there and will be sending us some soon. Molly will soon have her very own blog which is currently being created by her Visual Resource Teacher as part of a wider project that she is involved in with the Foundation of the Blind.

Waiting for the shuttle to take us to the airport

Our wee twin room at Homai - dinosaur and dog unpacked!

Playing with a musical toy in the Technology room

Some downtime with a balloon - spot the mermaid!

Waiting patiently for our plane in Auckland

Still waiting for our plane...which was two hours late!

Cowboys, shenanigans and muddy puddles

OK, here are some more recent shots of the girls and a few others from our recent weekend up in Taranaki (spot Dapper Dan!), this is Nick's get-up for a forthcoming stag night in November.

Two girls wearing two recent additions to their dressing-up box - a very pretty gift from Lorraine Johnson (a friend of Neil and Viv's) - thank you Lorraine!

Milkshake stop at the 'Laughing Fox' cafe in Foxton - I sure was laughing when I saw the size of the shake! Dad, you might remember us taking you there on our way up to Taranaki when you last visited?

Somebody else had more serious things on her mind! Molly was definitely winning the race.
Girls playing quietly (!) on Granny Viv's piano

Dapper Dan and side-kick cowboy Murray

The tearaways!

Awww...sisterly love!

...and muddy puddles

Just realised how ridiculously long it's been since our last post so just wanted to quickly add a few shots for now to remind you that we're still here and thinking of you all. Keep checking our blog as it will be updated more regularly from now on!

We recently visited a stables about 10 mins drive from us in a beautiful scenic park where Molly took her first riding lesson! Very relaxed but you wouldn't think it from Molly's posture, she took it all very seriously and loved every minute of it. She wasn't a bit nervous and didn't really want to get off after the lesson so we will be going back as much as possible. 'Bonny' and Molly are now very good friends.

and...little miss mischief...always ready for a party!