Swings

Xmas 08

Christmas day in Pukerua Bay, New Zealand and Grandpa was there to share it with us!

Paddington Bear made it safe and sound from the other side of the world and there were two of them!

I want to pull this cracker!

No Daddy, I don't want to!

Grandpa unveils the new tramp and keen gymnast!

Molly shows off her gorgeous new silk fairy costume from Gudrun

Superheros practise some old and some new routines!

Molly's new (second-hand) doll's house from Santa

Maddy finds the box far more interesting.

The girls sharing a rare quiet moment together.
Dining out at the Fisherman's Table (as requested by Molly)

Maddy and Molly enjoy 'traffic lights' (coloured juice)

Madeleine's 2nd Birthday

First birthday present on her second birthday.

Ohhhh...pizza...mmm!

Hmm...think it needs a little something?

Duplo is a hit!

Maddy reading her new Charlie and Lola book from Gudrun and Jamie.

Teaching Grandpa a thing or two.

More cake?

Our lovely friends who have departed overseas to Australia but kindly gave us their cat!

Sara, Olive and Felix (Stu not present).

Queen Elizabeth Park

Madeleine and Molly decide Grandpa needs a little cooling down so the paddling pool water is put to good use. Grandpa is well versed in the 'oooohhhs' and 'aaahhhhs'!

A couple of shots taken on our walk along the sand dunes in Queen Elizabeth Park, about ten minutes drive from Pukerua Bay.

Cosmo is showered with gifts

Madeleine welcomes Cosmo (our new cat) into the Armstrong household, holding a traditional cat shower as a display of her affection. Cosmo was given to us by some lovely friends who have moved to Australia (alas!) for a couple of years. She has grown up with two children who are similar ages to Molly and Madeleine so Cosmo is no stranger (thankfully!) to toddler behaviours and habits. She is extremely patient and highly tolerant of the kids.

The kids are learning (with lots and lots of prompting and reminding from parents) how to handle and care for Cosmo. Just like my friends told us: she is very relaxed, totally undemanding, extremely gentle and affectionate. Madeleine is particularly smitten with Cosmo and even joins her for tea: having cat biscuits when no-one's looking! We did think that Molly might be allergic to cats after discovering a persistent rash on her body not long after we got Cosmo, but thankfully it has disappeared and she doesn't have any other symptoms so Cosmo is definitely here to stay with us. Watch this space for lots more photos of Cosmo and family.

Ladies and the Tramp

A present from Granny Viv for Xmas 2008.
Opening:
As the scene begins our leading lady is performing the exceptionally difficult 'Jumping and exclaiming' discipline. This piece was especially commissioned for this occasion. As the piece reaches it's exciting climax a wee comedian rolls in, stealing the show and provides the punctuation (listen carefully folks).

That's my girls. They asked for you at breakfast this morning Grandpa.

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.