Off to School in 20 days

She's the happiest soon-to-be five year old at the moment! Its been an hour since we put the uniform on, and after these pictures were taken but she refuses to take them off. Our little cookie baby is off to "big" school on 13 August, 3 days after she turns 5. She's as excited as can be 'cos now she gets to go to school with Tim! Just in case you think I made her pose, I did not - these were totally candid! I shiver to think what she'll be like in 10 years time.

Tim's Confirmation

Tim received the sacrament of Confirmation on 20 June 2007 together with 63 other candidates. Bishop Robin Leamy was the celebrant. Tim's sponsors were Vincent and Adelyn.

Waiuku Forest

A month after the first orienteering event at Woodhill Forest, we spent another Sunday morning walking through the Waiuku Forest with Robert, Priscilla & Catherine, and Vicki. Weather wasn't good again, so we prayed, and again, we got good weather. Thank you Lord. The walk lasted about an hour and a half, and was a little more challenging than the last one. A few more tight corners and slippery slopes. The most memorable part of the walk was probably the strong perfume of the dung.....oooooo! I felt almost pukish at some points. We ploughed on because we knew there was a sumptuous reward coming up. With Vicki's house just round the corner, it was a convenient detour for much needed nourishment.

Day at Coromandel

Two weeks Easter break for schools. Mervin took a day off. Headed to the Coromandel Coast for the day to visit Waiau Water Works and Driving Creek Railway. No one warned us that the 2 1/2 hour drive was going to be as harrowing as it was. Extremely windy coastal roads - many stretches had 35 km/h speed limit ( in other words - really dangerous). A few crazy hell-bound drivers whizzed past us, much to our annoyance. Waiau Water Works was great fun. Chris the owner had created all kinds of neat stuff from recycled materials. Also had lots of play activities which both adults and kids could enjoy. Brilliant guy. These photos don't do justice to his works, more was captured on the video which I'll put up sometime soon. Train ride was so-so but views from the top was nice. Maybe we were rather tired by then.

First taste of Orienteering

Weather forecast was rain but with great faith and a decade of rosary, we had one of the loveliest mornings. Robert and Priscilla took us out west to Woodhill, through Kumeu for an orienteering event, organised by the Auckland Orienteering Club. We did the 1.8km route, took it nice and slow, with many stops for Robert to give Mervin and I interesting information about the flora and fauna. Priscilla took Catherine, Tim and Erica and zoomed off so the kids could clock in their times at the check points. The e-card was good for the kids as it kept them motivated to move along. 'tis our first time, 'twas great fun and we're hoping to do it at least once a month. After all that "hard work", we pigged out on Lamb Briyani at Westgate!

Happy Easter

There was no rain on Good Friday(felt a bit odd)... and we've had a lovely sunny Easter Weekend. It won't be sunny and warm much longer so we took the opportunity to have another BBQ. Adelyn, Vincent & Alex, Lucy, James, Sheldon & Raewyn and Aunty (Lucy's mum who's visiting from Sarawak), Nancy and Gladys, and Kate (Adelyn's friend) , and Mary came along. There was lots to eat - I prepared Chicken wings, lamb and satay sauce for Lucy's yummy satays. Mary did a prawn salad for appetizer. Adelyn brought prawns and fish, Lucy also made potato salad and brownies for dessert. Kids were in a corner playing Eye Toy - got them really tired. It was a wonderful evening with lots of fun and laughter. It was Nancy, Gladys. Aunty and Kate's first time at our place. Comments - like Damai beach resort (Aunty), very English country (Kate), Like a kiwi home (Gladys). The kids are off school for the next two weeks..... and tomorrow, the painters are back to finish off re-staining the outside of our house.

Top Pix: Sheldon, Vincent & Alex (like father like son), Raewyn (in the back) and chief cook, Mervin of course!

Bottom Pix: James (in the far back), Mary, Kate, Adelyn & Alex, Lucy & Raewyn, and Erica.

Grow your own veges

Erica and the rest of the four year olds have been working on their garden project for many months now They sowed the seeds, ploughed the land, watered the gardens and have been watching them grow. On Holy Thursday, parents were invited to watch what they had done. It was a lovely experience.

It was also the last day of school for 3 of the boys who had turned 5. They'll be off to school after the Easter holls. It'll be Erica's turn to leave this wonderful place too in when she turns 5 on August 10. She'll be taking with her some wonderful memories of this place.