Taylor Swift Concert

For Christmas last year we gave the girls tickets to the Taylor Swift concert in Auckland- she was coming to do three shows in March. The big event finally arrived a few weekends ago and we all packed up and travelled with Pippa and Alison for our big adventure!!

Heading into Wellington Airport.

 We arrived in the late afternoon on Saturday and the concert didn't begin until 7:30 pm so the girls had a quick swim. We stayed at Alison's brother's house - he was very kind to let us invade overnight - since Kate and Ant were down in Wanaka. Thankfully John had lots of room and since he has three daughters he was used to a bevy of girls. And he did fly out that night for Hong Kong so we had the house to ourselves.

We headed into town and ate a quick dinner at the noodle shop then joined the swarms of people, mostly girls, making their way to Vector Arena. The pre-concert going-ons were lots of fun - some girls were getting their makeup done, some having their hair done, there were girls with signs, girls who looked like Taylor and so on and so forth. It was great to people watch! However, we didn't have loads of time so we got in line for a program and then another line for cotton candy/candy floss and cokes and made our way to our seats.

I was surprised that the four candy flosses and cokes cost $51, but when I wrote about it on Facebook I realized that my shock wasn't warranted. Apparently it's been too long since I've been to a concert!!

Our seats were WAY up there - the third to the last row up in the arena. However we still had a great view. A band called Hot Chelle Rae opened for Taylor and when they started playing everyone stood up - except Ellie. She was terrified of being so high up and wouldn't stand, but when everyone else did she couldn't see. I was worried that she was going to miss the entire concert, but once Taylor started playing she allowed me to hold her.

The concert was amazing - Taylor is adorable and she put on quite a show! She had nine costume changes and all sorts things going on on-stage, she also played four different instruments. She's very talented and great inspiration for the girls. Hers will be a tough act to follow whenever the girls attend their next concert.

Out plane didn't leave Auckland until 7pm Sunday night so we had the day to play in the city. We went to a huge candy shop and had brunch in the morning, then visited the Auckland Museum, and finally had a look at a volcano crater at Mt. Eden before heading back for a quick swim.

We had a fun girls' weekend together and Daddy, Chloe and Willow managed at home without us - quite possibly enjoying the peace and quiet!

Dx

I know most of you probably read or watched the media coverage of Lloyd's funeral, it was a great tribute to him. When I went to get photos off my camera I discovered this first one - the flags flying at half-mast at Wellington Airport in honor of Lloyd. The second is a photo from the Dominion Post from the funeral.

In happier news, Meggie had seven girls over to spend the night a few weekends back. One of the joys of this house is that we can do that now!! This is the only photo and it was taken before two of the girls arrived. Meggie and her friend Claudia, not pictured, organized the whole thing and asked the girls to come in the their pajamas. They were all great girls and it was a lot of fun.

I also got to see Meggie at ballet for the first time in ages and noticed a marked improvement! Now that she rides the bus into town with her friends I hardly ever see her class. Here are some photos, she is dancing beautifully.

Finally here is a sneak peak of the new house - we finished Meggie's room!! More pics later but I think this is a pretty cute teen room. I didn't get photos of the wall with her dresser and desk but they look cute too.

Our Newest Addition

Meet Chloe . . . 

This is her mamma - a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel.

And this fluff ball is her Daddy - a Lowchen.

This is one of her very happy new owners on the first day we brought her home.

Meeting the family. . .

Willow is not sure how she feels about this. . .

She follows me around everywhere - see her under my chair?

We think she's beautiful.

She's still quite young - she was born on the 4th of January - so she still sleeps a lot. When she is awake though she is a ball of energy! We're smitten.

Dxx

Deputy Head Girl

Katie has started the new year off with a bang - she was chosen by her peers and teachers to be the Deputy Head Girl of the Marsden Primary School for Term 1. We are really proud of her and were honored to be invited to the chapel service where she got her badge. When we arrived Katie was standing with the head of the primary school, Mrs. McCarthy, and greeting everyone as they entered.

Katie and Jemima (Head Girl) greet all the students and guests as they arrive for chapel.

Dugald and I received a letter in the mail inviting us to the service - not only did Katie get her badge, but she also got to lead part of the service.

Getting her new badge.

Adding her name to the book.

It's hard to read but she has her new badge now - it's the bottom badge, the Innes badge is for her house and the round badge is her Year  6 badge.

Saying goodbye to the younger girls after the service.

 After the service the parents and officers were invited to coffee and breakfast in the cafeteria.

Katie and some of the other girls who are officers in the primary school.

It's been a few weeks now since the ceremony and Katie has proven worthy of the honor her peers and teachers have bestowed on her. Cheers to a great start to Year 6!!