Waitarere Weekend

To celebrate the end of school my good friend Nicky and I took our girls and their friends away for a weekend at the beach at Waitarere. It was the perfect getaway as even we couldn't get mobile service - so nobody was on the phone at all the entire time, it was beautiful!! It was a fantastic bunch of girls.

Putting up the tent on the back lawn - Katie and Emily, Josie and Sashi chose to sleep out there. Josie and Sashi moved inside after the first night but Katie and Emily stuck it out.

With a little teamwork they got it up - no help from us at all! L-R Ellie, Emily, Katie, Josie, Sashi, Katie R, Sariya with Meggie and Ruth in front.

Lunch buffet.

Heading down to the beach.

It was a tad cold and windy but they all got in eventually.

The Plank Challenge 

Katie and Emily were judges.

We played a lot of Twister - always good for a laugh.

Back to the beach - parental selfie.

Roasting marshmallows.

One day we spent ages on walking along the very windy beach to see a shipwreck. . .

This is it. Very disappointing.

On our last night we did something the girls had seen on the internet called the condom challenge. You fill a condom with water and then drop it on someone's head. It's hilarious when it works but we could only get it to work one time out of the whole box of condoms.

This is Sashi after it worked - it's supposed to end up over your face but most the time it just bounced off.

December begins and School Ends

For Advent this year I made my own calendar - I used these cards and strung them on the window and each day we did a service for someone or had a family activity or something else. It was fun getting to personalize it for our family and I think the girls really enjoyed it too. I was also able to tailor it to our schedule so nights that I already knew were busy had easier activities. 

One of Ellie's friends posted this on Instagram and I thought it was cute. 

December means it's time to decorate the tree!

Ellie set the table and made us dessert.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

Ellie and her choir sang in Midland Park to help raise money for the Wellington City Mission.

That morning we all (except Josie who had another commitment) collected for them in town before school and work.

Josie was a beautiful sun in her recital - they performed in The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The girls were passing out candy canes after the first show.

Josie back right.

Josie in front

The Carol Service was beautiful as always - links to all the songs are on YouTube if you search Marsden Carol Service 2015 you should be able to listen.

Meggie and her team won an award from the city of Wellington for their "100 Warm Wellingtonians" project. 

Gelato after Prizegiving with friends - thanks to Meggie! Family "rule" is we only go if someone receives an award at Prizegiving. 

Meggie was thrilled to win two awards.

Josie received her Commended award at assembly - well done Jo!

Katie also received a Commended at assembly - smart girl!!

Ellie was also recognized, I didn't get a copy of her with her certificate though.

Ellie and chapel choir friends before her (and our) last Primary School chapel.

Ellie and her friend Hannah.

Suz took Laura, Ellie and Rosie for a lovely tea at Louis Sargeant to celebrate the last day of school.

Meanwhile Meggie and friends also celebrated at Lily's.

And Katie got braces!!

Random photo of a very sweet kitty on Marsden Ave. 

But not quite as cute as this kitty.