Happy Birthday to me and a little DIY project.

My lovely friends and family minimized the sting of getting older by making my birthday truly special. First was lunch with Fleur, Kathryn and Alison complete with an amazing banana cake made by the lovely Ginny at Gipp Street Deli. In some ways it's hard to believe I've only known these beautiful women for six years, they feel like life-long friends. 

Then to truly test how much food I could consume in one day I had a delicious and fun dinner out with the fam before yoga. Thank goodness it wasn't a power yoga class but rather a relaxing one, even so I probably won't ever eat right before class again if I can help it!

This one was a teensy bit grumpy, as I recall she was not happy with my restaurant choice.

I finally tackled a project I'd been wanting to do for ages, I pulled the carpet off the stairs and hired a painter to paint them. I decided that I could save some money by uplifting the carpet myself but man did it kill my hands! The stairs looked great all painted but we have already managed to scuff them up a bit so next on the agenda is to find a runner to protect them a bit.

Rowing in Whanganui

Some photos from the regatta in Whanganui where Meggie won two gold medals!!

Meggie at "Stroke" just in front of the cox.

Meggie and Ruby, exhausted but happy!

Annabelle and Meggie

The winning crew with coach David in the background - Ruby, Liv, Jesse, Lilly, Annabelle, Emily, Meggie, Sophie and Lucy.

Family Walk

It is not easy getting all our girls together on the weekends, their social lives keep them quite busy, so it was a sweet surprise to find ourselves with a free Saturday to just hang out together. Dugald and I decided that a family walk was in order and we headed out to the Petone end of the Hutt Valley trails. It wasn't everyone's first choice of activity for the day but we ended up having a fantastic time despite ourselves and hope to find ourselves with another free Saturday soon.

Parental Selfie

Josie helping Ellie get sorted at the start.

This puppy wanted to play with us at the park - so cute! Our dog was busy swimming with all the ducks - it was quite funny.

Ellie's Class goes to Somes and Josie goes to school camp.

Early in the term the Primary School has EOC (Education Outside the Classroom) week which this year for Josie was school camp. She had a great time with her friends but I don't have photos as they weren't allowed to take electronics. One of my friends was one of the adult helpers though and sent me this cute picture of Josie all dressed up for one of the games they did. 

As a part of her EOC week Ellie and her class took the ferry out to Somes Island in the middle of Wellington Harbour. I went along as parent help and we had a great day exploring the island and learning some of its history. The Department of Conservation website says this about the island: Maori have occupied this island for generations. In more recent times, Matiu/Somes Island has served as a human and animal quarantine station, an internment camp, and a military defence position. It is now a Department of Conservation scientific and historic reserve.

Ready to board the ferry.

Last minute instructions from Mrs. Barlow.

Ellie and Alex.

Tilly and Lilly holding a Weta. 

February begins. . .

On our way home from camping we stopped in Silverstream to attend James' and Julia's installation as the new priests of Silverstream Parish. Dugald was honored that James asked him to be his sponsor and of course they are such dear friends we wouldn't have missed it!! Meggie even took the train up to meet us so she could be there too. It was a very special service and we look forward to watching how God uses them to bless that parish.

Dugald and Nicola were sponsors.

The following day was the first day of school!! Meggie had to get up early for rowing so I don't have photos of her, somehow posing at 5:45 am just didn't appeal to her. But I got some photos of the rest of them - Meggie began Year 10, Katie Year 8, Josie Year 6 and Ellie Year 5.

Katie and Hannah Jacobs-Grant walk to school together every day.

Josie and one of her besties, Zoe Cooper.

Josie with sweet friend Lucy Breen who just started at Marsden this year but they were buddies at KNS.

Ellie in her classroom, she has Mrs. Barlow this year - one of our favorite Marsden teachers.

Ellie and friends India, Ava, Laura, Lilly and Alex. 

Katie hamming it up with some of her groupies - Pippi,  Kate, Lottie and Saro.

Meggie was honored at assembly and received medals for her wins at the Whanganui regatta.

Josie and her friend Sashi were elected Heads of Innes and Dugald and I were invited to chapel to see her get her badge, then coffee with some of the other parents after the service. Well-done Josie!