Cooking at MAG

The girls have been helping out in the kitchen as a part of their Morrison Academy for Girls training. Well, most of the girls, Katie hasn't been in mi cocina in awhile so she's not in these photos, but we'll get her working soon. First up - an attempt at homemade Oreos. We decided to fill them with a pink cream in honor of Valentines Day. I think the general consensus on these was that they weren't great because of  the cream, the recipe called for shortening as well as butter and we didn't like it so much. But they looked yummy so here are the pictures:

Ellie and Meggie helped out with dinner the other night - they love to be in the kitchen and really are helpful.  Meggie would like to cook one night a week, but with our activity schedule it isn't always possible. Ellie wants to help every night, but, well, you know. . .

Josie chose a dessert she wanted to make - it was a yummy raspberry concoction! She needed a bit of guidance but that may be only because I'm a teensy bit controlling about how messy I allow my kitchen to get. And it does take a bit of creative maneuvering to cook in here with our two feet of usable counter space . . .

In other news today we went and met the principals at the girls' new school. We were very happy and impressed! We also got to see their classrooms and meet Katie's teacher. I am so excited for the girls, I really think they are going to be happy there and have lots of opportunities for growth, friendships and academic success. I will miss them at home terribly but we are all excited for this new phase in our lives. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for making this possible!!

Clearing the Backlog

I finally uploaded all the pictures from my camera so the next few days will hopefully catch us up to current events! We've had an awesome summer full of fun times with friends and family but all the goings-on have kept me from posting here as regularly as I'd like. 

These photos are from our trip back from the wedding in Wanaka. We spent a few days in Hanmer Springs to break up the trip and had a great time at the hot pools and going on a family mountain biking adventure. Ellie rode in a seat on the back of my bike and Dugald's bike linked to Josie's. The big girls rode on their own - Josie probably could have too but she lacks a bit of confidence since she's new to riding without training wheels. I'm including a very short  15-second video clip on here of all of us at the very beginning of the trail on the easy bit. After the clip I'm posting I tried to video while riding and nearly crashed so I stopped, but what I didn't realize for nearly eight minutes is that the camera was still rolling. It shows lovely footage of my right leg for that length of time, but the conversations are hilarious. I'll spare you and not post it here but the girls and I crack up every time we watch it. 

We decided to travel some back roads to get out of Hamner and our first potty break was right near a little park. The girls were needing to stretch their legs and I was a bit bored, so while they played I snapped a few pics. 

Have I posted one of these shots before? The farmer with his sheep on the highway gets me every time. It's our job to give way to them.

Finally it was time to get on the ferry for the sail home which was much calmer and therefore nicer than the ride on the way over for which I was very thankful! The little girls and I stayed upstairs writing thank-you notes, playing on the ipad, reading and playing with stickers while Dugald, Meggie and Katie went and watched "Despicable Me" in the theater onboard. 

Keep checking back as I really hope to get us up-to-date here soon! I think most of you know but Meggie and Katie are going to be attending a new school and they start on Wednesday. I've got a cute picture of them in their PE uniforms but we're still waiting on Meggie's skirt for the real uniform - hopefully we'll get it by Weds and I'll have some pics to post of them heading out. I also have pictures from our camping adventure, my sea swim and various other bits of whatnot. Lots of love from us all. Dxx

Tom and Abi - The Reception

So the girls said that this was the best night of their lives - and it was definitely fun! I mean who doesn't love a wedding?! Tom and Abi, thank you! We are so happy for both of you. xx