What we do during ballet. . .

Josie takes ballet on Monday and Katie takes on Friday so we are there a lot. There is a little waiting room where the parents can sit if they'd like, but you can't see in to the dance studio and the room is quite small. So, the other three children and I usually take Rico down to Karori Park. There is a stream that runs alongside of the park that Rico and the girls love to splash around in. I am not convinced it is the cleanest water, but it is a much better alternative than being cooped up in a little room for an hour or a half hour (depending on who is having a lesson), so we take the risk.

We go to the creek rain or shine because the girls and the dog come home wet regardless. Yesterday it was quite cold but that didn't stop anyone from getting in! We bravely let Rico off the lead to play and usually it works out quite well. However, yesterday right as Ellie was telling me she needed to go potty Rico took off after two other dogs- chihuahuas no less. Needless to say they were terrified! I ran after Rico yelling for him to come and told Meggie to hold on to Ellie. Thankfully the owner of the wee small dogs was ok with Rico bounding after them and once I managed to get the lead back on him she wanted to have the dogs get used to him. So, disaster averted. Once they moved on we made it to the bathroom, but not a moment too soon. Just thought you might want to know :).

Another Sunny Winter Day

We had another great weekend here in Wellington! The sun was shining, we celebrated Katie, life is good. On Saturday we decided to head back down to the waterfront and rent a "Crocodile Bike" for a little while. Unfortunately, since we were biking, we couldn't take Rico. Here he is, with Willow, watching us leave. How sad is that?
Anyway, we got down to the marina and loaded up the bike ready for our next adventure. . .

It was sunny, but that doesn't mean it wasn't chilly!

The Birthday Girl just enjoying her day.

We took a short break for gelato - we said we were going to get hot chocolate, but when we saw the gelato we couldn't resist and only daddy ended up with a hot chocolate.

We parked our bike right outside this cute little cafe. . . and tucked inside for some tasty treats!

Then we had to use up all that extra energy, and warm up a bit, so we pedaled over to the play area and let the kids run around awhile. Here comes Josie down the big slide.

After returning the bike we tried our hand at rock climbing. . .only daddy made it to the top! Here's Katie looking a bit like SpiderGirl.

Meggie did pretty well also!

Since Josie didn't make much progress on the wall she decided to show off her prowess on the bar. . .

The afternoon ended after a trip to the bookstore where Katie got to spend some of her gift certificate from Grandma and Grandpa.

By the by, Katie is wearing her new outfit from American Girl that matches the new outfit her doll got, thanks Mimi and Big Daddy!!

Happy Birthday Katie Anne!

Our sweet Katie turned 7-years-old today! Katie is a joy to our family and she is so easy to love. It's hard to believe she's only 7 because in our family she is one of the big girls. We (Dugald and I) often lump her together with Meggie and expect things of her that are probably a bit beyond her years, but she rarely disappoints. Katie Anne we love you and are so proud of you!
Katie has started taking riding this year and she's doing very well. I think her ballet training helps as she looks so elegant, balanced and confident up in the saddle. There have been a few times where she has struggled, but she has bravely and diligently kept at it until the end of her lesson despite her fear, she has the makings of a champion I think!

This smile is infectious. Sometimes it gets her or her sisters in trouble when we are supposed to be doing schoolwork, or if we are somewhere that Mommy wants them to be calm (church, grocery store, etc) and she gets a case of the giggles and next thing you know everyone is rolling in the aisles ( sometimes literally). That's Katie though - funny, fun to be around and spreading joy.

And she is a gifted ballerina. I'm probably a bit biased, but I do think she is a natural when it comes to ballet.

The kid was born in Texas, and she's a cowgirl wannabe! I enjoy watching her learn her English riding skills and horsemanship but she thinks barrel racing would be a blast - so she may return to Texas one day performing in the rodeo!

And she's quick! This girl can catch birds in her bare hands, kind of a super power I'd say.

We call her Katie kitten as a nickname sometimes so this picture seemed appropriate as we celebrate Katie and her gentle nature.

Happy Birthday blue-eyed girl - our prayer for you this year is that "you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. . ." Col 1:10-13

The Art of Hospitality

Last night we had a lovely evening over at Rob and Liz's. Margaret and Hugh were in town for the night, having driven up to watch their grandsons (and our nephews) Hugh and Elliot playing in a rugby match. So, after having spent the entire day on a blustery, wet, cold field (which the Kiwis call a pitch if I remember correctly) watching Scots College (Hugh and Elliot's team) crush the competition, Rob and Liz invited everyone back to their place for dinner. We didn't watch the match -shame on us - due to the weather and various other commitments - but we did go over in the late afternoon and we stayed for dinner. Julie was there with her five - but she and the younger three had to leave almost as soon as we arrived so that Elliot could get to another sporting event. It was lovely to see them even if only for a few minutes.

As soon as we arrived Liz brought out an enormous trunk FULL of Groovy Girl dolls and accessories for the girls. They were enthralled, and sweet Hettie got down on the floor and played with them and basically looked after them so I could enjoy some adult conversation.

Lloyd and Julie's oldest two, having a car of their own, were able to stay and visit awhile longer. Here is a picture of Bella and Maddie with Margaret and Hugh (sorry Maddie that I caught you with your eyes closed).

Rob was the main chef for the evening and cooked up a lovely meal for all of us of lamb chops, sausages, green beans, some pastas and various salads. He and Liz manage to make feeding a crowd of 12 look effortless.

Meanwhile we all just kicked back and chatted . . .

Dinner was delicious and the company even better.

Hugh entertained us after our meal. . .

and Katie played a game of changing faces with Grandpa. Hand goes up over face, smile! Hand goes down over face, frown. Somehow this always entertains.

Anyway, reflecting on the night and the joy of being together with family I couldn't help but think of what a gift hospitality is to those who receive it. I looked it up in the dictionary and here is how Merriam-Webster's defines it:

1 a: given to generous and cordial reception of guests b: promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome c: offering a pleasant or sustaining environment2: readily receptive : open

Rob and Liz blessed us last night with their generous hospitality. I only hope that when friends and family visit our home they feel as generously welcomed and received. Thanks for a lovely evening!!

Sunday in the City

We had a glorious Sunday!! The sun was shining brightly all day, we spent time with friends and we hung out together as a family too. Just perfect!

After church we went to lunch with our friends the Colemans - we had invited them to go have dim sum with us downtown. Sadly I didn't realize the need for a reservation so we couldn't go there, but we made the best of it and walked over to Te Papa, a fabulous museum, and had lunch in the cafe and then let all the kids go play awhile.

After they left our family went for stroll along the waterfront to enjoy the sunshine. We saw these two ducks courting, and pretty soon the girls got a biology lesson, very exciting!

I'm throwing in some scenic shots for my American friends and family who haven't been to Wellington before.

A fun play area right along the shore. The slide is awesome!

I would absolutely LOVE it if our next house could have a view of the water, it's just so lovely.

Ellie got a little tuckered out towards the end of our walk, so Daddy gave her a ride.

Lots of people were biking and skating so we promised the girls the next time we were in town on a sunny weekend day we'd rent bikes and join them. They also want to rollerblade, but I'm not sure Wellington is ready for all of us on roller blades!

After our walk we headed home in the car to pick up Rico and take him down to "crazy bay". It's actually Evans Bay but he goes crazy with delight whenever we take him so we've renamed it!

Here is a picture of Josie - her hair was making us all laugh.

He's a happy dog, he's a happy. happy dog!

After all of our trials and tribulations with the kennel, Rico is at last quite happy in it and now he is just a joy to have in the family. He's such a good puppy and the girls adore him and even Dugald is fond of him (he didn't really want to get a dog if the truth be told).

This is a sign you don't see at home. . .

Hope you had a great weekend too!!!