Josie's Baptism

Last Sunday was a special day for Josie - she was baptized! She had decided awhile ago that she wanted to be baptized in the sea but Sunday dawned cold and blustery. I asked her repeatedly at church if she wanted to change her mind and be baptized at church instead, but she was steadfast, so the sea it was. First, though, she was recognized at church and our sweet babysitters Hannah and Sophie gave her a lovely silver heart necklace to mark the special occasion. Then, despite rain and wind we, and several friends and church members, headed down to Oriental Bay for the actual baptism. Kudos to John, our vicar, and Dugald for getting in the water with her!

Once we had all arrived we gathered under a tree to shield us from the drizzle and went through the liturgy for baptism. Josie was still all smiles at this point. Dugald and John headed out to the water and waited for Jo who immediately started to lose the plot when her toes hit the very chilly water.  Dugald and John did their best to comfort her but in the end they had to rush to get the deed done so she could get out. The family has had a few laughs at these pictures but Josie still doesn't see the humor in them, in fact she's annoyed with me for posting them, but despite all that the fact is that she made a very important decision and we are SO proud of her!! After all was said and done we headed to the nearest cafe and got hot chocolates and coffee for everyone.

Swinging Over Wellington

Last Sunday was Pippa's birthday and the Sheppards invited us to join them for lunch after church. We tried out a delicious new Vietnamese cafe and then took a stroll up Mount Vic to a swing that offered great views of the city.

We loved helping you celebrate turning 10 sweet Pippa!! xx

Various fun stuff. . .

Our dear friends Fay and Trevor were in Wellington not so long ago for a visit to Te Papa and we were so excited to get to see them again! They live in Auckland and we've seen them a few times since living here, but way back in the day they lived close to me in Texas and they took me in often for family gatherings and meals and made me feel like an extended part of their family. It was great to share a meal and reminisce about our times together with Mercy Ships and catch up with what their sweet family, the Curtis's, have been up to in America.

Ellie helped me bake cookies for Christchurch - an email was circulated throughout Wellington that one way we could show love and support for all those suffering after the earthquake (in addition to giving financially which is also very much needed) would be to send down home-made baking. A friend of ours collected it all and we were happy to participate. It's been lovely to see the country pull together in this time of crisis for the people of Canterbury and our thoughts and prayers are all still with them. I loved the baking idea because it was a nice way to get the girls involved, although in the end it was only Ellie home to help me. 

I attended a Mother's Lunch at Marsden a few weeks ago and was able to meet some of the other moms from Meggie's class. It was great, since so many in her class are new, for us to have a chance to meet early in the school year. Last week it was the daddies' turn, and the girls got to join them as well. So Meggie and Dugald were up and out early to have breakfast together. I think they both really enjoyed it and Dugald worked out that he knew a few of the men there anyway from work.

Wellington had two earthquakes last week that were over 4 on the Richter Scale - disconcerting to say the least! I was in the bathtub for one of them and I got out more quickly than I've ever moved in my life.   The big girls also had a mufti day at school (meaning they didn't have to wear their uniforms) - for a donation they could come to school dressed in red and black in support of Christchurch and the money raised went to the recovery effort. I think we are all a bit more on edge than usual, although everyone in Wellington knows we are on a major fault line it seems that much more real when you see the devastation down south.

In happier news Josie was baptized today - more on that soon.

Lots of love from all of us! xx

Marsden Athletics

Last week (it seems I'm starting every post lately with "last week", although I guess it's better than "last month". . .) the Upper School at Marsden had their Athletics Day. The girls at Marsden are each assigned a house when you enroll and they usually keep families all together in the same house - so Meggie is in Richmond as are Ottilie, Vita and Aunt Kate. For some reason Hettie and Alex were in different houses, but never mind. Katie is in Innes because she is still in the Lower School, however in Year 7 she will also be put in Richmond. Anyway, the houses compete against each other at various events, one of which is the Athletics Day (Track and Field). Meggie wasn't actually that excited about it since running is not her favorite sport. When the teachers told her she had to sign up for three events she wasn't thrilled, but she did manage to avoid running by signing up for vortex, long jump and tenniquoits (I have never in my life heard of this and I'm still not sure I'm spelling it correctly, but it was another throwing event of some sort and Meggie reckons this is how to spell it, you can click on it to see a link but I'm still skeptical.) Ottilie told me it would be fun if the little girls and I came in the morning to see the house parade so we did and I'm so glad! 

Meggie and Ottilie 

Hettie is house captain for another house - Johnson - so she was in orange, while the Richmond girls wore blue.

 Josie and Ellie with their big girl cousins.

Upon arrival the girls found their house banners and the cheering began. Josie, Ellie and I got some Richmond ribbons and put them in our hair. We hollered right along with them.

The girls all got sorted and lined up on the track to march in the House Parade. The senior girls get to dress in costumes which added to the frivolity and fun.

I've circled Meggie's head in green - see her?

Hettie

I got to meet a few of Meggie's new friends - Lucy and Gothami.

We left Meg as the events started so we could get home and I could start school with the little two. However it was a beautiful day and the laundry was out of control, so instead of school Ellie did a bit of artwork on the driveway.

Ottilie brought Meggie home for me and Meg was full of smiles despite not having placed in any of her events. She was encouraged by Ottilie telling her that she hadn't placed either but they had both earned house points for Richmond just by trying. I am so grateful to have the girls at Marsden with their cousins, it's been a wonderful introduction to school for Meggie and Katie.

Thankful

We had an earthquake last night - nothing even close to the size of the one in Christchurch - but it gave me pause. This morning I'm focusing on all I'm grateful for, despite the rain! I'd like to print this out, frame it and put it in the bathroom as a reminder. . .

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