Ellie's 8th Birthday

Turning 8 seriously rocks! We celebrated from dawn til dusk with just a bit of cleaning thrown in before the party because that's what you do and the birthday girl was just as pleased as she could be with how the day unfolded! 

Presents before breakfast.

Katie spent the night with a friend so wasn't there for the morning festivities. We had to snap a picture of Cinderella cleaning her toilet before her party.

I bailed on making a cake and went with cupcakes instead, but I thought my sign turned out ok.

Nigel Kennedy the magician entertained the girls.

We so love this little munchkin.

It wouldn't be a party without "pass the parcel". 

Ellie with our neighbor and friend Maddie.

 I came across this picture the other day while looking at old photos for something else and couldn't resist posting it again I love it so much - hard to believe in four short years, short for me anyway but half her young life, this little one has gone from this. . .

to this. . . 

and we couldn't me more proud! Ellie thank you for all the joy you bring us, we love you so much.

Katie's First Dance

Katie and friends had their first school dance last month at Wellesley. The girls were so excited and several of them got ready together at Lottie's house. I snuck over for a few snaps before they left and felt very sorry for Glenn and Nicky who were driving the two vehicles to transport the girls as they were VERY loud! They all looked so beautiful though and are such sweet girls and friends and from what I've heard the evening was a great success.

Pippi, Emily, Katie and Juliet

Saro and Katie

Lottie and Katie

Juliet, Saro, Katie, Sophie, Grace, Anna and Pippi in back, Grace, Lottie and Emily in front.

More April Fun

Some more highlights from April . . .

Ellie was chosen to represent her class and share at assembly about their art projects:



A girl in Josie's class won a trip for the whole class to go see "The Croods" before it officially opened in New Zealand. They also were interviewed to be on a New Zealand tv show called "What Now?".

The girls being filmed on the bus. 

Ready to enter the theater with their special bags full of goodies.

Josie and Zoe

Josie and friends being interviewed.

Josie and Lucy on the bus ride home.

The ice rink is back down by the waterfront for a few months and the girls have taken every opportunity to skate with friends.

Meggie, Sophie, Martine and Katie

Katie and Emily

Summer sport carried on with Josie playing netball and Katie playing cricket and netball. . .

Josie playing netball.

Katie and her cricket team.

Happy 10th Josie!

Josie hit double digits this year so since it was such a monumental occasion we offered her the choice of a party or a trip to Auckland with a friend to go to Rainbow's End - New Zealand's biggest theme park. She chose to take her good friend Tessa and go to Rainbow's End. On her actual birthday we had a quiet celebration at home with the family. Her birthday fell on a school holiday day so we got to hang out all day - we had presents at breakfast then went to lunch at the Marsden Village cafe and ended the day by having the Sheppards over for dinner and cake.

The birthday girl in her new outfit.

We got up really early to make the 7 am flight to Auckland because we wanted to be sure and be there for the opening of Rainbow's End. We dropped our bags at Kate and Ant's and had coffee and breakfast with Abi, then it was off. Thank you so much Abi, Kate and Ant for letting us stay with you and for the use of your car!!

Bucket full of cotton candy. We ate it all and got a refill, then ate that too.

This was the only ride that both Tessa and I refused - see the video below. Josie loved it!

Josie with Holly dog - she's getting so old but is as sweet as ever.

On the flight home.