To Finish off November

Ricky is still with us and adorable.

Ellie opened a cafe at home.

This is my seat that she set - the phone on the pillow is for me to use to order, I press the button to make a bell sound and she comes out.

Steve started taking our little man in the pool. 

Meggie is still rowing.

Katie and friends are in the school newsletter for helping to load the bus going to the Wellington City Mission.

And Josie and Ellie support the "5 A Day" program by donating fruit.

Katie went to Scouts camp.

Western Zones Athletics and Taylor Swift Concert!!!!

Josie and Katie made it through to the Western Zones Athletics competition - Katie for high jump, of all things, and Josie for long jump, quoits, vortex, sprints and relay. They both did well and it was a pretty nice day for it though a bit chilly. Ricky and I went out to support them for an hour or so but didn't stay the whole day so only a few pictures.

Emily, Charlotte and Katie

Anna Moore and Josie

Zoe, Lucy, Grace, Tamina, Josie, Breagha and Maddie

Josie in the relay.

Josie doing the long jump.

Katie tackles the high jump.

An early Christmas gift for the girls was a trip to Auckland with our lovely friends the Johnstones to go see Taylor Swift in concert for her Red tour. We had such a fantastic weekend, Taylor Swift was awesome and it was great fun hanging out with our sweet friends. We stayed at Sky Tower so of course we had to go up to the top despite my distaste for heights. We also tried a delicious new restaurant called "Federal" which is Al Brown's take on a New York Jewish delicatessen. I loved my Reuben - especially since it was on the kind of rye bread I'm used to and haven't found in New Zealand. The next morning we went to another Al Brown establishment called "Best Ugly Bagels" which was also amazing. We went shopping - an adventure with teenage girls - all day and then after a quick dinner headed to see Ms. Swift.

Annabel and Meggie at Federal

Lottie and our crew at Federal.

Ellie's "Amercian" hot dog. 

Our table had a LOT of food, but we ate most all of it.

Under the tree at the Sky Tower.

Up top looking out over the city.

We ran into this chick so decided to take a photo, why not?

The gift shop was very entertaining.

Decisions, decisions.

Catching up before the show - Lily, Martine, Meggie and Katie

The gang at the yogurt shop just before heading to the concert.

Seriously beautiful. 

Adorable girls who are very excited!

Post Show - love the cyclist photo bombing.

More November Madness

First up, there's this:

The Marsden website's front page featuring Ellie!

We are so proud of you Ellie Rose!! Well done. 

Then there was the Marsden Year 5/6 Disco. We had a "Fiesta" themed party organized by myself and four other ladies that required a bit of time but was a smashing success. Josie even managed to find herself the perfect costume! At first she wanted me to get my mom to mail her a costume from Florida - my mom has Spanish dresses she picked up in Spain in her dress-up box for the grandkids. Once I told Josie that that was impossible because even if Mimi consented it would never get here in time she got herself on the internet and started looking for places where I could buy her something. So I explained to her that I didn't intend to purchase a dress for this and that besides we would most likely run into the same issue of not being able to get it in time anyway. This caused much weeping but then she had a lightbulb moment as Oprah would say and decided she would ask her ballet teacher if she had anything. Her ballet studio doesn't charge students for production costumes and instead keeps a huge supply that they just re-use later, so it was definitely a possibility. Unfortunately that didn't pan out either BUT the teacher's daughter had a dress that Josie could borrow. And borrow it she did, and she looked stunning and was very pleased with herself on the night. I decided to not point out that "Fiesta" really implies Mexico more than Spain because she much preferred the flamenco dress to the sombrero.

Ashleigh, Trinity, Josie,  Zoe and Victoria Rose in front. They were at the afternoon tea in the classroom before the disco and could hardly wait to get over there and get the party started.

My fantastically talented and creative neighbor Jen was the head of our little committee but I helped with decorations - Jen made the flags, aren't they awesome? She also made the pinatas. I have to say Pinterest is THE place for inspiration and ideas!

The girls and I made LOTS of pom poms. 

The photographer stayed busy all night. 

Zoe, Josie, Breagha and Trinity.

Josie's class with Mrs. Barlow. Is anyone surprised Josie is in the front and holding the star?

Dance of the Dads. Sadly Dugald had to miss it.

Ricky was a special guest.

Pinata time.

Me and Jen.

In other news, the big girls got their first Eftpos cards (debit cards). We decided it was time to give them a little more responsibility in managing their money so gave them their summer spending money up front and trusted them to make it last. This happened before Christmas and they generously used most of the money to buy the family gifts, so they had to work earlier in the summer than expected to earn more, but I think the mission is being accomplished and I'm proud of both of them for how they are choosing to spend and save what we've given them.

And then just a few pictures of our youngest three. . .

That monstrosity around her neck is her bark collar. One side is a microphone and when it picks up that she is barking the other side spritzes her with citronella. It works a charm but she's not thrilled about it.