More holiday fun

We went to see Grandma and Grandpa during the school holidays and had a lovely catch-up. I didn't really get any good pictures but I did think it was adorable how Katie and Ellie helped Grandma sort out some issues she was having with her ipad.  

We also had baby Quinn Benton and her parents and grandmother over for lunch one Sunday - we were so excited to get some cuddle time in, she was born the day of Ellie's baptism which is why they couldn't make it.

I also impulsively started what was meant to be a very little kitchen renovation. It's December now and we still aren't finished.

The "before" pic. I decided to remove the bar on the right to open up the area into the sunroom. I also took out the bookshelves that were on the other side of the bar to let more light into the kitchen.

So then it looked like this, except I needed to do something to unify the flooring. I was happy to discover wood under the indoor/outdoor carpet in the sunroom but was still waiting to discover what was under the nasty linoleum in the kitchen.

I pulled out at least a million of these staples all by myself. I wouldn't recommend it. Also notice that although there was wood flooring under the carpet in the sunroom, there was also concrete leveling compound on top of it. It's a bit ironic given that the floor was not level at all in that room, and it will cost me extra of course to get it up off the wood.

Just about time for another school holiday. . .

We had a very special last chapel service for Term 3 - Ellie was baptized and Josie re-confirmed her baptismal vows. The girls took part in a course on the Eucharist during lunchtimes this term with our school chaplain which culminated in Ellie choosing to get baptized and Josie re-committing to her faith. I love that the girls get to learn about the church traditions and history at school and Sarah, our chaplain, has a lovely way with them and has introduced them to ways to make the faith their own. The course was optional and both girls chose of their own accord to do it which was important to us. As much as we wanted Ellie to get baptized, we wanted it to be her decision. Even that morning I wasn't sure she was going to go through with it because she is not a fan of being the center of attention in such a large group, but she did it and we couldn't be more proud of both of them.

Rev. Stephen King baptizes Ellie. Our Vicar John was away and couldn't do it, but Rev. King is Sarah, the chaplain's, husband and he made it special for the girls.

Meggie and Katie came down from school to join us - the Primary chapel service is held separately from the Upper School's service but they made the effort to support Ellie and Josie.

The girls are in robes because they are both also members of the Chapel Choir.

I had some great feedback about Ellie from her teacher on some things she had been working on so as a reward she got to get her ears pierced.

Josie and her besties went to the World of Wearable Art show.

Meggie left on the last day of term to head up to Lake Taupo with her friend Bria - here are some of her pictures from her time at the lake.

September begins. . .

This year is really flying by and September was upon us before we knew it. The girls kept busy with all their activities while we waited patiently for warmer weather to get to New Zealand. It is such a blessing to get to head to warmer climes midwinter, without fun holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving to break it up the winter seems to drag on and on.

We had the university boys around for a meal and a game - the girls enjoyed the company of their cousin Wills and a friend of a friend from the US, Josh.

Ellie wrote this for a school assignment and clearly it wasn't fact-checked, but I think it's adorable and Papa was very flattered she chose to write about him.

 I accompanied Josie and her class on a school trip to see and report on some of the sculptures around Wellington. We are lucky to live in a city so devoted to the arts and the girls enjoyed researching and discovering some of the great works right on our doorstep. If you are in Wellington be sure and check out www.sculpture.org.nz to download a map and description the sculpture walk.

Outside of Parliament with "The Navigator".

Josie reported on "Woman of Words" which is right outside Dugald's office so he got to come down and say hello.

The class with the sculpture that celebrates the life and words of Katherine Mansfield.

The primary school production of "Panto Pandemonium" was also in September. Josie had one of the lead roles as "John" and Ellie was adorable in the chorus and as one of the "baddies".

Josie with Tamina and Darby

Ellie, Jennie and Zoe

Rosa, Josie, Zoe and Isabel

Katie and Lottie were in charge of filming.

Josie center-stage, Ellie on the right, last row, second from right in the striped hat.

Chillin with their books.

Meggie's English class put on a fantastic performance of their interpretation of "A Midsummer's Night Dream".

Meggie and friends went horse riding one Saturday - Harriett, Meg, Ashley and Grace

Meggie's Birthday Party (and other stuff)

Meggie and friends went to play bubble soccer and then have dinner out at Wagamama to celebrate her 15th birthday. Bubble soccer is pretty new to Wellington so it was the first time most of them had ever played and they had a blast. After the game they walked over to the restaurant and had dinner while Dugald, the little girls and I had dinner nearby so we were available to pay the bill and drive them home. 

Meggie getting into her bubble.

Sometimes if they didn't have enough momentum the girls would get stuck upside down and have to wait for a teammate to come bump them over. 

We drew phones out of a bag to determine teams - this is the blue team. L-R Katie, Caroline, Ashley, Meggie and Lily.

Yellow team - Harriet, Bria, Kristy, Martine and Grace.

Josie and my yummy cocktail.

The girls' dessert - yum!

Blue often pops over for a visit.

Ellie all dolled up and getting some exercise at home.

They only hang out this close together when they are cold but it's really cute when they do it.

Katie's netball team had a great season - here they are congratulating each other after their last game. 

K-1, the top Marsden Year 8 team, unfortunately Saro missed the photo. L-R Kylie, Rachel, Victoria, Mrs. Carroll (manager), Katie, Suz (coach), Piyali, Sophie, Charlotte and Grace.

I went to an 80's dance to fundraise for Karori Normal School - Dugald wasn't well and my pictures didn't turn out particularly well but it was a fun evening. Kathryn, Fleur, Me.

Katie and her hip hop crew danced in the school's exhibition for parents, here's a video of her performing.


Katie and Josie also were nominated for the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise money and awareness for Motor Neuron Disease by Harris Carter.