Sebastian and Charlottes Web

Charlotte spent her birthday at Mike’s Aunt Penny and Uncle Rick’s house in the sounds. The kids love spending time with Maddie (11) and Ollie (9). As a treat we all got to go out in their boat in the afternoon and cook sausages on the beach for dinner (see pics in post below). It was a wonderful day and a great end to our South Island holiday.
On Saturday Charlotte is having a pool party and picnic at Khandallah pool with her friends. I hope the weather holds up. She seems to have received lots of books and book vouchers for her birthday this year – appropriate as she loves reading. The other toy of choice is Lego. We have a huge pile on the floor as we try and put together some of the sets we have. Sebastian has some castles and knights and some Star Wars Lego and Charlotte has a house and a horse and horse float. We all spend much spare time playing with Lego!

Sebastian had a tantrum today because he wanted it to be his birthday tomorrow. I think he is a bit jealous of it being Charlotte’s birthday. He also said “Why don’t I get to turn 7 before Charlotte?”

Our summer holiday this year involved two weeks with our friends Karen and Chris at Pakawau Beach, Golden Bay; tramping in the Cobb Valley, Kahurangi National Park; visiting Karen’s dad in Motueka; and relaxing with Giovanni in Moetapu Bay, Kenepuru Sound. The tramp was the kids second overnighter and involved a 2 hour walk uphill to Sylvester Hut. The next morning we walked on a bit further to the lake. It was stunning and the kids loved it.

Pohutukawa – the NZ Christmas tree – this flowers everywhere at Christmas time. We have them all around our place.

Island Bay sunset on Christmas Eve with the South Island in the background

Cousins at Christmas (Heather’s boys and our two)

Our gorgeous kids and the Christmas tree and bikkies (Mailanderli) we created

I had a 70′s party for my 40th last Saturday. We had a glorious evening and a lot of fun with fifty or so friends round to our house. It was great as we got to enjoy our new patio!

70′s family

My gorgeous girl

Sebastian with hair

Barb and Erica

From this…

and this

to this!!!

and this

Pretty cool huh?
And we get to use it next weekend for my 40th birthday party! Woohoo!

Making schnitzel is a family affair in our house…

Sebastian just told Charlotte she was the nicest girl in the world! I am second best apparently.

We had a glorious weekend at Mt Ruapehu recently. It was warm and sunny and the kids had their first go at skiing.