Outside Completed

After 4 weekends Dave and I finally finished the outside of our house.  All gardens are in and grass is in place and now we watch them grow and blossom.  Dave made a beautiful fence and now the outside of the house looks awesome.  The funniest thing is at the beginning Dave was totally against having any roses, however we have gone with 3 white standard roses out the front garden complemented with icing sugar Hebe's.  Amazingly all went well with nil arguments and fighting (that's so not normal for us, very strange indeed).  Our summer will be all about relaxing and enjoy the outside living just as much as the inside living.  Great team work.

Ready lawn is layed

Fences are built

Roses & Hebe's planted

Finished!!!

Montessori Xmas Party

Last Wednesday all the Montessori children, teachers and parents hopped on the bus and headed to Charnacle Farm for a Christmas Party.  It was a lovely day and we all had fun looking and feeding the animals.  It was so nice Dave could come too and watch his little girl particpate in her centres activity.  Nicholas was not so well so he tagged along and totally played the big brother role making sure his little sister and her friend were safe.

Off to feed the animals

Here donkey eat my bread!

Scream!!!! not my finger

Kate's favourite animal

Cute poaka

Riding on the carriage

Santa came

Present even for Nicholas

Kate not to sure???

My Little Helper

The advantage of having a spare room is that when visitors come and stay they can have their own room.  The disadvantage is when kind and thoughtful hubby brings in the washing and decides to put it in the spare room (unlike me who folds them and put them away the same day).  I wonder where certain clothes are and discover 2-3days worth in the spare room, grrrrrrrhhhh. 

Luckily for me I have a great little helper who loves to help me with everything.  Today when I discovered the unfolded washing I went about folding them when I hear a little voice say "I'll help you mum" I told Kate its ok mum will do it (I really just wanted it done and I do have a particular way I like to fold things).  Unfortunately Kate was insisting and so I had to grit my teeth and let her help me.

She was a busy wee girl trying her best to fold the clothes, telling me "daddys shirt, Nicholas socks,  mums shorts etc.  She was very proud of herself and I was too despite my OCD behaviour.   

Well done Kate

HELLO CD!!!!!!

I am the music leader in primary and for the last 4years I have taught the children hymns/primary songs through visual pictures.  The first time I used pictures I would photocopy the pictures and coloured them in, cut them and laminate them.  It was time consuming and my colouring skills were not the best.  Then I discovered the CD version and now all I do is print off the pictures already beautifully coloured, cut them and laminate.  This CD is sent over from the USA and it takes about 3 weeks to get to me.  So I was rather excited today when it arrived in the mail.  Now I'm soughted for next years primary presentation. YIPPEE!

The Garden

So after much patients and some nagging, Dave finally decided to get someone into make us a decent lawn.  Mr Ready Lawn (YEAH!!!!!)  Building is something Dave is great at but landscaping is not his forte.  He threw some grass seed out not long after we moved and some bits grew but overall a bit of a disaster.

So Thursday came and Nevin arrived with truck loads of top soil, then he got his cool little digger and moved the soil into the places he needed.

You can see Dave's lawn

Man screeds and levels out the top soil and then lays the lawn

Finish Product

AWESOME!!

Now because the lawn looked so nice it helped us to get our flower garden in order and so in 2 days we created our garden

Chocolate is not aloud on the new lawn so her home is now in the corner.

With the back completed we venture to the front.  That will be fun..

Monday Morning Moaning

1: Get home from work my child has wets my bed
2: Hubby says otherside of bed is dry it'll be OK (NOT)
3: Child informs me he needs to do his homework now
4: Child is wearing a not ironed uniform
5: Hubby hasn't made school lunch
6: Car warrant ran out 2 days ago
7: Child doesn't want to wear blue today its pink
8: Some animal poos on my new lawn
9: Knowing I'll be working with a random person tonight
10: Knowing its going to be too hot to sleep today!!!!

Primary Presentation 2010

I was feeling rather nervous on Sunday.  All the songs we have worked on over the year were about to be put on display for the congregation.  With 26 children ranging from 4yrs to 12yrs all seated the Primary Presentation began.

Some children had speaking parts either scriptures or talks they had given over the year during closing exercises.   Some of the boys sang solos or duets.  We had harmonies and split parts (A Child's Prayer).  Between each theme/scripture or talk we would perform a song.  I was so very proud of all the children they never let me down and most if not all remembered the words to all the songs.  These children do not have words in front of them when they sing, they are amazing.

Highlights for me:  The boys who sang Follow the Prophet, (no words), watching Ammon lean over the microphone (he's very tall),  nearly butting in on Matthews part,  A Child's Prayer, Junior closing remarks so fitting and beautiful and finally giving out cookies/lollipops at the end.

Another successful Primary presentation completed.  I love my calling I am so blessed to have awesome kids to teach.  I now look forward to 2011 with a new theme and a new Presidency.  The CD already ordered and on its way to me I'm excited already :-)

Engagement

On Saturday, after TBall I went into town with the children to meet Ben and Shenelle for a cuppa.  I haven't seen Ben for about 3 months and it was nice to see him looking healthy and happy.  We went to Mojo and whilst we organising what we wanted to eat, Shenelle wasn't feeling well I joking said are you pregnant? They both said no, then came the BUT! as Ben grabs Shenelle's hand and flashed a beautiful diamond on her finger "we're engaged.  Honestly my first thoughts were are you crazy? too young 18yrs, what the?????  After my brain had registered the fact, I could see these two people before me were very happy and committed. I am all for happiness!!! 

Since Shenelle has been living in Dunedin I have made the effort in getting to know her. I felt I had been somewhat harsh before I met her (being a protective mum).  I can honestly say I am very fond of her now.  She is a genuine person who portrays great qualities, she has her head screwed on right.  I have seen her beauty, her forgiving side, her generosity (even though I didn't get to go to the Vodaphone Music Awards), a great sense of humour,  she never pretended to be anything other than herself and she has never sucked up to me or call me mummy or invaded my space.  I love that she is honest with me and I can see she makes my son Ben very happy.  I am proud that she has completed her course and already has a job.  I know the rest of the family like her as well. I am very happy she is part of our family.

I gave them both a hug and congratulated them and just advised them not to rush into things ie babies, enjoy being young and having you time.  Get money behind ya and set yourselves up properly.

Its a funny good feeling the thought of being a mother in law and gaining a daughter. 

St Mary's Fair

What a beautiful day for the school fair.  There were lots of people out enjoying themselves.  Plenty of activities for everyone old and young.  I baked generous amounts of afghans and chocolate chippie biscuits. The Finnie family had a lovely time and each of us had favourite things. Dave enjoyed the food, I enjoyed the Harley ride, Nicholas enjoyed the everything and Kate loved the pony ride.

Nicholas on the Harley

Nicholas on the BIG horse

Bouncy Castle

Mum on the Harley cool fun 

Kate 

 The fair raised $16,000 for the school to use which is an amazing effort Well done!!!

Athletics Day

Nicholas's school and 5 other school participated in the annual athletics day.  I offered to help out and was put in-charge of the 7 year old boys.  We had six events to complete by lunch time. 

Now with Dave being the fitness freak in the family, I assumed that Nicholas would have that gene in him.  Alas he has my gene,  I was never any good at any athletics days when I went to school.  I did try my hardest though which is what Nicholas did too. 

Nicholas in the 400m run

Great Effort Nicholas

It was a fun morning with everyone happy getting points and participating. Nicholas spent the afternoon recuperating at home funny!!

Lullaby by Nicholas

This piece Lullaby, Nicholas will play at his recital in December.

Let it Grow

For 2 years and 8 months I have waited patiently to put a hair tie in Kates hair.  It maybe little, nevertheless its still a very cute pigtail.  With hair up we went out for brunch.  As we sat up at the table all lady like the waitress approaches our table "hello would your boy like a cushion to sit on"?  I shook my head with disbelief and corrected her.  Come on how many boys wear a top with cute strawberries on it. Unbelievable!!!!!  I look forward to Kate's pigtail developing into a pony tail and whats more awesome her hair is curly super duper cute!!!

Guy Fawkes

I know animal lovers hate Guy Fawkes and for good reasons but I just love them.  I love seeing the sky light up in pretty colours and writing letters with sparklers.  When I was a little girl my mum would buy lots of fireworks.  Back then they had tom thumbs and jumping jacks and sky rockets it was so awesome.  One day Peter and I were doing the dishes and mum lit a whole packet of jumping jacks and some how placed them in the kitchen whilst we were doing the dishes.  The sound inside the house was deafening, Peter and I jumped and screamed our heads off whilst my mum was laughing her hysterically.

The cost of the fireworks is the only reason why our Guy Fawkes night was brief with sparklers and a few flower pots.

Nicholas wanted to have halloween too so I made this latern out of a tangelo

A Day in Wellington

We woke to a beautiful sunny morning hard to believe yesterday was so miserable. We headed out for breakfast at McD's and we planned the day.  First stop Te Papa overall opinion BIG from the outside and some of the exhibitions were awesome however, I think Dunedins Museum is just as impressive.

Our walk to Te Papa 

Whilst at the museum we caught up with Alison and she spent the day with us which was awesome.  After lunch we headed to the Beehive.  Kate was very tired and fell asleep whilst Dave carried her.  Unfortunately my camera has something wrong with it so the photos are dumb and some didn't even save.

Next destination was the cable cars and that was a view not to miss.  Seven hours later we say goodbye to Alison and head back to the hotel for a well deserved rest. 

These bodies were painted

Awesome View

We flew home on the Saturday and as I reflect on our holiday apart from some minor hiccups the overall experience was awesome.  I'm already planning the next trip.