Goodbye 2011, hello 2012!!

I must say that I am looking forward to the new year. We have more swimming classes planned, Massey papers, Round the Bays, a 10th wedding anniversary and a summer and autumn to enjoy. Bring on the good times :)

We're all going on a Christmas holiday

I decided that the boys needed to have their Imm's before we headed off on xmas break. Kieran was still musing bitterly upon this event on thursday.... and friday.... but luckily this seemed to have been relegated to the past on Saturday morning. It was an absolute scorcher of a day...not ideal as we were walking to Lydia's house to collect Playcentre key, then going to Playcentre to collect my Celtic Woman xmas cd, K's xmas cd, and K's sunhat, then walking back to Lydia's to return the key... then walking back home!! Suffice it to say that I was wondering if the hat and cd's were worth it with slowpoke seal dragging at my heels for the 3.5k walk. However Louisa gave us a ride home and returned the key to Lydia so that was a win, and we even left home a mere 5 minutes late... sans my hairbrush, but still on time. The car behaved beautifully, the boys likewise with a lovely 2 hours sleep from then and we got to Kerikeri around 3pm Christmas Eve.

From that golden day the weather only deteriorated sadly. However Christmas day was an exciting one, and sunny, as the boys opened their presents chock full of excitement! We got the boys some BIG cars, I got an IPAD and Chris got some roleplaying books. Then we headed off to the beach house in Russell for the rest of the day. There were lots more presents and plenty of food followed by some sandcastle building and shell hunting afterwards. Much later we dragged two knackered little boys off to Kerikeri. We chilled out on Boxing day before heading off to the Warehouse. I staggered out some time later with swimming shorts ($6), 2 sunhats, socks, moisturiser and ungvita cos C is cutting YET ANOTHER tooth, then headed to the beachhouse the following day. This time we hit the beach first, and K ran in and out of the waves while his brother built sandcastles. As Chris was co sandcastle building I perforce had to gallop up and down the beach and in and out of the waves. Good times. Our last day in Kerikeri was Sue's birthday, and Blair made Gordon's sage pressed belly pork.... while I made Frangelico trifle....mmmmmm so yummy!!! Then we headed off on the 30th at 10:15 where to our surprise we saw a policeman and Jenny and Sue and Kingsley all pulled over on the side of the road with Jenny being spoken to by a Police Officer. In the very same spot Chris was pulled over 3 years ago lol. The boys were very good and there was very little traffic. So that, and a 1 hour snooze from the boys made it an awesome trip! And we are home, and all is good!

Twas 2 days before Christmas

... and all through the house frantic packing ensued, without a doubt! Chris had today off so Chris walked up to the local shops to get the fixings for chocolate shortbread and onion marmalade. I cleaned kidlets, dressed kidlets then scrubbed out the bathroom...finishing just before Chris arrived home. Once the ingredients had been procured, Kieran and I began baking! Cameron was a big help, licking the beaters for us lol. After the bread and shortbread had been baked we set off on a train ride to Henderson and the great present expedition. We paid off the laybye on the presents, collected them up and bought presents from mum and Mike. We finally staggered home at 1:30. C was asleep after tipping chocolate milk all over himself and the stroller...sigh. Chris staggered upstairs shortly after we got home for a nap, and even Kieran conked out on the couch...lol, I felt so alone hehehe. Anyway, onion marmalade has been made, dinners have been served, boys have been bathed and popped into bed.... and I am off to bed too. Tomorrow I have to pack our clothes, collect the Playcentre key so I can retrieve K's hat and my xmas cd's, return home to Chris having packed the presents in the car, and then we shall away. There is something wrong with the hib of the left front wheel atm, it screams like a stuck pig when going round corners (hence why the train ride to Henderson). The mechanic assured me it would hold for the Kerikeri round trip... but it does mean we won't be able to get to Palmerston North. I have had to contact Massey to see if I can skive out of the contact course...and the mechanic is struggling to find a replacement from the wreckers (cost:$300)... if we have to buy parts... it'll probably cost more than we paid for the car!! Fingers crossed anyway!! Boy, I can't wait to see the boys face on xmas day!!!

Twas the week before Christmas..

and all through the house

2 boys were rampaging with Bandit's toy mouse

with shrieks and a screaming the house did ring

while mummy's jewellry box was ransacked for bling.

The pirates then morphed into circus artistes

while their exhausted mum felt slightly piste

as she cleared up the treasure, and toys and dug

out some lunch before getting a huge hug

So two lovely boys and happy relaxed mum

settled down for a xmas singalong (C hummed!)

Playcentre Christmas

And it was a blast! We took along a glazed ham and sausage rolls and waited for the animals to arrive. Yup, playcentre had arranged for Old McDonalds travelling farm to attend for an hour. The lamb and kid running around the playcentre grounds delighted the kiddies, as did the calf, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, rat, guinea pigs and piglets. But best of all was the pony ride... K had 3!, C one. After that was lunch followed by Santa, who brought the boys a book apiece. The weather was cloudy but warm, with frequent appearances of blue sky, just right! A most excellent time was had by all - just awesome!!

Kieran's Kindy Concert..

Aaaaah the first kindy concert - our hearts were going pitter patter as we arrived and seated ourselves. C was a bit discombobulated as it is the place we normally have Mainly Music - but he adjusted. Our sweet angel arrived, escorted by myriad other children and clutching a length of rope. He did a wonderful job, waving happily to us throughout the show and belthing out Away in a Manger with the verve of a born performer. After the show he slithered into the seating row to check that we had enjoyed it. Only the mention of missing the shared morning tea was enough to send him scuttling after the others. I was particularly pleased with his costume. He originally wanted to be a star and my heart sank, however we were able to amend this to Angel. Hunting through the opshop scored me some white sheeting for a dollar, $4 for angel wings and $2 for the halo. Woot. Costume sorted. I washed ironed and sewed a simple tunic costume for him and he looked ADORABLE!!!!

Sculpt 6k

A while ago Erin suggested we do the Sculpt 6k. I thought it was a great idea and laid down my $40 for the privilege of heaving my sweaty carcass around the cbd. Alas the months just flew by and the intensive training I had assume I would underfo never eventuated... Don't get me wrong, long hilly hideous walks were undertaken... but nothing that would see me loping lithely and gazelle-like across the finishing line. Then to make matters worse Chris flew to America - the DAY BEFORE the event. Who the hell was gonna look after the kidlets. Luckily Rache was a lifesaver and I leapt into Erin's car pretty damn early sunday am. Weather was cool and cloudy, with a gentle rain at the end - nice for overheated walkers. And I did it. I did the 6k's in 62 minutes and 32 seconds. I have now resolved that I will do Round the Bays in March 2012 - cos I am DA BOMB :)

Fly away, fly away, fly away...

Saturday dawned, and Chris began to "anticipate" his flight to Banjo County, USA lol. We headed out to swimming - an hour early. Yup, Chris was very keen lol. To kill time we swung by Toyworld and looked at all the (many, many) toys. Swimming went well and eventually Chris headed off Statewards...as for me, I anticipate having a lovely clean house for a week or so before mayhem ensues again :)