A Morning at the Aquarium

On Wednesday morning me and the boys went into Napier to the Aquarium. It was Fletcher's naptime so fortunately he went to sleep in the pram. And Lachie was safely "trapped" in the toddler seat! Lachie enjoyed it, but I don't think he really appreciated how cool it was seeing some stuff - the kiwis for instance! I had never seen a real kiwi before (that I recall). But I couldn't get a picture because you weren't allowed to use a flash. The other highlights were the crocodile and the big turtle. The picture of the crocodile actually turned out better than what you could see through the glass!

The turtle

EWWWWWW, yes, this is a crocodile

Lachie watches the koi carp!

A few pix of the boys

It's been pretty cold the last few days. Here is Lachie rugged up after going out with Grandma

Here are Fletcher & Lachlan sitting on the couch at Mum & Dad's

It has been a cold day here today. The most I have done is go out for coffee with Steve & Tracy into lovely Havelock village. Fletcher is doing much better healthwise. I have been faithfully putting saline drops into his nose.

Anyway here are some pictures, taken over the last week, for your viewing pleasure...

Poppa & Fletchie

Steve and Andy attempting to light my fire. They got it going eventually.

Auntie Tracy & Fletcher

At the beach (last Sunday)

Tracy & Steve with the lovely Norfolk pines in the background

After lunch, a few of us went for a (chilly) walk at the beach. Here are Tracy, Marty & Sarah

Here is me with Jamie, Andy & Martin, last Sunday afternoon. We had a great family day!

Bye Bye, Andy

This morning Andrew flew back to Perth. It has been great to have him with us over the last week. Andy, I think you are the cat's whiskers and really enjoy your company. I will miss you!!

Back to the Doctor

I took Fletcher to the Doctor again this morning. We noticed yesterday that his cough was getting a little wheezy. And he looked terrible this morning when we got up. The doctor said he has some kind of bronchial virus that we just have to ride out basically. Fortunately he is in pretty good spirits in spite of it.

Fletcher had a bit of an unsettled time in the early hours of the morning - crying intermittently for over an hour. Dearie me. Anyway, for peace of mind I took him to the doctor in Hastings this morning. Of course nothing was wrong! The doctor just thought it was teething and recommended Pamol and Bonjela. I guess I should be grateful that's all it is!

The other thing I did this morning was collected a pram that I am hiring for the ten or so days that I will be in Havelock North with Mum and Dad. The ole' Corolla wagon isn't huge on boot (aka trunk) space, so I decided to leave ours behind and hire one here through Baby on the Move. A great decision! I went for a walk this afternoon with it - its certainly not as good as the Mountain Buggy but it'll work! It was a pretty cold walk - I had a hat and scarf on.

But still no pictures I'm afraid! Byee.

Friday drive to Havelock

The week has gone by very quickly, me and the boys have been doing the usual things but with visits from family here and there!

Today me Andrew and the boys drove to Havelock North, and here I sit at Mum's computer updating you on the week that was. The drove is soooooo long!! However. What a wonderful opportunity to spend a bit of extra time with Andrew and with Tracy & Steve who will be here on Sunday night.

The boys are a bit sniffly but they coped with the drive as well as one can when one is 2 1/2 or 7 months old. And now I need to phone Martin or Sarah because I think I left my cat Keeley inside....

Mr Kerr Goes to Wellington

Monday 18 June
Jamie flew to Wellington on Monday morning for his initial dog training course. It is of course his second crack at it - he got sent home from his first one back in February. In any event, all is going well for him down there.

Sunday with the Family

Sunday 17 June
Me and Jamie went to church as usual but what a treat it was when the rest of the family arrived - especially Andy back from Perth who we hadn't seen since December 2005!! Yay!

Many thanks to Sara M who took a family photo of us after the church service - we haven't all been together since winter 2002 so it has been a long while.

All the family (except for us locals) were staying over at the beach, so that is where we headed for lunch. It was great to sit around and talk. A few of us also went for a walk on beach - a little cold on the ears but great fun.

Me and Jamie ended the evening at around 8pm....he needed an early start for his big day tomorrow!

Dad's 60th Birthday

Saturday 16 June.....the morning started off pretty busy getting ready for Dad's birthday lunch. The weather was absolutely beautiful, but absolutely freezing (by Whakatane standards).

Top marks to Mum for arranging much of the food - it was great. It was neat to see all the aunties and uncles and grandparents and friends. There were many people who had wonderful things to say about our great Dad! The tail end of the party was at Sarah & Martin's but unfortunately I had to get home to make sure our exhausted babies got their dinner and into bed.

Part way through the party Jamie took Tracy & Steve out to the airport to collect their baggage that had arrived. They had to borrow some clothes and shoes to wear to the party!

And the day ended for Mum with the news that Andy had arrived in Auckland...but the first flight to Whakatane was not until Sunday morning.

All the Family Home...Almost

Friday 15 June

I woke up on Friday morning feeling very excited, Tracy & Steve would be at the airport up in Auckland! Nicole and Chris drove them home to us in Whakatane and they arrived about midday. It was FABULOUS to see them, and to meet our new brother-in-law Steve at last!

However, there was one fly in ointment. Dear Andy got held up in Australia. A while ago his passport went through the wash and he never thought anything of it. But of course at Sydney they would not let him on the plane! So he had to dash to the New Zealand Consulate and arrange an emergency passport (which cost mega bucks).....and spend the night in Sydney.

Tracy & Steve's baggage never made it to Auckland, so in the afternoon I took them out to get emergency supplies. And then we had the whole family around at our place for dinner. And, it was great to get to know Nicole's Chris a little better after he arrived from a late night at work.

Sunday dawned rainy and cold! Fortunately we have our lovely fireplace to keep things cosy. After church Jamie had a craving for tomato soup and garlic bread, so he dashed in to the supermarket to get those things on the way home.

Mel called in during the afternoon, Paul had been fishing at the lake and caught some trout. So she came around with a smoked trout for us. It was good, we just ate it right there and then, with a bit of tomato sauce!

Back to the usuals on Monday and today!

And finally we are soooo excited because it is only 3 more sleeps until everyone in the family is home in Whakatane!!

(sorry, still no pictures)

Yesterday I had quite the day to myself. On his way to work in Rotorua, Jamie took Lachie to his grandparents for the day. So it was just me and Fletchie. We had a pretty quiet one - perhaps I should have taken more advantage of one child to get out in to town. Ah well.

Last night the Mainly Music team put on a "Pamper Night" for the mothers, so I went along to that. It was great - there were loads of people there, plenty who don't go to MM. There were masses of spot prizes too - I won a complimentary pass to a Ceroc class! A few months ago I phoned up enquiring about their classes , so now we will have to go. Another friend from church won a pass as well.

Lachie has a bit of a snotty nose at the moment, but otherwise he is fine. And he has been pretty consistent with his naps this week which is nice. He had a great time with his Grandad and Nana yesterday and is able to tell me a bit about his day. I asked him if he went on the swing and he said "no, its cold outside". As always he is a great little chatterbox. Fletcher has had a bit of a sniffling nose too and had been waking at around 10pm and then 2am! Not fun - especially as I am usually in bed before 10pm, so I get woken twice. Anyway last night he did better - bed at 6pm then sleeping through til 4am. I hope that continues!

I'm sorry to say that I have no current pictures to post. Perhaps I need to delve into the archives....

have a great weekend!

Last night we had the Wintersons here for dinner. There was some sanding going on at their place, so Sarah didn't want dust with her dinner! The boys had a great time together, as did the adults...

Then Sarah kindly offered to stick around so that me and Jamie could go to cell group together! She put Ben & Zac into our bed and then hopefully enjoyed her here evening in front of the fire reading. And me and Jamie had a great time at cell group.

Yesterday (Queen's Birthday Monday), Jamie spent the morning getting firewood with John T. The logs he got are really good - they burn hot and last for ages. Mind you, the New Zealand Herald has an article today saying that our warm weather is set to continue. Apparently we just had the warmest May in 140 years.

Ben came around to play yesterday morning and then Lachie went back to his place for 45 minutes. Then this morning we had coffee group so Riley was here to play.

Fletcher seems a little under the weather at the moment - he seems to be waking a couple of times during the night which isn't so great. This morning Jamie took this great pic of the boys on the couch together reading a story. Fletcher is showing off his teeth!

Queen Lizzy's Birthday

Its been a nice weekend so far... we had a first birthday party on Saturday, church this morning and then out for lunch at John & Mo's afterward.

Also I couldn't resist posting another picture of Fletcher eating a gingernut, this one was taken on Friday.

Pay Parade

The Police used to have pay parades every fortnight - get into their "number ones" and be inspected and then receive their..pay. Electronic banking takes care of the pay these days. However Jamie had a parade on Monday of this week as a bit of a farewell for their Area Commander and to give some people long service awards etc... Me and the boys went down to watch!

My goodness! A whole week since I have posted, sorry 'bout that!

Here goes...

Here is the lovely Fletcher. This photo taken yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. Jamie had just mowed the lawn, the sun was shining - it was a lovely afternoon! So I put Fletchie on the blanket outside. Note the two new teeth on the bottom! They have just come up in the last week. He is streets ahead of Lachie, who didn't get any teeth until about...10 or 11 months.

Me and Lachie tonight just before he went to bed. We bought him a Thomas set of "Snap" cards yesterday. He is a bit young for it yet but it is fun to 'play' it with him anyway!

Me & Jamie had Chinese tonight. Takeaways are NEVER as good as you imagine they will be!! I was so organised - I put our dinner into the slow cooker after church this morning. Anyway, at some stage this afternoon, one of us accidentally turned the slow cooker OFF! I didn't notice that until about 3pm, so it is still cooking! What a bummer. Hence the Chinese.

Our church is getting new seating installed this week, how exciting! So Jamie was busy for a couple of hours this afternoon taking out the old chairs.

It was another lovely day today - sooo warm. Our friends Sarah & Andy called around briefly to have a cup of tea with us which was great.

Friday night we went and stayed at Jamie's parents, and on Saturday morning went with the boys into Rotorua. We took Lachie to Toyworld - he didn't get past the front door where all the Thomas trains were. We were home by early afternoon Saturday.

Jamie had to go to A & E (Accident & Emergency) on Thursday night. He was working over in Rotorua and there was a car chase (he was not the 'chaser' - just went to help). He was a passenger in a Police dog van and the 'car chasee' saw them come out of a side street and lined them up. Luckily they realised what he was doing and slammed the car into reverse and only got clipped on the front. The side airbags came out. I guess he had very minor whip lash but was able to drive himself home that night. Thank you God for bringing him home safely!

We got our first ever non-family babysitter on Wednesday night. We got Amy C around to listen out for the boys while we went to cell group together.

So that's the week that was with the Kerrs!

Once again the week has gone by so quickly. We have been doing the usual stuff - Starlights, Mainly Music, Cell Group...

Friday night we had Nana Ann over to babysit. However at 6pm we were still not sure how we wanted to spend the evening! In the end I phoned up Abby & Grant and invited us over there! So we had a great night chatting with them. Y'know what Friday nights are like - you do something exciting like get takeaways or rent a DVD or go to friends'! But when you have children life requires a little more organisation. So it was great that Ann could come around so we could be free to do whatever.

It was also great to see Mum & Dad as they made a flying visit town, arriving Thursday night, and leaving Saturday morning.

Saturday was also a little less boring as we went to a workmate of Jamie's for a BBQ lunch. We had to be the first to leave, to get home by 3pm and pack up Lachie's things for a night at his Nana & Grandad's. So today was a very quiet day! Jamie went and collected him this evening, as he has Starlights tomorrow.

FOUR MORE WEEKS TO GO!! I have been getting a few RSVPs so that has been cool.

Love to you all, dear readers!!

The dog is ten months old, and, it appears, had not been brushed in all that time. His coat had the matted curly look about it. So Jamie took to shearing him! You should be able to appreciate from the picture how much hair came off!!

A New Dog

Jamie came home on Wednesday morning with a new dog. His dog Essex was good, but not performing very well at tracking, a pretty essential task for a police dog. So Essex is staying with someone else and has been given a bit more time to mature and improve. So we're back to the regular looking German Shepherd. He doesn't know very much, but Jamie is pretty pleased with him.

Last night and tonight Jamie is working late. So I've been doing the evening "hour of power" (as Jamie so aptly coined it) by myself - bathtime, dinnertime, bedtime - with the boys. Fortunately I've been reasonably well organised so it hasn't been too bad. The key is to make your dinner at lunchtime so all you have to do is heat it up at 5pm! Tonight we had "devilled sausage pie" which is basically devilled sausages thrown into a casserole dish, topped with mashed potato and cheese, and baked for 20 mins. Don't ya just love it? But it is soooo toddler friendly!!

Me and Jamie have been feeling a bit tired for the last few days - the boys both seem to be waking in the night. Lachie for no real reason - a bad dream maybe, or cold and Fletcher is either cold or hungry. Sometimes we can be up 3 or 4 times!! Its not like we have to spend ages settling them, just minutes, but the broken sleep takes its toll...Last night Jamie didn't get home till midnight, so when Fletcher woke at 3am I got up and fed him so he didn't wake the whole household!

Here is Fletcher eating a gingernut. They are so hard that he can't bite pieces off, he just sucks it away to nothing. And makes an impressive mess in the process!! There is gingernut all over his legs and hands. Note the remains of the gingernut stuck on his bib (bottom right). Fletchie is starting to roll over!! I found him on his tummy in his cot this morning. Also he is sitting up well.

Lachie on Sunday after church. He is wearing his new jeans.
He had been playing with the dog.

Lachie didn't have a sleep yesterday. Yesterday afternoon we took dinner out to Jason & Janie's, and I was busy telling him that he was to stay in the car, he could not go inside to play with Riley, as I was just going to be quick. When I hopped back in the car I realised he was fast asleep in his carseat!! The 10 minute trip had helped him nod off. (Anyway he was pretty grumpy for the rest of the evening and had a very early night).

I had better leave it there! I have laundry to fold!

More comparing of my boys....

Lachlan at about 7 months old

Diary of a mother & housewife...

Being a stay at home mum some times takes a bit of getting used to. I decided yesterday that yes, I could be doing something useful, like cleaning, while my boys were asleep, but instead I decided to have a go at making some hummus! A can of chickpeas, a bit of oil, garlic & lemon juice later and it was as good as the bought stuff!! Even Jamie was impressed. One of these days I might even try making some bread (without a bread maker!).

Lately Lachie has the odd day where he does not go to sleep at his naptime. He just hops out of bed and starts playing with his toys (he's sooo not sneaky, he plays with the loudest toys!). Sometimes I have to go in and growl him and put him back in bed. I feel such a meanie, because he is playing so happily. Yesterday I burst in to his room and he was reading a "Thomas" book and singing a song about Gordon (the big blue No 4 engine - if you are unfamiliar with Thomas). How cute!!

Also, he is not yet sure about the words "stink" and "smell". Yesterday he got out the Baby Vicks and opened it up for a whiff. He says "I can stink it". Its so funny.

This morning we went out to Janie's for coffee. He is quite interested in the new baby Bailey, he wants to pat her head and remembers her name.

And not forgetting my littlest boy - he is doing great. Just over the last few weeks we have gotten in to a good routine of putting him to bed at 6pm and he usually sleeps through until 5/5.30/6. (It depends on how well he was fed during the day). This morning it was 6.30 which was awesome. He is having pureed vegetables at dinner time and is polishing off quite a lot. He loves his jolly jumper - yesterday he got quite a work out in it - I could hear him panting!!

Saturday

I think it will be an outdoorsy sort of day....we have just been to the Ohope Craft Market to do some plant shopping. All we got were some more plants to hedge up at the back of the section. Jamie has just gone to borrow a ladder so that he can trim the hedge up the driveway.

The weather has been outstanding - yesterday it was 20 degrees (Celsius!). Looks like it will be another nice one today.

Yesterday me and the boys went down to Sarah's for the morning.

In the early hours of Thursday morning I got up to Fletcher. Then he threw up his feed so Jamie got up to help me out - and that's when he discovered Lachlan sleeping on the couch!! We have no idea what time he got out of his bed - we didn't hear anything. We wonder whether he was sleep walking. Usually he would come in to our room if he got up in the night (which he has only done twice I think).

Fletcher has been practicing sitting up. He has also been sleeping really well. Lachie has cut another tooth - can't see any more coming through as yet, but he has been dribbling and putting his fingers in his mouth so there must be a few more on the way.

a note about this video!!

I uploaded this one using Google Video, which appears to be better than Photo Bucket!

Enjoy.

A note about the video..

No, I haven't been taking photography lessons from mother. For some reason that I have not yet figured out, when I upload it it seems to cut off most of the picture. But at least you can see Lachie's beautiful eyes and hear his lovely voice!

If anyone cares to enlighten me about the cutting off most of the picture bit, please let me know!!

It's a very wet Monday - I have elected to skip my trip to the supermarket for now!! I picked up Lachie from Starlights at 12pm, where he had a great morning.

Sarah & Martin went to a wedding on Saturday night, so Ben and Zac came to stay with us for the night. Lachie loved having them to stay!

A visit from Grandma & Poppa......& ANZAC Day

Mum and Dad drove up from Havelock North on Tuesday afternoon. It was great to see them. Wednesday morning (ANZAC Day) we had a really awesome breakfast together at our place - Mum & Dad, Kerrs & Wintersons. It was so nice we were able to sit outside on the deck under the umbrella. Jamie did an outstanding job cooking the bacon on the BBQ and my blueberry pancakes were pretty good too.

(Here is Lachie washing down his trike on Tuesday afternoon. Jamie had just been washing his boots, and who can resist a bucketful of soapy water?)

The rest of the day we didn't get up to much, but we went down to the Wintersons in the evening for dinner. Fletcher went to sleep in his portacot and Lachie had a great time playing with Zac's "Thomas" trains - Spencer & Bertie. At 7.30 me and Jamie went to cell group - for the first time @ Russell & Sharon's. We are changing cell groups as Jamie is too often working on a Thursday night to make it to Grant & Abby's. Anyway we left the boys at 126 and picked them up on the way home.

(Here are all the cousins on the couch at 126)

Me, Mum & Sarah spent a little bit of time talking about Dad's birthday and I think after I was gone they got the invitations sorted.

Seven weeks until 15 June!!

The highlight of our weekend was going to the netball over in Rotorua, to watch the Magic vs the Flames. We went to Lake Rotoma on Saturday afternoon and left Fletcher & Lachie in Ann's capable hands. We went with Grant & Abby and they picked us up on the way. We hope to get to another game this season.

We got outstanding seats in the third row and the game was really good - our team (the Magic) were losing in the first quarter, but fortunately they came back to win.

Our final load of firewood arrived on Friday night. The wood shed has never looked so full. It is a bit cold at the moment but we are holding out until least May to light the fire! Jamie just went and got the gas bottle refilled, so that we can have the gas bottle on in the evenings and mornings.

Other than that it has just been the usual stuff.

Zac came to play this afternoon while Martin went to the physiotherapist. He also came over one afternoon last week while Ben was getting another cast put on his arm. Here are some photos!

And a big Happy Birthday to Mum!!

Fletcher enjoys a whirl in Jolly Jumper.

Lachie vacuums his room before he heads off to Starlights!

Look at those beautiful eyes..

My One Hundreth Blog!

I had a cold shower on Saturday morning. Jamie rang around the place talking to plumbers, and Dave H from church came around and took a look at the hot water cylinder for us. They decided it was the element that had gone, so Dave replaced that. It took a while for the cylinder to crank up the warm water again but it is working a treat. It is working more efficiently now, so the hot water pressure is really good.

Also on Saturday morning Jamie took Lachie to the playground at The Heads and met up with Jason & Riley. Riley & Lachie had a good time playing on the playground and also sitting together watching the boats coming and going.

Sunday morning was church, Pastor Ian did a great job talking about prayer. After that we had Sarah, Andy & Connor around for lunch. It was a great afternoon.

Lachie had a great morning at Starlights on Monday, he did some painting and I think, some water play. The staff said he was very chatty. Fletcher had to come grocery shopping with me. He was well over it by the end, and had all the customers and staff at New World trying to placate him as he cried his eyes out!

A chilly drizzly day here. It started out nice but has just got colder. I cleaned out my wardrobe earlier this week, and rather foolishly threw out one pair of trackies, and gave the other pair to the op shop. I made an emergency dash this afternoon to K Mart to get another pair, however when I got them home they were the wrong size. Pooh. I had to resort to socks to help keep off the chill.

On a happier note, Lachie and Fletchie were warm as toast in the new jerseys that Grandma made them. How cute is Lachie (he's quite a jersey fan)!! I have yet to capture Fletcher's gorgeousness on the camera.

The Broken Arm

As you can see, Ben wasn't that happy with having his photo taken.

Wednesday

Just a quick posting before I go and do proper work instead of mucking around on the computer.

Feeling a wee bit tired on it today, Lachlan woke up at 11pm and then again at 12am, Fletcher at 1.30am, and the cat at 5.30am... I'll try and remember to put the cat outside tonight so at least she doesn't do a repeat performance.

Lachie has been to Starlights this morning and had a good time. Me and Fletcher went to work but he wasn't overly happy about being there, so we left early.

I know Sarah is without her digital camera at present, so I will try and get down to 126 and take a picture of Ben and his broken arm.

Easter Weekend

It was a pretty uneventful weekend. Friday Sarah & boys came around for breakfast. Friday afternoon Jamie went up to the Lake with Lachie. I got lonely so he came back again first thing Saturday morning (leaving Lachie with his grandparents). We were going to go to the Ohope Craft Market but decided at the last minute to go shopping in Tauranga instead.

As I mentioned, I wasn't feeling very flash on Sunday so i stayed home from church. Then we went out for lunch at Ohope - the remainder of the afternoon at home.

Jamie went mountain biking yesterday morning with Vaughn, Jason & Isaac over in Rotorua. He had a great time and got use to his new 'hydration backpack'. They picked up Lachie on the way home! Lachie enjoyed his trip in the Martins Plasterers van.

Nine weeks to go until 15 June!

The old self portrait. I wasn't very well on Sunday, so I stayed home from church.

White Island - I'm not sure if she's puffing away, or whether that's cloud....

Photos from the beach seem to be the order of the day around the family. Easter Sunday was a beautiful day, me and Jamie & Fletcher had lunch at the beach. Lots of people out and about.

Hi ya. Just had coffee group here this morning. Lachie had fun playing with all the girls! Yesterday was a busy day taking Lachie to Starlights, doing all the grocery shopping & laundry & making dinner. Fortunately I don't have to make dinner tonight as we will just have left overs from last night!!

There was another decent earthquake here this morning at about 5.30am. We've been having a few around here lately.

Best be off to feed Fletcher.

first feijoas..

just so you remember what they look like Tracy..

Sunday

We've had another busy Sunday - out to lunch for the third Sunday in a row. Today we were at Sarah & Andy's to celebrate Connor's dedication at church today. Lots of fun.

I've been doing a bit of work from home - trying to squeeze in as much as I can here before I have to go in to work and finish it off. I took Fletchie in to work with me for two hours on Wednesday and he did really well.

We had two days rain this week - Thursday & Friday. I took the boys to Mainly Music on Thursday and managed not to get too wet getting in and out of the car. Also got our first feijoas of the year from Rebecca that day! Lachie thinks they are great. We discovered he'd pulled his chair up to the bench and was eating one, skin and all.

I'm going to sign off now and get my shopping list ready. Thrilling.

Boyz in da hood

Its Been a While..

Saturday night...just been doing some work on the computer, having limited success. Seems like the whole country is on the internet tonight so my connection keeps crapping out. I discovered on a current affairs show last week that NZ's broadband infrastructure is total rubbish. Very frustrating.

Its been a lovely warm couple of days, however, that didn't stop me from going to K Mart this morning and buying some slippers. Lachie also got a pair given to him on Thursday so he was running around in them tonight.

Last Sunday Lachie went to stay with his grandparents (Jamie's Mum & Dad) for two nights! He has stayed away before, but only when we have been somewhere else also. So the house was very quiet. And man, oh man, was life easy! No toddler meals to worry about, no bathtime or bedtime routines to keep. And of course he had a great time too. Who else but a grandparent would spend ONE HOUR with you on the swing?

This week I got Jamie to do some babysitting on Tuesday & Wednesday nights (to make up for his time away last week!). Tuesday I went to a "Book Look" which is like a Tupperware party, only with books, my friend Sarah is a demonstrator. I got some birthday presents for the nephews - how organised! Wednesday night I went out with my coffee group (my Parents Centre one) for coffee & dessert.

Friday night was a Mainly Music fish-n chip night so Jamie came along to that. It was a night to bring along Dads and grandparents etc. It was a nice change from the usual evening routine, and a few friends from church there too!

The boys are great. A wee bit of disruption with the transition of the clocks back an hour last Saturday - a few early nights for Fletcher.

Tracy, I haven't taken too many pictures lately, but here is one I took of Lachie a couple of weeks ago, before he went to Starlights for the morning.
Byee.

OK. Well Jamie got home Friday night and we spent a pretty quiet weekend at home. None of us were feeling very well. We went to church on Sunday morning but Jamie ended taking the boys home early. I stayed on but probably should have gone home too!

Tuesday morning we had coffee group here, with all the usuals plus one extra - a girl who has just moved to town. She has two little girls so the kiddie count was 7! It was great that they could play in the back yard.

Tuesday afternoon I went to the hairdresser - I dropped the boys at Moana's, then realised I had left my purse at home, so I had to zoom home and get that. My hair is looking a bit tidier with all the split ends cut off!

Jamie was away again for work yesterday - just over in Tauranga this time. He will definitely be back by Friday night.

Oh, and apparently the dog does now NOT require an operation. He had another x-ray today and it came back clear. I know, it changes so often! But I'm glad of it because otherwise Jamie would have had to spend a couple of days in Palmerston North, and I can do without that!

Much cooler last night which was fantastic - the boys slept all night long. Monday was very hot and sticky. They're saying summer is now over - today there has been lots of heavy showers and very windy - and daylight saving ends this weekend :(

Jamie practises Midwifery.

I flicked some of you a text on Thursday night about this, so here are the further details as promised.

Jamie was working all over the place last week and staying in Rotorua. On Thursday night as him and another guy were heading back to their motel, they saw a van on the wrong side of the road, with the boot up and a lady in the back. So they stopped to see what was wrong. It was very clear that she was having a baby! So Jamie went and called for an ambulance, by the time he got back the baby's head was 'crowning' I guess is the term, and then out she (yes, it was a baby girl) popped. Jamie wrapped the baby in his t-shirt (poor baby, it must have stunk after a day's work!) and then shortly after her midwife arrived and then the ambulance.

I'm not entirely sure he enjoyed the experience terribly much, although he sound pretty excited when he phoned me afterward!

We start 'em on the chores young around here...

...and they do them with a smile

Jamie came home on Tuesday night, but was off back to work early Wednesday morning. So it was just a flying visit but great to see him.

We've been to Mainly Music this morning, Lachie wasn't overly happy to be there at first but eventually settled in. Matilda the Gorilla, who we haven't seen for aaages, made an appearance.

I just put the boys down for a nap so I had better check that they are all sleeping as they should be!

Hi Grandma and Aunties!

Lachie on the go-kart John & Mo gave us. He loves the steering wheel. I hope it keeps him out of our car and cranking up the stereo and turning on the hazard lights, and the wipers.....

Monday Monday

Jamie headed off to Rotorua on Friday night for work. He has been working around Putaruru and as far down as Turangi. Sounds like he is working pretty hard.

We had a good day on Sunday - church in the morning with Shirley Carpenter speaking and then in the evening we went to Sarah & Martin's for dinner. Then I brought the kids home for a bath and bed.

Lachlan went to Starlights this morning. I really must learn not to tell him too early on that he is going, he gets very impatient to get there. This morning I was running around getting ready, running a bit late so I was washing Fletcher's face in the car. Lachlan, waiting in his car seat, said "just leave him Mum"!

Then I went and zipped around the supermarket and three hours was up in a flash. Sorry, no pictures lately, very boring.

A Pinch & a Punch for the First of the Month

Jamie has the day off today and tomorrow, he starts work on Saturday morning for seven straight days. So we went for a walk down at The Heads this morning, Lachie on his bike and Fletcher in the buggy.

I have kept Lachie & Fletcher at home all week. Lachie had a cold on the weekend but he seemed fine on Monday, so I sent him to Starlights. But Tuesday he was all snotty again so we missed coffee group, Wednesday we missed Starlights again and today Mainly Music.

Jamie has been going over to Tauranga this week to do dog training, which seems to be progressing well. Essex is scheduled for an operation on his OCD on 19 March.