A Pictorial Treat!

We had a quiet start to the day. Nowhere to go, nothing to do. Its nice to take it slow sometimes!

Fletcher has, I think, another tooth coming through. He was very grumpy this morning so I put him down for a nap at 10am! He slept for two and a half hours.

In the afternoon, we went to Awakeri Hot Springs. Jamie and Dave had been asked to do a Police Dog Display for the children of Te Teko School.

So me and the boys went for a look see...

Look, pictures of Lachlan, at last!

Jamie and Cruz did very well - Cruz was very obedient. He chased an "offender" and caught him, much to the delight of the children.
A couple of the kids had a turn at holding the dogs!

Here are Jamie and Dave doing "Distance control" - giving the dog instructions using hand signals.

It was a great opportunity to get out for an hour!

House Update #9

We picked our roof colour yesterday. It will be "Sandstone Grey".

Also went to the Bank today and lined up some more money!!

Went to the kitchen designer on Monday. After discussions with Jamie & Sarah I need to go back with a few changes. I went to go to the grocery store on Monday, but instead I purchased a new dishwasher (a Fisher & Paykel double dishdrawer). It was on sale - I got nearly $300 of RRP. I still have not gotten to the grocery store!

It seems I have the 'flu...

After our Weekend in Waipu, during which I had the flu, I came home and took it easy for a few days. Then I felt fine. Thursday night, I went to bed with a headache, which has been present ever since.

I went to the optometrist today, to make sure it wasn't my eyes that were the problem, and they weren't.

I didn't realise a headache was a symptom of the flu, but now I know that it is!

Its so weird, because I feel fine in every other respect, just a sore head.

So, if you're a praying kind of person, please pray for me!

If I don't feel any better next week, I guess I'll go to the doctor. Meantime, I don't want to waste my money on him telling me I have the flu, and to go home and rest!

Pictures of my (littlest) funny boy. I watched him tonight with a nail file, trying to shape his toenails - as he saw me do yesterday. I tried to get a photo but this was the best I could do.

Then I saw him getting some tissue to wipe his nose and then put it in the rubbish bin.

When I took these Lachie was already in bed. He didn't have a nap today (because we were at friends' for lunch) so he was very tired.

I am not feeling overly well myself. After I get some firewood in, I think I will go to bed.

Off to see a lady about kitchens tomorrow morning!

I'm feeling much better today. I went to work this morning. But it was totally great to just sit around home on Monday and Tuesday. Thank you Lord, that I don't work full time.

I did manage to get to the grocery store Tuesday afternoon so I could get some dinner on the table.

Jamie and Lachlan went and picked up a trailer load of firewood from Galatea yesterday. Not a whole lot, but better than nothing. Our fire is basically our only heating - we don't want to use the gas heater now we know how much water they produce - and the oil heater is only big enough to heat a bedroom.

The boys are asleep, Jamie has gone to work, so I guess I had better do some jobs around here!

Oh, What a Weekend..

We had our first weekend out of town for about six months. We went to a wedding up in Waipu, north of Auckland. We also took Jamie's Poppa along for the ride.

We started out on Friday night, dropping Fletcher with Steve & Ann about 5pm. I was a bit worried about how he would go, but by all accounts he was great. Lachie came with us.

Then we headed up to Auckland. We stayed in a (pretty crusty!) motel there for the night. Saturday morning we took Lachie to the airport to look at the planes and then headed for our bach at Langs Beach.

We were all really glad to get there. I think me and Jamie would have been happy to just sit back and relax but we had a wedding to go to, didn't we?!! Also by this time I was feeling worse and worse from a head cold. To cut a long story short, we were home early as the reception started at 4pm.

Then of course, the torrential rain started. I would have been happy to try and squeeze in an extra day there, but with the rain there seemed no point. So began our long journey home. I felt absolutely terrible in the back seat. And we made more stops than we normally would, as we had Lachie with us. It just makes the trip seem soooo much longer!!

We stopped for dinner at Steve & Ann's and were home by about 7.15pm. I think I was in bed by about 7.4opm! I feel much better than yesterday, but I don't plan on going anywhere, and wouldn't mind another nap.

To top it off, we left the cat inside all weekend!! She used a bath mat I had left on the floor as her toilet all weekend. Gross, yes, but at least she had the good sense not to use the couch or the carpet! Cats are fairly clean little creatures. Anyway, she doesn't seem any worse for wear after her little indoor adventure. Cats are fairly hardy little creatures too!! We WILL be getting a cat door at our new house!

And lastly, the wedding was lovely, the bride looked great, Rev. Dunn of Waipu Presbyterian did a great job of the ceremony...I just wish I could have enjoyed it in better health. And no, I didn't take any pictures of the weekend. None! Sorry. (Well, I do have some of the wedding, but seeing as you don't know the B & G...what's the point?)

House Update # 8

The concrete floor was poured on Friday! I haven't been out to look at it yet.

We also picked our joinery colour ("Ghost Grey") and our front door last week.

I really should make some progress on the kitchen front soon!

Wow, I have really not been in the blogging mood, have I?

We had a nice morning doing jobs around town and going out to the section. The concrete is almost ready to be poured, the section is looking quite tidy, you can see all the plumber's pipes sticking up. The floor looked bigger today. But then I think once the concrete is down it will look smaller again.

Hopefully I will post some pictures after the weekend!

Just a few hours after my last post...

I bought this really expensive mop at the store on Monday. And the matching bucket. All up it was nearly $40. (Mum, its one of those Vileda mops you have). I am pretty pleased with it - it certainly kicks those other "sponge on a stick" ones to the kerb. And I have mopped my kitchen floor twice this week!! Lord knows it was overdue.

Off to bed I think...

12 days since my last post!!

Its Thursday afternoon. Its cold! The fire is on. Jamie is shortly off to work. The boys are having (or supposed to be having) naps. So I thought it was a good time to post!

But what do I have to post about?? Things out at the house are progressing, I may drive out there this afternoon for a look. I have been to work briefly this morning and did my usual hours yesterday.

I took this picture of Fletcher on Monday night after me and him had been for a walk. I know I haven't taken many of Lachie lately, but he is just so unco-operative when I get the camera out, I can't be bothered with it. Fletcher went to bed without his dinner a few nights this week. He is not the type of child you can coax into eating. If he doesn't want it, he won't eat it. Last night I made macaroni 'n cheese, which I knew he would like. He think he likes mac'n cheese, scrambled eggs and sausages. And maybe tinned spaghetti. Those meals are not exactly chock full of vegetables!


This picture of me and Jamie was taken on Queens Birthday Monday. If you look closely you can really see my braces.

Might take a break and have a cuddle with my Fletcher.

The Weekend So Far

Lachlan headed off with Jamie Friday afternoon to stay with his Nana and Grandad. Jamie was going to Rotorua for work, so dropped him off on the way.

Jamie has been working in Murupara Friday & Saturday night, but staying in Rotorua.

Saturday afternoon I drove up to Lake Rotoma with Poppa and Fletcher, for Ann's birthday. Jamie came out for the afternoon too. We had a lovely afternoon. Then me and the boys stayed on for dinner and got home about 8.30pm.

Fletcher was soooo overtired after a busy day. I brought him into my bed at 10pm because he was crying and I didn't want him to wake Lachie. Then at 2.30am Lachie came in too! You would think it would be easy sharing a king size bed with two babies, but that wasn't the case. I didn't feel like I got much rest!

I got up at just before 6am and lit the fire because it was cold and I didn't fancy freezing my way through the morning.

All the boys are having naps - yes including Jamie! He is tired after his weekend of work and didn't get much rest at the motel they were all at.

That's all for now folks! I hope you enjoy the house update below.

House Update #7

BEFORE.....(taken Sunday 24th May)

AFTER.....(taken Saturday 31st May)
This picture below is taken by me standing in our bedroom. Can you see the pile of dirt nearest me? That is two of the bedrooms. To the left, on the otherside of the trench, is our patio.
This picture taken again, from our bedroom and looking toward the patio and living room.
I'm not sure what the function of those boards are - maybe to help the builder measure out and do the levels?? Can you see the trench and then the wire and post fence? In between that is how much yard we will have on that side of the house (Basically 3 metres all the way round, except by the garage, where it is 1.5m)!! Also the pile of dirt is our patio (that patio is featuring alot today!)

The section slopes off quite a bit under the garage, so we are getting lots of fill from the neighbour's, who just had to dig their section out. So it is actually great timing that they are building when we are!!

Here is Fletchie posing for a photo with Chelsea. Moments later he was trying to push her off as he heard the concrete mixer outside and wanted to have a look at that!!

They say that there are less photos of the second child, but that is certainly not the case with Fletcher! Here he is eating his breakfast with Chelsea's Tender Bear. Chelsea arrived at 7.45am and he woke up at about 8am! He is a great one for sleeping in.

Thursday

The guys from Fulton Hogan arrived outside our place at about 8.30am and started digging up the pavement. I guess it was in pretty bad nick and so they are replacing it. It was great entertainment for the boys (and great baby sitting for me!) to watch the digger digging up the concrete and the man busy with his axe etc..

I volunteered to look after a friend's son this morning, and we were all going to go to Mainly Music. But at 9.20am I looked at the state of things and changed my mind. So Connor came to our place instead. I cleared the kitchen and put laundry on and got ready for my orthodontist appointment at 11am!

I had my braces tightened. He is pleased with how things are coming along. My teeth are feeling pretty sore now. I ate dinner fine because it was quite mushy. Hopefully they will feel better soon. I don't mind it too much because I know my teeth are moving 'to a better place' in my mouth!

Aren't my boys cute?

Here is Fletcher, tonight, wanting to brush his teeth. He found the yellow hat and put that on, and of course his gumboots. He went to Sarah G's this afternoon and refused to take them off. On a positive note, he had a nap today! Hurray. I think he is starting to feel better.

It feels like the end of the week already. But no, that would be tomorrow.

Stay tuned for the first before and after pictures of the section/house over the weekend...

Need an early night tonight. I went to work today until about 2pm. Everyone here is a bit on the sniffly side. And the boys are coughing (mainly at night time) as well as sniffly. I hope it all clears up soon.

House Update #6

Popped out to the section this afternoon after work!!!! Its all dug out ready for the foundations to be poured tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Its so exciting. I will go out again on the weekend and take a photo. Lucky I took a photo of it last weekend, so you can see a 'before' and 'after' picture.

Well I ain't got nothing to post about, but I'll post anyway!

Just had the usual Monday...groceries...cleaned the fridge...a bit of laundry...

I went for a walk with Fletcher this afternoon and we walked to town. I am trying to decide what appliances to buy for our new kitchen, so I called in to Meikles and got a Fisher & Paykel brochure. I went to Harvey Norman this morning and there was so much choice I was overwhelmed and had to leave!

Cold night tonight! Better go and stoke up my fire.

Today

We had Chelsea here again today. Jamie worked a late shift so he was home all morning with us. Actually, he and Lachie went out to our section to the meeting with the builder, P.M and bobcat man. So yes, weather permitting I guess, footings (I think that means 'foundations') will be done next week and the floor the week after that. Then the plan is for the man who is going to polish our concrete to come 14 days after that and do his first 'cut' or 'grind'. How exciting!

So apart from a short walk just after lunch with the kiddies, I've been at home all day.

I was looking at my mouth in the mirror tonight, and realize with great excitement that my bite is changing. I no longer have such a cross bite, my teeth are starting to come together correctly. Seeing Alan the Orthodontist next week so I guess he will tighten things up again.

No real plans for the weekend. Have a good one!

Firstly, can I say how sorry I am that it has been a whole week since my last post!! I meant to post on Friday night, after these pictures were taken.

Obviously, I didn't get around to it. Oh yeah, we went round to a mate of Jamie's from work for a couple of hours. Do you remember how we fostered a police puppy? Well, another foster dog has arrived in town and is staying with a family at Otakiri. Here is Fletcher meeting him - he looks a little unsure, doesn't he? Which is funny because he really enjoys playing with Cruz.

The puppy's name is Faris. Yes, he is all black, and yes, he is a German Shepherd. He is even cuter in real life! Jamie took him for a ride in the dog van on Friday and called in so we could meet Faris. Lachie was having a nap at the time, which is why he does not feature.

Here is a picture of Fletcher toodling around the house on his wee bike last week. Fletcher seems to love hats (well, sometimes - maybe its just sun hats?) and his red gumboots. He came out of the bedroom and he had plopped this hat on his head. I can't remember whether he put the gumboots on himself or not.
I can't believe the week is nearly over again! This week I had Lynley's baby shower, work & music practice on.

I should really get an early night! Bye (be sure to read my house update below).

House Update #5

I wonder...how many house updates I will have posted by the time the house is finished!

Tonight we met with Michelle from HRV. We have paid a deposit to have an HRV system installed in our new house. Basically the HRV system works by pulling the heat out of your roof cavity and into your house. So our house will be a nice consistent temperature. It isn't a central heating system but it does keep your house a fraction warmer, and it gets rid of condensation, odours, pollens, dust, dampness etc. . We have decided not to get a heat pump installed. I know, shocking isn't it. We just decided that a heat pump was not going to heat the entire house....so really what was the point in spending thousands on one?? We have bought a convection heater in a package with the HRV.

The other exciting thing is that our builder and project manager and the bobcat man are meeting at our section tomorrow! Chris has suggested that we get the floor down shortly. Then, when he is available to start building he can just get straight into it. He thought this might be an idea as we are not in a tearing hurry to get started. I will let you know how that goes.

The end of the week is near..

We are convinced we have a new house with the insulation! The bedrooms at the end of the house feel soooo much better. Yay! And again I am not wearing my warm furry slippers.

I tidied up the kids play room this afternoon. It was just a hideous disaster zone with toys strewn everywhere, and the kids never played in there! Lachie enjoyed going through all his books again this afternoon in there. I guess its something I will have to continually keep on top of. Or rather, get the kids to keep on top of! And I guess rotating a few more toys might get them in there.

My cherubs have had a late night after having Sarah and Connor here for dinner. The three boys had fun running around together.

Chelsea here tomorrow!

All Insulated!

The guys from Energy Options arrived at 8.30am today. It was so cold at our place I was glad to be going to work.

They put stuff in the ceilings, under the floor, wrapped the hot water cylinder, put seals around the doors, cut the power and wrecked a water pipe!! Fortunately the power was back on about 10 minutes after I got home. I had to wait 'til just after 4pm for the plumber to come and repair the damage!!

Anyway....it is a warmer evening out tonight - a bit of rain. So its hard to tell how much of the warmth I'm feeling is the insulation or whether its just a warmer night. But I'm sure the boys' bedroom seems warmer. And I have no slippers on or warm sweater.

I need an early night - had some weird head / nose issue today. Hopefully better tomorrow!

House Update #4

Sunday afternoon we drove out to Omega Place. We had a look around Lance's new place and also drove up to our section. It is sooo lovely out there - sunny & peaceful.

Lance has been getting a few quotes in - plumber, electrician, windows etc. Hopefully he will have them all in this week and we can go over them.

Its going to be so great when we can drive out there to look at our own place!!

Tooosday

Hello on Day 2 of the week. Its another cold night here - but I am wearing jandals. The reason is that I went and got a pedicure this morning.

I know, silly to be getting a pedicure at this time of year when the feet are tucked away. But I love them so much. And I have to use up my Body & Soul voucher by the end of the week. I think I will go back on Saturday and get a manicure. My toenails are a lovely dusky pink colour. Unfortunately, at coffee group - two kids (one was Fletcher) stood on my big toe and mucked up all the paint on that one!!


Speaking of cold - tomorrow our house is getting insulated!! It is a real answer to prayer. Though
the house is a real blessing (cos of the cheap rent) - it is in a very bad state - check out my posts
from December 2007. So I hope I will notice it being a lot warmer in here tomorrow after work!

Anatomy Lessons with Fletcher

Me: Fletcher, where is your nose?

Fletcher points to nose.


Me: Fletcher, where are your ears?

Fletcher points to nose.


Me: Fletcher, where are your eyes?

Fletcher points to nose.


Me: Fletcher, where is your mouth?

Fletcher points to nose.....

Another Friday with Chelsea. And again I had it easy as Lachie went to play at Zac's for the afternoon. Masses of rain here today so we have not really got out. Chelsea just off home now.

We are very fortunate to live next door to Graham, who got himself a fancy pants new boat late last year. Jamie's been out fishing with Graham a couple of times now. Here's a snap of the bounty from Wednesday's trip! (caught with his own rod)

A "Braces" pic at last!

Well I have now got the knack of taking "self portraits" - I might try it again more often!

Nothing much to see, is there? I have these clear things on the top teeth. From far away you can't see any difference. And of course you don't normally see my bottom teeth anyway. They are feeling much better - eating is still not so great - but they are not irritating the insides of my mouth now. I am determined to keep flossing - which is very a time consuming exercise - and you use way more floss! And it is a bit sore brushing too.

Got the fire going tonight, so cosy! Decided not to go to Shirley Carpenter meeting at church. Have justhad a quiet Saturday around home.

Just a few pictures of my cuties ..

Paraire!

Its our first day looking after Chelsea today. Its going great so far - she arrived just before 8am, watched me and the boys eat our breakfast, and then went to sleep for two and half hours! The boys played outside while I sat on the back door step and watched them. They don't really like to play outside unless one of us 'parentals' is close by.

Around 11am, Lachlan left to spend the weekend with his Nana and Great Poppa. I am sure they will all have a great time at Lake Rotoma!

Me Fletcher & Chelsea went for a quick walk after lunch and then home so both of them could have naps.

In other news....

We've run out of broadband for the month - too much watching TV on the net!! And oh my Lordie dial up speed is SOOOOO SLOW! And I don't get broadband speeds back til the 11th of May!

Omega Place update....the people on our eastern boundary have started to build! They are on a sloping section so they are digging in - presumably a basement garage and a house on top of that. Its kind of a shame really, I was hoping we wouldn't have neighbours for a while. It will be interesting to see what kind of house they put up.

Braces update...sorry Steph, I still haven't posted a photo. Jamie took one last night, but I didn't feel it was flattering enough to post on the www. Besides, you could hardly see the braces anyway. My teeth are sore I guess - just mainly when I eat though.

Righty, I've put some meat into the slow cooker, I'd better go and add some vegetables. Ciao!

I got my braces on yesterday afternoon. I drove over to Rotorua about midday, picked up Mum and then went to my appointment.

I suppose I'll have to put a picture on at some stage. They're certainly not my best look. But I'm looking forward to everything in my mouth being corrected.

Had dinner with Sarah & Mum last night, and they are coming here tonight!

More later!

About an hour ago, Jamie got back from a three-day course in Wellington. They were learning about how to look after police foster puppies so they can turn into great future police dogs.

So me and the boys had a pretty quiet weekend. We did have a first birthday yesterday which was fun, and church this morning.

I also spoke to Chris B about our quote for building - I think he should have it to us this week.

Its a rainy bleak day out there today. We just went and got a pizza for 'afternoon tea' - how bad is that? Anyway it was pretty easy to polish off! I was going to go "open homing" but I've left it a bit late.

Til tomorrow!

Who dis little cutie?

ramblings

Not so much to report from 213 King Street today. I went to work this morning - stayed a little later as Jamie picked up the boys from Starlights.

We lit the fire for the first time on Sunday and had it going last night and tonight. We are pretty pleased with the job it does - considering it is an in-the-wall jobbie.

Not much planned for the long weekend ahead - just a 1st birthday party on Saturday - so hopefully someone invites me around!

House Update #3

We got our building consent today!!

We really did not to expect to get it this soon. It is getting so exciting, and we haven't even got on to the really cool stuff, like choosing appliances and colours and carpets!

Still have not had any quotes come in.....hopefully soon. I'll let you know what happens next, once I know myself!

Thursday Thoughts...

(aha, my alliterative post titles continue..)

I think that the rainy weather has finally departed. It didn't rain much today and there were even sunny spells. I got out this afternoon and went for a walk with the boys.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Mum and congratulations on the job!

These pictures of the boys taken Wednesday night

Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow

Ow ow ow!!!!!!!!

I went to the orthodontist quickly this morning in preparation for getting the ole' braces put on, Monday week. He put these rubber band thingees between my back teeth (or should I say, my molars). Apart from feeling like I have great hunks of meat stuck in my teeth, they are pushing my teeth around and hurt like jiminey!

Oh well, nothing like preparation for the pain of actually having the braces on!

Torrential Tuesday

I took this picture of the boys tonight just before they went to bed

It is raining a treat outside - day 2 of rain. I'm not complaining yet, because we need the rain! I've done a bunch of laundry and put it in the dryer. I managed to get out for a walk with this boys this morning, before the rain really set in. It was great to get the fresh air.

Coffee group was a no go this morning, a couple of girls texted to say they wouldn't make it, the others didn't text at all! So instead me and Jamie and the boys went out to the new "Hub" shopping centre and ...did some shopping. Jamie got some nice sweaters from Rebel, and I got some "ugg boot" slippers, which, as I speak, are keeping my feet roasty toasty warm. Lachie got another new pair of shoes and some clothes too. The only one who didn't benefit today was Fletcher...

Jamie is on late shift - a great shift - he starts at 2pm and is usually home by 10pm. He called in home for his dinner tonight, and boy did he save my bacon!! Just as he arrived, Lachlan threw up his dinner over the carpet and himself and Fletcher started to howl. So he put the boys in the bath for me while I cleaned up the mess!! Thanks babe.

And for the record, I'm sure Lachlan is fine. I think the throwing up was the result of him not chewing his food properly.

I should probably go and sweep up the food off the kitchen floor that routinely falls from my darling boys' dinners. And maybe I'll get an early night too!

Water trucked in as Whakatane deals with foul taste

That's the headline, click here to read the NZ Herald article.

As Sarah mentioned on her blog, the water here is ghastly at the moment. And it seems the Council are acknowledging it by trucking in free drinking water. We have two ten litre containers on the bench - one from Kawerau supply and the other from Opotiki. We also have nine litres in the fridge bought from the supermarket!

The Situation on Sunday

Jamie & Fletcher stayed home from church today - poor Fletchie woke up with his eyes practically glued shut with gunk in them! So Jamie took him to the duty doctor - he has been given treatment for conjunctivitis. He is having a nap at the moment.

I went to church early with Moana as I was on the singing roster. Auntie Sarah & Uncle Martin picked up Lachlan for church and he was with them for the whole service - as good as gold (I think, I didn't hear anything from where I was sitting).

We've just had a nice weekend and I think I will go and have a rest myself. We are all fighting sore throats and coughs and snotty noses - except for Lachie.

My kiddies!

Wasn't up to much first thing this morning - Jamie had the car - and I COMPLETELY forgot that I had coffee group scheduled. So I missed out on that, what a bummer.

Just this week we've noticed that this house isn't very warm. Y'know some houses that are warmer outside than in. We had that problem at James Street and we have it here. We will not have that problem at Omega Place!! Anyway, So me and Lachie went shopping for some new pyjamas, shoes & slippers for him. We got some cute PJs from Farmers and good shoes & slippers from K Mart. He is wearing his new PJs tonight to bed and feeling very proud of himself - and looking so cute.

Here is Fletcher yesterday... brushing his teeth before bed and having a nap earlier in the day. He has a runny nose and I don't think he is feeling on top of the world really. And yes, that is the extent of our bathroom!

Mum, I have been putting him in his sleep suit.

ps. here is a link to a Beacon article about the "Crop a Cop".

and here is a picture of Willy's son getting his head shaved

A Visit from Anglican Childcare

As you know, from the end of the month I will be looking after our niece Chelsea one day per week. We are doing it through Anglican Childcare, so I have signed up to be an "Educarer". Today Dianne came to check that our house is OK and safe for children.

So, of course, Murphy's Law came into operation today, my children were fighting with one another over toys...but really, the best bit was when Fletcher managed to get a great big knife off the bench and bring it out the back door where me and Dianne were looking at my laundry!

Hopefully I get approved!

A New Old Dishwasher

Last week we bought a second hand dishwasher off Trade Me. We are totally over having to handwash the dishes - we do 2 - 3 washes a day - & more if I make lots of dishes baking or making dinner. The kitchen is all hooked up for it. So Jamie drove over to Tauranga this morning to collect it. We've been making a few extra trips lately, which has been hurting the petrol budget...

Its just about set to go, we just need to get another hose as the existing one is not long enough. Hopefully it will be set up tomorrow! Best go buy some dishwashing powder!

Tuesday happenings

Its been a day of comings and goings at our place. Jamie & Lachie went for a walk first thing. Then me and the boys went up to Abby's for coffee group. Then after lunch I went in to work - just for an hour and a half..After that we went for a family walk - we went around to Poppa's and picked up some feijoas.

The water from the taps today is just awful. Usually I can grin and bear it, but not today. Jamie went to the supermarket tonight and bought us a 10 litre container to drink. Much nicer!

Winter really feels like it has arrived today. I've been wearing jeans all day and several layers on top. Tonight the temperature is supposed to really drop to about 9 degrees. Boo hoo!! I've just made a shopping list of the winter stuff we need to buy. I've been wanting to put Lachie into warmer clothes but they are all too small for him! Fortunately we have loads and loads of firewood.

Enjoy the 'mega post' (I know, little and often is far better) and all the pictures. Keep reading all the way down til you see the 'ankle picture'.

Crop a Cop

A guy that Jamie works with - Willy - has been suffering from leukemia for a while now. He is back in Hamilton under going his second round of treatment and awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Lots of guys from Jamie's work have been working hard to help them out - e.g around the house doing working bees. They also came up with some fundraising ideas - Willy's wife and their 4 year old twins are renting a house in Hamilton to be closer to him - a bit tricky paying your mortgage and rent!!

So Friday night they had a Quiz Night - which I attended with a team from my work - as well as about 29 other teams! It was a great night out. They raised about $4,000 at that.

Last night (Monday) they had a "Crop a Cop" night. Jamie and maybe 20 others got sponsors - people to pay them money - if they would shave their heads. I think its a common cancer fundraising idea. Anyway. They raised about another $4,000 for that too! And together with other donations I think they are looking at about $10,000 all up! Here are the pictures of the fun! Me and the boys went down to watch.

The hairdressers who volunteered their time got a bit swamped, so Jamie picked up some clippers.

Jamie shows off his handiwork

Then its his turn...

All for a good cause....but we've decided it'll be the last time he shaves his head!!

from the weekend

Jamie worked night shift over the weekend. Friday night while tracking someone, he rolled his ankle running under a bridge somewhere. Here's the damage. He's doing good though, hasn't taken any time off work and it seems to be recovering well. The swelling has gone down a lot.

Our weekend was a pretty slow one. Jamie worked a night shift in Tauranga on Friday - which was a great opportunity for him. But it meant he was out of action all Saturday morning getting some sleep. Me and the boys went for a walk and to the playground. It can be a bit of a stress trying to keep the boys quiet while Jamie is sleeping off a late shift. But now I have realised it is an impossible task and I don't bother trying! And, wouldn't you know, Jamie didn't hear a thing from us.

Cleaned the house this afternoon - which is lucky cos I am going to have coffee group here tomorrow. Looking forward to that..

House Update #2

Submitted the plans to the Council yesterday. No going back now! Handed over the first of many cheques too...

Some pictures for you...

Thought I better post some pictures of what we have been up to lately. Another good day today. Lachie is just in the lounge with me playing trains, we've also been doing some colouring in tonight. Hoping to settle down with a few books once he is in bed!

Helping Dad wash the car

Here is Fletcher giving Dad a hand to wash the car today. He's so industrious! We had a busy morning out for a walk, then to the playground, then home for lunch and car washing.

At the Lake - Easter Weekend

Here is Jamie after he had taken his Poppa for a spin on the Lake.


After a ride on the "Skurf" board..

Did I ever mention the $1000 worth of marine accessories we won? When we insured the jet ski we went into a draw. And we were the lucky winners! I was in the newspaper and everything, a photo of me receiving the voucher. Amongst the things we got were some cool life jackets. The Skurf board however, was bought at a garage sale!

Jamie's Graduation

Here is a snap of Jamie and Cruz from their graduation at the end of February. It took some serious photo shopping and I'm still not sure its quite right!

House Update #1

Our working plans are complete - we picked them up last Thursday. We will submit them to the Council this week some time.

Jamie also dropped them off to our builder Chris today. He is going to do a quote for us, but we probably won't get it for a month.

Easter & such..

First up, I must tell you I have no photos to post! Sorry. I did take the camera with me on my Easter travels but I didn't get snapping.

We had a great Easter weekend. We started off by having friends around on Good Friday for breakfast. Me and Jamie cooked breakfast for 10 adults in our tiny kitchen with 3 frypans running! It was a great start to the weekend.

In the afternoon Jamie & Lachie went up to Lake Rotoma with the jet ski. I stayed home so Fletcher could have a nap and also so that we weren't running around like headless chickens before our dinner with Mum & Dad and the Wintersons.

It was great to catch up with the parentals over yorkshire puddings....& brownie & icecream...

Saturday - another lake day!! It was such a great day. The weather just got better and better. Me Jamie & Paul had lots of fun zipping around on the jet ski and towing each other on the sea biscuit etc. I had a nice swim after my last sea biscuit of the day. I didn't want to leave!! Maybe we'll get one more day like that in before its too cold.

Monday we went up to Galatea where a friend of Jamie's from work lives. They had got us a bunch of firewood so we went to collect that.

In other news....

* I am getting braces to put on my teeth at the end of April. Its to correct my bite and make room for a tooth coming through.

* Also at the end of April, I will be looking after our niece Chelsea every Friday, while Mel goes back to work.

Lachie's awake! Better go.

Remember this?

Remember this?

I've been leaving it so long between posts, I have to check my blog to see what I wrote last!

I got home from work about 12.30pm, and Jamie just went off to work - the 2pm til 10pm shift. He is loving work. He got called out at 2.30am Saturday morning and had a great few hours tracking people down...then he went and cut firewood for the morning! That was probably a good thing because it kept him going for the rest of the day.

Lachlan went to his Nana and Grandad's on Friday afternoon - a spur of the moment thing. Nana called in to say hello and he asked if he could go home with her. So he did! Uncle Paul & Auntie Mel brought him home on Sunday.

Looking forward to Easter weekend - we'll just be around I think. Hopefully the jet ski will get a run.

Lollipops!

How cute is this kid??!!

Today me Jamie & the boys had a day out. We went to Tauranga and took the boys to Lollipops Play land. It is a great little set up there. Unfortunately my boys weren't feeling too adventurous, so we mainly stayed off the fun looking climbing tower with tunnels and slides. They were more in to the merry go round, the digger, the ride in cars and the play house.

It was our first Sunny Saturday in a few weeks. Me & the boys headed out this morning about 9.30 while Jamie slept in from his night shift. We spent a good while at the play ground and then came home via the sushi shop. I might make sushi my Saturday treat. A store opened in town a few a couple of months ago, though I only found out about it 3 weeks ago (shows how much I go to town). Anyway every week I go there I think the sushi gets better! Hopefully they do well so they don't close down (like the squillions of eateries at that premises have).

After the boys naps me Jamie & Lachie went over to the Harbour for a cruise on the jet ski. Fletcher went to his friend Connor's house. Lachie was supposed to go to a friend's as well, so me & Jamie could have "couple time" but they phoned back and cancelled. Anyway, it was lovely out on the water. Jamie thinks the jet ski is running well since its service at the beginning of the week. And I backed the trailer down on to the boat ramp! Luckily its really wide...

We got our TV out of storage yesterday. We can only watch DVDs and VCR though because there is no cabling to hook up the TV in the bedroom it is in. That's OK though. So I watched "Becoming Jane" last night, which wasn't very worth while.

Jamie's last night shift tonight, and then a few days off! I'm off to bake some cookies.

An Update!

It is very quiet at my place at the moment - all the boys are asleep - Jamie included!

Jamie has been on night shift since Monday night - 7pm til 3am. He has been going really well - caught his first crim with the dog on Tuesday night! Its a bit of a mission keeping the boys quiet in the mornings - although Tuesday & Wednesday we were out of the house as part of our usual routine anyway. In our new house our bedroom is the farthest point from the kids living room so that will be great.

Speaking of new houses....we have booked in Chris Ballantyne to do the build. He has a great reputation for good workmanship. Also a property developer bloke we know (Lance) has offered to project manage the build for a small fee. He is building a house across the street so that is going to be incredibly convenient! Lance has already done a job for us - we have to get our house plans signed off by Ian Lysaght, the Coastlands developer. Jamie met with them last week and it didn't go so well - they didn't seem very happy - but Lance just phoned to say that he has spoken with Ian and everything is all go!

So, proposed timeline for the house is: final drawings done in March, plans in Council in April/May, costings done after that.....should be ready to go by August/September.

On the potty training front, things are going very well. After two days of staying home doing "intensive training" we were out much of the weekend. Lachlan did great - he went to the toilet at the Ohope Craft Market on Saturday, then at Riley's house, then we went out for dinner to friends' and he went on their toilet too!! And of course church on Sunday. He hasn't had any accidents since....Tuesday. However, we are still working on the POO front! But he's doing so good with everything else, I'm not stressing about that (which is a miracle for me!). And all with the help of the book "Potty Training in Less than a Day" by Mr Azrin & Mr Fox (although it was a bit longer for us!)

Thank you Grandma, for the potty training present, which arrived yesterday. I was at work but Lachie phoned me from home to tell me the wonderful things he got. I just checked on him to see if he was asleep, but he was gazing at Mater (still fully packaged)!

Here are the boys the other night playing nicely together with the blocks. Note Lachlan's red undies!!