Happy New Year!!!!

A somewhat eventful start to the year. Whilst Anton worked, three members of the family went in search of a kitten. Unfortunately an outbreak of cat flu meant they were all quaratined till Jan 11th. This meant we just had to go and look at the dogs. We were thinking of a rescue dog anyway, for lots of reasons, security being the main one but fitness, companionship and fun running it a close equal second. And sadly there were so many new dogs in the centre. I had met one a couple of weeks ago, a sort of staffy cross with really intelligent ears, but he was nowhere to be seen. There were, however, lots of puppies.
Needless to say we fell in love, with all of them. We have put our names down for a 'labxstaffyxshepherdxsomething'. Our first choice is a fawn coloured little girl and our second choice is a black cutie with a white collar. We have to have a property check to make sure we are suitable and then she will be neutered, microchipped and registered. I know it's a big responsibility but it feels like the right thing to do. The litter we saw had about eight puppies, all six weeks old which had been abandonned down a bank on Margan Ave in New Lynn on the 28th. There is such problem here with unwanted pets, especially because people don't desex their animals which leads to a glut of kittens and puppies, especially around Xmas. It is so irresponsible and so stupid.


I do keep wondering if we have done the right thing but then Caitlin, being 43, reminds me that the quality of life for that puppy will be so much better than in an abandonned box or being euthanised ( my word not hers).
Luckily we already have offers of help for training her. Chris and Debs who we met on Xmas day, have a beautiful newfoundland called Storm. She is huge but incredibly docile. They came over on New Year's eve as none of us had any firm plans and we had a blast. I didn't realise the amount of alcohol consumed until Roo had to do the recycling run to the bin. The poor thing was exhausted by his tenth run down the stairs!!!
Chris and Debs walk Storm past our garden every day so we are becoming firm friends. Lst night we covered topics ranging from organic gardening ( her veg is delicious but you don't want to know what she waters it with), dog training, broken bones, chinese horoscopes ( Anton the dragon and me the monkey are the most highly compatible verging on the nauseating), children's programmes ( as every good 30something conversation has to ), Star Wars and the search for real stormtrooper outfit, bungee jumping, white water sledging, motor bikes, campervans, drumming and lots more I can't remember. Poor old Chris had to put up with Reuben play fighting with him all night, with a bow and an airpump shooty thing. Roo, who usually is very wary of new people absolutely idolised Chris, for his drumming skills I am sure.

Did you know you can shoot arrows from Parau to Beijing...trouble is Roo has no arrows, just a bow. Oh for his imagination.

We ended up in the spa at 11.30 to see in the new year. As usual Roo took himself to bed ( ours) so he would not miss anything but was soon fast asleep. Caitlin, being nearly 44 stayed up till 2 with the rest of us. She was a real star. I can safely say it was one of our best New Year's Eves probably all the better for being quiet and cosy.


What will the next year bring? According to our chinese horoscopes the last year has been tough for all of us, but next year looks far better. Anton has been advised to look for new horizons... COOKIE MAKING!!! I am enjoying a lovely choc caramel mix at the moment. Ben's cookies have nothing on these!!!!!

What have we created???

So we have had the table tennis table for 6 days!








And Caitlin has finally beaten both of us!!!!







AARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

Christmas Update ( courtesy of a message to Jane)

Christmas was fab. We had brekkie on the deck, pancakes cooked on the barbie, then pressies. We bought a table tennis table for everyone and it's getting lots of use. The kids mostly got books, the guiness book of records and the daring book for girls from each other. Roo has been engrossed in the book by Stephen Hawking 'George and space' or something like that. Santa brought the Doctor Who series three ( C had been begging for it everytime we saw it and I kept saying it was too expensive) and a game called Boogie for the Wii, lots of singing and dancing! He brought me a new ds to replace the one that was stolen ( well if Ant will let me go shopping on my own on Xmas Eve!

Ant went windsurfing off our beach and came back with a huge grin on his face. It was good to see him so happy. He met some other Brits on the beach and they came over for a drink with their huge dog, who was gorgeous.

Then lunch, salmon, scallops, home made burgers, new potatoes corn and salad, with Ant's cookies for pudding, much later.

Then we had a family tournament because it rained. There was table tennis, boogie singing and dancing, Wii tennis and bowling, a basket ball shoot with Roo's new little hoop in his room, and a game of knock out whist. Needless to say Anton won, competitive tike, can't even lose to an eight year old, though Roo did win the tennis and the basketball. C was second and R was third.. I claim to have thrown the card game and I'm pants at the dancing and the tennis! Also I am their mum so I let the kids beat me !!!!!!!!

Boxing Day was cool too. Ant went on the water again and the rest of us read books. Barbara sent me a book entitled " Starbucks saved my life' just because of its title. It wasn't bad, about a guy who lost his job but found a better life as a barista. MAybe I should try that...free coffee too!

It was very strange having a warm Xmas, but nice too. You are not couped up in the house, though what it'll be like in July when it's wet and cold and there's nothing to look forward to I don't know.

We had a bit of a house warming yesterday. C and R had Ruby and Sam round all day so Donna and James could get some painting done. We didn't hear a peep out of them all day except for the screams from the spa and Roo beating out a rhythm on the drum kit he has been lent for two weeks by one of Ant's work mates. A load of Ant's work mates came round for a bbq and most ended up losing to Roo on the Wii or playing table tennis.



We also finally took the kids to Rainbows End the theme park. It was really small by English standards but great fun. We got them on most of the rides, like the pirate ship, couldn't get them off that one, and the big corkscrew, though they chickened out of Fearfall, an eighteen story drop at high speed. I challenged Anton to that one. It was a blast. We finally remembered to take a picnic so Ant was happy he didn't have to pay for food!



The kids are on the far side, just behind the mast. C is wearing bright pink!

Photos to follow

Christmas dinner

I have too much time on my hands today

We might just be going to the Animal Welfare centre after Christmas...




AND ANTON IS FINALLY SMILING!!!!!!

He has been windsurfing on Christmas Day

Absent friends and family.

It is so wonderful to speak to people from home, even if the time difference is a little odd.

I really am having difficulties with Skype, especially video skype but I suppose I will have to get over it. I think I'd be alright if I didn't have to see the video of myself at the same time as I am speaking.

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Christmas

Here is an assortment of pictures of our Christmas celebrations.

The chilldren were awake and bouncing ( on the trampoline) at 7 but waited until the allotted 8 to come into us. They then had to wait very patiently till after breakfast to open their presents. Roo found this very hard.



we cooked pancakes and bacon on the barbie, made lovely cappuchinos, cut up lots of strawberries and melon and took everything, including the dining room table, onto the deck.




On Christmas Eve we allowed ourselves one present from under the tree. The children chose them for us and soon three of the family were engrossed with books. I had to make do with socks, comfy but not so engrossing!