The boy is in double figures

At last my baby is 10!

It was a busy day but he made the most of his special day when he is allowed to choose whatever we get up to!

So first he opened presents at 7am, dictated by the fact that his dad had to get to work. Amongst the favourites were Pokemon platinum for the DS, cuddle buddy from Caitlin, lots of books, a cross stitched pirate from Nanny ( and some smarties which lasted about two hours) and lots of lego ( Technics and starwars).

Then pancakes for breakfast, a trip to ten pin bowling and mini golf, lunch at McDonalds (with a quick sejourn to Starbucks for a decent coffee for Mommy), homemade meatballs and Caitlin's marble cake for dessert. Most of the rest of the day was spent putting his lego technic sand buggy together.



He says he feels much older!

It's been a busy holiday so far.

Mom and Roo have been to the Science day at Auckland Uni, where we both loved the Physics show, where we learned how to get rid of aliens. Anton took the kids ice skating.


While Ant was playing at soldiers the rest of us went ot the French Market and ate huge croissants and bought lots of cheese.On Wednesday we are going to watch Harry Potter at the IMAX cinema in town. We also have plans to go the Museum for their 'dangerous exhibition for boys and daring girls' and lots of other stuff while Daddy is away!

As if he didn't have enough work to do...

Anton has decided to join the Army. Here he is with his buddies in the Officers' Mess. They are just about to depart on a tour of duty in one of the worst hot spots in the world....West Auckland!






And with any army comes the young and glamourous hangers-on












Ooops, my mistake. Turns out he's filming something called "Spies and Lies" and earning £4 an hour for the privilege of dressing up as a soldier. He's off to Rotorua tomorrow to do the same thing for two days, before jetting out to the UK

"

Oh no! Caitlin has discovered alcohol!

In term 2 C's class did an inquiry project on drugs. Then they were asked to do a mini inquiry of their own focussing on one particular drug.

Caitlin chose alcohol, though only after a number of interesting hours in the library with her mum heard to say 'This cocaine one looks good!" and "How about heroin?'

The result? Another top score of 5A

Please help Caitlin's efforts to get to Korea

Caitlin has begun her quest for world domination! She is trying to earn some money towards a possible trip to Korea next year. We have said if she can earn some of the cost ( and that doesn't mean going begging to grandparents) we will help her out.

(JUST NEED TO QUALIFY THAT LAST POINT BEFORE C HITS ME- SHE MAY WELL BE ASKING GRANDPARENTS ETC TO SEND HER MONEY IN LIEU OF XMAS PRESSIES IN ORDER TO HELP HER REACH HER GOAL. IS THAT-ouch- OK, CAITLIN?)


With this in mind, we have set up a stall on a website called Etsy.

Caitlin has made some felt flower badges which she is selling. She has made them all herself, from cutting the felt to sewing the button and the pin in place

It's really my site so my stuff is on there too.


There is an icon on the right hand side of this blog which will take you directly to our page!

There may be family and friends' discounts but I wouldn't bank on it!

Come on over and have a look. You might find something you like!








Can you tell whose is whose?

Reposted entry from Jo's blog

Just in case people don't look at both blogs ( and why would you...) I have reposted this from my blog as the internet is proving difficult for various reasons as outlined below...



Anton has bought a time capsule for his mac as he thought he had lost his computer and all its work a few weeks ago. As a result of trying to install it, he has f&*ked up the settings on my mac so I can't get on the Internet at home. So I am sitting on the floor outside room 17 at Laingholm, with the kids walking the dog round the field, surfing using the school internet. Subsequently I am not able to go on Facebook to update anything. It is blocked at school!

So a quick update on life in NZ


Roo has made the gym team for the second year running! He is more impressed by the fact he has finished Age of Mythology however! The whole family is impressed with the first piece of news. He has finished the cue cards for his presentation at school too. He is a bright little cookie and I am very very proud of him. Oh he gives good cuddles too!

Caitlin...

has unofficially earned her kauri award, which is exceptionally rare ( like never ever done before by a year 7 in the first half of the year). I had a long conversation with her head teacher at book day yesterday who was impressed by her competitive spirit and determination. He is sure she WILL be going to Korea next year!

went to character day as Hercules Poirot- pictures to follow with an internet connection at home! And got a yellow star.

is working on Trash to Flash ( in my sewing room with some friends today... must go and clear the floor!)

Is hormonal but we don't like to talk about it!

Is going to present her Suffragette video to a group of teachers ( and get a green star for her trouble)

Is dragging members of the family to another weeding day ( dad's turn) for half a green star- can you see a pattern emerging here?

Went on a trip to Tree Adventures and challenged herself 20 metres up in the air( and so did her mum!)

I am sure there is lots more but my fingers are getting tired..


Anton...

is pfaffing with the computers and Jo is about to kill him if her computer doesn't start to work soon

Is working for the Dept of Corrections as a consultant on three times the pay of his last job

is still at Serenity which is reopenning soon

is working with Simon on editing and designing books ( Simon is a graphic designer)

is thinking of investing in property with some other friends


Jo is not having a good day.

Sewing is going well but can't upload pictures coz of the internet ( though I might be able to put some of the pictures on here)

Has applied for a job at Woodlands Park school ( but they want Maths and Music and I offered them IT and Science and Soft Materials)

was asked by the head of BBI to put her name on the relief list.

Is being hormonal too

Has been running well in the 10kms and is thinking of doing the half marathon in July (In my opinion she is incredible.From Caitlin)


Loves her kids to bits


Needs to blog when she is feeling better!


It's been a busy week and everyone is suffering I think. Hopefully photos to follow

And again

So it is the end of term. Two weeks off for Easter. As usual school ends with an assembly. In fact both schools end with an assembly at the SAME TIME! So one of me and two kids to keep happy... no problemo! I went to C's assembly as she was hosting it ( another coup!) and stayed till the last possible moment before heading off to get Roo from school. Took him for a coffee and wedges at the Hardware before going back to BBI to get C who had had a a piano lesson, before coming back to Tititrangi to watch Roo at his kung fu grading. TWO HAPPY KIDS, NO PETROL!!!

And you can guess the next bit. C got another star- for an excellent consistent approach to the term. She now has two red, a blue ( for sportsmanship) and half a green ( for weeding!). SO over 1/4 of the way to a bronze kauri award and only 1/4 of the way through the year. She also got a level 5A for her inquiry project- so not big headed at all then!

Roo did brilliantly at grading. Master Eagle spotted him again doing a complicated balance and complimented him. He will definitely get his next stripe and I have finally ordered his kung fu shirt so he will look the part!

A Team Ashcroft creation

A Team Ashcroft creation
Originally uploaded by rydalcat

Reuben and I have worked together on a few ideas for art/sewing projects. This is the first to be completed. It hangs in his room.

It is about life being a journey with obstacles and an ultimate prize.