Crazy Reader

L9's latest obsession is the Inheritance Cycle. He's just finished the third and I'm glad there's only four or we'd be broke. Those are big old books. Last night he called me in, and told me he was reading the last page, and would I perhaps like to watch? Reading is not only companionable in this house, it's a veritable spectator sport.

 He was pretty proud to be finished, even though he'd read his chin raw.

I'm proud of you too L9. You're a rocking reader.

Today I heart

This

Her

These

and also chocolate, but nothing new there.

Showtime!

P6 dancing with friends.

Window Writing

P6 says it's a queen cat (you didn't miss the crown, surely?) and it's saying 'arrrg' because it's in the rain and cats hate water.

Scrabble

is way better than homework. Maths, spelling, reading, co-operation. . . plus Mummy likes it. Bonus.

Anzac Day

It was a beautiful morning, so we set off on foot to our local Anzac Day service. It doesn't look it from this photo,

but it was really quite packed. (And yes, that is P6 wearing her skirt as a halterneck dress. That's just her thing, okay?)

 I haven't had the chance to gripe on here about the poppies this year, but since we didn't even see anyone selling them this week, I kind of missed my chance to make a point. For those who didn't read about it, some big bod idiot in charge decided to get the poppies made in China this year, canceling the longstanding arrangement with a Christchurch sheltered workshop to produce them. WTF?! Yes, they might well be 150% cheaper, but I'm not buying one. I think I'm going to send my donation direct, with a note attached expressing my disappointment in this decision.

On a happier note, we did of course have to make Anzac bikkies today. Nom nom nom.

And just because we really are idiots, we got ourselves another cat. Yes, I am still allergic to them, and yeah, I do still think chickens are cooler. But L&P luuuurve Vanilla Bean to bits, and we  decided she needed a feline friend to play with. Since we gave a couple of chooks away, we are only sitting at a pet count of five, so just room for one more. She should really be called Anzac since we got her today, and she is appropriately half Kiwi black and half Aussie gold. 

 However, she is a rescue kitten who had been dumped and had been at her foster home for over three months already (see, she really needed saving) and she'd been named Bella for all that time. We decided to stick with Bella and add Essence, so we now have Vanilla Bean and Bella Essence, which rolls off the tongue rather nicely. It was all Geeky husband's fault. Once her saw her photo he couldn't resist. I know this because he did all the emailing, phoning and organizing, even though he's totally phone-phobic.

Despite years of declaring he wasn't, he's such a sucker for a cute kitty kat. 

I think I like that.

Traffic

Took L&P out for an evening drive. 

We were out on a mission, the results of which I will be able to share quite soon.

Oh Mr Taubes. . .

I was really good and cut the bread with my omelet, but ooooo I just couldn't resist finishing brekkie with a big chunk of homemade peppermint crunch slice. I know replacing carbs with pure sugar is kinda missing the point, but mmmm. . . . it was good. 

On a healthier note - a mystery stranger left a huge box of feijoas on my doorstep this afternoon. When I thanked the person I thought responsible, she looked at me funny, so I have no idea who it was, but thanks! Looking up feijoa recipes tomorrow. . . . 

Tooth Troubles

Today I pulled a tooth that P6 was desperate to get out. It was a heroic moment - I've never managed it before. 

I get this one, but she's keeping the next.

Angel Crafting

I decided after spying some wooden pegs last term that P6 would enjoy making some peg dollies in the holidays. I found a tutorial here (how we ever lived without the internet is beyond me) for Christmas angels that pretty much fit the bill. P6 was excited, but endlessly patient as things conspired against us all holidays. Even on the last Friday when we couldn't get the fused-closed paint pots open with our girlie arms, she calmly said "Oh well, we'll do it tomorrow." 

So I had to make sure that tomorrow actually arrived. We made two each:

  And if you try hard enough you can peg all four onto your waistband.

 Four angels, one happy girl and a satisfied mama. 

 L9 wasn't so fussed on the angel doll idea, but did join in with the pom pom making.

 Everyone loves a pom pom. 

Spring Pixie Hood

My knitting friends hassled me mercilessly on Monday night (who says introverts are polite and sweet?) about my knitting. They wondered what was the point of shearing the sheep, carding and winding the yarn, just so that I could knit it back into . . . a sheep!

I'll have you know this was alpaca anyway :-P and it makes a particularly fetching hood for P6.

Okay, so it's a leetle on the generous side in length, but I'm sure that just makes it all the warmer.

Housewifely

Today I felt like a housewife. I picked up my husband's suit from the drycleaners even. I don't think I've ever done that before. I lost the ticket. I'm quite predictable. 

I had my two, then three, then five, then seven children here today. I still managed to cook muffins and clean out my pantry to rid it of the dreaded pantry moths. I'm sorry but it's the pantry I'm going to show you:

Um, yes, you are not supposed to notice that the back of one of the shelves is cardboard and sticky tape. That's a boy job. It was the girl of the house who was housewifely and impressive today, so we will continue to politely ignore that boy job left unfinished for the last few years, and admire the housewifey stuff achieved in the face of adversity instead, okay?

Pirating

Introducing Cut-throat Luka

 and Black Pearl.

It's hard to look tough sitting at the bus stop in the sunshine.

We made our way into town for a pirate cruise.

 Met up with our friends M, M and R (hee, just realized they make MMR, which is probably only amusing if you have young children near vaccination age). I'm sure (or at least hoping!) they won't mind me photo-blogging them since big M is a mad blogger herself.

 She even takes photos too, so we have a family portrait to share.

Yeah, this is why I prefer to be on the other side of the camera. Eeep! That's a pirate expression don't ya know? I maybe needed a false mo to hide behind too.

 This is evidence that L&P really did join in to some games:

Mostly though, the crowd overwhelmed them and they were the shy kids hiding at the back and not talking, much like this:

M and R were much more willing to share, even proudly showing me their blue tongues:

 Ewwwww!

Fortunately though, I've been reading Quiet on Aunty Iz's recommendation, so I was more okay with my little ones' introverted behaviour. In fact I just finished it this afternoon, and really like this bit from the end:


We know from myths and fairy tales that there are many different kinds of powers in this world. One child is given a light saber, another a wizard's education. The trick is not to amass all the different kinds of available power, but to use well the kind you've been granted.

A Billion Holiday Photos

to reassure Aunty Iz that we just went away, and we're not MIA :) (Although it was nice to be missed.) Went on a last-minute weekend away to Rotovegas. Both children are keen to move there now.

Much to L9's delight, outside our room and right by the lake, was a huge chess game:

 On the gondola - all began well:

 but one needed a wee cuddle as we got high:

 The luge was a huge hit. Huge enough that it overcame the chairlift fear. Although there was some literal shaking in boots, I think it was the overwhelming mix of adrenaline, fear and exhilaration.

How much did you like it?

 Proud and extremely happy boy:

P6 thinks it's a good joke to pretend to be terrified. She really should act in a vampire movie one day.

 We accidentally found the world's tallest inflatable slide, and no-one could resist since they were being so gung ho. Actually I lie, I could resist.

 Saw some old trouts:

 And had a perfect day for a walk around Hell's Gate. Both children were captivated by the steam, sulphur crystals and stinky smells.

 Boiling mud. Cool country.

 It was more hands-on than it used to be. We were encouraged to scrape out some fine white clay and squeeze it to create liquid:

 A mud foot bath to finish:

Thank you my lovely family for a great wee holiday.