Long time no write!

So, it's been a while!  Shortly after my last post, life got a little crazy for a while there and I am only just catching up.  So here's a snippet of what's been happening around here.

September -Art auction at the school.  An event I started when I first joined the committee and have been part of 3 times now.  It's full on, but well worth it financially for the school.  It all but consumed a heap of  August!

Mid September - right after my last post from memory - I went for a routine breast screening mammogram. I was called back in as they could see a mass in my left breast that could not be explained. (I had previously -1990- had a small lump removed from my right breast, so wasn't too worried).  Went back in for an ultrasound at which point the doctor advised he could see a tumour in my left breast and wanted to do an immediate biopsy.  Seven tissue samples were taken and then it was waiting 1 week for the results.  Benign was the most wonderful word I heard when the nurse rang me with the results!

Beginning of October was Kids Camp, followed directly by Scrapbook Retreat and some manic school holidays, trying to work at the same time as ensuring the kids had a great holiday and didn't kill eachother!  Mid October repainted the bathroom - a week of full on prep work, filling holes, sanding, washing, sanding again.  The first coat of the new colour was so awful I nearly cried.  Was supposed to be warm neutral tan colour, but on the walls it looked PINK!  back to square 1.  I bought new pain and started again.  Here is a photo of the bathroom with 1 coat of the first paint (above shower) and 1 coat of the new pain on the left-hand wall - such a difference.  I will get around to a photo of the entire bathroom once all the new fittings are in place.

Late October, sports prizegiving for Taryn who received Most Valuable Player award for her team and was awarded and Honours certificate for her rep cricket in North Harbour U15 girls Rep team.

November - Swap Frock event at school.  Taryn turned 15 and I made her a cricket ball (well half a ball) cake, which we took to cricket for her team to enjoy.

 Then there was Taryn's U15 tournament, for 3 weekends in a row, plus on the final weekend, she played on the Monday as well.  heaps of baking, with my favourite being the 'Harbour' cricket ball biscuits, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

 December saw Jayden go to his graduation dinner/dance, (which he nearly didn't get to go to because of behavioural issues he was having at school through October & November).

 Then there was the Asia pacific robotics competition for Taryn.  It was HUGE.  never seen so many teams in one place, but I guess it is even bigger in the states.  They didn't make it into the finals, but had a great time anyway.  Nationals at the beginning of 2013 is their last chance to gain a place at the Worlds in USA, so here's hoping for them they can achieve what is required.

Camp Maynard Christmas BBQ, where Jayden was awarded a certificate for his ongoing work at Camp Maynard working bees - nominated by Charlie and present by John.  Then Wayne Philip - Mahurangi Zone Leader announced that I would be taking over as chairperson for the committee.

Taryn's academic prize-giving saw her graduate year 10 with merit and gain an honours certificate in Science and  Music.

 Graduation assembly on the 2nd to last day of school.  Can't believe he has grown up so fast and is off to Intermediate!

 His wonderful teacher Sophia Jalil who worked so hard with him and had the patience of a saint in dealing with some of the stuff he presented.

 Another huge impact on his schooling life at Manuka - Chris Barclay.  It's so sad that there are so few male teachers in our education system now.  They desperately need more!

Mid December - straight into Kids Camp, this time a 3 day camp the first day of school holidays.  Was an excellent camp, but being 3 days and 2 overnight stays, was pretty full one, so came home very tired.

In between all of that, Mike fell from a ladder whilst trimming a hedge.  The 'still going' hedge trimmer landed on his face, puncturing through to the muscle and requiring 3 stitches and also leaving a light slice line from the top of his cheek through to his lips.  Luckily he was wearing his safety work glasses and avoided any injury to his eyes. He also broke his right collar bone and took the skin off the elbow, which quickly became infected and required a course of antibiotics and regular dressing changes for the better part of 3 weeks.  Always right before Christmas, but at least it has been 7 years since his last good injury!  I told him he must have gotten the 7 year itch!

So, that along with all the usual stuff and some stuff I haven't mentioned or didn't photograph to help remind me is what the last few months of 2012 were like for us.

We are now looking forward to a much brighter 2013!

A little Overdone???

The commercial toaster, up at the camp I use for Scrapbook Retreats, takes a little while to warm up.  I have learnt though that you still shouldn't walk away from it, because should you go into the next room and get caught up in a very interesting conversation with the lovely Tania, then the quick thinking Wendy will have to rescue you - opening all the doors to let out the smoke!!!!

Mike always says my toast is really just 'Warm Bread' - not this time, it was well and truly cooked!

A Shower with Vienna

Vienna joined me for a shower during camp clean.  She squealed when I filled my mouth with water and squirted it out, thinking it was sooo funny!  Then she sat and had a play while I dried off.

Where are those toes?  I know there in there somewhere.

Hmm, you smell sweet enough V, no need for that!

Vienna at Camp Clean

I finally got to give Vienna her Christmas present at Camp clean - a set of books on numbers, shapes etc in the Hungry Little Caterpillar theme.  She really got into opening it, then got straight into having a look through them.

Once done, she went and checked out what Wendy was doing (cleaning out the cupboards) and decided she could fit in there!  Man she's so totally cute!

All curled up

Whilst at camp clean - Jayden helped me with the mattresses that we were recovering.  Whilst Glenna was sewing and I was sorting the material, Jayden decided to have a wee lie down!

Vienna's Lollipop

At kids camp, I asked Wendy if I could give Vienna a lollipop and she said yes.  These are the shots I got as she tried it out.  First, checking it over visually.

 Then in the mouth and oh my goodness this is so good I have to close my eyes and really savour it!!!

 Okay, how's about a sticky kiss??? No, why the heck not????

 Candy glazed eyes.  Yes it must have been good? Perhaps day dreaming of her next lollipop?

Hi Jayden

Vienna pops by to say Hi to Jayden during breakfast at Camp.  I love the smiles on both their faces, like they are really enjoying the moment.

Super Cute

Photos of Vienna at camp that is.

First - being chased by Taryn.  Her squeals of delight were just totally infectious!

Then cuddles with Poppy, one of the children from kids camp

Nice and clean after her shower

And so totally gorgeous!

And then this - totally cheesy grin when I asked her to smile for the camera.  I laugh every time I see it.

Vienna, you are so...Super Cute!

Like Mother like Daughter!

Camp roast bones - need I say more?

Baby Shower

It has been years since I showered with a baby, so I jumped at the chance to give Vienna a shower.  It was really nice.  She squealed with delight and we had lots of laughs together playing with the water on our heads, down our face and a little splashing.  Then we called mum to come and get the clean girl.  The photo is a bit blurry, probably because of the steam escaping the bathroom at camp.

I know she really isn''t doing this, but let's just pretend that she's giving the shower with Carrie a super thumbs up. lol!

Visitors at Camp

We had a visit from Paula and her Grand-daughter Sonia Marie on Wednesday morning.  Paula told us that Sonia-Marie had just started walking and Sonia-Marie delighted us with a show of a few steps.  She wasn't too keen to share her juice bottle or her shape toy with Vienna though and held her back a little, which we all laughed a little at.  Wendy then decided it was time to add some of Vienna's toys to the play date.  This included a book, which they book tried to grab.  It was cute to watch them with their little tug of war.  Then Vienna managed to get it to herself and held it up as if saying 'ha I got it'.  Again we laughed.  We went and had some lunch in the dining room, then returned to the lounge where they sat and played together nicely before it was time to go home.  Vienna rocked her new wee friend in her car seat before Paula and Sonia-Marie left.

Pre-Teens

Taryn and Sam, the two cool pre-teen Group Leaders at kids camp!  They tell me I'm so old school some times.  I almost hate to tell them where that pose they are using came from.  Something to do with a fever someone had on a Saturday night!!!

Pot Baby?

I have seen Vienna in quite a few amusing things, including a bucket at Paula's and a shopping basket at spotlight, but this one just made me laugh out loud.  So loud in fact that she reacted to my laughter and cried her poor little heart out.  Tears, sobs and all.  I felt bad at first, but didn't take it personally.  i think it gave her a fright and then over our time at camp I learned it was just one of those new things and she did it a few more times whenever someone laughed out loud or made a loud noise.  I tried to laugh a little quieter after that.

I joked with the kids at camp that we were having Pot Baby that night for dinner.  some laughed, some gave me a funny looked, one look a little worried! lol - but not too loud!!!