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!

Jayden's Insightful words

As part of my exercise plan for my weight loss, I have been going for walks on the beach over the past week.  The first time we went, my niece Olivia was collecting sea-glass and Jayden helped her.  Since then, he has been collecting some for himself, with great visions of somehow fusing it all together (he had said he would use the soldering iron, but I think he needs to work on his plan a little more).  Anyway, my purpose for the walks was to exercise, burn off some calories and so for the better part, I wanted to keep up a good pace and get a bit of a sweat going.  Yesterday, it was just Jayden and I, so I gave him advance warning, that I wanted to keep up a good pace, not dawdle.  He agreed, so off we set.
     Once there, he immediately started searching for sea-glass and asked me to do the same.  I had to keep calling to him to keep up.  Once we got to the end (where we turn around), he begged me to stop for a while so he could search in the small bay that was covered in shells, so I stopped and just watched him. He delighted in digging, searching, finding big rocks and throwing them into the water and then running to escape the splash.  I sat down and started searching with him and we found some very interesting shaped pieces.  It was actually really nice to just stop for a while.  After 15 minutes, I said we needed to head off again and so off we went.  As we started back, he asked me to keep searching for more sea-glass.  After a few hundred feet, he'd found several more pieces, I had found none.  After learning this information, he informed me "Mum, if you look too far ahead, instead of where you are right now, you wont see what's right in front of you and you might miss some good stuff"  I had to wonder if we were still talking about the sea-glass.  A few paces on (at a much slower pace), I found a really nice twisted shell, with a small hole in the top section, perfect for threading a necklace through.  I would never have seen it if I had been looking further ahead instead of closer to where I was actually walking.  So I guess it doesn't really matter if I walk a bit slower and don't build up a sweat.  It's still exercise and I get so much more from watching him, really taking in what he is doing and who knows what I might find right in front of me!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

In helping out a friend, I recently had the pleasure of taking a very bright 3 year old to Kindy.  Upon arrival, I asked him to show me what we needed to do.  First was to find his name and phone number on the board, I then asked him what came next and he led me to the sign in table.  What next I asked?  He showed me where the lunch boxes were stored and so as we headed towards the row of hooks I stupidly asked - where do you hang up your bag, to which he replied - You know, I said I didn't (cause I really wasn't sure if he had his own special hook or anything). He sighed, looked up at me and said "Oh Carolann, use your eyes!"  Well hey, why didn't I think of that?

Despite my obvious lack of brain power earlier in the morning, I remembered how to get back to the Kindy to pick him up and we had a great afternoon! Thanks Buddy!

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!

Our Last Night

Mike on bird poop patrol!

 Kids toasting marshmallows with Hannah (from the tent next door).  When they ran out of Marshmallows, they toasted Gummi Bears - very sticky!!

 Yummo!

 All packed up and ready to go!

More Camping holiday shots

Mission estate.  The property was as beautiful as the wine itself!

I have to mention here, that Mike didn't really want to go to either winery, but when we get to Mission Estate, he lapped it up, talking to one of the employees (who had taken over from one of the monks) for about 40 minutes at least and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then we got to Church Road and who should end up talking about wine again?

And who do you think it was that ended up buying one of the most expensive bottles of wine in the place?  

Yip - you guessed it.  Mike bought a limited edition bottle that can be cellared for the next 10+ years, with the aim of opening it on our 25th wedding anniversary.  Well guess it's an investment in our future together?

 Kids fooling around.

 The sound shell on marine Parade, Napier.

 Catching up with an old friend from my Amex days - Gwen.  Gosh it was good to have a laugh together.  Miss you girl!

 Pania of the Sea.

 The day the freaking mist rolled in!!!  

 Another of my favourite photos - father and son chillin for a while.

Hawkes Bay Christmas

This year was the first year ever we decided to go away for Christmas - including Christmas day.  We went camping with the Robinson family - although many people have told me that what we do is not really camping - it's more like 'Glamping', as I insist on a powered site and we take the small fridge, the electric wok and many other home comforts.  I don't exactly rough it.  Mike would happily sleep on the ground under a tarp I'm sure, but not me.  I'm too soft.  Anyway, we stayed at Kennedy park in Napier - it was fantastic.  First the Robinson's tent went up, then onto ours.

 At which point, we found the tent my sister lent me had quite a few bent poles - here's a picture of one of them.  I phoned my brother in law immediately to check if he knew, which he did not!  Anyway, it made erecting the tent interesting, but we managed to get the bent poles to have pressure going the opposite way and in fact it slightly straightened some of them by the end of our 10 day stay.  There was also an inner door stuck, as the tent had been folded with the zips closed, but we managed to pop the teeth back in place and open the door.  And everything else was fine.

 Our little present table - In my hurry to pack and leave the day after kids camp, I forgot the little Xmas tree and would you believe it - the kids main Christmas presents!!!!!  Nevermind, we had a blast.

 With gale force winds looming, a windbreak was almost a necessity.  Even though we borrowed the tent, we purchased a windbreak as we loved the tent and have decided we will definitely keep our eyes peeled for one on trademe.

 Mike liked his presents - especially the exotic coffee pack from my sister Michelle and Simon.

 I was making Xmas day pudding and had to crushed biscuits - know how hard that is camping???  Well kiwi  ingenuity -beer bottle worked well.

 Our yummy mid day feast consisted of garlic and rosemary potatoes, maple glazed carrots, pork chops, steamed beans and nice slices of ham.

 And for dessert - my camping masterpiece!  I'm not sure what it is called, but is sort of like lemon curd cheesecake filling with loads of berries on top - Yum!

 On boxing day we started to check out the town of Napier.

 The beaches were quite unusual - not sand - just rocks!

 Taryn altered the picture of her and Jayden on the anchor (from above) and this is the result.  More photo to follow soon.

Ukulele Festival - The real deal!

Some pics from the actual festival.  That's my crazy friend Carol in the fluro jacket and Kiwi head gear!

 The crowd!!!

 Ukulele Bartt from California - 1 Awesome dude!

 This amazing young man could play the Ukulele with his teeth!!! Way better than I can play it with my hands!!!!  guess I should keep practicing.

 Bartt & Merenia after the festival.

 Bartt and I after the festival

There was a parent who managed to take some pictures of us playing in the grandstand and I will post those pics once I get my hands on a copy.

Rock on Ukulele Festival 2011 - I can't wait to go again!