Sticker Girl!

Thought I should share this one! Whenever Emma gets a sticker she puts it on her cheek - so when she got hold of Daddy's sticky labels they ended up all over her face. Also Emma is now sleeping in the cot without a side - so far there's only been one tumble out... It makes stealing kisses when she's sleeping a lot easier!

Emma's Teddy Bear Picnic

Teddy Invites Emmy having a play pre party


Today we had Emma's 2nd birthday party which was a teddy bear's picnic. Above is an example of the invitations that were sent out to four of her favourite wee friends, Aunty Janelle, Uncle Skip and Grandma.

Thankfully it was a gorgeous sunny morning so we could have most of the party out on the deck. The obvious decorations were teddy bears - thanks to Grandma and Aunty Janelle we had heaps round the place. I also did little paw prints made out of brown card leading people to the front door. Emma's bedroom is right near the deck so I did a teddy bears picnic scene in there that the kids could see through the window.

Food glorious food! Party favours

The children all had indvidual picnic baskets of party food - which they then got to take home with bubbles, stickers and tiny teddy biscuits. They also got to take home the calico bears they had decorated with buttons and bows. The cake of course was a teddy bear. Emma seemed over whelmed when everyone sang her Happy Birthday! We did try to do a group photo with all the kids and their teddies however Sophie was the only one willing by this time!

Emma's favourite word for the last week has been 'party!' And she loved having all her friends here. Everyone seemed to have a good time and happy memories were made!



Teddy Birthday cake & Calico Bears



Sophie waiting for a group photo! & Grace



Favourite photo of the day with Aunty Janelle.

Claire's 2cents Worth!

Last week our car was towed! Yep $180 later - more than just a slap on the hand for parking in the wrong spot (all my fault...) but an almighty whack that hurt! The thing that hurt that most was the pleasure the towing company seemed to gain from me turning up flustered with a toddler on my hip! (How do they sleep at night?) Anyway.... I have been meaning for a couple of months' to start a gratitude journal - or at least to write at least three things in my diary each day that I'm thankful for. Simply to try and be a little more positive... On the day my car was towed I was very happy - Emma and I had visited a toy shop which was full of very grumpy, very flustered, very unhappy staff. Didn't really suit the beauty of the shop - so Emma and I made up for it by being very happy and playing with lots of toys for over an hour... However, my mood soon changed when after visiting the next shop to come out and find my car had been towed. I went from happy go-lucky -nothing -can -bother -me to a very angry crazed woman within minutes! Which kinda got me thinking... Anyway my gratitude comments are under way in my diary - but here's three real easy one's to think of straight away...

1. Emma - the joy and sunshine of our lives. No one makes me laugh as much!

2. Rob - I've been mostly a grumpy wife this last weekend - full of a cold and sick of being sick and sick of working... I'm grateful to Rob for the things he does round the house - like water blasting the deck this last weekend. I'm grateful he's a fantastic Dad and a wonderful provider.

3. I forgot to mention in my towing story - there were some fantastic workman close by who took pity on me - and one guy drove me to the towing yard. If he hadn't of done this I would probably still by wandering how to get to New Lynn from Mt Eden! Also I'm grateful that I could easily make up for the fine by doing an extra shift at work - made it easier to tell Rob too!!

Play, Book & Park

If during our morning snuggle I ask Emma what she wants to do today she'll generally say one of three things which are: 'Play, Book or Park!' Sometimes she'll mention someone's name too as if she wants to see that person - not always easy when it might be cousin Maia in England that she suggests! Above are some pics of her doing some of her favourite things...

Small bits of Life!

Here's a few snippets of different things we've been up to lately...

Last Friday Rob was off work sick so we headed off to Kelly Tartlons to use our free pass. We loved the penguins I never realised they were such show-offs! Emma especially was very entertained and now has a newly found interest in fish. When we were at Jansens' (again) the other day she was saying 'that one, that one, that one!' to the many colourful fishes for sale!

We were excitied to see signs of Spring in Cornwall Park as the daffodils are coming out. I love walking along Twin Oak Drive when it's lined with the gorgeous daffs. I love Spring flowers (hint, hint Rob!! - in fact don't worry I'll be buying them myself!!) We even saw heaps of baby cows - now we're just waiting for the lambs.

This morning we had a Ticehurst adventure - after buying a bike seat for Emma on trade-me we headed out to a very flat area to try it out. Rob had to spend a bit of time yesterday servicing our bikes (I haven't been on mine since 2003!) But we had great fun and Emma loved zooming along even if she was somewhat close to Daddy's bottom! Poor Dudley seemed to suffer the most having to run to keep up! No photos of this sorry - co-ordination not good enough to be able to ride and take a photo!

Emma & Dudley

Well not much gets Emma down... Despite being sick again this time with tonsillitis she is still happy playing. Here she is happily deciding Dudley looks a bit chilly so dressing him in a scarf found in my wardrobe. She also is very observant noticing that Dudley hadn't had his fur brushed today so she gave that a go too - using Daddy's hair brush!! Life lesson from Emma for the week - find amusement in the little things despite how you may be feeling!

Child Abuse - A National Problem

Yesterday at 12.12pm everyone in New Zealand was encouraged to stop what they were doing and to stand out on the street for three minutes. This was to symbolize that we as a nation are not going to tolerate child abuse and if we see something dodge we will do something about it. The statistics of child abuse which has ended in death in New Zealand is shocking. The recent three year old that was killed in Rotorua shocked me to the core. So I did stand out on my little street yesterday (although I did get a little distracted picking up old raisin packets from the car!) But today watching this youtube video it made me just want to scream again....