Christmas Eve

Emma really got into the whole Christmas story this year. She loved dressing up like Mary and wrapping baby Jesus. We went to a Christmas Eve service and she wore this blue/white dress and a blue scarf of mine -complete with a dolly wrapped in a blanket for baby Jesus - and she was a gorgeous Mary through out the whole service. She said the Christmas carols were lullabies for Jesus. She wanted me to dress up as Shepherd but in the end she was happy if I carried a stick - which I was happy to do cos it was only about 5cm long!!

The next photo is Emma writing a note to Santa to leave with his Supper of cupcakes, lollies and juice.





We decided we would sleep under the Christmas tree - which meant moving a mattress into the lounge. It was great fun! A new Christmas tradition started for us there! Emma's only request from Santa was for red balloons which appeared during the night...!

Tis the Season to be Creative...

Dudley's Haircut!

"It has been said that every child should have two things - a dog and a Mother that will allow him to have one!"

Emma always showers Dudley with affection after he's been groomed as if we've brought home a new puppy or something.... Very cute - she often involves Dudley in her play now as if he's a little sibling!! Thankfully Dudley is a big goof and is usually very happy to comply!

Christmas in Emma's Room!

Last week - Emma & I put up her wee Christmas tree... A little lopsided due to missing legs and needing to use a pot full of sand instead! While I was looking for the missing legs - Emma was looking at some decorations and she found some fake little presents which of course she unwrapped not just one or two but the whole lot - good determination to find a present I guess!! I had put all Christmas toys, books, CD's away so she really thought it was Christmas when they came out! So cute... She still can't get enough of Jingle Bells! Roll on Christmas....

Bugs Party!

Our little angel is now three! We had a great day celebrating yesterday - Daddy had the day off work and we went to the Zoo. And then Emma chose to have a picnic for tea but it had to be 'curry!'

And then today we had Em's Bugs Party! Which was lots of fun! Twelve of Em's friends came dressed as little bugs - they all looked adorable. Emma was a beautiful lady bug. We started the morning with a bugs hunt and then a friend from Playgroup did a few 'bugs songs' with the kids - which went really well and the kids did some great dancing! After that it was time for morning tea - which was of course bug food - spider lollypop, cheerio butterfly, grape caterpillar, ladybug cupcake etc.. My friend Gillian made the amazing Ladybug cake - she is one talented lady. We held the party in the Lighthouse - which is a little house linked to the church and playgroup so it meant we had access to the sandpits and playground. My pretend niece Laura whose 13 was great at entertaining the kids managing to get them to fly round the playground like butterflies!

I had great fun with decorations - I love parties and planning so I thought of the theme a long time ago and have been buying things since... Bugs was a fun and easy theme to do and the internet is great for inspiration. Some sites I love are www.familyfun.com and www.littlies.co.nz.

All Em's friends took home a packet of swan plant seeds (I did try to grow some but there still little!) And a lady bug/beetle plant stake. Emma receieved beautiful presents and was truly blessed! All in all it was a perfect day! And then tonight we went out and celebrated that my brother Dale has been given the all clear from Cancer! What a great day!

Where have I been?

Two words really.. Light Party! Let me start from the beginning.. About five weeks ago I stood up in church (a miracle in itself...) And said I was keen to do a Light Party - but was only going to do it if I got the helpers. For those who don't know a Light Party - is a positive alternative to Halloween - meaning the kids come to the church for a massive party instead of going trick or treating. The Light Party celebrates life and all the good things so no nasty costumes are allowed. Well after my annoucement in church I had masses of people willing to help and donate money, stuff or time. So my time has been spent looking after all the little details in regards to this - and I have loved it. On Friday night during a boogie with the kids at the start of the night I almost felt a little choked up to see 150 kids just having pure fun!! They all had party trumpets so the noise at the start was spectucular! The night was run with different game stations and the kids moved round the stations in teams. Some of the stations were a bouncy castle, messy food station, a box maze (the youth group did this and it was beyond incredible!), inside games, outdoor games and a glow stick lolly hunt room. And of course a parents cafe for coffee and cake for parents. It was a perfect night weatherwise after a very rainy week. I think I'm still a little tired from the whole planning thing - but I am also still buzzing too - just every little detail worked out and I give all the credit to the guy upstairs who looked after everything... Yesterday when I was at playgroup someone said to me that there child had said they wished everyday was a light party day - so I think it was a success to the ones who matter most too! Now for next year... I think next year we'll start planning in June instead of 5 weeks before though... I was running around like a headless chicken on the night so no time for taking photos - but here's a photo of Emma in her cowgirl outfit!!