First Day of Kindy!

Emma has just survived her first day at Kindy! I was a little sad last night - knowing it was the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in her life... I love kindergartens and the whole philosophy around them and it's all part of the bigger picture with school in mind! Kindy is 2 and a half hours three times a week - focusing on learning through play and then when she's four she moves up to mornings five times a week in preparation for school. So that means I'll be missing my little gem for seven hours every week - I'm thinking I might do housework, go for a run, sleep & scrapbooking! But we'll see.... but first I have to learn to let her go just a little bit!

Also - yesterday we had a great day to celebrate kindy starting - a real Mummy/Daughter date day. Firstly I took Emma to the movies for the first time - she wasn't so keen on the movie previews but the actual movie (Madagascar 2) she loved. It was nice being in the movies with only 5 other people - didn't have to feel so bad with all Em's questions.. "But why did the lion do that Mummy..!" Very cute phase! A McDonalds Happy Meal was also enjoyed together. And then we explored and played on a playground we haven't been to before. And then to top everything off we went to the Fairy Shop and brought clips for the first day at Kindy! While Mummy went to a shop further up and brought pretty tea cups... retail therapy can't beat it!

Lazy Days of Summer

Loving Summer! Lazy days - not doing much! Going to parks everyday - water play somehow everday -picnics everyday & beach bag packed by the door just in case we're in the mood!

And then there's lovely weekends away... Some of these photos were taken while at Taupo staying with Dale & Nell between Christmas & New Year. And then last weekend we took Em on her first camping experience. We went to Raglan which was perfect - I love the beach there. Emma thought sleeping in our very small tent was great - it did keep us dry & very warm when there was thunder & a lot of rain on Saturday night!

Joy, joy, joy long may Summer continue...

Then Christmas Day....

We had the morning to ourselves... Which of course consisted of opening presents and then playing with presents! We had a yummy pancake breakfast which Emma helped to make in her new chef outfit! In the afternoon we went to a local park for a picnic (dogs still need walking on Christmas day!) And then mid afternoon we headed to Grandma's house - for more presents and yummy food. Mum made a delicious meal of Christmas ham, lamb and chicken. We ate outside on the deck - which was perfect with the lovely weather on the day. All in all Christmas 2008 has been fabulous - I love Christmas and the journey leading up to it and Emma makes it more special every year.

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....