Big Day Out

We started early at the Butterfly Farm - Margaret & I were immediately reminded of Singapore as we stepped into a blast of warm temp and now Finnie has some idea of tropical heat.
There was lots to discover at the Museum as well as outside - Finnie loved the sound waves.

And how about this for a little "Time Out" I never thought I'd see the day!!!!!!

Then home for a much needed "chill out" ( by now it was 30 degrees - 2nd day in a row! )

Then Nick Nack came home and it was into the wetsuits and away.....

That little boy was sound asleep after just a little tickle tonight!

Everyone's Goin Surfing...

Nick say's his wee buddy is a NATURAL.
This kid was surfing for over 4 Hours today!

and yesterday he hung out chasing the waves with one of the best - one of Nick's old mates from school days, Paul Cooper who used to surf for New Zealand
He'd still be out there now if he could! Cousin Nick & Auntie Maree couldn't believe his stamina! Just amazing.

Nick Could Build Rome In A Day!

Here's Nick crawling about in the ceiling putting in bats to keep his Mum nice and warm in the winter. It's a devil of a job in any house but especially so here as my roof is flat -not much room to move around. And as soon as he'd finished that he was down in the basemement stapling insulation to insulate the basement so the draughts won't come through. So Jordy will be nice & cosey when he comes to stay.
Then off he trotted to the DIY store to pick up handyman bits & bobs and picked up a water blaster on the way home. ( That one didn't work so back he went again and came home with a big noisy commercial one....and boy, has that worked well - That's been my job today and it's really satisfying to have the wee house looking sparkly. Nick thinks that this is the preparation for the paint job he's going to do .....as well as replace some rotten window frames...and cut down big bushes...and scrub the moss out on the spoutings....and fit in a trip down South for Xmas...and maybe have a look at Central before he flies out New Years Day!!!! hmmm Nick's 2nd in command is Wayne. These boys have been great pals since Playcentre so that's over thirty years now and wee Connor loves coming to hang out with Uncle Nick. Wayne's lent us his trailor for a couple of days so I'm grabbing this opportunity to throw all the junk out that's been accumulating for the last wee while. ( Nothing of your's David - promise! )
Alas, we didn't have time for Jordy TV but we did manage Jordy Radio. Honestly that wee boy was chatting away to me like a regular Irishman - It was so so funny...I'd ask him a wee question and then he would babble babble babble...another question....babble babble babble. And I had his photo propped up in front of me so it was almost Jordy TV. David & Dora said that they were with Nick & I in spirit as we beavered away but think they know they have the right idea on how to spend a Sunday!
But I am so so amazed at Nick's stamina and get up and go.....and he's nearly as old as me now too ( hee hee )

Time Flies!

Nick has been home now for 3 sleeps..and I must not count down the little time he is here. Isn't it ironic that one of wee Jordy's fav places to be is at an airport. It doesn't really seem that long ago that it was the back door that I greeted and farewelled my two wee boys but for at least two decades it is airports that has brought us together.

Nick & I have spent a wee time sorting out STUFF from the basement - & there are a few Tshirts that are saved just for their stories...there is a wee shirt we found just for Jordy..

A Challenge for Jordie...from what we can gather from the wonderful photos your wee personality shows much potential!


And how wonderful to have real photos of the latest addition to add to our wall of fame!

One More Sleep!

Now....if I wonder if I can remember how to make a meal with this stuff!
Well, there's always the big box of Weetbix he can fill up on....and surely I can remember how to cook potatoes! ( ok Dora & David don't even mention the fail safe rice cooker!! )

3 more sleeps & I'm Not Talking About Santa!

Well, I know we're supposed to be thinking Ecological but I still love the smell of pine and this wee tree was already cut down. The tree sale was a fundraiser for Oxam so I can enjoy easy. Hmm... it was a "wee" tree when I chose it from all the others but it looks pretty big now that it's in the house.
It's been almost 3 years since Nick's been home - he won't find much changed 'cept perhaps that there's heaps of photos of a wee bub all around the place!

Watch Out Graham Henry!!!!!

If you look very closely at the back row and focus on the big smiley face with the red hat right in the middle, that's my Nick! Another Championship!! And just look at the size of that cup! Well done darling...
( you have to excuse wee photo - I downloaded from Nick's email )
It is really strange posting all these photos of my family that I haven't taken myself! But if I do this it is almost as if I was there!
And Crumbs, I am SO proud. And wanted to be the first to spread the news!
Two Number One Sons!!!!
And now that the job's done start packing Nick -Home is calling - only 6 more sleeps! Yeahhh - can't wait!

Jordy Reads His Grandma a Story!

Here is a pix I took through video web of my wee Grandson today. Hey pet lamb I thought it was Mama Maree who is supposed to be reading YOU the stories!

Today's link was very clear and I had precious moments watching Jordy play in his little toy machine, do a real good "workout" on his playmat ( even heard his big grunts as he endeavered to do big push ups - am very impressed! ) then it was time for quiet reading time! Honestly, this wee boy has been here before for sure! You should see his face as he looks over the page with great concentration and then he very carefully turns to the next page! And he's not 4months till next week!

Then it was time for wee JR's feed as he was going to have a busy afternoon at the Mall finishing off his Xmas shopping and there is no way this little man was going to do that on an empty tum.

So it seems everyone is now getting ready for the countdown to Xmas - these little fellows are going out to my team at work -

It is only 9 sleeps till Nick comes home so I am thinking I'd better be filling the cupboards!

Got up really early to make the Xmas Cake cos it takes ages to bake and had other things to do today

I felt very pleased with myself accomplishing all the creaming and the beating by 7:30a.m. and then just as I was popping it in the oven I remembered that it's David that loves the Xmas Cake....not Nick Nack....Oh well I'm sure he'll appreciate the thought and he might be pleased for a wee bite to keep his energy up during his busy two week holiday!
Now all I have to do is decorate it and must find a Xmas Tree.....no Ikea here - might have to go out yonder with an axe!

Mah Jong Evenings

Every wee while Jenny, Libby, Cath & I get together to spend a few hours playing Mah Jong. It's a good chance to catch up with each other and a wonderful way to relax after a hard working day. We've been playing for a couple of years now and my friends are very patient with me as I struggle with my Pungs & my Chows - the Winds and the Dragons.
Last night I was very excited as I thought I was producing a winner - ( I've taken out the tile that didn't quite fit anywhere! ) You can see I was almost there!

My Singapore Family would think us hilarious as this game is supposed to be very fast but I have to admit that sometimes we even forget whose turn it is! Still, the chatter and the friendship runs freely. And one day, who knows, one day I may call "Mah Jong" and it will be true!

Jordy TV Time

A big part of my weekend now is to link up with Jordy and his Mum & Dad through the wee web camera and of course I want to be able to share this with my family here. Last weekend it was with the Buckleys way down South and today I took my tech gear over to Andy Bay so Celia & Margaret could catch wee Jordy "live"
Pre set up David sends a text ..."Jordy TV time???" and then when we're all set another text comes through..."go" and then if all's well we get to see wee darling looking adorable and moving his wee limbs all about. It's really fun.
But, here in NZ the Broadband isn't so good and the reception can sometimes be a bit hit & miss. We really need John Keyes to quit sorting out world finance problems in Peru and get back here and sort out our Broadband problems so all the kiwi Grandma's can catch up with their whanau who are scattered about the world. Priority - I'm sure you'll agree!
Today's link was a no goer. We did manage to have a little glimpse of Jordy in his new play walker but mainly Singapore could see us and all we could manage was a blank screen. Disappointing, but we managed to have good conversations and even hear wee Jordie making cute noises. And of course there's always Dora's wonderful blog site to go to.

Visiting Finnie Part 2

To celebrate my visit we had dinner guests for tea. Finnie's little friends, the Mushabelly Family had heard all about Judy's Roast Chicken and had been anticipating an invitation to Alice Street eagerly. I must say, they have impicable table manners and were the bestest of guests!

Because there were so many of us we had to have two sittings


And one of us just had to wait for all the sittings to be all finished!

This morning we had a lovely walk through Invercargill's best attraction - Queens Gardens. It was especially beautiful in the light drizzle. Millie enjoyed it too and now that she is much older and wiser we can even take a stroll through the duck pond and Old Milly just has fleeting memories of the olden days when we would be struggling with her not to jump in for a good old chase.

Then it was back home in time for "Jordy T.V." It was really great to have Finnnie & Co link up with wee Jordy. And I'm sure it won't be too long before Finn & Jordy have their own wee chat room.
So, a truly lovely weekend.

Happy 8th Birthday Darling Finnie xxx

Visiting Finnie

Travelling down to Invercargil last night reminded me of Singapore's heat...it was a very very warm 28 degrees which is so unusual at this time year. In fact, let's face it...any time of year here! Everyone else must've been barbecueing as for most of the way I seemed to have the road to myself. So with Pheonix Foundation playing loudly and vast views of the lushness that is Southland the trip went well.
Finnie was out on the road waiting for me and I can't believe how much he's grown in the last few months. He just LOVES his new Levi T Shirt that D&D & Jordy sent him for 8th Birthday. It really is THE BOMB! ( that's the new lingo for Really Cool!)

We awoke this morning and were SO excited to still be experiencing the heat wave so started organising ourselves for a picnic at Riverton. Smoked salmon & cream cheese sandwiches went into the chiller...and of course the traditional egg sammies...togs were found....towels....sunscreen...beach chairs, two wee boys with their favourite MushaBelly companions, Auntie, Mummy & Daddy and of course Magnificant Millie were all packed into the car and off we set on our journey.

Well...here's a question from Quiz Master Judy... What usually happens when you plan a Picnic in November??...You guessed it...the brilliant morning sunshine disappeared, the wind came up but we did the kiwi thing and just enjoyed it anyway. Here we are at the lovely Riverton Barbecue area...check out the 4 star facility!

And it is SO lovely to be with Family again.


And look...this place is so child friendly it even has a nappy changing room!

How Amazing Is This!

Here is a snapshot I took of my beautiful Son & Grandson from all these thousand of miles away!
David & Dora sent me video camera so we can have Jordy TV together and I can take my very own photos of him. How Incredible.
Yesterday I watched him waving his wee hands and legs around on the playmat and sitting up on the couch. He is so alert for a wee bub and looks so adorable. I can't believe how much he is changing everday. Jordy TV is definately going to be something to look forward to and I'm sure it won't be too long before I can read him wee stories.

It has been a beautiful 23 degrees here today - very blue bright & still.
My Sunday walking legs took me to Woodhaugh Gardens and I couldn't resist showing Jordy the swings that he can use when he comes over!

Jordy, see how there's all different sizes so it won't matter how little or how big you are, there'll always be a swing just for you!

We can stroll a little bit further to feed the ducks. Here they just love little children throwing them bits of stale bread. Being Singaporean, you probably won't have developed a taste for bread, so you won't mind sharing your bread with the ducks at all!

Then, if there's still time before afternoon nap time we can wonder along the Leith Valley and there's a track that will take us right through to Ross Creek. That's real bushy and quite lovely and of course it's got a great name!
After a big walk like this we can reward ourselves with icecream from the Woodhaugh Diary. Mummy & Daddy will tell you that our icecream is the best in the whole wide world.

Surf's Up.

Jordy, see this white stuff....it's called SURF, and it's real fun. You run into the freezing cold of the Pacific Ocean, and you squeal really loudly, and then you run back onto the sand and then you do it all again...and again...and again! Your wee cousins have done this when they were here in Dunedin for your Mummy & Daddy's wedding. I can't wait for you to try this out too. The louder you squeal, the more fun it is.
Your Uncle Nick does big boy stuff with this white stuff...that's called SURFING. He'll be sure to show you how to do this when you're a big boy.

This is one end of our beach .....

And this is the other end. It is very very beautiful and I love walking along from one end to the other in all weathers. This morning was a "corker" ( that's a word we use here for something good ) It's Labour Weekend ( that's a day to celebrate work & all the workers get a holiday - well except those that work in shops, for some reason they have to be at work cos people love shopping and they like to go shopping on a holiday weekend ) See how there's no people in the picture? Well, they're all shopping! Not me! I'm at the beach!

When you reach one end there's a lot of wee water pools and sometimes you can see wee crabs. They're not big enough to catch for Grandpa Ukelele's favourite Chilli Crab dish though so I just sit for awhile watching them. You're just going to LOVE this place Jordy, and guess what! Every day at the beach ends with a Fish & Chip Picnic....ahhh, now Fish & Chips...that's another story....

My Backyard Part 2

This wee Rhodie really is in my backyard! David bought me this one when I first moved into Dalmeny ( and Nick bought me a white one, but it's finished flowering now ) The little bush is taking awhile to grow but it's very pretty and by the time Jordy's tree climbing age, it'll be just the right size for him!