Christmas Letter

2007 is almost gone and wow how fast it has been.
I look back over our blog for the short time we’ve kept it. I’ve also been looking back over our photos too…must be the time for it.

From Megan:
I’ve been having a whale of a time learning so much from Ara about children and about myself.
We started off our outings for this year with - Waipu Mainly Music – which is a group of parents about 20-30 of us with babies of all ages dancing too kids music. There I meet Frances and baby Grady who have become great friends.
Grady is a month older than Ara and they are sooo alike its funny. Frances persuaded me to get into Playcentre, which I dived into but really did not like at first and felt a bit stressed with all the things that were happening. Then Frances suggested I change days…wow what a difference. I don’t think Ara has really noticed other children up until the last month or two but she has really loved the whole experience. I think next year I’ll start looking into my course work as well now that I’m settled into the routine of it all.
Also I’ve meet Jane and Beth from Ruakaka from Mainly Music as well. Jane is another attachment parent and La Leche Mother that I click really well with. So with these two wonderful friends I feel like I’ve stepped out into the world of Mumma-hood and the community.
Almost every day Ara and I go down to see Nana and Grandpa. At the moment her favorite thing to do is take the cat (Dennis) for a ride in a little toy tractor (thank you Jack for the loan, Ara is keeping an eye on your cows for you while you’re away).
We are a regular sight in town walking to the four square or down to feed the ducks. Many people comment how well Ara sits in her “rucksack” (sling) and hands over my card for any purchases we need. (I worry some day she’ll make off with my wallet, as she knows what to do.)

From Dave:
Its amazing how fast Ara is growing up – this year we’ve gone from crawling, to walking to running to talking to dancing and riding a tricycle! We are going to get her a bike seat that can be attached to a mountain bike, and a baby helmet so we can take her for bike rides. Her favourite food is probably still cheese. She tells me when to have a cup of tea, when to put on music to dance to, when to go outside for walk. She knows what she wants to wear, (and what she doesn’t want!) Her hair is getting long (we don’t really want to cut it short) but she pulls out hair ties & clips as soon as we put them in, so her hair is a bit wild. She’s picking up new words quickly – this week its “Ara’s” (a statement of fact, not a question!), which she enjoys using frequently to reinforce her ownership claim over all things. She’s a strong willed little girl who knows her mind. She’s also a bit of a bully at times & doesn’t take any crap, even from considerably larger boys who she wont hesitate to shove out of the way to get to her favourite toy. However, she can also be very kind & considerate. She loves taking me out to the garden to find berries & eat them. We often try to take some back for Mum, but they usually get eaten before we get back to the house! She loves play-doh, and finger painting.

I’ve had my ups & downs with work this year, but have now settled into a more regular work pattern now with some longer-term projects stacked up. I’m in Auckland every week or two to see clients and usually stay with Elly & Gotham.

Our fur baby – Griffin - is still pounding round the house and property and he loves being with Ara too…and I’m sure if he could type he’d write a little as well but for now he’ll just say

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We can’t wait to see you all, so please keep safe and know that there is lots of love from us to you.
Dave, Megan, Ara and Griffin.

I'm so Dizzy

Ara is dancing a lot to the wiggles (which is not so bad as another CD we have...I think Dave has hidden it for a while)

Where there is smoke there is a controlled fire

This time we were not so bold/crazy/stupid?

We did not set half our property alight and have a six month pregnant Megan running round with buckets of water.

You could not see great billows of smoke from miles away (as Roy will tell you the story of coming over the Brenderwins seeing masses of smoke...and saying yup that's the Bartlett's).

All very well prepared this time. Dave sprayed off a small patch (not the whole paddock). We had weed eater, mower and buckets ready...ok ok some of them had holes in but they still had a little water in.

We planned for the morning with the wind being low.

So you can see by the photos....Ron's place did not get "licked" with 4m high flames this time.

It went so well. The right shape and everything.

Its quiet exciting now seeing a few more paths taking shape...yes more mowing but I'll get there....speaking of mowing I am sooooo behind but I'm lucky as Dad has just brought a scrub cutter and now we can really catch up.

The best Breakfast EVER

Dave went out with Jack and Anita...and brought back Fish (see the previous post for recipe) and some scallops.

How lucky am I!!!!

Dave just gives them a quick cook with some butter and garlic....and then melt in the mouth. We've got them here with sauce and some eggs...just to make sure we're having breakfast.

Fish - Indian style

1 onion
3 teaspoons salt
1 kg white fish
1-tablespoon besan (ground chickpea flour)
1-tablespoon rice flour
½ teaspoon cumin
1-teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Vegetable oil
1 green chili, finely chopped
½ teaspoon garam masala
1 tablespoon fresh coriander, finely chopped

Slice the onion very thinly and sprinkle with a teaspoon (maybe a little more) of the salt.
Make sure the salt has covered the onion thoroughly and set to one side.

Wash the fish in cold water and pat dry with a paper kitchen towel.
Cut each fillet into six pieces (bite sized) and sprinkle with the rest of the salt.
Put these to one side also.

Mix together the chickpea flour, rice flour, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne and a sprinkle of salt. Make a smooth batter by adding 5 tablespoons of water and mixing well. (We often need more of the water or ingredients to make a good batter but just experiment)

Drop in the fish and make sure they are completely covered.
Heat about 8 cm of the vegetable oil in a large deep fryer.
Deep fry the batter coated fish in the oil for about 5 minutes when they should be golden brown.
Place the fish as they are cooked on a serving dish in a pre-heated oven (that has the onion on it). When all the fish are cooked sprinkle with the chopped green chili, garam masala and fresh coriander.

We make a yogurt dip with ground cumin, whole cumin salt and a little coriander.

Serve on rice.

Like Mum or Like Dad?

Well I've got me sunnies on, me watering can, and me bike.
We are now catching snippets of sun and making the most of it...but its still cold!
We are mowing like mad and still can't keep up.

Last night for Ara's dinner I tried to make spring rolls. I don't think she ate a one but David and I really enjoyed them. It was not until we went off for our family evening walk that Ara had a little in each hand.

We had a short visit to Waipu Primary school today with Playcentre. I'm looking at it very carefully. I hated primary school and don't want Ara to have the same experience so we'll keep on looking at the schools around until its time to make up our minds. I must say I was impressed with the class and all the colourful things the kids seem to of been up to....but what I'd really like to see is a class in action and not only one class but many of different ages.
School is very important and is really the make or break to weather your kids are going to enjoy education or not.

Return to student life?

Well thats how it felt the other day apart from the point that we have Ara. Here we were trying to get Davids car started. Ara was sitting in my car just chilling out with her play lunch.
While Mummy and Daddy are push starting the car... which was slightly heading down hill the wrong way.
But we made it!
Is the car fixed? We don't know and don't really trust it to head to Auckland any more.

Yesterday Ara and I went up to Whangeri's wonderful Mair park for a picnic with heaps of other Mum's and Bub's - a La Leche gathering. Ara and Grady went rampaging as usual and we didn't get much of a sit down but it was really nice and I think I'll do it more often.

We also had...have unsure now as they tend not to last very long.
Turkey Babies!
I was trying really hard to get a good photo but Mumma Turkey was not all that keen.

Its wonderful and sunny but the wind is still here and very cool. Ma and I have been doing a few cuttings of hebes to get our stocks going again in the shade house.
We've lots of planting to do on the weekend. Karaka trees down our far boudary.

Hope you are all well
Love
m

* She eats!

After what seems like for ever Ara is eating...well for today anyway.

We've been sick for a week or so but Ara has been out for about a month. We've just done our cock pot chicken to celebrate our Friday night of good eating.

I've also been using Meditainment over the last few days to get a bit of a recharge in a short time. Its worked really well for me.

Deep Recharge meditation by Meditainment
A guided meditation to get more energy.

Other related downloads include those for enjoying complete relaxation, combating lack of sleep and insomnia, and a powerful natural sleep aid.

Free Meditation - The Secret Garden by Meditainment.

There is a tukey at my window

Today is the first day for ages I've been able to get near the computer...more on that later.

This dumb turkey decided to have a fight with its self (reflection) in the window...but I suppose it is like its mates that Pat, Ara and I saw down the road. Two groups of turkeys fighting with a barb wire fence in between. Not all that smart are our birds.

Where have we been.

SICK!!!

To start with Ara had her eye teeth come through which involved lots of crying and sleeping for hours in the day and early bed times but needing Mummy and Daddy lots.

Then just as that started to wind down we caught Granny and Grandpa's flu (which I still have a bit of it hanging on) an this knocked us for a six. I was all booked in to do my first aid course and I could hardly hear a thing let alone keep awake or stop coughing.

AND then the biggest of them all

The tummy bug!

Dave and I have both said it was the worst bug we've ever had.

Ara started with it ...I was having trouble sleeping and both Dave and Ara were out to it. So I thought I would move Ara into the middle and do a bit of reading.

As I carefully picked Ara up so as not to wake her...her head drop sideways and she threw up...and it's been going ever since.

With Mum's help of doing HEAPS of washing I might finally be on top of it all. Ara still can not walk in a straight line and gets tired very quickly but same with Dave and myself. We just been moving from bed to floor to chair and back to bed again. Dave jokes that we must of all lost a bit of weight. Ara was 9.5kg at the Doc's yesterday....my little skinny rabbit.

I'm sure I've washed every single nappy we own about a million times in the last three days along with towels and blankets. At least two t three changes of clothes a day not to mention pj's as well.

Another early night tonight might get us on the go for tomorrow.

Dave is behind me now talking about food...cheese cake, macaroni cheese, pizza...it all sounds good but we don't think it would stay down.

But wait...the Bartlett's and food will not be parted...we love it too much...so tune in next time to see what we celebrate with.

Love to all

M

Funny, Sweet and Embarrassing

A few nights ago Ara was off to bed.
She did her usual rolling round on the bed for a little while sorting her self out and then I said
"Nite Nite time Ara"
She then threw her self down on the pillow face down and started pretend snorring...we don't pretend snorr I've just got a bad cold at the moment and I must be really bad in the snorring department.

So me with my bad cold I'm feeling pretty shattered after our weekend.
We went on the river boat on the Kaipara. Very good...long but good.
Dave said that Mummy needs Nite Nite time when we were in the car on the way home as I must of looked terrible.
Once we got home Ara collected up her Max the Mercat and walked me down to the bedroom and stood beside the bed waiting for me to get in. I pulled her up beside me. She pushed Max in my face and said shhhh then crawled off the bed and went to see Dave for 15mins.

On the boat we were all sitting together having some lunch when a young mum walked past with her baby. The baby had a a lead on which Ara spotted.
Ara can't say much yet but she said it all
"Woof woof woof" and pointing at the baby.
All four of us just about melted into the carpet.

* Here is Grandpa

I thought I would put this up on the blog for you Kara as I like the idea of being able to share the photos of Grandpa.

Grandpa did a little boxing at one time.

He did a little hunting a lot of the time.

I remember him telling me often about how he went and got his first job as a Tram conductor came home and told his Aunt (I think) who was horrified as Grandpa couldn't count or use money so they spent all night teaching Grandpa about money and how to give change.

Nanna and Grandpa did a lot of fishing with their family when they were younger. I think this photo is taken right up north.

David and I have been lucky to do a few tramps with Grandpa. We did the "river walk" a few years ago. We spent most of our time looking for the track (typical Warren navigation...sorry dear) but we had great fun swimming most of the way and Grandpa really enjoyed it. This is where I broke my little toe and needed Grandpa to help me back to the hut. He spent a lot of time telling us about his days of looking after Whakatane area and huts. He was a wildlife warden for the whole of NZ.

This was the last tramp we did with Grandpa up to the local hut here which has since been taken away. This was about 1-2 weeks after his cancer op. Loved every minuite of it. Had heaps of plan's to revamp the hut and clear the tent spots. DOC saddly had other plans.

* Its been a long time

I'll not up date on everything just tell you what's been happening in the last few days. No reason for not have'n the blog done other than spending a bit more time outside.

I've also been reading a lot as well....we did a big amazon buy and I'm still working my way through.

One book which is really great and totaly recomend is "Our Babies Ourselves" I'm still working my way through it but have to share with Dave who is also working his way.

Ara is a neat freek...well you decided. She saw a bird poo on the window just a little mark so she wanted to get a tissue I thought she wanted to wipe her face but then she tried to clean the window (she's on inside...mess is on outside). So Mummy had to get the washing stuff out and off we went...she even knows where the rags for the bucket are...I never showed her.

Ara just loves water play and will take any chance that she can to get wet and splash.

We are off to Islay's birthday party tommorow I can't wait to see how she is.

On Sunday if the weather is still the way it is we'll be cleaning out the water tanks.

Child labour

Well I'm all for it...hahaha

I've had Mum and Dad over a few times last week as Dave was away. Ara just loves getting comet out (vaccum cleaner) she batts our hands away and she wants to do all by her self. She also wants to sweep the floor and put the washing on the line as well as get it out of the machine and unload the dishwasher...and if you don't re-load it when there is stuff to get clean look out otherwise she'll throw a paddy until you do your job.

We've got Pat and Selwyn here for a little while and we've had a lovely catch up with Nana and Grandpa this afternoon while I've managed to get near the lawn mower.

Pheww...I've not mowed much with Victor the petrol mower for ages and I was just about shaken too bits and Ara burst into tears when Dave started it becasue it is SOOO loud. I think I'll stick with Ivan the eletric mower.

We drove down to Craig and Edwine's yesterday to celebrate Anja's 1st birthday. Was really great to see how well everyone is doing. Dave was just comenting on how we have all got very different names for our children. Ara was the oldest but Anja was keeping her own when playing a game of share...I'll hold on to this toy but I want what you've got so we'll swap... only thing is they forget to let go or count.

Sorry no photos...but just imagin about 8 really cute bubbas and lots of happy parents.

1st birthdays are all about the parents....happy that their child is still alive and they are still alive and sort of sane.

We've all got the cold

After our Queenstown holiday with extreme temperature changes I came down with a cold! So I've been very foggy in the head and moving very slowly. Now that I'm almost better I've passed on the joy to David and Ara. So my poor darlings are now feeling a bit under the weather.

We've decided to keep the house really warm and not go out all that much. Ara just loves getting the fire wood in with me and will ride in the wheelbarrow to the wood bin or the bucket to collect the wood from the door...so a paint tin of baby anyone? While she may nearly be 10kg she's a lot easier to carry than a sack of spuds.

We had a lovely evening with Jeff, Mat and Kate a few nights ago. Eating curry again ;-) Jeff now has a boat which we are all eager to get out on this summer. I was laughing telling them about Laurence and Janice (Uncle and Aunt) when Tessa was a baby and they were living on the boat and washing Tessa's nappy's hanging them to dry in the rigging. I thank goodness for my washing machine again!

Well I hope you are all well and happy and look forward to catching up with you all soon since we have lots of birthdays coming up as well as house warmings....good on ya's Sue and Arryn can't wait to see your new house.

Warren and Leisha VERY exciting to of sold your place and moved on to a new place. We had some great times at your old place but I'm sure we'll have many more at the new. Some photos of new years (before baby's) at W&A's. Swimming at the waterfall and the dinner is just about ready...Thanks so much Willy, Elsa, Waz and Leisha.

Home again

What a totally wonderful holiday!
All our fears about flying with Ara are gone...she was wonderful and I don't think I want to drive to Auckland ever again we'll just fly. Ha haha.

We managed to pack in a lot round our little family. We decided not even to take a backpack and just use a sling for Ara which I think was the best call out. We had very little baggage. Attachment Parenting is just great when on holiday! We didn't have a car on the first or second days and we walked everywhere.

Our first night we managed to get out to "Little India" for a meal. I was totally boggled by the amount of people in Queenstown (poor little country bumpkin) and we were not even there on the weekend or late at night.

That night we totally roasted in our room - southlanders trying to be northland temperatures - we slept with the ranch slider open just about all night along with sleeping on top of the bed....underfloor heating on total over load!

Next day we went for a ride up the gondola. I was very scared about the heights and with Dave and Ara walking around and leaning on glass handrails I was a bit of a bundle of nerves....But the view is just amazing!!!! And an up to date and very rare family photo!!! Which we all like.

We then booked our selves onto the Earnslaw (big old boat) and enjoyed the views from there as well as reminiscing about our tramping days of doing the Dart. I spent a while thinking about Grandpa and when he used to work on the Greenstone tracks the story he told me of running from the last hut when the Earnslaw would toot its horn as it left town and made its way down to the other end of the lake to pick up him and the other crazy conservation guys. The other end of the lake is where the sun is....sorry Queenstown you'll have to up lift and move down the other end of the lake...no sun for the whole day....very hard for a little northlander to handle. BUT the views! The moutains the water...oh its just soooooo lovely!!

Dave booked a car for the next day so we could take Ara too the snow. As we were driving up she looked very confused. We parked the car and caught a bus up the last little bit, while we waited Dave gave her a few bits of snow to hold. Once we really got there all she wanted to do is hold it and eat it. I think we have a snow bunny in the makings and we'll have to try next year.

We also made it to Arrowtown. Now that was VERY relaxing! So quiet and lovely. I would love to spend some more time there.

Our flight home was good too...I bumped into Anna from school...she's living down there now with her family...little bub 10.5 months old he handled the flight well too.

I've heaps of photos and lot more to tell but...well you'll just have to see us.

Love ya all

m

* Its raining again

Its been a while and we've been having some fun over the past week.

We've been watering the plants.

Having Mum/Grandma over for the day.

Picking up more wood with Dad/Grandad in the park.

Ara's had her first milo.

We've been to Emily's 1st birthday...a lovely cat cake there Em.

We've been taking Ara walking round the weekend markets. Infact Ara is walking just about every where...just not back up the drive.

Now we are getting ready to head off on a plane tomorow (I've been pointing to the ones in the sky telling Ara she's going to go on one soon).

We'll be flying from Whangarei (no long drive down to Auckland) then catching a connecting flight through to Queenstown. I'm worried about how Ara will take the flight but thats not going to stop how much fun we're going to have.

Well lots to do and with hope lots of cool photos to show you when we get back.

Babies to the beach on coldest day

We've been going well the last few days with the weather being nice to us for a change.
Really makes a difference to the mood of the house.
Ara is able to get out and walk just about everywhere now. Was talking to a lady in the 4 square the other day she was asking us if we had a pushchair.... Ara was running round the shop with her little basket. I said we did but Ara really didn't like it...and now I can say it was a bit of a wast of money as she really doesn't seem to need one.
I sent a Tex to Francis about walking along the beach the other day ... yes it must be colder now than what it has been all winter. So we wrapped up the kids and meet down the cove. We didn't end up on the beach as the tide was very high but there is a great playground just down a bit which we spent ages on.
We were really able to be coffee - hot chocolate Mums at the cafe too which was great.

We're still cleaning up from the storm a bit. Dave has had to stake up a few of our trees even though they have been in three years they still have been leaning over.
We've also got a bit of firewood to stack as well. Nothing like getting ready for next winter which is great.
Well no photos today having too much fun to get behind the camera.

* Well they are home

Ma and Pa are home. They arrived on the 18th and we managed to catch up with them on that night for Dinner. We were all a little tired. Ara spent a lovely time going through the suitcase pulling out her new things. I lovely green "helmet" (what babies wear in Thailand on the back of a scooter) but we'll be wearing when we head down south or on cold days round home. She also just loves the bright orange clogs and had to wear them this morning...As the photo shows she's still in her pjs with hat and clogs.

You can see Dave's nice big pile of wood that he's been cutting his way through from the blow downs in the storm. We've got heaps more to go as well. We've been offered one in the local park as well...a nice blue gum.

I'm such a proud Mama today my baby walked all the way down the shops and back by her self...maybe I should say she ran! She was most put out that we didn't get to go in the 4 square to get any thing but Chrissy let her put a pack of raisins in the basket just to keep her happy.

First time in ages I've had to sing a lullaby to get Ara off to sleep but she was asleep so fast it made me laugh. Think she's just so excited with all the walking outside its just been a great day so far.

A really lovely sun rise.

I guess we'll see more or Mum and Dad this weekend and hope to see some photo too...so far I've seen a snake...make my skin crawl.

* There was a drain...there was a river

If you have a look back at the post Cat Surfing you'll see a photo of the frost on the hills over behind Phillips place...and no river. Unlike this photo here. We had a large down pour of rain over night and the early hours of ....I think it was the 16th. While we did have wonderful sunny weather for this day we were stuck in due to the "river" going over the road.

The photo of the road is not at it highest point but even at this time it was not really a great crossing even with a larger vehicle. Ara was in backpack mode in the wrap under Dave's large coat as we walked down the road to see the fun.

On the day of the storm or the morning after I should say there was a large gathering at the end of the road...a chain saw party...cutting a gap for Jan and Pete and Allan to get out of their houses. Russ came along with two very large tractors and managed to get the logs right off the road. Ara spent a lovely time picking up pine cones (not in the wind!)

In true Dave and Megan style we wanted to check out the damage as soon as we could so jumped in our car to have a look round town. Heaps of pines down all over the place and in

some cases whole rows.

We lost the power on and off for a few days and one day we lost it for 17 hours. I was beginning to wonder how much longer our freezer would last...my mind was looking into the days. But we did well as we can still get running water in the house...we have the fire and a large pantry.

The only damage we did have was my nappy line getting cut in half by a flying bit of roofing iron (iron not from anything is just waiting for the chicken house).

So what did we do all day?

Well Ara and I had a great time just hanging out together. She spent a lot of time in the sling (got to keep up with Attachment Parenting month)...we even baked a batch of scones, not as good as Ara's one from Playcentre thought. The follow on affect of this lots of time together was Ara slept REALLY well through the whole storm unlike Dave and myself. She must of felt really safe.

For my birthday Pat gave me a slow cooker book so combined with the gift from Kez and Alex all thoughts years ago we have been having some great meals. I even did a whole chicken which was just sooooooo good. Sorry for all the veges. out there but it really was good. Dave has also been mastering his chocolate cake as well.

As a final note it really made me laugh when Ara got into a mixing bowl (she's been going through the pot cupboards) and couldn't get out.

* Stormy Weather

We are still here!
We are just having a bit of a problem with some stormy weather. We’ve been with out power for a little while and the net is intermittent.
Will be back fully soon....I hope.
Love to all

Megan

Are you sure you want to come home?

Well everyone if you didn't know my Ma and Pa are over seas in the heat of Thailand....due to come home in 8 days after 2 months of trekking. Dave has just been reading the weather warnings...ie don't go out in the car! We've just had a really terrible night with heaps of wind and rain. I'm not even game enough to go out to check the rain gage yet. Maybe Ara and I will suit up in Dave's rain coat.

We've had very little sleep but some how Ara managed to sleep in until 7:15 not so for poor Mummy and Daddy.

Griffin is going totally nuts and desperate to get outside but he can not stand the wind in his fur. I think the day of the bite or the scratch might be looming.

Ara and I went for a very little drive down the road and back again. The creek over the back of Cliff and Phil is very swollen. It was not yet over the road when I went down but I could see that it was very close.

Cows were not all that keen on getting out in it. Most of the ones down the road where all up against the fence swapping shelter.

The roads are very littered with tree bits when we went out for morning tea Dave was laughing as he said they looked like they were molting.

The cafe was quite full and town was very blustery.

The wind has not let up all day and I've been watching from the family room as all my poor trees that Mum, Nana and I planted a few years ago have been leaning right over and turning almost inside out.

Asleep in July 06

I just had to put this one on as it just seems like such a long time ago...when we used to live in such a small room.

The first feijoa

Sorry the photo is so bad but its just so funny. Ara is trying to feed it to Griffin in the photo. It was about the size of Dave's thumb nail...and it was squished by these two in their mad rampages around the living room.

There have been quite a few red mornings now and it looks like we're going to have a few more wet days.

Dave has been painting today...no not the one he started before Ara was born a MUCH smaller one.

Me I've been baking...yes Mum I have to agree its not in the genes and I think I'll leave my little teddy bear cookies to the birds....once Dave and Ara have had a few to make me feel better.

Red sky in the morning

I woke up early in the morning....haha not that I get a choice now days....but I was treated to a GREAT red sun rise. True to the saying of Red Sky in the Morning shepherds warning

(or surf who ever you may be) it has been raining. More...again.

But now its fine and we've managed a walk down the road to check out the museum and other shops.

We had a great Late lunch/morning tea/early dinner at the pizza barn. Would like to thank everyone so much for coming down to be with us....really great to have you there.

Good to see Islay standing and taking her first steps....so exciting.

The next day we went down to my Mum and Dad's to have lunch with Dave's parents (Pat and Sewlyn are house sitting for Ma and Pa) Really lovely meal and Ara got to hang out with us all having a good meal as well.

I think I like this eating a larger lunch and hardly any dinner its worked really well for us the past few days...don't know what the productivity for work would be like if we did it every day.

Well I'll leave you with our last meal. A mix of cultures here.

Cat Surfing

OK its winter and I've two lovely little "babies" that are going up the wall...almost literal in Griffin's case.

He's been walking on the sides of the furniture or the under side of the bed....

While Ara has taken to rugby with Griffin and he's the ball...and the latest one of Cat surfing. This involves reaching out and grabbing Griffin's tail as he goes past and not letting go. He then starts to run and try to turn to get rid of Ara. She holds on tight...and runs after him. Its very hard to get a good photo...whats the saying...never work with kids or animals.

Most of the time Ara just seems to end up on top of Griffin with an arm tightly round his neck...his face jambed up against the wall...using him as a pillow....and he's not bitten her or scratched her....I think the time is coming.

It was REALLY cold last night. Griff was trying very hard to get into bed with me but I just couldn't share with a cold nosed cat.

I think this frost was worse than the last one. Looked very pretty with the sun coming up and touching the hills. I was not game enough to head out alone with Ara.

Dave is down in Auckland for the next few days. Lots of work meetings....and catch up with friends and family. Squash with Alex tonight I think.

We've had Roy up over the last few days. I took him along to playcentre the other day. We were making scones...I've never done this and could hear Mum in the back of my head telling Nana not to over work the mix other wise it will not rise. So with this in mind as Ara was spreading the stuff all over the table, Roy's hands and mine I thought it was going to be a bit of a flop...but hey it looked great and tasted great.....AND Ara ate just about the whole thing...so I was very impressed.

Well feels like another cold night so I think I'll grab a baby, a book and head towards bed.

Love to you all

m

Our sweet

Not often we get a nice photo with Ara looking at the camera with out dribble.

Its a FROST!

I didn't feel all that cold in the night, still hanging a toe out every so often to cool down in fact. Poor Griff spent the night out in the shed alone. Maybe he'll not do it again cause it's REALLY COLD out.

The photo is of Puka Flats for thoughts who know our place. About the only bit of flat lawn. The pond had even more frost around it but my lack of photo skills in the morning is very evident.

The other photo is of Ara the one legged baby. Dave was jumping her into her suit this morning and couldn't work out what was going on. It was only as he was pulling her hat over her eyes that he saw that both legs were in the same pants leg.

He's making his coffee right now!

We're all much better now with our colds. Just the odd sniff of deep voice...so we're safe to visit again.

Hope to see you soon

Love

M

Cat Magic

We don't know how he's doing it.

Looking round for Griffin in the evening...or in some cases the next morning....and we just can't find him. So we head off to the garage thinking he's up in the roof again...but no.

Now get this. How does he get in the batch? There are no doors open. We've not been in there for ages. No windows! No holes in the walls. But he's in there asleep on the bed. The cat door is locked both ways.

I don't know....Cat Magic.

So apart from wondering how Griff does this we've been pretty good. The cold's are almost gone and the brains are almost back on line.

The first photo is the post that Ara has to pat every day when we go down to the end of the road and see how Allan's house is progressing. For ages I've been thinking that she's been mooing at the cows as we walk down the hill. I've been really confused as there are none around at the moment. Finaly I heard what she's been hearing. The engine braking of the big trucks coming down the hill. Ok I'm a bit slow ... but she does do a good cow moo too.

The second is often how I end up coming up the hill from any walks I do with Ara. Griff always has to have a ride. With the solid backpack he can lay across my sholders and Ara lays her head on his tummy...bit with the wrap there is not much room.

All three with a cold

Well Griffin has had to do his catly duty and look after us. He's been great entertaining Ara skiding over the lino.
We've all been down with the same cold for a week.
What fun.

Winter has arrived right on time and we've had sideways rain today and the fire has been alight for the past two days. We've all been looking longingly outside...Ara rattling the doors.
I think we'll just have to go outside tomorow...I'll put her in the wrap up on my back and use the golf umbrella.

Dave thinks we're going to have a bit of fine
Dave wants to tell everyone about a web site
www.teara.govt.nz

Hahaha its Ara's web site...no just joking.