Small Case

I took a large box of stuff to the oppy after Isabella's big room clean out, I was aiming to come home with an old suitcase she could put the things she wants to keep, but not have on display, in as our house has no storage. Because I was looking for one I couldn't find one but instead found this very small case

which Billy declared would be perfect for his pencils

This crown lynn pattern Tammy also needed to come home to join my collection

New Pants

we saved most of billy's baby clothes but somehow there seems to be a gap in the 3-6mth pants department...like I really needed an excuse to sew the small boy more pants. It is being made a whole lot easier by the temporary loan of Maries' machine which has an overlocker which is great for winter weights.

Ang's old jeans and a vintage felt patch from Leon

lovely soft cord

with an old blanket label

Walk to the Library

Wintery Weekend

It was a fairly cold wet weekend. We enjoyed visits from friends for afternoon tea and dinner on Saturday, lunch out in Kingsland and afternoon tea with friends on Sunday.
Arlo got to enjoy our first fire of winter

and was mesmerised by it...very cheap entertainment

and enjoyed chatting and laughing with us at lunch



Billy had a play date with his friend Jack and spent Saturday night and Sunday with his Daddy


Harriet lost another tooth so the tooth fairy could visit

Got to have lunch at her favourite cafe (banana and chocolate pancakes at Bouchon)

and went to a Party as Wednesday Addams


Isabella did Greenpeace things on Saturday and spent Sunday tidying her room...for those of you who have glimpsed her room recently you will not be surprised to learn this did take from late morning to early evening, filled the recycling bins, and yes there is actually floor in there.

Graduation

Today I finally graduated with my MPhil after quite a few years of study. Billy was very impressed with my outfit likening it to a super hero cape, and he did very well during the ceremony especially as I was no. 162 of 166 who walked across the stage.

checking out my superhero cape




the girls on our way out to a celebratory dinner

A Few Days in Napier

Ang and I (and Arlo) spent the first 3 days of the week in Napier. It was a lovely little getaway to celebrate Ang's birthday. We stayed in a nice hotel overlooking the beach, did lots of op/vintage/craft shopping, dicovered new cafes, did some sightseeing, sat in hotpools looking out over the ocean, looked at all the deco architecture and enjoyed the quietness that is only parenting one small person for a few days (although we did miss the others). We also got to have morning tea with Sherril , Leith and Bill and watch Arlo charm some more of his extended family.
Thanks muchly to Gran, who with help from Barb, Marie and Leon looked after the rest of our household here so we could enjoy the time away.

not the biggest plane but Arlo liked flying


the first day was a little damp (this was 4pm) but the wet made for pretty pictures of the lights in the trees across from our hotel and we were happy to be inside


all set for a day out in the colder weather

touristy pursuits in Hastings, we discovered the best ice cream flavour at Rush Munroes
Black Doris Plum and Custard

arlo hanging out with our op shop finds including the $2 suitcase to bring them home in

meeting aunty Sherril

and sharing some laughs with Uncle Bill


on the hill above Napier, Ang sporting her new Deco hat

another cafe

and another touristy shot with the Pania statue and some hawkes bay sunshine

Picking fejoas at popmaks