Miss Isla

Isla's current pet which had to be taken to school for news. Sorry Miss Petersen, but better in your classroom than my letterbox.

Ever impatient to grow up Isla can't wait to be able to drink coffee and drive a car, things she obviously views as quintessential grown-up activities. This just makes me cherish even more the times she comes out with sweet and innocent comments that remind you she still has a huge amount to discover in life.

The other day driving past a golf course a golfer was getting increasingly frustrated trying to hit his ball out of a sand trap.
Isla "Mum, what is that man doing".
Me "Playing golf".
Isla (disappointed) "Oh. So he's not digging for dinosaur bones then?"

Back in my day, we used to run the cross country because we were told to. At Isla's school the children get sponsors for their "Fun run" and they get to choose prizes based on how much money they earn from their sponsors. As much as I completely disagree with the philosophy of prizes for the kids, money must be raised for school. So, the fun run went ahead and Lachy and I went to watch. Year 1 girls were second and it was such fun to watch.  It was obvious that Isla had no idea that it was a race and the objective was to run to win. But as she skipped around the course, with a gorgeous smile on her face enjoying every second of it as the parents clapped and cheered she showed me that nothing mattered except her delight in the moment.

Once the fun run was completed Isla got to choose her prizes, depending on how much money she raised. After much deliberation she decided on a friendship bracelet kit and a squishy ball. At this point Lachy came over and asked which toy he could choose. I started to explain to him that it was Isla's reward for the fun run etc and Isla said "It's ok mum, I will just get the friendship bracelet kit and Lachy can choose another toy for himself". Kindness is a huge part of this kids makeup and we are so proud of her.


Much of the school holidays was spent writing and drawing and writing and writing and writing! I think Nana Linda and Lachy whose birthdays both fell during the holidays got about 8 birthday cards each.

Our social wee girl was so excited to get back to school and her friends. She had her first jazz ballet lesson at lunch time yesterday and spent all evening dancing around showing us what she learned and how to "skirtsy". Growing up yes, but thankfully not too quickly.

First ever solo ride on Shilo (view through Buddy's ears).

Easter holidays

It's almost halfway through the holidays and we arrived back in Auckland yesterday to rain and very cold weather.

We were extremely lucky over Easter to have such lovely, sunny weather and there was a lot of swimming, boating and general outside activity.

We get to end the holidays on a high note, our wee guy turned 3 yesterday, we had a wonderful day and tomorrow a small celebration with friends and family - we have two very excited children on our hands!

Climbing to the top is no longer enough of a challenge for Isla

Egg hunt

Checking out the loot from the Easter Bunny (Isla - "I think it's just a person dressed up as a bunny")

Downtime with their new headphones

Ferry ride, bush walk, hot chips and milkshake day

This guy raided the biscuit tin, stole off to the top bunk and munched away.

Mr Magoo the Macaw

Session with masterchef Lachy

The other day I purchased some fresh pork dumplings to try and Lachlan and I cooked them for lunch today.

It went a little like this...

L: "Mum, are dumplings made of fish?"

Me: "Some are, but these have pork and veges in them".

L, gasping and in a shocked voice: "But I'm not going to eat a Morepork".

After much explaining, and laughter they were ready to eat.

Me: "You can dip them in the soy sauce if you want".

L: "Ew, I hate soil sauce".

Maybe not the most popular dish we've tried!

Catching up

It's been months since I last checked in. I'm not really going to try too much to fill in the blanks, suffice to say we had a great Christmas and a lovely summer which I am not at all pleased to see the back of given how much I detest winter.

We had a surprise visitor for Christmas, Auntie Dee from Australia and it was lovely to spend some time with her. We spent three weeks at Whitianga so there was much swimming, relaxing, beach-going, horse-riding, boating and eating.

The children have both had summer growth spurts, with lots of people starting to comment how tall Lachy is for his age when he has always been on the smaller side. And Isla. Wow, that girl just keeps getting longer and lankier.

We've really noticed they play together so well now for hours sometimes. They have some great fights too, but I love how they forget their troubles and are best buddies again. They have a lovely bond these two, that I hope will keep them close in years to come. I did have to laugh yesterday when, hands on hips Isla came out with "Mum, Lachy has no respect for my toys".

A few anecdotes/pieces of info on them both:

Lachy

Looks like such a big boy here.

Over Christmas Lachy stashed some chocolate coins under his pillow for a "feast-night snack". Love the kids word mash-ups that have forever changed what we call certain things ("wetsuit-case", "panpies" - pancakes, germable).

First proper pony ride

The little guys perception of time needs some work! He trapped himself in the bathroom for about thirty seconds and when I asked how long he'd been stuck he said in a droll voice "Three hours".

Helping drive Grandads new boat.

He was charmed by our new years fireworks - especially the "sprinklers".

Lachy's swimming confidence has grown in leaps and bounds over the summer and he is thrilled he can now touch the bottom of the pool at swimming. He is very much looking forward to his third birthday in a few weeks time, we finally settled on a creature party after going through Robots, Whales, Dinosaurs and many more ideas.

Current obsessions: Octonauts (if i have to hear "Mum, I'm Kwaazi and you're Dashi" one more time...), Insects (not quite as much as Isla but pretty close). Chocolate. Sweets of any kind. Quoting funny movie lines. Volcanoes.


Isla

Always independent and seemingly older than her years, our girl seems in an even bigger hurry to grow up. While driving to school one morning:
"Mum, I can't wait to be a grown up. I don't want to go to school".
Cue rather long lecture from me on how she should appreciate school while she can, being a grown up means responsibilities etc etc.
Her response?
"But Mum, I do like school. I just want to be grown up so I can drink coffee."

Riding Tahi

Still, getting older/growing up and therefore being able to do more things seems to have a strong hold - while riding Tahi, her first ride on a big horse she asked why we couldn't try a canter. I told her that I couldn't run fast enough. "Well, maybe next time we come you will be a bit older and then you can run faster".

We had our first ever 3-way conference (modern day parent/teacher interviews) recently and Isla is doing really well at school - particularly with her writing and publishing. In her opinion her greatest lessons are being able to miss two bars at a time on the monkey bars and teaching herself how to click her fingers.

Our girl is growing into such a caring and supportive big sister, helping and encouraging her brother through some experiences away from us which have been hard for him.

Current obsessions: Insects (still). Mice (wants some, but may settle for a rat for her birthday). Bacon. Capers. Olives - basically, salt. Perfecting the cartwheel.


Some more summer pics:

Beach carnival - no fear

Boat trip to Mercury Island

We had some lovely evenings and afternoons at Bethell's Beach this summer, which we haven't visited since our wedding day more than 7 years ago.

Maxi at one of our favorite spots, the waterhole at Egan's Park

More interested in playing with the squishy smelly squid bait than actually fishing.

School days

Our incredibly sweet and kind, yet undeniably rough-and-tumble boy started kindy today. His mama is struggling - he still feels like such a baby but he is so ready and it will be so good for him. I miss him already!

"Max, do you want me to read my robot book to you?"

Inventions

Isla is learning all about inventions this terms and I am (probably naively) looking forward to being parent help on her first school trip to MOTAT next week.

 This morning while working to school we were talking about inventions. We talked about things like cars, rocket ships, ovens. Then I said "Did you know, it is actually some people's job to invent toys. How fun would that be?". To which I received the scathing reply "Not people mum, the elves invent the toys".  Just when you think they are so grown up, you get a lovely reminder that the innocence is very much present.

Also on the topic of inventions - this morning we made pikelets to take to visit Nana and Grandad at work (currently a building site - very exciting) for morning tea. Lachy: "Mum what are pikelets?". Me "kind of like small pancakes". "Mum, can I have a panglet?" Isla used to call them pan pies - I love the words that kiddos invent.

You are only 5 once...

Wow, what a ride the last few weeks have been. So many lasts and firsts for our girl, and we are so proud of the way she takes big changes in her stride.

Isla went to THE most amazing kindy (actually, i have no comparison to base this on) but she loves it, i love it, everyone i've ever talked to loves it soooo…) and when children leave to start school there is a bit of fanfare. Norman creates a "diploma" and conducts a bit of a ceremony. He summed up Isla really well - smart, friendly, helpful and courageous. Rounded off with all the kids singing "Happy School days" it really was a very special little farewell.

Sickness plagued the household once again in the week leading up to finishing kindy, parties etc and Isla missed her last school visit. Thankfully she perked up later that day and went off to a sleepover at Nana and Grandads so that we could get into full party prep mode.

By the time Isla and Lachy returned the next day the house had been transformed into a Frozen, Fairy and arts and crafts fest complete with candy floss, snow cones and Fairy Blossom and a Piñata to entertain the kiddies.

Frozen Cake

Fairy grotto waiting for wee

 

fairies to grace it.

Kiddies lunch boxes.

Adults food table.

Grandad Rick and Aunty Kim perfecting their candy floss technique. This was a HUGE hit, even if it did sound like a 747 and coat the inside of the house with a fine dust of blue sugar.

Fairy Blossom was stunning and captivating.

Isla has some really sweet and lovely wee friends from kindy who were a pleasure to share the day with. She was thoroughly spoiled with lots of lovely, thoughtful gifts.

On Isla's actual birthday she woke to more gifts and (as requested) croissants for breakfast. Nana came with us to lunch and Butterfly Creek. Our bug adoring girl would have stayed in the butterfly house for hours if it wasn't for the rest of us not being able to deal with the humidity.

Both sets of Grandparents and Aunty Kim came over for dinner and more candles and cake (pretty sure the candles are the more important of the two) and then it was off to bed for school the next morning.

Such as exciting day for her and a big milestone for us as parents sending our first off to school. It all went smoothly and happily until we returned home from taking her to her class and i went in to tidy her room and unexpectedly burst into tears. She's so ready and i know she will absolutely flourish, it's just a bittersweet reminder of how fleeting this time really is.

I'm sure there are some deeper thought processes happening and changes that are being processed but i really am amazed at how she has taken it all in her stride - so far she is loving school, Mrs Cochrane and is making new friends every day. She is full of chat about what she is learning, what they are singing, jokes they are telling in class. She is already absorbing it all and looking forward to her junior concert next week. Happy birthday again to a sweet and shining star xxx

In the excitement of Isla's birthday poor Max (her birthday twin + 1 year) is often forgotten. Not this year. I present the high fibre dog bone biscuit with peanut butter ganache! Lucky mutt, happy 6th birthday Maximus.