It's been reported...

...that the boys have done well at school this year.  Their bi-annual reports came home today and as usual we ceremonised the readings of the reports.  Caleb's academic results were especially pleasing, achieving above the national standard in all subjects.  Aaron's was very satisfactory too and we are pleased with their progress.  The Warehouse reward shopping had to be deferred as Nick had to prepare for bible study, but it will be soon.

And, on this special 12/12/12 day, Danielle turned 40! I was glad to get an hour off in the middle of a very busy work day to celebrate with a lovely group of ladies at Arthur Street Cafe. Happy birthday D and many, many more!

Of church, sun, fun, singing and cake

Would have been a lonely day to spend at home without Nick; also would have been a waste to spend it indoors! This was one of few really hot summers' days we've had so far - only an occasional breeze but its coolness was welcome. After church we had a quick lunch at home, then met up with Petru and the kids and Justus at Caroline Bay. Caleb and Aaron made a bee-line for the water and stayed in or around the water for the duration.

I joined a volleyball team but it seems we were no match for the awesome girls. That is to say, if we'd been playing a game we would have creamed them ;)

Gathering around for a team talk, which went something like "oh yeah, great weather today, and uh, so our strategy will be to get the ball over the net, and huh, there's a seagull".  Fun to be on the other side of the camera today for a while.

Whoops, my 'slip-slop-slap' sun safety policies got a bit forgotten today - sunscreen on the faces was about the extent, so Caleb got a bit burned on his back.

We had a quick music practice after church for the Carols Service next Sunday (our band was only three-strong but piano, cello and violin are going to be joined by guitar next week) and then took up Justus' invitation for cake and tea at his parents' house, along with Petru and the kids (again, no Grant - roll on, holidays!).  Nick joined us shortly after we arrived after his whirlwind Auckland trip and two-hour drive back from Christchurch, feeling a little weary; I unwittingly stumbled my way through the lighting of the advent candles by setting all four ablaze, before being instructed that it's only the second Sunday of Advent and only two candles get lit.  Doh!  So much for my German heritage.  Had some excellent fellowship around the table and a variety of cakes - Herman and Evie are superb hosts and shared much about their interesting family of 8 children.  Moved from the diningroom into the lounge for some singing; Herman finally closed a really special evening in prayer. 

This Year's Pastorless Picnic

Spent a busy morning at home (up at 6.50 am, did housework including some deep-cleaning of windows until around 1 pm). Pretty tired after that! Played violin for an hour or so, made picnic food, and then Nick dropped us off at the Scenic Reserve for our annual Church Picnic (this is not to say that we don't hold many more picnics at other times of the year - it's just the official year-end sort of thing). Sadly Nick couldn't stay as he was directly on his way to Christchurch to catch a flight to Auckland to preach at Shore Baptist on Sunday morning. The weather was good enough for the time outdoors and although we were a small number, it was a great afternoon.

Too much cuteness!!!  We have two sets of triplets in our church - these are the little ones, who happened to be at the Scenic with their babysitters while their parents were away.  Jaydon seems to be a favourite toy!

Ryno and Marianne, above...below: Olive, L&P and Joan.

By 6 pm we had eaten all our food and run out of conversation and tissues (allergies added to a headcold - oi!) and I was going to catch a lift home with the Phillipses, but the Gregorys invited us to the shop for table-tennis on their brand new Christmas present.  First, it needed to be hauled up the stairs and assembled, but many hands...

...got involved and it was put together in no time, way bouncier than the last table and oh so smooth and clean. 

Yay!

Played a few rounds of Around the World (or Donkey as we still call it), then the kids played some doubles before Graham and Tom eventually chucked them off for a serious singles game.  Thanks, we like Christmas presents that are so shareable!

Bye bye Year 8s

Another night, another place to go - just a brief pop-out for me though, leaving Nick at home with the boys. I had the privilege of photographing the Year 8 Leavers' Dinner at Ginger & Garlic restaurant (quite a flash place, overlooking town and the bay). The girls had gotten dressed up and the boys scrubbed up pretty well too!

Mrs Rentoul and Mr Goulet - looking perhaps a bit too happy about losing a fabulous group of Year 8s?

Room for Staff

 Thursday night...our TCS staff and BoT dinner, held in our staffroom (what more appropriate place could there be?).  We decided on a barbeque and it was good - informal and friendly, great food, and fabulous company. 

 Had a bit of silliness with party poppers - interesting touple, Phillip Pain!

 Mrs Thompson will be Aaron's teacher next year, as there has been a bit of a classroom shuffle. Caleb will still be in Mr Goulet's class. 

 Mr and Mrs Elliott, above, whose wedding I photographed last year, and Mrs T-K, below - looking dazzling this evening!

Mmmm, pudding!

Ten today

Yay, Aaron's countdown has ended...up before the birds in his excitement but we sent him back to bed for half an hour. He made it very clear that he wanted a ripstick for his birthday; clothes added to the present pile made him a very happy fellow!

Just barely awake...

Trying out the new stuff (boxer shorts were briefly modeled but definitely not photographed)

Ready for school in a hurry, then outside to test out the new board.  Looking like a pro already!

The school day proceeded as normal (long gone are the homeschooling birthday-holidays) but tea was a treat at McDonalds. 

Aaron especially wanted a happy meal to get the toy...the anticipation is probably the best part because the toys themselves are getting less and less amazing.  They were given GIRL toys by the cashier who must not have been paying attention...

...so we went and got them swapped for the BOY toys, as below.  Huh, McDonalds?

Finished off with ice-cream and then a movie at home.  Happy double-digit birthday, to my 'baby' boy!

Wedded teenagers

Happy 13th wedding anniversary to us...Nick took me on a lunch date to Coffee Culture to celebrate.  Being a hectically busy time of year right at the moment, we'll delay our real anniversary dinner to during the holidays, when the boys can be farmed out and we can enjoy a leisurely meal.  Looking forward it it!  (Does 13 years of marriage mean we now get rebellious and uncommunicative?  Certainly hope not - I think it means we're in love like a couple of young kids!)

Say hello to their little friend

Aaron had a classmate's birthday party on Sunday afternoon; Caleb wasn't really left alone as they have a friend, Aidan, who lives a few houses down and is a regular around our house, as they are at his - or up and down the pavement on bicycles, scooters, ripsticks, or foot. The three of them have become good friends although the 'close as brothers' idea also means that they bicker like brothers..."it's mine, give it back", followed by "no it's not"; "yes it is"; "no it's not"; yes it is"; "no it's not"; yes it is"; "no it's not"; yes it is"; "no it's not"; and so on...

Anyway, they have been putting together a treehouse in our front garden with pieces of wood from the garage.  Apparently Aidan is quite handy with a hammer and did a lot of the work himself, bless his 7 years!

Coming up for 10

Happy nearly-birthday Aaron!  Being his double-digit birthday, it's a party year for him.  We did a pool party for him (which, incidentally, is quite likely one of the easiest parties possible to organise...you take the kids, they swim.  Done.) 

This was the first time I'd actually been to the new C-Bay Aquatic Centre (Century Swimming Pool is no more) and it really is lovely.  There are a few different sections and play areas, and a really cool water-playground with fountains and slides and spurts and spouts.  The boys loved it and were happy to swim for a good two hours!

Above: nearly a great aim; just missed Tafu.  Below: Nick and I were happy to read for the duration!

Vincent, Peter, Aaron, Tafu and Caleb - it's not in the quantity of friends, but the quality! 

Brought the group home for hotdogs and junk food after the swim.  Nicely done!