What a Day!

Today was the end-of-year gym display and as we didn’t go last year we didn’t know what the format was. Anyway, the pre-schoolers all did their display and then there some certificates and one trophy for them. Then the others in the club did their displays. Just before the senior girls did their display, certificates of excellence were awarded. After the senior girls display, trophies were handed out. Ross got a trophy for the Male Incentive Award i.e. for achieving and improving so well during the year! I was so pleased unfortunately my camera battery took it upon itself to die at that moment! Anyway, he also got a drink bottle that the head coach had bought for all the trophy recipients at the World Champs. Ross was so pleased with himself

And then on top of all that, Ross brought home an excellent report! He is achieving well above his age level in every area and loves school. This is his last year of Primary School and he is off to Intermediate next year.

Colin's Present

It is often very difficult to buy a present for Colin as he wants so little in the way of material goods. Last year we gave him a Red Panda encounter at the Zoo and this year, the Zoo arranged a special bird encounter for him. He met a sulphur-crested cockatoo and a blue-and-yellow macaw. The cockatoo smooched up to Colin and he just loved that, but was a little afraid of the macaw's beak! Colin so enjoys the interaction with the animals which means far more to him than any "thing" does. We spent some time wandering round the zoo which the boys treat as a big park. They know their way round the zoo so well and also know a number of the keepers there. Elton, one of the employees there, told me that there are people that go to the zoo once every five years or so, and then there are people like us who are part of the "zoo family"!

First weekend in December

Yesterday I took the boys down to the
Christmas parade in Tawa and last night was Adrian's work children's party at Lollipops. The boys had a great time and both were hot and tired at the end.

Saturday afternoon, the boys and Adrian put up the outside Christmas lights as did most of the others in our circle. Here is the house opposite ours; the photo is not great.

Today was Adrian's birthday and we had breakfast at Fidels in Cuba Street and curry for supper.

Welcome to us in December!

Well, it's the first of December and the start of what is always a busy month. Exams are finished (thank goodness) as are my reports. I have worked out that we have at least one event every day except for 6th December!
The boys wanted an advent calendar ("event" according to Colin) but decided they don't like the chocolate that is in them!