Tyler and Chris have just spent a boys weekend in Te Anau which included rabbit shooting, fishing off the jetski (and losing Tyler's rod overboard necessitating the purchase of a new one) and visit to the Gloworm caves.

Meanwhile, yours truly was free to enjoy some girl-time and tick a few things off the to-do list. Went to see The King's Speech (and can thoroughly recommend it). Followed by my favourite Thai peanut satay beef. Eyebrows professionally dealt to. (Incidentally, isn't it ironic that I lighten my hair and darken my eyebrows?) Watched a DVD on Shostakovich's 'war' symphonies with historical background. Had a 3GW catch-up sitting in the sun quaffing Brown Brothers' Zibbibo and inhaling mini cup-cakes.

Last week of the school holidays so I have taken today and Friday off to spend some more time with Tyler. Today I told him he could choose whatever he wanted to do today and suggested he write a list. Here it is :)

We have now crossed off #4 but have yet to get to #'s 5 & 6. 'Mooives' was Megamind, 'Games' was Beetle and Candyland and 'Pictures' was drawing pictures for each other. 'Playstation' was his new Ben 10 game (me watching him with one eye and making encouraging noises and reading a Dick Francis with the other).

He's off to the movies with the other OSCAR kids tomorrow as both Chris and I are at work. Singing lessons start this week - mi mi mi mi mi ahem cough cough. Best I go and do some more practice!

Museum

Me: Let's go to the Museum.

Tyler: It's boring.

Me: But there will be skeletons there!

Tyler: Boooooorrring!

(15 minutes later)

Tyler: Oh wow, cool! Look at those skeletons!

And the rest was pretty enjoyable to judging by his comments.

Museum was followed by a play in the park and lunch at the Cheeky Llama cafe.

And on a completely different note - the bigger boy in life may be a qualified chef, but that doesn't stop him having fun with my breakfast :)

Home again, home again, jiggity-jig

We had a very brief but enjoyable trip to Christchurch, staying with Rosina. We had a little taste of what the poor locals have been putting up with when we were in a shop and a short, but sharp after-shock hit. The salesman we were talking to bolted on us (seriously I don't think his feet touched the floor on the way out the door) and by the time we realised what was happening it was all over. The rapid shaking was quite different to the swaying, rocking type that we tend to get down here.

Tyler, Chris & Rosina

A boy and his dog

Arts & Crafts time

Chris is back to work so Tyler and I are just puddling about. Glorious day yesterday so we headed off to Riverton beach for some paddling and crab-hunting, followed by the obligatory icecream.

Ready to check out the rock pools at Riverton

But the best thing that has happened these holidays? This piece of paper that Tyler casually handed to me the other day:

Jetski = fun

Sunday morning we said goodbye to the Harwoods and, jetski in tow, headed up to the Hennessy's in Kelvin Heights where Chris dropped me, Tyler and the jetski off and headed over to Cromwell for their annual New Year touch tournament. Tyler quickly availed himself of the outdoor spa and Julie H and I took their two jetskis for a blat and trundled down towards the Shotover bridge to have a nosy at the big development which has been taken over by the Hilton. On one set of apartments, each one has it's own outdoor spa. Bet it costs a bomb to sit their with that million-dollar view.

Speaking of million dollar views, it's quite weird sitting on the Hennessys' balcony and watching the 'Million Dollar Cruise' boat go past with tourists snapping photos and a loudspeaker pointing out all the flash houses. I feel as if I should have been wearing diamonds and giving them all the Queen's wave!

This morning started with rain and low cloud but that quickly dissipated and Jim H, Chris and I took the jetskis out for a good fast run over to Queenstown, enjoying the waves out in the channel (and getting a fairly good wetting now and again when meeting a wave wrong). I got our jetski up to 82km before chickening out. Determined to make the ton next time :) Whitebait patties and scallops for lunch (not me - ewww!!).

Off to Chch tomorrow for a few days.

A year ends

It is two hours from the end of 2010. A year which sadly ended with having to put my cat Tigger to rest. R.I.P. Tiggy-tiggs.



The sun appears - hooray!

It's been a rainy, windy couple of days, but the sky is now blue and the sun shining, the wind little more than a light breeze. Perfect for backyard cricket. Oh and for getting No.3 haircuts:

Tyler was in a helpful mood this morning, and who was I to stand in his way?? Dave and Leona are staying with us for a couple of days, so I did a big cooked breakfast and when I was about to launch into the dishes, the wee dude offered to help.

I always find it interesting the varied positions which Tyler seems to find comfortable to watch tv.

Chris is off to Te Anau for the night, to catch up with a bunch of old school mates, one of whom he hasn't seen for 20 years. Naturally he wanted to look his best :) so I gave him a haircut and finally persuaded T to have one too.

Apart from that, we are just chilling out - playing Connect Four and cricket, eating more than is good for us and enjoying the company of family. And soon friends, as the Harwoods arrive on New Year's Eve for a couple of days. It's so good to have a house big enough to accommodate everyone! Although with two 6 year olds, a 4 year old and a 7 month old, I'm guessing the house will seem quite full ;)

Boxing Day

The Campbell-McLeod family had a lovely Christmas full of family, love and laughter.

Our day started at 5:10am, when Tyler got into our bed and said a very loud "Merry Christmas! - I'm not going to check out my Santa sack yet". Excellent we thought, he'll go back to sleep, but noooooooo. 5 minutes later he pipes up "Do you want to know what time it is?". I mumble something and he leaps out of bed looks at the clock and announces brightly "5:15! When can we get up?" Negotiations ensued resulting in 5:45am. From 5:15 till 5:45, the time was announced approximately every 5 minutes. We then sent him off to check out Santa's presents which he did by dragging the sack back to our bed and announcing every item with squeals of "Awesome!" "Cool!" etc very loudly and with every light in our bedroom on. As I had most of my brain in gear by that stage it was really very nice watching his wee face light up with each discovery :)

We had coffee and croissants for breakfast then Chris got his chef game-face on and started doing rude things to a turkey, so Tyler and I headed over to Mum's, along with the Howards, to exchange gifts.

Back to our house where Chris had laid on a feast (with plum puddings from Mum and honey & ginger-glazed carrots and a salad from the Howards). We had turkey, ham, new potatoes from our garden, peas, carrots and several salads. Then a brief rest followed by plum pudding with custard and cream, brandy snaps, fruit salad and jelly. There were 11 of us altogether and it was so nice to have everyone here and still have lots of space.

Once we'd digested all that lot, the Howards and Parsons departed and Chris, Tyler, Bruce, Ali and I played backyard cricket accompanied by much kidding around and laughter.

Anton, his girlfriend and his flatmate came over for tea and departed with as many leftovers as they could carry.

I tucked T-man into bed about 9pm and asked my usual bed-time questions:

Me: Did you have a good day today?

Tyler: It was the best day ever!

Me: So what was the best part of the day?

Tyler: Everything.

I'll second that.