Christmas

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely and peaceful Christmas. The weather here in Timaru has been hot and sunny; we enjoyed a quiet Christmas with my brother Tim and mum and dad came up from Oamaru to share dinner with us. Chris took the Sunday morning service.
Boxing Day means sales, so the boys made the most of that and Hannah put together one of those cheesy gingerbread houses with lots of lollies, from a packet of course. Messy, sticky, sweet fun! We've also been to the beach - there was a seal pup diving in and out of the breaking surf! Also we went to the races - just so Tim could compare the Timaru races with Ascot of course! First time ever so we dressed up and entered "Fashion in the Field!" even if we didn't have hats!
Tim stayed for a few days but has now headed home and of course it has started raining so I don't have to water the garden at least. The children are enjoying playing with their new X-box; you are the controller so they are enjoying dancing and adventure which at least get them off the couch and moving. There is also a lot of reading going on for all four!

Holiday Program 2011

It is Holiday Program madness this week - forget having a day off, don't worry about Christmas shopping or dinner or decorating the house. My family is wonderful and have all dropped everything to lend a hand, from sorting technical issues (thanks Chris) to writing dramas (Yay Janine!). Zach has started his first year as a Junior Leader, and is doing an awesome job, and Katarina quietly gets on and sorts things on the computer and with her small group. They are fab and I am very proud of them.
Mum and Dad will come to us for Christmas dinner and it looks like Uncle Tim will join us as well - he arrives tomorrow although I will  believe it when I see it.
The garden is looking fab with all the rain we have had, but strawberries keep disappearing thanks to the birds - you'd think Shadow would do a better job of keeping them away, but sadly no.
The children are enjoying the more relaxed routine of holidays, and tomorrow we are going to enjoy the local drama league's production of "Alice in Wonderland."