Happy Birthday Daddy

Today would have been my Daddy's 62nd Birthday ... it is also the 9th Anniversary of his parting. I know that he is shining on us from where ever he is now and smiling at his little Grand-daughter.

My Daddy was one of those extra special people who walk on this earth, he would give you all he had, help with anything in his power and always put others first (especially Me! - his little girl).

On the 5th Anniversary I discovered that May 12th is also Florence Nightingale's Birthday and International Nurses Day, it was kind of a kick in the pants from my Dad to do something nice for the amazing nurses at Waikato Hospital ICU who were so amazing in their care of him. So I started a tradition of taking those amazing nurses some yummy Miss Wendy baking, I'm sure that they appreciate and enjoy it and I love the feeling of knowing that Daddy approves.

This year Vienna came with me and we braved the blustery weather and drove down from Auckland to deliver Best Ever Banana Muffins and Rolled Oats and Chocolate Chip Cookies (with a caramel twist - I ran out of condensed milk and in true Daddy style made do with what I had and added some caramel instead ... mmmmmm yum!).

The receptionist remembered me from previous visits and welcomed me, the staff nurse that I spoke to also remembered me and said that the love the baking and that it is so nice to be remembered.

Vienna got to wear her party dress since it was Grandad's Birthday, she looked super cute and wooed everyone she saw!

Happy Mother's Day To Me

In August last year I went to visit Robert in the Gold Coast, I wanted to share my baby bump with him! While we were walking along the beach I took this amazing photo of a tiny jelly fish (i think?), it was the size of one of those glass half marbles you put in vases. I have been totally in love with this photo since then and we got it made into an A3 size canvas print for my mothers day pressie.


But as for the customary breakfast in bed? I may starve to death waiting!

Water Skiing Fun

Camp Layout: 12 + 13

A long long time ago (when I was just 15) Ashley came on a water-skiing day that I went to with Youth Group, we splashed and played and had good healthy FUN. Then, at camp, 16 years later, I scrapbooked the photos - good to see I am keeping up to date!

She Eats!

Mummy finally gave in and let the little girl who is sooooo obsessed with food start eating! She sits up and joins us for our meals, eating what we eat and loving it! YUM.

I'm Guilty

Of a lack of bogging lately. I had a busy weekend in Hamilton with Kat and family, followed closely by a major head cold! Being sick while Ashley was away and having to try to look after the little girl SUCKED!!!

While in Hamilton with Kat I went along to Kowhai (the Steiner based Centre she works at) and helped with dyeing some new veils for the centre. Veils are pieces of muslin that the children use for everything - dressups, baby wraps or blankets, tablecloths, imaginary play etc. They are so appealing to me and it was a very cool experience to go along and be a part of their community for the afternoon and be helpful. Kat took some photos of the veils drying in the wind (they looked sooo gorgeous and colourful dancing in the wind) but I don't have one to share yet.

Recently I read on the internet the idea of choosing 5 little things in your day to be grateful for - just little things, not the big stuff that of course we are grateful for. I have been trying to do this each day and I think that stopping to make a little list does make me smile and bring things into perspective on a hard day. I thought I would share yesterday's list with you (feel free to add your list to the comments below - I would love to have some smiles as I read your lists):

1. I got a comment from Marie who LOVED the Grandma's Brag Book I send down for her.
2. I found the missing key for my antique picnic set, YAY!!!
3. Lisa came today and did the cleaning.
4. Peter Walsh was on Oprah and he inspired me to start sorting out my jewely pile that has never been sorted since we moved here (in March last year!) - that is where I found the missing key ???
5. Ashley came home from Melbourne!!!