Oscar's new bike

The great thing about Christmas, it's a fantastic excuse to get a young boy a new bike...

Oscar on his new geared bike

Kite Flying

Today was a perfect day to fly kites!

At the Village Green at the Lakefront

Christmas 2012

You know when you get the coolest toy, the other kids want to play with it.  Erik got me what I always wanted - a Ferrari!  Thank you wonderful man.

Tighe excited about Lord of the Rings Lego

My very own Ferarri!

Croissants, Ham, tomatos, and crackers for lunch

Bike riding at Camp

Piropiro flatsis great for doing something different.  Oscar and Anneke really enjoy spending time with Nicolaas and Jack.  Uncle Glenn and Pesto also shared the Quad.

Oscar and Nicolaas 2 wheeling

Glenn, Anneke and Pesto 4 wheeling

Jack, Nicolaas, and Anneke

Gone Bush

Pureora National Forest Park near Te Kuiti is where the McMonagle whanau like to go camping... so we managed to squeeze in a few nights camping before Christmas.
Quad bike riding, playing in the stream, caving and discovering swing bridges.  It was a relaxing few days, and the bonus was, it didn't rain.

Bush orchid

Early morning at camp - Piropiro flats

Nic, Kelly, and Lucy, plus the food shelter

Cave Exit

Waiting for dinner...

Tighe found Huhu bugs, and drew them

Tighe at Blue Duck Creek

Quinn building leaf boats at Blue Duck

Carols by Candlelight

Oscar played his ukulele at Kuirau Park in front of 2000 people.  He sang confidently as well.
Awesome achievement Oscar

Babies and Tadpoles

New babies in the fishpond!  Got 4 tadpoles for the pond today.  Quinn discovered a tiny baby fish in the pond, then Tighe found one, then I found one.  The boys looked, and looked, and looked, for a very, very, very long time, but there are only 3 baby fish in the pond.  The tadpoles seemed to have settled in well, just need names...

Monkey Musk Flower in cascade

Ice Plant in cascade

Almond, Parmesan, Emily,

Chalk and driveways

Anneke celebrated the two household Gods, Diva and Sunshine, by drawing their portraits on the driveway in chalk. 

Oma for Dinner

Grandparents Day was at School on Friday, and Oma visited Oscar's class.  We had an early Christmas feast with Oma, as we wont be in Wellington over Christmas, and she won't be in Rotorua.
Roast Chicken, rice, apple mousse, salads, and roast veges.  Cheesecake, strawberries and ice cream - not forgetting Tighe's wafer sticks - for pudding.  I think we all ate too much.
Oscar really enjoys finishing the celebrations with crackers or bonbons.  Merry Christmas everyone!

When the Sun comes out...

Finally a lovely warm Summer Saturday.  Perfect for a water fight.

Quinn being defensive

Rubbish bin lids make awesome shields don't they Oscar!

Boogie boards are great too!

Run Oscar Run!

Putting up the Christmas Tree 2012

The moment in December has come, the children have been asking for several days, so today we put up the Christmas tree.  This year we only put 1 tree up, so the children decided that all the decorations in the box HAD to go on the tree...

It doesn't take too long to fold the branches out.

Putting in the middle of the tree

Trimming the tree

Finding some old favourite decorations

Let's put on some more decorations!

Dinner by candlelight

It was one of the activities from the advent calender...

Advent Calender 2012

        What have you got planned for the countdown to Christmas this year...these are our activities in the advent calender.

1.        Make some Christmas foods.

2.         Have a candlelit dinner

3.        Smile at every person you pass today.

4.         Perform a random act of kindness for a stranger

5.        Write Christmas cards for Friends and Family

6.        Celebrate St. Nicholas Day! December 6th. Discover the story behind Santa Claus

7.        Make Christmas Decorations

8.        Decorate the Christmas tree

9.        Put up Christmas decorations

10.     Do something around the house to make life easier for a family member. Whether it’s picking up a sibling’s toys, or helping clean up the kitchen, do something nice for each other.

11.     Have breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs, pancakes etc)

12.     Have a picnic dinner at the Tree Trust

13.      Donate toys, books, and clothes to Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity

14.     Go to Carols by Candlelight and listen to Oscar play Ukulele

15.     Discover how Nana, Oma, Nan and Granddad celebrated Christmas as a child.

16.     Watch The Nutcracker or How the Grinch Stole Christmas eating popcorn

17.     Visit the Wearable Arts Exhibition at the Muesum

18.     Family Movie Night

19.     Drive around and look at the Christmas lights in your PJs

20.     Wear PJs all day

21.     Make play dough

22.     Celebrate the Longest Day – Summer Solstice

23.     Make Gingerbread windows

24.     Go for a bike ride or fly kites together

Anneke's First Music Performance

Anneke has been learning Piano this year, at the Rotorua music school.  Today was her first public performance "Apple Pie Waltz" on keyboard.  It was held at the Public Library.

Erik and I are so proud of you Anneke.  Well done!