JPC Ball 2020

 The John Paul College Ball had been postponed because of the second outbreak of Covid-19 in Auckland.   Gatherings of more than 100 people were prohibited.  The urchins just had to wait. Fortunately New Zealand went back to Level 1 a few days ago, and the ball could go ahead.

Pre ball refreshments and beverages at Charlotte's house

Anneke was stunning in a silk dress is by Zimmerman.  All the girls are looking gorgeous.

The urchins had an hour to get to the ball. The car had to drop Anneke off, pick up some more students, and take them to Girls High Ball, and then pick up Quinn. It was going to be a tight turnaround.

Anneke and Maisie

Quinn decided to be patriotic, by wearing black.

Quinn and Amtire at Tihiotonga

Quinn and Katherine

Anneke and Maisee were the first to the Ball. It was great to see them arrive.

The paparazzi watched the students arrive in the usual assortment of classic cars, limos, quad bikes (Hanna), utes, fertiliser trucks, fire trucks, camper vans, Harleys, caravans, buses, and amphibian vehicles.

Chad and Nicole

And then we waited, and waited and waited. The evening grew cold, and the paparazzi got restless. Finally, the last car in the queue.

The urchins had a great time at the ball.  

A Big Thank You to the team of 5 million, all working together to control covid-19.

A few days later, Quinn sends me a link to the JPC Ball 2020 photos. This was the cover photo

I think it is nice that Kat's mum and I are in the photo.

Christmas 2019

 Tithe's glass zebra decoration.

 My favourite bird decoration.

Two christmas trees, presents under the tree in the lounge, chocolate fondue under the one in the dining room.

The candles kept the chocolate melted and ready for the dipping.

 Strawberries, grapes, bacon, nuts, dried fruit.

 How fast can an urchin unwrap a gift?

Happy birthday Anneke

Anneke is 14!  I hope you have lots of adventures and fun this year.

Anneke's a Teenager!

The urchin is growing up, and now a teenager.  Anneke, Emily and Nicole went to Auckland for the day to celebrate.

 They went Ice Skating!

Later that afternoon, the rest of Anneke's friends turned up.

 Emily, Hannah, Ethan, Maisey, Ethan, Anneke, Dana, Rosa, Nicole, Mia

 The rest of the birthday celebrations involved eating lots of junkfood, playing xbox and playstation all night. They only broke one couch.

I think they might have watched a movie or too.  It was an "awake over", not a sleep over.

 Garlic bread and pizza.  Anneke's favourite meal.

To the top of the Island - Cape Reinga

The place where the spirits depart Aotearoa.

It was very breezy walking down to the lighthouse, and the furtherest point of Aotearoa.

 There is an ancient pohutukawa on the point, that the spirits await the wind, and then leap off to their journey in the spirit world.

 Luckily the signpost was there, for us to hang onto when the breeze picked up.

Oscar and Erik

Quinn and Tighe

Erik and Ruth hanging on

 The Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean met at this point.

 A steep walk back up the hill, in the wind.  Tough walk but the view was fantastic.

 All the urchins before the wind blew them away.

 Off on our next adventure, exploring the sandhills at Te Paki