You’ve been invited to Poppy’s 5th birthday pizza and paddling party at Tahunanui Beach.  Please bring your whole family and don’t forget your togs! Let us know how many people you are bringing with you (please take responsibility for the supervision of your own child/ren on the beach) and what type of pizza you like best (choices below).

This year Poppy was determined to stay up until midnight – and she just made it!  We spent some time in the evening with my cousins at their church.  They had a variety show with awards and fun games to keep us entertained while waiting for the New Year’s Eve countdown.  At around 11.15pm we drove into town and watched the live band at the Cathedral Steps until the countdown at midnight and the fireworks.  We then took off straight away because Poppy was starting to wind down – and drove along Rocks Road to see all the Tahuna fireworks happening on the beach and at the camp (I think!).  By the time we hit the motorway home, Poppy was sound asleep.  She didn’t wake up until close to 10am on New Year’s Day and we have another big day planned with train rides and some boating at Rabbit Island with a BBQ dinner.

Wishing all Poppy’s blog readers a wonderful 2011 full of fun memories.

After a relaxing morning playing with all the new toys, we decided to make the most of the amazing weather and head to Tahunanui Beach where Poppy rode the trains and walked the beach.  Then after an afternoon sleep, we took GranJan to the movies in Motueka to see Jack Black’s Gulliver’s Travels…. before picking some berries then heading out with Yogi to see the winners of the Light Up Nelson competition.  Poppy went straight to sleep when she hit the pillow at 11.30pm - but not before giving me her answers to these questions:

“Was that a fun day?”  — “FanJollyTastic!”
“Would you please have a sleep-in tomorrow morning?” — “AbsoJollyLutely!”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D6mHdVT7-g

After a fun evening wrapping presents and getting things ready for Santa, Poppy went to bed dreaming of presents and candy canes.  In the morning she was thrilled with all the goodies from her Santa sack.  After church Yogi & GranJan came round to open all the presents and play with toys.  We had a lovely lunch of BLT croissants and fresh cherries before they left us watching the Wizard of Oz on TV.  Poppy’s favourite gift has been her tickets to the Dora The Explorer Live concert from Mummy and the ice-block maker from NeeNe.  She’s played with her teddy bear from daddy the longest, as it needed stuffing (complete with little stuffed heart) and dressing.  She is also very keen to get out onto the pavement with the sidewalk chalk from daddy too.  However, the activity that’s captured her attention the most has been creating JibJab sendables with photos of all her friends.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrWO2V0KJaM

Poppy’s last day of preschool was a Christmas celebration with Santa handing out presents and a picnic for lunch.  Poppy drew some Christmas pictures on the window with her new Window Pens from Santa.

We had a little early Christmas lunch with Ma & Pa whilst they were over from Picton and Poppy sang them her Good Ship Lollipop song.  Then she and Yogi played with the ride-on ‘toys’ in the garden.

Jo next door very kindly took us to the Richmond School Pool this afternoon where Poppy played and swam for hours.  She had a break at one stage and sunbathed on the picnic table…

After having fun at the Hips & Lips Christmas Party, Poppy got to spend the next afternoon with Ayla at our house and then later at the farm before bringing her

home to her mum.  The girls loved playing together as they are good friends who only see each other a couple of times a year now that Ayla’s family moved to Rangiora.  We are all looking forward to seeing Disney on Ice down in Christchurch together early next year.

Luckily the rain stopped just in time for NeeNe & Rich to host their annual New Year’s BBQ – yes, early this year due to them being away over Christmas! Poppy enjoyed playing with her friend Claudia and new friends Ella & Liam.  We also exchanged gifts with promises of skyping on Christmas morning.