birthday on the beach

The day finally arrived!  Poppy was counting down the sleeps until her birthday and was excited to tell me “the morning is arrived and today is my PARTY!”.  After opening some presents while still in her jammies, we had breakfast and GranJan came over to wish her a happy day. We then went to church where Kids Church sang to her and she received some little birthday treats.  After a quick trip out to the beach to assess the weather (really windy in Richmond but calm at Rabbit Island) we prepared for the BBQ and got our swimming things together.  Dropping in to the farm on the way to the beach saw Poppy with another really cool present hanging in a tree. We set up our beach tent and played in the waves until friends started arriving for the afternoon sandcastle contest.  The winners were Cam & Fin for their effort and involvment building their scooter – then Josh’s 4-wheeler coming a close second and a special mention for Liam & Phil’s porche as Poppy’s favourite.  The gourmet sausages were yummy and we sang to Poppy as she ate her special birthday cupcake. Happy 3rd Birthday, Poppy!

first time camping

After our (essential) practice run camping at the farm, we felt ready to hit the big time and camp with friends at Totaranui in Golden Bay. It was a fabulous experience and Poppy morphed into a ‘camp kid’ within 5 minutes of getting there. We attempted a very challenging 6km walk one day through bush tracks and along beaches to Awaroa with three 3 year olds and they all did really well. We loved the amazing beach at the campground and had fantastic weather the whole time too.

new bookcase

New for us in Cautley St – however, I bought this bookcase and another the same when living in Australia years and years ago.  They have been well-used at GranJan & Yogi’s different homes since then and are now surplus to requirements during a reshuffle of GranJan’s sewing room.  We are delighted to find room and fill with the many books collecting in piles here and there throughout the house.  Poppy was excited to manage the whole process – including directing the furniture movers then cleaning and stocking the shelves.  We added a couple of soft floor seats and her reading nook is complete!