Ron Mueck

 Way back in October we spent a lovely afternoon with our Waiararapa family at the Christchurch Art Gallery.  To our delight we got to see the Ron Mueck exhibition.  An amazingly crafted and moving collection of tiny and outsized sculptures.The 2 metre tall pregnant woman was breathtaking and I am sure I was not alone in feeling quite overwhelmed by the emotion of it.  The children were fascinated and Nic a bit freaked out but very intrigued.

Enjoying lunch at the Arts Centre

Week in reverse

It has been a really busy social week around here lately. It has been a very welcome diversion from endless house stuff I must say. In reverse....

500 Days of Summer. Popped out last night with Alex to catch this little gem. As Kate Roger said on 3Film, it is a 'a romance for real people, not just for believers in fairy tales'. It was appealing in its realness, no soft lighting or romantic swells of music. The soundtrack was fab. The characters were flawed and 'whats her name' the lead character was a bit naughty although forgivable when you think back to some of your own romantic misdemeanours. I also really enjoyed the depiction of LA as a real place and not Hollywood Boulevard. Loved my white chocolate and raspberry sorbet ice cream too.

Cricket - we have now entered the world of Saturday sport and much to my enjoyment I got to sit on the grass in the sun watching excited boys and girls learn cricket skills. topped off with a sausage in bread and a very excited child, I was a happy mummy.

Cookai - two nights in a row I got to taste the delights on offer at Cookai Japanese restaurant. John from Greymouth and Rachel texted on the road over to see if an early tea was a goer. Having just spent the day at home with Nic and his cousins I was ripe for an early evening outing. Having spent a very enjoyable evening at Cookai the night before with Karen, I was delighted to be able to suggest a well priced, authentic Japanese restaurant to my friends. Yum.

Kid fun - Taking annual leave to look after your child is one of the delights of full time work and parenthood. Long gone are the days of lying on beaches, shopping trips to Sydney and indulgence of any kind. I am not complaining. I had a great day hanging out with Nic, Olivia and Ben. I especially enjoyed our trip to the park where we played on the half basketball court with Anna and Karen who are in town and came to visit.

Birthday dinner (s) - Jonty turned 49 this week. Two days before the international day of the Older Person. Something I could have got a bit of fun out of but chose not to for some reason. Prior to his actual birthday we went out for another early family meal to the Belgium Beer Cafe and enjoyed and evening of delectable mussels, meat and potatoes in various forms. Great for my ever increasing waist line, NOT! Pudding too-creme brulee. I am a disgrace to all weight conscious women. Friend catch ups - afternoon play and chat with Steph, Frances and George. This included a bike ride on the road. Nic's first. Well done mate, very brave. Also on Sunday was a shared roast lamb dinner with stunning Jamie Oliver heart attack on a plate potato dish with Anne and Tim. Preceding that, on Saturday night, we had a family birthday celebration with Jonty's lot. Again, restraint played no part in the evening. We had spicy lamb and filo pie, pavlova, Paris breast, home made focaccia and wine. Lots. I know I gained a kilo last week. The eating was profound. However, the good cheer and time with friends and family far outweighs the extra tyre around my middle...almost...eek.

Back to reality. House cleaning and open homes.

Stolen

Yesterday was the last of our birthdays for a while and we were gifted a gorgeous Autumn day. We were at the bach and the beach was almost deserted save for few other families enjoying the last stolen days of summer too. Some who I recognised as regulars from this summer. The waves were non existent due to recent weather activity so there was calm and peace and savouring in the air.

Ben had a lovely day and the children as normal just lived every moment of it and had a ball.

Here is the photo we took of the cousins last year and beneath is this year's. How they have grown physically and in so many other ways. What a difference a year makes, especially for Liv, Nic and Danielle-being school kids now.

Ben loved his birthday because it was about the things he loves...bubbles, balls and food

once removed

The cousins are in town...2nd cousins twice removed. They are really here for their dad Frank's 70th Birthday celebrations but the very good thing about them all converging on CHC is that we get to spend time with them. Yay. Gill has abley organised the event from the Waiarapa and even managed to pull off the surprise landing of Pete, Lisa and Ciaran from Melbourne, all the while large bellied with child. Impressive.

(Andrew Stewart 2008)

Off to Raspberry Cafe for lunch today. Hopefully there will be something to report by the end of the day or AT LEAST some pics to add to the album. Although the camera hovered last night, no actual photos were taken. However, beers were drunk and Hell pizza consumed. Lots of stories and catch ups. Plus promises of travel and adventures to come. Looking forward of more of the same today.

Just remembered that it was a scant 6 days ago that my lovely cousin Margi and Michael were in town and joined the family for a bbq on the back lawn. It has been a lovely family time over the last few weeks. I can't really get enough of my cousins. Seems that the older I get,the more I want to see them and spend time with them. Plenty of time left I guess.

tee hee

Here are a few fun pics from Leicester. Nic with his cousins whom he loved and they were fantatic with him. Jonty was a really good sport going on ALL of the rides at Twin Lakes fun park. Nic was too young/short to go on without a parent...good fun for everyone. The National Space Centre