Wellington in Color

Here are the rest of the (selected) pics from our little trip, in color now ... Look at how handsome my boys are and how they adore their father!

Wellington in the Summertime

 

 

As has become the 'norm' with my blogging of late, I am posting this a little late!

 

In January we went on a 10 day trip to my hometown of Wellington, New Zealand.

 

There's something about Wellington that I find hard to put into words. Maybe it's the feelings of nostalgia, maybe it's being there with my older brothers and their families, maybe it's the fact that so many of the places evoke many a childhood memory. Whatever it may be, I do love that place!

 

We have a habit of going back when the weather is not so pretty. If you know Wellington, that can sometimes be a good part of the year. There's a saying that you can't beat Wellington on a good day. The inference of that is the fact that those 'good days' are sometimes few and far between. But we went back in summer this time, and it was beautiful.

 

My older brothers have young children too so every day was spent doing things for the kids. We visited parks that I played at as a kid, play centres, pools, beaches and the like. Add to the mix the beautiful food that country delivers and you have the recipe for a perfect family holiday.

 

But if I was to pick one thing I loved the most, it would be the simple moments of sitting around the table and chatting with my siblings and our spouses. It's moments like those that remind me why I want a big family. That even though having a lot of children can be difficult at times, there is a bond between siblings that is hard for anyone to break. And I want my boys to have that for themselves.

 

Ps - Here are a few of my favourite pics from the trip. For some reason blogger is not allowing me to load more and I'm over it. I will load more tomorrow. Or maybe the next day :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Era

We are three weeks into our 'New Era', with Cassius at big school, and Phoenix and Kingston at daycare for two. For the most part, I'm enjoying the routine of it all and seeing all my boys grow up. But it has definitely changed things. No more random trips to the beach, staying till all hours at our friends houses. Now I know what everyone means when they say school changes your life!

Cassius has really impressed me with how well he is taking to big school. He gets up every morning without any issues, has his breakfast and gets ready to go. He just waved me off on the first day, which kinda broke my heart as I expected at least a little resistance! I think he enjoys the independence of it all, that it is only him that goes and so he really must be our 'biggest boy'. Read about how I was feeling the night before he went here.

It has also made Phoenix alot more independent, and although he is somewhat reluctant to go to daycare, he waves goodbye once there without any dramas and especially loves that he now has Cassius's old teacher 'Nadia'.

And then there's Kingston. His progression is not so great. He starts crying once we drive into the suburb where the daycare is located! He truly is at that terrible two stage and he makes the 2 minute walk to Cassius's school each morning quite the ordeal. All fun and games though right? I really did think he would enjoy daycare though. He would run off whenever we would drop his brothers off last year, and he is usually alot more social. Once again I got that one wrong!

And so Wednesday has become my new favourite day of the week.  I don't work and only have McCaw at home. It is so easy! But I think that feeling comes once you have more children and really get the hang of it all.You feel like you can accomplish anything. Well most of the time anyway!  

There's Something about Summer

As Summer is drawing to a close, I find myself reflecting fondly on what for me, is truly the greatest time of year. Whilst I love December and all its festivities, I enjoy January just a little bit more. Frequent trips to the beach till all hours of the night, tanning and relaxing while my boys play in the sun. Love it. The fact that I don't work probably adds to the months appeal!

We also took a trip to my favourite place in the world - Wellington, New Zealand (which I will write about shortly). My favourite place, at my favourite time of year .. priceless!

Falling Out of Blog Love

I'm feeling a little guilty. The blog love has dwindled. Died almost. I am constantly having to remind myself that later in life I will enjoy having this as a keepsake, with countless written memories of our boys.

What to do, what to do. Any tips my fellow bloggers? How do you keep the love 'alive'?

Life in December

Yes you read right. This post is about December. Two months ago in fact! As you can see I am getting a little lazy with my blogging! These monthly 'summaries' are becoming a regular thing and I often have to remind myself why I started a blog in the first place!

Nevertheless, here are some of my favourite pictures from December, the time of year when our wallets get emptied but the festivities make it all worth it x

 

Sometimes we make a decision that in hindsight, seems kinda stupid. Such was the case when I decided to take my boys to Aldi! What was I thinking ?!?
 



 

 On Christmas Eve we went to my parents and did the big family traditional dinner. My boys (as usual) were treated extra good by their aunties and uncles, with dinosaurs apparently the theme of the month. I was gutted I didn't get a picture of Phoenix's face when he opened his present to reveal a box of dinosaurs. It was priceless!

 

When we returned home we put out milk and cookies for Santa. I came back later to find Kingston was enjoying them! Santa was still good to him of course!

And what would the month of December be like without a few trips to see the Temple Lights!

 The youngest Manu's ... love having a big family!

 

Kingston is starting young!

 

And last but most certainly not least, the most important photo of the month! My little Sister has returned from serving a full-time mission for our church! I am loving having her back - she will no doubt become a regular fixture on this blog x

 

 Ok that's all I can be bothered with for now sorry! I still have a few more post to catch up on!