Pulling strings

Eta Rose

The whole point of our trip to Wellington...to meet Eta Rose. Eta is Anneke and Oscar's cousin, and auntie Lisa and uncle Paul's first baby.

Meeting their hero

My precious

Both of them. Visiting the Weta Cave in Wellington.

Waiting for the tooth fairy

A break for dad

That's me on the right. Absolute luxury: two weeks practicing Tai Chi in Canada.

Public displays of affection

Funky Hair Day

Anneke with Lewis from next door.

What are you looking at?

Mother and daughter

One large bird

Story writing...now with pictures

Not a bad hair day

A visit from the buzzy bee

Oscar loves the clippers.

Memories of a bike ride

I think Anneke forgot who goes in front.

DIY Hairdressing

The latest fashion accessory: girl-beards

Girls can do anything

Emily was Anneke best friend at daycare, but they now go to different schools.

Boys and their toys, part 2

A face for every occasion

Have your cake

Boys and their toys

Graduation Day

At three, Oscar's moving to the bigger centre at daycare

A hiker in the making

Oscar walked seven kilometres as part of the two-day walk. Anneke only managed six.

Low-flying projectile

Gala day

Homework decorations

Plain boxes are so passé.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to school we go

Anneke starts at Otonga Primary school today!

Fun on the new trampoline

Graduating from daycare

Up, up and away

Anneke's birthday present: a scenic flight over Rotorua.

Fishing for presents

Girl with cake

The chicken and the lion

Oscar, Tiana, Jack, Jasmine, Portia, Anneke and Hollie playing a game during Anneke's birthday party.

The world looks better upside down

Tiana and Jasmine playing on the swing set during Anneke's birthday party.

Birthday Girl

No more trainer wheels

She can't get started by herself yet, and hasn't figured out that steering can actually get you around obstacles, but Anneke has learned how to balance on a two-wheeled bike -- and how to stop without falling over (most of the time). Progress!

Ice cream with Auntie Lisa

Big enough

Just.

Tastes good

Pure spring water, from a drinking fountain in the middle of Petone.

Never again

Poor Oma. She offered to look after the children while Dad went on a 50km mountain bike ride. The ride took far longer than expected, and this is the result.

Fun at Oma's house

Lucy doing her bit to entertain the kids while Dad is away.

Cooling off

A new way to look at the water

Oscar having fun on the Petone foreshore.

Tirohanga Playground

Just a few hundred metres from Oma's house.

Paekakariki Beach

On the way to Wellington, we stopped off for a brief break. The tide was up and the waves were really close, so we didn't stay long.

Aarpie gets a ride

At the Tai Chi Society's new-year mystery BBQ, our hosts had this delightful Leonberger. Huge, but incredibly gentle -- and tolerant of two young children and their "pet" monkey.

Mountain Biker

Oscar's been hitting the trails again. He's really got the whole "lift you feet and scoot along as far as you can" idea. It won't be long before he's ready for pedals.

Beautiful Music

Fun at the Redwoods