Bec's trip to NZ

 First stop in Auckland, the beach! 

Gorgeous Harry. I have such cute nephews!

Ha!

I was very lucky to meet brand new baby Owen!

I had a great trip to the zoo with Sam, Nev, Harry and Eliza.

The zoo.

Eliza pulls a great animal imitation.

It was lovely to catch up with Tash and family.

Vodka and tunes, woo!

A very nice family dinner in Nelson.

Shihad concert with Lisa and Gary.

Sid!

Christchurch. Boo.

Lesley and Matt get married!

Lisa, Katie and Lorraine.

Final photos in Chch.

In mid April I had a solo trip to NZ for Lesley and Matt's wedding. How exciting! I was gone for 9 days leaving Andy to hold the fort with Madge and Bob assisting.

I had a wonderful time in NZ. I didn't take nearly enough photos but I managed to catch up with lots of people and it was fantastic to see everyone. Thanks so much to everyone who had me to stay. Hopefully I'll be able to wangle another solo trip in a couple of years!

Bx

Easter.

A couple of the many eggs eaten over easter.

High five, EB!

Then a cuddle from Zach.

Not so sure about being picked up...

Daisy and Andy kick back.

Yet more chocolate, this time in the guise of ice cream.

Our littlest chick, at the Easter workshop.

Joined by the big sister bunny.

Now where can I find more eggs?

To celebrate Easter the kids did an Easter workshop and we also had an Easter brunch at the Golf Club. Lots of chocolate was eaten and the Easter bunny was a hit.

Bx

School events.

Zach gets his Usain Bolt on and powers across the field.

Zach tags Alana during Stuck in the Mud. 

Goal!

Zach was brilliant at sports day, well done Zachy!

No nappies, woooooo!

Zach with his teacher and his painting of me. Top work although I do look more than slightly like an inflatable doll.

We decorated cupcakes. Yum!

My beautiful flowers from Daisy and Zach.

Happy chaps.

Trashing a room, mini rock star style.

In the past couple of months both Daisy and Zach have had sports days and Zach had a Mother's Day morning tea. I did take photos at Daisy's sports day but they seem to have disappeared, sorry Dais. Special mention must be made of Daisy for slotting a goal past Carlton Palmer, goooooooooal!

Another big occasion in the Ellis household was a couple of months ago when Bastie decided he was done with nappies and that was that. So, for the first time in over six years, we are nappy free, hoorah!

Bx

Lots of concerts

Jazz Festival at Al Badia - James Blunt. He was very good but I had giardia and had to leave after five songs. Stink.

Jazz Festival - Jools Holland and James Morrison. I missed it but Julia was staying so she went with Andy.

Kasabian at the Dubai Sevens Stadium. Daisy, Zach and Bastie check out the set up pre concert.

Kasabian were fabulous. 

Kasabian.

 David Guetta at Yas Arena, Abu Dhabi. Awesome night. Julia was staying so were able to leave the kids and stay in Abu Dhabi for the night, a great treat.

Breakfast on the terrace in the morning.

Duran Duran at Dubai Sevens Stadium. Another fantastic night. Duran Duran rocked.

March Sandance - Snow Patrol, Calvin Harris, Eric Morillo and others - waaaaaay too busy. Not much fun. Boo.

 April Sandance - Kaiser Chiefs, Zane Lowe, Armand Van Helden and others - fab night!

The Kaiser Chiefs.

We've been to loads of great concerts this year, yay!

Bx

The long winter

It was GREAT to see Ruth.

As the school year wears on, it gets harder and harder for the kids to wake up in the morning.

Daisy and Zach had World Book Day at school. Daisy had to go as a book character, Zach had to go in his pjs!

Cool afternoons have meant lots of fun on the trampoline.

Bounce!

Zach has school sports day. Here he is showing off his running skills.

He did great, I was very proud of him. Well done Zach!

Someone else doing great is Sebastian, top pants wearer! He is doing so well using his potty.

The Tigerfish class did a lovely mother's day presentation for us.

Followed by cupcake decorating.

My beautiful Mother's Day artwork from Daisy and Zach.

After a late start to winter, we've been enjoying unseasonably cool weather right in to March. Which has been lovely even if it's a bit chilly at times. We had a visit from Julia in February along with a very exciting last minute visit from my friend Ruth who lives in London. Apart from that, we have been keeping busy with birthday parties and concerts.

Bx