Summer!

Ice blocks are a great way to beat the heat.

It's coooooold!

Sometimes it's just too hot and we have to stay inside. Which is always fun when the Smith's are visiting.

Daisy had Barnaby Bear home from school one weekend, he enjoyed some trampolining.

He also enjoyed the pool.

Bastie and his bestie, Aiden. Safety first.

Our superhero gets kitted up for the pool.

More ice block action.

Rockets, mmm.

Bastie gives up the pretense of liking ice blocks and goes for the cheese.

Beer also helps beat the heat.

Kicking back in the crab lid.

Decorating the playhouse.

Gorgeous boys.

Summer is here and we've been having lots of fun in the garden with plenty of water to keep us cool. We've also been spending a lot of time at the pool. Daisy spends more time swimming under the water than above it, Zach can now swim independently in the deep end and Bastie still loves floating around on his armbands.

Bx

Andy's birthday.

24 again!

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Music videos on a giant screen with lunch. And a motorbike. Kid heaven.

Andy turned 42 on 20 April. To celebrate, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch then dinner and a few drinks with friends at the Golf Club in the evening. Happy birthday Andy!

Bx

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