Bastian the brave

Our poorly soldier.

Still smiling though, so brave!

About halfway through my four weeks alone with the kids disaster struck and Sebastian got an awful cold. Conjunctivitus set in, along with a hacking cough and it was pretty grim. He felt worse at night and coped by feeding every hour. Which obviously wasn't the most fun I've ever had but a great excuse for copious amounts of coffee during the day. During his first doctor's visit Zach dubbed him 'Bastian the Brave' for enduring his exam with a smile.

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Farmville

Pete supervises feeding the llama.

Zach gets the animals fed while Uncle Sam keeps Daisy safe.

Fashion in the field.


Zach and Sam get up close with one llama...

...then another.

We spent an afternoon followed by a lovely dinner at Rach's parent's farm in Ruby Bay. Zach loved the animals and Daisy loved their beautiful house with heated tiled floors.

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Sam, Rach and Harry come to visit.

The two littlest ones try out the double buggy.

Rach, practicing for having two already.

Harry says a little prayer.

Then is blessed by Zach, the mad preacher.

Harry and Bastie, you are SO cute!

Auntie Rach gets to know Sebastian.

While I get to know Harry.

Superbaby.

Sam shows off Harry.

Sam, Rach and Harry came to Nelson while we were there. They stayed with us for two nights which was a great chance to catch up and meet Harry who is gorgeous and very sweet.

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Rabbit Island

The clouds converge on Daisy's head.

Sand is no object to eating cake.


Anna, Giorgia, Katie, Sebastian, Zach, Isabella and Daisy enjoy the winter picnic.

The bouncer goes everywhere with us.

After 10 nights in Nelson, Andy headed back to Dubai for late night drinking with the boys, weekend lie ins and golf. And probably a bit of work too. The kids and I kicked off four weeks on our own with a great day out at Rabbit Island for Anna's birthday. The kids had a great time splashing around, eating cake and hurling sand at Marcus.

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Tahuna

Turtles!

Daisy in full mother hen mode.

Andy and the kids duck over the dunes to check out the beach.

We also spent a bit of time at the big playground in Tahuna. Another day, another playground. Or two. I got thoroughly sick of playgrounds. But look at those little faces, they loved it!

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Macmillans

The big climb.

Farmer Dais.

What the hell is THIS?

Zach gets up close with Katie the pig.

Macmillans is a cafe in Richmond that has great outdoor space for the kids to run around. There is swings, a duck pond, a tractor, bunnies, a pig called Katie and a small hill to fall down. Oh, and good coffee for sleep deprived mummies. Perfect.

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Sebastian's first solids.

Sebastian ponders his first mouthful of real food.

It gets the thumbs up, hurrah!

Oh no! It's all gone!

Mmmm.

Sebastian turned 5 months old in Nelson and celebrated with a small bowl of baby rice. He loved it.

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