It's my Birthday today

I am having such a good day. Was woken by the beautiful sounds of Happy Birthday being seranaded to me by my girls, then after a long cuddle with my baby boy, it was time for my pancake breakfast and bubbly. Leah told me she would be my slave for today, so that was a bonus birthday pressie.

Leah also gave me chocolates, homemade placemats and a framed dye picture she had made. Ammon and Emerson gave me a book titled Nga Tama Toa that I had been looking at at the Cambridge Armistice Day. It is about the Maori Battalion and has a photo of my Grandmother's Uncle (Ngaopehoia Crawford), it's a fat book but should make interesting reading. I am yet to get my presents from Nate, however I have received one already....

Yay. Tomorrow I will be 13 weeks and so far so good. Whew.

We have decided to tell y'all earlier this time round than we did with Ammon. Why? Because I'm showing more this time and it's getting hard to hide already. Renee already asked the question after seeing our holiday pic but I just wasn't ready to say anything yet. We have been let down at the 12 week mark before, so I wanted to wait and have the scan (which we did yesterday) and make sure all was well. And it is.

We are due June 2nd and once again do not plan to find out if it's a boy or girl. We never have, so why start now? It's a wonderful surprise when they finally make their appearance to have that little discovery too.

The plan for tonight is bbq dinner and then to put up our Christmas tree. Probably not something you usually do on your birthday, but we are keen and it is what I want to do.

It has been such a good day.

p.s. Thanks to Sandra for her flowers and chocolate. I hadn't tried Cadbury Berry Panacotta before - YUM! Don't know why I haven't, I think it is my new favourite now.

Catch Up

I've finally taken a picture of the family proclamation that we bought from stratas art at the college market day. We love it. We haven't quite decided where to hang it yet though.

We took the kids to see the Michael Jackson movie on Wednesday. Their favourite song is "Beat it" but they enjoyed the movie, even though Leah and Ammon were quite tired by the end of it. Thursday night I saw New Moon with some girlfriends. I enjoyed it. Friday night I went to New Moon (again), this time with a friend who couldn't make it the night before and didn't want to go by herself.

I take the movie for what it is - entertainment, and bringing to life a few pages of a book that I enjoyed. I don't analyze it too much, unlike a lot of other people that just can't keep their negative opinions to themselves about the book and movie. They have to voice it instead of just letting others like it or not. When others are negative it can certainly take the bright spark away for you. I find that annoying.

This morning we had an activity at church about All Things Christmas. Ideas for this season that costs little money but shares lots of love. It started with Gifts from the Kitchen, yummy things to make and give. My kids love to do this, so we will try some of the receipes this year on their teachers and our neighbours. Then we moved into Family Traditions and I got a great idea I think I will try out on Em on her birthday. Then we had two workshops - making a nativity and making a waterfall photo card. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and I am in the Christmas spirit. Especially now with all my Christmas decorations and tree out that I used to decorate the room at church this morning. I think it's time to put it up at home. It can be my birthday present to myself.

Nate and I had a great holiday at Coolangatta earlier this month. We arrived Sunday and walked the beach and window shopped and then caught a bus to a mall to browse some more. Monday we spent at wet'n'wild and that was fun. We hired a car to go there and went to another mall along the way. We definitely want to take the kids there. Maybe we'll go same time next year, and stay at the same hotel. It was close to the airport, had a great pool for the kids and the room was a family one with a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom/laundry. Perfect. We came home Tuesday. One more day would have been excellent but it was really nice to have some time to ourselves.

We're off to Waihi next weekend for a ward camp. It'll be fun. The girls got their invitation to Elisa's birthday but unfortunately it is the same day we are away. They want to come, but you can't be in two places at one time. Happy Birthday Elisa, hope you have a great day!