Summer highlights

It's been a long, hot and fantastic summer for the Campbell family. Iris is turning into a real entertainer - she loves to sing (never stops!) and provides a running commentary on daily life. SHe is working on counting to twenty, she gets to about thirteen and things get interesting and has a fantastic version of the alphabet ("A,B,C,D,G,S,R...) Phoebe is talking up a storm too. She knows the names for a surprising number of things around the house and is a fantastic mimic. She's currently working on two and three word sentences (daddy go car, cat sleep bed, baby tummy mummy, want some and so on). Her version of "The Wheels on the Bus" is great - "Wheels, bus, up, down!". Josh is in the midst of job interviews and Sarah has been busy painting and "nesting". May 17th suddenly seems very close!

Here are some highlights from the last couple of months. A very sandy Phoebe at Paekakariki Beach.

Iris the tiger at the Teddy Bear's Picnic

Iris making her own entertainment (what you can't see in this picture is the huge playground with slides and swings that was completely ignored while she went up and down the hill on her box!)

What happens when Phoebe brings hair ties to Mum way too early in the morning and says "hair up".

Phoebe in her big girl togs.

Entranced by the Nickle Nackle tree.

Too cool for words.

One of many ice creams consumed this summer.

Ditto.

Dressing up (unfortunately you can't see the fluffy rabbit tail that finished off the outfit!)

Josh's birthday BBQ

It's become an annual event now - the 4th year we've done this in Titahi Bay. Great turnout this year and a pretty good effort from the weather too. It seems Josh took most of the photos because there are none of the birthday boy!

Jeffrey and his lovely Spanish girlfriend, Maribel.

Shirley and her crew.
Haidee and Gabi, cool in their hats and sunnies.
Scott and Gabi chilling in the shade.
Gabi, Haidee and Heath.
Rohan, his usual pensive self...
Iris with Maribel and Granmarg.
Devon and Amanda join the Gullery's on the couch.

January

January was filled with beach and pool expeditions and lots of time with friends.(Why Blogger has decided my text needs to be underlined is beyond me...)

Iris in the cool duck-shaped pool at the Marine Gardens in Raumati.
Jacob came nd stayed overnight with us while his parents made a lightning trip up to Napier. Phoebe enjoyed having an extra playmate around the next morning.
Here's our little petrol head - Phoebe LOVES going in the car and cries "CAR" pitieously at the door if one of us goes out without her. If we let her, this is where she'd sit.
At the Tawa pool for Thomas' 5th birthday party. Iris and Phoebe spent the whole time going UP and DOWN this slide. Neither of them was particularly impressed when we dragged them home.
At the beach with Ruthie, Gareth and Jacob.

We continued our regular Friday play group over the Christmas/New Year break by having it at our houses, instead of our regular venue of Ngati Toa School. This particular day was a scorcher and we spent all morning on our deck (mums and cups of tea) or back yard (kids and lots of energy).
This photo was taken moments before Olivia (in the hat) decided to get off while the seing was still moving. Result: broken arm and dinosaur cast for several weeks!
Feeding the ducks at Aotea Lagoon with Amanda and Devon.