Cirque de Russlee

I can't possibly say enough about the staff, parents and students at Russley School. Last week, they put together an amazing original production full of humor, original songs, choreographed dances, and great sets. I don't know if, growing up in America, I ever participated in an original production, especially not one of this caliber. I'm pretty fixed in my belief that America always does things bigger and better, but last week Anna and her peers knocked my socks off... and the principal dressed in a red tutu was a real treat. I also won the PTA raffle, walking away at the end of the night with dinner vouchers and a bottle of wine. It was a wonderful evening that left the community raving for days. Here's a link to some photos. Anna is the fairy dressed in all teal (her favorite color). Well done!!

Parenting Blog recommendation

I stumbled on this blog this morning upon recommendation from a fabulous Mum friend. I think there's a lot of wisdom in the one I link to- All I Know is that I Know Nothing. I love the way that the author, Tracy Cassels, approaches parenting issues from a scientific perspective. A lot of what she says supports my views about attachment parenting. What a great resource for new mothers, doulas, Le Leche League leaders, and people interested in the well being of young children.

Pony Party!

Many many thanks to the Debbie Devine of Claremont Stud and all of the wonderful Mums and children at Russley School for making Anna's Pony Party so much fun. I made two cakes- a horseshoes and pony head- and some treasure bags for the treasure hunt. Debbie did the rest, with some help from Popcorn, Cece, Magic, Little Van Diemen and all the adorable miniature horses. It was snowing a storm in the mountains, but the sun shone on Christchurch and it was a great winter day. Here are some pictures from the party.

Anna, Sylvie and Little Van Diemen

12 happy girls, Popcorn, Cece and some great helpers.

Debbie, Cece and the cutest cart. Cece had lots of go and galloped across the paddock!

Anna making a wish on the horseshoe layer cake. I made the pony head with rice krispie treats, m&ms and icing.

Good things

Please pray that we won't have any more earthquakes for a long long time.

Things I am thankful for:

Anna got a Principal's Award last Friday for outstanding story writing. She says that she doesn't have time to sleep, there are too many stories to write. Her current story is about Leza the mermaid who has to save Lydia the fish from the kelp forest.

We had a beautiful sunny Saturday for horse riding lessons. Anna road a new pony named Alfie and enjoyed every minute. We've started reading pony books (thank goodness no more fairies) with mothers who won't let their children ride horses/go to pony camp. Anna said, "Mum, even if someday you turn mean, I would find a way to ride ponies because I love them."

And finally, I found a fantastic New Zealand folk-country-bluegrass band The Eastern. American music!! A banjo!! The Eastern are from Lyttelton, the town at the centre of the most devastating earthquakes. It has been reduced to rubble, but the people have wonderful character. They are doing a live gig this Sunday night in Hagley Park. The tickets aren't too expensive, so I think we will all go and dance the blues away. Just please no more earthquakes. We are only just getting by.
Video of The Eastern playing Winter Kill

My Little Runner

You've probably never seen Anna in a sporting event. I have. Many times. She's usually the one looking at dandelions on the field, or talking to her friends, or falling over in the three legged race. But something else happened this year. She said, "Mum, I want you to come to the cross country race. I'm going to win."

It was a beautiful sunny day and James and I arrived to see her warming up, super keen to get going. We met Thomas' Mum who introduced herself as "Anna's boyfriend's Mum." How could I explain that Anna has 2 boyfriends, and she likes McKenzie better because he's older (7)? Whew, a few smiles later, it was time for the five-year-old girls event to begin.

You know what? The other girls sprinted off the blocks, but Anna started at her pace and she just_kept_going.

Over the river, over the BMX hills, back over the river, down the straight (see me clapping), around the basketball court. She lost her closest rival (the girl in white) on the rugby field, breezed past some boys who were "running" the race that started before hers and...

SHE WON. She won by miles. I nearly fell over with joy. She's the kid who always sits inside sewing, crafting, drawing, dressing up. And then she won a 2/3-mile cross country race. It made up for everything else that happened this week and then some. Her only reward was the sound of all the kids chanting "Anna, Anna" as she ran to the finish line, and massive hugs from Mum and Dad. Bet her boyfriends were pretty impressed!

Under the Gingko Tree

We've had a glorious late autumn full of much needed sunshine. The Northofagus firewood is stacked and our gingko tree has finally lost its yellow leaves. We have all sorts of harbingers in our garden, and when the gingko loses its leaves, Anna knows winter's on its way. Yesterday James and I captured some scenes in the mid morning sun. The shadows are long and the days are short, but Belle looked beautiful and I always love posing with Anna. Next time we need James too!!

BTW, Belle turned two in March. She's nearly all grown up and has learned heaps of words in her second year. Her favorite words are "cat" (instant hunt mode), "walk" and "cookie." Like my Dad, James and Anna, she has a soft spot for cookies- and apple cores. She's also started communicating with non-verbal grunts, growls and yips... she seems to have a different yip for each type of animal she chases. She even coughs rather politely when she really wants something and we're ignoring her.

I'm so happy with Belle- she's a lovely family dog with a passion for chasing things and endless patience with children. She's never crossed us and is infinitely loyal and eager-to-please. We feed her PROPER (not filler-laden soy-corn rubbish) dog food and she hardly sheds and never smells. She even lets Anna dress her- not too bad for a hunting dog :-) Now if we could only stop her from tossing those nutritious biscuits every time we take a car trip...

Riding Lessons

Anna's started casual riding lessons this term at a small stable that specializes in breeding miniature horses. The atmosphere is really casual (Anna's 5, I'm not fussed about the competitive aspect of showing yet), and Anna takes a 30 minute private lesson on Saturday mornings. Her lesson pony, Popcorn, is SO cute!!

We've tried ballet lessons, and Anna always looked bored (for me, ballet was beyond painful). Yay for horses!! During her first two lessons, she was totally focused, and she never stopped smiling. Anna is a quiet, thoughtful child who loves taking care of things. I hope she will have fun and acquire heaps of life skills through riding lessons. There's a lot to be said for working with stubborn animals, gaining patience and confidence, making horsey friends - and having a room decorated with ribbons!