Last Days

Thursday

Only one more sleep for Mia. She is very excited to see her Mum and Dad.
Dan brought the invalid Joseph over to spend the day with Grandma and Cleo.
He repaid the favour by delivering Mia and Leila to school.
Miss Cleo was still hungry and she loves to eat sitting on the bench.
Nutella sandwiches are very popular. In fact don’t all kids just love them. Mind you… chocolate and nuts what more you ask?
Joseph kept himself busy on the computer…that mini clip game music does get to one after a while!!! but anything for peace!
But the outside called and before you knew it they were on the mini playground.
After school Sophia arrived along with Leila and Yassie.
A little chilling out in front of the telly.
Meanwhile Grandma got on with cooking the dinner. The chicken pies made by Grandma a few days ago didn’t curry favour with Mia. Apparently pieces of courgette, albeit tiny, was enough to put her off and there wasn’t enough chicken in them. So it was back to the drawing board.
I made a stock of the vegetables including courgettes and poached the chicken with them.
Delicious.
After about 15 minutes. Milk was added and all simmered for another 5 minutes.
Heat off and left to cool.

Grandma made a white sauce using the stock, Shredded the chicken and added the cooked carrots. Chopped of course.
This is looking pretty good.
Couldn’t find the rolling pin but hey what’s wrong with the wine bottle.
Next borrowed the fab bacon and egg pie idea.
Cheese on the bottom
Chill in the fridge about 15 minutes for the pastry to relax.
Add chicken mix.
Bake until golden brown.
Meanwhile the children set up a game of Top Chef led by Sophia of course
They are so diligent.
Sophia was the judge and she went off with the little ones…had a bit of recreation
While the contestants finished their dishes.
All of the dishes on the judges table ready for judging
We never did find out who was Top Chef after all that.
So the chicken pie was very popular. Served with mashed potato.
Perfect.
Don't be dismayed
The wine of course was not consumed by the children
Grandma and Auntie Helen's treat
Miss Cleo was in the bath
Nearly ready for bed.
And another day done and dusted.

Mia’s Mummy had left some presents for Mia to open while she was away.
Friday morning - last day - last present.
It was a sleep mask
The present from a previous day had been a turban to wrap around your wet hair hair.

Modeling the gifts...I give you…Miss Mia…
Mia has discovered canned spaghetti on toast for breakfast.
Or as it was known in the 50’s…worms on toast.
This would be politically incorrect in these modern times I’m sure.
Mufti day at school. A vision in red.
Bear Park is much fun for Cleo
So Grandma ahd some tiome to herself and went shopping and bought the girls Musha Belly toys.
Don’t think Miss Cleo cared too much, the empty drink bottle was more fun, but Mia loved hers.
An Elephant and a Cheetah
They chatter, luckily it is quite quiet!
So Grandad came round for dinner, Miss Cleo is desperate for that bottle. It’s the “going to bed bottle”. Works famously.
As luck would have Grandma had made some preparation and pre cooked the prawns.
The gas ran out.
But we have a microwave and an electric oven.
So it was room temperature prawns with roasted asparagus
So there ya go!
Dave came over with the Baby Carlo to partake of a little wine and conversation.
And before you knew it, it was time for Grandma to go to the airport and pick up the tourists.

A little homecoming celebration with a glass of Champagne.
It's nice to see you back Katie and Chris I'm sure you are not missing Rarotonga at all.

NOT!!!
Happy Holidays.

Katie and Chris stayed at this amazing place in Rarotonga Te Vakaroa Villas have a look.

And it's Goodbye Girls from Grandma It was lots of fun xxx

The Holiday Continues

Sunday was a very busy day for Mia
She had a party to go to.
Morgan’s mother Michelle picked her up and they went out west.
They had pony rides and lots of fun. The she went to Morgan’s place to play
While she was out having fun there was some drama at Pine Street.
Poor little Joseph fell off the monkey bars at the playground behind his house.
Right onto his elbow no less. His parents took him to the A & E and then he went to Starship by ambulance. He had to have surgery. He is now the proud owner of metal in his body.
Sophia didn’t want to go to the hospital so she came around to Fowler Av.
When Mia came home they had a nice time playing
Some chair gymnastics for Mia and a bath for Cleo
Cleo loved being with her cousin

But in her haste to climb onto the chair to watch TV she ran into it by mistake.

Dear me, but luckily Providore Justine arrived with Japanese Chicken Curry for dinner and found the Arnica in the cupboard.

What a sad beautiful little face

On Monday Leila and Mia went to school And Cleo went to Bear Park

Meanwhile Grandma went to see Joseph in hospital

Look at those very fat sausage fingers

Joseph’s Dad Dan did a good job with the Lego

Joseph soon settled into hospital life
And he managed to retain his humour throughout the entire exercise –
When asked by a fellow ward mate's parent if he had any brothers and sisters he said "yes, a sister, she's 11. SHE'S A FAINTER!"
All true…perhaps this is main reason for Sophia’s reluctance to go to the hospital.
Inherited from Grandad Dale we think.

When asked by the same ward mate's parent if he enjoyed being in hospital
What did he like best?
He exclaimed "Yes! Rooooom Service".

He is now most perturbed that he doesn't have a call button next to his bed at home.
After Grandma delivered a batch of lollies he was hoping to have a midnight feast with his pretty nurse Holly but she wasn't working that night. Shame.

So he had to eat them all himself

Sophia meanwhile came over to Fowler Av after school.

Mia and Cleo loved having her around.

Hamburgers for dinner, Cleo is really keen to sit up with the big kids.

In the morning there was a text message from Mia’s Mum Katie.
Here is Mia texting back

Meanwhile Miss Cleo has discovered cherry tomatoes they are responsible for filling those little chubby cheeks

The big girls Leila and Mia, walking up the school drive

Miss Cleo takes it in her stride

Grandma was asked to make birthday cakes for Ange and GP at Juice

Chocolate cake and raspberry puree for Ange

Blueberry pureed frosting for GP.

Probably not the most beautiful cakes made by Grandma

She seems to have lost her decorating touch.

But they will probably taste fantastic.

After school Mia went to play with her friend Michaela.

Josh Michaela’s big brother and Miss Cleo joined in as well

Mia was really tired

So so tired. Only two more sleeps and her Mummy and Daddy will be home.

Mia and Cleo are having a break from their parents

Mia and Cleo have sent their parents Katie and Chris

off to Rarotonga and Grandma Gilli has come over to stay and look after them.
The parents left on Friday morning. Mia went to school and Cleo went to Daycare.
Grandma went shopping at the supermarket and then to lunch.
After school Mia and Cleo played outside.Mia wrote in her diary and Cleo played on the slide.
I can do this by myself.

It's hard to believe she is only 15 months old.

Mia is filling in her diary. Cleo doesn't care

Fearless this Cleo!

Some time on the Tramp

The swing

Joseph and Sophia were coming over for a sleepover.

That night Justine made dinner for all the little children.
Spaghetti Bolognaise. They all loved it.
Sophia came after drama and she ate dinner with Grandma.
Schnitzel and broccoli and potatoes.
Washed down by Grandma with a glass of Viognier supplied by Providore Justine.
In the morning The cousins all played together.

Joesph helpingMia clean her car.

Mia opening the blinds one of her morning chores.

No show without Punch.

Joseph had to go to play cricket.
So Leila and Yassie came over.
Sophia set up games for the girls.
"What’s the time Mr Wolf"

Run run as fast as you can!
Watched from the sidelines by Miss Cleo
Sophia, Mia and Leila performed a little play for Grandma

Mia learning her lines.

Cleo did some cleaning for Grandma

When Cleo woke up Grandma took Mia Leila and Cleo to Mission Bay for lunch
A fish and chip lunch.

They all went across to the beach and ate the fish and chip out of paper just like they should be eaten.

Cleo liked the chips too

It was time to go to the playground. Cleo led the way Grandma decided it was too risky having Cleo at the playground so an ice cream bribe got them all away.

Guess who just loves ice cream?

It was a quiet afternoon and then. Grandma took Mia over to stay with her cousins and Cleo and Grandma had a quiet night...Bed for Cleo…Some TV, the Election on the radio and a wine for Grandma.

Grandad Dale meanwhile

went for a sail in his boat and stayed out over night. He successfully cooked Stunning Mushrooms and Tomatoes on Toast for his dinner.

In the morning Grandma and Cleo went to pick up Mia. Mia was off to a party.

She had a wonderful time at Dan and Helen’s house with her cousins Sophia and Joseph.

Next time Cleo would like to go too. Maybe when she is two!!!

So Mia went to Angelique's party.

Cleo spent the time practising her ball skills.

Meanwhile this lovely bird is feeding on a big fat worm in the Noble garden.

So it's been a fun weekend.