Episode 32 - The New Zealand tea room

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Well folks, here we are, beside the hot springs of New Zealand.

The tea room (with the customary distressed chintz sofa) overlooks the steaming, bubbling lake. For the bold and sporty, hiking, biking and sky-diving are on offer. Personally, I'm not planning to leave the spa.

Please come and join us for a celebratory drink and conversation ranging from the profound to the profoundly silly. The cardinal rule remains: no fisticuffs.

I bought miniThumb this coat while I was in the UK - the picture does not do justice to the virulence of the green! Let's just say I'm never going to lose him in that either, unless he's rolling in the greenest grass (which he won't be doing in midwinter) I just hope he gets a chance to wear it - mind you, I did get it in a size 5 (or possibly even 6) so he'd get a couple of season's use out of it.

Scout - you definitely don't need a slap - although DH wouldn't understand either, I do. I don't see anything wrong in keeping back a few bits, especially if they have strong associated memories. :)

Who will be the next recipient of the '4' t-shirt? Not that I need to know now, you understand - just wondering. :) Minithumb loves it too.

CMOTD - hope you have a lovely week off with Tiddler.

I like that Thumb!

DS's is the colour of the 'greenish' band on this one (but all over!!! ) BRIGHT!!. Dh said it was too big when he heard the age recommendation(11) but whilst it looks as though he'll grow into it still, its not too big to look incongrous or be uncomfortable in it. My MiL can put it on - its just a bit short in the sleves.

Who's hidden the tea room disco?

Hello all!

Can I interest anyone in a Friday ?

I am finally home, shattered, but we have the place to ourselves again and no ambitious plans for the weekend.

Just reading back at the news that I missed.

TW - congratulations! That's lovely news, hope you are keeping ok.

Serpent - I hope you are feeling better.

Scout/MT - totally agree about coloured clothes for the littlies. Small Bean is proudly wearing bright green trainers that he chose himself! I love the yellow jacket too. Strangely, although I am fairly ruthless about getting rid of old baby/toddler clothes I find it very hard to put out his shoes.

Have a lovely week CMOT!

Strange day. I'm ready for bed.

busy day, tho not AS busy as teh previous 4 days. tomorrow will be long and hard. STOP sniggering.

Ahhhh, ten minutes of peace (though not quiet). I'm seriously considering a cup of tea (and I hardly drink tea!).

?

Trampoline erected - although there is a flaw in the safety net - and as that takes most of the time to put up, its going to be a pain taking it down and back up when a new one comes.

Poorly Toddler.

I feel so flat.

poorl.y scout, can we pump you up again like flat stanley? or would a girl scout cokkie help more?

Flat Stanley?

flat stanley

you will be reading them with toddler in a few years time.

I couldn't work out, is Flat Stanley a picture book or chapter book?

Originally a chapter book, but now a picture book too. I used to love the book, must dig it out for tiddler.

Today we have chosen and bought the fabric etc for new curtains for tiddler (this pattern), and made one curtain. Not bad between us. The other is awaiting the lining pinning in

Flat Stanley is both a picture book AND a chapter book.Rather like "Horrid Henry" the story is available in different formats with the same text.

Boy is having a Micheal Morpurgo chapter book read to him this week, it's very NOT sentimental story about a fox, ends with a fox being shot outside the family hen run. Looks much better than the last fox story we tried, an animal rescue sentimental tripe tale.

Toddler likes the original Railway Series by the Rev Awry. We got him the entire series in a box set for Christmas/Boxing Day. He's happily sat for an entire book almost since we gave it to him and he very quickly started staying for entire book. He's not so happy to stay for bits from The Famous Five yet. He also likes newspapers and magazines (computer, train, photography).

MrScout's not home tonight. I'm gorging on an American television series he doesn't really "get." I've eaten too much crap today and feel a bit sicky.

I bought a big magnetic white board for Ds's room so that he can 'do his own thing' and put pictures and postcards etc up if he wants to... he commented on it that he was really pleased, but please could we make sure that it wasn't above his bed as he didn' want to end up like flat stanley!.

He's reading Tintin in Tibet to himself at the moment. Need to find HP so that he can finish off the first one. And he's read two of the Wimpy Kid diaries to himself - need to go to the library with him I think and get a new bunch of books on a regular basis rather than relying on books we have or school books.

MrScout's just asked me about his passport and it's expiration (as in, when does it) -- I'm not sure I like the sound of that question....

At Seniors tonight have realized that come the end of the term I'll miss the girls and the fun but won't miss the stress, time consumption and frustration of trying to run a meeting AND be with a very tired small boy.

50 things before your 12.... boy has tackled 17 of them so far.

Good to find out about the NT free weekend, my folks are down for weekend and I think we have just worked out what to do- nearest castle here we come.

YIIIIPPPEEEE yooooo - access to a computer at last?.. so I can use it to transport myself to the tearoom - HOW I LOVE this New Zealander one?. I came over to Scoutshire on the bus this time and had a chat with a lovely New Zealander lass living in London Village? SO? my life is bang on tearoom themes?. x x x x x

Hugs all round xxx

p.s To all the scouters here - I am overwhelmed with excitement as Milk is going to become a Daisy (American Rainbow) when we return to Paris - FAAAAAAAB stuff!!!!!!!

~~#########~~~~

also waves at tea. nice to see you again my dear. WOW a daisy!

Busy day in chez uni, boy had a friend over to play and they occupied themselves beautifully for over an hour, such a shame to break it up to send other child home. BUT it was just right length and neither of them were knackered by the end.

proud mum moment- Boy has gone up another book band. Sir says he may well be "free reader" by the end of term. Hurrah.

Any one for a warming mug of soup d'jour and rolls avec suggestion. All served in/on hand thrown wobbly potters wear obviously.