What a Manic Month!

I've just come to the end of a very manic month and am enjoying a rare day at home just cruising and catching up. I've just waved Neil and Molly off on a hunting trip to the coast so thats two less family members to cook. clean and run after LOL. Neil has known for weeks that he was going away but still left everything until the last minute to pack...1 hour before leaving! He just called back and picked up his sleeping bag which he had left behind. The nights are cold even with Molly to cuddle up too.

Ethan uses Molly as a pillow all the time!

The month started with a two night weekend away for me at the Playcentre National Executive meeting in Upper Hutt. (Very boring and I know not to go again!). The following weekend I got my new tattoo in Palmerston North. 

 

Following another hectic week I attended another two night weekend away at the Playcentre National Education meeting in Lower Hutt. This one was much more productive and got me motivated for my new role this year as Education convenor. Last weekend was the school Gala finally. We have been having weekly meetings and working bees for weeks to prepare for this. On the day I did all sorts of things including from setting up the white elephant to counting the money at the end. (Just under $4000 raised not bad for a school of 100 pupils)  A highlight was overhearing two kids coming out fo the hall where the white elephant was saying "I couldn't find a white elephant anywhere!" Priceless.

Our inaugral tug of war when well with lots of teams having a go. We borrowed the tug of war machine from Wairarapa College. (I'm sure I saw some cheating going on but it was all in good fun!)

Among the attractions were live music, facepainting (modelled by my niece Madison and nephew Tama) as well as lots of great food.

Over the month during the many times I was away Neil practiced his pav recipe which is very very nice. I love my hubby!

Other nice things that I have done is attend a farewell afternoon for my friend Andie who has moved into the paid world of employment. A few of us Playcentre mums got together with some yummy food, coffee and wine to present her with a gift and take some much needed time to just be together. My boys came too and loved the fort Kate's children are lucky to have. Ethan also enjoyed the two enormous dogs they have, they were bigger than him LOL.

I spent a session at Lansdowne Playcentre where there was a great session running. Ethan found a cool car he wants his dad to make for him!

We have yet to tell Dad we want one, we will wait until he gets home from hunting and is more liable to say yes!

Ethan also loved the animal play, the costumes, the parachute play with Rhys and this little scale.

I ran my first welcome to Carterton Playcentre evening on Thursday and had 4 people arrive (good number!) and we had a lovely time getting to know each other and also completed Course 1 Introduction to Playcentre. One lady said that Playcentre is the only time she speaks to another adult apart from her husband and is keen to get some social events happening. Most of the new families are also new to Carterton so helps them make connections in their new home.
I've also managed to fit in a fair amount of shopping on my trips away and have updated my handbag, got some winter shoes in red and black, (same style two different colours), jewellery,  and some clothing. The kids didn't miss out with new pjs and books too.
I also managed to spend some funds in the scrapbooking shop and I'm determined to sit down tonight and get some layouts done. I'm hoping to get to the monthly scrapping night next week but with Neil away it may not happen. I was meant to organise one for my house but I just physically didn't have the time! (Time to clean my house before everybody came or time to actually scrapbook! LOL).