Half a year over for Gearóid

Gearóid is now on school holidays and over half his academic year is over. He has had a busy time this term. He has been playing soccer, practise is on Tuesdays after school and games on Wednesdays. Thursdays he goes to young explorers club. On Saturdays he still has his music and sometimes day trips with the Young Explorers club.

At school he has been involved with the house choir competition and is also involved in a Sing Out choir which will be performing in September. This term he did cooking and French. He has learnt to make breakfasts but is yet to treat his Mum and Dad.

The photos were what Gearóid wore to his first school social - the theme was "C" and for those of you who have not worked it out he went as a bottle of coke. He said he danced a couple of times but not with any girls.

Patrick turns another year older

Patrick is another year older. We had a lovely meal at home with the family. He got some driving lessons for his birthday so he will soon be on the road.

Easter 2008

We had a lovely break at Easter. We headed up to where Mum and Gordy used to live and stayed at a hut on one of their old neighbours farm. It was fantatstic no power - no phones - no noise. We stayed for two nights and the kids really enjoyed it. The kids slept in the caravan and the adults slept in the hut. Mum and I made sure we got the bottom bunks. The first day we got there mid afternoon and had fun setting up. All the cooking was done on a BBQ and gas hob outside. We had not left behind all the home comforts though as we had a flush toilet and hot water!! On the second day Pat and Gordon headed off for a walk - they were gone for 2 hours. Then in the afternoon they took the kids for another walk and were gone for another couple of hours. Ken and Joy come for tea and we all sat around the camp fire talking till quite late. We left on the Sunday and spent the night at Mum's. We had to come home on the Monday as I had to work on the Tuesday ( a public holiday but things are so busy at work the hospital paid me double time to work all day)

Uncle Trevor & Aunty Beverley's 50th Wedding Anniversary

50th Wedding Anniversary

We were lucky enough to be invited to the party Aunty Bev and Uncle Trev had for their anniversary. Mum and Gordon along with Trudy left on Thursday night.We travelled up to Christchurch on Friday and spent a lovely weekend catching up with all our cousins. The party was brilliant and we met heaps more family, even alot there that Mum did not know. Met our Uncle Hector - he had not seen Mum since she was 5. Mum and Gordon left on Sunday but we stayed till Monday. Lots of the family came around on Sunday night to Aunty Bevs for tea. We took our time travelling home on Monday and stopped at Moeraki Boulders for lunch. You can just see the boulders between Pat and Gearóid

Verdon Sports day

Today Gearóid headed off to school for Sports Day. He was dressed in yellow as it is the colour of his house - Catherine. He has had to steal Dads shirt as we are having trouble finding yellow clothes. I found a nice pair of bright yellow boxers but I could not persuade Gearóid to wear them as shorts.

Surf to City

Well I did not think I had it in me but today I walked the "Surf to City". 11.5Kms from the beach to Queenspark in the middle of Invercargill. As you can see the only casualty was my poor heel. And I can't even begin to imagine how my legs will feel in the morning....

Gearóid Goes to Verdon

Today Gearóid started at Verdon College in the junior campus. And then his journey began .....

He had a good day but was annoyed to come home with homework. The day ended with a sightseeing trip to Bluff (he was too busy talking to someone and got on the wrong bus). But all is well ... the bus brought him back to Invercargill and Dad and our neighbour did a mercy dash into town to pick him up. Gearóid is off tomorrow and Wednesday is Waitangi day so he will be back at school on Thursday.

Ricaro and Kitana came to stay

Ricaro and Kitana came to stay with us during the school holidays. Unfortunately Gearóid and I got sick and ended up in bed for a few days.

Christmas Day 2007

Gearóid and Ricaro

Gearóid, Kitana and Ricaro

Rasta Gran (You think she would do her hair for Christmas)

Gran and Poppa

Lisa and Pat

Kitana, Trudi and Pat

And the award goes to ...

2007 ended on a happy note with the end of year concert for Gorge Road School. Gearóid received his Leaver's Certificate as he sadly said good bye to Gorge Road School. We were so proud to sit in the audience and hear the wonderful things the principal had to say about Gearóid as he gave his reasons for awarding him the Lesley Tait Prinicpal's Cup. The award is given to the student who carries the school's name with pride and serves the community well.
Right : Gearóid with Mr Marriott (Principal)
Below : Gearóid and Ben with Mr Scott (Teacher)