kiwis always talk about new years with an 's'.  so there you go.  happy new years to ya mate.  sweet as.

we went to a new year's party last night where we pretended midnight was at 10pm and did a countdown then so we could all get home and to bed.  it was perfect.  And they have both new year's day and the day after as bank holidays.  what a brilliant plan.  i write this in the gap between our made up new year and the proper kiwi new year at midnight.  which is 13 hours ahead of the UK.  so in total our 2009 lasted 13 hours less than all my other full calendar years)

anyway, my new year's (years'?) resolution is to sort out comments on the blog.  i fear i may need to take some drastic action.  but i aim to get it sorted in the next week or so.  (let's see how i get on with that !).

this time last year moving to New Zealand was just a teeny weeny thought in the back of our brains.  and now we're here.  aim high friends.  the world is your oyster.  go for it before it's all too late !  (and let me know how you get on.)

God bless.  funkypancake 09

it was a bit lanterny in china town yesterday

and thomas, sarah and kezia enjoyed being wrapped up as mummies

and breaking free.

and esther built this lovely hat.

you may remember we bought a playstation 1 from a car boot sale earlier in the year when we were on holiday with jane's sister's family and her parents.  since the same combination of people were back together we got it out again.



jane's dad was interested so joined the kids behind the sofa to have a go himself.

and of course, as soon as the kids were called away for tea, he and poochy (jane's mum) both settled down to master the shrek game

here is my jolly new years face to offset my misery of yesterday !