Today Grace had her first visit to the school dentist, which she has been looking forward to all week. Much to her dismay, her teeth were perfect, so it was all over in less than ten minutes.

Can't say I've ever had a dentist's appointment that lasted only ten minutes. Or that I was disappointed to leave. Or that was free!

What is the messiest, most sugar-laden treat the teller at your bank can give your almost-two year old?

And guess which pieces of this messy, delicious treat we are still pulling out of Charlie's hair, clothes, car seat, pram.....

 

Monkey see, monkey do!

After close to four weeks of daily badgering, today was FINALLY Grace's Trike-A-Thon, her Preschool's annual fundraising event. She was sponsored for entering by family and friends and proudly raised $70.00. Which she got very excited about until she realised that it wasn't actually hers to keep.... 

Thankfully, despite the very gloomy forecast, the rain held off for most of the two hour event, which began with the big ride.

Grace rode her beloved Spiderman bike, which we paid the grand sum of $15 for at the Cromwell dump-shop while we were staying at Bannockburn over Christmas. Grace entered herself in both age categories and zoomed around the course with the younger group. However, by the time her category started, she had run out of steam, so it was a much more relaxed ride that involved a drink stop and a quick cuddle from Mummy half way round. 

Then, with the riding over and done with, it was time for the jumping castle, balloon tiaras, sausage sandwiches, enough fairy floss to make a dentist swoon, pony rides, and generally as much fun as our wallets could handle.  

This afternoon we caught up with some of our favourite people, our groomsmen Chris and Aaron, their wives Praneeta and Sandra, and their gorgeous wee boys Samuel and Harley. This was special for many reasons - a new baby for Chris and Praneeta, all of us together again for the first time since our wedding almost five years ago, and seeing Aaron, Sandra and Harley safe following the Christchurch earthquake.

We all met in the beer garden at The Cook, a pub where the boys spent a great deal of time during their varsity years in Dunedin. I'm sure the venue choice seemed like a good idea at the time, but suddenly, their children surrounded by raucous versions of themselves ten years ago, it was deemed 'too rough' by the boys themselves. So it was over to the museum for coffee. How times have changed!

This afternoon Bern and Grace walked over to Moturata Island at low tide. At low tide the sand spit is exposed, allowing intrepid explorers a small window of opportunity to visit this little island just off Taieri Mouth.

 

Or, in Grace's case, even the less intrepid of explorers. Especially those who are scared the tide will suddenly come in and they will be forced to stay the night on the island. However, only the adventurous get to see beautiful seal pups. 

But even the adventurous sometimes forget the golden rule of seals and sea lions - NEVER get between them and the water. Which is exactly what happened with this fellow.

Resulting in Grace telling Mummy all about how the big seal started 'running' at her and Daddy, so Daddy picked her up, ran very fast and hid behind a rock. Hmm. Maybe not so intrepid after all.

I have spent the best part of a week baking and icing biscuits for Grace's Preschool to sell at their annual fair this coming Sunday. As a result, every spare surface in the house is covered with racks of drying iced biscuits. Just a tad tempting for little biscuit-lovers. Yesterday Charlie successfully swiped a butterfly. And look who helped herself to a ladybug for breakfast this morning. 

That biscuit took about an hour to make, bake and decorate. 

And only five minutes to demolish.