Casper Creations

Fireworks

2011-11-04T22:08:00.001+13:00

This is the first year we’ve bought fireworks for the girls, they always freak out with the noise. I bought a small pack that was more pretty than noisy. Turns out they weren’t ‘real’ fireworks because they didn’t make the right noise! Can’t win!

So, 2 hours after bedtime and they’re finally in bed, and hopefully sleeping!

Story Book Day

2011-08-18T19:45:00.001+12:00

Beautiful girls, Jas is Laura from Little House on the Prairie and Bella is Slinky Malinki.

My little kitty cat

Gorgeous costume from the lovely Katrina Lang

Year 2 girls telling the junior school who they are

Year 1 girls doing the same

After they’d finished with the junior school they filed down to the senior school and told them who they all were, and then proceeded down to the preschool. Next we were back into the classroom where all the kids retold their stories in their own words and explained why the chose the character they did. Bella did so well and spoke in a nice loud voice for everyone to hear. I wasn’t able to sit in on Jasmine’s speech

Bella ended up winning the best dressed award for her class!! She was so proud.

No snow, but we got hail

2011-08-16T21:14:00.004+12:00

Well, we didn't see any snow. It apparently did snow around here

Bella’s First Day of School

2011-08-05T20:52:00.001+12:00

Quick play before school

All ready to go, it was cold this morning

Sisterly love

We’re there, yay!

Lining up ready go in to class

Meeting her new classmates

She’s had an awesome week, has made friends and seems to love going every day. She’s surprised us all by totally taking it in her stride and found her big voice. I’m sure she’s going to flourish in this class

Jayne Cobb Hat

2011-06-29T08:05:00.001+12:00

Last year Jimmy asked me to make him a Jayne Cobb hat. Of course firstly I had no clue what he was on about because I don't watch Firefly and secondly I totally forgot so this year I felt awful that I hadn't done it :(

After coming home and finishing a shawl for a friend and the jumper I'd started for Jasmine I finally knitted Jimmy's hat!!

Mobile blogging

2011-01-13T12:25:00.001+13:00

Going have a go with mobile blogging now that I've found what looks to be a decent app for my phone. We'll soon find out LOL

Boxing Day 2010

2010-12-30T14:25:00.001+13:00

We had our big Christmas meal on Boxing Day due to my brother driving up from Wellington on Christmas Day. We opened presents on Christmas morning since the girls were aware of the date and really wanted to open everything :)

They spent the next 2 days helping Grandma plant things and water everything with their new gardening sets from Aunty Lisa and Uncle Murray.

We had an awesome few days staying with Mum & Dad and ate way too much!

The things our kids say

2010-08-21T15:27:00.002+12:00

Sam has been keeping a list of funny things the girls have said over the past few years. Decided I needed to make it public :D

Jaz:

Watching an ant crawling around, "oh, look! an ant!", jabs at ant with her finger, ant stops moving a little worse for wear, "oooh, ant sleeping"

Cuteiful (cute-e-ful)

Finds a curly sea shell. Looks at it and tells me 'look!.. like a snail's bum!'

Jaz sitting on the floor about to take scissors to a drawing made that morning at playcentre
Nic: Jas, don't cut your drawing sweety.
Jaz: I'm not, it's Bella's!

Jaz slipped in the bath and went under a little she popped out and goes, "I'm ok, but I doesn't want to do it again"

Is great granddad dead?
Yes sweety
We go get another one?

Jas just told me she wants some fruit, so I asked if she wanted and peach or a nectarine, she says chippies, I told her that's not a fruit, 'yeah it is!'

There's a train!
We're going to go on a train one day!
But we don't get squished, because Grandma will yell at Mummy...

Jaz: I'm being a little enormous

Mum: You can have icecream when the big hand on the clock gets to 12
Jaz: ok
Jaz: Mum, can I have the clock so I can turn the hands around? It's going too slow!

It's a very hot day. "The sun is VERY busy today!"

J: I want icecream
Sam: Is there something else you need to say?
J: and sprinkles too

Bella:

Big grin - I Gnaakey! (silent G)

Gaaa leelu leelu, Gaaa leelu leelu... (sung)

plinky hasta (sticking plaster)

Had a 'wee' accident on the bathroom floor, "Oh dear, the floor's all 'weesey'"

Calls me while in bed: "Daddy, I so tired...!", "Well, close your eyes and go to sleep then you won't be tired in the morning", "K"

B: Who's that?
D: That's Mr Rush (from the 'Mr' books)
B: (hehe) Mr Rush's got no bum...

When I die I'll go to Hamilton with God

smooshy / smooshed

I just want bikkies that are round with wiggly edges that have chocolate on both sides of them (toffee pops)

Bella: Mum I didn't stand in the kitty 'dammit'
Mum: umm I think you mean kitty 'vomit'

When the girls grow up...
Bella wants to be a school girl and sing twinkle twinkle for a job
Jas wants to fix stuff

Sunday at the park

2010-07-18T19:13:00.001+12:00

Decided today that since it was so nice outside we should take advantage of the weather. We had a look on Google Maps for a park that was near the water and somewhere we hadn’t been before.

We had a quick play on the playground, I even had a swing (an no, there are no photos :P). Then went for a wander around the estuary. Jas thought it was awesome and was running off infront of us and deciding which direction we went. We met 2 dogs along the way and a lovely cat that came for cuddles.

On the way home we stopped in at the bakery and got snacks, the girls had gingerbread men and we had a mince savoury and a sausage roll between us.

Might have to make this a regular thing

Butterfly Creek Trip

2010-03-16T11:35:00.001+13:00

St Andrews Preschool went on a trip to Butterfly Creek :) Bella thought it was awesome that she got to go on a bus for the first time.

53 preschoolers on the bus, the poor driver!

The fish

And the butterflies…

And the baby aligators

We had lunch and then headed around to the farm, I spent most of the time wrangling Bella and her buddy so didn’t get a lot of shots

Singing on the way home :)

Big School Girl!

2010-02-03T17:02:00.001+13:00

Jas started school today!!!! I was so proud of her, she was happy to be there and had a great day. Teacher said she has to learn to concentrate and follow instructions… ummm yeah, I coulda told you that LOL

Play Food

2009-11-27T15:27:00.001+13:00

I’ve been meaning to make the girls some play food for ages, finally bought some felt the other day at Spotlight and had a go at making some sandwich food for them… it’s a start :)

Card for Daddy

2009-10-20T13:34:00.002+13:00

Jas made a card for Daddy's birthday as well, she asked me to post it here so that Grandma could see it too.

Dinosaur

2009-10-20T13:28:00.001+13:00

Jasmine brought me a picture this afternoon so thought I'd share. He's got soap in his hand and sharp teeth.

Special Treat

2009-10-19T15:49:00.001+13:00

The girls had been really good and had dry beds all week so they were allowed a special treat… they chose a plane ride at Sylvia Park :) They had a ball!!

Out came the sun!

2009-09-10T14:21:00.001+12:00

It was a great day at Playcentre on Tuesday, the sun was out and all the kids made the most of it. Jasmine’s worm “it’s my very best friend” And giving her worm a bath because he was dirty, I didn’t have the heart to tell her she probably killed it :(

Bella’s first day at Preschool without Mummy!

2009-09-04T18:29:00.001+12:00

Bella seemed to be in a good mood this morning when I took the girls to preschool, so after about 10 minutes she was busy drawing and chatting away. I told her I was going to do the shopping and she seemed happy enough for me to leave so I figured it was a good sign and left before she changed her mind.

I managed to do the grocery shopping and housework and went to pick the girls up a little early (I like to be there for the story at the end). This is the little girl who greeted me when I arrived!! My happy outgoing Bella :O She didn’t even get off the bike, just waved and carried on.

And then at mat time she actually sat down next to other kids and didn’t freak out!

I’m so proud of my little girl! The teachers said she had a good day and started to come out of her shell about an hour after she got there so that was good. I feel so much better about sending her knowing that she coped fine :)

Cake number 2

2009-08-25T13:54:00.001+12:00

For Bella’s Playcentre cake she asked for a blue triangle cake, then yesterday she also announced that she wanted an elephant on top LOL. So a quick google and a couple of youtube videos later I made a fondant elephant for her cake.

And after hearing about Kashin the elephant having to be euthanised yesterday it’s a nice tribute to her too.

The cake went down well today, the kids thought it was great to have cake!

Tiger Cake!!

2009-08-22T20:21:00.001+12:00

And the final result :D

Nap Time

2009-08-21T21:52:00.001+12:00

Jas decided everyone needed naps, so made her toys and her sister lie on the coffee table with blankets LOL

Baking Bella’s birthday cake…

2009-08-21T14:59:00.001+12:00

We had a fun time this afternoon baking Bella’s birthday cake for her party on Sunday. I’ll update later when it’s cooked and cooled and I’ve done the icing.

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Trail of Toys

2009-08-17T18:37:00.001+12:00

This is what my children do for fun :P I wondered what they were up to so popped my head around the corner and there was a collection of toys lined up.

Half Each

2009-08-06T10:26:00.001+12:00

We can all both share

Grandma’s Bus

2009-07-28T14:21:00.001+12:00

Jas started drawing a bus on her blackboard, in the windows are her, Bella, Izzy, and Emily :)

Bella the mermaid

2009-07-10T21:08:00.001+12:00

We went to my friend Leah’s house today so the girls could play and they instantly went for the princess dress ups, Bella was being Ariel the mermaid. Leah also has this cool feature on her camera that takes multiple pictures and puts them together so of course I had to have a play!

Cave Drawings

2009-07-07T14:13:00.001+12:00

While Sam was doing the dishes Jas decided to do some cave drawings (in chalk on the carpet). From left to right is Aunty Lisa, Jasmine standing on a chair and Bella.

Sock Pattern

2009-07-06T22:27:00.002+12:00

A friend of mine has just published a new sock pattern on her blog, it's very very cool! And I'm trying to win some of her scrummy wool to knit myself a pair ;)

http://shortly24.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/a-new-sock-pattern-jimmy/

Loooooong Hair

2009-07-03T13:24:00.001+12:00

4 year olds shouldn’t have hair this long!! I threatened to cut it off again this morning when she wouldn’t sit still while I was trying to tie it up, she wasn’t very keen LOL

Day at the Zoo

2009-06-22T16:47:00.001+12:00

We managed to get there in time to feed the giraffes :D

Jas loved the elephant statue

And a bit of fun for the girls at the end :)

And with their ears from the gift shop on the way out :D

Obsession?

2009-06-10T19:20:00.001+12:00

Jas seems to have an obsession with the washing basket, she even wants to go to bed with it :)

Cheeeeeese

2009-06-04T15:25:00.001+12:00

Girls were being all cute this afternoon so I took the opportunity to get a few pics of them together, this has to be my fav!

Frosty Morning

2009-06-04T10:35:00.001+12:00

10.30am and it’s still freezing outside! So glad we’re not going anywhere this morning :)

Aunty Kaye reading stories

2009-05-10T18:50:00.001+12:00

The Ficklings came up to our place today for family lunch/Mothers’ Day. Aunty Kaye sat down and read the girls a story, was very cute!

Baking with the girls

2009-05-04T12:55:00.003+12:00

Jas has been asking to help me bake for ages, I finally found some motivation today to do some baking, we made mini cupcakes with white chocolate icing and sprinkles. They’re delicious!!! Both girls had a go at stirring and they helped clean up by licking the spoons and bowls :D

Fun at Grandma’s

2009-04-26T19:24:00.001+12:00

Every time we go to visit Grandma & Granddad we go up to the local school, and play at the playground, the girls love it!

Kitty

2009-04-24T21:15:00.000+12:00

This was her first cat :) She normally draws people. I helped her with the spelling

Quick stop at the park

2009-03-30T15:25:00.002+13:00

I had to post a letter the other day and figured since it was such a nice day we'd walk up to the post box, next time I'll check the time (it was end of school time).

On the way back we stopped off at the 'park' unfortunately there isn't a lot to do at the park so they got bored fairly quickly :( But got a couple of nice pics...

Princesses

2009-03-26T18:33:00.000+13:00

Jazzy and her friend Izzy dressing up, they're so cute!

Bella singing

2009-03-24T18:08:00.001+13:00

Princesses

2009-03-24T13:57:00.000+13:00

My beautiful princesses :D

And Bella rides too!

2009-03-22T14:49:00.000+13:00

She was pretty keen to go on the horse, I didn't think she'd stay on the whole way but she did and was still smiling at the end of it all :)

She loved this lamb, followed it around the little farm the whole time

Lucky the lamb liked cuddles

Jas rides a horse!

2009-03-22T14:33:00.000+13:00

There was an open day at our complex this weekend, the favourite was the farm, closely followed by balloon animals, icecream, sausages, and a fairy. Both girls had a blast!

She had so much fun riding on the pony!! My battery died just after this shot so had to get photos of Bella on the horse (yes Bella had a ride too.... on her own!) on my phone, they'll be up here soon.

A year at Playcentre

2009-03-18T18:36:00.000+13:00

When we first started...

And now...

I can't seem to get them out of the costumes this year... but OMG they've grown, and are so much more adventurous :D

Finished!

2009-03-16T14:28:00.003+13:00

So here's the final result, from Roving to Yarn, it's now in a hank of 337m and 160g and I'm very impressed with the result :D

And the dry version

2009-03-05T14:28:00.000+13:00

Pretty roving

2009-03-04T13:49:00.001+13:00

I bought some plain white polwarth roving the other day with the plan to dye it, got some motivation this afternoon and this is the result. It's currently drying :)

Fun at Playcentre

2009-02-17T14:17:00.000+13:00

Bella Bear

Jazzy Monkey

Wool!!!

2009-01-31T13:12:00.000+13:00

I made wool :D

My new toy

2009-01-29T16:05:00.000+13:00

Please excuse the chaos in the background :P

No idea if it's any good but I reckon it's good for my first real try :D It can only get better anyway!

Fun at Grandma's

2009-01-29T15:56:00.000+13:00

This is what the girls get up to at Grandma's, much more fun than the boring toys at home!

Rose of Sharon Hat

2009-01-04T15:50:00.000+13:00

Finished this one today :) Only took me 2 days to do, it's such an easy pattern once you get into it. I'll have to do one for Jas next but she'll need the next size up, I don't think my gauge was quite right with this yarn.

2009

2009-01-01T20:44:00.003+13:00

Well, it's a new year and it WILL be a good one! After a long and difficult 2008 I'm pleased it's over and we get to start all over again. I have so much I want to do this year, including some stuff for me for a change. I have to learn not to over extend myself and do what's best for my family. My major goal for this year is to lose my baby fat, and hopefully get close to my pre baby weight. I'd also like to get out with the girls more and go to the park and just have fun with them, Jas will be off to school in a year and I want to make the most of having her around.

OK, better get back to my knitting, I'm not far off finishing a dress for Bella :)

Off to school we go...

2008-12-30T15:44:00.000+13:00

Grandma took the girls up to the school next door for a play, they had so much fun on the big slide!

Christmas Day 2008

2008-12-30T15:31:00.000+13:00

Christmas morning after opening the presents :) The outfits were Secret Santa gifts from the lovely LaraB from TNN

My Childhood home

2008-12-09T12:29:00.002+13:00

I was looking on Google Maps last night and found the house I grew up in, hasn't changed much, and still feels like home.

View Larger Map

Dear Daddy...

2008-12-08T18:49:00.000+13:00

This is what happens when you leave Bella to eat her breakfast unattended.

and we wonder why the couch is filthy :P

More party pics

2008-11-25T20:57:00.000+13:00

Stuffing their faces LOL

Party Pics

2008-11-25T20:52:00.000+13:00

The girls at their friend Nirvana's 1st birthday in the weekend

Dancing

2008-11-21T16:31:00.000+13:00

Bella dancing to Wheels on the Bus, while wearing mummy's boots

Nirvana's cake

2008-11-21T15:57:00.000+13:00

Another butterfly cake, this time for Nirvana's first birthday, covered in sparkly sprinkles and outlined with marshmallow hearts

Latest WIP

2008-11-16T22:19:00.003+13:00

Since I'd finished Nirvana's top I decided to cast on something for Bella tonight, I'm doing this in a yarn I found at Spotlight a while back that's 50/50 soy and cotton. It's gorgeously smooth and nice to knit with, a similar colour to the one in the picture but slightly more blue.

I wish I'd started this afternoon as now it's 10.30 and time for me to get myself to bed :(

Family Photo

2008-11-13T18:16:00.000+13:00

First one ever I think :) Not a great one of me, the joys of hayfever :P

House hunting again

2008-11-09T16:07:00.002+13:00

After our perfect house fell through we've had to start looking for a new place to move to. We didn't want to continue the lease we have here so had to ask for an extension so we could move into the perfect one, now we only have until the end of the month to find somewhere else to move to :(

We're off to view the inside of a place tomorrow, nice area, outside looks nice, not far from the motorway and shopping centre.

Well, better get back to packing up this place...

Cinderella

2008-10-11T11:17:00.000+13:00

I went out to the Playcentre AGM last night, it was a cocktail evening and we all had to dress up. As I was getting dressed Jas kept saying 'oh look Mummy, you're Cinderella!' and 'where's your crown Cinderella?'

It was a great night, we had lovely cocktails and awesome food, the fresh made sushi was the best I've ever had!

I'm also now holding 2 minor positions within the Playcentre :)

All packaged up...

2008-10-11T11:07:00.000+13:00

... and ready to go!

Garage cleanup

2008-10-11T11:04:00.000+13:00

Daddy and the girls cleaning up the garage :)

And since we haven't seen this one for a while

2008-10-01T20:51:00.000+13:00

I seem to have a lot more photos of Bella on the blog lately, thought I'd better add one of Jas too so she's not left out :D

My little cutie pie

2008-10-01T12:33:00.000+13:00

And....

2008-09-15T19:28:00.000+12:00

Cinderella

She's smaller than Snow White so probably a little younger. They seem to be getting on well so far. And the girls just love spending time watching them run around.

Introducing....

2008-09-15T10:55:00.000+12:00

Snow White! Our newest addition. Still looking for a friend for her, there was only one female left at the petshop in the weekend

Bella's 2nd Birthday Party

2008-08-31T16:17:00.001+12:00

The cake

Munching out on purplos with Nan

What do I do with this?

Oh, I blow it out :)

Presents!

2008-08-26T17:11:00.000+12:00

We were lucky enough to be part of a 'Secret Santa' recently as part of an online forum. This morning I was greeted at the door by these gifts for the girls! I only photographed one gift as the girls got almost identical gifts (saves on arguments!). I have no idea who sent this but I'm blown away, it's just perfect for my girls :D They're going to love baking with mummy in their aprons and stuff :D

Thank you Santa!!!!

Mmmmmmm

2008-08-25T15:07:00.000+12:00

Cupcakes for Playcentre tomorrow!!! They look so yummy, I just wanna eat them now!

Happy Birthday Bella

2008-08-25T09:39:00.004+12:00

Happy Birthday my Bella Bear

I can't believe my baby is 2 already!!! I don't know where the time has gone :( She's turning into a beautiful, caring little girl. She's starting to come out of her shell and not be so shy around new people :)

We're going to have a nice quiet day at home and make cup cakes for Playcentre tomorrow.

'Tails'

2008-08-25T09:27:00.000+12:00

Bella with her piggy tails :)

Hard work

2008-08-24T16:28:00.000+12:00

Computing is very hard work Mum!

I wondered why I hadn't heard from her in a while so went to check on her in the playroom, she was fast asleep, poor little mite.

More hand dyed wool

2008-07-21T20:51:00.000+12:00

This was dyed with icing gel dyes again. I made these for one of Sam's workmates who is off on maternity leave soon. I'm so pleased with how they turned out and apparently she loves them too :D

Finally knitted up

2008-07-03T14:56:00.000+12:00

And the results from the hand dyed wool... Gabes Earflap Hat pattern with crochet picot edge and plaited ties. I tried to get a photo on Bella but she wouldn't keep it on long enough :(

Busy day of computing

2008-06-29T16:46:00.001+12:00

After a long day of playing on the computer, even V can't keep you awake!

Hand Dyed Wool

2008-06-08T15:56:00.000+12:00

Thanks to the lovely Flea I got this wool dyed on Friday, we used cake gel dyes and had an awesome afternoon doing lots of dyeing and eating and watching the girls have an awesome time playing together. I'm thinking the wool will be turned into beanies for the girls.

Exercise

2008-06-01T19:53:00.000+12:00

This is how Daddy gets exercise in our house. The girls love rides from Daddy.

Bella's hat

2008-06-01T19:52:00.000+12:00

Big thanks to Jacquie for the new hat for Bella :)

Jazzy Pants

2008-05-10T21:40:00.000+12:00

New PJs

2008-05-05T15:08:00.000+12:00

Jasmine needed some new pjs as her old ones were getting a bit small and she only had one pair that fit, took me most of the morning but it was worth it :)

Jasmine's Pet Broccoli

2008-05-05T15:05:00.000+12:00

This broccoli went everywhere with her until we left it at coffee group one day :( What more could you want, a pet and a snack all in one!

Talcum Powder :S

2008-05-05T15:02:00.000+12:00

Never leave talcum powder in reach of children!!

Real Nappy Week

2008-04-19T17:59:00.003+12:00

To begin Real Nappy Week 2008 The Nappy Network ran a nappy expo. I was a volunteer and it went really well. Lots of WAHMs (Work At Home Mums) and nappy related companies there and the demo kit was there for everyone to have a play with lots of different styles.

I got to catch up with lots of TNNers that I've never met/haven't seen in ages so that was fun too :)

Stitch Markers V3

2008-04-10T22:39:00.000+12:00

I found these awesome little beads at Spotlight!! They're ultra light and very cute so I'm going to see how they sell on TM. Also trying to see where else I could sell them.

Stitch Markers

2008-04-02T13:55:00.003+13:00

I'm going to have to start making stitch markers for sale again, I need to save up some money for my Knit Picks Options set. Tomorrow's shopping trip will have to include a quick trip into spotlight for supplies as I'm running out of rings and head pins and some beads.

Jasmine vs Swing

2008-03-31T13:15:00.000+13:00

Jasmine's black eye after walking in front of a swing while we were playing at a friend's house. It got slightly worse the next day but started clearing up after that. You can still see where the swing hit but there's no bruising anymore, she may keep the scar but it's not big so shouldn't be too noticable.

Bella Shrug

2008-03-13T17:54:00.002+13:00

My current knitting project is this, I'm making it for Bella in a lovely shade of pink, it's a bit darker than the pink in the picture. I'm about half way through it at the moment, want to get it finished before Easter but I'm not holding my breath, I need a new needle to get it finished.

Knickers!

2008-03-13T17:40:00.002+13:00

Jas is now a big girl and in knickers during the day :) She decided all on her own that she wanted to use the potty and once she'd done her thing it was all over, no more nappies!!! We've had the odd accident but nothing major. Still in night nappies but we've had one dry night so far and she's happy to sit on the potty in the morning so I'm guessing nights won't be far away either.

2008-03-10T14:03:00.000+13:00

Oh, a camera...

Smile!!!

Pantry kids

2008-02-13T15:26:00.000+13:00

Hanging out in the pantry

My little cutie!

2008-01-16T21:26:00.000+13:00

Bella at the park with Grandma & Grandad

Daddy Daughter Time

2008-01-06T21:17:00.000+13:00

Horsey rides with Daddy. The girls beg him every day for horsey rides and get very upset when he collapses with exhaustion :)

2008-01-03T08:40:00.000+13:00

I've been busy lately with sewing and embroidering and knitting and computering :)

This is the latest game I've found to distract me :P

Virtual human development game

www.human-age.com

How many noodles can a 1 year old fit in her mouth?

2007-09-25T17:51:00.000+12:00

Latest longies

2007-08-26T20:10:00.000+12:00

Did these up in about 5 days, it's some cheap wool from Kmart but I love the way it knitted up. The pattern is LTK Picky Pants with encased elastic waistband and ruffle legs, she looks so cute in them!!

Creating the cake for Bella's birthday

2007-08-24T14:17:00.000+12:00