The Curious Case of the Coconut Shell

Today, at kindy, I noticed Ashers bestest buddy carrying around a familiar object.

I sat down by the bestest bud's grandmother and we chatted for a while.

Bestest bud's grandma mentioned the object in bestest bud's hands.

"That's a birds nest," she said.

"I thought so."

"She got it from home."

"Oh, I thought it fell out of the kindy tree."

"Nope, she found it on the ground under our karaka tree. We think its a Tui nest."

"I love Tui birds!"

"Did you notice? It's made out of one half of a coconut shell?"

"Is it really? That is so clever! Most of the nest making work is already done. Clever Tuis!"

"Yeah, but now she wont put it down, those birds will be wondering where their home is."

"What I'm wondering, is how they managed to get that coconut shell up the tree in the first place...?"

"Clever Tuis indeed."

buns take two.

Mmmm.

1-4-25

At 1 year, 4 months and 25 days old, my tiny little son has finally taken his first steps.

I always joked to myself that I was sure he was walking around the house when we werent looking. He's been standing without support for months now, using furniture and walls to help get him around on his feet, but until now he'd not taken any steps...well, not that we saw.

I think he was actually waiting til there was a decent enough audience to watch him make his little four step journey from the middle of our living room to our couch. Thankfully my sister-in-law and her 5 kids were over visiting which made for louder cheering and applause than we three could ever have given him.

Anyway, he had a little walk around before I could get to my camera, but I got it in time to catch him on his way to pulling his sisters hair. I guess we'll have to work on making sure he doesn't use his feet just to be a nuisance. I dont fancy our chances...

Fairy bread.

Ok, so its not fairy bread as we know it, but a little fairy left some bread on my doorstep.

I've heard there was a fairy floating around dropping bread off on peoples doorsteps when they're not home, I guess it finally happened to us. Notice the bagels? Yes there are bagels too. If only I had cream cheese to go with 'em. Ha ha. Aaaaand, its all fresh!

So now we have so much bread that it wont all fit in our cupboard or freezer. I suppose we'll give some away and play fairy ourselves to unsuspecting neighbors. That should be fun. So thanks bread fairy, we love you!

scanning kiwi bloggers

So I've just had a flick through the blogspot list of kiwi bloggers and have discovered the following:

1. Kiwis love photography and poetry.
2. Dude bloggers love cars.
3. There's a substantial amount of blogging that comes out of Palmerston North.
4. And Hamilton.
5. And the Hutt City.
6. There are also a lot of bloggers aged 17.
7. It would take me a long time to read all 3,000 odd profiles, I only read three.
8. My own profile didnt show up as I flicked through. Interesting.

the Mother of all days (in a calendar year).

If you are a friend of mine on Facebook, and have read my latest status update, you will know that I was showered with chocolate and stuffed full with pancakes this morning. I was also given an extra hour to sleep in, alone, in our super king sized bed. It was glorious.

I'm sure I mentioned that I was given some artwork from my children. But this wasnt your run of the mill drawing on a piece of card. Oh no. What I loved most about my arty crafty gift was not just the scribbles made by my 17 month old son, nor the block letters reading "Happy mothers day Mummy" carefully written and colored in by my husband, but the fact that it was drawn onto a piece of stretched canvas in cheap $2 shop coloring in pencils. If thats not thinking outside the gift giving square, then I dont know what is. Loved it.

As I reflect on the almost 4 years I've been a mother, naturally I think of how fast the time has flown. The challenges I have faced and lessons I've learned during that time have taught me to let go of the little things, focus on whats important and be how I want my kids to be when they're older. Sure, it sounds easier said than done, but I've realized more than ever, if my kids cant rely on me when they need me most, then who will be there for them if not me?

So its thanks to the wonderful person who thought of celebrating mothers day. Its probably the one day in the year that makes me forget about the time I nearly lost it in the supermarket because Ash wouldn't get up off the ground unless she got that lolly on the shelf. I forgot about that time I went into the kitchen and found all the eggs smashed on the kitchen floor. And I most definitely forgot about that drawing I found on Ashers bedroom floor done in black vivid pen no less.

Ok, so I totally just remembered. But you know, it doesnt even matter. Instead I think more of the times Asher has run to me every time she's fallen over at the playground, and that time she cried when she knew I was sad. I remember the time my little boy grabbed hold of my leg when a stranger came to our doorstep. And I most definitely remember the time he first spoke the word "mama" (on purpose) and said I love you with his eyes. Today reminded me of how dear my little ones are and how lucky Eden and I are to be watching these tiny humans grow and learn and enjoy lives of their own.

Of course mine is the perspective of a mother with little children. And I'm sure that when they grow up to be teenagers that answer back and dont come home on time, I will readily send them to grandma's house so I can pull myself together. Ha ha. But seriously, hopefully when that time does come I will remember then like I cherish now, that I do and will always love my children and never forget how wonderful it is to have little people like mine in my life.

heaven in a baking dish.

Let's not talk about how I've been away for so long. Instead, lets focus on my new favorite dessert, pani popo. I mean, I've always loved me a good coconut bun here and there, but there is something about making your own, catching the smell of them as they come out the oven and dishing out a (not so) healthy serving of freshly baked doughy, coconut creamy, mouthwatering, gooey goodness that gets your heart jumping and your taste buds in a frenzy.

So here's how mine turned out yesterday:

Not bad for a first time. They are a winner in our house and I would make more if they didn't take so long to prepare. Still, they are totally worth the wait.