Long weekend

We have just come back from a long weekend - most of which was spent up at Omaha in very windy conditions. It was a great break with Anne and John treating us to sleep ins which I took full advantage of, and are now struggling to get back into the routine of the 6.30 wake-up. I dread to think of the first few weeks with baby.

Anne and John came over for dinner recently and Alexa was treated to one of Anne's special Tiki's - a gentle tickle over the back. Apparently Ethan used to love them and would lie there for ages, Alexa however is a wriggle bottom and can't keep still. She does love them and will often ask for a Tiki - but doesn't really get the full benefit due to her constant wriggling about.

The photo on the couch with Anne, John and Alexa is mid Tiki.

Alexa's language is rapidly improving. We are constantly surprised at what she comprehends. She understands the concepts of Big and Small - and can demonstrate a big and small hug. She has just started to learn about where, what, and has been heard to repeat what's that - a sure sign of things to come. She also loves music and singing. The girls at daycare have commented that she is often to be heard singing away during the day. She knows the words (most of them) to Baa Baa Black Sheep, Twinkle Twinkle, & Frere Jacque (Fr version of Are you sleeping). Her favourite song is the Bus song - which means the wheels on the bus go round and round and we have expanded the usual verses now to include many many more. Some of this is due to Aunty Helen's wonderful CD's of childrens songs. The ones I have learned and sing to Alexa she seems to pick up and is more likely to learn those than the ones I play on CD.

On Friday before long weekend Mum and Dad met us on their way north to Uncle Stuart's 60th (A brilliant party by the way, great to see the cousins, cousins children, aunts and uncles and Uncle John and Aunty Maureen). They had bought up a very special wedding gift from G'ma, Aunty Robyn, Uncle Richard and children - it is a large outdoor ceramic pot that has a square brim (as opposed to circular) and each side has wonderful scene painted on. Each scene is special to the Henderson's as it depicts - Pukerua Bach with the pine tree, Kapiti, the rocks & another Pukerua scene. It is truly awesome and will get pride of place in our garden. Attached is a photo of Alexa admiring it.

Also photo of David and Alexa trying out a borrowed bike - she prefers to be pushed than using her feet to propel her, wouldn't you!