Eats plants
Welcome 2023 and happy hogmanay! Yesterday was a crazily busy day. It started early with cake-baking for Elizabeth's birthday. She turned 13 and I finally got to hand over the ant colony which is thankfully still alive. She is still pondering a name for the Queen and her empire. I made a chocolate cake which… Continue reading Elizabeth’s 13th birthday and a Hogmanay ceilidh
It's Elizabeth's 13th birthday this week so we'll officially have two teenagers in the house soon. She's been asking for an ant colony for months and months now so we finally caved and that's what she's getting for her birthday. Expecting delays with the postal strikes and public holidays I ordered it last week but… Continue reading Ant colony
Ben has had covid this past week. He started feeling unwell on Friday night over a week ago. On Monday he took a lateral flow test and it was positive. He says he's felt achy, very tired, was a bit feverish and headachy for a couple of nights, and lost his appetite. He's much better… Continue reading Covid in the house, school camps, and Rocket the hamster
Elizabeth competed in her first highland dance competition at the Newtonhill Highland Festival. She did very well and came 3rd in the Highland Fling and 4th in the Lilt. Well done, Elizabeth! No photography was allowed at the competition so I couldn't photograph or film her there. She says she enjoyed it and may participate… Continue reading Highland dance competition
It's Hogmanay and Elizabeth's birthday today. The years tick by and although there are big global events - like the pandemic - we still go through all the same motions each year. Elizabeth is 12 and had a lovely celebration at home with two of her school friends. Elizabeth was such a cute little baby.… Continue reading Hogmanay and Elizabeth’s 12th birthday
We did something special for Elizabeth today to commemorate her finishing primary school and starting high school. She somehow missed both the beginning and the end of primary school and I know she was upset about missing the end. When we first moved to the UK in October 2014, year 1 primary school had begun… Continue reading High tea at the Fife Arms
We had Meatless Farm burgers for dinner last night. I've become a Meatless Farm convert: they're UK-based and much cheaper than the Beyond Burger but with similar ingredients. Both are made with pea protein. They taste delicious too and are good for a quick, easy meal when you don't feel like cooking. As part of… Continue reading Meatless Farm and Elizabeth’s biology poster
Elizabeth started taking Highland Dance classes about 2.5 years ago and I posted a little video of her prancing about our lounge room at that time. I found it on my blog - Going Native - recently and showed her. She was mortified by what she saw her younger self doing - "What on earth… Continue reading The Highland Fling
Elizabeth has applied to be on a Scratch game creator team at school. She completed the application form all by herself. We never even saw it until she'd filled it in and she's done a terrific job for a 10-year-old. I'd hire her! Filling in forms is not easy to do but it's an important… Continue reading Elizabeth’s application form
Elizabeth and I had an appointment this morning which I cycled to on Hoss. We were a little early and it was cold so I hopped inside Hoss with Elizabeth because it's cosy and warm in there. We took some photos. An adult can fit comfortably inside. My head did touch the roof but because… Continue reading Inside Hoss and guns
It has been a crazy busy week and the craziness is still going. Elizabeth has been performing in her Highland Dance show and we've had rehearsals and performances all week with the finale tonight. I helped backstage on two nights and it was really well organised. I'm so impressed with the dance school. The students… Continue reading Highland dance and TV rants
For several years now I've been working on a family tree at My Heritage. Recently I discovered another Elizabeth Martin on Ben's side of the family. Our Elizabeth's great-great-great-grandmother was also Elizabeth Martin (nee Frisken). She was born in Scotland and moved to New Zealand while our Elizabeth was born in New Zealand and moved… Continue reading Family history
It was parent-teacher interviews at school last night and I'm so proud of the kids. They're just amazing in every way. Elizabeth, according to her teacher, finishes her maths work in class then goes around from table to table helping other pupils with theirs. Her writing is also exemplary and she is spelling to the… Continue reading My kids are amazing and I was on TV!
Elizabeth (who is 8) and her friend have started a committee at lunchtime called The Plant Police. The aim of this committee - from what I understand - is to protect the plants in the playground from rampaging children. I know what you're thinking - she's my mini-me. I almost feel a bit bad: what… Continue reading The Plant Police
Elizabeth is 8 today and to celebrate her big day she's put together a list of activities for us to do: We found it interesting that she put "open presents" as one of the last things to do today. She has opened a couple of present already this morning but all the rest she's chosen… Continue reading Birthday activity list and happy Hogmanay!
I think Elizabeth has a secret admirer. Only I know who he is so he's not very secret. A friend of mine has a son in Elizabeth's class and my friend told me that her son recently mentioned that he has secret friends and Elizabeth is his secret friend. Then he added that when he's 18 and… Continue reading Elizabeth’s secret admirer and Animals Asia
Elizabeth drew a picture for the Queen and wants me to post it to her. We are not exactly Monarchists. In fact, I'm pretty apathetic about it all and couldn't care less whether Kate has had a haircut or wears high street clothing. If she ever cycles her kids around in a cargo bike then I'll take… Continue reading A letter for the Queen
I came across this old photo of Elizabeth and Ben, taken by Ben's mum just after Elizabeth had turned 2. It's such a great photo that I wanted to share it again. Elizabeth is wearing a washable nappy. I thought she was fully toilet trained by the time she was 2 but my memory must… Continue reading An old photo
Elizabeth is such a cutie. I got some good photos of her this week:The news this morning reports of a Mag. 5.2 earthquake in Victoria, Australia. That's pretty big for Aussie but reassuringly, it's the biggest earthquake to hit Victoria for over 109 years. I say reassuringly because although earthquakes happen everywhere, they are far… Continue reading Gorgeous Elizabeth and quakes
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