We got back from the UK last Thursday night, and headed straight into some bitingly cold weather. Since winter here is a quieter time for weddings, I hope to be able to devote more time to blogging and other neglected activities. Not least because I have a terrible memory and love being able to look back at my blog over the last years to see what I've been up to.
It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster travelling from my current home in NZ, back to the UK to see family and friends, and then leaving them all again to come back and see Steven, who missed his wife and son loads (I'm told). I hate saying goodbye, and tend to keep it very short and casual. Anything else and I'd be a sobbing wreck. Once again, Elmer was amazing - maybe it's his age, but he finds travelling so exciting, and was dying to see his daddy again. Unfortunately he was fast asleep for the big reunion, but when he woke up (in the car on the way home) a big smile grew slowly on his face when he realised he was back, and he reached out for my hand and whispered "Daddy".
Here are some highlights of Elmer's stay in the UK this year:
Elmer's fallen in love with a few new friends this year, and has discovered a hidden passion for worms (of the common garden variety). He's such a beautiful, gentle boy, I'm lucky I can haul him around the world and get away with it.
More blogging to come, including the current state of the house build, and a wedding I shot last Friday in Dunedin (stunning)...
The plane trip went pretty well, considering we had a 32 hour trip door to door and not a great deal of opportunity for unbroken sleep. It would have been virtually impossible without a laptop full of movies and a lifetime's supply of chocolate buttons. Despite being exhausted off the plane, Elmer's face broke into a beautiful smile as soon as he saw his Grandma and Grandad at the gate in Heathrow, and they have been in-separable since. He loves his Auntie Roisin, and has also caught up with Uncle Aidan and Auntie Katie, spending an afternoon playing in the woods nearby.
Back soon for some more...
What a sweetie. I absolutely love the shot of him near the carpark in his yellow gumboots looking back at the camera. The look on his face is priceless.
By the way, our wedding is on stuff's wedding of the week this week (11th - 17th May). I've received great comments about the photos.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/weddings/weddings-of-the-week/6889884/Introducing-Jade-and-Paul
Thanks Jade! Had a look at the site, thanks for all the lovely comments, looks great :)
(05.18.12 @ 09:26 PM)Loving your photos as always Sinead though you are distracting me from my studies, shame on you! :o)
(06.18.12 @ 01:52 PM)The images below show Elmer eating an Easter egg, spending some time by the water at Purakanui, visiting our neighbours for an Easter egg hunt (and spying some teeny piglets through the fence), enjoying some man-time in the garden (hands over ears when his Dad uses a power tool on the house), napping on the sofa, and hanging in his toy spot.
Personally I think he's the cutest two year old around, but I only say that on the blog, not to anyone's face (especially if they also have a two year old).
Well done Elmer for finding at least one egg, with all those big guys ahead of you! M x
(04.14.12 @ 11:22 PM)The roof is on. The house is wrapped in building paper (almost ready for plastering):
The windows are all in (that was a job and a half - at least for someone who isn't a builder)..
The internal walls are almost finished (there aren't many, it's mostly open plan), and the wiring is done:
Elmer's room (full of floorboards. Or it may be ceiling boards):
Looks almost finished doesn't it? (hee hee).
SOOOO, the plan is, I am here in NZ for another month, and then me and Elmer are heading back to the UK for two months (inbetween weddings). Without the distractions of such a good looking pair, Steven will power on with the house, and when I return all that will be left to do will be arranging scatter cushions and lighting a few mood candles.
Hopefully. But maybe not, since the house has taken a LITTLE bit longer than expected...
WOW!!! The house looks amazing!!! It's basically finished!!! I'd be moving in already! x
(03.31.12 @ 09:59 PM)And we can buy the scatter cushion covers in Cardiff! Great to have the wiring done. M x
(04.01.12 @ 02:46 AM)I know, almost done! I'm the most impatient person on the planet so the waiting is very hard. Tempting to move in if it weren't for the huge gaping gap at the front of the house!
Hi Sinead, your house is looking fantastic. We are just about to start renovating our 90 year old cottage and I just wondered if you would share with me who did your window joinery? It is exactly what I'm looking for ... cheers Di
(04.01.12 @ 05:22 PM)Hi Sinead, your house is looking fantastic. We are just about to start renovating our 90 year old cottage and I just wondered if you would share with me who did your window joinery? It is exactly what I'm looking for ... cheers Di
(04.01.12 @ 09:35 PM)Hi D Reddy. On our way back from the UK we stopped off in India. I'd been a few times before and had found an area that specialised in joinery and furniture. That's where the windows, doors, kitchen and furniture all came from. The windows are made from Teak, (as is everything listed above except for some of the furniture). I figured if it was the only surviving wood left on the Titanic then it should last a few Dunedin winters.
(04.02.12 @ 11:05 PM)Tres bien! Marvellous. Looking forward to the next update...
Oer! Does this mean with Sinead being in Blighty for the next two months that we are not going to GET an update for 3 months? Steven, you better start getting click-happy and posting on your lovely wife's blog!
John
Elmer said goodbye to his Grandma and Grandad two weeks ago, as they left New Zealand headed for the UK. Considering he absolutely adores them, I was dreading the goodbye. But when the time came, he was fine. He said 'bye bye!' and I explained Grandma and Grandad were going home on a big plane. He asked for Grandma that night and I told him the same thing. Then nothing for three days. Until we were in the museum last week and Elmer was looking at an exhibit, when suddenly he turned around and shouted "Da Da!!" (Grandad) in a big loud voice. "Where is he?" he said, looking around. I had to explain again that Grandma and Grandad went home on a big plane. It was like he suddenly realised they'd gone.
I don't know how a two year old brain works, but I'm glad he's more robust than I am!
Phew, a blog post done! I will endeavour to get on here more often. An Ohau wedding coming up too!
Was it the mummy reminded Elmer of Grandad?? We're not made of such strong stuff and miss him every day. Lovely beach photos. Glad you made it Sinead.
M x
Was it the mummy that reminded Elmer of Grandad?? We're not made of such strong stuff and miss him every day. Love the beach photos. Glad you made it Sinead.
M x
Yaye!!! Elmer is looking so much older?? Traveling matured him? Looking forward to hearing/seeing the HOUSE! x
(07.03.12 @ 10:32 PM)So Leo is officially the cutest baby boy in the world but I must say Elmer comes a very close second. Must be something do with October 2nd.... :)
(07.03.12 @ 10:37 PM)