Wild windy weather and water everywhere.
The entrance gateway had so much water children had to go round the office block to reach the before school care room.
Ella went around while Jordan and Tessa waded through the deep water.
Tessa struggled with her umbrella.
No use at all, wind blowing at 150 km ph and hard rain pouring down!
My dear friend Jan gave a lovely bib to Bea.
I gave it to the parents and
She had to put it on straight away.
THANK YOU, AUNTY JAN!
The second term is gone.
Half year reports have been handed out.
Some are excited to come back next term.
Some don’t feel that good!
The last three weeks of the term in the Before School Class we tried our hands at making dogs using a toilet roll six egg holder cups and some string, cotton, wool or in this case some raffia.
Only one ended up the wall.
Hopefully, we will see more next term(children were very slow in finishing them off)
After six weeks away from home the girls had a lot of sleep to catch up on. It was summer in London and they came back to a cold and frosty New Zealand last Monday.
I visited the girls on Thursday. Beatrix was still sleeping and I did not see her.
Today I went for a cup of tea. Bea was her busy self. I could not take good photos of her because she kept on moving and watching my phone. The light wasn’t that good too.
Here she is!
One week and she will be 6 months!
With Daddy and Trompie
The staff of the school had a wonderful evening out on Saturday.
We went to an Azian cooking school.
Everything was ready for the cooking!
The session started 6:30 pm.
The instructor/tutor/chef demonstrated
what we had to do to make a perfect meal.
We first made spring rolls.
Then the main meal:
pork, lemon grass and chilli(which I did not use).
On the plate was a cup of rice and fresh lettuce.
It was very tasteful and delicious to eat.
I had been looking forward to the Conference and to visit Nelson in the South Island of NZ since last year. The week before I had to go, I became ill with bronchitis. I still wasn’t well on the Friday of our departure. It was cloudy and the weather report expected rain during the weekend.
I had a wonderful weekend. My good friend and I stayed in a motel about ten minutes walk from the Conference centre. We walked the Friday evening to register and a get -together to meet other members.
From the motel doorstep.
I did not attend the Saturday morning session because it was raining and I did not want to get wet.
The conference goers were taken into Nelson city by double decker bus. Nelson is known for its Saturday market.
My friend and I had a good lunch before the afternoon session.
The afternoon session was interesting.
We had a formal dinner Saturday evening.
Sunday was time for proposed remits and round off of Conference.
Sad to say that our return home did not go as we had planned. We missed our flight! Lucky for us we got two seats on a charter flight.
Goodbye Nelson
Hello Wellington!
We were glad to be back that afternoon.
GRATEFUL
I walked all day with the idea to tell how good it feels to mean something to a five-year-old girl.
Yesterday was my last, late afternoon, taking care of the last kids. I had been the manager of the Pre- and Post-school centre. I had to stay till six at night. Parents are supposed to be fined if they collect their children after six. Some stretch it up to the last minute.
Well, I had to wait till after six yesterday before this little girl was picked up by her grandmother. No explanation or apology.
Fortunately, I was in no hurry to go home. Violet, was worried why her mother did not come. I just explained that she probably had to work late.
Violet is a unique little girl. Stubborn as a donkey, outspoken and very curious, cheeky too, yet very brilliant because she is most of the time in her grandparents’ care.
All the other kids were gone by quarter past five yesterday. I, while waiting, played games on an iPad. The last two children had gone, and I stood up to see if the PlayStation was properly turned off. My iPad still on the table. When I turned my back, Violet slipped onto my chair, and I heard her playing on my iPad.
I said, “No, no, don’t play my game!”
She answered, “No, I ‘m playing another game.” (She quickly took another iPad and supposedly started playing) I turned around again, and she played mine again. I did just like her and blew up my cheeks and looked angry at her. (She thoroughly enjoyed my reaction) I went back to the table and said I want my seat back. She moved on to the next chair. We played my game because I supposedly could not play the game and she knew how. (What adults won’t give up to make the little ones happy.) We played for a while. Very excited Violets put one leg halfway on my lap. We enjoyed playing-she won the steps each time with a little help from me. In the end, she sat on my lap. Violet had forgotten that her mother had not turned up yet. Sy was very satisfied and happy.
This brings me to the real part of the story. Violet is a five-year-old girl, no father, the mother still very young. Her grandparents are doing their best to keep an eye on her. She feels uncertain of her circumstances. She has the cutest face, speaking blue eyes.
I feel so grateful and fortunate to be able to cherish this tiny girl. All she asks is a little bit of love and trust. She totally believes in me. She will, for example, come to me and tell me if something is wrong. How can adults hurt, harass or even kill a child like this? It’s so unfair.
Children are so fragile and vulnerable.
ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY
