Raranga - Maori Weaving

Over the last 3 terms, I've been doing a night course in flax weaving. I've quite enjoyed it as a creative outlet and a way of connecting with my culture. I'm not going to do the class next term, but hopefully I'll keep it up and try keep improving as there is a lot more I can do.
Anyways just thought I would share with you some of my work... These are some things I have done so far, they are in order too so hopefully you will see some improvement :)




My class and some of our work

Boy fun

We had the boys from next door come over on their new go cart. They saw our table soccer game in the garage, Dean got it out so they could play it. Nathan was right into it too, and wouldn't let his dad try and help him. As you can see it needs some legs but the boys were happy enough on the ground.

Sandpit

My herb garden wasn't looking too hot so I turned it into a sandpit for Nathan, he needed something to cheer him up after a rough week of grizzling from his sore ears. I only had a bucket full of sand to put in, Mt Maunganui sand, only the best!! But it was enough for him to get everywhere and have some fun.

Yo mum! Thanks for the sandpit ;)
Bikkie break

Bob the builder

We had our Brisbane friend Hal visit us after his snowboard trip down south. Nathan was quite sick with an ear infection and very bad cold, so was not very friendly to start with. He did warm up after a while and here he is building a tower with Hal. He even got a good giggle going while busting it all down (his favourite part)...

So much for the snow

We had a snow trip planned for the weekend but didn't make it, the man at the snow shop said it wouldn't be good for the kids with strong cold winds predicted. Bummer!! Well since we were all geared up to go somewhere we headed off to the Mount where Dean had a good 'boy fun' filled weekend, with fishing and corporate box viewing of the Bay vs North Harbour game on Saturday and golf on Sunday. Mum, Reid, Nathan and I went out for breakfast on Sat, and just hung out in the sun wondering if it was really that chilly at the snow???? Oh well hopefully we make it sometime this year. On our way home on Sunday we called into the Hilliards for a lovely Sunday roast where Nathan finally caught up with his cousin who he hasn't seen for nearly 2 weeks, that's a long time for them. While Ayla was in Fiji he would walk around with her photo at his nana's house and give it a kiss. SO cute.

Wet Weekend

Hey Ya'll
Well what a horrible weekend weather wise. We didn't to anything too exciting, got out and about Saturday morning, parted with a few $1's at the Salvation army clothes sale, went to look for some wet weather gear for Nathan as we're going to the snow next weekend. Lunch was a hot chip picnic on the lounge floor followed by a viewing of Toy Story 2.
Sunday started with Nathan and I going to church, where he slept on my lap the whole service. We got home and I dyed some flax for my next project for class tonight. Trying to sus out the dyeing process still, but I got some cool shades of blue going. I thought I'd post some pics of what I've done so far soon, keep an eye out.

Nathan and his Daddy

Those Hilliard genes are strong!!





At Soljan's Cafe.. In the kids playhouse and Nathan chillin after his 'fluffy'

Thanks for your opinions

Looks like 'Moments in Motion' is in the lead. I'll let ya'll know what I end up with and when I'm up and running, still got a bit of behind the scenes setting up stuff to do before I kick it off. I want to be organised and confident I've got it all covered before I do.
Thanks for your votes and comments :)

Your Opinion Please

I am looking to create a business, just a small one, working from home. I need to think of a business name and would appreciate your opinions or ideas. Here is a description of what I want to do which will help you to vote which would suit it best. Feel free to offer other suggestions in the comments box too. I have thought of a couple of others but they have already been taken.

The purpose of my business is to capture digital photos or video to create fun, emotive and lasting memories by bringing them to life on DVD. This way images and video footage will be easily accessible rather than being stuck on tapes or computers. Photos will be bought to life with fun or classic style transitions, captions and music. Videos will be edited with titles, captions and music. The DVD’s can then be given as gifts for children’s milestone, 1st and 5th birthdays, Adult’s milestone 21st , 50th, 60th or 100th birthdays. They can be a tasteful and happy way to celebrate the life of loved ones at funerals and memorials. They can be shown at wedding receptions to celebrate the joining of two lives, or to capture the day itself. You could also purchase this service for work functions, farewells or to capture any happy event or holiday.

Holiday Part 2

More pics from our holiday up north...










Little monkeys at play

Holiday part 1

Last week we went up north to Coopers Beach for the 2nd week of the school holidays. Dean's parents have a holiday house up there. It was a full house with the two bubs, Nathan and Ayla, their big cuzzie Alicia their Uncle Eddie and Nana. We had lots of fun. Lisa and I also had lots of opportunities to read our books while Nana, uncle and cuzzie Alicia doted on the kids.



At Aunty Lil's farm in Kaitaia

Ayla and Suzie


The cuzzies



At Coopers beach on the way home from Kaitaia. The rock in the background was where we got our daily feed of mussels, not huge but decent sized and yum yum yum!

Nathan's new Danish/Kiwi/Aussie friend

Last night we had Michelle and little Emma our friends from Brisbane stay the night on a short stop over. It was great to meet Emma, Nathan was very impressed with the little blond, except when she wanted to play with his toys... Sharing is not his forte

Ol mate Ron

This is my grooming routine... A good ol teeth brush, wet the wild morning birdnest down so my beautiful curls appear, and a smile to top it off


Nathan has started feeding himself, which means most times the spoon makes it and the other times... well see for yourself


Nathans new mate Ron. We stopped at McDonalds Bombay on the way home from the Mount, it was a great way for him to let out some energy in the playground, before getting back in the car. Poor kid, his mum makes him get the apple slices instead of fries and a juice or water instead of coke... What a killjoy!

Look out Mighty All Blacks

Here is a haka to rival the All Blacks. Check it out in our Videos---->

Winter

And in the blue corner, we have Nathan in the blue bear gown! He's ready to take on the winter chill... Let's get ready to rumble!!!

Netball

Tuesdays we play indoor netball. It's very handy as the kids get to play in Jumping Jacks which is in the court next door, well sometimes it's handy, other times the kids see us and have a good ol cry wanting our attention. A good morning out though, getting some much needed exercise.

Rugby

With all this soccer bombarding our tv, we thought we better stay true to the kiwi roots and went and watched some Rugby. Troy's team Kumeu were playing Silverdale, so we went up to watch.

Look out Beckham

Check out our new video of the little man playing soccer in the park next door. He's been getting up in the mornings to watch the world cup with his dad.
(put the sound on too)

I see Red, I see Red, I see Red

Happy 30th Birthday Tal's!!

Nate Pics

Today we looked after Patrick. He and Nathan went to the park and got lots of mud all over them, luck his mum packed some spare clothes. We got home to see Ayla was over to visit. Here they are having lunch.


Cheeky Monkey



Here's Nathan playing soccor in the reserve next door. There is nothing he loves more than being outside and playing with a ball.

Ayla turned 1

Last weekend we had Ayla's first birthday. The kids had a great time and far to many lollies :-) Nathan and Ayla cruised around looking very cool in their chinese outfits that Troy bought back from China.

Evolution of Dance

I know you all have pulled out some of these moves at some stage in your life, I know I still like to pull out the running man in my lounge every now and again

Make sure you have your sound on...

10 Things in my bookcase

Ok inspired by me ol mate Caleb's blog in which he listed 10 things on his work desk, but was inspired by peoples bookcases, I thought I would share with you our bookcase and 10 things on it...



1. A painting turned backwards and taped to bookcase, this is to stop Nathan from pulling all the books off the bottom few shelves. It is the very latest technology in baby guarding products, and such a great look I know.
2. A box of Mr Men books
3. A video tape of my intermediate school cultural festival
4. A bag of jigsaw puzzle pieces
5. An SLR camera
6. A 60 pack of writeable dvd's
7. A glass globe on a gold stand
8. A loony tunes case full of photos
9. Dean's dux of his computer course award (he's a clever cookie my dean)
10. Types of books include: Maori, Christian, John Grisham and other fiction, Baby info, Computer

DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE??!!

Umm, not I have not started working for a company and want to sign you up. Just wondering actually. Isn't insurance a funny thing. At this stage we have House, Contents, Car and Life. We pay this money to these companies 'JUST IN CASE' kinda sucks really but has to be done in a way. Be kinda stink if you didn't have it and your house burned down wouldn't it. Anyway why did i get onto this topic?? Well coz we took some pics of our 'contents' for record purposes and I am just putting them on the computer and thought I would share with you all some of the things we own. Hope there's no burglars reading this, sizing up our computer chair, or wall frames knowing we have insurance... Lucky this isn't an open to the world blog, and lucky strangers don't know where we live...


Our fridge, bought it new but cheap coz it had a dent in it. If you sleep on our couch you might wake in the night and think it's about to take off, it gets a real hum going sometimes.


Eeww what's that green thing on the vidcam? Don't know if we could claim back on that..


I don't think anyone would really steal these, but Dean took a photo anyway, I suppose you could claim back a hundy or so for the frames??


I think that's meant to be the chair not me



Our little piece of Australia