Sienna begins her preschool journey

After 2 years of dropping her big brother off at Banyan Park Playcentre and reluctantly having to leave after completing a puzzle or two, It is now Sienna Rose's turn to stay at playcentre for the next 2 years before starting her 'big' school journey.

Banyan Park Playcentre is a right of passage for most Norfolk Island children.

It began as a social club of the wives and mothers club who came together for social interaction for themselves and their children, they fund raised diligently and managed with the help of the Lion's club to earn enough to build the present building next to the Banyan tree opposite Norfolk Island central school in Middlegate.

Playcentre is a great play group style centrefor 4-5 year olds on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and for the 3-4 year olds on Thursday & Friday.

Tamson enjoying a quiet read while dropping her daughter Abi off. Kids books are addictive.

Wendy, Susie and Sarah have been the long time regular staff at BPP.

On Sienna's first day, she already knew 12 out of the 16 children in her group and they have all got along famously (speaking of famous, she has already entertained her class & teachers with renditions of the Mama mia/ABBA songs)

Sienna is happy to see her best friend 'my darling Wilkie' at Banyan park, no doubt they will get up to plenty of mischief together.
The amazing view out to Philip Island from the yard.

As a confident and heartwarmingly funny little girl, we wish her all the magic, wonder, learning and friendships that she can soak up in these preschool years ahead.

*in 2010 Sienna's baby brother was born. So at age 4 she enjoyed a year being at home with Mum  before going to big school and at the newly formed Montessori Kinderhaus.
Here is her journey to school blog post. http://norfolkheavenonearth.blogspot.com/2011/02/five-year-journey-to-school.html

Teddy's big day

The big day is finally here.

A new beginning is very exciting!

Here are the pictures of Teddy's first day at school.

All grown up & ready at last.

The family photo.
We all walked to school, but Teddy got a piggy back from Dad up the big hill.
Poppi (big Al ) rang as he got to the pedestrian crossing and Ted explained what he was doing every step of the way (eg. I am wearing my new shoes with grey socks and I am crossing at the crossing across the road from school and I am looking left and now right for any cars that are coming.....)

I managed to get a photo of him next to the school sign but once he heard and saw his friends, he took off to see them.


He was met by his year one buddy, Kye, who was looking after him during school orientation last year. And got some last words of advice from Dad.

I love this! Teddy is so excited, Sienna is less than impressed with all the fuss(not made over her).
Teddy telling Steven..... something.

The new Principal Neil Solomon makes a welcome speech to the kindy parents with a box of Tissues handy, but there weren't too many tears among us.

I was more teary when Ted finished at Playcentre. I think that I like beginnings better than endings.

Sienna and Ruben loved the scones at the Kindy parent's morning tea. Yum.

All the parents relaxed in the school grounds and chatted about future expectations, most of us were just appreciative to make it this far.

Sienna found a quiet moment and seized having the school library to herself, making herself quite at home.

His teacher is Ms. Delaney who also runs the school choir (happy about that, though he can't join until year one) and he has 12 girls in his class and 6 boys (the same numbers and ratios in both Kinder classes). Both Kindy teachers have been absolutely wonderful with communicating and keeping in touch with us about what Teddy is up to, we hope to work well together to make life between school and home an easy transition. Specially made Kindy hats.
His teacher said he did very well on his first day.
When it came time to draw 2 experiences from his first day, he did amazing pictures and the picture of his teacher even looks like her, but then he got carried away and turned himself and the other kids he had drawn into bugs, it was funny.

Ms. Delaney holding his picture up before the purple bug wings and antennae were added to his drawing.


Ted's bag and his 'spot'

Happy smiles for a happy first day.


We walked home all the way in our new kindy hat.

Luckily, Teddy is looking forward to school again tomorrow.

There were more 'firsts and lasts' in our family this week.

Nic has finished primary school where my sister Jenni teaches, they have always been there together, and has started High school in Year 7.

My almost 17 year old nieces Jessica and Alyssa are entering their last year and already have piles of HSC work to do. Lyss is school captain this year which is very exciting and Jess, a very talented dancer has to decide how much dancing she can fit in around her school work this year.

Where one starts, another finishes, just like the flow of life.

D'anne & Miguel's Wedding day

Congratulations my friends.

Thankyou for allowing me to capture all the special moments of your wedding day, and there were many very special moments.

Your family and friends did such a wonderful job with all the finishing touches to the beach & marquee to make it a vey special and memorable day (and well into the next morning......).

What a fantastic, friendly and informal, family orientated ceremony. We all enjoyed having a drink with you first and then witness your vows on the very picturesque middle beach under your own bamboo and palm arch with Phillip Island in the background.

I have never seen a marquee look so tropical with so many masses of flowers, It was breathtaking.

And now that this paparazzi wedding photographer has left you alone, I hope you look back on this wonderful day filled with people you love, especially each other and your kids, and have as many wonderful memories as there are the photos to prove it. (if you know me, then you know there will be thousands)

A very child friendly day, my kids loved the jumping castle, the old cars and the beach (Teddy also loved the egg sandwiches.)

Thanks to my Mum Sally for minding the kids at the beach while I snapped away.