Heaven on Earth

Kids and their BFF's

2012-02-10T01:40:00.000+11:30

Thanks to offbeat mama's website for the idea and a reminder to capture kids with their favourite toys.

It stirred a memory of a photo I took of my baby girl Sienna at a friends place when we realised that her daughter had a lookalike cabbage patch doll or that I had a lookalike baby.

I want to put little speech bubbles on all of these.

I want to eat you up.

who are you calling chubby cheeks?

I am doing my best Dr. Evil impersonation. Wa ha ha.

Have you got photos of your child with their best friend forever toy?

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T12:23:00.000+11:30

Out with the old, in with the new.

Each new year brings a blank canvas full of possibilities.

What will you fill yours with this year?

Happy New year, wishing you all the best that 2012 has to offer, I hope you all get through your wish lists towards dreams and happiness and making a difference to this world.

♥ Cristina Rose

Kids of the week Christmas quotes

2011-12-25T12:40:00.001+11:30

This week I asked my own children all about their thoughts on Christmas as my kid of the week series for Norfolk Online News.

Here is their responses to my questions about Christmas 2011.

What is your favourite part about Christmas Sienna? Getting presents on Christmas morning and learning all about Jesus.
What is all about then? It is about Jesus because he was born on Christmas day.
So why do we get Presents? because Santa sees who is naughty or nice, if they are being naughty they get a lump of coal and if they are nice they get presents.
Which list are you on? I am on the Elves watch list to see which one I am today.
Why does Santa make presents for kids all around the world? Because he loves kids, but not bad kids.
How does he deliver all the presents? on a sleigh with all his reindeer, they are like horses but they have antlers. They fly because of Santa he has lots of magic.

What would the North pole be like to live? very cold with lots of snow and ice.

What is Christmas all about Teddy? It is all about Jesus being born on Christmas day.

So why do we get presents? Because Santa wanted to be nice and give presents to kids who are being nice in the whole world.

Teddy and Sienna who gave the first presents to Jesus? The wise men
What presents did they give?
Sienna; hundreds of money
Teddy; a ring, golden sandals, some baby clothes and a bracelet
What did baby Jesus do with the presents?
Teddy; I have absolutely no idea Mum.
Sienna; be a king or something

What does Santa do when he gets back to the North pole after delivering all the presents?

Teddy; He celebrates by having food and games and mostly go to bed after his big night.

Sienna; He sees how the elves are going and makes more presents.

What is your favourite Christmas carol?
Teddy; Feliz Navidad
Sienna; The first Noel
What do you like to do on Christmas eve Teddy? we go out partying and then we go look at ALL the Christmas lights all over town, then when we get home, I find a little table and pour some nice cold milk and 3 chocolate chip biscuits onto a plate for Santa and a massive plate and put 9 carrots on for the reindeer, watch a couple of Christmas shows and carols and then straight to bed.

Sienna, what do you do on the night before Christmas? I go to sleep under the Christmas tree every year.

Why? Because I want to see Santa.
What do you like to do on Christmas day Sienna? open presents and sing songs like "a long time ago in Bethlehem so the something something says..."

Teddy? My favourite thing to do on Christmas day is to wake everyone up, look in our stocking, open one present from under the tree and have something to eat and wait to Nonni and Poppi to come over to open the rest. The rest of the day is mostly Mum and Dad's choice on what we do, but I will play with my presents and build stuff.

What is the best thing about a Norfolk Island Christmas?

Teddy; The Christmas lights
Sienna; At school learning about Jesus and singing on the stage at the Christmas pageant. Going to Emily bay to swim.
What message do you want to give everyone?
Sienna; "Merry Christmas to every one on Norfolk Island"

Teddy; "Merry Christmas, be good kids, Ho Ho Ho."

Jasper "Chismas tree star!"

Merry Christmas to everyone from me also, Thankyou everyone who let me interview & photograph their children this year, it has been lots of fun.

Wishing you and your families a safe holiday season and a wonderful start to 2012.

♥Cristina Rose.

'Twas the night before Christmas, we go off to see the lights.

2011-12-24T15:52:00.069+11:30

Every year as has become the tradition, all the kids travel around the island together on the back of trucks or in cars & visit all the best lights.

Some lovely people like Brian and Coral who have won the best house lights for the past 2 years wait for the kids to come in and visit to give them all a candy cane, they must have given out hundreds on Christmas eve.

Jaspers first time walking around the maze, he was still crawling last year!

Then we head around to Cascade and New Cascade road to see the lights on the way to Little house day care which also won a best display award. Each year, the little house staff have a Christmas maze set up to walk around as well as many mini displays and lights.

The Main street looks lovely and festive with all its lights ablaze.

The Large Norfolk Island Pine tree at Kingston, right among the convict ruins and restored buildings, is decorated each year.

During our road trip, we heard the plane land with some friends who moved off the island 12 months ago returning for Christmas, but rather than going to the busier than usual airport, we went to the next and last destination as we knew that we spend so long there, that everyone turns up there. Sure enough, not long after leaving the airport, we saw many returning friends come to the Cat's cafe lights , 12 months just melted away for our kids as they reunited to play in the bubbles.

The place we always leave til last is Cat's Cafe.

Throughout December, Caroline 'George' Douran sets up many lights at Cats cafe next to the school, but on Christmas eve, it is extra special with a bubble machine and a 'snow' machine which generates snow like foam, this is my kids favourite place to be, dance laugh and get completely covered in foam before heading home for a warm shower and hot chocolates.

ho ho ho

The last job left to do is to hang the stockings and feed Santa and the reindeer.

This year Santa got chocolate Afghan biscuits and milk and there were 9 carrots on the front yard plus water for the reindeer.

This year, Sienna didn't try to sleep under the tree, both big kids happily trotted upstairs to their castle shaped bunk beds and fell asleep.

I then had my almost ritual, nightly *Baileys Milo while watching the Christmas carols on TV.
I may be the only one awake and sing along by myself while the rest of my 4 'babies' are tucked up in bed sleeping, but I am happy and content to be safe and sound with my family in our home.

Often before bed, I will follow the Norad Santa tracker to make sure that Santa is on his way. It is a magical night.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

* Baileys Milo recipe

After the kids are in bed, boil kettle

add large splosh of Baileys to a coffee mug, size of splosh depends on how your day went.

Add 2 spoons of Milo to mug, again, size of spoons depend upon the day you've had.
Fill with hot water. Stir.
Sit down at the computer to catch up with facebook friends or read updated blogs while enjoying your Baileys Milo.
Enjoy!

Happy 5th Birthday Olivia

2011-12-15T23:43:00.023+11:30

There is something special about turning 5. For me it is such a huge transition time from preschooler to starting your school life that continues for the next 13 years into early adulthood.

I feel very fortunate to have shared my niece Olivia's entrance into this wonderful world 5 years ago.

My sister Mia at her baby shower..waiting..waiting...waiting.

I moved away 2 days after Livvy was born, we hoped to have at least 2 weeks together, but this little lady was in no hurry to come out.
Now, 5 years later, we miss her incredibly and hope to again live around the corner from each other one day in the future.

When we post presents, we wish we could post ourselves for real live hugs too.

LOvE yOu LiVvY LoU!

whooosh, now it is December again!

2011-12-05T23:27:00.000+11:30

Did that year just fly past super quickly for you too?

The year 2011 was busy, but the busiest month of all is here upon us again. I am trying to tamp down the feeling of panic that keeps surfacing, though I work best under pressure, I only have a day to find all my teenage nephews and nieces Christmas presents & have them in the mail to get to them by Christmas.

I learnt my lesson from last year about putting extra blog pressure on yourself at a very busy time of the year.

Last year on the 30th of November, I was all inspired by other bloggers to do a post a day for the lead up til Christmas. Probably if I was the type to only post one photo each day, I may have made it, but I can't...I am a quantity party type of girl who does far more than I should and takes way too many photos, the problem is, I want to share them all!

I did make it to the 15th of December of blog posts and then gain 15 blog drafts until the end of the month.

So, I have decided that instead of starting new December blogs, I am going to finish what I started last year and continue each day until I complete the month of December even if it was so last year. My parents were here then, so by doing it this way, I get to relive all those fun moments again.

Life with a toddler this year is also proving fun and adventurous. I don't think that the Christmas decorations will actually stay on the tree, as Jasper thinks they look better scattered all over the floor. The baubles make great ball to throw at people too! My loungeroom looks like it has exploded at the best of time, now it is a technicolour, spangly, tinselly, baubley mess.'tis the season to be ~~messy~~ jolly.

Finding out about Norfolk Island

2011-11-21T14:05:00.002+11:30

Everyone who arrives on Norfolk Island has a tale to tell about it, they also need to find out about Norfolk Island in some way or rather, this is usually from advertising or word of mouth.

The Internet has become the most powerful tool for people to tell their story and show through their images what life is like in their home & town in that space of time.

I started my blog (this one) about our family life here after I moved here nearly 5 years ago as my Auntie Mary had a blog that I followed with tidbits of island life prior to our move here called Devonhouse recollections
Then a school teacher who was moving here with her two young children found my blog and read about it prior to her move here early in 2010, she is now my daughters teacher and has a wonderful blog herself about their family life here called Norfolk Exposure.

I have recently received a comment (Thankyou Deb) from another potential teaching family who hope to move here and have been following my blog for an idea about family life on the island, who knows, Deb, perhaps you also will have a tale to tell about your time here, I wish you well and hope you do get to come to Norfolk Island, you will certainly learn to appreciate all the good things in life, like being part of an amazing close knit community who pull together in their mutual isolation from anywhere else, also to appreciate seasonal fruit and vegetables and being only 5 minutes from any beach or mountain view or valley and the most stunning 360 degree views, there is plenty to appreciate here. Call me when you get here and we can have coffee!
♥ Cristina

P.S, I have branched out from my first blog here to include many other blogs about me and my time on Norfolk Island and have helped others to start one for themselves also. None of my blogs gets the attention they deserve now that facebook is more instant and easy to use for a daily diary of photos and messages etc, but I do hope to come back to update these blogs when I can.
For full list of Norfolk Island blogs visit - http://blog4norfolkisland.blogspot.com/

For my 'other blogs' see
http://cristinaroseart.blogspot.com/
http://norfolkislandweddings.blogspot.com/
http://gallerysoul.blogspot.com/
http://norfolkislandlunchbox.blogspot.com/

Phew! no wonder I run out of time to edit them all ☺

Capturing children in Photography

2011-10-10T08:12:00.000+11:30

Sorry for my lack of blogs lately.
It seems that when Spring is in the air, I get busy taking photos, especially of the kids and of the amazing convict built georgian buildings down at Kingston.

This one was taken on my birthday a few weeks ago, It seems that dandelion clocks are everywhere at the moment ( I love them and they will receive their due in their own blog post soon).

This photo was a perfect opportunity to snap my daughter showing the amazing light of the day.

Sienna Rose blowing a dandelion 'clock'.
This photo is eneterd in the Photographing children photoworkshop's photography competition.

This photo hasn't been edited and I have entered it into a photography competition to win a lightroom3 editing package.

Please feel free to visit the photo on facebook by clicking here and press like, that is all you have to do to help.
Thankyou
♥ Cristina

You can always see what I have been up to on facebook with my children's photography by going to my facebook page *Captured by Cristina Rose photography.

Coconut Ice cake

2011-08-21T00:13:00.003+11:30

My undisputed FAVOURITE flavour & scent is COCONUT!
I love the smell and the flavour, coconut ice cream, coconut rice & curries and coconut body butter as well as the Body shop's coconut perfume oil (almost a tie with my second favourite scent & flavour, Vanilla)
So for a dinner party at our place last night, I made a variation of the rainbow cake in the previous post.

It was a large 3 layer coconut ice cake. The pink layers were coloured by Cochineal and a small dash of Strawberry essence and the white vanilla layer has a small splash of vanilla essence as well as a half a teaspoon of citric acid, to give it a tiny lemony zing.

I love these layer cakes, all done in under an hour for the 3 layers.

Jasper thought it looked delicious also and couldn't wait to sample to icing.

Rainbow cake

2011-08-19T22:30:00.003+11:30

I never got around to posting the photos of the rainbow cake that I made for the Norfolk Island Central school's Easter carnival here on the blog as I caused a bit of a flurry on facebook as I was baking each of the six brightly coloured layers.

You see the night before the Easter carnival for my 2 children in K-2 to take to the cake stall, I baked a 6 tier cake, one brightly coloured layer at a time and posted the photos and running commentary as I was going, so there were some eager customers ready to grab my cake(s) as it was cut in 2, when it arrived.

I only had one pan, so it baked in 6 seperate layers & I used commercial powder food colouring as the watery food colouring isn't strong enough. Each layer took about 15 minutes to bake.

The recipe is a basic cupcake recipe and so super simple. The recipe can be used for cupcakes, loaf tins and large cake tins as well.
Here it is.
CupCake recipe
1 cup of Milk
1 cup of Sugar
1 cup of Self raising flour
1 cup of Coconut
There, I told you it was simple!

This is the base recipe which is fine as it is, my best tip is to mix the coconut & milk the night before to soften the coconut and make it really creamy.
From here you can add other flavours such as orange and poppyseeds or lime and sesame seeds or even white chocolate & raspberries.

Ice with butter icing sugar. Enjoy, share with others.

18 months already? where does a year and a half go?

2011-08-01T20:23:00.000+11:30

I know where it goes...into cuddles and love and staring at this amazing, lovable little creature that comes from within and soon learns his place in the world.

Now running around, copying animal sounds, colouring with crayons and discovering new things.
Life is so much fun.

Love you our big boy Jasper.

Skits and Vocal Bits

2011-07-31T15:17:00.002+11:30

NORFOLK'S GOT TALENT!!!

If you missed NATS "Skits & Vocal Bits" last weekend then you really missed out! What a fantastic assortment of 11 variety items featuring 35 local identities who had us rolling off our seats with laughter. Hadyn (Teddy) Evans was MC extraordinaire and kept the night running smoothly. The talented cast was made up of lots of first time performers along side the "old" hands.

· "The Red Hot Mummas" starred 10 local hot mummas... Cristina McRitchie, Rose Stephens, Raewynne Tarrant, Juliette Grant, Louci Reynolds, Roberta Simpson-Leha, Leia Widdowson, Michelle Hayes, Gill Brown & Tamson Mayo. The Mummas danced to River Deep and set the night's standard for high energy entertainment with their opening number.

Red hot Roberta with 4 children, the youngest is 6 weeks old.

Three of our four k-2 school teachers proving teachers rock!

"I want to be on stage like you Mum."

· "Technology" was a short comedy skit starring Ian Anderson, Monica Anderson & Lexi Tavener and was about how the older generation struggle with computer terms.

· "Blue Moon" was a short play starring Tamson Mayo, Tony Wilkinson & Toppy Wilkinson who showed us that often words have double meanings. Tony really stood out on stage... maybe it was his "equipment" or maybe just his "Lego" hair.

Tony 'lego man' Wilkinson

· "The Dentist" song was a McRitchie affair starring Brandt but also featuring Cristina & Sienna... and Momma as well. Thanks go to Ernie Christian for his cameo appearance and for showing us how NOT to be brave in the dentist chair.

· "Dar Hilli Song" was performed by Lexi Tavener who showed us what the Norfolk version of The Lazy Song would be. Since her Mum wrote the words it had to be a winning song.

· "Nursing Home" was a beautiful, short skit with the best punch line!! Margaret Kiernan hardly said a word yet stole the show playing the elderly mother. Bron South (appropriately) played her daughter, with Louci Reynolds & Toppy Wilkinson on stage to complete the cast.

· ”Wicked Girls" began with 5 year old Sienna McRitchie singing "The Wizard and I". Sienna's solo with microphone had so much emotion and such great vocals that the audience was perplexed and gave her the biggest applause for the night. Her Mum Cristina then sang "Defying Gravity" with backing vocals from Tamson Mayo. These girls were truly WICKED!!!!

· "What's In A Name" was a short skit starring Toppy Wilkinson & Lexi Tavener as the hippy mother and daughter. I think hitch-hiking is still legal on Norfolk Island.... but with the traffic rules all changed who knows.

· "Stunt Ski Show" was one of the most hilarious skits Norfolk Island has ever seen. Lovable characters Kylie & Sharon played by Bron South and Rose Stephens somehow managed to water-ski on stage using a blow-up pool and ski ropes. They made us believe they were really on the water and had everyone in stitches of laughter.

You thought the stunt ski show was hilarious from the audience...look at our view from backstage!

· "Gleece" was a play written and Directed by Jayde Granger. Jayde also starred in her play along with Jessica Hetherington, Emily Meyer, Caitlin Evans, Myka Quintal, Kirsten Gomez, Tiarna Finch, Katie Fitzpatrick, Casey Snell, Heidi Bigg, Siobhan Maxwell and with help from Keeley Williams, Denise Lee, Tariah Magri & Madison Wellington. Jayde was inspired by Glee and Grease and in her great writing managed to portray the lives of teenage girls. The audience really enjoyed the musical elements as well as the deeper issues which unfolded throughout the play.

· "Horror On The Rock Stage Show" was the big finale number. Cristina McRitchie and Dave Brown played Janet and Brad, Tony Wilkinson and Tamson Mayo were Riff Raff and Magenta, Rose Stephens was Columbia and Brandt McRitchie shone on stage as Frankenfurter. What a great way to end a very enjoyable night.

The crew did a fantastic job with Ben Hayes on Lights, Brian James on Sound, Lance Miller as Stage Manager and Don Brian as Stage Hand. The many Front of House workers at Ferny Lane Theatre also played important roles in making Skits & Vocal Bits such a huge success. Thank you to the audiences who supported NATS.

Teddy hugs his sister Sienna at interval and says "I am so proud of you, you look beautiful!"

If you enjoyed Skits & Vocal Bits and would like to be involved with the next one (either onstage, backstage or organising) or you have some ideas or material we could use then please approach either Rose or Cristina. And if you enjoyed being in the audience or missed out then keep your eyes and ears open for Skits & Vocal Bits II in about 6 months time.

What the audience said after 'Skits and Vocal bits' at NATS last weekend.

It was Hilarious! I laughed so hard that I embarrassed myself until I looked around and everyone else was laughing too!.

I will never miss another theatre show again if they are all that good.

"The highlight was Tony's Wilkinson's hair in the 'Last Man on the Moon skit..."

"I seriously thought I was going to wet my pants during the water skiing skit..."

"You guys have got to do a full production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show..."

"I am still giggling whenever I think about any of it..."

"Thanks for all of the laughs last night, it was fantastic!"

An amazing array of talent across the age groups, people I never expected to see.

I cannot believe Rose & Bron cannot ski in real life.

It is unbelievably creepy how Tony W looks with hair.

I really needed a laugh, everything was perfect.

a shot in the arm thankyou all.

To Bron, you should let your mother fart.

You should have warned us we needed tissues, we wet ourselves laughing.

It was best belly laugh in years.

how come I can't sing? we want to do that too.

what a blast, we loved it

Some comments from down the street even nearly a week later; Great, loved it, a great laugh,hilarious.

Aren't you doing it again this weekend?

Sadly no, It isn't on this weekend, but we do plan to do another skits and vocal bits within the next 6 months, do you have an act that could be in the show? Do you want to be a performer or backstage helper? Please feel free to contact Rose Stephens and Cristina McRitchie with your ideas. AND definitely don't miss the next show!

Talented Sienna Rose

2011-07-29T00:19:00.006+11:30

This is from Norfolk Online News edition 29/7/11

Sienna Rose McRitchie…..superstar of the future?

Or just a cute 5 year old who wants to sing? Either way, this little girl sure has a big voice.

As the youngest member of the stage production Skits and Vocal bits, currently playing at NATS Ferny lane theatre she will certainly wow the audience with the song she has chosen (more like begged her Mum to perform).

She is performing The wizard and I from the musical 'wicked' as part of a medley. This is not an easy song to sing, but she manages beautifully.

Her love of singing was discovered at a very young age when a friend of the family who had studied at the conservatorium of music used to look after Sienna for a few hours each week, as a 6 month old baby, this friend used to sing music notes to her and couldn’t believe she would echo them back pitch perfectly. The friend commented “She never gets a note wrong”.
Perhaps it was in the gene pool from both sides of the family as Sienna’s mum and dad, Cristina and Brandt, met each other while performing on stage in musical theatre in Sydney way back in 1991.

Playing piano for sometimes an hour a day, Sienna makes many of her songs up in various styles of music, she seems to know how to evoke an emotion from you through her music. Last week while hanging up the washing, I could have sworn that someone was playing a cd from a movie soundtrack as the music floating up from the house told a story from soft to sad to dramatic (she is very good at dramatic!), but she declines ‘proper’ piano lessons at this time because she just wants to play ‘her’ music.
When it sounds delightful to listen to, who could deny her that.
You may have heard Sienna as a 3 year old singing ABBA with Ebony & Ivory at the RSL or at the Mothers day talent quest or recent Youth Rockz concert at the RSL singing the cute little ditty ‘the cuppycake song’, but Sienna has now discovered the big Broadway musical numbers and the addictive sound of applause that runs in her blood…..who knows what will be next.

(Mum knows that when the show is over, she will still get up and have a run at football as the only girl in the competition she also plays on the green team in NIJRL with her big brother.)

Come and see Sienna and 34 other wonderful performers in Skits & Vocal Bits, Tonight and Saturday night only at Ferny lane theatre. Show starts at 7:30pm and is only $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Happy 100th Birthday Nana

2011-05-11T23:36:00.080+11:30

I am a little sentimental sometimes, especially when it comes to my family.

I had a lovely 'cup of tea' relationship with my Nana just before she died. I worked a split shift in after school care 16 years ago and would pop in most days after the morning shift to have a cuppa with Nana (Doris Violet Winch). Some days it was for only 20 minutes, some days it would be all day until I had to return back to school for the afternoon shift.

Today would have been Nana's 100th Birthday, even though she died 15 years ago, we all still love and miss her and 'feel' her with us, smiling at silly things we do and heartily laughing at her great grandchildren's antics.

We all have a framed photo of her which was taken at our wedding 16 years ago, some of the younger great grand children call her blue or purple Nana as that was one of her favourite colours to wear.

the 'nana bird' was filled with lollies at her house for when the grandchildren came to call, the tradition stuck.

Nana's creation of icecream on potato wedges.

Mia in Noosa joining in by using Nana's gong.

I didn't want to let this event go by unnoticed, so created a facebook 'event' to invite all the family to celebrate Nana's birthday wherever they are in the world and to wear Purple/Violet or Mauve to remember this special lady.

We all have some funny family traditions and I love that my family keeps them going.

One of Nana's favourite restaurants to go to for her Birthday was to sizzlers where she would enjoy the buffet style and even took home an extra mandarin, apple or handful of smarties for later. Another unique taste sensation was her dish of ice cream on potato wedges, for years after she died we continued to go to Sizzlers with a framed photograph of her and kept her little traditions up.

Today the majority of my family returned for fun and reminiscing at sizzlers, all wearing various shades of purple.

With the wonderful world of instant technology, we got to see the photos of the fun on various iphones on the table, it felt like we were there too.

I was at work all day, so chose to include the children at my Kindy in a special tea party for Nana's Birthday.

I also offered them activities that I used to love doing at her house as a young child like sorting and playing with her button tin and her giant horseshoe magnet.

We mixed and baked Nana's famous oat biscuits from her recipe (or as my cousin called them, Porridge biscuits) and used Nana's tablecloth to set the table and have a grand tea party.

As the children were too young for cups of tea, they drank cool clear rain juice (water) from the teapot in china cups.

With special thanks to my lovely friends, Anna for the flowers and Tarn who invited us down to her place next door to use her husband's grandmothers proper tea set.

We love you Nana, You never be forgotten.

New ventures

2011-05-08T23:32:00.000+11:30

I apologize for the lack of blogs in recent times.

As well as returning to work during the week, I have also been working hard to open an artist co operative with 9 other talented artists on Norfolk Island.

We have been re painting a tired yet historic old building here on Norfolk Island.

Here is the blog (also not very well updated at the moment by me) for our New SOUL gallery

http://gallerysoul.blogspot.com/ You can also find the SOUL gallery team on facebook.

To coincide with SOUL's opening, I also launched a new photography label for myself (you can only find me on facebook at the moment) called 'Captured by Cristina Rose'

This is like the family photos that I was taking, but involves more props for the children and many more edited photos in the package.

I just love the results and my new logo.

I find it hard to charge people for something I love to do, but am saving madly for a new camera, so I guess we all have to make a living and it is an extra bonus if you love what you do.

lost in translation!

2011-04-19T22:04:00.001+11:30

While google searching for an old show photo of Brandt, a curious message appeared in one of the google searches that sounded like my blog profile. I realized that it was a very bad translation from my last posting that appeared on a baby show website from who knows where in the world (I think it may be the Cook Islands).

Just for a giggle read 'About Me' which was on my profile of this page

About Me

Where do I start? I sing, dance, paint, take photos, make jewellery, mosaic, am a wife to the very talented Brandt McRitchie, who sings as well as being a great builder, and I am mummy to our 3 beautiful and cuddly children, Teddy, Sienna Rose and Jasper. We grew up in the Sutherland Shire, moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1998 and then to Norfolk Island in 2006. We were the managers of an apartment complex here on Norfolk Island for over 2 years, but now own a building company, Crosscut Constructions. Now that our oldest child has started school, the middle one is nearly at school and we have a newborn, I am taking a little more time to paint and take photos of this tropical paradise we live in.
and then read the translation below in bold.

What caught my eye in the excerpt was that I whistle and ball and that my husband is very polished!

ha ha ha, I am still laughing.

Here is the full translation from http://baby-photo.co.cc/baby+model+photo-562.html

Baby Photos

Now that our oldest lad has started college, the waist one is approaching at philosophy and we have a newborn, I am enchanting a young more period to tint and take photos of this tropical Promised Land we vigorous in. I whistle, ball, step out, take photos, communicate precious stones, mosaic, am a woman to the very polished Brandt McRitchie, who sings as well as being a spacious builder, and I am mummy to our 3 handsome and cuddly children, Teddy, Sienna Rose and Jasper. We were the managers of an apartment complex here on Norfolk Islet for over 2 years, but now own a structure friends, Crosscut Constructions. We grew up in the Sutherland Shire, moved to the Sunshine Strand in 1998 and then to Norfolk Cay in 2006.

☺

Baby Photos

2011-03-03T18:13:00.106+11:30

There are several reasons for this post

1. Jasper has entered the Bonds baby search and I wanted to show these cute photos that I took of the children, inspired by Mila's daydreams creator Adele Enersen.

2. Everyone has their opinion about who Jasper does and doesn't look like, so like I did on this blog when he was six months old, I will give you a few 1 year old photos to compare the children to, then you can make up your own mind if he is just like his brother and sister or himself.

Teddy at 1 year old

Sienna at 1 year old Photos coming soon.

Jasper at 1 year old

3. I posted this photo of me as a young girl posing while singing into a skipping rope, this was the photo that I really felt that she could have been my twin in both looks and personality traits, performing at every chance is in the blood.

Me aged 5

my daughter Sienna aged 5

Vote for Jasper in the bonds baby search here
*voting closes on the 17th of March 2011

I could have entered other better photos of him in his bonds suits, but liked the quirkyness of his Koala shot as it was 'different'.

Here are some photos of baby Jasper that could be his baby model shots, he is such a naturally smiley baby with such a nice happy personality, very easy to photograph (even if I wasn't his mother☺).

A first Birthday party.

2011-02-06T23:23:00.098+11:30

What an absolutely perfect day to celebrate a first birthday with a party at the Salthouse overlooking Emily bay, Norfolk Island.

There was no fighting to get the best picnic spot as there are so many around Emily bay, we had the whole headland to ourselves.

The party guests started arriving, Jasper seemed to know just what to do with his presents, he had some practise at Christmas time.

Cousins Liam and Nate ready to party.

Daddy kept the BBQ fired up all day with sausages and chicken kebabs, Jasper helped. Mummy cut up cold watermelons and rockmelons.

The older brothers and sisters played in a nearby rockpool at low tide, they all said that it was like a warm bath.

Don't you just love Sienna's bikini?

Jasper's cow cake, full of his beloved MOOOOO's.
Gotta love artificial colour free smarties and 100's and 1000's (we blew it later with the jelly though ☺)

Never a proper family photo in our family.

Jay Jay not happy, he wants the cake!!!!

Yay! Happy now.

After cake there were some sand castle competitions, with 6 teams of the older children, they were all fantastic so everyone received a freddo frog.

Just before leaving, we all had a cold stripey rainbow jelly, perfect for a hot summers day.

With party officially over, it was time to play with Jasper's new toys under the shade of the Norfolk Island pine trees.

Beautiful Emily bay was too nice to leave, so we stayed all day. Shifts of friends came and joined us all day long.

Being a 1 year old party boy can be so tiring!

I got to go for a snorkel while the kids were having a chill out time. Look at my beautiful fishy friends.

We eventually stayed for so long that friends who had left in the morning returned late in the afternoon after their lunch and rest time.
Here is Sienna and Wilkie greeting each other again like long lost friends!

What a magical, wonderful day!

what to do after school?

2011-02-03T11:18:00.142+11:30

After school is out here on Norfolk Island, we have over 4 hours of warm sunshine to enjoy.

These afternoons are our favourites, so instead of rushing home to do homework, our kids come down to the beach and can swim, surf, snorkel, fish, ride their bikes and just play on the sand for many hours to unwind from a day in the classroom.

After Sienna's first day at Kindergarten, we came down to Emily bay for a walk and a swim before heading home.

Teddy and Sienna decided to go for a walk across the headland that looks out to Phillip and Nepean Islands, I asked if they wanted me to come with them, Teddy replied " we're o.k Mum, we are just going to have a little brother/sister time" he held his sisters hand and looked after her on the rocky walk. I think he is very proud of her starting school, it was very sweet.

We walked back around to Emily bay where we played on the sand, Brandt joined us there for a swim.

The next day, we took our bikes down after school and rode to the Kingston pier. Some fishing boats had come in and were filleting the fish.

The fishermen throw the fish skins and carcasses back into the water for the food chain cycle.

It is usually at this time that we see a whole lot of sharks (bull or bronze whalers, not sure which) and maybe a turtle coming in close for a feed. Today though the tide was so low that the sharks couldn't get through the reef (niggerhead) so we were treated to a show of all the tropical reef fish coming to the surface for a fish feed.

There were these amazing long trumpet nosed fish, they seemed to change colour from soft blue and grey to deep purple and blue.

There was another family there waiting for their charter boat, they were taking their son and his friends out to the Phillip Island fishing hut for the weekend as it was his 12th Birthday, what an amazing party idea!

We enjoy our life here on the island so much, we are so grateful to have the opportunity to live here where fun isn't always expensive like going to theme parks and malls and electronic gaming arcades, instead it is about the simple pleasures and discoveries and natural wonders and healthy activity choices all only 5 minutes from home.

It won't be long before afternoons start filling up with all those extra curricular activities like horse riding and my dance class for littlies and Tahitian dancing and ukulele lessons, but in the meantime............

We still have another 2 or so months to enjoy this warm weather by coming to the beach after school or in the early evenings, quite often we will stay for some alfresco dining, by ourselves or with friends. Either way it is always pleasant.

A five year journey to school.

2011-02-02T13:12:00.135+11:30

Today is Sienna Rose's first day at 'big school'

First time for uniforms and classrooms. There is so much yet to learn but we think this smart little cookie has been ready to go for a while.

When Sienna turned 3, she attended Banyan Park playcentre 2 half days per week, then last year at 4 years old I decided to keep her at home with me after the birth of Jasper.

We spent the year together doing crafts, reading stories and having lots of playdates with our friends Wilkes, Abi and Matilda from the babysitters club.

The babysitters club was formed a few years ago by my good friend Eve and myself so our children could be minded in a homey atmosphere with a like minded friend while we both worked full time.

We would have each others children one or more days per week and then stay for dinner. It was a great arrangement. While I was away in Sydney for 9 weeks having Jasper last year, Abi and Matilda's families joined in to help.

these photos were taken last October for fun.

Best friend for 4 years, Wilkie.

Halfway through last year after relief teaching at the brand new Montessori kinderhaus, we decided that it was a wonderful place for Sienna to attend but there was only day available so she became a kinderhaus student for 6 months and loved it.

On her end of year report card her teacher Rauni wrote 'Sienna has showed particular interest in role play and theatre as well as arts and crafts and dancing'. Yes, she is a chip off the ol' block.

We are sure that she will keep her teachers highly entertained this year, though I am feeling a huge sense of de ja vu , there are so many things that she says that could have come straight from me or the way that she acts is so familiar to me.

My brother Mike saw these photos of Sienna starting school and commented that it could have been 1979 with me starting school. Then my sister Jenni sent these photos of my first day at school plus a few others that I hadn't seen before.

We are not that alike in looks, some similarities perhaps, BUT the photo that blew me away was this one below.

The photo could have been taken yesterday with Sienna doing the exact same thing.

Have a wonderful time at school darling girl, I miss you already and the house is so, so quiet without you chatting and singing all day.
Jasper has been crawling through the house looking for her all day and called out 'hello' in in Sienna's bed to see if she was there, I think he misses the year long happy noise in his life too.

Here is the article I wrote for Norfolk online news.

Back to school

A new school year began for the Norfolk Island central school students on Monday the 31st of January, 2 extra days seemed like such a long wait until their big day for this years Kindergarten students.

Each Kindy student had a best start assessment over those 2 days where the teachers could personally assess each child’s skills to know which group to appropriately place them when school started.

So their big day did finally arrive on Wednesday the 2nd of February, there was anxiety and excitement as the children were getting ready in their new uniforms for the first time (well probably not the first time as the uniforms have been worn in this house all school holidays long while playing ‘schools’).

My daughter was the first to arrive after dropping her brother off by the 8:50am bell, she was then not very impressed when I informed her that she would have to wait until 9:30am when the kindergarten class will be met my their new buddies, she dramatically burst into tears telling me her “whole day was ruined!”. It was just too long to wait for another 40 minutes.

Slightly appeased with a photo shoot in front of the school sign while her friends started arriving one by one in their sparkling new uniforms and very neat hairstyles, groups of girls greeted each other like long lost friends whom they hadn’t seen in a very long time, in reality they most likely saw each other all weekend at Emily bay or the day before at Foodland as on Norfolk Island, the majority of the class already know one another from their families being a part of this community for the 5 years before starting at school.

It is most likely that all the rest of infants, primary and secondary school students all know the new kindy kids as well.

One other mum told me that her daughter had dressed and undressed 3 times before actually getting to school unsure whether she wanted the day to come or not but was fine when seeing so many familiar faces in the same boat. I am sure that the few new children who have just moved to the island will find friends quickly as you are never a stranger here for long.

At the meeting place outside the canteen, the well organized teachers had the ‘buddies’ all ready to greet their kindy friend with a name tag and a smile ready to hold their hand and lead them to their new adventure. The buddies were chosen last year during a 3 day school visit, so they knew each other already.

Most kindy’s disappeared out of sight without even a ‘bye mum’ and there was not a tear to be seen.

The school principal, Mr. Solomon invited all the parents up to the library for tea and biscuits where parents discussed how their child handled the morning. There were a few sniffles, but plenty of relief of the smooth transition that took place turning our pre school letl salan into big school children.

We wish Mrs Pedel, Mrs Brown, Mrs Hayes and Ms Delaney well as they begin the new school year with a new concept of 4 multi age classes which include kindergarten, year one and year two’s together in the same home room, Thankyou for all the time you give to give our children the best start in their schooling.

This years kindergarten is a large class with 29 children starting together, we wish them all every joy and happiness that will be experienced as they begin their educational journey together and to find strength to face every challenge during the next 11-13 years at school.

Happy First Birthday baby boy!

2011-02-01T21:21:00.096+11:30

If you can believe it, Jasper is ONE today!

I have enjoyed every minute of the past 12 months since I first got to hold my gorgeous baby boy, knowing it is our last baby after 3 makes each moment very special and a cherished one.

Today was dedicated to Jasper fun, as it was Sienna's last day at home before she begins school, she had her friend Abi along for the day.

Although he didn't really know what to do with all the presents, he seemed amused that his brother and siser were so excited over everything. I am sure that he will be tearing the paper off and fully aware next year.

We made a birthday request on the radio which was hard to do as he is not quite into any groups yet such as the wiggles etc, he just likes all music. So, I chose Happy Together by the Turtles as it summed up how I feel about my lovely little family.

First stop after the school drop off was The Olive cafe where Jasper got to have his very own babycino and marshmellows.

Then to the park, although everything is a little high at the playground for a ground dweller, he enjoyed the swings.

At the post office, there were 3 more parcels for Jasper to open (lucky boy).

Then, home for a baby nap while Abi, Sienna and I made a chocolate cake and icing.

Time to pick up Teddy from school and then a trip up to walk in the wild and mini golf. We should rename walk in the wild to a crawl in wild as Jasper loved it, he shuffled though all the leaves on the rainforest floor, even rolling down the hills off the pathways and coming up laughing.
Home again for dinner with Daddy then the chocolate cake.

By the time we sang happy birthday to him, he seemed to know what was going on, even trying to join in to sing.

Happy Birthday my beautiful baby Jasper, always full of smiles and happiness.

Back to school

2011-01-31T20:49:00.027+11:30

I must say that I love that lack of rushing out the door on school holidays and having to do the whole"hurry up we will be late" spiel everyday.

I found the school holidays to be a good time to enjoy each others company.
That said, January seemed to pass by in a blur of pure enjoyment and I don't quite know where it went.

I did work for 2 weeks at the Montessori Kinderhaus here on Norfolk Island, which probably whittled it down to 2 weeks playing at home (but my work there is incredibly fun as well plus I get to have my kids with me).

So today Teddy goes back to school and will be in year Two this year.
This is the start of a busy week with each child having a day designated to them.
Tomorrow is Jasper's very first birthday and then Sienna starts 'big school' on Wednesday.

Teddy needs his routine and so is looking forward to going back, especially to see all of his friends.

We are so proud of our little man and hope that he will continue to improve his learning, his love of life and enjoys being one of the 'big boys' in Infants by helping the young ones including his little sister.

No.16. A rainy Christmas wish

2010-12-16T09:40:00.040+11:30

~16~

After being so dry for so long, any rain is a welcome gift.

Although we are all grateful for the wet stuff that is finally falling out of the sky, it has come at the expense of our annual Christmas street pageant which has now been postponed.

The downpour happened after lunch between 2pm and 5:30pm, but was dry the actual hours the pageant would have been on, still a decision had to be made for all the outdoor food vendors setting up their outdoor cafe's and stalls etc.

I spent this morning taking some photos of beautiful baby girls during a photography shoot at Kingston, then joined my family for a lovely lunch at Governor's lodge restaurant.

This afternoon to appease the kids from missing out on seeing Santa on the firetrucks, we took the kites down to Emily bay to see if we could fly them.

There was enough ocean breeze to float the kites for up to 30 seconds, enough to get hopes up before disapointedly watching them crash down again.

But the fun was in our constant attempts to keep the kites in flight.

No.15. First twilight markets

2010-12-15T09:38:00.070+11:30

~15~

Lots happening today,

My paintings and flower clips for sale

It is the last day of school for the summer, my niece Olivia's 4th Birthday (we moved here to the island 2 days after she was born) and Sienna's best friend Wilkes' 5th Birthday.

Today is also the day of the innaugural summer twilight markets.

I have had this concept for the past 4 years and hope that it is another one of my ideas that I can cross off my 'Norfolk Island List'.

As the shops here traditionally close on a Wednesday afternoon, I have always wanted to offer an alternative to the visitors that have just arrived on a Wednesday or those who leave on the next day's flight and would like to do some last minute shopping.

I gathered enough people to begin the Summer twilight markets in the grounds of the lovely Sports and Workers club in the heart of town.

There were a range of wares on offer from handicrafts to locally made Norfolk Island ocean salt.

I had a display of family photos that I have been taking for holiday makers and locals on the Island since 2007 and got 3 bookings on the night. See my 'other' blog for details

We look forward to a summer long of our locally grown twilight markets.

Lizzie and Amber modelling my flower clips at my stall.

No.14 awards

2010-12-14T09:37:00.051+11:30

~14~

Today, most of the fog has swirled away, though we can relax on that front for the rest of the week anyway as we are not expecting anyone on the planes until Saturday when Brandt's parents arrive one day before him.

So we had some time for Sienna to play in the pool while Teddy was at school.

And decorate a Christmas tree that we got at a garage sale but was molting too much for inside, so we popped it on the roadside and dressed it up with decorations and solar lights for all to enjoy.

MY Cousin John put on a fish fry tonight for the family in the Fletcher Christian Apartments BBQ pavilion, it was delicious.

as were the salads and freshly picked melons to accompany the fish.

Tonight we attended the school awards ceremony.

Teddy was to receive and award for improved efforts in class activities, he told me it was because he had been trying hard to be better at everything.

I am a very proud Mum anyway, but am super dooper proud of my little man with AS (Asperger syndrome) and of his teacher Judy and the school for encouraging him even though he thinks 'a little differently than others'.

Of course having Granny there to witness him receiving his award was especially special for us all!

13. then one foggy pre Christmas eve

2010-12-13T09:36:00.013+11:30

~13~

You wouldn't believe it, Brandt's flight to NZ was deferred until today because of weather and today is 50 times worse!

He is sure that he won't leave today, so has started his stay-cation with a beer at the golf club imagining that he is having beers and fresh oysters at the wharf in Auckland or sitting at our cemetary beach pretending he is at Piha beach ready to surf.

After waiting and waiting and being positive that the plane would not arrive as we watched the swirling fog engulf Mounnt Pitt, The plane DID arrive and whisked him off on his NZ adventure.

Bye Honey, see you in a week.

No.12. Then the fog rolls in.

2010-12-12T23:55:00.002+11:30

~12~

You wouldn't be able to tell from these photos that we have had a thick foggy morning, there was such a covering of cloud and misty fog that Brandt's flight to NZ has been delayed.

Half an hour after the plane should have landed though, the skies were as clear as anything. As it is a warm sunny day, you can be sure that the resheduled plane time for tonight will be when the fog rolls back in to the Island.

So as to not waste a glorious day, we headed to the beach.

After Granny and Poppa snorkelled and the kids swam, we bought Ice-creams from Se Moosa Bus.

I also have my friend Chrissie's baby shower on this afternoon, her baby is due the same day as Jasper's first Birthday.

Then on to Peter Sanders 60th birthday at Two chimney's winery. Brandt wasn't going to be able to attend as he was supposed to be in NZ performing as Tom Jones for Tornado entertainment.

Peters best mate John was supposed to be flying in on the NZ flight, so when the night flight was cancelled due to the fog, Brandt took his place.

After the cutting of the cake and a request for Brandt to sing, he gave Peter an amended version happy birthday baby mine.

Jasper loved having Daddy home for a bit longer and another party to go to.

No.11. Golf or Tennis anyone?

2010-12-11T09:38:00.007+11:30

~11~

We are having some good weather here on the Island, it has been a bit cooler than usual and the summer humidity is about a month late in arriving.

Today was just lovely, the kids enjoyed a swim in the Fletcher Christian Apartments pool

In the afternoon, we all headed up to mini golf.

The kids enjoyed Daddy pushing them on their favourite swing.

Last school holidays, Brandt and my nephew Nic developed extreme mini golf where you play as many rounds as possible within a time frame.

This time, Brandt and nephew Jake stepped up a level and included the rainforest area 'walk in the wild'.

Mum and Dad enjoyed fresh red cherry guavas that grow wild on the bushes.

Tonight was my work Christmas party at the Cheryl tennis club.

There in the foyer was a potted Norfolk Island pine tree, they look so perfectly symmetrical to hang decorations on, we are lucky that we have so many Christmas trees growing here on the Island.

During the night, I discussed with native Norfolk Islander himself John Christian that we should celebrate the Norfolk Island pine....so, next Christmas watch this space for some sort of tree event.

No. 10. Friday again already?

2010-12-10T23:45:00.000+11:30

~10~

Today's busy day included Sienna's 2nd last swimming lesson for the year and a step closer to receiving a certificate for level 2 courage from the Royal surf life saving society.

After the lesson, I saw that her 2 friends Til and Abi had beautiful matching Christmas skirts on that Til's talented mum, my friend Michelle sewed for them. too cute.

It was such a beautiful day so after picking Teddy up from school, we had to go to the beach again.
This time we chose the beach at slaughter bay and one of our favourite places Dragon rock.

Here, the kids played in the sand, in the water and rockpools and on the rocks, Jake skipped stones on the water while Granny and Poppa snorkelled around the reefs.

Baby Jasper fell asleep, Jake amused himself with a funny hat and
I of course was doing my favourite beach thing, beachcombing for beach glass. There was plenty of my favourite colour green. We then saw the graduating year 10 come to the beach before their formal to get their photos taken, they would have been very scenic.

Tonight was the under 18's disco fundraiser for the Wa'a outrigger club which his always fun.

Before going home, we decided to squeeze one more event in for the day and invited my Mum and Dad to follow us around the island to see the best Christmas lights.

Luckily we did as my car overheated as a water hose burst as we arrived at Kingston and we had to abandon car there. It didn't stop us from viewing the rest of the lights, we just jumped in the car with them and saw the rest.

No.9. Coffee at the Olive

2010-12-09T23:44:00.001+11:30

~9~

Such a busy week, I have hardly seen Jake so I thought we could go for a coffee at the Olive cafe here in the Village on Norfolk Island.

Poor Jake hasn't been well this week and has been suffering with a bad cold and cough so it was just tea for him. The Olive staff, especially Nicci make the best coffees, but I can't go past a soy chai latte here, they are too good.

Jasper has just started enjoying babycino's which are just warm fluffy milk (and a marshmellow on the side)

I have intended for ages to do a blog entry solely on 'the olive' and hope to do so in the near future.

On the way home I popped in to see Aurelia resort as they had hung a few of my paintings in their float tank room for their open day...it is looking good there.

I have plenty of more paintings to do for people. Finding the time and energy is tricky, but finding the canvas's to paint on is harder as everything has to be shipped in to the island.

I also have plenty of updates to make on my art blog as well as my wedding blog, check there whenever you want.

No.8 Jazz in the Pines

2010-12-08T07:45:00.001+11:30

~8~

Jazz in t he Pi nes is such a wonderful event on the Norfolk Island social calendar for over a week in early December each year culminating in a free Jazz concert on the green over looking our beloved Emily bay.

I will let you read all about it on my aunty's blog but here are a few of my pictures to enjoy.

Jasper stayed with Granny and Poppa to enjoy the grooves while I ran around with Mum's taxi doing the school drop offs and pick ups.

Today was an important day with Sienna's orientation to Kindergarten or Big school next year.

She has spent the last 3 days for an hour each day at the school and meeting her buddy's, lucky she has two to keep up with her!

Teddy's class were singing Christmas carols at the Government house open day.

This wonderful giant old Norfolk Island pine tree stands in the grounds and is honestly my favourite Christmas tree in the world, even not decorated.

After the school pick up, we headed back to Emily bay to play and listen to the Jazz.

Both kids disappointingly noticed at once that the raft was missing from the bay.

Sometimes they take it out for a quick repair, replace the drums and a repaint but not in Summer.

It was another beautiful day on the island, busy, but full of music, new adventures, happy children and fantastic scenery.

No.7. Driving to the beach

2010-12-07T23:45:00.001+11:30

~7~

Another beautiful afternoon at Emily bay.

It is low tide every afternoon this week, so perfect time to snorkel in the bay.

The kids challenge every time we come here is to swim to the raft in the middle of the bay and jump off, I used to do it on my summer holidays here as a kid also.

My confident two oldest kids will run off to play and talk to their friends on the beach and make new ones of any age.

It is so still here today that we can hear their conversations floating down to us from the other side of the beach.

On a small Island community like this, we can feel safe to let the children out of our eyesight for a moment on the beach as we know most of the families who are playing here.

Even on a busy weekend, there are no huge crowds.

♥It is Paradise♥

My 16 year old nephew Jake who is here has just got his learners permit licence.

He is keen to practise his driving skills. The roads down at Kingston are the least winding on the Island, so it is a good place for him to drive with one of us while Granny watches the kids at the beach.

Singing Sienna likes to sing loud opera out of the car window while we drive along, it would be impossible to learn to drive with her ☺

There was a beautiful sunset on its way when we left the beach, by the time we got home and organized for dinner, we walked out into the front yard to watch the view over Ball bay.

No.6. Back to school Monday

2010-12-06T21:55:00.005+11:30

~6~

After a 3 day weekend, Ted returned to school this morning.

So for something special, we walked from Fletcher Christian apartments where Mum and Dad are staying, picking Jacob up on the way from where he is staying at Devon house.

After depositing Teddy in his year 1 classroom, we walked home passing Sweeties, the most popular lolly & chocolate shop on the island.

Sienna began hinting at how hot she was after that BIG walk to school until Granny and Poppa asked if an ice cream would cool her down. ☺

So everyone (except me as it was only 9am and I wasn't on holidays, so couldn't justify ice cream eating at that time of the morning) had a sweeties cone.

My nephew Jake enjoyed his double (he most definitely IS on holidays)

Baby Jasper who is now 10 months old has only ever tried a small taste of a soft serve once and didn't really like it, he looked like he wasn't going to even try a taste of any one's ice cream. After a little perseverance from big sister Sienna and Granny, He Likes it!

No.5. Sunny Sunday

2010-12-05T08:04:00.001+11:30

~5~

We headed to the airport this morning to say bye to our little cousin Liam who is heading off to New Zealand to stay with his other grandparents prior to Christmas until his mum and dad join him there in a couple of weeks.

There was lots of cuddles.

Living in a small Island community which relies on tourism and planes, a trip to the airport to meet and greet or to say Bon Voyage is part of our lives, especially for the children.

A Jazz band for Jazz in the pines week playing to the arrivals off the plane.

After the airport, we made it to the Sunday markets to view all the stall holders wares.

I was reminded to go to the local Sports and workers club (sporties) Kids Christmas party.

Santa was coming (Hooray said Ted and he didn't look like Daddy like he did 2 years ago).

There were lolly scrambles, good food and lots of fun with friends before all the kids had a chance to sit on Santa's knee to receive a present.

Teddy got a soft rocket launcher

Sienna got Dora and Boots figurines hiding in a large egg

But poor baby Jasper upon seeing this 'Santa' character for the first time did a double take before crying to get off his lap (which is very unlike my happy baby and make you wonder why we make our children sit on his knee)

Santa came good though and gave him a fantastic bucket and spade set, what a great present for a little drummer boy.

After the party, the weather was warm enough for sitting at the beach and playing on the sand with Jasper's new bucket and spade which he loved.

Only the children ventured into the water and swam to the raft and back.

There were plenty of families enjoying Emily bay on this gorgeous, sunny afternoon.

No.4. A busy day

2010-12-04T22:28:00.008+11:30

~4~

Saturdays are always a busy day for us from the moment we wake up and rush around to find the kids horseriding gear for their riding lessons at Pegasus stables.

We then have a brief moment to grab a cup of coffee in town, go to the farmers and growers markets and maybe even read a page or two of the local weekly newspaper.

Then it is time to change into swimmers again and back to Teddy's swimming lesson at Suzanne's place, Ted's school teacher Judy is also his swimming teacher which he loves.

Tickling Granny giving Teddy a quick towel dry after his swimming lesson

Mum and dad are staying at Fletcher Christian apartments. The grounds are looking lovely at the moment as is the swimming pool. Ted couldn't wait for his lesson and jumped in followed by his sister, the only problem was that she was wearing her jeans still!

This morning was the annual Christmas toy sale at the Bounty centre which is a huge toy shop in the centre of town. Santa came to visit, but by the time we had finished the horseriding lessons, Santa had already flown back to the North pole on his reindeer.

I thought Sienna (5) would be most upset but it was big boy Teddy(7 and a half) who dissolved into tears.

We found this cute little Santa baby on the shelf and will have to take him home as he is so gorgeous!

This afternoon, we decided to go to play free mini golf and have an ice cream at the mini golf toy shop.

The mini golf course has recently been renovated and shows the history of Norfolk Island from it's birth as a volcano to present day.

Such a busy day, poor Sienna didn't last long after her bath, she just curled up in an armchair and fell asleep.

We are hoping that it will be a lovely day for swimming at the beach Morla (local speak for tomorrow).

No.3. They're here.

2010-12-03T10:21:00.004+11:30

~3~

It was a late night with a delayed flight but the kids Granny, Poppa and cousin Jake finally arrived here on Norfolk Island late last night.

So after a big sleep in his morning (and a day off school for Ted) We got to 'hang out' with the grandparents.

Sienna had her swimming lesson, so we all went along to watch her.

It was a lovely surprise to see swimming teacher Suzanne's trees all decorated with baubles.

I love her house and gardens, she has amazing style and really embraces the Island life, she teaches the Norfolk language to Teddy at school.

Here is go-getter Suzanne's blog

and her daughter Reevie's too

This is a gorgeous picture I took of Suzanne's poinciana tree decorated for Christmas, It is situated near her roadside cattle grid to keep the wandering cattle of Norfolk Island out of her yard.

Very Norfolk!

Tonight Mary and Bernie generously invited all the family together to have a pot luck family dinner at Devon House.

Nobody does Pot luck as well as Norfolk Islanders, everyone is so inventive and resourceful to use whatever is in season at that particular time.

Basil the lap dwelling cat was put away for dinner, but kept a close eye on the food this left free laps for Digby who cose Mums for an after dinner cuddle.

No.2. 22 more sleeps!

2010-12-02T10:57:00.009+11:30

~2~

The Tree is up.

This is baby Jasper's first Christmas, so he got his first taste of baubles while Teddy and Sienna decorated the tree.

I usually stick to a red and green theme each year with gold and silver for highlights.

There are a few handmade treasures from the children as well as from my clever Aunty Mary

When we first moved here 2 years ago, our Christmas tree of choice was a small Norfolk Island Pine tree we cut down from a friends house, but last year was too dry so we sought out a re-usable (fake) one.

Each year, Sienna insists on falling asleep under the Christmas tree. She never questions why she wakes up in her own bed.

The weather has been perfect here on the Island it is 21 degrees centigrade with the humidity rising, I have yet to get to the beach this week, but am sure that we will spend lots of time there snorkelling and swimming when our family arrive on the plane tonight.

No.1. 'Tis the season Christmas countdown

2010-12-01T10:03:00.010+11:30

~1~

I am inspired by lots of other Mums around the world adding a Christmas countdown to their blogs.

Nap time notes

and

milasdaydreams
Most live in cold parts of the world where a winter Christmas is very special, here on Norfolk Island we celebrate the beginning of summer and 3 months of fun at Emily bay and extended hours of sunshine.

Within this Summer is my Baby Jasper's First Birthday in 2 months time.

So after a long absence from updating my Heaven on earth blog, here is my Christmas countdown of my favourite daily photos as we celebrate each day here on the Island leading up to the 25th.

We are putting up and decorating our Christmas tree tonight and preparing for the late night arrival of Granny, Poppa and my nephew Jake via plane, what a wonderful way to begin Summer and Christmas festivities.

I hope you are all making a list and checking it twice ☺

♥Cristina
This is my sister Mandy's 'bling' tree. The colours change every year, but she always adds that extra sparkle and style to Christmas.

Happy 5th Birthday Sienna Antenna

2010-09-04T17:08:00.001+11:30

Here is Sienna's interview as this week's 'Kid of the week' for the local online newspaper, Norfolk Online news.

What is your name? “Sienna Antenna”.

Why is that your name? “I made it up because I couldn't be Hannah Montanna”.

Do you have any other names? “Yes, you can call me Silverbelle Rose or Penelope if you like”.

What are you doing today? “I had a coffee with my dad at a café and now I am just playing with my fairies.”

What else do you like to do? “Lots of craft and singing and drawing at home and painting like my mum does.”

What are your favourite toys? “My little ponies and my dog and my baby brother Jasper.”

How old are you? “I am 5 in 2 more sleeps.”

What is on your birthday wish list? “A cat and plasticine and a big kangaroo, I can't wait!”

What is your favourite food? “Porridge, because it's so sweet.

I like pizza with pineapple and cheese and meat AND vegetables. I love stripy ice cream that's pink, brown and white.”

What do you grow in your garden? “Ginormous sunflowers and thousands and millions of cherry tomatoes.”

What is your favourite show on tv? “Top gear.”

Why? “Because I like Richard Hammond, he is my boyfriend, but don't tell Wilkes or Eli because I am going to marry them.”

What are you going to do at school next year? ”Read books, listen to the teacher and do lots and lots of homework!”

What colour school uniform would you like to wear? “I will have to wear white and blue but I want to wear pink and purple sparkles.”

What are you going to be when you get bigger? “A singing teacher.”

Why? “Because I love singing.”

Where will you live when you get bigger? “I like Norfolk Island but I am going to live in Africa.”

Why Africa? “Because I like zebras and giraffes.”

Thankyou Sienna Antenna and Happy 5th Birthday!

Here is another 'kid of the week' article that Sienna appeared in after her birthday last year.

You’ve got to love kids

Name: Sienna Rose

How old are you? 4, I like being 4.

What is the best thing about going to Banyan Park Playcentre? Painting, doing puzzles and dressing up dolls, I like singing and dancing but I do that at home.

What is your favourite thing about the teachers there? I love when they do lots of sparkly stuff and give us glitter to glue on things.

What do you want to be when you are a big salan (person)? A Mermaid.

What is a Mermaid's job? cleaning up the sea, brushing my hair and even singing.

Who do you want to marry when you grow up? Eli, I will marry him on a Thursday, but I am still little so I will marry Wilkes on Friday and Cameron on Wednesday, have I said Wednesday yet? and Ben E on a princess day and Ben C on a king day.

Where will you live? Fairyland with my best friend King Wilke I will eat bubble cakes and juice cakes.

How did you break your arm? I fell off Wilkes fig tree, I screamed very loud.

Do you have a pet? Yes it is Bantam, its a little weenie chicken, but Teddy calls him Phantom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou Sienna for the last 5 years of love, squeals, songs and laughter and for just being uniquely you!
I Love you princess, love from Mummy.

6 months old

2010-08-14T22:26:00.001+11:30

6 months old already and changing everyday.

Jasper couldn't wait until 6 months to begin eating, he was hungry at 5 months.

See my Aunty Mary's blog of Jasper's first food

He is also crawling, very early I know, but he does have a big brother and sister to chase after.

At first Jasper looked so much like Sienna and now there are so many similarities with a 6 month old Teddy.
Is it the hair? or personality?
Teddy

Time will tell.

Sienna

In the meantime we are enjoying each day with this bundle of energy, he has the most delicious smiles and bubbly laughter, each day is a blessing.

Jasper

Just a little footnote of our recent visitors, Aunty Jenni and cousin Alyssa came to Norfolk Island last month for Jasper cuddles and I found this photo from 7 years ago when they visited us on the Sunshine coast for Teddy cuddles.

2003

2010

Black and White Blogging

2010-05-29T14:34:00.013+11:30

After 3 years of Blogging about our life on Norfolk Island and 125 posts on Norfolk Heaven on Earth, I have decided on a little bit of redecorating.

It was time for a new template as a change from the old green and blue one, especially when I realized that the columns were too small to display all my photos side my side on my friends laptop, some of the photos were partially hidden behind each other. It was time for a wider blog page.

I Love colour, the brighter the better, so while playing around with a few blogger templates, I actually surprised myself by choosing a simple white one, I did try to make the background and font different colours, but they seem to work against my photography not with it.

So here I am with two blogs

a black one for my artworks Cristina Rose Art

and a white one this one Norfolk Heaven on Earth

My Auntie Mary started me writing a blog when I moved to Norfolk Island, it was a great way to keep an online journal of our adventures here and to give the family back in Australia lots of images of my children.

Mary writes beautifully and her blog Devonhouse Recollections is well worth a visit to discover another persons way of life on this magnificent tiny Island in the middle of the South Pacific.

There are many, many stories to tell about life here on Norfolk Island, There are so many diverse activities and business's here, Life certainly isn't black and white.

After discovering that most searches on google etc for information on Norfolk Island had very little local content, Mary and I recently offered to teach blogging together to the community.

We had a very interesting mix of people and they have produced some very interesting blogs.

there were a scattering of local blogs beforehand and now we have at least 28 Norfolk Island blogs.

There is a mix of community and personal stories as well as business and political blogs.

Please feel free to visit any of the following blogs to gain a more rounded view of Life on the World of Norfolk.

Norfolk Island Business Blogs
Bounty Divers
Baunti Escapes
The Hospitality Shop
Peach Season
Aatuti Art
Land and Sea
Bigg Fresh
Aurelia Health Retreat
Stefanos Restaurant
Petes Place
Framed and Signed
Anson bay Pottery
Bath and Body
Hillcrest Gardens Hotel
Norfolk Island Community Blogs
Norfolk Online news
Norfolk Island News
Norfolk Island Weddings
Johns Norfolk Island Recipes
Norfolk Island Community Arts
Norfolk Island Museum
Norfolk Island Happenings
Theatre in Paradise
Ask a Norfolk Island Local
Norfolk Island Wave
Norfolk Island Red Hatters
Cheryl Tennis Club
Holistic Living Festival
Norfolk Island Political Blogs
Your Parliament, Your Voice
Angels and Eagles
Healthy Debate on Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island Personal Blogs
Cristina Rose Art
Devonhouse Recollections
Tatoo and Tapa
Fire Dancing
Studio123
Norfolk Island Calm
Penelope on Norfolk
Mayos in Paradise
Perceptions of Paradise

If you have a blog that includes Norfolk Island content, please feel free to Contact Me Here so I can add you to our Norfolk Island Blogroll.

Happy 15th Wedding Anniversary

2010-05-20T14:54:00.004+11:30

Happy Wedding Anniversary to us.

15 years ago, Brandt and I got married at the church next to my primary school in Gymea, NSW.

Last night as were were putting our kids to bed, we reflected on what a wonderful journey we have had so far together.

There have been many funny moments and special memories together, that we are looking forward to many more years to come increasing our memory banks with more special moments.

As we have added 3 little chips off the block to our family in recent years, we are sure that there will be many fun adventures ahead.

Our 5th anniversary was spent in style, we dressed back up in our wedding clothes and hit our favourite bars and restaurants in Noosa. So much fun.

Our 10th Anniversary, we were expecting Sienna, so couldn't repeat the same fun in my wedding dress.

Today our 15th anniversary, my wedding dress is still in Qld, but doubt I could fit into it with a 3 month old baby anyway.

We are very blessed.

Newborn to 3 MONTHS OLD.

2010-05-01T00:25:00.000+11:30

Jasper being adored as a newborn

Loved just as much 3 months later

3 months old who do I look like?

5 BLACK HAIRED BABIES

Brandt

Teddy

3 born in Sutherland hospital- Mum, Dad and youngest baby, the other siblings both born on the Sunshine Coast.

Cristina

Sienna Rose

Jasper

Genetics are strong things.

You can tell that all three children are a blend of Brandt and I and our families.

Here is a collection of pictures of the kids all 3 months old for you to make up your own minds of who looks like who.

Teddy

Sienna Rose

Jasper

please no more photos!

Se Moosa Bus

2010-04-20T14:49:00.007+11:30

This is our beloved Se Moosa bus.

It is our roving mobile canteen on Norfolk Island, always available at the Markets, local football, netball and at the beach all Summer for Hamburgers, Chips and Iceblocks as well as nice coffees and hot chocolates.

I remember lining up with my older sister for a treat when I spent a summer here at 10 years of age, 25 years before we moved to Norfolk Island, but I will have to ask a local what bus it was back then.

Lovely Owners Kellie and Tosca are the school canteen ladies also among many other things.

Last year, we enjoyed dinner from se moosa bus and a music night as we watched the sun set over Emily bay.

Se Moosa Bus in the Norfolk Language means to nearly burst as in having eaten so much, you could nearly burst or moosa (nearly) bus (burst or bust).

Someone showed me photos of the bus when it was new being lifted off the ship recently, sadly, I can't remember who it was, so can't ask them to scan the photos.
Then my brother sends me an email today with the scanned photos, Thanks for reading my blog Mike.

Here is the actual bus as it came off the ship at Kingston, December 1987.

It was ready to go with all it's war paint on and was fitted out as the Pinetree tours bus for the light and sound show.

This Iconic feature of Norfolk Island is up for sale and it would be a shame for the local kids (and their Mums and Dads) to not see it down the beach each Summer.

If you are interested in purchasing this piece of modern Norfolk Island History, being your own boss, having this amazing view at work all summer long and Living on Norfolk Island, leave a message in the comment box.

Pirates everywhere. Aargh me hearties.

2010-04-19T23:18:00.000+11:30

There have been a few Pirate parties around Norfolk, each has been different and unique as well as highly entertaining for both big and little people.

I had been planning this post for a while as we have been to 4 Pirate parties now here on the Island so, after a year, here is the post.

My little cousin

Liam's 2nd Birthday, the first of the Pirate themed parties that we attended on Norfolk Island.

Kim went all out and even made fantastic Pirate outfits for all the kids.

I drew the game 'pin the eyepatch on Pirate Liam' which was lots of fun, we all loved the jumping castle too.

Liam's Pirate cake was fantastic.

These are my Icecream cone cakes. Good for little hands to hold on to during parties.

Choose a microwavable cake recipe, place 2 dessertspoonfuls of cake mix in each cone, place 4 at a time in microwave for approx 1 and a half minutes, cool and top with plenty of butter icing and sprinkles.

I wanted to paint a personal pirate painting for Liam. The close up shows real wooden buttons for coconuts and the 2 pirate mateys guard the treasure chest with real beads and gems glued on.
Liams name is also on a flag on the ship in the background.

Julian's 40th ~ An adults Pirate party complete with full size ship and Pirate cake and treasure chest.

A swashbuckling good time was had by all.This Pirate ship cake was amazing.

Twins Jasmine and Flynn's Pirate and fairy princess 5th birthday party was an all day adventure full of imagination and organization.
Parents Joanna and Brooke had made an amazing large Pirate ship in the yard from Post office packing cardboard.

Teddy walks the plank.

Story time in the Pirates den.The children were each given a treasure map and followed the good Capt'n Brooke around the different 'lands' on their property and complete tasks such as, looking for the key on Pirate palm Island that would unlock Capt'ns footlocker back a his camp or look for the message in the bottle in the enchanted forest Island and read a pirate story in the Pirates den.Palm trunk cannons It was a fantastic day full of imaginative games and the children loved throwing water bombs at the end of the day at their good Capt'n.Younger brother Theo couldn't understand why he was the only child in the family not having a birhday, so he got to join in the celebrations with his Happy NO Birthday Dinosaur cake.

Liam's 3rd Birthday party ~ Loving bein' Pirates, Aargh.

The Amazing Kim also made Pirate and Pirate princess outfits for all the children attending.

Traditional Pirate Fare

Pirate ship sandpitJaspers first dress up party at 6 weeks old.

The S.S inflatable Pirate ship with hose cannons, jumping castle and sandpit, so much fun as were the water balloons at the end of the day.

Norfolk Island people sure know how to party.

Well done yorlyi, we have had a wonderful time at your parties, celebrating with you.

The coming and goings of ships in the night

2010-03-29T15:40:00.000+11:30

Being on an Island and surrounded by lots of water in the South Pacific ocean, ships have been a huge part of every islanders way of life.

It has either brought supplies or people here such as back in the convict settlement times or the Bounty desendants arriving on Norfolk Island from Pitcairn Island on the Morayshire back in 1856.

Now, we rely on cargo ships to bring all sorts of Supplies to the Island, from grocery items to horses and cattle and the cars and buses that drive the tourists and ourselves all around the 170km of roads on this 5x8km island.

Our Cargo ship is called 'The Norfolk Guardian', It sets sail fully loaded from Yamba in NSW and arrives here on Norfolk for unloading the old fashioned way by local stevedores on lighters pulled by a launch.

Giftware like coasters,mugs, placemats and stubbie coolers with photos of The Norfolk Guardian and buses and Trucks coming in on the Lighters can be purchased from Image gallery on Norfolk Island
Image Gallery Contact

The Guardian will then sail on to New Zealand and then fully loaded back to us.

Our Local supermarket here on Norfolk Island, Foodland, stocks both Australian and New Zealand grocery items, though we have strict quarrantine laws and dont import fruit and vegetables except onion, potatoes, ginger and garlic. All local produce is grown fresh here on the Island, although seasonal, you can't get any fresher than our own backyards.

When we woke up this morning (26/3) We had a lovely treat as P & O's Pacific Sun had arrived just outside Norfolk Island at Cascade.

Preparation had been underway for months some last minute beautifying the town iced the cake, now we just had to wait for our new visitors to arrive.

Amazingly, The Pacific Sun fits more people on it than live on Norfolk Island.

About 2000 can stay on the Pacific Sun and about 1600 to 1800 people live on Norfolk Island.

To find out more about how the cruise ship visit went please visit our community blog, Norfolk Island Happenings that I also write for. CLICK HERE