No.5. Sunny Sunday

~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

~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.

~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!

~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

~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.