First step!

No footage, but plenty of witnesses as Grandma, Granddad, Al, Bronte and Mum all saw Zach stand, and take a deliberate step forward (Dad was cooking lunch). He has also allowed us to walk him holding hands. It suddenly feels a whole lot closer.

Eating, thinking

Baking with Bronte

Another photo for the Baking with Bronte cookbook

Him and her

The budding artist

Zach is insistent on copying his sister, and loves doing drawings.

Australia day celebrations

Celebrations were over at Ava's new place. The sultry weather meant that a pool dip was needed, particularly after the boys burned up and down on the bikes.

No stabilisers

Will can ride a bike! Nothing like healthy competition for motivation. So - Bronte is practicing hard on her balance bike, and getting used to her pink bike (with no stabilisers - as she puts it). We still need to hold on, and the rain isn't helping the practice, but I know she will get it soon.

The next stage

This is it. Paternity leave over. Our little boy goes to school. There was some sad cuddles at home. There were some sad cuddles at school too (thank you for the photo Bronte!). Day 1: Zach needed a mum visit at lunch as he hadn't drunk or eaten anything. But, he was generally happy playing. Day 2: they hit his sweet tooth with custard and fruit, but this time he didn't sleep. But, in general they were happy with him. A new place, new people, and 8 other new friends starting as well, in addition to pouring rain, makes for a bit of a tough introduction. But - I think this little boy will fit in soon, and have them all around his (not so) little finger.

Funny face

Bronte has a very expressive face. My favourite is when she scrunches up her nose, half closes one eye, and say "I think so". This is just a silly face - or, as she would say, "a silly head face".

Pool play

Bronte still remains happy on the side of a pool than in it; zachary is ok - but needs to grip on tight; but the Poon-Ryans are absolute water kids.

Brushing teeth

These photos really capture Zach well at the moment. He loves climbing (he climbs up to the stool shown), loves brushing his teeth, and that is his "uugh" face that he pulls when we don't give him / don't understand what he wants.

Faces

The funny face is starting to look like crazy face...

What to say....

When Bronte asks "how did zachy get inside your tummy?"
And, "where was I before I was in your tummy?"

The big questions on the car ride home.
Advice accepted.

Princess Zachy

The dress-ups have started. As he has a big sister, and all the hand-me-downs are from his girl cousins - Zach is in for a lot of princess time.

Finally - rain

In memory of the floods this time last year, the rain came a'tumbling. But - this time we are grateful for it because it has been too long between gutter boat races and puddle stomps.

The new tutu

Bronte received her christmas present from the Grealy's - an Angelina Ballerina tutu! It has been a HUGE hit, particularly after the concert, and we have seen jetes, plies, arabesques, pirouettes, and skips.

Tennis and swims

A fun afternoon at Kristinas with the school gang. Bronte much keener about tennis than swimming. Not a bad thing.

11 months - exploding

Not too much more from the half month update - just better at it. Better at pointing, making the "uugh" sound to indicate what we wants, standing (~5seconds), eating from a fork (if you stick the food on the fork when he is not looking), and sleeping in his cot (yay for daytime sleeps!). He has to climb everything, taste everything, and throw everything, and be prepared for the very loud yells of protest when he is stopped from doing what he wants to do. Child care starts next week. I think we are all ready.

3 years 8 months

This was one of those months that you want to bottle so that in harder times you can remember what a funny, charming, responsible, loving and gorgeous girl Bronte can be. She has been sleeping well (we are starting to get dry nights) - racing down the hallway at about 6 to jump into bed for another hours sleep between mum,dad and zach.

Ava fun

Fun with Ava included morning tea in the deck house, painting, two showers, and some craft work. Ava and Bronte are so great together - particularly because Ava is so tolerant of Bronte's fragile moments.

Watching time

Fleet of fox

A night off and a concert for dad

Angelina Ballerina!

We went to see Angelina Ballerina - performed by the NZ Royal Ballet. About 500 kids dressed in ballet costumes in the performing arts complex is the definition of cute. As Bronte explained "I was a little bit scared when it was dark and the curtains were down because I wanted to see Angelina, but then the curtains came up and there was Angelina!" She sat enthralled on the end of my knees through both sessions (or "we saw Angelina, and then we had a biscuit, and then we got to see Angelina AGAIN!'. To top it off, we got the bus home.

School friends

A pre-school catch up with Audrey meant dress-ups and dancing and slide trains

Beach day 2

Rain in the morning cleared to another nice beach day. We are so lucky.

Beach trip

The weather was perfect so we headed up the coast for one of those glorious beach days. Bronte likes the waves now, and Zach has always liked them, which has changed our beach experiences markedly. Our girl is now a real surfer chick.