Walking in Waitomo

During the school holidays we went down to Waitomo for the day. We skipped the caves etc cause they're too expensive and went on a couple of walks instead.

Adele rode in style on Mike's back in the Mei Tai carrier where she had a great view of everything. Lots of pointing!

The day was lots of fun. I'd really like to go back and do some more walks - there are so many down there and it's a great way to get some 'family time' in. Mike and I enjoy the chance to talk without distractions too!

Adele's first birthday party

Finally a quiet moment to do some blogging.

We had Adele's first birthday party last weekend. She had a blast. She really does love having people over to play at her house.

She was so spoiled with all her gifts, I'd love to say what her favourite is but to be honest she's been playing with pretty much all of them.

As for the cake. Ahhh, butter cream icing you still elude me... And the cake itself ended up a bit dry cause Adele and I went outside to play while it was cooking and I forgot to take it out of the oven. Ooops! Totally still edible though and didn't look too bad after all.

Creation a week #15

Can you believe that my little girl is one?

Her party is coming up this weekend so I thought I'd better have a practice run at baking a cake & icing it. The baking part went fine. But the icing... why does my butter cream icing always split? Noone I've talked to seems to have this problem. They just look at me like I'm a freak. Apparently butter cream icing is easy. Sigh.

For the actual party I'll be attempting a teddy bear!

So anyway, I forgot to photograph it before coffee group - here are the remains.

Creation a week #14

And here's another creation. I made these pocket tissue holders to give as a wee gift to the facilitators of the SPACE programme Adele and I have been attending over the past year.

Really simple and quick to make - 5 minutes? I even used a pair of my old jeans :) I think I'll make a few more to pop into my box of 'emergency gifts'. There are tonnes of tutorials online but I used this one.

Creation a week #13

Finally made use of the two formula tins my friend gave me. Adele loves these drums. I put uncooked popcorn in one and chickpeas in the other so they double as shakers.

Adele sits up on her knees and rocks side to side while I beat on the drums and sing a Mainly Music song,  'I can beat on my drum, on my drum..." Love it!

Creation a week # 12

I know, I know, it's been ages since I did a creation a week post (May 10th!). That's cause I stopped creating. And then I started again but kept forgetting to photograph them before I gave them away as gifts! But now I've started again in a flurry... might even have enough to catch up! So I'll eek them out over a few days :)

I've been making these crayon rolls for 1st birthday gifts (we've had a few of them lately). This is the 4th or 5th that I've made. Finally remembered to photograph one. I used this tutorial.