Repulse Bay

The weather here in Hong Kong has just been glorious for the past 2 weeks. A friend and I took our children to the beach - Repulse Bay. It's not too far from our place and is just over the hill. We got there early - just after 10am as we knew it would be quiet and we'd practically have the place too ourselves as it's just abit too early for the locals. It was busier when we were heading to leave about 1pm.

All the kids played brilliantly together and had a great time - in the water and in the sand ! I even went into the water - it was refreshing but today wasn't a good day for the water being clean. There was quite abit of plastic wrappers floating around. The bay is roped off but it still gets through. I guess we're on the main shipping path so comes from the container ships.

The apartment blocks overlooking Repulse Bay




Making sure all the necessary equipment was on hand

One of the many container ships coming from the port

Sitting on the beach. Victoria and Hannah with their friends (Thomas and Julian - Thomas' older brother). Thomas and Hannah were in the same class at school.

Julian did a spot of fishing with the bucket. The fish has seen healthier days ! but they were fascinated by it.

The temperature at 10.30am - didn't move for the entire time we were at the beach

The lifeguards

Fun in the sand

Pool Party

School broke up on the 30th June. For many of the Barn Owl class this would be the last time that they would be together. A friend of Hannah's was very kind and invited everyone up to her place for a get together. There were 8 children, including Hannah, plus siblings. It was a beautiful, HOT, summer's day in Hong Kong. Note the clear blue sky - see we do have them.

It was such a fabulous day - lots of fun and laughter spent with friends. The children in Hannah's class really are special - they just get along so well. It is a shame that they are going to different schools but I guess that's what happens.



Hannah wanted her water wings on so she could go in the deep end. She can swim but wanted to be able to chase everyone.

Victoria and Sophie - don't know why she wasn't happy. She had a fun day too. There were 2 pools and she alternated between this one and the bigger one. I went in with her and I have to say the water was just FABULOUS !!

The view. The 2 tall buildings is a hospital - which we haven't had to visit. Our friend's place is just abit further up the road from us.

The view of HK city from the pool area. This is looking towards Central.

Such a glorious day !

Graduation

As one chapter ends another one will begin. It's all happening at the moment. Hannah is finishing up at Woodlands Happy Valley Pre-School on June 30th. She will start at her new primary school Quarry Bay School on the 19th August. Both Paul and I are still getting to grips with that AND the fact that she turns 5 in August !! Boy, those years have just flown by !

On Wednesday the 23rd we had a graduation ceremony at the pre-school to celebrate these children. Hannah was so excited about it. Us and the other parents turned up at school for 11am. We were taken to their classroom where a couple of songs were sung to us. Before the ceremony started the children were handed their graduation caps. We then went into the "ceremony" room to watch the children being handed their graduation certificate. It was such a huge moment as it made you realise that this time is really coming to an end. Many of the children in Hannah's class will be starting at different primary schools so these last few days are quite special as it will be the last time together for some of them. The children in Hannah's class are such a delight. They are from all over the world : England, USA, France, Japan, Australia and of course NZ. They all get on fantastically so it is sad that they won't be continuing together.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Hannah being presented her graduation certificate. Her teacher Miss Gasha is in the green top.

The Barn Owl class after the ceremony.

Hannah with her best mates : Isidora and Cirrus. It's very sad as they won't be going to the same primary school.

After the ceremony

No Fear

Last weekend the girls had a birthday party to go to. A friend's little girl was turning 3 - her and Victoria used to go to playgroup together. It was a crazy day has had two parties that day - I have to say though that there wasn't much sugar overload which was great !

Entertainment had been organised. It was abit late turning up but traffic that day was a nightmare - even more than usual. But they did turn up !!

I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Hannah had no fear ! She couldn't wait to have a turn holding each one. She's in her dress that was made for her ballet show as the party we had been to in the morning was fancy dress and that's what she wanted to wear. She's going to be getting abit of wear out of it for the cost of it !!!! Victoria was abit more restrained - I think she followed me.

The expression says it all......

Note : none of the animals are poisionous !! They are perfectly safe.

Quarry Bay Uniform Fashion Parade

I went and picked up Hannah's school uniform on Thursday. Thought it would be a good thing to have now as opposed to running around at the last minute getting things. She'd done a quick try on at the school for induction but we had another try on at home - had abit more time so were able to make sure that it all fitted. We've got the summer uniform which is a dress, shirt and cullotes and a PE uniform. They're all the smallest size and even then she still has alot of growing to do !! The bag is one size only !!! Hannah is in the colour house - Yellow, which is why her PE and sun hat have yellow. There are four house colours in total.




Of course, Victoria had to be part of the show too !!

Ballet Performance

I know I've got alot of catching up to do but first will put up some photos of today. Today was Hannah's very first ballet performance. She didn't wake up til 8.30am this morning (she must have been tired) and all I could think about was that I had to do her hair !! They wanted pig-tails with curls. Now, that was a tad tricky as for whenever I want curls I just put mousse in my hair and scrunch !! To do it on someone who doesn't really have wavy hair I needed to think. In the end I did it the old fashioned way - wet the hair, did tight curls on the hair, pinned up with clips and waited for it to dry !! Hannah wasn't happy but it had to be done ! I do have to say that it worked REALLY well - I was impressed !!

Hannah had to be dropped off for rehearsal at 11am, show was at 2.30pm. They wanted to do a full rehearsal beforehand so she had a packed lunch and took some colouring-in books. I wasn't allowed to stay so left her there with her friends. You could say it was bedlam behind the scenes in the morning but there was such a buzz of excitement - it was very catching. These photos were taken before rehearsal with her friends - Ottillie and Frankie.

I headed back to the theatre after lunch this time with Paul and Victoria. It was a full theatre and tickets were being checked to make sure that even little ones had one !! Victoria was so excited. She kept asking before each performance if this was Hannah's turn. She just loved the music and was dancing and bopping away in her seat or just in front. I must get her enrolled into dance she's just showing such potential !!!

The Stage

Enthralled by the performance

With her friends Vivienne and Cirrus. The performer had received some flowers !!

The "unofficial" video. It's only a sneak peak

Introducing Miss 3......

So it was 3 years ago this time today that I had my leg in plaster, a toddler and a new born. I can laugh about it now !!! Wow, that time really has gone fast !

Today Victoria turned 3 ! She has been so excited about it for the past couple of days and even counting down the sleeps. So much so she was awake AND up at 5.30am this morning. The day began with presents being opened - such delight and excitement there - and then the normal Tuesday routine began - Hannah went to school in the morning and then the girls had swimming lessons. Lunch time saw Happy Birthday being sung with cupcakes all around - she was blowing out the candles even before the cupcake was on the table. But the best moment of today was this : we gave her a Snow White outfit (this is her favourite princess) and she couldn't stop smiling. Around lunchtime she put it on and then disappeared. Paul was home as is working late tonight and went to find her. He found her in Hannah's bed just lying there. He asked her what she was doing. Her response : "Waiting for the prince"....

The other favourite thing being done - just a little bit today was this :

Here are some random shots from the day.

A fun day was had by all as both girls were in bed asleep by 6.15pm. I'm starting to wonder what time they'll be up in the morning !!!