So my baby has turned 3 this week. She has started Kindergarten and seems to be growing up more and more each day. There is no trace of the baby she used to be and almost all her toddlerisms have disappeared. She is fast maturing into a little girl.
Last year we arrived in New Zealand 12 days before her birthday. We were so busy finding somewhere to live and sorting out those sort of practicalities that her birthday was postponed for two weeks and even then it was rather a subdued affair. We knew no one and had no furniture so couldn't exactly throw a party.
Well this year couldn't be more different. We have been to a friends house this morning where A and her three best friends have had cake and ran round the house, back garden and up and down on the trampoline. All at very high speed.
We then popped into the library where the lady who does the Toddler Music group admired A's Tiara and gave her a little pressie and stamp. (hand stamps are highly prized by three year olds!)
Then in the local supermarket we bumped into the "Nice lady on the till" as she is collectively known in our house. Once again A's new dress and Tiara was admired and she got another stamp for the other hand.
At pick up time at the school several of the other Mums came up and wished A happy birthday and she paraded in front of all the other toddlers and generally enjoyed being the centre of attention. As we walked past Kindergarten she yelled at the top of her lungs to get the attention of her Kindy teachers. They gave her a wave and once again wished her a happy birthday. All in all she has been thoroughly spoilt.
We haven't even celebrated her birthday yet at home. We still have all the numerous presents to open that have arrived in the post from the UK and France. She is a very lucky little girl.
I guess the point that I want to make with this post is that in only a year we have been made to feel a real part of this community. We can't visit out local shopping centre without bumping into someone we know. People are so friendly and welcoming that it continually shocks me how willing people are to help you out or just have a chat.
I lived in our last house in the UK for a year and in all that time I didn't know any of our neighbours names. I gave birth to my youngest in that house and didn't even receive any congratulations from any of the people in our cul de sac. Here our neighbours have popped round to borrow flour and the kids come round to play. People lent us furniture when we had none and friends offer, at the drop of a hat, to look after each others children. Its a community rather than just a housing estate.
Last year we arrived in New Zealand 12 days before her birthday. We were so busy finding somewhere to live and sorting out those sort of practicalities that her birthday was postponed for two weeks and even then it was rather a subdued affair. We knew no one and had no furniture so couldn't exactly throw a party.
Well this year couldn't be more different. We have been to a friends house this morning where A and her three best friends have had cake and ran round the house, back garden and up and down on the trampoline. All at very high speed.
We then popped into the library where the lady who does the Toddler Music group admired A's Tiara and gave her a little pressie and stamp. (hand stamps are highly prized by three year olds!)
Then in the local supermarket we bumped into the "Nice lady on the till" as she is collectively known in our house. Once again A's new dress and Tiara was admired and she got another stamp for the other hand.
At pick up time at the school several of the other Mums came up and wished A happy birthday and she paraded in front of all the other toddlers and generally enjoyed being the centre of attention. As we walked past Kindergarten she yelled at the top of her lungs to get the attention of her Kindy teachers. They gave her a wave and once again wished her a happy birthday. All in all she has been thoroughly spoilt.
We haven't even celebrated her birthday yet at home. We still have all the numerous presents to open that have arrived in the post from the UK and France. She is a very lucky little girl.
I guess the point that I want to make with this post is that in only a year we have been made to feel a real part of this community. We can't visit out local shopping centre without bumping into someone we know. People are so friendly and welcoming that it continually shocks me how willing people are to help you out or just have a chat.
I lived in our last house in the UK for a year and in all that time I didn't know any of our neighbours names. I gave birth to my youngest in that house and didn't even receive any congratulations from any of the people in our cul de sac. Here our neighbours have popped round to borrow flour and the kids come round to play. People lent us furniture when we had none and friends offer, at the drop of a hat, to look after each others children. Its a community rather than just a housing estate.
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