so we drove down to Parachute Festival on sunday to spend time with friends and catch Casting Crowns and some other bands in the evening concert performance. here’s a few of my shots from the night – lots more on facebook of Casting Crowns if you’re interested

went to a fabulous stage production of Hercules last month at Green Bay High School – just sharing a few of my faves from the night. the set design & costuming was spectacular and the cast were very talented: loads of laughs from the actors and great moves from the dancers too. all in all, a fun night out

photos…

more here on facebook

today i took a walk along Devonport wharf to see a unique public collection of knitted & crocheted art from over 90 artists – from around here and from around the world! this collection is still growing every day so i highly recommend you grab your family and do the Woolly Walk-Along.

here’s a sample of what’s on offer…

ok so… anyone who knows me knows i’m pretty much a beginner where sport is concerned. of course, i like it when our teams win; but i’m not usually interested in watching how it happened. but i made an exception yesterday for the RWC opening ceremony. from about 4pm i was watching it on the tv, and at 6pm we went to sit in traffic for an hour to get to Mt Victoria in Devonport, which is probably the best vantage point in the city for waterfront fireworks displays.

this was the same place that i shot the 2011 New Years display from. last night the smoke didn’t really disperse during the show which certainly made some interesting effects but it did block part of the end of the display from view. here’s a couple of pics… (full gallery on our facebook)

visit & like our facebook page to view the whole evening’s display

wow… still blogging sessions from april! (sneak peek here)

ok – i won’t blab on too much about this one except to say that i am totally addicted to these cupcakes! they are scrummy and huge with loads of yummy frosting and filling – if you haven’t been to Delish Cupcakes on the North Shore you are totally missing out – but, if you’re in Auckland & can’t get there don’t worry because: they also deliver! so you see, there really is no escape

pictures now! (gorgeous tableware supplied by The Vintage Table)

we had a fantastic time last month shooting for the Auckland Down Syndrome Association annual “Buddy Walk” at Mt Eden Domain. first thing in the morning dew, the stalls were setting up, bouncy-castles inflating, and yummy treats cooking… then as the day progressed with perfect weather the grounds filled up with crowds of excited children, tugging their families from stall to stall. there was a great range of live entertainment, auctions & raffles, and of course, THE WALK. for about an hour the entire mountain was completely encircled by laughing chattering families in the warm sunshine. after the walk: more live entertainment & performances, more mums & dads chatting on picnic rugs, and more happy kids & teens enjoying the fair. what a great day!

and here’s a few pics…

in response to the massive & urgent need for money following the tragic Christchurch earthquake last month, Delish Cupcakes organised and hosted a HUGE community bake sale in the street outside their North Shore shop. on the day they had an amazing response from all over, as a constant stream of people & businesses arrived bearing cakes & baked goods – and left with less money and different baked goods!

Delish also baked & decorated 1,000 (yes… a THOUSAND) of their “mini” cupcakes which sold for $1 each. there was even donated a replica of the Christchurch cathedral in frosted gingerbread! the total raised was $6,664.40… and here’s some of the pics

what a fun morning! take about 30-40 preschoolers: mix in train rides, santa claus complete with a sackful of presents, professional facepainting & balloon animals (and a gym full of toys) and what do you have? the annual heartlands kids’ club christmas party!

here’s some photos from the day…

danny the diesel train, and claire the playgroup organiser poses with santa

wee girl who turned one that day!

artistic and talented, alice in balloonland and carmel the face painter kept the kids well entertained

OTHER PARTY VENDORS’ E-MAIL LINKS:
danny the diesel train
carmel’s face & body art
alice in balloonland

the second of the two cbs primary year 6 events in december is the graduates’ dinner; where the students enjoy an evening of specially prepared food served to them by their teachers and other school staff, followed by a special screening of a favourite movie.

here’s some pics from the dinner…

table settings & decor

some of the staff/waiters & yummy food

some of the students enjoying the night!

every year in december, our local primary school celebrates its 4 leaving classes of students with two main events: the first being graduation night. the students are awarded completion certificates and some are recognised for special acheivements in a number of areas – academic, sporting, and citizenship.

here’s a small selection from the night…

year 6 teachers

year 6

some speeches

a couple of the many prizewinners

year 6′s gift to the school: a trophy cabinet

the themed decor for 2010

from outside