A Party and a Shake-Up

Well yesterday's earthquake is still top in most Kiwi's minds. There were a few of us at the party yesterday, including to Ch-Ch families. Alicia is working today which seems a bit soon. They are expecting a quake measuring 6.0 by the end of the day, and they have gale force wind warnings in place for today as well. Hopefully there are no more injuries. Just really thankful that there were no deaths! Even in Timaru there were breakages, like the top of the spire of St Mary's church. There was also a pub in Temuka demolished (Temuka is a small town about 20km north of Timaru.

Last night Bryanna prayed that Alicia would sleep under the table. But not because she was scared. Because it was cool! That child comes up with some interesting logic sometimes LOL. I do still worry about her. Having a child in the midst of it all kinda changes how you view these things. They are feeling aftershocks every half hour or so, some over 5 magnitude.

Here's a picture I swiped from the internet. Tried to get some better ones, but I kept getting this one as it was part of a slideshow.

On a happier note, Samara had a great birthday party. Apart from a major choking session after eating a Dorito that is!

I haven't uploaded the camera yet, but last night I took this picture of one very exhausted little dinosaur.

She fell asleep in her highchair without touching her dinner at about 6.30 and slept through until 9am this morning!

Christchurch Earthquake

Well, I was woken at 5.30 this morning by Sara ringing me from New Zealand to tell me that there was a massive earthquake in Christchurch this morning. She knows me well enough to wake me up and let me know they are all okay, rather than let me read about it on Facebook and freak out!! LOL.
Alicia lives in Christchurch, and said while it was freaky, they are all okay. Power is out in most of Ch-Ch, but not her place, so she is pretty lucky there!
It seems kinda hard to believe really. I mean, there are quite a few small earthquakes there, but I don't ever remember there being one that caused damage. Seeing the photos online doesn't really equate with Christchurch in my mind!
Personally I hate earthquakes. They really scare me. So I have to say, I am so glad I wasn't still in New Zealand right at this moment.
Apart from Samara's birthday party later today, it is also her cousin Hannah's 10th birthday party today. I am thinking that maybe the attention will be more on the earthquake than her. I hope not though. And I hope she has a great pool party! Good thing it's in Timaru, not Christchurch. Otherwise it may have had to be postponed.
Well, it is 7am now, and the family will start to wake soon. But I am exhausted, so going to try and catch a few more zzzz's.
Please keep the people of Christchurch in your prayers, as damage becomes more apparent, and as they deal with the cleanup, sewage problems, and looting.

Nearly 2 years

Well, in 13 hours time, we are going to be celebrating Samara's 2nd birthday. Her actual birthday isn't until the 23rd, but because we are about to move away from Brisbane, we thought we'd have an early party where Samara can have her friends over.

Today has been spent making and decorating her cake. Actually, the last 2 days have been spent making and decorating her cake.

And now, I am so exhausted. It was a bit of a work of art, complete with the mess that accompanies such endeavours. And the whole nutty artist who really loses the plot. But the results are worth it. Don't you think?