AVATAR

I hope you all enjoy this. We watched Avatar the movie together the other day, Amy and Ollie love it, Amy thinks they are all dinosaurs.

So some may know what Avatar is and some may not.

So Amy and I thought we'd help those that do not with a little rendition from the film to give you a clue of what it is like, what the special effects look like, a sample of the story line and well you'll see.

I think we should be on royalties because if I saw this I think I'd be running to the store to buy the Blue Ray.

Sit back, switch the surround sound on, get some pop corn and enjoy!

Lood Daddy I can do the splits!!!

Sorry these are a little blurry, but I just had to blog these. Hysterical, this is a few snaps of Amy at her play school thing, Polliwogs. Just look how high she is jumping, and the splits wow. And a random one of her pulling pigtails at my friends, daughters first birthday was too cute to exclude.

Sports Day

It's Sports Day time again - whoops Mary, Amy and I turned up a little late and missed Ollie in the sprint race, but amazing is that he came first in his heat - check the ribbon he had awarded. Well done Mr Kennett, and bless he let his sister have it.

Shame though is that those with the yellow sash, The Lions, and Ollie's team came last despite his efforts. What we did see was sack race, long jump and javelin.

I would really like to draw your attention to the video clip on his sack race. I was doing some general video when whoosh a flash of yellow sack goes flying past. I couldn't keep up what was it, it was like a speeding yellow bullet, a speeding yellow train, a supersonic yellow jet plane - but no it's Ollie in his sack race for the yellow team The Lions.

Watch him go, just amazing!

Funny as well was long jump as some of the kids would literally run and jump and dive head first, arms outstretched landing on their face in the sand. Then poor little things had to be explained to that, sorry but it's not the first bit of you that is the measure it's the last bit, so your feet. Whoops.

So we did see a fair bit but also sadly missed a fait bit. Amy was also there, and if you listen closely on some of the video clips you will certainly hear her screaming, I think, that she is "The Winner!!"

Well that was outside, how about inside!

Where do we live

Crazy but was out walking with the kids and I realised I really have never taken some photos to show anyone back home where we live, so to rectify that here we go some scenics from around Costa Rhu, Singapore. Limited typing here as me and the kids give introductions and dialogue to the clips, "run VT!"

Speed Freaks!!!

Trying to get out with the guys more, which is tough because literally it seems that every weekend we're invited to another birthday party, either 2-3 or 9 year old. It seems to be like this every weekend, in fact so much so I am thinking of resigning from BT and going to work for Toys R Us, or at least buys some shares in Toys R Us as I think with all the birthday presents I have brought from there I must own at least half the company.

So back to getting outside. Amy has been loving her scooter, and recently borrowed her mates bike. So a purchase was made (yes from Toys R Us) for Amy, a new pink (ish) bike and boy does she love it. She wears her helmet in doors for breakfast, lunch and dinner and rides round the condo on the bike. great purchase and also it gets us all outside for some lovely walks first things in the mornings. Have a look, I think you will all agree the kids are definitely having fun fun fun!

Love B xx

And some updates from the week/weekends - I'll break them up

OK for those that have read previous blogs you would have the seen the one of Amy actually modeling and again having her first portfolio shots. You may also remember I said never again would I let her or rather put her through a modeling shoot, as that really was horrendous. But I don't mind putting her through the portfolio shots, I mean, check the face and the look of total ecstasy on her little face. The one finally with the pink dress on is the her finished and ready to go next door to photographer Paul for the shoot. That took no more than 5-10 minutes which is great compared to the 4-5 hours of a real shoot. That is never again, but this is fun for her. I should have the photos back in July and of course will share them with you all as they are just beautiful from what I saw on the day.

It really hits home

A lazy Sunday today, it's been raining literally all day, Amy is having her afternoon nap and Ollie is glued to the TV.

Plenty of time to sit think and reflect. I'm sitting here thinking of my poor mate Martin and the girls, what must be going through their mind with the loss of Annie - wife, mother, best friend. And yes it brings floods of Nina thoughts back, front and centre.

The big one word questions, simply put:

"Why?" - Why us, why did she leave us, why did she have to go, why were we chosen for this?

"What?" - What are we going to do without her, what will the children grow up like without her, what did we do to deserve the loss of her?

"Will" - Will we be OK, will we survive without her, will we still feel so sad without her in another 5, 10, 50 years?

Am I angry with her, no, just desperately missing her so. I want her back.

So sad to see little Amy grow to be the most beautiful girl, funny, caring, thoughtful, pensive at times - but to never have really had the chance to experience her Mum, will she remember Naoko - No. And Ollie who was devoted to Nina, loved her desperately, doted on her - to have that taken away, the gentle side of the parents, the feminine touch, the love of a Mum is just too cruel to mention.

We push on as a family. Mary is amazing and helps us all with that. But we all, I, still miss and love our lost girl. I wish you could come back Ni, I love you.

Martin, I really feel for you an the girls, I am so very sorry this has had to happen to you. Another wonderful person taken from us all, from you. Another person with such sparkle, like Nina, that has been taken prematurely from her family and friends. There is no rhyme or reason for the "Why", there truly is not, and I still cannot accept it and likely never will. My thoughts are with you.

Annie Brennan

No idea where to begin on this one. It's taking me back three years or so to the Naochan experience, major flash-backs happening, and sadness reigns the day. I got a text message in the early hours from a very dear friend's mobile stating "sorry to trouble you, but Annie passed away last night, in her sleep, so restful". Shocked and surprised do not give enough emphasis to initial thoughts spinning through my head.

The first thing I thought to do was validate is this true, can this be true, has she really gone? So I send a one liner, "Is this Martin?" And so it goes on with a few exchanges of SMS and yes such such sad news news, Anne-Marie Brennan, Annie has left us. To be determined exactly how, but Martin said her windpipe just closed during the night, maybe caused by reaction to a spider bite.

Life is so cruel and not just because Annie (aged only 46), like Naochan, was one of life's special people, loved by all, the fun one in the room - but because Annie, also like Naochan, leaves some just beautiful children behind. The only difference being that Laura and Hannah are now all grown up and with families, but Morgan is still pre-teens. Morgan I have not yet had the fortune to meet, but she is a beautiful girl, like her Mum from what I have seen on Facebook recently.

To my mate Martin, Annie's husband, what can I say Martin. I could say I know what you're going through because of what happened with Naochan and continues to happen to this day, but I have NO idea what you're going through. That's personal. Martin we're here for you if you need us mate, and I will absolutely try to come over to say goodbye to the beautiful lady in a couple of weeks. Let your barriers down you don't have to be a "rock", cover yourself in the best cotton wool on the market - the girls, friends and family, and SHARE everything mate - the pain, the memories, the warmth, the love and sometimes the fun as you remember her.

I said to Martin you meet Annie for a week, even a day and you feel like you have know her a lifetime, and you immediately fall in love with her which again is for life. So even though she is gone, I am absolutely certain she is still in the hearts and fond memories of everyone that had the fortune of her touching their lives. Annie you are just gorgeous and even though I haven't seen you for an age, I will miss you so so much. Love you gorgeous girl.

Martin, Laura, Hannah, Morgan - I hope to see you all in UK, and if you need anything, even just a chat please let me know. All our love Bri, Amy and Ollie xxx