Well it's not really beach weather here, but the kids do still enjoy a good splash in the bath.

Margie climbs the stairs to the bath mumbling "stinky rat, stinky rat". As you can tell, she has been called that once or twice.

Darren and Kelly are the proud parents of a beautiful little girl, Malu. She was born on 21 Jan weighing in at 8lb 4.5 oz. A pretty little thing - she gets her good looks from her Mum.

In years to come she will have quite a tale to recount about her arrival into the world. As we understand it, Darren was on the boat off NZ when the news came that the baby would have to be delivered that day. 007 managed to get the boat to sail close to land where a speedboat was waiting to take him to shore. There a helicopter was waiting to take him to Auckland airport where an airplane was waiting for him. He was rushed through the Brisbane airport, then Mum sped up to the north coast hospital - arriving 20 mins before the big event.

We welcome our beautiful new niece and cousin to the world - and well done Darren (for making it to the birth in time) and Kelly (well, for doing all the work!).

Our lovely Eleanor has just had her 4th birthday. The self titled "Queenus of the Minus" knew that it was her special day and that we would do (almost) anything for her. And boy, did she milk it!

This year, she had a birthday party with some of her little friends from nursery school. Dressed as the princess that she is, she had a wonderful day with all her little princess and superhero friends.

The next day she was quite tired. She told me that the Queenus of the Minus was so tired that she had to retire to her castle for a rest.

For a birthday treat, we are also going to take her to high tea soon. She asked if we would take her to the Ritz for tea - but we said no! We'll take her somewhere a little more modest I think.