Christmas party

Had an awesome night last night at the Christmas party hosted at Trinity Wharf.  It was circus themed and everyone dressed up, there were also performers, a dj and an amazing fireworks show

Christmas store in town

There is a store in Tauranga, right in town that has only Christmas decorations and trees. It was amazing.

Pilot bay

I went to pilot bay today.  It was lots of fun, I saw a cruise ship, the new boardwalk, watched the guys make a huge sand sculpture, and took heaps of pictures, as well as had morning tea out.

Roadworks at the racecourse

They are making the road bigger at the racecourse, and a footpath for us to walk along.  It's interesting to see how the work is coming along

Xmas Season

In cooking I learnt about rolling and kneading dough. We made Xmas shaped biscuits and when they were baked we wrapped them up in green and red coloured cellophane.

Layrona's Baby

I had some great news this week, I was so happy that I had happy tears in my eyes.  Layrona had a baby girl, she named her Lucy.  I can't wait to hold her, I'm so excited!

Making Christmas cards

Making lots of cards using my awesome iPad card making app

Hard at work

Working hard on my iPad making lots of cards to email to people

Ferguson Park Outing

We had fun going to Ferguson Park in Matua. I couldnt stop laughing at Justine and Diane, they were funny!

photos of signs

In photography we have been taking pictures of signs, letters, and every day items in shapes of letters.

dance and movement

Every week I have danced and movement! I can do the long pois really well.  Bex makes sure that I am huffed and puffed by the end of the session.  Webalso practice hip hop, and there are hula hoops as well!

Pottery

We've been making some pretty big pots in pottery, they're turning out amazing

On my iPad

I love having time on my iPad, I listen to lots of music, facebook, and check my emails

Just dance!

I'm getting pretty good at spinning poi, while everyone else dances around I spin poi.  The glowing ones are my favourite 

Michelle's Baby Shower!

in girls group we have been planning how we could surprise Michelle!  We had a baby shower for her and played some games! There was: guess how many jelly beans in the jar and how big is Michelle's tummy! We decorated the room in pink for the baby.  It was a great afternoon.

Months of the year!

I can put all the months of the year in correct order! I also help and participate in reading and writing by scrolling through my song list to see what music would fit our sessions.

I get to use my co ordination skills for dance and music!

I love how the pois look under the UV light, especially once I can get them moving in time to the music!  These pois have 'tails' on them, and are fantastic for my arms and wrists.  I usually get very thirsty in this session!

Cooking is FUN!

I have fun helping my group make healthy meals for cooking. We all take turns stirring, whisking chopping the ingredients that are needed.  This day we were making Tuna Pasta Bake. 

Police dog came to visit

Today Paul and Ty came to visit us. Ty was a pretty big dog, he was almost as big as my dad's dog Bella

Local Places In Tauranga

Sometimes on our outings we are lucky enough to have great weather for us to be able to explore or the amazing places in Tauranga.  We have recently been to the Gate Pa Park to learn about the Maori Battleground, and to the Judea Board walk.

Photo op time!

At Arohanui everyone is so busy with their sessions that it is not very often that we have everyone at the same spot at exactly the same time. So we took this great opportunity to take a group photo of all of us!

Girlie Time!

In girls group we have been taught some sewing skills and were able to make our very own wheat bags.  We used wheat with lavender oil.  I had a great time discovering new skills!

Trip to Matua Beach

We had a beautiful visit to the beach front of Matua Beach.  Lots of lovely people walking past us said hello.  It was so nice to be able to get out in the fresh air and sun.

Girls Group Afternoon Tea

We have done fundraising in our girls group so we were able to do something girlie that we all agreed upon.  We decided to go to Zaggers at Sulphers Point.   I had a flash frothy hot chocolate with pink and white marshmallows. I really enjoyed being out and about with all my girl friends from work!

Disco Time!!!

In dance and movement we decided it was about time that we had a disco or what we like to call them...our very own dance parties!  We decorated the area with our flashing colourful lights and our special pattern making lights that flash on the ceiling.  Of course we had the BEST music ever, and our staff showed us some cool dance moves....that made me laugh so much that I nearly cried!!!

Healthy Cooking Options

In cooking we have made Fruit Kebabs.  This is a really quick, cheap and healthy option for a snack or dessert.  I found it was like threading in jewellery making!

Having fun during reading and writing!

In reading and writing we have been learning about turn taking, listening, and matching up basic words to pictures.  We have also been learning about the alphabet, signing days of the week and basic maths.

Using new apps

Today I used me new colour free photo app, it's pretty cool, I really like it

Trip to the Rose Gardens

Yesterday, we went to the Rose Gardens for our outing.  It was such a wonderful day, with the most gorgeous weather!

Drama production

I went to the drama production, I videoed the whole show on my iPad, here's a few picture from it

Using my ipad

Using pic collage by myself

Poi Making

In music and movement we are making pois for us to use to help with our hand eye co ordination skills. We are listening  to Maori songs as well to enhance cultural experiences.  it takes a long time to plait the wool.  We use pretty colours so the pois look great.  We have used newspaper and plastic bags for the poi part, which is fantastic as these are all recyclable materials.

Photo editing

Today in photography we did some photo editing on the I pad it was so much fun looking at all the special effects we could do! Here's the photo I edited of myself 

Lantern Making

Thursday afternoon we got to go out and help make lanterns for the Greerton Village IlluminArt Festival

My birthday cake!

Jordan is now super old, she just turned another year older!!!  We had a dance party and birthday singing. I had a very special phone call from everyone at Wilrose.  I was so happy and felt so loved by everyone who shared my day with me.  THANKS GUYS!!!

Freaky Fridays!

At Arohanui we really enjoy our Fridays.  In dance in movement I have learnt to pick up the Swiss ball off the floor and onto my lap using both my arms.  The staff say that I am really strong when I throw it too!

Makeovers....

In Girls Group this week I was lucky enough to have a makeover. I had my hair straightened, makeup put on, and last week had a hand massage and my nails painted. ont I look beautiful :-)

Cooking with Attitude!

On Monday I had cooking.  We had to crush walnuts.  So I put them in a bag and had to 'bash the bag with attitude'!  It was so funny.  I couldn't stop laughing.  I also helped place all the different coloured cup cake cases in the tray ready for the mixture.  I also dipped an apple slice in the butter, then in the cinnamon sugar mix and placed this on top of the muffins.

Pebble Art

Today for Mosaics we started a pebble art project. I had great fun working out where to put everything!  Will keep you updated on the cool stuff we are going to make :-)

Art Time

During art session I am making felt and fabric flowers and having the time of my life!

NZ music disco

Today we had a New Zealand music disco in the sensory room.  Was a fun way to spend our music and movement session this morning

Meeting Stuart the Scooter Man

I got to meet Stuart and his 1966 Lambretta scooter. It's pretty much an antique!

BOP Polytechnic cultural art exhibition

The bay polytechnic had a cultural art exhibition, this is Hayley's collection.  It was a fun outing and pretty cool getting to meet Hayley the designer

BOP Cultural Fashion Exhibition

I went to the BOP to look at their Cultural Fashion Exhibition.  I met some of the young designers and had a fantastic time networking.

Sensory

This morning I listened to an unusual CD.It made me laugh at first,it was very relaxing hearing lots of different birdsong.

Tommy's Visit

I was very lucky to experience a famous NZ author who took time out if his day, to read us his new book: Mauao.  He even signed a copy of his book for me!

Fun Times In Cooking Session

We had fun measuring the different quantities for our Snap Crackle Pop Chocolate Crackles Cupcakes.  They were so delicious too!  We even made enough to share.

A surprise visit

We had a surprise visit from our friend Sarah,who moved to Australia.It was so cool to see her again!

Pottery

This morning I enjoyed finishing off more of my pinch pots,I had a relaxing time!!

Party on the Gondolas!!!

Yesterday I went to Rotorua to ride the gondolas.  I was a bit unsure about going up so high...I didn't think that I would survive it.  But guess what, we had speakers and an iPod set up in our gondola...we were having a party!!!  I really enjoyed having a cuppa with my lunch while looking at the beautiful view.I had so much fun in my party gondola.