Cheers from Waiheke

dear Ailsa,

I was very nice that you could come to stay at my place. I am sorry I stole some of your breakfast, though I did think that you might not want it anymore.

And it was fun being at the beach with you and jumping in all the waves. And you looked very cool on the wahu blow up board.

Did you bring this wind with you from Wellington? I didn't even get to go outside after you left and the trees around my house look like they are sweeping the sky clean.

love

Rosie

Helping myself

dear Sabian and Julian,

Just a word of warning for when you visit. You can get very hungry around here if you don't start helping yourself. And the quality of accessible food isn't always what one might hope for. Today after only three pieces of fruit loaf for breakfast and a can of baked beans (medium sized) for lunch I found that by mid afternoon hunger was setting in. I hadn't been offered the pizza that others here had for lunch but I managed to scrape up the remains (the soggy middle piece) off the pizza stone and then grab a glass of water out of the sink (dishwashing water). I thought I better aim for eating it on the spot (the kitchen floor) as who knows what other scavengers might get in on the deal.

see you soon,

lots of love

Rose Helene

Sun setting

dear Nicola,

I really like dogs. When did you adopt Eiger? You know that I am adopted too.

This photo is from our deck. It is like one Mummy took in Dominica when she was working for you.

I had my Xmas day on the island. On Wednesday I saw Santa Claus in Hamilton and he said I had been a good girl and would get presents.. and he kept his promise :) I got lots of fun and pretty things. I got this stick you turn around and it makes a noise. I got safety gears for the beach (I guess cos I nearly drowned) and today my godmther and my god-grandmother came to visit and I got a very cool beach towel from god-grandmother Stella and a very very very cool steering wheel from Glenda.

You will have to come and see us one day. I guess Eiger isn't allowed on the aeroplane..

love

Rose Helene XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kiting

dear Lauree,

I flew the kite. It was very exciting and it just lifts up off the ground and goes high high high up in the air. You can just see the spot on the photo. But then I saw some kids and I ran after them and the trees grabbed my kite as I ran.

Luckily my U. Johnny was nearby and he managed to rescue it. Just I will have to buy a new handle and string part.

Please give Kara and Georgia a hug and kiss for Xmas from me,

Thankyou for the kite,

love and hugs

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Whakanewha

dear Grandma and Grandad,


Now it is Summer on the Island. I get to go for a swim every day. At this beach no dogs are allowed and you aren't allowed to have tents either and stay the night (only at the campground area) because there are little baby birds. I am not allowed to go and see the little baby birds because I might be too scary to them.

Today I was under a pohutakawa tree at Whakanewha and I made my Bok Bok sound. Then a bird copied me. Then another bird copied and then across the park you could hear another bird copying. It was very funny.

lots of love

Rose Helene, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Island Time

dear Jamie,

Where are you? I am back here on the island and you are not here. Today I went for a swim with the boogy board. I am more coordinated now and I can manage by myself in the shallow water. Also the Onetangi beach has got a pool in it when the waves are out and the water in that is warm as.

Johnny is here and he is doing lots of fix it things. He has fixitted the shower head and the kitchen cupboard doors. He has also fixitted the view so we can see the sea from the kitchen table again.

I wish you a very merry xmas,

lots of love

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tooth accident

dear Eleanor,

This morning as I was walking from the car park to the Riddiford building, I fell flat on my face and I hurt my cheek. It was bleeding a little and sore and now there is a big bruise there.

The specialist looked at my squint and said that he wouldn't operate at this stage as it is not certain that it will improve things.

When I got to school they noticed that I have a big big chip out of my left front tooth and so tonight I am going to the emergency dentist. It means I get to stay up real late.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Angel Face

dear Great Aunty Joan,

Thankyou for the Xmas card. Xmas is going well in my home. Last night after school there were Xmas fruit mince pies to eat. There were two plates and one on each plate. I had one, it was yummy, so I quickly ate the other. But then I saw mummy's face and she didn't look happy.

She went to the pantry and got another one out and put it on the plate and went to turn on Xmas music on the stereo. I couldn't believe I was getting to have yet another one of these treats. So I ate that it quickly with a lot of Xmas spirit.

Mummy came back from turning on the stereo. It was very very clear that she was not feeling any Xmas spirit at all.

They were very nice fruit mince pies.

I hope you have a lovely Xmas. I am sorry to hear that you have been in hospital. Get well soon.



love

Rose Helene XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

Train Trips

dear Tenika,

Yesterday I went with all my class on the train to Johnsonville. We had to do our Christmas Shopping. It went well and we shopped and shopped and had macdonalds as well. And I got to sit in a puddle.

This is my Xmas tree. It has lots of lights that flash. There is a button and I push it and the lights twinkle faster and slower. Mummy and Glenda bought the lights in Paris for my welcome home party a long time ago.

Only one more week of school

lots of love

Rosie

The Weekly School Cup

Need I say more

love

Rosie XXXX

Lighting up for Xmas

dear U. Johnny,

This is the bottom of the big christmas tree that is where the santa line telephone box is. I haven't seen the lights when they are on yet.

At the bottom there are great big bean bags that you can sit on and climb all over. It is lots of fun,

see you very soon,

love and kisses

Rosie

Santa Line

dear Santa,

Just in case you did remember what I asked for when I saw you at Capital E, I have left a message on your answer phone. I hope you clear your messages?

Yesterday my school had a Christmas BBQ. Lots of families came and there were some really nice boys who played with me on the trampoline. I also to to watch them shoot basket balls. They were awesome.

love

Rose Helene

Santa Claus is coming to town

dear Grandma and Grandad

I met Santa Claus. My school went to Capital E and Santa was there and he had a ukelele for me to play. I was very happy. I got to tell him what I wanted for Christmas and he promised me that I would get it. So now I am very excited. I just hope he knows that I will be on Waiheke and not in Welllington so that he sends it to the right place.

love and hugs.

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

dear Jenny

It is still raining in Wellington. It rains and rains and rains. It is not good waiting for it to stop raining to go on my trampoline. I have to just tramp in the rain.

These photos are of Matt. I don't think you met him when you came to visit. He is very nice and Mel's boyfriend.

How is your Xmas shopping going? I don't think I have started mine yet... but then I delegate, so who knows where it is up to.

lots of love

Rosie

Helicopter View

dear Joni,

Westpac is a bank in New Zealand and it supports a helicopter rescue service. These helicopters are in Auckland International Airport and are lots of fun. Maybe you can go in one when you come to see us.

I have been in a big helicopter as well. When I was 2 years old I was on Corsica for a holiday and I had a seizure. The helicopter took mummy and me from one side of the island to the other. Unfortunately I was unconscious and didn't even know about it.

love

Rosie

Matts the man

dear Matt,

I am sorry I was a bit under the weather when I visited today. I took all my medicines in the morning and that always hits me pretty hard. I hope you have a really nice trip with Mel and please go on lots of roller coasters for me at Euro Disney.

love and hugs

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

p.s. I couldn't find my Euro disney photo but this was on the merry go round at Hotel de Ville (near where I lived)

Farewell Fiji

dear Mel

This is the nice man who drove my wheelchair to the plane in Fiji. I didn't have to worry about my bags being stolen at all! Not like you in Sicily. I am very sorry that you were mugged. Did you have photos of me in your handbag? When Fared was kidnapped and his car stolen, they also took his photo album of me. Don't worry if they did, I will give you some more photos when you come home.

lots of love

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Moce Rosie Love Lela

dear Lela,

Thankyou for the flowers all over my bed. I opened the door to my room, the light was dimmed and there was my bed covered in little pieces of bourgainvilia. It was so beautiful.

I had a wonderful holiday at your place.

love and hugs

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Indonesian Attire

dear Aunty Mardiati,

Remember when you visited New Zealand a long time ago and you gave me this dress. Now it fits me. I wore it to dinner and the night-bar at the resort. It looked very elegant even though I had barefeet as I was having a problem keeping my shoes on.

I hope you and your family are very well.

love

Rose Helene

p.s. 2nd december 2007 I wrote to you also :)

Wheelchair access

dear Stella,

I hope you can come to the island in the Summer. You can ride on the Vespa!

I have now graduated to a wheelchair for airports and shopping malls. It is so cool. I get pushed around and I get to hold onto the camera case and a handbag. I have wanted a wheelchair ever since I started school and found that most of the other kids had them.

The other person in this photo is Briony. When we were in Fiji everyone thought she was my sister even though she doesn't look like me at all.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Eid Mubarak

dear Shaami,

This is the inside of a hibiscus flower. You have to get very close to it to take this photo. I know because I help mummy by holding on to her arm to steady her and put her in position.

Are there lots of goats on the streets these days? I feel a bit sad for the goats because they might not understand why they have to be eaten.

I hope you are having a nice holiday,

love and hugs

Rosie

View from reception

dear Judy,

This is the view from reception at the resort. All those funny browny grey things are the roofs of bures that people stay in. We stayed in a room in the main building and that meant we could look at everything.

In the evening we would sit on our balcony and have our glass of champagne and jucie that the butler bought. The butler might be a lady or a man. We would also have snacks. Staff would pass on the pathway and look up at us and shout out 'Bula' and we would wave back at them.

We have reviewed the hotel on 'Trip Advisor'... if you look up Trip Advisor and look up Outrigger Lagoon Fiji then you can see the review and some more photos.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294336-d307144-r49658078-Outrigger_on_the_Lagoon_Fiji-Sigatoka_Coral_Coast_Viti_Levu.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

looking forward to seeing you at Xmas,

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thankyou Briony

dear Briony,

Thankyou for coming with me on holiday to Fiji. It was lots of fun having you there. Good luck with the reading programme these holidays and the 395 kids.

I still have many weeks of schools till my holidays. We are going to have Xmas on the island. You can come up anytime you want to.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Bula and Vinaka

dear Julie,

I have come home from my holiday a bit tired but still cheerful. It was very exciting and relaxing. The first thing I did when I came home was run to my piano. I missed being able to play my instruments.

In the hotel there was a lift that went to four floors. On the night I left, I managed to get into the lift, going up, on the third floor without my minders.

I was ecstatic when the door closed and I realised that finally I had the lift all to myself. I jumped up and down and did a turnaround. I could hear the minders on the outside cracking up. One ran up to the fourth floor to wait for the lift and one stayed on the third floor pushing the button to bring it back. And that is what happened.

love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Water babies

dear Jess,

Today I was standing on the step at the pool and stepping off. This is first stage of jumping in to the water. I can also stand and walk off backwards.

This resort has lots of different cocktails which I am not allowed. Most nights other people who are with me drink these fantastical coloured drinks from big glasses and I get given sprite!

Hope you can make it to NZ soon. I have a lot of plans for you.

love

Rosie

Do you think they have a job for me?

Dear U. Simon,

Fiji is a very cool place to be. When I am introduced all that needs to be said is 'Rosie, Rosie tours' and everyone remembers my name. There are Rosie tours and Rosie cars and Rosie everythings.

Today at lunch the musicians came to our table and sang 'Isa Lei'. It is a very beautiful song that is sung for farewells; when people are leaving or even for funerals.

love and cuddles,

Rosie McTosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Corn Rows

dear Cassie,

Today is the last day of my holiday. I have just been to the hair salon and Mere put 14 braids in my hair. I had to sit very still but I was able to look in the mirror while she did it.

I am very pleased with the result.

For the rest of the day we are just relaxing; having lunch when the morning music men will sing goodbye to us and then swimming, sleeping and up in time for champagne in our room in the evening and off to the lighting ceremony.

Such a hectic life here.

love ya

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Little Drummer Girl

dear Carolyn,

I have been listening to music every meal time. The ukelele/guitar men play special songs for me. They try and play 'twinkle twinkle little star' but it isn't that easy to recognise.


I now 'get' drumming. There is a great big drum by the pool that makes a really loud noise and is used to call people to events. We go there each evening to watch the lighting ceremony. Now I have a baby drum which I hope I can bring home and I also have a bamboo whistle which I think I will have to leave here. I sat on the path and learned how to use it in five minutes. It had a little stick that goes up and down like the frother for milk.

See you very soon,

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Pacific Harbour

dear Bill and Janet,

Today I went for a drive to Pacific Harbour. It is 80 km away from the Outrigger but it takes a long time to get there because you have to slow down to 50km an hour for all the villages and there are a lot of them.

There were cows on the road and horses by the side. Four baby pigs ran across the road in front of the car. They were going to find their mother.

There were lots of people walking along going to church. Sometimes there were grandmothers and they had grandchildren who would carry umbrella's to give shelter.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

p.s. this is one of the hotel staff. They are very nice.

Water water everywhere

dear Jenny,

My swimming is getting really good. With my pink Wahu life jacket and flotation device I can kick and wave my arms for an hour. And I don't put my head under the water anymore.

I have some new medicines for my epilepsy but they are not stopping the slumps. I think next I might have to take steroids. Though these won't be for muscle building. Actually I am not sure at all what the steroids do.

I hope your trip to the glaciers was fun.

lots of love

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kids Club

dear Glenda

I can't really go to kids club because it is very structured and I'm not. But I am allowed to play in the playground. There is no swing but a cool walk bridge and a swing bridge. The other kids come and play there when they are not being structured.

Each day I go to a different restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a kids menu and I can have fish and chips; chicken and chips, shepherds pie but best of all is I get to have icecream and jelly.

love and kisses to Billy,

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Wahu in the Water

dear Rachelle,

You can see that I am fully recovered from nearly drowning. Actually I was recovered by the next morning. Just one thing has changed, I am not putting my head under the water as much as before.

There are different fruits to eat for breakfast. There is pineapple, water melon, pawpaw, mango and banana. I specially like water melon.

There are long pathways to walk down. This one in the photo is the main one and it is covered with a thatch roof so that when the sun is shining it doesn't make the bricks too hot to walk on.

love and hugs

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXX

Tropical Gardens

dear Eleanor,

There is lots of exercising to do here and lots of sleeping. Our room is up on the hill. It has a balcony and you can see the sea over the rooftops of the bures. When you want to eat or go for a swim then you walk down lots of pathways to the restaurants and the swimming pool. The sea is too choppy to swim in.

The main path is covered and it has nice brick that you can run and run on. It curves down the hill and at the end of each curve is a seat. There are also ladys from the village with lots of necklaces and gifts laid out on their blankets for sale.

The other pathways are not covered and golf carts come along them with the staff on them. I run and run after them but do not catch them. I get very sad when that happens. Just once, one of them stopped and gave me a lift. That made me very happy.

lots of love and cuddles

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Swimming time

dear Grandma and Grandad,

I am having a holiday with Briony and Mummy in Fiji. There is a really cool swimming pool with a big shallow area. It has a curvy channel running through it and stones and fountains.

We are here for one more week. It is too windy to go snorkelling or kayaking but there are lots of other things to do.

love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Bar Girl

dear Mel,

Each night mummy and briony are hanging out for their five pm champagne that gets delivered by the VIP butler service. Then there is a big discussion at dinner on which cocktail they are going to have. After dinner we go to each of the restaurants till we find the musicians to listen to before going to bed.

Lots of love

Rosiepo XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Firewalkers in Fiji

dear Lew,

There was a big fire and lots of stones. There was a chief and he told a story of spirits and how they let some men walk on stones. There was lots of wood on the fire and it was taken off and then the men walk across the stones and even though they were very very hot they didn't get burnt.

love

Philippa

Help me Rhonda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BjS3k_FZ8

Fiji is fun

dear Class Three,

I came on two planes and landed on an island called Fiji. I am staying in a resort with Briony and mummy. They were a bit short of musicians and so I was called upon to play. I obliged.

This morning at breakfast they played 'twinkle twinkle little star'. Then I request 'wind the bobbin up' but they didn't seem to know the song or the actions even though I was giving them lots of instruction.

The main song they play is 'Isa-Lei' which is when people are leaving,

love to you all,

Rosie

Leaving on a boat

dear Kelly,

Why are you walking towards the sea with a bag? Don't you know that you are meant to take bags to airports not to the sea?

I would never be allowed to take my suitcase to the beach.

One day you will have to come and see me. You can bounce on the trampoline and play music with me. I might even let you share with washing the dishes. Washing the dishes is something I am allowed to do when I have 1) had my breakfast 2) got dressed 3) had my medicines.

lots of love

Rosie McTosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX