Life begins at 40......

Well that's what I've heard so I'll see now that I am in that age group.  Somehow though I think it was coined for those (this generation or previous) who began families in their late teens or early 20's, meaning that their little bundles were grown and about to fly the nest by the time the parents were 40.  I had a nice relaxed day with my little bundles (and the larger one too) - lunch out and then chocolate biscuits with a DVD in the evening.  Don't feel any different although Liam reminds me at every chance that any event is because I'm in my 40's now.  A good friend told me that since she turned forty she was less prone to worrying about what others think and just gets on with life.  I'm holding her to that - and she's been told too ;)

The past two weeks have flown by as we have been busy going about life.  The weather here has been amazing. There have been some heavy rains over night that is for sure but the days - in general- have been great!  Bearing in mind that it could begin raining for days on end at any stage we are currently living our lives by the old saying 'Make hay while the sun shines'!  We have had a mixture of inside and outside activities - Kiwi House, Museum, swimming, selling cupcakes for SPCA-  however one of the highlights would have to be a drive around Lake Kaniere and up to Hokitika Gorge one sunny Saturday.  We stopped for walks, swings and picnics on the way which made for a relaxed and enjoyable family day.  The kids are so much better at walking here - must be all the bush and birds to keep them interested - and it makes life much easier ;)

Our picnic spot up at the gorge where miromiro (tomtit) joined us.

One of the nice things about being at home with the kids, aside from making our own timetable, is that we are able to do many (actually most) of the things that previously were on our 'One Day' list.  I'm sure you all have it...... you're eating lunch and the topic goes to making something/doing something and the request goes out to actually perform the aforementioned activity.  The standard reply in our house was 'Sure, one day we can'.  Usually the 'one day' never eventuated.  Lately though Jasmine has been able to have time to knit (a skill given to her by Nanny Beth), Daniel has begun to make recipes and sew things (something he wanted to do before but we never had enough focused time for) and I have finally painted the kid's wee chairs and our coffee table (which were all purchased over 2 years ago with the intention of doing up)!  Even though our days are busier they somehow feel better and I don't feel like a taxi driver anymore - waiting for the next pick up or drop off ;)

Kids with their cupcakes ready to sell at Daddy's work to raise funds for SPCA.

Each morning we listen to the bird call on National Radio (at 7am) and the kids are now getting quite good at recognizing a few of them.  This combined with so many native birds to be seen and/or heard has prompted many discussions about birds in general and so while looking in a book we came across a bird pudding recipe.  Now I have got to say a this point that the previously mentioned book is one that I have had since a child and I have never used that bird pudding recipe, despite intending to on many occasions.  So I feel very proud of myself at having ended a 32 year period of procrastination on that particular issue.  Anyway we collected all the ingredients and set to work; creating seedy puddings which once set we put out for the birds approval.  After 2 days of waiting without the slightest interest shown the tauhou (waxeyes) arrived!!  And man did they arrive.  Considering their size the can saw get through food and they have almost finished the first pudding.  So nice to watch from the window and a good source of entertainment watching their comings and goings (including a few flights in the window). Liam has since informed me we shouldn't be feeding the wild birds .... so I did have a guilty pang.  That is until I remembered that he started it by throwing bread out to the birds! So for now I'll just enjoy them visiting, even if it is due to being enticed.

Tauhou having a feast



I'll sign off for now. Hope this finds you all happy, healthy and warm

Arohanui Y

www.becominghealthy.co.nz

The week that was...

The week does seem to go past quite fast so luckily I have been keeping a bit of a record - hopefully useful when applying for homeschooling exemption too ;) - so will use that to jog the old gray matter.

We have found story time at our local library which is great.  It is the usual songs and stories however the kids have clicked onto an added bonus that keeps them coming back. They get a sticker each time they come with a prize given when 10 stickers have been collected - never realised Jasmine knew the days of the week so well as I get my reminder that we can't miss our library visit.  The rotation of books is at great rates, either that or we just acquire more each week we go!  Gotta love the library though and it is the first thing I have joined up to in every new place I have been (with and without kids).  Luckily the kids love hearing Daddy read them and reading them to themselves just as much as me reading.

The weekend brought around a chance to be with Liam again, fixing chairs (broken in the shift and not worth enough to claim.  I guess that's what you get for owning second hand bits ;) ), riding bikes, reading books and watching the lambs with their mama's.  We have quite a collection of  lambs now - all sorts of colours and sizes.  Two have had 'jackets' put on them as they weren't feeding well and one has gone but luckily with the numbers growing the kid's haven't clicked onto it.  Their sheep watching, and patience,  was rewarded on Sunday when they actually saw twins being born right in the front paddock.  All sorts of questions were flying around I can tell you!!! The most interesting of which was why did I need someone else to help me have them when the sheep could just do it herself,  bite through the umbilical cord and eat everything herself.  Sadly though the neighbour has moved them into another paddock now so have to be content with other activities.

The kids making creatures and boat from walnut shells - got 2 hours of peace from this one!

One of our mainstay activities is baking on a Monday and this week we found a great little recipe in an old (and I mean old) Alison Holst book - '' Kelly's Carrot Cake' or as I have renamed it in the recipe page 'Quick and Easy Dairy Free Carrot Cake'. Baking with the kids brings back good memories for me of helping my grandmother in the kitchen however with four 'helping' hands the trick is to find recipes that are easy and have an ingredients list divisible by 2 where ever possible.  That being said they are getting much better as it is becoming a regular thing and now know the routine of washing hands, aprons, chairs etc.  Jasmine informs me though that the best thing, and the only good thing apparently, about baking day is getting to lick the mixture at the end!!

Jasmine painting a 'real' butterfly as opposed to my 'pretend'one.

Aside from that it has been enjoying the sunshine.......Yes you heard correctly.  While the East Coast was a wash with rain we were enjoying  a fabulous day of sun!  Not so sunny now but at least it proves that this coast is nicer than over the hill ;) 

Hope this finds you all healthy, happy and dry
Arohanui Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz

Spring is upon us

We have had a great week since I last wrote, busy, eventful and happy - well most of the time.  One of the things I love about homeschooling is the possibility to take time for when the kids interests are peaked, answering questions in an unhurried way and sharing their experiences. The past week has truly been a week of new beginnings for us and a week which made me realise just how much can be learnt from actually keeping my mouth closed to listen and watch.

The kids decided that they would make kites based off some instructions that come in a cereal packet - luckily for me they really were child friendly instructions and easy to follow via pictures so I had very little to do except smile at the enthusiasm shown.  This wasn't that long lived though as Jasmine realised flying kites inside is far from fun........a trip to the beach was needed. So paper kites in hand (A4 sheet and some wool) we headed down to the beach to find some real wind and real wind they did find.  Jasmine quickly modified hers with a stick and feathers to get the most out of it as Daniel watched on, more interested in collecting sticks and stones away from the waves.  The modifications then proved useful in telling the wind direction as the wool twisted and untwisted depending on the where Jasmine stood.....thankfully for me as I would have been the one trying to untangle it all!  The weather here has been so lovely  that impromptu trips like this have been possible and of course in Hokitika nothing is that far away.

Flying the kite at Hokitika River mouth

The weather has had other effects on our lives though apart from the ease of getting out and about. Blossoms have begun to appear, daffidols are blooming and the birds are in abundance.  Yesterday we were treated to greeting twin lambs in the paddocks in front of us.  They had just been born, literally, and the kids and I watched for ages as the mother carefully cleaning and cared for her young.  The thing that amazed me the most though was the fact that all the other sheep stayed out of that paddock (there are 4 which are interconnected) for the whole morning till the babies were feeding and the family comfortable.  It was as if they knew it was a special time and that space was needed for that bonding.  Maybe something for humans to consider..........support without being in the same paddock ay?! ;)  Anyway it has been lovely to see and for the kids to experience.  Now we wait and check constantly to see if any more sheep are having their babies.

Mama sheep and her twins.

Jasmine has had her own new beginnings too as she started Pippins (a Girl Guide group for 5 and 6 year olds) last week.  It is all new to me but thought is was a good way for her to meet other girls her age within a positive environment.  Today was her second time and she assures me that I no longer need to come with her...... we'll see how next week goes. It is a small group and they meet for an hour to play games, sing and share news.  Jasmine was a bit nervous about the latter as she thought she had no news to tell - Imagine!!!  Anyway that was very short  lived after I explained that news could be about anything that happen to her and so the flood gates opened.  It is really interesting watching from a far though and seeing how your children interact with others, how they tackle new tasks and situations.  She was in there boots and all so I think that all will be good. 

The biggest new beginning this week though is that we have had our offer on a wee cottage in Hokitika accepted.  Yes, we have found a home already that we can call our own.  I haven't really let the kids settle here as I nag them to be careful, put things back etc because it isn't our place and it is on the market with viewings happening often.  Now we can relax a bit - well maybe not Liam so much as it has a lot of jobs that need doing. 



Our future new abode.

Just as well Liam enjoys doing building work (I heard him say it once and I'm sticking to it!) and I enjoy making lists for him to do ;)  It has all we need - 3 beds, double gargage, laundry inside (currently we have to walked outside to ours) and cell phone coverage beyond one window sill.  There is also a B and B next door, very handy.  All going well we will be in around mid Oct so I'll keep you all posted.

Hope this finds you all happy, healthy and warm.
Arohanui Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz