The sun has got his hat on......

Well for one day anyway!! 

Yesterday (Actually Tuesday a week ago as I didn't have Internet at Mum's and unable to post) we finally had a lovely day in Hokitika after 10 days of rain.  Now I know this is nothing compared to what some of the Coasters have endured in the past but it was enough for us to rejoice a little at being able to get outside for more than 10 dry mins at a time.  The highlight of the day though (aside from actually getting a load of washing dry on the line!) was the sunset on the mountains behind us.  Having been hidden for over a week they majestically farewelled the sun as the light turned to dusky pink and coloured the snow.  Honestly I'd make a useless chef as I keep taking photos each minute as the light changed and in between just standing and staring, memorized, by the scenery out the window instead of cooking tea! 

The view from our back deck as the sunset.

The exemption is still a work in progress and is turning into a thesis now as I go over board with detail and then change it all when I think of new ideas to do ;) Everywhere I look at the moment there is information and articles about how it is beneficial to leaving 'schooling' till after 6 so I am trying to find that balance and then trying to explain how the learning will still be occurring without us sitting down to do 'book work' so that the MoE (Ministry of Education) will happily grant us the certificate.  Having said that Jasmine saw some resource that I was looking at for Maths and wanted to do a page.  Thinking that once she begun she wouldn't want to continue I agreed........ well guess who was wrong and guess who now asks for maths worksheets daily!!  So much for the best laid plans ;)  Hopefully over the next few days I can finish it off and then get someone to check it over.  Good thing is that I can just cut and paste a few details for Daniel and won't have write everything anew. 

View looking back over Waimakariri River - not bad for on the go!

We ventured over the pass early last Wednesday morning, tagging along with Liam who had to go over for a course.  It was so beautiful, no cars and enjoying the relaxed journey of a passenger.  Poor Mum waited for an hour for us at Darfield as we slowed the pace but it was worth it because then she got a full three days of us :)  Well we enjoyed it - the sun was out every day and the kids loved climbing trees (and getting suspended by them), hunting for chicken nests of eggs and finding metal.  Mum's used to be an old Blacksmith's house so the ground is laden with treasures. Jasmine thinks we are on holiday all the time now that we live in Hokitika.  Hopefully she doesn't come out with that one if any education officers appear.

The kids up the trees at Mum's

Liam joined us on Friday night for the journey back home, through the snow again and back to rain.  Thankfully the last few days have been sunshine so we have got out and about down the river to get our dose of vitamin D on this side of the hill too. Holidays and visits are great but there is nothing like home even in the rain and the kids always seem happy to find their new, old toys again. Once home we finally got on the Internet to receive exciting news that we can collect the keys for our new place early so we are now eagerly waiting for the weekend to get started on all the jobs - well Liam anyway.  I've started dreaming about where I can put things and designing things for Liam to make so it will be good to actually get there and get things started.  Will sign off now as we are headed down to Wanaka to visit Liam's family for a few days (Hmmm..... maybe Jasmine has a point!!) then back for the weekend to collect the keys - Yay!

In Arthur's Pass, preparing to ambush me!

Hope this finds you happy, healthy and warm.
For those just about due - the whole gaggle of you - thinking of you all and best wishes. ;)

Arohanui
Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz