Well hello again ;) It has been a busy old month and while our days seem to just tick along whenever I look at photos to put on here it always amazes me all the things the kids have been up to. In the moment sometimes things feel rushed, frantic and sometimes just out right mental!! Looking back at the photos though the moments seem calm and they remind me of all the lovely aspects. They seem so serene and happy, a fragment of time caught on film.
So I thought this month I would choose 4 highlights for us and offer our lovely photos;
Monsters Birthday - 29th August 2013
Daniel decided that his beloved Monster needed an official birthday. Once again Daniel knew exactly the 'recipe' needed (thankfully minus any cheese) and dictated it for Jasmine to write. My job then was to decipher and assist ;)
 |
| Daniel and Monster with cake. |
Jasmine decided that she needed to make a dessert for Monster's birthday. So she created 'scrooge scruge pie' which was a pie with apple, pear and marshmallows in it. Actually, to our surprize, it turned out very nice without any trace of the pile of marshmallows heaped in!
 |
| Jasmine with her dessert ready to go into the oven. |
Cupcake Day- officially 26 August but as we were away we participated on 2 September 2013
For the second year in a row the kids have fund raised for the SPCA by making, decorating and selling cupcakes. They love the whole process - especially counting the money at the end ;) Liam hosts our little sale and prepares everyone ahead of time to bring coins so that the process is fairly pain free.
 |
| Themselves with their icing and sugar laden cupcakes! |
This year we raised $20.10 which we then took down to the local SPCA in Hokitika so they could add it to their stash. We try to go down weekly to pat the cats, scruffle the dogs and take any willing participants for a walk. Daniel has recently fallen in love with a cat there who he pats and plays with happily and as usual - despite its actual sex - it is a boy ;)
White-Baiting - 8 September 2013
Being on the Coast for over a year now it seemed only fitting and about time that some White-baiting was attempted. The kids, and himself, were very excited to get down there so with a bit of advice from a few 'in the know' and a few 'not really in the know', off they went. Himself and the kids went down by bike along the tow path while I took the car, equipment, food and drink down to the river mouth.
 |
| Themselves with their fishing nets trying their luck. |
Most local White-baiters were leaving with comments of 'not running today' but we were there, armed and prepared so White-baiting we will go. After around 30 mins of Liam on the scoop net and the kids with their fishing nets we had success!!! Not running indeed! Well maybe not all of them were running but the 2, yes 2, that we caught certainly were ;) One almost got away as the kids wanted to hold it in their hands however Jasmine was determined to have White-bait fritters for lunch so scrambled and searched through the rocks till she retrieved it!
 |
| Our grand catch for lunch - stick not included ;) |
And so Himself and Herself junior had one white-bait each adorning some potato fritters.
Trip to Hari Hari - 15 September 2013
Today, with the sun shining and the Spring warmth to bolster us, the kids and I decided to venture South a little ways to Hari Hari. In passing, on other trips, I had noticed a few little walks and a display about Guy Menzie crash landing there after his solo trans Tasman flight yet we had never stopped to explore properly.
With bikes, food, kids and dog loaded up we set off. The kids loved the long stretches of undisturbed footpath to bike on in Hari Hari and soon spotted a park to play in. From a distance a woman was there seemingly fixing bits in the playground however once we arrived we discovered that it was a local artist who was creating an amazing mosaic feature. She discussed her plans for covering it and creating a place which can be used all year round and for weddings as the kids raced around the labyrinth of tiles and mosaic.
 |
| Themselves following the path to the sundial and back. |
As we talked and praised her 8 year, and on-going, journey of creating a unique public space she asked if we would like to add to it by painting a tile too. Like to? Like to? YES PLEASE!!! The kids each worked away on their tiles in the sunshine and we talked about how they would be able to come back in the future and visit their tile (the lady had told us where they would be).
 |
| Herself's Pukeko and Himself's Monster |
Jasmine must of been giving it lots of thought afterwards as at teatime she announced that one day she was going to go back and get married in Hari Hari and see her tile ............ and you know what I don't doubt that she would ;)
Hope this finds you all revelling in your own bit of sunshine and warmth wherever you are.
Arohanui
Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz
