With the painting all finished, well on the outside at least, Facebook posted scheduled and the dog into the kennels we headed off to the North Island to visit friends and family. It was great to be able to take a whole 2 weeks to really enjoy the journey up and the time with everyone. For the most part the weather was absolutely lovely! Now I have to admit that before we left I was filled with a little anxiety about returning back to our old stomping ground, which really made me realised that I am not that great with change obviously. I'm all good to adapt once the change has occurred however the lead up to the change stresses me s*%#less. I didn't have to be stressed though as it was like I had never left and so fantastic to just 'pick' up where we left off. If anything it was a little too familiar and I had to keep reminding myself that we weren't living there any more and so had to make an effort to catch up in a limited time ;) Herself in particular loved seeing her old kindy friends (her golden haired teacher included) and family. Thanks to everyone that took time to fit us in and organize things for us we really appreciated it and sorry to those we didn't get time to see.
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| Getting a turn in the driving seat while on the Ferry to Wellington. |
In between all the visiting the kids were entertaining their flat travellers and writing journals about their travels. The Flat Traveller is based on a book 'Flat Stanley' in which a boy who has been flatten by a notice board one night travels by post to see his friend as it is cheaper for his parents. Herself had one from a wee girl in Georgia, USA (Princess B) and Himself Jnr made his own to bring (Naughty Bird). They both created fantastic journals for their travels, writing in what we did each day, collecting pamphlets and tickets along with photos and souvenirs. Even while a bit under the weather with coughs and snotty noses they still managed to draw pictures in and create little sentences about our holiday. Now that we are back and the travellers have gone back home too we are trying to get back into routine which is easier said than done ;) The holiday mode is still prevailing though we are enjoying the comforts of home and knowing where everything is.
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| Working on their Flat Traveller journals in Kapiti |
Aside from her flat traveller herself has been busy with Brownies. She loves going and especially loves working towards the badges that they have. Since we missed some of the key parts of getting her biscuit badge due to our holiday she has been busy making advertising posters for biscuits, baking up a storm with biscuits and selling to everyone we know! I'm a bit blown away by how much she is aware of advertising already especially when she told me that the price has to be the smallest writing on the poster so that they will want to buy the biscuits. Amazing how much they take in from shopping we me and us talking about products, posters and advertising that we have seen. All those times I answered questioned while shopping I had no idea that it would be remembered and used so well ;) Many thanks to everyone that helped her sell her 3 boxes (49 packets of varying kinds). She also had to help the group sell door to door which she thoroughly loved - I think it was getting to see in other people's house that was her favourite part ;)
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| Working on a project for her biscuit badge. |
Himself Jnr is forever busy with Lego!! After 2 weeks on holiday and me not writing in my journal once about Lego, the first minute home he was back into it. I have to say though that the stories he tells, the things he creates from his imagination and the booklets along with all the offshoots of movies, problem solving, negotiations with herself and drawings leaves me more that happy to leave him to it while I listen, watch and smile. He has just begun Keas (baby Scouts as we call it) and absolutely loves it. The leader is the same one as herself's Brownies so it is quite an easy transition for him despite not knowing any of the other kids. Strange to think that my youngest is now independent enough to join a group without me having to be there.
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| Himself happy to be reunited with his mate. |
Himself Snr is busy with work, though he hasn't been back to the office for 3 weeks due to training, and also with study. He has begun a Diploma in Business Administration which is keeping him busy in the evenings along with the odd 4 day weekend away. In between he has managed to fit in a little gardening, with the help of herself, which has seen us eating lovely fresh beetroot, peas, cucumbers, potatoes, garlic, strawberries, lettuce, silverbeet, herbs and tomatoes. Just before we headed off on holiday he decided to clear all tomatoes out and, not being one to waste, made his first ever relish from them which has nearly all gone as it is so delicious.
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| The remaining few jars of yummy homemade man's relish. |
St Patrick's Day, or Irish day as herself likes to call it, tomorrow so we will be getting into our flexi-learning week with some Irish music and yummy flapjacks ;) At the moment, aside from Lego and Sylvanians, that is knitting is the flavour of the month. The kids got some great French knitting kits while we were away so that have been really enjoying creating 'sleeping bags' for toys and sacks. I've loved it too as I have finally learnt how to do it!! It has only taken me 36 years since I first saw someone doing French knitting, and feel in love with the ideas of it and the cute 'needles', to learn so feeling very pleased with myself. I'm also enjoying knitting socks for the family after finding an easy 2 needle patterns so I'm all set for days inside while the winds build up outside.
Hope this finds you all safe and sound without too many weather battles behind you.
Arohanui
Y
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