What a fabulous month we've had!

It really has been a great month, made even more so by now having a fully functioning (if not completely finished) bathroom and laundry upstairs.  We have been busy with so many different things with Matariki, School Holidays and Wellington's 150th anniversary all falling in this month. So without further ado I'll fill you in from the beginning to now.

First week of July:

This was also the first week of the school holidays and the local libraries as well as a local Art Gallery seems to go all out with activities for Matatriki.  The kids got to listen to an amazing local artist play a variety of Taonga Puoro (traditional Máori instruments) and well as get to make their own uku-tangi (Clay flute).  Even I got to have a go making one and play it!

Making pinch pots to create our ukutangi

This is also the week that the electrician was here for 2 days rewiring and wiring up our house.  OMG!!! The state of some of our cables were shocking and I think we narrowly averted having a major fire.  We knew it needed doing just not that it was so dodgy, complicated and old.  Thank goodness it is sorted now and finally after 5 years of owning our home we have a central light in our dining area and in Jasmine's bedroom.  No more 'in the mood' 'candle-lit' dinners for us!

Second week of July:

The kids were very excited to be able to go to the 'Farm School' at a local Vaulting and Equestrian Club this week.  The highlight being that they got to ride their ponies down to the dairy to get some lollies.  Unfortunately after a full day Daniel fell just as I was arriving to pick them up and hurt his knee.  No breaks - thank goodness - just strained muscles and ligaments we (meaning the doctors we visited 3 times) think.  It was sore enough that he won't weight bear or walk because of the pain and so we ended up reading a lot, watching a lot of Magic School Bus and Camp Google.  By the weekend he managed to be walking again though running hurt.  More times than not he would forget all about the fact it hurt only to stop suddenly or collapse after jumping up or running off!

Daniel's legs give out after starting on his adventure track in Queen Elizabeth Park

Third week of July:

With the school holidays over the kids were really glad to get back into their Brownies, Keas and swimming.  We don't always take the same holidays as the schools however all our activities do so the 'holiday' times always have a different rhythm.  In between more trips back to the doctor when Daniel's leg made sore again from swimming we began a new venture - art venture classes that is.  They are really great little follow along online lessons which we can stop and start as we choose.  The kids decided on an Egyptian Mummy to draw which then sparked a whole week of learning about Egypt, ancient Egyptians and, as it happened to be in this same week, Eid. It was great to see them eager and engaged. This is one of the awesome things about home-educating.

Jasmine's 'Mummy' which inspired Daniel's map of Egypt and a whole week of learning.

At the end of this week was a the weekend of the 150th Wellington anniversary celebrations.  Liam took a day off from house renovations, which was his first in 2 months, and we all headed in to have a look around.  Most things were open and free so we managed to go to the Reserve Bank, Government House, Kate Sheppard's birthplace, Te Papa (always free but always a highlight for us), the Beehive and the National Library all before the rain began. :) The favourite part for me was watching a short 'play' called Page turners where 5 actors became 5 iconic Wellington figures of Te Rauparaha, Robin Hyde, Nancy Wake, James K Baxter and Carmen.  It was a great performance and so interesting!

Enjoying being with Daddy and run off from me!!

The final week of July:

Well the highlight of this week was getting our bathroom fully functioning mid week!! After 5 years of traversing up and down stairs to get ready in the mornings we can finally shower and get ready in the same room!! Funny thing was that for the first couple of days I kept forgetting :) Liam is still working on all the finishing bits however everything - washing machine, bath, sink, dryer, shower and toilet are all going. Jasmine was the most excited I think as she was really missing having a bath after 2 months of showers.

Looking into our new bathroom.  Laundry area in the left corner and bath opposite.

Well that is about it from a rainy and mild Kapiti Coast. Hope this all finds you happy, healthy and warm.

Arohanui
Y

A slightly late June update.

Let's pretend it's still June shall we?  I'm only slightly late after all and the intention has been there for the last few days.... just the coughs, colds and sore throats have somewhat slowed down the whole process.

Even now the procrastination is knocking very loudly at the door so I'll make this a photo shot one I think :)

Jasmine got into some cake decorating after requesting a cat cake for her Brownies bring along a friend. Each week the kids have been baking and making up recipes .... with varying degrees of success :)

Daniel had a Kea's walk out at Whareroa Farm a the beginning of the month.  Grandad Liam was here and come along which was great.  Here he is doing the Kea yell.

Grandad Liam with a few of the grand-kids.

Daniel finally lost his first tooth!! It wasn't wobbly that long before he got it out.  I told him how I had knocked Jasmine's out with the facecloth one time so he went over and proceeded to 'wipe' it out using the same method!

For most of the month of June we have been tending to a mangy hedgehog.  We had to get his weight up over 700gm and clear the mange before we could release him.  Kids loved it... I was a bit over it by the end of the first week I have to say.  Who knew hedgehogs were such messy, cheeky things???!!  Not me when I agreed to take it in that is for sure.

Renovations are underway and still going.  Liam chose the weekend his dad arrived to rip out the bathroom and so we haven't had running water (aside from the toilet) in there since.  Almost there though with connections so fingers crossed it won't be long till be can actually wash hands and brush teeth in the bathroom again.

The kids and I have been going to a craft morning once a month and really loving it.  We are the youngest  by about 40 years and the kids revel in all the attention they get for their sewing, crochet and knitting.  Since the kids are enjoying it so much we have begun to have one at home on the 'off'' weeks. This week Jasmine created some togs for her Polly dolly from an old pair of her togs.

Each week, term time,  we have swimming lessons at the local pool.  It is will the home-schooling group so really nice to connect with others.  Daniel also has a Water Safety Kea badge that he wants to complete so here he is showing the instructor what he can do.  This is the boy who just a year ago won't let go of me or put his head under the water.

Jasmine had her first ever Brownie sleepover in Otaki at the end of this month.  She was very determined to go without me or Liam attending and had a great time.  So nice that she has made friends in the group and enjoys being with them.

Finally for the month of June, after all the rains and floods, we had a beautiful birthday weekend for Liam.  As Jasmine's camp was on the same weekend we headed out to Otaki and stopped at Te Horo beach from some banana birthday cake and a walk before heading home for a fish and chip lunch.

Hope this finds you all enjoying life and warmth - the sun kind or fireside kind.

Arohanui Y