Well yet another busy month here in Kapiti. The days just seem to fly past, they really do.... and yes I know I say that all the time :)
Jasmine is still on the go with fund-raising for her big trip south to the Girl Guide Jamboree. So far she has raised half the money with a raffle and a sausage sizzle. She is very willing it is just her parents that are trying to find the time and energy to keep up the fundraising efforts with her :) The sausage sizzle we held on the first weekend of October went so well and so fast that I forgot to take photos so sorry you'll just have to imagine Liam serving up sausages and herself in her little pink Brownies top sorting out the change.
Our local Mitre 10 (hardware shop) had a great free workshop for the kids on the day after our sausage sizzle. The kids loved making a birdhouse which they could bring home. They now have them mounted in the garden and we are all watching the comings and goings of birds. So far it looks like some starlings have nested in Jasmine's as we saw them taking things in and out while over at Daniel's it has been a half-way home for visiting sparrows and starlings :) It has peaked Jasmine's interest to find out more about birds so we are waiting for a contact from the local ornithologist society.
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| Themselves building the birdhouses. |
The weather was actually pretty kind to us in October (unlike it has been for these few days of November) and we have really enjoyed getting out and about along with BBQ's with friends. Themselves all had a go at white-baiting and, despite others collecting 120 pounds of the stuff, managed to get 3. No, not 3 pounds that is 3 actual white-bait :) The kids love the experience of going down with Liam even though they don't help much in the catching stakes once there.
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| Themselves out trying their luck |
This month also saw us finally get into Wellington for some rock climbing for Jasmine. She has been hooked on it since she had a go on a friend's wall 3 years ago. I have to say too that she seems a bit of a natural at it and loves the challenge of finding holds and working out a path to the top. While in Wellington she scaled a climb that even adults were struggling with! The look on her face when she got to the top and we (the adults that couldn't make it up and me) all cheered was priceless.
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| Jasmine just about to push up to another hold. |
Finally our month of October ended with a fantastic Halloween BBQ and fire-pit party. Not being ones for Trick or Treating we chose to celebrate the Jack o Lantern side of it and invited the neighbours and the kids invited one friend (plus family) each so that we could toast a few marshmallows along with carving a few pumpkins. The people who rented this place from us created an awesome space down in the wilderness with a wee fire-pit and seats around. It has taken us a year to use it however it was well worth the wait and such a great evening for it!
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| Count Daniel Dracula - who saves lives :) |
Well that is about it for now. Hope this finds you all enjoying the change of season and rhythm - albeit inconsistent in NZ.
Arohanui
Y
