The merry month of May - with photos this time!!

Sorry ... accidentally hit publish instead of save so let's try that again with photos!

Yes ..... believe it or not I am here writing this before the next month arrives!!  I figure that while the fire is going, the kids are happily creating Lego world (the 2nd) and I'm busy procrastinating over doing assignments I should at least do something productive :)

Fishing with Dad down at Paekakariki Beach

I began our month of May by being away on reflexology assessments so themselves had to find a bit of fun here - well the kids probably had more fun that Liam who has been busy (yes, it is an ongoing mission) organising our porch and stairs for the front door :).  I have been doing a bit of an 'upgrade/sidegrade' to get my NZ reflexology qualifications as the Reflexology professional body here doesn't accept what I have completed through the UK.  Thankfully I have an awesome tutor who has cross credited loads so I'm not forking out that much money just a lot of time to complete assessments, case studies (to get up to the number of hours they require here) and study.  I am really enjoying it though, despite the rush, as I'm love learning and I'm loving reflexology.  To think I actively avoided it for so long!!

The new porch for our new front door which is actually at the front of the house!

The following weekend Liam had a weekend 'off'.  Well it was a weekend off from this place at least as he headed up with his brother to do some work on a place they have at Raetihi.  It is a great wee place though so Liam enjoyed it albeit working :0. The kids and I on the other hand had a fabulous time checking out 2 house-buses, visiting Nanny Beth (Liam's mum), going out for tea on Sat followed by sleep-ins and Devonshire teas on Sunday (Mother's day).  The kids were awesome the whole weekend I have to say (well who won't be when you are venturing around, visiting and eating out) and very sweet in using their own money to shout me the Devonshire tea on Mother's day down at our local boat club :) Didn't think I'd be having that treat for a while yet!

Themselves at Fisherman's Table

We did have a bit of medical excitement after that when Daniel fell and smashed his leg into his father's over-engineered shoe rack........ you can guess who came off second best :).  No breaks thankfully just a lot of pain and tenderness for the week or so which meant we had a rather 'quite' middle of the month.  We did manage to see our monarch butterfly emerge though (remember our cocoon from a couple of months ago) and also to get down to the beach one afternoon for themselves to have a go at surf casting and catching some seaweed and sticks :)

Yay.... our butterfly hatched before the storms set in.

Then in this last week the weather has definitely changed and in the midst of storms the kids have been busy making movies.  It has been a while since we did these (last winter I think) so the first ones were a bit of a re-learning curve.  They have come a long way though as they now plan, create and photograph everything themselves.  I find it so interesting to see how they work out what changes to make and how to get what they have in their head out into the world.  Very grateful to be able to the opportunity to be a home so they can follow their interests and very grateful to amazing software (both free online and purchased) that allows us to create their movies in  the comfort of home :)  We are still in production however if you want to check them out and other movies themselves have made then they are on You Tube here

Jasmine's clay dinosaurs for her movie .... still in production.

Well that is it from us lot for now. See you again next month

Arohanui
Y

The Merry Month of May

Yes ..... believe it or not I am here writing this before the next month arrives!!  I figure that while the fire is going, the kids are happily creating Lego world (the 2nd) and I'm busy procrastinating over doing assignments I should at least do something productive :)

I began our month of May by being away on reflexology assessments so themselves had to find a bit of fun here - well the kids probably had more fun that Liam who has been busy (yes, it is an ongoing mission) organising our porch and stairs for the front door :).  I have been doing a bit of an 'upgrade/sidegrade' to get my NZ reflexology qualifications as the Reflexology professional body here doesn't accept what I have completed through the UK.  Thankfully I have an awesome tutor who has cross credited loads so I'm not forking out that much money just a lot of time to complete assessments, case studies (to get up to the number of hours they require here) and study.  I am really enjoying it though, despite the rush, as I'm love learning and I'm loving reflexology.  To think I actively avoided it for so long!!



The following weekend Liam had a weekend 'off'.  Well it was a weekend off from this place at least as he headed up with his brother to do some work on a place they have at Raetihi.  It is a great wee place though so Liam enjoyed it albeit working :0. The kids and I on the other hand had a fabulous time checking out 2 house-buses, visiting Nanny Beth (Liam's mum), going out for tea on Sat followed by sleep-ins and Devonshire teas on Sunday (Mother's day).  The kids were awesome the whole weekend I have to say (well who won't be when you are venturing around, visiting and eating out) and very sweet in using their own money to shout me the Devonshire tea down at our local boat club :) Didn't think I'd be having that treat for a while yet!

We did have a bit of medical excitement after that when Daniel fell and smashed his leg into his father's over-engineered shoe rack........ you can guess who came off second best :).  No breaks thankfully just a lot of pain and tenderness for the week or so which meant we had a rather 'quite' middle of the month.  We did manage to see our monarch butterfly emerge though (remember our cocoon from a couple of months ago) and also to get down to the beach one afternoon for themselves to have a go at surf casting and catching some seaweed and sticks :)

Then in this last week the weather has definitely changed and in the midst of storms the kids have been busy making movies.  It has been a while since we did these (last winter I think) so the first ones were a bit of a re-learning curve.  They have come a long way though as they now plan, create and photograph everything themselves.  I find it so interesting to see how they work out what changes to make and how to get what they have in their head out into the world.  Very grateful to be able to the opportunity to be a home so they can follow their interests and very grateful to amazing software (both free online and purchased) that allows us to create their movies in  the comfort of home :)

Well that is it from us lot for now. See you again next month

Arohanui
Y

April Update from the Fays

Well aiming to get this to you at in the first week of May at least :)  Seems time keeps on slipping away from me lately what with our renovations, work, outings and study.  So while I procrastinate over doing an assignment I will actually get in and do this!  Decided to work backwards this month as our biggest excitement was actually at the end........

We finally got new carpet!!  We inherited three different carpets in this place with the oldest being in our room probably from 1953 when the place was built, then a some laid in 1990 (could date that thanks to newspaper underlay, as you do) and then the newest in Daniel's room from sometime this century.  So I think it was high time that we had one matching floor covering through out don't you?  It has made such a difference to the warmth and feel of the place however it does show up the paintwork that needs doing?! :)  Ah well all in good time..... Liam?

Yay! New carpet

Taken from my treatment room

The weekend before the new carpet was the long weekend of Anzac Day and we were treated to an awesome dawn service at Petone followed by a ride on the Passchendaele Express Steam train into Wellington.  We were up with the dawn and it was well worth it.  Jasmine then exceeded her call to duty by attending a second service with her Brownie group in Waikanae.

Heading to the dawn service

Jasmine with her Brownie group

Earlier in the month we had a chance to test out Liam's bus park down the side of our house when a family we met came to park up for a night. They are a family of five working with the Motor-home Association to show how it is possible to live sustainably in a house-bus for a year.  Took a bit of manoeuvring but their 11 m bus made it!  Now to actually get ourselves one :)

The Loop Crew Bus and their electric car 'Little Miss Sunshine'

Liam has also been busy on the house every weekend getting things a bit more sorted. It feels like it is really starting to come together now!! We have new opening windows in the downstairs flat, a porch and stairs leading up to it now.

Half way through the porch creation.... we done have it with the other window in.

And finally.... our month started with creating of a different kind as we ventured up to Levin  a few times to make the most of their Lego 'display'.  It was 120,000 pieces of white Lego for people to create, recreate, construction and de-construct with!  Such an amazing thing and the kids loved it.... we ended up staying 2.5hrs the first time we were there and then 2hrs  the second time.  Some of the structures built (by adults and children alike) were amazing.  If it ever comes near you I would recommend it whole heartedly!

First visit

Final touches to their newly created pieces... Daniel's cafe and Jasmine's pyramids behind.

Hope this finds you all happy, healthy and enjoying life.

Arohanui
Y

Whooops.... a bit late!

Well.... let's just say that time has slipped away on me :)  Here are a few photos of our goings on in March and fingers crossed I'm more organized at the end of this month, though no guarantees!

The month started out great with a road trip up to Snell's Beach for Patrick's 21st.  Great weather the whole weekend! The kids both had flat travellers to show around (a kind of penpal think) and we all enjoyed relaxing, seeing family, catching up with friends and sight-seeing.

Up in Snell's beach

 Daniel has now been made a leader of his posse in Keas so the incentive to go along to each week's meeting is at an all time high!  Here he is in full uniform with his flat traveller from USA. He  had to write in a journal for the flat traveller while it is visiting for 2 weeks.

On the deck at home ready to go to Keas

 Finally his front tooth decided to come out! They are slowly being released and he is slowly growing in his big teeth.... still have the gap from this one though :)

Yay... another tooth for the tooth fairy.

 As usual Liam has been super busy with the house renovations.  Downstairs is pretty much done apart from the carpet which is coming at the end of April and some windows which will be done around the same time.  So exciting that the vision we had 6 years ago is becoming a reality thanks to himself and his handiwork!

Downstairs kitchenette

As I have probably mentioned before themselves each have a night to cook.  Daniel decided to stretch himself from pizzas and make a bacon and egg pie.  Just had to share as he did such an amazing job and even the vegetarian could appreciate it :)  He has an eye for detail that boy as you can see in the decoration that he insisted on. 

Daniel's Bacon and Egg Pie.

Well the weather has certainly been more summer like that autumn however the pumpkin harvest has begun.   Think the heaviest in this picture is 3.9 kg as Jasmine decided to compare them all and order them however we have had a few bigger ones since.

First batch of pumpkins

 With all the warm weather it seems that a few butterflies have been fooled into thinking it isn't Autumn too.  The kids found a caterpillar on a rather sad looking swan planet however by the time we came back from shopping for more swan plants it was safely snuggled up.

Fingers crossed it can hatch before a cold snap arrives

With our plans of getting a house-bus ever present I have been doing a little de-cluttering of my wardrobe.  Themselves had a great old time trying everything on, singing and dancing around.... cheeky monkeys!

The de-clutter dress up

Well just a quick one as it is so late and I'm mindful I'll have to be doing this again in a few weeks :)

Hope this finds you all happy, healthy and enjoying the awesome weather.

Arohanui

Y 

February with the Fay Family

Only a day late!  Here we are in the first day of Autumn with another month of sunshine gone by and the cooler nights coming as a welcome relief.  We are back into the swing of routine now - work, Brownies, Keas, swimming and home-schooling - which just seems to make everything and every day go all the faster!

Himself at the Beach with the South Island visible

Visiting the local Deer Museum and feeding the tame deer.

 We have been making the most of the great weather getting out and about along with Liam bang whacking downstairs into shape.  The plums have been harvested, the apples are in the process and the swaps of pears means that a chutney mission will soon be on hand.  The kids have also been baking and cooking up a storm with Chinese New Year testing their skills in fortune cookie making (I know they are not really for the New Year but hey they were fun for the kids to make and create fortunes), making Chinese style meals and using chopsticks :)  They have got into cake making and decorating a lot lately ... with some interesting results it has to be said!

One the better cake decorations themselves have produced all ready for the tea party.

Making fortune cookies for Chinese New Year

Daniel has finally lost another tooth in the front which he was very happy about while Jasmine is loving being back at Brownies, going to camp and being able to sell her biscuits around the neighbourhood.  I'm doing a bit more study (surprise, surprise... seems I just love it so much I can't help myself) in reflexology to become registered in NZ and Liam is busy with Lions (gearing up for taking over as President), renovating our place and work - that man never stops!!

His third tooth.... at this rate he may be 21 and still have baby teeth!

We have also had some Flat travellers (a kind of pen-pal exchange with home-school kids in other countries) with us from Canada and USA which has made us have the camera at the ready so that we can record our days.  The kids have to write a journal for them while they are here, explaining what we have got up to, sharing information about NZ and the odd brochure or two.  At the same time the kids have their Flat Travellers ( a pirate in the US and a penguin in Canada) visiting over in Canada and USA so it is very exciting to get the journals back and read about everything.  Such a great way for the kids to learn about other countries and most importantly cultures :)

Daniel and his USA Flat Traveller at the pool.

Jasmine's Canadian Flat Traveller watching the Brownie Camp beginning.

That's us for another month. Hope this finds you enjoying life.

Arohanui

Y

Into 2016

Wow! The end of January 2016 already.  This month has been a really busy one with Jamboree, retaining walls and Birthdays along with lots of sunshine, outside play and water fun.

Jasmine's Jamboree was the first big event of the year with herself and I along with one other guiding friend heading down to Christchurch for a week of wind, adventure and excitement.  I actually didn't see Jasmine that much as she was so busy putting up tents, kayaking, rock climbing, archery, jewellery making, exploring Christchurch, swimming, community service, wood-working, stone carving and lots of fun the the rest of her unit of 30 girls.  There were 1400 girls on the camp and 400 adults helping so it was a big event!

Herself making leather bracelets on Jamboree. Only got this shot because that is where I was working!

While we were away Liam and Daniel stayed around home and looked after the animals along with having Pizza or Fish & chips every night while we were gone!  I thought Liam was joking when he said it but..... apparently not :)  The biggest mission though was Liam getting the retaining wall completed and the vinyl professionally laid - the house is really taking to take shape now with all his hard work and effort. They did however manage a few adventures including chasing a run away tent in Rimataka Forest Park when the wind picked up and decided the tent looked like a nice friend as well as returning trucks, exploring Plimmerton and Makara.  No worries about Daniel feeling like he had missed out on any fun that is for sure.

Plants removed and getting ready for the work to begin

After the digger had been and gone...... such a difference

Retaining wall in thanks to himself and concrete poured in an early morning mission.

The other big event was Jasmine turning 9.  She had a fantastic day with her friend as we took the train into Wellington to go Rock Climbing then a princess pool party along with fish and chips to round it all off.  She had her cake planned out from about August last year so when it came to making and decorating it she had it all sorted and told me she would organize things.  All I had to do was the baking and she did the rest!  Maybe next year I will be made redundant in the cake making department all together - fingers crossed :)

The decorated cake all by herself.

Miss 9 at her Princess Rock Climbing and Pool Party 

 

 Rock Climbing

The Pool Party!

Aside from that we have been making the most of the sunshine to get down to the river and the beach to enjoy the water.  It is great having them so close that we can just walk or bike down easily.  Nothing like a splash in nature to cool you down.

Family Fun in the Waikanae River

Hope this finds you all happy, healthy and enjoying the year so far.

Arohanui

Y

Final Fay Update for 2015

Well it is the last day of 2015!! It is hard to believe that we have now been back up in the North Island for over a year.  We have had a wonderful, adventurous and eventful 2015 that is for sure.  December seems to mark the biggest changes of all to the house though.... nothing like the new year coming to make you realise you need to finish those goals from the current year!

So hopefully in order here are the main highlights of our December:

After having a wiggly tooth for months and then discovering that his new tooth was actually growing up on angle behind Daniel was given a time limit to wiggle his loose tooth out. The Dental Nurse (who he doesn't really like) told him that if he didn't have it out by the 1st Dec that she would have to pull it out.  Well the 1st Dec came and still that little baby tooth was determined to hang in there.  I let him know that I'd have to ring and make an appointment - which I did - when he very quietly came to me and asked 'guess what?'........  It seems that he really didn't like the dental nurse and the thought of going was so daunting that he 'accidentally' knocked a rock (one of many that he collects) off his window still and into his face making his tooth get knocked out!!

Finally his second tooth has fallen out.  Goodness knows when the rest are coming!

December was also the month of rain here, well at least it felt that way.  It began on the 1st and didn't really clear up until Christmas Eve! Just in time for us going camping though thankfully.  We headed away on Christmas Day (after present opening at 0030 hours by excited kids who thought it was morning and then more at 0630) over to the Wairarapa with the mice, kids and dog in tow.  It was a full car I can tell you :)  We camped at Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite which allows dogs and we were lucky enough to arrive to a fairly empty campsite.  It meant we had a primo spot with early morning sun to warm us up, all day shade (to keep the mice cool) and sun in the evening to warm us up again as the night arrived.  It was a full moon too so the the fact that we had completely forgotten things like torches didn't matter too much :) The kids loved swimming in the lagoon as did the dog and we enjoyed using our family sized tent for the first time and having space! The weather couldn't have been better - calm, clear and hot!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Swimming in the lagoon

Daniel enjoying his camping breakfast

Walking up to see the Pinnacles

Liam has also been making lots of changes around the house and he's been busy every weekend bang whacking something.  So far we have our new front door in place (this is my favourite even though it isn't functional yet as before everyone was searching for where to enter or knocking on my reflexology room door),  enclosed the porch downstairs, put a new floor on downstairs, insulated downstairs and begun to clear out the side of our property to make room for car-parking space.  It is all starting to come together now after years of wishing and dreaming.

Our new front door in place

Liam downstairs. It used to be a wood porch, now it has a proper floor, insulation and door.

 
This month we also finally booked to go and visit Kápiti Island.  It did take us a while to get there though after our initial 5th December booking as they cancelled due to bad weather twice then we had to change dates due to the kids being unwell!  Finally, fourth time lucky,  we got there just after Christmas and enjoyed a bright and sunny day to explore. The view from the top was awsome with the South Island and Taranaki visible.  We were seranaded by Hihi (stitchbirds), Korimako (Bellbirds), Tieke (Saddlebacks), Túí and Kokako all the way walking up to the top along with some noisy Kaka.  The kids even managed to see 2 of the 4 Takahe on the island.  So worth the wait :)

Up on the top of Kapiti Island

Hope this finds you all happy, healthy and warm, rearing to get into the new year

Arohanui

Y