Almost-Summer Break

It was quite good getting in a beach weekend before the heat and crowds set in...although I think Mahia was the place to be for the weekend - kind of glad we didn't go to Auckland and sit through that weather for the rugby!

Wairoa, ice-cream stop, was a bit windy... Eden practising her balancing and clapping (multi-tasking!)
Mahanga Beach for the afternoon
Sandcastles...
Digging...
Sand throwing...
Running from the waves...
Pub food at Mahia Pub, and some warm, dry rugby watching...

Day 2 - Lachie claiming his part of the beach...

Eden rock-hopping... Swinging back at the bach...And on the way home we stopped at Lake Tutira where there were lots of signets and...buttercups!

Boys and their Toys

Went out riding with Keith and Finn this afternoon, not sure who was more excited, the kids or Mike...

Keith showing them how to jump...

Lily enjoyed it too, but prefered Finn's smaller bike...

Finn and Jack giving Lachie some tips...

Room for one more?

No, Eden had to have a go on her own on a stationary bike...

Lachie trying Finn's bike out for size...

And here's a video of Lachie and Keith, unfortunately I didn't tape their first trip round, Lachie yelling "woohoo" as they went over the jump! (My new camera does sound with the videos, wait til I get footage of Lily singing!

Finished off at the pub for dinner, a bit of a late night, getting ready for our trip tomorrow and BIG rubgy match (Hawkes Bay is more excited about it than the World Cup semi's)

Magpies and Cathie

After an unmentionable rugby game this morning, I'm sure the Magpies came through just for us (with just over a minute to go!). A fantastic game - we watched it at grass roots level, even a wee bit of sunburn! But unfortunately we already have plans for next weekend so wont make it to Auckland to support them in the semi-final - we saw them play Auckland a few months back, it's going to be a tough game, but not bad for a team that's new to first division! Cathie's been up for Uncle John's 60th, so we stopped off to catch up with her, even though we were all exhausted! (Sorry Cathie!) Here's a few pics...

Betty's Papal Award

I've been working on a nomination for a Papal Award (an award from the Pope) for a year. It came through from Rome in record time, and we managed to surprise Betty, her family and everyone else at Church! Betty is one of my oldest friends (pun intended!)

So a good excuse for a cake! (Flowers/letters are edible)

Oruawharo Dinner

We went out for dinner at Oruawharo, a huge station at Takapau.

Before we went... Who's chatting who up?Lily dancing for the boys...and where is her father???

Bunk Bed

On Lachie's bunk bed...it's THE place to be (apparently!)

Windy Walks

Honey's been getting a bit wound up by the wind this week, so we've been taking her out the back to the paddocks for a run. She loves it, and so do the kids! The sheep just keep their distance and watch.

Eden in the backpack...(just after I ripped a big hole in the back of the leg of my jeans - excuse for shopping!) Lachie with the frontpack and girl baby...
Lily with her backpack and boy baby...Honey comes when anyone calls her, provided we're loud enough...
Lachie took Lily for a walk... Lily took Lachie for a walk...
Exhausted, we head home...
It's also great if the kids aren't quite ready for after lunch, half an hour out there in the wind and they all sleep for hours! So we've had a few later nights this week, and luckily, later mornings too!

We spent yesterday rearranging the kids rooms, we do that a lot! Lachie's now on his bunk bed with more playing space underneath.

Big weekend ahead...a wedding I'm helping with this afternoon (I did the cake!); a meeting I'm running/catering tomorrow (people coming from Wairoa, Napier, Hastings and locally); dinner at Oruawharo Saturday night; big secret event for Sunday morning (I made/iced another cake!); then the Magpies game Sunday afternoon; yes, and Cathie's down (so we'll fit you in too!)...then back to kindy/music on Monday...

Coffee Group

Sunny coffee group day in Waipawa at Lee's...

If anyone wants a copy of either of these, just let me know!