Wiggly fun

An early birthday present for Saffron, a trip to see the Wiggles LIVE! Lots of fun by 4 grown men who were having a great time themselves, lots of fun for the girls and plenty of humor for the parents. A great number of dads were there - not sure if they were hoping for a guest appearance from their latest collaboration or not - but no Kylie after all!. Just Dorothy the dinosaur, wags the dog, henry the octopus, Captain feather sword.
We striked lucky - we got to go in a separate door with no merchandising! Heaven sent!

Macdonalds treat for lunch and all were happy.



Josh and Andy had enjoyed a trip to Pink Panther 2 the week before, having won free tickets in a competition. After which Josh went to spend his money, after selling old toys he no longer wanted on trade me he save $100 to buy some star wars lego - Rebal Tank. He is impressed!4 more days till the end of term and 2 weeks of Easter Holiday fun... lots of trips I think, including a cinema, passport photos trip! The weather her is a real India summer, with Autumn being very mild and warm, just as we remember it 2 years ago this weekend for our first visit. Have remembered though nothing is open good friday!

Paraparaumu beach - again.......

from sand angels to dune monsters! we had it all! great beach for exploring and playing on, great sand, drift wood and nice shallow seas for paddling.

Paraparaumu beach

Mum and dad have returned from the paradise of the cook islands and are staying at a lovely holiday home in Paraparaumu beach. The house belongs to friends and is an awesome place and great location. We drove up there today to make sure they got in ok, and went for a walk on the beach - just 2 mins walk away. great beach. the house has everything you could want and more. Even wet suits and kayaks, bikes for the kids and a cupboard full of toys.

There is a small parade of shops round the corner, 2 mins walk the other way.

We had a great time beach combing and paddling. looks like we will be hanging out there for their final weekend before back to chilly old packed blighty.

http://the-sand-dunes.blogspot.com/

Saffron the Island girl, she was sooo impressed to get boobies!!! and boy she can wiggle those hips - we are going to have trouble with her!!!!!

March already

Well its the 1st of March already, another year starting to whizz by already. India is settled into school, Josh is still making up excuses for homework and tidying his room. Saffron is growing up fast and getting closer to her 4th birthday all the time.

Nothing major to report, just the same old day to day plodding on with work, school, washing and gardening! The weather has been very unsettles, wet and Autumn is most certainly arriving, with chilly nights and mornings.

India starts school

India started school on Wednesday 4th February 2009.




































She is in room 9 with Mrs McGrath and just 6 other children. It will get busier as the term progresses, but is a great start. She was very disappointed at not getting homework like Josh and not being able to stay till 3pm like Josh (they were expected to go at 2pm for the first few weeks).
She does start swimming next week - 3 days a week, but I expect they will


only get 10 mins in the pool and the rest will be spent getting changed!!!!!

Well off to pay donations and stationary kits for them both - not much change from $400 - ouch.

more pics of SI

Pancake Rocks











Me Kayaking



















Operera Caves














Sounds

Escape to South Island

Andy and myself have enjoyed a holiday on our own and away from the kids, the first time we have had some space since April 2007, nearly 2 years. We decided to go exploring the south island a bit more and see some more of NZ. We did a short 1300 km loop from Blenheim, down to Kaikoura, across Arthurs Pass, up the West coast to Karamea, then back through Bullers gorge and Wairau valley and up to Havlock. There have been some vast changes in landscape and Geology, from hot arid planis and vinyards to lush mosit rainforest on the west coast.

We would highly recommend the Rough and Tumble lodge on the Mokihinui River, just north of Westport. its set in the Bush (sandflies and all) and is a perfect place to relax and escape from the wrold. no TV, internet, just great food, company and relaxing.

Blenheim was a lovely town, and the vinyards - there are over 60 vinyards, 4000 hectares. Thats a lot of drinking to be done! we did our bit!