School Holidays

Sorry for the slack updates. Things are a bit busier in this house right now as it is school holidays. We have been having fun.

Last week was spent organising things for the kids new 'Lochiel Stall' venture. We painted a sign and dad has started to complete the actual stall part, with a little help from some little people.

Welcome to the world little Mollie Elizabeth

I am an aunty again - YAY!!!!

WELCOME to Mollie and CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew and Liz.

My new little niece has just arrived in the UK. Now I am working on lotto so I can afford to go and meet her!

School holidays are very busy around this house. We spent the day doing jobs in town. Laura had a scrapbooking class so we dropped her off, did the groceries and then took Charlie for his immunisations. A obligitory 20 minute wait at plunket and then off to get Laura. We went to the library for a new pile of books. (Laura has just about read all of her already, wee bookworm that she is!) Picked up a battery from the jewelers and popped in to the shop for Laura to look at bikes. She is going to use the money that she makes from the stall to buy a new bike so she needed to know how much she had to save. (I think she was a bit shocked!)
This afternoon Laura, Daniel and Jess painted a board for a sign for thier stall. Tomorrow we should be able to sign write it.

Sammy gave us a bit of a check last night. I was making tea and he was playing in the kitchen near me. I went to tidy up and was taking some things to the bedroom. When I got back he was under the table playing. So I continued to tidy up in the lounge. Then he brought me the empty biscuit box. - nothing odd there I hear you say. Apart from the box previously contained about half a dozen butter biscuit to which he is allergic! So he wasnt playing under the table the little sneak was scoffing the forbidden fruit!!!!!
I watched him for about an hour and he showed no allergy signs - yay I thought. Tea half and hour later and he didnt want to eat, and started to scratch. So I gave him some phenergan and sat him on my knee for a cuddle. And he promptly vomited on me three times!!!!
So him and I had a shower! He was good as gold after that and still hasnt shown any excema signs that he normally would. So good and bad!!!

First weigh in EEEK!!!

We last night was my first weigh in - and to keep myself accountable I am going to let you all know how it went. I lost 2.2kg YAY!!!!! (just under 5lbs for the pomes!) So here is to the next week. I would like to loose another 2kg but as the average is 1kg I will be happy with that too. (just not quite as happy as I would be with 2kg!)

Yesterday afternoon I had a lovely suprise when Jimmy arrived at my door. Jimmy came to NZ the same year I did and then to our wedding two years later, which was the last time I saw him. He is here for a wedding so it was neat to catch up with him.

I spent some time yesterday fixing the last of three blinds for the kitchen. I did the last two last winter but somehow managed to miss 10inches of the width of it (!) I just needed a few more rings and eyelet thingies to get it up.

The kids are on school holidays so they have been spending some time with Nana before she jets of for Wellington. Jessa is having a sleep over with Nanny tonight so she is very happy. We haven't got too many plans for the holidays but the kids have decided to start their own business and have been collecting bags of horse poo to sell at the gate. They are going to cut swedes and have negotiated a deal with Gegen to buy wood offcuts to sell as kindling. They have made a business plan and decided on a name. All they need now is dad to help them build a wee stall and mum to help them paint a sign. So watch this space for the entrepreneurs.

Sammy's 2nd Birthday

Today is my little man's 2nd birthday. Wow, how did that come up so fast. We have had a lovely day. He got up to open his present from Grannie and Grandpa. He loves his new 'moo moo' cup and insisted I fill it so he could drink out of it. And he has gone to bed with his new cow toy. Then we brought out our present. It was too big to hide in the house so I popped it in the hut. I realised, however, when I started to upload the photos that we havnt taken one of him with it. We bought him a new bike - so out goes the little pink, plastic three wheeler and in comes bright red flames and two wheels. (He is suitably impressed) He is a little bit small but has figured out how to get on and off by him self already and demands the nearest person give him a push!

Here is the cake of the day - of course it had to suit the moo moo mad boy so it is the cow jumping over the moon (well obviously!) Although as Brenda pointed out for a boy allergic to dairy it is a funny favourite!

Blowing candles with big sis as a coach

Opening presents - Uncle Jamie, Uncle Gareth, Auntie Brenda, Aunty Brodie and Uncle Anton came along with Nana and Gegen and we all had a birthday lunch.

Playing with my new toys!

Here are the nappies I made Charlie - they are fitted nappies made out of burley knit terry - a real super soaker - and they have a scrummy soft aqua velour lining. The terry was some I hand dyed. It was supposed to be blue but it came out sort of purple. I guess I didnt leave the dye long enough.
Charlie is a real wetter, so on a night now he is sleeping longer I need something with a bit more soakability. These nappies need a cover over the top and will be a bit bulkier but should be really thick and thirsty.

Back to reality!!!

Well it is back to reality again and the same old!!! Kids back at school and kindy. They were all pleased to see thier friends again. Jess has been a bit off colour and very quiet but is pretty much back to normal again now.

Monday night I went to my first weightwatchers meeting. I have finally accepted my willpower will not work without a bit of encouragement. I weighed in at 91kg EEEEEK!!!! Having said that we had two weeks of treats, I spent the weekend chomping all the nice stuff I knew I wasnt going to have after Monday and made sure I ate a huge tea before I went. The theory being that come next week I should have lost something surely!!!! (even if it is just because I didnt eat tea before I went!!!) So wish me luck - I want to be thin again for my 30th in October so that is my goal. (gosh that sounds terrible saying 30 - how did that sneak up on me!)

Tuesday morning I had Charlie at plunket, he has put on another 700g and weighed in at just over 7kg. (Little bit different to me huh!) He is doing so well. They are very pleased with him.
After that we popped into playgroup to catch up for a while before heading home so Jessa could have a sleep before Kindy.
After picking up the kids from Kindy I had to go to the Chiropracter (apparently driving 1200km and back isnt terrible good for my back!) She managed to fix me again so fingers crossed it stays that way.
Back home and have tea, bathed the little ones and then Laura, Daniel and I headed back up to school for the opening of the Museum. The kids have been doing NZ history as part of thier project this term and they have made a museum. They had an opening night for parents. It looks really good and they were all very proud of thier work.
So a busy day!

Today was much quieter, I made a vege soup and a stew for tea. While the kids were in bed I made a couple of nappies for Charlie and then made some muffins. Jessas kindy teacher is leaving to have a baby and it was her last day (well so we thought but she is actually back for a couple of weeks next term so Jessa was happy!) And we have shared morning tea at school tomorrow so some will go there too. They were choc chip muffins with a square of white choc buried in the middle - good job they are going somewhere or I might just be tempted to eat one!

We had a board meeting at tea time so Jase was in charge of dishing up and washing down.

Butterflies.....

The butterflies were awesome, the kids has so much fun exploring the paths and bridges to see all the butterflies feeding and flying around. There was also turtles and birds and fish to see and a waterfall. It was very hot and humid in the butterfly room.

This butterfly must have found some residue raspberry jam from Sams lunch on his sleeve and took quite a liking to him. Sam was most intrigued with it.

Jessa holding a huge butterfly, this one was dead and dried (or whatever it is they do to them) but they had these ones flying about too. Apparently they dont have feeding tubes. They come out of the chrysalis with fat bodies and live off their body for four days before dieing. Not a very interesting life! The lady in the butterfly house spent quite some time with Laura and Daniel telling them about the butterflies and birds that were in the exhibition.
The museum also had heaps of interactive science type activities for the kids to play with and tropical fish. We will definately return again as we didnt have much time due to parking in a meter and needing to get back on the road.

We finally made it home on Friday night about 7pm.

Saturday was spent at Splash Palace. We had promised Jessa we would go swimming in the pool at Christchurch but ran out of time so a special trip was in order to fulfill our promise. Coupled with lunch out at the Copper Kettle and the kids were happy!

Science Museum in Christchuch

After the kids found their friends again and had a play in the playground at the holiday park we set off into Christchurch. First stop was the sewing centre to check out sewing machines for little old mwah! (one somehow managed to slip into the back of the truck to come home too! hehe) We went to the Science Museum in town. It was awesome. Although more aimed at the over 5's. There was a play area for the younger ones too. The kids got to play with all sorts of interactive things involving weather, magnets, friction, etc etc.

This is photo of Laura standing in the tornado tunnel.

Daniel on the climbing wall. Apparently there is some monkey genetics in our children who seem to fly up the wall. Daniel was funny as he went up twice and then on the third go he got an attack of vertigo and it took the climbing wall lady - Penny, about 15minutes to convince him back down again. Then he went up another half a dozen times with no worries!
After Christchurch (and a quick (?) stop to check out a truck for Peter) we went to Timaru where we spent the night. After a stop in at Temuka where I managed to get a new lid for my casserole dish (at the pottery shop). Apparently they dont have any left of my set anymore. So once the kids are old enough not to drop it all the time I will have to decide on a new one (such a shame!) After this stop we went to Dunedin where we stopped at the Otago Museum to see the much anticipated butterflies.

Jessa taking Charlie for a walk at the Science Museum

Last one for tonight!

Jessa wearing her new jersey. I finished it at Ginas on Saturday night. She loves it and it suits her. Looks cute and was so easy to make, I am really pleased with it and enjoyed doing it.

Wednesday morning in Kaikoura (where the mountains meet the sea), the kids went for a swim in the pool at the campsite with their new friends. Sam was having a paddle in the edge but somehow managed to come back soaked where he decided to venture further in!
We picked up some morning tea at the same bakery. They have the yummiest, freshest bread. We got some cure gingerbread dolphins and whales. They had coloured icing, smarties and 100&1000s on them and appear to go down quite well with the kids. Sam of course couldnt have one so we got raspberry buns for him, Jase and myself. They are the best buns I have had, big fat fresh bread buns with a delicous layer of raspberry jam running through the middle and topped with a sweet raspberry icing. YUM!
We took them out to the Kaikoura penisula and sat at the sea edge watching a playful fur seal as we ate - now how many places in the world can you do that?!
The older three and I walked up the hill to the lookout and waved back down to Jase and Sam in the carpark.
Then we headed off for Christchurch.

The kids on the Kaikoura peninsula looking back to the Kaikoura mountains, pretty ah?

The fur seal (circled) playing in the shallows

The kids at Cheviot where we stopped for lunch. Sammy took a tumble off the slide and they discovered a carpeting of acorns under an old oak tree and proceeded to make a pile of them. We appear to have brought some with us too!
So here we are in Christchurch. So far all we have done is go shopping in the mall (we so gotta get us one of those in Invercargill!) We were brave enough to let the kids loose in the toy shop where they chose a (small!) toy each. We picked up some bibs and baby spoons for the wee man and got some groceries for tea. The kids had a play on the playground in the campsite (another motel like room this time. We have purchased a member card which gives us good discounts). We are planning on finding the science museum tomorrow and maybe a couple of shops for me too!

cont........Swimming and sailing

On Monday Jase, Gina and I took the kids to a swimming pool in Kilbirnie. A great spray centre that has just opened recently. There are loads of spraying, dunking, splashing equipment to get the kids used to the water. It is only shin deep (on an adult) with a soft spongey floor. There is also a smaller area with seesaws and things in the water for the smaller kids (under 5's) to play with. Sammy loved it as did Jessa. The bigger kids had a ball also. In the afternoon the kids walked Lachie to Kindy and then picked him up again. Jase and Gina took them to a park to play afterward and I had a wee nap. Charlie had been waking two hourly during the night for the previous three nights and I was just a tad tired!
I gave in that night and gave him some farex and pears and he slept through till 4am again (from 7pm) so phew!
I had been hoping to stretch him out till we got back but alas it was not to be for my hungry little man!
Tuesday morning saw us packing up again and heading back to the ferry. Another slightly bumpy crossing but fine and no seasickness from me or the kids. Laura and Daniel found other kids in the little play area to play with. They appear to be quite good at making friends.
Jase and I had a chat to a couple from Manchester who are over on holiday. (their eldest was playing with Laura)
We arrived in Picton just after lunch and took the kids to the aquarium to see fish, turtles, tuatara, skinks, crayfish, starfish and a whole host of other things. There was a wee touch pool where the kids got to hold starfish and Kina too.
We drove back to Kaikoura and stayed in the same place as on the way up and met up with the English family again much to the kids pleasure.

cont.....ploughing and playing.

The kids at the park, still didnt manage to get them all in there (Nevey was getting a bit tired)


On Saturday we packed up a lunch and headed out to the Wairarapa to see the horses and the ploughing. A trip over the Rimutakas, which are pretty wiggly winding and high hills. Unfortunately it rained most of the time we were there. There was some pretty controversial judging. Peter and Jase came second. But apparently the man they put first didnt do his opening split right and didnt finish. He also only ploughed about half of the depth they were asked to. But he did have it nice and neat!
Peter and Jase were a bit annoyed given that it was the Silver Plough competition which is the countries best all competing.
Anyway on the second day it was looked over by some other judges and they deemed it void so they competed on the Sunday from scratch with no accumulated points. And they Won!! Yay a first.

On Sunday Morning we took the kids to a place called Junglerama. A lovely wee playplace in Wellington. The kids had a ball. They were so hot and exhausted when they finished that most of them were asleep in the car when we got back to Ginas for lunch!
This is a picture of Jessa getting a wee bit upset becuase she was trying to get to the top of the play structure to a little red car at the top and she kept turning the wrong way and ending up at the bottom of the slide! This was her third attempt. Laura took her up and showed her how to get to it so she was happy again.

Cont....Arriving at Wellington

So just over three hours on the boat and we drive into Wellington and straight to Ginas new place. A lovely wee house and big enough to accomodate the 5 adults and 7 children that are now there (Brod and Anton were already there).
The cousins were so excited to see each other and ran off to play like we pop round for coffee on a regular basis.
The next day (Friday) Jase drove over to the Wairarapa to help Peter with the horses. Brod, Anton, Gina and I took the kids to Wellington Zoo. We met Francey and wee Cael there too. (*waves to Francey*) It was a lovely day and the kids really enjoyed it.

The kids on the Hippo at Wellington Zoo. Apparently it is not possible to get them all in the same place at the same time to get a photo!

Gina turned around and her paring knife slipped out of the lunch bag and dropped into the otter pool. The otters found this new toy very interesting and took it for a play. One of the Zoo staff came and got it out with a long grabber stick before they damaged themselves. A little bit of excitement for the day! You can just see the red of the knife handle under the right otters foot.

We stopped for a play in the park next to the zoo. There were some big kids playing too!!!

The Big Trip

Okay, I have finally got my computer online so I can update you on how our trip is going. I will start at the beginning!

Tuesday the 1st (I think!) I spent the morning packing up all of our stuff to go. Come 3pm I am all ready to go and pick up the kids. At this point Jase and I realise we have both locked a door thinking the other one was still open and the keys are now locked in the house! I walked up to school to get Laura and Daniel and Jase got back into the house to get the keys. By the time we pick up Jessa from Kindy we are already running 15mins late. I ring the hospital and let them know we are running late for Sam's peads appointment.
Sam gets the all clear and we are off, headed for Dunedin. We grabbed 'Old MacDonalds' (happy meals for those not in the know!) and checking into the campsite cabin.
The next morning we head off to see the Butterfly exhibition only to find out it doesnt open till 10am. Not prepared to wait an hour and put ourselves so far behind schedule we head off towards Christchurch.
A quick pitstop to drop something off in Christchurch and we head off again for The Caves which is a restaurant just before Kaikoura. Peter and Bee are there with the horses so we all have tea. The most divine blue cod. Then head into Kaikoura to another campground cabin. (We have found the campgrounds are the cheapest way to accomodate our rather large numbers and still get a kitchenette and bathroom in the cheapest possible way)
A good nights sleep, a play in the playground and a coffee from the bakery and we head off for Marlborough. (exciting trip so far, huh?)
We stop in Seddon to see old friends of Jasons. We find them all packed up and sold out off their farm up there. They have been in drought for around 7 years and they have decided to retire. The vineyards are moving into the area big time up there. About the only thing that can grow on the lower water rates.
From here we head off to the Ferry in Picton. A picnic lunch on the seafront and a play a the playground first. I turn around from helping Sam on the swing to see Jessa pants down sitting on the grass. I start to say what are you doing Jess, then realise that she is taking a pee in the middle of the playground. lol! So I turn back to Laura and tell her to pretend we dont know Jessa lol!! (Well it was too late to stop mid flow!)
All back into the truck and off for the Ferry.......................