It is a lovely thing when the solstice comes and goes, the daylight hours get progressively longer, and those hours are warm enough to spend the day in shorts and a tshirt in midwinter! And to spend that day from the beach to the soccer pitch to and around the Mount (twice in one day even!) is a true banner day here. At one point I had to really pinch myself and remember that it is mid winter now.
There is snow, but down south on the volcanoes, and stores advertise skiing and such, but we are happy here spending these nice days outside playing together.
Boys soccer game was postponed so we played a bit on our own this week, got through some chores around the house, and enjoyed some unscheduled time. Took in a couple movies as well, The Fault in our Stars (whoa! get the tissues!) and Words and Pictures, another lovely story that got me excited about teaching and education again.
Ok, so here are some more photos of the recent week, starting with yet another new fruit of this season, the Tamarillo. Originally from S America like the feijoa that we enjoyed so a couple months ago, this one is red and tastes like a combination plum/pomegranate. Delish! See it on the tree below.
And when you cut it open, the deep red gives way to this lovely pattern!
And last weekend I agreed to take the boys and Jamey paint balling, who knew it was such a world wide event! They loved it and still have the welts and bruises to show for it. THey played some kiwi mates, NZ vs USA. Seemed everyone was a winner of sorts. And the one most keen to go back was Maggie of course who just watched, but feels she has it down now and is ready to take on those brothers!
Had the pleasure this week of joining Maggie and her class on a tour of the airport and our local airplane museum, all part of their studies on flight. We have such a lovely airport, small, intimate, easy to navigate, lovely cafe where one can get a flat white and muffin or glass of Sauv blanc. Here we got to tour the runway, see the control tower, and get up close and personal with the fire truck on duty.
Classic Flyers is the name of the museum and it has all sorts of classic planes, many of which will fly you up and around for a small fee if you are game. The kids loved it, and I loved seeing all of these young ones so engaged and having fun.
Yes another kitten photo, but you just can't believe what this cat puts up with and enjoys! Under the covers with Mamma ( as she refers to herself which then makes me Grandma!! eek!), all snuggled in for the night. Still progressing towards shipping this four legged back to the US as well. What was I thinking??
And today was a day of swinging. Here at the park, Maggie and the neighbor took to the air as they showed me just how high they could go. The boys and I were playing soccer on the adjacent pitch, and afterwards we were off to the local dairy for ice cream and coffee.
Though a passenger for only a moment until I got a bit motion sick, Maggie showed my how using the legs, one can really get this thing going. Such joy!!
Our day progressed and we took in a movie, and then once back home it was too nice out to stay inside, so I was blessed to have the company of Maggie and Noah for a stroll around the Mount. We found this swing so had to take a ride. Noah was great helping his sister, and then when it was his turn, he got on the swing, and the thing collapsed under his weight. I missed the photo, and no injury was sustained, perhaps a bit of a bruised who. Alas.
It was a wonderful winter day indeed. Noah admitted he is looking forward to snow and skiing and all the fun that will bring, but for now, loving the shorts and sunshine. BBQ'd some chicken and ended the night with some episodes of Game of Thrones. What could be better?? Sorry if I made this day and past week sound all rosy and sweet. Each day of course has its moments or sibling turmoil and angst, but when blogging, want to remember the sweeter moments. No need to bore anyone with the teenage drama! Though I have had some good conversations recently about puberty with the boys…..
can you see them rolling their eyes now?!
No comments:
Post a Comment