Zoooo

This morning I made everyone our famous blueberry pancakes for breakfast with REAL maple syrup that I brought over.  It was a big hit with everyone!  These pancakes were about 3 times as thick as the ones that they made a couple weeks ago, possibly because Tessa decided to add some more milk to the other ones...but the ingredients were different in general.  Libby of course wanted to help the whole way through, but does not like to wait before flipping the pancakes so I really had to make sure she didn't smush them all over the pan, and that they were ready before she touched them with the spatula. 


This afternoon we spent the day at the Auckland Zoo for their cousin Anton's 1st birthday.  We visited all the animals and then had a picnic snack on the grass surrounded by poppies.  It was a really nice afternoon perfect weather for wandering around the zoo as well. 

Oh that's why we couldn't find the elephant in its habitat!

New Kitty Door

Last night I was startled by a sudden scratching at my window while trying to go to sleep.  Luckily I had been told be Reuben just earlier yesterday to make sure the curtains were closed otherwise the cat would scratch at the window.  It hadn't happen yet so I wasn't quite sure what he was talking about.  The house is designed so that, even though I'm on the top floor, the roof of the next level down is right below the window, easy access for Smudge as well as her buddies, some of the neighbors' cats.  The curtains were closed so I couldn't see what was going on and I knew I'd only left the window open a tiny crack!  The scratching went on for awhile and then I saw the curtain moving.  Luckily it was only Smudge, but she's managed to open the window and squish herself through onto the window sill and then eventually jumped down and then onto my bed.  I watched her do it again this morning, and it takes some effort! Not sure why she just doesn't use her own cat door downstairs!  Hopefully I'll get it on video sometime because it's pretty funny and she doesn't always make it through the first time.

I also went on a bike ride around town today to scope out the two local tennis clubs to see about joining.  I may go an have a hit at each to see which seems most friendly and welcoming.  Although one is just down the road, easy biking distance even walking distance, the other is a bit of a longer bike ride and definitely not a walk, probably more a drive.  I also managed to find the bike trail on the way back from Devonport.  It starts right along the road and can easily be confused but any other bike lane until it joins with the sidewalk and then winds through some neighborhoods and then down a hill and into the woods on this tiny little bridge.  Then all of sudden it opened up to a path through some fields that I had no idea were there.  They're so hidden in the hilly terrain and there's a lot you miss from the main road.  There was even a mini skate park in the middle.  Then it wove back into the woods for awhile and you just sort of had to guess which was the right way to go, unless they eventually all converge somewhere...but I don't think I saw where that would happen.  Eventually I was back out following neighborhood roads again and then finally there were signs saying it was the trail to Takapuna.  I recognized where it came out right by the Bayswater park and took my turn home.  I'm sure it would be a really nice ride to take all the way to each end sometime though, just pretty hilly in some parts!  In the end I think I only went about 10 miles. 

Eco-Friendly Appliances

I didn't do much of anything too exciting today, caught up on some TV shows I'm missing at home, loving the start of Glee so far!  Read some of my book and got my laundry done.  I've noticed that most all of people's appliances here have sensor modes or eco-friendly modes, for example, the drier starts and stops a lot, somehow knowing when the clothes are dry.  There are a few different settings that I hadn't heard of before, one of which was "ready to wear"  The washer as well senses how much it is filled with and fills with water accordingly and has an eco-friendly setting.  The dishwasher drawers as well!  Maybe mine at home are just too old and this is common now at home too, but I'm finding it pretty easy to use everything.  Even the microwave at the mount had a sensor cook setting so it just went until whatever was being reheated was hot throughout.  Just an observation I've had!

I also attended the festival show on the trampoline tonight.  Reuben and Libby were all dressed up and "selling tickets" to their show they were putting on, on the trampoline.  The whole family attended and watched as Libby used her magic wand to turn Reuben into all sorts of things, followed by some dancing and then acrobatics or "flips in the air!"  These were most just forward roles with a little extra lift in them, although a few times Reuben came pretty close to landing on his feet, if only he'd gone high enough to straighten his legs.  I was trying to teach them how to rotate more or faster and I think Reuben will be landing on his feet soon with a little more practice.  I even decided I'd try to demonstrate what I meant since I used to do them all the time.  It had been quite awhile since I tried one but luckily it was success and easily landed standing up, impressing the kids!

Baking and Biking

I had my first kindy drop off and pickup today with Tessa, though she only goes on Thursdays, so normally it won't be my job.  All went smoothly anyway!  While Tessa was at kindy Libby and I went to the supermarket to pick up some essentials, like bananas, they are her favorite food for sure! And she especially likes the bruised ones!  Think she would eat a bunch a day if we let her!  We also got a few baking supplies and made some absolutely delicious chocolate chip cookies.  Although before we got to the baking aisle she spotted the M&M's and thought we'd just use those instead, but then decided maybe we should use BOTH half of each!  She could only manage about half a cookie when they were finished.  And only had a small taste of dough as well!  A much sweeter dessert than she's used to I guess!  We also went for a little bike ride after dropping Tessa off in the morning to explore searching for new parks, though it got pretty windy and started to sprinkle so we turned back and came home. 

I went to yoga again tonight and the instructor offered me a ride home, since it's pretty much right on her way!  So I had a nice chat with her on the way, also saves a lot in bus and ferry fees!  Also, the last couple tape/replacement stitches have come off the leg today for anyone who's interested in the progress, it's healing nicely!

The Scar

Hairy piglet face

Thirsty little lamb and my finger

Huge Texas longhorn

Gritty Bed

Last night when I climbed into bed I wondered why it was all covered in gravel and sand right up by my pillow, seeing as we hadn't been here for 4 days, and I knew I hadn't ever put shoes or anything on my bed.  Then I came in my room today to find Smudge curled up right at the top almost laying on the pillow so I figured she must be the culprit.  And just to prove herself guilty, I caught her rolling around, playing in the driveway that's currently been torn up to be redone.  She must have managed to fill her fur with sand and grit and then go and spend each night on my bed while we were gone, accumulating a nice little pile.  Luckily, I think the concrete is being laid tomorrow so she won't have the option of rolling in the sandy gravel anymore. 

Today was another really nice day.  The kids spent some time outdoors on the trampoline and swinging and also helping day set up the sail boat in the garage to get ready for Reuben's race.  Reuben went to Nan's this afternoon for a couple of nights and Libby enjoyed spending her afternoon playing with a neighbor.  Later on she asked for a go on the computer (mostly just because it was free because Reuben wasn't begging to go on and play games) and we played her Barbie games online being a doctor and dentist and concert prize giver...at least it was a change from hearing/watching Jonah and the Whale for about the 100th time!  Libby has had the DVD of their show on repeat almost every day, although we didn't watch it at the mount so I guess we've had a decent 4 day break. 

The Mount

Saturday--
In the morning we went to the French market in Parnell to find some delicious foods for sampling and purchasing!  I ended up with a nutella crepe to satisfy my cravings.  The other highlight was the sighting of not one, but two pugs!  One grown dog and one adorable little pug puppy, who happened to come close enough for me to pet.  That made my morning, nutella and pugs!  We then went to get a birthday present for the party Libby was attending and then came home to get ready for the party and finish packing for Mount Mauganui.  We picked Libby up and were on our way on the 2.5 hour trip at about 4 o'clock.  It was a nice scenic ride down across some countryside and through a couple of gorges.  Upon arrival I met John's brother Peter, his sister Linda and her daughter Katie, who is about my age.  A traditional Kiwi roast dinner (lamb and roast veggies) was in the oven for us.  We also had the discussion about kiwi fruit versus Kiwis.  They all said "we're Kiwis!" and I've noticed everyone makes a point to say kiwi fruit whenever they are referring to the fruit, it's never just a kiwi, like I would call it. 

Sunday--
We set the clock's ahead an hour overnight for daylight savings time, so everyone woke up a little bit later, which was nice.  When I went upstairs to have some breakfast, I was told to hurry up and get ready, by Reuben, who was excited to go to the animal farm!  It was almost like a zoo of farm animals, with a petting zoo of babies in the front.  We got to hold an adorable baby lamb that must have been hungry because it kept sucking on everyone's fingers.  There were some funny looking hairy piglets, bunnies, turtles (Larger versions of Terrance! He could get pretty big!), ponies, and baby chicks.  There was a Clydesdale, some deer, Texas longhorns, emu (which was pretty scary to feed, it felt like it was going to take your fingers too but managed to just get the corn kernels), sheep, goats, some birds and some others.  There was also a nice trail to walk along and good lookout point at the top of the hill.  We took a walk over to the beach (just two streets away) when we got home and played around for awhile, not quite warm enough to go in the water.  The sand was the finest, softest sand ever!!  It felt so nice on my feet and even made a squeaking noise if you scuffed your heals!  I've never walked on sand so silky it squeaked before!  Sunday night I made manicotti for everyone or cannelloni, rather because those were the closet shells I could find.   It was huge hit, however, everyone really enjoyed it!  Even Libby who is often impossible to feed asked to try it, LOVED it, and asked for seconds, after she had already eaten her dinner!

Monday--
This was the first REALLY nice sunny warm day!  Starting to feel like spring/summer now!  We went back to the beach and spent some more time there, playing cricket, soccer, throwing a rugby ball around, then after Tessa went back for her nap and Libby went back because she was hungry, I stayed with Reuben to help him build something in the sand, although I'm not exactly sure what it was still...he says it was a boat, but I just didn't see it, I just built what he asked me to build and followed his directions.  We went back and had some lunch and then Mom, Dad and two kids were off to the waves pools/water slides while I stayed behind with napping Tessa.  When they got back I went on a walk with Linda and her walking buddy Gretta first to the Mount and then up to the top!  By the time we got back down the bottom (and we went at a pretty fast pace because this was their exercise regime) I felt like I was warm enough to go and jump in the sea!   Some people were swimming actually, but it still wasn't really HOT out.  Instead I had some ice cream from the recommended place and we took the long way home so they could show me the rest of the town and the other side of the skinny peninsula and harbor where all the sailing races take place from.

Tuesday--
Today was another very nice day!  The whole family went for a walk around the Mount, just as nice as going up, but a little bit easier for the kids and Tessa who rode in the pram or on someone's shoulders.  There was much higher traffic going around and we passed quite a few joggers and many families along the way.  Although I did see some crazy people running up and down yesterday.  Everyone had ice cream after the walk today as well and then back home for some lunch and a nap for Tessa.  The kids were back to the wave pools today with their cousin Katie and I stayed home with Tessa.  She woke up about an hour before anyone came home so we had a nice little playtime with a puppet and some building magnetic toys and remained happy, even though she kept asking where mummy and daddy were.  It must be hard when they're the ones who put you to sleep and then are missing when you wake up, but she accepted my response of "they'll be home soon".  We were on the road back home just after 6 and after dinner, hoping the kids would just sleep in the car as usual.  It started with Reuben and Libby with dad and Tessa and I with mom, but Tessa was not too happy about this setup, and also hadn't been fed her milk which is always done pre-sleeping.  So when we stopped Reuben came in our car and helped to comfort Tessa.  He was having issues falling asleep too so we turned on the radio for awhile to hear one of his current favorite songs, Lady Gaga's Telephone (which he kind of makes up the words for).  Another current favorite is a sort of techno-y song whose only words are Barbra Streisand, he finds it extremely amusing and I think he likes the fact that he knows all the words!  Anyway, eventually he fell asleep and Tessa decided that she not only did not want any milk but did not want to sleep either and demanded the singing of twinkle, twinkle over and over again for the last part of our journey home.  When dad pulled up next to us at a light when we were almost there, he was a little bit shocked to see her excitedly waving at him.  I'm sure she'll have a nice long sleep tonight or definitely a long nap tomorrow!  I also caught my first glimpse of the stars in a cloudless sky, in the southern hemisphere on the way home tonight and I can't wait to find all the new constellations!

The mount from the beach

The beach from the mount

Hiking up the mount

Part of Mount Maunganui

Walking around the mount