Easter

We had a lovely morning hunting Easter eggs with the neighbours and then eating our chocolate in the sunshine.

Piano Recital 2014

The girls did a great job at their piano recital. Grace played "Love is Easy" and Jane played "If I lose myself," as well as a duet with her teacher, Fumiko. Fumiko amazed us all with some Rachmaninov at the end. Josephine called it 'angry music'.

Snuggling with a pirate

Exploring

On saturday Rich was away in Hamilton at a meeting and we decided to get out of the house and explore somewhere new. We found a lovely bush track in Onewa Domain. Along the way we saw some beautiful old trees, lots of interesting epiphytes and a tree which the fairies had decorated.

On the mend

Charlie has a health assignment which requires him to design a magazine cover and write an article about someone recovering from a health problem. How convenient! Here are some of the pictures we took of Rich for the proposed magazine cover. Which one would you choose? (By the way, that is my trophy from the Christmas Island Junior Swimming Club - Most improved swimmer in the 25m Freestyle - 1980.)

Out to dinner

On Wednesday we went out to dinner to celebrate Laura's birthday. We went to the Auckland Fish Market and had the yummiest fish and chips ever. Then we walked along the waterfront and looked at the artwork there and played in the playground. We snooped around and had a look at a mega-yacht with a helicopter parked on top. We watched some people fishing off the wharf for quite a while, but no-one was having any luck. It was a beautiful evening.

Lenny the Sheep

Josie's class has a toy sheep. Each weekend a class member gets to take Lenny and his diary home. The children are asked to write about what Lenny did with them over the weekend. Here is Josie's diary entry: This weekend Lenny came with us to the playground. Lenny loved all the things. But most of all loved two things. The first one was the slide. The other thing he loved it the most of all the stuff...the public toilet. He wouldn't stop going to the toilet (until I picked him up when he started to cry.) On Sunday Lenny was very naughty! He purposely smashed my mum's favourite vase! "Oh you naughty sheep!" I said as I plopped him on the time out step. Then he growled at me and then started a tantrum. Later I asked him to say sorry. He said "Baaah." I hope next time he's better. By Josie.

Look up, Adam!

On Saturday, Charlie and Laura went to get their hair cut, while everyone else went to the playground. Here Rich took a photo of Adam at the bottom of the slide and then, seeing that his eyes were shaded, asked him to look up a bit. He is so co-operative!

Swinging

Josephine's friend from over the road, Cohen, has a lovely swing in his front yard. They spend a lot of time out there.

Sunday lunch

The girls made a lovely lunch for themselves and shared it in the lounge room. Sausage rolls and lemonade.

New Zealand's Tectonic Plates

Here is Charlie's science project. He was asked to build a 3D annotated model showing New Zealand and its tectonic plates. In its creation, Charlie and I learnt a lot about geology, tectonics and playdoh.

Old Hat New Hat

Reading

Rangitoto Island

Charlie and some mates hiked up Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano in Auckland Harbour. It was a great day.

Personal grooming is important

Sleeping in

Birthday cake

Happy Birthday, Josephine!

Our little girl is 7!!!! She had a lovely day. Aunties Jude and Janny were here to help celebrate. We started the day with pancakes - a gigantic one for Josie. Then she followed clues around the house to find some presents. Clues included "the place where the giants who rule the house sleep" and "where stinky socks find happiness." Cohen from over the road came over to 'help.'

With Grandma and Grandad

A song for the patient

The young men from Charlie's youth group came over to visit Rich and sing him a song. It was truly beautiful.

Heart Surgery

As many of you know, late last year it was decided that it was time for Rich to have a new aortic valve. Rich went in to the hospital three weeks ago and the operation went as planned. This has been a huge deal. We are not a family used to being sick, and it has been a big eye opener for us. I am awed by people who deal with chronic illness or with a family member who is an invalid. Rich is doing very well indeed. We feel sure that his quick recovery has been aided by the many prayers of friends and family. He He has been home for two weeks now, and is each day improving, though some days are better than others. This week he is scheduled to shift from 2 10 minute walks each day to one 20 min walk. He may lift anything lighter than 4kg, do light household chores, knit and play card and board games. He is also cleared to pull weeds and participate in slow ballroom dancing. He tells me he is looking forward to a sedate Canadian three step with great anticipation. We were very blessed to have Gayle and Jeff, and Jude and Janny come over to help out. We couldn't have managed without them. Thank you everyone, for your kindness and care.